Guyana Chronicle E-paper 12-05-2018

WEDNESDAY 5th December, 2018

No.105479

‘I look 08 forward to resuming full duties’ PAGE

…President says as he departs for second round of treatment

Zero-tolerance for flouting of procurement laws – says Min Lawrence

Gov't to overhaul passport system …Felix promises E-Passports, enhanced security features

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Final pair of passenger boarding bridges arrives 24 PAGE

Supply Primary School Choir emerged winner of the Ministry of Education National Schools Festival of Choirs held on Tuesday at the National Cultural Centre. The Bishops High School won the secondary category. In this Samuel Maughn photo the members of the Supply Primary School Choir and their instructor pose with their winning trophy

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Zero-tolerance for flouting of procurement laws

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, December 5, 2018

–– says Public Health Minister as she responds to PPP’s claims of drugs shortage

THE Ministry of Public Health has imposed a strict zero-tolerance rule for persons who fail to adhere to the procurement laws, said Minister of Public Health Volda Lawrence in her response to opposition Member of Parliament (MP) Dr. Frank Anthony, who accused the ministry of breaching procurement laws.

Dr. Anthony accused the ministry of breaching every section of the Procurement Act and proceeded to cite examples from a report which was prepared by the Auditor General Deodat

Sharma. “Malpractice in procurement continues unabated at the ministry and government should take action against the transgressor,” said the MP during the second day of the budget debate on Tuesday. Minister Lawrence in an interview with the Department of Public Information (DPI), contended that a consultant from the United Kingdom is here, working along with the ministry’s procurement and personnel staff to ensure inefficiencies are addressed.

“No doubt we have been working on our procurement, it has been a very

rocky road over the past year since we have established a Procurement Department; there was no Procurement Department in the Ministry of Public Health, it was this government in 2017 that implemented a Procurement Department that has ensured that our purchases are done in a transparent manner,” said the minister.

The ministry, she said, is also addressing the issue of drug shortage which was also raised by Dr. Anthony in his presentation. “Don’t come here and pretend that they aren’t shortages…at GPHC there are shortages…

Opposition MP Dr. Frank Anthony during his presentation on Tuesday

Go to any one of the health centres and we can identify shortages, so don’t come here to tell us that we don’t have shortages,” said the opposition MP. Minister Lawrence however defended her ministry, noting that Guyana as a small country is at a disadvantage, so the ministry has to wait until the manufacturers are producing a particular drug in bulk before supplies are made available.

“This has become the mantra for the PPP… As we speak, our health facilities, our hospitals should have not less than 70 to 75 per cent of the drugs and medical supplies; yes, there are shortages of some of the items, but in any system, you will have that,” said the minister during her interview with the DPI. Her comment specifically addressed Dr. Anthony’s claim that more than $345 million were paid for drugs which were not delivered.

The opposition MP also argued that government continues to pay high rental to store drugs; but the minister said that a modernised drug bond is being constructed in Kingston but, in the interim, the ministry has been forced to utilise other storage options which have been provided.

The storage, she said, is being provided at no cost, by members of the private sector, including the management of the Ocean View International Hotel.

Improving storage of

Public Health Minister Volda Lawrence drugs is just one item on the ministry’s agenda, said the minister, adding that they are working to develop all health institutions across the country. The development was however refuted by Dr. Anthony who said: “Admissions at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) is like a lottery, patients have to hope that when they get sick and go there is a bed. People have to wait in the accident and emergency unit for days to get a bed in the wards.”

In an effort to address that

concern, Minister Lawrence said shortage of beds and space started when opposition Chief Whip Gail Teixeira was the then Minister of Health and requested that the number of beds in those wards that span from East Street to Lamaha Street, Georgetown be reduced from over 700 to a little over 400.

She also said many persons flock the GPHC to receive modern treatment because the hospital is the country’s primary institution.

Gov’t to overhaul passport system

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, December 5, 2018

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… Felix promises E-Passports, enhanced security features

By Vanessa Braithwaite WITH the aim of continuing the decentralisation of key citizenship services, the government has allocated some $1.5B in the 2019 budget, to fund current and capital projects under the Department of Citizenship.

Minister of Citizenship Winston Felix, on Tuesday outlined in detail the plans to commence official services at the spanking new passport offices at New Amsterdam and Linden in January of 2019. In 2019, the construction of passport office in Lethem will commence, since according to Felix, “there are several passports and birth registration needs in that community and it is my wish that with the operationalising of the building, both of these needs will be addressed.”

At these new passports offices as well as in Georgetown, the citizenry will also receive improved production of the passports, which will be upgraded from machine readable to E-Passports. This modern and enhanced travel documentation will be accessorised with an electronic chip that will provide enhanced security for users. Felix said that this move will put Guyana in the range with other developed and developing countries across the Caribbean. “Our passport issuing system will be overhauled, necessitating the replacement of all sorts of hardware systems.”

In addition to the E-Passport, there will be the introduction of a 48-page passport with a 10 year life span. It will cost $10, 000 and targets frequent fliers, members of judiciary, businessmen, parliamentarians and senior

public servants. Another new feature is the expeditious issuance of passports which will be done at a cost of $20, 000 but will not be available to persons who have either lost or damaged their passports.

In 2017, 59, 0079 passports were issued at the central office in Georgetown, 17, 300 were issued in 13 countries across the diaspora and 6143 were issued in Linden.

FREE BIRTH CERTIFICATES In addition to improved passport services, the department equally will be upgrading its registration services by firstly seeking to annul the late registration condition that applies to a child one year and older.

In 2019, late registration will be moved from one year to 11 years and birth certificates will be free of cost for children up to 18 years.

In 2018, the department made significant strides in ensuring that all persons are registered by having officers travel to remote areas such as Region One, to ensure same is done.

Strides have also been made to ensure that all foreign nationals meet the criteria for registration and this saw the registration of 2,298 persons in 2018. It is in this regard that the Department of Citizenship has been ensuring that the migrant Venezuelans are legally documented and are treated humanely, in keeping with the immigration laws of Guyana. While the cost to address this impromptu and unforeseen circumstance, goes into the millions, Felix said that it has to be done, since the situation is a long term one and the relevant programmes are to be put in place to

ensure that they are properly integrated into the Guyanese society. The Ministry of Health as well as the Civil Defense Commission have already undertaken this task.

Felix said that while his department did not get all it bargained for in the budget, he is pleased with what was given and will make the best of it. He commended the budget as one that will bring about significant changes, “far from what the opposition had been saying…”

He also rebutted remarks by opposition Member of Parliament, Vickram Bharrat, who said that the main beneficiary of the budget is the executive arm of the government and not the people of Guyana. In the government’s three years, Bharrat said that one trillion dollars has already been budgeted for and nothing has changed for the better. While downplaying the measures such as pension increase and income tax threshold increase, Bharrat described these as just a mere drop in the ocean since many sectors remain struggling and hundreds of sugar workers are jobless.

He stressed that money is being wasted on unnecessary and irrelevant things such as the purchasing of vehicles which could have been used to pay sugar workers’ severance, provide jobs and remove vat from electricity and water.

COLOSSAL MESS In rebutting however, Felix said that the government took over a colossal mess from the PPP and their talk of doom are mere ramblings and is just a matter of, “Thief don’t like to see he mattie with lang

Minister of Citizenship, Winston Felix addressing the House bag.”

He reminded the House of the magnanimous wastage that took place under the PPP such as the millions of dollars invested in the Skeldon sugar estate which saw no return, the installing of the fiber optic cable on the Mabura road and the theft of millions of dollars. “How dare them now, clothed themselves with all authority to lecture us about good governance,” Felix argued. While the opposition members continue to speak on the many feasibility studies featured in the 2019 budget, which they described as wastage, Felix said that these are absolutely necessary to avoid failed projects that were frequent under the PPP. “That is why they were so many failed projects, no study, and no development of thought cannot bring good results in any project,” he said. Felix is hoping that the budget is passed in the House.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, December 5, 2018

Wall Street drops 2 percent, spooked by growth and trade worries

(Reuters) - Wall Street tumbled more than 2 percent on Tuesday, led lower by bank and industrial shares, as the U.S. bond market sent worrisome signs about economic growth and investors worried anew about global trade.

A prominent Federal Reserve official’s comments about the path of interest rate hikes added to the uncertainty for investors, as did setbacks for Britain’s plans to leave the European Union.

The S&P 500 .SPX was on pace for its biggest single-day percentage drop in about six weeks, giving back some gains from Monday and a week earlier, when the benchmark index tallied its largest weekly percentage gain in nearly seven years.

Traders work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York, U.S., December 3, 2018. REUTERS/ Brendan McDermid

Investors were focused on U.S. Treasury yields, where the benchmark 10-year yield fell to its lowest point since mid-September. The spread between the 10-year yield over its two-year counterpart also shrank to the smallest in over a decade, a closely

watched signal because a socalled yield curve “inversion,” when the two-year yield more than the 10-year bond, preceded all the recessions of the past 50 years.

“We’ve had a huge move in the yield curve,” said R.J. Grant head of trading at Keefe, Bruyette & Woods in New York. “Investors are worried about growth right now. Today is the perfect storm.” The Dow Jones Industrial Average .DJI fell 590.02 points, or 2.28 percent, to 25,236.41, the S&P 500 .SPX lost 62.05 points, or 2.22 percent, to 2,728.32 and the Nasdaq Composite .IXIC dropped 195.46 points, or 2.63 percent, to 7,246.06.

Stocks had rallied on Monday following a truce between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping on their trade dispute following weekend talks in Argentina, but investor optimism over a resolution faded on Tuesday. Trump himself warned he would revert to tariffs if the two sides could not resolve their differences.

“The sell-off that we have seen throughout the day is really about taking a look at the tariff conversation and realizing that nothing has been resolved and that there is still some work to do and some of the euphoria that we felt yesterday was more on the head-

line than on the substance,” said Delores Rubin, senior equities trader at Deutsche Bank Wealth Management in New York.

Financial shares .SPSY, which are particularly sensitive to bond market swings, dropped 3.6 percent and were the worst performing major S&P 500 sector. The trade-sensitive industrial sector .SPLRCI fell 3.4 percent, with Boeing (BA.N) and Caterpillar (CAT.N), seen as bellwethers for the trade issue, declining 3.8 percent and 5.4 percent, respectively. Apple (AAPL.O) shares dropped 3.6 percent on bearish comments from brokerage HSBC and as supplier Cirrus Logic Inc (CRUS.O) cut its outlook.

Utilities .SPLRCU, typically viewed as a defensive group, was the only one of the 11 major S&P 500 sectors in positive territory.

In comments on Tuesday, New York Fed President John Williams said the U.S. central bank should expect to continue raising interest rates “over the next year or so” even while it pays close attention to possible risks highlighted by financial markets. The comments came after those from Fed chair Jerome Powell last week, which lifted stocks as they were interpreted as suggesting a less aggressive path of rate hikes. “Maybe we’re not going to get as dovish a Fed as some think,” said Joseph LaVorgna, Chief Economist, Americas at Natixis in New York.

Declining issues outnumbered advancing ones on the NYSE by a 4.03-to-1 ratio; on Nasdaq, a 5.10-to-1 ratio favored decliners. The S&P 500 posted 40 new 52-week highs and 27 new lows; the Nasdaq Composite recorded 36 new highs and 164 new lows.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wedesday, December 5, 2018

Jamaica says no plans to leave Caricom PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, Dec 4, CMC – Jamaica’s Prime Minister Andrew Holness Tuesday reiterated that the decision to establish a Commission to review his country’s relationship with the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) was not intended to create an avenue for it to leave the 15-member regional integration movement.

Addressing the second and final day of the two-day CARICOM summit on the single market and economy (CSME), Holness said that it was imperative that the Commission under the chairmanship of former prime minister Bruce Golding was established to give his then new administration empirical evidence of its relationship with CARICOM and the wider Caribbean Forum (CARIFORUM).

“So from a practical point of view, from a political point of view it became an issue that the government had to consider,” he said making reference to the problem experienced by Jamaicans in their attempt to freely enter some Caribbean countries. “Then there were considerations from the private sector who made a point at every engagement to bring to the attention of the government the difficulties they were having in accessing the markets of the region,” Holness told his colleagues, adding “and there were concerns about unfair practices and energy was used as the case in point”.

He said the government “facing these growing political issues” had to respond

Jamaica’s Prime Minister Andrew Holness

especially since he was convinced “I could not engage in rhetoric, I could not engage in stalking the flames (and) I could not speak without an empirical basis.

“And so we initiated a Commission to review our relations within CARICOM and within the wider CARIFORUM region. But at the same time I also engaged with our colleagues directly and specifically with Prime Minister Dr. (Keith) Rowley (of Trinidad and Tobago), Holness said. He told his regional colleagues that also formed the basis for Rowley paying on official visit to Jamaica and “I believed that went down very well.

“But it taught us a lesson that is, all politics is local and all politics is about people. It is about people to people relations,” he said, noting the role to be played by government in fostering such relationships even among the business community. “The intention of the report was not to create a cover for Jamaica for

JEXIT,” Holness said, in an apparent reference to Brexit, the decision by Britain to leave the European Union after many decades. “That’s not the intention of the report. That has been said in other fora, but that’s not the intention. The intention is for once and for all to provide Jamaica with solid empirical studied data and positions that we can bring to this body,” he said, noting that the discussions would lead “to a documentation of these positions that all can see and study”.

Holness said it is a transparent process even as he acknowledged that “ultimately I think we have to approach our relations with a certain level of pragmatism”. He said while there were all prime ministers around the table, they were also people with aspirations “and you know rhetoric is a part of our trade and at the same time we are policy makers, we are law makers and we have to be practical.”

But he said at some point

in time there would be a need to put away the rhetoric, put aside the aspiration “and deal with what is possible and what we can get done. “I think we are at a point where we have to be practical …let us do what is possible, the others can catch up when they are ready,” said Holness, who added despite being among the new prime ministers at the time, he has spent 25 years in politics.

“Ultimately the purpose of the report is to place on the table a wide range of issues that we can all look at and comfort our own inconsistences, our own special interests and of course what is good for the region,” Holness said. The Jamaica Parliament has already adopted a resolution that called for a re-evaluation of the integration process, and for member states to commit to implementing a fully functional single market within a five-year period.

The Parliamentary Resolution covered, among other things, the need for CARICOM member states to make a clear commitment to establishing the single

market with a “specific time-bound, measurable and verifiable programme of actions to fulfil all outstanding obligations within a period of five years”.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, December 5, 2018

Collaborative approach to crime prevention THE festive season is here, traffic-jams are already common, the number of street vendors is increasing daily, shoppers are crowding city pavements, Christmas carols can be heard in stores and shopping malls. Christmas is in the air. Unfortunately, as is the case every year, the issue of crime is now of greater concern, particularly robbery, theft, and other crimes involving loss of money or other valuables.

Government has assured the public that policies are being implemented to address all crimes, including holiday crimes.

For example, the Security Sector Reform Project (SSRP) final report prepared by British security expert Lt. Col (Ret’d) Russell Combe is now in the possession of President Granger. One will recall that a programme to reform the security sector was scrapped in 2009 by the PPP regime because the British had requested oversight of the programme to ensure that there was no theft and corruption by PPP government officials.

The current coalition administration, on the other hand, has vowed to entirely reform the security forces by decentralising

the Guyana Police Force, emphasising a regional command structure, and instituting a pyramidal administrative arrangement.

This commitment by government should be welcomed by all Guyanese after the decades of mismanagement and neglect of the sector by the PPP government.

As Christmas Day approaches, government is obviously taking action to protect citizens from criminals. One notes an increase in the number and frequency of vehicular patrols, a surge in the number of police outposts and a rise in the number of visible police officers in Georgetown and other shopping areas across Guyana.

However, Guyanese will agree that as government does its part, citizens too are an integral part of a collaborative approach to crime prevention. While this subject is naturally in focus during the holidays, it obviously applies throughout the year.

Last month, Deputy Commissioner of Police Lyndon Alves gave specific advice to citizens regarding how to avoid becoming victims of crime, particularly during the busy festive season.

He advised that Guyanese rely on ATM cards rather than cash to make purchases;

and business operators be on the alert for counterfeit cash and fake cheques, especially on weekends. He advised too, that businesses ensure that their CCTV cameras are in good working order and move large sums of cash only under security escort.

The veteran police officer urged that Guyanese be vigilant, he said, “beware of con artists and pickpockets.” He mentioned the specific scams of three-card games and thieves pointing to money on the ground that you have supposedly dropped, and snatching your bag or other valuables when you bend down to pick up the money.

The deputy commissioner advised drivers to keep doors and windows locked, park only in well-lighted areas, avoid leaving valuables in parked vehicles and have your keys ready when approaching your parked vehicle.

Persons should not allow strangers to use their phones, as phones are a favourite target of thieves. He recommended that persons avoid using their phones in public as thieves who are watching usually target persons whom they believe are distracted.

He noted that taxi drivers are vulnerable, as they allow strangers into their

vehicles. He suggested that such drivers be familiar with the locations of police stations, gas stations, and other 24-hour facilities to which they can go for assistance in the event of an emergency.

The recommendations of the GPF expressed by the deputy commissioner mirror those made by other experts. Criminologists recommend that persons avoid flaunting flashy jewellery in public, be alert, walk with purpose, don’t stop for strangers, stay in well-lit areas, carry your keys in your hand, don’t flash money, and always tell someone where you are going and when you will return.

As Guyanese prepare for the holidays, we should do everything that we can to remain safe from crime. This is also the case throughout life, as criminals will always be among us. We should own our safety, even as government works to improve our security environment. We should always bear in mind that security is best achieved when we work hand in hand with law enforcement, heed their advice, and approach our own safety as a collaborative undertaking.

Where was Dr. Ramsammy all these years?

Dear Editor, I HAVE been desperately trying to ignore Dr. Leslie Ramsammy’s multiple letters to the local media. Today, I’ve just about read enough.

Dr. Leslie Ramsammy was once Minister of Health under the PPP administration’s 23-year rule. I do not know Dr. Ramsammy personally, but I have had a few engagements with him since he taught me in medical school.

I would admit that he was an exemplary lecturer. But my writing today is not to critique or compliment him for his teaching style. My writing today is to express my frustration with Dr. Ramsammy as Minister of Health and his desperate attempts at scoring cheap political points.

His many writings are highlighting a healthcare system in serious crisis; I’ll give him credit for that. He is right on that, but this crisis did not develop today or after May 2015 as he and his like-minded cohorts would want us to believe. They were happening under him.

He was silent then as Dr. Ramroop benefited from a multi-billion dollar drug-importation contract for which he had the monopoly; and it was alleged that this was so since he was best of mates with Mr. Jagdeo.

Where was Dr. Ramsammy when patients were needlessly dying at GPHC? Where was Dr. Ramsammy when neonates were dying in the NICU? Where was Dr. Ramsammy when patients were complaining, until their teeth fell out, about poor care in the cramped Accident and Emergency Unit? Where was Dr. Ramsammy when drugs were short and poor patients had to buy their own drugs? Where was Dr. Ramsammy when poor patients were being fleeced of $ US6000 for a heart test they did not need? The minimum wage in Guyana was recently increased to $US3800 per year.

How can patients find $US6000? Where was Dr. Ramsammy when patients were paying $100,000 per week for life-saving dialysis?

A well known Guyanese gynaecologist, who recently died, could not afford that amount and had to relocate to Trinidad with his daughter,

much less the poor minimum wage patients.

Where was Dr. Ramsammy when poor patients were being verbally abused by doctors and nurses and on many occasions needlessly dying? And I can go on. Where were you Dr. Ramsammy?

I know where Dr. Ramsammy was. He was in America getting first-class medical care while poor Guyanese patients were suffering and dying in the local healthcare hospitals I characterised as death chambers. Who can forget when Mr. Jagdeo chartered a plane to rush him to America when he had a little diarrhoea.

Frankly, I would tell most of my patients with diarrhoea to “man up”, it will ease on its own.

Apparently that was beyond Mr. Jagdeo.

I will repeat, the healthcare system in Guyana has serious problems. These problems are not new. The present government needs to take these problems seriously. As I have written on multiple occasions, the Ministry of Public Health should focus on the basics.

Forget about complicated cardiac stents and kidney transplants. What sense would it make

inserting a complicated and expensive cardiac stent when you lack the basic medication such as ticagrelor and aspirin to keep the stent from blocking? What’s the sense of doing a kidney transplant when you lack basic transplant medications and monitoring of these transplant medications? The fact is that the transplant would be rejected.

Editor, it would appear that Dr. Ramsammy has just awoken from his narcolepsy or has selective mutism. I would suggest he get his mates to brief him on what transpired during the PPP’s 23-year reign. I would also humbly suggest that he join Mr. Jagdeo in the naughty corner while they both recite the alphabet. Leave criticisms to those who are not tainted by the past and trying to score cheap politician points.

Regards Dr. Mark Devonish MBBS MSc MRCP(UK) FRCP(Edin) Consultant Acute Medicine Nottingham University Hospital

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wedesday, December 5, 2018

We are still working on realising the vision of becoming one people Dear Editor I WAS fortunate enough to view pictures posted by one of the noted Guyanese artists who worked on the newly completed Indian Arrival Monument.

Not having seen it before, I found the monument to be uniquely relevant and evocative of our history; one that began with millions of people being removed from their home continents and settled in other parts of the world; an action based solely on the work their bodies could provide. Signing their lives away for the right to toil in a distant colony, somewhere that probably seemed as remote as the moon is to us.

Our ancestors did this, their travails making a wealthy empire even wealthier.

This distant child of indentureship feels humbled by what the monument conveys.

With outstretched hands, ready to embrace not engage in combat, Indians came to work alongside former slaves and other labourers. Not to be prideful or with an imposed arrogance, they brought the vestiges of an ancient culture,

its languages, clothing, religions and food. The women, as always, bearing the heaviest burdens, but looking boldly ahead, unafraid of what they might face or see.

It is striking...personally evoking the spirited, strong women who were my grandmothers and all other foremothers of a formerly colonised people. Experiencing prolonged physical hardship, they thrived and prospered when they could easily have given in to despair. Fetching their tools to prepare the aromatic, ‘flavourful’ dishes of their homeland, I wonder if they ever imagined that their foods would become the dish of preference of the empire that brought them here? Or that the land they left would become a world power in its own right, poised as it is on the absolute cutting edge of technology, with more educated women than men. Although it is another flawed democracy, fraught with the challenges of an evolving civilisation, it is still succeeding and overcoming impossible hurdles. We all take for granted the disparate places from where our

foreparents arrived; whether by choice or force, they left bonded or enslaved, coming not to conqueror this Guyana, but at the hands of the conquerors. Indentureship and transhipment were undoubtedly frightening; who wouldn’t be afraid of such a process? Nonetheless, as impoverished in their homeland (as most labourers probably were) they boarded the ships and came. Our foreparents weathered this, evolving, becoming stronger, educated, emancipated and eventually independent. So much poignancy in this long journey...

Beautiful and quite simple, the monument starkly reflects ancestors whose undaunted bravery and optimism led them to reach out to figuratively close the divide they had just physically crossed. We should reflect on this as they came in peace, humbly greeting equals in a land foreign to them all. Guyana’s collective moral compass has always pointed to a joined destiny in this once-strange land that is now amongst the most valuable in the world. After all, they had

MoPI apologises for hydraulic failure on MV Sabanta Dear Editor, THE Ministry of Public Infrastructure (MoPI) would like to express its apologies to all passengers who were on board MV Sabanta when it experienced hydraulic failure on November 24, 2018.

The ministry has been informed that on arrival at the Parika Stelling, the ramp for the MV Sabanta had malfunctioned. On inspection by the Transport and Harbours mechanical engineer and engine clerks, it was observed that the piston and pressure spring were dismantled in the hydraulic block, resulting in

the halting of the ramp. The ramp is currently working as the problem has since been rectified.

The ministry would also like to acknowledge all received complaints regarding the lack of information relayed to and communication with the passengers during this incident, state of the onboard vessel facilities and other issues experienced by passengers. Please rest assured that the ministry has issued instructions to the necessary authorities to ensure regular inspections and continued upkeep of all offered facilities to passengers. The priority of passenger safety, comfort

and welfare remains tantamount to all operations under the purview of the ministry.

In this regard, the Ministry of Public Infrastructure along with the management and staff of the Transport and Harbours Department wishes to extend its appreciation for the patience and understanding of the passengers, and apologises for any inconvenience caused.

Regards Krest Cummings Public Relations Officer Ministry of Public Infrastructure

withstood and survived, we are still working on realising the vision of becoming

one people in this singular nation that is on the cusp of an even greater destiny.

Regards Scheherazade Ishoof Khan

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, December 5, 2018

‘I look forward to resuming full duties’ …President says as he departs for second round of treatment President David Granger early Tuesday morning, departed Guyana for the Republic of Cuba, for the second of five rounds of treatment which he has to undergo at the Centro de Investigaciones Médico Quirúrgicas (CIMEQ).

The President, who is accompanied by First Lady, Mrs. Sandra Granger, told the Ministry of the Presidency’s Public Information and Press Services (PIPS) Unit, prior to his departure from the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) Tuesday morning that CIMEQ has drafted a schedule of treatment which will run until May 2019.

“In my first visit, I had not only the biopsy but a series of tests and examinations and I also had my first cycle of chemotherapy.

I now have to return for succeeding five cycles, so this is the second cycle and I hope to return much more quickly than I did the first visit because this is simply the administration of chemotherapy so presumably after the tests which will be done today, Tuesday, I will have the chemotherapy and return by weekend,” President Granger said.

The Head of State said too that after this round of treatment, he will have to return to

President David Granger and First Lady, Mrs. Sandra Granger at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) Timehri, this morning.

Cuba later this month for the third cycle of chemotherapy. “I expect that by the start of the new year my progress, which has been gradual so far, will be sufficient to allow me to take on more duties,” he said.

Meanwhile, the President expressed much gratitude to all who sent their

well-wishes for his full and complete recovery. “I think my illness, although personally unfortunate, has brought forth a response by the Guyanese public, not to a politician, not to a political leader, but to a national President. I think they feel the presidency is what is being jeopardised by this threat to my health and I think what I have seen so far, both privately and publicly, are favourable national concern that the Head of State, whomever he may be, should enjoy the best health,” he said. President Granger also thanked Caribbean Heads of Government, business leaders, his colleagues, the churches and the public particularly those who held vigils while he was in Cuba, for their prayers and support.

“I am encouraged and, you know, in certain medical situations that psychological and psyche factors are very important. I am very grateful, very thankful. I look forward to resuming my full duties as early as possible,” the Head of State said.

President Granger and Mrs. Granger had traveled to Cuba on October 30, 2018 for a medical investigation. After an intensive series of tests by specialists doctors, he was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma. The President and his wife returned to Guyana from Cuba on November 20, 2018 after a number of medical interventions including the first round of chemotherapy treatment were performed. (Ministry of the Presidency)

Early childhood experiences in family-based care Dear Editor AS parents and caregivers, we are to ensure that our children have the best upbringing and experiences so they can have a good future and achieve their fullest potential.

Therefore, parents and caregivers must aim to create and maintain a good home environment in which children are happy and free from violence and abuse; where children can play and share their dreams and have a good relationship with their parents or caregivers.

A child’s experience of attachment with the adult in their early years is of critical importance to shaping the individual they will become as a teen and adult.

Attachment theorist, John Bowlby, (1969) indicated that attachment is a “lasting psychological connectedness between human beings.” It is an emotional bond with another person, which he believed that these earliest bonds formed by children with their caregivers have a tremendous impact that continues throughout their lives.

He suggested that attachment serves to keep the child close to the parent or caregiver.

This strongly indicates that parents are best placed to take care of their children and that the early bond that is developed between the child and parents will support the child’s changes of protection and development when

these bonds result in a happy child. It is very possible that early childhood experiences which did not allow a child to develop a “good connection” with an adult in their early years can affect that child from establishing and maintaining good family relationships that will help to safeguard a child from abuse. Therefore, children who did not have good early childhood attachments are more exposed to abusive situations which can result in the children having to be removed from family care altogether.

Good early attachment or bonds equals to good early childhood experiences between parents and caregivers, which will build lasting relationships. All children need a consistent and caring relationship with their parents or caregivers to ensure that they form a secure bond.

According to The National Scientific Council on The Developing Child : Young Children Develop in an Environment of Relationships: Working Paper No. 1, young children experience their world as an environment of relationships and these relationships affect virtually all aspects of their intellectual, social, emotional, physical, behavioural, and moral development. The quality and stability of a child’s human relationships in the early years lay the foundation for a wide range of later developmental outcomes that really

matter; – Self-confidence and sound mental health – Motivation to learn and achieve in school and later in life – The ability to control aggressive impulses and resolve conflicts in non-violent ways – knowing the difference between right and wrong – having the capacity to develop and sustain casual friendships and intimate relationships – And ultimately to be a successful parent oneself.

Therefore, a stable family from which bonds are formed is significant for a child’s development.

Strong or stable families provide the social support necessary for a stable society. During this period of Christmas celebrations, it serves to be reminded that families offer the best environment for raising children, providing them with the love, support, and education necessary for success in adult life. The family, therefore, is the best environment for nurturing and rearing future generations, preparing them for the responsibilities that they will need to function in society.

Regards Shaquita Thomas Communications Officer ChildLinK Inc

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wedesday, December 5, 2018

Bishops High, Supply Primary top school choirs THE Ministry of Education (MoE) held its National Schools Festival of Choirs on Tuesday at the National Cultural Center, with Bishops High School emerging as the winner of the Secondary category and Supply Primary School in the Primary category.

Administrator (ag) of Unit of Allied Arts at the MoE, Lorraine Barker-King, said that the ministry is very serious about the inclusion of the expressive arts (dance, drama, music, visual arts and physical educational sport), in all the schools in Guyana.

To ensure that all the children have a balanced education, the Unit of Allied Arts was created to fulfill that mandate, she said.

“At this unit, the head and the coordinators of the respective disciplines ensure that training is done with the teachers in all the regions.

The unit has conducted the National schools festival of choirs up to 2009 and subsequently it became an activity of the children’s Mashramani programme. However, since the Government of Guyana has invested so much finances to ensure that our learners are musically literate, it was incumbent that music becomes an activity on its own,” Barker-King said.

As such the ministry has this year reintroduced the Festival of Choirs, and it will continue on to be an annual activity for primary and secondary schools across Guyana.

She explained that the objectives of this activity are to promote the learning and correct performance of National and other Guyanese songs; to enhance the development of teachers’ skills in choir training and management; to foster an

PPP attacks Exxon

PPP Member of Parliament, Cornel Damon

PEOPLES Progressive Party Member of Parliament, Cornel Damon on Tuesday accused US oil giant, ExxonMobil of being dishonest and called for an inquiry into the oil sector here.

In a rabid presentation during his budget debate presentation, Damon, who was reading from a prepared speech and being egged on by his colleagues charged that: “We are dealing with a company—EXXONMOBIL that is not honest…”

Though Minister of Citizenship Winston heckled him for his claim and reminded him that it was the PPP that had entered into contract with Exxon in 1999, Damon continued. During his frenzied speech, Damon painted a dark picture of the American oil giant, also saying that the company has lied to the American people regarding its environmental record. An agitated Damon also noted that many countries around the world are being “ripped-off” by the major oil companies.

Only on Monday ExxonMobil announced that it has made its 10th discovery offshore Guyana and increased its estimate of the discov-

ered recoverable resource for the Stabroek Block to more than five billion oil-equivalent barrels. The resource estimate, up from the previous estimate of more than four billion oil-equivalent barrels, is a result of further evaluation of previous discoveries and includes a new discovery at the Pluma-1 well, the company said in a statement.

“The discovery of a resource base of more than five billion oil-equivalent barrels in less than four years is a testament of our technical expertise and rigorous evaluation and pursuit of high-potential, high-risk opportunities in this frontier area,” said Neil Chapman, ExxonMobil senior vice-president. “We will continue to apply what we’ve learned to identify additional exploration prospects and potential future discoveries that will deliver significant value to Guyanese people, our partners and shareholders.”

The Pluma-1 well encountered approximately 121 feet (37 metres) of high-quality hydrocarbon-bearing sandstone reservoir. Pluma-1 reached a depth of 16,447 feet (5,013 metres) in 3,340 feet (1,018 metres) of water. The Noble Tom Madden drillship began drilling on November 1. The well is located approximately 17 miles (27 kilometres) south of the Turbot-1 well. The Noble Tom Madden will next drill the Tilapia-1 prospect located 3.4 miles (5.5 kilometres) west of the Longtail-1 well.

“Together with the government and people of Guyana, we are continuing to grow the

Bishops High School choir poses with their winning trophy

appreciation and love for national and other Guyanese songs; to provide a platform for students to display their talents; to promote self confidence in students by including categories for solo and duet performances.

The festival saw the entry of 18 schools from Regions Two, Four, Five, Six and the

…calls for inquiry into oil sector here value of the Stabroek Block for Guyana, our partners and ExxonMobil with successful exploration investments,” said Steve Greenlee, president of ExxonMobil Exploration Company. “Our ongoing work will evaluate development options in the southeastern portion of the block, potentially combining Pluma with prior Turbot and Longtail discoveries into a major new development area.”

The Liza Phase One development is expected to begin producing up to 120,000 barrels of oil per day by early 2020, utilising the Liza Destiny floating storage, production and offloading vessel (FPSO).

As previously announced, Liza Phase Two is expected to start up by mid-2022.

Pending government and regulatory approvals, Liza Phase Two project sanction is expected in early 2019 and will use a second FPSO designed to produce up to 220,000 barrels per day. Sanctioning of a third development, Payara, is also expected in 2019 with start up as early as 2023.

The Stabroek Block is 6.6 million acres (26,800 square kilometres). ExxonMobil’s affiliate, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited, is the operator and holds 45 per cent interest in the Stabroek Block. Hess Guyana Exploration Ltd. holds 30 per cent interest and CNOOC Nexen Petroleum Guyana Limited holds 25 per cent interest.

Georgetown district, who performed in three categories; solo, duet and choir.

In the solo category, only two primary schools competed and South Ruimveldt Pri-

mary won the first prize and Smith’s Memorial second.

For the choir category, five primary schools competed and Novar Primary came in third place, Mahaicony

Primary second place, and Supply Primary, the winner.

Eight Secondary schools competed in their choir category, where St. Roses High School came in third place, Berbice High School second place and the Bishops High School, winner.

Speaking with the students who participated, they expressed how grateful they are of this opportunity to express what other talents they have apart from the academic strides they make in school.

Some were happy to be a part of a group activity with other children from their school.

The children were rewarded prizes in trophies and gift vouchers, and are looking forward to a better time next year.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, December 5, 2018

Health coverage to expand …Min. Cummings tells House of robust anti–TB programme …establishment of school of tropical medicine THE allocation to the public health sector will allow for the establishment of a school of tropical medicine; the piloting of projects to combat tuberculosis and continued health provision to the country’s hinterland regions.

This is according to Minister within the Ministry of Public Health Dr. Karen Cummings, who defended the $35.9B allocated to the health sector on Monday during the budget debates in the National Assembly.

Dr. Cummings noted that the allocation represents some 11.9 per cent of total Budget and a 2.6B increase from the previous. Managed wisely, Dr. Cummings said that the sum will lead to greater population coverage and enhanced service delivery of public healthcare to all Guyanese.

School of tropical medicine She announced that soon the Public Health Ministry will collaborate with the University of Guyana (UG) to

establish a school of tropical medicine. This, she explained, will complement the work of the National Reference Laboratory which continues to test for Zika and other re-emerging tropical diseases without the need to send these tests overseas at huge costs.

Added to this, Budget 2019 will allow for the piloting of a microbiology lab with antimicrobial resistance (AMR) to adequately detect, treat and monitor the multidrug resistant strains of tuberculosis, the minister told the house.

This is expected to be managed by the ministry’s Disease Control Department while the budget will also allow for the revitalising of the Direct Observe Therapy (the DOTs programme).

Working in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Health intends to tackle the antimicrobial resistance threat through enhanced public awareness, antibiotic conservation, and increased

surveillance.

In representing the cause, Cummings said: “The global and local threat of antimicrobial resistance, which is the ability of infectious organisms including bacteria to survive the agents designed to kill them and save patients from infection is real and can no longer be ignored.”

2019 will also see the continuance of hinterland patients diagnosed with life-threatening conditions emergency evacuated for the required treatment, with some 271 patients already benefitting from such in 2018.

“As 2018 comes to a close, there is an increase in early diagnoses of high risk conditions of patients within the hinterland regions. This increase is being buttressed by more timely referrals,” the minister began, “Hinterland health systems are being upgraded to provide all the secondary care needed, which will ultimately see the significant reduction in referrals in the near future.”

Minister within the Ministry of Public Health Dr. Karen Cummings (Adrian Narine photo)

For additional upgrades in the coming year, 3.2B has been allocated for the construction, rehabilitation and maintenance of public health infrastructure across Guyana.

Dr. Cummings reminded the house of the government’s ongoing improvements to the Baramita Health Facility and the completed works at the Shulinab Health Post; Lethem Hospital laboratory;

Bartica District Hospital and Lethem District Hospital. To better transport staff, patients and supplies to and from these hard-to-reach areas, the government also provided six all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) to Regions One, Eight and Nine.

Meanwhile, forging ahead with the ‘behaviour change pathway approach’ the Ministry of Health hopes to tackle, too, the prevalence of Non-Communicable Diseases (NDCs) by promoting lifestyle changes for improved results.

Great efforts will therefore be placed on encouraging persons to screen and monitor for diabetes, cancer and cardiovascular diseases, while geographical areas for addressing mental health will be expanded. Persons with disabilities were also a central topic on Monday as Cummings noted that National Vocational School has continued for those in Sophia; at the Harold B Davis School; Ptolemy Reid Centre and Chesire Home.

Dr. Cummings said that 72 staff members from the Rehabilitation Department are now receiving training for the reintegration of children from institutions to parental homes.

PWDs are also being considered in the Country Work Programme for Disaster Risk Reduction in Guyana and, through collaboration with the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA), are included in the Housing Solutions Project.

“The increased allocation to the public health sector means that as a government, we are working assiduously to ensure that Guyanese live healthy lives so that they can benefit from and enjoy the ‘good’ life,” Cummings said, later adding: “This government will not quit because our economy is round and sound.” This means you win Mr. Speaker, the government wins, the opposition wins and everybody from the Rupununi to the Corentyne will win.”

“Forward ever, backward never budget” –MP Figueira

THE $3.9B allocation which

has been set aside for developmental projects in

the Upper Demerara Upper-Berbice region will boost the enhancement of key sectors within the area, according to government Member of Parliament (MP), Jermaine Figueira.

During his contribution to the budget debate on Tuesday, the Upper Demerara-Upper Berbice MP told the House that the region is most pleased with the 12% increase in its budget allocation this year. He said that the infrastructural upgrade will provide better accessibility for road users and will benefit thousands of people.

Figueira said that agriculture in the region has not been able to realise its true potential over the years, noting that “more than 86 per cent of the food comes from outside the region, even though they have quite an abundance of fertile lands.”

However, he noted that the infrastructural upgrade-more specifically the construction of roads in 2019 in the region--will provide access to farmlands which will enable farmers to produce their own food to address this anomaly.

As he spoke about the budgetary allocation for the region and outlined its benefits, Figueira said that the budgeted sum of $218M to the Linden Enterprise Network (LEN) revolving fund will aid and continue to stimulate economic growth within the township, by providing financial support to business ventures, manufacturing, agriculture, and housing initiatives.

“The people of Linden and more specifically our young entrepreneurs now have an alternative lending institution that is more friendly and flexible to support their business ventures and ideas,” he posited.

He further noted that several communities and countless individuals have been able to benefit from skills-training and employment opportunities under the self-sustainable, livelihoods and entrepreneurial development programmes under the Ministry of Social Protection.

Government is actively pursuing plans for the development of the Linden/Lethem highway, and several

stakeholders--including the Brazil and Chinese governments--are being consulted for realisation of this project. On Tuesday, Figueira said the township of Linden is well positioned to benefit tremendously from this development of the “Super Highway.”

He described the 2019 budget as “far-sighted”, noting that its policies will positively impact the nation way beyond 2020. He said that Guyanese will continue to see and experience an even greater degree of the “good life” guaranteed by the David Granger administration.

He described the benefits of the budget as “a brilliant showcase of the minister’s skilful and prudent management of the state’s resources in such a short time, to deliver us out of the economic quagmire we inherited as a government.” He said that “this budget is a forever ever forward, backward never budget,” as he said it caters for all aspects of development throughout the country.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, December 5, 2018

Labour laws to be amended –– Min. Scott says industrial relations court/tribunal to be established

–– more focus on cooperative societies

By Navendra Seoraj MIINISTER within the Ministry of Social Protection, Keith Scott believes it is time for the local labour laws to be amended since Guyana is expecting an inflow of foreign businesses due to the new-found oil wealth.

“We have embarked on a path to update key labour legislations, to synchronise them with enlightened thinking and practices…

These laws include the Labour Act, Legal Aid Act, Termination of Employment and Severance Pay Act, Occupational Safety and Health Act, Friendly Societies Act and the Schools’ Thrift Act, Chapter 36:04,” said

He said the improvement does not stop there, since the ministry will be resuscitating cooperative societies which Scott believes would inevitably transform the economy.

Opposition Member of Parliament (MP), Gillian Burton argued that the labour budget only provides for cooperatives and does now have a holistic focus on improving the lives of workers. Scott was however adamant that cooperative societies would increase economic development.

“We now have the task of rebuilding these institutions from the ground up since we found the cooperative societies and credit unions in a perilous state,” said the minister, adding that they have encountered several challenges such as lack of interest and knowledge of the benefits of cooperatives.

Despite the challenges, he said the ministry, through its Cooperative Development Department, has been working in collaboration with the Guyana National Cooperative Credit Union Limited to regulate cooperative societies. Scott said there are 31 registered societies, 35 applications and 150 functioning societies, 25 of which are credit unions.

Part of regulating the societies is maintaining financial integrity through principles and practices of auditing. In 2018, 33 audits were ordered and 20 were completed.

The department has since taken auditing seriously and is working to ensure that all

Opposition MP, Gillian Burton making her presentation Minister Scott during his presentation in the National Assembly on the second round of the budget debates on Tuesday.

He argued that the most important piece of legislation is the Labour Act which, despite being adjusted in the past, is still deficient in many ways. Scott said an example of a deficiency is the need for an employer to produce the requisite employment records to the ministry to facilitate the reasonable resolution of differences between the employer and an aggrieved worker or ex worker is not provided for on a compulsory basis.

“This is against our mandate as a ministry, a mandate which is about fairness, justice and objectivity…these values cannot be manifested in the current laws,” he said, adding that the Labour Act will be amended to allow for the compulsory submission of necessary records in a resolution of complaints.

The minister was optimistic that the adjustment would benefit the ordinary worker and promote human development. Addressing and improving labour management relations, he said, is also high on the agenda for 2019 and as part of the efforts the ministry has undertaken to establish an industrial relations court or an industrial relations tribunal.

The ministry has engaged stakeholders who comprise the National Tripartite Committee which is examining a proposed bill, which should lead to the creation of a court or tribunal.

“It will enhance labour management relations and quality of life for all workers who should be able to experience a decent standard of work,” said Minister Scott.

Minister within the Ministry of Social Protection, Keith Scott defending his ministry societies are audited in a timely manner and in line with the Anti-Money Laundering/ Countering Financing of Terrorism Act (AML/CFT).

“The requisite legal provisions dictate that these societies must make a contribution to a special fund called the audit and supervision fund which covers cost and auditing,” said Minister Scott, noting that a total of $31 million has been paid into that fund.

In the coming year, they will be intensifying that aspect of their mandate and expanding the programme to revitalise the thrift society in the school systems.

“With assistance of the Attorney General Chambers and other stakeholders, we are involved in a campaign to rid societies of dishonest elements as we seek to reeducate and promote transparency and accountability,” said the minister.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, December 5, 2018

Caricom leaders pledge to advance CSME at national level

Heads of Government and delegations pose at the summit

Caricom leaders on Tuesday ended their two-day special summit in Trinidad and Tobago declaring their commitment to take action at the national level to advance the regional integration agenda and to ensure the equitable distribution among the peoples of the Community of the gains realised through the regional movement.

SEE FULL COMMUNIQUE BELOW: WE, the Heads of Gov-

ernment of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), meeting at Port of Spain Trinidad and Tobago 3-4 December, 2018 on the occasion of the 18th Special Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of CARICOM; Recalling the 1989 Declaration of Grand Anse which initiated the process towards the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME), the signing of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas in 2001, which established the CSME and the launch of the

CSME in 2006; Convinced that the CSME continues to be the most viable platform for supporting growth and development in the Member States of CARICOM; Recognising the need to make it more closely attuned to the needs and priorities of Member States and contributing more visibly to growth and development and to the welfare of the people of the Community; Having reviewed its progress and acknowledged that

it should have been further advanced; Having considered the “Report of the Commission to Review Jamaica’s Relations within the CARICOM and CARIFORUM Frameworks”; Having also considered the perspectives of the Member States of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS); Underscoring the critical role of the CARICOM Development Fund (CDF) in supporting the CSME; Having exchanged views with the representatives of the private sector and labour and encouraged by their commitment to the regional integration project and their recommendations for the enhancement of the CSME; Recognising that the goal of our regional integration process is to enhance the well-being of all of the citizens of our Community; DECLARE: We are committed to take action at the national level to advance the regional integration agenda; We are determined to ensure the equitable distribution among the peoples of the Community of the gains realised through the regional integration process; We have agreed on a formalised, structured mechanism to facilitate dialogue between the Councils of the Community and the private sector and labour; We have also agreed to amend the Treaty to include as Associate Institutions representative bodies of Private Sector and Labour;

We have agreed that in accordance with Article 50 of the Revised Treaty which deals with the principle of accelerated implementation, that the principle will be applied to any initiative which is consistent with the Revised Treaty; We agreed that that those Member States so willing would move towards full free movement within the next three (3) years; We have mandated that steps be taken to deepen cooperation and collaboration between the Secretariats of CARICOM and the OECS to avoid duplication and maximise the utility of scarce resources; We will reinforce the operation of our security mechanisms to ensure the integrity of the regime allowing the free movement of CARICOM nationals; We will examine the re-introduction of the single domestic space for passengers in the Region; We have agreed to work towards having a single security check for direct transit passengers on multi-stop intra-Community flights; We will conduct a special session on Air and Maritime Transportation at the Intersessional meeting of the Conference in February 2019 to focus on this critical aspect of integration as a whole and the CSME in particular; We will include Agricultural Workers, Beauty Service Practitioners, Barbers and Security Guards to the agreed categories of skilled nationals who are entitled to move freely and

seek employment within the Community; We reiterate that that a skills certificate issued by one Member State would be recognised by all Member States; We will complete legislative and other arrangements in all Member States for all categories of Free Movement of Skilled Persons; We will finalise the regime that permits citizens and companies of the Community to participate in the Public Procurement processes in Member States by the year 2019; We will take all necessary steps to allow for mutual recognition of companies incorporated in a CARICOM Member State; We have mandated the Community Council to develop appropriate recommendations on the proposal for the introduction of a regime of sanctions for the consideration of the Conference; We welcome Haiti’s commitment to full integration into the CSME by 2020; We have appointed Professor Avinash Persaud to lead a restructured Commission on the Economy to advise Member States on a Growth Agenda for the Community Other Members of the Commission on the Economy (CCE) – •Mr. Chester Humphrey •Dr. Damien King •Mr Georgy McGuire •Mr Roger McLean •Dr. Wendell Samuel •Mr. P. B. Scott •Ms. Therese Turner-Jones •Ms. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and Mr. Pascal Lamy.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, December 5, 2018

The Patriot, the Political Hustler and the Leader

DEEP in the arid economic desert of despair and decades of underdevelopment, there has been the discovery of the world’s most valued natural resource.

This discovery is unprecedented and teems with the possibility of lifting this hitherto non-producing petroleum country from the ignominious status of being the second poorest country in the Western Hemisphere to one of some regional and hemispheric economic consequence. This oily re-

ality will undoubtedly seep its way into every crevice of this nation’s social, economic and political existence. As the oily excitement gushes, how will the masses know who are the Patriots, the Political Hustlers or the Leaders?

Patriots in the post-oil discovery-Guyana context should continue in their usual vein and put country first. They must be modest and should not be found dabbling in schemes of personal aggrandizement.

Those who wish to stake credible claims to being

genuine Guyanese citizens who care for country in the oil debates must have a distinguished record of humble existence and above all, must be absolutely incorruptible. The discovery of oil ought not to invoke any materialistic spirit in love for country; rather it should intensify his/her commitment to protect the Republic. The past actions and ill-gotten possessions of those who cry ‘I love this country, therefore I speak’, are laid bare for all and sundry to see. There is no amount of

Shakespearean or Churchillian oratory that can hide the intentions of the political hustlers who feign patriotism.

Those who genuinely love country will take a pay cut for country, take principled positions for country and suffer and speak out in the interest of the nation, even when it means he/she may go hungry. The political hustlers think of the next election cycle, patriots think of what obtains when he/ she has passed and just like Martin Luther King

Jr. they see the Promised Land and accept that they might not get there with the people.

How will the masses identify the true leader?

The leader must be a visionary who seeks to protect all of Guyana from the curse of black gold. He/ she must think beyond the

next political gain.

An oily existence for the leader, should mean a need to think outside the narrow leadership box which has corralled this nation for decades and should be willing to compromise with their most passionate detractors.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, December 5, 2018

Supporting people living with HIV/AIDS

DECEMBER 1st was observed as World AIDS Day. The term HIV and AIDS is well known.

To think they go hand in hand is somewhat true but not always because

a person can have HIV but not AIDS. AIDS is an advanced stage of the HIV virus. HIV or Human Immunodeficiency Virus is a virus that attacks the immune system.

HIV attacks the CD4 cells that helps us fight against diseases/ bacteria and in return, it weakens our entire immune system and opens up the door for vulnerability towards a host

of other illnesses. My point is not to talk about the science behind HIV/AIDS,

it’s to discuss to social epidemic it has been ever since its first rampant outbreak in the 1980s. HIV/AIDS and stigma shake hands in many societies across the world. The cause of such brutal stigma perhaps includes the many myths, norms and perspective we hold against this illness.

HIV can be transmitted through bodily fluids, such as (vaginal and semen fluids, blood, breast-feeding). A mother can also transmit the illness to her child through the pregnancy itself. None of these answers the question, why is this disease stigmatised as much as it is?

Perhaps, is because one way of transmitting this disease is by having sex with an infected person?

Is it because sex is still a taboo in many societies? Or perhaps, the widely known cases of HIV/AIDS are amongst sex workers and homosexuals?

Perhaps, it’s less to do with the disease itself and more to do with how we classify people and acts of norm. Would it have been less stigmatised if it didn’t involve the word ‘sex’?

Maybe!

People often tremble and scorn at the term, ‘HIV/ AIDS’. It’s important to note that there is the word ‘human’ in the term ‘human immunodeficiency virus’. If we focus more on the fact those affected are human beings, and less on how or why they contracted the virus, then in my opinion, we would stand a greater chance at fighting against HIV/AIDs. Stigmatisation (bad labels and branding) causes people to lose their status/reputation in society, people refuse treatment at public health care centres and even decline to be seen around people living with HIV/ AIDs. Free testing and free checkups are still useless if

95 per cent of persons are afraid or unwilling to show up, or even participate because of stigma.

Some symptoms of HIV include: chills, fever, tiredness, sweating in the night, weight loss and muscle aches. Some signs of AIDS include: diarrhea, blurred vision, excess tiredness, high fever lasting for weeks, coughing. HIV/AIDS is without a fixed cure. However, there are antiretroviral drugs available to help slow down the process of the illness. Antiretrovirals (ARVs) help to stop HIV cells from copying themselves. There are many types of these medications, so if you, or a person you know is HIV positive, visit a health centre/hospital near you. There is also pre-exposure prophylaxis or PrEP that is taken as a preventative method, in case you believe you may have been exposed to the virus but also is not HIV positive at the given time. Also, remember that a CONDOM is cheaper than AIDS. “Whenever AIDS has won, stigma, shame, distrust, discrimination and apathy was on its side.

Every time AIDS has been defeated, it has been because of trust, openness, dialogue between individuals and communities, family support, human solidarity, and the human perseverance to find new paths and solutions,” said Michel Sidibé, Executive Director of UNAIDS. I agree with this statement. I’ll let the number of 37 million persons living with HIV and the deaths of approximately 940,000 (in 2017), speak for itself.

There is no known cure for this detrimental disease we call HIV/AIDS, however there are cures for stigmatisation and I believe the way in which we treat victims of HIV/ AIDs is more deadly than the disease itself.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, December 5, 2018

Slowe to spend another Xmas in jail – after found guilty of raping minor

AN expressionless Esmond Kwesi Slowe was on Tuesday afternoon committed to prison after a mixed

12-member jury found him guilty in the proportion of 11 to 1 for sexual activity with a child, a family mem-

ber.

The matter was before Justice Jo-Ann Barlow in the Sexual Offences Court of

Princes St. youth cleared of uncle’s death NICHOLAS Hercules on Tuesday morning walked out of the Demerara High Court a free man after Justice Sandil Kissoon upheld a no-case submission made by the defence.

As he made his way out of the High Court in the company of his relatives, Hercules, now 22, was heard saying how relieved he was that the trial was finally over.

The agony for him began on November 26 when a mixed 12-member jury sat before Justice Kissoon to hear the testimonies of the ten witnesses who were called to take the stand.

Hercules, called “Bucko” had pleaded not guilty to the alleged murder on April 1,

2015 of his uncle, Carlos Solomon, during a heated argument at their home on Princes Street.

Holding for the defence were Hewley Griffith and Compton Richardson, while the State was represented by Lisa Cave and Orinthia Schmidt.

Reports are that the accused and Solomon both resided at the same address, when, on the day in question, the former stabbed the latter with a knife in the region of his armpit.

Solomon was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation, where he later died.

the Demerara High Court in which there was a summation of the case, after which the jury retired for hours of deliberation.

According to the state’s case, on December 16, 2016 in the County of Demerara, Slowe engaged in sexual activity with a child under the age of 16.

The child was 14 at the time of the incident and during the convict’s testimony, he told the court that

he was drunk and could not remember what happened on the day in question.

A probation report was however requested by defence attorney Maxwell McKay and it was granted

by Justice Barlow.

Slowe will be sentenced on December 14 at 09:00hrs, following presentation of his probation report.

The state was represented by Seeta Bishundial and Abigail Gibbs.

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Guilty: Esmond Slowe

25 ‘E-Forms’ to be launched in 2019

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, December 5, 2018

… police clearance, house-lot applications among lot to go online

THE provision of key services to the citizenry by the government will receive a technological boost in 2019 as several major projects will see Internet connectivity reducing the reliance on manual inputs.

During her address to the National Assembly on Tuesday, Minister of Pub-

lic Telecommunications Cathy Hughes noted that the APNU+AFC administration “fully understands “that using technology in government’s work can readily provide citizens with easy access to government services. To this end, she said in 2019 the ministry will deploy 25 online, fill-able forms

which citizens and those in the diaspora can use to facilitate transactions with the government. ”This prevents them from having to go to government agencies and spend a lot of time just standing up waiting,” she said.

The forms will cover services such as business registrations, police

clearances, sickness and benefits claims, house- lot application forms, job vacancy registrations, nursery and primary school applications and the passport application process as well as the registration of births, marriages and deaths.

Hughes said that several government agencies

Minister of Public Telecommunications Cathy Hughes (Adrian Narine photo)

such as the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) and the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) “have taken up the charge” and encouraged the citizens to transact business online.This is the way of the Guyana to come,” Hughes said.

Hughes also noted that in 2019 the enhanced capacity of the E-governance network will see “tele-medicine” facilities being created in which “the most remote “ health centres across the country will benefit from Internet connectivity. She said the Ministry of Public Telecommunications is working very closely with the Ministry of Public Health on the venture and she pointed out that the project will improve the lives of many residents.

She said too that Internet connectivity will be installed at a number of other public agencies.

“Very soon, all our regional and NDC offices, our fire stations, police stations will be connected, improving efficiency and security,” she added.

Hughes also told parliamentarians that the establishment of 131 ICT hubs across the country has been a tremendous opportunity and a source of excitement. She said the expansion of government services have also benefited persons in areas where the hubs are located as she noted that extensive groundwork has been undertaken to ensure digital services are provided to the country.

She said that the electronic government concept embraced by the administration will see $2.9B being set aside in two

major projects , the ICT Access for hinterland core and remote communities and the US$17M National Broadband Project.

“I would be the first to recognise that we have failed for decades to provide Internet connectivity to our hinterland and interior locations and communities and proper telecommunication services,” Hughes said.

To this end, she rebutted opposition MP Irfaan Ali’s remarks on Monday when he told the National Assembly that the government is engaged in wasteful spending. Hughes said she could not “get out of my head, the two billion Guyana dollars that his administration had spent on the failed fibre-optic cable “which she said was badly laid and [was] exposed to the elements.

More so, she said the project dashed the hopes of providing better Internet and telecommunications services from the coastland to Lethem.

She said she was happy that the Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo recently acknowledged that the project was most unfortunate and she expressed hope that the country would find out why the money was “wasted”.

Hughes told the National Assembly that the government is firm on its anti-corruption stance, with those in high positions being held accountable.

She said that she is confident that the increasing use of technology will ensure transparency and accountability in the provision of government services.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, December 5, 2018

Schoolboy home Court grants ‘hard luck’ safe and sound teen second chance A student of the La Bonne Intention (LBI) Secondary School, Aron Halley, has been found safe and sound after it was reported that he was missing since Friday, November 30.

The boy’s grandmother, Joan Yearwood shared with the Guyana Chronicle on Tuesday that she had just found Halley at the home of her sister-in-law, in Mahaicony.

“Yesterday [Monday] I hear he gone to my sister-in-law in Mahaicony,” Joan related and highlighted that she made her way up to get him on Tuesday.

Joan said that her grandson is okay and he would be heading back home with her to their East Coast Demerara (ECD) residence. At the time Young Aron Halley however, she was uncertain as to what happened to him but said that she would talk to him as he settles in. Over the weekend, it was circulated on social media that the young boy was missing since Friday after he was last seen leaving the school at about 14:30 hours.

He was dressed in his school clothes.

AN 18-year-old high school dropout was on Tuesday ordered to do four weeks community service by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan after confessing to having committed robbery with violence as charged.

Omar Kenneth confessed that on December 1, 2018 at Industrial Site, Ruimveldt, while being in the company of another and using personal violence, he robbed Sohan Bridgelall of two cellphones valued at $30,000.

“I’m not a person like this; I never been in no police situation before,” he said, adding that he lives alone in Sophia and has no family.

“I ain’t see my mother since last year June, and my father never signed for me,” the teen said boldly when questioned by the chief magistrate about his family background.

He also explained that he has had to drop out of high school while in Form Three, and that the only place he could have found work at the time was at a wash bay and on the Stabroek Market wharf.

For shelter, the youngster said he stayed by a friend’s house on ‘A’ Field Sophia. “I does sleep there in the night, and guh to work in the morning,” Kenneth said.

Police Prosecutor Gordon Man-

sfield told the court that on the day in question at around 10:00hrs, Bridgelall was approached by the teen and while his accomplices held him by the neck, he (Kenneth) relieved Bridgelall of his belongings.

He said that on raising an alarm, an off-duty policeman who was nearby hurried to Bridgelall’s rescue and apprehended the teen a short distance away.

Besides ordering him to do community service at the City Constabulary, the chief magistrate also placed Kenneth under the supervision of a probation officer so he could be counselled.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, December 5, 2018

Man shot by TV anchor contradicts police statement

By Clestine Juan

A KITTY resident who was last Sunday shot in the leg by HGP Nightly News anchor, Travis Chase is calling for justice, and the police to come clean with their investigation.

Jimmy Ramgobin, 28, of Sandy Babb Street, Kitty was shot by Chase, a licensed firearm holder, on the night of Monday De-

Jimmy Ramgobin

cember 3, 2018 outside the latter’s girlfriend’s home on DeAbreu Street, Newtown.

According to the police, Chase alleged that on pulling up in his vehicle with his girlfriend outside her home, he saw Ramgobin loitering there.

The newsman reportedly told the police that upon exiting his vehicle and approaching Ramgobin, the latter allegedly began hurling

bottles at him from a bag he was carrying, causing him to have to pull out his weapon and discharge a round at him.

Following the incident, Chase would later write on his Facebook page: “There was an incident where I was attacked by a man who marked my vehicle and I defended myself.

The police are handling the investigation.”

But when the Guyana Chronicle spoke with Ramgobin following his release from the hospital, the injured man gave a totally different version of the story.

He explained that he was intoxicated and fell asleep on the roadway in front of Chase’s girlfriend’s yard.

“In my sleep, I felt a person kicking me in my

The gunshot wound Jimmy Ramgobin sustained

HGP Nightly News’ Travis Chase ribs,” he said. “And when I open my eye and look up, this person had a gun in their hand. I felt frighten, and I get up and run,” Ramgobin said.

He said that it was as he was running away that Chase opened fire on him.

“When I meet by Garnett Street, Kitty,” Ramgobin said, “I feel a burning behind my foot and I stop and feel; is then I saw a set of blood on my hand.”

As regards the alleged throwing of bottles as Chase claimed, Ramgobin said he did no such thing. “I did not shy Travis! I had no time to take any bottle to shy Travis! It is insane for me to pick up a bottle to shy at a man when he shooting at me!”

Ramgobin is claiming that he was shot innocently, and that he did nothing to warrant it.

“I want justice! I’m not looking for compensation!” he said.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, December 5, 2018

Bevon Currie passes away

FORMER People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) youth leader, Bevon Currie has passed away following a prolonged period of illness.

Currie of Annandale, East Coast Demerara, died in the United States of America. He was employed at the Ministry of the Presidency at the time of his death.

The Guyana Youth and Student Movement—the youth arm of the PNCR— said in a statement that it was saddened by the passing of “Comrade Currie who would have served as former National Secretary of our organisation.” “We are privileged to have experienced his keen intellectual prowess and tact that he possessed during his time as national secre-

tary and even as he transitioned to the position of an advisor to our young cadre of upcoming comrades.

By his passing, we are reminded by the words of the Guyanese poet, Martin Carter that states… ‘Now from the mourning vanguard moving on. Dear comrade I salute you and I say. Death will not find us thinking that we die’.”

On social media there has been an outpouring of sentiments following the death of Currie.

One Yulisa Atasha said Currie was an amazing friend. “I am lost for words. I can’t talk it’s hard for me right now to say u gone forever more Bevon why u say u will be ok Rip.” Social Activist, Mark Benschop said Currie was

SOCU has until Jan 4 to make its case

–– against GBTI 8 in ongoing GRDB fraud probe COME January 4, 2019 Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) Prosecutor Patrice Henry will have to reply to a no-case submission in the case against eight directors of the Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI).

The eight, all accused of failing to comply with a production order issued by acting Chief Justice Roxane George-Wiltshire, are: GBTI Directors Edward A. Beharry, Suresh Beharry, Kathryn Eytle-McLean, Richard Isava, Carlton James and Basil Mahadeo; Company Chairman Robin Stoby, and Acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Shaleeza Shaw.

The octet is being placed before the courts as a result of an ongoing SOCU investigation into a US$500M fraud at the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB).

The GBTI directors are represented by Ian Chan, Roger Yearwood, Nigel Hughes, Steven Fraser and Edward Luckhoo.

The attorneys on Tuesday made a no-case submission to the court, to which the chief magistrate called upon the prosecution to reply.

The defendants are jointly charged with failing to comply with a production order issued by the acting chief justice and served by a marshal of the High Court to produce certain named documents within seven days to SOCU head, Assistant Commissioner of Police Sydney James.

It is alleged that they contravened the order without reasonable cause.

SOCU, as part of its probe into the US$500M GRDB fraud case, had moved to the court to obtain an order instructing the GBTI to produce all the required documents to aid in the investigation.

a dynamic, honest, dedicated, compassionate, intelligent, people’s person.

“I will remember our long conversations, some political disagreements, protests, and karaoke at that beautiful spot on Robb Street. In my opinion, Bevon Currie should have been made a minister of government. But, such is life… I salute this young

man for his hard work and dedication not only to the party he believed in, but to the entire country.

He didn’t compromise or discard his principles for twenty pieces of silver.

And for that, and more I say: Respect, bro. My condolences to his family, and friends. #RIPBEVON.” Director of Sport and PNCR executive, Chris-

topher Jones said he was shocked.

“Bevon Curry, can’t find words!! only last night I spoke your name and was telling someone that at a minute notice you were always available to give support and or guidance on anything bro, but God always knows best... Rest In Peace and Thank You.”

Bevon Currie

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, December 5, 2018

China, Panama Xi, Trump reach consensus, agree not to impose agree to further new additional tariffs promote ties

Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Panamanian counterpart, Juan Carlos Varela

V

ISITING Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday reached extensive consensus with his Panamanian counterpart, Juan Carlos Varela, on further promoting bilateral relations.

Xi arrived here on Sunday for a state visit to Panama, the first of its kind since China and the Central American country established diplomatic relations in June 2017.

During their talks on Monday, the two leaders spoke highly of the momentum of bilateral relations and cooperation results since the forging of diplomatic ties.

Xi hailed the strong start of bilateral relations highlighted by the exchange of visits of the two presidents and the deepening of mutual political trust.

He also lauded the rapid development of bilateral cooperation in various fields and the achievements made so far led by the joint construction of the Belt and Road Initiative.

Facts have proven and will continue to prove that the establishment of diplomatic relations is an absolutely correct decision and will benefit the two peoples.

Cementing and developing the China-Panama friendly relations is China’s unwavering diplomatic principle regardless of the changes in international situations, the Chinese president stressed.

China supports Panama’s efforts in safeguarding the country’s security and stability, improving its people’s livelihood and increasing its international influence, and in playing a bigger role in promoting regional economic integrity and connectivity, Xi said.

The two countries also issued a joint press communique on Monday to advance the development of their ties.

CHINESE President Xi Jinping and his U.S. counterpart Donald Trump held a “highly successful meeting” here Saturday, reaching important consensus and agreeing not to impose new additional tariffs.

The two heads of state had an in-depth exchange of views on China-U.S. relations and international issues of common concern in a friendly and candid atmosphere at a working dinner after the conclusion of the 13th summit of the Group of 20 in Argentina.

Sound China-U.S. relations, Xi said, are in line with the fundamental interests of the two peoples and the broad-based expectations of the international community.

He called on both China and the United States to handle the development of bilateral relations from an overall perspective and push for long-term, healthy and stable development of bilateral ties.

Trump said that he agrees with Xi on his evaluation of U.S.-China relations.

U.S.-China relations are very special and important, Trump said, adding that it is in the interest of the two countries as well as the world that the United States and China, both countries of significant influence, maintain a good cooperative relationship.

The U.S. side, he added, is ready to increase cooperation with China through consultations and actively seek mutually beneficial solutions to their problems.

The two leaders agreed to expand cooperation based on reciprocity and mutual benefit and manage differences based on mutual respect, so as to jointly advance China-U.S. relations with coordination, cooperation and stability as the defining features.

They also agreed to

maintain close exchanges in various forms to jointly chart the course for the development of China-U.S. relations, and pledged to hold further exchanges of visits at an appropriate time.

It was the first meeting between Xi and Trump since the U.S. president

They agreed not to impose new additional tariffs, and instructed the economic teams of both sides to step up negotiations toward the removal of all additional tariffs and reach a concrete deal that is mutually beneficial and win-win.

Xi also reiterated Chi-

amazing and productive meeting with unlimited possibilities for both the United States and China.

“It is my great honor to be working with President Xi,” Trump said.

Experts said that the important meeting sends a positive signal in the development of China-U.S.

Chinese President Xi Jinping and his U.S. counterpart Donald Trump paid a state visit to China in November last year.

The world, Xi said, has witnessed a lot of changes since then.

As two major countries with great influence, China and the United States shoulder important responsibilities in promoting world peace and prosperity, Xi told Trump.

Cooperation is the best choice for China and the United States, he said.

On economic and trade issues, Xi said that it is very normal that the two countries have some disagreements in the fields of economy and trade, adding that the key is to manage their differences properly and work out a solution acceptable to both sides in the spirit of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit.

na’s stance on the Taiwan issue and the U.S. side pledged to continue to adhere to the one-China policy.

The two leaders also exchanged views on the Korean Peninsula situation and other major international and regional issues.

The meeting lasted for two and a half hours, much longer than planned, said Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi at a briefing on the closely-watched XiTrump meeting.

“The meeting was very successful and produced important consensus. It provides direction for China-U.S. relations in the time to come,” Wang said.

In a White House press release, Trump was quoted as saying that this was an

relations, one of the most important bilateral ties in the world.

It suggests that cooperation is the key to the solution of problems, said Zhu Feng, a professor with the School of International Studies at Peking University, adding that given the differences between China and the United States in institutions, industrial policies and markets, Xi and Trump have demonstrated strategic courage and resolution at the dinner table.

Berthold Kuhn, a China expert with the Free University of Berlin, noted that the meeting was “a first step” toward the settlement of China-U.S. trade disputes and more time is still needed for negotiation.

“I am ... slightly optimistic,” he said. (Xinhua)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, December 5, 2018

Local suppliers gearing to tap into oil wealth

By Lisa Hamilton

MANY local businesses in Guyana are determined to up their standards to meet the requirements of becoming key suppliers in the petroleum sector.

Safety and health; environmental and regulatory compliance; quality; cost competitiveness; ethical business practices and the ability to meet schedules are some of the areas these businesses must improve in the coming years.

At the inaugural Liza Phase 1 Supplier Development Forum held on Monday at the Guyana Marriott Hotel, ExxonMo-

their determination to meet higher standards.

“The experience is remarkable because you’re getting to meet people and network, and you’re able to come up with initiatives to meet what will emerge with the oil and gas sector. I find that a lot of opportunities are popping up and my company is tackling them by pooling resource persons together…so that we can benefit,” said Managing Director of Professional Training Employment and Consultancy Services, Marlon Joseph.

His company aims to raise the quality of services offered by employees and employers, and

the lowest price --even our tendering process is about the lowest bidder -- we have not been able to build capacity in our businesses because we’re chasing down prices. Now that we’re transitioning into a value-based economy…it will require tremendous support from Government to create the enabling environment and the kind of concessions and resources to bring local businesses up the level that the oil and gas industry now demands of us,” he stated.

Benn’s company is registered with the Centre For Local Business Development (CLBD), and has been exposed to the training

Sears said that given the right opportunity, Guyanese businesses can position themselves to tap into the oil and gas sector and secure their right to the local content.

“If you look at the oil and gas industry, there is and will continue to be great demand for relevant hardware and materials for servicing. With assistance, we will be able to set up stream supply arrangements for local vendors to procure hardware and materials which can be stocked for operators’ convenience.

“Similarly, we can encourage local suppliers to become agents in Guyana’s registry specifying

and do you have training? So it makes you think on a broader scale. No longer is the entrepreneur allowed to think that this is a one-man-show you have to think about how you present yourself to first tier clients and make sure that you’re competitive at the same time.”

Consultant at Assured Supplies and Contracting Services,Natheeah Mendonca posited: “One of the things I think came out earlier is the need for local businesses to prepare themselves or to put themselves in order, in terms of having the right kind of policies for their businesses as well as standards.

Shawn Benn

Colwin Hunte

Natheeah Mendonca

Simone Forde

Marlon Joseph

bil-Guyana’s Country Manager Rod Henson identified the areas, even as he noted the efforts of Guyana’s “rapidly evolving business sector”.

Some 300 local businesses attended the forum at the Marriott Hotel where Henson emphasised: “These are the things that are important to us, we are going to be a first class industry here in Guyana and that’s what we’re building.” The forum was aimed at building relationships between Guyanese suppliers and prime petroleum contractors while positioning those in the sector to meet certain standards.

Henson had revealed that there have already been many local success stories -- several from the companies represented -- but that there is still room for improvement which will understandably take time.

“This wouldn’t happen overnight and it doesn’t well need to happen overnight. 2020 is not the end, 2020 is the beginning. Entrepreneurs will take some risk…but it will happen little by little just like it always has in other areas.

We’ll get there and ExxonMobil is committed to doing its part on this journey,” he pledged.

Several local suppliers spoke to this newspaper on the sidelines of the programme, telling of the training they have received and

considering this, he noted the importance of safety and quality service as stressed by Exxon’s prime contractors.

“Safety is very important and quality, for sure, is important.

One of my concerns though is that I don’t think many Guyanese grasp the concept and the magnitude of development that will come to Guyana and I don’t think everybody is prepared thus far to meet the need of the quest.

“Many times you go into organisations and the service leaves much to be desired, so we’re tackling that as we’re now poised for greatness on the international level due to the emerging oil and gas sector,” Joseph said.

Meanwhile, owner of Professional Auto Body-Work Establishment and Investment Agency, Shawn Benn said that while improvements are being made, businesses in Guyana still have a way to go to meeting desired standards.

“We as local businesses are a far shot away from really coming up to the level as demanded by the oil and gas industry, but with steady work and commitment I think that it’s not impossible.

“What I would say, however, is because of the fact that we have been operating in what I call a ‘price-based’ economy for so long, where everything is about

in safety and procurement.

He highlighted his commitment to seeing the process through to the end, remarking: “We will try our best to be a part of what’s going on and to avail ourselves to become contractors at the various levels that are available. It’s not an easy task but we’re continuing to work on it.”

At the function, Henson reminded that the opportunities for local suppliers are many, as their work is often preferred by prime contractors as the cheaper and faster option compared to imported labour.

As such he advised: “In many cases, assuming that the capabilities exist, the costs are lower using local suppliers. We want that.

I’d like to visualise that Guyana is at the beginning of a journey .Oil revenues will ramp up over the next decade, and as oil revenues ramp up so will expectations and standards of living.

“This is a good thing but this transformational decade must be accompanied by transformation in Guyana’s industries: high quality, very strict adherence to safety standards; working to international standards.”

in engineering equipment such as pumps, hoses, gauges and other specialised tools. All that is required is a detailed list to be provided to the local entities to deliver upon,” he said.

The majority of the prime contractors represented at the forum, also took the opportunity to present their 2019 procurement forecast list of materials and services needed and which were largely noted by the attendees.

Sears also acknowledged: “Judging from the size of our economy, many tend to underestimate the reach of our local companies. However, with the right information provided… our local manufacturers [will be able to], maybe in the near future with international accreditation, service the whole oil and gas industry.”

Owner/Manager of TCE Solutions Colwin Hunte was thankful for the forum, as he believes that its benefits will be two fold for both companies gearing up to be suppliers and the other sectors in Guyana watching on.

“It forces the local suppliers to bring up their game somewhat because there are key things they [prime contractors] are looking for. If you have staff they want to know what sort of safety systems you have in place; if you have personnel, how do you treat them

When we speak specifically about quality and health and safety, these are some of the things that small businesses really don’t have because we want to make a dollar and we want to make a living.

“But now, for us to be able to be involved in business with the international companies we have to ‘put our houses in order’ in terms of formulating policies.”

She commended the programme, even as she stated that her presence at the event was to determine where she can fit in as a small business on the market. “It has been a challenge for local businesses but I think it’s something for us to learn from going forward, and for us to do things the right way because we have a culture of doing business at a particular standard in Guyana, so it’s an opportunity for us to change that,” Mendonca said.

CEO of Seaj Services Simone Forde, spoke to the newspaper too stating: “Regulations and policies is the key for me that I’ll be learning.

As a small business owner it allows me to up my standards, and to put these systems in place for my business so that come next year I am well prepared for the sector to offer services.”

READY TO TAP IN Private Sector Commission (PSC) Chairman Desmond

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, December 5, 2018

Friendship Holdings wins injunction –– to stop GRA levying on rest of its assets

By Gabriella Chapman

JUSTICE Franklin Holder on Monday granted an injunction restraining the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) from levying on more Friendship Hotel

and Restaurant Holdings’ immovable assets.

The judge’s decision followed his hearing from the plaintiff’s lawyer, Anil Nandlall, the grounds on which the injunction was filed, before ruling in the

company’s favour until the hearing and determination of the Statement of Claim, or further order of the court.

It was in response to an application for an injunction restraining not

just the GRA, but the First Marshal, the Registrar of the Supreme Court, and the Deeds and Commercial Registry Authority from taking any further steps in concluding levy execution on the applicant’s proper-

ties.

In its Statement of Claim, Friendship Holdings, owners of the Vlissengen Road buildings which formerly housed KFC and Pizza Hut restaurants, is contending that the execution of sale by the respondents was irregular, unlawful and illegal.

Nandlall explained in his oral presentations that on July 20, 2011, two statements certified by the GRA Commissioner-General setting forth an amount due by the applicant’s corporation tax and property tax, were produced to the registrar of the Supreme Court.

The first certificate certified that the applicant owes GRA some $72,396,079 in corporation tax, while the second certified that they owe another $12,542,587 in property tax.

He further pointed out that on October 21, 2016, Justice Navindra Singh granted judgment in the amount specified in the two certificates at reference, and that in August 2018, two Writs of Execution, on moveable and immovable property, were issued by the High Court.

Nandlall said that after the writs were issued, Friendship Holdings’s Managing Director, Deonarine Singh entered into an agreement with GRA that he would have the properties sold, since he had some interested buyers who were willing to pay in excess of $100,000,000 per property.

Both parties, he said, agreed that the properties would be sold by the applicant, and that the debt owed GRA would be paid off. He further noted that it was also agreed that there would be no definite timeline in which the applicant was required to pay off said debts.

Nandlall said that GRA Commissioner-General, Godfrey Statia had even recorded the said agreement and sent his client a letter acknowledging it.

However, after all this, in September, a Marshal of the High Court accompanied by a GRA enforcement officer visited the

applicant’s company and proceeded to levy on the immovable property, which action was carried out unknowing to the applicant.

The properties were then advertised in the Official Gazette to be sold on October 16, 2018 at an auction sale, and at the auction, they were sold to one bidder for the total sum of approximately $70M. Nandlall said the applicant only found out about the sale when a Demerara Bank representative called to inform him of what was happening. As such, he is contending that GRA’s representation was false, and was made negligently and in breach of the duty of care owed to owner of the properties.

According to Nandlall, each property is worth far in excess of $70M, and that as confirmed by Certificates of Valuation prepared by Valuation Officer, Denroy Livan, all the properties combined are worth just over $1B. This, he said, puts the applicant in a position to lose hundreds of millions of dollars.

The properties have been auctioned, but the sale was not completed, as transport has not been passed to the purchaser.

However, the respondents have begun the process of distributing the proceeds of sale and transferring them to the purchaser, hence the reason for the injunction filed.

The injunction was granted, but the applicant is also suing for damages of in excess of $100M against the defendants for irregular, unlawful and illegal levy execution; damages of in excess of $100M against the defendants for illegal sale of execution; damages against GRA for negligent misrepresentation; and damages against the registrar for negligence.

The respondents, who will be represented by the Attorney-General’s Chambers, were given time to respond to the claims made by the applicant, and the matter will be heard again on February 5, 2019.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, December 5, 2018

LGE independent candidate wins in PPP-dominated LAA

23

– says one voice is enough to make a difference AT the recently concluded Local Government Elections (LGE) an independent candidate was able to gain a massive victory in the PPP-dominated Port Mourant/Johns NDC. Orin McDougal who contested in Constituency One-Portuguese Quarter to Managers Compound in the Port Mourant/Johns Neighborhood Democratic Council Region Six, secured 119 to 36 votes against his PPP opponent. “I believe a strongly independent candidate needs to get real and run for this election more than me. One makes a difference; it makes a start, if others can go into that and do it we will have control and see better decision-making and a voice, with the council not having to stymie anything,” he stated.

McDougal explained to the Guyana Chronicle that he was previously on the PPP slate as a councillor for the said NDC but has been getting a lot of opposition and negativity from most of the councilors who were bent on stymieing his plans. After being asked to not contest again by the council he decided to go as an independent candidate based on the request of his constituents who felt they would be pushed further into the doldrums by the PPP candidates who cared little for them. With his one seat, McDougal, who is a remigrant, has a lot of plans and believes that one seat is enough for him to make a difference in his community and has shown that he has the support of his people.

“When it comes around this time for nominations they did not include me in the list because this is a way they found to get me off as a councillor but I am grateful that Guyana is a democratic country and I have an option to go as an individual. My desire is to

cially sworn in at the Port Mourant/Johns Neighborhood Democratic Council today.

Orin McDougal serve the people; to help them to make their lives better and I found that it is not necessary to align with any political party to do that for the people, so I am doing this as an independent for my community and people,” he had told the Guyana Chronicle prior to the elections.

He explained, notable achievements that were recorded during his three years as councillor will continue into phase two.

These include; the cleaning of Bunyan Trench, paved streets and patched roads, cleaning of the dumpsite, installation of tubing for proper drainage and irrigation, fixing of leakages among others.

“Everything that we did before will be done in phase two, fix streets based on our allowance. I intend to hold meetings which we will form a committee within the constituency.

This committee will be in charge to ensure the drains are kept clean, the parapets are weeded, and the garbage is disposed of properly.”

McDougal, prior to the LGEs along with his supporters, had started a massive clean-up campaign and even after the elections he continues to play an active role in community development.

McDougal and 17 other councillors will be offi-

Workers clearing a heavily vegetative trench at Managers Compound Port Mourant

24

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, December 5, 2018

Final pair of passenger boarding bridges arrives THE second and final pair of boarding (air) bridges for the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) arrived in Guyana on Tuesday.

Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Project Manager Carmichael Thorne revealed to the Department of Public Information (DPI) that the boarding bridges are on site and installation will begin over the next two weeks.

“It will take one week for each bridge installation; the foundation is ready for installation after then we’ll begin testing of the bridges. By the end of January everything will be completed,” Thorne explained.

The second pair of boarding bridges will be incorporated alongside the two bridges already in use. According to Thorne, one of the bridges will be placed between the two already installed while the other one will be in the north. Earlier in the year, the new boarding bridges were tested at CJIA to ensure all systems under the passenger treatment/loading conditions are acceptable to allow the identification of final opportunities for improvements ahead of the proposed official opening of the terminal. To date the two bridges are operational. (DPI)

The pair of boarding bridges that arrived in the country on Tuesday

Bad weather delays completion of Itabali landing THE Ministry of Public Infrastructure wishes to notify the general public of the unforeseen delay in the rehabilitation of the Itabali landing due to inclement weather and continued damage to the route by overladen trucks.

In a release, the ministry said this project, currently under the control and management of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), commenced on October 17, 2018 and is expected to be completed in January 2019. “Therefore, while this project does not

fall under the remit of the Ministry of Public Infrastructure at this time, the ministry remains committed to working with the GGMC to ensure that there is no prolonged disturbance to commuters,” the release read.

The ministry also said that the road will be a priority in 2019 and is slated for continued maintenance during this time.

The Ministry of Public Infrastructure regrets any inconvenience caused to commuters in the affected areas due to this delay.

Porknocker remanded for attempted murder A 39-year-old porknocker was on Tuesday remanded to prison by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan for attempted murder.

Bronson Wiltshire, of Charlotte Street, Bourda was not required to plead to the indictable charge which alleged that on November 25, 2018 in the Cuyuni Backdam, he wounded Kurt Walcott with intent to commit murder.

According to the facts, at around 03:00hrs on the day in question, Walcott was drinking at a shop in the Cuyuni when he was approached by Wiltshire about money he’d owed him for marijuana.

During a confrontation which ensued after Walcott refused to pay up, Wiltshire reportedly pulled out a knife and stabbed him in the head and abdomen then ran away.

Prosecutor Gordon Mansfield objected to bail being granted to Wiltshire since the victim is currently hospitalised and listed as critical.

Ruling in favour of the prosecutor, the chief magistrate remanded Wiltshire

Bronson Wiltshire

to prison until December 20 when he will reappear at the Bartica Magistrates’ Court.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wedesday, December 5, 2018

CCWU agrees three-year deal with Demerara Mutual

Ministry of Labour Charles Ogle going through the three-year agreement before the signing on Monday

THE Ministry of Labour, Clerical and Commercial Workers’ Union (CCWU) and Demerara Mutual on Monday afternoon counter-penned a three-year collective bargaining agreement at the Ministry of Labour, Brickdam.

Demerara Mutual Com-

pany Secretary, James Morgan said that the agreement was reached after three rounds of negotiations, and has to do with workers’ pay from January 2018. He said that they managed to agree on across-the-board payment.

CCWU President Sherwood Clarke thanked the ministry for accommodating the signing, and at the end of it all they are pleased to have come to a mutual agreement.

Chief Labour Occupational Safety and Health Officer, Charles Ogle said he is pleased with the dialogue and collective bargaining negotiations between Demerara Mutual and the CCWU in which the ministry counter-signed.

Following the signing the parties exchanged documents and everyone left pleased with the outcome on Monday afternoon.

CCWU President Sherwood Clarke along with others signing the agreement (Photos by Samuel Maughn)

Construction of new Leguan Stelling to start next year THE Ministry of Public Infrastructure said the construction of the new Leguan Stelling is slated to commence next year.

During the construction period, the ministry is assuring all Leguan residents and passengers that the existing stelling will remain in operation, and there will be no change to the existing vessel schedules.

“At this time, all arrangements are therefore being

finalised by the ministry to ensure that there are no disruptions to the current operations at Leguan, and to further facilitate a smooth construction period for the provision of this new stelling to residents and commuters,” a release from the ministry said.

The ministry says it will update the community and public regarding this project and provide further details in the coming months.

Demerara Mutual staffers affixing their signatures to the approved document

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, December 5, 2018

Guyana Help The Kids expanding operations to OECS

By Frederick Halley GUYANA Help The Kids (GHTK) is in the process of finalising plans to expand operations from its current focus on Guyana to other territories within the Eastern Caribbean.

Based in Toronto, Canada, the planned expansion which is being targeted for 2019 implementation, will have as its foundation the valuable lessons learned and experience gained from GHTK’s activities in Guyana over the last 11

years, according to founder and president Dr Narendra Singh.

The Guyana-born Singh disclosed that the organisation has gained invaluable lessons “from our experience working in Guyana to develop the neonatal

and paediatric programmes.

Much of that learning has come from some mistakes that we have made and the many successes that we have had in the process.”

Singh pointed out that “engaging the government, identifying common goals

and defining responsibilities were crucial to the success of any programme. Achieving these goals without having a vision of sustainability would have been a sure prescription for failure. Our experience tells us today that education and ownership have to be the two pillars of sustainability.”

Singh further disclosed that GHTK has been successful in educating numerous outstanding physicians and nurses who have taken the responsibility for owning these programmes, while taking great pride in ensuring that the programmes maintain the highest quality.

The government of Guyana, Singh said, “has also assumed ownership of the majority of the programmes, at least from a financial perspective. Though our work is not yet done in Guyana, we feel confident of the need to now expand our activities to other Caribbean countries with similar needs.”

Singh pointed out that GHTK feels that a natural progression should be into the Caribbean, “given the similarities in culture, language and the largely identical challenges. We have approached the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) since they are a natural conduit to gain access to the government and health sectors of the respective islands.”

The GHTK has also engaged Dr Carlene Radix who is the head of the Health of Health Human and Social Cluster Lead of the OECS in a strategic partnership to identify the needs of the Region and to develop a plan to address these challenges.

Dr Radix, it was disclosed, facilitated a video-conference meeting with hospital representatives and neonatal caregivers from some of the islands, during which time the opportunity was taken to listen to the challenges and gaps in the care provided to babies within the Region. “Our general impression is that they are interested in working with GHTK and other partners to elevate the level of care provided for the Region’s high-risk babies,” Touching specifically on the proposed plans, Dr Singh said the OECS Commission has decided to engage a number of partners to form an alliance to address maternal and neonatal issues in the OECS. “The alliance’s mandate will be to

Dr. Narendra Singh

address the many challenges facing the OECS in their desire to provide the highest standards of neonatal care. Representatives from the OECS member states, GHTK and the World Paediatric Project (WPP) are some of the partners being considered.

Singh assured that “the major lesson learned in Guyana was that success of this programme hinges on developing a partnership with the government to ensure that there is a shared vision and a delegation of responsibilities.

“To this end, I would like to thank our Consul-General from Guyana, Anyin Choo, for facilitating a presentation to the consuls-general of all of the Caribbean islands. After our presentation, they were all very positive about the plan and volunteered to help us in our efforts to engage the local diaspora. They also agreed to facilitate required meetings with their respective governments. After this very favourable reception, I am confident that we are on the correct path for GTHK’s expansion.”

Singh opined that an engagement with the Canadian Caribbean Diaspora will be fundamental to GHTK’s required expansion of its donor base, as it seeks to acquire the financial support that will be necessary to fulfil its plans. Towards this end, GHTK will be embarking on several new and exciting public awareness activities in the months ahead.

Singh feels exciting times now lie ahead for GHTK. “Exciting times which will also be filled with beckoning opportunities for all to become involved in GHTK’s expansion plans. I invite you to come be a part of what promises to be an interesting and fulfilling journey for all involved.”

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wedesday, December 5, 2018

CCREEE appoints executive director THE Caribbean Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (CCREEE) has appointed Dr. Gary Jackson as its Executive Director, the CARICOM Secretariat has announced.

Dr. Jackson, a national of Jamaica, holds a PhD in Mechanical Engineering, and MSc in Project Management, both from the University of Birmingham, United Kingdom. He has undertaken studies in hydroelectric power and power flow modeling for distributed generation under a Fulbright Nexus Scholarship.

An Energy Consultant who has been involved in the Caribbean energy sector in varying capacities, Dr. Jackson is the founder and a director of emPowered Caribbean Communities (emPCC) and its research arm; Caribbean Energy Solution Research Institute. He is also founder of Electric Vehicles Limited, actively researching electrical mobility via his own electric car.

The CCREEE Executive Director previously held leadership roles at Wigton Windfarm Limited and the Centre of Excellence for Renewable Energy, a Division of The Petroleum Corporation of Jamaica. He was Executive Director of Caribbean Electric Utilities Services Corporation (CARILEC), and Lecturer on Integrating Alternative Energy at the University of the West Indies (UWI). Dr. Jackson is a Registered Engineer (PE) in Jamaica and an associate member of the Jamaica Institute of Engineers (JIE). Internationally, he is a member of the Association of Energy Engineers (AEE), the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) and a Certified Energy Manager (CEM).

The appointment was made as CCREEE — which is based in Barbados — begins to position itself to advance the development of renewable energy and energy efficiency in CARICOM. The work of the CCREEE will be guided by an executive board and a technical committee. In addition to the executive director, the Board comprises representatives of the Governments of Barbados, The Bahamas, Belize and Dominica as contracting parties; the CARICOM Secretariat; International Development Partners, the Austrian Development Agency (ADA) and the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO); SIDS DOCK; and the Council for

Dr. Gary Jackson, Executive Director of the Caribbean Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (CCREEE).

Trade and Economic Development (COTED).

A Strategic Planning Meeting of the Executive Board was held 22-23 November, 2018, following the Caribbean Sustainable Energy Forum CSEF) VI in Placencia, Belize. At the planning meeting, the Board agreed to the vision: ‘Transforming the energy landscape into a climate resilient, sustainable and affordable sector; focused on improving the lives of our people’.

Back in April, the requisite number of ratifications were deposited with the CARICOM Secretariat to establish the centre’s legal identity and to operationalise it. When fully operational, the centre is expected to improve the quantity and quality of programmes and projects in sustainable energy within the Region. Energy plays a critical part in supporting the sustainable development of Caribbean countries and the action-oriented community institution will lead to improvements in sustainable energy production, delivery and use, through increased renewable energy applications and energy efficiency measures.

During the first operational phase, the strategic priorities of the centre are to: develop a knowledge hub aimed at enhancing capacity within the regional energy sector; allow for access to curated human resources and uses smart data that drives decision-making. The centre will work closely with the CARICOM Secretariat’s Energy Unit and will report to the Ministerial Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED).

It will provide the Energy Unit and other local and international partners with the required technical implementation and execution capacities.

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Seven Guyanese for CIK-FIA Caribbean Karting Trophy

By Stephan Sookram SEVEN of Guyana’s best young racers have been named as representatives for the Inaugural CIK-FIA Caribbean Junior Karting Academy Trophy set for early 2019.

The seven are Jeremy Ten Pow, Paige Mendonca, Nathan Rahaman, Elan Rahaman, Rayden Persaud, Zachary Persaud and Faraud Mohamed.

Ten-Pow, Mendonca and Nathan Rahaman are known contenders in the ongoing GT Motorsports Championship where they compete in the Sunburst 60cc Kids Cup. Jeremy currently leads the 2018 GT Motorsports championship for that class after three rounds with a total of 196 points, with Nathan second on 173 points and Paige on 123 points.

Elan, Rayden and Faraud compete the 125cc (X30) Junior class, with Rayden atop the standings with 167 points; a slim lead to John Phang who is ineligible for the Trophy.

Elan Rahman is third

with 118 points with Faraud fourth (105) points after three rounds of action.

Zachary Persaud entered through the Easy Cup Rookie but joined the 125cc (X30) Senior class for the third round of the GT Motorsports Calendar.

According to a release from the hosts of the championship, the Barbados Motoring Federation (BMF), the event was open to racers aged 11 to 15 selected by their home country’s motorsport governing bodies and will be sponsored by Bushy Park Circuit Inc. (BPCI), Chefette, Sol and Terra Caribbean.

The Trophy will take the format off the CIK-FIA Karting Academy Trophy, the first step in the process to single-seater racing where Guyanese Calvin Ming competes.

BMF president Andrew Mallalieu, who has been the driving force behind this new regional initiative, said: “When FIA president Todt visited Barbados last year, we included our ideas for a Caribbean Junior Karting

series in the presentation to update him on the progress of motorsport in the region.

He was enthusiastic about our plans and urged us to prepare a formal cluster application for FIA Grant funding to support the launch of the series. The original plan has been modified during that process, but we are truly grateful for the support we have received to finally make this a reality.”

Drivers will use Vortex-engined Exprit OK-Junior karts, as used in the CIK-FIA Academy Trophy in Europe this year, but now running on control Sol fuel and mandated allocations of MG tyres.

The championship will be run over three weekends in January, February and March at Bushy Park, Barbados, using four different circuit configurations and will include drivers from several other Caribbean territories.

Each race weekend will follow the same format, including two rounds of the series, the second run in the reverse direction to the first.

For each round, there will be two 30-minute Free

Practice sessions followed by a 15-minute Qualifying Practice, then three Qualifying Heats: the grid for Race 1 will be based on the order after Qualifying, Race 2 on the reverse of Qualifying, Race 3 on the fastest lap recorded by each driver in the earlier two races.

The grid for the Final, which will be of at least 15 kilometres, will be based on points scored in the Qualifying Heats. Of eight points-scoring opportunities each weekend – six Qualifying Heats and two Finals – drivers will count their best seven scores toward their year-end totals.

Ahead of the opening round, all registered competitors will also benefit from a two-day Driver Education Programme, which is being led by FIA-accredited Regional Training Providers from the United Arab Emirates.

There will be a significant emphasis on driving standards and techniques, with a number of classroom and on-track coaching sessions scheduled.

‘Gov’t did not destroy Inter-Guiana Games’ – Min. Norton THE accusation by the Opposition that the Coalition Government destroyed the Inter-Guiana games was yesterday dismissed as “farthest from the truth” by Minister of Social Cohesion, with responsibility for Culture, Youth and SportS, Dr. George Norton.

The minister, speaking on the side-lines of the 2019 National Budget Debate, was responding to Opposition

Member of Parliament and former Director of Sport under the PPP administration, Need Kumar.

“This administration, in no way or form, would try to destroy something we enjoy, something the athletes look forward to. We had good success at past games and we want it to continue,” the minister stated.

Dr. Norton said during Kumar’s tenure as Sport

Director, he demonstrated little interest in the sector, citing his absence during the 2013 Inter-Guiana Games.

Further, Minister Norton made reference to the bad state of the National Aquatic Centre located at Liliendaal and the Leonora Track and Field, both constructed under the PPP government.

According to the minister, there are visible cracks at the bottom of the pool at

the National Aquatic Centre while the synthetic material is already peeling at the Leonora track. This, he estimates, has just a few more years before it is totally destroyed.

“We do hope, because we are in the process of constructing two other tracks, in Region Ten, Linden and Region Six, New Amsterdam, that they are a much higher quality than that at Leonora,” Norton said.

The Powerlifter who conquered in 2018 - Runita White

By Michelangelo Jacobus

PERHAPS the greatest basketball player ever, Michael Jordan once said; “Never say never because limits, like fears, are often just an illusion”.

This is something that Runita White has embodied in her first year as a powerlifter to truly reach the pinnacle of the sport in Guyana in 2018.

After first competing at the Novices Championships back in February, White went on to reset a plethora of records and truly cemented herself as the premier female powerlifter in Guyana.

She made it three Best Overall female lifter accolades out of three competitions last Sunday at the Guyana Amateur Power Lifting Federation (GAPLF) National Senior Championships despite a few setbacks.

At the Novices Championships on February 4, White

set new records in the Female Junior Raw 84+kg category. She blew away her competitors amassing 313.511 Wilks points and lifting a total of 383.5kg. White finished first by squatting 145kg, bench-pressing 62.5kg and deadlifting a national record weight of 175kg.

However, that was just the beginning as she then went on to squat 165kg, bench-press 67.5kg and deadlift 195kg, along with her total weight, lifted 427.5kg, to reset the 84+kg Junior and Open Raw Records at the Intermediate/ Masters Championships in May. In her third and final competition last Sunday, the Seniors National Championships, White once again came out on top in emphatic fashion; en route to winning her 84+kg Open and Junior categories.

White reset the records for the Junior Classic 84+kg Class

in the squat (182.5kg), deadlift (196kg) and bench press (75kg), as well as the total weight (453.5kg) lifted. In the Open category, she changed the record for the squat with her 182.5kg lift.

Speaking to Chronicle Sport after her heroics, White revelled in her accomplishments saying, “Placing first in my category and winning the best female lifter title for the Seniors National 2018 make me feel as though all my hard work has paid off.

“I was training with injuries, there were a few times I had to take days off because I couldn’t actually lift and doubts occurred because I felt as though the pain would’ve affected me throughout the entire competition. So overall I’m proud of myself and I couldn’t have ended the year any better.”

She continued, “I set a few goals for myself at the

National Seniors and those included; squatting 182.5kg, benching 75kg, bettering my last deadlift, to make a total of 1 000lb and to be the best female lifter. Of those five goals, I accomplished four of them. I didn’t make the total of 1 000 but I’m still elated at my performance”.

“This is my third competition for the year and the third time I have achieved the title of best female lifter”.

With an eye on the future, White revealed, “Now that the competition is done, I’m taking a week’s rest and I’ll be back in the gym to work on my lifts and my technique. I was able to qualify for next year’s international competition so that’s next”.

The 23-year-old White has been nothing short of phenomenal after just a year of training and competing.

She truly has gone above and beyond her limits. She has conquered in 2018.

GUYANA CHRONICLE , Wednesday, December 5, 2018

Gritty Azhar leads Pakistan out of trouble (REUTERS) - Azhar Ali’s resolute half-century helped Pakistan reach 1393 in reply to New Zealand’s 274 on day two of the third and final Test in Abu Dhabi yesterday.

wickets to trail New Zealand by 135 runs with seven wickets remaining.

Asad Shafiq was unbeaten on 26 after the pair shared an unbroken fourth-wicket partnership of 54 at the

feez and Imam-ul-Haq with only 17 runs on the board, having both openers caught

by Tim Southee in the slips.

With Pakistan facing a familiar top-order collapse, Azhar stitched together a

Azhar Ali reamins unbeaten on 62 at the close.

Azhar, who finished the day unbeaten on 62 off 169 balls, helped Pakistan recover from the loss of two early

Sheikh Zayed Stadium.

New Zealand pace bowler Trent Boult had removed the out-of-form Mohammad Ha-

68-run stand with Haris Sohail (34) to ease their nerves.

A well-set Sohail was

dismissed when he edged Southee to wicketkeeper BJ Watling, but Azhar and Shafiq dropped anchor to ensure Pakistan did not suffer any more losses.

Earlier, New Zealand added 45 runs to their overnight score of 229-7, with Watling finishing unbeaten on 77.

Off-spinner Bilal Asif, who picked up two wickets on Monday, completed his second five-wicket haul in Tests.

Debutant William Somerville was bowled for his overnight score of 12 after he failed to read Asif’s sharp turn and the same bowler had Ajaz Patel caught at slip and bowled Boult to finish with figures of 5-65.

New Zealand won the opening Test in Abu Dhabi by four runs before Pakistan levelled the threematch series with victory in the second Test in Dubai by an innings and 16 runs.

India batsman Gambhir calls time on playing career (REUTERS) - Former India opening batsman Gautam Gambhir, who won two World Cups and scored over 10,000 international runs, announced his retirement from the sport in a video message on Tuesday.

The feisty left-hander has not represented his country since 2016 and said he would play his last game for Delhi in the Ranji Trophy match against Andhra at his home ground Feroz Shah Kotla beginning on Thursday.

“After more than 15 years of cricket for my country I want to retire from playing this beautiful game,” Gambhir said in the video on social media.

“Despite all the aches and pains; fears and failures I won’t mind a repeat of this in my next life too. But obviously with a few more wins for India, a few more hun-

dreds and in the next life may be a few five-wicket hauls as well.”

Gambhir made 58 Test appearances for India, scoring 4,154 runs at an average of 41.95 and was a key member of the team

that rose to number one in the test rankings in 2009.

In one-day internationals, the 37-year-old accumulated 5,238 runs and was India’s top scorer in the 2011 World Cup final victory against Sri Lanka.

Gautam Gambhir made 58 Test appearances for India, scoring 4, 154 runs at an average of 41.95

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GCC defeat GDF by six wickets in 40-over cricket THE GEORGETOWN Cricket Club (GCC) registered a six-wicket win against the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) when action in the New Building Society (NBS) 2nd Division 40-overs cricket tournament continued on Sunday at the Bourda ground.

Devon Lord bowled four maidens, took three wickets for 14 runs from eight overs.

The GCC bowlers did the damage early before a solid start by the home team openers created the impetus for the victory.

The army cricketers did not capitalise on winning the toss, as they lost their first three wickets for 17 runs.

A fifth-wicket partnership of 38, between the inform Damian Waldron and Jeremiah Harris gave the visitors a few overs of hope.

Waldron struck two sixes and a four in a score of 34, while Harris, who hit two fours and a six, remained unbeaten on 31.

Left-arm spinner Devon Lord, who got Waldron caught behind, helped to clean up the tail as the last five wickets fell for 20 runs to leave the visitors on 109 in 34.1 overs.

The GCC captain finished with 3-14 from eight overs (including four maidens), while opening bowlers Bernard Bailey and West Indies U-19 cricketer Ronaldo Ali-Mohamed supported with two wickets each.

Needing to score at just 2.75 runs per over, the home team openers started positively. They pushed the score to 54 in the eighth over before Martin Pestano-Belle was bowled. The GCC opener hit three sixes and two fours in his score of 35 off 33 balls.

Khemraj Jaikarran, who scored two fours, added 25 runs off 31 balls, while T. McAlmont added 18, all three became victims of off-spinner Waldron.

Although Waldron took 3-13 from seven overs, defending a small total was always going to be a difficult task. But an unbeaten partnership between Deonarine Seegobin (19) and Chetram Persaud (5) carried the team to victory in 22.3 overs.

IPL Auction in Jaipur on December 18

Gambhir featured in 37 Twenty20 internationals scoring 932 runs, including 75 in the 2007 World Cup final against Pakistan which India won.

He also represented Delhi Daredevils and Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League.

“The thing that I will miss the most is the camaraderie of an Indian team’s dressing room,” Gambhir added.

“It was a wonderful place to be in. Yes, there are pressures of international sport but then when you have team mates like I had these pressures look elementary.

“I learnt heaps from each one of them. I’ll miss all of that and more. Thank you guys, you all will be my one, big family... as a batsman I have always valued timing. I know the time is just right. I am sure it’s sweet as well.”

A total of 70 slots are available with a maximum of 50 Indian players and 20 overseas players allowed to be picked for the upcoming auction © BCCI

T H E I n d i a n P re m i e r League (IPL)l auction for the 2019 edition will be held in Jaipur on December 18, the Board of Control for Cricket in India confirmed on Monday. . A total of 70 slots are available with a maximum of 50 Indian players and 20 overseas players allowed to be picked.

Kings XI Punjab have the maximum amount left in the purse having released 11 players from their pool. Defending champions Chennai Super Kings can buy just two players - having retained 23 players - and have Rs. 8.4

crores in their bank.

Apart from KXIP, Delhi Daredevils, Rajasthan Royals and Kolkata Knight Riders are also expected to be on a shopping spree.

Mumbai Indians will look to fill just one overseas spot while Knight Riders can buy the maximum number of overseas players - five.

Sunrisers Hyderabad have Rs. 9.70 crores in their purse and have three Indian slots and two overseas slots to fill.

The auction is expected to be a short one with just one day designated for the event.(Cricbuzz)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE , Wednesday, December 5, 2018

India’s pace hype faces stern Australia test

By Amlan Chakraborty

NEW DELHI, India (Reuters) - Having spent frustrating decades envying Pakistan’s endless supply of fast bowlers across the border, India’s excitement around their current pace attack is palpable but they would do

well to temper their sunny optimism in Australia.

For a nation that traditionally built their bowling attack around crafty spinners who operated as if their life depended on it, India have finally acquired a versatile pace attack, which helped them claim 20 wickets in all

but two Tests this year.

India captain Virat Kohli pleasantly finds himself spoilt for pace choice, a luxury none of his predecessors in the job had, and is naturally upbeat about winning the four-Test series Down Under, something the previous Indian teams could

not manage in 11 previous attempts.

In Mohammed Shami, the tourists have got a quick who can move the ball both new and old. It was hardly a surprise that the Indian board limited his workload to 15-overs-per-innings in the domestic Ranji Trophy prior to the series in Australia.

they’ve got three or four seamers in their squad that can bowl 140(kph)-plus and are very good bowlers,” du Plessis told www.cricket. com.au recently.

“Obviously when you come to conditions like South Africa, Australia, England, you need pace bowlers and in the past they might have had one or two, but now they’ve got three or four.

Jasprit Bumra

Among others, Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s prodigious swing, Umesh Yadav’s consistent pace and Ishant Sharma’s extra bounce make them real assets.

Cherry on top is Jasprit Bumrah, whose sling-arm action and awkward release point, along with his ability to bowl yorkers almost at will add an X-factor to the unit.

When coach Ravi Shastri was asked in August if this was the best Indian attack ever, the former Test player gushed, “By a mile, by a mile. No (other India) team comes even close.”

South Africa captain Faf du Plessis concurred, having had a first-hand experience against them earlier this year when his team prevailed 2-1 in an intense home series. “... for the first time,

Ishant Sharma

“And when they travelled in South Africa (earlier this year), we felt like that was the best pace (attack) that they’ve had.”

DIFFERENT BALL GAME Considering they will be operating against an Australian team shorn of two of their best batsmen - the banned duo of Steve Smith and David Warner - India have reasons to be optimistic but the challenges are substantial.

For starters, it is going to be a different ball game, quite literally.

Unlike the SG or Dukes balls they usually wreak havoc with, the old Kookaburra in Australia does not really swing or seam, which could substantially defang the Indian

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quicks, especially Kumar, who is unlikely to be fielded for the series opener in Adelaide tomorrow.

The lack of sideways movement from the firm surfaces will also mitigate the threat Shami or Yadav would otherwise pose bowling elsewhere, while the heat will challenge them to maintain their pace throughout the day.

Sharma will be looking forward to the extra bounce as he chases redemption in arguably the cruelest place for a touring bowler where each wicket has cost the touring bowlers 47 runs since 2000.

In his 10 Tests Down Under, the gangly quick has managed only 20 wickets with an embarrassing 62plus average - worst by a full-time bowler who has sent down a minimum of 2 000 balls in Australia.

The team could still benefit from the experience of the 30-year-old, believes former India pace spearhead Zaheer Khan.

“Ishant leading the attack on his fourth tour (of Australia) now, that’s heaps of experience which is very important,” Khan told www. cricbuzz.com.

“You need not look at the numbers all the time ... the experience of playing in Australia is going to play a huge role.”

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Russian athletics federation remains banned, says IAAF

By Gene Cherry

MONACO (Reuters) - The IAAF yesterday upheld a ban against Russia’s athletics federation over doping in the country, pending full access to doping data stored in Moscow and financial compensation.

Russia’s athletics federation (RUSAF) has been suspended since 2015 over a report commissioned by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) that found evidence of widespread, state-sponsored doping in the sport.

The IAAF, the sport’s governing body, said RUSAF still needed to meet two criteria - access to samples of Russian athletes in a Moscow lab and full financial compensation for investigation and legal costs - before the ban is lifted.

Russia’s reinstatement has been rejected on numerous occasions by the IAAF over the past three years and should it fail to meet conditions in the coming months, it could risk missing out again on sending a team to next September’s world athletics championships in Doha, Qatar.

The European indoor championships are even earlier, in Glasgow in March, and take place before the next IAAF Council meeting has a chance to meet to discuss further developments later that month.

Since 2015, some individual Russian athletes have been allowed to compete internationally as neutrals provided they met certain criteria that showed they had operated in a dope-free environment.

“If the Russians can and will release the (drugs) samples is up to them. I hope they will deliver the data by the end of this year,” said Rune Andersen, head of the IAAF’s task force on Russia, sitting next to IAAF president Sebastian Coe.

“We have received no assurances that it will be delivered to us directly. The assurances have been given to WADA and WADA has set a deadline of December 31. We will have to rely on receiving the data from WADA.” The IAAF said the athletics integrity unit must confirm it has been given the data.

“All of the data and access to the samples that it needs to determine which of the Russian athletes ... have a case to answer for breach of the IAAF anti-doping rules,” the IAAF said in a statement.

“The task force stands ready to meet as soon as these conditions have been met in order to make a recommendation to Council for the reinstatement of RUSAF.”

legal appeals by Russia about the suspension are expected to amount to several million dollars.

“It was an expected decision,” Dmitry Shlyakhtin, president of Russia’s athletics federation, told Reuters. “Two criteria haven’t been met, as of today.

Objectively, we did not expect concessions from the task force.”

Russia’s 2015 110m hurdles world champion, Sergey Shubenkov, told Reuters that, while he saw some progress, reinstatement did not look imminent.

“We are in the fourth year now. In my opinion, the situation is starting to come out of a dead end, it is developing,” he said. “There is a positive dynamic here.

“I am tired of the white

IAAF president Sebastian Coe during the press conference at The Sea Club Conference Centre, Monaco, yesterday. (REUTERS/Eric Gaillard)

But the IAAF said it had eased its demand on Russia accepting the WADA-commissioned report

by Richard McLaren.

“It is not an easy one, as we would have wanted Russia to clearly acknowledge the McLaren report,” Andersen said.

“But it is difficult not to do that when WADA has done it and we will have to move on and deal with what we think is most important, to get access to the data and the samples. That is what counts when it comes to the athletes.”

NOT SURPRISED The costs of running the task force and dealing with

(neutral athlete) flag. I don’t want to leave the track after my run or hide.

I want, like in the old days, to hang at the stadium, congratulate the guys and run around together with the flag. I miss that.”

Russia, whose athletics team was banned from the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics, has accepted there was extensive doping in the country, but its authorities have continued to deny any of it was state-sponsored and access to the Moscow lab data has not happened.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) and WADA have both reinstated Russia.

WADA’s controversial

reinstatement in September this year was on the condition that Russia should recognise the findings of its

report and allow access to RUSADA’s stored samples.

Failure to provide access to the full data from

the Moscow lab by December 31 could lead to another suspension, WADA has warned.

38

GUYANA CHRONICLE , Wednesday, December 5, 2018

BCB/Brian Ramphal Double-Wicket tournament

GTTA Level One ITTF Pestano’s aggressive half-century leads Coaches programme set RHT Gizmos and Gadgets ‘A’ to title to commence next week A BRUTAL batting display by national batsman Clinton Pestano helped the Rose Hall Town (RHT) Gizmos and Gadgets ‘A’ to a 51-run victory in the final of the Berbice Cricket Board’s (BCB) Brian Ramphal First-Division Double-Wicket tournament, which concluded on Sunday night under lights at the Albion Community Centre ground.

The tournament was a milestone for the proactive BCB, since its president Hilbert Foster had promised to organise 22 tournaments for 2018 when he took office this year.

“Promises fullfilled”, Mission accomplished”, Foster stated at the presentation ceremony. The board is expected to surpass its astronomical numbers, since five other tournaments are currently in progress and another four will commence before the end of the year.

DESTRUCTIVE PESTANO Pestano, who is set to represent Guyana from tomorrow in St Lucia against the Windward Volcanoes in the first game of the 2018-2019 Cricket West Indies (CWI) Regional Four-Day Championship, smashed 10 fours and two huge

batted, Foo was bowled by medium pacer Sinclair for five, which left the score on 10-1 in the second over, before a fired-up Pestano scattered the stumps of Kevin Umroa for 8 to restrict the side to 20 in 2.3 overs.

Earlier in the evening, Pestano had struck 45 to lift his pair to 47 all out from 3.2 overs after Kevin Sinclair was dismissed by the pacey Nial Smith without score in the first over.

In response, Tucber Park could reach only 28 in their four overs with Barker contributing 20.

BCB-appointed executive, Neil Rudder, hands over trophy to Clinton Pestano and Kevin Sinclair.

sixes in just 16 balls.

He was run-out on 53 while Sinclair was left not out on 11, as their team scored 71

runs from their four overs.

Albion ‘A’, consisting of Jonathan Foo and Kevin Umroa, had no chance when they

FIRST OF ITS KIND The Brian Ramphal-sponsored tournament was the first of its kind to be organised in the 79-year history of the BCB. The double- wicket tournament was one of several programmes/ events, organised by the BCB with the $1M donated by Brian Ramphal.

Pestano and Sinclair received $75 000 and a trophy while the 2nd and 3rd place prizes were $40 000 and $20 000 respectively.

The pairs were supported by six of their club members in the field, while each pair had to bat four overs.

Barry, Callahan win top prizes at National Jiu-Jitsu Championships STEPHAN Barry and Clare Callahan exhibited fine form and techniques to emerge as champions of Guyana’s first ‘National Jiu-Jitsu Championships’, which was held last Sunday at Georgetown Cricket Club.

The event, which had representatives from three of the five Jui-Jitsu clubs invited, was organised by the Rising Sun and Phoenix Jiu-Jitsu and Judo clubs.

Head organizer, Bruce Fraser, told the Guyana Chronicle that the event took the no-gi format, w h e re n o p o i n t s w e re awarded for throws, takedowns or sweeps, while leglocks (including ankle locks, heel-hooks and calf slicers) were allowed.

“Exponents battled their way searching solely for the submission, rendering their opponents unable to continue by tapping out.”

Fourteen persons represented the various clubs at the event.

In the lightweight division, Corwin D’Anjou fin-

ished first, followed by Shem Wilkie and Daniel Sooklall.

In the Ladies’ division, Callahan won ahead of Katrina Ford, while in the absolute division, Stephan Barry won top honours, with Rondie

Phillips placing second. Ryan Soares and Webster Mcrae Jr. were tied for third place.

According to Fraser, the clubs will continue to push the sport forward.

“We intend to push for-

ward as we have great talent here in Guyana. The next move is to officially form a federation to govern Jiu-Jitsu and this will come into being within a few months.”

The various winners of last Sunday’s competition

THE Guyana Table Tennis Federation, in collaboration and under the auspices of the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF), will be hosting an ITTF Level One (1) Coaches’ certification programme scheduled for December 14 to 18.

Shavin Greene

The programme will be conducted by recently certified ITTF Level One course conductor, Shavin Greene, from Linden.

Greene, who is also an International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) Level One coach, General Secretary of the Linden Table Tennis Committee and teacher at the Mackenzie High School secured his credentials as an ITTF Level One course coordinator in November of 2017, when he successfully passed the ITTF course coordinators’ course held in Guyana which was conducted by ITTF Continental Development Manager, Ramon Ortega Montes.

He is now certified to conduct ITTF level one p ro g r a m m e s i n t e r n a tionally, Coaches Linden Johnson and Dwain Dick who also under took the ITTF course coordinators’ course under Ortega Montes were certified to conduct certification programmess for coaches at

the national level under the guidance and approval of the GTTA. The programme is self-funded by the GTTA and supported by the ITTF and forms a key pillar on which the GTTA’s development thrust stands.

It is aimed at positioning the association to establish a coach certification pathway and structure, to develop a nucleus of coaches with the right attributes, attitudes and technical capacities, to develop players with the correct technical and tactical orientation and to aid the GTTA’s decentralisation of the sport and institutional strengthening.

The GTTA has targeted teachers from schools under the National Table Tennis for Schools programme, persons who would have completed the GTTA-ITTF 12-hour programme which was conducted by Linden Johnson, in addition to club coaches and community personnel.

If persons outside of that group are interested in participating in the upcoming programme, they can contact Johnson on 621-7630 or Greene on 682-8835.

The programme is multifaceted in that it provides for the certification of level one coaches dealing with differently-abled athletes and organising community schools programmes among other topics.

Participants are expected to complete 30 participatory hours. In addition they will do a presentation on a particular subject area covered, in order to receive certification.

Therefore attendance at sessions will be mandatory.

Greene will be supervised by newly appointed ITTF Pan American Development Manager, Carlos Esnard.

GUYANA CHRONICLE , Wednesday, December 5, 2018

39

Powell to captain Windies for Bangladesh ODI series … Darren Bravo returns for the first time in two years who has led the T20 squad for the last two years, has forced his way back into the ODI squad after last appearing during the ICC World Cup qualifiers in Zimbabwe in March.

Rovman Powell has been named as surprise choice to captain Windies

ST JOHN’S, Antigua CMC – Rovman Powell has been named as the surprise choice to lead West Indies in their threematch One-Day International series against Bangladesh, with Twenty20 skipper Carlos Brathwaite returning to the 15-man squad for the first time in eight months but oddly ignored for the captaincy.

The 25-year-old Powell is new to the role of captain and oversees the squad in the continued absence of regular skipper Jason Holder who is still recovering from the injury which put him out of the recent Test series.

Left-hander Darren Bravo has been recalled for the first time in two

years since his controversial banishment from international cricket, while Roston Chase has also found his way back 18 months after a failed start to his ODI campaign.

However, the experienced trio of Evin Lewis, Andre Russell and Sunil Narine are all missing, raising further questions over their future.

Powell is a rising star in the limited overs format but struggled on the recent five-match tour of India where he managed just 61 runs at an average of 12, as West Indies lost 3-1.

Overall, the Jamaican averages 26 from 31 ODIs, with a hundred and two half-centuries.

Brathwaite, meanwhile,

Darren Bravo

The 30-year-old all-rounder got the attention of selectors when he captained Combined Campuses and Colleges to the capture of the Regional Super50 in October, leading from the front by averaging 53 with the bat and grabbing 13 wickets with his medium pace.

Bravo, controversially excluded from selection due to his long-running

squabble with Cricket West Indies (CWI) president Dave Cameron, will also suit up for the series in what will be a huge boost for the side.

The left-hander featured in the T20 series tour of India last month and his latest recall brings him one step closer to his return to Test cricket.

Chief selector Courtney Browne said Bravo’s presence would be key especially with the selection race tightening ahead of next year’s World Cup in England.

“With two more ODI Series before the 2019 World Cup, the Bangladesh series allows us to narrow our search for our final 15-member World Cup squad,” Browne said.

“In the absence of captain Jason Holder, the panel believes the team can still be competitive, especially with the return of Darren Bravo.

Darren’s experience will add value to the batting, which in turn will place selection pressure for spots in the squad.”

H o w e v e r, B r o w n e made no reference to the absence of Russell, Lewis or Narine – all of

whom missed the recent India tour. While Russell and Narine were injured, Lewis pulled out for “personal reasons”.

However, all three played in the recent T10 League in Sharjah last week.

Carlos Brathwaite

There is also no place for left-hander Nicholas Pooran who averaged 48 for Trinidad and Tobago Red Force in the recent Super50, and struck three half-centuries.

And there has been

another snub for burly all-rounder Rahkeem Cornwall despite averaging 46 and taking 14 wickets with his off-spin for Leeward Islands Hurricanes during the Super50.

The 25-year-old Antiguan has excelled at domestic and Windies A level with bat and ball but has been repeatedly ignored by selectors.

Chase, meanwhile, enters the ODI squad on the back of 34 runs from four innings in the Test series.

He played eight ODIs last year, scraping 68 runs from six innings and was promptly dropped.

He, however, gathered 558 runs for Barbados Pride in the 2017-18 Super50 back in January this year.

West Indies face Bangladesh in the opening ODI on Sunday in Dhaka.

SQUAD – Rovman Powell (captain), Fabian Allen, Sunil Ambris, Devendra Bishoo, Roston Chase, Chandrapaul Hemraj, Shimron Hetmyer, Darren Bravo, Shai Hope, Carlos Brathwaite, Keemo Paul, Kieran Powell, Kemar Roach, Marlon Samuels, Oshane Thomas.

Kipchoge and Ibarguen named IAAF athletes of the year Khan named Red Force captain for Regional opener MONACO (Reuters) - Kenya’s marathon world record holder Eliud Kipchoge and Colombian jumper Caterine Ibarguen were honoured as IAAF athletes of the year at athletics’ annual awards ceremony on Tuesday.

marked the biggest improvement in the marathon record since Australian Derek Clayton took almost two and a half minutes off the mark in 1967.

The 34-year-old Kenyan also won the London Marathon in 2018.

The Grimaldi Forum, Monaco - December 4, 2018 Caterine Ibarguen is presented the female athlete of the year by Prince Albert II of Monaco REUTERS/Eric Gaillard

Olympic champion Kipchoge shattered the world marathon record by 78 seconds as he completed the Berlin Marathon in two hours, one minute and 39 seconds while Ibarguen was the Diamond League champion in both the long jump and triple jump.

Both are first-time winners of the award.

Kipchoge’s performance

He also missed by 26 seconds breaking the magical two-hour barrier when he crossed the line in 2:00.25 in a special race on the Monza circuit in Italy in 2017 that was not eligible for record purposes.

Ibarguen, the Olympic champion in the triple jump, was undefeated in eight finals in the event. Her triple jump of

14.96 metres in Rabat was the longest in the world in 2018.

The 34-year-old also was IAAF Continental Cup and Central American and Caribbean champion in both the long jump and triple jump.

Bahamian sprinter Shaunae Miller-Uibo, British sprinter Dina Asher-Smith, Kenyan steeplechase world record holder Beatrice Chepkoech and Belgian heptathlete Nafissatou Thiam, the 2017 winner, were the other female finalists.

French decathlon world record holder Kevin Mayer, U.S. 60m world record-setter Christian Coleman, Swedish pole vaulter Armand “Mondo” Duplantis and Qatari hurdler Abderrahman Samba were the other finalists for the men’s award.

A three-way voting process determined the shortlists.

Votes by IAAF Council members counted for 50 percent of the results with online public votes and ballots by the IAAF Family counting for 25 percent each.

Qatari high jumper Mutaz Essa Barshim and Belgian heptathlete Thiam were the 2017 winners.

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad,(CMC) – All-rounder Imran Khan will lead Trinidad and Tobago Red Force in their opening match of the Regional Four-Day Championship against Windward Islands Volcanoes The 34-year-old is a veteran of 92 first class matches and has become a fixture in the Red Force side in recent seasons.

He was preferred over Barbadian Kyle Hope and Jason Mohammed, both of whom have led the squad in the past.

Former Test captain, Denesh Ramdin, who skippered Red Force last season, is not in the 14man squad presumably because he will be on West Indies duty for the T20 series in Bangladesh later this month.

Khan is the side’s frontline leg-spinner, having captured 368 wickets, and has also developed as a batsman in recent years

and has a hundred and 11 half-centuries.

Last season, Khan was his team’s leading wicket-taker with 48 at an average of 25, and also chipped in with 241 runs.

but will take on Volcanoes in the second round starting next week Thursday at the Brian Lara Stadium in Tarouba.

SQUAD – Imran Khan (captain), Yan-

Leg-spinning all-rounder Imran Khan.

Red Force will be hoping for a change in fortunes after finishing last in the six-team championship, with two wins in 10 matches.

The multiple-time former champions will not feature in the first round

nic Cariah (vice-captain), Kyle Hope, Jeremy Solozano, Amir Jangoo, Jason Mohammed, Joshua Da Silva, Tion Webster, Daniel St. Clair, Bryan Charles, Odean Smith, Anderson Phillip, Ricky Jaipaul.

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Seven Guyanese for CIK-FIA Caribbean Karting Trophy

Nathan Rahaman (71), Jeremy Ten Pow (61) and Paige Mendonca (15) have been named as part of a seven-member team for the Inaugural CIK-FIA Caribbean Junior Karting Academy Trophy, set for early 2019.

The Powerlifter who conquered in 2018 - Runita White Page

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Runita White during her first record-breaking squat at the GAPLF National Novices Championship back in February, 2018

‘Gov’t did not destroy Inter-Guiana Games’ – Min. Norton

Page

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Minister of Social Cohesion with the responsibility for Sports, Dr. George Norton (DPI photo)

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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2018