Guyana Chronicle E-paper 09-23-2018

23rd September, 2018

Guyana, China sign agreements No.105406

–– focus on promoting trade, enhancing 03 connectivity among other areas PAGE

President David Granger, Minister of State Joseph Harmon, Minister of Foreign Affairs Carl Greenidge and Minister of Agriculture Noel Holder meeting with China’s State Councillor and Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi and his delegation at State House on Saturday (See story on page 10) (Ministry of the Presidency photo)

An evolving document 13 PAGE

–– Dr. Bynoe says Local Content Policy will not be too inflexible and prescriptive –– remains open to suggestions from the private and public sectors

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE September 23, 2018

Tension flares at Batavia

By Alva Solomon

TEMPERS flared on Saturday morning in the back lands of Batavia, CuyuniMazaruni, as residents of the village journeyed to the area and stopped a miner from operating there.

The villagers said workers employed by the miner, who hail from Bartica, are defying a letter sent to him by the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs to stop operations until a meeting on Tuesday to discuss the matter.

Toshao Oren Williams told the Guyana Chronicle that the villagers travelled to the area on Saturday morning after receiving word that the workers of the miner were still bulldozing the lands despite the orders.

He said the miner informed the police at Bartica

that the villagers confronted his workmen with guns and cutlasses but Williams disputed this.

The letter, which was seen by this publication, was addressed to a “Mr Ramnarine” and was signed by the Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Sydney Allicock. It stated that the village leader and councillors visited the ministry last Tuesday, September 18 to raise concerns about the man’s operations on Batavia’s titled lands.

A meeting was called on Thursday in the City between the Village Council, officials of the ministry, the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) as well as the miner. The meeting went ahead without the miner who informed GGMC officials that he could not make it because of emergency reasons.

Villagers stand alongside an excavator which the miner took onto their village lands this past week

A meeting was then scheduled for Tuesday, September 25, 2018, with all parties and the ministry invited the miner. “You are kindly asked to cease your mining activities in the area until the meeting is convened and a way forward is decided on,” the letter stated.

However, residents said the miner paid no attention to the letter and his workers continued to clear the lands.

Williams said the villagers are angry at the situation and he expressed hope that the confrontation would not become physical in the backdam.

The village leader, who only assumed his current role a few months ago following Village Council elections, told the Guyana Chronicle last week that the village received its land title in 2014. The following year, its boundaries were demarcated. “What we have is a map of the village but we didn’t know that there are two blocks within our land which the man is claiming belongs to him,” Williams said.

The village leader explained that the residents never explored mining and only this year residents were able to determine that there were signs of gold on the village lands. He said he was told that several villagers worked on a parcel of land on the periphery of the village’s boundary close to the area in question.

Williams said he was told that, that parcel of land which lies outside the village boundary belongs to the miner. He said the villagers then crossed back into their own territory and found signs of gold three months ago.

Reports are that the Bartica-based miner received word of the gold find and moved onto the land.

–– as villagers confront alleged illegal miner

Villagers of Batavia surround equipment which was taken on their lands by workers attached to a Bartica mining company

A mining pit which the miner’s workmen dug over the past few days at Batavia

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE September 23, 2018

Guyana and China sign bilateral agreements

GUYANA and China on Saturday signed several agreements aimed at strengthening bilateral relations between the two nations.

The signing took place at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre during the visit of State Councillor and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China, Wang Yi. Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carl Greenidge, during an address to several government officials including Minister of Agriculture Noel Holder and Junior Finance Minister, Jaipaul Sharma as well as Chinese diplomats, said that the two sides held constructive and productive discussions on a range of important issues related to their bilateral agenda.

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carl Greenidge, and State Councillor and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China, Wang Yi, as they sign one of several agreements on Saturday at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre at Liliendaal.

“Minister Wang’s visit dent that, through our com- critical areas.” today will no doubt con- bined efforts, it will conMinster Greenidge said tribute to the strengthening tinue grow from strength the two sides discussed and advancement of our to strength, on the basis how they will move forrelationship. I am confi- of mutual respect, under- ward with the cooperation standing and cooperation,” areas identified under the Minister Greenidge said.

MoU, in order to extract The Chinese Foreign practical benefits for our Minister said that the two countries and peoples. countries have enjoyed He said that while the mutual respect over the MoU outlines broad aryears. He said Guyana has eas of collaboration, such been China’s trustworthy, as policy coordination, longstanding partner and enhancing connectivity, friend. promoting trade and inHe said the two sides creased people-to-people covered much ground exchanges among others, during their bilateral coop- the two countries must now eration agenda. identify specific proposals T h e t w o c o u n t r i e s and develop a mechanism signed a Memorandum by which projects and proof Understanding (MoU) grammes in these areas on cooperation within the may be proposed and evalframework of the Belt and uated at the technical level.

Road Initiative two months The Foreign Affairs ago. Minister Greenidge Ministry has commenced said the signing of that discussions with other MoU represents yet another agencies in order to secure Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carl Greenidge, stands milestone in Guyana-China their inputs to assess their relations and according to needs and to identify prialongside State Councillor and Minister of Foreign him, “will certainly add ority areas.

Affairs of the People’s Republic of China, Wang Yi, impetus to our efforts to Greenidge said those shortly after signing an agreement on Saturday at promote deeper coopera- agencies were represented the Arthur Chung Convention Centre at Liliendaal. tion and collaboration in at Saturday’s forum and he

noted that government is committed to utilising this new framework of the Belt and Road Initiative, as well as existing bilateral mechanisms, to channel support to critical sectors, namely infrastructure, agriculture, renewable energy, health and ICT inter alia, in order to bring direct benefits to our citizens.

Among the agreements signed on Saturday is a Framework Agreement to implement the Guyana National Broadband Project.

This project will see the upgrading of the network to enable an equitable delivery of service in the education, health, security,

business and other sectors.

On Saturday officials and members of the media witnessed the official handing over of China’s contribution towards our hosting of the Seventeenth Session of the Committee for the Review and Implementation of the Convention (CRIC 17) of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) in January of 2019.

Minister Greenidge said it may be the first occasion on which the Government of China has contributed cash to “this very important undertaking.”

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carl Greenidge, greets State Councillor and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China, Wang Yi, on his arrival at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre on Saturday. (Delano Williams photos)

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, September 23, 2018

Asian rivals eye ‘flawed’ Maldives poll (BBC) The Maldives is set to vote in a heavily-criticised election that will be closely watched by India and China.

The Indian Ocean archipelago is best-known overseas for its clear waters and high-end resorts but its government stands accused of crushing dissent.

President Abdulla Yameen has embraced China, while his opponent, Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, is seen as leaning towards India and the West.

The European Union and US have voiced concerns about the election.

Both have threatened to impose targeted sanctions if the democratic situation does not improve.

The Maldives is made up of 26 coral atolls and 1,192 islands, and tourism is a vital part of its economy. More than 400,000 people live there but its future hangs in the balance due to climate change.

What’s been happening?

The archipelago has been

gripped by political upheaval in recent years. In February the Supreme Court quashed the convictions of nine opposition figures, among them exiled ex-President Mohamed Nasheed, who was ousted from office in 2012.

But after President Yameen declared a state of emergency and ordered the arrest of two judges, the court reversed its decision.

The move was seen as a sign that Mr Yameen - who is seeking to win another five-year term - would not tolerate any challenge to his rule and sparked criticism from Washington, London and New Delhi.

Some in India, meanwhile, called for an intervention in a small, neighbouring country once seen as firmly within its sphere of influence.

Mr Nasheed also appealed for Indian military intervention.

What does China have to do with this?

As part of Beijing’s push to gain strategic influence and carve out new trading

routes in the Indian Ocean and beyond, it has lent billions for huge infrastructural projects in Pakistan and Sri Lanka, and operates key ports in those countries, to the chagrin of India.

Under Mr Yameen, the Maldives has also welcomed Chinese money for major projects and signed a free trade agreement. More tourists from China now visit the Maldives than from any other country.

Analysts say that Beijing fears any change in government that could affect its interests, while India is concerned about Mr Yameen’s cosy ties with its regional rival.

“India sees it all in a very securitised sense that here are all these Chinese-backed ports around it,” said Gareth Price, a South Asia expert at the think-tank Chatham House, referring to Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

Delhi thus sees China’s lavishing of loans on the Maldives as part of a wider strategic ambition to secure

another foothold in the Indian Ocean, he added.

Will the election be fair?

The opposition coalition says the Maldives election commission is working on behalf of Mr Yameen and will not allow observers to verify individual ballot papers, which could allow “massive vote counting fraud”.

Human Rights Watch has also criticised the actions of the government.

“Maldives authorities have detained critics, muzzled the media, and misused the election commission to obstruct opposition candidates to ensure President Yameen a victory on election day,” said the group’s Asia associate director Patricia Gossman.

On Saturday, police officers searched the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party office in Male without a warrant, the party said. A police spokesperson confirmed the raid to the BBC, without providing further details.

T h e c o m m i s s i o n ’s spokesman has said allega-

India fears close ties between the incumbent government of Abdulla Yameen and China

tions of possible voter fraud “don’t have any basis in reality” and that the vote counting process has not changed.

But in the lead-up to the vote his government has also been hit with fresh accusations of corruption. Journalists from the Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project said they had found that dozens of island leases had been given out to developers without public tender in 2014 and 2015, and

alleged that Mr Yameen’s office “was recorded as intervening” in at least 24 deals.

Mr Yameen has denied the allegations.

His half-brother, Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, ran the country autocratically for three decades until the archipelago’s first-ever democratic vote in 2008, which was won by Mr Nasheed. Mr Gayoom was jailed in June.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, September 23, 2018

Rihanna appointed ambassador by Barbados

(BBC) Singer Rihanna has said she "couldn't be more proud" after being given a new ambassadorial role by the government of Barbados.

The artist, whose full name is Robyn Rihanna Fenty, was named "Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary" for her home country on Thursday.

The role involves promoting education, tourism and investment.

Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley said she was honoured to confer the title.

"Rihanna has a deep love for this country and this is reflected in her philanthropy, especially in the areas of health and education. She also shows her patriotism in the way she gives back to

this country and continues to treasure the island as her home," the prime minister said in a statement.

"She has also demonstrated, beyond her success as a pop icon, significant creative acumen and shrewdness in business. It is therefore fitting that we engage and empower her to play a more definitive role as we work to transform Barbados."

Rihanna is one of the best-selling singers of all time, with 250 million record sales globally. She has also enjoyed success as an actress and fashion designer, and launched a widely-praised makeup collection last year.

The singer was born in Saint Michael in Barbados, and grew up in the capital, Bridgetown.

Rihanna (pictured with the UK's Prince Harry) has been a cultural ambassador for Barbados since 2008 and helped promote tourism

She lived there until her teen years when she was discovered by an American record producer, who helped her break into the US charts.

Last year a street she used to live on was renamed Rihanna Drive in her honour.

In a statement accepting her new role, the singer (who is now described as Ambassador Fenty by the Barbados government) said she "couldn't be more proud to take on such a prestigious title" in her home country.

"Every Barbadian is going to have to play their role in this current effort, and I'm ready and excited to take on the responsibility. I look forward to working with Prime Minister Mottley and her team to re-imagine Barbados."

'Hezbollah treasurer' Barakat arrested in Brazil border city (BBC) Police in Brazil have arrested a man accused by the United States of being one of the main financial operators of the Lebanese militant group, Hezbollah.

Assad Ahmad Barakat was detained near the border with Paraguay and Argentina.

He is wanted for identity theft in Paraguay, where he previously served six years in prison for tax evasion.

The police in Argentina have accused Barakat of laundering $10m (ÂŁ7.6m) on behalf of Hezbollah at a casino in the Iguazu Falls area.

The US has shown concern about Hezbollah financial operations in South America

Barakat, a Lebanese national, was detained in the Brazilian city of Foz do Iguaçu.

'Global terrorist' The US has long expressed concern about Islamist activities among the

sizeable Arab community in the region, known as the Triple Frontier.

The area attracts tourists from all over the world, who travel to see the waterfalls and the luxuriant tropical forest.

But it also has a reputation as a centre for large-scale smuggling and drug-trafficking.

In 2006, the US Treasury Department described Barakat as a "global terrorist" and included his name on a list of people in the Triple Frontier area who helped finance Hezbollah.

Sunday, September 23, 2018 - 4:00 & 14:30

He was one of nine people and two companies who had their assets frozen.

"Assad Ahmad Barakat's network in the Tri-Border Area is a major financial artery to Hezbollah in Lebanon," said Adam Szubin, who was then director of the US Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control.

Brazilian Federal Police said in a statement that he had continued to operate in Argentina, Brazil and Chile after his release from prison in Paraguay in 2008.

It is not clear whether he is going to be extradited to Paraguay or will face charges in Brazil.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, September 23, 2018

Eradicating corruption ONE of the distinctive features of the previous (PPP) administration was that of alleged corruption.

The reality and perception of corruption during the Jagdeo/Ramotar era is unquestionable.

With the change of government came a new sense of hope that the days of systemic dishonesty could finally be put behind us.

While this hope remains largely intact, Guyanese are now coming to terms with the fact that eradicating corruption is a huge undertaking.

Corruption – the abuse of entrusted power for personal gain – has become entrenched in almost every facet of life in Guyana. The reasons for this are complex. The fact that a corrupt administration had occu-

pied the corridors of power for so long prior to the election of the APNU+AFC coalition and had the time to influence Guyana’s culture, is certainly a major factor. Another one is the truth that citizens take their cues from their leaders and having had corrupt leaders for so long, the culture of dishonesty was bound to rub off on many Guyanese.

The result of those and other dynamics was the instillation of a mindset of deceit. In those days, politicians were openly practising graft, influence-peddling, fraud, and theft on a grand scale. The judicial branch of government was affected. A culture of bribery and extortion, therefore, became the norm in law enforcement, other agencies, and the general

public service. Rooting out such an evil will necessarily be difficult.

The reasons for corruption are known and Guyana was a textbook example of the phenomenon. The greed for money and power found fertile ground in a society which was ethnically and economically divided; had inefficient administrative structures; had gender and geographic inequalities; dubious democratic credentials; and weak accountability and transparency. So, the answer to the question of how to begin to undo Guyana’s corruption problem is to eliminate that fertile ground. Additionally, systems would need to be put in place to actively discourage corrupt practices, replace the culture

of corruption with one of adherence to the rule of law and foster a structure of democratic governance.

It is immediately obvious that the APNU+AFC administration is working towards those ends; the social breeding grounds for corruption are being eliminated. Inequalities are being addressed within the framework of establishing a cohesive society. Citizen empowerment, including regular local government renewal, is being pursued.

Legislative systems are being strengthened, too.

The State Assets Recovery Bill was passed in the National Assembly in April 2017, making it possible for citizens to recover state assets that were stolen by corrupt officials. In January 2018, the Protected Dis-

closures Bill was passed.

This legislation, commonly called the whistleblower law, will protect citizens who report corruption.

It is understandable that Guyanese are impatient for the culture of corruption to be rooted out. After all, it is the citizens who suffered under the yoke of an alleged corrupt regime.

Substandard roads, incomplete bridges, structurally unsafe schools, white-elephant projects, high prices of goods and other ills were the norm in those days.

However, as was noted, undoing such an entrenched system is difficult. As was noted too, progress is being made on all fronts. In 2017, for example, Transparency International reported that Guyana scored 38 points, its highest score, moving

up 17 places to 91 out of 180 countries. To put this achievement in perspective, two-thirds of all countries scored below 50.

Government is aware of the magnitude of work to be done. President David Granger is committed to confronting the problem. The President said, “Corruption like a malignant cancer cannot be cured by being ignored.”

He was at the time addressing the 2018 Police Officers Conference. And, as is the case with all social issues, all citizens have a part to play. For example, a corrupt police officer cannot solicit and receive a bribe if citizens refuse to cooperate and instead, report the offender.

Gynaecologists who care are needed

Dear, Editor

I AM asking for space in your columns to share my story which may end up saving other women from unnecessary suffering.

Most regular Guyanese citizens don’t make a visit to the doctor’s office unless sick, or need something fixed.

For the regular Guyanese citizen who can afford it, he/she goes to private doctors with the hope of better patient-care. To walk out being assisted, educated, and feeling as if someone cared, even if they didn’t – because they paid. I wasn’t an exception to this.

At the age of 29, I sit here five weeks post-radical hysterectomy, after having been diagnosed with Stage 1B1 cervical cancer. I’ve just celebrated my third wedding anniversary, and our (my husband and I) next step was to start a family.

Let’s start from the beginning.

In 2009/2010, or thereabout, I

visited a “private” gynaecologist with the complaint of irregular periods – once every 3-4 months, as far as my memory serves me.

I was then gently informed that I had what is called ‘Imbalanced Hormones’ and was written a prescription for Mircogynon (an oral birth control pill).

It sounded odd, as I wasn’t told how contraceptives were going to help me with this kind of issue.

However, I accepted and left, because I “paid” and expected him to know what he was doing. It worked!

I was happy. I felt normal again.

Should I have researched this for myself? Definitely!!! I can make all the excuses why I didn’t, but it worked for what I needed it to, I didn’t see the need. (Please, someone use my experience to not be as naive as I was).

Should he have advised on a time limit to this and possible side effects, including the use of those kinds of pills in excess of

five years doubles my chances of developing cervical cancer? (And not limited to) YES!!! Not educated in the slightest way. Of course, I blame myself for not knowing nor asking questions. I used the pills for approximately eight to nine years.

Which takes me to my next doctor’s visit. In 2017 (a pretty long gap – but as I said, you don’t visit the doctor unless something is wrong, right?), while still taking the pills, my period came twice in one month. That confused me a bit, since the birth control pills are meant to regulate your cycle (as I now understand). I went to the pharmacist and asked for something to stop the bleeding. Thankfully, she advised me to go do an ultrasound instead, to ensure it wasn’t caused by something more serious.

I subsequently visited Eureka to have my ultrasound done, and found out I had a condition known as PCOS – polycystic

ovarian syndrome – where you ovulate a lot less (perhaps this is what caused the imbalanced hormones in the first place?

Right. Should doctor number one have picked this up in some way?). Upon advice at home, I sought a second opinion. Of course, I’m going to go to a private doctor, this sounds serious!‘Perhaps I’ll go to a female, I’ll feel more comfortable and they’ll be gentle... but who? I’ll find someone.’

I remember thinking: here we are at doctor number two, who took me off the birth control pills and told me to return when my period does. That’s it? I just paid to hear you say come back, whenever? I already don’t like you.

I bounced in there three months after, all happy that progress was made, only to be sent to do all sorts of blood tests and ultrasounds – this was not cheap, but necessary, I reminded myself.

But, she didn’t do anything! Did she have to? I suppose not, she’s supposed to know what she’s doing, I’m paying her to. I did all that was required of me, to come back to the conclusion that I had PCOS. (Through no simple way, as I felt as if I was an animal, the way she spoke and interacted) I was placed on Metformin – a known diabetic medication, Metformin likely plays its role in improving ovulation induction in women with PCOS through a variety of actions, including reducing insulin levels and altering the effect of insulin on ovarian androgen. (I only know this because this time I researched). So, I’ve accepted that when I’m ready to have a child, it won’t be easy; I knew that much. I walked away with my meds, but with no deadline on when to quit these (guess I haven’t learned my lesson –don’t be like me, ask Turn to page 7

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, September 23, 2018

OP-ED Suspicious Minds

By Imran Khan

Xenophobia - a fear of foreigners or strangers from the Greek for Xeno, a guest, stranger, foreigner and phobia meaning fear or hatred.

Guyana has long had both warmth towards, and a deep, and at times justifiable, suspicion of foreigners. As a result of our difficult history we have also been blighted by our own, sometimes debilitating insecurities and self-doubt. In the case of our suspicion of foreigners, our former colonial masters brought many of our ancestors to these shores either through the compulsion of slavery or the deceit of indentureship. Amerindians were the original casualties of invading Europeans.

And in post-colonial politics, it was necessary to warn against the Westerner who wanted to wrest control of small, newly liberated countries and use them as pawns in the Cold War. Guyana is not unique in that sense and it could be said to have gotten off lightly compared to others in Latin America, where hundreds of thousands were killed in externally provoked civil wars. The scars still linger, here and

elsewhere.

However, the recent trend of antipathy that is emerging in the media and on social media is both disturbing and indicative of our historical insecurities and self-doubt, which we are yet to exorcise.

ExxonMobil has received the brunt of this suspicion but it is not alone. China has also been brought in for criticism with media reports warning that they will bankrupt the country with wasteful infrastructure projects. Chinese entrepreneurs are also portrayed as taking over Regent Street with (unverified) claims of selling smuggled goods.

Now we are being told that the MOU signed on Wednesday with our fellow CARICOM member Trinidad and Tobago will facilitate their takeover of our new oil and gas sector, a view that President David Granger said was “fear-mongering” and Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley called disappointing.

There’s a trend here isn’t there?

From whence did this current wave of xenophobia originate? Your average Guyanese - farmer, fisherman, vendor - has little interest in cultivating and promulgating such threats.

In fact many Guyanese might have visited or have relatives living in Trinidad. They are hardly afraid. Any enmity between our two nations is limited to CPL T20 battles, and whether it’s chicken curry or curry chicken (it’s chicken curry by the way).

In fact one of the best examples of our brotherhood as people is the annual Duck Curry Competition in which Guyana constantly prevails, and even Trinidadians admit it, is because ours tastes are way better (could the secret be the Indi Special Madras Curry Powder?).

Truth be told, a lot of the fearmongering we see in the media comes from a certain politically directed and self-absorbed, insecure quarter of the private sector. After all, it was the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) that was first to call for a hold on the MOU with Trinidad despite not having even read it.

“It could mean the end of the private sector,” President Deodat Indar declared wildly.

These politically-directed private sector operatives previously criticised the ExxonMobil contract without fully understanding or even reading it. The truth is that

this small group of myopic business sector operatives, and leaders, suffer from a small-minded parochialism that looks to protect their minute territory from external competition. They prefer to talk about this in the language of local jobs or local content but it is really about protecting their own profits, and to a lesser extent their social status.

Meanwhile, there are progressive entrepreneurs in Guyana who are getting on with the business of elevating their standards and becoming globally competitive. They do not always seek to hog the newspaper headlines of influence on social media discussions, but they are quietly working and building partnerships and markets internationally.

It is time this fear-mongering is stopped. This will only come about with an understanding among our people that Guyana no longer needs to play the victim. Those days of taking whatever we can get are over. We are sitting on four billion barrels and counting of oil reserves. Within a few years, we will be a significant world oil producer, with hitherto unthinkable revenues that will truly transform

this economy and this country.

Even chief critic Chris Ram says the government will receive 80 per cent of its revenues from oil within 10 years.

As such, we need partners to help us with this transformation, starting with ExxonMobil whose breath-taking skills at discovering (and extracting) that oil makes it an ideal and reliable partner.

Of course, they are not doing it for free and they are not some altruistic saviour.

No-one has ever claimed that. It is simply that our interests and goals are broadly aligned, and it is therefore to our benefit to work with them constructively to ensure both of Guyana and oil major receive maximum revenues from monetising our reserves.

China too, can help build the badly-needed infrastructure, be it a new bridge across the Demerara and Essequibo rivers, a deep water harbour or completion of the highway to Brazil.

The skills, energy and cost efficiencies they bring to such projects throughout

Gynaecologists who care ... questions! As many as you feel the need to!) No insight to know whether or not they’re going to work.

My cycle became regular with the use of Metformin, I’m happy again. These things work in strange ways! This time, I read as much as I could on what to do and not do with PCOS. I knew I wasn’t going to go back to doctor number two, the one with the bad attitude and negative vibes. I don’t need that kind of person in my life, definitely not as a doctor, not for something so personal and sensitive.

I lost weight, I ate better, and I used my meds. It was time my husband and I thought of starting a family. I needed a gynaecologist with whom I was comfortable, happy with. I was out of options, as you hear horror stories when you ask for opinions.

Which takes me to my next doctor’s visit. In May 2018 (still using metformin), after my birthday, I decided to find myself a doctor, seriously this time. I wasn’t getting younger. My cousin recommended her gynaecologist to me; she said she was pleased with him during her pregnancy. I had never heard of him, which predominantly influenced the decision to give him a try.

Day one, I explained my known history to him, and I told him I was there to see if the PCOS was gone, and wondered what my next step was for starting a family (other than the obvious). He advised the discontinuation of the Metformin, and encouraged weight loss. “You’ll ovulate on your own if you lose 10 per cent of your weight.” That’s it? Was it always as simple and non-toxic as that? I was instructed to get undressed behind the wall for a physical examination. But why? I did.

At that point, I was asked one question: “Have you ever done a pap smear?” Answer: “No.” He didn’t seem too pleased... I didn’t think I needed to, my sisters are fine, my mother is fine, naturally, and I’m fine. Right? Unfortunately, no.

Upon visual observation, I was told that I had a mass in my cervix and he wanted to do a biopsy to ensure it was non-cancerous. He did say that I didn’t have to take his

word for it, that I should get a second opinion if I wanted to. Prior to that, I was instructed to return with my husband to discuss this before making arrangements to have a biopsy done. But why? None of the doctors cared whether or not I was there for consultation alone. I guess I finally found someone who cared about a little more than money.

Within the following week, the biopsy was performed and the results were out the next. My husband and I returned to doctor number three – the God-sent one.

Unfortunately, it’s what we had feared--cancer. He advised me of all the possible treatments and operations, but admitted that he needed to hand the case over to the oncology department at the GPHC, as it was then a case over which he no longer had control. The one place I’ve been paying to avoid all my working life. He arranged for us to meet with the oncologist/gynaecologist the following day.

As my husband and I were clueless as to our whereabouts at the GPHC, my God-sent gynaecologist volunteered meeting the oncologist/gynaecologist with us, (Did he have to care? He no longer had to see me), the one whose care I’d now be in.

After reviewing all tests and results, I was again physically examined. Again?! Boy, I feel violated now. I was sent to do blood tests, a chest x-ray, and a CT scan, to determine whether the cancer has spread, and size of the tumour.

Thankfully, it had not metastasised and was just confined to the cervix – early, but not that early to avoid what had to happen next. I was advised I’d have to have a radical hysterectomy done (a surgical operation done to treat some cancers of the cervix. The surgeon takes out the uterus and the ligaments (tissue fibres) that hold it in place. The cervix and an inch or two of the vagina around the cervix are also removed).“But, can’t we take the cervix out and try to have a child, and then we do the hysterectomy?” I asked.I was told this was possible but if I did, and needed radiation after, I’ll no longer be fertile.

Imran Khan

the world are staggering. As for our brothers and sisters in Trinidad and Tobago, who is better than our own Caribbean people to provide the technical expertise and capital to build our new oil and gas sector?

Indeed we should welcome them or else they will simply provide support to offshore operations from their own shore bases. As Elvis Presley warned, “we can’t build our dreams on suspicious minds”. It is time to thrive. We must become a more secure and confident people looking for opportunities and partnerships. That is how we will grow as a people and an economy.

From page 6

So, you’re saying I’ll never get to see what my child would have looked like?? Sadly, yes...

My procedure was scheduled for two months after, as I needed to wait until an oncologist specialist was visiting the GPHC – apparently this happens every few months. I had two months to deal with the acceptance of the present, what my life would be like after a hysterectomy, what it meant, and longterm side effects. Everything I could possibly find to educate myself, I read. I learned my lesson the hardest way possible.

The surgery was done successfully. Though I hate to admit it, I was impressed at how everything was handled at the GPHC and the quality of the doctors and their service.

It was a lot of waiting around, but there was progress. The nurses and their attitude however, not so much... but I get it, understaffed and overworked – it’s still no excuse.

While during my recovery still in hospital, my God-sent gynaecologist visited me!!You remembered! You mean there are some nice persons left? I too am shocked by this. As sad as the outcome is, he came into my life at the right time and literally saved my life. What if I wasn’t considering having a child, and just living without a yearly check-up at the gynaecologist, unless something was wrong?

Ladies, use my life-threatening scenario to prevent this happening to you. Ask as many questions as you need to. There are no stupid questions. If you don’t know what to ask, suggest some close relative or friend to go to your doctor’s visit with you.

Most women don’t know the dangers of cervical cancer or the importance of a yearly gynaecological exam (I sincerely did not). That’s why it’s important to share this message. Yearly exams lead to early detection that saves lives!

It’s DETECTABLE, PREVENTABLE and definitely TREATABLE. Don’t wait until it’s too late.

Regards Concerned Hysterectomy patient

8

Family Feud and Friendship IN both East and West Berbice, I discovered that a few members of my large, extended family had signed up for the PPP, some for APNU and most for the AFC, to contest the upcoming local government elections.

In a previous election, someone had referred to this phenomenon as “a banana split.” But I welcomed the diversity for what would be on November 12 a family contest both from the political and social standpoints.

The split or shifts have caused some hiccups mainly for the younger Alliance For Change, which found it a challenge at the last minute to recruit replacement candidates or list supporters, or both after nominations had closed.

But it nevertheless came out close to perfect in several towns and districts with full slates for both the PR and constituency lists.

THOROUGHBREDS In my home area, Whim-Bloomfield, de-

tractors had peddled that the AFC was dead and that they were waiting after the polls to “pull Naga’s bones in the streets. ” But the people rallied and came up with a full slate and, as the horses are out of the paddock and at the starting gate, I take comfort in the words of my late father: “Thoroughbreds don’t cry; they run and die.”

I would rather feel that the contest would be a family feud, of the best persons coming forward and being chosen to manage the affairs of our towns and villages. This must be an exercise in people’s power; in participatory, grass-root democracy. There must be no tolerance for personality attacks.

Yesterday, I read statements from a number of candidates from parties, civic bodies and among independents. They all want better leadership for their communities. They all want better infrastructures and social amenities. So, theoretically, they are all electable, with only this ca-

veat: voters ought to throw out the leaders who failed ttheir communities; who did nothing for the people.

They should elect fresh blood among those who are fit and proper to hold public office. And there are many from whom to choose.

I will revisit this issue later.

FRIENDSHIP ON THE HORIZON Whilst this interesting family feud looms, there is also friendship on the horizon with the visit to Guyana of State Councillor and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Wang Yi. It was a whirlwind visit, literally crammed into a few hours and ranked as shuttle diplomacy, since the Chinese Foreign Minister is en route to the United Nations General Assembly sessions. But the visit by the affable Wang Yi was a giant step between two friends along the exciting Belt and Road Initiative that could bring

immense benefits to our peoples.

The groundwork was laid yesterday when the visiting dignitary met with our Vice-President and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carl Greenidge, to review areas of bilateral cooperation; some of these were later concretised at State House when Mr. Yi was received by President David Granger.

ORCHESTRATED CAMPAIGN We are not unaware that, at this time when Guyana looks forward to receiving more non-refundable grant-aid, material assistance and investment profiles, there is an orchestrated campaign in the so-called non-government media to discredit the People’s Republic of China (PRC).

Self-righteous monologues on China’s “neo-colonialist” ambitions in Africa have been simulated and circulated without context, scrutiny or analysis on broadsheets and social media, without a let-up.

In so far as Guyana is concerned, our national policy is clear: we will not sell out to any nation, nor surrender, as President Granger nicely put it, our “family treasure.” And as I noted in a previous column, we have reached a new turning point in the all-round relations between Guyana and China.

When we inked the new Memorandum of Understanding, under what was described as the Belt and Road Initiative, Cui Jianchun, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China, described the event as an “historic turning point.”

Additionally, he confidently assured that “Guyana has a great future.”

BUSINESS PROFILE The framework of the “Belt and Road Initiative” provides some US$50 billion in development (grant/aid) projects, and

SUNDAY CHRONICLE September 23, 2018

a five-year Chinese business profile that is translated into US$8 trillion in imports; $750 billion in investment abroad; and 700 million outbound Chinese tourists.

There is nothing “neo-colonialist” about this package, if only sovereign states could exercise the requisite due diligence and care in accessing it with no strings attached.

On the other side of the coin, we see opportunities for countries such as Guyana to enter the Chinese market, which is demanding products such as rice, wood, fish, shrimp, sugar, bauxite, coconut as oil and water, and assorted fruits and vegetables. With some 1.4 billion people, there is no doubt that China could buy all of our rum and, of course, all of our gold!

For the Guyana private sector which is now showcasing its products at the Guyana Trade and Investment Exhibition (GUYTIE), the sky is the limit.

From a business angle, there should be nothing wrong, even if all roads are leading to China. We don’t have to go down the road that other countries took; and we certainly need to dodge the potholes that have stigmatised a few states. We are certainly young; but we have to be strong.

TRANSFORMATIVE PROJECTS With China reaching the status of a highly developed, prosperous state, Guyana could pursue some of the available transformative projects that could make us both green and great.

These would include a modern airport and multiple-lane highways on the coast (now being completed); financing support in private-public partnership arrangements for bridges across our rivers; a Lethem-Linden-Georgetown highway; deep-water har-

bours; housing schemes and industrial parks that are self-sufficient with clean, renewable solar energy; and high-speed ICT connectivity.

As I noted: “You may say, as John Lennon sang, that I am a dreamer; that none of that would ever happen. But times have changed. Guyana is no longer a mythical story of Cinderella wooing a rich prince, or the beggar maid before King Cophetua.

“Guyana is at the cusp of harvesting first-oil, mere months away, with an untapped reservoir of black gold estimated at four billion barrels.

The eyes of the world are now fixed on Guyana and we have enviable prospects for exponential development.

Given the establishment of a Natural Resources Fund (our version of the Sovereign Wealth Fund), our development could be sustainable for future generations.

VISIONARY LEADERSHIP “Today we can look back at the visionary leadership in both the Cheddi Jagan and Forbes Burnham eras, during hostile “cold war” situations, when Guyana defended its reliable and dependable friendship with the People’s Republic of China.

In spite of which party had governed, Guyana maintained a “one China” policy. I am confident that this friendship would be consolidated under the coalition government of President Granger.“ We may have our family feud at home during elections, but we must also have abroad unbreakable friendships. In today’s world, friends are hard to find.

We must hold on to what we’ve got, in our own interest and for our mutual benefit. © September 23, 2018

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE September 23, 2018

Understanding Energy: Beyond the Stabroek Block

JUST a few weeks ago, the Understanding Energy column noted that international oil and gas research firm, Wood Mackenzie, was careful to say in its report and podcast that few discoveries had been made in the Guyana Basin outside the prolific finds that the Exxon-led consortium has made in the Stabroek Block.

But there are early indicators that trend is beginning to change.

Since that column, Canadian driller Eco-Atlantic and its partner, UK-based Tullow Oil, announced that they have identified several prospective geologic formations in the Orinduik Block on the Western border of the Stabroek. According to news reports by Reuters,

the two companies have commissioned a resource study called a competent person’s report (CPR) on 10 large prospects in the block that could contain oil.

These prospects border the portion of the Stabroek Block where Exxon recently made its ninth discovery at the Hammerhead-1 site.

While no wells have been drilled yet in the Orinduik Block, seismic surveys showing high potential and potentially similar geologic formations to what was found at the Hammerhead-1 well, are encouraging signs.

Eco-Atlantic owned 40 percent of the block at the time of the announcement, but Total, a French energy company that is one of the world’s largest oil pro-

ducers, recently invoked a “farmout” agreement to buy most of Eco-Atlantic’s share.

Farmout agreements are clauses within oil and gas industry contracts that give a company an option to buy a piece of another company’s stake in a block for a prearranged fee. In this case, Total paid $12.5 million USD, which will help to fund Eco-Atlantic’s share of the costs for drilling two wells and to cover the expense of seismic exploration.

This is standard practice in the oil industry. A smaller oil company does the initial exploration activities and then “calls in back-up” in the form of a large international oil company, like Total, that has the resourc-

es, capital, and know-how to drill the exploration well and potentially develop a new find.

Though Total legally had several months to decide on invoking its farmout agreement and had signalled previously that it would wait for a final seismic report, it chose instead to buy into the project within days—a decision that was widely seen in the investment community as a vote of confidence in the overall potential of the block.

While Total and Eco-Atlantic collectively own 40 percent of the equity of the field, Tullow Oil remains the operator of the project. Tullow has a reputation in the industry for making bets on still-emerg-

ing oil regions and it hopes that will pay off in Guyana.

Tullow and its partners have announced that initial drilling will likely commence in the third quarter of 2019, just before Exxon starts much-anticipated production at its Liza Phase 1 project.

The developments in the Orinduik Block are further proof that the investments and discoveries made by Exxon and its partners are driving international interest in Guyana, and that interest is increasingly translating into tangible investments.

Guyana’s offshore blocks are a hot commodity;and the arrival of Total means that other major international energy companies are taking note.

That is likely to continue as long as Guyana remains an attractive place to do business. Stable fiscal terms that formed the foundation for initial exploration will be critical in ensuring continued interest from international players. For that reason, well-thought-out government policies and strong investor protection are critical.

Already, Wood Mackenzie reports have found that Guyana accounted for as much as 15 percent of all offshore conventional oil finds since 2015.

And with additional prospects on the horizon, it could mean more jobs, more business for local companies, and more revenue for the government, once production begins.

Cuban delegation, Roraima Airways explore partnership –– in areas of direct air transport, tourism A DELEGATION from Cuba has discussed the possibilities of direct air transport from Havana to Guyana and increased collaboration in tourism with Roraima Airways.

According to a press statement from Roraima, the delegation which was led

by Director, International Relations Chamber of Commerce of the Republic of Cuba, Dr. Celia Labora Rodriguez, was here for the Guyana Trade and Investment Expo (GUYTIE).

The delegation indicated its interest in further developing commercial ties with Guyana, pointing out that there are several opportunities that would be beneficial to the business communities of both nations.

In welcoming the delegation to Ror-

aima Airways, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Captain Gerry Gouveia pointed to the critical importance of efficient logistics including air transportation for both passengers and cargo.

He drew attention to daily flights by Aruba Airlines to Guyana from Cuba and the hundreds of Cubans who travel to Guyana every week to shop.

Gouveia said the introduction of some non-stop flights between the two destinations would not only boost passenger travel but provide for the movement of cargo, especially items like pharmaceuticals which require quick transport so as to avoid spoilage.

Both Gouveia and Dr. Labora Rodriguez indicated that applications for operating permits for Aruba Airlines

The delegation from Cuba meeting with CEO of Roraima Airways, Gerry Gouveia

to introduce some non-stop flights are currently under consideration by the civil aviation authorities of both Guyana and Cuba.

The two teams also discussed initiatives for the promotion of tourism packages in both destinations and the two are to exchange information and promotional materials which will be shared with tour operators.

Discussions also centred on Guyana’s participation in next month’s Havana International Trade and Investment Fair (FIHAV) and the role Aruba Air could play in facilitating the movement of passengers and exhibits to Cuba.

The delegation thanked Roraima Airways and Aruba Air for assisting in their travel to Guyana for GUYTIE 2018.

10

China’s foreign minister visits President Granger

CHINA’S State Councillor and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Wang Yi on Saturday paid a courtesy call on President David Granger at State House.

During his brief meeting with the Head of State, Wang, who was accompanied by China’s Ambassador to Guyana, Cui Jianchun and other Chinese dignitaries,

discussed areas of mutual interest.

President Granger described the visit by Wang as “historic” while noting that it demonstrates the close friendship which exists between the two states. This friendship, the President said, serves to strengthen relations between Guyana and China.

He reminded the visiting Chinese delegation, that Guyana and China established diplomatic relations on June 27, 1972, some eight months after supporting the United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758 recognising the People’s Republic of China as the only legitimate representative of China to the United Nations.

China’s State Councillor and Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi applauds a steel pan rendition at State House on Saturday as President David Granger looks on happily (Ministry of the Presidency photo)

Additionally, President Granger noted that annually, January 12 is designated Chinese Arrival Day in recognition of the contributions made by the Chinese to Guyana.

Moreover, the President said, “the Co-operative Republic of Guyana is committed to the ‘One China’ policy.” Guyana and China have, over the years, collaborated on a number of fronts, including agriculture, culture, defence, education, infrastructure, security, sport and trade. Also, both countries are committed to the protection of the environment.

“We applaud the People’s Republic of China’s 13th Five-year Plan (2016-2020) which aims at achieving a ‘green economy’ by introducing ‘green’ low-carbon industries; expanding sustainable energy sources; extending forest protection and establishing a ‘green’ development fund,” said President Granger. (Ministry of the Presidency)

SUNDAY CHRONICLE September 23, 2018

President David Granger chats with China’s State Councillor and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Wang Yi on his arrival at State House (Ministry of the Presidency photo)

CJIA Arrivals Terminal opens

AS expansion works to the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) near completion, the travelling public has praised the opening of the new arrivals terminal which became fully operational on Saturday.

According to the Department of Public Information (DPI), passengers on the incoming flights this morning were warmly greeted by the sweet sound of steel pan music and a taste of Guyana’s

rich culture.

Doreen Jonas, an overseas-based Guyanese returning home for vacation was visibly at a loss for words as she expressed her excitement with the new facility. Jonas stated that she is “so impressed” noting that the country has “stepped up.”

Returning from Shanghai, China and South Korea, businessman Hemraj Kissoon remarked that the new facilities remind him of “one of the developed

CJIA CEO , Ramesh Ghir

Passengers as they arrived at the CJIA on Saturday

Passengers retrieve their luggage at the new arrivals terminal at the CJIA countries” noting the facility is “beautiful and Guyana is going somewhere.”

Dr. Yanick Vibert, who is in Guyana as part of the Bridges Global Missions programme, disclosed that this is her third time here.

She told the DPI that the new infrastructural developments “show that Guyana isn’t limited by the label of developing country,” noting that upon arrival at CJIA, it is clear that “there is a richness in

the country.”

CJIA Chief Executive Officer, Ramesh Ghir, deemed the official opening “a major milestone in the airport’s infrastructural developments.”

He said that the airport will now “process all arriving passengers through this new terminal.” Ghir made it a point to note that “departing passengers will also be using the boarding bridges.”

“So, in essence, from

our operational point of view, we’ll be using the newer part of the terminal for both arrival and departures,” the CEO explained.

He told the DPI that works in the departure terminal as well as on the runway are still ongoing; noting that only half of the departure terminal is operational.

The works are on schedule and are expected to be completed by the end of this year.

Farming is my life

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE September 23, 2018

–– says Essequibian Leon Griffith

By M Margaret Burke

W

HEN the Guyana Chronicle visited the quiet but productive-looking village of the Tapakuma in Region Two to meet with Leon Griffith, he and his two sons were so busy tilling the soil that they hardly heard the sound of our vehicle approaching through the trail to find him.

Griffith was busy with his young sons, Oslen Griffith, 23, and Kevon Griffith, 17. He also has one daughter, who is also a full-time farmer. She is 29-year-old Rhandez Griffith.

“I grew up in farming and I went on to do some logging for a while, then I diverted back into farming fully and knowing that Guyana is on a Low Carbon Strategy Plan. I was [on] the council working along with the Guyana Forestry [Commission] here in Tapakuma, being aware of the plans for Guyana and where we are going,” the very proud father said.

He said he always had a plan to go back fully into farming, since he knew that, that would have been one of the best things that he could have ever done with his life.

Griffith said he enjoyed doing logging and at that time it was his main source of income to help him maintain his three children who were all very

young and in school. “However, my mind was always on farming and so as soon as I came off of the logging job, I went straight back to farming on a fulltime scale,” he stated.

Griffith explained that with time he had to decide on a new and strategic approach to farming his land. His first approach, he said, was to plant cash crops and await the arrival of the different produce. He noted that while he experienced bountiful harvests, those came only after long periods of time and this for him was not a feasible venture.

“I had to change my strategy; I was forced to rethink and change the way I did farming and so we (he and his sons) had to do reforestation ever so often.

So we decided on a new and much more productive approach, which is intercropping.

This is where we are now putting down the permanent crops in between the other cash crops, where we do not have to wait and wait so as to get a harvest and also to sell; different things are happening, all at once, and so we now able to earn all the time,” he stated.

ORGANIC CROPS Griffith is one of those farmers who depend entirely on his farm for his livelihood; and so he told the Guyana Chronicle that he must

Another farmer of the Tapakuma area stands on part of the Griffiths’ newly cleared farm

Leon Griffith and his two sons Oslen Griffith (left) and Kevon Griffith pay attention to every aspect of his farm – from the planting of a seed, the growth and development of each crop, right through to the time of harvest.

“Because we grow mainly organic plants and we encounter problems with pests and diseases which invade some our plants from time to time, such as the bananas, we have to keep researching and thinking of ways in which we can overcome these obstacles,” he said.

Griffith noted that the agouti (a large, long-legged burrowing rodent related to the guinea pig) was one of his main problems. He said that they would eat some of his produce, especially from the vine plants such as the water melon, squash and pumpkins.

“However, they have to eat and they would not eat all, so I think that what we have to do is to replant fruits and vegetables and they eat them. Not that we are happy to have them eat our plants, but we recognise that they have to live as well,” he asserted.

Griffith explained that since he was a farmer from a young man, he understands what it takes to be a farmer; about the soil he has to till and even about the harvest he expects to receive.

Because of this, he said that he tries his best to teach his children, who are all interested in the work.

“I discover that they like what they do; they also like what I do and so I work towards encouraging them to be very successful. We have our challenges, but the idea is to fight to get success and to get good harvests out of what we plant. Every plant is different and so they must be treated in a different way,” he said.

CONSTRAINTS

The weather conditions are one of the major constraints that Griffith mentioned, even as he also spoke about the lack of finances to do some of the things that he desires for his farm.

“My boys are still very young and I would like to see them become very successful in this job of farming. I started it as a child, a very young man and they followed me; the girl also followed me and so I would like to know that they make much success of it. So far we are not doing too badly; we are managing and we are getting somewhere, but I would like to see more. We work very hard,” he said.

The size of the farm that the Griffiths are working on and continuing to clear does pose some challenges for them, especially because of the changing weather conditions. They are doing the work manually and the very rains that they have been experiencing have been a clear hindrance to them, even though at every cessation of the rain they go out and work.

Griffith said that this is necessary and since he has the cooperation of his sons in the field, he is encouraged to press on, knowing that time and time again he has experienced good results.

“It is only that you have to understand what you are doing, for example the soil you have to work with; sometimes you have to help the soil to be better, because when working with good soil it can dictate the type of harvest you would have and whether you would be a successful farmer or not…

I am a successful farmer; my sons are successful farmers too, even though we do get some real challenges sometimes, but that is life,” he said. (mercilinburke2017@gmail.com)

GuyTIE achieves objective

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE September 23, 2018

– Organisers successfully matched buyers to exhibitors

THE organisers of the inaugural Guyana Trade and Investment Exhibition (GuyTIE) expo believe that the event achieved its objective of matching the right buyers to local producers.

For many years, local manufacturers have been trying to penetrate the global market but there was no proper platform to reach those markets.

GuyTIE sought to change that condition by bringing the buyers to Guyana. There were 56 booths and over 100 buyers who had an op-

Coordinator of the GuyTIE expo, Tameka Sukhdeo-Singh

portunity to peruse what is available in the local market during the GuyTIE expo which lasted for three days.

“We had quite a few companies which made deals…some wanted inroads into some territories so they were able to do so,” said Coordinator of the GuyTIE expo, Tameka Sukhdeo-Singh in an invited comment at the Marriott Hotel during the final day of the event on Saturday.

She believes that the organisers were successful in providing a platform for local businesses to

Persons had an opportunity to view and even purchase some of the items which were on display at the GuyTIE expo (Delano Williams photo) meet various investors.

Sukhdeo-Singh admitted that although the buyers were there, some companies did not have the drive to capitalise on the opportunity but, in order to prepare those companies for other fairs and opportunities, training was provided.

The Ministry of Business intends on making GuyTIE a signature event which will be held every year.

“It drives export and investment…we may not have gotten where we wanted to be but the investors came and we are looking forward to more investments,” said Sukdeo-Singh, adding that they received good reviews from the Brazilian and Cuban trade missions,

and other stakeholders.

Exhibitors were also satisfied with the expo because they were able to experience and be part of an international-style expo. They were also satisfied with the level of exposure they received.

The sectors that were represented at GuyTIE included agro-processing; chemicals and pharmaceuticals; construction; food and beverage; food processing; forestry and wood products; information and communications; printing and publishing; printing and packaging; tourism; and arts and craft.

“It could enhance the investment image as an investor-friendly state, improve competitiveness for large, small and medium enterprises and po-

sition Guyana and the Caribbean to be competitive in the global market place,” said President David Granger during his remarks at the launch of the inaugural event on Thursday.

Chairman of CENTRAFRIQUE Investment Group, Tochil Nwaneri, said Guyana has a lot of potential and a lot of products that need to be exported.

Based on his observation, the products are good and of high standards, and as such, he urged local businesses to try to access outside markets.

Like many other buyers, Nwaneri said his group is ready to assist local companies in their efforts to access global markets.

13

An evolving document

SUNDAY CHRONICLE September 23, 2018

–– Dr. Bynoe says Local Content Policy will not be too inflexible and prescriptive –– remains open to suggestions from the private and public sectors

By Svetlana Marshall GOVERNMENT remains open to considering recommendations from the public and private sectors that would lend to a practicable Local Content Policy which would guarantee Guyana her fair share, Energy Department Director, Dr. Mark Bynoe said.

“Government is always willing to incorporate comments from any segment of society which would lend to a more robust, coherent and plausible policy,” Dr. Bynoe told the Guyana Chronicle during an exclusive interview on Friday.

The policy document, when adopted by the National Assembly, would outline the framework on which local content will be understood, developed, measured and secured.

“Local Content under the Guyanese narrative will be understood as the sum of inputs of local goods and services including employment across the oil and gas value chain.

The primary aim and objective of the policy is ensuring the education, inclusion, and advancement of as many as possible in the value chain of the oil and gas industry,” the draft policy document explains.

In an effort to maximise

GCCI President Deodat Indar benefits and retain value from Guyana’s petroleum resources, considerable focus will be given towards capacity development, local content and value addition. Additionally, the policy framework is built on five themes: value maximisation, training and employment, supplier development, ownership and taxation.

The Draft Local Content Policy, which is in its second phase of development, was circulated to multiple stakeholders by the Ministry of Business, however, according to Dr. Bynoe, based on reports received, the response has been below par.

The Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) is among the few entities that

have made submissions in the second round of consultation. Earlier this month, GCCI submitted to government, what it called, a ‘Model Local Content Legislation.’

The model legislation, which was seen by the Guyana Chronicle, defines Guyanese companies as “companies that are registered in Guyana where 51 per cent of the share capital are owned by citizen(s) of Guyana; where the board meetings of the said companies are held in Guyana; the head office of the company is located in Guyana and; seventy per cent of the workforce of the company follows suit with the definition of a citizen of Guyana as defined in the Guyana Citizenship Act of 1967.”

Part II, Section Three of the crafted GCCI Local Content Bill stipulates that an operator or contractor must ensure that first consideration is given to Guyanese companies in the provision of goods and or services directly related to the petroleum industry.

“In the event that a Guyanese company is not selected to provide a good and or services, the burden of proof lies with the relevant party in the form of the operator or contractor to

demonstrate why [the] Guyanese company has not been selected,” Section Four reads. It also includes provision for human capital development and monitoring and accountability.

SHOULD NOT BE INFLEXIBLE But the director of the Department of Energy is advising against making the Local Content Policy too prescriptive.

He said as the country moves closer towards finalising the policy document, Guyanese must determine whether they have the capacity to take advantage of the Local Content Policy.

“We have to be careful that we don’t make it so prescriptive that it becomes almost inflexible to implement. It has to be based on our state of development, it has to be based on our realities. It is all well and good for one to speak about international best practices and while we aspire for that, we have to be cognisant about where we are at our specific time in development,” Dr. Bynoe said.

He noted that international best practices are generally contextual, emphasising that it is “not one size fits all.”

Referencing to the ‘model legislation’ put forward by GCCI, the DoE director said stakeholders should push for a policy that is realistic in a Guyana setting.

In making his case, Dr. Bynoe pointed to the local construction sector, noting that were the country too prescriptive, there would have been greater difficulties in facilitating key projects.

“For example, we are opening up the East Coast Highway, we are seeking to open up Sheriff Street, we are seeking to rehabilitate the Linden/Soesdyke Highway, we are seeking to open up the bypass road from Ogle to Diamond, the point is, we are challenged to have materials of specific durability, density and quantum for just the East Coast road. If you make Local Content so tight don’t you think that we will have similar challenges in the oil and gas sector?” he reasoned.

Dr. Bynoe added: “It has to be unfolding, it has to be amended as you go along, it is not going to be cast in stone, so I am saying where there is credence, it will be included within the Local Content Policy.”

The DoE Director made it clear that at this stage,

Director of the Department of Energy, Dr. Mark Bynoe the government would not state what will and will not be included in the draft policy because there is still room for consultation.

“We are not about sitting here and saying that this is what we are proposing and it must be implemented,” he said while adding that “we are not afraid to have the involvement of the public and to have their criticisms because ultimately a lot of people out there, I think, their hearts are in the right place, it’s the approach about how we get it done,” Dr. Bynoe said.

The Policy Content is scheduled to be completed in the first quarter of 2019 for submission to the National Assembly for its stamp of approval.

Tackling me

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE September 23, 2018

–– primary-care doctors to assist with mental health screening

By Rabindra Rooplall OVER 200 primary-care doctors have been trained to effectively screen, recognise and manage conditions that contribute to mental health disorders, according to Director of the Mental Health Unit, Dr Util Richmond-Thomas.

Consistent with trends in the developing world, mental health issues have previously not been prioritised, and there have been limited financial and human resources in Guyana to adequately tackle the problem.

However, in an exclusive interview with the Guyana Chronicle, the mental health director said the primary-care doctors were taught to recognise and manage depression.

They were educated to deal with stigma and discrimination, psychosis, dementia, alcohol and substance abuse, manage epilepsy, child and adolescent mental health disorders, amongst others.

Dr Richmond-Thomas explained that the Pan American Health Organization and the World Health Organization (PAHO/ WHO) had initially trained 25 trainers and created training manuals with algorithms to ensure that the process is adopted with ease, while some nurses were also trained.

Training is also set to commence this week with medical practitioners in Region One. ADDRESSING STIGMA As a result of such training, she said many hospitals and health centres now do not segregate persons who are suffering from mental health problems, but they are treated and receive their medication with everyone else in order to reduce instances of stigma.

“No one can point their finger and say someone is a psychiatric patient; they can mix with the general population of patients and receive their care, and this eases the stigma,” Dr. Richmond-Thomas noted.

Although people may interact with mentally ill persons on the roads on

Senior Psychologist at the Mental Health Unit, Ministry of Public Health, Dr Balogun Osunbiyi a daily basis, the mental health official noted that only three per cent of the cases actually can be considered violent. This category includes street dwellers who are known substance abusers.

“These persons take longer to get well as long as they are on the substance, whether alcohol or illegal drugs.

These are the ones who are more likely to be aggressive,” she explained.

Further, she said that about 20 percent of the population at any one time suffers from mental illness, since it is common.

TREATABLE AND INEXPENSIVE The mental health director explained that the majority of mental illnesses are treatable and difficult cases are directed to a specialist.

She said that treatment is not expensive and if persons visit the public institutions, it will be prescribed for free.

PREVENTING SUICIDE One of the major mental health issues that bedevil Guyana is suicide, since a life lost to suicide negatively affects the society and economy.

Statistics reveal that for

Former Managing-Director of the Guyana Foundation, Anthony Autar

Mental Health Unit Director, Dr. Util Richmond-Thomas

every suicide in Guyana, there are approximately 20 to 25 attempted suicides.

In a 2014 report by the World Health Organization, Guyana was cited as the country with the highest suicide rate in the world — 44.2 suicides per 100,000 deaths, four times the global average.

World Suicide Prevention Day (WSPD) was observed on September 10.

However, according to the mental health director, through much work and effort and collaboration with agencies, that number has been reduced to 24 suicides per 100,000 deaths, currently.

Research suggests that suicide is linked to factors such as mental and physical health and social and economic well-being. In the case of Guyana, deep rural poverty, alcohol abuse, lack of access to mental health services, and easy access to deadly pesticides are the leading causes of suicide deaths, according to the World Health Organisation.

But for Govin Munswami, a 31-year-old teacher who speaks out against suicide in his rural community of Black Bush Polder, Corentyne, Berbice, children and adults need to express their emotions and discuss their personal issues with family members, friends and teachers in order

to better cope with difficult situations.

Both Munswami’s wife Amanda and mother Yvonne died as a result of suicide. He, almost a victim, overcame after his wife on her deathbed made him promise to finish his degree in education last year.

In February 2016, Govin Munswami contemplated ending his life. He had just returned to his family farm after visiting his wife, Amanda, in the hospital.

The previous day, she had attempted suicide. He sat by her hospital bed for one week as she slowly slipped away. During that time, she asked for forgiveness and apologised. She related that it was a mistake and could not fully comprehend the reason behind her action.

Prior to this, Munswami’s mother also took her own life after a heated argument with his father. Subsequently, Munswami’s father succumbed to a heart attack the following day.

When he questioned his mother before she succumbed, Munswami related that she acted on impulse out of despair and anger.

With such tremendous heartache over a one-year period, Munswami also felt compelled to follow that path.

But, he recalled the promise he made to his

Govin Munswami, a teacher whose wife and mother committed suicide wife and that gave him the strength to persevere into a brighter future, where he is now seeking to help and educate others to live the best life they could.

BRINGING MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES TO COMMUNITIES Senior Psychologist at the Mental Health Unit, Ministry of Public Health, Dr Balogun Osunbiyi, said bringing mental health services to patients within their communities is cheaper and more effective than having them visit central hospitals.

In an exclusive interview with this publication, he said scores of doctors and medical practitioners throughout the country have now been trained to make this happen.

“It not only makes sense in terms of access to service and delivery of that service, but it makes sense also because a lot of times people don’t come to the hospital or the health centre for treatment. It is now a case where one has to go to the community rather than wait for the community to come to us,” Dr Osunbiyi noted.

Underscoring that community-based mental health is more feasible, Dr Osunbiyi said it is less burdensome to the budget to go to the

Executive Director, The Caribbean Voice, Anand Boodram communities to perform preventative mental health care, rather than wait for persons to come, after having a challenge and then curative health care, which is more costly would need to be taken.

Sharing his perspective on suicide, the senior psychologist explained that early identification and effective management are key to ensuring that people receive the care they need.

Adding that there are two important aspects to prevention, he said one is understanding the factors associated with suicidal thinking/ideation with a view to reducing distress.

Secondly, he said, in order to reduce the likelihood of a suicide attempt or death by such act, there is a psychological process underlying and each aspect of interventions must be tailored in order to specifically target and prevent the progression to suicide attempts.

He explained that current training is part of a Mental Health GAP Action Programme (mhGAP), which offers a non-specialist programme providing a lower-level psychiatric education. This started in 2017 and another programme called PM Plus has been rolled out, targeting community and religious leaders to deal with mental health issues.

Minister of Public Health, Volda Lawrence,

ental health

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE September 23, 2018

who is in full support of such initiatives, believes mental health patients should preferably access services on an outpatient basis, rather than being admitted to a psychiatric facility, because in many cases, they are afraid of the discrimination attached to seeking help in that manner.

Junior Public Health Minister Dr Karen Cummings, had pointed to the multidisciplinary team which was formed by President David Granger to address the issue.

The Ministries of Education, Social Protection, Agriculture, Indigenous Communities and Public Security make up the National Task Force which covers four strategic areas: (1) Risk Factors Reduction, Health Promotion and Prevention; (2) Reduction of Access to the Means of Suicide; (3) Health Systems response to Suicide Behaviour; and (4) Surveillance and Research.

EACH LIFE IS VALUABLE Meanwhile, former Managing-Director of the Guyana Foundation, Anthony Autar, said suicide-prevention work proceeds from the basic premise that every human life is valuable.

He explained that a big part of this work involves crisis support to individuals who are already in significant distress – by being present for them, listening non-judgmentally, gently letting them know that they are not alone, removing access to poisonous chemicals and other tools they could use to attempt to harm themselves, etc.

“Each life saved is something we should be grateful for, something to celebrate, so I do not want to overlook the dedication of selfless individuals – in government, and in the private sphere – who are doing amazing things to help people in difficult situations,” he said.

DECRIMINALISING SUICIDE However, Autar highlighted several areas that he is still concerned about when it comes to suicide prevention and the mental health system.

“I worry about whether we are serious about sui-

cide prevention because our leaders are aware of the need to decriminalise suicide; they have the power and the means to do so, some of them have acknowledged the importance of decriminalisation, and yet, the law remains on the books,” Autar, who is also a U.S.-licensed lawyer who is passionate about mental health advocacy, said.

He continued: “I am baffled by the sloth in getting this law repealed. Perhaps it is not an important issue, because our leaders are distracted, and do not realise that the people of Guyana

history of abuse and isolation; Harmful alcohol use/ drug abuse; an underlying mental illness — most commonly, depression — which is often undetected in Guyana because of the lack of education about mental illnesses; a culture that can be extremely judgmental — shame/blame.

Adding that failures within the mental health system also play a significant, maybe an outsized role, Autar said there are insufficient resources allocated to the sector, few trained mental health professionals, and large sections of the

some forms of mental illness, though not all, and suicidal ideation. And improving one’s mental health, and mental well-being, is crucial to helping someone struggling with thoughts of self-harm. So any discussion of suicide must necessarily include discussion of mental health,” Autar said.

Meanwhile, on the topic of self-harm, Director of the Mental Health Unit, Dr Util Richmond-Thomas, explained that due to the alarming number of self-harm cases, a decision was taken to launch “The National Self-Harm Surveil-

who commit suicide would have had several incidents of self-harm in their past, “It means therefore that if the self-harm was being treated while it was occurring, it may not have led to suicide.”

The programme director explained that the National Self-Harm Surveillance project will work. All cases of self-harm must be reported to the Mental Health Unit within one week of presentation. Once reported, persons will then have to see a psychiatrist or mhGAP doctor. There are scores of mhGAP doctors locally.

are its most valuable resource.”

He reflected that there is only one piece of mental health legislation in Guyana – The Mental Hospital Ordinance of 1930. This legislation is extremely outdated, and refers to an individual with mental illness as a “person of unsound mind.” That term is defined as “an idiot or a person who is suffering from mental derangement.”

As in other countries, he said death by suicide in Guyana results from a series of complex, interrelated personal, social, psychological, cultural, biological and environmental factors.

Some of the contributing factors he listed, include: Poor coping skills leading to difficulty handling life challenges; a history of trauma and violence in its various manifestations – physical, sexual, psychological etc; a

population that have limited access to basic mental health services.

“Extremely limited aftercare services are available for individuals who have attempted, but not completed suicide…So we have a convergence of factors, socio-economic, psychological, cultural, biological and environmental stressors that push people along the path of suicidality,” he noted.

He said if Guyana is to make a meaningful impact on reducing the large number of deaths by suicide, society needs to stop and observe what is happening to people.

“Stressors contribute to overall poor mental health, and in the absence of a robust mental health system, sometimes result in a downward spiral for affected individuals,” he noted.

“There are links between

lance” project last year.

The doctor said self-harming cases are also known as non-suicidal self-injury. The National Self- Harm Surveillance project is on in Regions Two, Three and Six, since these regions attracted the most cases.

She explained that initial social workers dispatched to these regions have made a tremendous impact, since home visits are also carried out and there has been a significant reduction in suicide cases.

Adding that Region Two still has the highest number of cases, she explained that the reason for that is because there is no social worker there currently, and no psychiatrist as well.

“Self-harm is the strongest indicator of future suicide,” Dr Richmond-Thomas stated. She further explained that many persons

Each case will receive psychotherapy by a psychologist and then followed up by a social worker until they are no longer high-risk patients.

The unit will also be implementing a self-harm screening tool, which is a questionnaire. The questionnaire will aid in the fight against suicide. The screening tool is being used in all major hospitals and health centres.

Further, it was explained that The National Self-Harm Surveillance follows closely on the heels of the mhGAP Intervention Guide (mental health GAP-IG) programme which is part of Guyana’s National Mental Health Action plan, 2015-2020.

Also, it is the intention to train school teachers how to identify a child who is having mental health distress. There will also be a mental health focal point in

schools.

In addition, she explained from 2017 there is a list of all cases of suicide and social workers continue their family visits methodically and the entire family is assessed.

Anand Boodram, the Executive-Director of The Caribbean Voice (TCV) said over 90 per cent of the people who die by suicide have a mental illness at the time of their death, so they would not have been thinking clearly or logically.

“Suicide is a decision made out of desperation, hopelessness, isolation and loneliness. The black hole that is clinical depression is all-consuming. Feeling like a burden to loved ones, feeling like there is no way out, feeling trapped and feeling isolated, are all common among people who suffer from depression,” he said.

He explained that as loved ones of suicide victims, as suicide survivors, as suicide- prevention activists, and as clinical psychologists and counsellors, various members of The Caribbean Voice know through experience that suicide survivors had experienced mental health issues that affected their thinking process.

According to Ministry of Public Security records, approximately 70 percent of the country’s suicides occur in rural regions, since in these communities many people turn to alcohol and self-harm to cope with feelings of hopelessness, poverty and economic despair.

A Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) study done in 2010 reported nearly 80 per cent of Guyanese adolescents had their first drink before the age of 14, and some children try alcohol for the first time in elementary school.

And while the relationship between alcohol and suicide is vastly under-researched, studies suggest that alcohol-use disorder is a likely contributor to suicidal thoughts and attempts.

The suicide hotline numbers are [592] – 2230001, 223-0009 and 6234444. The toll free number [600-4444] and 623-4444 are also active Whatsapp numbers that persons in need of counselling can access.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE September 23, 2018

IDB launches Blue Tech Challenge for sustainable business models

THE Inter–American Development Bank (IDB) has launched a ‘Blue Tech Challenge’, a competition in which as much as US$2M will be provided in funding for Blue Economy proposals.

The bank will identify firms and organisations looking to pilot and scale up business models that use

cutting edge technologies to contribute to the sustainable management of oceans, marine ecosystems and coastal resources.

According to a release from the IDB, the move will be made through its Multilateral Investment Fund (MIF), Natural Capital Lab, Sustainable Islands Platform, and in alliance with the Compete

Caribbean Partnership Facility, which is also supported by UK Department For International Development (DFID), the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) and the Government of Canada.

The IDB stated that entities which qualify will be considered by the bank to implement a development project to pilot the blue econ-

omy model in one of the 14 target countries. The funding requests should be within a range of US$150,000 to US$500,000 for non-reimbursable technical assistance (grants). It noted that proposals for loans should be within a range of US$500,000 to US$2,000,000 and the proponent entity should contribute with at least 50 per cent

of the project budget.

The Blue Tech Challenge seeks to support business models that apply new technologies to deliver products and/or solutions that foster the long-term sustainability of the ocean economy in the following 14 target countries: Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Suriname, Trinidad

and Tobago, Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St. Lucia, St. Kitts and Nevis, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

Proposals can be submitted between September 17, 2018 and November 30, 2018. An announcement of successful proposals will be made in February 2019 the bank said.

Driver in Uitvlugt fatal accident arrested

THE driver who allegedly killed a pedestrian on Thursday night on the Uitvlugt Public Road, West Coast Demerara (WCD) has surrendered to police on Saturday.

Dead is 23-year-old Chapil Dave Kumar of Leonora, WCD. The driver was identified as Jameer Ali, 23, of Tuschen old road, East Bank Essequibo (EBE).

Police have since impounded a Toyota 192 Motorcar, PKK 7495, the car that was involved in the fatal accident.

Reports indicate that the driver claimed that the pedestrian ran into the path of his vehicle. The vehicle is registered to a resident of Parika, EBE and was found to be tinted and several of its documents expired.

The driver is being processed for court at Leonora on Monday since the post-mortem on Kumar is expected to conclude on the same day.

Police said among the charges likely to be instituted are: causing death by dangerous driving; unlicensed motor vehicle; uninsured motor vehicle; tinted motor vehicle; failure to stop after an accident; and failure to render assistance.

Reports indicate that Kumar was standing on the southern side of the Uitvlugt Public Road waiting to cross to the northern side when a motor car that was proceeding west on the southern carriageway, struck him down and drove away.

The pedestrian was taken to the Leonora Cottage Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

The body is at Ezekiel’s Funeral Home awaiting a post-mortem.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE September 23, 2018

The Yoruba Singers

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Guyana’s longest-serving band celebrates 47 years

THE YORUBA Singers has survived the test of time to leave a 47-years-and-counting legacy.

The band is scheduled to hold its annual concert “For the Love of A Common People” on October 21, at the Congress Place auditorium for just $1000.

Reminiscing on the years, band leader Eze Rockcliffe with his deep voice, speaks of how the times have changed and culture has fallen, and with it the rise and fall of the Yoruba Singers The group was formed in 1971, just at the turning point of Guyana’s cultural rise, with their pinnacle years stretching across the 1970s and early 1980s.

It was born out of two organisations, mainly the Young Socialist Movement (YSM) and Ascria, a cultural organisation replaced now by the African Cultural and Development Association (ACDA).

“We started getting $30 a night, twice a week and after about three months they raised it to $40. The Saturday nights gig we used to get about $50; one Saturday night though they invited us over to the Savannah Suite and they gave us $120. So we had $200 for that week; and I went and told my mother and she said: “Son, you must never done with this band, always continue to maintain this band.”

Rockliffe said he took those words by his mother to heart, and would never see the Yoruba Singers band fall to the wayside, even as other bands from the era dissolved with time.

Presently, Rockliffe remains the only member of the band, from the original 13 who comprised the group when it started. Nonetheless, there are other long-standing members who have been in the band for three decades.

As the Yoruba Singers’ popularity grew, they began to

The Yoruba Singers

“We were anxious to take part when it had all these concerts all across the country, so we decide that we’re going to form a group to take part; we called ourselves the Kitty Young Ascrians,” he said.

However, that name didn’t stick; after travelling and performing for some time, the Yoruba name was suggested to the band, named after the Yoruba tribe of Nigeria.

“Within six months we started to get popular within the organisational circle; we started to go and play all over the country and a man by the name of Brother Bertie Greene said, man y’all does travel all around this country you should name yourself ‘Yoruba,’ because the early Yoruba people used to travel a lot, so that’s how we acquired the name Yoruba Singers,” Rockcliffe shared. .

By 1972, the band finally went professional and began taking paid gigs, beginning at the then popular Wig and Gown Night Club, making $10 a night.

“We couldn’t share it because it was 13 of us, couldn’t give everybody a dollar, so we saved it to start buying equipment. When it reach $60, we buy a piece, when it reach $100 we buy another piece and so on and so forth,” By 1973, the band finally started to make real money when it landed a gig playing at the Pegasus Hotel.

get more and more prominent offers.

They were chosen to represent Guyana at three consecutive hostings of CARIFESTA, in Jamaica in 1976, Cuba in 1979 and Barbados in 1981.

That year in Cuba, they were also asked to participate in Cuba’s Latin American Festival, the Varadaro Festival.

But Rockcliffe remembers the band’s high point as being when they performed in the United States of America at Madison Square Gardens, in New York in 1983 and 1984, both years at an event dubbed the Caribbean Mother’s Day Concert.

“We’re the first and only Guyanese band to perform at Madison Square Garden,” Rockcliffe still boasts with pride.

It was from their inaugural trip to the U.S. that the band was observed and asked to perform at the Madison Square Gardens.The band was a part of a group of Guyanese who

had gone to the U.S. for just that reason, to get other jobs.

“In 1982, we got very popular because of our demand and so on, so we made our first trip. Because of our popularity at home and a lot of people never heard of the band because they left before we [were]formed, they were anxious, so some promoters got together along with myself and Winston Hermonstine, better known as Jazzy Jack. We got together and put a package together of 22 Guyanese performers. We called it the Guyanese troupe,” Rockcliffe explained.

But just as the band was soaring on its popularity, they had their wings cut, as Guyana’s cultural climb took a turn for the worst, just after 1985 following the death of cultural advocate and then President Linden Forbes Burnham.

“One musician put it very clearly, when Burnham died culture died with him,” Rockcliffe posited.

“Burnham always tried to exploit and explore cultural protocols at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs level. But when he died nobody seemed to want to pick up the mantle after that. There wasn’t a will, they say where there’s a will there’s a way, there was no will or willingness to continue to develop culture.”

Rockcliffe is ashamed of what passes for culture now in Guyana, compared to where it was and how far other countries that were once on par with us, are now way ahead of us.

“I went to Trinidad four years ago and when I saw the kind of culture development that is taking place, and took place in Trinidad, I shed tears, because I could remember as a youth we and Trinidad were almost on par. And if Trinidad was to stay still culturally, it would take us 25 years to catch up with them. Don’t even talk about Jamaica, they have done exceptionally well with their culture. Barbados just produced one of the biggest stars, Rihanna, and she has Guyanese roots, because they understand the power of culture, we don’t,” he related.

But he still believes that there is hope. Like many looking towards the coming oil wealth with gleaming eyes, a glimmer of hope flickers across his face as he speaks of the possibilities.

“We don’t need to reinvent the wheel; we need to do some copying from our Caribbean counterparts. Ask questions, what they’ve done, how they did it and we can do it also. Especially with the expected resources coming in, we can do that easily,” he said.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, September 23, 2018

‘Green Machine’ undefeated on Day One at RAN 7s

By Rawle Toney GUYANA had an outstanding first-day showing at the Rugby Americas North (RAN) Sevens in Barbados, with the men’s team playing undefeated and the women’s unit turning out some impressive rugby, despite losing their opening game against St Lucia.

The Green Machine, the men’s side, are seven-time winners of the tournament, last claiming the title in 2016, but one year later surrendered the trophy to Jamaica after a nail-biting final in Mexico.

This time around, the Guyanese men sent a strong signal to the rest of the tour-

nament when they steamrolled Curacao 59-0 in their first of two games on the day.

In the lopsided win, Avery Corbin and Peabo Hamilton had two tries each, while Vallon Adams, Rickford Cummings, Ronald Mayers, Osie McKenzie and Lancelot Adonis all had a single try.

Adonis made good of five conversions and Cummings scored the other two.

Up next against the Green Machine was a stubborn Barbados side, but with quality players and experience on their side, Guyana survived a good effort from the home team to prevail 19-10.

Against Barbados, Corbin got things going with

a try and Mayers converted to take the score 7-0.

However, Barbados scored a try of their own but their conversion attempt was unsuccessful.

With the scores reading 7-5 at the start of the second half, Jamal Angus scored a try and Adonis converted.

Barbados eventually answered, but the conversion was once again wide and the scoreboard read Guyana 14, Barbados 10.

Team captain Dwayne Schroder’s try helped to settle the nerves for the tournament favourites and Guyana closed out Barbados 19-10 after the conversion kick was missed.

Following their impres-

sive first day performance, Guyana will face the Dominican Republic in today’s men’s quarter-finals.

The game is scheduled for 10:28hrs.

Meanwhile, for the women, things got off to a rugged start against a young St Lucian side who used their speed to good advantage.

Guyana went down 0-25, but bounced back to maul Barbados 42-0.

Against the Dominican Republic, it took Guyana a last-second try and conversion to end with a 7-7 draw to end the day and prepare to face Mexico in their final group stage game.

Matthews classy century earns Windies share of ODI series BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, (CMC) – Stylish opener Hayley Matthews carved out a classy maiden OneDay International hundred as West Indies thrashed South Africa by 115 runs to square the three-match ICC Women’s Championship series 1-1 here Saturday.

Playing in the decisive day/night contest, West Indies piled up a venue-record 292 for five off their 50 overs with the 20-year-old Matthews stroking 117 – the first hundred in the women’s game at the storied Kensington Oval.

In reply, South Africa

failed to recover from a rocky start and were bowled out for 177 in the 43rd over, with captain Dane van Niekerk top-scoring with 77 and 19-year-old opener Laura Wolvaardt chipping in with 54.

All-rounder Deandra Dottin followed up her earlier whirlwind half-century with a spell of four for 36 with her zippy medium pace, allowing the Windies to clinch a share of honours in the series after losing the opener last Sunday by 40 runs.

Wednesday’s second match was abandoned as a no-result due to rain.

Opting to bat first, West Indies suffered an early setback when left-hander Kycia Knight played around one from pacer Marizanne Kapp (4-55) and was lbw with the total on 12 in the third over.

However, Matthews and captain Stafanie Taylor, who stroked 46, combined in a record stand of 176 for the second wicket, to repair the innings and lay the platform for the imposing total.

Playing before her home crowd with her parents present, Matthews took centre stage, facing 146 balls and stroking 17 delightful boundaries.

Hitting the ball cleanly and powerfully, she raced to her half-century off 49 deliveries and reached triple figures off her 126th delivery.

Taylor, meanwhile, struggled at the start of her innings before blossoming to strike four fours in an 80-ball knock.

When she drove Kapp to cover in the 37th over, it paved the way for Dottin’s arrival and the flamboyant right-hander gave the innings new thrust in a cameo 59 which lasted 44

balls and included four fours and three sixes.

Dottin lost Matthews in the 41st over, scooping 19-yearold seamer Tumi Sekhukhune to Sune Luus at cover but posted 47 off 32 balls for the fourth wicket with Shemaine Campbelle (14), before perishing in the penultimate over.

In reply, South Africa stumbled to 10 for two in the fifth over after losing opener Lizelle Lee (2) and Luus (4) cheaply, in a stifling new-ball spell from quicks Shamilia Connell and Shakera Selman.

However, van Niekerk and Wolvaardt pulled the innings around in a third-wicket stand worth 108, which handed the South Africans hope.

Van Niekerk, voted Player-of-the-Series, faced 105 balls and struck 11 fours while Wolvaardt counted five fours in an 82-ball knock.

But with the required run rate climbing, Wolvaardt charged leg-spinner Afy Fletcher (2-42), missed and was stumped in the 30th over and her dismissal triggered a slide as the last eight wickets fell for 59 runs.

Van Niekerk was eighth out in the 41st over with the score on 169, brilliantly run out at the striker’s end by Campbelle’s direct hit from mid-wicket, risking a quick single with Sekhukhune (4).

Dottin proved instrumental, wiping out in the lower order with a sharp spell and she fittingly ended the contest when she bowled number 11 Raisibe Ntozakhe for three.

Both teams will now turn their attention to the opening Twenty20 International of the five-match series which bowls off here Monday at 2 pm.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, September 23, 2018

Liverpool, Man City stroll; United held on Fergie return

Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah celebrates scoring their third goal with teammates. (Action Images via Reuters/Lee Smith)

By Ian Chadband LONDON, England (Reuters) - Liverpool maintained their finest start to any season, earning a sixth straight Premier League win 3-0 over Southampton, as Manchester City returned to form with a dazzling 5-0 win at Cardiff City yesterday.

On an afternoon when Manchester United welcomed

former manager Alex Ferguson back to Old Trafford only for Wolverhampton Wanderers to spoil the party with a 1-1 draw, United’s deadliest rivals continued to set a burning pace.

Liverpool had never before won their first seven games in all competitions in any season but they marked Juergen Klopp’s 600th match as a manager by surpassing

their 1961-62 season record when they won their first six.

A Wesley Hoedt own goal, Joel Matip’s header and Mohamed Salah’s poached rebound settled the game by halftime as the feel-good factor sweeping Anfield continued after the midweek Champions League triumph over Paris St Germain.

It left Klopp smiling on his landmark day.

NOC, Reliance Hustlers to contest South Essequibo T20 final today NEW Opportunity Corps (NOC) advanced to the final of the South Essequibo Invitational T20 competition with a four-wicket win against Bacchus XI last Sunday, at the Imam Bacchus ground in Affiance on the Essequibo Coast.

After winning the toss, hosts Bacchus XI took first strike but lacked fluency during their middle overs. The top order struggled and it was left to a fine half-century from Neiland Cadogan to propel the score to some respectability.

His impressive 56 (4x4, 3x6) along with Ganesh Mangal 18 (1x4, 1x6) enabled Bacchus XI to reach 124-8 in 20 overs. Senior national left-arm spinner Anthony Adams bowled miserly to claim 2-9 from his 4 overs while Joel Fortune had 2-18 from his 4 overs as well.

In reply, NOC despite a slow start were able to build partnerships.

Former national Under-19 player Tevin Imlach 28 (1x4, 1x6), David Williams 26 (1x4, 2x6) and Orlando Jailall 21 (3x4, 1x6) steered NOC to 125-6 in 18 overs for a comfortable

victory.

Ganesh Mangal and Yogeshwar Lall had 2 wickets for 15 and 22 runs respectively from their 4 overs.

Meanwhile, the final will now be contested between NOC and Reliance Hustlers at the same venue today from 11:00hrs. Both teams will be eager to seize the initiative early, with NOC heavily depending on their captain Anthony Adams, Kevon Boodie and Joshua Jones. The Hustlers, after a roller-coaster ride to the final, will have in their line-up Anthony Ifill, Rovendra Parasram and skipper Trevis Simon.

Monetary incentives and trophies will be presented including for the Most Valuable Player (MVP) in the tournament along with the best bowler and batsman in the final.

Officials from the South Essequibo Cricket Committee, including organiser Ramnarine Ragoobar, will be present to make the presentation.

The umpires will be Deva Dass and Wazeer Dhanraj. Entrance to the game is free and a keen contest is anticipated. (Elroy Stephney)

“Winning seven in a row is cool but challenges will get tougher and tougher,” he said.

“It’s taken me 18 years to manage 600 games and another 18 would mean I’ll be 69! So, hopefully I’m still healthy.”

Champions Man City put their shock home Champions League defeat by Olympique Lyonnais behind them, rebounding with a crushing win at Cardiff kicked off by Sergio Aguero’s opener on his 300th appearance for the club.

The Argentine celebrated his signing of a one-year contract extension with his 205th City goal just after the halfhour, opening the floodgates for further strikes before the break from Bernardo Silva and Ilkay Gundogan.

Record signing Riyad Mahrez added his first two for City after the break.

The league favourites’ convincing wins see Liverpool lead the table on a maximum 18 points from six games with unbeaten City still pursuing hard on 16.

Chelsea, third on 15, have the chance today to join Liverpool with a perfect start to the campaign on 18 points if they win at West Ham United while Watford’s 1-1 draw at

Fulham in the early game kept them fourth on 13.

TRYING WEEK In the day’s late game, goals from Harry Kane, from the penalty spot, and substitute Erik Lamela earned Tottenham Hotspur a nervy 2-1 win at Brighton & Hove Albion, pushing Spurs into fifth on 12 points at the end of a trying week.

Ferguson, the patriarch of Old Trafford, received a standing ovation as he took his seat in the stands for the first time since he underwent emergency surgery after a brain haemorrhage in May. United looked poised to welcome him back with a win as Brazilian Fred scored his first goal for the club since his move from Shakhtar Donetsk but Jose Mourinho was left frustrated again after a recent resurgence with Joao Moutinho deservedly equalising soon after halftime.

United are losing touch with the leaders, now eight points behind Liverpool in sixth place, with midfielder Marouane Fellaini conceding: “Everyone is disappointed.

After that it will be difficult to close the gap.”

Mourinho gave a with-

ering verdict on United’s approach.

“I think Wolves deserved it. They play like I like to play which is like the World Cup final,” he said.

“That is the attitude I like my teams to have in every match. We didn’t have that.

They did. That attitude made a difference.”

Aleksandar Mitrovic joined Eden Hazard on five goals as the Premier League’s top scorer when the Serb’s second-half equaliser for Fulham checked Watford’s best start to a top-flight campaign after Andre Gray’s 90-second opener.

At the other end of the table, Burnley hauled themselves off the bottom with their first win of the season, 4-0 over Bournemouth, to interrupt the Cherries’ fine campaign with goals from Matej Vydra, Aaron Lennon and a double from Ashley Barnes.

Cardiff, Huddersfield Town, beaten 3-1 at Leicester City after taking an early lead, and Newcastle United, who drew 0-0 at Crystal Palace, prop up the league on two points.

England call up uncapped Burns to Test squad for Sri Lanka tour LONDON, England (Reuters) - England named uncapped Surrey opener Rory Burns on Friday in a 16-man squad for three November Tests in Sri Lanka, the first tour since the retirement of Alastair Cook.

Burns led Surrey to the county championship this season and the 28-year-old has been the leading run-scorer in the top flight with 1 319 championship runs at an average of more than 69.

Kent batsman Joe Denly and Warwickshire fast bowler Olly Stone also earned their first Test call-ups.

Denly has nine ODI caps but has not been in the England set-up since 2010.

Cook, England’s most-capped Test player with 161, retired internationally this month, with an emotional century against India.

Stone was also named in the one-day squad that was announced on Wednesday as was all-rounder Ben Stokes.

Stokes and batsman Alex Hales, who is in the ODI squad, were charged last week with bringing the game into disrepute.

Both are due to appear before a disciplinary hearing in December to face charges resulting from a fracas outside a Bristol night-

Surrey opener Rory Burns has scored four centuries in Division One this season.

club a year ago.

Stone was handed his first ODI call up as a result of Yorkshire fast bowler Liam Plunkett being ruled out of the first three fixtures due to his wedding.

Plunkett will, however, be available for the fourth and fifth ODIs.

Test squad: Joe Root (captain), Moeen Ali, Jimmy Anderson, Jonny Bairstow (wicket), Stuart Broad, Rory Burns, Jos Buttler, Sam Curran, Joe Denly, Keaton Jennings, Jack Leach, Olly Pope, Adil Rashid, Ben Stokes, Olly Stone, Chris Woakes.

23

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, September 23, 2018

Warner hits unbeaten 155, Smith makes 85 on club return SYDNEY, Australia (Reuters) - David Warner scored an unbeaten 155 in his side’s thrilling lastball win, while former Test captain Steve Smith made 85 for his Sutherland club as the suspended duo enjoyed strong returns to club cricket in Sydney yesterday.

Smith and Warner were banned for a year from international and state cricket for their involvement in a ball-tampering scandal and still have another six months to serve.

They are continuing their rehabilitation in the new Sydney club cricket season, which got underway this weekend.

The diminutive Warner could not have hoped for a better return, scoring a match-winning knock for

Randwick-Petersham, who won by four wickets off the last ball while chasing 278 against St George.

The opening batsman carried his bat, his hundred coming off 98 balls in an innings featuring 13 fours and two sixes, including one that went out of the ground.

He reached his century with a leg-side single and celebrated the mark as he would in an international match with his trademark leap and kiss of the badge on his helmet.

“He played really well and is very good in those type of situations,” said former Test team mate Josh Hazlewood, who was playing against Warner yesterday.

“We probably beat anyone else today, except David Warner. It was a pretty special knock.”

BCB/Magic Moments 20/20 tournament

Fyrish cricket ground to host first-ever final today HISTORY will be created today when the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) hosts a cricket final at the Fyrish cricket ground for the first time ever.

The final will be contested by Rose Hall Town Bakewell and Fyrish cricket teams. President of the BCB, Hilbert Foster, stated that the Board is passionate about taking cricket to every corner of Berbice.

The final is the third to be hosted by the board under the Magic Moments brand.

Rose Hall Town Bakewell team are expected to start as strong favourites. They would be led by Kevin Sinclair and will be supported by a strong batting lineup that includes Kevlon Anderson, Surendra Kissoonlall, Junior Sinclair, Chanderpaul Govindan, Jonathan Rampersaud, Vidal Crandon, Keith Simpson and Damien Vantull.

Pacers Vantull, Simon Lawson and Sylus Tyndall would spearhead the bowling along with off-spinners Junior and Kevin Sinclair, Jonathan

Kevin Sinclair

Rampersuad and left-arm spinner Keith Simpson.

Much is not known of Fyrish, but the fact that they defeated second division powerhouse Chesney by five wickets in the semifinals means that they cannot be underestimated. They would be spearheaded by Javed Mohamed, Imran Ally, Avinash Deonarine, A. Srikissoon, V. Goordial and Munilall Shirdyal.

A few miles away at the Glenn McGrath Oval, Smith also looked solid in his 92ball innings for Sutherland, who went down to Mosman by three wickets.

MISTAKES MADE The 29-year-old, who got married this week, received a warm welcome from an unusually large crowd and looked his usual twitchy self at the crease as he rattled off a half-century in 62 balls.

“When he was batting, everyone was really warm with their support, and to be able to see so many people come to a grade game was incredible,” said former Australia and current Sutherland team mate Shane Watson.

“It’s awesome to see him playing, even though I’d rather he was playing for Australia. The support he got

David Warner’s century came off 98 balls, smacking 13 fours and two sixes.

today will reassure him that everything’s okay, people do make mistakes and people do forgive very quickly.”

Still the number two Test batsman in the ICC rankings, Smith’s innings included six fours and a six, before he holed out to mid-on and received another ovation as he trudged back to the pavilion.

It was all a far cry from the March day when he returned home from South Africa a broken man after

the ball-tampering scandal, which also resulted in a ninemonth suspension for batsman Cameron Bancroft.

Smith repeatedly succumbed to tears at a news conference at Sydney Airport as he apologised for his part in the incident that rocked Australia and also precipitated the departure of coach Darren Lehmann.

Their Cricket Australia bans expire on March 28 and it looks like they will

be welcomed back into the Australia set up for next year’s 50-overs World Cup and Ashes series in England.

“If our environment’s right and they’re playing well, there’s no reason they shouldn’t be welcomed back in to help us win the World Cup and help us win the Ashes next summer,” Lehmann’s replacement as coach, Justin Langer, said this week.

Over 50 horses Ferguson returns to Old Trafford on show today for first time since operation

OVER 50 of the country’s top racehorses will compete against one another today in the Ryan Crawford Memorial Turf Club (RCMTC) oneday horse race meet at the club’s track Alness, Corentyne, Berbice.

Six races are listed for the day and reports from the organisers have indicated that, a highly anticipated day of racing is in the making.

Among the horses entered already are: Seven Dust, Lucky Star, Not this Time, Mary Ann, Orion, Party Time, Kentucky Woman, Slim Shady and Gypsie Princess.

The feature event is for horses classified H and Lower over 1200m for a winning purse of $300 000 and trophy.

The other events listed are for J and Lower horses over a distance of 1200m with a first prize of $160 000 and trophy. The event for 2-Year-Old Maiden animals carries a winning prize of $100 000 and trophy over 1000m.

The horses classified L1 and Lower will be competing for a winner’s take of $100 000 and a trophy over 1200m.

There is an event for L2 and Lower animals also over 1200m with the winner taking home $70 000 and a trophy.

The other event is another 1200m affair for the L3 and Lower animals for a first prize of $50 000 and a trophy. There will be trophies and other incentives for outstanding individual performers.

Race time is 12:00hrs.

Sir Alex Ferguson sits in the stands before the match. (REUTERS/Andrew Yates)

By Simon Evans MANCHESTER, England (Reuters) - Former Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson returned to Old Trafford for the first time since having brain surgery, receiving a warm welcome as he attended yesterday’s Premier League game against Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Smiling and waving to fans, the 76-year-old Ferguson took his seat in the directors’ box for the first time since his operation in May. The Scot had emergency surgery for a brain haemorrhage on May 5 and was in intensive care for several days at Salford Royal Hospital.

The last time Ferguson attended a game at Old Trafford was in

April, when he presented outgoing former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger with a commemorative gift.

“It’s great to go back to the stadium and it’s going to be quite emotional for me when the game starts,” Ferguson told MUTV. It had to happen some time and I’ve been looking forward to it. It was important getting the right time and the right rest before coming to a game.”

Ferguson was United manager from 1986 to 2013, winning the Champions League twice, the Premier League 13 times and five FA Cups.

He was knighted in 1999, the year United won the treble of Champions League, Premier League and FA Cup.

24

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, September 23, 2018

Fruta Conquerors tame Western Tigers 1-0 as GFF Elite League ends

GCC through to GCA/NBS second division final

By Rajiv Bisnauth

… Den Amstel humble Milerock FC to finish third FRUTA Conquerors edged Western Tigers 1-0 while Den Amstel had the better of Milerock FC 3-0, when the curtain came down on the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Elite League on Friday evening at the Georgetown Football Club (GFC) ground.

Despite being a foregone conclusion, with winners of the League being Fruta Conquerors, the results determined how the teams were positioned at the end of the 18-game season.

The outcome means that Guyana Defence Force (GDF), last season’s winners, will occupy second place behind Fruta Conquerors, Den Amstel move up the ladder to third place and Western Tigers

settle for a fourth-place finish in their Elite League debut.

Western Tigers (38 points), the only team to hand Fruta Conquerors a loss this season, went into the game against the Tucville-based team needing a victory, since a win would have seen them climb above the ‘Army’ (40 points) in the points standings.

However, Fruta Conquerors had other plans and Ryan Hackett’s 21st minute strike was enough to seal the win for coach Sampson Gilbert’s men.

The Calvin Allen-coached Western Tigers football club, in 18 outings in the Elite League, only tasted defeat once (1-2 against the GDF), while winning 11 games and

Fruta Conquerors’ Ryan Hackett in action at the GFC ground in the GFF Elite League

drawing five to close on 38 points.

Meanwhile, behind Delon Lanferman, Den Amstel scored 46 goals, only second to Fruta Conquerors (51), while conceding just 12 goals. Only Fruta Conquerors (six) have conceded fewer goals than coach O’Neal Heywood’s side.

Lanferman scored for the ‘West Side’ team in the 75th minute after Junior Gordon had given his side the lead in the 49th minute. National defender Kester Jacobs scored

in the 86th minute - the third and final goal of the game to hand Milerock FC their 11th defeat.

Milerock FC, the only club out of Linden in the Elite League, wanted to finish on a ‘high’ to bring an end to their horrible run this season.

After 18 games played, the Linden club had found success on the pitch only four times and had drawn three games, with 11 losses being better than only New Amsterdam United (12) and Cougars FC (15).

Guyana table tennis teams heading to Jamaica for 60th Senior Championships GUYANA’S National Women’s and Men’s table tennis teams will venture to Kingston, Jamaica, to do battle for regional honours when the 60th edition of the Caribbean Senior table tennis championships is held from September 23 to 30.

The Caribbean championships is a signature tournament on the Guyana Table Tennis Association’s (GTTA) and regional calendar of events, since it forms the platform for regional table tennis supremacy and allows the association to lobby for international sup- Chelsea Edghill port among other benefits.

The competition has taken on greater importance, given that the international federation has assigned this competition as one of the qualification events for the 2019 Pan American games, which by extension is one of the key qualification events for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.

The GTTA in a release said that it “feels the team selected has a very realistic and high possibility of qualifying for the Pan Am Games and for medal prospects in the female and male team events, male and female Under-21 categories in addition to picking up valuable world-ranking points at these Championships.”

The following members of Guyana’s delegation will depart Guyana today at 01:00hr and will arrive in Kingston, Jamaica at 04:00hrs with Fly Jamaica.

1. Christopher Franklin (National Men’s Champion) 2. Nigel Bryan 3. Joel Alleyne

4. Natalie Cummings 5. Jody Ann Blake The team will be missing the services of Priscilla Greaves, Kyle Edghill and Elishaba Johnson in the U-21 category, due to funding limitations and the GTTA’s concentration will be on their preparation for International Training Camp in Sweden and China.

Guyana‘s delegation:

Christopher Franklin

Men: Christopher Franklin, Nigel Bryan, Shemar Britton and Joel Alleyne.

Women: Chelsea Edghill (national women’s champion), Natalie Cummings, Trenace Lowe and Priscilla Greaves.

Participating countries: Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, Martinique, Guadeloupe, French Guiana and Jamaica.

GEORGETOWN Cricket Club (GCC) booked a final spot in the Georgetown Cricket Associat i o n - s p o n s o re d N e w Building Society 40-over cricket tournament, after they completed a 16-run win over Police yesterday.

The hosts, GCC survived a sixth-wicket fright between Kemol Savory and Shemar Kendall, to defend their total of 210.

Earlier the hosts’ innings were reduced to 48-4, but they recovered, thanks to a 54-run fifth-wicket stand between Gavin Singh and Timothy McAlmont, and an attacking unbeaten 45 from Ronaldo Alimohamed at the back end of the innings.

The hosts’ innings was doomed from the start as medium pacer Eon Rodrigues removed both openers, Joshua Wade (6) and Kemraj Jaikarran (2), at 20-2.

Leg-spinner Hemchan Persaud then got into the act, claiming the wicket of Marlon Persaud for 19, while Rodrigues (3-36), removed Daniel Seegobin (5).

At that point, it seemed like the hosts were only going through the motions, but Singh and McAlmont staged the crucial recovery.

The pair settled down nicely and took the score to 102 before both were dismissed within seven balls. Singh hit three fours and a six in his 47, while McAlmont hit two fours in his 31. Persaud claimed the wicket of Singh, to finish with 2-33 while off-spinner Parnell London dismissed McAlmont.

Chatram Persaud and Bernard Bailey contributed 13 and 17 respectively as the momentum of the innings seemed to be falling off a bit. However, after their dismissal to medium pacer Keston Harcore (2-34), Alimohamed came up with a few big shots towards the end to give the hosts’ innings a rousing end.

Ronaldo Alimohamed

The former West Indies youth player, who came in for the final two overs of the innings, smashed six sixes and a four. His brutal attack came in the final over off Parnell where he struck four sixes and a four.

In the run chase, Police’s top-order was left clueless by medium pacer Bernard Bailey (3-28), and off-spinner Gavin Singh (2-14), at 45-5.

Bailey bowled a tidy line and length, and in the process got rid of both openers Reginald Rodrigues (4) and Andrew Lyght Jr (24), at 31-2.

However, the visitors then perished further, to a series of poor strokes.

Kayle Michael (4) and Parnell London (1), were both dismissed by Singh, while Jason Heyliger was removed by Bailey without scoring.

Although the task ahead was becoming even more difficult, Savory and Kendall added 110 runs, but after their dismissal the remaining batsmen could not respond to the pressure.

Savory made 42, while Kendall hit 62, with five fours and a six.

Alimohamed (1-37), and Seegobin (2-23), were the other successful bowlers.

GCC will now meet either DCC or UG in the final.

25

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, September 23, 2018

Joshua stops Alexander Povetkin to retain world heavyweight titles

By Luke Reddy BBC Sport at Wembley Stadium ANTHONY Joshua delivered a stunning finish to stop a game Alexander Povetkin and retain his world heavyweight titles at Wembley Stadium.

The IBF, WBO and WBA champion, criticised in some quarters for failing to finalise a deal with the division’s other high-profile names, responded emphatically with a seventh-round stoppage of the Russian, who had never been beaten inside the distance.

After an early chess match in which Joshua suffered a bloodied nose before cutting his rival, the Briton grew in confidence and a savage right hand followed by a left hook began an onslaught which proved telling.

Another right-left combination downed Povetkin, who somehow made the count, only to stagger into a left hook which saw him slump unto the ropes, leaving referee Steve Gray with no

option but to intervene.

Roars poured down to ringside as the rain done had all day, with Joshua’s corner ecstatic and rightly so. His display showcased poise, intellect and power, sending a message to the heavyweight division that the champion will take some stopping.

Joshua, who had been suffering from flu during his preparations and had a problem with his right hand before the fight, paid tribute to his opponent.

“Povetkin is a very tough challenger, he proved that with good left hooks and counter punches,” he said.

“I came in here to have fun, and give it my best. I knew he was strong to the head but weak to the body. I was just mixing it up.

“It could have been seven, maybe nine, maybe 12 rounds to get him out of there, but the ultimate aim was to be victorious.

“And I got my knockout streak back,” added Joshua, who was taken to 12 rounds for the first time in his previous fight against New

Zealand’s Joseph Parker in Cardiff in April.

Joshua was back in the limelight after Fury v Wilder announcement.

Less than 24 hours after WBC champion Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury confirmed their December 1 fight, Joshua snatched the heavyweight limelight back his way.

He will be back at Wembley on April 13 and whoever steps in with him next will face questions as to how they’ll thwart the champion after a display like this.

His last outing here was a see-saw encounter with Wladimir Klitschko. On that night, he came of age, setting new levels of excitement and expectation.

The Joshua name now carries such weight that the likes of Povetkin, the 2004 Olympic super-heavyweight champion and a mandatory challenger who had lost just once in 35 outings previously, was arguably overlooked by the masses.

But, crucially, not by Joshua’s team. There had

Anthony Joshua in action against Alexander Povetkin (Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Couldridge)

been rumblings, even before the fight was signed, that those around him saw Povetkin who has twice failed doping tests - as a significant risk. The challenger’s experience, low centre of gravity and sleight of foot, despite his 39 years, were live threats.

After landing a solid left hook on the bell in the first round, Povetkin clearly had Joshua’s attention but by the fourth, the Briton had dropped his lead hand, showing confidence in his judgement of distance against a man known for leaping in with shots from obscure angles.

He slipped a shot in the fourth to drive an uppercut home, drawing groans ringside.

With Povetkin cut above his left eye in the fifth, a Joshua

right hook found the temple.

Then the Russian winged a left hook home in the sixth and he chased his man, sensing vulnerability.

The pair tapped gloves to start the seventh, a sign of respect was flowing. But Joshua broke the challenger’s heart.

From a position of calm, he erupted into life in the middle of the ring, with a corking right hand sending Povetkin backwards and a left hook flowing seamlessly off the back of it.

Moments later, with Povetkin limp against the ropes, it was over - another step in a remarkable career.

With 22 professional bouts under their belts, Wladimir Klitschko, Lennox Lewis and Mike Tyson were still chasing a world title. Joshua, by contrast,

has now defended his six times.

‘The most impressive display of Joshua’s career’ analyst BBC Sport boxing correspondent Mike Costello: “It was a brilliantly placed and timed right hand. He was getting the measure of Povetkin in the early rounds. Unlike Carlos Takam and Parker - Joshua’s last two opponents - Povetkin was here to win.

“I think the quality of opponent, for all Povetkin has done, for me, the way he was beaten makes it for me the most impressive display of Joshua’s career.”

GFF donates football cleats to Indigenous Heritage Sports and Baramita community

GFF president Wayne Forde makes the presentation of football cleats to a player at the Indigenous Heritage Sports.

AS Guyana observes Indigenous Heritage Month, the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) has made presentations to the Indigenous Heritage Sports and the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs on behalf of the community of Baramita in Region One respectively.

The GFF delivered 10 pairs of cleats to the Heritage Sports at the commencement of the said event held at Everest Cricket Club ground while six footballs were presented at the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs.

In handing over the cleats to the Heritage Sports, president Wayne Forde said requests were made and GFF was happy to contribute to the cause.

He said that Minister Garrido-Lowe had made some representation that some of

the athletes were short of boots so it’s our pleasure to donate some boots.”

Meanwhile, in receiving the balls on behalf of the Baramita community, yesterday, Mervyn Williams, Vice-President and Adviser to the Honourable Minister Sydney Allicock, said the U-15 team will be the beneficiaries.

A total of 17 football teams will be featured in this year’s Heritage Sports, including both male and female. The Port Kaituma male football team will be defending their title while the female team from Paruima village will also seek to emerge winners in this year’s tournament.

The 2018 Indigenous Heritage Sports will feature a cross-section of sports including cricket, swimming, archery and football.

26

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, September 23, 2018

AIBA allocates US$300 000 for training of Caribbean boxing officials THE Jamaica Boxing Board is embarking on a campaign to train more officials locally and across the region, thanks to an allocation of US$300 000 over the next three years from the International Boxing Association (AIBA).

The regional body, the National Boxing Federations of the Caribbean, was allocated US$80 000 for 2018, US$110 000 for 2019, and US$110 000 for 2020. The funds were made available following a presentation

by JBB president Stephen Jones and Marco Depersoy from Aruba earlier this year that impressed the AIBA executive.

“The Executive Committee was impressed by the extent to which the Caribbean working group went to give a detailed picture of the challenges the Caribbean region faces in attempting to provide quality boxing programmes for its members as well as the creative steps that they are taking in order to continue to raise the level of boxing and participation in the region,” said the letter sent to the Caribbean over the signature of AIBA interim president Gafur Rahimov.

“The Executive Committee was impressed by the Caribbean’s desire to widen the scope of its programme

Jamaica Boxing Board General Secretary Leroy Brown (left) outlined this week that AIBA has allocated funds to facilitate training for boxing officials across the region.

outreaches to ensure better development of boxers, coaches, referees, and judges, ITOs, ringside doctors and cutmen.

The Executive Committee finds that the presentation for the Caribbean directly aligned with the goals and objectives or AIBA and AMBC. Now that it has access to the funds, the JBBC said it wants to begin recruitment and training as early as December.

“We are in need of boxing officials in Jamaica and we are starting a programme on that. We are going on a recruitment drive for boxing officials,” said the boxing board’s General Secretary Leroy Brown.

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“We are also going into training mode where our current officials are concerned.

We are going to be having a couple of seminars and we are hoping that, possibly in December, we will be able to get an official from AIBA, who will come to Jamaica, guide us and test some of our officials so that we can have some more international

officials.”

Brown said he is inviting Jamaica’s Caribbean neighbours to send their candidates to the seminars and the testing sessions.

He said that there will also be opportunities for the country’s widening pool of boxers, boosted by the addition of about 150 youngsters who have been training over

the past two years under the country’s Fight for Peace programme.

Several fighters from the programme that uses boxing to channel youngsters away from a violent lifestyle will be on show on fight cards on October 6 and November 17 in Kingston and Montego Bay, respectively.

“There are lots of youngsters out there who are going to use this to make themselves better boxers and boxing can make you into a millionaire if you are handled properly,” Brown said.

“Right now we have 150 boxers who have been nurtured and are on the brink of breaking out and making themselves into good boxers, first in Jamaica as amateurs then they move to the professional scene then they go to the national scene, so the horizon is looking great at this moment.” (SportsMax)

Injury worries real, as T&T head off to volleyball World Championships PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC) – Fitness will be a serious consideration for Trinidad and Tobago’s women in their debut outing at the volleyball World Championship starting next weekend in Japan.

Head coach Francisco Cruz said coming out of the last tournament, several key players were carrying injuries which would impact their final preparation for the September 29 to October 20 event.

“The players, who finished the last tournament, the CAC, they have a few injured,” Cruz told the NewsDay here.

“Some players have problems in the ankle, some players in the knee. For example, (Krystle) Esdelle has a problem in the shoulder.

Nobody is ready. Everybody has these problems. They maybe can play because they (may) recover a little but ready, ready? They are not fully ready.”

He added: “It is normal in volleyball. The players sometimes carry injuries.”

T&T will compete in Pool C alongside the likes of Azerbaijan, South Korea, Russia, Thailand and world number two, the United States.

Ranked 34th in the world, T&T are the only Caribbean side in the tournament, which will see four pools of six teams contesting the preliminary round.

Cruz said Trinidad would be looking to gather as much experience as possible from their participation in the tournament.

“The only expectation we have there is that the players take the experience. That is the first time they will take part in the tournament. The challenge is very, very high,” he explained.

“The teams (Azerbaijan and Thailand) are more level to us (but) they are teams that played in the World Championships (be-

Krystle Esdelle is carrying an injury into the World Championship.

fore). Only Trinidad will take part in one World Championships for the first time.”

He continued: “You know here, we don’t have facilities for training. We cannot have expectations; just take the experience as the first time (competing).”

The experienced side, which will be led by setter Renele Forde and includes the likes of Kelly-Anne Billingy, Channon Thompson and Darlene Ramdin, left for Japan earlier in the week.

They open their campaign on September 29 against world number five Russia.

‘Universal Boss’ turns 39 - top cricketers send Gayle birthday wishes

CRICKETERS around the world have taken to social media to wish West Indies star Chris Gayle a happy birthday as the player turned 39 on Friday.

The big-left hander, who made his Test debut in 2000, has gone on to be one of the game’s most successful batsmen after achieving major milestones in all forms.

To list a few of his accolades, Gayle remains the only player to score a century in each of international cricket’s three formats.

He is the only player in world cricket to hit a triple hundred in Tests, a double hundred in ODIs and a hundred in Twenty20 Internationals. Gayle is also the record runs-scorer in the T20 format, becoming the first player to score over 10 000 runs.

Just a year shy of his 40th birthday the maverick left-hander continues to be one of the sport’s biggest characters both on and off the pitch. Gayle, who recently took part both the Indian Premier League and Caribbean Premier League (CPL), is also expected to feature for the West Indies in the ICC World Cup in England next year.

On Friday, several players and former players, including Virat Kohli, Virender Sehwag, Sachin Tendulkar, Yuvraj Singh and Darren Sammy took to social media platform to leave best wishes for the popular West Indian.

(SportsMax)

27

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, September 23, 2018

‘Chicken Legs’ Griffith dethrones Hicks to cop 14th Laparkan cycling title

By Michelangelo Jacobus TEAM Evolution cyclist, Christopher ‘Chicken Legs’ Griffith, persevered in an enthralling battle with Andrew Hicks yesterday, to dethrone the latter in the feature event of the 14th Laparkan Holdings 11Race cycling programme.

Last year’s winner, Hicks, along with Griffith, led for the greater part of the 35-lap race and in the end

it all came down to a ‘helter-skelter’ dash on the back end of the race to decide the winner. However, Griffith crossed the finish line ahead of Hicks in one hour 18 minutes 38.12 seconds to cop the title.

Coming in third was Michael Anthony who pipped Geron Williams for that position while fifth to sixth went to Alonzo Ambrose and Alexis Muder respectively.

In the Veterans U-45 cat-

egory, Leer Nunes took top honours while Warren ‘40’ McKay settled for second and Junior Niles third.

Today, the cyclists will turn their attention to the 16th edition of the Victor Macedo Memorial road race which begins at 224 Peter Rose Street, Queenstown at 07:30hrs, moves along Mandela Avenue then to the East Bank Highway towards the Linden/Soesdyke Highway and back to the

Former general secretary of Cayman Islands FA gets life ban from FIFA ZURICH, Switzerland (CMC) – Former general secretary of the Cayman Islands Football Association Costas Takkas has received a life ban from FIFA. Takkas was among three football officials who received the sentence from the sport’s governing body, with the others being former chairman of the North American Soccer League, Aaron Davidson, and Colombian ex-FIFA match agent and sports consultant, Miguel Trujillo.

Takkas was an adviser to former disgraced CONCACAF president Jeffrey Webb who was banned from football by FIFA’s ethics

Costas Takkas

committee in 2015.

The trio, who were found guilty of bribery and corruption, will also have to pay fines of one million Swiss Francs (US $1.03 million)

each.

In Brooklyn federal court, Davidson pleaded guilty to racketeering and wire fraud, Takkas admitted money-laundering and Trujillo pleaded guilty to money-laundering and wire fraud.

The 61-year-old Takkas received a 15-month prison sentence last year and faced being deported from the United States.

It is unclear if FIFA has power to enforce the fines, though ethics judges have typically imposed large financial penalties in cases arising from the sprawling U.S. federal probe.

Christopher ‘Chicken Legs’ Griffith (front) reacts on winning the 14th edition of the Laparkan Holdings’ 11-Race cycling meet, ahead of last year’s winner Andrew Hicks. (Delano Williams photo)

National Sports Commission on Homestretch Avenue for the finish.

The categories for that race are: Open, Juniors,

Mountain Bikes, Veterans Under-45 and Veterans Over-45.

The Veterans Over-45 and Mountain Bikes will

turn around at Yarrowkabra while the others will go to the Long Creek school junction.

Woods has three-shot lead after third round at Tour Championship (REUTERS) - Tiger Woods made a hot start on his way to a three-stroke lead over Justin Rose and Rory McIlroy after the third round at the Tour Championship in Atlanta yesterday.

Amid scenes reminiscent of his halcyon days, Woods brilliantly birdied six of the first seven holes after starting the day tied for the halfway lead with world number one Rose at East Lake.

The 14-time major champion cooled off on the back nine but a five-under-par 65 put him in prime position to record his first victory since

Tiger Woods

2013.

Woods posted a 12-under 198 total, while Englishman Rose recovered from a bogey, bogey start to card 68.

Northern Irishman McIlroy birdied the par-five 18th

for a 66 that earned him a date with Woods in the final pairing for today’s last round.

Woods has 79 PGA Tour victories, three short of the record held by Sam Snead.

‘Green Machine’ undefeated on Day One at RAN 7s … Female ‘ruggers’ impressive in mixed results 23 PAGE

Joshua stops 25 Alexander Povetkin to retain world heavyweight titles PAGE

Avery Corbin (first left) was Guyana’s top try scorer on day one of the Rugby Americas North (RAN) 7s Championship in Barbados.

Matthews classy century earns Windies share of ODI series PAGE

23

Anthony Joshua retains his IBF, IBO and WBA world titles with a 10th round stoppage of Carlos Takam last month. (Andrew Couldridge/(Reuters)

Opener Hayley Matthews celebrates reaching her classy century against South Africa on Saturday (Photo courtesy CWI Media)

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SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2018