Guyana Chronicle E-paper 1-13-2020

MONDAY 13th January, 2020

No.105878

‘The stakes are high’ PAGE

...Harmon warns Pouderoyen residents against PPP

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...says coalition eyeing landslide victory

―but urges full turn out, mobilisation of voters PAGE

PPP abandons 11 promise to reopen sugar estates ...tells Albion rally if elected would look at providing assistance for former workers

Irfaan Ali

PAGE

‘You have 15 made your mark on Guyana’s development’ – PM Nagamootoo

―167th anniversary of Arrival of Chinese to Guyana observed

...Sod turned for memorial to be erected at Windsor Forest Director-General of the Ministry of the Presidency, and General Secretary of the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), Joseph Harmon celebrates the achievements of the David Granger Administration with residents of West Bank Demerara as they predict another win at the March 2 General and Regional Elections. (Elvin Croker photo)

Hinds drops 16 out of electoral race

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David Hinds

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, JANUARY 13, 2019

India backs Guyana’s ‘Green State’ agenda - looks forward to greater collaboration in renewable energy sector

By Lisa Hamilton EVEN with oil production set to form a major part of Guyana’s economy, the country has its eyes set on becoming a “green” state, and India’s High Commissioner to Guyana, Dr. K. Srinivasa, believes that the country will be able to strike a balance in the coming years.

During his appearance on Guyana Chronicle’s Vantage Point, Dr. Srinivasa said India understands Guyana’s intention as the country of 1.3 billion people, over the years, has consciously adopted a strategy to move away from fossil fuels to “green” energy.

India is an energy-deficient country and to meet its needs must import some 80 per cent of its energy, most of which comes in the form of petroleum.

The high commissioner explained that moving towards “green,” renewable energy is a “double advantage” for India as it not only reduces the country’s energy-import bill,

but it also puts the country on a better environmental footing.

Looking to Guyana, Dr Srinivasa said that this transformation is very much possible as the country is bountiful when it comes to renewable resources and can use its coming wealth to boost its “Green” State Development Strategy (GSDS).

oil revenues you can also shift towards that particular sector,” he said.

Additionally, he noted that with Guyana’s Department of Energy is making preparations to get natural gas on shore by 2023, Guyanese would have access to one of the cleanest forms of energy.

The high commissioner

India’s High Commissioner to Guyana Dr K. Srinivasa

“With copious amounts of sunshine available and your hydro resources, which are actually all renewable energy resources, I think the shift can happen and, of course, with the

stated: “Natural gas is one of the cleanest sources of energy, so I think you can strike that balance, there is no issue with that.”

Guyana and India have

partnered and continue to cooperate in the area of renewable energy; Dr Srinivasa expects that these interactions will grow to be much more significant in the coming years.

One area in which India is aiding is the provision of short-term scholarships in over 1,250 courses through the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) Programme.

When Dr Srinivasa came to Guyana, the slots available to Guyanese stood at 24, but through discussions these were increased to 50 Guyanese per year, and the Indian High Commission continues to encourage eligible persons to apply.

The high commissioner noted, that while the energy and technology courses would be ideal for Guyanese, given their future, the courses cover a wide range of sectors.

“You [Guyana] are expecting great dividends from the energy sector. We have offered to the Government of Guyana that we are willing to train your people from the energy

sector in India, because we have public sector enterprises in the oil business, both upstream and downstream, with huge experience and these are multi-billion-dollar companies. So, we are offering free training for your people to be trained in the energy sector,” he stated.

“Guyana is on the verge of development into the next league and we are there to partner with Guyana in whatever it needs in terms of capacity-building, in skills development, in terms of education. India has its strengths and we are willing to collaborate with Guyana,” he further stated.

Both India and Guyana were once part of the British Empire and have been bound together since immigrants from India came to Guyana 181 years ago and their descendants now form a large portion of the country’s population.

Dr Srinivasa described the relationship as similar to an “umbilical cord.” Today, India is one of the world’s main centres for manufacturing

renewable energy equipment and home to numerous experts in the sector.

In 2018, Guyana signed and ratified the Framework Agreement of the International Solar Alliance, through which President David Granger has pledged the country’s commitment to cooperating with India in pursuit of its goal of becoming a solar state – a key component of Guyana’s GSDS. India has also offered assistance of US$15 million Grant (US$ 1million per CARICOM member state) for quick-impact community development projects in CARICOM countries, and US$ 150 million Line of Credit for CARICOM countries for solar energy and climate change-related projects.

The high commissioner commended Guyana’s awards received over the years for environmental protection and sustainable tourism, as he stated: “I believe that renewable energy will be one of the biggest sectors where we both can collaborate.”

Fire guts South Ruimveldt home

The gutted remains of the home

A FAMILY of four is now homeless after a fire gutted their South Ruimveldt Park home early on Sunday morning.

Reports are that the fire started sometime around 01:30hrs in a bedroom at the upper flat of the home at the corner of Spurwing Drive and Aubrey Barker Street. The house belonged to Sybil Baird.

The woman’s son-in-law, Lincoln Thomas, who has been operating a shop at the bottom-flat of the house for decades, told the Guyana Chronicle that his sister-in-law heard a noise in a bedroom and shortly after, she smelled something burning. On checking, the family members observed a curtain on fire and they decided to drench the area with water.

However, the fire was beyond the family members who were forced to flee the burning building.

Thomas said two fire tenders arrived promptly at the scene and managed to contain the flames to the upper flat of the building; he said that there was minimal damage to his shop.

As such, he was able to re-open his shop for business several hours later.

The fire is being investigated by the Guyana Fire Service.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, JANUARY 13, 2019

‘The stakes are high’

...Harmon warns Pouderoyen residents against PPP

...says coalition eyeing landslide victory ―but urges full turn out, mobilisation of voters

By Tamica Garnett GENERAL-SECRETARY of the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Joseph Harmon on Sunday night predicted a “landslide victory” for the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) during the upcoming General and Regional Elections.

Harmon a t the

landslide. We’re not going to win the elections by only standing and waving our flags. We have to ensure we are on the list so we can move forward together and don’t stop the progress,” Harmon said to the supporters.

He reminded them of the importance of ensuring their names and particulars are correctly stated on the Official List of Electors (OLE).

effect the necessary changes.

Harmon was keen on pointing out that in the 2015 elections, less than half of the voters on the list from the Pouderoyen area turned out to cast their ballots.

The APNU General-Secretary said in order for development to continue, every eligible Guyanese must vote.

Since 2015, Pouderoyen, he posited, has seen much development with youths, as the case in other parts of the country reaping the benefits.

“We don’t believe the future is yours, we believe the present is yours; so don’t stop the progress. Young people, this is your time. My village, my community can

said Harmon. today to support. My advice “Pouderoyen is no longer to the young people is to come this place where people just out and support and put your liming and smoking a joint. ‘x’ you know where,” said the Pouderoyen is a progressive mother of one. place, a powerful place now.

Adams, during his We’re moving forward to- speech, pointed out that over gether. They are so many the last four years the governsmall businesses from this ment has placed tremendous community that have sprung emphasis on education. up over the time. There is “This government is [sic] so many of our young a government that cares people who are doing tremen- and this president has dous things in this communi- put education first,” ty,” he further added.

Adams said.

His statements had the Adams also agreement of 28-year-old spoke of how the Alesha Nicholas who was People’s Progressive among the audience. Nicholas A father and his daughter decked out the colours of the lives on Samaroo Dam within the APNU+AFC at the Pouderoyen, Pouderoyen com- West Bank Demerara meeting

APNU General-Secretary, Joseph Harmon time was addressing an energised crowd of supporters during a public meeting at the Pouderoyen tarmac, on the West Bank of Demerara.

He said, undoubtedly, the APNU+AFC coalition would be given an opportunity to continue the progress which started in 2015 when the coalition first won the elections.

A brief downpour during the course of the meeting did not deter the residents from coming out in their numbers to show their support for the coalition. Aside from Harmon, the approximately two-hour meeting also saw remarks from former APNU+AFC Regional Member of Parliament John Adams; and Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) councillor, 28-year-old Maureen Whittaker, among others.

Harmon reminded those in attendance of the importance of not only showing their support by attending the party’s rallies and meetings in large numbers, but by also turning out in large numbers to vote when Guyana holds its next General and Regional Elections.

“You have to turn out to vote, we’re looking for a

Supporters of the APNU+AFC dancing to the coalition’s 2020 election songs at the Pouderoyen Tarmac Currently, the Revised List of Electors is available for public scrutiny and eligible Guyanese whose information is not correctly stated, are asked to visit GECOM’s office before January 25, 2020 with their “pink slips” to

no longer say it’s a drug haven or criminal haven. The young men of this community can now look at development for themselves; they can see themselves moving forward.

I want to say to the young people don’t stop progress,”

munity “So far since they are in, since [David] Granger was elected as president, I have seen a lot of progress. I have a job now when I didn’t have a job. And I am so grateful and happy that’s why I am here

Party/Civic (PPPC), during its time in government, “killed” Guyana’s sugar industry by failing to diversity it.

Whittaker, during her remarks, also spoke of the developments that the community has seen. “We have

had tremendous improvements in all sectors. We have had local democracy restored. Projects were started in this region that developed roads and kept scores of our young people gainfully employed,” she said.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 13, 2020

More job cuts loom as Titan prepares to shut down (TRINIDAD GUARDIAN) The crisis at the Point Lisas Industrial Estate appears to be worsening with the planned shutdown at the end of the month of the Titan Methanol plant if it is unable to reach an agreement with the NGC for the supply of natural gas.

The Sunday Guardian has learnt that things are in place for the plant’s closure and mothballing because after a year of negotiations with the NGC and having spent more than a quarter billion dollars last year in an upgrade, Methanex cannot reach an agreement with the State aggregator.

If the plant closes 100 high-paid permanent employees will be put on the breadline with another 40 contract workers also getting their pink slips.

It will also mean a loss of tens of millions of US dollars for the treasury should the plant close down.

The Sunday Guardian has been told that there are last-minute efforts by the Dr Keith Rowley administration, the NGC and the company to avert the situation but that it looks grim.

If this happens, it would be the second plant in two months to close as only last month Yara shut down its plant sending workers home because it could not pay the price the NGC has been demanding for its gas.

In the last four years, thousands of workers in the energy sector have lost their

jobs.

Questions to Khan Reached yesterday, Energy Minister Franklin Khan insisted negotiations are still ongoing and it is not a done deal.

Khan was responding to the following questions from the Sunday Guardian. · Is the Government concerned about the possibility that another plant will be shut down on the estate? · Is it that the upstream contracts have to be renegotiated because the downstream simply cannot pay for gas at those new prices? · Is it that the closure of these plants will make no difference since other industries can sustain these higher prices? · Do you expect more closures?

Minister responds Khan said, “It is inappropriate to comment on Titan’s action when we are still in active negotiations up to yesterday (Friday) with Methanex.

This will be speculation at the moment. Also, Titan has made a public statement that there is an interim agreement in place to allow the parties to continue negotiations. This is obviously with a view to arriving at an agreement and to parties continue to work diligently towards that result.”

High price for natural gas At the heart of the problem is the price that the NGC wants to charge the downstream companies for gas.

The Petrochemical companies have been saying that the

higher prices will mean they operate at a loss with global prices for both methanol and ammonia weak.

It is also a position that was predicted in a study done by economist Dr Terrence Farrell who found that the sustainability of the downstream petrochemical sector is under threat because of uncompetitive natural gas prices.

The economist said natural gas shortages and high prices led to a reduction in methanol and ammonia production and loss of jobs in the sector. He predicted that unless there is a change in policy, the sector will get to a point of no return and there will be a collapse of the Point Lisas Industrial Estate.

NGC chairman: Negotiations ongoing, the issue with Titan is the model NGC Chairman Conrad Enill insisted that the negotiations are ongoing but companies needed to ask themselves how some can survive at the higher prices and others can’t. A clear shot at Methanex and Yara as opposed to Nutrien which reached an agreement last year on new prices with the NGC. Enill said, “We have contracts that we have signed with individuals outside of Yara, and they are able to do what some others are not doing, so the question is what are companies doing and how are companies positioning in the same environment that some can survive and some cannot. Those are questions that they need to answer.

Kirk Waithe launches new political party, NOW (TRINIDAD GUARDIAN) Fixin T&T founder Kirk Waithe is launching a new party in time for the 2020 general election. Waithe, in an interview with Guardian Media on Thursday, confirmed that the activist group has coalesced into NOW (it is not an acronym), a political party vying to run the country for the next five years.

“I think neither the PNM (People’s National Movement) nor the UNC (United National Congress) must be allowed to win the next general election. That would redound to the detriment of T&T,” Waithe said.

“I think the level of discontent is unprecedented. In 2010 people were fed up of Patrick Manning and they saw Kamla Persad-Bissessar as a ray of light and she came in and proved not to be that ray of light, and then Dr Keith Rowley came in and people saw him as that ray of light and Keith Rowley has proven and continues to

prove that he is not that ray of light. And now the country is being offered both as a solution. The country is beyond that.”

Despite the successive failures of a third party to break the historic two-party battle on election day, Waithe feels the electorate has either matured enough or is frustrated enough to leave the UNC and the PNM behind.

“I believe in coalition Opposition in 2020. To be clear, when I speak about contributing to being part of creating a coalition Opposition, I mean having both the PNM and UNC occupy the opposition bench together,” he said.

Waithe though refused to contemplate a coalition with any of the existing third parties, Congress of the People (COP), Movement for Social Justice (MSJ), Progressive Empowerment Party (PEP) or the Independent Liberal Party (ILP).

“The COP was a part of the Partnership, same for MSJ at least in part”.

“The issue with the Titan plant is the model and they have to explain that to you,” the NGC chairman contended.

He told the Sunday Guardian the NGC is a business that buys and sells gas and can only sell at a profit.

Enill noted that the country is in a position where the energy sector and circumstances in the energy business have changed.

When it was pointed out that the change had now made the NGC gas prices uncompetitive globally, Enill responded, “NGC, like everybody else, is working to see how it can mitigate those issues and how it can, in fact, continue to ensure that those who can do it will do it, and that is the basic issue.”

Enill was asked if there is a need to renegotiate the deal with the upstream companies that was facilitated by Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley, and which both Energy Minister Khan and National Security Minister Stewart Young often boasted as being the famous Houston trip, crediting Dr Rowley with negotiating the agreement. Rowley has since denied negotiating the agreement saying he merely facilitated the return to the bargaining table of the upstream companies and the NGC. Enill said the NGC will always be looking to see how it can ensure that the industry continues to be maintained but there are things that the NGC can do and there are things that others have to do.

“The issue of plants shutting down has nothing to do with the NGC. It has to do with the global outlook for

prices which you have looked at. The outlook for prices for ammonia and methanol— what are they over the next two to three years? That is the issue,” Enill said.

Enill said the NGC was earning billions of dollars in the past and now it’s down to hundreds of millions.

Energy Chamber concerned Point Lisas under threat CEO of the Energy Chamber Dr Dax Driver said the chamber was concerned that Point Lisas is under threat.

“The Energy Chamber continues to be concerned about the future of Point Lisas and there are issues which need to be resolved in order to ensure the continued competitiveness and sustainability of the industry,” he said.

The Government’s natural gas master plan has advised the Rowley administration that ammonia and

methanol earn more money for the country per molecule of gas than LNG. NGC is in negotiation with Methanol Holdings, Tringen and Methanex for more than a year now and no agreement has been reached with either of those companies with the petrochemical companies saying the terms are too difficult to live with.

The Titan plant is 20 years old and is considered a young plant by international standards.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, JANUARY 13, 2019

Remembering Martin Luther King Jr

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HIS week the world will remember the life and contributions of the drum-major of the American Civil Rights Movement, Dr Martin Luther King Jr. Dr King was born in 1929 and lived for just 39 years, having been assassinated on that fateful night of April 14, 1968. The enormity of his contribution to African-American liberation, American society and world civilisation far outstrips the relative brevity of his life on earth. He is easily the most important public person to have emerged from the USA in the 20th century—a giant in a century of giants.

Rising from relative obscurity, he reached heights that could not be envisaged when he was, in 1955, chosen to lead the Montgomery Bus Boycott in Alabama. Here was a young 26-yr-old Baptist preacher, just out of college, being thrown into the top leadership of what turned out to be the catalyst of one of the 20th century’s great revolutionary moments. Clearly, there was something the elders in Montgomery saw in the young man from Atlanta, Georgia, that propelled them to make that prophetic decision.

For the next 13 years, King justified that faith in him by dedicating his every living moment to the cause of his people who had been in the struggle to regain their earthly freedom for almost four centuries. During that time, they had endured, survived and overcome the degradation of enslavement and would later face slavery by another name.

They, the sons and daughters of Africa, were deemed to be less than human—not deserving of life and liberty.

And here was Dr Martin Luther King Jr taking on the burden of leading them on the final stretch towards freedom. He proved to be the ideal leader. Borrowing

from CLR James, one could argue that he was the fusion of time, place and person and had the enormous capacity to absorb the energies and aspirations of the people who looked to him for leadership. But more than that, he managed to simultaneously speak to the conscience of those who saw Black people as less than human. This critical component was ultimately what set King apart from other Black leaders—his ability to simultaneously connect in a spiritual and political manner with the pain of Blacks, while speaking to the hearts of those who stood on the other side of righteousness.

Many will remember King, the incomparable orator, capable of moving people to action. Others will remember his non-violent crusade in the face of mindless violence.

Still others will remember his ability to mend together the diverse tendencies within the movement into a united purpose. He was all those things and more. But today we want to remember him as the champion and defender of the least among us.

Dr King was by no means infallible— he had his human failings. But always, he managed to be selflessly loyal to the ideals of what he called the “beloved society.”

He died a materially poor man—leaving no wealth for his young family. Although he was born into what could be called the “Black Middle Class,” he witnessed for the poor and the downtrodden. It was symbolic that at the time of his brutal murder he was standing in the ranks of poor sanitation workers in Memphis, Tennessee. As he said then, “We cannot all be doctors or lawyers, but all work has dignity if it contributes to the welfare of humanity.

If you sweep streets, then sweep streets as Shakespeare wrote poetry.”

He was also at the time of his death organising the “Poor People’s Campaign,” seeking to draw attention to the plight of the poor in a most dramatic way. In announcing the campaign, he uttered the following words which sadly rings true today, 52 years later: “The Southern Christian Leadership Conference will lead waves of the nation’s poor and disinherited to Washington, D. C. next spring to demand redress of their grievances by the United States government and to secure at least jobs or income for all. We will go there, we will demand to be heard, and we will stay until America responds. If this means forcible repression of our movement, we will confront it, for we have done this before. If this means scorn or ridicule, we embrace it, for that is what America’s poor now receive. If it means jail, we accept it willingly, for the millions of poor already are imprisoned by exploitation and discrimination…Consider, for example, the spectacle of cities burning while the national government speaks of repression instead of rehabilitation. Or think of children starving in Mississippi, while prosperous farmers are rewarded for not producing food. Or Negro mothers leaving children in tenements to work in neighbourhoods where people of colour cannot live. Or the awesome bombardment, already greater than the munitions we exploded in World War II, against a small Asian land, while political brokers de-escalate and very nearly disarm a timid action against poverty. Or a nation gorged on money while millions of its citizens are denied a good education, adequate health services, decent housing, meaningful employment, and even respect, and are then told to be responsible.”

Freddie got it wrong this time Dear Editor,

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REFER to Freddie Kissoon’s column published in Kaieteur News January 11, 2020, under the caption, “ Granger succumbed to the AFC’s bold bluff. ” Kissoon’s analysis and information on the AFC internal politics and their doings, which he stated in support of his thesis is hard to refute unless you are an AFC insider. But is Kissoon’s contention the only explanation for Granger’s decision?

In reading Kissoon’s column it is unavoidable not to sense his profound disappointment that his prediction that the PNCR and Granger would never concede the prime ministerial position to the AFC nominee, leader Mr Ramjattan. The political guru and columnist is now left heartbroken and is forced to “save face” and is twisting himself into knots to provide an explanation.

More importantly, it is Freddie ‘s contention that the AFC’s gang of four concerned with Granger not naming

Ramjattan his running mate engaged in a last-minute bluff to force Granger’s hands, in light of their early attempt on Friday 9th when the APNU+AFC launched their election rally. According to Kissoon, another effort was made on the following Wednesday. He wrote, “ David Patterson was to inform Joe Harmon that unless right “ this afternoon, the AFC would pull out of the coalition for 2020 that very afternoon. All PNC leaders knew about the bluff.

But in a strange twist of fate, Granger fell for it. He erred disastrously. “ But is Kissoon ‘s reason for Granger’s decision the only explanation? In a real way, only Granger could answer this question beyond doubt. However, in the absence of the president clarifying his position, the matter is open to public analysis to understand his decision on the matter.

As a contribution to this search, I would like to add another possible reason for the President’s decision that contradicts Kissoon’s contention. Even before the renewed Cummingsburg Accord was signed, the APNU and Granger

were under pressure from their support base shaken by the local government election defeat when the parties contested separately amid the successful no-confidence motion. This pressure intensified after the new agreement was reached and the APNU base/supporters set their minds on the task of victory in the March elections. Politically, given Granger’s public position that he will name the prime minister after the elections, the pressure from the APNU base for a reset on this matter in keeping with the nation’s electoral culture of requiring both the presidential and the prime ministerial candidates be named before elections. My sense is that Granger like any good politician and leader realised that to ignore his base and continue not naming his running mate was becoming politically counterproductive.

My advice to Freddie Kissoon is to not cry! Move on.

Sometimes you get it correct and other times you don’t.

Regards Tacuma Ogunseye

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, JANUARY 13, 2019

Jagdeo has failed his constituents Dear Editor

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HERE continues to be condemnation, in the strongest possible terms, to GuySuCo management’s stubbornness to not engage in collective bargaining with the sugar unions, in as much as the minister who holds the national purse requested that such be done. One must wonder if this attitude is driven by some desire for political collateral, thereby allowing for the workers’ right to be trampled, with the intent of embarrassing the government. The present situation is fostering a hostile industrial relations environment between the workers and management and by extension the government.

Collective bargaining is not an activity to be conducted by the GuySuCo board which has responsibility for policy direction. It is the chief executive officer and management team, who are responsible for the day-today management of the organisation, that are tasked the responsibility to engage in collective bargaining with the unions.

It is not being said the coalition government has done a stellar job in handling the sugar industry. But Mr Jagdeo, as leader of the opposition and political representative who benefitted from these workers’ votes, has failed to put any proposal in front of the government and country, with a view to addressing the industry’s stability and survival of the workers and their communities. We do not have to go far to see that this could have been done.

Leader of the Opposition Desmond Hoyte fought for the bauxite workers, many of whom were supporters of his party, when he felt their well-being was under threat.

In the 2001 Agreement he signed with President Bharrat Jagdeo, an area for attention was the Depressed Communities. This included the bauxite company and the communities within which those workers lived. Out of this a Technical Committee was established to deal with the bauxite communities. That committee worked and submitted its report, but Jagdeo ignored the submissions.

Mr Robert Corbin, who succeeded Hoyte as PNC Leader and leader of the opposition, continued to push what Hoyte started, evident in the 2003 communiqué he signed with Jagdeo which included addressing issues pertinent to labour (workers). And whereas Jagdeo never honoured those commitments, history has recorded that the named leaders of the opposition gave serious representation for their constituents and society by extracting agreements from the executive. In this regard they cannot be accused for not trying to deliver to those supporters.

If Jagdeo, as leader of the opposition, had sat down with the sugar unions and mapped out a programme and strategy to put to the coalition to address the industry’s deficiencies, there could have been improvement in the direction he claims to now be promising. If he had failed to see implementation to any of these, as he did with Hoyte and Corbin, the public would have recognised and hailed his effort in seeking representation for the welfare of his constituents and the good of society.

Two major parties need to rein in their supporters Dear Editor

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N recognising the intensification of a variety of threats to peace posed by the political tensions that surrounds the current election campaigns, the Universal Peace Federation – Guyana, wishes to condemn the political rhetoric that is causing great confusion, annoyance, distrust and humiliation within the minds and hearts of the citizens of Guyana.

These unnecessary pains, which are obviously acting up on the emotionalism of some of our peoples, could turn riotous. We have recently seen tensions in Laing Avenue, Sophia and certain parts of Region Five.

It would appear that there is a very thin line that is keeping the side being attacked from retaliating.

And, we fear that when or if they do, this could foment into mini riots or even a civil war. We have seen wasted lives and unnecessary pains unleashed on families in countries such as Kenya, Uganda, Mozambique, the Congo, South Africa, India and Pakistan, where people

are being killed, injured and/or destroyed by these uncalled-for incidents. Locally, we saw such similar incidents in Agricola, when the city was actually locked down. In the late 1990s, just after the elections, some people were brutalised in our city while heading home from work.

The Universal Peace Federation has been involved with dozens of countries around the world to create a state of harmony and peace. We are therefore calling on all our political leaders and political parties, especially the more mature ones, to please watch the rhetoric and try not to humiliate one another when they enter the political arena. Also, the opposition needs to avoid calling for the chasing out of the President, the ministers or the leaders when they visit certain areas and communities where they predominate. This goes for the APNU+AFC government as well.

Further, The Universal Peace Federation urges all party members and their respective supporters not to misbehave. All political parties vying for elections

need to show maturity, intellect and avoid putting our country to shame. We recommend that these political parties urgently sign the powerful peace accord that is in the process of being created and to stick to the terms and conditions of this accord.

The Universal Peace Federation calls upon everyone to show respect and to have restraint. Each party has a right to state its case.

No one should obstruct or block them from going into any particular area. Also, people also have a right to ask questions of the presenters. It is unfortunate that this political heckling is a normal part of the Caribbean culture, but the violent, boisterous behaviour and insults are uncalled for from the two major parties of Guyana.

In conclusion, we, the members of The Universal Peace Federation wish to remind the government, opposition and the general public that we may not always agree with each other, but it is important that we respect each other.

Sincerely, Hajji Dr. Roshan Khan

Dr Cheddi Jagan, his predecessor, had measured success in this regard. Even when the young sugar canes were being burnt in the fields and in the presence of industrial action, Jagan slugged away with a strategy and programme for the industry and his constituents and was able to extract benefits from the PNC government.

Every citizen following the development in sugar by now knows then President Jagdeo’s programme of injecting over US$200 million into the modernisation of the Skelton Estate was a disaster. We the taxpayers are today saddled with the debt of repaying the loan for a project that never worked. GuySuCo continues to be a political football. The time has come to address this issue since any call for financing has to come from the national coffers (Consolidated Fund) and requires a studied and focused response by national political leaders, technicians, the sugar unions and other stakeholders.

Jagdeo must be held accountable for his management of the industry as president and his refusal to meaningfully advance the sugar workers’ welfare as leader of the opposition. For this record, any acceptance today from him that he cares about the industry, the workers and communities and have a plan for them should the PPP be returned to government, we must ask him why the party under his leadership didn’t pursue same in government and opposition.

Regards Lincoln Lewis

Freddie’s contradiction Dear Editor

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R F re d d i e Kissoon has once again shown to readers that he is becoming a walking contradiction by giving terrible voting advice which would give the PPP an upper hand. He has chastised President Granger as not being “charismatic” enough to be President, yet fails to count his blessings that the PPP has no power to persecute him and his family anymore. The political clout of President Granger prevents the PPP from persecuting him. Mr Kissoon should be glad that he is allowed to write freely in his articles, compared to when the PPP was in power.

As a teenager, I would look forward to reading Mr Kissoon’s articles; this is because I have observed how terrible the

PPP treated Guyanese.

However, today, I am perplexed as to why someone who was persecuted by the PPP would encourage his readers to make an unwise decision to give the PPP a higher chance of winning the elections. The PPP hasn’t changed. It was only a few months ago that their supporters (via Guyana Times) were encouraging hate against Haitians. On the same token, Freddie Kissoon has published his support for tolerance for the Haitians and Venezuelans.

There is no such thing as a “PPP minority” in the future for Guyana.

This shouldn’t even be an afterthought for Mr Kissoon, given his history with the PPP. However, he has repeated numerous times that he has no intention of voting for the coalition, yet believes that a “PPP minority” would be a better option. How ludicrous!

What also confuses me as a long-time reader, is his support for Charandass . He stated that he supported Charandass as the “lone warrior” against perceived wrongs, yet Charandass has recently announced from his secret location in Canada that he endorses the PPP leader Irfaan Ali. This is very confusing and is more of a soap opera than what a reader would expect.

Everyone respects Freddie Kissoon as a journalist, but as of recent, he has confused many with his endorsements which are beneficial to the PPP. The PPP has no business in ruling Guyana based on how they treated Guyanese while they were in power. Why does Freddie Kissoon want this to happen again?

Regards, Riaz Hamid

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, JANUARY 13, 2019

‘PPP couldn’t care less about local democracy’, say Barticans

AS the 2020 General and Regional Elections are fast approaching, political parties are in the height of campaigning all across the country.

On Saturday evening, the APNU+AFC coalition at its regional level held a public meeting in the township of Bartica. This meeting saw the attendance of nearly 1000 people from Bartica and neighbouring communities such as Karrau, Kartabo, Itaballi, River’s View, Byderabo, and others.

The people heard speeches from their local leaders and youths within the party; they were also entertained by talent coming out of their communities.

The Mayor of Bartica, Gifford Marshall, spoke extensively on the importance of local democracy. He reminded the people of the growth and transformation their communities have seen since the local system was resuscitated.

“We have seen unprecedented development across the region in just four years. We would have seen a change in our environment where garbage is concerned; we would have seen a more beautiful environment. We would have seen opportunities for economic activities, and we would have seen programmes and activities designed to empower

our youths. Most importantly, two towns were established in Guyana before Guyana became an independent nation; Georgetown and New Amsterdam. After independence, three towns

Region Seven Chairman Gordon Bradford

were established in 1970; Corriverton, Rose Hall and Linden.

Anna Regina was established in 1990. After 1990, for the very first time, we had three hinterland towns in 2015, and then in 2018 Mahdia became a town. The whole concept here is that no municipality was established under the PPP from 1992 to early 2015. And that goes to show that they do not have local democracy at heart.

For two decades there was no local government elections and that demonstrates how clearly the PPP is not interested in local governance,” Marshall underscored.

“This government would have demonstrated that they

do have local democracy at heart, and we believe that communities are best developed when they are allowed to elect local leaders, and leaders who represent the people, who are

Mayor of Bartica Gifford Marshall

A section of the crowd at the public meeting in Bartica

elected by the people, and represent them in their best interest. And that’s the reason why we’re seeing developments in Region Seven. We’re seeing developments all over because the councils were elected by the people, and the councils are serving the people’s best interest. We don’t believe that the communities outside the city should be managed from a distance. We should make our own decisions,” he further lamented.

Regional Chairman Gordon Bradford reiterated the importance of understanding the role local governance plays in development.

Bradford said that he is the best suited person to compare and contrast, since he has been the region’s chairman for nearly 14 years.

Being chairman under PPP governance, he said that progress was heavily stifled. However, since the APNU+AFC took office in 2015, the development is one that has never been seen in the history of the region.

“I need to remind you of the progress we have seen.

Development is way beyond anything we would have ever experienced. Upper, Middle and Lower Mazaruni have equal access to critical services like education, health

and infrastructure. Last year we commissioned two primary schools, built doctors’ quarters to have doctors at every health outpost, teachers’ quarters and more. This year four more schools will be commissioned, including a special needs school. We are forging ahead with our development in every community. But it is an ongoing process; we want to continue, in keeping with our vision to bring critical services close to the people,” Bradford said.

He noted too that their roads have improved significantly. Just recently the road from Bartica to Mahdia was completed and Bradford said that it now takes three and a half hours to get to Mahdia, instead of seven hours, as it was before the roadways were improved.

He told this publication that the list of developments and projects that were executed is lengthy; however, the public meetings will continue to mobilise their people, and bring awareness to the many plans the government has to develop their region.

In fact, another meeting was held on Sunday evening at Four Miles Potaro Road Bartica, and more will be held during the course of this week in other communities.

Journalists should cease giving Jagdeo free passes on the Ali issue ―it is one of important personal propriety

Dear Editor

I

T was inevitable that media questions surrounding the integrity of the puppet PPP/C presidential candidate Irfaan Ali would surface, primarily with regard to the possibility of a criminal conviction on such an important electoral instance as Nomination Day. What would be their plan B? Of course, that particular journalist whose news site has been noticeably very friendly to the PPP/C, should have been asking the particular question, of Jagdeo, that he did, on the contingency plan in the case of a convicted Ali, ever since.

In fact, he should have insisted that Ali answer the question, rather than Jagdeo. But such is the lot of a political puppet, with Ali being no different.

Ad nauseam, this disgusting sight of a puppet candidate ought not to be there, period; and Jagdeo’s response in asking about the situation as regards President Granger should he suffer a relapse was just another sleazy example of plain question-dodging, which other reporters should have pursued, to make him answer a very critical matter that continues to support the immoral politics of the PPP/C. It is not my wish

to duplicate this particular aspect stated here, as views have already been offered in a letter sent to your medium. One would hope that it sees the light of day in your column.

In referring disingenuously to a possible relapse of the President, Jagdeo must have observed the orderly manner in which the business of the coalition government was conducted during his absence while receiving medical attention; and even in a period during which he and his anti-national forces employed every dark strategy to overthrow his government.

Even during this challenging convergence, rather than chaos, there was order; rather than indecisiveness there was purpose and direction, because of a leadership culture of good and orderly governance, established as example, by President Granger. The fact that the coalition had been able to successfully emerge from such a testing phase of governance signals that even if in the ensuing process, it had become a case of an incapacity of the President for an undue period of time, the ship of state would have continued being piloted by competent hands, until such time as to the personal future of the President as Head of State/government, would have been decided.

Further, in deploying the well-known old deceptive trick of countering a question with another question, Jagdeo prin-

cipally sought to shamelessly dodge giving an answer to a question about his puppet nominee who will become incessant, towards Election Day. Let him be reminded as well, that although the question is about succession/replacement in both instances, the extant circumstances/context in each are not, and would not be, the same. For whereas the PPP/C situation is about a candidate, before the courts, with the possibility of a conviction; and whose replacement will not be a democratically positive process, that of the coalition is of a leader of outstanding personal integrity; leadership by example, and impeccable morals, whose replacement, in any situation of serious/infirm illness will not follow such an undemocratic example, as Ali’s, but will democratically be done.

GOD honours those who live righteously in his sight; and as a leader, govern in the name of justice and righteousness. It is because of this favourable resume of an upright national leader that he has not only recovered, but will be blessed with further good health.

Regards Earl Hamilton

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, JANUARY 13, 2019

How to connect with children

IF you ask, many parents would profess that they connect with their children.

They would say, ‘How you mean? Of course, I connect with my child. ‘I know everywhere he goes, who his friends are and what he is doing at any given time of the day.’

But does knowing about your child constitute connection? Connection entails being in touch with your child’s mind; his needs, anxieties, and aspirations. Some parents and children interact well. Information, conversation and reasoning, have been established over time and flow naturally. While other parents have to pry and dig out whatever snippets of information their child may choose to share, leaving them feeling unsure about the authenticity of events.

In the beginning, parents connect to their babies through touch. They can hug their babies to make them feel secure and talk and play with them to communicate and build their learning capacity. The connection should start with the very young. Babies need to bond and feel secure and adults

should provide consistent care and protection. Communication and security, along with love and encouragement should be available throughout the child’s life.

some his development will be. Therefore, parents must not overlook the importance of building a solid foundation for their child; one that can last a lifetime.

Madeleine, the character from the series, and her children

When a child grows without this type of start in life, it may not be immediately apparent that the child is missing out. He will still strive and even reach his milestones. But it stands to reason that the more positive qualities to which a child is exposed, the more whole-

Regardless of a child’s age, if parents aim to connect, then they must spend quality time with their child building a worthwhile relationship. During these interactions, ALL technological gadgets must be turned off.

That means cell- phones, I Pads, video games and all

distractions in general. Parents must give their child one-to-one attention and listen to what their child has to say.

Listening must be without interruption, passing judgement or criticism. This is the only way parents will get a full picture rather than a tainted review of what their child wants to share.

Some parents have attitudes that are very off-putting for children. They swear, cuss and intimidate their children, yet they insist that their children confide in them. As much as parents might believe, ’I know my child…no one can tell me about my child…is my child.’ The child can equally say a word or two about his parent(s). Including the reasons why he would not tell his parent(s) certain things due to the reaction, he is bound to evoke or the trouble that may result from his revelation.

Some parents connect with their children negatively. They call them derogatory names; box and lash them and belittle them by telling them they are useless and will never amount

to anything. Children are already at a disadvantage when they are born into uncaring households. Being abused and degraded in this way can only exasperate their emotions and add to their lack of confidence and self-esteem.

To connect, parents must find and maintain an area of communication with their child that is open and honest.

They should seek to understand their child for who he/she is and not for who THEY would like him/her to be. Remember parents, your role is to guide, protect and encourage your children, not mould them into your ideal dream person. Your child must understand that you have his best interest at heart and there must be room for discussion and reasoning.

Listen to your child and allow him to think for himself by asking him questions, e.g. ‘So do you think your friend made a sensible decision?’ ‘What about the consequences of his actions?’

‘What lessons were learnt from the incident?

Adults can then evaluate the information shared; preferably from an unbiased

standpoint; and lastly, they can advise their child or if necessary, take appropriate action.

Children will only bring their inner thoughts, anxieties, problems, troubles or fears to their parents or caregivers, IF the adult is approachable, fair and open-minded.

Parents are older and wiser than children, they are meant to know how to use strategies and words to appease, teach and nurture their offspring. While all parental endeavours may be well-intended, they can only be effective if parents connect to their children.

Madeleine is a parenting skills series that will be shown on NCN Channel 11, this Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 19:15hrs. Don’t miss it!

If you are concerned about the welfare of a child call the CPA hotline on 227 0979 or write to us at childcaregy@gmail.com A MESSAGE FROM THE CHILDCARE AND PROTECTION AGENCY, MINISTRY OF SOCIAL PROTECTION

ExxonMobil dubbed ‘Explorer of the Year’ - Guyana discoveries major influence

RYSTAD Energy has once again named ExxonMobil ‘Explorer of the Year,’ crediting its rise to the top primarily to its successive and successful discoveries offshore Guyana.

A recent publication by the Norwegian research company, indicated that the world’s oil and gas explorers had together discovered 12.2 billion barrels of oil equivalent (boe) in 2019 with the discoveries in Guyana estimated at 1.8 billion boe cumulative.

Rystad Energy noted that Guyana’s success story from 2018 continued in 2019, with ExxonMobil adding four new discoveries within its offshore Stabroek Block.

“ExxonMobil can be declared explorer of the year for a second year in a row, thanks to its ongoing efforts and results in Guyana, along with significant investments in Cyprus. The super major was exceptional, both in terms of discovered volumes and value creation from exploration,” Senior Analyst on Rystad Energy’s upstream team, Palzor Shen-

ga said.

The 12.2 boe realised in 2019 is the highest since 2015 with 26 discoveries of more than 100 million boe in more offshore than onshore regions.

ExxonMobil discovered around 1.07 billion boe in additional net resources last year, which Rystad Energy estimates to be around $U.S.2.7 billion in value creation, largely driven by continued success in Guyana.

ExxonMobil made five discoveries in the Stabroek Block in 2019 at the Tilapia1 well; Haimara- 1 well; Yellowtail- 1 well; Tripletail- 1 well and the Mako- 1 well.

The most recent discovery brings the total to 15 for the U.S. oil giant.

Meanwhile, Rystad Energy noted that Tullow Oil’s Jethro and Joe exploration wells established the presence of a working petroleum system, west of the Stabroek Block.

Other key offshore discoveries highlighted for 2019 were Total’s Brulpadda in South Africa; ExxonMobil’s Glaucus in Cyprus;

CNOOC’s Glengorm in the United Kingdom (UK) and Equinor’s Sputnik in the Norwegian sector of the Barents Sea. “U.S. independent Hess and Chinese state player

CNOOC occupy the second and the third spots on the list of top explorers of 2019 in terms of value creation from new discoveries, with both benefitting from their partnership with ExxonMobil in

Guyana’s Stabroek Block.

Hess added about $2 billion in value from new discoveries last year, while CNOOC had value creation of about $1.8 billion,” Rystad Energy stated.

RYSTAD: Guyana is listed as the top country in terms of conventionally discovered volumes

Back in 2019, when ExxonMobil estimated its third-quarter earnings at $3.2B, the corporation also noted that its value position in Guyana had increased and that it was considering its undrilled potential.

“We are making excellent progress on our longterm growth strategy,” ExxonMobil Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Darren W. Woods said during a presentation.

Meanwhile, in December 2019, just weeks before first oil, the company’s subsidiary, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL), applied to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for authorisation to explore 31 wells in three oil blocks offshore Guyana.

The projects include a 25-well exploration programme in the Stabroek Block; a three-well exploration programme in the Kaieteur Block and a three-well exploration programme in the Canje Block as success continues in Guyana.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 13, 2020

Welcome to Moruca, gem of Region One --one of the fastest developing Amerindian communities in the country

By Wendella Davidson THE beautiful community of Moruca, one of three sub-regions in the North West District, the other two being Mabaruma and Matarkai, is one of the areas where the APNU+ AFC Coalition Government has executed several projects, in an effort to make the lives of the Indigenous Peoples who reside there more comfortable.

One such project is a $110M concrete bridge, which will be commissioned on Saturday, January 18, 2020. During 2019, the community of Santa Rosa, the largest Indigenous village in Guyana with a population of over 10,000 residents spread over 11 satellite islands, saw the execution of a number of projects, with the aid of funds from a Presidential Grant.

Among those projects were the construction and furnishing of a multi-purpose centre; the purchase of floodlights; fencing the Santa Rosa Guest House compound, and purchasing woodworking tools and machinery to complement its woodworking facility; converting a bond into a craft centre and purchasing craft items; constructing a marketplace; repairing the village’s vehicle, and setting up a five-acre coconut grove; repairing the village’s cargo boat and setting up a floating/ mobile grocery shop; repairing the Seven-Mile Branch Road; purchasing a 15hp Yamaha outboard engine and boat to assist the community with its transportation needs, especially the farmers; purchasing carpentry and boatbuilding tools and sport gear among other items.

Other projects undertaken by the Coalition Government include the setting up of Kwebanna Cassava Processing and the Santa Rosa Ground Coffee facilities; refurbishing the Bemichi Airstrip; and rehabilitating the health post at Parakeese.

Moruca is considered to be one of the fastest developing Amerindian communities, with its 11 titled communities, called ‘satellite villages’, Santa Rosa, Assakata, Kwebanna, Warapoka, Chinese Landing, Waramuri, Santa Cruz, Kariako, Kabucalli, Manawarin and Haimarakabra, with Santa Rosa being the largest and most populated.

The residents of the Moruca sub-region are predominantly Arawak, who subsequently became mixed with other Guyanese ethnicities.

‘ADMIN’ MATTERS The Village Council, which governs the Moruca community, is located at Kumaka, which is the business hub. It is headed

by Toshao Whanita Phillips, while the ‘satellite villages’ are managed by councillors. The government plays an administrative role in the affairs of Moruca, as such it has as its Assistant Regional Executive Officer (AREO) Ms. Rennita Williams, who oversees the affairs of the government in the sub-region.

At Kumaka are a post office; a police station; the Kumaka District Hospital; Government offices; a supermarket and several itinerant vendors who dot the area, offering various items such as clothing and other merchandise for sale.

The Guyana Chronicle, during a recent visit to Moruca, learnt that initially, the administrative block for Moruca was housed at Acquero, but it was subsequently relocated to Kumaka. However, despite being relocated, the police station and the post office have retained their original names, and as such are still known as the Aquero Police Station and Acquero Post Office.

BRIDGING THE COMMUNITIES On arriving at Kumaka, visitors are greeted by a $110M concrete bridge that links the communities of Kumaka and others to the west and Santa Rosa, Cabucalli, Kummucherie, St Peter’s, Paloma, Acquero, Huradiah, Mathurin Point and Tucupita and others to the east.

It is fitted with handrails, and what looks pretty much like an Amerindian headwear atop an arch and light is by solar lamps, which allows the structure to be quite a masterpiece when illuminated at night.

The two-lane, concreted structure benefits in excess of 10,000 persons, including nurses, teachers and students among others. Several motor vehicles, which are parked daily in the vicinity of the western approach to the bridge, use the bridge to transport passengers to their respective destinations. In the afternoon, it is a common sight to see students, in particular those from the Santa Rosa Secondary School, enjoying the atmosphere along the bridge before making their way home.

The structure replaces two previous ones, the first of which was constructed in the 1980s but was only for use by pedestrians. It was subsequently rehabilitated by the then PPP/C

administration to the tune of $43M, and catered for vehicular traffic as well, but was however deemed by residents to be unsuited to their specific needs.

In 2014, additional funds were doled out to carry out revetment works to shore up the eastern end of the bridge, but even those works proved inadequate, and given that it was below water level, residents were forced to construct a makeshift one for when the water level rose.

The new structure which was executed by Mohammed Ramzan Ali Khan Construction Company comprises a concreted deck supported by steel beams and a timber sub-structure and rails, and allows for boats to comfortably pass under as they traverse the waterways to access other far-flung communities that can only be reached by boat.

Residents with whom the Guyana Chronicle spoke recalled having to endure over 23 years of hardship having the then rickety structure that was called a bridge. One female resident told of having to lift her skirt or dress high as she paddled through the water during the rainy season or during high tide to attend church.

OTHER KEY PROJECTS Construction of a Cassava Flour Processing Factory at Kwebanna Village began in December 2018 at a cost of $10M, and entailed the clearing and preparation of 30 acres of land, and the purchasing of cassava sticks for planting. The project, for which some $26M overall was spent, including equipping the facility, has created employment for several villagers, who either supplied materials or were involved in the actual construction.

The project was initiated by the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs after consultations with the residents, since cassava is one of the main produces in the Kwebanna community, which has a population of approximately 1000 persons and as its main economic activities lumber jacking, hunting, subsistence farming and fishing.

The Santa Rosa Coffee project was initiated after it was found that Moruca has fertile lands with the ability to produce coffee. However, this venture will ensure farmers receive triple dividends for their efforts, since approximately 12,000 seedlings will be planted by fifteen farmers, reaped and processed to supply both the local, regional and later, international markets.

In November 2019, the Moruca sub-district was again in the spotlight when, in observance of the International Year of the Indigenous Languages, and to raise awareness about the endangerment of Indigenous Languages in Guyana, the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs hosted an inaugural Storytelling Festival there.

The event included the singing and reciting of the National Anthem.

THE JOURNEY Prior to arrival, the journey to Moruca, if travelling from the city, entails travelling by minibus or car to Parika, then boarding either a government-run ferry or a speedboat to Supenaam, then joining a car for a 65km journey along the Essequibo Coast public road to Charity. Once there, you then join one of the popular speedboats to undertake the journey to Moruca by travelling along the beautiful and at times serene Pomeroon River, making use of the opportunity to take in the beauty of the houses that adorn both sides of the river and an approximately 20-mile rough ride on the Atlantic Ocean before entering the Moruca River.

The change of appearance in the colour of the water from black to brown is an indication that the ride on the treacherous Atlantic Ocean was imminent. After a brief stop for records purposes at the Guyana Defence Force Mobile Station, which has a permanent presence not far from the mouth of the Pomeroon River, the approximately 20-minute journey across the vast expanse of brown waters of the Atlantic Ocean is made.

The view along that short journey is obscured, as all shutters on the speedboat have to be down to keep out the huge waves.

On entering the Barima-Waini River, one is greeted by once again water black water, and the dexterity of the speedboat operators and knowledge of the waterway is evident from the many meandering turns and twists. Occasionally, too, the operator is forced to come to a halt to avoid the boat’s engine being entangled with floating debris, which the Guyana Chronicle was told, happens when the river falls or ebbs.

Along the way, stops are made at Cart Market, Waramuri and Acquero to either uplift fuel or off-load or pick up passengers.

The structure before the new concrete bridge was constructed (Photo courtesy of the AREO, Rennita Williams)

The $110M concrete bridge that links the communities of Kumaka and others to the west and Santa Rosa and others to the east

A side view of the new bridge (Photos by Wendella Davidson)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 13, 2020

PPP abandons promise to re-open sugar estates

...tells Albion rally if elected would look at finding jobs, assistance for former sugar workers LEADER of the Opposition Bharrat Jagdeo on Sunday walked back on his talks about re-opening the closed sugar estates, if the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) is elected to government at the upcoming General and Regional Elections.

Jagdeo, during his remarks at the PPP/C rally at Albion, Berbice, on Sunday, said the PPP/C, if elected, will ensure that ex-sugar workers regain employment.

Government, as part of an effort to resuscitate the sugar industry and return it to viability, had closed the Wales (West Bank Demerara), Enmore (East Demerara), Rose Hall and Skeldon (East Berbice) Sugar Estates.

The Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) is currently using three estates for production – Blairmont and Albion in Berbice and Uitvlugt on the West Demerara.

“I promise every sugar worker in this region, we will work until you get back a job or get assistance to get a job,” said Jagdeo, as he addressed the Albion gathering.

Jagdeo’s remarks contradicted what he had said last year, when he announced that if the PPP/C wins the next elections, its members will find a way to re-open the estates.

“The PPP will find a way of re-opening the estates that are closed, so as to put people back to work. We will explore all forms of partnerships to get that done plus innovative financing and investments, so people can return to providing for their families,” said Jagdeo in a report last year.

In support of Jagdeo, PPP/C presidential candidate Irfaan Ali said the party will look at the “restoration” of jobs in the sugar industry.

“We will look at the creation of jobs and our focus in the creation of jobs will not only be the restoration of jobs in the sugar industry…It is important for us to address the issue of the creation of jobs…we want to ensure that our people here and all across Guyana have access to jobs, jobs that pay well and jobs that can sustain your families,” Ali said.

Ali, who is now speaking about job creation for ex-sugar workers, had also talked about re-opening the sugar estates, an idea which was condemned by veteran trade unionist Lincoln Lewis.

Lewis had said that Ali ought not to be trusted. Lewis flayed the opposition for squandering opportunities during its time in office to

reform the industry.

According to Lewis, Ali is attempting to assure society that the PPP/C has grand plans for the sugar industry when it was during the PPP/C’s administration that the fortune of sugar changed drastically, and it proved incapable of salvaging the industry. Lewis said presented with the opportunity to diversify and retool with financial support offered by the European Union, that government had neglected it.

The idea of re-opening the estates was also rubbished by General-Secretary of the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), Joseph Harmon. Harmon had said: “These promises in very many cases bear no semblance to reality.

For the PPP now in their manifesto to say they would re-open the sugar estates, I would like to know on what information basis they are going to do that.

“This b l a n k statement that we will reopen sugar estates, when you examine it, when you go into the details you will see how fake this promise is. And it is not something that any

right-thinking Guyanese can take on face value,” said Harmon.

Tearing into the issue further, Harmon questioned how the PPP could revive the industry given their stellar record of mismanagement, decline and unaccountability in the industry across the 23 years they oversaw it.

Skeldon Factory But though it has been found that the sugar industry was haemorrhaging Guyana’s coffers, former PPP/C Member of Parliament Vickram Bharrat told the PPP/C supporters that the closure of the Skeldon Sugar Estate was a “political decision.”

The PPP/C’s presidential candidate, Irfaan Ali makes a point as Leader of the Opposition Bharrat Jagdeo and other officials of the party look on (Adrian Narine photo)

In 2015, when the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) government came into office, the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) had amassed a debt of more than $82 billion. The government continued efforts to ‘bailout’ the industry, but in 2017, a State Paper on sugar was presented, which sought to highlight the need to modernise, contract and diversify the sector.

Bharrat, at the rally, said, “Closing [the

Supporters of the PPP/C listen as Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo makes his presentation (Adrian Narine photo)

Skeldon] factory was a political decision because the co-generation plant at Skeldon was producing $7.5B a year, enough to keep the estate alive.”

The Skeldon Estate was commissioned by the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) government, with an estimated US$200M spent on a new factory and bigger fields, but it failed to kick-start the industry. A co-generation plant was also commissioned back in 2009 as part of the Skeldon Sugar Modernisation Project, and was expected to supply energy to the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) company.

That co-generation plant was hived off by the government in 2015 to the stateowned company, Skeldon Energy Inc (SEI). The estate was, however, closed by the end of 2017 as the government set out to restructure the industry.

In a surprise visit in 2019 to the Albion Estate, in Berbice, President Granger reassured the nation that it was not his government’s intention to ‘close down’ the sugar industry.

President Granger explained that his government was merely restructuring the industry to respond to external and internal changes, and so that the industry could be revived not only in a sustainable manner, but also to become profitable once more.

In presenting the 2018 Budget to the National Assembly, Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan had said that government’s intensified focus on diversification and value-added production in the non-sugar agriculture sector has become absolutely critical at this point as the sugar industry continues to undergo restructuring.

According to Minister Jordan, the Special Purposes Unit (SPU) in 2018 was tasked with examining and articulating the way forward with respect to the divestment of the Skeldon, Rosehall, and East Demerara estates.

“Our taxpayers must no longer be burdened to carry the weight of an unprofitable, inefficient, and antiquated public corporation. The government has allocated $6.3B, in 2018, to support the reduced operations of GuySuCo,” the minister said. Minister Jordan had said government intends to uphold its duty to the communities and families in the areas affected by divestment, as part of the GuySuCo restructuring.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, JANUARY 13, 2019

Parents postpone 12-year-old’s funeral ―until they learn how she really died

THE parents of 12-yearold Ashley Agard, who was found unresponsive last Monday at a neighbour’s residence at Longsdale Village, East Bank Berbice, have postponed her funeral, which was scheduled for today.

They gave as the reason for the postponement their dissatisfaction with the investigation, and are calling on the authorities to look deeper into the matter, as they want “justice for Ashley”.

Speaking to Guyana Chronicle from their modest Rotterdam, East Bank Berbice home, where Ashley and her three siblings, Romaldo aged 13, Celina, 10, and Orlando, nine, lived with their parents, mother, Samantha Downer said she is of the belief that her daughter’s death was not accidental but a deliberate act.

She has also expressed dissatisfaction with the findings of the post mortem, which excluded the fact that there were markings on the right side of the child’s neck.

She also wants to know why she and her husband, Sylvester Durant, as the child’s parents, were not allowed to witness the post mortem, and were not told the cause of death.

There are also questions as to why the Gaffars, at whose home the incident occurred, were treated with

such deference by police investigators, while they, Ashley’s parents, were treated like criminals.

have a hammock here at home; it is higher than the one at Wasir’s house. Ashley normally lie in the ham-

satisfied; I want justice for ‘Buckie’.

The last time she saw

Family in mourning: Seated from left are: Ashley’s mom, Samantha Downer; and her siblings, Romaldo, Orlando, and Celina. Standing is their father, Sylvester Durant

According to Shunamae Gaffar, she was alerted that something was amiss after hearing her daughter

Dead: Ashley Agard

Both parents claim to be still in the dark as to what really transpired, as to have caused their daughter’s demise.

Said Samantha, “The story is conflicting; it’s mixed up. They are not telling me exactly what transpired. I

mock; it’s nothing strange for her. Their hammock is much lower; about a foot off the ground. I just don’t believe Ashley got entangled. My daughter was very outspoken. If she’d encountered difficulty, she would have screamed… I am not

Ashley alive, Samantha said, was sometime after midday on Monday, walking down the road with Shunamae Gaffar. She herself was waiting on transportation to go to the New Amsterdam hospital to see a relative who was expecting a baby.

screaming. “I was upstairs; she and Ashley was playing.

She screamed calling me, ‘Mummy come see whuh Ashley do’. When I came downstairs, I saw Ashley seated on the ground with a piece of the hammock material around her neck, and froth

tial increase in works done from 2015 to date in water and other areas. In the hinterland in 2019 alone, 22 wells were drilled, alleviating the effects experienced during the dry season. It is for this reason that human capital is important to maintain development, he said.

“GWI reviewed the arrangement for the servicemen and realised that more needed to be done to ensure successful outcomes. You will now be paid a monthly salary and be added to GWI’s payroll”, the managing-director said, much to the satisfaction of his newly

added staff.

“You now have a responsibility for the health of the people in your village,” he added. The servicemen and women are also being taught to take water samples and the results of tests performed on them will be sent to the Public Utilities

Commission (PUC).

Dr Van-West Charles said he looks forward to working with the newly contracted staff and seeing improvements as they relate to water and sanitation in their villages, as directed by the President of Guyana, David Granger.

flowing from her mouth.

I removed the cloth from around her neck; I put her to lie on the ground. I called my neighbour, Alana. She said Ashley was breathing, and that I should call her mother.

When Ashley’s mother, Samantha, came, she started to scream, and while doing so, picked up the child and took her home.

According to Samantha, Ashley did not go to school that day because she’d earlier complained of having a headache. She said that after taking Ashley home when she left the Gaffars, she put her on the bed to lie down, hoping that that would have helped her revive. But, Ramaldo, her eldest son, became concerned when he saw she was not waking up, and hurriedly ran to the nearby sawmill where their father worked. And after telling him what he feared, together they rushed home and immediately took the pre-teen to the New Amsterdam Hospital, where she was pronounced dead on arrival.

A post mortem examination conducted by Government Pathologist Dr. Nehaul Singh at the Anthony’s Funeral Home, found that the cause of death as “asphyxiation due to broncho aspiration of gastric content, compounded by compression injury to neck”.

57 servicemen, women awarded contracts to maintain water systems A TOTAL of 57 servicemen and women from Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) were awarded employment contracts by the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) on Friday, paving the way for them to benefit from fixed salaries, instead of stipends, as they maintain water supply systems in their villages.

The men and women, who were selected by their respective village councils, were at the time attending a training workshop on water supply systems maintenance, hosted by GWI. With the upgrading of many water systems in the region, the service personnel were required to be more thorough with their maintenance routines, catering to the wells, photovoltaic systems and distribution networks. As a result, GWI thought it best to further train the service staff and offer them contracts.

In his address, GWI Managing-Director Dr Richard Van-West-Charles said there has been an exponen-

The 57 servicemen and women from Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) who were awarded employment contracts by GWI

Executive Director of Hinterland Services, Ramchand Jailal, noted that it is the company’s aim to have systems that can provide easy access to potable water all year long; he added that the service staff will be equipped with the requisite tools to carry out their duties.

Many of the servicemen and women expressed gratitude to GWI for bringing them on board and for the works being done in their villages to enhance their water supply and ensure convenience in access.

During the workshop, the employment contracts were handed over by Executive Director of Human Resources Management and Development, Elvis Jordan. GWI also invited representatives of the National Insurance Scheme (NIS), the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) and the Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI) to assist the staff with applying for the requisite documents needed to become employees.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, JANUARY 13, 2019

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, JANUARY 13, 2019

Several small parties to correct defective lists SEVERAL small parties that submitted Lists of Candidates to the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) on Nomination Day have been notified that their lists were defective-- meaning that there were errors which could affect their participation in the coming General and Regional Elections.

However, when the Guyana Chronicle spoke with some of these parties on Sunday, they assured the newspaper that the mistakes were minor and were already corrected or in the process of being corrected.

Presidential Candidate of The New Movement (TNM), Dr. Asha Kissoon stated: “We had a few corrections and we’ve already fixed them and will be re-submitting tomorrow.

It wasn’t anything much, small things like one signature from Region 10.”

The TNM has branded itself as a party of young professionals, and was among the first set of parties which camped out in front of the Umana Yana ahead of Nomination Day to ensure themselves a place in the coming elections.

Meanwhile, Attorney and Executive Member of the Federal United Party (FED-UP), Chandra Sohan said that defects were found on the party’s list and it would be re-submitting a corrected list today.

“What happened with us is that we were short of a couple of candidates for Region Six and there were some mix-up with the names as a far as Region Five is concerned, but we just have to submit those additional names to GECOM so that has been sorted out,” he stated.

FED-UP was formed in 2018 and is contesting only the Regional Elections in Regions

Presidential Candidate of The New Movement (TNM), Dr. Asha Kissoon

United Republican Party (URP) Presidential Candidate, Dr. Vishnu Bandhu

Attorney and executive member of the Federal United Party (FED-UP), Chandra Sohan (right) as he submitted his party’s list to GECOM’s Chief Elections Officer, Keith Lowenfield (Adrian Narine photos)

Five and Six. Also speaking with the Guyana Chronicle, United Republican Party (URP) Presidential Candidate, Dr. Vishnu Bandhu, said that the mistakes identified on his party’s lists were already corrected.

“We corrected it already.

It was nothing that we can’t handle,” he said.

“We were in accord with what they have on the website and what they tell you is wrong, it wasn’t wrong according to what they put up on the website. But we are giving them the benefit of the doubt,” he said.

The URP has taken a go at the General and Regional Elections more than once but is yet to win a seat. The party will launch its manifesto on Wednesday at the Cara Lodge and has invited members of the public as well as members of the diplomatic corps to attend.

On the submission of Lists of Candidates on Nomination Day, Chief Elections Officer (CEO), Keith Lowenfield is tasked with notifying representatives and deputy representatives of a party’s List that a list is defective.

The party will have until January 13, 2020 to submit a corrected list, through its representatives.

The provision is made for appeals to be made to the High Court, if needs be, by January 16, 2020.

Approved lists will be gazetted on January 19, 2020, meaning that nothing can be changed at this time.

Any changes, such as the death/withdrawal of a candidate or intent of a joiner of lists, these must be done on January 11 and 17 respectively.

Another dangerous false reporting exposed Dear Editor,

T

HE GUYANA TIMES continues to justify why, along with some notorious elements in the media, it is the PPP/C’s CHOICE PAPER OF POLITICAL SLEAZE. Its latest example of what has been deliberately proven as false reporting by the Guyana Revenue Authority’s Commissioner-General, cannot be a mere coincidence, particularly at this most interesting phase – the road to national elections.

It is part of the grand plot by the Jagdeo forces to prove a case of corruption against the current coalition, A Partnership for National Unity+Alliance For Change(AFC), government.

Its contrivance is as false and criminal as those who are its intellectual authors, and who have been the grand architects of what had been CARICOM’s definably criminal state. It is surely another example of the incomparably wicked minds

of politicians who have played all their cards, but must now rappel down into the greater depths of further dangerous distortions to feed further wicked allegations.

Editor, just examine the outright desperateness of wicked minds now publicising a declaration of a higher sum of GRA collected revenue, that never was; than a lower and correct sum that had been announced, months ago, according to Commissioner-General Godfrey Statia. This is more than being disingenuous. This is being barefacedly criminal, and outlines all that is wrong with a political party with its principal print medium, a part of its well- known campaign of disinformation.

This is, undoubtedly a plot, to besmirch the professional integrity of Godfrey Statia, whose presence at the helm of the nation’s revenue body, and being proactive, has been a graphic revelation in closing virtually all the loopholes of the well-known tax dodgers: those who refuse to pay their fair share of taxes; the tightening on tax concessions and waivers,

which were brutally abused and converted to personal use, given to the favoured ones, during the regime of the PPP/C; the clamp down on smuggling of goods, that has been reducing its high incidence. These aggressive measures, coupled with the introduction of modern technologies, have certainly brought about greatly improved measures for both managing and monitoring the nation’s revenue-collection system. Of course, there would be numerous persons whose evasive measures have been curtailed, and forced to comply with the legal requirements of tax remittances, since 2015.

One has no doubt, that these are among the persons who would support such media falsifications against the GRA, and the outstanding stewardship of CommissionerGeneral Statia.

Regards Aditya Panday

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, JANUARY 13, 2019

‘You have made your mark on Guyana’s development’ – PM Nagamootoo ―167th anniversary of Arrival of Chinese to Guyana observed

...Sod turned for memorial to be erected at Windsor Forest THE government in collaboration with the Chinese Association of Guyana celebrated the 167th anniversary of the Arrival of Chinese to Guyana with the turning of the sod for the Chinese Memorial to be erected at Windsor Forest, Region Three.

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo during his remarks noted the numerous contributions made by the Chinese indentured labourers and their descendants to the country’s development.

“Today is a very historic day when we observe the 167th anniversary of the arrival of the first batch of Chinese to Guyana. You may be small in numbers but you are significant in Guyana for your contribution to the economy, business, music, sports, law and in politics.

“Guyana is now going places and, on this day, I want to pay tribute to the Chinese ancestors for their sacrifices and to their offspring who have stayed through,” the prime minister

told those gathered at the La Jalousie/Nouvelle Flanders NDC, for the commemoration ceremony.

He reminded the audience that one of the first acts

by President David Granger

on his assumption of office in 2015, was the designation of January 12 as Chinese Arrival Day in memory and honour of the arrival of Chinese to these shores.

He also highlighted the many projects and programmes presently being undertaken in areas of infrastructure and ICT among

said.

His Excellency Cui Jianchun, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Guyana, noted

healthy and with steady improvements, cooperation will continue to deepen. He also related that in 2019, the Chinese govern-

ly that “in 2020 China will continue to support ventures in Guyana; we will work together for the betterment of both people.” (DPI)

THE A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) coalition presented to the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) a youthful list of candidates for its contest in the 10 Geographical Constituencies.

In a release, the party ex-

clude senior teacher at the North West Secondary School, Ronald Cox; Pamela Forde; Rachael Benjamin; and Rennita Williams.

Representing Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) are PNC/R Representative Shurwayne Holder; Region Two, National Congress of Women

Haslington/Grove Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) Chair, Maureen Philadelphia; Attorney-at-Law James Bond; Guyana Youth and Student Movement (GYSM) Chairman Ryan Belgrave; Past Chairman of the Buxton/ Foulis NDC Deon Abrams; Minister of Tele-

shad; New Amsterdam Mayor and Town Council Social Committee Councillor Patricia Lynch; Educator, Colin Bynoe; Regional MP, Donna Mathoo; and Regional MP, Barbara Pilgrim.

On the List from Region Seven ( Cuyuni-Mazaruni) are Bartica’s youngest con-

Member of the Guyana Action Party (GAP), Muacir Baretto; and AFC Representative, Lilian Joseph-Cumberbatch.

Representing Region Ten (Upper Demerara-Berbice) are AFC Region 10 Chairman Devin Sears; Regional MP Jermaine Figueira; Junior Agriculture Minister Valerie Ad-

representation of women for the collective Regions.

Each political party must contest in at least six (6) Geographical Constituencies, and in at least 13 of the 25 seats available.

President David Granger has stated that he is satisfied with the process of the Coali-

Guyana Youth and Student Movement (GYSM) Chairman, Ryan Belgrave

Haslington/Grove Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) Chair, Maureen Philadelphia

Attorney-at-Law James Bond

PNCR Youth Leader, Vinceroy Jordan

Bartica’s youngest constituency councillor, Estiva Lake

Deputy Mayor of Bartica, Nageswari Kamal Lochanprasad

ams-Yearwood; and Charles Gittens.

The APNU+AFC handed in their Geographical Constituency List as a part of their General Elections List on Nomination Day on Friday at the Umana Yana.

The Geographical Constituency List must see at least 150 to 175 nominators from each of the 10 Constituencies (Regions).

The list should also include no more than 45 candidates, and must have a 1/3

tion’s selection of candidates as the party’s lists contain a balance of youth and gender.

He told reporters on Friday: “I’m very satisfied that we went through the process, and we’ve got the best list and it’s a winning list. We have a proven record, and the lists of persons that we have submitted, I’m very sure, will be able to do proud in the National Assembly and in the Regional Democratic Councils and, of course, in the Cabinet.”

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo delivering remarks at the 167th Anniversary of the Arrival of Chinese in Guyana

Prime Minister Nagamootoo made special mention of the work of the Chinese Medical Brigade, which has been providing crucial medical service for some 26 years in Guyana.

other sectors, by the Government of China in partnership with the administration.

“You have made your mark in the development and the prosperity of Guyana,” the prime minister

that over the last 167 years Chinese have been working hard and forging forward in “this land of many waters.” The ambassador explained that the Guyana-China relationship is

Chinese nationals doing a cultural piece at the commemoration ceremony

ment provided scholarships to 120 Guyanese to pursue studies, as well as provided training in various fields for another 120 Guyanese. Ambassador Jianchun stated positive-

His Excellency Cui Jianchun, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Guyana delivers his remarks

APNU+AFC submits youthful Geographical Constituency List

plained that the National Assembly comprises 65 seats, 25 of which are filled by candidates extracted from the Geographical Constituency List, and 40 by candidates extracted from the National Top-Up List.

The APNU+AFC has 86 candidates on its National Top-Up list, and 45 on its Geographical Constituency List. And while some duplicates may be witnessed, this is allowed according to law.

Those on the List for Region One (Barima-Waini) in-

(NCW) Chair Dacia Jones; PNCR Representative Darul Khan, and Minister of Business Haimraj Rajkumar.

From Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) are Regional MP John Adams; Region Three Information Officer Ganesh Mahipaul; PNCR Regional Chairperson Thandi McAllister; Regional MP Mervyn Williams, and Suruj Singh.

Those from Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) include

communications Catherine Hughes; Natacha Flue-Bess; Tamara Khan; Deonarine Ramsaroop; and Sheik Yaseen.

On the List from Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) are AFC Region Five Regional Management Committee (RMC) Chair, Allison Bourne; PNCR Youth Leader Vinceroy Jordan; Region Five Member of Parliament (MP) Jennifer Wade, and Tiffeny McFarlane-Mentore.

From Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) are First Vice-President of Move on Guyana, Dineshwar Jaipra-

stituency councillor, Estiva Lake; Former Deputy Mayor of Bartica, Nageswari Kamal Lochanprasad; CEO of Hopkinson Mining, Shawn Hopkinson; and Minister of State Dawn Hastings-Williams.

To represent Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) are Mahdia Chambers of Commerce Executive Director Daniel Fraser; Norma Sebastian; and Richard Sinclair.

From Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) are Toshao of Yupukari Village, Russian Dorrick; Executive

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, JANUARY 13, 2019

Hinds drops out of electoral race ― due to dual citizenship, ill health NIGEL Hinds, co-founder and Chairman of Change Guyana, bowed out of the electoral race on Sunday due to his ill health and the fact that is he a dual citizen.

“To my friends and supporters, it is with much sadness and disappointment that I now withdraw as a candidate to represent Change Guyana as the prime ministerial candidate, due to my current dual citizenship status and likely medical condition that I learnt of in November of 2019,” Hinds said in a statement on Sunday.

The chartered accountant said he was hoping that subsequent diagnostic tests would have been favourable; however, the prognosis requires further medical intervention that is best done in the United States, where he is a citizen.

Guyana’s constitution, under Article 155, does not allow a dual citizen to be elected a member of the National Assembly.

“My commitment and involvement in the campaign to have Robert Badal elected as President of Guyana in general elections scheduled for March 2, 2020 and to propel Change Guyana party into becoming the leading political platform for all Guyanese, remains undaunted,” he assured the nation.

Change Guyana co-founder David Hinds

As a co-founder of Change Guyana, Hinds said he will continue to do his utmost to ensure the party works to unite the country towards a multiethnic, multicultural and multiracial society that focuses on inclusive and accelerated economic and social development.

In a separate statement,Badal wished Hinds a speedy recovery. “I would like to wish my dearest colleague the best of health and speedy recovery, I stand ready to offer any assistance he may need. It is never an easy task to choose between health and country, Nigel has made his choice and our entire executive, members and supporters are behind him on his decision,” Badal said.

He added “Nigel inspired me to co-found Change Guyana, and he will continue to function as the Party’s Chairman to bring his wealth of knowledge and experience to guide our campaign and our policies.”

Change Guyana was launched in October, 2019 with a promise that teachers and nurses will receive tax-free salaries. It is also hoping to reduce poverty through balanced investments in all administrative regions should it be elected to office.

President extends condolences on the passing of Dr. Lee PRESIDENT David Granger, on Sunday, said he was saddened at the death of Dr. Wallace Irving Lee, AA, CCH. Dr. Lee was a Director and Surgeon at the Woodlands Hospital Limited.

In a statement, President Granger expressed heartfelt sympathy to his wife, Mrs. Marlene Lee, their children, the

management and staff of the Woodlands Hospital and other relatives and friends.

“Dr. Lee was an outstanding Guyanese and professional in his field. It is for this reason he was awarded the Golden Arrowhead of Achievement and, later, the Cacique Crown of Honour for his exemplary service,” the Ministry of the Presidency noted in the statement.

Following the completion of his secondary education at Queen’s College, Dr. Lee attended the University of the West Indies (UWI), where he studied medicine. Upon his return to Guyana, he served as a consultant in surgery at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation before moving on to other institutions.

He was 87.

Are you ready for Panorama 2020?

A section of the crowd at the Bandstand on Sunday for the launch of Panorama

THE steel pan has grown to become an integral part of the Guyanese culture especially during the season of Mashramani. Every year, the Republic Bank Panorama competition gets bigger and bigger support as more persons are gravitating to that form of musical rendition.

Last year, the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall where the competition is usually held, could not have contained the mammoth crowd that descended on the event.

This year already appears to be yet another massive turnout, as the launch programme on Sunday at the Seawall Bandstand saw the attendance of droves of people.

Men, women and children of all ages came out in their numbers with their chairs and blankets to enjoy the presentations from the various bands.

Heating up the chilly afternoon, the bands delivered pleasingly, as fans could have been seen grooving to the sounds of the music. So enticing were these performances that even after it started to rain, the crowd was immovable.

The people stayed through to enjoy all the performances.

Even though it was just the launch and the perfor-

mances were that of a ‘friendly,’ it felt like competitive performances as each band played to outdo the previous performer.

The highlight of the night however, was the Guyana Police Force Band, who are the defending champions. The police officers came out uniformed in their all-black attire, and played for nearly 40 minutes, showing off their versatility by playing music from way back in 1980s to music from this era. They had the crowd dancing and grooving to every note hit.

Another crowd favourite was the Caribbean Airlines Parkside Steel Orchestra, who came out uniformed in their all-white attire and swayed the crowd. Last year they secured second place.

From what transpired on Sunday, the people are already anticipating this year’s competition. This year however, due to the large support, there are two dates for the competition. February 13th at the Theatre Guild, the Pan Minors will have their competition, and on Feb 16th the large bands will take over the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall for their competition.

The National School of Music Steel Orchestra doing their thing

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, JANUARY 13, 2019

Block-making factory creating jobs in Blue Berry Hill ― sewing factory to become operable in coming weeks

By Vanessa Braithwaite THE unemployment rate in Blue Berry Hill, Wismar, Linden and surrounding communities, is expected to be significantly reduced with the establishment of a Block-making factory in the area.

While the factory is already in operation, and training for the first batch of those to benefit has been completed, a sewing factory is also underway. Final touches to the building, to make it operable, are expected to be completed in about two weeks. This is according to Community Development Officer, Bernita Primo.

Primo said she is pleased that the project has come to fruition, paving the way for the creation of jobs for all ages. While the project initially targeted young people, she related that middle-aged men also expressed interest and were not turned away.

The project was funded by the Ministry of Social Protection, through the Sustainable Livelihood and Entrepreneurial Development (SLED). Already, 10 persons have been trained. Currently, they are utilizing the facility and its equipment free of cost to produce blocks for small contracts.

Systems are being put in place for these persons to serve as the local content needed for jobs through the

Community Development Council (CDC0 and Regional Development Council (RDC).

a good initiative to create employment for some of the residents both in Blue Berry Hill and neighbouring

The Blue Berry Hill Block Factory

“I am really happy this is a success, particularly in the Blue Berry Hill area, where we particularly had nothing to create jobs; well now we have the community centre also and in two weeks time our sewing factory is expected to be up and running.

All are invited, not only residents of Blue Berry Hill, but Linden and Region 10,” Primo said.

Blue Berry Hill Constituency Representative, Councillor Fern McKoy, who, over the years, has been playing an integral role in community development, applauded the initiative.

“It is a good gesture,

communities, which will offset the unemployment rate in Linden. We are hoping for much more like this in Region 10 and Guyana as a whole,” McKoy said.

According to her, the sewing project will cater for a different demographic.

McKoy has been meeting with young people on a monthly basis, encouraging them to participate in the projects.

“At least it is something to start them off and eventually they can branch off to what they have in mind and what they want to do, but for now, they can utilize the services and earn money from

it,” she said.

These two projects are the latest job-creation initiatives rolled out by the

communications and M&P Investments Incorporated signed a $116M contract for the renovation of the Kara

The machine used to make the blocks

APNU-AFC Government, in an effort to target the high unemployment rate in Linden. Only two weeks ago, the Ministry of Public Tele-

Kara Call Centre. This will initially provide jobs for 150 Lindeners but the long-term goal is to provide 300 jobs in the mining town. This project

is expected to be completed

by April 2020.

In August 2019, the Ministry of Public Health provided jobs for 54 Linden youths, through the Patient Care Assistance Programme.

They are now employed at various health institutions in the region. This employment was made possible after a six-month free training programme.

In addition, scores of Region 10 youths have benefitted from government-sponsored training such as Information and Communication Tech nology (ICT), SCIENCE, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM), Hinterland Employment and Youth Service (HEYS), Agro processing, apiculture and tourism among other areas. These youths have used the skills garnered to become employable or to create employment.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, JANUARY 13, 2019

Coomacka residents upbeat about community, regional development ―vow to give coalition second term

THEIR well maintained access road, erosion correction project, street lighting, issuance of land titles, the Five ‘Bs’ programme and rehabilitation of the nursery and primary schools were just some of the developments highlighted by residents of Coomacka, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Upper Berbice), during a well-attended and upbeat community meeting on Saturday.

The meeting, organised

by the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC), saw scores of residents decked out in yellow and green –- the colours of the coalition --- as they heard from regional and government officials on the developments that have taken place since APNU+AFC took office in 2015.

In his address, former Regional Councillor Douglas Gittens, told the residents that their main access road, rehabilitation for which they

had clamoured prior to 2015, and is now in very good condition, should be reason enough to have them re-elect the coalition government.

“We use to take half hour to get here and we are now taking less than 15 minutes.

Ladies and gentlemen, that road alone should have you vote APNU+AFC. We will continue, we have identified several more roads that we will fix, just give us time, we need more time,” he urged to a loud round of applause.

He pointed out that it was only last week that the Regional Chairman Renis Morian, ensured that residents of Coomacka employed at the Chinese logging company in the community were reinstated. Morian, Gittens reported, also lobbied for better working conditions for the residents.

Erosion, an issue that once plagued the community, resulting in widespread flooding and the blockage of the Demerara River with

bauxite sediment, causing it to be virtually impassable, is now a thing of the past, with the construction of a dam and the dredging of the river by the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA).

“If this has happened in four and a half years, what do you think will happen in the next 10?” Gittens asked the residents.

He then turned his attention to regional projects, which will also benefit the residents, such as the construction of a new Wismar-Mackenzie bridge, the rehabilitation of the Soesdyke-Linden Highway, the construction of a synthetic track and the establishment of ICT hubs across the region, among others.

now to take this word to others, the converts are here, each and every one of you here would be voting APNU-AFC,” Rutherford told the residents, as he urged them to vote early, and to ensure that their friends and families vote as well.

Vertical economic take off His colleague, former MP Mervyn Williams said that in 2020 Guyana is set for a vertical economic take off. As such, he urged the residents to play their part in ensuring the coalition returns to office.

Williams assured the residents that under the leadership of the APNU+AFC government they will continue to enjoy the good life. Accord-

Residents of Coomacka, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Upper Berbice) decked out in coalition colours

The former councillor urged the residents to question members of the opposition – the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) – on projects they had undertaken in the community and the region at large, during their 23 years in government.

Former Member of Parliament, Audwin Rutherford, made a similar argument while stressing that those projects were only completed because the coalition was decent and honest in its endeavours.

The future is bright for Guyana, he said, under the leadership of President David Granger. In Guyana, there is no room for one-party politics, Rutherford said, as he iterated a sentiment oftentimes expressed by President Granger.

In highlighting some of the strides made by the APNU+AFC government in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Upper Berbice), Rutherford alluded to the return of local government elections and the establishment of a Regional Agriculture Department in 2019.

“We caused development to happen countrywide. We are not playing hopscotch with development …and you have a responsibility

ing to him, the government is people-centred and is led by a President who understands the recipe for development.

“Your government is people-centred, your government engages the citizens of this country and inquires [sic] what it is that is crucial to your well-being, to your happiness to your prosperity, to your security, and your government responds in an affirmative way to ensure that your wishes are realized; this is the concept of a good life for all Guyanese,” he said.

He further told the residents that the APNU+AFC coalition is best suited to manage not only the country’s petroleum resources, but all other resources.

Asking them to be patient, Williams promised the residents that greater developments are ahead.

The APNU+AFC coalition, he said, is the only true political movement that will turn Guyana around, and with loud applause, the residents affirmed that they will be supporting the coalition come March 2, 2020. The football team of the community was also gifted with footballs and volleyball nets.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, JANUARY 13, 2019

Region 1 AREO concerned about disunity

ASSISTANT Regional Executive Officer (AREO) of the Moruca Sub-Region, Region One, Rennita Williams

ASSISTANT Regional Executive Officer (AREO) of the Moruca Sub-Region in Region 1, Rennita Williams, has expressed concern that disunity among officials in the region has been hampering development.

According to Williams, who oversees four programmes in the Moruca sub-Region: Education, Health, Administration and Public Works, the sub-region is highly political and because the discord begins at the regional level and is politically motivated, there is constant criticism that no development is taking place.

This, she said, is far from the truth, noting that a lot of developmental projects have been executed with some still ongoing in the sub-region, where she is tasked with ensuring that the programmes are executed and run efficiently, as well as monitoring the spending of the sub-region’s budget.

To this end she works in collaboration with all of the programme heads within the region.

Listed among the developmental projects are the construction of a new concrete bridge which has been benefitting all residents; rehabilitation of the Kumaka to Kwebanna road; construction of a doctors’ quarters at Waramuri and new health centre at Parakeese and Kwebanna; renovation of the teachers’ quarters at Kumaka Hill and the living quarters for teachers at the Santa Rosa Secondary dormitory.

Williams, who hails from Koka Village in Santa Rosa, but spent most of her teenage life in neighbouring Venezuela before returning in 2001, expressed her satisfaction with the amount of development that has been taking place in the sub-regions.

She, however, has some reservation with how the awarding of contracts for the repairs of roads is being done.

According to Williams, in the sub-region one individual is repeatedly being awarded contracts even though there has been evidence of sub-standard work being done throughout the years.

This, she said, has been occurring even before she assumed office. She pointed out that on two occasions after taking up her post, roads have been graded and shaped, but not long after they were back to a deplorable condition.

The AREO explained that the awarding of contracts is done at the region, but pointed out that sometime back she had been experiencing difficulties with regard to receiving key documents, such as Bills of Quantities for projects.

However, the situation has changed since a new engineer is now in place and she is now fully aware of all that is taking place.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, JANUARY 13, 2019

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 13, 2020

ft i g e h t is o r e u g ’ g ‘A n i v i g ps e e k t a th la o i d r a u -G (REUTERS) - FOR Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola, Argentine striker Sergio Aguero is the gift that keeps giving.

Aguero became the most prolific overseas goalscorer in the Premier League era when he netted a lethal hat-trick in a 6-1 victory at Aston Villa on Sunday.

He had begun the game one behind Frenchman Thierry Henry who scored 175 times for Arsenal but ended it with 177 goals, joint fourth on the alltime list with Frank Lampard.

It was Aguero’s 12th Premier League hat-trick, taking him past Alan Shearer with whom he had shared that record.

Aguero’s goals have helped City claim four Premier League titles since he arrived in 2011, two under Guardiola.

While Aguero was modest about his achievements, Guardiola was generous in his praise.

“He has scored a lot of goals, he is happy to be here, he is a legend, he has passed another legend in Thierry Henry,” the Spaniard said. “Everyone has a talent and this is his. He has a gift when the ball’s at his feet, he’s amazing.

“We congratulated him in the dressing room. He’s been doing this over a long, long time.”

Only three players — Shearer (260), Wayne Rooney (208) and Andrew Cole (187) have scored more Premier League goals than Aguero but his goals per game ratio sur-

Sergio Aguero of Manchester City celebrates after scoring his second goal and their fifth during the Premier League match between Aston Villa and Manchester City at Villa Park on January 12, 2020 in Birmingham, United Kingdom.

(Photo by Alex Livesey - Danehouse/Getty Images)

passes them.

In his 255 Premier League games he has scored at a rate of 0.69 goals per game. Shearer’s ratio is 0.59, Rooney’s 0.42 and Cole’s is 0.45. Henry was almost as efficient at 0.68.

The silver-haired Aguero thumped home in the first half to equal the record and then slotted in again in the 57th minute to go past Henry

and put City 5-0 ahead at Villa Park.

The 31-year-old, who joined City in 2011, completed his hat-trick in the 81st minute to match Lampard.

“I’m so happy for the record,” Aguero told Sky Sports. “I want to keep scoring more goals but it all depends on my team mates passing to me! It’s too far to Shearer but I will try.”

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Monday January 13, 2020) COMPLIMENTS OF THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market & The City Mall (Tel: 2259230) & CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD-83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) Alvin Kallicharran (2) 163 (vs NZ, Sabina Park, 1972) Today’s Quiz: (1) Where & when did Rohan Kanhai register twin hundreds in a Test?

(2) Who is the only WI to be dismissed for 99 on his Test debut?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue Answers in tomorrow’s issue Mottes 11:45 hrs Galtee Mountain

South Africa Racing Tips Flamingo Park 08:10 hrs Manaftermidnight 08:50 hrs Banjo On My Knee 09:30 hrs Ruby And Roses 10:00 hrs Now And Forever 10:35 hrs Takatul American Racing Tips Mahoning Valley Race 1 Foolish Equation Race 2 Includere Race 3 Paint Dakota Race 4 Delta Express Race 5 Such Great Heights Race 6 Double D’s Revenge Race 7 Last Woodman Race 8 Persuasion

English Racing Tips Southwell 08:25 hrs Le Manege Enchante 08:55 hrs National Anthem 09:25 hrs Comeatcjoo 09:55 hrs Luck Of Clover 10:30 hrs Suitcase ‘N’ Taxi 11:00 hrs Break The Silence 11:35 hrs Le Musee Lingfield 08:35 hrs Young Lieutenant 09:35 hrs Flight To Milan 10:05 hrs Mickey Buckman 10:40 hrs Heavenly Promise 11:10 hrs Epsom Des

Wolverhampton 12:20 hrs Looks Good 12:50 hrs Billyfairplay 13:20 hrs Mount Wellington 13:50 hrs Rainbow Dreamer 14:20 hrs Kaser 14:50 hrs Longsider 15:20 hrs Thunderroad Irish Racing Tips Punchestown 08:45 hrs Oak Park 09:15 hrs Magic Sea 09:45 hrs Colimn Of Fire 10:20 hrs Domitian 10:50 hrs Marshalled 11;25 hrs Tokyo Getaway 12:00 hrs Dreamingandhoping

23

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 13, 2020

Williams takes Auckland classic for first win in three years (BBC) - SERENA Williams won her first title in three years and first since becoming a mother with victory over Jessica Pegula at the Auckland Classic.

The 23-time Grand Slam singles champion beat her fellow American 6-3 6-4.

It is the 38-year-old’s first singles title since she won the Australian Open in

2017 and her 73rd WTA title overall.

Williams, in her fourth decade on the WTA Tour, lost the Wimbledon and US Open finals in 2018 and 2019 and retired from the 2019 Rogers Cup final.

She said after her victory that she would donate her prize money in Auckland and a dress she had worn to the Australian bushfire appeal.

Ramos decisive as Real win super cup (BBC) - SERGIO Ramos scored the decisive spot-kick as Real Madrid beat Atletico Madrid 4-1 on penalties to win the Spanish Super Cup. The Real captain sent Jan Oblak the wrong way to secure the trophy after a goalless 120 minutes in Saudi Arabia.

Saul Niguez and Thomas Partey missed their penalties for Atletico.

Real Madrid had ended the game with 10 men after Federico Valverde was sent off in extra time for fouling Alvaro Morata when he was clean through.

The dramatic finale was at odds with what was a largely turgid encounter at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Jeddah.

Joao Felix had the best

opportunity of a quiet first half, but he could only shoot wide from the edge of the box after he had been gifted possession by Ramos.

Real were much brighter at the start of the second period, with Serbia striker Luka Jovic driving just wide after he had wriggled past two Atletico defenders on the edge of the area.

Atletico did not manage a shot on target until the 79th minute, Kieran Trippier’s searching pass finding Morata, whose volley from the edge of the six-yard box was parried away by Thibaut Courtois.

The game’s major flashpoint came with five minutes remaining in extra time when Valverde cynically hacked

down Morata just outside the area when he was clean through on goal, sparking a melee involving both sets of players.

In the shootout, Saul saw his spot-kick hit the post before Thomas’ effort was saved

by Courtois, giving Ramos the chance to secure Real’s 11th Spanish Super Cup triumph.

The tournament had a new format this season, with the top two from La Liga and the Copa del Rey finalists playing in a four-team competition rather than the two winners playing each other.

Real, despite finishing third in La Liga, qualified because Barcelona won the league and finished runners-up in the Cup.

Iran’s only Olympic medallist defects

(BBC) - Iran’s only female Olympic medallist, Kimia Alizadeh, says she has defected.

Alizadeh, 21, posted on social media that she had left Iran because she didn’t want to be part of “hypocrisy, lies, injustice and flattery”.

She described herself as “one of the millions of oppressed women in Iran”.

Alizadeh did not say where she was, amid reports that she has been training in the Netherlands. She made history for Iran in 2016 when she won a bronze medal in taekwondo at the Rio Olympics.

But in her social media posts, she said authorities in the Islamic republic had used her success as a propaganda tool.

Her defection comes as Iran is gripped by protests - stemming from the accidental shooting down of a Ukrainian airliner on Wednesday, in the middle of a major confrontation with the US. “I am one of the millions of oppressed women in Iran whom they’ve been playing for years,” she wrote.

“I wore whatever they told me and repeated whatever they ordered. Every sentence they or-

Kimia Alizadeh won a landmark bronze medal in taekwondo in the 2016 Rio Olympics

dered I repeated. None of us matter for them, we are just tools.”

She added that although the government would exploit her sporting success politically, officials would humiliate her with comments such as: “It is not virtuous for a woman to stretch her legs.”

A crowd gathered outside Tehran’s Amir Kabir university, on Saturday, calling for resignations and accusing officials of lying about the shooting down of an airliner.

Alizadeh denied she’d been invited to Europe or given a tempting offer and did not confirm which country she had gone to.

Iranians reacted with shock

last week when news of Alizadeh’s disappearance first emerged.

Iranian politician Abdolkarim Hosseinzadeh accused “incompetent officials” of allowing Iran’s “human capital to flee”.

On Thursday, the semi-official Isna news agency carried a report that said: “Shock for Iran’s taekwondo. Kimia Alizadeh has emigrated to the Netherlands.”

The agency reported that Alizadeh was hoping to compete at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics but not under the Iranian flag.

Announcing her intention to leave Iran, the sportswoman did not mention her plans but said she would remain “a child of Iran” wherever she is

Serena Williams is in her fourth decade on the WTA Tour

“It feels good. It’s been a long time, I think you could see the relief on my face,” said Williams.

“I have been playing for so long and been through so much and I’m happy to be doing something I love.”

The Australian Open begins on 20 January, with Williams bidding to equal Margaret Court’s record of 24 Grand Slam singles titles.

Williams won her first WTA title in February 1999, when she beat France’s Amelie Mauresmo on carpet at the Open Gaz de France.

She made a slow start in Auckland, with Pegula taking a 3-1 lead in the first set, before recovering to win the next five games and close out the opening set.

Williams broke the unseeded Pegula’s

serve early in the second set and converted her fourth match point to ensure victory.

She celebrated on court with her daughter, Olympia, with whom she was eight weeks pregnant when she won her last Grand Slam title in Melbourne.

Williams was also in the doubles final with Caroline Wozniacki, but the two were beaten 6-4 6-4 by Asia Muhammad and Taylor Townsend in the doubles final.

In Brisbane, Karolina Pliskova successfully defended her title with a 6-4 4-6 7-5 win over American Madison Keys.

Singles world number one Ashleigh Barty - who is donating all her prize money to the bushfire appeal - and her doubles partner Kiki Bertens lost their final against Barbora Strycova and Hsieh Su-wei 3-6 7-6 (9-7) 10-8.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 13, 2020

West Indies white-wash Ireland

WEST Indies wrapped up a 3-0 series whitewash of Ireland, led to their target by another ruthless display of batting from Evin Lewis, to confirm the strides made under Phil Simmons’ guidance in his second spell as coach.

This was West Indies’ second 3-0 win in a matter of months, victory over Afghanistan by the same score on neutral ground in India ending a five-year series drought in ODIs; success against Ireland was their first at home since beating Bangladesh back in 2014.

Set a modest target on a pitch that had begun to play increasingly true after a damp start in Grenada had encouraged Kieron Pollard to bowl first, West Indies cruised to victory with more than 10 overs to spare, after a third rain delay had cut their requirement to 197 from 47.

As well as the performance of Lewis, who recorded his third ODI ton, there were career-best figures for legspinner Hayden Walsh and an impressive showing from young quick Oshane Thomas for Pollard to savour.

Having come so close to an upset in the second ODI, which was decided by one wicket with one ball remaining in Barbados on Thursday, Ireland could not rouse themselves to the same levels after a short trip across to the Windward Islands.

Andy Balbirnie led from the front with 71, but he found little support throughout the innings and a total of 203 looked some way under par on a ground that saw an aggregate of 807 runs scored in the last

ODI played here.

Ireland needed early wickets, and athough they managed two during the initial Powerplay, Lewis quickly located the groove that saw him finish on 99 not out in the first match of the series, having narrowly failed to win the game with the six needed for his hundred.

This time he was in no mood to fall short. Three times he cleared the ropes early on, to go along with several crisp fours, as West Indies reached 58 for 2 after 10 overs, Lewis having scored 46 of them.

Barry McCarthy struck in his third over, pinning Shai Hope lbw -- Lewis’ apparent support for the wasted review perhaps his only bad decision - and Simi Singh had Sunil Ambris caught behind trying to cut for another single-figure score, but Ireland’s bowlers had been left with too much to do.

Brandon King stroked three of his first nine balls to the boundary and looked in formidable touch, helping Lewis add 75 in just 13.3 overs.

With King showing flashes of the CPL form that led to his debut late last year, Lewis was happy to tick over, adding 12 singles from 25 balls before tucking into McCarthy again - a period of 6-dot-4-6 dispelling any notion that the opener was becalmed.

And while King edged a cut against Andy McBrine in the following over, Lewis and Nicholas Pooran guided the chase either side of the showers.

Lewis brought up three figures in an ODI for the first time since 2017 from his 96th delivery, pulling Craig Young for four with nine runs needed, but fell to the next ball as he tried to finish the match.

Romario Shepherd was promoted up the order, only to hole out off McBrine, before Pooran’s fierce pull sealed the result.

A sign of West Indies’ strength, albeit against the No. 11-ranked side in ODIs, came in the changes made for this game.

Shimron Hetmyer was left out after making two single-figures scores in Barbados (but only five innings since smashing 137 from 106 against India in Chennai), though Ambris could not take advantage of the chance at No. 3; Sheldon Cottrell, West Indies’ most-successful bowler over the last 12 months, was also rested, allowing a run out for the towering Thomas.

It was Thomas, 22 years old and capable of bowling 145kph, who undermined Ireland’s attempts to battle through against the new ball.

He removed the openers, Paul Stirling and James McCollum, with both discomforted by his pace and splice-jarring lengths.

Stirling started with twos from his first two balls but could only manage one more run from his next 21, before edging a skittish pull behind, while McCollum played tidily enough for 20 but was snagged by Lewis in the covers after driving without getting forward.

Balbirnie held the innings together with his ninth ODI half-century, but Ireland struggled to build partnerships and his dismissal in the 38th over left them without a recognised batsmen going into the death.

Walsh’s initial spell had seen him take 1 for 25 from five overs, but he switched ends and produced figures of 5-0-11-3, which included the wicket of Balbirnie, caught slicing to point, just when Ireland were looking to kick on.

Only some impish hitting from McBrine, whose 22-ball 25 from No. 9 was Ireland’s second top score, got them above 200.

Two rain delays did not overly help Ireland’s cause, with Roston Chase striking twice during an unbroken spell -- although a brace of slog-swept sixes from Balbirnie dented his final analysis.

William Porterfield was pinned lbw in Chase’s second over, struck low on the front pad trying to sweep, and although Kevin O’Brien drove his first and fourth balls crisply for four, a similar lofted shot saw him pick out deep extra cover.

A deceptively flighted googly was the undoing of Lorcan Tucker, as Walsh found his range and some turn to beat the inside edge, the ball shivering off-stump with just enough force to dislodge the bail.

That left Ireland on Nelson with half the team back in the dressing room, and although they hopped along gamely, they didn’t have a leg to stand on by the end.

Jaguars roar to 10 wicket win over spirited Hurricanes

-Smith, Barnwell stand out among stars GUYANA Jaguars wrapped up an emphatic 10 wicket win over Leeward Hurricanes to get their 2020 Regional 4-Day title defence off to a great start.

The Jags racked up 388 runs in their first innings thanks to half-centuries from top-scorer, Chris Barnwell, who led with 82, captain Leon Johnson and openers Chandrapaul Hemraj and Tagenarine Chanderpaul.

Leewards then stumbled in their chase as they ran into a hostile Niall Smith who snatched 6 wickets with his steamy rightarm pace on red-ball debut for the Champs.

Jahmar Hamilton led the resistance with 53 amongst a dismal batting card.

After being skittled out for 155 in their 1st innings, Hurricanes bounced back thanks to a sublime 99 from Windies opener Kieran Powell.

The left-hander shared a 150-plus run opening stand with Montcin Hodge who hit 62. However, after gaining just a slight lead

of 20, following their 2nd innings 254-10, Guyana then knocked off their target in no time.

The Jags then operated in a pack-like mentality as the wickets were shared evenly among the frontline bowlers.

Left-arm spinner Veerasammy Permaul and left-arm seamer Raymon Reifer both returned identical figures of 3-55 while speedsters Smith grabbed two as he ended the match with 8 wickets in total and keon Joseph who also bagged a pair.

The match came to a calm end as Hemraj stroked a four in his score of 8 not out while Chandepaul was the unorthodox aggressor of the two, smashing a six and two fours as he raced to 14 off 11; sealing an exceptional win for the 5-time defending champions. (Clifton Ross)

25

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 13, 2020

Running Brave Athletic Club dominates first AAG Development Meet THE Running Brave Athletic Club, led by a strong female contingent, was able to dominate the first Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) Development Meet, which was held yesterday at the Guyana Defence Force ground on Vlissengen Road.

Running Brave athletes won 19 of the 51 events.

They dominated the Girls 60M dash with Athaleyha Hinckson (8.46s) winning the 13 and Under; Breyanka Davis (7.97s) winning the 16 and Under; Brianna Charles (7.83s) winning the 16 and Under and Shaquan Daniels (7.89) winning the 20 and Over. Charles also won the 300M dash in 42.65s.

Meanwhile, another Running Brave athlete, Princess Bowne, won the triple jump in the Girls 19 and Under division after leaping to a distance of 11.80M, while she finished third in the 60M dash.

Another standout was U-16 athlete, Qweiasha Sealey, from DeChallengers.

Among her exploits, the youngster won the 300M in 42.73s.

MALE DOMINANCE Also establishing their dominance was the Police Progressive Sports Club, whose male athletes dominated the older age groups, including the Boys 20 and over 2000M race, which saw Anfernee Headecker clocking a winning time of 5:55.53, to get past teammates Cleveland Thomas (6:02.75), Jonathon Faguandes (6:07.86) and Royston Fordyce (6:16.34).

Upper Demerara and the home club, the Guyana Defence Force, also registered several wins.

One of the GDF’s wins was in the Boys over 20, 150M dash, which saw Akeem Stewart pipping rival Davin Fraser (Police) by the slimmest of margins. Stewart finished in 15.69s, while Fraser was just behind in 15.70s.

Stephon Boodie (Police) finished third in 16.60s.

Fraser had won in the 60M battle in a time of 6.85s, while Stewart had finished in 6.92 and Brian Romain in 6.94s.

In another thriller, Ion Bollers (Titans Athletic) and Nicholas Denheart (New Amsterdam United) settled for a joint first place in the Boys’ 19 and Under 60M dash. Both athletes finished their race in 7.11s.

Dequan Pyle (36.78s) won the Boys 19 and Under

300M dash by a hair against Dquan Williams (36.79s), while Vince Haynes won the Boys 20 plus in the same event. He clocked 36.70s, while Jevon Harris finished second in 37.43s.

Meanwhile, Police’s Seon Booker showed his stamina by storming to an over-five second victory in the Boys 16 and Under 600M race.

The youngster finished in 1:32.39s, while Jonathan Seedath from DeChallengers finished second in 1:38.14s.

Booker then went on to win the 2000M in a time of 6:40.15. His club mate, Devon Giles, finished second in 6:41.73.

Wesley Tyndall also registered multiple wins. He won the Boys 16 and Under long

CARIFTA athlete Wesley Tyndall won the Boys 16 and Under 60M dash.

Jonathan Richards had no competition in heat 1, but his 8.16s in the 60M dash in the boys 14 and under division was elapsed

by Running Brave teammate, Javon Roberts (8.12s) in heat 2.

National athlete Princess Brown won the Girls 19 and Under triple jump.

jump with a leap of 6.60M, while he clocked 9.85s in the 60M dash.

In the Javelin, Joshua Tappin from Upper Demerara emerged victorious with a throw of 54.70M in the Boys 19 and Under division, which was farther than the winning throw of 45.70M by Dillon

Hamilton in the Boys 20 and over.

Tappin had also won the shot put with a 12.65m throw.

D. Roberts won the Boys 20 and over triple jump with a leap of 14.36M, while in the Boy 19 and Under, Clean Wray sailed to victory in 13.62M.

26

Canje Knights win Nigel Hinds Annual Berbice Basketball Mecca Classic title

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 13, 2020

r o f d e l l a c Bravo re s e h c t a m 0 three t-2

Veteran all-rounder Dwayne Bravo.

Captain of the Canje Knights, Steve Roopnarine, collects $100,000 from sponsor Nigel Hinds.

THE Canje Knights won a thrilling battle against rivals, Rose Hall Town Jammers, in the final of the Nigel Hinds Financial Services Annual Berbice Basketball Mecca Classic, which was played on Saturday night under lights at the New Amsterdam Basketball Court.

The Knights had to battle back against a dominant Rose Hall Town side, but armed with the likes of Jamal Felix and Michael Bowen, they were able to stage a last quarter fight back to register a two-point victory (88-86).

Bowen was fouled on the three-point line, and although Rose Hall were up to the task at the other end, a critical fast break from Tyrone Dey propelled the Knights to victory.

Felix led the attack with a game-high 27 points, three rebounds and two steals, while Bowen added 22 points, two assists, two rebounds and two steals. Dey was also impressive and although he was in foul trouble, he still contributed 18 points.

For the Jammers, Shamar France, who was key in keeping the side ahead for most of the game (they led by six points at the end of the half 44-38), finished with 26 points, three rebounds, three steals and two assists.

Kwesi Mickel supported with 17 points, three assists and four rebounds, while Jermaine King finished with 14 points and five rebounds.

For the victory, the Knights received the championship trophy and $100,000, while the Jammers collected $75,000.

Prior to the championship clash, Georgetown-based Plaisance Guardians U-21 team edged past the West Berbice Hopetown Steelers 73-71 in another crowd-pleasing thriller.

CMC – VETERAN all-rounder Dwayne Bravo has been predictably recalled to the West Indies side for the three-match Twenty20 International series against Ireland starting here Wednesday.

The experienced 36-year-old has played 66 T20Is but the last of those came 3-¼ years ago in the troubled series against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates, in the wake of the controversial sacking of head coach Phil Simmons.

Bravo called time on his career in October, 2018 citing the need to “preserve my longevity as a professional cricketer” but made a sudden about-turn last May following the change in Cricket West Indies administration.

Chief selector Roger Harper said, on Sunday, that Bravo would be a boost to the side’s bowling stocks, while also serving as a mentor for the younger players.

“Dwayne Bravo was recalled with the specific intention of bolstering our ‘death’ bowling which was identified as an area that really needs improving,” Harper said.

“His record in this department speaks for itself. He will also be able to act as a mentor to the other ‘death’ bowlers and lend his experience wherever needed.”

Bravo is a former one-day captain, having led the side for 19 months before being sacked in 2014 following his central role in pay dispute with the board,

which led to the controversial abandoned tour of India.

He remained part of the T20 setup, however, and was part of the squad which captured West Indies’ second T20 World title in India back in April, 2016.

Bravo contended last year, in an interview, that his continued non-selection had been based purely on “petty politics from some immature individuals”, but was prepared to end his retirement from the shortest format in the wake of Ricky Skerritt’s election to the CWI presidency.

And speaking this weekend about his latest call-up, Bravo said he was thrilled with the development and was anxious to help the younger players in the squad.

“It’s a good feeling and I feel like a kid again … it was something on my mind since the change of leadership, so I’m just happy that I got the opportunity again to represent the region, and I’m looking forward to doing my best,” he told i95FM. “What excites me is the young talent we have there now with all those players there. I just want to contribute and build on something that I think is very special in the making.”

Overall in T20s, Bravo is the most successful bowler with 490 wickets from 450 matches, and remains one of the most sought-after franchise players worldwide.

All-rounder Rovman Powell has

also earned a recall to the Windies side following injury, last turning out for the Caribbean side nearly six months ago on India’s tour of the Caribbean.

The 26-year-old has been in excellent form since recovering from an injury sustained during last September’s Caribbean Premier League, scoring over 400 runs at an average of 58 with two centuries for Jamaica Scorpions in the Super50 Cup last November.

“Rovman Powell is a genuine all-rounder who we believe can add impetus and up the strike rate at the back-end of the innings,” said Harper.

Test captain Jason Holder, who featured on the tour of India last year, has once again been rested as selectors continue to manage his workload, while all-rounder Fabian Allen has been ruled out with injury.

Twenty-one-year-old fast-bowling all-rounder, Keemo Paul, had been expected to feature but picked up a back injury during the one-day series against Ireland and has been sidelined.

Selectors will add a 14th player to the Kieron Pollard-led squad on Monday.

SQUAD – Kieron Pollard (captain), Dwayne Bravo, Sheldon Cottrell, Shimron Hetmyer, Brandon King, Evin Lewis, Khary Pierre, Nicholas Pooran, Rovman Powell, Sherfane Rutherford, Lendl Simmons, Hayden Walsh jr., Kesrick Williams.

Enmore CCCC dethrone Lusignan in SPR Enterprise 40-over final THE Enmore Community Centre Cricket Club ‘A’ team dethroned Lusignan ‘A’ in the final of the SPR Enterprise 40-over competition, yesterday, at their home ground.

The 43-run victory was registered due to a combination of good spin bowling and a solid ninth-wicket partnership (65 runs) between Vishwanath Ramlakhan and Ranjeet Hiralall.

The pair came together at 99-8 after Enmore had won the toss and opted to take first strike.

Hiralall, who remained unbeaten, played the supporting role well as he scored 19 of his 27 runs in singles.

Ramlakhan, on the other hand, was more assertive, which propelled him to 67.

The top-order batsman clobbered four fours and two sixes in his manof-the-match innings, to lift his side to 186 in 38.5 overs.

Earlier, the visitors had managed to peg back the middle and lower order of the home team. Rajpaul

The Enmore Community Centre Cricket Club are now two-time champions.

Basdeo did the damage. The left-arm spinner nabbed 5-20 from his eight overs. Support came from Rajindra Naikbaran, who spun his way to 2-36 from his eight overs.

THE CHASE Former West Indies President XI cricketer, Krishna Deosaran, led from the front with a half-century in the chase. He and opener Steve Ramdass looked solid in the early stages of the innings, but after Ramdass fell for 20 (3x4s), the floodgates opened with off spinners Yeuraj Dyal and Chris Surat combining for 7-49.

Dyal, who dominated the middle

and lower order, finished with 4-29 from eight overs, while Surat finished with 3-20 from 6.4.

Deosaran kept the visitors’ hopes alive until the 36th over, but when he fell, the pendulum swung fully in the home team’s favour. The former national U-19 cricketer finished with 69 runs (1x4s, 3x6s).

This 2019 final was initially scheduled for December, but rain restricted play.

The victory is number two for ECCCC. They won the first year of the competition in 2016, while Fairfield won in 2017, before Lusignan won in 2018.

27

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 13, 2020

PCL Regional 4-Day 2020

Leon Johnson

Batting could be X-Factor in Jaguars record-chasing season DEFENDING Regional 4-Day champs, Guyana Jaguars, have signaled their intentions early via their batsmen, who looked close to being in peak form following their ultra-aggressive approach when the season bowled off.

The Jags continued to stress on their batting agenda which was to score heavily and more consistently, following their successful pair of practice games during which they flexed their prowess with the bat.

After the likes of skipper Leon Johnson, openers Chandrapaul Hemraj and Tagenarine Chanderpaul and all-rounder Chris Barnwell, all showed good signs of things to

come in the warm-up games.

The senior core maintained their purple-patch with the bat and cashed in during round 1 with a string of half-centuries which allowed them to rack up almost 400 runs batting first. Hemraj and Johnson both hit tons in the last practice game, while Chanderpaul warmed up with a gritty fifty.

Barnwell, who was the leading run scorer in the Super50, continued to score significantly as he ended the first game as the top-scorer with 82 from just 106 balls. Hemraj and Chanderpaul hit 52 and 60 respectively while Johnson made 59.

Outside of the half-centurions, star all-rounder of the

Chris Barnwell

Jaguars championship team, Raymon Reifer, made a brisk 47. A returning Devendra Bishoo, a renowned West Indies Test night-watchman, also flexed his duality as he too chipped in with a useful 40 while batting with the tail.

The sum of the fears held

Miguel Oviedo dominates AR Printery golf open

UNDER excellent course conditions and golfing weather, Macorp’s Miguel Oviedo dominated the field to win his first tournament of his career.

Oviedo produced an excellent net score of 62, a record performance for himself and at the same time outdistancing all competition in the exciting A&R Jiwanram Printery Tournament.

The Macorp team has an internal rivalry between the players and Saturday’s win by Oviedo will definitely set off a whole new wave of competition Winning in dominating fashion for the first time, Oviedo was ecstatic, especially since the second place in his category went to his good friend, Carlos Carbo of Saj Rice.

Former captain, veteran Patrick Prashad, went back to his winning ways and took top honours in the 0-12 handicap flight.

The Honorable Dr. George Norton, Minister of Youth, Sports & Culture, was on hand to present prizes to the winners in this second of over 55 events scheduled for 2020 at the LGC.

Speaking to the large crowd at hand, Minister Norton stated, “I am very pleased with the conditions of the grounds and the development of the sport in general and have discussed with Aleem several options for increased cooperation.”

He continued, “As a medical doctor, I am extremely interested in starting a pilot programme that

will involve young women and children who are not particularly interested in team sports and who may be shy or introverted.

“I have seen first-hand what Mr. Hussain has done for the Club and sport and I want to say that our full support can be counted on for further development of the game in Guyana,” Dr. Norton said.

President of the LGC, Aleem Hussain , who retired injured from yesterday’s tournament, expressed his gratitude to the Minister personally and in his official capacity for the support he has given to the game, “Without Minister Norton’s continued support, much of what we have accomplished would not have been possible.”

Hussain also thanked the many players and sponsors who have been supporting the club and development of the game over the past few years.

“AR Printery has been there for us, as have many new sponsors in the past few years because they believe in what our vision is for the sport. Today, we saw many players honing their game in anticipation of the upcoming Copa Airlines Invitational on January 25.”

Joining the Honorable Minister at the LGC for the first time and assisting with the presentation of prize was Mr. Dunstan Andrews, formerly of St. Cuth-

run-scorer over the past few seasons with over 1,000 First Class runs, missed out as he recorded a single run while the gritty Singh looked good for his 25 but would be eager to make up going forward.

In all, should Guyana be blessed with the services of their West Indies stars in Keemo Paul, Shimron Hetmyer, Romario Shepherd and Sherfane Rutherford at any point in the season, it is likely that Guyana could retain/win the title for a record 6th time solely due to their star-studded batting order.

(Clifton Ross)

bert’s Mission but now residing in Canada.

Mr. Andrews was extremely impressed by the club. “I didn’t even know that our country had such a wonderful facility and I will definitely recommend it to everyone and return myself as often as possible’’ he stated A former teacher in Guyana, Mr. Andrews said he saw exactly why Minister Norton was excited by the sport as it offered many new opportunities for young children especially those in the hinterland regions of the country.

The tournament was played under the Medal-play format in 2 Flights 0-12 and 13-28 handicaps.

In the 0-12 Flight, the winners were Patrick Prashad (76/8) – 1st and William Walker (79/11) – 2nd.

But it was the 13-28 Flight that saw record performances; Oviedo (62/27) winning ahead of Carlos Carbo (68/28) – 2nd; and Bholawram Deo (69/19) – 3rd.

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by the other franchises could be soon realized should the Jaguars main players continue to find their rhythm after looking ominous after just one round.

Barnwell, Johnson, Hemraj, Chanderpaul, and Reifer are the current in-form stars who will play themselves into

further form as the round progresses. The Jags, however, will be keen to see more from Vishaul Singh and Anthony Bramble, two of the major run-getters for Guyana since their reign began back in 2013/14.

Bramble, Guyana’s main

GRFU pre-season preparation scrums off on January 18 RUGGERS in Guyana will be getting ready for what is anticipated to be a hectic 2020 when they get into pre-season mode from this Saturday with the traditional North versus South 15s match scheduled for the Athletics Field at the National Park; bully off time is 15:00hrs.

Pre-season action will continue the following Saturday at the same venue and time with a 10s match featuring the President and Vice President teams.

From Sunday, January 26, training for the respective Under-19, Women and Senior teams will commence ahead of the annual matches against French Guiana which would be hosted by the French. The dates are to be confirmed.

Additionally, Guyana will commence its 2023 World XV International qualifier matches with a home game against old rivals Trinidad and Tobago in late March or early April in the Southern Zone.

This would be followed by an away game in late April or early May; the Northern Zone is slated to commence in March. Winner of the Southern Zone will play the winner of the Northern Zone for the right to advance further. The USA, Canada and Mexico continue to be the juggernauts of North American Rugby.

Meanwhile, international home games listed for Guyana may see GRFU having to forfeit same due to the lack of international size Rugby pitches, an official of the Union disclosed. Works would have commenced by the National Sports Commission to upgrade the Rugby Field at the National Park to international standards but the inclement weather and lack of materials would have stalled that project which does not have a definitive completion date as yet.

The GRFU, despite sterling efforts over the past two years which saw a substan-

Peter Green - GRFU President

tial amount of debts being cleared, remains currently in the red due to unfulfilled promises of assistance and commitments by both the Ministry of Social Cohesion and the NSC. Elections are slated for the end of this month and a new Executive is expected to be installed to guide the Union forward over the next two years. Current president, Peter Green, has indicated that he will not be seeking re-election to the post but will remain available to the Union to guide and assist due to his vast knowledge of World Rugby gained over the years.

West Indies white-wash Ireland See story on page 24

Evin Lewis plays a sweep AFP

Miguel Oviedo dominates AR Printery golf open

See story on page 27

From left: Carlos Carbo; Shanella London. Dunstan Andrews; Minister George Norton; LGC president Aleem Hussain; Miguel Oviedo, William Walker; Bholaram Deo; Captain Chen Deo; former captain Patrick Prasad Printed and Published by Guyana National Newspapers Limi ted, Lama Avenue, Bel Air Park, Georgetown. Telephone 2 2 6- 3243-9 (General); Editorial: 2 2 7- 5204, 2 2 7- 5216. Fax:2 2 7- 5208

Double sprint world record holder Usain Bolt MONDAY, JANUARY 13, 2020