Guyana Chronicle E-paper 11-26-2018

MONDAY 26th November, 2018

No.105469

No.105470

President’s public engagements reduced 08 PAGE

… as he continues treatment

Budget close to $300B …hike in pension, P A G E measures to 03 spur ‘green’ economy likely

… minister to make projections for oil economy

Cargo boat sinks in 09 Waini River PAGE

… crew rescued, millions worth of goods destroyed

Jilted footballer goes berserk …crashes, P A G E shoots-up ex-girlfriend car

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Shivnarine Gordon of West Coast Demerara on Sunday copped the top prizes at this year’s Rockstone Fish Festival. In this Naomi Marshall photo, the fisherman nicknamed ‘Fish Pro’ holds aloft his day’s catch. Mr Gordon won the Largest and heaviest catch in the ‘any fish category’ as well as the Largest Arowana catch.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, November 26, 2018

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, November 26, 2018

Budget close to $300B …hike in pension, measures to spur ‘green’ economy likely …minister to make projections for oil economy

By Lisa Hamilton BUDGET 2019 to be presented today is likely to be the biggest ever coming close to $300B and will include increases in Old Age Pension and Public Assistance along with measures to further drive Guyana’s Green State Development Strategy (GSDS).

The 2018 budget was set at $267B. The Guyana Chronicle also understands that the multi-billion-dollar budget will take into account the emerging oil-and-gas sector as Guyana gears up for production in early 2020.

Today’s presentation will serve as the government’s forecast of its expenditures and revenues for 2019 and will be introduced in the National Assembly by Minister of Finance Winston Jordan.

It is themed ‘Transforming the Economy, Empowering People, Building Sustainable Communities for the Good Life’ and will come in contrast to the $267.1B 2018 Budget , a 7.1 per cent increase of the revised Budget 2017.

Jordan, in an interview with the Department of Public Information (DPI) last week, had announced: “Today, old age pension stands at $19,500 and will be increased again, in the upcoming budget.”

The expected increase comes against the backdrop

Finance Minister Winston Jordan

of the Budget 2018 presentation where the government announced a 2.5 per cent increase in the pension figure, taking it to $19,500 effective January 1, 2018.

This represented a cumulative 48.6 per cent increase since 2015, which also saw the elderly benefiting from government’s exemption from paying for travel tax, a driver’s licence and passport fees.

SALARY INCREASES Meanwhile, public assistance was then increased in 2018 to $8000, an approximately 36 per cent increase in the last few years; the minimum wage by nearly 52 per cent in two years, from $39,570 in 2015 to $60,000, in 2017. Just last week, the finance minister approved tax-exempted salary increas-

es for all public servants ranging from 0.5 to seven per cent for 2018, further stating: “All workers can expect salary increases, going forward, especially in 2018, 2019 and 2020.” These improvements all come about as Jordan relayed that the economic outlook for 2019 shows positive economic growth.

In a recent interview with the National Communications Network (NCN), he stated: “[In 2019] there are new industries that will come on stream and we expect better performance in a number of the traditional industries… and, of course, everybody is building something for oil.

That is going on at a breathtaking pace as we move towards 2020.”

He added that there have been enquiries by a major hotel chain about coming

to Guyana; a number of conferences which are now being held locally have created a demand for hotels, therefore boosting tourism in the process.

In the same line of thought, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo on Sunday hinted in his weekly column that Budget 2019 will be “bigger and better” and one which will give hope for new horizons of prosperity in Guyana.

Meanwhile, Vice-President and Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Sydney Allicock, said on Friday that “Budget 2019 will definitely give hope” as it includes considerations for indigenous peoples, youths and communities. He revealed that social cohesion is big on the agenda and this will see strategic measures

being taken to address the social ills of the society.

President David Granger at his October 18, 2018 address to the National Assembly had also spoken about provisions in the budget for the oil-and- gas sector. He had stated that the Natural Resources Fund implementation plan is expected to be fully operational in 2019.

“Your government will ensure that oil revenues are prudently managed for the present and future generations in accordance with our objective of securing the good life for all. We shall do this through a Natural Resources Fund, which will be established before first-oil in 2020,” he ascertained.

He also used the forum to liken the GSDS to the country’s “roadmap” for transition towards the ‘good’ life, assuring that it would not be excluded from today’s presentation. “Your government has chosen a “green” pathway to guide it towards achieving a ‘good life’. The economy, for too long, has been dependent on the production and export of primary commodities, all of which are vulnerable to exogenous market shocks and natural hazards,” he said, adding: “Budget 2019, which will be tabled in the National Assembly next month, is expected to be based on the theme of transformation for sustainable development and “green” growth towards

achieving the good life.”

The projections for Budget 2019 were arrived at by the government after wide consultations with the Private Sector Commission (PSC); union bodies and an array of various sector stakeholders.

The presentation of Minister Jordan today is expected to include reports on sectoral performances; the current and projected Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth rate; debt management and more.

He is also predicted to touch on the areas of national security; tourism; international and domestic legal obligations; and emerging and transformative sectors such as manganese and business and investment.

Led by President Granger, the coalition government has made known its intention to create a platform for social and economic transformation for all Guyanese, by addressing key problems and creating tangible solutions.

In keeping with this mandate, the President has affirmed: “Guyanese could expect confidently, that by the end of 2019, they would be able to live in a state with more secure borders; communities that are safer; in an economy that is more resilient; in a society that is more cohesive; with public services that are more accessible and constitutional agencies and institutions which enjoy the confidence and respect of the public.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, November 26, 2018

EU leaders seal Brexit deal BRUSSELS (Reuters) European Union leaders finally sealed a Brexit deal on Sunday, saying the package agreed with Prime Minister Theresa May was the best Britain will get in a warning to the British parliament not to reject it.

“Those who think that, by rejecting the deal, they would get a better deal, will be disappointed,” European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker told reporters after the 27 other EU leaders formally endorsed a treaty setting terms for British withdrawal in March and an outline of a

future EU-UK trade pact.

Asked whether there was any chance Brussels would reopen the pact if an alliance of pro- and anti-Brexit forces votes it down in the British parliament, Juncker said “this is the best deal possible”, although summit chair Donald Tusk sounded more guarded, saying he did not want to consider hypotheticals.

May used a post-summit news conference to make a sales pitch for her plan, telling television viewers at home that it was the “only possible deal”, offering control of UK borders and budgets while

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maintaining close alignment with EU regulations that was good for business and the security of Britain and Europe.

“In any negotiation, you do not get everything you want.

I think the British people understand that,” said May, who arrived after the endorsement to voice hopes for continued close ties.

Parliament’s vote could open the door to a “brighter future” or condemn the country to more division, she said.

“I will make the case for this deal with all my heart,” she added, declining to answer whether she would resign if parliament rejects it.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel, the bloc’s veteran guiding force, echoed that unwillingness to speculate on what she called a “historic day” that was both “tragic and sad”.

“There is no Plan B,” said Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte. “If anyone thinks in the United Kingdom that by voting No something better would come out of it, they are wrong.” The only Plan B was preparing a possible nodeal scenario in which Britain crashes out on March 29 into legal limbo, roiling Europe’s economy, a senior EU official said.

In May’s exchanges at the summit, there was no discussion of what may happen if parliament rejects the deal in a vote likely to take place just before the next EU summit on Dec. 13-14.

NO CHAMPAGNE Amid praise for Michel Barnier’s team of negotiators for bringing home a deal after 18 months of grueling talks, Juncker said it was “no time

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…urge Britons to back May

for champagne”, as one of Europe’s great powers quits after a 2016 referendum. The harder work of forging new relations now lies ahead, he added.

The EU leaders took barely half an hour to rubber-stamp the 585-page withdrawal treaty, aimed at an orderly exit in March to be followed by two to three years of a status-quo transition period. The outline of a future trading and security partnership was just 26 pages long. May’s critics say it leaves Britain tied to EU regulations that it will no longer have a say in setting.

Her foreign minister, Jeremy Hunt, said that the Brexit deal was a “staging post” toward Britain getting everything it wanted from leaving the EU, but that the arithmetic for getting the deal approved was “challenging”.

European Council President Tusk said the bloc was determined to have as close as possible a partnership with Britain, which has long been skeptical about EU integration: “We will remain friends until the end of days. And one day longer,” he said.

French President Emmanuel Macron said Britain’s Brexit vote showed Europe needed reform. He stressed that Paris would hold Britain to tight EU regulations, in return for giving it easy trade access. He also foreshadowed coming, fraught, nego-

tiations by demanding access to British fishing grounds after Brexit. Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaite spoke of several scenarios if parliament blocks the package: that Britons would hold a second referendum; hold a new election to replace May or return to Brussels to try and renegotiate the package.

IRISH QUESTION Northern Ireland’s Democratic Unionist Party, which props up May’s minority government, said it would try to block the deal because it binds London to many EU rules and the DUP fears it may weaken the province’s ties to Britain — a result of efforts to avoid a risk of a “hard border” with EU member Ireland. Wrangling over how to keep open troubled Northern Ireland’s land border with the EU dogged much of the Brexit talks and DUP leader Arlene Foster said she would “review” the agreement to back May’s Conservative government if the Brexit divorce is passed in parliament. Opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn repeated that his Labour party, which says it could get a better deal, will vote against.

Britain’s 300-year-old naval base in Gibraltar on Spain’s southern coast, had also threatened to derail plans.

But Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said he was satisfied with guarantees of a say in the future of “The Rock”, saying on Sunday that Spain wanted to claim a share of sovereignty.

May1 British Prime Minister Theresa May (R) and European Union Council President Donald Tusk during the extraordinary EU leaders summit to finalise and formalise the Brexit agreement in Brussels, Belgium November 25, 2018. Olivier Hoslet/ Pool via REUTERS

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, November 26, 2018

UWI to receive millions in reparation payments KINGSTON, Jamaica, Nov. 25, CMC – The University of Glasgow in the United Kingdom has agreed to pay £200 million in reparation payments to the University of the West Indies.

This was disclosed by Vice Chancellor of the UWI, Sir Hilary Beckles during a recent interview on the Jamaica News Network (JNN) programme – Insight. Beckles, who recently returned from the UK said the University of Glasgow recognised that Jamaican slave owners had adopted the University of Glasgow as their university of choice and that

£200 million of value was extracted from Jamaica and the Caribbean.”

He said while in the UK the Vice Chancellor of the UK-based university Professor Sir Anton Muscatelli opened up their records, which showed a ‘massive influx’ of grants and endowments from Jamaica. He said added the University of Glasgow and UWI are currently drafting a memorandum of understanding, and the term ‘reparatory justice’ is expected to be included. The £200 million would be a combination of cash and kind. “We are not on

Sir Hilary Beckles, UWI, Vice Chancellor

the street corners asking for handouts. We are looking for partnerships and devel-

Cuba and Spain sign agreements to establish bilateral consultations HAVANA, Cuba, Nov. 25, CMC – Cuba and Spain have agreed to establish bilateral consultations within the constitutional framework of both nations, among other things, with the recent signing of memorandums of understanding between both nations.

Signed last week at the Revolution Palace here, the other agreement aims to stimulate cooperation in the field of culture and to ensure a greater presence of the culture of Cuba in Spain and vice versa.

The visit of the President of Spain, Pedro Sánchez Pérez-Castejón,fulfills the invitation made by Cuban president

Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, during his meeting at the United Nations last September.

The visit of the Spanish President also mark the first time that a Spanish leader has made an official visit to Cuba in the last three decades. Spain is currently Cuba’s third largest trading partner and the main one in Europe.

Since 1902 both countries have maintained uninterrupted diplomatic relations, influenced by existing historical, cultural and commercial ties.

President of Spain, Pedro Sánchez Pérez-Castejón, ( left) and his Cuban counterpart, President Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez

opment.”

One of the projects in which the University of

Glasgow has reportedly shown interest involves research in chronic diseases in the Caribbean, including hypertension, diabetes, and childhood obesity. “They are looking at the possibility of partnering with us and having a massive institute for chronic disease research that is going to prevent the proliferation of these diseases in the future,” said Beckles.

A report dubbed Slavery, Abolition and the University of Glasgow, published recently by the university, reveals that it benefited directly from the slave trade in Africa and the

Caribbean in the 18th and 19th centuries to the tune of almost £200 million in today’s money. The university has announced that it has launched a wide-ranging and ambitious “reparative justice programme” that is based on the findings of more than two years of research. In addition, the University of Glasgow had also announced that it intends to implement programmes and projects that will provide scholarships and exchange programmes for Jamaican and other Caribbean students through its links with The UWI.

TT monitoring recent cases of swine flu PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, Nov. 25, CMC – Director General in the Ministry of Tourism, Joy Jibrilu says the Ministry is closely monitoring recent cases of swine flu in an effort to minimize its impact on the industry.

“I mean, if you think about it, it was chikungunya, it was zika, it’s always something you have to be on top of,” Jibrilu said Health Minister Dr. Duane Sands told Parliament earlier this week that there were two confirmed cases of H1N1 influenza [swine flu] in the twin island republic “and of the two laboratory confirmed cases, one

of those persons died.”

He said the reported number of flu cases ranges from 200 to 650 annually. However, in response, the Director General of Tourism said all the necessary information obtained by the Ministry of Health is always passed onto the MInistry of Tourism. “We monitor, not just daily, almost hourly, what is being written throughout the various social channels to see if it is having an impact but sending messages out that the country is safe [and] safe from a health perspective.

“If there is a notice, whatever comes from Ministry of Health, we would share that,

but it’s a constant monitoring and making sure that you are ahead of it and responsive as soon as anything hits.” Meanwhile, Sands has encouraged all individuals over the age of six months to get vaccinated, especially groups more susceptible to contracting the virus. He said healthcare providers, youth, the elderly, morbidly obese individuals and other groups are more likely to catch swine flu.

During the 2009 swine flu pandemic in the United States, about 59 million Americans contracted the flu with 265,000 of those individuals being hospitalized and 12,000 dying.

Commonwealth wants developing countries to access billions in foreign aid LONDON, Nov 24, CMC – The Commonwealth Secretary General, Dame Patricia Scotland says a new study has shown that small member states could be losing out on US$4.5 billion of overseas development assistance.

She said as a result of the study conducted by the London-based Commonwealth Secretariat she is urging the development of strategies to help small and vulnerable states improve their ability to effectively access and use development assistance.

Dame Patricia will be among delegates attending

an International Monetary Fund (IMF)/ World Bank conference on Building Resilience to Disasters and Climate Change in the Caribbean on Monday. Jamaica’s Prime Minister Andrew Holness will be the featured speaker.

The Commonwealth Secretary General will participate in a discussion on incentives and financing to build resilience. “The Caribbean has been through testing and distressing times in recent years, with storms and hurricanes of unprecedented intensity causing widespread devastation. We commend the international

community for rallying to provide support, and the affected countries for their practical resolve to build back better and stronger.

“But we have a lot of work to do to address inherent and systemic barriers to building resilience, such as debt, limited private financing and capacity constraints,” she said, adding that “one key area we need urgently to improve is coordination among organisations and donors so countries are able to access and utilise financial assistance more swiftly through processes that are more streamlined.

“It is of great concern that a preliminary Commonwealth study shows that small and vulnerable states failed to utilise $4.5 billion of development assistance made available between 2010 and 2016,” she said ahead of the conference in Washington. The Commonwealth Secretariat said that at the conference it will present its plans for working alongside member countries to build resilience to disasters and climate change.

It said these include the Commonwealth Finance Access Hub, which is helping developing states make

successful applications for projects related to climate change, the new Disaster Risk Financing Portal, which will give countries open, 24-hour access to key information on financing facilities and a proposed Universal Vulnerability Index to build global consensus on the definition and measurement of the factors that combine to render countries vulnerable to environmental and financial challenges.

Head of Economic Policy and Small States at the Commonwealth Secretariat, Travis Mitchell, said the issues of development finance for resilience building and

disaster risk were upmost in the minds of Commonwealth finance ministers during their annual meeting in Bali last month.

“We have a clear mandate to come up with innovative and effective strategies to address this issue.

So in January we are going to hold the first ever Annual Research Conference on Small States in Malta under the theme “Building Resilience Through Disaster Risk Reduction”.

“This will bring together experts and academics to explore new and emerging developments in disaster risk reduction.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, November 26, 2018

Standing together against gender-based violence SUNDAY, November 25, marked the occasion of International Day for the Elimination of Violence against women, which has been observed since 1981.

However, it received its international approval in 2000 through Resolution 34/134 as the United Nations (UN) gave signal recognition and its adoption.

Arising from this very important observation is the commencement of 16 days of activism, during which time gender-based violence against women and girls in all its forms will be highlighted. This has been an annual phase since this seminal observation began; it centres on four key signposts, commencing with the titular date of November 25: Human Rights Defenders Day, November 29; World Aids Day, December 1; and Human Rights Day, December 16, on which date the activism ends.

Significantly in 2008, the occasion of International Day for the Elimination of

Violence against Women and Girls was further advanced: then UN Secretary-General Ban Ki moon launched UNITE to End Violence against Women and Girls – all forms of violence.

A sample of some of the latest statistics from the WHO/PAHO illustrates the perilous threat that violence poses to the extant well-being and existence of women and girls; it highlights too, the need for continuous strategies in all forms and inclusive of every social agency in every region, and in every country to combat and halt this social scourge – a scourge that has become a dangerous and almost uncontrollable international monster. * Some national studies have shown that 70% of women have experienced both physical and sexual violence in their lifetime. *Victims of either type of violence are twice likely to have an abortion, depression, HIV, or other STDs, compared to women who

have not suffered such an experience. *35 per cent of women world-wide have been the victims of either physical and/or sexual violence perpetrated by either an intimate partner or non-intimate partner. *Globally, it is estimated that of all the women who were victims of homicide in 2012, one half were killed by intimate partners or family members. *Adult women account for 51 per cent of all trafficking cases; women and girls account for 71 per cent, while girls represent three out of every four victims. * 200 million women and girls have undergone female genitalia mutilation and other horrible nightmare experiences that have been taking place in every region of the world. Instructively, it must be noted that there are a reported 49 countries in which there are no laws that protect women from domestic violence that is now a pandemic.

Guyana is no stranger to the brutal scourge of violence against women and girls; it has grown to monstrous proportions with a sustained constancy that continues to make sensational headlines. The experiences are unchanging: of women being mercilessly brutalised and eventually killed by partners; of women sexually harassed and sexually violated, and even killed.

The same horrific tranche of cruelty is meted out to girls of all ages, even as young as three years old. This is illustrated by the recent case of the ex-policeman who is now serving a life sentence for penetrative sex with a child of such tender age.

If there is any social ill that has been constantly highlighted on a daily basis in Guyana, whether by way of the media in all forms; through social outreaches; social media; youth groups; religious evangelicals; or dissemination by other means, it has been the scourge of gender-based vio-

lence in all its forms. In fact, more social organisations in creative ways, inclusive of social media, the arts including drama and public service announcements, have been taking discourses to even the streets, in further attempts to highlight the grim threat that this beastly and inhuman behaviour poses to the wellbeing of women and girls.

It has always been advocated in this column that the battle against gender-based violence must not only be the business of the parties concerned, or the individual victim; it must also be the concern of every Guyanese; every socio-cultural organisation and even organs of the state. This is because of its pervasiveness, that is indifferent to race and ethnicity, social class and professional status.

It is very re-assuring to learn of a very prominent religious denomination that is continuing its contribution to the awareness of this cruelty, via the 16 days of activism. Its

programme includes the holding of a candlelight gathering during which the names of victims will be mentioned and a lit candle raised to their memory. Family members and friends of victims are invited to be a part of this occasion. It is hoped that, irrespective of cultural-religio backgrounds, citizens will participate in this and other awareness events which seek among other goals to build solid partnerships in the battle against gender-based violence. Additionally, other religious houses, because of their very strong cultural influence, should plan similar gatherings within their respective communities as a means of highlighting this social cruelty. It is precisely during events such as these that we must all stand together, which will give real substance and meaning to this year’s UNITE Campaign global theme - Orange the World; #HearMeToo

One in three women, girls experience physical or sexual violence in their lifetime VIOLENCE against women and girls is one of the most widespread, persistent and devastating human rights violations in our world today, and it remains largely unreported due to the impunity, silence, stigma and shame surrounding it, the United Nations said.

In general terms, it manifests itself in physical, sexual and psychological forms, encompassing:

•intimate partner violence (battering, psychological abuse, marital rape, femicide); •sexual violence and harassment (rape, forced sexual acts, unwanted sexual advances, child sexual abuse, forced marriage, street harassment, stalking, cyberharassment); •human trafficking (slavery, sexual exploitation); •female genital mutila-

tion; and •child marriage.

Alarming figures: •1 in 3 women and girls experience physical or sexual violence in their lifetime, most frequently by an intimate partner; •Only 52% of women married or in a union freely make their own decisions about sexual relations, contraceptive use and health care;

•Worldwide, almost 750 million women and girls alive today were married before their 18th birthday; while 200 million women and girls have undergone female genital mutilation (FGM); •1 in 2 women killed worldwide were killed by their partners or family in 2012; while only 1 out of 20 men were killed under similar circumstances; •71% of all human trafficking victims worldwide are women and girls, and 3

out of 4 of these women and girls are sexually exploited; •Violence against women is as serious a cause of death and incapacity among women of reproductive age as cancer, and a greater cause of ill health than traffic accidents and malaria combined.

The International Day for the Elimination of Violence (25 November) throws light on these issues, calls for solidarity with survivors, and implores us all to work towards ending this

global scourge. The Day also launches the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence, which this year is themed “Orange the World: #HearMeToo” to bring attention to the voices and stories of survivors. Further, on the Day, as on the 25th of every month, everyone is invited to wear the colour orange to demonstrate solidarity with survivors and support for efforts to end Gender-based violence.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, November 26, 2018

Essequibo records 31 rape cases so far this year COMMANDER of ‘G’ Division (Essequibo Coast/ Essequibo Islands) Khali Pareshram has said that rape and burglary are on the increase within the division and has called for a multi-pronged approach to tackle the former.

He made the disclosures last week while unveiling the division’s Christmas policing plans for the festive season. Pareshram said that rape is the most prevalent

offence in the division and from statistics most of the victims are school dropouts. According to him, most of the victims are from single-parent backgrounds and are often left alone unsupervised. In view of this upsurge, he called for a multi-stakeholder approach, in the form of counselling, to reach out to the victims.

He said that the division over the years has partnered with Blossom Inc. and the

Another garbage strike Dear Editor ANOTHER garbage contractors’ strike looms and City Hall is all set to roll out its Plan B -- the small contractors-- with much fanfare.

Some weeks ago a senior functionary said the contractors would be paid. What happened? Nothing ....just another failed promise.

Regards Shamshun Mohamed

Schools Welfare Department in helping to socially rehabilitate the youngsters.

Also, youth groups were formed in various communities to get youths actively involved.

There has also been an upsurge in break and enter and larceny. The crime is mostly committed during the day wherever the opportunity exists, especially when persons are not at home. Statistics have shown

that 12 females were raped in 2017 while the number so far for this year is 31.

The division, however, saw a 28 per cent decrease in break and enter and larceny for 2018. Twenty-five homes were broken into in 2017 while 18 were broken into in 2018.

In relation to murders, the commander said that there are matters still before the court. Currently, Kenrick Armogan, 57, of Bush Lot

Village, is before the court for murdering his nephew Naresh Ramdass, while Radika Sukwah, the girlfriend of the deceased Deonarine aka `Russian’ is also before the court. The commander commended the Criminal Investigations Department for the investigations that were conducted in those cases.

On August 22, 2018 a serial rapist, George Butters aka `Georgie’ of Lima Housing Scheme, was arrested on

the basis of a general description given by a victim and was also later positively identified by two other victims. The cases are pending, whilst he is still being investigated for another.

The commander pledged his ranks’ support in providing security in the division and said that there will be an increase in intelligence-driven cordon-and-search operations targeting specific areas.

More work needs to be done to tackle mental illness Dear Editor

GUYANESE don’t seem to be very familiar with the manifestations of social problems and significant amounts of citizens worry about the implications of getting into other peoples’ business as it relates to mental health issues, such as suicide, abuse, and alcoholism.

They fear they might get hurt and point to several intermediaries being abused, badgered, killed, and so on in this respect.

Also, they indicate that family members they seek to help could turn against them, as has been the case in many situations. These are some of the findings of the latest survey conducted by The Caribbean Voice.

With respect to mental health, people in Berbice, in particular, say that patients are treated very badly at the National Psychiatric Hospital, often lacking food and medicines. They feel patients are worse off inside that institution than they are on the outside and

would get more assistance outside from family members than in the institution. They also point to a lack of security, as they feel patients easily escape and roam the streets of New Amsterdam in particular, often becoming a danger to other citizens.

The following were the questions and responses: Would you be willing to volunteer within your community to help deal with suicide and abuse?

Yes (58) No (6) Not Sure (28) No Comment (8)

This compares unfavourably with responses to a similar question in December 2014, when 96% indicated willingness to help with suicide and 66% with abuse. Also, myths and misinformation still hold significant sway, indicating the critical need for concerted, ongoing sensitisation and training.

Regards Annan Boodram Caribbean Voice

Why no prayers at UG graduation ceremony?

Dear Editor,

I TOOK the time to look at the recent University of Guyana Graduation Ceremony and made some observations which are as follows: The opening of the ceremony was about speeches and introduction of speakers, but I didn’t see any form of prayers from any religious leader to bless the convocation ceremony. It seems as if our highest institution of learning is becoming an atheistic institution of academics and graduates, but forgetting God who gives man all wisdom and knowledge. Without God we are useless; education will not help us but lead us into more moral degradation and chaos.

What fascinated me was the long drawn out speeches by these professors. I am bothered why one professor had to share his entire life story and the graduates have to sit in their gowns in a very hot environment. Why so many long speeches? Why so much talking about the vice-chancellor? Nothing was spoken about the chancellor. What is the role of the chancellor? It seems to me he does nothing

but is paid a very hefty sum.

I still wonder why so many people are paid high salaries more than the President and does absolutely nothing. In these long academic speeches nothing is mentioned about God and moral education. At the end of the VC’S cocktail party most of the graduates are drunk and scholars. T.S Eliot, the American poet and Nobel Laureate had this to say from his verses from the Rock. ‘’Endless invention, endless experiment, Brings knowledge of motion, but not of stillness; Knowledge of speech, but not of silence; Knowledge of words, and ignorance of the Word.

All our knowledge brings us nearer to our ignorance, All our ignorance brings us nearer to death, But nearness to death no nearer to God .

Where is the Life we have lost in living?

Where is the wisdom we have lost in knowledge?

Where is the knowledge we have lost in information?

The cycles of Heaven in 20 centuries Bring us farther from God and nearer to the Dust.’’

These are profound words of truth in magnificent symbolism and classic imagery. T.S. Eliot is telling us in simple words that ‘’all our intellect, wisdom and knowledge lead us into ignorance away from God. I believe the University of Guyana needs a Faculty of Theology/Divinity to educate students morally, spiritually ,academically and a profound knowledge in Holy Scriptures; the teachings of Ethics, Philosophy, Metaphysics, Theology, Rhetoric, Poetry, Literature, Comparative Religion, Greek, Latin, Hebrew and some Sanskrit will produce some more efficient scholars. When we remove God from any institution of learning we remove ‘life itself in its full spiritual dimension; we are blinded from God’s Truth and divine light when he is left out from our lives. Mahatma Gandhi had these things to say about education: ‘’Purity of personal life is the one indispensable condition for building up a sound education.

An education which does not teach us to discriminate between good and bad, to assimilate the one and eschew

the other, is a misnomer Real education has to draw out the best from the boys and girls to be educated. Literary education must follow the education of the hand -the one gift that distinguishes man from beast.’’

Prolific words of great wisdom from this great soul.

“Education” has been derived from the Latin term “Educatum” which means the act of teaching or training. A group of educationists say that it has come from another Latin word “Educare” which means “to bring up” or “to raise”.

According to a few others, the word “Education” has originated from another Latin term “Educere” which means “to lead forth” or “to come out”. All these meanings indicate that education seeks to nourish the good qualities in man and draw out the best in every individual.

Education seeks to develop the innate capacities of man.

Vivekanand: “Education is the manifestation of the divine perfection, already existing in man.”

Tagore: “The widest road leading to the solution of all our problems is education.”

Sri Aurobindo: “Educa-

tion which will offer the tools whereby one can live for the divine, for the country, for oneself and for others and this must be the ideal of every school which calls itself national”.

Socrates: “Education means the bringing out of the ideas of universal validity which are latent in the mind of every man.”

Aristotle: “Education is the creation of a sound mind in a sound body. It develops man’s faculty, especially his mind, so that he may be able to enjoy the contemplation of supreme truth, goodness and beauty of which perfect happiness essentially consists.

These magnificent quotations from great men of moral and spiritual value will help us to inculcate and bring out the best in our graduates at the University of Guyana and all other academic institutions of learning in Guyana.

I was happy to see the handing out of honorary doctorates to only four persons, most of whom are extremely old. I was wondering why doctorates were not given or honorary M.A degrees to our young talented writers: singers, business men, scholars

currently living in Guyana.

Why so much honours to the old people? On what criteria are these honorary degrees given? I am a Poet, author, editor, literary scholar published over seven books and more to come also over three hundred publications into journals abroad and papers in Guyana. The question is: How and to whom do I submit my work to at UG to be considered for an honorary doctorate degree and many writers like myself?

I also learned from the vice-chancellor at the recent Guyana Prize for Literature Forum that UG has a printing press and will be launching a first book soon. How do Guyanese writers who struggle for publication get access to this press? Why it is not published more in the media, libraries, school phones, directories etc?

It is my sincere hope that our academics at UG can include prayers in the opening graduation ceremony. I’ll be willing to give my services pro bono.to this magnificent institution of learning. God bless you all.

Regards, Rev. Gideon Cecil

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Give hope to the nation

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, November 26, 2018

… Min Harmon challenges Smith Memorial Congregational Church MINISTER of State, Mr. Joseph Harmon on Sunday challenged the Bishop and congregation of the Smith Memorial Congregational Church to reclaim its position as a beacon of hope for communities across Guyana.

The minister of state, who was at the time addressing worshippers at the church’s 175th Anniversary service, reminded that the church has a role to play in the areas of social, community and economic development as it once did during the period of slavery and at the time of emancipation. “The Church should return to its role as a social leader. It is a credible organisation in this community. It should utilise this public trust to solve social problems – such as domestic violence, drug abuse, poverty, teenage pregnancy and school absenteeism. Smith Memorial Congregational Church, in the Congregational tradition of service, should become a beacon of hope for its communities once again,” he stated.

Minister Harmon noted that congregationalism and service to communities are inseparable and the bonds between church and communities should therefore be reinforced. “The church calls on us to do good through service to others, including those within our communities. The

Smith Memorial Congregational Church is married to the proud tradition of community service. The Smith Memorial Congregational Church should uphold this proud legacy. The church, through its service to this and neighbouring communities, should seek to become a catalyst for good, as was 175 years ago. This would be a fitting and forward-looking way in which to celebrate the 175th anniversary of its establishment,” Minister Harmon said.

Congregationalism, he stated, came to Guyana 210 years ago as part of the work of the London Missionary Society to minister almost exclusively to Africans. It became a beacon of hope in desperate and despondent times, as Congregationalists supported Africans in their struggles both during and after enslavement.

“Freed Africans, after Emancipation, initiated the Great Village Movement.

Cotton, coffee and sugar plantations were purchased and free human settlements were erected in their place.

Congregationalism became a bedrock upon which this movement was erected. It inspired the freed Africans to establish churches in many of these free villages. The descendants of the founders of these villages, in turn, looked to the church to con-

Minister of State Mr. Joseph Harmon delivers the feature address at the 175th anniversary service of the Smith Memorial Congregational Church tinue God’s work – churches to worship God, homes to keep their families together, schools to provide education to their children and farms to develop strong economies. Communities should be maintained as vital centres of spiritual life, blessed with the moral legitimacy and the material resources necessary for promoting the common

good,” Minister Harmon told the congregation.

Churches, he added, became community centres and classrooms. They were part of the social architecture of their communities, supporting the four pillars – faith, family, farm and the school.

Congregationalism mentored local leaders, demonstrating the ability of locals to manage their own affairs, he added. Guyana, the minister said, owes a debt of gratitude to the Congregational Church as it pioneered education before and after Emancipation, supported community development and provided assistance to those in need. As such, he

said that the church should deepen its involvement and integration in the community. It should work in, for and with the community to provide opportunities, especially for the young people, he declared.

The religious institution was opened on November 24, 1843 as a tribute to the work and suffering of the late Reverend John Smith who was sentenced to death. Smith, a London Missionary Society minister was sentenced to death by hanging for the role he allegedly played in the East Coast Demerara Slave Insurrection in 1823. According to the church’s historical

records, Smith died a prisoner on death row on February 6, 1824. He was referred to as the ‘Demerara Martyr’ as a result of the circumstances surrounding his death. Reverend John Smith came to British Guiana in February, 1817 to succeed Reverend John Wray who was the pioneer missionary of the London Missionary Society at Bethel Chapel, Le Resouvenir, East Coast Demerara.

It was recorded that Smith, gave instructions to the slaves and disobeyed the rules of the slave-owners by teaching their slaves to read the Bible and Catechism.

(Ministry of the Presidency)

President’s public engagements reduced … as he continues treatment

Minister of State Mr. Joseph Harmon shares a light moment with Reverend Oslen Small of the Smith Memorial Congregational Church during the church’s 175th anniversary service on Sunday morning

PRESIDENT David Granger, consistent with advice from his team of specialist doctors at the Centro de Investigaciones Medico Quirugicas (CIMEQ) in Havana, Cuba, continues to take precautionary measures in light of his recent diagnosis of Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma.

As such, due to his continued treatment, the Head of State’s public engagements have been reduced. Nevertheless, President Granger continues to perform his duties.

The President and his wife, Mrs. Sandra Granger, returned to Guyana from the Republic of Cuba on November 20, 2018,

after spending approximately three weeks there.

Given the diagnosis of Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma, the President’s medical team performed a number of medical interventions including the first round of chemotherapy treatment. The President has responded well to the treatment and was given approval to return to Guyana.

President Granger once again expresses profound gratitude to all those who sent their well-wishes for his full and complete recovery. (Ministry of the Presidency)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, November 26, 2018

Jilted footballer goes berserk

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… crashes, shoots-up ex-girlfriend car A 19-YEAR-OLD national footballer has allegedly crashed his ex-girlfriend motor car and riddled it with bullets because she refused to take him back.

According to reports, Jobe Caesar and the victim, Mealisa Joseph, shared a relationship which was said to be abusive. It is alleged that prior to the ordeal, the woman had made several attempts to end the relationship, but Caesar would make threats to her to which reports have been filed with the police.

The victim explained that on the night of the incident, she and Caesar had

an argument after she had begged him to leave her alone and to desist from coming to her house. “I keep telling him I don’t want him and he kept knocking me in front of my children,” the woman told the Guyana Chronicle.

She explained that Caesar stormed her Albert and Charlotte Street home, picked up her car keys and then ran out of the house.

He returned at about 03:30h on Sunday and she (Joseph) refused to let him into the home after he threatened to harm her. The teen reportedly became annoyed and went back into the car and drove

A view of the broken back window glass

National footballer Jobe Caesar it into a nearby post. He then came out and allegedly

Front view of the damaged car

pulled out a firearm and discharged several rounds at the vehicle before making good his escape.

Joseph explained that during the incident she be-

came fearful and locked her children in the bedroom.

Also, that during the ordeal the teen told her that “he can’t live without her and if he can’t get her, then the

burial ground will.”

“I’m fed up of this boy he always knocking and threatening me” she stressed.

The police are currently investigating the matter.

Side view of the broken window glass

Cargo boat sinks in Waini River … crew rescued, millions worth of goods destroyed THE captain and crew of a Mabaruma-bound cargo vessel escaped with their lives early Sunday morning after the boat which was loaded with millions of dollars worth of goods capsized in the vicinity of the Waini River mouth in the North West District.

The boat, the MV Shivita, was headed to Kumaka in the Mabaruma sub-region from a Water Street wharf in Georgetown.

Those on board included Rupert Patterson of the Soesdyke-Linden Highway, Devon Marshall of Mahaicony , Andy Donald of Wales, West Bank Demerara and Devon Conners of Mabaruma. Patterson was listed as the vessel’s captain.

The vessel is owned by a businesswoman whose name was given as “Nanda” of Mahaicony on the East Coast of Demerara and reports are that the incident occurred during the wee hours of Sunday morning. Persons at Mabaruma told the Guyana Chronicle that distress messages were sent by crew members early on Sunday morning around 04:30hrs that the

boat was on its side and sinking quickly.

Other reports are that the vessel was resting on its side on a mudflat when rescuers, including Coast Guard ranks stationed at Mabaruma, arrived at the location. Business persons from Kumaka also hurried to the location on Sunday to assist; their goods sunk by this time.

A Kumaka businesswoman related that she received the news around 06:00hrs on Sunday. She said that she does not usually hire the vessel to transport her goods, but she noted that the Transport and Harbours Department ferries are in the city and would not arrive at Mabaruma for her to sell her goods in time for Christmas. The incident was one of several in recent years in which privately hired vessels sank outside the coastland while en route to the North West District from Georgetown.

Sources reported that the rough waters coupled with heavy winds were the main contributing factors to such incidents.

The vessel on its side on Sunday morning

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, November 26, 2018

Getting folks on board with foster care programme

THE child protection officers who work in the Foster Care Unit at the Childcare and Protection Agency (CPA) have been extra busy this month because November is Foster Care Month in Guyana.

Among other events planned and carried out so far, the officers have been enlightening the public about how they can help children in need by becoming a foster parent or a mentor; and the public have responded.

Most of the enquiries received by the unit this month have been about mentorship; more people have been showing their interest in befriending and bonding with older children in care to help fill a parental void in their lives.

Sometimes being in in-

stitutional care robs children of simple ‘know hows’ that may seem commonplace to children who live in families and communities. In addition, children in care are very rarely exposed to the warmth, security and affection that are usually integral traits of family life; neither do they receive a lot of oneto-one attention from adults.

Mentorship is about adults building relationships with young people in care in order to teach them skills that will help to enhance their everyday lives A mentor will be someone in whom the young person can confide and talk to when they need guidance or a sense of direction. Mentors are there in good times and bad and are willing to share special occasions, holidays and outings. Mentorship is

like having a young family friend in your life (and occasionally in your home) whom you care for, respect and appreciate and for whom you do your best to steer in the right direction.

Unfortunately, when it comes to foster care there was a far from similar response from the public.

Many of the foster-care enquiries turned out to be about adoption; it seems people are more interested in caring for a child on a longterm or more permanent basis than the temporary and often immediate assistance that is needed in foster care.

There is an Adoption Unit at the CPA where people can find out about adopting a child. Adoption is legally binding and it can take more than six months to complete the legal process.

Because adoption is a permanent plan for a child, the utmost care is taken to guarantee that children are placed with the best family possible for their overall development and well-being.

But foster care is totally different.

Fostering is about caring for vulnerable children on a temporary basis and this is where people tend to have a problem. It is quite understandable that once a person has looked after a child for a period of time, that bonding and affection will be established on both sides. It will therefore be rather difficult to part, when it is time for the child to return to his/her family.

But foster care is not based on the emotions of the foster parent: on the contrary, the most important

aspect of foster care is about working in the best interest of the child. From the outset, Foster Parents must be aware that the best interest of the child is their number one priority; being selfless and understanding are the most favourable traits that foster parents can possess in their endeavour to help and protect the children in their care.

The child protection officers in each unit of the CPA work in the best interest of the children who come into their midst daily. Sometimes officers face adversity and ridicule because of the type of decisions that have to be made on behalf of children; and sometimes they are disheartened by misinformation that is spread by members of the public or media, which belies the integrity of the

work they perform.

Nevertheless, despite inevitable setbacks that occur, there are success stories in each unit at the CPA; and child protection officers continue to recognise the fruits of their labour through supportive adults and parents, who do their best to help children to strive and grow in the best possible environment.

If you would like more information about Foster caring or Mentorship, call the Foster care unit on 231 8423 today. If you are concerned about the welfare of a child you can ring the CPA hotline on 227 0979 or email: childcaregy@gmail. com A MESSAGE FROM THE CHILDCARE AND PROTECTION AGENCY, MINISTRY OF SOCIAL PROTECTION

Figueira new chair of PNCR Region 10 branch

Newly elected PNCR Region 10 Chairman Jermaine Figueira

FRESH after dominating the other parties at the just concluded Local Government Elections, the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) Upper Demerara/ Upper Berbice branch is gearing up to rally its base for 2020 and has elected a new chairman and executive to manage its affairs.

Parliamentarian Jermaine Figueira was elected chairman when the party held its biannual conference on Sat-

urday in Linden.

Figueira has taken over from the now deceased PNCR stalwart Sandra Adams who was elected in 2016.

Mr Deron Adams served in the interim as chairman since Adams’ death. Figueira will be assisted by his newly elected deputy and community activist Bernita Primo. The following persons were elected to the other executive positions: Regional Secretary, Leslie Gonsalves; Regional

The newly elected executive of the PNCR Region 10 branch

Treasurer, Charles Sampson; Regional Secretary/Treasurer, Waneka Arrindell; Regional Representative to CEC, Jermaine Figueira and members of Regional Committee, Gordon Callender, Fern McKoy and Hugh Stephens. As the party prepares itself for 2020 general and regional elections the new executive committee is now tasked with the responsibility of steering the party’s comrades and the

people of Linden into the campaign mode. Region 10 is the heartland of the PNCR. Meanwhile, the newly elected chairman described the elections as free and fair and noted that it highlights the high level of democracy that is practised by the PNCR. He expressed gratitude to all the comrades who expressed their confidence in him to serve in the role in which he promises to do

without fear or favour, diligently and selflessly, traits that he believes have been portrayed in his several community and charitable ventures across the region. “The delegates would have seen my efforts, my contributions and my desire to see our people and community do better; and I am happy that they have elected me to this office and they will not regret it, those in Region 10 and the Central

Executive of the PNCR.” Since the reintroduction of the regional conference, the PNCR has made many strides in the mining town and most evident of this was the refurbishing of its party office, thus transforming it into a modern edifice. The party has also increased its membership within the communities and has consolidated and strengthened its base amongst youths.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, November 26, 2018

The low voter turnout at LGEs has been grossly over-hyped STATISTICS from the just-concluded local government elections reveal that only 38 per cent of eligible voters inked their fingers on November 12.

Out of 570, 708 registered voters, it is estimated that only 208,000 citizens performed their civic duty.

In a country with a population of 800,000, this is damning for democracy. Low voter turnout ought to be undesirable and it certainly does not bode well for any free society. Be that as it may, we should proceed with caution when we draw conclusions of biblical proportions about the low voter turnout, at the recently concluded local government elections.

Some have proffered that it is an open revolt by the electorate, some say this reflects a disenchantment with

the government, others have theorised that this means Guyanese have no interest in politics and above all, it has been said that youth voters, who make up the largest percentage of the Guyanese electorate, decided to stay from this year’s local government elections to make a political statement. There has been a sweeping indictment of our electoral system.

I have uncovered research on good authority that cautions about the uncertainty of democracy. Political scientists such as Christopher Achen and Larry Bartels would be the first to tell you, that voter behaviour is a very difficult thing to ascertain, let alone to pontificate. In their book, ‘Democracy for Realists: Why Elections Do Not Produce Responsive Government’, the argument is

made: ‘elections outcomes… turn out to be largely random events from the viewpoint of democratic theory’. This conundrum is even more intense in a plural society such as Guyana, with 10 regions and labyrinthine demographic realities.

To assume that Guyanese have no interest in the governance of their affairs, based on the local government elections which have not been held in 22 years, is far-fetched at best. We have been cultured for two decades to grab our I.D. cards and report to the polling booth strictly every five years. This midterm voting, as it were, is a relatively new phenomenon. Added to this, global voter apathy is at an all-time low and scholars remain divided on the reason for this development. They attribute

this to economic, technological, institutional, social and demographic factors. If national elections globally struggle to get the full attention of the populace, how can we expect local government elections to motivate them to exercise their franchise?

Suggesting this was a revolt of the electorate, is romantic at best.

Secondly, assuming that a low turnout is disenchantment with the status quo is rash, and especially in light of the fact that 362,708 voters did not show up to vote, it is clearly subject to the aforementioned electoral culture. Nobody can safely claim a mandate when this occurs, this cannot be safely construed as the will of the people. Conversely, low voter turnout, according some scholars, could also mean

Top cop elevates several ranks in Bartica

Commissioner of Police Leslie James and his high command pose with the newly promoted ranks

POLICE Commissioner Leslie James on Friday promoted several ranks during an inspection exercise in Bartica.

The police chief, his deputy commissioners and several other officers arrived at the Bartica Stelling shortly after midday and were welcomed by the Divisional Commander, Senior Superintendent Kelvin Adonis, top regional officials and a guard-of-honour.

The commissioner then inspected a parade comprising Police and Community Policing Group members that was witnessed by scores of onlookers.

Impressed with the ranks‘ turn out and bearings, Commissioner James promoted nine ranks on the spot and another an hour later at the Bartica Community Centre Ground. There, he spoke at length about the direction in which the

force is heading, in respect of its reformation process which has already begun.

In a release, the police said a number of issues and concerns were raised by members in the packed auditorium, among whom were representatives from various sectors of society and who were all addressed by James and his deputies.

His Worship the Mayor of Bartica Mr Gifford Marshall and the region’s acting Regional Executive Officer Mr Holbert Knights, both in delivering brief remarks spoke highly of police’s performance and pledged to continue to lend support where necessary; Regional Chairman Mr Gordon Bradford was also present but had to leave to attend another engagement.

THOSE PROMOTED WERE:

To Sergeant:-Corporal 21516 Tishan Rodrigues.

To Corporal: 1)Lance Corporal 20640 Ryan Craigen 2)Lance Corporal 21665 Keron Crandon 3) Detective Constable 21258 Delon North 4) Woman Detective Constable 22540 Toni Bentley.

To Lance Corporal: 1)Detective Constable 20643 Phillip Bourne 2) Constable 18744 Andre Fung 3) Constable 23647 Jermaine Batson 4) Woman Detective Constable 23126 Ananda Harris 5) Constable 23784 Burt Burnette.

that people are satisfied with the state of affairs and they see no need to send any message via the ballot box.

The youth voters have come in for stinging criticisms. Some have remarked that young voters have no interest in politics and issues of the day. These are wild and broad conclusions with zero consideration for demographics, such as rural and urban, rich and poor, uneducated and educated and other factors that guide the

behaviour of voters. As far as my knowledge serves me, these numbers have not been placed under the competent microscope to be subject to such consequential interpretations.

It is my carefully considered view, the results of the 2018 local government elections need to be placed under proper psephological analysis, before we draw such sweeping national inferences about Guyanese voters.

AFC secures one more seat in Kwakwani THE Alliance For Change (AFC) has secured three of the 12 seats on the Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) at Kwakwani, after a tie was declared with its Constituency Four candidate Latoya Mohammed, and Independent Group Kwakwani United for Progress (KUFP), candidate Petranalla Pollard.

GECOM has since stipulated that their names be pulled from a bag which was done by the returning officer in the presence of a magistrate.

Mohammed’s name was pulled hence, she now serves as the Constituency Four representative. Mohamed said that she is very happy that she eventually won, since she is now in a position to make representation at the council for her community. “I am happy that I won, the reason that I am happy now is that I will be better able to get things done and to address the problems in my community, such as street lighting, de-bushing and garbage collection.”

With the AFC’s three seats, the KUFP remains with its initial three, the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) with four and the PPP with two. The other constituency representatives for the five constituencies thus far are: Paris Archer, Omenel Simon, Maleka Russell, Orville August and Elsie McPherson. At the 2017 LGEs, the independent group KUFP had recorded a better showing in that it had copped five seats.

Orville August of Constituency Five praised the LGEs and what it has done for Kwakwani. He said that the community was able to acquire a subvention from central government to get money for development. The community was also given a barge

Constituency Three candidate Maleka Russel

and the council was given a percentage of the revenue to assist financially as well. The council would have cleared over hanging trees, cleaned drains, repaired the roads and installed street lights. “Since LGEs, we would have also had several ministerial visits which enabled us to network and build capacity as a community. We would have gotten a tractor for garbage collection from the Ministry of Public Infrastructure (MPI), and that is helping us to keep a clean and healthy community. Residents were also able to acquire land titles from the Ministry of Communities.”

August promised to keep making representation for the residents, not only of his Constituency but for the entire Kwakwani and to work in the best interest of all residents. Constituency Three candidate Maleka Russel, also promised to work in the best interest of her community and to do so selflessly and diligently.

She also expressed gratitude that the residents had confident in the youths and elected them to run their communities at this elections.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, November 26, 2018

123 graduate with MBAs - told they must become the ‘voice of business’ in Guyana SOME 123 students graduated from the Nation’s School of Business and Management with their Masters of Business Administration (MBA) Degrees.

Addressing the graduates at their graduation ceremony held at the Pegasus Hotel on Sunday was Director of the School of the Nations Dr. Brian O’Toole, who noted that these students are among some of the best and brightest.

The students were involved in programmes of-

Valedictorian Camille Bulkan and her family A section of the MBA graduates

A successful MBA student being conferred with her degree.

fered by the Association of Business Executives (ABE), the Australian Institute of Business and the University of London. According to O’Toole, the grades of some of the students were among some of the top globally.

Acknowledging that the students have successfully completed one phase of their lives, the director said: “What I would like to see is that we produce a body that becomes the voice of business of Guyana.”

This body, he explained,

must encompass local business persons who can firmly tell the government what strategies must be undertaken and detail what is needed to foster business. This is paramount, especially as Guyana readies to become a petroleum-producing nation.

Representative of the ABE, Kereesa Carrington Nunez, posited “Nations school has such an amazing number of students, your academic achievements in the Region today are almost second to none.”

She however told the graduates that it is now time to take what they have learnt and use it to make their country better.

“I believe in each of us there is something quite special,” she affirmed and noted that none would be better qualified to contribute to Guyana’s economy that a cadre of Guyanese professionals. “ Yo u h a v e n o t o n l y achieved, but have gained more responsibility to contribute to Guyana,” Carrington Nunez said. “Grad-

uating today is only the start, because we will look to you to solve problems; we will look to you for solutions; and we will look to you for that right you have earned to contribute to society.”

And in contributing to society, Dr. O’Toole highlighted that many students who have studied at the university went on to become prominent persons in the local job sector. But for him, all citizens must continue to better themselves.

“As we are entering a new economic reality in Guyana, with the recent oil discoveries, qualifications are therefore becoming more and more essential,” he stressed.

As such, O’Toole related that the school is in the process of initialising 12 new Masters’ programmes-

including Journalism, Psychology and Business and Finance.

In addition to this lot of business persons graduating with their MBAs, 10 students graduated with their Bachelor’s Degrees in Law and another 87 students graduated with diplomas in various business disciplines.

Valedictorian of the MBA programme, Camille Bulkan, acknowledged that the road towards success had not been an easy one, but she is elated that she and all of her peers persevered. According to her, many of the graduates had to contend with studying as they also had to manage their families and jobs.

Nevertheless, they have all succeeded and will now contribute to Guyana.

Citizens share their expectations for Budget 2019

Jason Moe

Delisia Foo

Steven Vickerie

Susan Hollingsworth

Commy Heyliger

BUDGET 2019 will be presented in the National Assembly today (November 26) by Finance Minister Winston Jordan with high expectations from the Opposition, trade unions, private sector and most importantly, the citizens.

The Guyana Chronicle

asked people on the streets of Georgetown and on social media for their expectations from the budget.

Jason Moe - “I would like to see the greening of more buildings and agencies, I expect the teachers’ salaries to be wholly inclusive, and so too for the public servants at

large. Sufficient funds should be there for the armed forces since it seems as though there’s a spike in the crime rate.”

Delisia Foo - “I would like to see the public servant to be paid better, a raise in the pension for the elderly and persons with disabilities

and a budget that is going to benefit the Guyanese’s economy.”

Aunty Pam - “The vendors like me have to survive and I hope they don’t raise the cost of living or tax.”

Steven Vickerie - Reporter – “I’m expecting a budget with less tax because when

they (Government) increase their fee on certain services like passport, it really hurt a lot of people. I mostly expect a budget with no skimping out on certain things, if the money is there- spend it! It must not be a budget to fluff persons up and get them mobilised for 2020. It must be

an honest budget with honest spending.”

Susan Hollingsworth – “I expect the 2019 budget to be beneficial to all the public servants and to provide a better life for all Guyanese.”

Commy Heyliger - “ I expect something decent to be done for the education system like fixing the University of Guyana and their fees…

Billions are being invested in education yet, tuition fees are being increased over a period and yet the services offered do not match the price.”

Tashanna Gill – “I expect an all-rounded budget which will tackle all areas of society where more money should be placed into the education system and public security. Additionally [there should be] a drop in the fuel prices and more job allocation.”

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, November 26, 2018

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, November 26, 2018

FOLLOWING a recent fire that destroyed everything they owned, the Gordon family of Blue Berry Hill, Wismar, Linden are holding on to some form of hope after a magnanimous contribution from regional officials spearheaded by Member of Parliament Jermaine Figueira.

On Friday, the family of six received an overwhelming amount of items

that will assist them in remaining clothed and fed for a few weeks, and most importantly to commence the construction of their home.

Figueira, on behalf of the ‘Caring for Others’ non-governmental organisation (NGO), donated a month’s supply of groceries as well as clothing and mattresses to the distraught family.

He also solicited donations from the Minister

Linden fire victims get early help

Some of the foodstuff and clothing that were donated to the Gordon family

of State Joseph Harmon, who in collaboration with a businessman in Linden, donated over 700 blocks to the family and loads of sand to commence the reconstruction of their house.

Out-going Mayor Waneka Arindell and Deputy Wainwright Bethune also donated a bale of cement to the family. Regional Executive Officer Orrin Gordon has pledged to donate several zinc sheets to the family.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, November 26, 2018 This is the second family within a month that has lost their home to fire and received overwhelming assistance. Figueira said that he is very happy he could have made a contribution and moreover, is most pleased with the involvement of the officials, his friends and residents of

the community, who started the self-help effort towards the rebuilding of the home.

He has expressed the hopes that the home is re b u i l t f o r C h r i s t m a s and before the matriarch of the home, who is not aware of the tragedy and is not in the best of health, returns home.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, November 26, 2018

123 graduate from New Amsterdam Technical Institute

British High Commissioner to Guyana, Greg Quinn, making his presentation

A TOTAL of 123 students last week graduated from the New Amsterdam Technical Institute (NATI) during its 46th Convocation and Prize-Giving Ceremony.

The graduates are now skilled in various areas including agricultural machinery, electrical installation, internal combustion engines,

mechanical fitting, metal machining, motor vehicle electrical systems, motor vehicle work, radio and electronics servicing, welding, bricklaying and masonry and carpentry. Others secured certificates in plumbing and diplomas in administrative principles and practices, commerce, and computer science.

British High Commissioner to Guyana Greg Quinn in his feature address, urged the graduands to apply the knowledge and skills they have acquired in a manner that will make them ambassadors for their alma mater.

Valedictorian Bibi Ali described her two years spent at NATI as challenging, yet inspiring. She acknowledged the guidance and support of her parents, the administrative staff and friends throughout her studies.

Principal Maxine Thompson in her report to the school, disclosed that 123 students wrote the Guyana Technical Education Examination. The institution recorded a 71 per cent pass rate, 27 per cent being referred and two per cent being unsuccessful. The candidates’ overall performance in 2018 of 71 per cent is the same as when compared to 2017.

While overall performance remains the same, it should be noted that the students’ performance in

Valedictorian Bibi Ali receiving one of her awards

the Science Department has improved from zero in 2017 to 100 per cent in 2018. The

Building Department yielded a 64 per cent success rate in 2018, a 17 per cent im-

provement in performance when compared to 2017.

The Engineering Department achieved 94 per cent success in 2018, two per cent less than in 2017. The Business Department achieved 26 per cent success in 2018. This is a 50 per cent decrease in performance when compared to performance in 2017.

Principal Thompson highlighted that the institution recently signed an agreement to become a member of the Higher Education Consortium on Engineering and Mining (HECEM). The consortium, she said, will foster and promote academic collaboration to explore and develop new curricula and joint programmes to address the national development needs in engineering and the oiland-gas sector in preparation for oil production in 2020. The graduation programme was also enlivened with cultural presentations performed by current students. (DPI)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, November 26, 2018

‘Learn from the teachings of Prophet Muhammad’ –– PM, Imams urge

ISLAM’s Prophet Muhammad’s message, if followed, would provide much needed solutions to the many problems being faced around the world.

This is the belief of President of the Guyana Islamic Trust Aleem Ally, who encouraged persons to learn more about the life and teachings of the prophet.

“He was sent as a mercy to the world…his message marked the culmination of the messages of all prophets sent by the almighty to guide mankind to establish peace and justice on earth

forming the basis of Islamic religious belief.

Through his teachings, Muhammad tried to bring peace and comfort to the suffering of people and even animals, said Ally.

One of the most talked-about stories of Muhammad was the tale of him and Abdullah who was an alcoholic.

According to the website, About Islam, Abdullah would often become so drunk that he had to be brought staggering through the streets before the Prophet, and each time, the Prophet would rule to have the

society.

This inclusiveness meant that when some members of society fell into error, the effects of their mistakes were limited.

No one was marginalised, so there was no chance for sinfulness to grow on society’s “fringes”.

When anyone made a mistake, there was no end of brotherly support from others who were more than willing to lend a helping hand and get that person back on track.

The website stated that the conduct of the Prophet with Abdullah is an excel-

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo greets a member of the Muslim community (DPI photo) and in his life he was the greatest example of mercy, not just to man, but to everything around him,” said Ally during his passionate presentation at the Youman Nabi luncheon at the Baridi Benab, State House, on Saturday.

According to Islamic doctrine, Muhammad was a prophet sent to present and confirm the monotheistic teachings preached previously by Adam, Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and other prophets.

He is viewed as the final prophet of God in all the main branches of Islam, though some modern denominations diverge from this belief. Muhammad united Arabia into a single Muslim polity with the Quran as well as with his teachings and practices

prescribed punishment carried out.

“Though the Prophet was who he was, it did not prevent him from relating to Abdullah in a familiar manner, of being his friend, and joking with him. This shows us that in the society of the Prophet people were not segregated into the pious and the sinners, with social interactions debarred between the two groups,” said About Islam.

Rather, it was a unified, inclusive society, where each person could be at a different level of piety.

Some were at the forefront of righteousness; some were moderately pious, while others were prone to fall into sin. However, no one lived aloof from society, nor was anyone shunned.

Everyone remained part of

lent example for everyone.

It is full of valuable lessons regarding not only how people should treat one another, but how society can foster social bonds that are strong, wholesome, and nurturing-bonds which can serve to dissuade people from falling into sin.

Ally and Imam Shaheed Uthman challenged persons to learn about the stories of Muhammad, because his teachings will make the world a better place.

Uthman believes that the prophet’s teaching would help in the area of economics, politics and even religious pursuits.

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo who also joined in celebration of the life of Prophet Muhammad, said everyone needs to know much more about

Islam.

“We can see ourselves not in separate units, but as one civilisation with a common country, destiny and purpose,” said Nagamootoo, adding that all religions should contribute to the development of the local civilisation, just as Islam has contributed to the civilisation of Africa.

The African civilisation has come a long way, especially from a time when Africans were brought as slaves to the West Indies and were stripped of their religion and culture.

“They came here to accept a civilisation which was alien to their own… it was not only a process of dehumanising human beings, it stripped them of their identity, personality and everything that goes into making them who they ought to be.

“Today we see a change, one which will convert the Atlantic Crossing into the air bridge that would link Africa, Guyana, the Caribbean and South America,” said the prime minister.

At a recent International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) conference, Guyana signed aviation agreements with some countries from Africa and countries in the African Union.

“I met with officials from Ghana and Nigeria and they are eager to make this bridge to be able to change what was once the transfer of human cargo into the transfer of human capital,” asserted Prime Minister Nagamootoo.

Guyana and Africa will

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo addresses the gathering at the Youman Nabi luncheon at State House (DPI photo) soon share wealth in terms of finance and human capacity, because Africa considers the Caribbean to be part of its diaspora. Just as the country has become the diaspora of India and China, the prime minister said Guyana has a bold assertion of African diaspora and could unite the continents and people to share the rich culture which had been cut off for centuries.

“I believe that today is a great day for enlightenment and tolerance, to share belief, faith and promote the edification from another section of the Guyanese society which we can learn from the life and work of the prophet… his mission has been no different from the mission that has been left incomplete, the mission to bring about peace, spread

compassion and be charitable,” said Prime Minister Nagamootoo.

The prime minister believes that just as the opposition to the prophet came from his own tribe, the opposition to progression usually comes from the local community.

He said the government was opposed many times during their attempts to bring order to society, citing the criticism of the clause of the civil aviation bill which prohibits intoxication on flights. Prime Minister Nagamootoo also pointed out the disparagements the government received for trying to curb loud music.

Despite the disagreement from some sections of society, he said government will continue to advocate for order in society.

Members of the Islamic Society gather to celebrate the life of Prophet Muhammad at State House (DPI photo)

18

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, November 26, 2018

PM Nagamootoo stresses importance of air-link opportunities AS Guyana’s aviation sector continues to improve and with new changes in air transport allowing for increased connectivity, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo has urged that this country take advantage of the opportunities to connect with its continental neighbours.

In this year alone, Guyana signed bilateral Air Services Agreements for direct flights to Singapore, Aruba and Ghana with Tanzania next in line and existing possibilities for Nigeria, among others.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for Aruba and Ghana were both signed at the 2018 International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Air Transport Meeting held in Guyana from November 21 to 23.

The unanimous view of the attending country representatives was that linking the continent of Africa to Guyana would prove

to be beneficial to the Caribbean which, following colonialism is home to a large population of the African diaspora.

“Africa and the Caribbean are joined by the Atlantic crossing, and by history and culture. It is long overdue that we should have air transport connec-

tivity,” Nagamootoo had stated at the conference.

Minister of Aviation from Ghana, Joseph Kofi Adda, had also remarked at the conference: “It shall not take too long, after signing the bilateral agreement between Ghana and Guyana, if there’s going to be any test at all for my

tenure as the Minister of Aviation in Ghana, it is to ensure that there is some airline flight from the West Coast of Africa to Guyana or to the Caribbean... we’re not just optimistic, we’re not just hopeful but the dream has to be made real.”

His aspirations were

market.”

According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the world will experience a doubling of passengers by flight in less than 20 years and governments and industry must ensure that they can successfully meet this demand.

At the air transport conference participants were upbeat about Guyana becoming a new western hemispheric hub shared by Assistant Secretary General for Trade and Economic Integration at the CARICOM Secretariat Neil Cox who stated: “Guyana has oil, so does Trinidad and we have other countries within this region that are aspiring to do the same. The linkages that we are seeing coming out of this is why this event is absolutely essential. What we are seeing here is the dawning of a new day.”

Then, on Sunday in his weekly column ‘My Turn’ Prime Minister Nagamootoo assured that “Guyana and the rest of the Caribbean look forward with renewed confidence at expansion of links with non-traditional markets, such as with the African Union.”

Still on the topic of connectivity, he continued: “Coming out of investment meetings that I have attended in Southern India, there is now growing interest in Guyana among investors of Tamil origins from India, Malaysia and South Africa. There is much idle capital out there and Tamil investors too, would be looking forward to better air connectivity to access the Caribbean

What Nagamootoo believes will position Guyana to benefit from this is the consistent improvement of its aviation sector and laws. In his article, he noted that in 2017 Guyana recorded its highest international passenger movement in the history of the aviation sector, with an excess of 650,000 passengers.

Meanwhile, the country’s compliance with ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices has increased from 44 per cent to 64 per cent with an 80 per cent increase projected

by December, 2018.

Added to this, the prime minister said that the revised and Civil Aviation Bill 2017 passed in the House last Monday guarantees “strengthened legal security and safety measures” for the aviation sector. “International aviation is going through a period of unprecedented change.

Guyana is poised to take advantage of this change,” Nagamootoo said. “With our expanded runway at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport and the new terminal with state-of-theart facilities, Guyana is in

a better position to handle larger aircraft and process more passengers.”

As the hosting of high-level, regional and international conferences have begun to increase in Guyana, Nagamootoo stated that so has international confidence in the country’s ability to provide professional service.

“It is always rewarding for international executives, including ministers from foreign countries, to applaud the Government of Guyana as well as our local entrepreneurs in the air transport, entertainment and hospitality sectors for delivery of what is fast becoming the Guyana brand in quality service and unforgettable hospitality.

“This is what stood out the most during the recently concluded ICC Women T20 tournament in Guyana. I have heard only high praises for our sports organisers, hoteliers, retail shop owners and taxi service providers,” the prime minster reported.

However, he added that these must not distract from one of Guyana’s main objectives of continuing in its Green State Development Strategy (GSDS) 20-year vision, especially with the impending boost of the oil sector.

This strategy will ensure green jobs and inclusive economic diversification; transition to renewable energy as well as trade, investment and international cooperation among others.

Putting aside the topic of local political controversies in the particular column, the Prime Minister stated: “I have decided instead, to air my views on the new horizons for Guyana’s prosperity, which are the modernisation of our governance system and promotion of opportunities for expanding our air travel connectivity.

“At the air transport conference, so up-beat were participants over Guyana becoming a new western hemispheric hub, that the air was buzzing with the melody of Guyana’s singing stars Eddie Grant, who sang, “Give me hope…!”

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, November 26, 2018

AG rallies PNCR base in Region 5

19

… tells members not to be daunted by no-confidence motion

By Clifford Stanley THE People’s National Congress Reform over the weekend convened regional conferences across the country with leaders rallying the base to get ready for the 2020 general elections.

Attorney General Basil Williams speaking at the Mahaica-Berbice conference held in Rosignol, West Coast Berbice, told members not to be daunted by the no-confidence motion tabled by the opposition against the

Vinceroy Jordan won the chairmanship in Mahaica-Berbice; Charles Gibbons took the vice-chairman position; Carol Smith Joseph is the secretary, and Carol Nurse is the treasurer; Member of Parliament Jennifer Wade is the CEC Representative and Wayneright Henry, Frank Wilson and Chandram Basantram are the committee members.

Williams in his feature address at the conference dismissed the no-confidence motion. “We have been in

over the previous 23 years have now been touched by some form of development.

“Those that didn’t have lights have gotten lights; those that were not getting potable water are now getting potable water; those that didn’t get roads have gotten roads; those whose drains were clogged and silted up have gotten cleaned drains and trenches,” he remarked With Guyana now standing on the cusp of an oil-andgas economy, the government will now be able to give

to charge ahead for 2020.

And not only to establish these groups but to ensure that once these groups are established, that there are programmes that people would be able to connect to and want to be a part of this major political movement,” Hastings expressed. In Cuyuni-Mazaruni, Gordon Bradford was named chairman and Norma Thomas vice-chairman.

The secretary is Elizabeth Moonsammy; the treasurer is Irene Sears-DaSilva; the CEC Representative is Shawn Hopkinson; and the committee members are Calech Young, Linden Jones, Juliet Rahaman and Mark Ambrose.

Attorney General Basil Williams delivering the feature address at the PNCR Regional Conference in Region Five

Party members who attended the conference government.

Regional Conferences were held in all 10 administrative regions over the weekend in keeping with the constitution of the political party. Essequibo Islands-West Demerara (Region Three) and Cuyuni-Mazaruni held their conferences on Saturday; Pomeroon-Supenaam (Region Two), Demerara-Mahaica (Region Four), Mahaica-Berbice (Region Five) were among those regions that held their conferences on Sunday.

In Demerara-Mahaica, several members were elected unopposed, namely chairman Genevieve Allen, Secretary Monica Thomas and Treasurer Ivelaw Henry.

The vice-chairman post went to James Bond, while the Central Executive Committee (CEC) representative is Ernest Elliott and the committee members are Linda Gomes-Haley, Yvonne Fortune, and Roger Allicock.

office for a mere three years plus, and we will remind them of this. It is unfair to judge us in a mere three years after we have had to deal with the mayhem of the past 23 years. An inordinate amount of this government’s time has been spent on cleaning up the mess we inherited from them,” Williams declared, to cheers from party members gathered at D’Edward Village, West Bank Berbice regional office.

He noted the dire state of the economy when the APNU+AFC government took over the government. “As a direct result of the failings of the PPP/C, we inherited the problem in the sugar industry. But we are committed to fixing the problems. We are paying the sugar workers their severance pay. We are delivering in a situation in which we inherited all of these problems,” he said.

Williams further said that several communities starved

all Guyanese the benefits of the new- found oil wealth in a manner of distribution in which every Guyanese regardless of race or religion would benefit, Williams said.

He pointed out that this type of sharing will be guaranteed by the return of the coalition government to office in 2020.

Time to mobilise In Cuyuni-Mazaruni, Minister of Public Affairs Dawn Hastings-Williams told that gathering that the time is now to start mobilising persons in the community as the party looks towards a 2020 general elections victory. “The time has come for us to have the establishment of youth groups and women’s groups within the region.

As a political organization, we have to find ways and means of empowering youths and women to be a part of this mass movement. We should bound together to prepare for 2020, we need

The newly elected Regional Committee of Demerara-Mahaica, from left are, Committee members, Linda Gomes-Haley; Ms. Yvonne Fortune; Roger Allicock; CEC Representative, Ernest Elliott; Treasurer, Ivelaw Henry; Secretary, Monica Thomas; Vice Chairman, James Bond; and Chairman, Genevieve Allen

Some of the new office-bearers: Left to right: Vinceroy Jordan, Chairman; Charles Gibbons, vice- chairman; Carol Smith Joseph, Secretary; Carol Nurse, treasurer; Jennifer Wade, MP Central Executive Committee Representative and Frank Wilson , Committee Member.

20

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, November 26, 2018

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday November 26, 2018

21

22

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday November 26, 2018

Pakistan in command FROM PAGE 23

ner to bring up only his second test century in 309 balls.

The left-hander frustrated the Kiwi bowlers with his tight defence, combining with the more aggressive Azam to stitch together a 186-run stand for the fifth wicket.

Sohail fell shortly after the tea break, caught by wicketkeeper BJ Watling while chasing a delivery from pace bowler Trent Boult, to leave Pakistan at 360-5.

Azam, who was on 99, reached his maiden test ton with a flick off his pads in the same over.

The highly-rated 24-year-old looked set to push on in the company of skipper Sarfraz Ahmed (30 not out) before Pakistan declared their innings abruptly.

Ahmed then deployed five bowlers in nine overs in a bid to knock off a few Kiwi wickets, but bad light resulted in a premature end to the day.

New Zealand won the opening test in Abu Dhabi by four runs to take a 1-0 lead in the series. The teams will return to the same venue for the final match from Dec. 3-7.

SCOREBOARD Pakistan 1st innings Imam ul-Haq c Tom Latham b de Grandhomme

9 Mohammad Hafeez c Tom Latham b de Grandhomme 9 Azhar Ali Run Out (Sub) 81 Haris Sohail c BJ Watling b Trent Boult 147 Asad Shafiq c Neil Wagner b Ajaz Patel 12 Babar Azam Not Out 127 Sarfraz Ahmed Not Out 30 Extras: 2b 0lb 1nb 0pen 0w 3 Total: (167.0 overs) 418 decl Fall of Wickets : 1-18 Hafeez, 2-25 ul-Haq, 3-151 Ali, 4-174 Shafiq, 5-360 Sohail Did Not Bat : Asif, Shah, Ali, Abbas Bowling: Trent Boult 34-7106-1-3.12, Colin de Grandhomme 30-11-44-2-1.47, Neil Wagner 37-12-63-0-1.70-1nb, Ajaz Patel 39-5-120-1-3.08, Ish Sodhi 22-1-63-0-2.86, Kane Williamson 5-0-20-0-4.00 ....................................

New Zealand 1st innings Jeet Raval Not Out 17 Tom Latham Not Out 5 Extras: 0b 2lb 0nb 0pen 0w 2 Total: (9.0 overs) 24-0 Bowling: Mohammad Abbas 2-0-8-0-4.00, Hasan Ali 2-14-0-2.00, Mohammad Hafeez 2-1-1-0-0.50, Yasir Shah 2-09-04.50, Bilal Asif 1-1-0-0-0.00

23

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday November 26, 2018

England on course for series sweep

(REUTERS) - ENGLAND set Sri Lanka a daunting victory target of 327 in the third and final test and then reduced the hosts to 53 for four wickets to stay on course for a 3-0 series sweep on Sunday.

The tourists, who had taken a 96-run first-innings lead, overcame a top-order collapse of their own to post 230 all out in their second innings on day three of the contest.

Their spinners then wrecked the Sri Lankan top order to drive home the advantage at the Sinhalese Sports Club.

For the hosts, Kusal Mendis was batting on 15 at stumps with Lakshan Sandakan on one at the other end with Sri Lanka staring at a series whitewash.

Earlier, resuming on 3-0 and with an overall lead of 99, England lost Keaton Jennings leg before wicket

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SCOREBOARD

Dimuth Karunaratne was bowled by Moeen Ali late in the day, Sri Lanka v England, 3rd Test, SSC, Colombo, 3rd day, November 25, 2018

for one off the first delivery of the day from Dilruwan Perera (5-88), which seemed to unhinge their top order.

The off-spinner dismissed Rory Burns for seven in an identical manner and substitute fielder Kaushal Silva took a sharp catch at short leg to dismiss Jonny Bairstow, who followed his first innings 110 with 15 in the second.

England’s crisis deep-

ened further when Captain Joe Root offered a return catch to Malinda Pushpakumara to depart for seven, before Sri Lankan sloppiness and a solid middle order partnership worked in the tourists’ favour.

Jos Buttler had reached 27 when he was given out leg-before to Dhananjaya de Silva, but the batsman managed to overturn the decision after re-

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The wrist-spinner went on to dismiss Buttler but the hosts looked demoralised after his no-ball nightmares allowed England’s overall lead to swell towards an almost impossible target for the side batting fourth.

Ben Foakes remained not out on 36 as the home spinners shared 10 English wickets among them for the second time in the match.

Their batting colleagues,

however, let them down again with the Sri Lankan top order coming quickly unstuck in their chase.

Off-spinner Moeen Ali dismissed both the openers, Danushka Gunathilaka and Dimuth Karunaratne, and leftarm spinner Jack Leach sent back de Silva.

Angelo Mathews then played a reckless pull shot to depart for five with a premature defeat looming.

Pakistan in command after day one Hamilton closes off year on a high (REUTERS) - FIVE times world champion Lewis Hamilton signed off on the Formula One season in style and a cloud of tyre smoke on Sunday after a pole-to-flag victory in Abu Dhabi, his 11th win of the campaign.

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plays confirmed the ball would have sailed over the stumps.

Stokes had an even more eventful and fortuitous stay before he was finally dismissed for a vital 42-run contribution.

The all-rounder was first caught at cover for 22 and then in the slip after adding 10 more runs but survived both times after replays confirmed spinner Sandakan had overstepped.

England 1st innings 336 all out (92.5 overs) ..........................................................................

Sri Lanka 1st innings 240 all out (65.5 overs) .........................................................................

England 2nd innings 230 all out (69.5 overs) ..........................................................

Sri Lanka 2nd innings Danushka Gunathilaka c Ben Stokes b Moeen Ali 6 Dimuth Karunaratne b Moeen Ali

23 Dhananjaya de Silva lbw Jack Leach

0 Kusal Mendis Not Out

15 Angelo Mathews c Stuart Broad b Ben Stokes 5 Lakshan Sandakan Not Out

1 Extras: 0b 0lb 0nb 0pen 3w

3 Total: (17.0 overs)

53-4

The 33-year-old Briton, who has won 51 of the 100 races in the V6 turbo hybrid era, became the first driver to score more than 400 points in a single season with a final tally of 408.

Hamilton’s victory also left him 18 wins away from

Babar Azam plays straight © Associated Press

( R E U T E R S ) - PA K I STAN’S top-order batsmen Haris Sohail and Babar Azam struck contrasting centuries as they took control of the second test against New Zealand on day two in Dubai on Sunday.

Resuming on their overnight total of 207-4, Pakistan ground down the Kiwi attack, with Sohail scoring 147 and Azam 127 not out before they declared their first innings on 418-5.

New Zealand were 24 for no loss after nine overs

at the close of play, with opening batsmen Jeet Raval (17) and Tom Latham (5) at the crease.

The visitors are still 394 runs behind Pakistan but will fancy their chances of amassing a decent score on a Dubai International Cricket Stadium pitch that has progressively improved for batting.

Sohail, who had played patiently to reach 81 on Saturday, continued his innings in a similar manTURN TO PAGE 22

Race winner Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes GP celebrates with his team after the Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix at Yas Marina Circuit on November 25, 2018 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

(Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)

Ferrari’s overall runner-up Sebastian Vettel finished second, and also set the fastest lap, with Red Bull’s Max Verstappen third in a race that also saw a rare sprinkling of desert rain.

“I am so happy right now,” said Hamilton after Hollywood actor Will Smith brought down the chequered flag at the floodlit Yas Marina circuit on the Mercedes driver’s 73rd career win.

Michael Schumacher’s alltime record of 91 and he celebrated on the podium by stripping down to his waist and showing off his tattooed torso as the fizz was sprayed.

Two times world champion Fernando Alonso, in his farewell race with McLaren, had hoped to sign off in the points but finished 11th and with his final tally at 1,899.

With both championships already won, Ham-

ilton taking his in Mexico with two races to spare and Mercedes sealing their fifth successive constructors’ and drivers’ double in Brazil, Sunday’s focus was on the race and those moving on — particularly Alonso.

Hamilton, Vettel and the Spaniard — three great champions — spun their cars in a cloud of smoke at the end of their slowing down lap, before stepping out for hugs and words of mutual respect.

“Fernando is a true legend. It’s been a privilege to race when he is racing,” Hamilton said. “The sport will miss him and I will miss him from the sport.”

Australian Daniel Ricciardo was another saying goodbye, to his Red Bull team before moving to Renault, and he finished fourth after leading for a long stint when Hamilton pitted early.

Hamilton’s team mate and 2017 race winner Valtteri Bottas was fifth, after starting on the front row, and ended the season winless and fifth overall.

H e a n d Ve r s t a p p e n banged wheels as they fought for position, forcing Bottas to make another pitstop for a suspected slow puncture.

“It’s been a mentally pretty tough year so I need a break,” said the Finn.

24

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday November 26, 2018

ICC chief congratulates Aussie women

Kohli helps India level series

Virat Kohli slams one through the covers, Australia v India, 3rd T20I, Sydney, November 25, 2018 Australia hold the World T20 trophy aloft, England v Australia, Women’s World T20 final, Antigua, November 24, 2018 ©ICC/Getty

ICC Chief Executive David Richardson has congratulated Cricket West Indies for a fantastic ICC Women’s World T20 2018 that saw unprecedented attendances across three venues.

“On behalf of the ICC, I would like to congratulate Cricket West Indies for organising a tournament that proved to be a celebration of cricket. The crowds came out in thousands to watch and the tournament displayed the love people in

this part of the world have for the game.

“We saw some memorable performances and milestones being achieved and I would like to thank all the teams for putting up their best and showing the world what women’s cricket is all about. The ICC is committed to backing both women’s cricket and the T20 format and this tournament has played a significant part in that,” Mr Richardson said.

“This tournament has

been watched around the world and I’m sure the quality of cricket displayed during the tournament will inspire girls across continents to pick up a bat or a ball and play cricket,” he added.

Mr. Richardson, who watched Saturday’s final between Australia and England at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua, also acknowledged the sponsors for the event.

“The ICC would also like to thank the sponsors

for their backing of the event as well as Star, our global broadcast partner which plays such a significant role in growing the women’s game and taking coverage of this event to more than 200 territories around the world.

“Finally I’d like to thank the ground staff for handling every challenge that came up during the tournament. It would not have been possible to put up such a wonderful tournament without their support.”

(REUTERS) - INDIA’S Virat Kohli led from the front with a sparkling 61 not out to help secure a series-levelling six-wicket victory over Australia in the third and final Twenty20 International on Sunday.

Chasing 165 to win, India suffered a mid-innings slump that left them needing 52 off the last five overs. Kohli combined with Dinesh Karthik, who made 22 not out, to see India home with two balls to spare.

India got off to a blistering start as Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan collected 20 runs from the first three overs before accelerating.

They plundered 20 runs from the next over from Nathan Coulter-Nile while Marcus Stoinis bled 22 in the following over.

ICC Women’s World T20 2018 team…

Dottin lone West Indian named The International Cricket Council (ICC) today announced the team of the tournament of the ICC Women’s World T20 2018 based on performances during the 16-day tournament held across three venues in the West Indies.

Three players each from England and India, two from Australia and one each from Pakistan, New Zealand and the Windies have been named in the eleven, which was selected by an esteemed selection panel that included three former international players.

India captain Harmanpreet Kaur, one of two captains to make the squad along with Pakistan’s Javeria Khan, has been named to lead the team, with player of the tournament Alyssa

Healy of Australia, India’s left-handed opener Smriti Mandhana and England’s Amy Jones nominated to bat ahead of her.

All-rounders Deandra

Dottin of the Windies and Allyse Perry of Australia, and England fast bowler Anya Shrubsole are the seam bowlers in the squad with off-spinner Leigh Kasperek

Deandra Dottin ©IDI/Getty Images

of New Zealand, leg-spinner Poonam Yadav of India and left-arm spinner Kirstie Gordon of England the slow bowlers. Bangladesh’s new-ball bowler Jahanara Alam has been named as the 12th player.

The selection panel comprised former players and commentators Ian Bishop, Anjum Chopra and Ebony Rainford-Brent, journalist Melinda Farrell and ICC’s General Manager – Cricket, Geoff Allardice.

ICC WOMEN’S WORLD T20 2018 TEAM OF THE TOURNAMENT (IN BATTING ORDER): Team ► Alyssa Healy (Australia) – 225 runs

► Smriti Mandhana (India) – 178 runs ► Amy Jones (England, wicketkeeper) – 107 runs, 5 dismissals ► Harmanpreet Kaur (India, Captain) – 183 runs ► Deandra Dottin (Windies) – 121 runs, 10 wickets ► Javeria Khan (Pakistan) – 136 runs ► Ellyse Perry (Australia) – 60 runs, 9 wickets ► L e i g h K a s p e re k (New Zealand) – 8 wickets ► Anya Shrubsole (England) – 7 wickets ► Kirstie Gordon (England) – 8 wickets ► Poonam Yadav (India) – 8 wickets ► 12th player: Jahanara Alam (Bangladesh) – 6 wickets

To stop the carnage, Aaron Finch brought back Mitchell Starc and the leftarm quick, playing his first 20-over international in more than two years, did not let his captain down, trapping Dhawan lbw for 41 to end the 67-run stand.

Adam Zampa bowled Rohit, who hit two sixes in his 23, in his maiden over and India slumped to 108-4 after KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant fell in successive deliveries.

Kohli added 60 runs with Karthik and sealed the victory with back-to-back fours.

Having won the toss and elected to bat, home captain Finch (28) combined with D’Arcy Short (33) to give Australia a flying start but the hosts could not make the most of it.

They added 68 runs for the opening partnership when Krunal Pandya got into the thick of the action in the ninth over.

The all-rounder caught Finch at short fine leg, before dismissing Short and Ben McDermott off successive deliveries to drag India back into the contest.

Alex Carey denied Pandya a hat-trick but eventually fell to the left-arm spinner after making 27.

Stoinis made a breezy 25 not out down the order as Australia overcame their mid-innings slump and collected 57 runs from the last five overs.

Pandya’s 4-36 was the best by a spinner in Australia in Twenty20 Internationals while Kuldeep Yadav also impressed conceding only 19 in a tidy four overs that included Finch’s wicket.

Australia, who won the rain-hit series opener in Brisbane, could not manage a single six in their innings against India’s eight.

The second match in Melbourne was washed out.

The teams now square off in a four-test series beginning in Adelaide on Dec. 6.

25

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday November 26, 2018

Mogu Mogu U-19 Inter Secondary School cricket…

NA Technical Institute secure win THE New Amsterdam Technical Institute (NATI) brushed aside the Lower Corentyne Secondary School by 173 runs to win the final of the Region Six Mogu Mogu Under-19 Inter Secondary School cricket competition on Friday last at the Area H ground.

In the competition, which was the 18th completed by the Berbice Cricket Board, NATI batted first and raced to 223-7 in 30 overs after Garfield Benjamin struck 88 runs. Brandon Stewart added 40 and Stephen Kamaladin 21. Damon Cecil and Vijay Gopilall led Lower Corentyne with two wickets each.

In reply, Bryon Persaud and Simon Naidu walked through the lower Corentyne batsmen. The pair took eight wickets between them to restrict their opponents to 50 in 12 overs. Persaud finished with 4-22 runs and Naidu 4-19 runs. Neil Tillakram (10) was the lone batsman to reach double figures.

The New Amsterdam Technical Institute (NATI) team with the championship trophy.

New volleyball president inspired by FIVB World Congress NEW president of t h e G u y a n a Vo l l e y ball Federation, Levi Nedd, is looking to use his “great” experience in Mexico at the FIVB 36th World Congress to build the sport locally.

Nedd was able to make representation for the development of volleyball in Guyana at the event, which attracted almost 200 other nations.

He also participated meaningfully with his South American Confederation, the Confederação Sul-americana de Voleibol (CSV), when he helped to arrange fixtures for the Olympic Beach Qualifiers scheduled for Argentina, while he also took part in various ratification processes.

HIT THE GROUND RUNNING The 57-year-old, who recently returned from

President of the Guyana Volleyball Federation (GVF) Levi Nedd (left) with FIVB Development Commission President, Mustaque Mohammed.

the four-day event, has hit the ground running. He has already begun making contacts with various associations and sporting entities to prepare them for what he hopes to achieve in 2019.

He is calling on the volleyball family to “get down to brass tacks and be a part of effective change and development of volleyball in Guyana”.

The long-serving volleyball administrator, who was elected unopposed to the top spot in the GVF earlier this month, added that a lot of energy will be placed on the schools’ programme.

Before the end of next month, Nedd hopes to fill the vacant positions in the federation, including that of a technical director and a general secretary to “realise a brand new start in 2019”.

GCC and Police advance to second-division final

THE Georgetown Cricket Club fended off a spirited Malteenoes bowling attack, led by skipper Nichosie Barker, yesterday afternoon at Bourda after rain helped to decide a victor in the final day of the Noble House Seafoods second-division two-day semi-finals.

Bernard Bailey was solid in the middle.

When play ended without a match result, GCC advanced due to recording more outright wins in the preliminary round of competition.

The rain washed out the other semi-final between Police and Everest. It was easier to decide a winner from the Eve Leary ground clash, since Police were already ahead in the first innings by five runs with six wickets in hand. They had bowled out Everest for 137 after left-arm orthodox spinner Heimchan Persaud had dissected the visitors’ batting with 7-12 on Saturday. Andrew Lyght Jr. then belted nine fours and a six in a score of 69 to help push

the Police team to 142-4.

Everest’s left arm spinner Javed Rasheed had taken all four wickets.

Play at the GCC ground was more complicated and since Malteenoes had batted all day on Saturday, the game was nowhere close to being decided.

For most of Sunday morning and some of the afternoon, the players were unsure if they would have taken to the field due to the weather. When they did, the visitors declared. For Malteenoes to reach the championship clash they had to bowl out the home team for less runs that they made (211-5) and they almost did that in just over two hours of play.

Barker took four wickets for 17 runs from 17 overs with his off spin. He delivered six maidens, five of which were consecutive.

Opening bowler Cordell Mars, who got a wicket in his second over, finished with 2-16 from seven overs, but when the umpires stopped play, GCC were still standing at 77-7 from 36 overs.

Opener Marlon Persaud, who faced 90 balls for a top score of 22 (2x4s) and Bernard Bailey, who faced 38 balls in an unbeaten score of 12, were the main resistance for GCC. When Persaud fell, Bailey was left to see his team home and he did, by shielding Andsugga Rodrigues (08 runs), who also defended well.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Monday November 26, 2018)

COMPLIMENTS OF THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market & The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD-83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158)

ANSWERS TO YESTERDAY’S QUIZ: (1) Ramnaresh Sarwan-119 (Dhaka, 2002) (2) Habibul Bashar-113 (St. Lucia, 2004) (1)

(2)

TODAY’S QUIZ: Who is the first WI to claim a five-wicket haul against Bangladesh in Tests?

Which Bangladeshi was the first to do so against the WI?

ANSWERS IN TOMORROW’S ISSUE

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday November 26, 2018

Bad light spoils GYO victory in GCA 40-over clash

GANDHI Youth Organisation (GYO) were robbed of an easy win after bad light stopped play on the eve of their victory at home against the Diplomat Sports Club on Sat-

Opener Navindra Persaud scored his first century at this level.

urday.

The team was playing a fixture of the Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA) /New Building Society second-division 40-over cricket competition.

GYO were in total control and were chasing the last wicket of the game with Diplomats having an improbable task of winning, given that they were nine wickets down with over 200 runs to score in less than 10 overs.

Scores in the game: GYO 379-5 off 40 overs; Diplomats in reply were 170-9 off 31.3 overs before the umpires stopped play.

According to the GCA Competitions Committee chairman, Shawn Massiah, both teams will still benefit from bonus points, although the game ended as a no result.

Wazir Hussain hit 141 for the winners.

TWO CENTURIES The GYO batsmen feasted on the Diplomats’ bowling.

Teenager Navindra Persaud scored his maiden century at this level, while Wazir Hussain struck 141 runs. The pair placed their opponents’ bowlers to the sword as they added 184 runs for the fourth wicket. Hussain struck 16 fours and seven sixes, while Persaud, who hit his boundar-

ies in clusters, finished with 17 fours and a six.

Prior to that onslaught, Treatlon Liverpool and Persaud had tallied 134 for the second wicket. Liverpool finished with 70 (8x4s, 3x6s).

Hershun Black led Diplomats with two wickets.

In reply, the visitors were tasked with scoring 9.5 runs per over.

Several of the Diplomats’ batsmen had starts, but none went big. A. Foster led the attack with an unbeaten 33 (4x4s), while opener Claudius Fraser supported with 26 (5x4s), Dwayne Fraser with a quickfire 22 (4x4s, 1x6), and Blackman with the same score of 22 (3x4s).

Off spinner Divesh Ramjattan led the home team’s attack with four wickets, while left-arm spinner Trevon France supported with two wickets.

Williams, Tyrell win Nationals 10K Road Race REKIE Williams (District 11) and Sheama Tyrell (District 10) won the male and female ‘Nationals’ Open 10K Road Race yesterday.

The race, which marked the opening of the 58th National Schools Cycling, Swimming and Track and Field Championships, started at Mary village and concluded at the finish line inside the National Track and Field Centre.

T h e 1 8 - y e a r- o l d Williams, who also won last year’s 10K, ran 34 minutes and 55 seconds (34:55) to take gold. Originally from Region One but attends Chase’s Academy on scholarship, Williams

was ahead of Darrel Davis (District Six) and Marvin Hamilton of District Five.

Meanwhile, Tyrell erased Rupununi’s Margaret Agusto’s winning time last year, (42:57) and replaced it with her own time of 42:07 which saw her crossing the line before any other female athlete.

Marcia Andrews of District Nine ran 46:29s to take second place and District One’s Lea Harris (48:18) was third.

Today, the swimmers will be in action at the national Aquatic Centre from 09:00hrs, while at the same time at Leonora, more track and field action is scheduled.

Jeffrey wins 25KM opening cycle race at Nationals

-Gopilall dominates field in 40KM

Ajay Gopilall dominated the 40KM race.

DISTRICT 10 (Upper Demerara/Kwakwani) cyclist Abigail Jeffrey won the 16 ½ (25KM) laps female open cycling final yesterday morning around the National Park while District Six (Corentyne) rider Ajay Gopilall dominated the field to win the male 27 laps (40KM) race.

The two events, which peddled off the 58th edition of the National Schools Cy-

cling, Swimming and Track and Field Championships, had the riders battling in the rain.

FEMALE BATTLE In the female race, it was a three-way encounter between Jeffrey, District 15’s (New Amsterdam) Shenika Tiexeira (who competed for District 6 last year) and District 6’s Rosheka Crawford.

In the initial stage, Shabina

Ramoo (District 6) was in the pack, but she did not keep up with the pace. The three racers, who were inches apart, constantly increased their lead and looked ready for a final lap battle, but with three laps to go, multiple time winner Tiexeira fell. The front wheel of the defending champion’s bike reportedly hit the back wheel of the eventual winners’ bike on the turn near the park’s eastern

Abigail Jeffrey won the first event of the 2018 edition of Nationals.

parking lot.

By the next lap, the 18-year-old eventual winner had taken a sizable lead, but 14-year-old Crawford managed to keep things close and was neck and neck with her by the final lap. The pair continued battling until the last 200 metres when Jeffrey pulled away to finish in 52:25. Crawford ended five seconds after at 52:31.85, while Ramoo, who was not

far behind, finished third in 54:46.40. District 15’s Affia Hartman finished fourth.

TOTAL DOMINANCE Seventeen-year-old Gopilall led as soon as he peddled off and he never looked back in the male race. The United We Stand Cycle Club/ Independence Three-Stage Cycle Road Race junior winner (May 2018) increased his pace at every lap and the

group that tried to stay with him started to thin out. Soon the Corentyne Comprehensive High School student was all alone and he began to lap most of the other riders, while maintaining his pace.

Fellow District six rider, Ralph Seenarine, finished a distant second, while District 15’s Donavan Fraser finished third.

Cycling is set to continue today at the same venue.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday November 26, 2018

Minister of Education, Nicolette Henry, along with other officials from her ministry and the GTU, taking the salute from athletes at the opening of the National Schools Championships.

Nationals officially opens!

Compete in the spirit of fair play and sportsmanship – Henry

NICOLETTE Henry, Minister of Education, upon declaring the 58th National Schools Championship open, encouraged the hundreds of student-athletes from across Guyana to compete in the spirit of sportsmanship and fair play during the six-day event.

Athletes from 15 districts, representing the 10 administrative regions, will compete in the disciplines of swimming (Aquatic Centre), cycling (National Park) and track and field (National Track and Field Centre) at the championships which, according to the minister, “is important to the process of harnessing the talent of our developing student-athletes.”

In her brief address following a colourful opening ceremony, Minister Henry also stated that, “This championship is a sports scout paradise because it showcases our top athletes who I know will go on to represent our country both regionally and internationally. This event is the pinnacle of our school sporting calendar and also an inspirational testament of what collaborative team work can achieve.”

Banks DIH Limited, the championships’ longest corporate supporter, also came in for praises from Henry, as she challenged other entities

to support the games and help to preserve and encourage the games which is rich in the country’s history.

Regional Executive Officer of Region #3, Denis Jaikarran and Second Vice President of the Guyana Teacher’s Union (GTU), Julian Cambridge echoed similar sentiments as Minister Henry in their address to the athletes.

District 10 athletes Esau Lawden, Ronardo Greene, Shavin Greene and Nikita Fiedtkou had the honours of lighting the Game’s Flames, which will only be put out when the curtain come down on Friday.

Last year, behind the exploits of Daniel Williams, Chantoba Bright and Deshanna Skeete, Upper Demerara/Kwakwani, District 10, won their consecutive and 16th overall title, which saw them continuing their reign as the most successful District in the history of the Championships.

The ever-improving South Georgetown (District 13) finished second, while North Georgetown (District 11) was third.

Rounding off the top five finishes last year were West Demerara (District 3) which finished and East Georgetown (District 12) and Cuyuni Mazaruni (District 7) tied for the fifth position.

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Nationals officially opens!

Compete in the spirit of fair play and sportsmanship – Henry LET THE GAMES BEGIN! District 10’s Ronardo Greene, Shavin Greene, Nikita Fiedtkou and Esau Lawden following the lighting of the Games’ Flames. (Samuel Maughn photos)

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Jeffrey wins 25KM opening cycle race at Nationals

-Gopilall dominates field in 40KM

District 10’s Sheama Tyrell is all smiles following her Girls Open 10K Road Race win

Rekie Williams celebrating as he crossed the finish line to win the Boys Open 10K Road Race

Williams, Tyrell win ‘Nationals’ 10K Road Race

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Ajay Gopilall about to cross the final line, the other riders in the photo still had another lap to go.

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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2018