Guyana Chronicle E-paper 11-24-2018

SATURDAY 24th November, 2018

‘We will defeat it’

No.105468

African, Caribbean states upbeat about 03 air links PAGE

… PPP wants to psychologically harass citizens

… PM says no confidence motion P A G E will be discussed 03 and defeated

Nandlall committed to stand 15 trial for law books theft PAGE

Guyana makes strong 08 case to UK PAGE

… for lifting of greenheart ban

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo and his wife, Mrs. Sita Nagamootoo joined delegates attending the ICAO 2018 Conference on Thursday evening at the Ramada Georgetown Princess Hotel for an evening of cultural presentations and Guyanese cuisine.

The conference, which wrapped up on Friday, was held under the theme: ‘Promoting Connectivity for Sustainable Air Transport Development’. In this DPI photo, the Prime Minister is seen interacting with some of the delegates at the event

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, November 24, 2018

‘We will defeat it’

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, November 24, 2018

… PPP wants to psychologically harass citizens … PM says no-confidence motion will be discussed and defeated

By Alva Solomon ‘WE will debate this motion, we will have this motion discussed and we will defeat it’ THOSE were the words of Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo who said on Friday during a live broadcast on social media platform Facebook that the government places much emphasis on its mandate and as such, the presentation of the 2019 National Budget as well as consideration of the Budgetary Estimates will be undertaken before the opposition’s no-confidence motion can be debated in the National Assembly.

The budget will be presented on Monday, November 26, 2018 and according to the prime minister based on his calculations, the motion may be up for debate mid-December or after. “We are not running away from a no-confidence motion,” he said.

Nagamootoo said on Friday he received a copy of a letter addressed to the opposition People’s Progressive Party (PPP) by the Clerk of the National Assembly which stated that the motion would not be considered until after the budget debate, as well as consideration of the estimates.

The prime minister said in order for a motion of no-confidence to be successful, it has to have the majority of parliamentary votes.

He explained that in this case, the no-confidence motion was brought by the opposition despite the fact that they are fully aware that they hold the minority vote in the National Assembly. “It is the government that has

the majority and therefore, a no-confidence motion cannot succeed. It is a no-go, it is a no-no,” Prime Minister Nagamootoo said.

“We are not running away from a no-confidence motion, we are prepared for a discussion of any such motion, but we believe that there are some issues that take precedence over such a motion.”

Prime Minister Nagamootoo noted that it was the very opposition, while in government, that chose to prorogue Parliament for six months instead of contesting the no-confidence motion when it was brought against them in November 2014.

The prime minister expressed his conviction that the motion will be defeated once it is presented in the National Assembly.

NO CHANCE OF SUCCEEDING Regarding its motive, he posited that the opposition may be under the impression that the recent Local Government Elections (LGEs) have passed “some judgment “on the government, noting that the PPP may views the results of the polls as a referendum on the APNU+AFC administration.

But he explained that in order to move a motion against a majority government one has to be confident that the motion can succeed.

The prime minister said that the opposition wants to psychologically “harass” the population and to “frustrate” the work of the National Assembly.

He explained that in order for a no-con-

fidence motion to pass, it must have the majority of 33 elected members of the National Assembly. “The opposition does not have that, it is the government that has 33 members who are elected and sitting in the National Assembly”, he added.

He said the PPP wants the motion to go for debate with the hope that one member of the government may abstain from the vote. He explained too that even if the vote is tied, the mover loses the motion.

“We are not afraid of debates, we are old debaters,” he said. As regards comments from the opposition that the government does not wish for the motion to be heard, he recalled that in 2014 he had tabled a no-confidence motion in August that year while in opposition and the PPP government refused to have the motion debated.

He said the parliament was supposed to resume on October 10, 2014, but no parliament was held and later, former President Donald Ramotar prorogued the National Assembly.

He said at the time there was widespread “thiefing and violation of the Constitution of Guyana “and it was on those grounds that he moved the motion. “Our government has been stable government, we have been able to restore peace and public order to Guyana; we have been able to build incrementally a new face of Guyana; now we are on the cusp of an new oil-and-gas economy,” he said , adding that everyone is commenting that the country will grow.

He believes said the opposition is trying

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo to sow a picture of doom and gloom of the country and he described the move as that of the “Grinch” trying to take away the happy, festive season. According to the prime minister, the motion was born out of desperation and opposition frustration and “opportunism “to look forward to the new wealth of Guyana.

The prime minister reiterated government’s confidence that the motion will be defeated.

African, Caribbean states upbeat about air links

By Lisa Hamilton SEVERAL states from Africa and the Caribbean have agreed that linkages between the two Regions are necessary for the preservation of the African culture and the development of shared economic benefits.

These sentiments were expressed by a panel of delegates at the Third African Diaspora Meeting on promoting air links between African States and the Caribbean, hosted at the Arthur Chung Conference Center on Friday.

Director-General of the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) Egbert Field, established that during World War Two Atkinson Air Field, now the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), had served as a means for war planes flying to Africa to

stop for fuel and ration.

“It’s now peace time, why can’t that link be established again?” Field began.

“It served the purpose during the war to bring peace and it now can serve a purpose during peace time to bring prosperity to the peoples who were divided because of selfish reasons.”

He stated further that “wherever people gather, money can be made” which is why such collaborations would only serve to work in the best interest of Africa, the Caribbean and South America.

Meanwhile, Director General of the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority, Simon Allotey, said: “I am very, very optimistic to say the least because they are indicators to show that we are edging towards that connectivity…there is a great-

er awareness amongst the diaspora of the fact that we are one people just separated by colonialist powers who brought us into all forms of bondages.”

His optimism was shared

by Director General of the Jamaica Civil Aviation Authority Nari Williams-Singh, who recommended the development of an action plan and urged the attending delegates to work together towards this end. “We have had many discussions, many declarations [and] statements; let’s put that into action now.

Let’s identify what are the key enablers, let’s put those down. Where are the hurdles? Let’s address those hurdles. We need an action plan and we need champions of those action plans; individuals, organisations and states. So, next time we have a conference like this we can

be looking at what we have achieved,” Williams-Singh advised.

Representative of Cabo Verde on the ICAO Council, Carlos Alberto Monteiro, too, commented stating that the topic of connectivity is an important debate which must continue until a positive change occurs.

Meanwhile, Diaspora Policy Officer at the Americas and the Caribbean African Union Commission, Kyeretwie Osei, said that the desire for bridging the gap between the Caribbean and Africa has always been central to the union.

“In our act we have explicit language in there that calls for the building of the continent through the efforts of citizens both on the continent and within the diaspora.

I think maybe what has been missing overtime has been

the institutional frameworks to actually pursue this goal,” he posited.

However, Osei noted that the missing link is beginning to show itself and change for the better and hopefully this will see greater improvements very soon.

During the conference, Director of Economic Regulations in Tanzania Daniel Malanga, told the Guyana Chronicle that soon Tanzania and Guyana will sign an air transport agreement for greater corporation. “We are about to sign with Guyana. We are negotiating on one item which is pending. Once we finish, we shall be signing in two or three months to come. We have considered a number of provisions which are of mutual benefit to both countries,” he stated.

Such collaborations do not come as a surprise to Senior Advisor of the

Wicks Group, Cornelia Wilson-Hunter, who stated that over the years she has seen improvements in aviation in the Caribbean Region.

In addition she stated that with existing links in other locations such as North America, there is no probable reason as to why the African Diaspora should be excluded from the mix. “I am optimistic because when I started there were very few links between Africa and the United States…it just makes sense to have these links between the diaspora and Africa,” she said.

With this in mind, Minister of Aviation of Ghana Joseph Kofi Adda beckoned to those on the panel: “This is the chance for us to make it happen and you the leaders, particularly director-generals, you have the answers.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday November 24, 2018

Wary of Trump’s USA, Central American migrants find only despair in Spain MADRID (Reuters) - Migrants from Central Amer-

ica are turning to former colonial master Spain as they face rejection from the United States in their attempts to escape rampant violence and poverty at home, but the streets of Madrid offer little relief.

After selling all the have

Saturay, November 24, 2018

to pay for flights to Europe, the migrants often end up sleeping on the streets or in doorways, without warm clothes, food or cash.

“Our baby is just two months old and we’ve run out of money ... we don’t have anywhere to stay right now,” said 40-year-old Salvadoran Nelson Delgado as he queued for the third day and night with his wife and baby outside the only migrant centre in Madrid.

“It’s OK if I don’t get any benefits, just something for them to have a better future,” he said, choking on tears.

The number of asylum-seekers from Central America and Venezuela has grown notably in the past

month after U.S. President Donald Trump denounced U.S.-bound migrant caravans as an “invasion” and sent troops to the border with Mexico to stop them.

But their hopes of better treatment are falling flat in Spain, which along with other European countries is already overwhelmed by a wave of migrants from North Africa and the Middle East.

Finally getting to the front of the winding migration centre line only allows the migrants to book an appointment to begin the asylum process. The luckier ones get a slot in 2019, the less fortunate in 2020.

The interior ministry said it was “aware of the scale of

- 05:30 hrs

drama” and was working to resolve the situation. The number of asylum seekers in Spain has soared 12-fold since 2010.

This year alone, almost 45,000 asylum seekers had entered the country by the end of October, according to theInterior Ministry data, with the highest numbers from Venezuela, Colombia, Syria and Honduras. More than 63,000 asylum requests have yet to be resolved.

Delgado, a former bus driver, says he and his wife fled their home town of Ahuchapan, on the border with Guatemala, after he was briefly kidnapped and then faced threats by a criminal gang in another town where they tried to settle.

They decided to emigrate together with another family.

“There was a migrant caravan to the United States ... but we didn’t (join in).

We were afraid they could deport us back to El Salvador or even separate us from our baby boy,” said Delgado.

A parish church ended up accepting Delgado and his kin. It is already providing shelter to five other families from Central America.

Among them are Jonathan Martinez of Venezuela and his three children who had to sleep in a doorway after a social services centre kicked them out when it had no space.

The local priest, Javier Baeza, blamed the government for barring access to humanitarian programmes for migrants. “These people need to be helped, it’s a human right,” he said.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday November 24, 2018

Trinidad

to ban importation of scratch bombs PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC) — The Trinidad and Tobago government says it will ban the importation of “scratch bombs” into the country after describing the firework as a “real nuisance item”.

National Security and Communication Minister, Stuart Young, speaking at the end of the weekly Cabinet meeting on Thursday, told reporters that when the scratch bombs are outlawed, anyone found with them will be treated in a similar fashion to those found with an illegal firearm.

Young said that several people have suffered ‘serious injuries” as a result of these bombs.

“In fact either last year or the year before, we had an incident where irresponsible persons threw a scratch bomb into a car and a lady in an attempt, as I recall the facts, to save her grandchild, picked up the scratch bomb to throw it out of the car and it exploded in her hand and she lost some fingers.

“We have had recent incidents where children playing with scratch bombs sustained injuries and even some adults,” Young said, adding that he was happy to announce the decision of the Cabinet to ban the importation of those fireworks.

He said the Ministry of National Security “will move expeditiously to have this implemented as the law”.

Recently, nine people were left homeless when a house in Central Trinidad was destroyed by a fire started with scratch bombs.

‘No more camps,’ Colombia tells Venezuelans not to settle in tent city B O G O TA ( R e u t e r s ) - Francis Montano sits on a cold pavement with her three children, all their worldly possessions stuffed into plastic bags, as she pleads to be let into a new camp for Venezuelan migrants in the Colombian capital, Bogota.

Behind Montano, smoke snakes from woodfires set amid the bright yellow tents which are now home to hundreds of Venezuelans, erected on a former soccer pitch in a middle-class residential area in the west of the city.

The penniless migrants, some of the millions who have fled Venezuela’s economic and social crisis, have been here more than a week, forced by city authorities to vacate a makeshift slum of plastic tarps a few miles away.

The tent city is the first of its kind in Bogota. While authorities have established camps at the Venezuelan border, they have resisted doing so in Colombia’s interior, wary of encouraging migrants to settle instead of moving to neighboring countries or returning home.

Its gates are guarded by police and officials from the mayor’s office and only those registered from the old slum are allowed access.

“We’ll have to sleep on the street again, under a bridge,” said Montano, 22, whose children are all under seven years old. “I just want a roof for my kids at night.”

According to the United Nations, an estimated three million Venezuelans have fled as their oil-rich country has sunk into crisis under President Nicolas Maduro.

Critics accuse the Socialist leader of ravaging the economy through state interventions while clamping down on political opponents.

The exodus - driven by violence, hyperinflation and shortages of food and medicines - amounts to one in 12 of the population, placing strain on neighbouring countries, already struggling with poverty.

Colombia, which has borne the brunt of the migration crisis, estimates it is sheltering one million Venezuelans, with some 3,000 arriving daily. The government says their total numbers could swell to four

million by 2021, costing it nearly $9 billion a year.

Municipal authorities in Bogota say the camp will provide shelter for 422 migrants through Christmas.

Then in mid-January, it will be dismantled in the hope that jobs and new lodgings have been found.

For most, that is unlikely. Residents say they cannot find permanent work, so they scrape together a few pesos selling candies at traffic lights.

Donations of food and clothing are banned because officials do not want migrants to get accustomed to handouts as they did in the makeshift camp.

“Kind-hearted Bogotanos brought food, blankets and emergency supplies, so they didn’t leave,” said social director of the mayor’s office, Liliana Pulido, adamant the tent city is temporary. “There are no more camps.”

Once the tent city closes in January, those without jobs and lodgings will simply return to the streets, they say.

“We’re not asking for handouts, just work,” said

Carmen Castillo, 29, who shares a tent with five others after travelling 550 km (342 miles) from the border town of Cucuta with her husband and baby son three months ago.

REQUEST FOR AID Colombian President Ivan Duque has asked for international aid to help shoulder the humanitarian crisis, including funding for vaccinations, schooling, water sanitation and housing.

The United States (U.S.) and European Union (EU) have sent tens of millions of dollars but Colombia, which is struggling to recover after a 2016 peace deal ended five decades of conflict with the Marxist FARC rebels, says much more is required.

And while most Colombians are sympathetic to the Venezuelans’ plight, xenophobia has increased, especially in border areas.

In Bogota, many residents complain about being asked for money and stepping over Venezuelans sleeping rough.

Migrants say they have been attacked and spat on.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday November 24, 2018

Environmental Security H

EAD of the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Mr. Pavan Sukhdev has expressed the conservation body’s support for Guyana’s policies. At the end of a three-day visit to Guyana, he praised Guyana’s Green State Development Strategy (GSDS) and applauded the government’s commitment to ensuring sustainability through a low-carbon economy. Mr. Sukhdev suggested that government consider using oil revenues to fuel human capital, agriculture, and other areas that support and will help to further the current trajectory of sustainable development. The endorsement is a remarkable development considering the international reputation of the WWF and the respect which the organisation has earned on the world stage.

The WWF is an international non-governmental organisation (NGO) that began its work in 1961. At that time, the organisation’s focus was almost exclusively on wildlife conservation and the protection of endangered species. Currently, the organisation is internationally recognised as the leading NGO working in the field of wilderness preservation and the reduction of negative human impact on the environment. Since then, though, the WWF has expanded its role to include habitat conservation; water issues; environmental research; and other more general concerns related to wildlife conservation, environmental protection and the defence of flora and fauna.

The WWF believes that our part of the world is so important that it has established an entire unit dedicated to Guyana, French Guiana, and Suriname. The unit, located in Paramaribo, Suriname, is called ‘WWF Guianas.’ The unit has offices in Georgetown and Cayenne.

The stated mission of WWF Guianas is “To stop the degradation of the planet’s natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature.” The regional office of WWF Guianas collaborates with governments and other NGOs such as Conservation International and the Iwokrama International Centre for Rainforest Conservation and Development.

Such cooperative efforts result in the protection and management of ecologies; the conservation of animal habitats; and restoration of areas depleted by human activities, educational initiatives, and awareness campaigns.

Additionally, WWF engages in protected areas and sound land-use planning; payment for ecosystem services; abatement of mining activities; marine conservation; and sustainable fishing activities.

WWF recognises the importance of the Region; the three Guianas have an estimated 80 to 89 per cent pristine forest cover. This area is known internationally as the Guiana Shield. That Guiana Shield holds 15 per cent of the entire world’s freshwater reserves; and such is essential to global biodiversity.

It is not surprising that WWF would endorse the

policy programmes of the administration. After all, they coincide absolutely. Guyana is committed to an irreversible course of sustainability. Our generation must be self-sustaining and happy, while we must ensure that future generations can also provide a good life for themselves.

President Granger has announced that in addition to the forested areas already being protected, an additional two million hectares will be added. Those areas will be available to scientists and researchers, so as to increase human knowledge. However, those parts of Guyana will not be allowed to be used for any commercial enterprise.

The absolute dedication to a green Guyana was iterated on December 12, 2015. On that day, Guyana signed the Paris Agreement. That agreement, which presents a historic opportunity for the world to respond to the challenges of climate change, will forever improve and transform our world into a place where we recognise sustainability as an integral and indispensable part of human existence, in harmony with nature.

The fact that the WWF has even positively mentioned Guyana is noteworthy. The fact that the organisation has chosen to praise our policies is nothing short of exceedingly remarkable. It is a testament that we are going in the right direction.

Our policies are consistent with world views and our developmental ideals are noble and reachable.

Kissoon knows little about Int’l Intellectual Property Law and Policy I

Dear Editor,

WRITE in response to Mr. Kissoon’s column of Sunday, 18th November, titled “Copyright law: is colonial brainwashing still alive in Guyana?” in which this gentleman, citing from my letter, presumes to attribute to me a colonial mentality and an “amazing ignorance of international relations.” I find both of these assertions extremely amusing, since in the first instance I was born sometime after Guyana became a republic, and second because I have spent a number of years in the field of International IP law and Trade Law and worked with the WIPO. I have attended the meetings at the United Nations and the US Chamber of Commerce; witnessed negotiations and done scholarly work in India, the Caribbean and elsewhere; carried out peer-reviewed research and published in international journals all in the work of International IP Law and policy.

Mr. Kissoon knows nothing about me and even less about International Intellectual Property Law and Policy and its inter-relations with international trade. This is quite clear from his ramblings on the subject in which he makes broad, unfounded statements and drops a few names of some people whom he presumes to be authoritative; he, however, does not present any sound scholarship to support his statements. For him, this is supposedly good enough for Guyanese.

Nothing in my letter can be ascribed to a defence of, or adherence to, a colonialist mentality ( which is completely irrelevant

within the context). In the letter however, it is established that copyright laws were instituted to allow writers and innovators to retain control of their works for a pre-determined period of time; this allowed them to benefit from their efforts dating back to the British Statute of Monopolies of 1623-- a principle as sound then as it is now and well established in international law. It is also a paragon of fairness and decency in which people are allowed to be rewarded for their labour, and this is what Mr. Kissoon seems to find so upsetting. In fact, I make it clear that any intellectual property system must be designed around what will work best for the country, since ignoring Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) is no longer a viable position to take in 2018.

The 2012 debacle which occurred under the previous administration in which the government authorised commercial-scale photocopying of textbooks published by a British company and was swiftly chastised by threat of legal and diplomatic sanctions forcing them to cease the activity, is a clear demonstration of how international companies and governments treat with infringement of IPRs. There is evidence enough to prove that companies whose business activities are related to the use of IPRs are reluctant to invest in countries where protection is weak, this includes Guyana.

It is myopic, backward, and an affront to Guyanese to say that the entire nation lacks the capacity to produce anything creative worth protecting; but Mr. Kissoon presents this hyperbolic slipshod argument for retaining the status quo. He states that only Guyana rum and Eddy Grant are notables in the international

sphere and ignores Wilson Harris, E.R Braithwaithe, Jan Carew , Edgar Mittleholzer, and a host of others who have excelled in scholarship and writing.

It is disingenuous to use Rihanna as an example of Barbadian achievement; she is a product of the United States and a system which supports artistes and creators with legal and institutional frameworks that support the development of creative minds. Rihanna acknowledges Barbados as her birthplace, just as she acknowledges her mother as Guyanese.

Usain Bolt and others did not arrive at stardom ontheir own strength, but developed as a result of programmes and policies of the Jamaican government which directed resources over decades to the development of athletics. Trinidad and Barbados boast strong programmes for the development of music and the arts which are government-funded. Musicians are trained in reading of music and performance techniques, composition and arrangement. Guyana’s policy-makers have yet to conceive and implement such programmes to help creative talents. Yet they labour on. It is time that such people are rewarded for their efforts. The Kissoon – Jagdeo philosophy which proposes the prosperity of one group ( those who create nothing) at the expense of another (creative artists) is the very expression of the colonial mentality Mr. Kissoon claims to condemn.

Regards Dr. Abiola Inniss

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday November 24, 2018

African-Caribbean air links, cooperation to be strengthened - Greenidge

GUYANA has expressed its commitment to facilitating direct air links between Africa and the Caribbean and Minister of Foreign Affairs Carl Greenidge said that this can also better link the Middle East to South America and the Caribbean.

Minister Greenidge made these projections at the Third African Diaspora Meeting on promoting air links between African States and the Caribbean, hosted at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre on Friday.

The meeting coincides with the ongoing International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Air Transport meet which was themed ‘Promoting Connectivity for Sustainable Air Transport Development’

and which concluded yesterday.

At the opening ceremony, Greenidge said that the history of the Caribbean Region, wherein its people are part of several Diasporas, renders it to hold valuable the undeniably rich historical ties with peoples across the globe.

He added that with Africans among the Caribbean’s largest population, the Caribbean has maintained strong cultural links over the years since independence and these have strengthened through diplomatic and political relations.

In the case of air transport, the minister reminded that there was once a point in time where there were non-stop military flights between Guyana

and Africa during the course of World War II and the Angolan Civil War. With Guyana’s shared goals of enhancing commercial cooperation; facilitating tourism and promoting trade related opportunities among the two regions, he added that there is no reason that such relations should not be reconstructed.

“Unfortunately, efforts on the commercial front have subsequently waned and were broken, so much so that now we are required to reestablish them. In doing so, our goal is essentially to encourage the free and easy movement of our people between these two regions and importantly to maintain the longstanding fra-

ternal bonds and to deepen all forms of corporation between us,” he said.

To the aviation representatives from several countries, Greenidge prompted them to recall the taxing and lengthy journey of connecting flights it would have taken many to reach to Guyana, stating that it is the country’s goal to reverse this.

Greenidge said: “Those of you who would have travelled to Guyana by air…would have had a taste of the cost frustration and waste—waste of time in particular— that such journeys involve. The Government of Guyana therefore commits to addressing that issue early and we welcome the support of the Caribbean Community and

the African Union to that end.”

“Guyana, like the rest of the Caribbean, and like African States is committed to pursuing sustainable development. We hope, therefore, that this event will serve as an important step not only in future cooperation but in trade and services.”

The foreign affairs minister added that such connections between Guyana and Africa can reduce the distance between South American and Middle Eastern countries.

Meanwhile, he noted that the material benefits will include the elimination of visa requirements for passage through third countries while enhancing greater student and cultural exchanges between citizens.

“The Government of Guyana recognises that the challenges will not be solved by only dealing with the obvious constraints to connectivity at the national level. And, in that regard, we undertake to carefully examine the recommendations of the Andy Ricover Report on constraints to regional air connectivity between countries of the Guyana Shield and South America,” he said.

Once the connection with the African Continent is made in Guyana, Greenidge posited that there is also the possibility of establishing additional services to Regional hubs allowing departing passengers from Georgetown to reach multiple destinations.

A matter of social justice Dear Editor,

I

T is very unfortunate when some politicians in their quest for power continue in their efforts to create an entirely new understanding of the civic responsibilities of citizens, descend to egregious means and immoral distortions, that are intended to protect political support bases.

It is generally acknowledged that politicians in general are often creatures of particular interest groups, and that it is their right to support and lobby on their behalf.

It is however expected that whatever representations are made, that these will be fair and just; they should not be disadvantageous to other lesser-placed groups, or designed to jeopardise the general well-being of citizens within the particular community, or state in general.

In pre -2018 Local Government Elections comments, a certain PPP/C -elected councillor of the 2016 M&CC expressed the view that there was no need to increase rates and taxes that were currently being paid by city businesses and domestic residences. He opined that there were other means of garnering revenue, but did not explain what these were.

This was undoubtedly his political party’s position, that became official as one of the PPP/C’s LGE platforms, by being the first in a page of stated promises, in Stabroek News: Nov. 11th, pg. 7c,”NO NEW TAXES” of its Weekend Magazine supplement.

This was indeed politicking, playing to especially the party’s support base in the Georgetown municipality, but also in others where there were PPP/C supporters.

But it was a declaration that was/is wholly incredulous and irrational, as well as totally reckless; for not even considering the dire financial circumstances of the Georgetown municipality, in addition to the shameful, physical environment of other municipalities and their communities, all because of bad revenue collection, or lack thereof.

No such promise, politicking or not for electoral support, is enlightened, or in the best interest of any municipality that has to offer services to its citizens of a best-practice kind. One can only conclude that there must have been a concerted plan among sections of the city not to honour their civic obligations, thus the billions still due to the city.

As a result, we would have all lived through the years of a city that gradually descended to being degraded and foul-smelling as a result of garbage mounds; indiscriminate dumping of garbage by even some of the same indebted business houses; silted drains and alleyways; weed-filled canals, and parapets that became mini-jungles, to describe a city environment that attracted biting sarcasm and other uncomplimentary remarks about its insalubrious state.

It was even ironic that a then serving PPP/C Min-

ister of Local Government, remarked that he had hoped for an epidemic to occur! But this, adding insult to injury, was a stark example of the former administration’s approach to maintenance of the nation’s principal city, and its first major port of entry and to matters of local government in general. The descent of Le Repentir Cemetery into the grappling cover of a canopied forest is perhaps the masthead of what had befallen the nation’s capital, because of the unpaid billions in revenue.

Certainly, given the very disturbing details that have been arising out of the Justice Kennard Commission of Inquiry into the affairs of City Hall’s administration, there is a body of opinion that is of the view that had more of the owed revenue been actually paid into the coffers of the city, it would have been mismanaged. We have so often in this column, stated quite clearly that there are indeed serious managerial issues at the M&CC which must be properly settled by its senior personnel. However, it has also been recorded that the city’s problems are no excuse of any type for citizens to cease paying their taxes, or outstanding sums. For in accordance with the law, they are still indebted and can be prosecuted for such a breach.

It is reminded that a properly maintained municipality can only become a reality with paid-up revenues coming from its citizens in its various lawfully prescribed forms. Thus,

for the PPP/C to advocate no new taxes smacks of attempts to advocate a free pass for those newly built massive structures and other extensions into bigger residences, in terms of the correct levels of tax-

ation according to building structure. There are citizens of lesser means who honour their obligations punctiliously, in keeping with city stipulations. It is only right that the other category be expected to do the same.

This will be social justice, and not evasion of civic responsibilities as plainly advocated by the PPP/C in its recent campaign ad.

Regards Dillon Goring

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, November 24, 2018

Guyana makes strong case for lifting of UK ban on greenheart

A GUYANA delegation in the United Kingdom (UK) has made a strong case for the lifting of the greenheart import ban which was put in place by UK Environment Agency (EA) in 2015.

According to a statement from the Ministry of Natural Resources, the delegation which included Guyana Forestry Commission’s (GFC)

& Rural Affairs (DEFRA).

The greenheart restrictions were introduced by the Environmental Agency (EA) in the UK in 2015 and at the time it was claimed that proof of sustainable sourcing of the forest product was inadequate, and this has led to a drastic decrease in export of the product to the UK. In December 2016 the EA relaxed

the restrictions have had on the industry and the country as a whole. It also focused on the current code of practice and the maintenance of Guyana’s biodiversity.

It was noted that from the presentation, the Guyana delegation sought clarification from the EA and DEFRA representatives on whether or not the FLEGT certifi-

Guyana Delegation among representatives of the UK Environment Agency and Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs A presentation being made to the UK Environment Agency and Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs Chairman of the Board, Joslyn Dow, EU-FLEGT Secretariat Head, Kenny David, GFC Deputy Commissioner, Andrew Mendez, of McVantahe Inc. among others, made a combined presentation to Andy Powell of the UK EA and Clare Marsden of Department for Environment, Food

the restrictions on greenheart, but only began to accept Category A FSC 100% Greenheart from Iwokrama.

The ministry said that the recent presentation focused on the many accomplishments of Guyana when it comes to sustainable forest practices, and the key impacts

cation, which will be given to Guyana in about five-six years, will be accepted for Category B timber since the UK only accepts Category A FSC 100% Greenheart from Iwokrama as of 2016.

The group also challenged the UK EA’s stance on offering support to Guy-

ana in attaining FSC certification since only this is accepted but is costly. Further, they asked what can be done between now and the time FLEGT certification starts to restore trade between the two countries. From the presentation the EA and DEFRA representatives clarified that they did not consider the restrictions a ban; though conceding that standards had acted as a barrier to imports.

They also shared that more needs to be done in terms of awareness and thus far, they have met with some of their suppliers to clarify their position on this.

Overall the UK EA , the ministry said that the team was “very impressed” by the presentation and noted that the information was very useful in clarifying the negative perception of timber from Guyana’s forests. Guy-

ana will now have to await feedback from the UK EA on moving forward as they consult superiors and make recommendations.

The Guyana delegation is confident that this direct engagement will lead to greater relaxation of the restrictions and lead to increased access to the United Kingdom market for producers and exporters of greenheart forest products.

A wealth of exciting opportunities beckons –– as locals prepare to storm India for first ever global energy innovation summit A NUMBER of local organisations, businesses and companies are in prepa-

ration mode, having been invited to attend India’s first ever global energy

innovation summit.

According to President of the Region Three Chamber of Commerce Halim Khan, the event, which is expected to shape the future of energy development, is billed for Andhra Pradesh, south-east India from November 28 to 29.

Khan said that with Guyana planning its future around a ‘green’ economy, interested persons will have the opportunity of learning and networking tremendously with officials at the summit.

He said falling oil prices has given renewable sources of energy a competitive edge over conventional sources, and made it possible for developing countries like India to take the lead in adding renewable capacity to its list of achievements.

“This will be a first-ofits-kind summit in the energy sector in a developing country. The event will bring to-

gether global experts, investors, incubators and start-ups under one roof,” Khan said.

Andhra Pradesh, he said, has been at the forefront of India’s energy sector, having won it over 20 awards between 2015 and 2017.

He said that from a power deficit of 22.5 million units (MU) per day in 2014, it has not only managed to become a power-surplus state, but to also lower its transmission and distribution losses from 14 per cent to less than 10 per cent within a short time.

“It has not only been able to augment both conventional and renewable energy production, but has also enhanced energy efficiency through massive installation of LED bulbs and solar pump sets,” Khan said, adding: “The State has now set a challenging vision for the energy sector which includes the setting up of 18 GW of renewable energy capacity

by 2022; reducing transmission and distribution losses to less than 3 per cent; ensuring electric vehicles on the road by 2023; attracting investments and ensuring 24/7 reliable power supply for all domestic, commercial and industrial users by 2019.”

Khan explained that the summit will bring together energy sector experts from a wide range of organisations, including private sector, international agencies, donors, investors, independent think tanks, research institutions and governments to share technology innovations, best practices and ideas for transforming the energy landscape in the State.

Its overarching vision, he said, is to make Andhra Pradesh the most liveable State for its citizens. Among its key objectives, he said, are to harness relevant cutting-edge technologies to improve the energy land-

President of Region Three Chamber of Commerce, Halim Khan scape; develop an innovation ecosystem for the State’s energy sector, with a focus on startups; attract investments into the State’s energy sector and leverage global best practices to help Andhra Pradesh achieve its energy-sector vision and solve energy-related challenges in the State.

Gov’t to up security at border regions

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, November 24, 2018

9

… as Sindicatos threat increases

GUYANA will be beefing up security against the notorious Venezuelan gang, Sindicatos, whose members have been operating within the border regions and have been terrorising Guyanese citizens for some time.

As recent as this month, a Guyanese policeman was shot and injured by members of the notorious gang.

On Friday Minister of Foreign Affairs Carl Greenidge in an interview with Demerarawaves said that Cabinet last week, discussed and decided that action will be taken, even as it sought a report from the

military on ongoing efforts.

“The police and the military have been alerted. I believe that last week we asked at the National Security Committee that the necessary steps be taken… [such as] sending out patrols and so forth,” he said.

However, Greenidge was unable to confirm rumours that members of the Venezuelan National Guard are involved. “We’ve got no information to that effect,” he stated. “As a matter of fact, we’re waiting right now [as] last evening or the evening before I was looking at Cabinet’s discussion because the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

was, at that time, to receive some information from the military as to what they have been doing. So that, if necessary, if that’s appropriate, we will take diplomatic action but that, at this point in time, is not proven.”

Should this rumour prove to be true, Greenidge said that the country’s first step would be to converse with the Venezuelan Government. “Whenever there is evidence that these are activities which have official cloak or whenever we have the details, we do convey by way of note verbale to the Government of Venezuela. If they are recurring events we

would normally write, but of course… curbing those things is not necessarily as easy as one might think,” he said.

Elaborating further on what it would take to bring the harassment to an end, the Foreign Affairs Minister said: “You can’t, of course, eliminate them until you intensify those authorities and try and get some intelligence as to who have been carrying out these things. So, it’s an ongoing process; in other words, it’s not a one-step exercise. You don’t simply say ‘this happened, do something’ and then everything stops. It’s a process and they

[the disciplined services] are aware of the urgency and the concerns at this stage.”

Two weeks ago, a Guyanese policeman Quincy Alexander, a resident of Amelia’s Ward, Linden, was shot and injured by the gang. In a statement, police had said that a wooden vessel ferrying seven passengers from Eteringbang to Macapa in the Cuyuni River, was fired upon by a group of armed men standing on the Venezuelans’ side of the border.

The incident occurred in the vicinity of Butanuamu Creek Point, police said in the statement. Corporal Alexander, who was one of

Minister of Foreign Affairs Carl Greenidge the passengers, was struck by a bullet in his lower back.

Bribery allegations Sonia Noel launches Women in Business Expo 2019 ‘very embarrassing’ –– Acting Chief Constable says

ACTNG Chief Constable Laurel Gittens has said it’s embarrassing when constabulary officers, including high-ranking ones, are constantly being accused of demanding bribes from stallholders and vendors.

She was speaking after the Council’s most recent statutory meeting at City Hall where Mayor Patricia Chase-Green again brought up the issue, citing several complaints, and even threatening to release the names of the officers in question.

Gittens is acting for Chief Constable Andrew Foo, who recently proceeded on 42 days’ vacation leave.

She told the Guyana Chronicle that she is to meet with constabulary officers soon, and will bring up the issue of bribery again with them. “Sometimes it can be very embarrassing to hear that your officers, even your senior officers, are involved in this kind of thing,” Ms Gittens stated.

She, noted, however, that the errant officers are unable to be disciplined because the complainants often refuse to proceed with the matters.

“When we engage those persons from time to time and we try to get statements from them so we can take the necessary action against these officers, they say all we want you to do is to warn them,” she said.

“Some of them might be allegations; some might be true, but when the time comes for us to have disciplinary measures in place, those same persons are being remorseful towards those officers. Unless those individuals give us their names, we won’t be able to take the necessary actions or disciplinary measures,” she added.

Just last month, the mayor accused the Constabulary Department of unlawfully demanding money from store owners and other vendors. She said she was disgusted by such

reports involving constables and even senior members of the Constabulary.

Chase-Green reported that she was in possession of many allegations of this nature, but that the victims are afraid to come forward because of their fear of being victimised.

The constables are accused of demanding money for the space that vendors use outside of the store for their mannequins. In one instance, Chase-Green said a vendor who objected was even removed from his vending spot and replaced.

A van with several constables also swooped down on the owner of a caravan and threatened to remove it if he did not pay up, the mayor related.

Vendors at the various municipal markets in Georgetown continue to complain about the harassment they regularly experience at the hands of City Constables, but even so, they prefer not to make official reports, as they claim that those in higher authority also accept bribes.

Chief Constable Foo had told the Guyana Chronicle in the past that those vendors who are affected by bribery on the part of the constabulary officers ought to lodge official reports, and he had guaranteed that such matters will be investigated.

“But they don’t come in; there is an agreement between the vendors and officers, but whenever the officers have to act, the vendors come up with all sorts of allegations,” Foo said, adding: “People who give and receive a bribe can also be charged. But no one is coming forward to make official reports; they go to the politicians instead to lodge their complaints, but that’s not right.

“So it remains just an allegation if no one comes in. Why do the vendors do business at the level of a constabulary officer?”

ON Friday the Sonia Noel Foundation for Creative Arts (SNFCA), in collaboration with the Women’s Association for Sustained Development, launched their Fourth Annual Women in Business Expo at the Pegasus Hotel.

The hosting of the annual expo will be on 2nd and 3rd March, 2019 at the Pegasus Hotel.

The mission of SNFCA is to create access for talented individuals especially women with small businesses not only in Guyana, its home base, but through the wider Caribbean. It is hoped that the event will be a medium for development of the creative industries The foundation hopes to encourage women with determination faith, focus, self –discipline and consistency to make any dream a reality. SNFCA continues to be involved in philanthropic projects over the years that contributed significantly to adding value to

One of the women showcasing her products at the launch people’s lives. a sisterhood dedicated towards The Woman’s Association the development of self, famifor Sustained Development ly, society and country. social club provides a forum Sonia Noel said, “It is alfor business and professional ways every year I re-energise women to relax, renew and re- when I think about purpose and juvenate, while providing sup- adding value to lives. port and mentorship to youth My idea not only benefits and each other. This group me, but benefits others that provides an environment that is is why I feel meaningful and conducive to the formation of satisfied.”

Essequibo duo gets three years for possession of illegal firearm, ammunition THIRTY- FOUR-yearold Anthony Lamazone of Grant Cullen, Lower Pomeroon River and 27-year-old Munesh Ramsaroop of Charity, Back Street, Essequibo Coast , were on Thursday fined $100,000 and three

years imprisonment after they pleaded guilty to the charge of possession of an illegal firearm and ammunition.

They made their appearance before Magistrate Esther Sam at the Suddie Magistrate’s Court. The charge

stated that on November,19, 2018, at Anna Regina they had in their possession an unlicensed firearm and ammunition.

They admitted committing the offence and were therefore sentenced to three years imprisonment.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, November 24, 2018

Garbage collectors to go on strike from Monday –– M&CC has no definite alternative arrangements

By Telesha Ramnarine

ACTING Town Clerk Sharon Harry has indicated that no specific arrangements are in place for garbage collection and disposal from Monday, when the municipality’s two main contractors are expected to begin their strike.

Representatives of both Puran Brothers Disposal Services and Cevons Waste Management Inc turned up at City Hall on Friday afternoon, hoping to negotiate with the City Council on the way forward.

However, since no amicable solution has been arrived at, the contractors told the Guyana Chronicle that

they remain firm in their decision to pull their services from Monday.

The contractors assured Harry during their meeting that they would be willing to continue working, if the City Council can at least pay them for two of the six months owed them, or even make a commitment that they will pay this sum by the end of November.

But Harry reportedly turned down both suggestions, and would only say afterwards that citizens have nothing to worry about; that should the contractors indeed strike on Monday, she will put in place her contingency plan.

“You never know,” she

said. “Tthey can wake up tomorrow and change their minds about striking,” Harry told reporters after the meeting.

The contractors penned a joint letter to the municipality informing it of their decision, and even showed up for a meeting at which they both remained resolute that they are not backing down. As such, it is not clear why Harry has doubts about the strike coming off on Monday.

Asked to provide some specifics about her alternative plans, Harry said smaller contractors will come on board with the M&CC from Monday if the strike takes effect. While attempting to make clear that no one has

been hired so far, Harry did name five companies that will be filling in for the main contractors.

“The smaller contractors are Granderson, C&S, Trash Tech, Tri Star and Garbage Eaters,” she said, adding: “I have not hired anyone; I just have been engaging persons who have expressed a willingness to work with us.

“Once they suspend on Monday, the smaller contractors will step into place.”

Meanwhile, the three contractors hired last year August when the contractors had similarly pulled their services are still owed millions of dollars to date.

BREACH OF CONTRACT “There is no doubt we breached our contract with them,” Harry said, and when asked if the municipality will be reaching out for government support, she said, “Every help is good; I can’t say what they will do, but the government will be informed.”

Harry is saying that even if smaller contractors have to be employed from Monday, the same schedule for garbage collection will remain in place. “The Council will be operating as per normal, so bring out your garbage on the specified days; it will be picked up by the municipality.”

Public Relations Officer Debra Lewis, however, begged to differ on this, saying that a new schedule for garbage collection will be made available on Monday.

Solid Waste Management Director Walter Narine was notably absent from the “emergency” press conference that Harry called Friday following her meeting with Puran’s and Cevon’s.

Cevon’s Business Development Manager Morris Archer told this publication on Friday that he is disappointed with the Council’s dealings with his company, which is owed $94M at the moment. “Our equipment is specialised equipment, and we would have invested millions,” he said.

“To just abruptly end our service is very unfair to us.”

Cevon’s Director, Morse Archer could not understand how the M&CC can speak of hiring smaller contractors to do the work. “It is six months we haven’t been paid for, but we’ve continued working,” he said. “And here it is you’re going to hire a contractor and you’re saying you don’t have money. How are you going to pay them?

I just can’t understand that!

Have you paid them anything to entice them to come back?

“You are going to enter into another credit arrangement, and you don’t know how you’re going to pay them? I find that a bit strange and worrisome.”

He said his company continued working, even when the City Council increased the credit facility in the contract from 21 days to 90. “But the 90 days seem to be like a rule; that they shouldn’t pay before 90 days. I don’t think City Council has been making genuine efforts to pay, because if they were, they would have started paying in small amounts even during the 90 days period.”

Puran’s spokesman, Kaleshwar Puran recalled that the contractors have a contract which stipulates a three-month credit facility, but that six months have elapsed as of November.

“So we are forced to suspend our services because of cash

flow difficulties and our operational costs. We’re all disappointed.”

Puran said Harry offered to pay the companies $2M each. “This is very insignificant,” he said. “That amount might just cover one or two days of our operational costs.”

NO URGENCY Meanwhile, in a joint statement, the contractors said their decision was made only after futile attempts to engage the municipality on the issue of settling the combined $160M that is owing for services since last June.

“In the process, we found City Hall to be decidedly lacking in a sense of urgency.

It is as if the administration of City Hall has concluded that it is entirely reasonable to expect us to continue to provide service in the face of its astounding delinquency.

“We need hardly remind of the tremendous risks associated with the likelihood of recruiting replacement service providers who, based on previous experience, lack both the appropriate inventory and the expertise to provide an environmentally sound and safe service,” the contractors stated.

“We wish both the Government of Guyana and the citizens to be assured that a great deal of human and physical resources are invested in discharging our responsibility to the capital. In that context, we submit that it is both morally and legally wrong to expect that we can continue, over a protracted period of time, to discharge these services without compensation.

“Furthermore, we believe that to persist in a waste disposal management regime that continues to put the capital at risk on account of City Hall’s manifest limitations, is both reckless and dangerous.

“Accordingly, and given the critical importance of affording our capital a garbage disposal service that provides assurances of environmental safety, we recommend a measure of stringent government oversight, going forward.

“We need no further evidence that the efficient management of this service is beyond the capability of City Hall at this time.

“All things considered, we consider it prudent to call on Central Government once again to actively support the recommended process in order to bring closure to this matter in the shortest possible time, and to ensure that the upcoming holiday period is not blighted by unwelcome and unwholesome challenges associated by a sub-standard garbage disposal service,” the contractors said in closing.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday November 24, 2018

Guyana

recommits to respecting citizens’ human rights Minister of Foreign Affairs Carl Greenidge (Delano Williams photo)

MINISTER of Foreign Affairs Carl Greenidge said the Coalition Government is committed to the preservation of human rights and will continue to seek assistance in meeting its obligations.

He made the remarks on Wednesday during a public commemorative lecture at the University of Guyana (UG) in observance of the 70th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights (UDHR).

In his message, Greenidge said that despite Guyana being a small developing country, the promotion and protection of human rights remains one of the government’s highest principles. He reminded that Guyana is a signatory to virtually all the human rights instruments adopted by the international community since the 1948 declaration.

The foreign affairs minister also noted that at the national level, legislation has been put in place to address the rights of persons such as women, children and the country’s indigenous peoples who face horrors such as rape, domestic violence and trafficking in persons.

On the topic of gender equality, he remarked: “The government has supported and continues to support the empowerment of our Guyanese women with several female appointments to some of the most senior posts in the country including our judiciary, parliament and the executive.”

Greenidge added: “Let us remember that despite significant progress by the international community in the promotion and protection of human rights over the last 70 years, we still face

Member of the Human Rights Committee Arif Bulkan (Delano Williams photo)

However, he acknowledged that the country still has much to achieve regarding human rights. “While it is our intention to fulfill our obligations, limited technical capacity poses some bit of a challenge and, as such, there is some time difficulty in fulfilling— in a timely manner—all of our monitoring and reporting obligations under these international instruments. Guyana therefore welcomes all assistance extended to us in helping us to overcome this particular challenge,” Greenidge said.

daunting challenges in these areas. We cannot, therefore, let those challenges overcome us, indeed the price will be too high. We must work together to find common ground in those areas where our position are far apart and we should increase efforts in those areas...in order to ensure those who need us to promote their rights are not disappointed.”

Meanwhile, addressing the gathering on the topic of ‘Why Human Rights Matter’ was Member of the Human Rights Committee

President of the Human Rights Council His Excellency Vojislav Suc (Delano Williams photo)

Members of the audience at the University of Guyana (Delano Williams photo)

and Appeal Court Judge, Arif Bulkan.

Justice Bulkan said that although the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) is a non-binding document, its significance should not be undermined.

He stated that the Human Rights Committee continues to contribute to the development and understanding of human rights while, locally, Guyana has worked within the last five decades to uphold and protect human rights.

In referencing the Caribbean Court of Justice’s recent declaration of on Guyana’s cross-dressing law, Bulkan stated: “The reality is that the clock cannot be turned back or the bell unrung. Having gone through the elaborate processes of enshrining and extending rights, the state is bound to respect and protect them and in doing so, will be held to evolve in international standards in their interpretations.”

Areas he highlight ed where more progress is needed include: greater commitment to the imple-

mentation of human rights; the strengthening of key institutions and the development of a culture of respect for human rights. Remarks came, too, from President of the Human Rights Council,

His Excellency Vojislav Suc, who made presentations on the Human Rights Council and its goal in promoting human rights in the world. The UDHR was adopted by the UN General Assembly 70

years ago at its third session on December 10, 1948.

It is an international document that states basic rights and fundamental freedoms to which all human beings are entitled.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, November 24, 2018

Magistrate to decide Monday

Junior Stewart

–– in 2016 ‘Ramada Princess’ heist

PRINCIPAL Magistrate Judy Latchman is expected to make her ruling against two men who are on trial for stealing almost $9M during an attack at the Ramada Princess Hotel

casino in 2016.

Wayne Griffith, 29, of Bagotville, West Bank Demerara and Andre Blackman, 35, of Middle Street, McDoom, East Bank Demerara are accused of rob-

bing Daniel Roberts and Alfea Gajadhar of $8,951,000, property of the Princess Casino, on April 29, 2016 at Providence, East Bank Demerara.

The duo was jointly

charged with Junior Stewart, 30, of Thomas Street, Kitty, but a week ago, Magistrate

Latchman acquitted Stewart after she found that the police have failed to make a case against him.

On Monday, Griffith and Blackman wrapped up leading their defence, and Magistrate Latchman adjourned the matter until Monday for ruling.

According to reports, at about 03:20hrs on April 29, 2016, gunmen invaded the casino and engaged in

a shoot-out that wounded a police officer and four others.

The alleged gunman, Wayne Griffith, who was captured at the scene, reportedly provided police with information which led to Blackman’s arrest.

Stewart was reportedly found with some of the stolen money at a house in Vreed–en–Hoop, West Coast Demerara.

Diamond couple granted bail –– for alleged ‘ganja trafficking’

A DIAMOND, East Bank Demerara couple was on Friday released on $100,000 bail by Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus for trafficking cannabis.

Jamal Eastman, 24, and Niketa Bishop, 30, his reputed wife, appeared before the Providence Magistrates’ Court for trafficking 380 grams of cannabis at

Niketa Bishop

Jamal Eastman their Diamond- Grove home on November 5, 2018.

Attorney-at-law Bernard DaSliva represented the couple, and told the court that the drugs were not found in his clients’ possession but rather in a building he rents out as a shop.

The Magistrate the duo on $100,000 bail each and adjourned the case until December 17.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, November 24, 2018

Ghana, Guyana ink air services agreement … expected to strengthen cooperation between the two countries

BOTH Guyana and Ghana were urged to put words into action with the inking of a historic bilateral air service agreement which will promote air transport connectivity and collaboration in numerous areas such as oil and gas.

Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure with responsibility for Aviation, Annette Ferguson, signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Minister of Aviation of Ghana Joseph Kofi Adda on Friday.

The two, along with some 600 participants, were at the time meeting at the Arthur Chung Int’l Conference Centre at Liliendaal,Greater Georgetown, for the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Air Transport meeting in Guyana Minister Adda in brief remarks thanked Guyana for its willingness to collaborate and noted the timeliness of the agreement for his country of some four million people.

“With this [signing] the timing is so right for me, personally, and my Government and the people of Ghana because, as I indicated two days ago, we had a national flight carrier which has [operated] in Ghana for many of years which has now gone down. We’ve just formed another one and we’re hoping that the reality, the true meaning of what we have signed today, would be one where aircraft of airlines start coming to Georgetown, Guyana and to other cities of the Caribbean and South America,” Adda said.

Apart from reducing travel hours, he stated that agreement would result in

an aircraft coming with less than 100 people, we can get an aircraft bringing at least 300 people at one time; and this is will not only benefit the aviation industry, but tourism [also].”

However, before such possibilities come into play, Minister Ferguson reminded that there are some conditionalities that must be met , which would include engagements between the

Ghana’s Minister of Aviation Joseph Kofi Adda discusses areas of cooperation with Guyana at the final day of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Air Transport meeting (Samuel Maughn photo) economic and social benefits; stronger cultural ties and possibilities for cooperation among citizens and politicians.

On the sidelines the conference,the minister continued, stating that when airline operations begin it will also create employment for citizens of both countries and can see the sharing of expertise and lessons in the area of oil and gas.

“We are ahead in some specific areas and Guyana has just discovered oil [and they’re working now to manage it]. We discovered oil when I was Energy Minister in 2007; we’re talking about 11 years, so we’ve developed some experience in that as well,” he said.

As the conference wrapped up its final day yesterday, he added: “It was excellent, nearly perfect. I’ve seen commitment in terms of what really we need to do to improve air connectivity within the two

main collaborators which are Africa and the Caribbean area. It has been an excellent conference, well organised.”

Meanwhile, Minister Ferguson told the gathering that the historic moment is the first step along the journey of “putting words into action” for greater cooperation among the regions.

In further comments on the sidelines, she said that the current expansion of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport’s runway from 7500 to 10,500 feet will allow for larger aircraft to land in the country.

“My vision is to see Guyana attracting a whole lot of people because remember, we have vast potential here with the oil industry coming on stream…

I know that in another two to three years you will see a large influx of persons,” she said. “[With the airport’s expansion] rather than having

Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure with responsibility for Aviation, Annette Ferguson, seals the deal with the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for bilateral air-service collaboration with Ghana’s Minister of Aviation Joseph Kofi Adda on Friday.

They are each flanked by representatives of their countries, including Minister of Foreign Affairs Carl Greenidge (third right) and Director-General of the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) Egbert Field (second right) (Samuel Maughn photo)

civil aviation authorities of the two countries.

Meanwhile, Minister of Foreign Affairs Carl Greenidge had earlier on commented: “We are in the process of addressing issues such as the quality of infrastructure for example. We are also looking at improving institutional arrangements governing the sector. The bilateral agreement with Ghana is

a step in meeting the call for more bilateral agreements, notwithstanding the 20 existing air services agreements.”

Just on Thursday, Guyana inked an air-link agreement with Aruba, which also paves the way for connectivity between the two countries and adds to Guyana’s push towards an improved openskies policy.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, November 24, 2018

Caricom lobbies for seat on international aviation body

CARIBBEAN Community (CARICOM) Secretary-General, Ambassador Irwin LaRocque on Wednesday called for a distinct CARICOM voice among the 36 seats on the International Civil Aviation Organisation’s Council.

Delivering remarks at the opening of the International Civil Aviation Organisation

(ICAO) Air Transport Conference at the Guyana International Conference Centre on 21 November 2018, the secretary-general said CARICOM Member States, which are members of ICAO, represent a distinct geographical grouping and, “request a seat on that basis.”

Underscoring the importance of the

voice of Small States around the table of the ICAO’s Council where decisions are made in respect of international civil aviation, he said: “At present, the one seat allocated to the Caribbean is being determined by a body which has a minority of CARICOM membership…

CARICOM States are seeking to be represented in the category which applies to States that have been elected in order to achieve full geographical representation on the council.”

In registering another concern, he highlighted the meeting’s focus on practical solutions to remove regulatory impediments to air transport liberalisation. This discussion was timely, he said, as the Region seeks to give effect to the Community of Interest Principle which provides the Caribbean and other small states within regional groupings with practical measures to operate air transport services, a device to enable the designation of airlines.

The multi-faceted principle recognises the need for small states within regional groupings to act as a single entity, and, on that basis, as long as the ownership and control requirement is met by a single member of the group, the airline of that state so designated, is allowed to treat the entire community as its “home” base.

“We would like to apply that principle when the community enters into negotiations with third states, with a view to obtaining flexible air transport arrangements. We seek your support in maintaining the COIP at the 40th ICAO Assembly scheduled for September 2019,” Secretary-General LaRocque told the meeting. The meeting, which ends on Friday 23rd November in Georgetown, Guyana, is the culmination of consultations which commenced in 2014 linking ICAO, CARICOM and Africa. It was underpinned by the theme: ‘Promoting Connectivity for Sustainable Air Transport Development’, establishing connections among air transport, measures to liberalise the industry, quality aviation infrastructure, and sustainable development.

Secretary-General LaRocque noted the community’s support and appreciation for the work of ICAO. “ICAO’s co-operation with member states of our community, the CARICOM Secretariat and the Caribbean Aviation Safety and Security Oversight System (CASSOS), is of great value to our transportation sector, given its role in the economic and social development thrust of our community,”

CARICOM Secretary-General, Ambassador Irwin LaRocque Secretary-General LaRocque said.

Underlining the importance of aviation to the Region, he said: “There is no doubt that safe, efficient and cost-effective transportation within this Region is of critical importance to our regional integration process.

Given the geographic spread of our member states, such a transportation system is essential to fulfil the goal of free movement of people and goods. It is equally important in fostering the spirit of community among our people. It would also facilitate the growth of tourism that is so crucial to the economies of our member states.”

That was the impetus, he said, which led CARICOM Heads of Government to approve the CARICOM Multilateral Air Services Agreement (MASA) last February, expanding the scope for airlines owned by CARICOM nationals to go to new markets within the community. The agreement allows for no restriction on routes, capacity or traffic rights among the participants. It was intended to facilitate increased intra-regional travel and provide more cargo options for exporters and importers with resulting cost savings.

In essence, it provides the required regulatory framework within which a CARICOM air-carrier can provide air-transport services between the member states which are parties to the agreement, Secretary-General LaRocque told the meeting.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, November 24, 2018

Nandlall committed to stand trial –– for law books theft

A PRIMA facie case was on Friday made out against former Attorney-General Anil Nandlall, who is now expected to lead his defence in relation to the alleged larceny of over $2M worth of law books from the Ministry of Legal Affairs.

Senior Magistrate Fabayo Azore handed down her ruling after striking out a no-case submission made by defence attorneys Neil Boston, S.C, Glen Hanoman, and Devindra Kissoon.

Magistrate Azore noted that Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) prosecutor, Patrice Henry has so far proved his case based upon the evidence.

Hanoman, during his address to the court, explained that his client will give a sworn testimony, while former President, Donald Ramotar is expected to be called as a defence witness in support of Nandlall’s case.

The matter is adjourned until December 6, 2018.

The former AG is on trial for the alleged theft

Former AttorneyGeneral, Anil Nandlall of the Lexis Nexis Law Reports of the Commonwealth that cost some $2M. The law reports are the property of the Ministry of Legal Affairs, the charge contends.

Over the past few years, Nandlall has repeatedly confirmed that while he was AG, the law books were purchased for him by the State with the approval of former President Ramotar.

Nandlall has said time and again that the law

books are in his possession, and that he has no intention of returning them to the State.

He’d subsequently secured an order in the High Court, barring the police from seizing the books.

Nandlall had stated that the books were acquired during his term in office as Attorney-General and Minister of Legal Affairs; that he’d begun subscribing to Lexis Nexis (U.K.), publishers of the Commonwealth Law Reports, sometime in 2003; and that the arrangement was that the reports were to be shipped to him along with an invoice.

He’d also made the point that before his appointment as Attorney-General and Minister of Legal Affairs, he’d requested that as a condition of his service, the State stand this expense and this was agreed.

The items were taken with him when his party demitted office in May 2015. This, he said, was communicated to the relevant authorities.

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Road closures from today

THE Ministry of Public Infrastructure wishes to advise the public that traffic on Sheriff Street between the Railway Embankment and Drury Lane will experience some disruption from today between 07:00 to 17:00hrs daily.

The disruption is to facilitate pipe laying works for the Road Enhancement Project, so motorists as well as pedestrians are asked to exercise caution and observe all directional signs in the areas at reference.

The ministry would also like to note that the eastern lane, from the Rupert Craig Highway to the Railway Embankment on Sheriff Street will be closed from today as well to facilitate subgrade works.

As such, all southbound traffic for Sheriff

Street are asked to use the Conversation Tree Road or Church Road, as the road will only be opened for north-bound traffic.

Road work is scheduled to commence at 07:00 hrs to 17:00 hrs daily, and is anticipated to be completed by Mon-

day, December 18, 2018.

North-bound motorists and pedestrians are also asked to exercise caution, and observe all directional signs in the area.

The ministry regrets any inconvenience this operation may cause.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, November 24, 2018

Min. Henry plugs multi-agency collaboration –– in addressing early childhood development

TACKLING early childhood development is a cross-cutting exercise, and achieving successful outcomes will rely heavily on multi-agency collaboration and solidarity.

That’s according to Minister of Education, Dr. Nicolette Henry, who made the observation on Thursday during the opening of a two-day National Sensitisation workshop on the subject of early childhood development.

Minister Henry said that capacity building will not only improve Guyana’s performance, but also enhance its ability to function, and continue to stay relevant within the context of a continually changing

and evolving education system.

“To those of you who are taking part in this workshop, you will gain the additional knowledge which is necessary to achieve the government’s mandate of Quality Education for all,” she told the gathering of education officials.

She said that it is light of the ministry’s current policy that early childhood educators are being asked to have a thorough understanding of child development and early education issues, and provide rich, meaningful educational experiences for all children and families in their care.

Underscoring that accountability for outcomes

is high, and that resources for professional support are not infinite, the Education Minister said as such, the early education field needs well-conducted empirical studies on which to base professional development practices.

Therefore, she said the extensive and detailed process undertaken by the stakeholders to develop this guide is important in offering research directions.

“The Caribbean Early Childhood Development Good Practice Guide is designed to assist education policymakers, planners, officers and practitioners in the field to design and deliver good quality care and learning experiences

Minister of Education, Dr. Nicolette Henry addressing education officials at Thursday’s early childhood development workshop for children in Guyana and across the Caribbean,” the Education Minister said.

As she went on to explain, participants will be provided with a platform to learn compre-

hensive evidence-based good practices which have been sourced from 17 countries in the Caribbean, including education representatives from such international agencies as CARICOM, the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), and UNICEF. PROVEN RESEARCH The Ministry of Education, she said, is acting on this proven global and regional quantitative research which demonstrates tangible results, by capturing and shaping a child’s early educational development in a safe and nurturing environment.

“The importance of investment in education at an early stage cannot be over-emphasised,” Minister Henry said, adding: “The knowledge, skills, and practices of early childhood educators are important factors in determining how much a young child learns, and how prepared that child is. “Recent studies of early childhood education demonstrate that it is one of the smartest investments a government can make.”

The increased investment in the education sector, she said, will increase the potential success of a child’s academic career, and in so doing lead to an increase in future potential earnings as a responsible adult.

As such, she said, it is imperative that the education system produce young adults who are globally competent, prepared and

ready to create Guyana’s diverse positive economic growth in the 21st Century and beyond.

Chief Education Officer, Marcel Hutson said a synergistic approach between the Ministries of Health, Social Protection, and Education and other Ministries are needed, since education delivery cannot be confined to one sector if it is to function effectively.

He said standards will enhance the learning outcomes for students, and that as educators, it is important to fulfill those standards that are set on a policy level.

“Every person is born gifted, and therefore it is incumbent upon us to do everything within our power to ensure that each child fulfills their potential and purpose,” he said, adding: “No child is born dunce or is a waste; it is for us to find ways, the means, strategies, methodologies, mechanisms that will cause those children to really fulfill their potential.”

Hutson explained that many children have a problem with literacy, because they may have missed a fundamental period when their brain is wired to internalise concepts at that very early stage of their development.

Here in Guyana, he said, some 90 per cent of children of a certain age are attending nursery school, which is commendable.

He said thet setting the platform for every child to take off is important and doable, with a viable curriculum with appropriate methodologies.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, November 24, 2018

Out-of-school youths targeted for STEM & Robotics training A CADRE of local Youth Volunteers residing in communities across the country will serve as resource persons for the series of STEM and Robotics training programmes scheduled to begin in December.

The participants will be young people who are out of school and as yet unattached, the Ministry of Public Telecommunications said in a release.

They will begin by learning the rudiments of STEM (Science, Technology and Mathematics initially) along with Robotics and Coding/computer programming.

This ground-breaking

programme is an initiative of the Department of Culture, Youth and Sport, and the ultimate objective is to equip more young people with marketable skills that will render them employable. In the longer term, the broader view sees them teaching the Robotics and STEM skills they learn to other students.

The Department of Culture is collaborating with the Ministry of Public Telecommunications, Ministry of Education, and STEMGuyana which is a non-governmental organisation focused on teaching Robotics to Guyanese students. The main organisers met last Thursday

November 22, to refine the training programme and its logistics which include identifying the Regional ICT hubs that will be used as training venues, and the schedule for meeting with the Regional Community Development Officers.

The latter, who are all attached to the NDMA/ MOPT, will be required to manage the programme’s logistics in their respective regions, which include ensuring that the training modules are loaded onto the computers in the ICT hubs, and transporting participants to the training venues.

STEMGuyana has drafted the training cur-

Public Telecommunications Minister, Cathy Hughes (center) pictured with representatives of the Department of Youth and Culture, the Ministry of Education, NDMA and STEM Guyana

riculum that is hinged on computer Coding, Scratch Programming, building and programming robots, and Mathematics using the NGSA syllabus. This is also the beginning of what the organisers hope will become a series of training interventions leading to entering highly skilled Guyanese teams into the annual International Robotics Olympics.

Scratch is a programming language and online community where technology students receive assistance to create their own interactive stories, games and animations.

The organisers expect the

participants and facilitators to later establish tech (nology) clubs for primary, secondary and adult students in their communities. In February this year, STEMGuyana had trained and certified approximately 50 youth leaders and teachers and encouraged them to start technology clubs in their communities.

That STEM certifica-

tion programme was the beginning of many outreaches that STEMGuyana has conducted in Guyana through various ministries and the office of the First Lady, Ms. Sandra Granger.

STEMGuyana is led

by Mr. Leon Caleb Christian, Ms. Karen Abrams, a Start-up Inclusion Consultant, and Ms. Ima Christian.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, November 24, 2018

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‘Know your status’ launched as World AIDS Day theme THE Pan Caribbean Partnership Against HIV and AIDS (PANCAP) has placed renewed emphasis on ensuring that persons infected with HIV know their status, which saw “Know Your Status” revealed as the theme on Friday at the launch of the World AIDS Day 2018 and 16 Days of Activism to End Gender-Based Violence.

“If we are to achieve the end of AIDS persons must know their status, it is critical,” stressed PANCAP Director Dereck Springer, a behaviour specialist.

The UNAIDS is on a fast track strategy to end AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) by 2030, however for this to be achieved, one of the pillars of the strategy rests on the need for at least 90 per cent of those infected to know their HIV status.

It also involves those knowing being treated,

and moving towards viral suppression. UNAIDS calls it their 90-90-90 plan.

They’re striving that by 2020 90 per cent of all people living with HIV will know their status, of those diagnosed with the virus at least 90 per cent will receive treatment and of those it is targeted that at least 90 per cent will achieve viral suppression.”

“Once we can do that we can end AIDS,” Springer posited.

“It is critical if we are to achieve the end of AIDS persons must know their status. It provides those who are negative with an opportunity to assess their risk and take measures to reduce those risks. For those who are positive it’s an entry point for care and support.”

In Guyana, there are 8,200 people living with HIV, an increase of some 1,600 persons since 2010, according to PANCAP statistics. There were 500

new cases, and more than 200 deaths as a result of AIDS. There’s an estimated 1,417 people living with HIV who are not on treatment.

For Springer the factors that lead to high rates of HIV and AIDS need to be addressed as seriously as the disease itself. One of the biggest risk factors being targeted for elimination is violence against women and girls.

“It is critical that we recognise that HIV is not our problem, the socio-economic issues that put persons at risk are our real problem. It is crucial that we bring this issue around gender, within the context of HIV, out of isolation,” Springer said.

The Caribbean Region is said to have the second highest rate of violence against women in the world.

“Violence against women and girls remains a pervasive problem every-

where. Forty nine countries in the world have no laws to protect women.

Our CARICOM Region accounts for some of the highest rates of violence in the world, one in three women or girls have experienced physical or sexual violence,” said Ann-Marie Williams, Deputy Programme Manager for Gender and Development at the CARICOM Secretariat.

World AIDS Day will be celebrated around the world on December 1.

There are also a number of other human rights issues that will also be celebrated over the next few days, all of which will become a part of the 16 days of activism, which begin this Sunday, November 25, with the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.

On Monday, December 10, International Human Rights Day will be celebrated.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, November 24, 2018

Venezuelan busted with illegal firearm

The illegal gun that was found A 61-year-old Venezuelan is currently in police custody assisting with an investigation pertaining to an illegal firearm.

According to information reaching the Guyana Chronicle, ranks from ‘G’ Division, Guyana Defence Force and the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) conducted a joint operation at Grant Veedden-Hoop, Upper Pomeroon, where a 9mm pistol was found in a house.

The 61-year-old Venezuelan was at the time in the house.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, November 24, 2018

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday November 24, 2018

Gabriel handed one-match ban (REUTERS) - Windies paceman Shannon Gabriel will miss the second Test against Bangladesh due to a code of conduct breach in the opening match in Chittagong, the International Cricket Council (ICC) said yesterday.

The ICC found Gabriel guilty of making “inappropriate and deliberate physical contact” with Bangladesh batsman Imrul Kayes in the eighth over of the first Test on Thursday.

The 30-year-old was fined 30 percent of his match fee and handed two demerit points, taking his tally to five, after he picked up three during a home Test against Pakistan in April 2017.

As per ICC regulations, Gabriel has reached the four demerit point threshold over a two-year period which results in a one-Test suspension.

Despite his altercation with Kayes, Gabriel picked up four wickets during

Bangladesh’s first innings as the hosts were dismissed for 324.

The suspension from the Mirpur Test, which starts on November 30, comes as an additional blow for a West Indies attack already missing the injured Jason Holder.

Following the twomatch Test series, West Indies and Bangladesh play three one-day internationals and three Twenty20 matches next month.

Systems in place for ... and Ramzan Mohamed.

They will be competing in the 66kg and 120kg categories respectively.

Athletes interested in competing are required to download their application forms from the GAPLF’s official Facebook page, and

submit same along with the required competition fees.

All registration forms and moneys should be sent to GAPLF committee member Martin Webster. Alternatively, payment for this competition can be made directly to the GAPLF’s Republic Bank Account, #6552194, with a confirming screenshot of the completed registration form along with the confirming banking deposit slip being electronically submitted to Webster.

Participating athletes for ‘Flight A’ are required to be at the venue for 08:00hrs for the weigh-

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From page 34

in, which will last for 90 minutes. Athletes who are competing in ‘Flight B’ will be weighed in from 11:30hrs.

Tickets cost $1 000 and can be purchased directly from GAPLF executive members, or from Buddy’s Gym. The entrance fee at the gate will be $1 500.

The Senior Championships which is the flagship event of the GAPLF calendar year is being sponsored by Fitness Express, Budd y ’s G y m , Tro p h y Stall, Dyna’s Embroidery and Sanns Sport ESN. Ascot 08:20 hrs Doux Pretender 08:55 hrs Dinos Benefit 09:30 hrs Miss Mash 10:05 hrs Politolgue 10:40 hrs If The Cap Fits 11:15 hrs Cyrname 11:50 hrs Hazzaar Haydock 08:40 hrs Little Bruce 09:15 hrs Full Glass 09:50 hrs Cliffs Of Dover 10:25 hrs First Assignment 11:00 hrs Native River 11:35 hrs Braqueur D’Or South Africa Racing Tips Kenilworth 08:30 hrs Day Trip 09:10 hrs Coral Bay 09:45 hrs Dutch Philip 10:28 hrs Majestic Mozart 11:03 hrs Chimichuri Run 11:30 hrs Pacific Chestnut 12:05 hrs All In Line Irish Racing Tips Gowan Park 08:35 hrs Ballyneeety 09:10 hrs Epswell 09:45 hrs Lucky Phil 10:20 hrs Jett 10:55 hrs Speak Easy 11:30 hrs Tongie

32

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday November 24, 2018

India-Australia second T20 washed out (REUTERS) - THE second Twenty20 International between India and Australia was called off yesterday following persistent rain in Melbourne.

Put in to bat, Australia overcame a poor start to reach 132 for seven in 19 overs when rain forced the players off the field at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Ben McDermott made 32 not out off 30 balls before scurrying off the ground with batting partner

Bairstow to the rescue!

Andrew Tye. The umpires first considered a 19-overs-a-side game before setting India a revised target of 90 from 11 overs to level the series.

However, with the rain returning, the match was eventually called off.

Australia, who clinched the rain-hit series opener in Brisbane, will carry a 1-0 lead into tomorrow’s final match in Sydney.

Warrican, Chase lead Windies fightback (CMC) – LEFT-arm spinner Jomel Warrican and off-spinner Roston Chase took two wickets apiece to lead a West Indies fightback against Bangladesh at the end of day two in the first Test at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium here yesterday.

Warrican and Chase, along with fellow spinner Devendra Bishoo, accounted for all five Bangladesh wickets to fall in the evening session, as the hosts slipped to 55 for five, an overall lead of 133 runs, heading into today’s third day of play.

On a day which saw 17 wickets fall, Bangladesh failed to take full advantage after claiming a 78-run first-innings lead, led by 17-year-old Nayeem Hasan, who became the youngest-ever debutant to claim five wickets and the fourth youngest of all-time to take a five-for in Tests.

Resuming from their overnight total of 315 for eight in their first innings, Bangladesh added just

nine runs before Warrican claimed the final two wickets.

He ended a 65-run partnership for the ninth wicket between Nayeem Hasan and Taijul Islam, when he had the former caught by Shai Hope for 26.

Three balls later Warrican had Mustafizir Rahman leg-before-wicket for a duck, to be the Windies’ best bowler, finishing with four for 62.

The West Indies found themselves in trouble early on, losing three wickets in the space of two runs.

First, opener Kieran Powell was out lbw to Islam for 14 after he missed an attempted sweep shot for the score on 29 for one. He was followed by Shai Hope one run later after he was bowled by a delivery from Shakib Al Hasan which pitched outside leg-stump but spun back to hit his leg stump.

Captain Kraigg Brathwaite then edged Al Hasan to first slip where Soumya Sarkar held an easy

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Saturday November 24, 2018)

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(2) Which Bangladeshi has contested most Test matches against the WI to date?

ANSWERS IN TOMORROW’S ISSUE

catch as the Windies fell to 31 for three.

Nayeem Hasan then claimed his first Test scalp, having Roston Chase caught at short leg for 31 then added the wicket of Sunil Ambris, who was out plumb lbw to plunge Windies in further trouble at 88 for five.

But the in-form Shimron Hetmyer countered with an aggressive knock of 63 from just 47 balls, laced with five boundaries and four sixes, and together with Shane Dowrich added 92 invaluable runs for the sixth wicket.

It didn’t take long for Hetmyer to open his shoulders, pulling Hasan for four and then thumping Islam for two huge sixes through the leg side.

He raced to his half-century off 42 balls, but soon after was caught behind off the bowling of Mehidy Miraz.

From there Dowrich was the backbone of the Windies’ innings, crafting an unbeaten 63 from 101 balls. He struck two

boundaries and three sixes.

He teamed up with Warrican (12) and Shannon Gabriel, who made 6, to add 41 runs for the last two wickets.

With fast bowler Kemar Roach given just one over, Windies captain Kraigg Brathwaite turned to his spinners late in the day and they delivered.

Warrican struck first, bowling Imrul Kayes between bat and pad for just two and Chase had Sarkar caught at first slip by Brathwaite for 11 to leave Bangladesh 13 for two.

Mominul Haque was then out lbw to Chase, before Warrican grabbed the crucial wicket of Al Hasan, who surprisingly slogswept the spinner straight into the hands of Shannon Gabriel at deep midwicket to be out for one.

The score then became 53 for five when Mohammad Mithun was clean-bowled by Bishoo for 17, as the Windies ended an eventful day in the drivers’ seat.

SCOREBOARD BANGLADESH 1st innings 324 all out WINDIES 1st innings 246 all out BANGLADESH 2nd innings Imrul Kayes b Jomel Warrican

2 Soumya Sarkar c Kraigg Brathwaite b Roston Chase 11 Mominul Haque lbw Roston Chase

12 Mohammad Mithun b Devendra Bishoo 17 Shakib Al Hasan c Shannon Gabriel b Jomel Warrican 1 Mushfiqur Rahim not out

11 Mehedi Hasan not out

0 Extras: (lb-1)

1 Total: (five wkts, 17.0 overs)

55 Fall of wickets: 1-13, 2-13, 3-32, 4-35, 5-53.

Bowling: Kemar Roach 1-0-11-0, Jomel Warrican 8-0-22-2, Roston Chase 5-1-16-2, Devendra Bishoo 3-0-5-1.

Jonny Bairstow roars after reaching a hundred, Sri Lanka v England, 3rd Test, Colombo, 1st day, yesterday.

(REUTERS) - JONNY Bairstow, restored to the England side but shorn of his glove-keeping, celebrated his return with a sparkling 110 to help them to 312 for seven on the opening day of the third and final Test against Sri Lanka yesterday.

The wicketkeeper missed the series opener in Galle with an ankle injury and the brilliant batting and neat glove-work of his replacement Ben Foakes kept Bairstow out of England’s series-clinching victory in Pallekele.

Brought back in for the dead rubber as England’s fifth candidate batting at number three in as many tests, Bairstow added 100 with Joe Root and 99 with Ben Stokes to rescue the tourists, who were 36-2 at one stage in the morning session.

Moeen Ali was batting on 23 at stumps with Adil Rashid on 13 at the other end.

Earlier, Joe Root continued what has become almost a Test match ritual of late when the England captain won his eighth successive toss before electing to bat.

However, off-spinner Dilruwan Perera soon drew first blood for Sri Lanka when he hit the top of Rory Burns’ off-stump to dismiss the opener for 14.

Malinda Pushpakumara dismissed Keaton Jennings for 13 in his first over to drive home the advantage before Bairstow and Root began the rebuilding work.

Bairstow used his feet against the spinners and swept them with confidence - the best illustration being when he slog-swept Pushpakumara over the square-leg boundary for an effortless six.

England scored at close to four-runs-per-over in the morning session but Root’s usual composure deserted him after lunch when he fluffed a slog-sweep attempt against wrist-spinner Lakshan Sandakan and was caught at midwicket to depart for 46.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday November 24, 2018

Narine dominant at FACC’s ‘Track Attack’ in Berbice YOUNG Berbice cyclist Balram Narine was in redhot form as he rode unbeaten last Sunday, to be crowned the top cyclist when the Flying Ace Cycle Club successfully held its ‘Track Attack’ event at the Rose Hall Community Centre ground, East Canje, Berbice.

Narine copped four events as he rode away with the Unknown distance, the 20-lap and the 3 000m races while Trojan PSL’s Ajay Gopilall and Ralph Sewnarine had to settle for second and third respectively. In the 5 000m race Narine won with Sewnarine in second place, ahead of Gopilall in third.

Also showing good form

Cycling coach Randolph Roberts (left) and Balram Narine

was Mario Washington in the Juvenile category as he won the 5 000m race.

Washington also copped the nine-lap race.

The U-14 800m event was won by Joshan Campbell ahead of Rickey Motiram and Shazim Yakub.

On the distaff side, upand-coming Marcia Carrington was the top female on show. She won the 3 000m ahead of Whitney Poyer and Rashana Reynolds respectively. Carrington also added the 2 000m to her name.

The top performers received cash along with trophies. The coordinator was cycling coach Randolph Roberts.

Cornelia Ida, Zeeburg advance to West Demerara semi-finals CORNELIA Ida and Zeeburg advanced to the semi-finals of the West Demerara Cricket Association (WDCA) President’s Cup after recent wins.

The pair will now join McGill from Canal Number One and Independence A from La Grange in the final four.

In the last two quarterfinal clashes of the 50-over competition last weekend, Cornelia Ida defeated Rising Stars Sports Club by 74 runs, while Zeeburg defeated Independence B by 31 runs.

At the Joe Vieira Park, Zeeburg batted first and were bowled out for 134 in 23.2 overs. Balbinder Shivpersaud led the scoring with 31 runs, while Mark Jeffers and Ganesh Narine added 20 runs each.

Independence B, in reply, could not get on top of the spin bowling of Yutesh Dhanpaul, Guyana U-17 all-rounder Andre Seepersaud and Ganesh Narine, as they

eventually folded for 101 in 38 overs.

Dhanpaul grabbed 3-29 from 10 overs, Narine 3-19 from eight overs and Seepersaud 3-32 from nine overs.

C. Willamson led Independence B with 26 runs.

In the other quarterfinal clash, Cornelia Ida batted first and scored 255-7 in 40 overs, with Akshaya Persaud leading the charge with 74 runs.

Persaud, who has been in-form in recent games, got support from Richie Looknauth (38), Muhammad Wazid Ali (32), Naveed Ali (30) and Avinash Dhaniram (22).

Marvin Cheong led the Rising Stars with 2-34.

In reply, Rising Stars were bowled out for 181 in 32.4 overs with Shane Persaud and S. Brisport top-scoring with 46 and 33.

Harrinarine Bissondyal with 3-22 and Ali with 2-24 led Cornelia Ida’s bowling attack.

Smalta Girls U-11 Football

The MYO team after the victory last week.

MYO face DCC after thrashing Malteenoes in U-17 cricket THE Muslim Youth Organisation (MYO) will look to win again after their 388-run victory against the Malteenoes Sports Club (MSC) when they meet Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) at home today in one of two games of the GCA/Friends of Cricket Hundred Overs’ U-17 Tournament scheduled for this weekend.

The other game is Transports Sports Club vs Bel Air RUBiS Cricket Club at Malteenoes Sports Club ground.

In their game last weekend at home, MYO were sent in to bat by a depleted Malteenoes team and rushed to 437 before they were bowled out in 49.1 overs. Middle-order batsman Abdul Ramsammy led the charge with seven fours and nine sixes in 78 balls, during his innings of 112 runs.

Anthony Williams and Tomani Caesar had led the team off to a blistering 119 first-wicket start. Both batsmen took advantage of the

depleted Malteenoes fielding side to score half-centuries.

Williams stuck six fours and four sixes in his 58, while Caesar, who finished with the exact score, struck six fours and two sixes in his innings.

Three batsmen reached their 40s, including Zeynul Ramsammy, who hit five fours in his 49, Romel Retimiah who belted four fours and an equal number of sixes in a score of 40, and Krisna Singh who hit six fours and two sixes in a score of 48

towards the end.

Wayne McPherson, who took the wicket of the century-maker, led the visitors with three wickets.

POOR BATTING Isai Thorne, who grabbed six wickets for 27 runs from 4.4 overs, routed Malteenoes.

Two batsmen reached 12, while the majority lost their wickets without adding to the score.

Marlon Boele supported with three wickets for four runs from two overs.

Rounds 2 and 3 set for today FEMALE football action at the Ministry of Education ground resumes today with the second and third rounds of action in the U-11 Smalta tournament.

St Stephen’s and South Ruimveldt will open the day’s proceedings on pitch one from 12:30hrs with Genesis Harmony and Mae’s on pitch two.

North Georgetown and Smith Memorial clash at 13:20hrs with St Margaret’s and St Pius battling on the opposite pitch.

The round closes off with F.E. Pollard and Enterprise meeting at 14:10hrs

and West Ruimvedlt and Tucville in action on pitch two.

Round three begins at 15:00hrs and pits St Stephen’s against Genesis Harmony on pitch one and South Ruimveldt and Mae’s on pitch two.

From 15:50hrs North Georgetown and St Margaret’s will contest, with Smith Memorial and St Pius playing on pitch two.

In the last two matches in round three F.E. Pollard and West Ruimveldt meet while Enterprise and Tucville do battle on pitch two.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday November 24, 2018

Food for the Poor Inc. to host fun day in Essequibo on Sunday THE non-profitable organisation, Food for the Poor Incorporated (Inc.), will be hosting a Fun Day on Sunday, November 25 at the Queenstown Community Centre ground in Essequibo.

Among the games to be played will be a 10/10 softball competition and a seven-a-side football tournament.

Some of the participating cricket teams will be Richmond Youths, Queenstown SC, Golden Fleece, Walton Hall, Adventure SC and Sparwin.

Recently-crowned Essequibo Football Association (EFA) senior league champions, Mainstay Gold Star, are among the teams vying for supremacy, along with Charity Extreme, Henrietta United, Queenstown FC and Aurora FC. Proceeds from the event will go towards the construction of homes and the provision of household items for those in need.

Entrance to the ground is free and the activities are expected to commence at 11:00hrs. (Elroy Stephney)

England, Australia to clash in World T20 final RIDING on the support of fans in the Caribbean, the ICC Women’s World T20 2018 is set for a grand finale in Antigua today.

All three venues have seen enthusiastic crowds, and a strong turnout is expected for the final as the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium hosts Australia and England.

The tournament has seen an unprecedented surge of fans in a festive atmosphere with grounds filling up even for matches not featuring the home side.

The opening day saw 6 483 people turn up for a triple-header while the two games played on November 16 at the Darren Sammy National Cricket Ground in Saint Lucia, between England and South Africa then Windies and Sri Lanka, saw more than 5 000 fans attend - a whopping number considering the low population of the host town.

The semi-finals of the

tournament beat both those marks with the official crowd-count at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium standing at 8 916 and reflecting the growing popularity of the women’s game.

ICC Head of Events, Chris Tetley: “Attendances at the ICC Women’s World T20 2018 matches so far have been excellent and have clearly demonstrated the passion and enthusiasm for women’s cricket.

“Women’s cricket, in this case in the T20 format, is going from strength to strength and I am delighted that the cricket-loving public in the Caribbean have embraced this event with a style and vibrancy that is only possible in this part of the world.”

With this support as the backdrop, Australia and England will meet in the final of the ICC Women’s World T20 for the third time. Australia are gunning for a record fourth title, while an England

victory would see them hold both T20I and ODI world titles at the same time, a feat they previously achieved in 2009.

Australia will look for a strong start from wicketkeeper Alyssa Healy, who has 203 runs in the tournament, and needs 55 more runs to overtake her captain Meg Lanning’s record for the most runs in a single edition of the ICC Women’s World T20.

With the ball, Ellyse Perry has proved effective even on slow surfaces, and stands on the cusp of becoming only the second woman to take 100 T20I wickets.

Australia captain Meg Lanning said, “I thought we played well (in the semi-final). But at the same time, we were very, very clear that we had one more step to go.

We’ve given ourselves the chance, I guess, but we need to make sure we get the job done tomorrow (tonight).

Her counterpart and En-

gland captain Heather Knight said, “It’s a real achievement, I think especially (considering) the inexperience we’ve brought to this tournament, and the girls are massively excited. It’s probably not been the smoothest ride to get to the final, but the main thing is we’re here and we’ve got another opportunity to have a shot at winning a global trophy again and what an achievement it would be, how special it would be, if we could be double whiteball champions.

England will be happy that their batters had a good hit against India, but their bowlers have really punched above their weight.

In particular, left-arm spinner Kirstie Gordon has been impressive. Gordon is the joint second-highest wicket-taker in the tournament with eight scalps, and has shown match-winning credentials in just her first tournament.

LGC hosts charity tournament for Dialysis Centre today THE Lusignan Golf Club (LGC) will today share its heart and kidneys with the Doobay Renal (or Dialysis) Centre of 9 Courbane Park, Annandale, East Coast Demerara.

The event will be spearheaded by Annandale-born professional golfer Jaipaul Suknanan and a number of humanitarian golfers including Haresh Tewari, Rabindranath Persaud, Mahendra Bhagwandin and others.

The Medal-Play Tournament will see at least seven prizes, including overall Best Net, Best Net of each Flight and Nearest the Pin being awarded.

All of these golfers are expected to participate, and though pro golfer Jaipaul has not yet won a tournament for the month, it is expected that he will be pulling all the stops to produce a superb play for the charity tournament this weekend.

The golfers have hailed the significant contribution

that the Renal Centre has been giving to the country since its beginning in September 15, 2011, through the vision by founder Dr Budhendranauth Doobay, a cardiovascular surgeon, to provide more affordable care for persons who needed dialysis.

Noting that the November-December period is significant in Guyana, it was considered apt to inject goodwill to a very gracious corporate entity, the Doobay Renal Centre, which offers dialysis treatment at a very reasonable cost.

In 2014, Dr Doobay had said that approximately 50 percent of the dialysis patients received a subsidy.

All proceeds from the tournament will be donated to the Renal Centre.

Tee-off is scheduled for 12:30hrs.

The public is invited to enjoy the ambience of the Lusignan Golf Club and Course, free of cost, as this exciting tournament takes place.

Systems in place for GAPLF National Senior Championships … ‘Clash of the Female Titans’, Babb siblings to headline event

By Michelangelo Jacobus THE Guyana Amateur Powerlifting Federation (GAPLF) National Senior Championships is set for December 2 and all systems are falling nicely into place, according to senior athlete and official Martin Webster.

Meanwhile, some of the athletes who will be looking to make their marks are sisters Grace and Blossom Babb who both compete in the 84kg category.

Grace came in fourth place earlier this year at the North American Powerlifting Federation (NAPF)

Runita White

Championships in Mexico. Blossom, on the other hand, will be looking to etch her name in the annals of the GAPLF as well as qualify for the 2019 NAPF Championships.

However, the main highlight, dubbed ‘Clash of the Female Titans’, pits Natoya Robinson against record-breaker Runita White. Both athletes lift well over 900lb and will be looking to outdo the other. This contest will certainly make for a thrilling spectacle for the fans and enthusiasts.

White has a best squat of 363.7lb while Robinson has recorded 364.8lb; in the

bench press Robinson leads with 203.9lb and White’s best press is 148.8lb.

In the deadlift arena, White has a best lift of 429.9lb while Robinson’s is 431lb. Their respective totals are 942.4lb (White) and 999.7lb (Robinson).

In addition, Guyana’s second oldest powerlifter, 70-year-old Noel Cummings will be doing battle with Master 2 NAPF bronze medallist, 51-yearold Franklyn Brisport-Luke in the 66kg class.

So far, two athletes from Berbice have been confirmed - Timothy Baglia

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday November 24, 2018

GMR&SC thanks sponsors after successful Ignite meet

The lap of honour at the Ignite race meet (GTRidez photo)

GUYOIL/Tradewind Tankers League

Annandale rise to top spot

ANNANDALE were in top form on Thursday afternoon as they romped to the top spot of the Guyoil/Tradewind Tankers school football league at the Ministry of Education (MoE) ground on Carifesta Avenue.

The team registered a 5-0 drubbing of Dolphin Secondary School.

The East Coast Demerara team with a total of five national players maintained their perfect record of eight wins from eight matches contested, taking their points tally to 24 and their goal difference to +26.

Colin Henriques (two goals) led the scoring for Annandale, who have two tough games remaining, against third-place Christianburg/Wismar Secondary School (CWSS) who have 20 points and second-place Lodge (24 points).

League leaders Lodge Secondary were scheduled to be in action against St Rose’s High in the feature clash yesterday evening.

However, a no-show by the Church Street team - who have registered just one win from eight games - robbed the inform team of the opportunity

Part of Thursday’s action in the Guyoil/ Tradewind tankers school football league at the Ministry of Education (MoE) ground

of matching Annandale’s tally of five, scored yesterday, to retain their top spot.

The walkover gave Lodge three points and two goals, as stipulated in the rules of the league.

Annandale skipper Harrigan noted after his side’s 5-0 win in the reduced 20-minute per half clash against Dolphin that although his team is playing well there are still areas that need improvement and with three matches remaining, his troops need to hold their focus to clinch the league title.

JUST under two weeks after the successful hosting of the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club’s Ignite race meet, the club has sought to issue a thank-you to those involved.

According to a release, “The Executive Committee of the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club (GMR&SC) would like to say a heartfelt thank-you to all sponsors, co-sponsors, race officials, media personnel, competitors and all volunteers.”

“Those include the Ministry of Tourism, Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA), Ministry of Social Cohesion, with Responsibility for Sport, Mohamed’s Enterprise, Omega Brokerage, JAPARTS, 704 Sports Bar/Adementium Holdings and Survival Supermarket.”

“The support given to us by E.C. Vieira Investment, Bikers Bar, Tropical Shipping, Premier Auto Dealership, Sheriff Security, Samaroo Investments, Prem’s Electrical, GBTI Choke Gas Station, Hand-in-Hand, SOL Guyana Inc. and Superbet has been invaluable.”

“We, of course, cannot overlook the partnerships of Innovation America, Noble House Seafoods, Miracle Optical, GUYOIL, CARICOM General Insurance, Sankar’s Autoworks (Valvoline), Agri Parts, Palladium Motors Inc., KFC, Ramchand Auto Spares and ExxonMobil as well as Ansa McAl and KGM Security.”

The release noted that companies like Nexus Fabrication and Machinery, R. Ramkissoon Contracting, E-Networks, Jumbo Jet, Team CAMS, Ministry of Telecommunications, Guyana Police Force, Guyana Defence Force and the Guyana Fire Service all made the event possible.

“Mines Services, Seaboard Marine, Palm Court, Air Service Ltd, BM Soat Auto Sales, Bushy Park Motor Sport Inc., Suzuki, Special Auto, King’s Jewellery World, Beharry Automotive Limited, DeSinco, Guywaste Disposal Service, Ramada Princess Georgetown Hotel and to SleepIn International Hotel & Casino were also integral to the event.”

Sexual harassment report submitted to GFF THE Report addressing the investigation into allegations of sexual harassment of female referees within the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) was submitted to the GFF by Dr Karen Pilgrim, Chairperson of the Board of Inquiry (BoI), on November 19, following the completion of a thorough investigation.

The report is scheduled to be tabled for review and action by the Executive Committee at the next scheduled meeting on Saturday, December 1, 2018.

The Inquiry, which began in March 2018, was necessitated following allegations of sexual harassment by female referees and was conducted by a five-member panel led by Chairman Dr Karen Pilgrim, vice-president of the Guyana Olympic Association.

Other members of the BoI were Dr Melissa Ifill of the University of Guyana; Karen Joseph, Human Resources Consultant; Karen De Souza, Red Thread and Joy Nichola Marcus-Reid, also of Red Thread.

The Terms of Reference of the CoI included: to develop a policy against sexual harassment for referees in Guyana; to evolve a permanent mechanism for the prevention and redress of sexual harassment cases; to ensure the implementation of the policy in letter and spirit through proper reporting of the complaints and their follow-up procedures; to create a secure physical and social environment to deter any act of sexual harassment and to promote a social and psychological environment to raise awareness on sexual harassment in its various forms,” a release from the GFF stated.

Meg Lanning and Heather Knight pose with the 2018 Women’s World T20 trophy, North Sound, November 23, 2018. (AFP/Getty)

Smalta Girls U-11 Football

Rounds 2 and 3 set for today Page

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England, Australia

to clash in World T20 final Page

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Rounds 2 and 3 of the Smalta Girls U-11 tournament are set for today.

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Gabriel handed one-match ban

Warrican, Chase lead Windies fightback Imrul Kayes is bowled trying to drive, Bangladesh v West Indies, 1st Test, Chattogram, 2nd day, yesterday.

GMR&SC thanks sponsors after successful Ignite meet Page

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SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2018