Guyana Chronicle E-paper 11-21-2018

WEDNESDAY 21st November, 2018

Pay hike approved No.105465

House clears modern Civil Aviation Bill

… Min Patterson assures legislation ICAO-compliant, PAGE progressive

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Several 19 nabbed with guns, ammo in police raid PAGE

… Public servants get salary boost ranging from 0.5% to 7%

... Min Jordan confirms increases to be PAGE paid retroactively 03 from Jan. 1, 2018

Woman bolts after setting wharf ablaze

…partner held as M&CC probes P A G E

02

President returns from Cuba

PRESIDENT David Granger and his wife, Mrs. Sandra Granger Tuesday night returned to Guyana from the Republic of Cuba after spending approximately three weeks undergoing medical treatment there.

The President accompanied by

his wife, travelled to the Republic of Cuba on October 30, 2018 to undergo a medical investigation.

While in Cuba, President Granger was diagnosed with Non- Hodgkins Lymphoma after an intensive series of tests by specialist doctors at the Centro de Investigaciones Medi-

co Quirugicas (CIMEQ) in Havana.

Given the diagnosis of Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma, the President’s Medical Team has performed a number of medical interventions including the first round of chemotherapy treatment. The President has responded well to the treatment

and was given approval to return to Guyana.

President Granger once again expresses profound gratitude to all those who sent their well-wishes for his full and complete recovery.

(Photo by Ministry of the Presidency)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, November 21, 2018

Woman bolts after setting wharf ablaze … partner held as M&CC probes

By Lisa Hamilton FOLLOWING an argument with her partner, an irate woman allegedly set alight a stall at the Stabroek Market Wharf on Monday night which engulfed several other stalls.

Reports are that the fire began sometime between 22:00hrs and midnight on Monday. Two vendors are being credited for quickly alerting the nearby fire service which resulted in swift action to contain the blaze.

Perhaps, they were able to save the vicinity labelled as “hazardous” for occupancy, from being completely engulfed.

The fire was contained to the north-eastern section of the wharf—a section in ruinous condition which Town Clerk Royston King had once referred to as a “calamity waiting to happen”.

Access had supposedly been restricted to the wharf since in September by the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) as reconstruction

works are expected to commence but many vendors are still ignoring the order to cease operation.

On Tuesday, providing the report of the City Constabulary, Acting Chief Constable Laurel Gittens told the media that she had received the call about the fire. “A stallholder was arrested who claimed that himself and his [partner] were engaged in an argument and she wounded him and he was suggesting that she’s the person who lit the stall on fire, but that is just speculations thus far.

However, he was held in custody; he was transported to the Georgetown Public Hospital,” Gittens informed.

She continued: “This morning (Tuesday) at about 08:15hrs I received another

An alleged arson to the Stabroek Market Wharf leaves flattened several stalls at the Stabroek Market Wharf on Monday night (Delano Williams) call that another stall was ignited. However, that is under control and from all speculation that fire escalated from some exposed electrical wire, but all this is just speculation until the report from the Fire Service is final.”

When she spoke on the matter, Gittens said she had no confirmation on whether the woman in question was arrested. However, the Guyana Fire Service (GFS) is said to be treating the event as arson.

Several stall holders who still ply their trade at the wharf recounted similar events which they said originated from an argument between a fish vendor See page 8

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Pay hike approved

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, November 21, 2018

… Public servants get salary boost ranging from 0.5% to 7%

... Min Jordan confirms increases to be paid retroactively from Jan. 1, 2018 THE A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) government has approved increases for all public servants ranging from 0.5% to 7% for 2018, Finance Minister Winston Jordan has confirmed.

In a circular issued on Monday, November 19, the Financial Secretary of the Ministry of Finance informed all heads of budget agencies that the increases have been approved for all public servants. The increases will take effect from January 1, 2018, and as such would be paid retroactively.

According to the circular, public servants that earned up to $100,000 as of December 31, 2018, will receive a seven per cent increase while public servants that acquired salaries between $100,000 and $299,999 will receive a 6.5 per cent increase.

Public servants whose salaries ranged between $300,000 and $499.999 will receive a five per cent increase; those that fall within the $500,000 to $699,999 bracket will receive three per cent increase; $700,000 to $799,999 – two per cent increase; $800,000 to $999,999 – one per cent; and those earning one million dollars and above would receive a 0.5 per cent increase.

The ministry noted that the increases are payable to workers who were employed as at the November 2018 payroll. According to the circular, the increase is applicable to “all traditional public servants, defined to mean those employed in

ministries, departments not under ministerial control, regional administrators, and Public Service-related agencies, i.e., commissions, secretariats and those who are engaged on contract positions reflected on the inventory of authorised positions of the traditional Public Service and persons on contract outside on the inventorised positions.”

It is also applicable to all members of the disciplined services.

The circular mentioned that the increases are not applicable to teachers, employees of the University of Guyana and ministers and Members of Parliament. A separate circular has been issued to address increases for teachers in keeping with the Memorandum of Agreement between the Ministry of Education and the Guyana Teachers’ Union signed on October 24, 2018.

Only on Sunday, Minister Jordan in a letter to the editor, said public servants can expect salary increases especially in the next three years. He also announced that Old Age Pensions which now stands at $19,500 per month, will be further increased when the national budget is presented on Monday.

Jordan made the announcements while responding to an article by trade union leader Lincoln Lewis. Under the caption “Local Government Elections, though disappointing to some, were not unexpected”, Lewis’s article touched on a number of issues including the increase in salaries for

Cabinet ministers, as well as Members of Parliament and the payment of year-end bonuses to members of the disciplined services.

In addressing the issue of the bonus to members of the disciplined forces, Jordan explained that for many years the previous People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) administration had adopted the practice of paying less to public sector workers, so as to retain an amount to pay year-end bonuses to workers in the disciplined services only.

“Recall that the standard wage increase was five per cent per annum, resulting in the paltry minimum wage of $39,570, in 2015. But a higher percentage has been budgeted to pay increases to all workers across-theboard. The difference in the two percentages was used to finance the one-month bonus to the disciplined services.

Even in cases where funds remained after paying the bonuses, the previous administration refused to use them to pay the other public sector workers, preferring to return them to the treasury,” Jordan, who worked as the finance ministry’s budget director for several years when the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPPC) was in power, said.

He said it is a policy of the coalition government that all workers must benefit if there are excess resources that can be shared. Hence, in 2015 and 2016, all workers benefited from the payment of bonuses of $50,000 and $25,000, respectively.

Jordan acknowledged that

since 2017, the government has had to grapple with financial challenges that have precluded paying bonuses.

“However, we have paid salary increases beyond the “five per cent”, such that the minimum wage has rapidly increased by nearly 52 percent in two years, from $39,570, in 2015, to $60,000,

in 2017. It took the PPP/C administration nine years to move the minimum wage by a similar percentage, or from $26,070, in 2006 to $39,570, in 2015. All workers can expect salary increases going forward, especially in 2018, 2019 and 2020.”

The finance minister said he found particularly nause-

ating, Mr. Lewis’s attempt to connect the lower voter turnout by the disciplined services to the ending of the one-month bonus.

“I firmly believe that our hard-fought right to vote cannot be so easily and callously sacrificed for the proverbial “40 pieces of silver.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, November 21, 2018

Trump says he will stand by Saudi Arabia despite Khashoggi murder WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Donald Trump vowed on Tuesday to remain a “steadfast partner” of Saudi Arabia despite

saying that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman may have known about the plan to murder dissident journalist Jamal

Khashoggi last month.

Defying pressure from U.S. lawmakers to impose tougher sanctions on Saudi Arabia, Trump also said he would not cancel military contracts with the kingdom, saying such a “foolish” move would only benefit Russia and China.

Trump said U.S. intelligence agencies were still studying the evidence around Khashoggi’s murder inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on Oct. 2 and who planned it. “Our intelligence agencies continue to assess all information, but it could very well be that the Crown Prince had knowledge of this tragic event – maybe he

U.S. President Donald Trump shakes hands with Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, U.S. March 20, 2018. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst/File Photo

did and maybe he didn’t!”

Trump said in a statement

03:30hrs. - 05:00hrs.

Wed. November 21, 2018 14:30hrs. - 16:00hrs.

Saturday 17, November, 2018

03 05 12 22 23 27 20

D

03, 06, 09, 17, 26

8, 9, 0

5, 0, 1

issued by the White House, U.S. intelligence sources say the CIA’s assessment is that Khashoggi’s death was ordered by the crown prince, who is Saudi Arabia’s de facto ruler and

is widely known by his initials MbS. Democratic and Republican lawmakers have urged Trump to drop his support for MbS, but the president has been reluctant.

He said on Tuesday that both Saudi Arabia’s King Salman and MbS “vigorously deny any knowledge of the planning or execution of the murder,” and that the truth may never be known.

He also stressed that Saudi Arabia, a major oil producer, is an important business partner and a “great ally” in the fight against Iranian power in the Middle East. “The United States intends to remain a steadfast partner of Saudi Arabia to ensure the interests of our country, Israel and all other partners in the region,” Trump said.

05, 06, 15, 16, 17 16, November, 2018

03 04 07 08 20

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, November 21, 2018

Prominent Caribbean academic says PetroCaribe deterred focus on renewables PLACENCIA, Belize, Nov 20, CMC — A leading Caribbean academic says that while Venezuela’s PetroCaribe initiative helped participating Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries get through a difficult patch, it also deterred investments in renewable energy.

In 2005, Caracas developed an oil alliance with many Caribbean states to purchase oil on conditions of preferential payment.

Eight years later, PetroCaribe agreed links with the Bolivarian Alliance for the Americas (ALBA), to go beyond oil and promote economic cooperation.[ “I think the record is clear: PetroCaribe reduced a lot of its members to debt-laden countries,” Professor Emeritus Anthony Bryan said, adding that by 2015, more than one-third of the external debt of CARICOM members of PetroCaribe was owed to Venezuela.

Bryan told delegates attending the Sixth Caribbean Sustainable Energy Forum (CSEF VI) that in addition, Venezuela’s resource diplomacy had a telling impact on CARICOM regional negotiation and regional cooperation. “Some got deals, signed agreements which were better than others,” he said as he spoke on the topic “Geopolitics, Climate Change and Energy Governance within the Caribbean”.

The University of the West Indies (UWI) scholar, who is also an independent consultant on energy development, said that then Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez, under whose leadership Caracas launched PetroCaribe, had noted afterwards that “oil is a geopolitical weapon”. “… at that time, the Venezuelan largess was being distributed throughout the Caribbean and the hemisphere in the name of 21st

century socialism,” Bryan said.

“I had a lot of trouble deciphering what that meant but then I came to the conclusion that it was this curious socio-economic theology located in an expansive void between Simon Bolivar and Santa Clause,” he said to laughter, as he chuckled. “He was giving away the largess of the country,” Bryan said, adding that history is replete with belligerent leaders using humanitarian rhetoric to hide geopolitical designs.

Bryan, however, said the PetroCaribe experience is a forceful lesson for the CARICOM region. “And what I think was the worst part of it is that it lured the region into a false sense of energy security. Governments and private sectors should have been looking to advance the cause of renewable energy or, in the case of my country, Trinidad and Tobago, to at least invest in the cause of renewable energy in the future. “But we didn’t do that.

All we did was have a series of mendicant pilgrimages to Caracas. Every country was doing that. Going to meet with Chavez; going to get some honey,” Bryan said, adding that this was no vision for energy security.

He said that the region needs a clear vision for energy cooperation that will integrate energy policy with trade, economic, environmental, security and foreign policy while broadening dialogue with producing and consuming countries alike.

“In all of this, we still have to remember international relations 101: countries do not have friends, they have interest.”

The academic said that the world’s most highly concentrated deposits of oil, natural gas, and coal have helped to determine the global balance of power over the past century, giving a

Professor Emeritus Anthony Bryan

small number of energy-rich states, many of them in the Middle East, tremendous influence. But Bryan said even renewable energy will change geopolitics. “The change to renewable energy does not lend itself to the same kinds of international oligarchies.

For one thing, renewable energies are practically universal. They are few places in the world that lack wind, sunlight, water, and bioenergy of any kind.

“Plan for generating wind, solar and hydro power — the predominant renewable energy sources –they don’t require fuel, and, by extension, no fuel shipments.

“In addition, renewable energy generation is by its very nature intermittent. The sun shines, the wind blows, the rivers flow regardless of geography, further evening the geopolitical playing field, and, compared with more traditional fuels such as natural gas and coal, renewable energies have a much higher potential for decentralised generation.”

He said that scientists

are already suggesting that the global transformation to renewable energy will put electricity centre stage.

“Countries will probably integrate their electricity grids regionally as a result, globalised energy will gradually become more regionally focused or the regional trade will continue.” Bryan said that while this is being done, the region has to watch for emerging nations, particularly, China. “It’s the world’s biggest supplier and miner of rare earth materials, the biggest employer or renewable energy capacity worldwide, the biggest market for electric vehicles,” he said, noting that this reality makes Beijing

the main provider of energy products, services, technology for much of the world.

“Even so, the United States can preserve its traditional importance in the energy sphere with innovation.

Bryan said the book “Taming the Sun: Innovations to Harness Solar Energy and Power the Planet” suggests that growth of renewable energy will require new changes in financial systems, technology, profoundly change energy products to reduce cost. “But what about those who will lose? Sad to say, maybe my country, Trinidad, is one of them,” he said, noting however that a country’s status as a solar energy power does not confer the same geopolitical eminence as enjoyed in an oil-dominated world of the past century.

“Oil was a weapon that they would use.”

He said that along with the changes that renewable energy will pose to the geopolitical order, it may well change the face of war, adding that fossil fuels, particularly oil, have set off several conflicts since the second World War. .“Renewable energy, because of its comparative abundance and potential for decentralisation, probably won’t have the same to spark large military confrontation.

In fact, it will bring about renewed cooperation among states.”

He said that consuming nations have always felt that the scarcity of oil makes

them vulnerable. But Bryan said the notion of scarcity is coming to an end, that as a result of a number of developments in the energy sector, including the development of shale in the United States, which has turned that country into the biggest combined producer of oil and gas.

The second major change is taking place in China, which is attempting to move from an energy intensive economy to a more service-led one. “It’s over dependence on imported oil forced it to harvest more of its own wind and sunlight and it is the country with the most ambitious plans for renewable energy, and, of course, to create more low-carbon energy systems to fight climate change,” Bryan said, noting that the geopolitics of energy would develop into a contest of which country can produce the most energy of its own. “Those who don’t embrace clean energy transition would be losers in the future,” Bryan said, adding that with the exceptions of Suriname, where hydro accounts for half of the energy supply, the development of renewable energy in the Guianas and Caribbean islands is still in early phase. He said this is understandable because the project requires high initial capital, possibly only available through concessional financing or global venture finding as well as a dose of luck in implementation.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, November 21, 2018

Going Solar GUYANA’s commitment to becoming a 100 per cent renewable energy state by the year 2025 will shortly be one step closer to reality.

One of Guyana’s newest capital towns Mabaruma, in the Barima-Waini region, will shortly benefit from electricity supplied by a solar energy farm. The use of solar power is pivotal to Guyana’s sustainable energy goals and going solar is a cornerstone of the national energy policy. This positive development is good news to the residents of that town, who will soon have a more reliable energy supply.

Government has announced that the construction of a $254 million solar farm at Mabaruma has been completed and will soon be connected to the town’s power grid.

Currently, residents of Mabaruma receive their electricity from generators that use fossil fuels; however, when the solar farm becomes functional, the town will have a hybrid system. Minister of Public Infrastructure David Patterson explained that, “During the day when the sun is up the whole town will be powered by the solar farm.” He elaborated that because sunlight is intermittent and variable in intensity, the generating sets will fill any shortfall in

demand. For example, on cloudy days the solar farm may generate 80 per cent of the town’s electricity; the generators will supply the remaining 20 per cent required by residents. Switching between solar power and fossil-fuel power will be smoothly automatic.

Additionally, storage batteries are in place to store energy from the 400 kilowatt facility, so that solar power will be available for up to half an hour in the absence of sunlight. This feature will be most useful if there is rainfall or short-term cloud cover.

The conversion of sunlight into electricity using solar panels or photovoltaic cells was first used on a commercial scale during the 1980s. Since then, the cost of producing and storing solar energy has been reduced steadily, making solar power available to less wealthy territories. The International Energy Agency projects that by the year 2050, some 16 per cent of the world’s electrical power will come from photovoltaic cells, and 11 per cent will be derived from other solar technologies. The APNU+AFC administration is determined that Guyana will be one of the countries taking the lead in that inevitable transition from the use of fossil fuels to the use of renewable, clean

energy supplies such as solar power.

On January 30 of this year, Guyana signed and ratified the ‘Framework Agreement of the International Solar Alliance (ISA).’ The ISA was formed to support the solar-energy ambitions of small, developing, sun-belt states such as Guyana, by promoting investment-financing mechanisms for the use of solar technologies. Additionally, the ISA will facilitate information-sharing, technology transfer, dissemination of scientific data, and capacity-building in the solar sector. At the time that government signed the Framework Agreement, it had announced that Guyana is now fully and irreversibly committed to becoming a Solar State; a key step towards the ultimate goal of transitioning to a Green State.

Government has embarked on this policy initiative having recognised Guyana’s solar potential. Our country is ideally placed in the tropic of Cancer--a mere 6.8 degrees north of the equator. Guyana enjoys a daily average of 12 hours of daylight throughout the year. With a population density of 3.5 persons per square km, and the fact that many hinterland communities are small and isolated, solar energy is not only the most efficient energy option, but a necessary one.

Additionally, solar power reduces the negative effects of fossil fuels and ensures the improvement of air and water quality, while mitigating the effects of climate change.

President David Granger has said that Guyana’s energy policy is not only about the environment, but also about energy and economic security. Energy from renewable sources will ensure energy availability for agro-processing, manufacturing, commercial offices, schools, hospitals, government offices, private businesses, and households.

His Excellency has said too, that renewable energy will empower entrepreneurs to expand their businesses as the cost of electricity will be lower and the supply will be more reliable.

Consistent with the clean, renewable, reliable energy policy, government has announced that solar farms will soon be constructed in the capital towns of Lethem in the Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo region; solar farms will also be established at Mahdia in the Potaro-Siparuni region, and Bartica in the Cuyuni-Mazaruni region. Residents of those areas, therefore, can also look forward to a brighter future.

National Congress of ERC joins nation in extending Women prays for President’s best wishes for President’s speedy recovery speedy recovery Dear Editor THE National Congress of Wom en (NCW), the women’s arm of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) joins with all of Guyana in remembering the eader of our party and the President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana in our prayers for a speedy recovery.

The NCW took a hard blow like any child receiving the news of the illness of a beloved parent. Nevertheless, under the leadership of our National Chairperson, the Honourable Volda Lawrence, a woman of great faith and herself a “Cancer Warrior,” we have turned to lifting him up in

our prayers. We know that our David is a God-fearing person and as such he too is a man of great faith. Deuteronomy 31:6 tells us, “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Our David will overcome.

Cde. Leader, we are all sending our thoughts and prayers your way to wish you a speedy recovery; hope you get well soon and enjoy the best of health, so that you can lead us all to a good life.

Regards National Congress of Women, (NCW)

Dear Editor THE Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) takes this opportunity to extend best wishes for a speedy recovery of H.E. President David Granger who is currently in Cuba receiving medical treatment. The commission also wishes to note that its thoughts and prayers are with him, First Lady Sandra Granger, his children, the rest of his family, relatives and friends.

It is during these moments, particularly, that the collective wish of the nation for his good health and full recovery be a reflection of bipartisanship from all spheres of our society. This has thus far been realised and the ERC-- like all our countrymen and women-- is heartened at this national outpouring of support.

It is a firm demonstration that, despite our differences, we can come together in the best interest of our nation and

importantly, our people. The ERC reiterates that togetherness is vital in helping our nation to overcome its inherent challenges. The President is foremost a Guyanese, who, like all of us, would be buoyed and strengthened in spirit, knowing of the nation’s support as it awaits his return and resumption of his duties.

Regards Ethnic Relations Commission

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, November 21, 2018

Department of Energy must push for full transparency and accountability Dear Editor, IT was reassuring to hear Dr. Mark Bynoe emphasise that there has been no corruption in relation to contractors and deals. Going forward, we of course have much work to do to ensure that it remains this way; but it is nice to know that preventing corruption is a priority. Given the interest in our vast resources, it’s understandable to suspect some mischief – so, Dr. Bynoe’s repudiation was

absolutely necessary. But it will take more than just good intentions to prevent greed when oil revenues start flowing.

To reduce opportunities for corruption, the Department of Energy (DoE) is drafting a model contract for future PSAs. This could take up to a whole year to complete but is absolutely critical. Dr. Bynoe said that only AFTER the model contract is completed, will we start leasing to new or more contractors. Hopefully, the

DoE can move this model contract forward quickly, but it is certainly wise to place a hold on new contracts until we have a template in place for future business deals.

With this pre-designed contract, the standards and expectations will be clearly set, and contractors will not be able to insert any contractual details that are unfavourable to us or which will reduce our windfall.

In the spirit of setting those clear standards, Dr. Bynoe stressed the necessity

for updated legislation in the petroleum sector. Legislation should not just bring order to the sector, it should also smoothen relations among contractors, the government and the public. These laws will be public knowledge and contractors must respect them. This will give us, hopefully, a glimpse of what was required from the contractors and since the contract is a template, we will also know the ins and outs of that. Of all the legislative frameworks, the model contract is most

important, because it can be applied to all business arrangements; and it will be key in preventing any corrupt behaviour when dealing with new contractors and protecting the integrity of our petroleum sector.

O b v i o u s l y, t h i s a l l sounds very ambitious for our government. Dr. Bynoe indicated that the DoE will also be hiring legal assistance to ensure that the new legislation and model contract work in our favour.

Whoever is chosen should

be adept in dealing with frontier countries without an established infrastructure for the oil-and-gas industry. Since Guyana is not the first to be in this position, I’m sure that there are plenty of international experts to choose from who have experience counselling governments on similar matters. Hopefully, the DoE will inform us of their choice soon.

Regards Clement Smith

Guyanese have no confidence in Jagdeo and the PPP Dear Editor GUYANA’s Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo, a former President, has filed a no-confidence motion in Parliament against the new coalition government of Guyana, led

by President David Granger. The Granger administration was elected in 2015 with a one-seat majority in Parliament; the government has 33 seats, while Jagdeo’s opposition People’s Progressive Party (PPP) has 32.

Jagdeo’s motion is not based on any failures of the government. Rather, it seeks to exploit the current illness of President Granger who has been diagnosed with cancer and is undergoing treatment in Havana, Cuba.

Prime Minister (PM) Moses Nagamootoo, the leader of government business in the National Assembly, is performing the duties of the presidency. Technically, the National Assembly is a component of Parliament. The assembly becomes the constitutional Parliament whenever the President attends to deliver ceremonial addresses.

Jagdeo has adopted “Trumpism.” He believes that asininity, racism, lies and dishonesty will propel his party back into government. His gangster brinkmanship violates the nation’s sacrosanct period of supernatural supplications on behalf of our President. Only a man of uncanny decadence would seek to exploit the illness of a Head of State to divide a nation for cheap political points. Worst, Jagdeo’s PPP members have, in a most vile manner, been disseminating death wishes against the President on social media. These actions are dishonourable and unpatriotic. Indeed, such inhumane treachery can only be hatched in the minds of evil men who think like beasts, who deserve to be rebuffed and isolated.

Jagdeo has been desperately attempting to dominate the political space created by the President’s absence and temporary illness.

In a media frenzy, he cockily claimed that whenever the prime minister is performing duties of President, he cannot vote in the assembly. This fraudulent claim is to portray his motion as viable. However, nothing in the law prevents the prime minister from fulfilling his

constitutionally mandated parliamentary duties -- and he will.

Moreover, intelligence sources may have detected PPP elements allegedly discussing a reward for government MPs who vote with the opposition on the motion. Since bribery and public corruption are a known PPP contrivance, law-enforcement scrutiny of this plot or conspiracy is apposite.

Guyanese know Jagdeo’s dishonourable hunger for power. He has been acting strangely at the prospect of not having control of Guyana’s oil revenues.

Although the constitution bars him from ever becoming president again, he had filed a lawsuit to strike down the current presidential term limit in the constitution. After the Caribbean Court of Justice rejected his ill-conceived attack on the constitution, his party members attacked the court as a “black” institution. But Guyanese know what PPP governance feels like. As president of Guyana from 1999 to 2011, Jagdeo’s cabinet had an unplesant reputation—internationally--as one of the most brutal and corrupt governments and ruthless criminal enterprises in the world. Embezzlement, fraud, bribery, rampant thievery of government assets, money laundering, weapons and drug trafficking and murders embroiled his disastrous presidency. International government accountability watchdog “Transparency International” ranked Jagdeo’s government as one of the most corrupt in the world.

As president, Jagdeo handed control of the country’s national security apparatus to Roger Khan, a murderous criminal and international drug lord. Jagdeo’s government gave Khan a licence to import CIA-type spy equipment that track people’s physical location by their cellphone numbers, using triangulation technology. Khan was also head of the drug cartel and murder-for-hire gang called the “Phantom” death squad. His gang used his spy equipment to track and kill targets. Khan was eventually captured by US FBI and DEA agents; he was subsequently convicted and jailed in the US. Cellular telephone records and other intelligence helped an international investigation uncover that Khan’s “Phantom” death squad functioned under the direction of Jagdeo’s

National Security Minister Ronald Gajraj.

The US government has documented that in the glaring eye of the PPP government, Roger Khan made Guyana into a transshipment centre where narcotics from Colombian and other parts of South America were shipped to the US, Europe and the Caribbean. With direct PPP government supervision, the “Phantom” death squad murdered over 400 young black men. A 2005 United Nations investigation led by international human rights attorney Gay McDougall confirmed the murders as well as the involvement of PPP government officials.

Under international pressure Jagdeo was forced to appoint a Commission of Inquiry (CoI), and to remove Gajraj from office, but later reappointed him at the end of the CoI. On April 12, 2005, the US State Department issued a statement condemning Gajaj’s reappointment. The statement added that “the United States is concerned about… his involvement with individuals who allegedly carried out extra-judicial killings…. We believe significant questions remain unanswered regarding his involvement in serious criminal activities…”

Fearing the US will indict Gajraj and expose the PPP cartel, Jagdeo made Gajraj Ambassador to India and granted him diplomatic

immunity from prosecution. To date, there has been no serious investigation of the murders, an actual genocide, and thus, no justice for the victims.

This is the tip of the iceberg of PPP crimes and corruption. After 23 years of murder, drug-running, racism, fraud, and outright thieving of billions of taxpayers’ dollars, the people of Guyana expressed no confidence in Jagdeo and the PPP, by voting to kick them out of office in 2015. Guyana is now on the threshold of becoming one of the world’s largest oil-producing nations. Jagdeo is bursting with a potential orgasm at the prospect of Guyana’s oil money; he and the PPP have been like ravenous cats who are raring to watch the milk.

Under Guyana’s new coalition government, our nation is being transformed.

There has been unprecedented economic and social development; the people can see national prosperity on the horizon. If there is any no confidence in the coalition government, it is its failure to prosecute and jail PPP wrongdoers. The time for accountability is now! Who is listening?

Regards Rickford Burke

8

Woman bolts after ...

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, November 21, 2018

From page 2

nicknamed ‘Chop-off’ and his female partner.

“The fire started in the third lane from [my stall]. A man by the name of ‘Chopoff’ he has a girl, a red girl.

He and she had a problem and she stabbed him with a knife and he said when he go to make a report nobody didn’t pay him no mind out there at the Constabulary so he went at Brickdam [police station] but by the time he come back she light the stand on fire and scale the fence,” recounted food vendor Roxanne Dixon.

Dixon’s stall was completely ravaged in the fire which she told the newspaper would cost her “hundreds of thousands”.

She arrived at the scene at around 23:10hrs on Monday and, pointing to the roof above her, added: “The

One food vendor, Roxanne Dixon, who lost her stall (Delano Williams) The acting chief con- location, as Gittens stated stable also addressed the that they continue to find media’s questions of why different ways and means to the vendors were present at enter the vicinity. the market wharf at such late “The tide rises and it falls hours or at all, considering and they have other areas

Some vendors who had previously occupied the Stabroek Market Wharf, have begun the construction of their temporary stalls at the market square (Delano Williams) fire men really fight but, as you could see, all this is old wood.” “I don’t know what I gon really do. Right now I’m kind of traumatised.

Christmas coming so I might have to take to the streets and hustle. I have four children and five grandchildren.”

I WAS IN TOWN Meanwhile, Dason Dundus, a grocery vendor whose stall was also destroyed said: “I was in town when the fire started.

I was outside [the market] selling around quarter to 12.

I lost over two million and change.”

Asked how he intends to continue to make a living, the 30-year-old added: “You have to start all over again, I don’t have a choice.”

that the M&CC had ordered them to relocate for their safety. “The place is deemed to be dilapidated and individuals are not supposed to be dwelling here. However, it’s a difficult task to have them evacuate this area,” Gittens said. “I would have learnt that many times there were notices placed; the place was cordoned off with tape and all of that but persons are still reluctant to leave this environment.”

She added that she had suggested that notices be placed beyond the market wharf’s entrance point and in public areas so that persons are aware that the M&CC would not be held culpable for any serious disasters.

But for now, the dilapidated state of the structure has not deterred stall-owners from returning to sell at the

rather than the access and entrance to the wharf from the thoroughfare of the constabulary who has the responsibility for security. What I would have learnt is that persons are now going on to Transport’s wharf; jump over the wall and gain entry. Mostly the men and you would find women [too] doing that. That is how determined they are not to be relocated,” she said.

Gittens added that she believes that some persons are even overnighting in their stalls.

Questioned further on the authority’s responsibility in addressing the situation, she said that the work of the City Council is not an easy one as they often times have to deal with situations which threaten the livelihood of others.

“Dealing with market vendors and the rest, it’s always

The aftermath of the fire (Delano Williams) a challenge when you see renovation and demolishing and all of that…there were times when they had battles against the ranks of the constabulary—vendors and stall holders and all of them—to get them to evacuate places.

It happens,” Gittens said.

She added: “There are persons here for a number of years—since the days when I was a recruit and constable; there are persons who I would have seen or came to know then, they are still dwelling here. So, you can say this is their home away from home.”

A few former vendors of the Stabroek Market Wharf have already begun construction of their temporary stalls at the portion of reserve west of the Parliament Building, made available to relocate a number of the vendors affected by the planned renovations.

Dixon had also told the newspaper that she, too, is expecting a portion of the reserve but as to wait her turn.

“They [M&CC] promised us a stand but I am a snackette [vendor] so I have to wait

Acting Chief Constable Laurel Gittens (Delano Williams) until they fix the people who are selling perishables before [I move over]. But they have space for us out there, I won’t lie. But I don’t know about the money to build and all them things right now,” she said.

Gittens corroborated that most of the vendors at the wharf are persons intended to be re-located. But, in the meantime, questioned whose

responsibility it would be should there be an unfortunate accident at the wharf, she said: “The Mayor and City Council would have already given their mandate; sent notices and they have specified in no uncertain terms that persons dwelling within this environment are doing so at their own risk.”

Dason Dundus, a grocery vendor examines what is left of his food items.

(Delano Williams)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, November 21, 2018

Dreaming of an inglorious past

THERE was a time in history when some western societies were almost only white, minorities and people of colour lived in rural areas or on the fringes.

At the turn of the century, the US was 87 per cent white. Once upon a time, there was slavery, segregation, exclusive whites-only clubs and whites-only public facilities.

A truly inglorious existence that was viciously guarded, maintained and buttressed by the chattering class of European descent.

Through social, econom-

ic and political changes, those societies were transformed and became more plural over time. This transformation intensified over time with the onset of globalisation. Today, Black Asians, Native Americans and Hispanics, make up almost one-fourth of the US population. The US Census Bureau has informed that Whites will not be in the majority by 2044. According to the Pew Research Centre, the median share of immigrants in the European population is 12.2 per cent, and the proportion of immi-

grants in individual countries ranges from as high as 18.3 per cent.

It is against the aforementioned backdrop that my friends and I discussed a recent phenomenon in global politics. Specifically it is the rise of the likes of Donald J. Trump (United States), Matteo Salvini (Italy) and Jair Bolsanaro (Brazil). What do these leaders of very powerful nations have in common? They have been accused, creditably so, of being clinical racists who unapologetically and grandiloquently profess the

Feminism

I find myself an advocate of women’s rights; I believe in the equality of all genders.

Call me a feminist, I don’t mind the label.

People would ask me, ‘why would I want to put such a stain on myself?’ or, ‘isn’t society already filled with unnecessary labels?’

Firstly, it helps me to stand out and if we look back to our history, the word ‘feminist’ is of great significance and we should be very proud of the fights and efforts those feminists before us, made. When we think about it, without the feminist movements, would women have been as progressive? Would we have ever received the right to vote? We may never know, but what we do know is that it is the very cause for women stepping out of the private sphere and into the public sphere of society.

To think, the good we’ve reaped from feminism, it would’ve had a good place within the eyes of societies, ha. I was so surprised to see people-- mostly women-- having a disposition of feminism. Many people believe it’ll mess up the social and cultural processes of our society, It’ll be a domination of menstrual emotional reign and we’ll have a society filled with unmannerly and misbehaved women.

My defence is simple, and it’s the statement, ‘people make culture, culture did not make people.’ Culture is a human construct, if we built it then, we can also break it down or rearrange it. Culture isn’t always a good thing in my eyes. There are cultures that restrict women’s education, mutilate the vagina of young girls to restrict pleasure and arrange child marriages of young girls to old men. To bring the conversation closer to home, we live in a country where catcalling is somewhat a norm, where violence against women as well as murder-suicides (husband killing wife and then himself) is rampant. I blame it on our culture, our mindset, our failure to protect

our women while we celebrate our ‘culture.’

Now keep in mind it is the equality of the genders. So men should also be able to have access and opportunities just as women in any given field. Men should be able to be emotional beings; how ignorant are we to laugh at men who cry? Being a man automatically means you are not allowed to feel? All in all, if you’d argue biology, I’d say equality and ‘likeness’ or ‘sameness’ is very different. If you’d argue the sexes complement each other, I’d say: what about the same-sex marriages?

Don’t the partners complement each other too? It’s not about gender, it’s more about who we are as an individuals, as human beings.

SIDE NOTE: Being a feminist does not make me a man-hater, perhaps a dislike for patriarchy and its sub-systems, but never men. I say that without sarcasm because we’ll never progress with hate. Working together to build a society where we’re all included is all that should matter. It’s a shame that after all these years of evolution, we’re still fighting for superiority of genders. Also, a disclaimer to you all, is that anyone can be a feminist.

Male or female, young or old, black or white, stand up for what’s right! (I just realised that rhymes). Emma Watson said, ‘If you stand for equality, then you’re a feminist, sorry to tell you.’ I do not think we’re even close to equality. Men are still dominant making policy when it concerns women (abortion and contraceptives); women are still expected to act the role of classy housewife, we are in many ways still seen as ‘inferior.’

This month is crucial when it comes to gender. I’d ask you all to research what is the significance of November 25th, as I continue my topic on gender next week.

Also, ask yourself this question that Emma also asked: ‘How can we effect change in the world, when only half of it is invited and feel welcome to participate?’

superiority of whites. In the case of Trump, he has categorically denied being racist but his critics have pointed to his subtle praise for white nationalists, his glorification of Robert F. Lee and his disparaging references to prominent African-Americans as either dumb or stupid.

Salvini became the Deputy Prime Minister of Italy on June 1st 2018. Prior to his ascension to office, he had called for segregation on Milan’s public transport system in 2009, and his party, the Northern League, was accused by Cecile Kyenge, Italy’s first black minister of being openly racist. Kyenge had bananas thrown at her and was called an orangutan by members of Mr. Salvini’s party, during her time as Minister of Integration. On October 28, it was announced to the world that Brazil had elected Jair Bolsonaro as their next President with 55.2 per cent of the vote. I hastily retreated to Google to apprise myself of this hitherto unknown global political figure. My search revealed

widespread accusations of racism, but his main mantra was a request for Brazil to return to the hardline military dictatorship of 1964-1985.

Some have expressed shock at the fact that these agitators would even make it past their party’s leadership contest. Some have sought to fathom what could be responsible for the emergence of these demagogues. It has been noted that Adolf Hitler, one of the most vilified leaders in history, won a democratic election in 1933 to gain control of Germany.

A cursory glance at the ignoble pantheon of demagogues, which include the

likes of Stalin, Huey Long, Senator Joseph McCarthy and Benito Mussolini, would reveal the same approach to winning the hearts and minds of the masses. These charismatic and bombastic rabble-rousers often prey on the fears of a society and create imaginary enemies and imminent threats. The firebrand leadership that has now engulfed the United States, Italy and Brazil is arguing that the status quo is the enemy, the change is the enemy.

It is on this basis that they are calling for the return to an inglorious past, a past long condemned by good humans.

10

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, November 21, 2018

House clears modern Civil Aviation Bill … Min Patterson assures legislation ICAO-compliant, progressive

By Lisa Hamilton

THE Civil Aviation Bill 2017 which repeals and replaces the Civil Aviation Act, Chapter 53:01 and brings Guyana’s aviation law up to international standards was passed in the National Assembly Monday evening.

The bill also makes pro-

visions for enablement of the Chicago Convention and the Agreement establishing the Caribbean Aviation Safety and Security Oversight System. It provides for offences pertaining to the safety and security of passengers, aircraft and airports and for the regulation and control of orderly development in the sector.

The bill was with the Special Select Committee for over one year and benefited from wide consultations and scrutiny, Public Infrastructure Minister, David Patterson said in reporting to the full House the work of the committee.

When signed into law the legislation will allow for the establishment of the

Minister of Public Infrastructure David Patterson (Delano Williams photo)

Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA). Opposition Chief Whip Gail Teixeira stood before the House and objected to adoption of the report, citing several issues. Minister Patterson said she was misinformed about those issues as she had attended only four out of 18 meetings held by the committee.

Minister Patterson stated that the bill had been in the Select Committee for over one year and was “exhaustively debated.”

Regarding the accusation of non-compliance with ICAO standards, he stated: “If the member came to the meeting, attended the Select Committee meetings, she would have learnt and agreed with us that the bill is ICAO-compliant. We had the help of technical staff from the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority; we had the help of the Parliamentary Counsel and our meetings, sir, were half-day long.”

Teixeira also contested that the manner in which the bill deals with offences is “draconian”; she gave as an example the fining or imprisonment of any passenger who boards an airplane while tipsy or intoxicated.

But Patterson rebutted that it was the opposition’s own member Joseph Hamilton and the government’s parliamentarian Michael Carrington who pushed for the same. “The questions of fines and increase of fines came from the two most unlikely persons in the committee…[they] even to

my, as the chairman, dismay proposed and insisted that the fines were increased, because they deemed that the fines that were in the original proposal were minuscule and the two gentlemen thought that the fines needed to be increased, so the severity of the issues can be conveyed,” Patterson said.

Patterson also responded to the opposition MP’s comment that civil aviation organisations consulted were denied follow-up meetings with the committee, while an issue raised by a particular organisation for clarification was ignored.

He stated that the committee had benefited from oral presentations from the GCAA; Ogle Airport; the Cheddi Jagan International Airport; the Aircraft Owners Association of Guyana; the Guyana Airline Pilots Association of Guyana; the National Air Transport Association and Trans Guyana Airways.

Written presentations, too, came from the Guyana Police Force; the Guyana Defence Force; the Hydrometeorological Service and the Civil Defence Commission. “Of all the names listed, of all the persons that came before us, one single entity raised the concerns that [MP Teixeira highlighted] out of about 10 entities that came here to us,” Patterson said.

“There are 10 registered aircraft operators in this country and nine of them are represented by the National

Opposition Chief Whip Gail Teixeira (Delano Williams photo)

Air Transport Association.

One declined to join the aircraft association and that one is the only organisation that raised any objection or raised all the objections that the honourable member mentioned.”

Some of those which Teixeira had also mentioned were aspects of the bill which give the minister certain powers; economic regulations and accident investigation. Continuing, the minister stated: “Sir, we wrote them. We wrote the head of the organisation as is contained in the report saying ‘this is where we are’, ‘these are the positions of the committee, do you have anything to add or any other concerns?’ And they wrote back and said no. I [had] even informed the Honourable Member that despite what she said they wrote back and said no.”

Then, still addressing the aforementioned concerns raised by Teixeira, Minister Patterson stated that economic regulations are a standard part of the industry and there is only one privately operated airstrip in the country.

“We have assured them, sir; I have personally assured them that economic regulations will not adversely affect anyone,” Patterson said while addressing licensing and registration he stated, “it is the standard all through.”

The minister clarified that: “As chairman I made it my particular duty to ensure wherever the minister’s name appeared in the bill, it’s only there purely for necessity and could not be avoided because I, like the Honourable Member, do think that the minister is just to facilitate. But there are certain things that the minister is required to do, that is why his name has to be there.

He has to put some Orders in place, gazette a few things, that obviously is why the minister’s name appears there.”

At the end of his presentation to the House, the motion that the report of the Special Select Committee on Civil Aviation Bill 2017 be adopted was carried by the majority.

The bill was then read for the third time and passed as amended.

11

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, November 21, 2018

Alleged discrepancies found in Lethem LGE voters’ list … candidates to write party, GECOM

CANDIDATES who contested the recent Local Government Elections (LGEs) in Lethem under the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), have found alleged discrepancies in the voters’ list in two of the five constituencies.

Former Mayor of Lethem, Carlton Beckles, who was also a candidate for APNU, said 306 of the over 600 registered voters in Constituency Three

(Moco-Moco — Manari (Lethem) — Tabtinga Bridge to Third Street), were registered to vote under the same address.

In addition to that discovery, the APNU candidates also found that persons in Constituency One (Moco-Moco — Manari, Culvert City) were registered to vote under the same address as the 306 voters.

Beckles, in an invited comment, said there

were other discoveries but, those will be included in a report which will be submitted to the leadership of APNU and possibly GECOM. In Constituency Three, PPP/C’s John Macedo secured 193 votes while APNU’s Wendella Franklin won 129 votes; AFC’s Lilian Joseph-Cumberbatch got 38.

In Constituency One, APNU’s Youlanda Richmond- Moffett secured

‘Conservation not anti-development’ … says CI representative

CONSERVATION of Guyana natural resources and biodiversity are critical to the country’s sustainable development, according to Senior Technical Director of Conservation International- Guyana, Curtis Bernard.

Speaking recently on the intersection between Biodiversity and Conservation, Bernard explained that when environmentalists seek to preserve the environment, it is not to lock away resources and not use them at all but instead it is about finding ways to sustainably use the natural wealth.

“In this context, conservation is not anti-development. In fact, conservation is essential if development is to be sustainable and sustained,” the director said.

He, however, noted that this avenue to achieving and maintaining development is often seen as adverse to economic growth.

He questioned then, how does Guyana—one of the ‘greenest’ countries on the face of the earth—navigate development while being one of the poorest nations on the face of the earth.

And if you listen to some, those two could never go together.

How do we use this unique opportunity where we are to actually demonstrate that there is a way which we can improve the conditions in which Guyanese live in a way that actually maintains the natural wealth.

And answering his question immediately, he said: “One of the first steps we

need to take is to understand our natural wealth and understand that everything is connected.”

As an example, he explained that agriculture is not only about the biodiversity in the crops and the animals consumed but it is also about the very complex web of organisms and inorganic matter that must interact to be able to provide fertile soils, water and the air necessary to sustain life.

“Understanding those complex connections will help us to be able to make better decisions on how we manage that wealth to produce the kind of future that we would like,” he posited.

Reduced impact logging, sustainable tourism and conserving mangrove, are just simple ways of fostering development through conservation. And importantly, he noted that determining ways to develop infrastructure without adversely affecting the natural resources that exist in those places, is tantamount.

Bernard stressed, “We must find ways in which we can pursue the improvement in our human condition in a way that really maintains and in some ways enhances that natural wealth.”

He also related, “We need to incorporate the understanding of the value and the wealth of the impact of the natural wealth on our development aspirations and really find very smart ways of ensuring that what we have is truly sustainable and sustained development will be for all future generations of Guyana.”

117 votes; People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/ C)’s John Fredericks secured 83 votes and the Alliance for Change (AFC) candidate, Ryan Alcides received 40 votes.

Over in Constituency Four, APNU’s Olive Atkinson D’Aguiar won with 114 votes; PPP/C’s Megan Thomas got 83 and AFC’s Ahrens Landry secured 45 votes.

PPP/C’s Jason Wilson secured 79 votes while

incumbent Mayor of Lethem, Kerry Jarvis got 57 votes in Constituency Five.

In the Proportional Representation category, the PPP/C got three seats with 676 votes and APNU won two seats with 528 votes.

In 2016, the APNU+AFC coalition, which contested the LGEs together, got 662 votes while the PPP/C secured 457 votes, giving the parties three and two seats respectively.

This year, there was

Former Mayor of Lethem, Carlton Beckles a 51 per cent turnout of voters. According to results from GECOM, there were some 2,612 registered voters and of that number, 1,334 persons turned out to vote before the close of polls at 18:00hrs on Election Day.

12

Min. Holder plugs more robust apiculture legislation

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, November 21, 2018

– to help budding sector develop competitive edge

By Telesha Ramnarine AGRICULTURE Minister Noel Holder has called on the relevant local agencies to join forces in pushing apiculture so as to boost the country’s budding beekeeping industry.

He made the call on Monday when he declared open the ninth Caribbean Beekeeping Congress at the Guyana School of Agriculture, Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara, where beekeepers from all across the Caribbean were gathered for the three-day meet.

While the fifth congress was held in Guyana, the others have been kept in various Caribbean destinations over the years, and is being held this time around under the theme, “Natural Beekeeping for a Green Caribbean”.

The event offers an opportunity for knowledge sharing; insights into introductory programmes for new beekeepers; sessions on honey standards; trade and honey risks for professional beekeepers; and using social media as a marketing tool to

At the opening of the congress here on Monday. Seated from left are: IICA’s Wilmot Garnett; Ministry of Business’s Safrana Cameron; Agriculture Minister Noel Holder; GLDA’s Dexter Lyken; and ACBO’s Gladstone Solomon. At the podium is GAS Chairman, Neil Grant DISCOURAGED tive advantage over foreign ing in providing necessary tional self-sufficiency, and Ministry of Business honey imports, while at the inputs in the production pro- thereafter exploit our export same time sustaining our cess, which will be done via potential for this commodi- Economist Safrana Cameron observed that a numcompetitiveness. The role of the establishment of a facili- ty,” the minister said. the government is to provide ty at the GLDA headquarters “Apiculture’s role in di- ber of challenges have an enabling and supportive at Mon Repos to assist in the versified production with hindered the growth of environment for the success production and processing minimum investment is sig- the beekeeping sector in of the industry,” he added. of wax for box foundation nificant; it is also a means to Guyana.

She referred to those While the local honey mold, and a honey extraction address food insecurity and industry is considered to room for beekeepers. youth unemployment, as having to do with exporting, be a small-scale developing The GLDA also has bee- well as increased incomes access to land and financing.

These have discouraged industry, the minister said keeping officers across the and economic growth. bee legislation and honey country promoting the de“I propose we start with persons and have made them regulation are basic neces- velopment of the sub-sector. streamlining the bee legisla- reluctant to learn the trade.

The three-day congress, sities for it to be expanded. “So far in 2018, the GLDA tion and honey regulations however, is expected to has trained 200 persons. By for each of our countries.

than it exports. Additionally, what is being produced locally does not match the demand that the country has.

She further noted that since Guyana possesses land, flora, and experience and knowledge in beekeeping, there are lots of business opportunities available.

The Ministry of Business, she said, has been working with the Legal Affairs Ministry to put certain arrangements in place to make things easier on beekeepers.

Executive Director of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce (GCCI), Richard Rambarran, promised “foot-to-foot” support of the beekeepers, and said the congress is timely. He added that the GCCI remains fully supportive of the industry and said he wished to “humbly” suggest that the government give more support to the apiary industry.

Others who made presentations during the opening of the congress includes Gladstone Solomon from the Association of Caribbean Beekeepers’ Organ-

Congress participants build new brands and communicating with customers.

According to the minister, support within this sector is crucial for it to become competitive against foreign imports and the promotion of exports. Hence, the Guyana Livestock and Development Authority (GLDA) and Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) have been working assiduously to support the industry.

“Support has, and will continue to be focused on helping beekeepers improve supply and yields while maintaining the quality of honey,” Minister Holder said.

“The quality of our honey is an important factor in maintaining a compara-

EXPORT-READY “This is especially important,” he said, “as we aspire to export to high-value markets such as the European Union.

However, these often remain out of reach due to the complex import regulations and processing standards for natural products. The GLDA and GAS (Guyana Apiculture Society) should join forces to push this initiative.”

The apiculture unit of the GLDA has been focused on training potential beekeepers, promoting beekeeping in schools with focus on the hinterland regions, and providing technical support through improved extension services to beekeepers.

The GLDA is also assist-

promoting beekeeping as a viable source of income, it can add additional income and be a main income source for persons in rural communities,” the minister noted.

While the Caribbean produces only about one per cent of global honey, its tropical climate provides a variety of nectar sources ideal for honey production, and hence, Minister Holder observed that there is great potential for the production and trade of honey within the Region.

According to him, honey imported into Guyana in 2017 was approximately 28,000kg valued at US$71,877. “There is therefore an opportunity for local beekeepers to tap into this market to achieve na-

I’m sure as we return to our respective countries, we will be able to find the inspiration and learn from best practices shared during the congress,” he added.

bring these and other challenges to light, so that the government will be in a better position to understand them and provide the necessary help, she noted.

According to Cameron, Guyana imports more honey

isations (ACBO); Dexter Lyken from the GLDA; and IICA Representative Wilmot Garnett.

IICA has been a longstanding partner of the beekeeping congress, and one of its major sponsors.

Delegates at the opening of the congress

13

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, November 21, 2018

Barbados defends raid, deportation … suspects woman was TIP victim of Guyanese woman

THE Barbados government says it “will not be threatened or abused in any way” when complying with its duties under the laws of Barbados as it gave a detailed account of a joint police and immigration operation at certain locations in the capital, Bridgetown, earlier this month.

Home Affairs Minister, Edmund Hinkson in a lengthy statement regarding the operation on November 8, said that a Guyanese national was among several people held.

“She was found in a particular bar clad only in a man’s shirt. She ran from Officers and was located hiding in the cellar of the bar. She was not in possession of any means of identification and was detained by the police for further investigations to be conducted,” he said.

Hinkson said that after the investigations, the unidentified woman was released into the custody of immigration officers after it was determined that she previously been deported from the island in 2017 after she was found in a bar scantily clad and working as an exotic dancer in contravention of existing laws.

Hinkson said she was subsequently deported on October 9, 2017 and following her detention earlier this month, “admitted that she was the same person who had been deported from Barbados” a year ago. But he said that during her detention she expressed fear for her life and that of her family and declined to reveal any further information regarding her entry into the country or the acquisition of the passport in another name.

“She, however, indicated that she wanted to return home to Guyana as soon as possible. She

was not in possession of her passport. However, she was allowed, as her human and legal right entail, to contact a friend via telephone who she stated was in possession of the passport.”

But the Home Affairs Minister said she was overheard informing the other person on the telephone of admitting her real identity to the Immigration Department. “The individual to whom she was speaking was overheard ridiculing and rebuking her for doing so. It was agreed that the passport would be brought to the Immigration Department at the Airport in order to facilitate her exit from Barbados to her homeland. To this day, that passport has not been received or brought.”

Hinkson said that male visitors subsequently visited the woman “and subsequent to those visits, she appeared uneasy and agitated and in fact recanted her admission.

“Based on her change in behaviour, it is strongly believed that some form of manipulation was exerted on her by these visitors to her,” he said, adding that “given her expression of fear for her life and that of her family and the withholding of her passport, the Human Trafficking Unit of the Royal Barbados Police Force was informed and is presently conducting investigations”.

Hinkson said that the Consulate of Guyana, the country of her citizenship, as well as the Interpol (the International Police Department) were also informed of the situation.

In his lengthy statement, Hinkson recalled the attempts to place the woman on a flight to Guyana, noting that “she refused bluntly to go to the aircraft on each occasion.

“This is important because an airline is not go-

ing to take someone who is resisting on the airline because of possible security issues on the flight.” he said, adding that last weekend she was placed in a secure location. “She was in fact detained along with three other female Colombians, who were pending deportation as well,” he said, adding that she finally left the island on Sunday November 18.

“She was witnessed by several persons, including airport personnel and immigration officers, willingly boarding the flight. There was no issue of resistance or her dragging and kicking to board the flight. Had that been the case she would not have been allowed on the flight. “She eventually travelled on a Barbados Emergency Passport along with the copy biopage of the passport on which she last entered Barbados. These are the facts of the case,” he said, indicating that Barbados is party to the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime.

He said the Convention has been enacted into the laws of the island “so a person who for the purpose of exploiting, and by exploiting it includes by abusing their position of vulnerability; fraud, deception and such a person who recruits someone into Barbados is guilty of trafficking in persons and is liable to a fine of one million dollars or 25 years in prison, or both”.

Hinkson said that human trafficking is an international problem where the vast majority of the world unites in its fight against this situation. He said under the 2016 Act, a person who acts as another person’s manager, employment agent or as their solicitor of clients, who knowingly procures, destroys, conceals, removes, con-

fiscates or possesses any travel documents, including a passport, belonging to another person….is guilty of an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine of a quarter million dollars or to imprisonment of 20 years or both.

Hinkson said that the Barbados police have the authority to investigate human trafficking and are obliged to do that under the laws of the island and in pursuance of the international obligations of Barbados under this United Nations Convention.

“I am fully satisfied that this is what the offi-

cials of the Police Force and the Immigration Department have done pursuant to the arrests which were made arising from that operation two Thursdays ago. “ We will not be threatened or abused in any way from complying with our duties under the Laws of Barbados in our various capacities and in seeking to ensure that the Laws of Barbados are complied with, and that issues relating to human trafficking are as far as possible removed from the territory of this country,” he added. (CMC)

Home Affairs Minister Edmund Hinkson

14

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, November 21, 2018

Mayor repeatedly ‘disses’ King – until reminded he’s still substantive town clerk

GEORGETOWN Mayor Patricia Chase-Green had to be cautioned on Monday when she referred more than once to Royston King as “the former town clerk.”

“Sorry, my apologies.

And I don’t say sorry very often,” Chase-Green said in response to Acting Town Clerk Sharon Harry’s interjecting to remind her that King is still the substantive town clerk and that she

should refer to him as such.

No one corrected the mayor when she referred to King as the former town clerk earlier in the meeting.

But her continued reference to King as such drew some amount of heckling from councillors, which resulted in Harry bringing it to her attention.

Chase-Green was speaking at the council’s fortnightly statutory meeting at City Hall. While the new

councillors are expected to be sworn in soon, they will take up their seats from January 2019. The ‘old’ council will continue to meet until December 31, 2018.

After the Local Government Commission (LGC) ordered an inquiry into the operations of City Hall, King was subsequently sent on leave to facilitate the process.

Public hearings began on September 24 at the

Critchlow Labour College on Woolford Avenue before CoI Chairman, Justice (ret’d) Cecil Kennard.

Over the past few weeks, the CoI has dealt with several complaints from vendors, businesses and other organisations and City Hall staff.

The inquiry has heard that it is common practice for standard operating procedures to be breached, particularly by King, in the awarding of contracts.

Several businesses have so far testified that they were never given contracts, even though they had at times received payments through arrangements with the town clerk.

Chase-Green, who had herself been summoned to the CoI, told councillors Monday that she has been “thrown under the bus” for too many matters about which she has no knowledge.

City Mayor Patricia Chase-Green

ICAO President arrives for international transport meeting

DR. Olumuyiwa Benard Aliu, Council President of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) has arrived in Guyana ahead of the three-day Air Transport meeting at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre.

The conference runs from November 21 to 23, 2018. On hand to receive the ICAO Council President at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), was Director General of the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), Lt. Col. (Ret’d) Egbert Field. Col. Field said that he is happy to have the ICAO President in Guyana for the meeting, as it demonstrates the significant importance of the forum for

Guyana and the region, the GCAA said in a release.

Accompanying Dr. Aliu is the Director for North American, Central American and Caribbean (NACC) Regional Office of ICAO, Mr. Melvin Cintron. The three-day conference will also include the Third African Diaspora Conference on Friday November 23, 2018 at the same venue.

Issues to be discussed at the Air Transport meeting include Harmonising Regional Air Transport Regulatory Framework, liberalisation of air cargo, maximising economic benefits of aviation in the region, air transport and tourism among others.

Director General of the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) Retired Lieutenant Colonel, Egbert Field [left] and President of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), Dr. Olumuyiwa Benard Aliu in discussion at the Roraima Lounge at CJIA

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, November 21, 2018

Tourism could be new developmental frontier … THAG President says

PRESIDENT of The Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG), Mitra Ramkumar, has said that the tourism sector could be the new developmental frontier for Guyana as the country seeks to advance its ‘Green Agenda’.

“We need to diversify our economy and if you look at which industry could diversify our economy, earn foreign exchange and is not necessarily susceptible to [the] decline in commodity prices—there is tourism,” Ramkumar told the Guyana Chronicle recently.

According to him, much emphasis is being placed on preparing Guyana for the petroleum industry, set to begin production in 2020. While he is certain that this industry will provide tremendous economic benefits for Guyana, he advanced that the nation

needs to develop sustainable industries also. “An extractive industry (the petroleum industry, for example) is not a sustainable industry,” he said and related: “I see tourism as the new frontier industry for Guyana.”

He further explained that developing the tourism industry is a move that works in tandem with the drive to transform the country into a ‘Green State’—that is, the balancing of sustainable development with economic development, which allows for the sustainable use of natural resources.

He stated further, “Guyana has the opportunity to become a global leader, not only economically, but because of our untouched and pristine rainforest and biodiversity, but we need to preserve it.” Preserving Guyana’s natural patrimony will

Music teacher hospitalised after Mahaicony accident A POPULAR music teacher, Darrell Levans, is hospitalised following an accident at Mahaicony , East Coast Demerara on Sunday.

Levans, 37, a father of four who provides piano lessons via house calls and at a music school on Regent Road, was picked-up along the Mahaicony

Darrell Levans Public Road last Sunday night after he was reportedly struck down. The man was riding his motorcycle, a Honda Twister bearing registration CG 629, at the time.

He was rushed to the Mahaicony Hospital and was discharged after doctors there told the family he only sustained a broken left arm. However, while not being satisfied with the treatment he received, he was taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPH) on Monday where a CT scan was done on his brain. Doctors reported that the man was experiencing swelling in his brain. He has since been admitted a patient in critical but stable condition.

The man’s common-law wife Asheeka Lee told the Guyana Chronicle that the reports

surrounding the incident seem suspicious. She said that Levans left for Mahaicony in the company of his friends on Sunday afternoon. Later, his friends decided to travel further up to Berbice while he decided to travel back to Georgetown alone.

His wife noted that based on reports received, he was involved in an accident while heading back to the city. She said a woman called the family several hours later, around 23:00hrs on Sunday night, and informed them that Levans was picked-up along the roadway and taken to the Mahaicony hospital.

She said the situation became worrisome after the family asked for her husband’s belongings including his coat, the motorcycle and his wallet. She said only his wallet was given to the family, minus the $20,000 cash Levans had on his person.

Interestingly, Lee said the woman who called the family later informed that a policeman whom she named as “Patterson” has the motorcycle and the family must pay a sum of money in order to have the bike returned.

However, the family was later told that the motorcycle was at the Cove and John Police Station. “It’s kind of hard to think right now,” Lee said.

Levans cannot recount what transpired and according to his wife, he appears delirious.

She said that the family made contact with the Mahaicony Police Station but ranks there said they knew nothing about the incident.

The family plans to visit the police station on Wednesday as they come to grips with the hospitalisation of the music teacher.

President of the Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG), Mitra Ramkumar

be key in developing tourism Ramkumar said but posited that sustainable practices must be employed. And these practices include protecting the environment, recycling and using renewable energy, according to him.

Aside from being a new avenue that that push sustainable development in Guyana, the President noted that tourism is a unique industry that can provide jobs across all skillsets.

“In order for this industry to move forward, you have to get the local buy-in. You need the general Guyanese to understand the importance of tourism first of all and see tourism as an industry that empowers them because it creates massive employment and it creates employment at every skill-level,” he high-

lighted.

In August of this year, President David Granger shared that there is a dropout rate of seven students daily of which five are from public schools, recorded from the 2016/2017 academic year.

President Granger contended that Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) is an avenue that could be pursued to the greater extent, in these cases.

Work in tourism and hospitality aligns with the push for TVET according to Ramkumar. Resultantly, he disclosed that during the budget consultations for 2019, THAG requested a ‘hospitality institute’.

The President related that quite a few businesses in the service industry have complained about having to

train persons on the job, and stressed that training persons in this field is paramount.

Through the institute, he noted, persons can now be shaped into professionals in every field, whether in landscaping, catering, tour guiding or providing other services. “So this industry is poised and is the avenue we should take if we talk about diversifying our economy, because it is sustainable industry and it is an industry that could bring us economic benefits along with social and cultural development,” Mitra affirmed.

He added: “We should, as Guyanese, look at the industry—in fact, look beyond what you might think tourism is and see the huge opportunities that this industry has.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, November 21, 2018

Pacts signed to reinforce cooperation … Xi calls talks with Duterte ‘fruitful’ during his state visit to Philippines

CHINA and the Philippines signed 29 cooperation documents covering such areas as trade, investment, finance, agriculture, culture and the Belt and Road Initiative during President Xi Jinping’s state visit to the Southeast Asian country on Tuesday.

The signing ceremony was witnessed by Xi and his Philippine counterpart Rodrigo Duterte in Manila. Duterte hosted a grand ceremony to welcome Xi before their talks and the signing ceremony. When the two leaders jointly met reporters, Xi said that his talks with Duterte were “friendly, in-depth and fruitful”.

China and the Philippines have lots of common interests in the South China Sea, Xi said, adding that the two countries will continue to manage disagreements and promote maritime cooperation through friendly consultation. China and the Philippines will work with ASEAN countries to contribute to peace, stability and welfare in the region, Xi said.

The comprehensive strategic cooperative relationship sends a positive signal to the world regarding the China-Philippines friendship, Xi said.

“China and the Philippines must join hands to uphold the interests of the developing world, resist protectionism and unilateralism, and promote peace, stability and prosperity in our region and beyond,” Xi said. Xi pledged that China will import more goods from the Philippines, saying that Philippine coconuts and frozen fruits have been approved

President Xi Jinping meets Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte in Manila on Tuesday. Xi arrived in the country’s capital earlier in the day, and Duterte hosted a grand ceremony to welcome Xi before their talks. [Photo by FENG YONGBIN / CHINA DAILY]

for export to China.

“As fellow developing countries in Asia, China and the Philippines face similar developmental challenges, which make us natural partners with a common destiny,” Xi said. It is the only right choice for China and the Philippines, which have a history of nearly a thousand years of exchanges, to be friendly neighbors and strive for win-win cooperation, Xi said.

Xi said that he has invited Duterte to attend the second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, which will be held in Beijing in April. Hailing Xi’s visit an important milestone for Philippines-China relations, Duterte said that it will open a new chapter in the development of bilateral ties. “I am pleased with the current positive momentum of Philippines-China relations,” Duterte said.

The Philippines would like to deepen its comprehensive strategic cooperative relationship with China on the basis of mutual respect, mutual understanding and equal sovereignty, he said, adding that the two countries should enhance cooperation in such areas as trade, investment, agriculture, defense, health, infrastructure and energy.

“We discussed mutual concerns on defense, security, maritime cooperation, law enforcement, transnational crime as well as strengthening our partnership in combating the trafficking of illegal drugs,” he said.(China Daily) ‘

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, November 21, 2018

China strives for Asia-Pacific prosperity … by advocating connectivity, digital economy

THINK of the vast Pacific Ocean, where thousands of commercial ships are moving the best of what Asia-Pacific countries produce to and fro among them at any moment of the day.

Meanwhile, scientists from a private firm in China’s eastern city of Shanghai are working on a sea lander named Rainbow Fish, which they plan to use to explore seabeds near the New Britain Trench off Papua New Guinea in 2019. They had conducted a joint maritime environment survey with engineers from an Australian firm in the waters in 2016. It was commissioned by a local firm.

In Singapore and Malaysia, business leaders are discussing cooperation to roll out projects in the region aimed at boosting infrastructural connectivity and growing the digital economy -- a new sector that now often allows regional countries to transcend barriers of development.

Countries in the Asia-Pacific region have been striving to promote innovative cooperation in their pursuit of inclusive growth, a trend reflected in the theme of “Harnessing Inclusive Opportunities, Embracing the Digital Future” of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders’ Meeting in Port Moresby, capital of Papua New Guinea (PNG).

A key player in Asia-Pacific cooperation, China, while pursuing its own development, has contributed its wisdom and opportunities to propelling regional countries towards shared prosperity within the APEC framework.

PURSUING COMPREHENSIVE CONNECTIVITY China plays an especially important role in the drive to enhance regional infrastructural connectivity.

The approach partly derives from its own

development experience, as infrastructural development, sometimes far ahead of its development in other respects, often proves to have led the way.

“Infrastructural connectivity does strike a good point in galvanizing the economic development, as many countries in Asia, actually the Asia-Pacific region, has a huge demand for infrastructure,” said Dr. Kong Tuan Yuen, a research fellow at the East Asian Institute, National University of Singapore.

China has made clear that it is open to other parties joining the drive to promote growth through increased connectivity or dovetailing their own development plans with the Belt and Road Initiative proposed

by China. Indonesian President Joko Widodo has proposed the Global Maritime Axis.

Such efforts are already producing tangible benefits to people in regional countries.

In Fiji, another island country in the Pacific, the Nabouwalu road in the north has gone through an upgrade by China Railway First Group (Fiji) Co., Ltd. to become a modern and quality highway, cutting the travel time on the route by more than half to around two hours.

“We are very happy the traffic is now very convenient and local people like me have really benefited from it,” said Osea Raula, a 39-year-old resident.

EMBRACING DIGITAL FUTURE Going side by side with the drive to boost physical infrastructural connectivity are joint efforts to build a digital future, as modern technologies inherently call for and enable countries to be better integrated.

Building a digital future topped the agenda of this year’s APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting. Internet, e-commerce and digital technologies have not only become major

drivers of the modern economy but often allow the developing economies to leapfrog and transcend their development barriers.

The use of smart phones in the Asia-Pacific economies is growing fast. In Indonesia, where regional telecommunications firms have been helping build the network, such a trend has brought about a sea change by allowing users to jump on the digital wagon without first having a computer.

In September, Alipay, a mobile payment leader instrumental in China’s surprisingly fast transition to a cashless society, brought its popular e-payment APP to Singapore, one of the top destinations for Chinese tourists.

Taxi drivers now accept payments made through the APP, which allows conversion between the Chinese yuan and the Singapore dollar.

The cooperation goes further. Alibaba, the e-commerce giant from China, has acquired a minority stake in established logistics player SingPost in recent years, paving the way for further collaboration in e-commerce.

“We recognize the importance of the Internet, digital economy, as well as e-commerce and digital trade. Driven by technology and innovation, they are changing the pace of global trade and fostering innovative and inclusive growth in the Asia-Pacific region,” said a statement from the 24th APEC Ministers Responsible for Trade Meeting in Port Moresby in May. MAINTAINING MOMENTUM FOR OPEN ECONOMY The consensus-based cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region continues to grow fast, even against the backdrop of rising trade protectionism.

The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), which groups the

ten member nations of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and its six dialogue partners, is aiming to conclude a free trade pact soon. Other multilateral initiatives are ongoing.

Observers have set their eyes on the next step, which should eventually lead towards the Free Trade Agreement of the Asia-Pacific (FTAAP).

Statistics from APEC show its 21 member economies are home to around 2.8 billion people and represent approximately 59 percent of world gross domestic product and 49 percent of world trade in 2015.

China, committed to globalization and free trade, deems APEC as a platform to demonstrate its faith in an open economy and economic integration.

“China is open in terms of trade and is pursuing regional integration,” said Kong from the East Asian Institute, National University of Singapore.

Zhai Kun, a professor at the School of International Studies, Peking University, said it is good to let connectivity and digital economy take the lead in APEC cooperation.

Regional cooperation is moving fast forward multi-thronged and in both directions.

In Fiji, Chinese scientist and entrepreneur Lin Zhanxi has introduced a technology to grow edible or medicinal mushrooms using a grass.

In Brunei, cooperation projects are ongoing to drive the country’s efforts to diversify its economy beyond the oil and gas sectors.

Ling Shengli, a scholar from China Foreign Affairs University, said China’s firm advocation of the FTAAP will help reduce the “spaghetti bowl effect” resulting from overlapping trade arrangements.

“I think the connectivity in various fields will strengthen economic interdependence and facilitate the building of an economic community,” he said.

Traditional Chinese medicine promoted as efficient alternative therapy in U.S. A group of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practitioners in the Bay Area in U.S. state of California are working together to promote TCM among Chinese communities and beyond.

California Assembly member Kansen Chu, who announced the appointment of Shudong Li to the state’s Acupuncture Board Friday, said TCM is a familiar and well-accepted medicine for many overseas Chinese and Chinese Americans, who trusted and relied on TCM to relieve pains.

“TCM offers a good alternative medicine for the American society, and another choice for patients beside Western medicine,” Chu said.

Li, who is to officially take office on

the seven-member board after an inauguration ceremony next Monday, said he hoped all the TCM practitioners in the Bay Area would work together to do a good job in further promoting TCM and oriental medicine to the rest of the American society and to have more Americans and members of all communities to benefit from TCM therapy.

The board will partner with licensed TCM practitioners to make future plans to launch education programs aimed at training young people to carry on the heritage of TCM. Phil Yang, a veteran licensed TCM practitioner, said the California Acupuncture Board is the first government-established body to oversee the acupuncture sector in the United States.

California is the state that has the largest number of acupuncturists in the United States, where nearly 18,000 out of the total of more than 30,000 acupuncturists are practicing in the state, he said, adding that acupuncture occupies a significant place in the state.

Prof. Art Johnson, who once taught physician health care at Stanford University, said TCM is part of the family medicine program of Stanford School of Medicine.

“Acupuncturists are referred quite a bit by family medicine doctors,” he said.

“Allopathic system more and more recognizes the value of acupuncture and we want the medical students that will become doctors to understand that there

are several modalities that help with healing besides Western medicine,” he noted.

Western medicine does not cure everything and it doesn’t work on some things, he explained.

“The side effects of Western medicine can be as detrimental as a disease,” Johnson said. “I see acupuncture as a system that helps the body find balance.”

He strongly supports the promotion of traditional Chinese medicine and health medicine to a larger area, which bring benefits to more people that suffer pains from disease. TCM “opened up a new understanding about healing system,” said Johnson.

(Xinhua)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, November 21, 2018

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, November 21, 2018

Guyana respects CCJ decision on cross-dressing – PM Nagamootoo

PRIME Minister Moses Nagamootoo has said that Guyana respects the decision of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) on its recent ruling that the criminalisation of cross-dressing here is “unconstitutional.”

On the sidelines of a Human Rights forum at the Pegasus on Monday, the prime minister said now that the court has ruled, Guyana must now work on adjusting its culture to include all sections of society including Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) persons. Emphasising that it is a human rights issue, the prime minister said that education will need to form a major part of the process intended to change the way persons engage with the LGBT community.

“So I think social organisations in particular have a responsibility to start the education process to be more tolerant to accept that we have differences in our society that we are not all the

same; that we are all entitled to the same rights,” the prime minister said.

The Ministry of Social Protection and the Ministry of Social Cohesion also have a role to play in the process, he added, emphasising that the ruling “is one step forward in an appreciation of the fact that society has differences.”

He noted too that government must also find mechanisms through which it can give teeth to the decision.

The Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD) has also underscored the importance of training in Guyana for the country’s law- enforcement agencies, judiciary and social society, to guard against discrimination against those who will now be exercising their freedom to cross-dress.

In its recent ruling, the CCJ said the law, Section 153(1) (xlvii) of the Summary Jurisdiction (Offences) Act which makes cross-dressing criminal, should be “struck from the laws of Guyana.”

The decision was handed 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; Clarke was wearing slippers and a skirt; and 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

Police bust Pomeroon man with ‘coke’

AN Upper Pomeroon River citrus farmer was arrested early Tuesday morning after 2.22 kilograms of cocaine were found on his premises.

Reports are that the arrest followed a search of the farmer’s premises by ranks of the Police Narcotics Branch. The

man has since been processed for court.

Last week, a Smithfield, New Amsterdam poultry farmer was arrested with over 12 pounds of cocaine at the Moleson Creek ferry stelling while on his way to Suriname.

The suspect, Trevor Ed-

Several nabbed with guns, ammo in police raid THE police on Monday arrested several persons with guns and ammunition during several “stop & search” exercises in the “A” and “G” Divisions.

Around 14:30hrs on Monday, police stopped a car with three occupants on the Charity Public Road, on the Essequibo Coast, and found two 9mm pistols, three magazines and 58 live rounds.

Later that day on the Soesdyke-Linden Highway, in the vicinity of the High-

way Base Outpost, a minibus was searched at around 19:30hrs and a male passenger was found in possession of an unlicensed.38 revolver with a live ammunition as well as a spent shell.

Another police patrol also got lucky on the same Soesdyke-Linden Highway, when the lone occupant of a car they stopped and searched was found to be in possession of 63 grams of cannabis. All of the suspects are being processed for court.

ward Loo, was arrested after the police found the drug in his vehicle.

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 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.

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, November 21, 2018

Education consortium formed to push training in extractive sector IN response to the need for high-quality education and professional development training in the extractive sector, particularly oil and gas, the University of Guyana (UG) has joined with local technical institutes to form a Higher Education Consortium on Engineering and Mining (HECEM).

The idea, which was conceptualised a few months ago, came to fruition on Monday after the institutes and UG formally signed a pact, paving the way for further collective discussions on topics related to oil and gas and mining.

Among the institutes which signed on to the agreement were the Critchlow Labour College (CLC), Government Technical Institute (GTI), the Upper Corentyne Industrial Training Centre (UPITC), the Linden Technical Institute (LTI), Essequibo Technical Institute (ETI), the Board of Industrial Training (BIT), Ministry of Education

(MoE), the Guyana Industrial Training Centre (GITC) and the Council for Technical and Vocation Education.

The signatories believe that the HECEM was “long overdue” but, still comes at an important time when the country is preparing for the production of oil in 2020.

The agreement states, that in consideration of the national development needs of Guyana to provide high-quality education and professional development training for the expanding oil and gas, mining and extractive industries in the country, the institutions have agreed to form the association to collectively address national development issues through education.

Vice Chancellor of UG, Professor Ivelaw Griffith, said the university has been part of the preparatory phase and will soon add a Master’s and Associate Degrees in Petroleum Engineering to the university’s programme.

Vice Chancellor of the University of Guyana (UG) Professor Ivelaw Griffith (at centre, seated), flanked by representatives of the various local technical institutions which signed on to the HECEM (Samuel Maughn photo)

“As we pursue those journeys and prepare for first oil and beyond, we must build a partnership with government, build a partnership with international community and build a partnership with industry,” said Griffith, adding that it is all part of preparation for “first oil.”

The university has started to hire, and search for competent and qualified lecturers who will be responsible for the new programmes. As UG gears up for oil and gas, the institutes which are part of the HECEM will also be part of the knowledge sharing and improvement phases.

Part of the objectives of the HECEM is to develop new curricula and joint programmes which would address the national development needs. The consortium will also foster and promote academic collaboration aimed at supporting the pursuit of the strategic national

agenda.

In order to ensure that the objectives are met and order is maintained, HECEM will have a chairperson and an executive council. Members of the consortium will meet quarterly or as determined by a simple majority.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, November 21, 2018

Don’t ignore millennials …new IDB study says young people in Caribbean have potential that must not be squandered

YOUNG people in Latin America and the Caribbean have great potential but it could end up going to waste if not accompanied by the right policies, according to a new study entitled “Millennials in Latin America and the Caribbean: to work or to study?”

Members of this new generation of workers show gaps in their cognitive and technical skills: around 40 percent cannot perform simple mathematical calculations and fewer than a quarter say they speak fluent English. But they show high levels of socio-emotional skills, such as perseverance and self-esteem, which are more and more sought after in the job market.

The study examines the puzzles that young people in the region pose and what is behind their reasoning when they choose between working and continuing their education. The book is the result of a research project that took

more than four years to complete and featured surveys of more than 15,000 millennials in Brazil, Chile, Colombia, El Salvador, Haiti, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru, and Uruguay.

It found that in general these young people are optimistic about the future and have major aspirations. For example, while on average 40 percent of young people in the region complete higher education, a full 85 percent of youths surveyed for this study said they want to achieve that education level.

The study found that 41 percent of youths in the region only either work or train to acquire skills, 21% work, 17% do both and the rest belong to the group known in Spanish as ‘ninis’, which means they neither work nor go to school. But the book stresses that these youths are far from idle: 64% take care of relatives (mainly the women do this), nearly a third are looking for jobs and prac-

tically all of them help around the house or in family-owned businesses.

What is new about this study is that it goes beyond the variables that polls of households normally examine and incorporates others that are less traditional, such as how well young people know the labor market as well as their aspirations, expectations, and cognitive and socio-emotional skills.

The study seeks to understand young people better and promote policies that address the challenges they face in developing their potential – a task which is particularly relevant in a context of profound changes in the labor market. Millennials in Latin America and the Caribbean: to work or to study? is a joint project of the IDB, the think tank Espacio Público and the International Development Research Center of Canada (IDRC).

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, November 21, 2018

Power restored to Matthews Ridge ‌as police recover stolen turbocharger, jail thief

RESIDENTS of Matthews Ridge on Saturday were overjoyed as electricity supply was restored to the community.

Due to the diligence and hard work of police ranks at Matthews Ridge, the stolen turbocharger was recovered and electricity was restored to the community.

In addition, the power station oper-

ator was convicted and sentenced to six months imprisonment. The Ministry of Public Infrastructure (MPI), along with the Hinterland Electrification Company Incorporated, has expressed thanks to the police at Matthews Ridge for their successful investigation and diligence, thus ensuring the stolen turbocharger was recovered.

Last week the Hinterland Electrifi-

cation Company Inc., an agency within the MPI, had informed the public that it had filed a report to the ministry of the theft of the turbocharger. As a result of the stolen equipment, residents within Matthews Ridge were without power.

A press release from the MPI had stated that it was during maintenance work on the generators, a

mechanical engineer observed that several parts were missing from the 156VA Cummins generator.

An investigation was immediately launched at the power station to find the missing equipment, and which led to a subsequent confession from the station operator that he had removed the turbocharger from the generator and sold it to a miner.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, November 21, 2018

‘The future is solar’ REDUCING the carbon footprint and mitigating the impacts of climate change globally have been on the agenda of many countries, and President of the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), Pavan Sukhdev, believes that one of the main solutions is solar energy.

Although the United Nations (UN) and its member states have been working to achieve sustainability, Sukhdev said there is no sustainable energy world because fossil fuels are still being subsidised.

Fossil fuel is a general term for buried combustible geologic deposits of organic materials, formed from decayed plants and animals that have been converted to crude oil, coal, natural gas, or heavy oils by exposure to heat and pressure in the earth’s crust over hundreds of millions of years.

According to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), over

President of the World Wildlife Fund, Pavan Sukhdev (Delano Williams photo)

the last century the burning of fossil fuels like coal and oil has increased the concentration of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2). This happens because the coal or oil burning process combines carbon with oxygen in the air to make CO2.

“If you start accounting for the cost of climate change as a result of fossil fuel energy, the subsidies are US$5 trillion,” said Sukhdev

during his presentation at the WWF’s “Green Conversations” at the Marriott Hotel on Monday. Fossil fuel subsidies are still around but, the WWF president said innovation has resulted in a decline in the price for an alternative source of power, solar energy.

He made reference to Bangladesh where persons have capitalised on the benefits of solar energy. There are over one million solar home systems in Bangladesh.

“If Bangladesh is doing it then nothing is stopping Guyana and countries in Latin America from doing the same because there is sun,” said Sukhdev. The WWF has been working with 28 nations to change the way those economies operate by generating circumstances for sustainable development.

“The aim is to build an economy which results in improved human wellbeing and social equity, whilst reducing environmental risk and eco-

-WWF President says innovation has led to reduction in solar energy prices logical scarcities,” he said, adding that countries have started to increase their ecological footprint and are eating into the world’s capital,

resulting in unsustainability.

In an effort to ensure that the phenomenon is controlled, the WWF has started to focus on ten sec-

tors which include agriculture, fresh water, energy, transportation, waste and waste disposal among others.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, November 21, 2018

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, November 21, 2018

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday November 21, 2018

BCB-sponsored Ramnaresh Sarwan/UCCA 40 overs tournament

No. 72 All Stars clinch title THE sun was out in all of its glory, spectators came out in large numbers while the cricket on the field was of the highest standard, as the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) hosted the final of the Upper Corentyne Cricket Association-sponsored Ramnaresh Sarwan 40 overs second division tournament.

However, when the game concluded at the No. 72 Cut and Load ground, No. 72 All Stars held their nerves to defeat the home team by 10 runs in a thrilling match, which kept the huge crowd on their feet during the final 10 overs.

No. 72 All Stars won the toss and batted first. They were bowled out for 156 in 35 overs. Kameshwar Chatterpaul top-scored with 36 and he received support from Anand Singh 25, Mohindra Bhoj 20 and Trishan Ramdass 20.

Imran Khan (3-15), Abdullah Ajib (2-21), Rishi Persaud (2-16) and Devanand Chatterpaul (2-14) were the wicket-takers for the No. 72 Cut and Load team.

Cut and Load were given the perfect start by openers Ramesh Joseph and Kadil Ajib who added 70 runs for the first wicket, before Joseph threw his wicket away in the 18th over, to be caught on the long-on boundary for 22.

Ajib continued to play a responsible innings even as wickets fell around, due to a brilliant spell of hostile fast bowling from Taleshwar Baichan who took four quick wickets. The dismissal of the talented Rishi Persaud, caught at mid-wicket off a miscued pull, was the crucial turning

for No. 72 Cut and Load.

Taleshwar Baichan took 4-23 and Wayne Garnett 3-31 for the champions.

BCB president Hilbert Foster was loud in praise for the friendly atmosphere that the final was played in, noting that both teams hailed from the same village.

made of former Guyana and West Indies captain Ramnaresh Sarwan for his sponsorship of the tournament.

The tournament marked the sixteenth completed tournament by the BCB in the last four months while eight others are in process.

faith and a bit of luck was not on the Guyanese side.

Johnson started with Kai McKenzie-Lyle in goal, Terence Vancooten, Walter Moore, Kevin Layne, Colin Nelson, Elliot Bonds, Neil Danns (captain), Daniel Wilson, Sheldon Holder, Trayon Bobb and Kadell Daniel.

Jules Haabo who netted both of his country’s goals, got his first in the 15th minute; a scoreline which remained until the opening play of the second half when he collected a long ball and challenged Nelson in the defence, before clinically placing his effort just out of reach for the advancing McKenzie-Lyle.

Danns tried his utmost to keep Guyana in the game, as the Bury FC star midfield player netted in the 60th minute from just inside the six yards area.

Stephen Duke-McKenna who was sensational during his limited time on the pitch,

From back page

Emery Welshman and Marcel Barrington replaced Nelson, Holder and Wilson in the second half but despite their efforts, the Guyanese were kept at bay by a composed French Guiana unit.

The result will see Guyana dropping to 15th on the 34-team standing and out of the Gold Cup contention, while French Guiana climbed to 11 th to keep their hopes alive.

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 will play their final Nations League qualifier game on March 23rd, 2019 at home against Belize.

(Rawle Toney)

UCCA secures sponsorship ...

From back page

The winning team pose with UCCA president Dennis De Andrade and secretary Sydney Jackman.

point for the match, as No. 72 All Stars never gave up hope.

Devanand Chatterpaul 15 and Ajib tried to hold the innings together but when Baichan trapped Ajib lbw for a top score of 50, the match was virtually over

Foster stated that there can be no doubt that cricket in the area was on the move again.

He praised the Upper Corentyne Cricket Association for the outstanding work it was doing to promote the game.

Special mention was

Upper Corentyne Cricket Association secretary Sydney Jackman was loud in praise of the outstanding work of the BCB and the role it was playing in the promotion of the game in Upper Corentyne.

Becker hails ‘superstar’ Zverev as best of new generation (REUTERS) - Alexander Zverev has proved himself as the best of tennis’ new generation of men’s players following his maiden ATP Finals triumph where he beat Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic on consecutive days, German great Boris Becker has said.

After overcoming 20time Grand Slam winner Federer in the semi-finals in London on Saturday, the 21-year-old Zverev beat world number one Djokovic 6-4, 6-3 the next day to claim the biggest crown of his career so far.

Victory meant Zverev, who has also won titles in Washington, Madrid and Munich this season, will finish in the top four of the world rankings for a second straight year.

“For years we have been

French Guiana ends Guyana’s ...

saying tennis needs new faces and strong new players - and he’s proved he is the best of the next generation,” Becker, the last German to win the ATP Finals in 1995, told the BBC.

“Yes ... he’s beaten Djokovic and Federer before, but to beat them backto-back in one of the biggest tournaments in the world tells him, most importantly, but also the world, that he

Alexander Zverev will finish in the top four of the world rankings for a second straight year.

“Beating Novak Djokovic in the final was a big upset and a big victory for Sascha (Zverev). It was the big match which we were all waiting for from him.

is going to be the next big thing.”

B e c k e r, a s i x - t i m e Grand Slam winner, said Zverev had the potential to be the “new superstar” of world tennis and

backed his compatriot to deliver on his promise under coach Ivan Lendl.

Eight-time major champion Lendl and Zverev have been working together since August.

“I’m happy he now has Lendl as a coach because Ivan can tell him the same stories I can tell him and brings an understanding of the game to his team,” the 50-year-old Becker added.

“Often it is a small margin and when you have someone on the sideline who has been there it has a big effect ... It’s brave for Sascha to ask someone like Lendl to join his coaching team. It shows you Sascha’s motivation and his goals for the future.

“He wants to win and be the best so he is surrounding himself with the best.”

ce Cricket Board (BCB), thanked Mr Sunich and his company, Trophy Stall, for opening a branch at Port Mourant, a village that has arguably produced the most Test cricketers in the world and for coming on board with the association.

He promised that the tournament will be of a high standard with intention to blood players for the first division team, Berbice, Guyana and Windies.

Ramesh Sunich, in response, said that he follows the work of the association and is impressed with standard of cricket administration.

He also mentioned that he is pleased to be associ-

ated with the UCCA and is happy to be on board.

He further said that he feels privileged to be the sponsor of this tournament and to give opportunities to our young cricketers.

He is happy to provide a service to the Berbice communities.

THE FIRST-ROUND FIXTURES ARE AS FOLLOWS: ◙ No.3 Warriors vs No.2 Cut and Load ◙ No.8 Cricket Club vs No.6 Cricket Club ◙ Scottsburg vs No. 73 Mandir Please note that the teams named first are the hosts.

From back page Praise for organisers after ...

an average of close to 4 000 fans per match day. With the momentum, organisers are expecting capacity crowds for the final phase in Antigua.

With hosts WINDIES Women storming into the semi-finals alongside England, Australia and India, Nero urged the fans in Antigua to come out and be part of history.

The semi-finals of the global event will be contested tomorrow at the Vivian Richards Cricket Ground, where the final takes place two days later.

West Indies take on three-time champions Australia while England face

India in the other semi-final.

“We are now into the last lap with the top four teams sharing the limelight. The spotlight will now switch to Antigua and we expect the same levels of operations and delivery,” said Nero.

“This tournament has opened the eyes of the world and demonstrated that the women’s game can stand alone – the ladies are standing proudly with athletic and dynamic displays on the field backed by superb organisation and leadership off the field. This is a boundary-breaking, history-making event.”

28

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday November 21, 2018

Construction work commences on LBI Community Centre main pavilion

Major construction of the LBI Community Centre ground’s main pavilion and fence are ongoing.

By Rajiv Bisnauth THE Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) has commenced major rehabilitation works on the LBI Community Centre ground.

The upgrading of the facility became a reality after the

GCB secured the lease from the Guyana Sugar Corporation Inc. (GUYSUCO), in January of this year which has paved the way for the board to invest approximately $600M in the next few years towards the general upgrading of the facility to benefit the cricketing community.

British sprinter Levine gets four-year doping ban (REUTERS) - Britain’s Olympic sprinter Nigel Levine has been banned from the sport for four years after failing a drugs test.

Levine was provisionally suspended in February and yesterday UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) confirmed the 29-year-old’s ban.

Britain’s Nigel Levine competes at Olympic Stadium - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – 19th August, 2016.

(REUTERS/Dylan Martinez/File photo)

UKAD said Levine “tested positive for the presence of the prohibited substance clenbuterol, an Anabolic Agent, following an Out-of-Competition test on November 24, 2017.”

Levine, who specialises in the 400 metres, competed at the 2016 Rio Olympics and was part of the British squad that won 400m relay gold at the 2014 European Championships in Zurich.

UKAD Chief Executive Nicole Sapstead said: “All athletes must adhere to the principle of strict liability, and are solely responsible for any substances found in their system.

“Mr Levine is an elite athlete, who has competed at the Olympic Games, European and World Championships, and has received significant anti-doping education throughout his career.

“It is up to role models such as Mr Levine to uphold the highest standards when it comes to anti-doping, ensuring they check all supplements thoroughly and are 100 percent certain they know that what they are consuming is not prohibited.”

UKAD said in their reasoning for the decision that Levine has “accepted that clenbuterol was present in his sample but suggested that its presence was due to his use of supplements that must have been contaminated with clenbuterol.”

The sprinter was not able to demonstrate that his supplement had been contaminated with the drug however, UKAD said.

Levine has not competed since breaking his pelvis last year January in a motorbike crash that also involved fellow sprinter James Ellington.

A visit by Chronicle Sport, Monday afternoon, revealed that major construction of the main pavilion is ongoing. Works to the southern side of the fence are also underway while landfilling was evident.

The GCB had already in-

The GCB has also commenced landfilling.

vested close to $75M a few years ago to construct the existing hostel, the Chetram Singh Centre of Excellence at that location, and over the years the Board has saved a lot of accommodation expenses with the use of this hostel to house its players.

In addition to the facilities for the accommodation of teams preparing for local and regional tournaments, the Centre comprises indoor nets, a gym and a lecture room, all designed to turn out more rounded players, who are prepared to meet the challenges of

the modern game.

The multi-million dollar structure was officially opened in 2010.

It is expected that the bulk of the funding will come from the board through the funds from the franchise league.

UG beat GNIC in two-day cricket THE University of Guyana (UG) defeated GNIC by five wickets in their Noble House Seafoods Second-Division two-day cricket clash over the weekend at the DCC ground.

UG had established a healthy 140-run lead after Saturday, with three wickets in hand from their first innings. They bowled out GNIC for 200 with Ershaad Ali spinning his way to five wickets.

David Dick (75) and Ovid Richardson (52) had led the batting side. In reply, UG had raced to 340-7 with Godfrey Thakurdin hitting an even 100.

On Sunday, Elroy Fernanda, who was unbeaten on 47, pushed his score to 62

(8x4, 2x6). His team, however, declared when he lost his wicket at 360-9 in 54.1 overs.

GNIC batsmen were then tasked with erasing a 160-run deficit before putting some runs of their own on the

board. Premchand Sookdeo answered. The top order batsman struck 14 fours and two sixes in a score of 115. For the third-wicket partnership, Sookdeo and Dick tallied 122 runs. Dick scored 39

Godfrey Thakurdin (at left) and Keirre Henry were instrumental for the University team.

runs (3x4).

After the partnership ended, only Clairmont Duesbury with 20 (3x4) and H. Singh with an unbeaten 19 (3x4) showed resistance as Keirre Henry and Omesh Danram cleaned up the lower order to restrict GNIC to 245 in 49.4 overs.

Henry, with his off-spin, grabbed 4-37 from 12 overs, while Danram and skipper Dennis Heywood supported with two wickets each.

Needing 86 for victory, UG had a solid start with Thakurdin (39) and Ali (16) carrying the score to 60 before S. Brown grabbed two wickets in his second over. Three other wickets fell before UG reached their target.

Pakistan’s claim for damages from BCCI dismissed - ICC MUMBAI, India (Reuters) - The Pakistan Cricket Board’s claim for substantial damages from their Indian counterpart for their refusal to play bilateral cricket has been dismissed, the International Cricket Council (ICC) said yesterday.

The PCB had sought damages from BCCI for not honouring an agreement the two boards had signed in 2014 to play six bilateral series over eight years between 2015 and 2023.

According to media re-

ports, the PCB demanded damages of $70 million from the cash-rich BCCI for India’s refusal to play. The BCCI officials maintained that the decision to play Pakistan depends on the Indian Prime Minister’s office.

“Following a three-day hearing and having considered detailed oral and written submissions, the Dispute Panel has dismissed the PCB’s claim against the BCCI,” the world governing body said in a statement.

Cricket between the bitter South Asian neighbours

has been limited because of their longstanding political problems. They last played a bilateral series in 2012-13, when Pakistan toured India for two Twenty20 games and three one-day internationals.

It was their first series since the 2008 Mumbai attacks, when Pakistani militants went on a killing spree that left 166 people dead in India’s financial capital.

India has since refused to play Pakistan outside of ICC events like the World Cup and Champions Tro-

phy.

“In relation to the proceedings brought by PCB against BCCI, the PCB notes with regret the decision of the Disputes Panel of the ICC’s Dispute Resolution Committee,” PCB said in a statement.

“Following a lengthy disputes resolution process, the announcement of the decision today has come as a disappointment for PCB. “PCB will determine its future course of action in this regard after detailed deliberations and consultations with its stakeholders.”

29

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday November 21, 2018

Pestano-Belle’s ton leads Poonai Pharmacy renews sponsorship of GCC to victory over Sophia RHTYSC Under-13 team

Poonai Pharmacy CEO Poonai Bhirooj hands over sponsorship to RHTY&SC Under-13 captain Matthew Pottaya.

POONAI Pharmacy will sponsor the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club (RHTY&SC) U-13 team, one of Guyana’s leading youth and sports organisations, for the second consecutive year.

Proprietor Poonai Bhirooj decided to renew the sponsorship he started in September of last year, when he had handed over the sponsorship cheque to the club’s Patron, His Excellency President David Granger.

Secretary/CEO of the club, Hilbert Foster, was delighted with the sponsorship since the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) has been organising cricket tournaments for players at the Under-13 level.

Foster, who is also the president of the vibrant BCB, hailed the contribution of Bhirooj, whom he described as a role model and friend to every RHTY&SC member.

Since the formation of the Under-13 team, players such as Jonathan Rampersaud, Mahendra Gopilall, Jeremy Sandia, Matthew Pottaya have gone on to play for either Berbice or Guyana. Additionally, the team has been actively involved in more than 60 self-developmental programmes under sponsorship.

These include monthly pensioners project, feeding of the poor, cricket academy and hampers for senior citizens.

According to a release from the club, the Poonai Under-13 team serves as a nursery for the Rose Hall Town (RHT) Farfan & Mendes Under-15 team and Assistant Secretary/CEO Simon Naidu noted that the team had already gone through the semifinals of the BCB Da Silva Under-13 tournament.

The Matthew Pottaya-led team defeated Albion Community Centre outright, obtained first-innings points from Kendall’s Union and held Port Mourant to a draw after losing first-innings points. As

runners-up in Zone B, they would play Blairmont Community Centre, winners of Zone A in a semifinal at the D’Edward ground.

The RHTYSC, Naidu proudly stated, has been the dominant club in Berbice during 2018, having won eight major titles and being runners-up in two others at the Under-15 and Under-21 levels.

The Poonai’s Under-13 team is under the management of veteran RHTY&SC executive members Keith Hicks, Ravindra Nauth Kissoonlall and Tyrone Pottaya with Naidu as the team coordinator.

National Under-15 players Jonathan Rampersaud, Mahendra Gopilall and Jeremy Sandia serve as mentors. Matthew Pottaya is the captain while Nelroy Hicks serves as his deputy.

Bhirooj, in a brief response, stated that he enjoys a close relationship with the RHTY&SC and has always admired its outstanding work.

He urged the team to develop a culture of discipline and hard work while he praised them for being good ambassadors of his company’s brand.

The sponsorship is worth $150 000.

MARTIN Pestano-Belle struck an unbeaten century to lead the Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) to an eight-wicket win over the Builder’s Lumber Yard Sophia Cricket Club when action in the New Building Society (NBS) Second-Division 40-Over Cricket Competition continued last Sunday at the GCC ground, Bourda.

Sophia won the toss and batted. Their openers played a few shots with Zalim Rasheed hitting two fours in a score of 19 and Dwayne Peters three fours in his 12, but except for Malcolm Morris, who struck 53 runs (4x4, 3x6), and Richard Dowlatram with 19, none of the other batsmen showed resistance as the visitors folded for 139 in 37 overs.

GCC captain Devon Lord, who cleaned up the middle order with his leftarm spin, finished with

Martin Pestano-Belle scored 104 not out.

4-31 from eight overs, while off-spinner Chetram Persaud grabbed 3-30 and left-arm spinner Stephon Wilson, who did his damage at the top of the innings, finished with 2-43.

Pestano-Belle then struck seven fours and an equal number of sixes in an unbeaten score of 104 to lead the home team to 143-2 in 17 overs.

India tour was good preparation, England now play in Joe Root’s style - Vaughan says skipper Brathwaite CHITTAGONG, Bangladesh (CMC) – Standin West Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite says the just-concluded tour of India has helped prepare the Caribbean side for the two-Test series against Bangladesh starting tomorrow.

and Dhaka.

“We have come from India, and that I think was very good preparation for us before the first Test,” Brathwaite said, following Monday’s drawn tour match against a Bangladesh Cricket Board XI. “Obviously quite simi-

Stand-in Windies captain Kraigg Brathwaite

West Indies suffered a 2-0 thumping against the powerful Indians but the two-Test rubber was played in similar conditions to those which Brathwaite’s side will face in Chittagong

lar conditions, so that will be good. The main thing is that the wicket is quite similar also.”

He added: “There will be a few challenges, we have to expect that. It

won’t be so easy. Obviously, they are very good at home. But we are ready for the challenges.”

West Indies had a productive outing in the two-day tour match with their batsmen spending time at the crease in a total of 303 for seven declared. Their bowlers then also put a solid shift in as the BCB XI reached 232 for five in reply.

Brathwaite, leading the side in the absence of injured regular captain Jason Holder, said they were already keeping a close eye on the pitch for the opening Test at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium. “(We are) expecting a slower type of pitch – normal surfaces here. Let’s see now what happens,” the opener said.

West Indies have an excellent record against Bangladesh, beating them in six of seven series and winning 10 of 14 Tests.

Their only series defeat to the Tigers came in 2009 in the Caribbean when a players’ strike robbed the hosts of their first-choice players.

TEST captain Joe Root has stamped his “quality” brand of cricket on the England team, former skipper Michael Vaughan has told BBC Radio 5 live.

The 27-year-old led the team to their first overseas series success since 2016 with victory over Sri Lanka in the second Test, which followed their home win over world number one India.

Vaughan said: “Last five games you’ve seen how he wants his team to play.

“We’ve started to see that Root is the Test match captain.”

Root took over from Alastair Cook in 2017 and led England to home series wins against South Africa and West Indies, before the Ashes defeat then the 1-0 series loss in New Zealand.

When they drew the second Test in New Zealand it extended their run of overseas Test matches without a win to 13.

However, the latest win in Pallekele, last Wednesday, was England’s sixth in their last seven Tests.

“He wants them to be aggressive, expansive and entertaining, although it comes at a high risk,” said Vaughan.

“In terms of what we saw against India and Sri Lanka, I am starting to feel this is Root’s Test match team.

following winters in Indian conditions and Australian conditions, we’ll see them come up against high-class opposition.

“However, this team look like they have what they need to cope in all parts of the world under the captaincy of Joe Root.

England captain Joe Root (right) scores a century as he guided England to a 57-run victory over Sri Lanka in the second Test.

“This winter hasn’t been challenging, with Sri Lanka then West Indies, who are both decent but nothing more. Then there’s Australia next summer at home, when I think England will have too much strength.

“But next winter in South Africa, then the

His cricket will be quality to watch.”

England can complete a 3-0 series win over Sri Lanka if they beat them in the final Test which starts on November 23.

They then travel to West Indies for a three-Test series which begins in January. (BBC Sport)

30

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday November 21, 2018

Four years to next World Cup; will it be 32 or 48 teams?

By Mark Gleeson DOHA, Qatar (Reuters) - Today marks exactly four years to the kickoff of the next World Cup in Qatar, which could yet be an instrument to help end regional tensions and the first 48-team tournament if FIFA president Gianni Infantino gets his way.

The head of world football’s governing body has been pressing in recent weeks for the 2022 finals to expand from the 32 teams in Russia this year to 48, even though it was previously planned that the expansion of the World Cup would happen when Canada, Mexico and the United States jointly host the 2026 finals.

“We are looking at it. If it is possible, why not?” Infantino said last month. “We

are discussing with our Qatari friends, we are discussing with our many other friends in the region and we hope that this can happen.”

Qatar (organisers) have not yet responded to the idea but previously have sounded cautious about the country’s capacity to go beyond a 32team tournament.

Organisers are building only eight stadiums for the one-month tournament, which has been controversially pushed back to late in the year because of the fierce summer heat. It kicks off on November 21, 2022 with the final on December 18.

Any expansion would mean Qatar possibly sharing some matches with their neighbours but the country is the subject of an economic blockade imposed by four of

them.

In mid-2017, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt cut transport and trade links with Doha, accusing it of supporting terrorism and Iran - charges Qatar denies.

IMPORTS BLOCKED The boycott disrupted Qatar’s shipping routes through the Gulf and blocked imports across its only land border, with Saudi Arabia, previously the route for its perishable food supplies and construction materials.

It has meant Qatar has had to dig into its deep pockets to find alternative trading partners and keep its World Cup preparations on track.

“To think there are people in the region who might not enjoy the first World Cup in the Middle East is very dis-

Eco Champs whip Everest in U-17 clash AN 82-run sixth-wicket partnership between Byron Bowen and Sameer Housain propelled Eco Champs to a 101run victory over Everest when the GCA/Friends of Cricket Hundred Overs’ U-17 tournament continued last Sunday at the GNIC ground.

Bowen scored 52 runs and Hussain 48 to push the eventual winners to 229 runs after winning the toss and batting first.

Their bowlers then restricted Everest for 128 runs.

Eco Champs were pegged back early at 12-2, before the middle order picked up the scoring. Dwain Dick

smacked three fours and a six in a score of 32, while Dominic Roberts (29) who put together a 66-run fifth-wicket partnership with Bowen hit two fours and a six.

Bowen rotated the strike well while adding six fours in his half-century, while Hussain got seven fours in his knock.

Both batsmen fell to leftarm spinner Raynaldo Mohamed, who finished with 3-33 from eight overs. Ariel Tilku also finished with three wickets for the Carifesta Avenue club.

Everest had a few good starts when they batted. Mohamed 17 (3x4), Y. Persaud 15 (2x4), Tilku

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER

(Wednesday, November 21, 2018)

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Answers to yesterday’s quiz: West Indies & Australia England & India Today’s Quiz: Who scored the most runs in the group stages of the current ICC Women’s T20 World Cup? Which WI made the most runs?

ANSWERS IN TOMORROW’S ISSUE

appointing,” said Hassan Al Thawadi, who heads the local organising committee. “We look forward to this matter being sorted out. Football is for the people and we want this tournament to reach the people of the region.”

“Personally, as president of FIFA, I would be very happy if some matches could be shared with some countries in the region,” said Infantino, adding that football had the power to break the impasse if all else failed. “Football unites, builds bridges; that could be a concrete result.”

Qatar is the smallest country to host the finals, with the distance between the two furthest venues a mere 72 kilometres.

The country is a hub of building activity with Qa-

FIFA president Gianni Infantino

tar promising to deliver the completed venues some 24 months before the tournament begins.

One is already completed - the Khalifa International Stadium in the capital Doha reopened in May last year after renovations, including the installation of a cooling system that can take the temperature in the venue down to the mid-teens.

Qatar is spending a staggering $200 billion on hosting the tournament, although Al Thawadi said only between

eight and 10 billion was being spent on stadiums.

The rest is going on wider infrastructure projects, including a rail link, already partially completed, that will connect all the venues.

The Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor will be the most northerly venue, seating some 60 000 in a stadium covered by a giant tent structure, but the rest are in and around Doha, making for a World Cup that will have little in common with those that have gone before.

Minimise mistakes, heed details – Kohli tells India team mates

India captain Virat Kohli

Byron Bowen acknowledges his team after reaching his half-century on Sunday.

32 (6x4)) and Varun Mangla 21 (4x4), but none took control of the game.

Persaud and Tilku shared an innings-high 53run third-wicket stand, but nothing solid materalised after as Keon Wright (two wickets) and Mitra Dhanraj (three wickets) bowled their team to victory.

SYDNEY, Australia (Reuters) - India will look to minimise their mistakes and “do the little things right” in Australia, touring captain Virat Kohli said in Brisbane on the eve of the three-match Twenty20 series that marks the beginning of their two-month tour Down Under.

Today’s Twenty20 International in Brisbane will be followed by matches at Melbourne and Sydney before the four-Test series gets underway in Adelaide on December 6.

India, currently the top Test team, have not lost a home series since late 2012 but have struggled outside the sub-continent, beaten 2-1 in South Africa and 4-1 in England this year.

They, however, fancy their chances against an Australian team yet to recover from a ball-tampering scandal that led to bans for former captain Steve Smith, opener David Warner and batsman Cameron Bancroft.

“We don’t want to be a team that wins one odd Test match here and there,” Kohli told reporters yesterday. “We have figured out our mistakes in England which, I have mentioned before, were very radical.

“The quality of cricket was very high but our mistakes were as radical and that’s why we lost the games. We won the game in which we committed fewer mistakes. We were at par with the other team throughout.

“I think we have the ability to keep competing with the other team and in Test cricket whichever team makes fewer mistakes wins the game. That’s the general rule.”

Cricket Australia yesterday said Smith, Warner and Bancroft will serve out their bans in full but Kohli felt India, who lost 2-0 in their previous four-match series in Australia in 2014-15, would still need to be at their best to succeed.

“We played good cricket last time but we were not able to win games, so this time around we obviously want to change that,” he said.

“We definitely believe we have the quality to do so but it will boil down to how we think in each moment in every Test match that we play or every game that we play on this tour.

“As a whole, throughout the tour we want to do the little things right and have our focus really precise so that we can win more situations than the opposition.”

31

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday November 21, 2018

Law ends stint prematurely, Pothas takes over

South African Nic Pothas takes over as interim head coach.

ST JOHN’S, Antigua (CMC ) – Australian Stuart Law has apparently ended his stint with West Indies ahead of the Bangladesh series which bowls off later this week.

The 50-year-old Law has not travelled with the Caribbean side for the tour comprising two Tests, three One-Day Internationals and three Twenty20 Internationals, and Cricket West Indies (CWI) announced Monday it had appointed fielding coach Nic Pothas as the interim head coach.

In announcing Law’s res-

ignation last September, CWI said: “Law will continue in his role for the upcoming away series against India and Bangladesh and will leave to join Middlesex CCC in the new year.”

In Monday’s statement, no mention was made of Law and his absence from the Bangladesh tour, only that South Africa Pothas would lead the technical team.

“Having Nic lead the team at this juncture is important for continuity and we look forward to strong and posi-

Australian Stuart Law has ended his stint as Windies head coach.

tive performances from the squad under his leadership,” said CWI director of cricket, Jimmy Adams.

Law, who is set to join English county Middlesex on a four-year deal, oversaw the ill-fated recent tour of India where West Indies won just one match. They were hammered in both Tests inside three days, went down 3-1 in the five-match ODI series before being swept 3-0 in the T20 Internationals.

Law’s departure marks the end of a near two-year stint marked mainly by a

string of disappointing results.

He won six of his 17 Tests in charge with series wins coming only against Zimbabwe and Bangladesh in seven tours. In 31 ODIs across nine bilateral series, Law oversaw five wins and 21 defeats, and was without a single series success.

In T20s, he managed a mere eight wins in 22 matches, while losing 13.

West Indies face Bangladesh in the opening Test in Chittagong starting tomorrow.

14th Diamond Mineral Water Indoor Hockey tournament set for November 29-December 2 THE 2018 Diamond Mineral Indoor Hockey Festival, which will be the 14th edition, is set to rumble off on the weekend of November 29–December 2.

President of the Guyana Hockey Board (GHB), Philip Fernandes, has indicated that the festival is receiving avid interest from a number of international teams.

The participation of more than one team from Canada and the Twin Island Republic of Trinidad and Tobago is expected.

In the past, clubs from those two countries have been of the highest calibre.

Fans were treated to a high standard of hockey which in turn motivated Guyanese teams at the tournament.

After a brief hiatus, the festival returned to the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall last year after the uneven floor made it almost impossible to play on.

However, the acquisition of a ‘plastic tiled floor’ by the GHB in 2017 (used for the Pan American Championships), paved the way

for the return of the festival. The tiled surface is of the standard that is seen in gymnasiums all across North America.

Last year fans saw Trinidad and Tobago’s Queen’s Park Hockey Club gain revenge for their 2016 defeat to Pepsi Hikers, by defeating the latter 8-3 in a thrilling encounter.

France, Deonarine win top performers trophies for GCA first division competition

Hikers’ Aroydy Bradford was the festival’s top goal-scorer after he finished with 25 conversions.

However, the ladies’ title was claimed by Guyana’s Pizza Hut GCC (now GBTI GCC) who edged their local counterparts, Lady Hikers, 1-0 in a penalty shootout, courtesy of brilliant goalkeeping from Bri-

awna Gorgon, who had two blocks, with the conversion coming from national player Gabriella Xavier which decided the outcome.

This year a close and thrilling festival is anticipated with all clubs in immense form and a plethora of national players representing their respective clubs.

Flashback! Action in the 2017 edition of the Diamond Mineral Water Indoor Hockey Festival

Trevon France collects his award from GCA executive member and former DCC national cricketer Mark Harper.

T R E VO N F r a n c e a n d Christopher Deonarine were rewarded for their dominance with the ball and bat in the just concluded Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA) GISE/ Star Party Rentals/Trophy Stall First Division two-day cricket competition.

Although the Guyana Youth Organisation (GYO) did not make it to the finals, the pair represented their club well.

Left-arm spinner France, who took 7-35 against GNIC in March, finished with 20 wickets at an average of 12 runs per wicket, while Deonarine tallied 362 runs at an average of 120.67.

France also finished as Zone B MVP. He was rewarded for his bowling dominance and for making 44 runs and taking two catches.

Christopher Barnwell, who captained the Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) to an em-

phatic win against Police over the weekend in the championship clash, was named MVP of Zone A. The 31-year-old had scored 202 runs at an average of 40, to go with three wickets and three catches.

In the final, he added to his tally with 103 runs.

Transport’s off-spinner Kevin Ross finished with the best bowling figures after capturing 8-14 against the Guyana Defence Force, while DCC’s batsman, Joshua Persaud, registered the highest total—150 not out against Police in the preliminary round.

The University of Guya n a ’s c r i c k e t e r, K e r o n Sewnarine, was also rewarded for his six catches.

In the final, left arm spinner Totaram Bishun captured the man-of-thematch award for his match haul of nine wickets, while Barnwell finished with the most runs with his knock of 103.

GROS ISLET, St Lucia (CMC) – Tournament director Jennifer Nero has hailed the organising committees of the ongoing ICC Women’s Twenty20 World Cup in St Lucia and Guyana, following the completion of group stages in those two territories.

Nero, who is also a director of Cricket West Indies (CWI), said the tournament has attracted record numbers of spectators and the hard work done in the preparation stage had paid huge dividends.

“We launched the amazing ‘Watch This’ campaign back in June and it has caught the imagination of the cricket world,” said Nero.

“We are delighted with the number of fans coming to the matches and we want to applaud everyone who came out – men, women and children.

“We had huge turnouts in both venues – the Darren Sammy Cricket Ground and the Guyana National Stadium – which provided an electrifying atmosphere.”

Nero added: “We want to say a special ‘thank you’ to the governments and people of St Lucia and Guyana for their support and help in putting on a wonderful show in the opening rounds.”

The tournament is a historic one as the first ICC standalone Twenty20 tournament. In the past, both the men’s and women’s events have been run alongside each other.

Eight years ago, the Caribbean also hosted the T20 World Cup, with much success.

“I must commend the officials and staff who worked on this event – everything was well-organised and went according to plan. We have a cadre of competent, skilled and highly-motivated professionals who executed a seamless operation,” Nero continued.

“Of note is the work of the ground-staff (in both venues) who did yeoman service to get the pitches and outfields in top condition.

“No stone was left unturned and we have seen a new level of excitement and organisation in the women’s game. We ended the first round with an amazing crowd of close to 10 000 in St Lucia and it was a great occasion. We have seen the rise of women’s cricket.”

Ticket sales have surpassed previous expectations, with

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Praise for organisers after preliminaries’ wind-up

West Indies players celebrate one of their four victories during the preliminary round.

UCCA secures sponsorship from Trophy Stall Port Mourant branch for Under-19 tournament

French Guiana ends Guyana’s ‘Gold Cup’ dreams ...Golden Jaguars fall 1 – 2 in Cayenne in CONCACAF Nations League

From left are Ramesh Sunich proprietor of Trophy Stall and Mr Vicky Bharosay, former treasurer of the UCCA and BCB, at the simple launching of the tournament last Saturday at Trophy Stall new branch at Port Mourant, Berbice.

THE Upper Corentyne Cricket Association (UCCA) continues to create history after securing another sponsorship for cricket in the area.

This is for a new Under-19 tournament which is being sponsored by Ramesh Sunich of Trophy Stall, Market Street, Port Mourant branch.

The newest of branch-

es which will be opened in January, 2019 and will serve the Berbice community with quality tokens for sports such as uniforms, trophies, medals, plaques, printing and many other related services - something that is seriously lacking in the Ancient County.

The tournament will be a round-robin one, consisting of six teams and will com-

mence on Saturday, November 24, 2018.

At a simple but significant presentation ceremony held recently at the new Port Mourant office which is in its final stage of preparation for the opening, Mr Vicky Bharosay, former treasurer of the UCCA and Berbi-

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Neil Danns celebrates his 60th minute goal against French Guiana in the CONCACAF Nations League qualifier. French Guiana defeated Guyana 2 – 1.

GUYANA’s hopes of qualifying for the CONCACAF Gold Cup came to a crashing end following their 2 – 1 defeat to French Guiana last evening in Cayenne.

Playing in their third game of the CONCACAF Nations

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League, Guyana went into the contest needing a win after opening with a 2 – 2 draw against Barbados and an 8 – 0 win over Turks and Caicos.

A win against the French-speaking South American country would

have put Coach Michael Johnson’s side into the CONCACAF flagship tournament for the first time in the country’s history, but,

Turn to page 27 WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2018