Guyana Chronicle E-paper 12-15-2018

SATURDAY 15th December, 2018

$13.2B 17 approved PAGE

–for old-age pension

Guyana 12 to tap into US$2.6M CDB fund PAGE

–– to help boost cultural, creative initiatives

Fire 14 leaves four homeless at Overwinning PAGE

No.105483

$300.7B

No.105489

budget passed

PAGE

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‘FAR FROM REALITY’ 03 PAGE

… Harmon slams Jagdeo’s ‘doom and gloom’ posture

Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo was all ‘doom and gloom’ when he gave the feature address at the Georgetown Chambers of Commerce and Industry Awards ceremony Wednesday night (Samuel Maughn photo)

House passes $300.7B budget

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, December 15, 2018

– amidst vigorous opposition

THE National Assembly early Friday evening passed what is the country’s biggest budget ever to date at $300.7B, despite vigorous opposition.

There was energetic banging of tables on the government side of the House, while the opposition remained impassive after approval was granted for the government’s fiscal spending for 2019.

The passage of the budget followed two weeks of debates and scrutiny, and instances of passionate contributions by government and opposition Members of Parliament (MPs) alike.

After consideration of the estimates of expenditures concluded on Friday, Finance Minister Winston Jordan declared that the period of scrutiny had come to an end.

The Appropriations Bill 15/2018, which

details the estimates for all ministries, and gives the government authority to spend, was then tabled and passed in the House.

Subsequent to the passage of the budget, Speaker of the National Assembly Dr. Barton Scotland said every member of the House had expressed himself/herself passionately during the two weeks of consideration and debate.

He said he thought that the budget was well ventilated, as was discussion on the estimates.

Minister Jordan on November 26 unveiled the $300.7B package, which includes a range of measures from the raising of the Income Tax threshold to increases in Old Age Pension and Public Assistance. Budget 2019, which represents a 12.6 per cent increase over the 2018 budget, also forecasts that the economy will grow by 3.4 per cent this year, a significant improvement on the 2.1 per cent

it recorded last year.

Themed ‘Transforming the Economy, Empowering People, Building Sustainable Communities for the Good Life’, Minister Jordan said Budget 2019 has presented the government yet another opportunity to highlight its successes and achievements, as it “guarantees equality and inclusivity in resource allocation for all Guyanese.”

He told the House that the target for real growth in the economy for 2018 was 3.8 per cent, but at the end of the first quarter, the outlook for the year was revised to 3.4 per cent, given the lower-than-expected performance in gold and sugar.

However, by the end of the first half of the year, economic activity had picked up in several other sectors, resulting in a robust half-year growth of 4.5 per cent, and an upward revision of the projected annual growth rate of 3.7 per cent for 2018.

“I wish to report that the latest projection for real growth in the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for 2018 is 3.4 per cent, a significant improvement on the 2.1 per cent recorded in 2017,” Jordan told the House to the loud thumping of desks from government MPs. EARLY PRESENTATIONS He spoke about the benefits of early presentations of the budget, a feature that was introduced by the coalition government.

These early presentations, he said, are testimony to the ability of managers to execute their projects and programmes over the 12-month planning horizon, instead of the truncated year that had become the norm in the not-too-distant past.

Jordan said 2019 holds special significance for the country, from at least three standpoints. He said that first, it is the year preceding the observance of the golden jubilee of the republic, and that as such, preparations will begin during 2019 to ensure that this auspicious occasion is celebrated fittingly in February 2020; then, we would get another opportunity to reflect on our journey as a nation, our achievements, our hopes and our aspirations.

During the wrap-up of the budget debate last week, Jordan noted that the government is private sector friendly, and that by extension, the budget, too, was private sector friendly.

He repeatedly noted that the APNU+AFC government has not increased “a single tax” since assuming office in 2015.

Jordan said the opposition was not facing reality when it comes to Guyana’s economic performance under the coalition government.

Defending Budget 2019, the minister cited as an example, the purchasing of oil on the international market. He explained that claims made about prices falling did not reflect the reality of the local market. Guyana was hampered by the fact that its oil and petroleum purchases were constrained, since it was a small buyer and its facilities could not take up larger tankers that could have been

Minister of Finance Winston Jordan berthed locally. “Prices were set when our vessels berthed overseas, and the price on that day was what had to be paid,” Minister Jordan explained.

The fact that sugar prices were low despite the advent of new markets must not be forgotten, the minister noted.

PAST PERFORMANCES The opposition’s reference to the past performances of commodities such as gold was reflective of those past days, he posited.

The price of rice, for example, the minister reminded the House, was still lower, though favourable with the Panamanian market, than what obtained for the defunct Venezuelan market. “The world’s economies have changed, and many should be aware of the various factors that drive and shape prices;and Guyana’s was no different,” Minister Jordan said.

He assured the House that the local economy will improve even further with the advent of oil within two years. The opposition had no suggestions or alternatives, Minister Jordan pointed out, “except for MP Odinga who suggested that the budget be taken to the Select Committee.”

The economy is projected to expand by more than three per cent for 2019, according to the finance minister.

Budgeted allocations for several government agencies in 2019 were as follows: Ministry of Public Health, $35.9B; Ministry of Social Protection, $18.2B; Ministry of Communities, $8.3B; Ministry of Public Telecommunications, $4B; Ministry of Natural Resources, $1.44B; Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, $1.9B; Ministry of Foreign Affairs, $6.8B; Ministry of Public Infrastructure, $38.5B; and Ministry of Agriculture, $17.1B.

‘Far from reality’

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GUYANA CHRONICLE saturday, DecemBER 15, 2018

… Harmon slams Jagdeo’s ‘doom-and-gloom’ posture … says his assessment of oil profits far removed from the reality of Guyana

MINISTER of State Joseph Harmon has condemned the ‘doom-and-gloom’ posture being adopted by Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo pertaining to development here, noting that recent statements attributed to him regarding the emerging oil sector here show how far removed he is from the reality of this country.

Harmon was referring to Jagdeo’s remarks at the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s (GCCI) Annual Awards and Dinner Gala on Wednesday. The remarks were captured in headlines of the Guyana Times and the Stabroek News, “Benefits from oil will not be seen before 2025--Jagdeo” and “Jagdeo accuses gov’t of creating unrealistic expectations of oil wealth”, respectively.

Harmon described Jagdeo’s comments as wicked and inaccurate, noting that the opposition leader seems bent on creating fear and a sense of “doom and gloom” in the minds of Guyanese at all costs. Mr. Jagdeo is quoted by the media entity as stating, “Even the oil companies, because they talk to me, they don’t have such a rosy picture of the fortunes of Guyana changing drastically, dramatically in the timeframe that we think it will happen.

It will happen, but it will happen not from 2020 to 2025, those will be rough years for us…There is a timeline to all of these things, it’s not going to happen immediately.”

WILD CLAIMS Harmon rejected the statements made by the opposition leader, while noting that Mr. Jagdeo’s persistent negativity has become a pattern.

“As you would recall, for the last week … wild and unsubstantiated statements …are being made by the opposition. Every day we have to put out statements to correct them.

This is one of those wild assertions made by Mr. Jagdeo; and it just goes to show how far removed he is from the reality of Guyana,” he said.

Minister Harmon then referred to the statements made by ExxonMobil, the Inter-American Development Bank, and the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry about the country’s prospects. “All of these entities have spoken positively about the development that is taking place in Guyana and about the fact that in 2020, we will have a significant change in our fortunes.

So, this that Mr. Jagdeo is doing is to put a damper on the enthusiasm which now exists in this country and the enthusiasm which now exists among countries and companies abroad who want to invest in Guyana,” he said. The Minister of State made it pellucid that the APNU+AFC coalition government has created a

framework which will allow for safe investment in this country and for people to make a better living for themselves and their families.

Minister Harmon believes that Guyanese will reject Mr. Jagdeo’s analysis of the future as he is far removed from reality.

“I would like to advise Guyanese not to accept at face value, anything that the leader of the opposition says, but you should go and get the facts. There are several pieces of publications and daily, the Department of Public Information and other agencies are putting information out. You can follow the budget debate.

He is not providing the correct information,” the minister added.

GUYANA’S EARNINGS While the opposition leader is seemingly on a mission to spread inaccurate information and create a sense of foreboding and apprehension among the population, the MotP would like to point out that in August 2017, while Minister of Natural Resources Mr. Raphael Trotman still held the portfolio for the oil and gas sector, he announced that a report from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) had predicted that Guyana will earn at least US$380 million per year in the early years of oil production.

“Based on that report, the IMF predicts that Guyana will earn $380M a year in the first couple years, before we get into the billions. So, it is a lot of money that will be coming. They have already started advising us on how much money will come from taxation, from profits, from royalties…,” Minister Trotman had noted.

Further, on that occasion too, the minister said that based on its projections, the IMF is of the view that oil will have a large impact on Guyana’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

The IMF has forecasted that oil revenue is expected to amount to 2.6 per cent of GDP in 2020 and will rise to about 4.6 per cent in 2021, which will be the first full year of oil production.

Additionally in May 2018, Rystad Energy, which is an independent research and business intelligence company based in Norway, said that it predicts that oil production in Guyana will exceed 600,000 barrels per day over the next decade, raking in billions of dollars in profits per year.

Head of Upstream Research at Rystad Energy Mr. Espen Erlingsen, who was also quoted by several media outlets, said that ExxonMobil’s discovery of the Liza field in 2015 placed the country on the global energy map. “We predict Guyana’s total oil production to surpass 600,000 barrels per day by the end of the next decade. These volumes could

generate total annual revenue of $15 billion from the oil and gas industry. After all costs are paid, around $10 billion of profits could thus be split between the companies and the government,” Mr. Erlingsen said.

For a small, developing country such as Guyana, these earnings in the first few years alone can significantly spur growth and transformative development, particularly in the areas of the economy, infrastructural development, healthcare and education; areas which remain priorities for this administration.

Meanwhile, the IDB has approved a US$11.6 million loan for Guyana, which will help to prepare the country for its transition towards becoming a major oil and gas-producing state. According to the IDB’s website, “This project is designed to support the strengthening and the sustainability of the energy sector in Guyana by contributing to the institutional development of oil and gas governance and the development of cleaner energy sources for electricity generation. The specific objectives of this loan programme are first, to develop a management and planning framework for Guyana’s oil and gas sector; and second, to contribute to the development of a policy framework, so that Guyana may diversify its electricity-generation matrix using cleaner or renewable sources.”

The IDB noted that Guyana’s new energy scenario, which will likely yield significant revenues for the government, represents a transformative shift in Guyana’s development trajectory. “It embodies a crucial and unprecedented opportunity for economic growth and sustainable development. The conversion of short-term oil wealth into long-term well-being hinges on the capacity of the Guyanese government to adequately manage this new sector and enact productivity-enhancing reforms. If handled well, it can boost the overall standard of living for the country,” the IDB said.

Similarly, ExxonMobil’s Upstream Operations Manager Mr. Doug McGehee at the launch of the GCCI’s Business Guyana Magazine at the Guyana Marriott Hotel in July 2017, said that Guyana will receive revenue from day one of production. The ExxonMobil official noted that it will have positive impacts on the economy, including some that should be seen already.

“The big thing though, is the revenue that comes from the project. When the project starts, the government gets revenue from day one. I hope you’ve already seen some of the impacts. We opened a Centre for Local Business Development, which is something we’ve done in other places of the world. It’s trying to match up potential contracts with potential local businesses,” he said.

Minister of State Joseph Harmon At the same event, President of the GCCI Mr. Deodat Indar, also recognised the tremendous changes that will come with the production of oil. Mr. Indar said, “Guyana can witness an economic explosion with the Gross Domestic Product growing between 400% to 2000% in the next two decades.”

Moreover, Minister of Business Mr. Dominic Gaskin speaking at the opening of a Private Sector Commission- organised seminar under the theme, “Oil and Gas in Guyana: Perspectives in Guyana” in March of this year, had stated that in addition to the earnings in the first two years of oil production, by 2022 when the second phase of development starts, government revenues would see an increase to approximately US$800M per year.

Guyana is making strident steps in the oil and gas sector. With the incoming revenues and the establishment of the Natural Resources Fund, every Guyanese stands to benefit from an improved quality of life. The Ministry of the Presidency therefore calls on all right-thinking Guyanese to ignore the “doom-and-gloom” rants of the leader of the opposition, which are aimed to create unnecessary fear and apprehension.

The ministry also calls on the leader of the opposition who is quoted as making these spurious claims, without providing any actual evidence or proof, to be honest in his public statements instead of spreading untruths to aid his campaign against the government.

(Ministry of the Presidency)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday, December 15, 2018

raises Xmas budget by .5M More invested in ‘green’ initiatives, ‘P&P’ --so as to spread more yuletide cheer institutional strengthening -as $35.9B cleared for Finance Ministry

GOVERNMENT as part of its continued efforts to make Guyana a “green” state has budgeted some $1.4 billion for the low-carbon development programme in 2019.

The sum for the programme formed part of the $35.9 billion budget which was approved for the Ministry of Finance by the Committee of Supply on Thursday.

Minister of Finance Winston Jordan said government remains committed to making Guyana a “green” state.

He was at the time responding to a question from opposition Member of Parliament Irfaan Ali who enquired about the low-carbon development programme.

The minister in response to Ali said the programme provides for the Amerindian Land- Titling Project; adaptation projects, including the rehabilitation of the Cunha Canal; institutional strengthening of the Depart-

ment of Environment, Office of Climate Change and the project management office; providing information and communication technology access and e-services to hinterland, poor and remote communities such as Kaikan, Jawalla, Kurukubaru, Aranaputa Shulinab, Toka and Surama; and promoting sustainable land management and development.

These projects are expected to provide socio-economic development and employment opportunities, promote small-scale village economies and boost environmental resilience.

The ministry of finance has also made provisions of $200 million for the Special Purposes Unit (SPU) of the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL).

Opposition Member of Parliament Juan Edghill enquired as to why the SPU was receiving a separate allocation, when NICIL generates its own income. In response, Jordan said NICIL would not have been able to fund the operations of the SPU because of its cash flow.

He went on to note that the SPU is a temporary body which was established under NICIL to manage and prepare for sale retained assets from the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) for sale.

Minister Jordan said

Minister of Finance Winston Jordan (Adrian Narine photo)

Cabinet is also reviewing the mechanism which will trigger sale and looking to create spatial land, so that it would not be sold to one or two persons.

As part of its development work, government is also expected to conduct a poverty assessment, establish a national payment system infrastructure, including software and hardware for real-time gross settlement and central securities depository systems at the Bank of Guyana, Guyana Revenue Authority, National Insurance Scheme and Accountant General’s Department.

Government also took a $20Million loan for the Guyana Power and Light Incorporated (GPL) from the Islamic Development Bank. The minister explained that $820M is available in the bank’s first cycle until 2021, but accessing these funds depends on qualifying projects.

Representatives of the 12 organisations that received donations this year with P&P executives, Vikash Panday (extreme right, back row) and Vijaya Panday (extreme left front row)

P&P Insurance Brokers held its annual presentation function on Friday at its new office on Lamaha Street, North Cummingsburg, where 12 organisations were each given a monetary donation.

Those organisations are: The Bless the Children Home; The Canaan Children’s Home; The Ptolemy Reid Rehabilitation Centre; The Uncle Eddie’s Home; The Friends of the Archer ’s Home; Dharam Shala; The David Rose School for the Handicapped; The Cheshire Homes Guyana; The Hauraruni Girls Home; The

Bright Horizon Family Home; The Tina Insanally Foundation; and The Bal Nivas Shelter.

According to P&P, this year’s presentation differed in two respects, in that whereas last year there were ten organisations each receiving $100,000, this time around there are 12, and the donation is now $125,000 apiece.

According to Executive Director Vikash Panday, P&P is always happy to make these endof-year presentations, as it is part of the company’s core values, which is to give back and assist the community.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, December 15, 2018

GNBA citizen monitoring project for 2019 roll-out

AS the Guyana National Broadcasting Authority looks to step up its monitoring, local broadcasters were last Friday informed of the authority’s plans to begin rolling out its proposed “Citizen Monitoring” programme early next year.

The programme is being implemented with the particular aim of focusing on those broadcasters operating outside of the primary zone, which mostly encompasses those broadcasters operating out of Georgetown.

Hosting the broadcasters at a luncheon on Friday at the Herdmanston Lodge, the

will have volunteer monitors in all the regions of Guyana.

We are just at the start of setting that framework up. It will cover not only the primary zone but all the other zones as well,” pointed out Communications Specialist and GNBA board member, Dr. Rovin Deodat.

Deodat gave a presentation on “External and Internal Monitoring.” The GNBA has a monitoring department that tracks the broadcast of its various licensed broadcasters -- television, radio and cable – and monitors their broadcasts to ensure they are in keeping with the Broadcast

GNBA continues to try to come up with different measures to educate broadcasters on infringements and compliance with the Broadcasting Act of 2011.

She attributed the 2018 dip in infringements to the implementation of a colour-coded letter system, whereby broadcasters were sent yellow, green or red letters based on the severity of their infractions. Prior to that infractions had reached as high as 98 for July last year.

“The development and introduction of the colour-coded rating system in December saw the number

Some of the attendees at the GNBA Luncheon GNBA noted that getting broadcasters to be compliant with the guidelines continues to be a challenge for the authority and addressed some of the challenges faced.

“We monitor fairly thoroughly the primary zone, but we have not been able to put in place monitors for the other zones; and this is in direct response to that. We

Act 2011.

GNBA board member Jocelyne Jossiah noted that beginning in March 2018, there has been a dip in the number of monthly infractions by the broadcasters, but much work still remains to be done.

Making a presentation on the “Challenges in Monitoring”, she noted that the

falling drastically to about 12 [infractions]… Given the reduction when it comes to infringement and increased outreach by broadcasters for guidance and clarity, we have concluded that the issuing of colour-coded letters to broadcasters is having an impact,” she noted.

Josiah was assisted by Broadcast and Compliance

Demerara Waves gets radio licence

ONLINE news entity Demerara Waves on Friday received its radio licence from the Guyana National Broadcasting Authority (GNBA) and hopes to go on air from next year.

News Talk Radio will be broadcast on 103.1 on the FM Band in the primary zone and is expected to come online in the first quarter of next year, according to publisher of Demerara Waves, Denis Chabrol, Chabrol was granted the licence along with several other broadcasters at a distri-

bution ceremony, following a luncheon with broadcasters at the Herdmanston Lodge.

News Talk Radio joins 10 other radio broadcasters in Guyana.

Chabrol noted his elation over receiving the licence.

“I am very excited.

We’ve done a lot of technical work to ensure our plans are in keeping with international standards. I just want to emphasise that we shall abide by all internationally recognised technical and programme production, journalism and presentation

Demerara Waves publisher Denis Chabrol standards,” Chabrol said.

Chabrol would not say what are some of the types of programming that the station will focus on, but did note that “broadcasting is more than just receiving content.”

GNBA board member Dr. Rovin Deodat Coordinator Travis Montooth to give the broadcasters a chance to see a few clips of some of the infractions that were flagged throughout this year, with the aim of helping to get a better understanding of what constituted the infraction.

The examples showed several items broadcast during prime time; these included a movie with a softcore sex scene, and another that illustrated gruesome injuries and partial nudity.

Two different live call-in talk shows from two separate television channels were cited for “incitement, based on things said by callers.

Broadcasters are expected to have in place a delay system, which would allow the prevention of such things being aired in the case of live shows.

Another citation included a condom advertisement that included sexually suggestive imaging that was broadcast during prime time. There was also a newscast during which pictures of dead bandits were shown, and another newscast citation for “videoing of persons in distress,” where a woman was seen fainting after showing up at the scene of her murdered reputed husband.

GNBA board members acknowledged that education and sensitisation of the broadcasters and other production staff at the different organisations remain an area in need of work. On that note, there were talks of collaborating with the broadcasters to host training sessions for their staff.

However, a point of question was the subjectivity on deciding what constituted an infraction and what did not, given sexual connotations hidden in many of our local cultural folk songs. In response to this, GNBA Chairman Leslie Sobers said, “It

GNBA Chairman Leslie Sobers would have to take you many many years of experience before you can really start to see the other side of our folk songs. That level of subtlety is not really one which you can call vulgar.”

Emphasis was also placed on the need for broadcasters to come more into compliance with the consideration for persons with disabilities (PWD), particularly in the need to cater for the hearing-impaired with the provision of sign language and/or use of close-captioning.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday, December 15, 2018

Recovering stolen State assets IT is not unfair to say there exists strong misperceptions about what constitutes corruption and appropriation of state assets for personal use. Whereas attention is being directed at the acquisition of “Pradoville” properties, whereby government officials-- elected and appointed-- have used their positions of power and influence to possess state assets outside of legal requirements and below market value, the problem is much wider.

Theft, embezzlement and misappropriation of state assets take many forms. Some include denial of revenue to the state through non-payment or underpayment of taxes; white collar crimes; and evading the regulatory and oversight functions of the state as prescribed by law. The idiom that there is no excuse for ignorance under the law, though not disputed, would be more meaningful should persons be aware of what the laws require of them. Here there may be utility in establishing an information reservoir--easily accessible--and understood by the public. It may be useful to advance some form of public education that includes delivery of literature, public service announcements and online access.

Laws such as the Integrity Act are vital to holding public officials accountable. The principle of upholding ethical standards while in service to the people should not be trifled with. Chairman of the State Assets Recovery Agency (SARA) Professor Clive Thomas has publicly

made known this unit’s limitations of pursuing justice in the absence of enforcing laws. In his writings within recent years on the health of the economy, he has referred to Guyana as a “criminalised state. ”Speaking to the issue in Kaieteur News (8th January) Thomas said by 2006 capital flight had doubled to US$173million and doubled yet again to US$575million by 2010. This is a staggering amount of money-- in four years-- that has fled Guyana and by extension, its development.

More and more each day there is certainty of Guyana’s ‘El Dorado’ potential, in oil and gold. The value of these resources in the global market and to a country’s economy carry with them long tales of skimming off the people’s wealth to the benefit of a few. These resources have also created wars to either access them or maintain them, and see the inequitable distribution of wealth among the people.

It is not unusual in societies such as in Africa and the Middle East where these resources exist, to see the vast wealth and opulent lifestyles of those in the corridors of power, or close proximity to, as the masses live in squalor, deprived of basic necessities. Leaders in maintaining the inequity are often brutish and known to deny citizens their rights and freedoms.

The executives of multinational and transnational corporations that invest in the identified resources of these countries, are not shy in engaging in enticing or collabo-

rating with indigenous government officials in unethical practices, in furtherance of their business interests. Robbing the people of what’s theirs is to also rob them of their growth and development. Where the people’s assets are not used for their benefit they are denied quality education, healthcare, public transportation, road infrastructure, livable wages/salaries, health and longevity, to name some.

All of the above and more are vital in addressing-through recognition and putting systems in place-- to not only stamp out the theft of state assets, but to also hold those responsible for such misconduct to account. It ought not to be forgotten that those who sought to compromise the state’s integrity were doing so out of selfishness and refusal to comply with their civic duty under the law. As it is in other countries, where these persons would not have been allowed to disregard the law and as citizens our support would be with that government for enforcing the law, likewise it helps taking a similar approach to ensure law, order, growth and development in Guyana.

Recovering the state’s assets is an herculean task, equivalent to dis-entangling a knotted rope, strand by strand. But if this is what is required to return to the people what rightfully belongs to them, it must be pursued. The longest journey begins with the first step and where steps are being made as in the instance of SARA and SOCU, legislation realisation and enforcement will make the journey fruitful.

This was more than political immaturity Dear Editor,

I

T is an uncontested given, of the right of a political opposition party in a democratic country to participate in the proceedings of parliament.

This is what true democracy is all about, since those party members are expected to represent their constituents. But this is apart from the important aspect of offering constructive criticisms which can be considered by the incumbent executive of the day, for inclusion in the national development policies.

This is expected primarily from an opposition during a budget debate, since it involves seminal issues that are integral for debates and discussions on the socio-economic status of the country, inclusive of its key sectors, whether they are performing well; and what suggestions are viable for either correcting errors, or consolidating for better results. It is therefore the right of every opposition to scrutinise, keenly, budgetary allocations for every sector of the particular state.

Not only was this recent budget debate woeful, in terms

of opposition content as debate; but absolutely petulant, childish, and amateurish, for the mode of behaviour exhibited by a collective who occupies a constitutional office, and are expected to play a constructive role.

In typical style, that has become the known badge of PPP/C parliamentary performance; spirited, reasoned, and intelligent responses to BUDGET 2019 were replaced by the disgust of political rhetoric that offered no rational arguments against the budget; attempts at bullyism that betrayed an opposition that could not have proven their empty and manufactured mathematics in support of their ridiculous contentions; and insults that are the usual resort to obfuscate a deficiency in humans, when they do not have a clue as to whatever issue is in focus; and attempts at railroading when they realised that they are not being taken seriously.

This was more than political immaturity; it was a grand display of political opposition asininity that continues to be part of its politics, even in the National Assembly, as the PPP/C MPs increase their frenzy against the coalition government.

Good, rational, intelligent debates are good for the personal, political profile development of individual MPs, as it makes for better insight in terms of objective understanding of their country and its socio-economic challenges and needs. Moreover, it allows for the development of political bi-partisanship on national issues.

No one expects a political parliamentary opposition to facilitate a walk in the park for the government of the day on any issue that may come to a national parliament; and this is because of the adversarial nature of politics. However, one expects a maturity that is consonant with being elected as national leaders; one that speaks to offering intelligent suggestions that are objective, and can be incorporated towards national development. This was clearly absent from the PPP/C collective. I believe the success of our nation can be liberally applied to all our people instead of conserved for a select few. That is what the 2019 budget sought to do.

Regards Dillon Goring

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday, December 15, 2018

The trauma of Jagdeo’s years remains in the psyche of many villages Dear Editor,

I

T now appears as though former President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo has become the paragon of all virtues but, the old adage is true that the evil that men do live with them. Last week as I listened to Mr Jagdeo in his truculent style debating the 2019 budget in the parliament, it occurred to me that one can easily form the view that the former President and his government have a good track record of transparency and accountability. He could find nothing good about the APNU+AFC budget for 2019.

However, what I was disappointed about was the apparent inability of the government ministers to speak to numerous incidents of corruption and unethical dealings of the PPP/C during its time in office. Public communication seems to be a very serious challenge for the government; the PPP/C is very good at propaganda and putting out fake news (the fact that the leader of the opposition is getting more media coverage than the government says a lot about public affairs under this government). But one only has to read the history of Guyana to know the evils the PPP/C brought upon this nation and how terribly people suffered under that regime.

They (PPP/C) must never be allowed to take the reins of power ever again in this country. The death squads, narco-trafficking, sole-sourcing, awarding of mega contracts to family and friends, distribution of broadcast licences to friends (many of these broadcast facilities are being used to spread PPP/C propaganda on a 24-hour basis) and a litany of other known transgressions spread across the governance report card of the PPP/C. Many mothers are still praying, crying and following the treacherous bloody trail of the death squad to find their sons. The trauma of it all remains in the psyche of many villages.

I was also very disappointed with the coalition’s lack of fervour in the face of Jagdeo’s comments about the government being visionless, to use that opportunity to promote President Granger’s vision for all Guyana.

Now, suddenly Bharrat Jagdeo has become so virtuous, so truthful, so honest. So much so that he believes he has the right to lecture this government on transparency and accountability;

how funny. But this is the very President whose government gave one billion dollars (1 billion dollars) for a special Restoration Programme to the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development and has nothing to show for it. Some time ago, it was reported in local media, that five hundred million dollars (G$500M) was allocated to Georgetown, but there was nothing to show for it. Was there an audit of that allocation? If so, what were the findings? The entire capital was regularly inundated with floodwaters after five minutes of rain; the city was overrun by garbage and its attendant public health risks and hazards; poor drainage; impassable roads and a city centre that was unimaginably dirty. In fact, it was reported during that time that one PPP minister of local government wished for some outbreak (epidemic) to have an excuse to remove the then Green council because Mr. Hamilton Green had the temerity to stand up to the wrongs of the PPP/C. Maybe that was one of the objectives they sought to achieve when they allowed the city to be buried in garbage.

Mr. Green consistently spoke about how the PPP/C stifled the life out of the council and tied its hands in different ways from making progress. I can remember that in numerous radio and television broadcasts, former Mayor Green repeatedly lamented the fact that no economic idea he or his council proposed saw the light of day by the then government. Whether it was the waste-to-energy plant or the lotto project to raise money for the city, it was swiftly shot down by the government. And who can forget the days when the council was locked out of its chambers, humiliated and rendered ineffective? There were cries to relocate the capital. Decent and right-thinking Guyanese were simply too embarrassed to talk about the city and to welcome visitors from overseas. It was as though the city was left to decay and rot by the powers that be. All of its systems had become defective with no light of improvement on the horizon.

Then in 2015, after the APNU+AFC government took office, as one of his first tasks, His Excellency President David Granger led by example, gave leadership and started a massive drive to clean up Georgetown beginning with the Independence Arch on Brickdam. This was followed on by the city council, some businessmen and ordinary people. There were

hype and anticipation about a restored Georgetown. Neither Dr. Jagdeo nor his ministers ever showed such leadership. In fact, the former President and his ministers walked the streets of Georgetown and elsewhere, apparently oblivious to the fact that it had become a garbage city. We were forced to dwell in garbage.

Then late 2015 early 2016, Georgetown became the talk of all Guyanese as well as members of the diaspora. People were amazed at the transformation and gave much adulation and commendation to central government and the council.

Photographs of different parts of Georgetown were sent mostly visa mobile phones/social media across the city and overseas.

People were astonished and delighted that the city could have been turned around so drastically and beautifully. So with very limited resources, the authorities managed to reverse negative trends and restore respectability to the city. Georgetowners and their children were able to enjoy their parks and recreational facilities. Garbage was brought under control, canals were cleared and flowing, parapets and roadsides were regularly cleaned, municipal buildings like the Kitty Market and the City Engineer’s Building were repaired. This is just one example of this government’s commitment to improving the quality of life for all Guyanese. There are many more examples of commitment on the part of this government to give the good life to all.

But Guyanese must remember that the APNU+AFC government is dealing with over 23 years of neglect in all sectors of our society. And although there is great anticipation and expectation of a better life for all, it must be said that it will take time and very hard work by the government to make the kind of difference we long to see in our society. All of us must give the government an opportunity to deliver on promises by being patient, understanding and willing to work together to build a better Guyana.

For me, the 2019 budget is an indication of great things to come. Indeed, we are on the threshold of a major economic breakthrough and all of us should want to be a part of it.

Regards Malone Smeulders

City needs to be better managed Time for a broad-based national gov’t Dear Editor,

T

HE garbage situation in Georgetown stinks to high heavens, but the council has not shown that it can manage it.

So, we are all at risk and don’t know what to do. Interestingly though, according to media reports, one of the recommendations of the Kennard Commission of Inquiry is that the heads of departments be dismissed. Looking deeper into this very recommendation I have noticed that they all belong to a particular group. Strangely, the one head that has not been cited in Kennard’s report is the officer dealing with solid waste. But as I go about my daily chores, the city is saturated with piles of garbage, not only on parapets, but also in drains.

So why has the chairman deemed all the other heads’ performance poor but not the officer responsible for waste collection in Georgetown? Is it because of association or friendship?

Georgetown is a mess.

In the past, this present APNU+AFC government made much weather out of the massive clean-up campaign.

They talked about a pristine, clean Georgetown. Indeed, at one time the city was cleaned up, so much so that Guyanese and visitors from overseas commented on the newness of the city. But since that respite the city has slipped back into a very untidy and unhealthy state. What has gone wrong?

Now the council is dumping rubbish in the cemetery with substantial amounts of waste left on streets in

Georgetown. People have started to complain once again about the appearance of the city. Mourners have to navigate garbage, high bushes, impassable roads and overflowing drains to bury their dead.

Maybe the government should consider taking this on as a governmental responsibility, because the city council seems incapable of handling it. In any case, it is the government that has been consistently bailing out the council with payments to the garbage contractors. This could be an indicator that the council does not have the money to do garbage collection. The government should act now before it is too late.

Regards Collin Davidow

Dear Editor,

W

HEN will our political leaders and political parties honestly face and address the reality of more than six decades of race and political divisions that have stifled the social and economic development of our people and country under the dominance of the PPP and PNC over these years with the winner-takes-all system? When will our land be liberated from this scourge of political and racial divisions and conflicts for the national good? The political parties and political leaders must let the past go and look to the future in the national interest, and seek political reconciliation through their own internal and intra-party truth/confession/ reflection in joint sessions. The political leaders and political parties must now put the nation’s interest above self and party interests.

There is widespread national

concern about the continuation of this situation which beckons and calls on the leadership of the PNC and the PPP and their political parties to meet and confer in good faith to agree on the creation of a constitutionally broadbased government, based on the results of free and fair general elections in 2020; and agree on a programme for national development for social, economic, and human development. Timely constitutional changes/amendments are required.

Immediate discussions by the political parties on constitutional reform/amendments to establish a broad-based government should consider: • A government be constituted by at least two-thirds of elected members of the National Assembly to include every political party which obtained 15% of seats in the National Assembly; • Members of the National Assembly to elect the President and vice-president by two-thirds majority at the first session of the National Assem-

bly following general elections; • The provision for one vice-president only, and abolish the misnomer of the title of “prime minister”; • The number of ministries should be no more than 21, set constitutionally; • The national budget must secure a two-thirds vote in the National Assembly; • One election for the National Assembly and regional authorities • A fixed election day every five years; • Establish a professional, neutral, and politically impartial Public Service by law; • Appoint a genuinely independent, neutral, and politically impartial Public Service Commission; • The Public Service Commission to also appoint all permanent secretaries and all regional executive officers on the basis of merit.

Regards Joshua Singh

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, December 15, 2018

Ramjattan banking on surveillance to stop smuggling of contraband into prisons

MINISTER of Public Security Khemraj Ramjattan has noted that significant improvement will come to the country’s prisons services, police force and other agencies with the approval of over $21.6B to the central ministry.

During the consideration of the 2019 Budget estimates on Friday in the Parliamentary Committee of Supply, it was noted that over $3.9B will be injected into the Prison Service.

On the topic, Opposition Member of Parliament (MP) Clement Rohee questioned the minister on whether he is satisfied with the strength of the prison service countrywide and if not, to provide the steps being taken for improvement.

“No, I’m not satisfied,” Ramjattan began.

“Restructuring the organisation is a big [aspect we’re working on]; increasing salaries and proposing how we get the monies for that; promotional increments; a number of things that go with making the prison service far more attractive and appealing for members and also getting recruits that would want to work in an environment of a prison are all

things that we are working on.”

Meanwhile, another opposition MP, Harry Gill questioned Ramjattan on what measures the ministry has in place to stop the smuggling of prohibited items in to the prisons. “It has to do with the surveillance systems that we’re going to get through this budget and also professionalism that we would have to [develop] by process of continuously training and [addressing] the leadership of the prison, talking to these ranks [encouraging them] not to do that. Also, personal judgement calls made by these officers and ranks [must be addressed]…and we have to have a culture too, in and around the country, that family members shouldn’t be paying them the monies to carry in the contrabands to the holding bays in the first place. So all of that are considerations,” Ramjattan said.

To further improve the country’s prison service, in 2019, out of a sum of $7M monies have been set aside to increase support for the agriculture development plans to make prisons self-sufficient meat and vegetable wise.

“We have certain projects that we’re going to do, we’ve gotten an agricultural officer so

and this increase of $7M we feel will help in that regard,” Ramjattan said.

Questioning the decrease in spending in line item ‘other’ from $73M in 2018 to $25M in 2019, Rohee added that it is due to the construction of permanent structures such as toilets—as opposed to renting them—at holding bays at the Lusignan and Georgetown Prisons.

Also, in 2019 $1.4B of capital expenditure will go towards the construction and expansion of prisons and payment of retention.

Ramjattan told the Committee that these retention payments will facilitate the construction of the Georgetown Prison at $6.1M; the reconstruction of the Camp Street Prison at $265M; the expansion of the Mazaruni Prison at $709M and consultancy services at $77M. Consultancy has also been procured to design the new Georgetown Prison at the cost of some $10M and is being conducted by an American company which has designed prisons for a number of countries in the Caribbean and Latin America. The design for the steel-cell prison boasts a cell-modular arrangement which is easily portable.

Challenged to say whether it would be best to relocate the Georgetown prison to a place far away from residents and businesses, Ramjattan said: “That is the reason we adopted the steel cell modular form that is portable because at

Opposition Member of Parliament (MP) Clement Rohee (Adrian Narine photo) the moment, we do not have a space whereby we can have it as secure as Camp Street where we can put a prison that can accommodate about 240 more prisoners. We cannot find that place yet.”

“Plus, when you’re doing considerations for having a prison you have to have remand prisoners that will come to court early or in time for the trials and all of that. So, if we put it too far we might have a traffic problem… but rest assured that the experts are giving us advice as to where we should have a huge modern prison that can take care of a 1,000 to 1,200 prisoners.”

He noted that there has been no change in the design of Mazaruni Prison since last revised to now be built as a 2-storey building.

Thus far 20 per cent of this construction is completed at the cost of some $500M and the entire project is expected to be

Minister of Public Security Khemraj Ramjattan (Adrian Narine photo) completed in 2019.

GUYANA POLICE FORCE Regarding the Guyana Police Force (GPF), this agency will receive $13.8B. Out of this sum, $220M will purchase equipment, arms and ammunition for the force while he noted that the entire SWAT team will be benefiting from the initiative.

Another $200M will ensure the purchasing of vehicles, motorcycles, engines, boats and bicycles.

Referencing the fleet of vehicles presented to the GPF by the People’s Republic of China in 2017, Ramjattan said that with this additional support, the team’s emergency response time has improved.

Meanwhile, regarding police stations, Ramjattan noted that Regions One, Four, Five and Eight will be transformed into divisional headquarters.

“It is part of the realignment of the divisions into a regional division so we’re going to have ‘Region One Police Force’…up to ten rather than ‘A’, ‘B’, ‘C’, ‘D’ up to ‘F’,” he said. “We want a Commander, a Senior Superintendent or Assistant Commissioner to be the person who’s going to be living there, taking charge of all matters there.”

Facilitating this venture will be the sum of $400M which will go towards the completion, construction and rehabilitation of police stations, buildings, quarters and payment of retention. The headquarters to be involved include divisional headquarters in Golden Grove - $50M; Mabaruma - $50M; Mahdia $50M and Fort Wellington - $50M. Meanwhile, on the topic of plans for a GPF Aviation Unit, the minister said that the matter is still being addressed as “very qualified” persons will be needed to manage the unit.

“It’s an ongoing process but we’re going to get there. I cannot say whether we’re going to get there by the end of 2019 but certainly work will start,” he said. Other agencies for which funding was approved include the Police Complaints Authority - $44M; the Fire Service - $1.9B; the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) - $349M and the Policy Development and Administration - $1.4B.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, December 15, 2018

‘A positive opportunity’ –– says regional association of Republic’s acquisition of Scotiabank’s operations

THE Caribbean Association of Bankers (CAB) says that while some of the concerns over Republic Bank’s acquisition of Scotiabank’s banking operations in nine Caribbean jurisdictions may be well founded, it views this development as a positive opportunity for the regional financial services sector.

Further, the body noted that the Region must repose reliance and trust in its governments and regulators to preserve the integrity of the financial sector in light of the developments.

In a statement this week, the CAB said that it has noted the concerns of public and private sectors with respect to the proposed sale of Scotiabank’s banking operations in nine (9) Caribbean Countries to Republic Financial Holdings Limited (RFHL).

The association noted that the Region has, in its history, experienced migration, acquisition and consolidation of both locally owned and international financial services companies. “De-

spite these situations, the sector has continued to be stable, guaranteeing customers the same high standards of integrity and customer service they expect from their banks,” said the CAB. The CAB said it is of the opinion that the ability of RFHL to be positioned to acquire assets of one of the leading international banks, despite the myriad challenges facing the regional banking sector at this time, is to be commended. It said this is a true reflection of the ongoing maturity of the financial services sector in the Caribbean.

“To this end, we applaud the RFHL for their confidence in the Region and sector. RFHL has been in operation since 1837, originally formed under the name Colonial Bank in Trinidad and Tobago. Today the institution operates in 15 subsidiaries with over 4000 employees in Trinidad, Grenada, Barbados and Guyana and an off-shore Corporation in the Cayman Islands.

RFHL also operates in Su-

riname with approximately 5,500 employees within the group.

“In 2013, the RFHL made history as the first Caribbean Bank to conduct business on the African continent through an acquisition of a 40% stake into the HFC Bank in Ghana.

The bank has confirmed its desire to purchase the operations of Scotiabank in these nine territories (Guyana, St Maarten, Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, and St Vincent and the Grenadines), for USD$123 million - subject to the necessary regulatory and legal approvals,” the CAB said.

The statement said that Scotiabank’s decision to refocus its investment options into bigger markets to take advantage of economies of scale, further underpins the need for the Region’s indigenous banks to come together to strengthen their position in order to remain viable and competitive in an ever-changing global economic market. “Given the challenges in the global

$18B approved for Social Protection Ministry MINISTER of Social Protection Amna Ally defended in the Committee of Supply on Thursday, that the sum of over $18B allocated for the central ministry for 2019 is adequate for it to carry out its mandate.

Sifting through the budget estimates to the Sustainable Livelihood and Entrepreneurial Development (SLED) Project for which some $250M has been allocated; Opposition Member of Parliament (MP) Dr. Vindya Persaud inquired about the process used to determine beneficiaries.

In response, Ally noted that a total of 1,264 persons were beneficiaries of SLED in 2018 and they continue to be chosen based on their indication of interest to participate.

While Persaud questioned whether there would be similar provisions for persons in Region Six in the coming year, Ally confirmed that several programmes are to be conducted in areas such as Eversham, Canje, Angoy’s Avenue, Fyrish and more.

Some of which they benefit from include training in poultry, sheep and pig rearing; farming; garment construction; shade house cultivation; cash crop farming; catering and hospitality among others.

She also stated that the availability of benefits under the programme will be disseminated through public advertisement countrywide through the various regional offices.

On the topic of old-age pension and public assistance, the minster said that the total 54,000 recipients each in 2019 will receive an increase of GYD$20,500 taking the allocation to a total of $13B for the year.

Meanwhile, for the some 12,000 recip-

ients of public assistance in 2019, they will receive $9,000 each bringing the total to some $1.B. With $162M allocated to dietary in 2019, the minister noted that this sum will not only cater for the feeding of those at the New Opportunity Corps (NOC) but to persons at the Palms Geriatric Home, Hugo Chavez Centre for Rehabilitation and Reintegration; the Mahaica Children’s Home and the Night Shelter.

Meanwhile, training at the sum of $6.3M will go towards those at the Guyana Women’s Leadership Institute (GWLI) while under the topic of Child Care and Protection, some $27M will be going to orphanages.

She noted that there are currently 89 boys and 86 girls under foster care with monthly financial provisions being made per month for each child.

On the same topic of Child Care and Protection, Ally said that $60M in dietary will be being provided while training to the tune of $17M is set for service providers.

Of the $49M capital expenditure to be spent on buildings in 2019, the minister said that this will facilitate the payment of retention at a drop-in center to the tune of $10M; $37M for additional works and the remaining funds will go towards better accommodating additional child care protection staff in the community of Whim.

Minister within the Ministry of Social Protection Keith Scott noted that the amount allocated for support to unions is some $8M and include the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers’ Union (GAWU); Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) and several others.

financial sector, mergers and acquisitions will continue to be the norm and regional banks should position themselves to take advantage of the opportunities as we operationalise the CSME,” the CAB stated.

The association believes that “we must place reliance and trust in the mechanisms

which regulators and governments will employ to preserve the financial integrity of the regional financial services industry and the growth and development of our economies.”

The CAB is a community of banks and other financial institutions in the Caribbean, which proactively influences

issues impacting the financial services sector through advocacy, education and networking.

“The CAB represents fifty-three (53) banks and financial institutions in the Caribbean, with an asset base in excess of US$41 billion as at Dec 31, 2017,” said the CAB.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, December 15, 2018

Speaker refers opposition’s challenge to PM to constitutional reform committee

By Navendra Seoraj

THE Parliamentary Opposition’s contention that Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo should have vacated his seat in the National Assembly while he was President (ag) was referred to the Parliamentary Committee on Constitutional Reform by the Speaker of the National Assembly, Dr. Barton Scotland.

The opposition through a letter signed

by Opposition Chief Whip, Gail Teixeira,

contended that Prime Minister Nagamootoo, who was performing duties of President, should have been excluded from the National Assembly during consideration of estimates for Budget 2019 which concluded on Friday.

Dr. Scotland in his reply referred the matter to the clerk of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Constitutional Reform with an appropriately worded letter. “As I had observed when I informed the House on December 10 about receiving a letter from the Opposition Chief Whip, the matter about

which you wrote is one which raises very important issues,” said the Speaker in his letter of reply which he read out loud to the members of the National Assembly subsequent to the approval of the appropriation bill No. 15/2018 on Friday.

According to Dr. Scotland, some of those issues go beyond the particular issue which Teixeira raised and they touched other provisions of the Constitution and the Law and the Practice of Parliament as they would have evolved over the years.

“I am aware that there has been, since the first year of this eleventh Parliament, their view contrary to the ones which you expressed in your letter. Such contrary views have been expressed by persons learned in the law and even by eminent senior counsel.

For the three years following, to the present year, that view has influenced the practice,” he said, adding that Teixeira’s letter has in-

Opposition Chief Whip, Gail Teixeira troduced an element of uncertainty in a most important area of the discharge by Members of Parliament of their obligations to the people of Guyana.

According to the letter from the chief whip, in the 8th, 9th and 10th Parliaments in accordance with Articles 96 (1) and 178 (1) and (4) of the Constitution of Guyana, when then Prime Minister Samuel Hinds was carrying out “the functions of Office of the President” who was overseas, he was not allowed to attend a sitting or a committee meeting of the National Assembly.

Scotland in his response to that section of the letter said, there were no records which made clear the reason for the conduct of the prime minister. “I hold the view that the absence of records and the reliance, in its place, on memory does not provide a sufficiently strong basis on which I should rely for a definitive settlement of so grave and weighty a matter as the one to which your letter gives rise to,” said the Speaker, noting that he does not recommend resort to the Justice System for the solution of a matter of this nature.

He believes that the concept of winners and losers is not one to be embraced for a permanent solution to the very important issue. Dr. Scotland instead urged all members of the house to turn their thoughts and employ their abilities to find a solution.

Teixeira was however dissatisfied with

Speaker of the National Assembly, Dr. Barton Scotland the Speaker’s decision, noting that Dr. Scotland was asked to uphold the constitution and not rule on the matter. Her contention was based on Article 178 (4) of the Constitution which unambiguously reads: “During any period when a minister is performing the functions of the office of the President under article 96 or 179 or has assumed the office under the proviso to article 95(1), his seat in the National Assembly shall be regarded as vacant … At the expiration of the period… the seat shall thereupon be resumed by the minister.”

“The language is clear and unambiguous…he was asked to uphold the constitution not a ruling…the speaker does not want it to go to court and he believes it is a resolution matter but it is a matter of upholding the constitution,” said the opposition chief whip.

Asked if going to court will be the opposition’s recourse, she replied in the affirmative, noting that they do not have any other choice but to seek legal recourse. In a recent report, Prime Minister Nagamootoo had accused Jagdeo of attempting to sow seeds of discord among the citizenry in an attempt to block passage of the government’s $300.7B budget.

“I want to put that in context for the Guyanese people to know that the deviousness is what we see playing out; that they’re trying to first divide members of this government and set us up against each other; and then when you believe, as a throwback, as a fallback, you’re now asking for the removal from the House of the prime minister,” he said. “Because, the intention is to first defeat the $300.7B Budget; to lock down the government; to create a constitutional crisis; and to breathe disaffection and rebellion among the people of this country.

It is diabolical, and it has to be met squarely.

It has to be answered; it has to be defeated,” the prime minister said.

He further explained that the Constitution provides for the prime minister to be leader of government business in the House, first vice-president and principal adviser to the president.

He said, too, that the president, in or out of Guyana, could authorise the prime minister to carry out “certain functions”, which could be “any function.”

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, December 15, 2018

AG Chambers spreads Christmas cheer

11

– at Ptolemy Reid Rehab Centre

THE Ministry of Legal Affairs and Attorney General’s Chambers brought smiles to the faces of the children at the Ptolemy Reid Rehabilitation Centre through a Christmas cheer visit on Friday where numerous gifts were distributed.

The Attorney General Basil Williams SC led the team during the event. “This is the celebration of Jesus Christ and it’s a Christian celebration but not withstanding that it’s Christian in nature and orientation, all Guyanese, regardless of religion, race, colour or creed celebrate Christmas as we know it in Guyana,” Minister Williams said in remarks.

He added that the season is really one for children and one to remember and celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. “This celebration of the birth of Christ is even stronger now and it’s even more widespread and it is even more sustained. It’s a season of cheer,

a season of giving, a season of goodwill… it’s time when we surrender all those trying times in the past year, all the hostilities, all the disagreements, they all will go away during the Yuletide season,” he noted.

“I know that you, the children of Ptolemy Reid, your future is bright and it is bright because your country will now have the resources in a short while to address whatever problems you may have…the Government of Guyana will dedicate appropriately the enhancing of the whole procedure and structure of dealing with the various situations that we have in this area.”

It is the second time that he ministry has hosted the seasonal visitation as it believes that such efforts help to focus on the true meaning of Christmas. At the event, the children were entertained by songs, poems, gifts from the AG’s Chambers staff and each received a meal.

Staff members of the Ministry of Legal Affairs and Attorney-General’s Chambers rendering seasonal songs at the event on Friday (Photos by Adrian Narine)

Mother of 7 secures bail in attempted murder charge A MOTHER of seven was on Friday charged for attempted murder of her reputed husband after she appeared in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.

Kendra Grant 39, of West Ruimveldt Georgetown appeared before Magistrate Fabayo Azore and was not required to plead to the indictable charge.

The charge alleged that on November 12, 2018 at West Ruimveldt with intent to commit murder, Grant wounded Oasis Bailey.

Police Prosecutor Simone Payne objected to bail due to the seriousness of the offense and the penalty in which the offence attracts.

According to the facts that that were presented in court by the police prosecutor, on the day in question, the defendant and the victim had an argument pertaining to the victim bringing his ‘child mother’ at their home. However, the two had a scuffle where the defendant went into the kitchen, picked up a knife and stabbed the victim to his chest.

As a result, Bailey fell to the ground and was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation where he was admitted as a patient and later discharged.

Bail was granted in the sum of $150,000. The matter was adjourned to December 21, 2018.

Attorney-General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams interacting on Friday with children and parents during a visit to the Ptolemy Reid Rehabilitation Centre

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, December 15, 2018

Two new schools for Bamia

TWO new schools are to be constructed at Bamia, Region 10, Upper Demerara -Upper Berbice in 2019.

This was disclosed during consideration of the estimates for Region 10, for which over $3.9B was approved in the Committee of Supply Thursday evening. Defending the 2019 budgetary allocations was Minister within the Ministry of Communities Valerie Patterson-Yearwood.

However, this was not before it was placed under the microscope by members of the

opposition.

The minister said construction of the schools signals the government’s commitment to continuous improvement of education delivery. The region’s education sector received the bulk of the budgetary allocations, a total of $2.5B. Of that amount, provisions will be made for the construction of a nursery and a primary school at Bamia.

Recreational areas will also be constructed at Children’s Garden, Kwakwani Water-

front and Wiruni Nursery Schools to make them more child-friendly. Water systems at LICHAS and Watooka Day Primary schools and incinerators at Kwakwani and Amelia’s Ward student hostels will also be constructed.

The health sector also received a large sum amounting to $730.6M. Patients visiting the Upper Demerara Regional Hospital will find an upgraded facility, as the building is slated to be rehabilitated at a cost of $14M. Additionally, another river

ambulance will be purchased at a cost of $20Million to ply the Demerara River. This will be added to another river ambulance acquired last year that currently services the Berbice River area. Electrical works are also slated for the Rivers View and Ebini health posts.

The region will also see significant infrastructural development, as it was allocated over $348M for that sector. This will make possible the construction of a bridge at Kara Kara, upgrading of roads at Wisroc, Block 22, Kara Kara, Silver City and Christianburg and upgrading of drainage systems, including structures at One Mile Extension Area and Silverballi.

Additionally, the sum of $51.7M was allocated to Region 10 for agricultural purposes. However, when questioned by the opposition as to why the monies are being allocated, the minister highlighted that after years of making requests, this year is the first time the region will be able to manage its own agricultural programme.

MONUMENTS Meanwhile, Patterson-Yearwood refuted claims that the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) of Region 10 (Upper De-

Minister within the Ministry of Communities, Valerie Patterson-Yearwood merara-Upper Berbice) had collected donations to construct the Linden Martyr’s Monument in the mining town of Linden.

The minister instead contended that $5 million has been allocated for construction of the monument in the $3.9 billion budget which was approved by the Committee of Supply for Region 10.

Opposition Member of Parliament Juan Edghill questioned the minister about the collection of funds during consideration of the budget estimates on Thursday. “Was

the minister aware that a fund was launched by the previous chairman of the RDC to collect money from persons overseas and in Guyana?”

Edghill questioned.

In response, Minister Patterson-Yearwood said the RDC has never collected money from anyone and the current allocations would come from the national treasury. “I am saying I am not aware about a project to collect money…if the chairman or council collected any money in their capacity it is not my business,” said the minister, adding that a total of $8.5 million was budgeted for the construction of monuments in Region 10, $5 million of which would be for the Linden Martyrs’ Monument and $3.5 million for the Son Chapman Monument.

Minister Patterson-Yearwood said she was a member of the RDC but she left in 2011 but, as a resident of Linden she was unaware of the collection of funds.

Among other major projects which have been budgeted for in the Region Ten budget is the construction of a bridge at Kara Kara to the tune of $10.8 million.

Also in the pipeline for 2019 is the upgrading of roads at Wisroc, Silver City, Christianburg, Block 22 and Kara.

Guyana to tap into US$2.6M CDB fund –– to help boost cultural, creative initiatives

THE Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) on Friday announced the launch of a new fund to provide financial support and stability for the Region’s cultural and creative industries.

The Cultural and Creative Industries Innovation Fund (CIIF) will provide grants for innovative projects within the creative industries sector. It was established with an initial USD2.6 million contribution from the CDB and is intended to become a multi-donor fund. Director of Projects at the CDB, Daniel Best, said the bank established the fund to respond to the pressing need for a clear financing regime dedicated to supporting creative entrepreneurs in the Region.

“The cultural and creative industries sector is a major economic driver globally and has the potential to do the same here in the Caribbean. We are confident that support of the kind being provided through CIIF can help bring more stability to the sector, creating the platform for greater and sustainable growth,” said Best.

CIIF is focused on supporting projects within five priority sub-sectors: fashion and contemporary design, visual arts, audio-visual design (including film, animation and gaming), festivals and carnivals and music.

The objectives of CIIF are to: •support the enabling environment for development of the cultural-industries sector in the CDB’s Borrowing Member Countries (BMCs) with a focus on legislative reforms and incentive policies; •improve the quality, depth and dissemination of research on the sector and to strengthen the existing knowledge infrastructure related to cultural industries; •enhance the technical capacity and knowledge of MSMEs in the cultural-industries sector to improve their competitiveness to participate in local, regional and international markets; and •strengthen business support organisations that support the cultural industries to deliver capacity- building at national and regional levels in the CDB’s BMCs. CIIF is launching with a call for proposals under its Enabling Environment grant category, which provides funding of up to USD150,000 per approved project.

This category is for projects focused on creating platforms for the sector, executing significant business climate reforms or policy innovations or creating initiatives, which help reduce the constraints faced by micro, small and medium-size enterprises in the cultural and creative industries.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, December 15, 2018

Gov’t promises expanded healthcare services … as $25.2B approved by Committee of Supply

THE Committee of Supply of the National Assembly on Thursday evening approved over $25.2B for the Ministry of Public Health which caters for the ample provision of drugs and supplies and the of construction and resuscitation of several health institutions.

Off the bat, regarding the rental of buildings under Policy Development and Administration costing some $165M, Opposition Member of Parliament (MP) Frank Anthony questioned Public Health Minister, Volda Lawrence, on whether this catered for the medical supplies and drugs bonds at Sussex Street and Princes Street.

In response, Lawrence said that it is public knowledge the ministry is no longer renting the Sussex Street facility. She said she has no knowledge of the “Princes Street warehouse” as referenced by the MP. Anthony also laid questions relating to the storage of drugs at the Ocean View Hotel during which, the minister notified that the company has extended its social responsibility by offering the ministry a space to keep some of its supply items free of cost.

When the opposition MP questioned whether the rooms there meet certain standards for the holding the items, Lawrence affirmed same, further clarifying that contrary to his belief, there were no damages incurred to the items stored at the location.

399 BENEFIT FROM HEALTH CARE ASSISTANCE She then provided a detailed list of the buildings being rented by the ministry. On another topic, Lawrence announced that a total of 396 Guyanese patients including two ministers have benefitted from overseas treatment while the ministry is hoping to facilitate a total of 500 individuals in 2019.

Later, under line item Subsidies and Contributions to International Organisations which was allotted $62M, Anthony questioned what benefit will Guyanese derive from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

Lawrence said that the government and people of Guyana will benefit from various workshops and training; technical assistance and

scholarships. On Thursday, she also provided an update on the progress of the formulation of the Tobacco Legislation Council to be set up to regulate the smoking of tobacco in the country.

The public health minister noted that to facilitate the process, the ministry must first commence an education programme for awareness on the issue and later set a time frame for when the penalties will be instituted.

Currently, the Terms of Reference (ToR) for the council is being worked on and before the end of 2018 the document will go to Cabinet for approval to be ready for implementation in January 2018. Switching focus to the $438M capital expenditure allocated for Ministry of Health buildings, Anthony questioned how much would go towards consultancy services and the ministry’s head office which is currently under construction.

Lawrence was able to provide the figures which detailed that out of the amount, some $150M will go towards the building which is currently at phase one, while $20M had been set aside for consultancy services. Regarding the Food and Drug state-of-the-art laboratory to be constructed for the first time in Guyana, Lawrence said that out of the aforementioned sum of $438M, $210M will go towards this project.

In 2019, the tender process will begin for the lab and by the end of the first half of 2019 the government will be breaking ground for the project.

On the topic of disease control regarding drugs and medical supplies, out of the $1.1B allocated, Lawrence said that $341M will go towards the HIV drugs programme with the remainder going towards the National Public Health Reference Laboratory.

Questioned by the opposition on whether the sum would be adequate for the year, Lawrence said that it is the ministry’s estimation that it will be but reminded that if inadequate the ministry has the ability to return to the House for additional funds for drugs like Antiretroviral (ARV).

Earlier in November the National AIDS Programme Secretariat (NAPS) had reported that Guyana is closer to meeting its UNAIDS 90–90–90 target as 86 per cent of all people living with

HIV now know their status.

In addition, 74 per cent of those diagnosed are receiving sustained antiretroviral therapy (ART) while 65 per cent of those on ART have achieved viral suppression.

Sticking to the topic of health, Guyanese MP Gail Teixeira asked whether subsidies for dialysis patients would be resumed in 2019 but Lawrence corrected that the funding had never ceased

but in fact, since 2016, allocations for the same have increased.

With expenses for these patients still increasing, Lawrence said that the ministry, in the new year, will seek to address how services in this regard can be expanded to persons outside of Georgetown. Lawrence announced, too, that out of $16.5M allocated to Family Health Care Services for

local organisations, $10M will go to the Salvation Army while the remaining $6.5M will go to the Phoenix Recovery Project (PRP).

The ministry will also be working to resuscitate the Cancer Society in 2019 while the sum of $27M will go towards the purchasing of drugs for HIV/Tuberculosis /Malaria Programmes from a $250M total funded by the Global Fund.

Minister of Public Health, Volda Lawrence

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, December 15, 2018

Fire leaves four homeless at Overwinning

A FIRE suspected to be electrical in origin, partially destroyed a two-storey house mid-afternoon on Thursday, leaving four homeless at Second Street, Overwinning, East Bank Berbice.

Those affected by the fire which reportedly occurred just after 14:30hrs, are Hazmon Mohamed, better known as Aunty Dora and her husband Philbert Butcher, who lived on the lower flat of the house; her daugh-

ter Sabrina Jaffar, Manager of the New Amsterdam Branch of A.H&L Kissoon, who shared the upper flat with her seven-year-old son, Shumen.

Aunty Dora, a former Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) employee, told the Guyana Chronicle that after relaxing a bit, she went to take a shower, and that it was whilst doing so she heard someone shouting, “Fire! Fire!”

Her husband, who was

sitting downstairs in the hammock at the time, also recalled hearing someone shouting, “Aunty Dora! Fire!

Fire!”

Said he: “I got up. And whilst looking upwards, saw black, billowing smoke emanating from the back of the upper flat.

“I ran inside and grabbed a bucket in an attempt to extinguish the blaze;but when I threw the water, the fire gushed at me.

“The little boy was at-

tempting to throw too, but we had to retreat.

“Someone called the fire station and they responded timely.”

Picking up the conversation from there, Aunty Dora said she barely managed to pull a dress off the line before hurrying out of the bathroom and running to safety.

Still shaken by the experience, she said: “God really help me; I normally can’t handle stressful situations, but I don’t know where

this strength come from.

Meh thank God.” Recalling that her daughter had only that morning sent home a new bottle of cooking gas and some groceries for the upcoming holidays, Aunty Dora said: “The boy not too long carry up de goods and de gas bottle and dem drinks. The

fire destroy all; everything!

Dem nah get no clothes!

Nut’ing!”

She said that even though the fire did not destroy her furniture, her electrical appliances are irreparably damaged. She also lost quite a bit of clothing and estimated her losses at over $6M.

Father of eight gets 30 years for raping girl A FATHER of eight, Esmond Kwesi Slowe, was on Friday morning slapped with a 30-year jail sentence from Justice Jo-Ann Barlow for raping a young girl.

The 40-year-old man was found guilty two weeks ago by a mixed 12-member jury for sexual activity with a child. According to the State’s case presented by Seeta Bishundial and Abigail Gibbs, on December 16, 2016 in the County of Demerara, Slowe engaged in sexual activity with a child under the age of 16.

The girl was 14 at the time of the incident and during his testimony, he told the court that he was drunk and could not remember what happened on the day in question.

A probation report requested by defence attorney Maxwell McKay, was read to the court on Friday, and it revealed that Slowe is a school dropout, as he left school at the age of 14. At that tender age he was forced to work and be a provider for himself and his family.

He now has seven children and a common-law wife who is expecting another child. His story however, did not take away from the victim’s impact statement. The young girl said that she was always a happy child and had good relations with everyone. But what was done to her, took a toll on her life and she felt as though she was violated in the worst way possible. The child said she hates the convict for what he did to her and how he made her feel, and she wants to see him punish for betraying her trust.

Justice Barlow said that she completely disregard his claim of being intoxicated at the time of the incident and cannot recall having sex with the little girl. She pointed out that he cannot be excused from such a horrifying act because he wasn’t sober, and he must take responsibility for his actions.

As such, judge ordered that he spend 30 years in prison as consequence for his irresponsible, inhumane actions.

She also ordered that he be exposed to counselling for sexual offenders and alcohol abusers.

Man arrested with cannabis at Grove THE police on Thursday night detained the driver of a car in which 10 parcels of cannabis were found.

According to a police release, an intelligence-led operation at around 20:20hrs saw a Toyota Allion motorcar being intercepted on the Grove Public Road, East Bank Demerara.

A search of the vehicle’s trunk, they say, revealed the sealed parcels of cannabis weighing some ten pounds in total.

The 37-year-old driver, who resides at Westminster, West Bank Demerara was promptly arrested, and is being processed for court.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday, December 15, 2018

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, December 15, 2018

First Lady fetes senior citizens

FIRST Lady, Mrs. Sandra Granger on Friday hosted a luncheon for senior citizens and their caretakers at the Baridi Benab, State House.

Mrs. Granger conveyed well wishes for the festive season on behalf of President David Granger, who was unable to attend the event. “I wish everyone a very merry,

blessed, peaceful, healthy Christmas and New Year.

As you know, my husband is unable to attend, but he wanted me to assure you that he echoes those sentiments and that he wishes you all a merry Christmas and a very happy, peaceful, and prosperous new year,” she said.

The First Lady, and special invitees from the

First Lady, Mrs. Sandra Granger addresses the gathering of 150 senior citizens from care homes throughout Georgetown

First Lady serves the seniors during the luncheon

Luminous Women’s Group and Women Across Differences (WAD), served the over 150 senior citizens and caretakers, who came from geriatric homes throughout Georgetown, Essequibo Islands-West

Demerara (Region Three), and Upper Demerara-Upper Berbice (Region Ten).

The seniors also received gift bags of Christmas treats. (Ministry of the Presidency photo)

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$13.2B approved

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, December 15, 2018

T

–for old-age pension

HE sum of $13.2Billion was approved for the distribution of old-age pension, as the National Assembly on Thursday evening, unanimously passed the Ministry of Social Protection’s $18.2 Billion budget.

During the consideration of the National Budget estimates, Minister of Social Protection, Amna Ally noted that a total of 54, 000 pensioners across Guyana will benefit the sum allocated. Minister Ally also confirmed that $1.2Billion was also allocated to provide public assistance to 12,000 persons qualified for this support.

The old-age pension will be increased from $19,500 to $20,500 as of January 2019, while public assistance will be increased from $8,000 to $9,000. Also approved was the sum of $250Million for the execution of community development projects under the Sustainable Livelihood Entrepreneurial Development (SLED) programme.

Opposition Member of Parliament Dr. Vindhya Persaud asked that Minister Ally provide the criteria for a group to benefit from the project and to clarify whether Region Six is expected to benefit from the programme, as they were not qualified to do so last year. In response, Minister Ally explained that the programme is based on requests made

by community groups in each of the ten administrative regions. She confirmed that next year several programmes will be executed in communities across Region Six including Glasgow, Angoys Avenue, Fyrish among other areas. Minister Ally further stated that a total of 1,264 persons.

A total of $10 Million was allocated for technical assistance for studies to examine the gender inequalities in the education system with specific emphasis on underachievement of boys. Another $20Million will cater for expenditure reviews targeting the poor and vulnerable; alternative payment systems based on geographical consideration and preparation of social protection strategies and development of a strategic plan and sustainable financing model. For the construction of a building and fire escapes at the Palms and the construction of security hut at the New Opportunity Corps, $31 Million was approved and $15Million for the procurement of equipment and furniture for the Palms geriatric facility.

Additionally, $49.7Million will be expended for the completion of a Drop-in-Centre at Sophia and enclosure of a building at Whim in Region Six. Minister Ally explained that the structure at Whim will also cater to children in state care.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, December 15, 2018

Police ranks recognised for their commitment

OVER 106 ranks of `A’ Division were on Friday recognised for their work and commitment during this year at the Annual Awards Ceremony and Christmas Luncheon held at the Brickdam Police Station.

The ranks received trophies, cash, food hampers

and other gifts.

Police Sergeant Keith Conway, who is attached to Grove Police Station Criminal Investigation Department, was rewarded for being best cop for this year. In additional to receiving a trophy he was awarded with a trip to the Kaieteur Falls for two, a trip

to the Arrow Point for two, a flat screen television from Courts, a bicycle, $50,000 cash and other items.

The runner up spot went to Sergeant Gavin Boyce, who is attached to Brickdam Police Station Traffic Department. In addition to a trophy from Laparkan, Boyce

was awarded a trip for two at the Arrow Point Resort and a dinner for two at the Cara Lodge Hotel.

Nine police ranks were also promoted on spot by the Commissioner Lesley James.

Divisional Commander Marlon Chapman in his address told the gathering that

Sergeant Keith Conway on stage receiving his awards from Police Commissioner Lesley James for Best Cop the significant reduction in serious crime for the division is very commendable. He thanked his ranks for their hard work and commitment in making this achievement a reality.

He added that 50 illegal fire- arms so far for the year are off the road and the division for the year had a successful defence and dismantle of carjacking.

Commissioner James congratulated all the police ranks who were promoted and awarded on their achievements. He stated that ‘A’ Division is not an ordinary division but that ‘A’ Division is the feet of governance and the hub where all the activities take place and as a result of that it is important that everyone at ‘A’ Division ensure they stay focused and bring out the best.

He said that the main aspect will be training and infrastructure of the human

resource.

He also stated that they had a spike in fatal accidents and he would like to urge drivers of motor vehicles, and motor cyclists to be safe when using the road.

He further added that there is an issue of persons who are involved in fatal accidents leaving the scene.

He noted that they will be addressing the matter seriously.

Commissioner James stated, “we should all be moderate and tertiary education is important. I advise all police ranks to take it seriously because I would like to see a much more educated Guyana Police Force.”

During the event, ‘A’ Division was awarded $450,000 by Commissioner Lesley James. Musical renditions preceded the luncheon which consisted of the traditional ham, black cake and ginger beer among other goodies.

Second runner up Sergeant Gavin Boyce pose with his prizes

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, December 15, 2018

ASPnet empowering disabled persons

By Lisa Hamilton

THE newly-launched Regional Associated School Project Network (ASPnet) in Region 10 is making strides in fostering inclusion among Persons With Disabilities (PWDs).

Just last week, in collaboration with the Region’s Department of Education, ASPnet held its inaugural United Nations (UN) International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) where over 100 parents, teachers and students attended.

The event took place in Linden at the Mackenzie Primary School and saw the attendance of members of the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) and the Education Ministry’s Special Education Needs Unit (SEN).

ASPnet comes under the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) and

are also involved as well as Pine Street and West Watooka nursery schools.

A workshop hosted by the Ministry of Education and facilitated by National ASPnet Coordinator from Trinidad and Tobago, Omar Mohammed, has assisted the region’s District Education Officer (Nursery), Shivon Greene-Brewster and Nursery Field Officer Faye Anne Tappin-Benn, in knowing how to make the network work effectively.

Following the meeting, Greene-Brewster and Tappin-Benn were able to conduct a one-day regional workshop and on December 3, 2018, the department celebrated International Day for Persons With Disabilities.

At this inaugural activity, persons were given the opportunity to showcase their talents and skills and booths were set up to display art and craft, agriculture and

Teachers assist the students in various activities works to promote peace, intercultural dialogue, sustainable development and quality education in practice.

There are over 11,500 ASPnet members while the network has educational links across the world in182 countries.

This network is recognised as an effective tool for reaching Global Citizenship Education (GCED) and Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) goals and supports the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) four on quality education.

A number of secondary schools across the Upper Demerara-Upper Berbice Region are a part of the programme, including Kwakwani, New Silver City, Linden Foundation, Harmony and Wisburg secondary schools.

Two primary schools, Wismar Hill and Mackenzie,

numeracy.

The two institutions which cater for PWDs are the Linden Special Needs Centre and the Resource Unit for the Blind. Both institutions were present at the event.

Regional Education Officer (REO) Rabina Singh and the Regional Democratic Council were credited as being very supportive in making the event a success.

At the event, Education Officers Gale Blue and Yolanda Trotman from the Ministry’s Special Needs Unit (SEN) relayed their appreciation for the newly- formed network and the initiative for recognising PWDs. Regional Chairman Renis Morian, who delivered the main address, pledged continued support for ASPnet.

At the end of the day’s activity, a Blind Crick-

et Competition was held among persons with special needs.

It filled the children with much excitement as even as those without disabilities participated

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Several students and their guardians turned out to the event held at the Mackenzie Primary School

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday, December 15, 2018

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Saturday, December 15, 2018)

COMPLIMENTS OF THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market & The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD-83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) ANSWERS TO YESTERDAY’S QUIZ: (1) 29 players (2) 13 players TODAY’S QUIZ: (1) How many players have now led the WI in ODIs against Bangladesh to date?

(2) How many players have now captained Bangladesh in ODIs against the WI to date?

ANSWERS IN TOMORROW’S ISSUE

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday, December 15, 2018

Australia wrestle India for control of Perth (REUTERS) - AUSTRALIA doggedly overcame a green-tinged Perth Stadium pitch in fierce heat to wrest back control of the second Test yesterday after India had threatened to take advantage of some

favourable bowling conditions on day one.

The hosts, 1-0 down in the four-match series, after losing the opener in Adelaide, reached stumps on 277 for six with captain Tim Paine unbeaten on 16 and

Pat Cummins 11 not out.

Marcus Harris, Aaron Finch and Travis Head all made half-centuries but none of them was able to really put his foot down on the gas as India pegged the Australians back on a

Aaron Finch dives to make his ground, v India, 2nd Test, Perth, 1st day, yesterday.

grassy, drop-in wicket that occasionally played a few tricks.

Recalled spin-bowling all-rounder Hanuma Vihari and quick Ishant Sharma claimed two wickets apiece to get the tourists back into the contest after the Australians had won the toss and batted through the first session without losing a wicket.

Harris and Finch put together a 112-run opening partnership before India, playing four seamers with no specialist spinner, separated them when the pitch came roaring to life after lunch.

The Indian tactics of targeting Finch’s pads were rewarded when quick Jasprit Bumrah trapped him lbw for 50 with a searing, full delivery in the midst of a probing spell.

Usman Khawaja, who made an excruciating five off 38 balls, was the second batsman to fall, rashly cutting Umesh Yadav in a desperate attempt to break the shackles after being tied down by the Indian bowlers.

Harris also departed before the second break to a rising delivery from Vihari, the opener steering the ball to first slip to end his 141ball knock of 70.

India captain Virat Kohli ensured that India maintained the pressure after tea when he snared a spectacular full-stretched, one-handed catch off Sharma to dismiss Peter Handscomb for seven as Australia crashed to 148-4.

Head and Shaun Marsh watchfully dug Australia out of a hole, though, before the latter fell for 45 to a sharp Ajinkya Rahane catch at slip off Vihari.

South Australian Head chanced his arm with an 80-ball 58, but needlessly holed out straight after India had taken the second new ball.

The Test is the first at the ground after a 47-year run at the WACA and Australia will be keen to christen their new home by ending a run of six Tests without a victory against an India side seeking a first series win Down Under.

SCOREBOARD

AUSTRALIA 1st innings Marcus Harris c Ajinkya Rahane b Hanuma Vihari 70 Aaron Finch lbw Jasprit Bumrah

50 Usman Khawaja c Rishabh Pant b Umesh Yadav 5 Shaun Marsh c Ajinkya Rahane b Hanuma Vihari 45 Peter Handscomb c Virat Kohli b Ishant Sharma 7 Travis Head c Mohammed Shami b Ishant Sharma 58 Tim Paine not out

16 Pat Cummins not out

11 Extras: (b-4, lb-3, nb-1, w-7)

5 Total: (six wkts, 90.0 overs)

277 Fall of wickets: 1-112, 2-130, 3-134, 4-148, 5-232, 6-251.

Bowling: Ishant Sharma 16-7-35-2 (nb-1), Jasprit Bumrah 22-8-41-1, Umesh Yadav 18-2-68-1 (w-1) Mohammed Shami 19-3-63-0 (w-2), Hanuma Vihari 14-1-53-2, Murali Vijay 1-0-10-0.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday, December 15, 2018

Historic KFC Goodwill Series begins today

HISTORY will be created today when three Guyanese school teams take on a Trinidad team in the KFC Goodwill football tournament.

Guyana’s Annandale Secondary, winners of the recently concluded Guyoil/ Tradewind Tankers Schools Football League, along with runners-up Christiansburg/ Wismar Secondary and hinterland team Annai take on Trinidad’s Shiva Hindu Boys’ College from today.

The three-day league format tournament which has each team playing the other once will see the winner decided on points on the final day.

During the official pre-tournament press conference, Petra co-director Troy Mendonca contended that there was one word that surrounded the entire idea from inception, ‘Development’.

“We hope that this tournament creates an environment that motivates players and officials to excel,” he said.

He continued by adding that the three-day tournament augurs well for the school’s football programme and measures where we (Guyana) are in comparison to another Caribbean country and look at areas of improvement.

The co-director continued that the tournament is

vital to Petra’s thrust towards developing the sport within the school system, hinting strongly at the possibility of having it on an annual basis with the hope of inviting new countries.

This, he noted, will not affect the inclusion of hinterland teams which will always have a place in the tournament.

Head of the business affairs unit of Ansa McAl, Errol Nelson, recounted the company’s lengthy history with football in Guyana.

He added, “We will continue to be heavily involved for many more years to come.

It aligns with the company as obvious in fostering grass-

roots development and social cohesion.”

Donning two hats, Caribbean Airlines Sales representative and Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Executive Committee member Dion Innis commended the organisation for hosting such a tournament.

“I often ask why there isn’t a regional school tournament of champions and it’s easy for me to say this but the resources needed for it is a lot,” he said. “ We ( a t C a r i b b e a n Airlines) stand shoulder to shoulder with the organisers in making future tournaments possible,” he said, recounting that when

history is perused, it will be the Petra organisation that shall be remembered for their bold step.

He picked up on Mendonca’s possibility for expansion by recommending Suriname as the next country the tournament could add to its list of competing teams, saying that the eastern neighbour would be ‘game’ to be a part of the series.

Switching to his GFF hat, he said that the organisation is, “Heartened to hear teams from the hinterland can look forward to having a spot in the tournament.”

He said that organisations and also the Federation have

to “make a special effort” to ensure that the hinterland community teams are given the resources like any other team in the country.

We n d y F e r n a n d e s , Restaurant General Manager of KFC’s Vlissengen Road branch, told the gathering that “it is an honour to represent KFC. Football is a major sport in Guyana and our future as a footballing nation looks encouraging with the current generation of talented youths.

Today’s match fea tures Annandale playing Wismar/Christianburg from 17:00hrs while Shiva Boys take on Annai from 19:00hrs. Admission is $500.

WADA to visit Moscow Giles replaces Strauss as Managing Director of England to access labs (REUTERS) - A FIVE-person WADA delegation will travel to Moscow on December 17 to access the city’s anti-doping laboratory and gain access to its raw data, the World Anti-Doping Agency said yesterday.

Access to the lab and data before the end of the year was a condition of WADA’s September decision to reinstate Russia’s anti-doping agency (RUSADA).

Russian authorities must also ensure that any re-analysis of samples required by WADA following review of the laboratory data is completed no later than June 30, 2019.

“Gaining full access to the laboratory and the data contained within it was the reason behind the September 20 decision (to reinstate RUSADA) and it is satisfying that we are another step closer to realising that,” said WADA Director General Olivier Niggli in a statement.

“The raw data is the missing piece of the puzzle that will complement the duplicate LIMS (Laboratory Information Management System) database that is already in WADA’s possession and help conclude WADA’s McLaren and Operation LIMS investigations.”

WADA has set a December 31 deadline for RUSADA to meet the condition or once again be found non-compliant and face even tougher sanctions laid out in the International Standard for Code Compliance by Signatories.

RUSADA was suspended in 2015 after a WADA-commissioned report that outlined evidence of massive state-backed, systematic doping in Russian athletics, allegations which Moscow denied.

WADA readmitted RUSADA in September, angering sports bodies around the globe, but said a failure to allow access to the Moscow laboratory would lead to a renewed ban.

Earlier this month the Council of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) voted to continue its doping-related ban of the Russian Athletics Federation that has been in place since 2015.

(REUTERS) - FORMER England spinner Ashley Giles has replaced Andrew Strauss as the new Managing Director of England men’s cricket, England and Wales Cricket Board announced yesterday.

Giles, who is Sport Director at Warwickshire, will be responsible for building the coaching and management structure to support the England men’s cricket teams across all formats.

Former England captain Strauss stepped down from his position in October to support his wife Ruth in her fight against cancer.

Giles played 54 Tests for England and later worked as a national selector from 2008 to 2014.

“I am delighted to be

joining the ECB and shaping the future of England cricket throughout the men’s game,” the 45-year-old said in a statement.

“I am very grateful for the opportunity and excited about working with some talented people. The legacy left by Andrew Strauss has put the

FORMER England spinner Ashley Giles has replaced Andrew Strauss as the new Managing Director of England men’s cricket.

performance programme in a stable place.”

It marks a comeback to the ECB set-up for Giles, after he was sacked as England’s one-day international coach in 2014.

Giles’ credentials will be tested over the next 12 months as England host the 50-over World Cup and the Ashes series against Australia.

The appointment follows a month-long recruitment process led by ECB chief executive Tom Harrison.

“Ashley was the standout candidate amongst a very strong field,” Harrison said.

“He will bring a fresh perspective to the role and build on the excellent work carried out by Andrew Strauss over the past three and a half years.

Egypt’s Salah voted BBC African Footballer-of-the-Year (BBC) - EGYPT and Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah has been voted BBC African Footballer-of-theYear for the second time in a row.

The 26-year-old beat Medhi Benatia, Kalidou Koulibaly, Sadio Mane and Thomas Partey to the prize.

The Premier League’s Player-of-the-Year scored 44 goals in 52 games for Liverpool last season.

“It’s a great feeling to win again. I’m happy and I would like to win it also next year!” said Salah.

As well as inspiring his club to the Champions

League final, Salah scored twice for Egypt at this year’s World Cup, having netted both goals in the match which took his country to the tournament

for the first time since 1990.

“There have been many good moments in 2018,” he added. “The game against Roma at Anfield (Champi-

Mohamed Salah

ons League semi-final first leg) was unbelievable. I’m scoring goals and helping the team to get the points to be top of the league. That’s always a great feeling.”

Salah said his aim for 2019 is “to win something with the club, so everyone is excited”.

“I try to push myself every day to help the team win something,” he added.

The BBC received more than 650 000 votes this year - a record for the award.

Salah becomes the first player since Nigerian JayJay Okocha to win in consecutive years.

28

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday, December 15, 2018

GIMME ‘HOPE’ JO’ANNA!

Barbadian stands alone as West Indies crumble (CMC) - SHAI Hope struck his second successive hundred and fourth of his career but West Indies’ four-year wait for a one-day series win continued when they went down by eight wickets to Bangladesh in the decisive third One-Day International.

Entering the contest at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium with high hopes after impressively levelling the series in Dhaka on Tuesday, West Indies were brought back down to earth again when their batsmen once against disappointed, managing an inadequate 198 for nine off their 50 overs.

The right-handed Hope, whose career-best unbeaten 147 was instrumental in Tuesday’ win, was once again the only beacon for the Caribbean side, stroking a high class 108 not out.

He batted through the innings, facing 131 balls and striking nine fours and a six but had no support whatsoever, as only two other top order batsmen – Marlon Samuels (19) and Darren Bravo (10) – reached double figures.

Hope, deservedly voted Man-of-the-Series, did not

take the field when Bangladesh batted however, after taking a blow to the helmet at the start of the 50th over and being put under observation.

West Indies batting star Shai Hope struck his fourth ODI hundred.

Not for the first time, the Windies had little answer to off-spinner Mehidy Hasan, whose four for 29 from his 10 overs gave him with the Man-of-the-Match honour.

Captain and seamer Mashrafe Mortaza (2-34) and left-arm spinner Shakib-alHasan (2-40) supported with two wickets apiece.

Bangladesh coasted in reply, with Tamim Iqbal top-scoring with an unbeaten 81 and Soumya Sarkar carving out a near run-a-ball 80, comfortably reaching their target in the 39th over under no pressure.

The series defeat was the Windies’ second of the year to Bangladesh following a similar 2-1 loss in the Caribbean earlier this year, and are now without a series success since they got the better of the Tigers in the Caribbean back in 2014.

Sent in, West Indies lost

Lusignan A to clash with ECCCC A in Banks Beer 100-ball final THE Enmore Community Centre Cricket Club A (ECCCC) team will host the Lusignan Sports Club A in the final of the Banks Beer 100-ball Bash this Sunday afternoon.

The competition, which commenced in October and featured 19 East Coast teams, will also see Lusignan B taking on Fairfield SC from 09:00hrs in the third-place clash.

The Krishna Deosarran led Lusignan A will depend on Steve Ramdas and Rajendra Naikarran in the batting and bowling departments respectively, whilst the Bheemraj Ramkelawan-led Enmore CCCC A will expect Amir Khan and Rudolph Singh to play significant roles in their quest for victory.

Meanwhile both of the finalists recorded comfortable victories in the final-four last Sunday.

Naikbarran was outstanding for Lusignan A after taking an amazing six wickets for five runs in 2.2 overs (best figures to date in the competition) to clean up the B team.

Lusignan A batted first and reached 141-6 from their 100 balls with Ramdas scoring a game-high 60 runs. Gavin Boodwah supported with 25.

A. Singh led the bowling attack for the B team with 4-13. Lusignan B then laboured to 84 before they were bowled out in the final over. S. Alli finished with 26 runs.

At the Enmore Community Centre ground, their A team batted first and raced to 145-5 off their allotted balls, with Amir Khan scoring 39, while Ramkelawan and Vishwanauth Ramlakhan added 22 apiece. Richard Chatura took 3-33 for Fairfield SC. In reply, Fairfield SC were restricted to 113-9 off their allotment of overs. M. Shaw scored 19 for Fairfield SC, while Ranjeet Hiralall and Satash Jainarine took two wickets each for Enmore.

left-hander Chanderpaul Hemraj cheaply for nine when he whacked Mehidy Hasan to point in the fourth over, but Hope steadied the innings, first in a 42-run second-wicket stand with Bravo and then in a 39-run, third-wicket partnership with Samuels.

The left-handed Bravo struggled for 26 balls before missing a frustrated heave at Mehidy in the 14th over and having his leg stump disturbed.

Samuels, meanwhile, faced 32 balls and struck two fours and was beginning to find his stride when he played on to 22-yearold speedster Mohammad Saifuddin in the 23rd over.

Hope was then left to single-handedly shepherd the innings as wickets fell steadily around him. He raised his half-century off 55 balls in the 20th over and was on 53 when Samuels fell with the score on 96.

Shimron Hetmyer (0) and captain Rovman Powell (1) perished in quick succession, leaving the Windies deeper in the mire at 99 for five in the 26th over.

The 25-year-old Hope re-

mained unfazed, however, squeezing every run possible out of the Windies innings, with whatever partnership he could muster. He posted 34 for the sixth wicket with Roston Chase (8), 28 with Keemo Paul (12) for the eighth wicket and 21 in an unbroken last-wicket stand with Devendra Bishoo (6 not out) Hope eventually reached three figures in style at the start of the 48th over, clearing the ropes at long off with Shakib, for his third century in his last seven appearances.

Bangladesh then rammed home their advantage thanks to Tamim who put on 45 with Liton Das (23) for the first wicket before adding 131 for the second wicket with the dominant Sarkar.

All told, the left-handed Tamim faced 104 deliveries and counted nine fours, and was there at the end to see his side over the line.

Sarkar, meanwhile, belted five fours and five sixes in an entertaining 81-ball knock before missing a fulllength one from seamer Paul (2-38) and losing his legstump, with Bangladesh already assured of victory.

SCOREBOARD

WINDIES 1st innings Chandrapaul Hemraj c Mohammad Mithun b Mehedi Hasan 9 Shai Hope not out

108 Darren Bravo b Mehedi Hasan

10 Marlon Samuels b Mohammad Saifuddin 19 Shimron Hetmyer lbw Mehedi Hasan 0 Rovman Powell c Mushfiqur Rahim b Mehedi Hasan 1 Roston Chase c Soumya Sarkar b Shakib Al Hasan

8 Fabian Allen c Mohammad Mithun b Shakib Al Hasan 6 Keemo Paul b Mashrafe Mortaza

12 Kemar Roach lbw Mashrafe Mortaza 3 Devendra Bishoo not out

6 Extras: (b-1, lb-4, pen-5, w-6)

16 Total: (nine wkts, 50.0 overs)

198 Fall of wickets: 1-15, 2-57, 3-96, 4-97, 5-99, 6-133, 7-143, 8-171, 9-177.

Bowling: Mustafizur Rahman 10-1-33-0 (w-2) Mehedi Hasan 101-29-4) Shakib Al Hasan (9-0-40-2) Mashrafe Mortaza (9-1-34-2) Mohammad Saifuddin 9-0-38-1, Mahmudullah (3-0-14-0) (w-2).

BANGLADESH 1st innings Tamim Iqbal not out

81 Liton Das c Rovman Powell b Keemo Paul 23 Soumya Sarkar b Keemo Paul

80 Mushfiqur Rahim not out

16 Extras: (nb-1, w-1) 2 Total: (two wkts, 38.3 overs)

202 Fall of wickets: 1-45, 2-176.

Bowling: Kemar Roach 3-0-16-0, Roston Chase 8-0-32-0, Keemo Paul 7-0-38-2, Marlon Samuels 4-0-25-0 (w-1), Devendra Bishoo 9-0-48-0 (nb-1), Fabian Allen 4-0-22-0, Rovman Powell 3.3-0-21-0.

Improved racing quality for F1 in 2019 (BBC) - FORMULA 1 could see a 20% improvement in the quality of racing next year, according to Ross Brawn.

F1’s head of motorsport said he was optimistic changes to the cars for 2019 would enable drivers to race closer together and pass more easily.

“Until the cars run, we don’t know what solutions [teams] have made, but from predictions we’re achieving about 20% improvement,” said 64-year-old Brawn.

However, teams say their research does not tally with Brawn’s predictions.

Many say they are expecting a very small effect, if anything at all.

A spokesman for F1 said that the “20% improvement” Brawn was referring to was “in the capacity of a car to attack

the car in front”.

He added that one way of measuring this would be in a reduction in the lap-time off-set a car required in order to be able to perform a successful overtaking manoeuvre.

In recent seasons, this has been well over a second a lap and often close to two.

The changes - which involve a wider, simpler front wing and a wider, deeper rear wing - are aimed at reducing the amount of aerodynamic turbulence produced behind a car, and therefore making it easier for another car to follow closely.

Ferrari trialled a 2019 front wing in practice at the season finale in Abu Dhabi at the end of last month.

Team boss Maurizio Arrivabene said afterwards: “They were supposed to

give more possibility to the overtaking. At the moment, the first feedback that I got from our driver is that most probably that objective is not achieved.”

Brawn, who was quoted in an article on the official F1 website, emphasised that the changes for 2019 were part of an ongoing attempt to improve the show, part of which is a much wider revamp of the rules for 2021.

“The point to stress is it’s a philosophy and a culture, not just a one-stop solution,” Brawn said.

“If we don’t achieve everything we want to achieve with these changes, we’ll learn from it, press on and carry on with the next phase of changes - and we’ll keep doing that until we get the cars in a form when they can race each other

much more effectively, which they can’t at the moment.

“It’s useful to see if the teams have been able to evolve and take different directions because we don’t want to discover that in 2021.”

The new front wing design came out of research for the 2021 rules but F1 asked the teams for permission to introduce it early to understand its effect, and because they felt it could give an immediate gain.

Brawn said that the teams were helping with research for the 2021 rules.

These are being kept under wraps but he said F1 and governing body the FIA had “issued a framework of what the car could be like with tasks for each team to look at aspects of it”

29

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday, December 15, 2018

Metro sponsorship to power Boxing Day horseracing

By Rajiv Bisnauth

METRO Office and Computer Supplies continued their sponsorship agreement for the traditional Boxing Day horse-racing meet, scheduled to be staged at the Kennard’s Memorial Turf Club (KMTC), Bush Lot, Corentyne track.

During a simple ceremony yesterday at the company’s Quamina Street location, officials were on hand to present the top cash incentive of $1M and winner’s trophy for the now feature E and Lower sev-

en furlongs race.

The main event is expected to feature almost all the country’s top race horses.

Admin Assistant of the company, Shivanie Sooklall, moments before presenting the $1M cheque and massive trophy to Justice Cecil Kennard, the Honorary president of the Kennard’s Memorial Turf Club, stated how happy the establishment was to sponsor the biggest prizes of the day.

According to Kennard, the entity has been on board with the Boxing Day meet for over two decades, but

has been sponsoring the cash prizes for the main race for about a decade now.

Kennard further mentioned that the track and weather are excellent for horseracing, and as such, he anticipates an exciting day of racing.

The day’s activities will be held in strict adherence to the rules of the Guyana Horse Racing Authority.

Other races billed for the day are, the H1 and Lower race, along with the Three-year-old and over races which will see the winners taking home

$250 000 and $240 000 respectively.

Meanwhile, the Twoy e a r- o l d G u y a n a - b r e d (Maiden) which will be contested over a distance of five furlongs will see the winner gallop away with $200 000; the L-Open $140 000, L-Non winners: $120 000 and L-non earners $100 000.

The races will be run under the regulations of the Guyana Horse Racing Authority and entries will be closed on Sunday, December 16.

Walter voted president of Albion Cricket Club FORMER Berbice and Guyana Under-15 manager Vemen Walter was voted in as president of the Albion Community Centre Cricket Club at the annual general meeting (AGM) held on Thursday afternoon in the club’s main hall.

Walter, who has served the club with distinction for many years in several capacities, including as president, will have a former club president, Imtiaz Bacchus, as his deputy.

Omarnauth Outar will serve as secretary, Pooran Mangal as treasurer and Joshua Harichand as assistant secretary/treasurer.

Pawan Baldeo, Devendra Latchman and David Brijmokhan were voted as

Vemen Walter won the election on Thursday at the club’s AGM.

in both categories Milerock FC, while Eagles United, Rickland Hutson’s Youths and Amelia’s Ward United among others will be contesting the two categories today.

Seven field players and a goalkeeper will be allowed on the field at any given time in the Under-16 competition, but only seven outfield players will be allowed on the field in the Under-13 competition.

In the Under-13 category, clubs will have a maximum of 12 players registered while in the Under-16, a maximum 13 players.

The U-16 players will contest for 40 minutes, 20 minutes each half while the U-13 players will have a 30-minute competition - two segments of 15 minutes.

This tournament will be the continuation towards the development of youth football by two

The Guyana Football Federation (GFF) has been planning an international futsal tournament for the past six months and was pleased to sign a binding contract with clear roles and responsibilities with the Kashif & Shanghai Organisation as the coordinators of the event. The rationale for this partnership is three-fold: In order to deliver a top class event at this time of year, the GFF needed expert,

bodies to engage and partner with third parties and service providers for the delivery and organisation of tournaments, competitions, leagues and other programmes.

Kashif & Shanghai have an unrivalled track record in the delivery of successful football tournaments in Guyana and we have every confidence that they will be the perfect partner for the GFF to stage a memorable and popular futsal tournament.

third party support because of staffing and logistical requirements related to the GFF-Stag Super 16 Year-End Tournament.

Under its “One Team, One Dream” mission statement, the GFF is committed to working with all football stakeholders in the promotion and development of the game, especially with those stakeholders who possess specific expertise and a positive track record in their respected disciplines.

It is standard practice in the sports world for national or international governing

GFF President Wayne Forde said: “It might be useful for the football fraternity to recognise how fractured we are as a family, which certainly does not serve the best interests of the game. It is, therefore, my goal to seek to build consensus, cooperation, respect and compliance, and to set out with clarity a direction that every stakeholder can play a part in. This can only benefit football. Infighting and bitterness can only hold us back from our aim to develop the game.”

committee members.

According to the club, the elected executives meet shortly to appoint the club’s respective sub-committees, captains, managers and BCB representatives.

Yesterday, president of the BCB, Hilbert Foster, offered his congratulations to Walter.

A BCB social media post stated that Foster is confident that the youths at the Albion club will benefit from Walter’s “vast experience, knowledge of the game and his visionary leadership”.

Foster stated that the Albion president, over the last year, has been a strong rod of support to the BCB and he expects a continuation of the relationship.

Kayo and Tallo Youth Challenge Series on today THE Kayo’s Academy and ‘Tallo’ Hutson 2018 Youth Challenge Under-13 and U-16 Youth Challenge Football Fiesta will take place today from 10:00hrs at the Mackenzie Sports Club ground.

All six participating clubs must assemble for 09:30hrs and those failing to be on time will be disqualified.

The clubs expected to contest are the defending champions

GFF explains roles in ExxonMobil Fustal tournament

former national players now based in the United States of America, Kayode McKinnon and Rickland ‘Tallo’ Hutson, who represented Guyana at both the youth and senior levels and began their careers in Linden.

Hutson represented Christianburg’s Eagles United FC, while McKinnon played for the Topp XX FC and they have continued to give back to the sport locally.

30

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday, December 15, 2018

Auto Fashion, Trophy Stall sponsor GFF-ExxonMobil Futsal

Rupie Shewjattan, proprietor of Auto Fashion makes presentation to GFF’s Keeran Gray, in the presence of tournament organisers Aubrey ‘Shanghai’ Major and Frank Parris.

TWO more corporate partners have committed to the successful execution of the GFF-ExxonMobil International Futsal Festival, scheduled for December 27-30 at Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.

Trophy Stall and Auto Fashion today have each donated the championship tro-

phy and medals respectively, for the eight participating teams in this inaugural tournament.

Long-time sports supporter and proprietor of Tro p h y S t a l l , R a m e s h Sunich, has expressed his pleasure to collaborate with the tournament and com-

mitted his continuous support of sports in Guyana.

Rupie Shewjattan, proprietor of Auto Fashion, said he is pleased to support the initiative as his business has been a sponsor of football for a number of years and “we like to support sports especially for a good reason”. He

Trophy Stall Port Mourant/UCCA U-19 50 Overs …

Wins for Scottsburg United, No.73 Young Warriors and No. 72 Cut & Load THE Trophy Stall Port Mourant, Berbice sponsored Upper Corentyne Cricket Association Under 19 -50 overs round robin tournament continued last Saturday with round 2 of the competition. Scottsburg United, No.73 Young Warriors and No. 72 Cut & Load secured wins.

At No. 73 ground: No. 73 Young Warriors defeated Radha Krishna Foundation Academy by 8 wickets.

Batting first Radha Krishna Foundation Academy were bowled out for 106 runs in 19.1 overs. I. Singh scored 38 and V .Kumar 13 were the top scorers. Bowling for No. 73 Young Warriors, Sarwan Chaitnarine took 4 for 38, Trevon Sukhu 2 for 28 and Raul Jabbar 2 for 12. In reply No. 73 Young Warriors got the runs with

ease loosing 2 wickets in the process. Trevon Sukhu 52 not out and Vettorie Latchman 38 did most of the work with the bat.

At No. 66 ground: Scottsburg United defeated No. 66 Cricket Club by 25 runs. Batting first Scottsburg United were bowled out for 98 runs in 22.3 overs. Rudy Jamalodeen 29 and Hardar Budram 16 were the top scorers. Bowling for No. 66, Jaison Boodhan took 2 for 23. In reply No. 66 were bowled out for 55 runs in 18.1 overs. Karan Persaud 23, Charran Singh 16 and Jaison Boodhan 14 showed some resistance. Bowling for Scottsburg United Rudy Jamalodeen took 4 for 19, Stephon Norah 3 for 31 and Akhtar Nahar 2 for 2.

At No. 72 ground. No. 72 cut and load won by virtue of walk over. Only 5 players turned up for No. 48 cricket club.

The competition continues this Saturday with fixtures as follows: No. 72 cut and load VS. Scottsburg United, No. 66 Cricket Club VS. Radha Krishna Foundation Academy, No. 48 Cricket Club VS. No. 73 Young Warriors (Teams name first are host).

This tournament is Organised by the Upper Corentyne Cricket Association and is sponsored by Mr. Ramesh Sunich, Managing Director of Trophy Stall with its new Location at Market Road, Port Mourant , Corentyne, Berbice which will open it doors for business in January, 2019.

Trophy Stall’s Ramesh Sunich presents championship trophy to GFF’s Keeran Gray.

Also in picture is tournament organiser representative Frank Parris.

has indicated that his business will continue the sponsorship next year.

The four-day festival will kick off with six matches to be played between 18:00hrs and 00:00hrs with each match being played on the hour and culminating with the final match at

23:00hrs.

The teams, which include Morvant Caledonia United from Trinidad and Tobago, ZV All-Stars from Suriname, and a São Paulo selection from Brazil, will be placed in two groups.

The local participating teams are an East Coast

All-Stars, Linden All-Stars, Georgetown All-Stars and West Demerara All-Stars.

The winning team will pocket $1.2M, while the losing finalists will receive half that amount. Third- and fourth-placed finishers will pocket $300 000 and $100 000 respectively.

Dorado swimmers capture two medals on ASATT invitational

RAEKWON Noel and Donna Carter captured medals for the Dorado Speed Swim Club on the opening night of the ASATT Invitational Club Swim Meet on Thursday evening in Trinidad.

Fourteen swimmers, aged eight to 15 years, are representing the Guyanese club at the four-day FINA-sanctioned event.

Noel, who swam in the 11-12 division, won silver in the 1500m freestyle with a time of 18:30:96. The youngster entered the event with a time of 20:10:06. Later in the evening, Noel finished fifth in the 50m backstroke in a time of 33.63s.

The Guyanese club’s other medal came in the Girls’ 13-14, 50-metre backstroke event, when Carter nabbed a bronze medal in a time of 35.79s.

The 14-year-old entered the event with a previous best of 36.32s.

According to veteran

coach Stephanie Fraser, all of the other swimmers on the opening night made personal bests (PB) in their events.

Ethan and Elliot Gon-

salves, Monique Watson and Vladimir Woodroffe made PBs in the gruelling 200m butterfly, while Watson also swam the 400m Individual Medley.

Raekwon Noel and Donna Carter captured a silver medal and a bronze respectively in Trinidad on Thursday evening.

31

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday, December 15, 2018

Lewis back in Windies T20I squad (ESPNCricinfo) - EVIN Lewis is back in West Indies squad for the T20I series against Bangladesh. The opening batsman hasn’t played international cricket since pulling out of the limited-overs leg of West Indies’ recent tour of India.

Also back in the squad are fast bowlers Kesrick Williams and Sheldon Cottrell.

Evin Lewis

All-rounder Kieron Pollard and the left-arm quick Obed McCoy, who were part of the T20I squad in India, miss out with injury. All-rounder Andre Russell and off-spinner Ashley Nurse, meanwhile, have not yet fully recovered from shoulder and knee injuries that cut short their India tours.

Sylhet will host the first of

three T20Is on December 17.

West Indies T20I squad: Carlos Brathwaite (capt.), Darren Bravo, Shimron Hetmyer, Fabian Allen, Kesrick Williams, Keemo Paul, Khary Pierre, Evin Lewis, Nicholas Pooran, Rovman Powell, Denesh Ramdin, Shai Hope, Sherfane Rutherford, Sheldon Cottrell, Oshane Thomas.

Powell disappointed over umpiring decision (ESPNCricinfo) - In a controversial incident in the series-deciding ODI in Sylhet, West Indies captain Rovman Powell was out to what should have been called a no-ball, due to an excessive number of Bangladesh fielders manning the leg-side field.

over. He seemed to bring up the matter again, when he came onto the field with drinks a few overs later. Powell said that Brathwaite had come on to the field to bring the situation to the umpires’ notice.

Powell said the issue

Carlos came on the field.

To be honest, I didn’t spot it. None of us, me nor (the other batsman at the time) Shai Hope, spotted it. We were concentrating on rebuilding, getting a partnership going and that just happened.”

It is not clear why

Roman Powell was clean-bowled.

Following the game, which Bangladesh won to seal the series, Powell expressed disappointment with the on-field umpires for not catching the breach till it was pointed out by Carlos Brathwaite, West Indies’ 12th man who came on to the field to bring it to the notice of umpires Masudur Rahman and Ruchira Palliyaguruge.

Brathwaite was seen having an animated discussion with the umpires just after Powell was given caught behind off Mehidy Hasan in the 26th

had persisted over several balls. “It was a situation where Bangladesh had six persons on the leg side, and generally (having) six persons on the leg side is considered a no-ball.

“It is a bit disappointing to see about six or seven balls (were) bowled with six players on the leg side and the umpire didn’t pick that up. It is a human mistake, so sometimes you have to just give and take.

“But you don’t want to lose a wicket in that fashion. Maybe that’s one of the major reasons why

Brathwaite did not prevent Powell from leaving the field when they had, evidently correctly, spotted this umpiring error. When Powell was asked about the matter at the press conference, he didn’t seem to catch the question.

According to Clause 28.4 of the ICC men’s playing conditions, “At the instant of delivery, there may not be more than 5 fielders on the leg side.... In the event of infringement of this clause by any fielder, the striker’s end umpire

shall call and signal noball.”

Bangladesh captain Mashrafe Mortaza said that they also did not spot

the error. “We all know that a 6-3 field is a noball,” Mashrafe said. “But by being focused on getting them out we ended

up having six fielders on the on-side, but since the umpire had made his call (on the Powell dismissal), he had to be given out.

Page

Gimme ‘Hope’ Jo’anna!

28

Barbadian stands alone as West Indies crumble Shai Hope raises his bat after a hundred, v Bangladesh, 3rd ODI, Sylhet, yesterday.

Metro sponsorship to power Boxing Day horseracing Page

29

KMTC’s Cecil Kennard (right) receiving Metro’s sponsorship package from Admin Assistant of the company, Shivanie Sooklall, while Andrew Hing dsplays the champion trophy for the feature event. (Rajiv Bisnauth photo)

Historic KFC Goodwill Series begins today 27 Page

From left, Head of the Business Affairs Unit of Ansa McAl, Errol Nelson, Caribbean Airlines Sales representative and Guyana Football Federation (GFF) executive committee member Dion Innis, Annai captain Orville Daniels, Annandale captain Jerome Harrigan, Petra co-director Troy Mendonca, Wendy Fernandes, Restaurant General Manager of KFC’s Vlissengen Road branch, Petra’s Jacquline Boodie and Ansa McAl’s Fharis Mohamed.

Singh’s half century pushes Jaguars to first innings lead

A

N UNBEATEN half century by Vishaul Singh propelled the Guyana Jaguars to a 33-run lead by the close of play on the second day against the Leeward Islands Hurricanes in the second round of the Cricket West Indies four-day Championship.

The defending champions, who won the toss and bowled out their nemesis for 182 in 62.3 overs at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua on Thursday, had reached 215-5 off 83 overs yesterday.

The 29 year-old Singh will continue today from his overnight score of 68, while he will have at his side the dependable Anthony Bramble who is unbeaten on 11

from 35 balls.

The Jaguars rebounded from 36-2 with Tagenarine Chanderpaul playing an anchoring role. Although the son of West Indies great, Dr. Shivnarine Chanderpaul, only reached 29 (2X4s), his 156 balls (137 dots) stay at the crease ensured that the four-time champs had stabalised their innings.

Chanderpaul and Singh added 58 from 24.4 overs for the fourth wicket after the fall of Clinton Pestano (25 runs 4X4s) on Friday morning.

Singh and Christopher Barnwell then put together a spirited 69 (110 balls) for the fifth wicket partnership, which pushed Guyana ahead of their opponents’ total. Barnwell,

who struck three fours and a six (the lone maximum of the innings), dominated the partnership, but four runs short of his half century he fell to left arm orthodox spinner Elvin Berridge.

Singh, who struck an unbeaten 97 against the Hurricanes the last time the two teams met at the venue looks set for another big score. He has so far hit seven fours in his 157 balls at the crease.

Off-break spinner Rahkeem Cornwell, who bowled Pestano and had Guyana’s skipper Leon Johnson (06) caught on the opening day, was the pick of the Hurricanes’ bowlers.

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SATURDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2018