Guyana Chronicle E-paper 01-01-2020.pdf

WEDNESDAY 1st January, 2020

' No.105867

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL GUYANESE HAPPY

2020

NEW YEAR

President David Granger being greeted by members of the clergy of the St Matthew’s Anglican Church, Providence, Public Road, East Bank Demerara Tuesday night where he ushered in the New Year at a prayer and praise service. President Granger was accompanied by his eldest daughter Mrs Han Granger-Gaskin (Delano Williams photo)

DAWN OF THE ‘DECADE OF DEVELOPMENT’

SEE STORY ON PAGE 03

…President unveils 10-year development plan …says Guyanese can expect higher quality of life, economic growth …2020 an exciting time to be alive and to be Guyanese

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, January 1, 2019

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, January 1, 2019

Dawn of the ‘Decade of Development’

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…President says Guyanese can expect higher quality of life, economic growth …says 2020 is an exciting time to be alive and to be Guyanese

GUYANESE can expect a higher quality of life over the next five years and government is laying the plans for this, President David Granger said in a New Year message to the nation.

“We are planning for improvements in our lives in the form of: economic growth which will accelerate as production increases and the major sectors become stronger and more resilient; farmers and fishers benefitting from the modernisation and diversification of their sectors,” the Head of State said in his address.

President Granger said 1st January is a memorable and momentous date that marks the dawn of the ‘Decade of Development: 2020-2029’.

He said it was also the start of the national observance of the 50th Anniversary of the Republic and the launch of campaigns for General and Regional Elections. An eventful year lies ahead.

The Guyanese leader outlined that during the next decade miners will enjoy safer mining practices; education and healthcare will continue to improve; information communications technology will be extended countrywide to link all regions and communities. He said too that employment opportunities will be available; citizens having larger disposable incomes and public servants’ emoluments continuing to grow to improve their standard of living; public infrastructure will continue to be rehabilitated, upgraded and expanded; and more housing for low-income families. “Energy supply will be extended to more rural and hinterland communities; manufacturing enterprises will be catalysed by more reliable electricity; and the generation of electricity from sustainable sources will be expanded.”

President Granger said that his administration had maintained that the principal objective of the state will always be to secure the ‘good life’ for all. “This will entail providing every citizen with opportunities to be the best he or she can be; securing

sustained economic prosperity; ensuring access to quality public services and promoting social cohesion. The ‘good life’ involves eradicating extreme poverty and reducing class, racial and geographic inequalities. The ultimate measure of the good life is happy communities, happy households and happy people.”

10-POINT PLAN President Granger said his government will launch a ten-point programme aimed at improving the quality of life over the next five years.

This will include: educational improvement, assured by enabling every child to have access to nursery, primary and secondary education; providing tuition-free education for eligible students at the University of Guyana and strengthening teachers’ training; economic growth, characterised by higher levels of investment, enabling incentives for business development, including robust support for agriculture, fisheries, manufacturing and mining; constitutional reform, pursued vigorously, with wider popular consultation, and with greater emphasis placed on broader political inclusion; protecting human rights and preventing constitutional gridlock; good governance, by adopting measures aimed at enhancing transparency and integrity in public office, strengthening regional development and empowering women and youth; social protection, by strengthening social safety nets for pensioners, the homeless, the indigent and disabled – and social cohesion by ensuring greater respect for each other’s religious beliefs, ethnic identities and cultural practices; human safety, by intensifying action to suppress and reduce crime, protect human life and ensure national security by safeguarding the country’s territorial integrity and sovereignty; Indigenous peoples’ development, by preserving indigenous cultural identity and according

recognition of indigenous peoples’ knowledge in protecting the environment; energy sector development,

their communities will be safer and that borders will be more secure and that the productive sectors will be

President David Granger

through strengthening the institutional, legislative and regulatory framework for the management of the petroleum sector and by fast-tracking the development of renewable energy sources; environmental protection, by preserving our ecosystems and their biodiversity, implementing conservation, climate adaptation and mitigation measures and combating the adverse effects of climate change; and infrastructural improvement, by extending aerodromes, bridges, road networks, stellings and ferry services through hinterland development and strengthening coastal sea defences.

HIGH LEVELS OF GROWTH “We can look forward to living in a country which enjoys high levels of growth and human development and with an accountable government and greater equality.

Constitutional reform will allow for the easier resolution of political differences.”

The Guyanese leader said citizens can be assured that

more resilient by receiving increased support to drive economic development.

He noted that 20th December he declared ‘National Petroleum Day’ signifying that Guyana had become a petroleum-producing state.

He said that increased fiscal space that will be created by the commencement of petroleum production will allow for the intensification of the rate of implementation of these transformative processes. “Your government will ensure that petroleum revenues will be managed prudently for present and future generations in accordance with our objective of securing the ‘good life’ for all. We shall do this through a Natural Resource Fund which, as it stands, meets 21 of the 24 Santiago Principles with the other three principles to be met once the legislation comes into force.”

DECADE OF DEVELOPMENT To this end President Granger announced the launch of a Decade of Development: 2020-2029 – a ten-year plan

that will accelerate the country’s four transformative processes – the ‘green state’, the ‘digital state’, the ‘petroleum state’ and an education nation.

He said the first transformative process involves the transition towards becoming a ‘green state’ that will emphasise the preservation and protection of the environment and the graduation towards greater value-added production; the second will be the development of a ‘digital state’ which will connect every region, neighbourhood, village, community and government agency, generate ICT services and make public services more accessible; the third will be the emergence of an ‘education nation’, characterised by every child attending primary school, every child graduating from secondary school and the country having a more highly educated workforce; and the fourth will be the beginning of petroleum production which will result in faster economic growth, increased employment and economic opportunities and larger fiscal revenues.

“We can expect to live in a gentle, green and good country, during the Decade of Development as a result of these changes. The results will be: a growing economy that is innovative and competitive and which generates jobs for everyone willing to work; an education system in which every child attends, and graduates, from school; every eligible person is accorded free tertiary education at the University of Guyana; every teacher is trained and paid satisfactorily; a public health-care system providing the best treatment and care available, including to the aged, the infirm and children; communities in which there is a roof over every head and parks, playfields and recreational facilities where citizens are free to walk without fear of molestation; a country with modern infrastructure which would allow someone to drive from Crabwood Creek on the Corentyne to Sand Creek in the Rupununi, and with ev-

ery household, community, region and business having access to the internet. “ SAFEGUARDING ENVIRONMENT President Granger said his government will continue to protect human life by safeguarding the environment. “We shall intensify our commitment to: preventing pollution of our waterways, eliminating the importation of single-use plastics which contribute to clogging drainage systems, flooding and squalour, depleting aquatic life and contaminating creeks, rivers, freshwater and marine waters; combating the adverse impact of climate change and rising sea levels caused by global warming, which erodes our natural sea defence structures and protecting the mangrove forests which help to secure our shoreline and river banks from erosion; and strengthening forestry and mining laws to make re-forestation and land reclamations conditional for the approval of mining and logging concessions.”

According to President Granger citizenship of this good country must mean, by 2030, living in a modern state where everyone could enjoy equality before the law, education that is free, employment that is satisfying and an environment that is safe and healthy. “The launch of the ‘Decade’ today brings the realization of the ‘good life’ closer.”

He said too that it was fitting that, as Guyanese witness these transformative changes, “we will celebrate the 50th anniversary of becoming a Republic on the 23rd February 2020. This is an occasion of national pride, deserving a grand celebration of the actualisation of our sovereignty.

The Republic’s jubilee occurs at an auspicious and propitious time. We are about to leap above the barriers which previously constrained us in the pursuit of the ‘good life.’

Guyanese are urged to join in the vibrant celebrations being planned to mark the Republic’s Jubilee.”

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Australia sends in military as bushfire rages Australian military aircraft and vessels will be deployed to help emergency services in the fire-ravaged states of New South Wales (NSW) and Victoria.

Thousands of people fled to beaches in the south-eastern states on Tuesday as emergency-level fires spread.

In Mallacoota, Victoria, about 4,000 people sought shelter on the coast.

Two more people have been confirmed dead in NSW, bringing the fire-linked death toll to 12.

Authorities say four people are missing in Victoria and another in NSW. “We’ve got literally hundreds, thousands of people up and down the coast, taking refuge on the beaches,” said Shane Fitzsimmons, commissioner of the NSW Rural Fire Service.

Fitzsimmons said it was “the worst fire season we have experienced here in NSW”.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Defence Minister Linda Reynolds have agreed to send military aircraft and vessels at the request of the Victorian government.

The Australian Defence Force will send Black Hawk and Chinook helicopters, fixed-wing aircraft and navy

vessels to Victoria and NSW, the two worst-affected regions.

The military is expected to provide humanitarian assistance and carry out evacuations if needed in the coming days.

The US and Canada have also been asked to provide “specialist aviation resources” to help the emergency effort.

In his New Year message, Morrison hailed the “amazing spirit of Australians” but warned that the weeks and months ahead would “continue to be difficult”.

The bodies of the latest victims - a 63-year-old man and his 29-year-old son - were found near the town of Corbargo in NSW. Police said the men, named as Robert Salway and his son Patrick by Australian media, had stayed behind to protect their family home, where their bodies were found on Tuesday.

In Mallacoota, the local fire service said a change in wind direction had taken the worst of the fires away from the town.

“I understand there was a public cheer down at the jetty when that was announced,” said chief officer Steve Warrington.

About a dozen “emergency-level” blazes stretch across NSW and Victoria.

Several holiday spots along the coast have been cut off and the main road in the region - the Princes Highway - has been closed. (BBC)

Wednesday, January 01, 09:00hrs - 10:30hrs

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday January 1, 2019

Raul Jerrick heads GDF list of promotions …elevated to Substantive Colonel Raul Jerrick has been elevated to Substantive Colonel of the Guyana Defence when that organisation announced its promotion of officers and other ranks on Tuesday. In a release the GDF said a total of 818 officers and ranks have been promoted with effect from January1, 2020.

Of this total, 25 of the officers are from the regular Force while 10 are reserve officers with the remaining promotions being that of other ranks.

Below is the promotion declaration for the officers In accordance with Part III Section 16 of the Defence Act 15:01 of 1977, the Chief of Staff is pleased to announce that His Excellency the President and Commander-in-Chief has approved the following Promotions with effect from 20-01-01, unless otherwise stated: PROMOTION – OFFICERS TO SUBSTANTIVE COLONEL 99358 Lt Col Raul Jerrick TO SUBSTANTIVE MAJOR 99595 Capt Andre Cush 99687 Capt Kevaun Gray 99697 Capt Fidel Federicks 99640 Capt Marvin Simpson 99657 Capt Kevin Moore 99712 Capt Damon Joseph 99722 Capt Keith Watts 99730 Capt Edmond Blair

Newly promoted Colonel, Raul Jerrick

TO SUBSTANTIVE CAPTAIN 99998 Lt Ekundayo Jeffery 999126 Lt Shurlan Klass 99965 Lt Jamaine Lovell -MORE999120 Lt Sherwin Collins 999150 Lt Marvin Dey 999151 Lt Godwin Cameron 999154 Lt Akeem Kirton 999156 Lt Wavon Samuels 999159 Lt Stacey Codogan 999164 Lt Godfrey Isaacs 999165 Lt Seon Abrams 999174 Lt Carlos Jordan TO SUBSTANTIVE LIEUTENANT 999205 2Lt Kevin Sultan 999314 2Lt Joshua Walcott 999315 2Lt Brandi Johnson

09-11-2019

03 06 07 12 13 28 09

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27-12-2019

05 13 17 23 25

02 08 09 13 17

700

597

02 07 09 10 21

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, January 1, 2019

Over 1,000 lots regularised in 2019

--as CH&PA continues to tackle nationwide squatting THE Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA), as part of its continued efforts to stomp out squatting, has regularised some 1,008 house lots, and issued 300 land titles in 2019.

This was according to Director for Community Development Gladwin Charles during his remarks at the Authority’s end-of-year press conference on Monday.

Charles said the Authority will continue to work towards regularising areas where squatting is prevalent, and has already started to examine 173 squatting areas across the country.

Those areas are located in every administrative region except Regions One (Barima-Waini); Seven (CuyuniMazaruni); and Eight (Potaro-Siparuni).

Charles said the Authority has completed 159 surveys so far, and the remaining set are ongoing and should be

completed in the first quarter of 2020.

“The block surveys are complete, and we are working with the legal department to transfer ownership of the land to CH&PA… When the regularisation is complete, the Authority will have 24,000 lots,” Charles said.

Of all the areas surveyed, the Authority has regularised about 85 per cent of 24,000 lots.

There are about 5,549 lots in the Sophia area alone, and of those lots, the Authority has regularised 85 per cent and distributed titles to about 75 per cent of the squatters. Charles said more attention will be placed on the Sophia area going into the New Year.

Going into the New Year, the CH&PA will also be moving the displaced Broad and Lombard Streets squatters to 20 newly-built houses at Prospect on the East Bank

of Demerara. The houses were constructed by Food for the Poor Guyana.

“The squatters will officially be moved to the new houses by the first week in January; the houses are almost complete,” Charles said.

The relocation project was implemented after a fire had erupted and destroyed necessities such as the household appliances and livestock of the residents, in March, 2019.

Also, the owners of the plot of land on Broad Street filed a lawsuit against the occupants and won, forcing them to vacate the land they had occupied for about 40 years.

It was announced that 20 families would be relocated to Prospect and $19 million will be spent for construction of the houses; Food for the Poor also injected $12 million into the development of

Men were tortured, badly beaten …autopsies find in # 63 Beach resort double murder AUTOPSIES conducted on Vivekanand Narpatty, 71, a Canadian-based Guyanese and Harry Persaud Prashad, 58, whose decomposed bodies were found at the Sun Splash Hotel at #63 Beach, in East Berbice, Corentyne, on Tuesday, revealed that the men were severely beaten and tortured, before they met their demise.

The autopsies performed

by Dr. Nehaul Singh, at the Fort Wellington Hospital, West Coast Berbice, revealed that the men suffered multiple injuries, including broken bones and blunt trauma about their bodies. That, coupled with the missing body parts, confirmed investigators’ suspicions that the men were indeed tortured.

In light of the report, in-

Vivekanand Narpatty

Harry Persaud Prashad

vestigators are now seeking answers, as to why the elderly men were badly tortured, and whether it was a case of them withholding information from the attackers, or the attackers sending a message. Nevertheless, as they try to put the pieces together to the horrific homicide that rocked the community, detectives are on the ground, working around the

clock, to solve the case.

Several persons were questioned and subsequently released. Following the autopsies relatives of Prashad performed a funeral service at #68 Village on the Corentyne. They had stated that they hoped the persons responsible for the men’s deaths would be found and brought to justice.

the project.

The relocation programme will be completed in two phases, with Phase One being the construction of 20 houses for 20 families at the Prospect Housing Scheme. In Phase Two, a total of 31 families will be relocated to Cummings Lodge on the lower East Coast of Demerara.

Meanwhile, early this month, it was reported that CH&PA is working on a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the UN-Habitat’s Participatory Slum Upgrading Programme to create an inventory and assess the extent of squatting in Guyana. This was according to CH&PA, Deputy Director of Community Development, Donell Bess-Basco.

“There was an inventory done some time ago but it has to be updated; we need to know where these persons are squatting and who the owners of the lands are.

This initiative will feed into settlement regularisation plans for Guyana and relocation because it is difficult

for us to talk about squatting and not consider the issue of relocation,” Bess-Bascom said.

The deputy director added that some squatting areas would be regularised and converted into housing schemes while others such as Plastic City behind Vreed-en-Hoop, need to be relocated.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday January 1, 2019

The Year 2020: A date with destiny

AS WE usher in the new year, Guyanese should be thankful that we have survived another challenging year as a nation. That we have made it to 2020, with our national institutions intact, is due in no small measure to our collective resolve to remain together as a national community under one flag and one government. The challenges of the last year from within and beyond our borders have no doubt strengthened our will to fulfill our motto of One People, One Nation with a Common Destiny. Our resolve was tested in 2019, but we overcame the hurdles.

In a real sense, the year 2020 is a date with destiny; the destiny originally charted by our ancestors as they contended with forces aimed at destroying their very humanity.

Through it all, they remained hopeful that, ultimately, the curse of exploitation and want will one day flee from the face of this nation. As we welcome the early days of 2020, the winds of expectancy and change are already blowing all around us. This year, we begin the march towards the realisation of our ancestors’ dreams of a free people living in a land of plenty. This new year is the moment when those dreams will begin to become a reality for all Guyanese, regardless of race, creed, sex or social status.

The early months of this new year would again test our ability to compete in national harmony as we engage in

the electoral exercise to determine who governs this nation in the first half of the new decade. From all indications, it promises to be yet another hard-fought campaign in which the contestants put their cases before the nation. This publication is confident that at the end of the day, all Guyanese would be winners, as the results of an election are not all that characterise a nation. We have come too far to allow partisan bitterness to dismantle what was erected by the blood and sweat of those before us.

As we hinted above, this would be the first year of petro-dollars. While being mindful of the possible pitfalls of the new dispensation, we have to be positive and hopeful about the outcomes. The merchants of doom must not be allowed to manipulate and dominate the national consciousness. Freedom demands a push-back against agents of pessimism about our national capacity to exist in a state of plenty. For too long, we have been conditioned to believe that Guyana could never rise above our historical afflictions.

Let 2020 be the year when we stand erect as a nation, and not crawl on our knees, begging for scraps from someone’s table.

The challenges would be many, mistakes would be made, and doubts would surface, but those should not determine the final outcome. Let 2020 be the year when we begin again to see ourselves as equal to all and not inferior

to any other nation. We may not be able to stop the global wars or determine the motion of the global markets, but we sure can be masters of our own little sacred space. Self-determination of nations still matters.

Let 2020 be the year when we show ourselves and the world that multi-ethnicity is not a curse but a blessing. God and history have brought our diverse groups to this land under different circumstances. But we are here, and have nowhere else to call home. Out of our diverse tapestry, let us continue to forge a common purpose and ethos that speak to our shared and equal humanity.

And let 2020 be the year when we look into the mirror and ask ourselves what benefits there are from killing ourselves on the roadways. We cannot continue to pretend that we have not turned our roadways into killing fields. There must be something in the national psyche that pulls us in the opposite direction. Let 2020 be the year when we return love and carefulness to our roadways. In the same spirit, let 2020 be the year when we take another look at child abuse and spousal abuse.

We cannot be a modern nation when we can settle differences only with violence. The nation’s women and children, like its males, must be guaranteed the right to life and all that comes with that God-given right. Surely, we can be better angels. Happy New Year to all.

Kaieteur News should be very careful

--about publishing biased ‘ads’ Dear Editor, WHY does it seem to me that the contempt of Guyanese based on heritage continues to persist?

This weekend, a very racist article was distributed from a member of the Caribbean Diaspora which contained some of the worst stereotypes ever given towards Guyanese of African her-

itage. I will not share this article in my letter because it’s very harmful to read, and it even makes me sick that people could write such racist drivel without condemnation.

This brings to issue the recent sponsored ‘ads’ in the Kaieteur News which were fixated solely on creating an image of contempt for President Granger and members of the government. The ads

fixation is similar to what bigots use to vilify immigrants and non-whites in the First World. The end result is to make the target (immigrants & non-whites) feel that they do not belong in the society. It forms the basis for vilification, exclusion, and in worse cases, racist violence and genocide.

When I was reading those sponsored ads, I was wondering if there is a racial agenda in play by the fixation and bias towards one region of the world. However, such promotion of contempt can lead to serious conse-

quences, as evident in the never-ending hate crimes & mass shootings in North America and Europe. The German Minister of Propaganda, Josef Goebbels once said that a lie eventually becomes the truth once it’s repeated sufficiently. Therefore, Kaieteur News should be very careful in preventing biased ‘ads’ from being published.

The wrong words do have consequences.

Regards, Riaz Hamid

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday January 1, 2019

Another PPP/C ‘big lie’

Dear Editor,

AGAIN, the PPP/C has got to resort to pernicious lies, so as to remain relevant to the current political scenario, which ironically is of its own making, given its parliamentary treachery of the No- Confidence Motion, and the ensuing consequences of national and regional elections to be held on March 2, 2020.

It would seem that lies! Lies and more lies are being sourced from the bottomless chasm of vile deception and evil plots, that are daily conceptualised in the sleazy corridors of the Robbstown House.

“Land grabbing”, that is, accusing particularly Afro-Guyanese of being involved in massive illegal stealing of land schemes, has now become one of its major cesspool acts, designed to create the perception of such a category of Guyanese as thieves and political opportunists, while concomitantly accusing the government of ethnic cronyism.

It would seem that the PPP/C, as a political party, has not learned from the recent judicial award in favour of Mr. Charles Ceres, for a similar act of defamation to character, uttered by Bharrat Jagdeo, and disseminated by his agent, the Guyana Times.

This latest foul accusation, with some known suspects as its disingenuous movers, is clearly another deliberate contrivance, designed to distract the electorate’s attention from the PPP/C’s criminal record of governance. For how could those evil scandal mongers, not know that the 10,609 acres, had been granted to the Mc Agriculture Trading and Investment Services (MATIS) since 2014, for forestry services? Of course, they knew, but did not object then, but crookedly used the opportunity to smear and defame when the entity decided to venture into agriculture diversification, and applied for permission to do so in 2016.

Let me remind Bharrat Jagdeo, giving just one example of lands given to friends and cronies of the PPP/C at peppercorn prices - GuySuCo was getting ready to seal a lucrative deal through the sale of just over 100 acres of land at Liliendaal, East Coast Demerara, to Housing Construction Limited (a Trinidadian Company) but the process was halted by the Jagdeo government. A document titled Privatization in Tables Phase 11 (1993 to 2011) shows that those lands were basically gifted to Eddie Boyer. Boyer is the owner of National Hardware and a friend of Jagdeo’s.

The document was prepared by NICIL Director, Winston Brassington.

Page 38 of that document, item 61, showed that Boyer under the name of his company, National Hardware was sold 103.88 acres for $510M (US2.55M)—$4.9M per acre. The document showed that other buyers of land in Liliendaal paid way more than Boyer paid. For example, Scady Business Corporation paid $115M for 4.7 acres — $23M per acre. Even though the circumstances surrounding that sale are questionable, Boyer was essentially handed the lands at a gift price.

Editor, Jagdeo’s high class political vileness, calling for transparency about corruption and land grabbing would have been laughable if he were not making such serious allegations. Such vile accusations could have only emanated and be matched by a similar calibre of political operatives from the PPP/C, or their agents This is a continuous display of a political party that has become decadent and which walls, of four-fold deception, are gradually caving in on its detritus state. A legal challenge by Mr. Saul, to this latest act of PPP/C defamation, can only hasten the final collapse.

Regards, Aditya Panday

We can do better at protecting our earthly home Dear Editor,

THE hanging globe we live on is another year older.

“Happy Birthday to you. Happy Birthday, Mother Earth. Happy Birthday to you.” Sing along. Earth is our home.

How old is earth? It depends on who you ask. A creationist and an evolutionist will give different answers. A scientist and a Bible scholar will give different answers.

Who named our Earth? Its name comes from the old English and Germanic words meaning ‘the ground.’ Who or what created Earth? ‘In the beginning, God created the heaven and the earth, and the earth was without form and void.’ The other theory is called ‘Big Bang.’

What gifts can we give to Earth; a planet that sustains our lives. Air, land, water—essential elements for the human race. Food from the soil and the sea. Oxygen from the atmosphere and the trees. Shelters with wood, rocks, bricks, marble. Precious metals and jewels are harvested from Earth.

We can do better at protecting our Earth home. Some elementary schools support “Our Amazing Earth curriculum.”

We need to teach the young how to take care of our planet.

Nature is a learning playground. “A nation that destroys its soils destroys itself. Forests are the lungs of our land, purifying the air and giving fresh strength to our people. ”—Franklin D. Roosevelt Clean Up the World, established in 1993, is a not-forprofit, non-government apolitical event that unites communities with a common focus to protect the environment.

Clean Up the World has engaged an estimated 35 million volunteers across 133 countries, making it one of the largest community-based environmental campaigns in the world.

Community groups, schools, businesses, and local governments join as Members and carry out activities that address local environmental issues. By facilitating local action, Clean Up the World brings about global environmental change. www.cleanuptheworld.org.

Earth Day is April 22 of every year. April 22, 2020 will mark 50 years of Earth Day. www.earthday.org. Earth Day Network is the world’s largest recruiter to the environmental movement, working with more than 75,000 partners in over 190 countries to drive positive action for our planet.

The United National General Assembly has recognized “the

GPSU would formally write the IDB on this matter

Dear Editor,

THE Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) notes with concern, indeed anger, an article published in the Guyana Times News Paper of December 28th, 2019, headlined ‘Guyana Govt.

Services most corrupt in the Caribbean – IDB’.

Out of an abundance of caution THE GPSU begins by wondering aloud as to whether the attribution of such a remark to the IDB is accurate.

Thereafter, and assuming that the attribution is accurate, the GPSU wishes to politely

enquire into the basis of the assertions since same would presumably have derived from verifiable facts which would afterwards have had to set against identical criteria in the rest of “the Caribbean.”

From its own vantage point as an important supporter of Guyana’s development projects, the IDB would be aware of its own accountability criteria and the attendant effort that continues to be made to have its material support for local projects attended by strict compliance criteria. It would, as well,

not be unaware of the very public posture taken by both His Excellency President David Granger and the Honorable Minister of Finance Winston Jordan on the issue of accountability. From our standpoint the GPSU has publicly set its face against corruption in the state sector and continue to respond thoroughly to such allegations, as and when they arise.

While we readily concede that challenges persist in this regard we believe that such assertions as are made in the aforementioned article are altogether without verifiable.

If indeed such reckless and unproven remarks are indeed attributable to the IDB, then we respectfully submit that a withdrawal of same attended by a public apology are in order and should be issued with due haste. The Union seeks the cooperation of the IDB in making available a copy of the Report of the survey purportedly conducted. Further, the GPSU would formally write the IDB on the matter.

Regards, Dawn Gardener 1st Vice-President For President

right to safe and clean drinking water and sanitation as a human right that is essential for the full enjoyment of life and all human rights.” Since the 1992 Earth Summit, safe drinking water has been made available to some 1.7 billion people around the world. The International Decade for Action, ‘Water for Sustainable Development,’ started on World Water Day, 22 March 2018, and will end on World Water Day, 22 March 2028.

What can you do to help our Earth in 2020? Volunteer with a cleanup group. Teach your children not to litter.

Watch National Geographic with your family and engage in ongoing conversations about our amazing planet. Checkout www.kids.nationalgeographic.com. Cleanup behind yourself when you visit a park. Use a reusable water bottle.

Recycle ink cartridges. “When the last tree is cut and the last fish killed, the last river poisoned, then you will see that you can’t eat money.”—John May, The Greenpeace Story Happy Birthday, Earth!

Regards, Melissa Martin, Ph.D

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, January 1, 2020

e p o H f 2020 o s e g a s s e M PNCR: May prosperity come to every home, family THE People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) extends greetings for a Happy New Year to all Guyanese at home and in the diaspora. As the year 2019 fades into history, we welcome 2020 and the Decade of Development, 2020-2029.

On this, the first day of the new year, it is our hope that all of us will realise a measure of prosperity in our personal lives and that each of us, wherever we may be, will endeavour to make some contribution, however small, to the development of our country.

This year, 2020, General and Regional Elections will be held in Guyana. Our party and its partners look forward to your continued support as we continue working towards the good life for all. Guyana is now a petroleum-producing state and we are working towards becoming a “green” state, a digital state and an education nation.

The PNCR calls on all Guyanese, regardless of race, ethnicity, political affiliation or religion, to participate in bringing about the transformation of our country so that Guyana’s vast resources may, at last, be made to serve the imperative for development and social advancement of all the people of Guyana. The PNCR, therefore, looks forward to participating, as it has successfully done in the past, in the continuing drive for the peaceful development of this dear land of ours.

The party wishes all Guyanese a very Happy New Year and looks forward to 2020 with optimism and hope. May God Bless our nation as we strive to provide a Good life for all Guyanese!

IAC: make 2020 a peaceful and progressive year THE Indian Action Committee (IAC) wishes all Guyanese a Happy and Prosperous New Year. ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, The IAC recognises that 2020 is very significant, given the fact that General and Regional Elections, which the organisation expects to be free and fair and free from fear, will be held early in the year.

The IAC, in 2020, wishes to see greatly improved sea defences along the most vulnerable areas of the coastline of Guyana that are under constant threat by the rising Atlantic Ocean; enforcement of the traffic laws by the Guyana Police Force to ensure safer road use and reduction of vehicular accidents and road fatalities; immediate reform of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission which continues to suffer from numerous complaints, especially by small miners who are allegedly being constantly victimised; the unacceptable behaviour of the Guyana Power & Light Inc which has foisted innumerable blackouts on the people of Guyana and unsteady electrical supply which has resulted in fires and damage to and/ or destruction of appliances.

The IAC wishes to inform all Guyanese, especially those of Indo-Guyanese origin, that 1st January 2020, is the 100th anniversary of the cancellation of all indentureship contracts that were in existence up to that time, thus brining the indentureship system to an end. The IAC will continue to pursue vigorously its three foci: cultural, educational and social work. The IAC encourages all citizens and leaders to make 2020 a peaceful and progressive year in which the economy experiences growth and development.

CCWU: the trade union must speak with one voice The Clerical and Commercial Workers Union (CCWU) extends happy New Year to our members.

Trade unions are facing more complex challenges than they did in the 20th century. These challenges demand leadership, which is enlightened, dynamic and focused. These challenges also demand trade unions’ involvement which must be proactive, informed, prepared to influence social and economic policy, ready to find alternative solutions, new strategies and reach out to its membership with new services.

Given the challenges which globalisation and the neoliberal model are creating for the labour market and the economy of the Caribbean, the trade union movement needs to speak

with one voice. To be heard and respected, we need an enlightened leadership supported by an informed membership prepared to confront these new emerging challenges. As the issues become more complex, Guyana needs to be prepared to form alliances with other small unions so as to be able to achieve our goals. The time is opportune for small unions such as the CCWU, UAAWU, NUPSE and GLGOU to take initiatives to bring about the reduction of trade unions in the county. Over fifteen (15) odd unions are far too many and our activities are too demanding. If we are to be equal to the tasks and pressures which will confront our unions now and in the year 2020, mergers will have to be effected to the numbers, providing us with the opportunity of strengthening the main trade union centre, the Guyana Trades Union Congress and putting ourselves in a position to effectively deal with the problems which inter-alia are: recalcitrant employers; globalisation and the neoliberal model; foreign trade and investment; the effects of new technology and the environment on working-class peoples; political development; the problems of women and youth in our society and the problems of the old and indigent.

Yet we know only too well that where there is no vision the people perish, as late President of the CCWU Gordon Todd reminded us, “What sin did the CCWU commit but the sin of militancy? The sin of being a champion for the workers; of remaining free of all political affiliation; criticising all those who trample the workers’ rights.”

Trade unions in Guyana must take the lead, they must become proactive and one of the tools necessary for achieving this strategic direction. Without a plan or a present-day vernacular or without a road map, trade unions cannot be expected to effectively fulfil our role in the ever-changing labour environment. Trade unions in Guyana need to plan in order to accomplish all these tasks: mapping out strategies; trying new approaches; changing the ways in which they operate; finding new modes of organizing; improving their profile, so that they are appealing to women, young workers and knowledge-based workers. Happy New year to the working class people, let us celebrate 2020! ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

UN Secretary-General: Keep thinking big, keep pushing boundaries From here at the United Nations, I join you in welcoming the new year.

We enter 2020 with uncertainty and insecurity all around. Persistent inequality and rising hatred. A warring world and a warming planet.

Climate change is not only a long-term problem but a clear and present danger.

We cannot afford to be the generation that fiddled while the planet burned. But there is also hope. This year, my New Year’s message is to the greatest source of that hope: the world’s young people.

From climate action to gender equality to social justice and human rights, your generation is on the frontlines and in the headlines. I am inspired by your passion and determination. You are rightly demanding a role in shaping the future.

I am with you.

The United Nations stands with you – and belongs to you. 2020 marks the 75th anniversary of the United Nations. We are launching a Decade of Action for the Sustainable Development Goals, our blueprint for a fair globalisation. This year, the world needs young people to keep speaking out. Keep thinking big. Keep pushing boundaries. And keep up the pressure.

I wish you peace and happiness in 2020. ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

WPA: Guyanese should benefit directly from the expected oil wealth THE Working People’s Alliance in wishing all Guyanese a happy and prosperous new year again urged that citizens benefit directly from the expected oil wealth.

“This coming year promises to be a defining moment for our country. It will be our first year as an oil- producing nation and that brings with it new challenges and possibilities for our beloved country,” the WPA said. According to the party, this is an exciting time to be a Guyanese. “For the first time since independence Guyana would have access to resources to be able to address the myriad challenges our country has faced, thanks to our long history of bondage and exploitation.”

The coming oil and gas dispensation would forever change Guyana as we know it. With God’s guidance and prudent leadership, our country can be transformed into a space where all our citizens will be able to enjoy a life bereft of poverty. This is a very significant area for us in the WPA. As a party in and out of government we are deeply committed to the liberation of the poor and the powerless, the working people, from the shackles of poverty.

It is our considered view that our first order of business should be wiping the scourge of

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, January 1, 2020

. . . f o 2020 s e g a s s e M

poverty from the face of Guyana. This can be achieved firstly through the elimination of unemployment and the creation of jobs which pay a living wage. The right to work is a human right that any government worth its salt should strive to guarantee all its citizens.

Further, the WPA believes that the Guyanese people should benefit directly from the expected oil wealth. Towards this end we have proposed and will continue to champion direct cash transfers to households. We feel this policy measure would greatly help with the alleviation of poverty as all Guyanese, regardless of ethnicity or social class, would be guaranteed an additional income to use as they see fit. We have every confidence in the ability of Guyanese to put that money to good use.

WPA believes that in addition to full employment and cash transfers, all Guyanese should be afforded a quality education, from nursery to university. In this regard, we support government-subsidised education or free public education, improved wages for teachers and modern classrooms as central to a revolution in our education system.

WPA embraces a strengthening of the capacity of the state to deliver the best services to citizens, but above and beyond that we feel the state should be strengthened to be the defender and protection of the rights of citizens and the guardian of our sovereignty as a country. It is our view that the state must first and foremost invest in the people, in particular, the youth which makes up the majority of the population.

All the above stands a better chance of becoming a reality under the stewardship of the right government. The WPA therefore urges Guyanese to vote for the return of the APNU+AFC Coalition to office. As a party committed to shared governance, we see the coalition as a step in that direction. We urge Guyanese to vote against one-party government and give the broadbased coalition a second chance.

WPA does not believe that the coalition reached its full potential during the first term, but we feel it has done more than enough to deserve a chance to finish its work. We make a special appeal to the youth and to those skeptical voters. Use your vote—do not spoil it by staying away from the polls. Your vote is your voice and your voice must be heard even if you are not fully satisfied. So forward to 2020 with confidence and purpose; the promised land beckons.

Again, the Working People’s Alliance wishes you a new year full of growth and happiness. ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

GPSU: ‘We must maintain our independence in 2020

IN a short while, here in Guyana we will be transitioning from 2019 to 2020 and that occurrence often is accompanied with expectations and wishes for improvements in one’s well-being, accomplishments and undertakings.

These expectations must be premised on the reality that they are achievable. It is in this context that I consider it necessary to reflect on the history of the Guyana Public Service Union, its objectives, its struggles for the working class and significant achievements. The Guyana Civil Service Association, as the Guyana Public Service Union was originally called, is a “good organisation” and its founding fathers were men of vision and foresight. The union was established and became effectively operational before the existence of any political party in Guyana, to name a few: the People’s Progressive Party, the Peop’s National Congress, The United Force and the Working People’s Alliance.

The CSA/GPSU paved the way for Guyanisation of the public service, elevating qualified Guyanese to the higher echelons of Public Service positions that were reserved for British citizens. The Civil Service Association/Guyana Public Service Union cleared the way for Guyanese women to be able to have careers in the Guyana Public Service after marriage or after giving birth. The GPSU, the successor of the CSA fought for the unification of the Guyana Public Service, eliminating all open-vote positions which allowed the holders to enjoy formal employment with entitlement to superannuation benefits and the amendment of the Guyana Constitution to have enacted the creation of a Public Service Appellate Tribunal. Thus, public servants have an avenue for redress from the decisions of the Public Service Commission.

The most recent achievement in 2019 has been the recognition of Sweepers/Cleaners to join the public service, thereby formally being granted formal employment. The struggles to date have been long and hard and made difficult by backward and unenlightened political conduct. The GPSU often took a stance and in response was faced with severe anti-trade union retaliation – for example, the termination of the check-off of union dues and agency fees; amendment to the trade union laws to make it more difficult to enforce or more primitive; abuse of authority and lawless, de-recognition of the union, as well as obstructing the process of recognition; the flouting of laws and denying benefits that are fully merited. Many of these difficulties exist to date and ways must be found to eradicate them. ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

2020 Looking ahead:

In the new year there are opportunities for enormous progress in national development with the discovery of oil in massive amounts which definitively will boost our economy.

Secondly, National and Regional Elections which the Guyanese population would be totally in charge of and must accept responsibility for the outcome and consequences.

Members, we must continue to maintain our independence as a union in 2020. We will continue to struggle for a living wage, we will continue to demand genuine, free collective bargaining; we will continue to demand that all outstanding recognition be granted, for example, the Revenue Authority which has been outstanding since 2001. We will continue to pursue upward review of travel allowances, which have not been reviewed since 1995 and all other inadequate rates of allowances that are being paid to you, our members. We will vigorously pursue protection for our members who are asked to travel in unsafe and uninsured vehicles; we will demand conducive work environments for all of our members in compliance with the

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requirements of the Occupational Safety and Health Act. The fulfilment of the long outstanding promise of a day care centre near work locations for members’ children. We would pursue the raising of the tax threshold and lowering of tax rates and reduction of the Value Added Tax and taxes on petroleum products. We will pursue more sponsorship for members for career development. It is the desire of the GPSU that the Guyanese peoples’ approach be peaceful, mature and responsible and actions must be based on facts. Fundamentally, we should not let anyone or anything affect our efforts to be a people in unity and protecting each other’s safety. We must be respectful of each other and stand in defence of one another and put an end to all exploitation of the working class and demand to be treated with dignity.

With open minds and objectivity let us unite, being closer than ever and strive for the best for all of our brothers and sisters, and the entire Guyanese citizenry. Members, as you return to work on Thursday, 2nd January, 2020, be motivated, energised and committed to the delivery of an enhanced quality public service in the national interest. ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

PPP wishes Guyanese a peaceful, prosperous 2020 The People’s Progressive Party (PPP) extends best wishes to our Guyanese brothers and sisters both at home and in the Diaspora, for a peaceful, prosperous and productive 2020.

Over the past year, the Guyanese people have witnessed the government resorting to every legal and arithmetic at their disposal to hold on to political power and avoid facing the Guyanese people in an election that is now long overdue.

Happily, by the end of 2019, they have been left with no choice but to name a date on which the Guyanese people will be given a chance to elect a government of their choice. The dawn of 2020 is also an occasion for guarded optimism in our country. We start this year as the world’s newest oil producing nation. In order for the benefits of this development to be enjoyed by all of the Guyanese people, the gross mismanagement of the sector by the incumbent APNU/ AFC government will need to be remedied. Their sad legacy in the sector comprises abject failure to put in place an effective regulatory framework and local content policy, as well as badly negotiated contracts that do not serve the national interest.

The PPP’s commitment to the Guyanese people for 2020 and beyond is to bring responsible economic management not just to the oil and gas sector, but also to all of the traditional and other new and emerging sectors of our economy. By ensuring a truly diversified and robust economy, Guyana will soon be joining the fold of prosperous nations of the world and, with good government, every single Guyanese person will benefit from this prosperity. For this promise to be realised, the Guyanese people will be required to make an important choice in March 2020. The incumbent government continues to engage in shallow sloganeering, promising a “decade of development”. The emptiness of this promise is best illustrated by their abject failure to deliver on that other shallow slogan that they have been parroting for the past five years, as “the good life” is yet to be enjoyed by anybody but themselves and their close cronies. ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Change Guyana: ‘Don’t let race divide us’ The beginning of a new decade is upon us. People all across the world are hopeful about the possibilities ahead and are excited to build on the success they have achieved.

For Guyanese, however, this is sadly not the case. After 53 years of independence we are still battling the scourge of poverty and underdevelopment, sustained by incompetent, visionless leaders; widespread corruption and broken systems. Successive PPP and APNU/ PNC governments have failed us all, failed our youth, failed our women, and failed our economy.

Yet our abundant natural resources present tremendous opportunities. We must firstly, however, embrace change, and not allow the politics of race, scarcity and deception to lead us into another decade of being left behind. An election is imminent, and yet another opportunity for you and I to choose leaders who will fix Guyana, or leaders who will give us yet another five years of underdevelopment, high taxes, joblessness, poor infrastructure, and the same old ethnically divisive politics.

This new decade will present enormous economic opportunities in the emerging oil and gas sector. Let’s seize this opportunity to strengthen our economy around oil and gas with Value added developments in agriculture, mining, forestry, Information Technology, and other sectors that will provide high paying jobs for our youths and rekindle their hope of a bright future in their country.

The Team of Change Guyana provides Guyanese the opportunity to ignite our economy and put Guyana among the league of progressive countries. We will address the current oppressive taxes and put more money in your pocket, and bring incentives for businesses and investors. We have a pragmatic, private sector driven, people focus agenda that will create jobs across Guyana, bring low cost financing for homes and businesses, end blackouts, fix our poor infrastructure and establish a first world healthcare system. Join myself and Nigel Hinds and the team of Change Guyana on this critical mission to reverse underdevelopment and build a society that will fulfill its promise to you and your family. Join us to change Guyana’s direction and restore national pride and unity. Join us to make businesses flourish across Guyana and bring back lost jobs. Join us to ignite the creativity, innovation and hope of our young people. Join us and support our Guyanese first policy to ensure that all our resources are exploited in the best interest of all Guyanese.

May this new year bring you and your family peace, security, happiness and prosperity. May God bless you and bless Guyana.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, January 1, 2019

Chinese president delivers 2020 New Year speech, vowing to achieve first centenary goal

B

EIJING, Dec. 31 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday delivered a New Year speech in Beijing to ring in 2020, pledging to achieve the first centenary goal of building a moderately prosperous society in all respects in the "milestone" year.

Xi pledged to lift all rural residents living below the current poverty line out of poverty and eliminate poverty in all poor counties.

"The year of 2020 is crucial in winning the anti-poverty battle," Xi said.

"The clarion has sounded.

We must work together and work hard... to secure a victory in the battle against poverty."

Xi also extended best wishes to Hong Kong and

Hong Kong compatriots.

"The situation in Hong Kong has been everybody's concern over the past few months," said Xi. "Without a harmonious and stable environment, how can there be a home where people can live and work happily!" Xi said. "We sincerely hope for the

best for Hong Kong and Hong Kong compatriots."

A prosperous and stable Hong Kong is the aspiration of Hong Kong compatriots, as well as the expectation of the people of the motherland, he said.

Noting that there are both peaceful and eventful times in history, Xi said that

Chinese President Xi Jinping

"we are not afraid of winds and rains, or any kind of difficulties."

He said China will unswervingly follow the path of peaceful development, safeguard world peace and promote common development.

"We stand ready to join hands with people around the world to actively build the Belt and Road, push for the building of a community with a shared future for humanity, and work tirelessly to create a better future for humanity," Xi said.

China-LatAm ties boast brighter future, say experts MEXICO CITY, Dec. 29 (Xinhua) -- China-Latin America ties saw fruitful results in 2019 and the relationship boasts brighter future thanks to the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), experts have said.

Speaking to Xinhua, scholars in the region believed that the BRI is generating a lot of interest in a region that has traditionally lacked the infrastructure to promote development.

"China is expected to participate much more actively in the region's economic transformation," said Juan Angel Cordero, a Cuban expert in international relations, adding that China's cooperation with Latin American countries will be multidirectional.

Colombian economist and journalist Enrique Posada said he expected the BRI to have a positive impact on ties between China and Latin America in the next decade.

"I see the Belt and Road Initiative as a wide-reaching megaproject," Posada said.

Proposed in 2013, the BRI aims to build trade and infrastructure networks connecting Asia with Europe and Africa on and beyond the ancient Silk Road routes.

It comprises the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road.

So far, the BRI has become a platform of opportunities and a road to prosperity for all its participants. China has signed cooperation agreements with more than 160 countries and international organizations.

"Latin America is the natural extension of the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road," Posada added.

Guillermo Holzmann, a political analyst and professor at the University of Chile and the Adolfo Ibanez University, believed that ties between China and Latin America can lead to concrete winwin cooperation.

China is seeking cooperation "without intervening in the internal politics of other coun-

tries," Holzmann said. Calling China "without a doubt the engine of the global economy," Brazilian economist Elias Jabbour said that China has the economic and financial conditions to bring prosperity to Latin America.

Workers of Western Brazil Operation and Maintenance Center of Chinese company State Grid Brazil Holding carry out an assignment on a transmission tower in Itumbiara, Brazil, July 24, 2013. (Xinhua/Weng Xinyang)

China economic growth not losing steam: top economic planner B

EIJING, Dec. 30 (Xinhua) -Growth of the Chinese economy will remain steady, firmed up by strong economic fundamentals and long-term resilience, said the country's top economic planner.

The 6-percent GDP growth in the third quarter of this year was by no means a sign of lost momentum, as it was achieved off a larger economy size, the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) said in a statement on its website, adding that China's GDP in 2018 grew by the size of its entire economy in 1997.

Amid a global economic slowdown that prompted international organizations to lower their growth estimates for 2019 and 2020, China's economic expansion is expected to be the fastest among all economies larger than 1 trillion U.S. dollars.

Macroeconomic fundamentals offer more evidence of stability, with 12.79 million new urban jobs created in the first 11 months, exceeding this year's target.

Per capita disposable income in the first three quarters rose 6.1 percent, faster than that of per capita GDP, while energy consumption per unit of GDP growth kept retreating during the same period.

A flourishing consumer market and ongoing structural upgrading have proved potential engines for continued growth, according to the statement.

With a middle-income population of over 400 million, China is nurturing a multi-layered consumer market where upgraded demand helps boost the quality of products and services. Besides, there are still untapped markets for consumer durables and public services.

Structural upgrading continued apace, with the service industry playing an increasingly larger role and investment in sectors like high-tech manufacturing expanding faster than the industry average.

The NDRC said China is confident and capable of maintaining steady and sustainable economic growth over great resilience, strong impetus and huge potential.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, January 1, 2019

Natural Resource Ministry to establish grievance desk THE Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) has announced that a grievance address desk will be established at the ministry to frontally address complaints

and issues within the sector this month.

In the meantime, all complaints made will continue to be addressed by the ministry and related agencies.

City Hall’s Chief Constable sacked CHIEF Constable of the Georgetown Mayor & City Council, Andrew Foo, was, on Tuesday, sacked by the Council.

According to information reaching the Guyana Chronicle, Foo’s 30-year service to the council was allegedly terminated over the issue regarding the movement of the Council’s finance, in his personal vehicle, during the early part of 2019.

It was reported on July 16, 2019, that money that belonged to the council and that was to be transferred to the Council’s Treasury, from the market, was found in the Chief Constable’s vehicle bearing licence number PVV1405 for quite some time.

In his defence, at the time the money was found, Foo indicated to the Mayor and Councillors, at a statutory meeting later in the month of July 2019, that he made contact with the mayor, town clerk and other relevant authorities about what he had found. The money was being kept in the vehicle, PVV1405, for quite some time because the vehicle that was normally used for that purpose had experienced mechanical failure. The Local Government Commission had launched an investigation into the matter. However, efforts to reach the Mayor, Town Clerk (ag) and the chief constable himself, for a comment on the dismal, proved futile.

According to the ministry in a statement, MNR wishes to thank those who have supported and contributed to the work of the office and its agencies, namely the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission, the Guyana Gold Board, and the Guyana Forestry Commission.

“While on the trajectory

of development for the sector and the country as a whole, it is understood that not all will be perfect. Nevertheless, the MNR and the mentioned agencies under the leadership of the Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman, have worked to ensure that the sector is not only utilised for

individual benefit, but that it is managed and developed sustainably, to ensure its longevity for the nation,” the ministry noted.

With this having been said, the MNR also thanked those who raised concerns within the sector.

“These help to shape how

the MNR moves in addressing and preventing sectorrelated issues from occurring. The minister and staff once again thanks all for their contributions as Guyana rises -- from potential, to prosperity!” the statement from the ministry concluded.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, January 1, 2020

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, January 1, 2019

‘GECOM will deliver free and credible polls’ …President assures security forces will ensure environment of public order President David Granger has once again assured that the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) will deliver free, fair and credible elections March this year and that the security forces will ensure an environment of public order and stability.

In his New Year’s Day message the Guyanese Leader reminded that elections are this year and that the proclamations – dissolving parliament on 30th December 2019 and designating 2nd March 2020 as Election Day have been signed already.

“We will have the opportunity to elect representatives to the National Assembly and Regional Democratic Councils. The free exercise of our franchise will determine who we choose to manage the affairs of state over the next five years,” President Granger said.

He told the nation that General and Regional Elec-

tions provide the opportunity for the election of leaders to govern the country during an era of high-levels of economic growth and human development. “Political parties will be mobilised fully; the population will turn out in large numbers; the Elections Commission will deliver free, fair and credible elections and the security forces will ensure an environment of public order and stability before, during and after the elections.”

President Granger said it is fitting, also, to iterate Guyana’s intention to strengthen its resolve and augment resources to protect the country’s national patrimony.

“We expect that the controversy between the Cooperative Republic of Guyana and the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela will be resolved, peaceably, by the International Court of Justice. This course of action is in accordance with Guyana’s view

that a judicial settlement is the best means of achieving a final and definitive settlement of the long-standing controversy by reasserting that the 1899 Arbitral Award is valid and binding upon Guyana and Venezuela,” President Granger said.

He said the year, 2020, will be an unforgettable year. “It will demand diligent and dutiful service from all to attain the common good. We should be satisfied that the plans which have been laid out for the next five to ten years will culminate, inevitably, in our homeland becoming a land of happy people, happy families, happy households and happy communities. I extend best wishes to every Guyanese for a happy and prosperous New Year – one which promises to be the most exciting and exhilarating in our nation's history,” the address ended.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday January 1, 2019

Essequibo businesspersons encouraged to participate in trade fair in India INDIA High Commissioner to Guyana, Dr. K J Srinivasa has urged Essequibo businesspersons to participate in trade fairs and business exhibitions in India to grow and expand their businesses.

He extended the invitation during an address at the Essequibo Chambers of Commerce and Industry (ECCI) Annual Dinner in Anna Regina, Region Two, on Saturday.

Speaking to members of the business community, residents and executives of the chambers at the Anna Regina Town Council Hall, High Commissioner Srinivasa said the organisers of the trade fairs in India usually offer free air tickets and local hospitality to businesses who are participating.

He said once the fairs are available, the High Commission to Guyana usually sends invites to the chambers of commerce and industry across Guyana.

“This is one area we can work together to enhance the business environment in Guyana,” Dr. Srinivasa said.

He also recognised the thriving coconut industry in Region Two during his visit to the Pomeroon River and said he will try to arrange for a delegation from India’s Coconut Development Board to visit Guyana and conduct seminars with the aim of sharing knowledge on the latest technology in the sector.

The Indian High Commission believes the seminars will expose the region to new methods as to how the coconut tree could be fully utilised.

INDIA AND GUYANA RELATIONS

Dr. Srinivasa said Guyana and India continue to share friendly and cordial relations.

“Both the governments support each other at international fora and collaborate in various fields. Economically, Guyana already enjoys tremendous support from India and India is happy to strengthen the level of collaboration in the future,” Dr. Srinivasa said.

Region Two Chairman, Devanand Ramdatt, during his brief remarks, called for unity to move the Pomeroon Supenaam Region forward. He said the lack of unity and co-operation from elected government officials are hampering the development of the beautiful agriculture region.

He, therefore, advised the business community to continue to work with the chambers to promote economic stability in the region. He also commended the efforts of the ECCI members and said every year the dinner is not only getting bigger,

but better as well.

He also called for the establishment of a University of Guyana campus as well as improvement in the ferry and utility services in the region.

ECCI President, Roopan Ramotar, said the Essequibo is the ideal place for investment, especially in the coconut industry and eco-tourism. He noted that the region’s crime rate is low which is encouraging for business.

He also spoke at length on the value of the coconut industry and appealed to businessmen and farmers to diversify as against focussing only on rice cultivation.

According to Ramotar, the coconut industry is profitable and believes that more acreage of lands throughout Essequibo can be utilised for coconut cultivation.

He pledged to continue working with the business community and government to move the business sector forward.

At the end of the dinner, several executive members were awarded for their kind contribution towards the ECCI. The Indian High Commissioner also presented two gifts to the president and vice-president of the ECCI. Accompanying the high commissioner was Counsellor of Commerce, Vijay Kumar.

New CARICOM Chair outlines priorities for 2020 GEORGETOWN, Guyana, Dec 31, CMC – Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley is taking over the chairmanship of the regional integration movement, CARICOM, confident that the 15-member grouping is on the right path towards a brighter socio-economic and political future for the Caribbean.

Mottley, who officially takes over the position on Tuesday, succeeding St. Lucia’s Prime Minister Allen Chastanet, said “our very history has been one of struggle but one of success” and it is against this backdrop that “we can take a fresh look at the path we would wish to set for ourselves and our children, using a term that is no doubt familiar to us all.

“It is my sincere wish that our approach to the advancement of our people in every country of the Caribbean Community would be characterized by a level of clarity that is usually associated with 2020 vision.” Mottley, the first female prime minister in Barbados, said the region’s process has therefore been one that has moved from generation to generation of committed Caribbean people, to the building of a regional integration movement that “will allow us always to work to provide the best lives possible for our people.

“Lest we be influenced by those who would only see a half empty glass, rather than one that is half full, may I remind us all that the European integration movement

started on April 16, 1948 so as we enter the third decade of the 21st century they too are still working to perfect that union, despite having far more resources than we have ever had in the Caribbean. “I pray, therefore, that 2020 will strengthen us to run our leg of this regional integration relay race with confidence.

I pray that as leaders of the Caribbean Community we will work to give our people renewed confidence and inspiration to help us run this leg, while staying focused on achieving the next phase of critical progress.”

In her New Year’s message, Mottley said that Caribbean leaders “are duty bound to continue this journey across the Community whether as a collective of the whole or in twos and threes where we are gathered in a way” that will achieve success in various aspects of the integration movement.

She said she is hoping for the removal of the obstacles to passport-free movement between regional countries making it easier “for Caribbean people to go and work where there are opportunities in the Community in a way that is hassle-free in the same way that we have done it for the movement of capital”. She said that in keeping with the late Barbados prime minister Errol Barrow’s vision, “the reality of our people must not only be a lived reality but also a legal reality.

“The Caribbean Community must lead the world in shaping an environment

within which migrants among us can live and work with dignity. After all, our modern settlement in the Caribbean has been nothing but that of a community of migrants”.

Mottley said that CARICOM must truly advance the process of a single domestic space for transport and communications in the region by working to provide more affordable and reliable air and sea links between the countries and also to establish a single domestic rate for telecommunications and phone calls within CARICOM; In addition, it must work with the private sector and the labour movement to provide further opportunities beyond transport and communications, to food security, to opportunities in the blue economy or renewable energy and Information Communication and Technology (ICT) as well as opportunities for investment and for employment. “Enable us as we face the climate crisis, to pool the funds of the region in order to be able to finance our own development trajectory for sustainable development so that we may adapt to the new realities of the climate crisis.

“This will require us coming up with innovative instruments that will better allow us to access the capital that we are not now accessing at a global level. Let us remember that those who help themselves will always be helped by others but we must help ourselves first by pooling our own resources.”

CARICOM Chairman, Prime Minister Mia Mottley

She said her message, in essence, is that 2020 “can and must provide the platform for a positive spirit of hope and optimism and a fierce determination to come together as Caribbean people to purposefully carry forward the transformation of our region into a space that truly values, nurtures, and provides concrete opportunities for every Caribbean man, woman and child to run our leg of this relay”.

But she warned that “our pathway toward a better life for our people will not open up the opportunities we seek if we focus only on ourselves and our region. “While we look ahead, we must do so

fully cognizant of the advances we are making in claiming our Atlantic destiny as a region as we reach out to our brothers and sisters on the African continent,” Prime Minister Mottley said, adding that “we have already started discussions at the highest levels on the African continent with people with whom many of us share a common ancestry and history and who, like us, recognize the imperative of mutual cooperation as we go into 2020”.

She said CARICOM has accepted the offer of shared office space from the Kenya government in Nairobi. “We need to open it urgently and advance our interests in the

city that is indeed the home of the UN Environmental Programme and UN Habitat both of which deal with issues that are vital to our own development in the Caribbean Community.”

She said within the next six months, “we will also work towards jointly hosting the first ever African Union-CARICOM Summit.

“We need to resolve as a region that we will not leave that gathering without laying the foundation for tangible progress in areas of direct air and sea access across the Atlantic, greater trade in goods and services, and more cultural exchanges between our regions.”

Mottley said that the Caribbean people could fulfil their dreams if they too adopt the initiative “we have embraced in Barbados. “We have designated 2020 as the year in which we will work together to perfect our finer vision for all Barbadians, regardless of where in the world we live.

We can only become better as Caribbean people if we hold to the maxim—Dare to dream; and always be determined to deliver. “But as we seek to use this year 2020 to perfect a finer vision for our island in Barbados, as we gather parish by parish, I want now to ask each of us as Caribbean people to do the same for where we want to go and who we want to be as Caribbean people for 2020 must be where we can perfect that fine vision,” she added.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, January 1, 2019

President Granger deserves -Benschop a second term Given the APNU+AFC government’s impressive track record since assuming office in 2015, social activist, Mark Benschop, says the coalition, led by President David Granger, deserves a second term in office.

Benschop, who felt the wrath of the Opposition Peoples Progressive Party (PPP) when that party was in office, told the Guyana Chronicle, on Tuesday, that a number of things are on the table at the 2020 elections, as he noted that, “it is the most important elections in the history of Guyana.” He noted the country’s oil wealth as a critical factor at next year’s polls.

Going back in time, Benschop, who has always been vocal on topical issues, noted that at the 2020 polls, the situation is quite different when compared to 2015.

He said prior to 2015, the country was perforated by deadly drug-lords, extra-judicial killings were frequent, citizens were tortured

while political opponents were jailed on ‘trumped-up’ charges.

He added that the judicial system was seen as shamelessly corrupt for the most part, the Guyana Police Force was infested with corrupt ranks from top to the bottom, while some government ministers openly harmed citizens.

Benschop noted that depleted health and education sectors, rampant high seas piracy were among the bleak instances the citizenry faced under the PPP. He listed numerous other instances which he noted painted a dark picture of Guyana, including attacks on the media and the shutting down of TV stations by the PPP. “I’m speaking from a position of a victim of the PPP and Bharrat Jagdeo and as a former political prisoner for five years who lived in solitary confinement,” Benschop said, adding that the situation continued under Former Pres-

Mark Benschop

President David Granger

ident, Donald Ramotar.

He said that with Jagdeo pulling the strings under PPP Presidential candidate Irfaan Ali, Guyana will be in a disastrous state if that party is to return to office.

As he noted Ali’s dismal track record as Housing Minister as well as the 19 charges he faces in the courts, Benschop said that Guyanese should avoid the country being in the hands of individuals whom he said, have destroyed the country and who do not have the best

interest of Guyana at heart.

He also spoke of the “birth of many political crusaders and presidential candidates” whom, he noted, suddenly ‘popped out’ of the woodwork.

To this end, he noted the record of these “great pretenders” especially the likes of the Presidential candidate of A New and United Guyana, Ralph Ramkarran.

According to Benschop, Ramkarran has suddenly awakened as a “champion for democracy,” noting that

he never showed interest in democracy while he served as Speaker of the National Assembly and as an executive member of the PPP. Benschop said he has nothing against Ramkarran or any other party member, but he noted that the former speaker is not the ideal person to be President.

He said he has no qualms with small parties but from the bunch he sees, he believes that most of the members have personal axes to grind, they possess no vision and have entered the political race as though it is beauty pageant where they are out to model and parade the stage with no substance.

Benschop said when one takes an objective look at the political scene and the APNU+AFC coalition government’s performance since 2015, while it is not perfect and putting aside the minor glitches largely as a result of poor public relations and a few self-serving officials,

topping the list of his admiration for President Granger is the fact that he is not known to be corrupt.

He said that the President never owned wrong doings, he has no record of jailing political opponents and his administration has improved Guyana’s health and education sectors.

Benschop said that Granger’s respect for public servants, his government’s restoration of the rule of law and freedom of speech without intimidation, provocation or physical harm, and the fact that he is a “President of all Guyanese” it is his honest view, that the President deserves a second chance.

The APNU+AFC will launch their campaign on Friday at Durban Park and President Granger is listed as the featured speaker at the event as the multi-party group works towards being re-elected at the March 2, 2020 polls.

PSC fires former SWAT Boss Dookie

THE Police Service Commission (PSC) has terminated the service of former SWAT Unit boss, Motie Dookie, two years after he was intercepted at a roadblock in Corentyne, Berbice, while allegedly attempting to smuggle thirty

cases of Johnny Walker Whiskey.

Dookie, whose career and reputation have been dogged by controversy, was dismissed by the Police Service Commission (PSC) on Monday. The former officer’s dismissal comes exactly two

years after he was intercepted at the roadblock. Dookie, who was serving as Head of the SWAT Unit at that time, pleaded his innocence and claimed that he did not have knowledge of what was in the vehicle, after which the bus driver claimed owner-

Former SWAT Unit boss, Motie Dookie

ship. He was subsequently sent on leave by then acting Commissioner of Police David Ramnarine. The former law enforcement officer then approached the court to challenge the decision to send him on leave, citing the fact that only the Police Service Commission had the authority to do so. He was successful in his bid and was reinstated sometime after, since there was no PSC in existence at the time.

Additionally, the court ordered the then acting Commissioner of Police, David Ramnarine, and Attorney General, Basil Williams, to provide financial compensa-

tion to Dookie. The PSC was subsequently commissioned and retired Assistant Police Commissioner Paul Slowe was identified to head the Commission. Almost immediately, the PSC began examining matters involving officers of the Force, including Dookie’s. A decision was then taken to have the former SWAT boss be demoted from Deputy Superintendent to Assistant Superintendent of police. Dookie joined the Force as a constable and moved through the junior ranks before becoming a Sergeant. He was then sent to pursue the Guyana Defence Force’s (GDF) Cadet

Officers’ Course which he successfully completed.

However, he was demoted to the rank of Sergeant and sent to an outstation after it was realised that there were discrepancies with the certificates he presented for enrollment into the Cadet Course. Dookie was then sent to serve at the Timehri Police Station, and while there another officer was shot with a weapon which Dookie had in his possession. However, the now relieved cop told investigators that the firearm went off while he was cleaning it, and, sometime after, the injured rank decided not to provide evidence against Dookie. Once that matter was dropped, Dookie continued in the GPF without bearing arms but was subsequently allowed to do so after intervention by a senior regional official from Region Two to then President Donald Ramotar. The weapon was returned to Dookie by then Commissioner of Police Leroy Brumell who was instructed to do same.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday January 1, 2019

GWI owed over $3 billion

…to take legal action against 300 customers

By Tamica Garnett THE Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) is owed over $3B in arrears from delinquent customers, and the company wants its money, with plans to take approximately 300 such customers to court, even as it already has some 40 ongoing cases in the High Court.

Though litigation is a last resort, getting Guyanese to pay their water bills using subtle methods continues to be a challenge for the company, so customers who owe in excess of $50,000 must pay up or face the courts. “We currently have about 300 customers from Regions Five, Four on the East Bank and East Coast to commence litigation against. About 3040 matters are currently in the High Court between Berbice and Georgetown. We also have lists from Region Two that came in recently that may be another 30–40 customers. So we have quite a heavy load to start 2020 with,” related GWI Secretary to the Board, Nigel Niles.

“We usually focus on cus-

tomers that owe in excess of $50,000 as a start. We issue demand letters to them, if they don’t respond then we move to the High Court. There are other customers that we try to use other methods of persuasion to get those customers to pay. The cost to take persons to court because they owe $10,000 or $5000 it’s not worth it, so we’re focusing on customers who owe more than $50,000 as a start, to see what kind of response we get from them.”

He was, at the time, fielding questions from the media, on Tuesday, at the company’s “Performance Review 2019” year-end press conference held at their Vlissengen Road Headquarters.

According to the review report, for 2019, the company was able to garner some $5.1B in revenues, which represented a 20 per cent increase from the previous year, however, the company’s expenditure continues to overpower its revenue, given its increasing needs to expand and develop services to customers. “We’re not at a profit as yet because we still have an outstanding debt of about

$3B for customers who haven’t paid,” shared GWI Managing Director, Dr. Richard Van-West Charles.

Van-West Charles explained that many of the customers owe arrears in excess of 90 days, one of the reasons the company shifted from billing customers in quarter year increments and moved to monthly billing. “We can see who paid their bills within 30 days, within 60 days, and who have gone beyond 90 days.

So we’re trying to shift people from 90 days to 30 days. There is a heavy debt of people who haven’t paid for more than 90 days, so we are concentrating on that,” Van West-Charles related.

With the utility effecting several advancement and developments including increasing the number of citizens with access to water supply, now more than ever, every dollar counts. It’s also important that the payments are made on time. “I have calls from customers saying they didn’t know we were going to disconnect for $3000. If we have 50,000 customers owing $3000, that’s a lot of money. It is important that

customers pay on the due date.

It is expected that customers pay their bills on time so that we can provide an even better service to customers across the country,” he declared.

“We have to ensure customers now pay on time. It is not a position that we can move away from we have to push ahead to ensure your payment is on time in order for us to move ahead and respond to the mission.”

Aside from non-paying customers, illegal connections is another challenge that continues to weight on the company’s resources, and one the company is also taking citizens to court over. “If you have a problem and you cannot sublet the supply. We have a number of illegal connections not necessarily by small people – by big people. The corporate secretary and attorney have been busy in the courts and we will continue to address the issue of illegal connection,” he pledged.

Dr. Van-West Charles explained that the company is also exploring the technology to be able to remotely disconnect delinquent customers, particularly because there are some areas

where customers do not take nicely to having their unpaid service disconnected, and get physical with the GWI disconnection staff.

“Some of the areas are highrisk areas, so we’re also looking at the introduction of meters that we can look at remote disconnection. Some of our crews have been attacked in some of these communities. And therefore we are in discussion with a company to look at the purchase of some meters that we can remotely disconnect,” Van-West Charles shared.

Aside from the mounting debt, Van-West Charles notes that the company is still striving to have the across-the-board equity in how customer are charged for the water supply they consume, particularly given that unmetered customers are using the most and paying the least.

“What is happening is about 70 per cent of the collections are coming from our metered customers, and the rest from unmetered. In terms of water usage, larger amount is used by the unmetered customers compared to that of the metered. So it is imperative for us to ensure that

there is equity in the system by metering customers. The level of service in the system will improve significantly with the 100 per cent metering. It would mean we have more in flows for us to do much more,” he explained.

“The metering is a still for us to have better efficiency. We have shown that once we complete the metering GWI will be able to respond to all of its suppliers on a timely basis. And if customers pay on time we don’t have issues, and we can even pay our staff better.”

The company acknowledges that inflexible and inefficient customer information and billing system remains a challenge, however, and plans to address this in 2020, using a number of technological methods including the replacement of customer information and billing system; the introduction to electronic meter reading; the introduction of bill payment via the GWI mobile app; the introduction of E-billing via email and looking at the regional bill production and dissemination of bills, instead of having that done at the central level, as currently obtains.

Bleak outlook for small parties

…leaders complain about lack of time, candidates as Nomination Day nears WHILE some small parties contesting the 2020 Elections have expressed confidence in completing their List of Candidates ahead of Nomination Day, others are scurrying for almost any form of coalition to remain relevant.

Presidential candidate of the Guyana National Service Party (GNS), Oral Semple, told the newspaper on Tuesday that that the GNS was almost at the mark.

“We’re already set for Nomination Day,” he said noting that the party is contesting all 10 Regions and had all its candidates save for some trouble in Region One. Semple said that several parties had approached for a coalition due their lack of sufficient nominees and these included Change Guyana and the Kingdom Liberal Movement (KLM). Change Guyana is led by businessman, Robert Badal, and Chartered Accountant, Nigel Hinds, while the KLM is a religious-based party led by Presidential Candidate, Bishop Linden Hercules. Back in November, Badal stated that his party was contesting in all 10 Administrative Regions and was confident that it would “find names for all the Regions”.

When Semple spoke with the newspaper, he said that he had been receiving calls throughout the day from the KLM and was moments from joining them at a location for a meeting. However, Semple said that he was leaning more on the side of Change Guy-

ana as KLM, like the People’s Republic Party (PRP) – another religious party – is not truly best for Guyana. “The demand that his Christian party is making, it doesn’t sound too healthy for Guyana. It doesn’t sound healthy. Their concept is not of politics, they are trying to push this one religious system and Guyana is not ready for a religious government because it’s going to be war,” he said.

Semple stated his belief that many of the parties, which are contesting the elections, are unlikely to amass the necessary candidates so he is not surprised that persons have begun to contact him. When it comes to Change Guyana, he stated: “[Badal] was trying to get on to us also because everybody knows about the Guyana National Service…I had already thought it in my mind to collate with him because he seems to be balanced.”

However, he admitted that there would be other snags as the GNS is not readily prepared to give up its presidential candidate spot for a party which may receive fewer votes than they do. Speaking with presidential candidate of the United Republic Party (URP), Dr.Vishnu Bandhu, he said the party’s list was 80 per cent completed and that he had turned down coalition requests from the likes of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C).

“The URP is not merging with no

political party,” he said. “Other political parties have called and asked us to come together and we said no. PPP called me but I never went. Bharrat [Jagdeo] had called me personally, I never went. Badal’s party had called me…but we are going alone, we’re not merging with nobody.”

While in past elections the party has not been able to accumulate enough votes for a seat in parliament, Dr. Bandhu said that in 2020 URP is confident that it will win “a few seats”.

Meanwhile, the Democratic National Congress (DNC), over a year later, seemed to still be living up to its label as a “one man party”. DNC presidential candidate, Craig Sylvester, grew famous for the wrong reason in 2018 when he launched his party at the National Library and one news reporter attended. On Tuesday, Sylvester told the newspaper that – although it registered with GECOM – the party had no candidates and was hoping that some form of a coalition would fix the problem.

“We are open to merges but so far we haven’t actually had any persons coming forward to join our slate but we expect it to change very soon because Guyana cannot go forward, parties cannot win just like that,” he said, noting that he hadn’t directly reached out to any party and would within the next few days.

Asked whether the party had gained a following since its 2018

Presidential candidate of the Guyana National Service Party (GNS), Oral Semple

launched, Sylvester answered indirectly. “Guyanese people are still looking at me and laughing at me as the one man party; you know I’m famous for that. But we cannot continue laughing because we are in a jam right now and our future is at stake…I expect a lot of support, it’s just that we are waiting on people to come on board,” he said.

The DNC leader is also unprepared to give up the presidential post to another party in the case of a merger unless that leader proves to be better than him.

He said: “I do not see any other person, whether it be of ANUG or LJP, I do not see any of these individuals offering better leadership than me as presidential candidate and I do not think that they can draw wide support…unless someone is more significant than I am, who I think can actually make a dent in the voters population.”

Just one week ago, the Guyana Chronicle was the sole attendee to the launching to the ‘Destiny to Oneness’ party which is also contesting the elections.

TCI OPTIMISTIC For their part, The Citizenship Initiative (TCI) representative, Ruel Johnson, presented

Presidential candidate of the United Republic Party (URP), Dr.Vishnu Bandhu

a more optimistic position that the party was about 75 per cent complete. This, he said, was not due to a lack of interest but to the TCI’s careful selection process which takes care to include a large percentage of women and youths. However, he noted that it has been challenging to secure candidates in the interior regions even as he pointed out the period between Nomination Day and Elections Day is shorter this year compared to others. Other challenges he pointed out were that the party heard that people in the public service were being told not to sign up as candidates and during the GECOM field verification process representatives of a “major party” pretended to be GECOM staff to get persons to fill out their nomination lists.

Johnson said that while TCI has been approached by a number of parties, it still is looking to contest the polls alone. Recently, two parties contesting the elections, A New and United Guyana (ANUG) and Federal United Party (Fed-Up), faced with limited support, teamed up with hopes of making a bigger difference. Other parties the Guyana Chronicle reached out to without success was the New

DNC presidential candidate, Craig Sylvester

Movement (TNM), while parties such as the Organisation For the Victory of the People, Horizon and Star, National Congress of Progressive Peoples Alliance, the Cooperative Republicans of Guyana and the Guyana United Democratic Party (UDP), hadn’t any readily available contact information online.

“There are parties that arise out of the political and social situation in the country, and then there are parties that are formed around elections time, and I think a lot of the newer parties that you’re seeing now are parties that are formed around the election time, which means that they are formed just to contest the elections,” Working People’s Alliance (WPA) Executive Member, Dr. David Hinds, said in an invited comment back in October 2019.

The sentiment has been shared that serious political parties should not be waiting until an election period to emerge, and must have more going for them than simply being a “pressure group”.

Nonetheless, Nomination Day is still on track for January 10, 2020 and the venue has been confirmed for the Umana Yana

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, January 1, 2019

97% of coastlanders tap potable water …GWI says coverage in hinterland at 85% …added 24, 000 households to network in 2019

By Tamica Garnett WITH the drilling of an additional 28 wells, the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) has introduced over 24,000 people for the first time to potable water in 2019, which now sees 97 per cent of the coastland population and 85 per cent hinterland population, in Guyana, having access to water in their homes Coverage was greatly increased in 2019, following over $260 million in investments in infrastructure, which included over 45 km of mains and pipelines being laid.

Moreover, over 75 per cent of Guyanese receiving potable water now receive 24 hours of supply. This brings the total to over 102,000 people who have been connected for the first time by the GWI for the period 2015 – 2018.

New installations had peaked in 2016 with 40130 new services, when four new wells were drilled. Six new wells were drilled in 2017, bringing 12767 new services, while nine wells were drilled in 2018 bringing 23635 new services to residents all across the country.

Managing Director of the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) Dr. Richard Van West- Charles highlighted these facts as he spoke on the company’s key achievements for 2019, during the company’s “Performance Review 2019” at a press conference held at the company’s Vlissengen Road Headquarters on Tuesday.

“Never before in the history of this country has there been this type of experience in terms of drilling wells.

And I want to thank the staff

for their hard work. Our mission is to ensure that there is 24-hour supply across the country, even in the case of the hinterland, where we are using photovoltaic systems.

Demerara-Mahaica; Potaro Siparuni; Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo; and Upper Demerara-Upper Kwakwani Regions. Van West-Charles stressed that in the delivery of

was established for hinterland services, with retrofitting expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2020. In Barima Waini, new wells were drilled at Kamwatta, White-

GWI’s Dr. Richard Van West-Charles

Dr. Van West-Charles (left) and Minister of Social Protection Amna Ally turn on the tap to signal the commissioning of the Moco Moco Water Supply System last month

We’re seeking to have trestles there, so that when there is no sunlight, we can use gravity to feed water to communities,” Dr. Van West-Charles related.

Many Guyanese, who for years languished without potable water to their communities have been receiving the service, at massively increasing rates since 2016, and the progress is scheduled to grow even more in 2020, with the company’s acquisition of two state-of-the-art drill rigs, among other necessary equipment.

The 24,125 first-timer services installed in 2019 covers work across six of the country’s ten administrative regions, namely in the Barima Waini; Essequibo Islands-West Demerara;

new water services, emphasis is placed on bridging the gap of inequity between the hinterland and the coastland. In 2019, most of the hinterland regions major developments took place in Regions One, Seven, Eight and Nine, with 20 photovoltaic systems installed across the four regions.

BRIDGING THE GAP “This is a manifestation of the challenge thrown out to us by His Excellency President David Granger, in terms of addressing the inequities between hinterland and coastland. So we see for first time access how we have significantly improved, and we will continue to improve,” Dr. Van West-Charles said.

A new quality mini-lab

water, and Baramita, while there was also an upgrade of the water supply system at Port Kaituma. In Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo, 16 new wells drilled providing access to more than 5000 residents for the first time, across 15 communities, including Lethem. In Potaro-Siparuni, there was the installation of a water filtration system at the Kato Secondary School, installation of a potable water supply system in Paramakatoi; drilling of a new well, installation of distribution network, installation of submersible well pump, and installation of service connections at Campbelltown. In Cuyuni-Mazaruni, the Bartica water treatment plant was upgraded.

Another area of focus

for the utility company, Van West-Charles noted, are public education and health facilities. “Particular importance is seeking to ensure all schools, all hospitals and health facilities have water.

We have found, in many cases, a number of health facilities not having adequate supply. Visits this year to one health facility we found a sink with connection to nowhere,” Van West-Charles informed.

“These are the changes we need, and the challenges that we have, but are committed to address. We are working collaboratively with the RDCs (Regional Democratic Councils) and the NDCs (Neighbourhood Democratic Councils) and the other sectors like the Ministries of Education and Health to ensure that we get to a different place in this dear land of ours,” he further said.

The company is striving to not only increase its quantity but also its quality. Some 66235 water quality tests were completed in 2019, a drastic increase from the 12530 that were conducted in 2018.

Major water treatment plants at Diamond on the East Bank, Uitvlugt on the West Coast, and Sheet Anchor, in Berbice, were completed, and are in the final phase of testing, and are expected to be commissioned shortly.

One hundred per cent of the

Dharm Shala centenarian passes away on Old Year’s Day DHARM Shala’s oldest resident, Iris Agatha Brewster, passed away early Tuesday morning, after living at the institution for over 60 years, more than half her life.

Brewster was admitted to the home by the late Harry Ramsaroop, after explaining her dilemma to him, many decades ago. In her early years, Brewster was a dancer on stilts and known as Mother Sally.

She was described as a vibrant soul, the rainbow which always brought happiness to the other residents and staff in the institution. She will be greatly missed.

Ms. Brewster on her 100 birthday in January 2019

commercial complaints received by the company in 2019 were resolved within the timeframe.

Van West-Charles explained that the massive development being made by the company are the result of deliberate strategic steps taken to maximise production.

The company is currently working with a five-year Strategic Plan which covers the period 2017-2021. “The Plan was developed within the context of the (UN) SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) and Guyana’s Green State Development Strategy,” Van West-Charles noted.

The company has also made major developments of its human resource, with a number of training for staff over the past months.

Over 800 members of staff, or some 70 per cent, were trained in the core operational and commercial activities of the company, such as well-drilling, geo-physical technology usage, and OSH safety, among others areas.

Several management staff attended a conference in Jamaica, on the CDB/IDB contributions to the finalisation of the “Regional Strategic Action Plan on Governance & Water”. Notwithstanding the development, however, Van West-Charles shared that the company still continues to face a number of challenges, which include inefficient Customer Information & Billing Systems; Untimely payments of bills by customers, reaching remote communities; the aged state of the Georgetown network; and the inconsistency of materials provided by suppliers in meeting the standards of the Guyana National Bureau of Standards.

“GWI continues to strategically address operational and commercial challenges, which it has been facing over the years,” Van West-Charles said.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, January 1, 2020

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, January 1, 2020

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, January 1, 2020

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UK firm awarded contract to review Payara Field development

A FOUR-MONTH contract for consultancy services to support the Oil and Gas Project Development Evaluation for the Payara Field offshore Guyana has been awarded to United Kingdom (UK) based company, Bayphase Geologists, Engineers and Investment Analysts Limited (Bayphase Ltd.).

The Payara Development project, located in the eastern half of the Stabroek Block, will see the drilling of up to 45 development wells which could take up to five years, with drilling set to commence this year and initial production by early 2023.

In a release, on Tuesday, the Department of Energy (DE) stated that Bayphase Ltd. was selected from an evaluation of 11 Expressions of Interest (EOI’s) received in October 2019 from international firms. A team of evaluators largely exclusive to the DE selected Bayphase Ltd. as the highest ranked evaluated firm and the firm was then invited to submit a Technical and Financial Proposal.

This is in keeping with the Procurement Plan of the Guyana Petroleum Resources Governance and Management Project (GPRGMP) and the Procurement Method

of Consultant’s Qualifications Selection (CQS). The Combined Evaluation Report and the recommendation for Contract Award were subsequently approved by the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB).

Back in September, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL), a subsidiary of ExxonMobil, submitted its Energy Information Administration (EIA) on the Payara Development Project to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

The project marks EEPGL’s third development field in the Stabroek block off-

shore Guyana and targets 180,000 to 220,000 barrels of oil per day with anticipation to produce approximately 5,700,000 to 6,600,000 barrels of crude oil per month.

The DE stated: “Under this consultancy, Bayphase will provide advisory services and technical support to the Government of Guyana through the Department of Energy as Guyana seeks to rapidly build out its in-house technical capacity. The project covers such areas as an in-depth review of the Payara field development plan, environmental impact assessment and supporting documents.

It also includes on-the-job

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, January 1, 2019

Location of the Payara Project Development Area within the Stabroek Block

training for Guyanese and preparation of draft national FDP guidelines.”

During the period, the EPA, DE and Guyana Geology and Mines Commission Petroleum Division (GGMC-PD) will receive training. “It is expected that this consultancy will

help to advance the DE’s strategy in rapidly building national capacity and in levelling the playing field between state actors and the highly experienced international private sector operating in Guyana’s petroleum sector,” the Department said.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, January 1, 2019

Four to be conferred with ‘Silk’

HAVING considered their high quality of service in the legal profession, and with confidence in their knowledge of the law, His Excellency Brigadier David Granger, President of the Cooperative Republic of

national symbol, alongside other national symbols. The honour of Senior Counsel defines our national identity and is a professional badge that distinguishes attorneys of erudition, experience and expertise,” he said.

Attorney Stanley Moore

Attorney-at-law Jamela Ali

Attorney Roysdale Alton Forde

Guyana is pleased to announce the appointment of four long-serving legal practitioners as Senior Counsel with effect from January 1, 2020.

The four attorneys are: Ms. Jamela Ayesha Ali, Mr. Murseline Bacchus, Mr. Roysdale Alton Forde and Mr. Stanley Moore. In January 2017, after a 20-year hiatus, President Granger elevated nine legal luminaries to the status of Senior Counsel and has since pledged to ensure that these honours are conferred annually.

In conferring the honour on five members of the legal fraternity earlier this year, President Granger had stressed that the title is not a personal favour nor a political reward but rather, it is conferred on the basis of merit and is uncontaminated by arbitrariness or capriciousness.

The President was at the time speaking at a luncheon hosted

at the Baridi Benab at State House for Senior Counsel: Mrs. Shalimar Ali-Hack, Mr. Stephen Fraser, Mrs. Carole James-Boston, Mr. Robert Ramcharran and Mr. Rajendra Nath Poonai. “The title of Senior Counsel is not a personal favour or a political reward but, rather, is conferred on the basis of merit and is uncontaminated by arbitrariness or capriciousness.”

The President also has said that while the parchment with which they have been presented may fade with age, the honour which it represents will fortify their profession.

“Your preferment will enrich your practice with the passage of time. Public approbation will strengthen public trust and confidence in the legal system. Silk may become threadbare, but scholarship will never perish. The conferral of the title – Senior Counsel – is a proud tradition reserved for members of an honourable profession who have distinguished themselves as being ‘…learned in the law.’ The honour of Senior Counsel, though not formally a part of our national honours system – which is governed by its own Constitution of the Orders of Guyana, – is a

Attorney Murseline Bacchus

President Granger also noted that the conferral of the honour, traditionally, was exclusively a royal prerogative and the authority for making such honours is vested, almost invariably, in Heads of State.

He added that the Constitution and laws of Guyana do not prescribe how Senior Counsel are to be appointed. Instead, prerogative of preferment in this republic is reposed, by practice, exclusively in the President. President Granger also said failure to confer these awards would constitute a dereliction of these duties and the ceremony must remain a convention of good government and must be part of the culture of a good society.

Further, he noted that women, for the first time, have been duly awarded for their work and years of service in the field of law since the resumption of Senior Counsel appointments. “The

conferral of the honour of Senior Counsel has become balanced. Three women who are ‘…learned in the law’ were conferred with the title in 2017 – the first time in our history that women were so recognised.

Another outstanding female attorney-at-law was appointed a Senior Counsel last year. This year we honour two eminent female members of the profession.

The conferral of the honour of Senior Counsel will not lapse under my presidency. The award, prior to its re-introduction in January 2017, was conferred rarely and irregularly in the preceding three decades; it has now become annual. The nation encourages you to continue, through precept and practice, to serve your country, your clients and your profession.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, January 1, 2019

‘Drug mule’, recruiter get three years

A 36-year-old woman who was busted with over G$1.1M worth in cocaine in her suitcase at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), and her alleged recruiter, were, on Tuesday, December 31, 2019, each sentenced to three years nine months in prison and fined G$3.5M

by Magistrate Faith McGusty, after they were found guilty.

Shellon Barrow, 36, of 35 Victoria Street, Al-

bouystown, Georgetown and Kristy Griffith, 39, of Pike Street, Kitty, Georgetown, appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.

Barrow denied the charge which stated that, on September 15, 2018, at the CJIA, Timehri, she trafficked 1.638 kilograms of cocaine.

Barrow’s alleged recruiter, Griffith, was charged for aiding her to traffic the cocaine between September 14, 2018, and September 15, 2018, at the Sunset Hotel in

Kitty.

Magistrate McGusty stated that, throughout the trial, Barrow gave numerous contradicting stories about the Cocaine. She added that, after going through the evidence that was presented by the prosecutor, she was satisfied that both Barrow and Griffith had knowledge of what they were doing and the video footage showed them willingly participating.

“I am sorry that the kids will have to go through this

(from left) Kristy Griffith, Shellon Barrow

but I have to make an example of you guys. Look at the value of the drugs. If you guys were successful, you would have, one day, used

the kids to do the same. I feel if you have the kids under your care you may one day use them to traffic drugs.”

Magistrate McGusty said to

the women.

According to information, on the day in question, Barrow was intercepted while attempting to board a flight with the cocaine concealed in false walls of her suitcase.

It is alleged that Griffith dropped the suitcase with the alleged narcotics off at the hotel to Barrow. CCTV footage was retrieved from the hotel along with confession statements from both women.

Man sentenced for discharging firearm at rank TWENTY-FIVE-year-old Kevin Allicock of James Street, Albouystown who was charged with discharging a firearm at a rank of the City Constabulary, was, on Tuesday, December 31, 2019, sentenced to 12 months in prison by Magistrate Annette Singh.

Magistrate Singh, at the end of the trial, stated that she found sufficient evidence against Allicock.

Hence, she sentenced him to 12 months in prison.

Particulars of the charge

stated that, on August 15, 2019, at Orange Walk Bourda, Allicock discharged a firearm at City Constabulary rank, Brent Walcott, with intent to maim, disfigure or cause bodily harm.

According to information, at the time of the incident, Allicock was seen attempting to scale the fence of the Bourda Market when he was seen by constable Walcott. The constable raised an alarm and Allicock jumped from the fence, pulled a gun from his waist

and fired three rounds in Walcott’s direction.

The court also heard that the rank was armed at the time and returned fire, but Allicock made good his escape. Shortly after, the rank received information about Allicock’s whereabouts, and a party of City Constabulary ranks went to Hadfield Street, where he (Allicock) was found hiding under a bridge.

He was arrested and later charged.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, January 1, 2019

Igloo Ice-cream customers win cash EIGHTEEN lucky Igloo customers will start the New Year with extra money in their pockets after winning a total of $180,000 in cash in the Igloo Cash Reward promotion.

The winners’ names were pulled at three drawings held this week at Igloo outlets located at the East Bank Public Road, Stabroek Market and Enmore, East Coast Demerara with winners for the months of November and December.

Marketing and Promotion Supervisor at Sterling Products Limited, Dellon Lynch, explained that the customers who shopped at any Igloo outlet in November and December had the opportunity to submit their names for a chance to win cash for the holidays.

Lynch added that while

this is the first ‘Igloo Cash Reward’ initiative, the company has consistently held promotions to reward customers. He added that by supporting the Igloo brand, “You win both ways, you get the best ice-cream plus you win cash for the holidays.”

He continued, “Sterling is all about giving back to its customers because we love you and we want you to have the best. Also, we want you to enjoy yourself. We want to see more and more persons winning.”

The winners of $15,000 cash awards are: Candaice Ames, Malikai Boodhill, Keshia Radlins, Carol Jordan, Jaclin Blair and Manawattie Badrinarain. The $10,000 winners are D. Dannet, Laurel Boodie, Claire Johnson,

GPL workers get 8.5% salary hike for 2019 …company and union sign agreement

A MEMORANDUM of Agreement for revised wages and salaries for junior and senior employees of the Guyana Power and Light Inc. was, on Tuesday, signed between Guyana Power and Light Incorporated (GPL) and National Association of Agricultural, Commercial & Industrial Employees (NAACIE) at NAACIE’s Head Office in Kingston.

The agreement follows negotiations that commenced in early December between GPL’s management and NAACIE. Negotiations concluded amicably with both parties agreeing to an increase in salary and wages of 8.5 per cent retroactive to January 2019. During Tuesday’s signing, in the

presence of and witnessed by the Chief Labour Officer, Mr. Charles Ogle, Department of Labour, Ministry of Social Protection and other GPL-NAACIE representatives; Mr. Dawchan Nagasar, the General Secretary of NAACIE, expressed his appreciation of the manner in which negotiations were conducted in 2019. He also conveyed the union’s commitment in advancing improved relations with GPL. In closing, GPL’s Divisional Director, Human Resources, Mr. Bal Parsaud, noted that GPL remains committed towards maintaining cordial negotiations with NAACIE to further improve working conditions and benefits for employees through collective bargaining.

Marlon King and Entini James. Meanwhile, the six winners of $5000 each are Hermenie Pellew, Nandanie John, Richard Lovell, Nneka Bentick, Janet Mayers and Joeann Jackson.

A customer at the Stabroek Market Branch pulls the name of a lucky winner in the ‘Igloo Cash Rewards’ promotion drawing, coordinated by Marketing and Promotion Supervisor at Sterling Products Limited, Dellon Lynch

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, January 1, 2019

Over 600,000 on Revised Voters List

THE completed Revised List of Electors (RLE) for the 2020 General and Regional Elections has been published and includes the names of 661,378 eligible voters, over 90,000 more than the 2015 RLE. The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) published the List on its website on Tuesday for public scrutiny, while posting to GECOM locations countrywide is set to be completed by January 4, 2020. The list will remain in public view for 21 days, as is the statutory requirement, during which time members

of the Guyanese public and eligible voters are invited to review the list to ensure the details are correct.

The 2020 Elections is perhaps the most anticipated in the country’s history and will fiercely be contested by the country’s main political parties, the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) + Alliance for Change (AFC) coalition and the People’s Progressive Party/Civic(PPP/C).

The 90,000 on the List includes some 16,000 new registrants from the house-tohouse registration and claims and objections process. It also

includes those who will be 18 or older by December 31, 2019; Guyanese citizens by birth, descent, naturalization or registration; any possible citizens of a Commonwealth country living in Guyana for a period of no less than one year preceeding December 31, 2019 who wish to be a part of the electoral process.

Where persons find that changes requested during the previous processes were not made, they are required to visit the registration office in their area to inform and update accordingly.

The final product will be

the Official List of Electors (OLE) which will be used for voting come March 2, 2020. Leading up to this, the Commission put all efforts into ensuring eligible voters do not stand the chance of being disenfranchised, through means such as publishing the names of over 18,000 persons who have failed to uplift their National Identification Cards, some for as long as 11 years.

As of December 2, 2019, the total number of ID cards collected stood at 805. While those who fail to collect their cards will not be barred from voting on elections day, the

Commission had raised concerns about failure of the persons in question to present themselves as existing.

The newspaper was informed that the commission is once again considering causing the names to be highlighted on the OLE for greater scrutiny on elections day. After meeting with President David Granger and Ministers of

the Government recently, GECOM Chair, Justice (ret'd) Claudette Singh and the six Commissioners gave the assurance that GECOM is on track for the March elections. In turn, the President pledged Government’s full support towards the body's work in ensuring free, fair and credible elections are held.

Jealous lover kills youth at girlfriend’s home

Dead: Kyle Chase

KYLE Chase, 23, of Lot 234 Mc Allen, South Ruimveldt, Georgetown, died from stab wounds during a fight with the ex-lover of a female friend on Monday.

The fight occurred at Lot 123 Mazaruni Street, Guyhoc Park, Georgetown.

The suspect, a 24- year -old of James and Victoria streets, Albouystown, received a wound to the head and is hospitalised under guard at the Georgetown Public Hospital.

Reports indicate that the victim, along with his cousin, Trevon Chase, was at the home of a female friend playing cards when two males

Injured: Trevon Chase

visited.

One was identified as a former lover of the female friend. He was allegedly enraged at seeing Kyle Chase at the house and an argument and scuffle ensued.

The suspect allegedly stabbed the victim several times with a sharp object. He was taken to the Davis’ Memorial Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Trevon Chase and the suspect who were also injured, received medical attention and were discharged. The matter was reported to the police and an investigation is underway.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, January 1, 2020

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, January 1, 2020

31 FROM

Veteran PAGE 32 pace pair... it did not affect as many it could.

“It was frustrating, but it has happened now and hopefully the illness has now passed the camp and we can all be fighting fit and ready to go for Cape Town and bounce back very quickly from this match.” (Cricket. com.au) South Africa v England 2019-20 First Test: South Africa won by 107 runs Second Test: January 3-7, Cape Town Third Test: January 1620, Port Elizabeth Fourth Test: January 2428, Johannesburg First ODI: February 4, Cape Town (D/N) Second ODI: February 7, Durban (D/N) Third ODI: February 9, Johannesburg First T20: February 12, East London Second T20: February 14, Durban Third T20: February 16, Centurion

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, January 1, 2020

FROM

Veteran PAGE 35 pace pair...

South Africa as a mystery bug hit the squad.

Several were quarantined, including Ollie Pope, who missed out on playing, while Archer and Broad battled to be fit in time for the opening Test.

In addition, Stokes’ father suffered a stroke soon after arriving in Johannesburg to watch his son play but is now out of intensive care.

“We are not going to hide behind that as an excuse, but a lot of our squad have been taken ill over the last two weeks,” Root said.

“We’ve had to deal with a lot; Ben (Stokes) in particular with that horrible thing with his father.

“So there has been a lot thrown at the squad over the last weeks and I think everyone has tried to deal with it as best they can.

“There are certain things you try to control but some that you can’t.

We’ve done very well that TURN TO PAGE 31

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, January 1, 2020

Fruta Conquerors, GDF battle for $2M tonight … Santos, Police play for third place

THE 2019/2020 champions of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Super 16 Cup would be crowned tonight and would be $2M richer.

Set to battle for the historic Brass Aluminum & Cast Iron Foundry (BACIF)-minted trophy are reigning Elite League Champions Fruta Conquerors and the Guyana Defence Force.

Tonight’s third-place match features the losing semi-finalists Santos Football Club and the Guyana Police Force.

Not taking anything away from the Santos/Police clash, all eyes would be on the grand finale which is anticipated to be a humdinger of a clash between two sides who play a very fast-pace game. Fitness at this final hurdle would be critical in deciding which of the two gladiators would be lifting the first-of-its-kind trophy.

Bragging rights for the next 12 months are also at stake and it would be down to the level of fruitful offensive maneouvres created or executed by both teams that would make the difference tonight.

Conquerors, like GDF, would have scored a total of ten goals in their three matches to date with the former conceding the least, just a single goal while the soldiers’ goal have been breached on three occasions.

Both captains have expressed confidence in winning tonight and while that’s commendable, the reality is that only one team will walk away smiling, with the $2M cheque; the losers would not leave empty-handed as they would be collecting $1M. The huge task of delivering their fourth consecutive win in this knockout tournament for the Tucville-based Conquerors would be resting on the tournament’s leading goalscorer to date, Delon Lanferman, who has distinction of being the only player to have scored in every match. He has five goals including a hat-trick.

Ryan ‘Bum Bum’ Hackett, with three to date in-

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clusive of a double, will be another key component of the Conquerors attack as will Nicholas McArthur and Eon Alleyne, the other goalscorers.

Captain Vurlon Mills’ role in midfield as the chief engine room operator would be critical to Conquerors’ ambition of winning to seal the double having won the league.

Akel Clarke’s role in goal would not be easy tonight as the Army players would surely be firing shots in abundance; Trevor Jones, Quincy Adams, Jahall Greaves and Raphael Edwards would all have to step up and be formidable in the defensive third if they are to keep the GDF at bay.

The experience of Gregory ‘Jackie Chan’ Richardson would be called upon to help seal a win for the Fruta boys.

At the other end of the pitch, GDF have shown that even if they are put on the back foot, they possess enough firepower to come out all shots firing on the homestretch with lethal implications for their opponents.

They’ll be banking heavily on the likes of Benjamin Opara who is just one goal behind Lanferman in the race for the highest goalscorer and possibly the MVP prize which is one Honda 125cc motorcycle compliments of Marics Honda.

Opara has also scored a hat-trick. The other registered in the tournament came off the boot of Buxton United’s Dillon Wright. The GDF has shown some depth in terms of the number of players on target, which stands at seven (7) so far.

It means that Opara has able support that’ll come from Sherwin Caesar, Delon and Delroy Fraser, Olvis Mitchell, Colin Nelson and Travis Henry. The respective coaches, both with National experience, Sampson Gilbert (Conquerors) and Joseph ‘Bill’ Wilson (GDF) would no doubt be conjuring up the perfect plan that must be executed on the pitch in order to yield victory and the top prize.

The third place match is expected to have its fair share 10;40 hrs Milan Native 11:15 hrs Cheb De Kerviniou 11:45 hrs Fais Ton Chemin English Racing Tips Musselburgh 08:30 hrs Never Do Nothing 09:05 hrs Mighty Thunder 09:40 hrs Lake Takapuna 10:15 hrs Ashington 10:50 hrs Pammi 11:25 hrs Benny’s Secret

South Africa Racing Tips Scottsville 08:30 hrs Purple Pursuasion 09:05 hrs Bravo Zulu 09:40 hrs Angel Bouquet 10;15 hrs Williams Land 10:50 hrs Blush Of Dawn

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of fanfare with the combatants, Santos and the Guyana Police Force eyeing the winning prize of $500 000 apart from ending the tournament on a high having both encountered one blemish, having lost their semi-final matches.

Santos would take confidence from the fact that, apart from Conquerors’ one goal conceded, they have conceded just two while the Law Enforce-

ment Officers’ goal has been breached seven times.

Orin Yarde, Kester Jacobs and Lavaughn Eniss all have two goals apiece and will hope to increase that in taking their team to victory.

Combining with them would be Stephen Reynolds, Marcus Wilson, captain Kevin Dundas, Ryan Dowding and Sheldon Holder.

Police will depend on

Daniel Wilson, Trayon Bobb, Pernel Schultz and Jamal Harvey all with a pair of goals to date, as well as Colwyn Adams, Darren Benjamin, Jermain Junior, Stephan Ramsey, Travis Jones, Trevon Lythcott, Jamal Harvey and Kavis Fraser. Kick-off time tonight is 19:00hrs.

Sponsors who have contributed to the success of the

tournament are MACORP, NAMILCO, Tourism & Hospitality Association of Guyana, EC Vieira Investments, BACIF, Pegasus Hotel, BK International, Bakewell, Marics Honda, Impressions, China Harbour, 94.1 Boom FM, MVP Sports, Xtra Beer, BK International, Radar Security Service and Supplies and Sleepin International Hotel.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, January 1, 2020

Regional four-day cricket bowls off from January 9 …Trelawny Stadium in Jamaica to host two regional four-day matches after 11-year break

CWI director of cricket Jimmy Adams

CRICKET West Indies (CWI) has scheduled the fifth-round match between Jamaica Scorpions and Leeward Islands Hurricanes from February 13 to 16 at the venue, along with the

sixth-round match between the Scorpions and Guyana Jaguars from February 27 to March 1.

CWI director of cricket, Jimmy Adams, said the stadium is scheduled to stage a Twenty20 International in two years’ time and this was part of the process to get the ground in shape.

“It will be good to see the

Trelawny Stadium hosting regional cricket again after so many years with this effort from the Jamaica Cricket Association (JCA)to build its capacity in western Jamaica,” said Adams.

Only one West Indies Championship match has been played at the ground in the past, when current West Indies team opera-

tions manager Rawl Lewis led Windward Islands to a three-wicket victory over Jamaica in 2009.

The ground has staged five other first-class matches – two involving international teams touring the Caribbean, and three involving West Indies A and counterparts from Sri Lanka and England.

The stadium was completed in 2007 before the ICC Cricket World Cup 2007 West Indies and can seat 25,000.

Adams said he was excited about the forthcoming West Indies Championship season and working with the new West Indies senior selection panel – under chairman Roger Harper – to identify the next wave of players to stake their claims for the West Indies Test team.

“A new season is always an occasion for optimism as we expect performances from both established and rookie players within the system,” said Adams.

“I’m sure the new Selection Panel under Roger Harper will be keen to cast their eyes over this competition which will wrap up our 2019-20 cricket season.”

Guyana Jaguars are the five-time, defending champions of the Championship.

They open the tournament on the road, when they travel to Antigua to face Leeward Islands Hurricanes at the Vivian Richards Cricket Ground in a day/night contest played with a pink ball.

The Championship marks a decade since CWI were the first member of the ICC, cricket’s world governing body, to play a pink-ball match in its first-class competition, when Guyana and Trinidad & Tobago played from January 15 to 18, 2010.

Pink-ball matches have now become a standard part of the Championship and each team will play two of these

games – home and away – under the tournament format.

The other first round matches feature: Trinidad & Tobago Red Force battling Scorpions at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Trinidad, and Windward Islands Volcanoes tackling Barbados Pride at the Arnos Vale Cricket Ground in St. Vincent.

MATCH SCHEDULE (Play in all matches start at 10 am daily, except where indicated) ROUND 1 January 9 to 12 Hurricanes vs Jaguars – Vivian Richards Cricket Ground, Antigua (2 pm daily) Red Force vs Scorpions – Brian Lara Cricket Academy, Trinidad Volcanoes vs Pride – Arnos Vale Cricket Ground, St. Vincent ROUND 2 January 16 to 19 Scorpions vs Volcanoes – Sabina Park, Jamaica Pride vs Jaguars – Kensington Oval, Barbados Red Force vs Hurricanes – Brian Lara Cricket Academy ROUND 3 January 23 to 26 Jaguars vs Red Force – Guyana National Stadium, Guyana (9:30 am daily) Scorpions vs Pride – Sabina Park Volcanoes vs Hurricanes – Daren Sammy Cricket Ground, St. Lucia (2 pm daily) ***BREAK*** ROUND 4 February 6 to 9 Jaguars vs Scorpions – Guyana National Stadium Hurricanes vs Pride – Warner Park, St. Kitts Volcanoes vs Red Force – Windsor Park, Dominica

ROUND 5 February 13 to 16 Scorpions vs Hurricanes – Trelawny Stadium, Jamaica Pride vs Red Force – Kensington Oval Volcanoes vs Jaguars – Grenada National Stadium, Grenada ***BREAK*** ROUND 6 February 27 to March 1 Scorpions vs Jaguars – Trelawny Stadium, Jamaica Pride vs Volcanoes – Kensington Oval Hurricanes vs Red Force – Warner Park ROUND 7 March 5 to 8 Red Force vs Pride – Brian Lara Cricket Academy Volcanoes vs Scorpions – Grenada National Stadium Jaguars vs Hurricanes – Guyana National Stadium ROUND 8 March 12 to 15 Red Force vs Volcanoes – Brian Lara Cricket Academy (2 pm daily) Hurricanes vs Scorpions – Vivian Richards Cricket Ground Jaguars vs Pride – Guyana National Stadium (2 pm daily) ***BREAK*** ROUND 9 March 26 to 29 Pride vs Scorpions – Kensington Oval (2 pm daily) Hurricanes vs Volcanoes – Vivian Richards Cricket Ground Red Force vs Jaguars – Queen’s Park Oval, Trinidad ROUND 10 April 2 to 5 Jaguars vs Volcanoes – Guyana National Stadium Scorpions vs Red Force – Sabina Park (2 pm daily) Pride vs Hurricanes – Kensington Oval.

Duffin to become first elite player to avail CA’s new parental leave policy

JESS Duffin, the senior Australia cricketer, will become the first elite women’s player to be covered under Cricket Australia’s new policy on parental leave, after announcing news of her pregnancy to the cricket board.

The update also means that Duffin will not be in contention for a spot in the Australia team for the upcoming Women’s T20 World Cup, starting February 2020.

Although 30-year-old Duffin last represented Australia in 2015, she was named captain of the team of the season at the last WBBL after scoring 544 runs at an average of 68 for the Melbourne Renegades, making her a serious contender for a spot at the World Cup. Earlier this month, she had also turned down the

opportunity to represent Australia A in their upcoming tour.

Jess Duffin scored 544 runs for the Renegades in the WBBL (Getty Images)

“I found out when I was about four weeks (pregnant),” Duffin told AAP. “I was pregnant through the whole Big Bash. When those conversa-

tions came up (in the media about Australia selection) I thought, ‘well everyone is going to laugh when they find out’. Cricket Australia were obviously stoked, and were like ‘we know now why you didn’t play the Australia A stuff’.”

Under Cricket Australia’s new policy - developed in conjunction with the players’ association - Duffin will get a 12-month paid parental leave and have a confirmed contract for the next summer.

Until she gives birth - in July 2020 - Duffin will also be able to take up non-playing roles within Cricket Australia’s system, and is eligible to return to playing whenever she is ready. Duffin is a double-sport athlete who also represents North Melbourne in the AFLW.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, January 1, 2020

‘His mind works differently’ - Greg Chappell on Smith w e n t Chappell is head and shoulders above the ahead of

rest.

Steve Smith has entered Australia’s top 10 Test run-scorers

By Adam Burnett AS Australia’s talisman enters his country’s top 10 Test run-scorers, the man he overtook – Greg Chappell – looks at what makes him so special FORMER Test captain Greg Chappell has offered a fascinating insight into the mind of Steve Smith as the Australian moves into more exclusive territory among his country’s fellow batting greats.

Smith passed Chappell’s runs mark of 7 110 on day one of the second Test at the MCG with a comfortable single in the 51st over, moving into 10th position on Australia’s list of all-time Test run-scorers. Within that illustrious group, his average of 63.49 at the time he

AUSTRALIA’S TOP 10 TEST RUN-SCORERS Ricky Ponting | 13,378 @ 51.85 Allan Border | 11,174 @ 50.56 SR Waugh | 10,927 @ 51.06 MJ Clarke | 8,643 @ 49.10 ML Hayden | 8,625 @ 50.73 ME Waugh | 8,029 @ 41.81 JL Langer | 7,696 @ 45.27 MA Taylor | 7,525 @ 43.49 DC Boon | 7,422 @ 43.65 Steve Smith | 7,111 @ 63.49 (when reaching 39* in Melbourne) Smith had a year out of international cricket due to his involvement in Australia’s ball-tampering scandal in March 2018, and has since said the time away both refreshed him and provided him with a better perspective regarding his life as a professional cricketer.

He returned to Tests in a blaze of glory in this year’s drawn Ashes series, dominating to the tune of 774 runs at 110.57, and Chappell does not expect his remarkable run of form to end any time soon.

“I would think he’ll be

in his peak for another three of four years,” the 87-Test great told cricket.com.au. “He’s the outstanding player of his era, he’s playing exceedingly well and he’s built up a record which is comparable with the very best.

“The indications are he’s going to finish his career in the very top bracket of batsmen through the history of the game.”

While his bouts of insomnia before and during matches have become a part of the Smith legend, Chappell believes the 30-year-old’s obsessive – but optimistic – thinking about the game in fact serves him well.

“He doesn’t lie in bed worrying about getting out; he might be wide awake but he’s excited about batting, and thinking about how he’s going to make runs,” he said.

“Most players spend a lot of their time anxious about whether they’re going to make runs, and they hit a lot of balls to make up for that anxiety.

“Smith isn’t doing that. He genuinely loves batting, and a lot of that hitting balls (in the nets) is just filling up the day, waiting for the real cricket to start.

“But the real work is done in his room, inside his head, preparing himself for the bowl-

ers he’s going to face. That’s where he’s honing his knowledge; he’s seeing the bowlers bowl to him, working out the angles; so by the time he gets to the game, all he has to do is react.

“He’s unique in that way – he has a mind that works differently. It’s been brilliantly trained for his profession.”

Chappell has previously detailed the concentration methods that allowed him to effectively switch on and off as a batsman throughout a record-breaking career that keeps him in the conversation as Australia’s finest since Bradman.

As a selector and national talent manager across the past decade he has witnessed from close quarters the evolution of Smith, who he believes always possessed an insatiable hunger for batting but improved dramatically due to his mental development and experience on the international scene.

“His mind sets him apart,” Chappell says, “his ability to focus, his ability to work out bowlers and make runs in any conditions against any attack.

“He picks up the cues and clues better than anyone else.

He’s a better decision-maker than most. He’s got a hunger that comes from somewhere and has always been there,

and he’s developed his game through his Test career according to his experiences.”

Across a six-year period in which he has piled on 26 Test hundreds so far, Smith’s habitual fidgets and theatrical leaves have only increased, while the trigger movement as he prepares to play the ball has become more exaggerated. Those traits have earned him a reputation of being unorthodox - one that Chappell believes is inaccurate.

“I watch batsmen at the point of (the bowler’s) release – I don’t care what happens before then – and Smith’s idiosyncrasies disguise his orthodoxy,” he explains.

“Forget all the pre-movements – the dusting the pads, the touching the box – that’s all just window dressing.

SMITH VISION: SEEING THEM LIKE BEACH BALLS “Whether it’s something that just happens or whether it’s something he quite happily developed because it may distract bowlers, it doesn’t really matter; what matters is he gets into good positions at point of release and point of contact.

“They’re the same positions that all the players who have averaged 50 and above

in Test cricket have gotten into. I don’t think you could make the runs he has made by being as unorthodox as I’ve heard him described.”

Meanwhile, as Smith races up Australia’s Test run-scorers list, the place of Chappell within that group excludes his record in the ‘Super Test’ era between 1977-79 as well as the World XI ‘Tests’ against Australia in 1971-72.

Both series are feted as having produced some of the best and fiercest cricket in history and Chappell (whose record with those inclusions would read 8,950 runs at 55.59) feels it is time they were recorded as official Tests.

“I think they’re all part of one’s career and they should all count together,” he added.

“As far as I’m concerned I’ve got 31 Test hundreds and 8,900 runs at 55 or whatever.

“It’s not something I lie awake thinking about at night but it is hard to understand the intransigence that still exists in some quarters with regard to those records.”

In 2015, Cricket Australia officially recognised the World Series Super Tests statistics in a category of its own, though that move was not replicated by other national boards, nor the International Cricket Council. (Cricket.com.au)

Veteran pace pair not safe as England ponder changes ENGLAND may consider dropping one of Jimmy Anderson or Stuart Broad for the second Test against South Africa as the tourists assess their options following the 107-run loss in Centurion.

Joe Root’s side were without a specialist spinner for the opening Test of the series but conditions in Cape Town could lead to a change of tactics, which would leave one of their four specialist quicks from Centurion in danger of the axe.

With Jack Leach in doubt due to illness, off-spinner Dom Bess and uncapped leggie Matt Parkinson will come into the side if the pitch at Newlands calls for a major spin option.

Root says even the legendary duo of Anderson and Broad aren’t guaranteed their spots.

“If difficult decisions have to be made down the line then they will be,” he said.

“It’s a fine balance. You’ve got to look at the surface and at an attack you feel is best going to counter that and best counter the opposition.

“I think the ideal scenario is to have people pushing

them (Anderson and Broad) all the time, so that they’re constantly trying to improve themselves.

“They’ve got fantastic records behind them and they’ve produced fantastic things for England in the very recent past.

“You don’t want to wish those guys away or look back and think ‘we’ve forced Jimmy Anderson out’.

“You look at him physically and he’s in fantastic fettle and he’s got a brilliant record in these conditions.

Similarly with Stuart.”

Anderson finished with match figures of 2-116 in Centurion in what was his first Test since missing the bulk of the Ashes due to a calf injury.

Broad (who took 5-100 in the first Test) has been overlooked for three Tests in the past 18 months, two in Sri Lanka late last year and then again in the West Indies in early 2019.

But axing a seam bowler with 476 Test wickets to his name in traditionally pace-friendly South African conditions would be a major shake-up of the England side.

Left-armer Sam Curran (5-

109 in Centurion) and paceman Jofra Archer (6-167) completed England’s fourman pace attack in the first Test alongside seam-bowling all-rounder Ben Stokes (2-22).

Meanwhile, Root has refused to blame the virus that swept through the England camp for their first Test defeat and says a healthier touring team would be better placed

at Newlands.

THE BEST OF VERNON PHILANDER IN AUSTRALIA Eleven England players

and four support staff have been laid up at one time or another over the past 15 days since the side arrived in TURN TO PAGE 32

36

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, January 1, 2020

Relaince Sports Club feted with end of year evaluation

MEMBERS of Reliance Sports Club on the Essequibo Coast, well-wishers and special invitees witnessed the Club’s first-ever end-ofyear evaluation ceremony.

It was held last Saturday from 17:00hrs at the club captain Kameshwar Persaud’s residence in Reliance. The proceedings were chaired by former Essequibo Under-19 player and lecturer of the Essequibo Technical Institute, Dayianand Chaitram, who gave an emotional introduction of the Club’s history and performances.

He was proud to point out that the club achieved national recognition, given that former national Under-19 batsman Rovendra Mandolall was a member, prior to his migration to Canada. He also alluded to their successes including a first division title when competing in a North Essequibo competition.

Since then the club has grown in stature and includes a number of prominent names, including former Essequibo senior inter-county players Dinesh Joseph who is

one of a few Essequibians to score an Inter-county century, Basil Persaud and former Essequibo senior inter-county captain Elroy Stephney.

pact already.

Joseph, who recently celebrated his 40th birthday and who was a special guest, announced that he was fully

Cricket Board (ECB) to become an agent of change for Essequibo players by having more competitions and coaching within the

Kennard rates 2019 Boxing Day horse meet as best in last decade

… thanks sponsors for playing huge role

Horse Racing

Members and well-wishers of Reliance Sports Club at their first end-of-year evaluation

During the colourful presentation Stephney took the opportunity to appeal for continued support from the members since he felt that with a unified force the club has the potential to build further on their successes. He also was encouraged by the presence in the club of several hinterland players who have had a huge im-

committed to playing and expressed his desire to share his experience with some of the young members, while rubbing shoulders with his former inter-county teammates such as Stephney and Persaud.

Meanwhile, Basil Persaud was also delighted about the initiative to host such an occasion and appealed to the Essequibo

area committees.

The large gathering was then feted to a wide variety of sumptuous fare with the organisers committing to make the occasion an annual feature.

Prominent businessman Baney Persaud was present and offered his fullest cooperation as a founding member of the club while Bridgelall Lall, a member, donated a quantity of gear and clothing to the club.

While there was no presentation of individual prizes, there were on display a number of trophies and memorabilia that the club achieved over the years.

PRESIDENT of the Kennard’s Memorial Turf Club (KMTC) Justice Cecil Kennard, said sponsorship played a key role in this year’s Boxing Day horse race meet, rating the 2019 edition as the best of the last decade.

Justice Kennard told Chronicle Sport that apart from the 2006 Boxing Day meet, the 2019 race was the best to his recollection and by far the best race KMTC has held within the last 10 years.

He noted that the attributes which aided in the near-perfect event were the brilliant sunshine, the excellent condition of the turf at Bush Lot and the fact that the entire day’s affair was incident-free, adding to the brilliance of the jockeys and the quality breeds on exhibition last Thursday.

With more than $2M alone accounting for prizes from the respective races,

including the feature ‘Metro-Million Mile’ race where the winner strolled away with $1M for his first-place efforts; Kennard said that it was the overwhelming support from the corporate community which further allowed organisers to put on one of the better races in contemporary times.

Among the Race’s major sponsors were; Ansa McAl, Trophy Stall, Torginol Paints, Republic Bank, Muneshwar’s, Mohamed’s Enterprise, Metro, Optic Vision Care, Nand Persaud and Company, Mike’s Pharmacy of Rose Hall Town, Rohan Auto Spare, New Building Society (NBS) and P & P Insurance Brokers .

The KMTC head also confirmed that the first major race for the stable will be on Sunday March 29, 2020, with the next big meet set for August 2, followed by the 2020 Boxing Day Race.

Batting for longer periods important going forward - Johnson AFTER securing a comprehensive win over their opposition in the first of two 3-Day practice games, Guyana Jaguars captain Leon Johnson said batting for extended periods is the main criterion heading into the next game.

Johnson led a mixed team with a few of his regular teammates from the Jaguars setup who won the Regional 4-Day title for five consecutive years. Johnson’s men overcame a spirited performance from the Anthony Adams-led XI, who at one point had a 100-run plus lead over them.

Due to the experience of their marquee players like Anthony Bramble, who made a second-innings unbeaten half-century, spinner Devendra Bishoo who grabbed 4 wickets in the 1st innings and pacer Keon Joseph who bagged a 5-for in the second, Johnson had flashes of brilliance from some of his main weapons ahead of the 2020 Regional Day. Johnson told Chronicle Sport yesterday, that he was highly impressed by the way his bowlers went about their business. He said that the intention to take wickets and keep the opposition at manageable totals was also crucial, as they will need to work on their tactics of restrictions and wicket-taking when the season commences.

“I think we had a decent performance with the ball because the guys haven’t played 3-Day in a while, so much credit to the bowlers. While we did well with the ball, our batting was still a bit rusty,” said Johnson.

Johnson, who has played 9 Test matches for the West Indies with a pair of half-centuries under his belt, has been a bit rusty himself with

the bat, but acknowledged that batting for longer phases is key in a batsman’s progression to peak form.

With the second and final game set to bowl off tomorrow, the left-hander said it was crucial for all the batsmen including himself to place more emphasis on batting more responsibly as well as looking to rack up good minutes out in the middle.

“Going forward I want us to focus on batting for longer periods. In the first practice game the guys put their heads down in the 2nd innings, because losing wickets had set us back in the first innings. So right now it’s about playing longer innings while looking to improve in our batting and playing longer innings,” Johnson ended.

The Jaguars will be engaged in their final practice game from t o m o r r o w, before preparing for the Regional 4-Day w h i c h bowls off Thursday, JanLeon Johnson

uary 9. (Clifton Ross)

37

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, January 1, 2020

Relentless Wagner races to 200 Test wickets

LEFT-arm quick Neil Wagner has become the second-fastest New Zealander to take 200 Test wickets, behind only Black Caps legend Sir Richard Hadlee.

Wagner fittingly claimed the wicket of Steve Smith in the second MCG Test to reach the milestone, which comes in his 46th Test (86th innings), putting him in the top 20 fastest worldwide.

Hadlee took his 200th wicket in his 44th Test (81st innings) in August 1983 and no Kiwi has come close to that wickets-per-match rate since, with Wagner’s pace-bowling counterparts Trent Boult (52 Tests) and Tim Southee (56 Tests) the next best.

Wagner, who leads the wicket-takers this series with 13, has been highly impressive in Australia, particularly the manner in which he has

stuck to a short-pitched plan to Smith and, at different times, other members of the hosts’ batting order, notably Matthew Wade.

Against Smith, who averages 71.32 in Australia, that approach has paid serious dividends; the righthander has scored just 22 runs against Wagner from 116 deliveries (99 dot balls) and lost his wicket four times from four innings this series, each time to a shortpitched ball.

“Obviously Wagner’s got a serious tank,” said Smith at the end of day one, when he was 77 not out in what is to date his lone half-century of the series.

“He carries on and just keeps on doing it, doesn’t he.

But at some point, hopefully he’s going to get a bit tired.”

Smith’s optimism must have dipped when Wagner

removed him for 84 on day two, and then again for seven on day three. The 33-year-old had bowled 109 overs for the series shortly before stumps yesterday

Kiwi paceman Neil Wagner earns a slice of history as his toil again lands him the wicket of Australia’s superstar batsman

Head trusts officials on bushfire smoke in Sydney Test SYDNEY, Australia (Reuters) - Australia’s Travis Head says he is confident match officials would not put the health of players at risk if hazardous bushfire smoke impacted the third Test against New Zealand in Sydney this week.

Australia has been battling hundreds of huge bushfires for several weeks with the resultant thick smoke regularly casting a pall over the country’s cities.

A Sheffield Shield match at the Sydney Cricket Ground was played under a blanket of smoke in early December and a domestic Twenty20 match in Canberra was abandoned 10 days ago because of a lack of visibility and poor air quality.

The third Test starts at the SCG on Friday but with some people having lost their homes to the fires and an 11th fatality since October confirmed yesterday, Head said the concerns of professional athletes were

not high on the list of priorities.

“There are a lot more concerns than just the game of cricket, I guess,” batsman Head told reporters at Sydney Airport.

Australia Test batsman Travis Head

“There are a lot more people being worse affected than we. Our thoughts are with them and we’ll just play the game as best we can for our health and safety. We have every confidence in our officials.

“Player safety is obviously an aspect of it but, having seen what happened in Canberra a couple of weeks ago, I’m sure the match officials will put us in the best position and we won’t have to worry about it too much.”

Cricket Australia said last week it would look to finalise a “sustainability strategy” in 2020 amid concerns that extreme heat brought by climate change was risking player safety and could lead to major disruptions to summer playing schedules.

While another hot spell is forecast for the weekend with temperatures expected to reach 45 degrees Celsius in western Sydney on Saturday, the SCG is close to the coast and usually considerably cooler.

Australia have already secured the three-Test series after wins in Perth and Melbourne.

Fury v Deontay Wilder II set for February 22 in Las Vegas

TYSON Fury’s rematch with WBC world heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder will take place in Las Vegas on February 22, both fighters have confirmed.

Briton Fury, 31, drew with undefeated American Wilder, 34, in December 2018.

Wilder, whose WBC belt will be on the line when they meet at the MGM Grand, tweeted “there will be no more unanswered questions” and “I will finish what I started”.

Fury told fans on Instagram to “watch me knock out Deontay Wilder”.

Wilder said as long ago as June that an agreement had been signed for a rematch, but that it would take place after his fight with Cuba’s Luis Ortiz, whom he went on to defeat at the MGM Grand in November.

Fury survived two knockdowns by the American to earn a draw when they last met, in Los Angeles.

The Briton defeated Germany’s Tom Schwarz in June, but suffered a cut eye in beating Sweden’s Otto Wallin in September, which led to concerns a rematch with

Wilder could be delayed.

Fury has said he would “love” to take up an offer to spar before the fight with fellow Briton Anthony Joshua, who holds the other three world heavyweight belts - the IBF, WBO and WBA titles.

Joshua made the offer because he felt Fury w o u l d b e m o re l i k e l y than Wilder to agree to meet him for a unification bout if he won the WBC belt.

No fighter has ever held all four major world titles in the heavyweight division. (BBC Sport)

- his 60 overs in Perth the most by a fast bowler in a Test in Australia in seven years.

His recent form has propelled him to No.3 in the ICC Test bowling rankings while he is equal-third on the list of Test wicket-takers in 2019, with 42 wickets at 17.92.

“He’s an absolute machine,” said Travis Head

after play on day two. “He’s been very impressive the way he’s been able to go about it – the long spell he bowled in Perth, today he just didn’t stop.

“We questioned who was going to bowl after tea and it was no surprise he took his cap off straightaway and started up.

“He’s an unbelievable athlete and the fields they

set, how consistent he is with (bowling to) that … his pace varies and that makes it difficult as well … he’s got the effort balls that are on the money and then there are variations with pace in the wicket, then the slower ball as well.

“So he’s got some tricks there and he’s made it difficult for us over the two games.” (Cricket.com.au)

38

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, January 1, 2020

UDFA year-end final

Five-time winners Topp XX clash with debutants Coomacka tonight

By Joe Chapman FIVE-time, year-end football champions in the Kashif and Shanghai era, Topp XX, are seeking another such championship when they face lowly rated Coomacka from 21:00hrs at the Mackenzie Sports Club ground in the grand final tonight.

The winners’ prize is $700 000 and the Most Valuable Player received a Samsung Galaxy Note 9, both compliments of Nigel Hinds Financial Services.

Perhaps the most improbable result was the win by Coomacka over the number one-ranked club in the tournament this year, Net Rockers then the stunning victory when they took care of the second-ranked side Botofago to reach the final.

However, the first game will be the third-place playoff game between Botofago who won the championship two years ago ,and they will be facing three-time champions Haynes and Lewis Winners Connection from 19:00hrs.

The hot topic clearly is about Coomacka Mines team from south of Linden, with their followers donning their orange and blue colours, They could pull off a major title for the first time and it is

the $700 000 will do much to the playing of football in the Mines area of Linden.

Speaking after their semi-final win, coach Aaron was quick to state: “We going back to the drawing board

Coomacka’s Wheatland Thom

also the first time that a team from the Mines area would have reached a semi-final, much less take home the bacon.

Speaking to their coach Carlsdale Aaron, he said the pressure is not on his team but Topp XX whose reputation was in tatters these past few years.

Such a feat of carting off

team can stop us.”

He said the majority of their players are teenagers but with a few seniors around they can win this final. He said their goalkeeper was outstanding so far and that

ToppXX Carlos Grant

as from tomorrow.

“We will sit down and sort out things, because we didn’t really play how we had trained but I hope that come this grand final we will give a better showing. We are going back to the drawing board.”

He continued: “This team is trying to put everything into it and once they execute in the game as planned, no

was demonstrated in the semifinal game with some brilliant saves.

Aaron said the man between the uprights for them is Kellon ‘Cleansheet’ major and with the front-liners Lionel ‘Messi’ Peters, Keiron Daw, Kurston Thom and Wheatland Thom having a good tournament, Coomacka will be

hard to beat this time.

Troy ‘Boy Blue’ Nelson is a winner, having been on those Topp XX sides that won the year-end tournament five times and has been patient with this new era players. He offered this comment, “Well, as the coach, it is the support of the Almighty that inspires us to bring out this kind of performance because we haven’t been in this position for a very long time.”

Looking back Nelson reminisced, “It’s like ten years, we always getting knockout in the quarter-finals or playing for third place. But God is good.

As the coach I decided to stick with my team through the bad patch and God has answered my prayers and I just need another win to finish the 2000 teens and go into 2020 as a champion. That is all I am asking the Father to bless me with.”

He made the point that Travis Waterton, who has been the stabiliser of the Topp XX, has the experi-

ence and is now stationed in the back line. But Waterton has also shown the ability he has over the years in coming forward and in their last game did so effectively to get two goals like he used to when he was on the striking line Since playing that well in defence with Ralph Alexander and Stephan Tappin and Ruel Williams, their captain Ryan Noel and Carlos Grant have been very effective in scheming and their front players Jamal Bentick and Shawn Daniels could be key players tonight.

This makes this game one of great importance and from this will determine the way forward for football as the lesser teams have shown promise this time around.

The opening game from 19:00hrs will be a rubber affair, as Botofago seek to maintain their ranking over Winners Connection, who would see this as a chance to edge ahead in the Upper Demerara region with a win.

Ansa McAl’s 592 Beer Community Cup

Buxton fans coming to suffocate Golden Grove support A SIGNIFICANT percentage of the Buxton/Friendship community is expected to travel down to the Golden Grove Community Centre in an attempt to suffocate the anticipated partisan support of the hosts in tonight’s final of the inaugural 592 Beer Community Cup. Hosts Golden Grove will face Friendship in the championship game, while in the preceding match-up, Paradise will square off against BV for third place.

Up for grabs are $500 000 and the championship trophy to the winners, while second-, third- and fourthplaced teams will take home $200 000, $150 000 and

$100 000 along with respective trophies.

The final has all the hallmarks of a riveting contest with home side Golden Grove favoured to defend home turf against a strong and confident Friendship side.

Golden Grove looked impressive in their 3-1 triumph over BV in their semi-final clash, and with what was witnessed in terms of home support, the visitors will need a similar level of fan support to suppress the vociferous homebased turnout.

Former national player Dwain Jacobs has been leading by example with some exciting performanc-

es and the cast of Quason McAulay, Seretse Huntley and Phillip Williams are poised to continue their rampant form. On the other

will be aiming to engineer the win, along with Delon Wright with last game hero Seon Thomas between the uprights.

turn a game on its head and Golden Grove’s backline will be aware of this and try to nullify his threatening forays in the attacking third.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Wednesday January 1, 2020)

COMPLIMENTS OF THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market & The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD-83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) (1) (2) (1) (2)

ANSWERS TO YESTERDAY’S QUIZ: 12 T20 Internationals 2 Wins TODAY’S QUIZ: How many players made their WI Test debut in 2019?

How many players made their WI ODI debut in 2019?

ANSWERS IN TOMORROW’S ISSUE

Scenes from the earlier round in the 592 Inter-Village Football Festival

hand, Friendship will be buoyed by their victory over a strong Paradise team; so don’t expect them to be intimidated by the partisan crowd or their opponents.

Once again, Clive Andries, the team’s talisman,

Thomas, who saved magnificently in their semi-final clash against Paradise, making three stunning saves, will feel inspired to duplicate that performance. Andries is a player with the quality to

As was mentioned before, the game has all the trappings of an epic showdown that will surely benefit the fans, but more importantly underline the quality of football that is current on the East Coast corridor.

In the playoff for third place, one will have to favour BV over Paradise, who clearly missed their leader Quincy Adams in the previous game.

This is expected to occur again and BV will no doubt take advantage of Adams’ unavoidable absence. Reon Hopkinson, Akin Curry, Jemar Harrington and Omari Glasgow will relish the opportunity to orchestrate incursions with no fear for the opposition’s weakened defence.

However, they must be cognizant of the one characteristic that Paradise possess which is their determination to fight to the end. This was on display in their elimination of Buxton in Buxton when they came from two goals down to advance.

Meanwhile, there will be entertainment after the game to usher in the New Year. The organisers have extended thanks to all the fans and teams who have made the tournament a success while helping to revive the game among communities along the corridor.

39

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, January 1, 2020

Trophy Stall supports 7th annual UDFA year-end football tourney TROPHY Stall continued its support of sports and has joined forces with the Upper-Demerara Football Association (UDFA) ahead of the New Year’s Day football final, set for the Mackenzie Sports Club ground, Linden.

Games kicked off on December 13 and lasted some 8 days with 10 teams duking out.

Ramesh Sunich proprietor of ‘Trophy Stall’ presents the first place trophy to president of the Upper Demerara Football Association (UDFA) Terrence Mitchell

The featured game the evening pits Coomacka FC versus Topp XX for the grand prize of $1M. The second-placers will receive $600 000. Winners Connection FC and Botofago FC battle for $400 000 while the fourth-placers will walk away with $200 000.

GFF Super 16 final

The captains pictured with GFF president Wayne Forde (right) and Pegasus Hotel Manager Carlos Montenegro

Fruta Conquerors, GDF battle for $2M tonight PAGE

33

… Santos, Police play for third place

Flamengo coach Jesus granted order of recognition by Portugal

By Victoria Waldersee

their country’s style of football, the 65-year-old Jesus turned Flamengo’s fortunes around after becoming LISBON, Portugal (Reuters) - Flamengo coach coach in June.

Jorge Jesus, who has achieved hero status for Jesus led Flamengo in November to their first his achievements after just six months in charge South American Copa Libertadores title for 38 of the famous Brazilian club, was awarded the years and 24 hours later they were confirmed as Portuguese order of Brazilian title-winrecognition on Monners before reachday for services to his ing the Club World country.

Cup final, losing to Portugal president European champiMarcelo Rebelo de ons Liverpool.

Sousa announced his Jesus’s 29-year decision to give Jesus coaching career inthe award after the cluded six years with coach led Flamengo Benfica and three to this month’s Club seasons at Sporting, World Cup final against and the presidents Liverpool. of both Portuguese “Of course, it was clubs were present at not me or my team the ceremony. who discovered or Jesus declined gave independence to to comment on Brazil, but it was we whether he will who on the November stay at Flamengo or 23 and 24 conquered Portuguese coach Jorge Jesus talks to the press return to Portugal two titles in Brazil, so after his contract after being awarded the Ordem do Infante D. we too will go down expires in June.

Henrique (The Order of Prince Henry) by Porin history, in our own “I’ll come back, tugal’s President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, in way,” Jesus said at the but I don’t know Belem Palace, Lisbon, Portugal, Monday ceremony. when. It’s harder “In 50 years I won’t to come back now, be here, but they’ll say, ‘The Portuguese were the first there’s no doubt about that,” he said. to conquer the Libertadores and a Brazilian national Tottenham Hotspur manager Jose Mourinho championship’.” received the same award, called the Order of Initially, treated with scepticism by Brazilian Prince Henry, and founded in 1960, after winning fans concerned about his age and ability to adapt to the Champions League with Porto in 2004.

Confident Ireland ready for Windies challenge IRELAND coach Graham Ford in- the squad and come the seventh of sists the team will arrive full of con- January, we’ll be more than ready fidence heading into a limited-over to begin what is an exciting year in series against the West Indies at the Irish cricket,” he added. turn of the New Year.

“We are very aware of the big The teams are scheduled to play challenge that we have here playing a three-match series in both the ODI away from home, coming out of the and Twenty20 format, winter with only indoor which will be the first training. The West Indies full series for the 9th have been playing really ranked Windies and good cricket and just 11th ranked Ireland. pushed the number one The Windies team in the world (India) are expected to be all the way and could a significant chalhave come out on top.” lenge for the Irish The first ODI is following a strong scheduled to bowl off showing against topin a week’s time at ranked India under the Kensington Oval. new captain Kieron The second ODI is also Ireland coach Pollard. Ford, howscheduled for KensingGraham Ford ever, insists that the ton Oval on January tourists will see the 9, with the Grenada tour as one filled with infinite pos- National Stadium hosting the final sibilities.

ODI. “There is a confidence and self-beGrenada will be the venue for the lief around the camp which comes opening T20 international on January from recent successes, and we’re 12, before Warner Park in St Kitts host looking to build on that in 2020,” Ford back-to-back matches on January 18 said in a recent interview. and 19.

“Being our first-ever multi-forWest Indies have beaten Ireland mat tour of the Caribbean, there in seven of 10 ODIs and two of four is certainly a bit of a buzz around T20s to date. (Sportsmax)

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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 1, 2020