Guyana Chronicle E-paper 1-5-2020

5th January, 2020

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‘Never again’

No.105870

…Constitutional reform to target no-confidence motion provision …President says ‘nonsense’ tried by PPP will not happen again

Record-breaking year for rice

SEE PAGE 03

SEE PAGE 19

…GRDB says some 1,049,874 tonnes of paddy was produced in 2019

After demonising soldiers in 2015 ...PPP, Jagdeo now embrace a former Brigadier as PM candidate

SEE PAGE 10

Consultations on new Charity Wharf kick off SEE PAGE 21

Trinidadian Soca singer, Farmer Nappy, performing at the APNU+AFC campaign launch Friday night at D'Urban Park (Elvin Croker photo)

SEE STORY ON PAGE 18

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, January 5, 2020

‘Never again’

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, January 5, 2020

…Constitutional reform to target no-confidence motion provision …President says ‘nonsense’ tried by PPP will not happen again

By Navendra Seoraj FOR several months Guyana was in political and constitutional gridlock because of ambiguities which exist in the constitution, especially with regard to the Act governing a no-confidence motion, but President David Granger said those ambiguities will be addressed once the incumbent APNU+AFC coalition is re-elected to office on March 2, 2020.

On December 21, 2018, the parliamentary opposition, by way of a no-confidence motion, attempted to topple the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) government; the motion was passed by the National Assembly.

The opposition had secured the support of then government Member of Parliament Charrandass Persaud to get an edge over the government in the House. For months, after the passage of the motion by the National Assembly, the matter had engaged all the local courts because of existing ambiguities. At the High Court, the passage of the motion was upheld by Chief Justice (ag), Roxane George-Wiltshire, but the Court of Appeal invalidated the motion on the basis that an absolute majority of 34 votes was needed.

The matter subsequently reached the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), where it was ruled that the opposition-sponsored motion was validly passed. President Granger, in expressing his dissatisfaction with what had transpired during the 12 months after the passage of the motion, said: “We are going to reform the constitution so that the nonsense they tried with us over the last 12 months does not happen again.”

The President was at

the time speaking to a massive crowd of APNU+AFC supporters, who gathered at D’Urban Park on Friday evening for the official launch of the coalition’s elections campaign.

President Granger said

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo

the opposition People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) had argued that the government was illegal after passage of the motion, but he told supporters: “We are a constitutional government… everything we have done for the last 12 months was in accordance with the law and in accordance with the constitution, but we will continue the work of reforming the constitution.”

President Granger in his New Year message to the nation had said: “We can look forward to living in a country which enjoys high levels of growth and human development and with an accountable government and greater equality…constitutional reform will allow for the easier resolution of political differences.”

In a report in December, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo had also noted that the recent troubles regarding the no-confidence motion could have been avoided,

had the process been allowed to move forward.

“For me, constitutional reform is not a political slogan; it is not a protest note on a placard,” the PM said, adding: “We have seen how a no-confidence motion to remove a democratically elected government on December 21, 2018 had spawned protracted legal contentions regarding the threshold for a simple, as distinct from an absolute majority, and the role of dual citizens in our national parliamentary system.

“Had the reform process got underway as I was hoping, certain ambiguities would have been cleared up. The society could have been saved the unnecessary burden of literally marking time, now for just under one year.”

Prime Minister Nagamootoo said constitutional reform cannot be an academic exercise or a bureaucratic escapade, as it involves a process which must start with consultation and consensus. Upon entering office, he immediately set up a steering committee which produced a report.

A Constitutional Reform Commission was established in Parliament, comprising Attorney-General and Minister of Legal Affairs Basil Williams, who is the Chairman; Minister of Public Security Khemraj Ramjattan; Minister of Education Dr. Nicolette Henry; Minister of Natural Resources Raphael Trotman; and then Minister of the Public Service Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine. Opposition Members of Parliament (MPs) on the Commission include Anil Nandlall, Priya Manickchand, Dr. Frank Anthony, and Adrian Anamayah.

However, reform requires the support of at least two-thirds of the House, and while the government

President David Granger addressing a massive crowd during the APNU+AFC’s campaign launch at D’Urban Park (Delano Williams photo)

is willing, Minister Nagamootoo said that the opposition has been ambivalent about the process. In December 2018, a meeting called

by AG Williams was attended only by the government MPs. He stated at the time that the opposition continues to stall the work of the committee, which has met only five times since being constituted.

Seeking to advance constitutional reform in September 2018, the Prime Minis-

ter’s Office, in partnership with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNCEF), Guyana had released a joint report on the ‘Review of the Constitution of the Cooperative Republic in Relation to the Rights of the Children.’

PM Nagamootoo had expressed optimism that it will become a base document to be shared with the constitutional commissioners.

“I did what, in law, should be done; that is, to table in the National As-

sembly a bill to set up a Constitutional and Consultative Constitutional Reform Commission. After its first reading, it was, by consent of the parliamentary political parties, sent to the House’s bi-partisan committee that was established under the Constitution to look at matters such as this,” PM Nagamootoo explained. He said the committee did not, for some three years, conclude its examination of the bill.

“The facts will show that the APNU+AFC government had taken an initiative; there is no evidence, however, that the opposition wanted to review or reform the Constitution-- at least not now,” the prime minister declared.

He said that in a society where any major reform has to receive the support of two-thirds of all the elected members of the National Assembly, it would be futile to get any such changes until the government and the opposition fully buy into the process.

This, he said, has to await the 2020 elections, after which constitutional reform will be placed on the front burner.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, January 05, 2020

Qasem Soleimani: Blasts hit Baghdad area as Iraqis mourn Iranian general

(BBC) Several blasts shook the Baghdad area hours after a huge funeral procession for a top Iranian general killed by a US air strike on Thursday.

A projectile hit the Green Zone near the US embassy while several more were fired north of the Iraqi capital at Balad air base, which houses US forces.

Nobody was hurt in the attacks, Iraqi security sources say. Iranian leaders have vowed to avenge the killing of Qasem Soleimani, who was regarded as a terrorist by the US. Saturday’s funeral procession through Baghdad and Iraq’s Shia Muslim holy cities precedes the return of his remains to Iran.

Iraqis were also mourn-

ing the death of Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, an Iraqi who commanded the Iranian-backed Kataib Hezbollah group and was killed along with Soleimani. In another development, the group issued a warning to Iraqi security forces to “stay clear of American bases by a distance not less [than] 1,000m (0.6 miles) starting Sunday evening”, al-Mayadeen TV reported. In response to Iranian threats of revenge, the US has sent 3,000 more troops to the Middle East and advised its citizens to leave Iraq.

What happened in the new attacks? At least one rocket or mortar round hit Celebration Square in the Green Zone while another exploded in the city’s Jadria area, Iraqi security sources

say. After two rockets hit Balad air base, surveillance drones were sent up to locate the source, AFP news agency reports. No group said it had carried out the attacks.

Pro-Iranian militants have been blamed for other recent rocket attacks on US interests in Iraq. How did the Iraqi stage of the funeral proceed?

Waving Iraqi and militia flags and chanting “Death to America”, mourners walked behind the coffins from Al Muthana Airport to the gate of the Green Zone on Saturday. Some mourners carried portraits of Soleimani while others held portraits of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Later, the procession left for the holy cities of Karbala and Najaf. Some Iraqis,

05 January, 2020 01:00hrs ~ 02:30hrs

conversely, celebrated in Baghdad’s streets at the news of Soleimani’s death. He was accused of orchestrating violent crackdowns on peaceful pro-democracy protests there in recent months.

Reports say the bodies of Soleimani and four other Iranians killed in the air strike will be flown on Saturday evening to Iran, which has declared three days of mourning for the assassinated general. His funeral in Iran is to be held on Tuesday.

Iran’s retaliation is certain, but when, where and how is not. For now, the priority is to cement Qasem Soleimani’s status as a national hero, to ensure he remains powerful in death as in life. Elaborate plans for his funeral have been expanded, a mix of carefully scripted ceremony with outpourings of grief filling the streets. It begins in Baghdad where he died, and where so much of his legacy lives.

From there his remains travel to Iran’s holy city of Mashhad, to his hometown Kerman, and then to Tehran where the supreme leader will preside over final prayers - a rare honour, to send another signal. Ayatollah Khamenei has promoted his loyal officer to lieutenant general.

More important is to elevate his martyrdom, to draw in rivals who resented his status and Iranians who reviled his costly foreign adventures.

Iranian leaders hope his killing will unite a nation as it stares at a far more uncertain future. How has Iran responded to the assassination?

Its leaders have pledged to avenge the death of the man who led the Quds Force, an elite unit of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Soleimani, 62, was widely seen as the second most powerful figure in Iran

after Ayatollah Khamenei.

The Quds Force reported directly to the ayatollah, and Soleimani was hailed as a heroic national figure.

Visiting Soleimani’s family members at their house in Tehran, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said: “Revenge for his blood will be exacted on that day when the filthy hands of America will be cut off forever from the region.” Ayatollah Khamenei promised earlier that revenge would be “forceful” while a senior IRGC general, Gholamali Abuhamzeh, raised the prospect of attacks on US warships in the Gulf.

At a march in Tehran on Saturday, one demonstrator told Reuters: “[Soleimani] was a man who - unlike many of our officials - was an enemy for our enemies and treated our own people very well. Therefore he was very popular. So, the only thing we want of our statesmen and our supreme leader is... to take revenge.”

Simmering US-Iranian hostilities escalated rapidly last week after the US conducted air strikes in Iraq and Syria against Kataib Hezbollah, which the US blamed for an earlier rocket attack that killed an American civilian contractor. Pro-Iranian militia attacked the US embassy in Baghdad in response.

In a letter to the UN Security Council responding to the strike on Soleimani, Iran’s UN ambassador Majid Takht Ravanchi said that Iran reserved the right to self-defence under international law. Analysts said Iran could deploy cyber-attacks against the US, or attempt to strike US military targets or interests in the Middle East.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, January 05, 2020

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Trinidad Saudi Chamber warns Soleimani’s death can affect TT

(TRINIDAD NEWSDAY) The death of Iranian general Qassem Soleimani can directly impact TT’s energy sector according

to chairman of the Trinidad Saudi Chamber of Commerce Umar Khan on Saturday.

Speaking with Newsday,

Khan said while he was still researching the circumstances and impacts of Soleimani’s death he said it could impact our economy, noting the oil

ni’s death, the Financial Times reported that oil prices spiked as US and Iranian relations have soured.

and gas sectors.

Soleimani was killed after a US sanctioned drone strike in Iraq on Friday.

In the wake of Soleima-

Trinidad Saudi Chamber of Commerce president Umar Khan

News Reporter Shot In Chest, Injuries Superficial - New Year’s Celebratory Gunfire To Blame (JAMAICA GLEANER) Minutes after midnight on Wednesday while many Jamaicans celebrated the start of the new year, journalist William Mitchell was in hospital nursing a gunshot wound, resulting from a stray bullet, which came through his roof, hitting him in the chest.

It is believed that the bul-

let was from New Year’s celebratory gunfire in Southside, downtown Kingston, where he resides.

Mitchell, a news reporter at Nationwide News Network, said he was in his room, sitting on his bed listening to music when he sustained the gunshot wound.

“I heard a popping sound, and not long after, like almost

instantly after the popping sound, I felt something hit me in my chest. It felt like a pebble hitting me in my chest, so I kind a ease up to figure out what fell from the roof and hit me in my chest, and as I did that, I felt the left side of my chest just kinda get numb, so I’m, like, ‘Wow! This feels strange’. So I got out of bed and turned on the light and

looked in the mirror when I realised that the left of my chest was swollen, and there was a small tear in the skin there,” said Mitchell, adding that there was no bleeding.

NO INTERNAL DAMAGE In an interview with The Gleaner yesterday, Mitchell said that he made his way to the hospital, where he was

treated and subsequently released but not without initial scepticism from the medical professionals.

“I had to show them pictures of what happened for them to believe me. While at the hospital, I made a police report, and the police went to my house to check on the scene. Did an X-ray there, [and] based on the X-ray,

it showed that there was no internal damage, just the superficial damage to the chest on the outside,” he said.

Yesterday, The Gleaner reported that a 15-year-old girl was shot in the head. It was believed that she was shot as a result of gun salutes as part of New Year’s celebrations.

Atherley: Just talk from PM (NATIONNEWS) A lot of talk with little substance. That is how Leader of the Opposition Bishop Joseph Atherley summed up Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley’s televised address on Thursday night.

In fact, Atherley essentially dismissed the speech as Mottley begging for another term in office.

“Unfortunately, what we heard was an appeal for five more years beyond the current political cycle,” said Atherley

yesterday in reaction to what was labelled a National Address by the Prime Minister.

Atherley said Mottley’s tone seemed “rather defensive and suggestive of a Government under pressure

and struggling with a sense that it has failed to persuade Bajans that their lot has improved in the last year and a half”. (AC)

Opposition Leader Bishop Joseph Atherley. (Picture

by Jameel Springer)

Bolivia to hold May 3 vote for new president, Assembly

Former President Morales’s MAS party is the country’s largest political faction [Agustin Marcarian/Reuters]

(AL JAZEERA) Elections for a new government to replace that of overthrown President Evo Morales and the interim Anez administration that followed have been set for May 3, according to an official from Bolivia’s electoral tribunal.

Speaking late on Friday, Supreme Electoral Tribunal Vice President Oscar Hassenteufel said the full electoral calendar will be revealed on Monday. The elections will choose a president, vice president and members of the leg-

islative assembly. If no clear winner emerges in the vote for president, a second round will be held.

Morales resigned in November after a wave of protests fed by accusations that his backers had rigged an October 20 election.

A conservative interim government led by Jeanine Anez then assumed power.

Morales’ Movement Toward Socialism party is the country’s largest political faction.

From his foreign exile, Morales has said he expects his socialist MAS party to win the elections.

Morales himself will not be a candidate in the elections, but has been appointed to lead his party’s campaign.

The MAS will announce

its presidential candidate on January 19.

Right-wing activist and opposition leader Luis Fernando Camacho has already announced his candidacy for the top job.

A lawyer from the economically powerful department of

Santa Cruz de la Sierra in the east of the country, he is one of the masterminds behind the protests that ultimately led to Morales’ resignation.

Critics accuse him of racism and religious zeal.

Anez has announced that Bolivia will issue an arrest warrant for Morales on charges of sedition, but the former leader has nevertheless said he intends to return to his country.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, January 05, 2020

President Granger’s Decade of Development PRESIDENT Granger has proclaimed the next decade, “The Decade of Development” (DoD).

This of course is premised on the re-election of his coalition to power at the upcoming general and regional elections. But it is the kind of vision that should be embraced by all, regardless of party affiliation. Critics of politics in Guyana and the wider Caribbean have bemoaned the lack of visionary governance in the Region over the last three to four decades. It is against that background that we welcome such overarching vision for Guyana, especially as the country enters the next era in its evolution.

As is well known, the country has been blighted by the curse of underdevelopment which intellectuals such as our own Dr Walter Rodney have defined as the opposite of development and they tie its evolution to development of countries in the North Atlantic. Underdevelopment is then linked to the centuries of so-

cio-economic exploitation that have characterised much of our history.

So, when President Granger articulates a developmental vision, he is directly and indirectly addressing the very structural transformation of the country.

The Decade of Development has four central components which we feel are pivotal to development in Guyana in the coming decade.

The first component is development of the Petroleum State. This is premised on the new oil and gas economy which from all reports would improve the country’s economic fortunes in many ways. The Petroleum State would be the hub around which the extended economy revolves. As the President says: “Your government will ensure that petroleum revenues will be managed prudently for present and future generations in accordance with our objective of securing the ‘good life’ for all. We shall do this through a Natural Resource Fund

which, as it stands, meets 21 of the 24 Santiago Principles with the other three principles to be met once the legislation comes into force.”

The second component of the DoD is the Green State which speaks to protection of the environment. This environment is directly linked to development. Often, countries find themselves having to choose between development and environmental protection. In our case the president has made it clear that Guyana shall strike a balance between the two. According to him: “We shall intensify our commitment to: preventing pollution of our waterways, eliminating the importation of single-use plastics which contribute to clogging drainage systems, flooding and squalour, depleting aquatic life and contaminating creeks, rivers, freshwater and marine waters; combating the adverse impact of climate change and rising sea levels caused by global warming, which erodes our

natural sea defence structures and protecting the mangrove forests which help to secure our shoreline and river banks from erosion; and strengthening forestry and mining laws to make re-forestation and land reclamations conditional for the approval of mining and logging concessions.”

The third component of the DoD is what the President refers to as the “Education Nation.” This situates education as a human right which should be afforded to all Guyanese regardless of differences.

As is known, this has long been a pet area for President Granger, who has spent his first term crusading for improved education; now he has a chance to make good on his dream. He envisions an environment in which there is “ an education system in which every child attends, and graduates, from school; every eligible person is accorded free tertiary education at the University of Guyana; every teacher is trained

and paid satisfactorily.”

Finally, the DoD includes a “Digital State” in which the country is brought in line with the technological age. Here again technology is directly linked to economic development. As President Granger says, his vision is for “a ‘digital state’ which will connect every region, neighbourhood, village, community and government agency, generate ICT services and make public services more accessible” In the final analysis, the Decade of Development has to be read comprehensively. All four components are essential to the country’s macro-development.

Each is linked to the other. As is the case of all development visions, the implementation is pivotal. Now that the ideas have been articulated, it is for the technocrats to implement. But before that, the voters must have their say—they will get that chance on March 2, 2020.

Why people ought not to attend the PPP/C launching rally Dear Editor Today, the Peoples Progressive Party/ Civic(PPP/C), launches its political party election campaign for what has been slated to be the Mother of all Elections, due on March 02, 2020. It is obvious, that it will attract its supporters that will be bussed in from as far as Crabwood Creek and other bases, supposedly where its supporters are.

Immediately, though, one should ask the question, as to why persons should want to attend such a rally? And for what? What new, this time, has this party, dishonest to the core, that plotted to overthrow a duly elected government, would want to say to the Guyanese people, at this most important moment in its modern political life?

Those who have been

familiar with the governance record of the PPP/C regime, will be familiar with its abysmal record that it will want to re-clothe for presentation to its supporters. But it will be ALL fake in similar taste to what its current campaign of dishonesty has been.

Therefore, below there are some twelve reasons why persons should not be attending today’s launching of its 2020 national and regional electoral campaign.

• The PPP/C has proven that it is not a party that embraces all the races of this country, particularly Afro Guyanese, who suffered marginalization and discrimination during its 23 years in office.

• The PPP/C continues to support racism, as evidenced by its broadcasting content on its FREEDOM RADIO;

OPENLY UPHELD BY ITS FACEBOOK SUPPORTERS, and other party affiliated media, without any word of condemnation from its leadership.

• The PPP/C has continued to appeal to race, as a vote gathering ploy, which poses a threat to the national peace.

• The PPP/C continues to fool the Guyanese people, its supporters especially, as to its proposed plans for resuscitation of the sugar industry which became bankrupted during its tenure in office.

• The PPP/C denies its role in the collapse of a once industrial giant and contributor to the national coffers, despite overwhelming evidence of a debt of in excess of $80B that aggregated, before the coalition government took office in May, 2015.

• Under the PPP/C regime, corruption became a cancer, and a way of life, with several of its senior members charged before the courts, included its presidential candidate, Irfaan Ali. • The PPP/C does not believe in integrity and truthful leadership. At least, not its presidential candidate who has presented academic certification from universities that do not exist.

• The PPP/C has never governed Guyana in the interest of all Guyanese, and for all Guyanese; but for only its friends and cronies who all became rich at the expense of the poorer sections of the nation, apart from the plundering of its resources for self- enrichment.

• The PPP/C UNDERSTANDING OF GOVERNANCE WAS TO PUNISH

THOSE COMMUNITIES WHICH IT PERCEIVED WAS OF A DIFFERENT POLITICAL PARTY SUPPORT. • PPP/C never supported youth empowerment, nor genuine programmes for empowerment of women, especially in the Hinterland.

• PPP/C Hinterland programme had been to deny Indigenous peoples the right of making independent decisions for the best interests of their self-sustenance and improvement of their communities.

• Local government which means the right of citizens at the grassroots level to determine the socio-economic development of their communities, became stifled during the over two decades of PPP/C governance.

The PPP/C has been too

consistent in its discriminatory pattern of governance; has not presented any discernible change of political behavior since 2015, which signals a realization of how much its failed policies have destroyed communities, and affected the lives of thousands. Its campaign has been built on the altar of gross dishonesty, distortions, and on plans ALREADY BEING EXECUTED BY THE COALITION GOVERNMENT, CHANGING LIVES AND COMMUNITIES. Therefore, the PPP/C will have nothing new to present at its rally, except the same old abysmal record with all of the horrors suffered by Guyanese.

Regards Mark DaCosta

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, January 05, 2020

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No eraser for 2019, but a second chance in 2020 Dear Editor WILL we be the same human beings in the new year? Will this year be different? Will humanity change? Along with 2020 comes the hope and yearning for a more peaceful human race. How do we try to heal from the tragedies of 2019, but not forget?

Former Year “Should auld acquaintance be forgot, And never brought to mind? Should auld acquaintance be forgot, And days o’ lang syne!”

Why do people belt out this traditional song on December 31 at midnight? “Auld Lang Syne” is a Scottish limerick about past relationships. My take—we are to consider and contemplate whether we

want to remember ruptures of past friendships and to repair or not to repair.

The year of 2019 is gone forever. Those 365 days cannot be undone or changed. No rewind button on mistakes.

No magic wand to make the past disappear.

What Would We Erase in 2019? We would erase wars and international conflicts— which, in turn, would erase the plight of refugees and humanitarian crises. Children, women, and men would not die of famine, diseases, and bombs. We would erase murder, sexual assault, child abuse, domestic violence, suicide. We would erase typhoons, cyclones, hurricanes, tropical storms, massive floods, volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, blizzards, siz-

zling heat waves, droughts, raging wildfires—which, in turn, would erase loss of lives and property damage.

Freak accidents. Vehicle accidents. Yes, we would erase accidents if we could.

What Would We Erase in Our Personal Lives in 2019?

Sometimes we desperately want to erase a day, a week, a month, or an entire year. Acts done to us without our permission. Choices made that we regret. We cannot suck back in the words said in anger. Or unsay words we should have said. The tongue cannot undo a lie.

The lips cannot untell an untrue story. A spouse may want to erase a divorce and begin the marriage again.

“There’s silence at the table/ He wants to talk but he’s not

Public’s right to scrutinise national leaders

Dear Editor

WELL, in Irfaan Ali’s few allowed public statements, he has made some utterances that are very questionable. In fact, both their premises are utter lies and fabrications. Stop here a minute! Yes, lies and fabrications? What do we expect from a politician who still, on his own account, cannot honestly clarify for the nation questions about his academic background, and who, as recently as a few days ago, was as evasive as to the ‘universities’-- their claimed origins?

In fact, for Ali to have been instructed by his party leader and master, reported in a section of the print media some time ago, not to answer any questions pertaining to his qualifications, while the former would be away, speaks volumes not only of Ali’s asinine profile, but also to the disrespect shown to the nation at large. But editor, such is the traditionally known behaviour of puppets; in this instance, political puppets – never intended to be durable; not real. How can they be when they do not really exist, and were not made to be, except at the behest of their masters? In Ali’s scripted role, he is not supposed to exist. Only be seen and not

be heard; except that whenever he seems to be allowed to speak, it is repeating the traditional Jagdeo fare of unsubstantiated claims, compliments of dodgy politics, of which Ali now occupies a juxtaposed centre stage, not real or definably, fronting for a grave threat to this nation.

It cannot be that Ali does not understand that all leaders, particularly those who aspire to national leadership that they automatically place themselves in the public domain for reasons of public scrutiny and transparency.

For Ali’s further pretence of not knowing this prerequisite of public scrutiny, or of flagrant disregard and disrespect for the role of the body politic in choice of their leaders, is as unconvincing as a shoplifter caught in the act, and it is therefore another clear example of a political party and its well-known leadership that continues its brazen assault on the nation’s right to choose leaders who can stand scrutiny.

For Ali to accuse the PNC/R of “practising dirty politics’’, because of its full-page advertisement that questions his academic certification; his criminal cases still pending before the court, which makes fora highly dubious personal profile, which asks questions of his suitabil-

ity for the nation’s highest office, not forgetting the fact that all of the these are of his own making. It cannot be a case of ‘’dirty politics’’ when what has been highlighted in the advertisements are genuine issues, supported by credible facts, and continues to be in the public domain and for which Ali has so far failed to satisfactorily provide answers, especially on his academic certification.

Every nation has the right to question its leaders on any matter of personal propriety.

And that includes Ali. This particular Ali scandal underlines the great moral dilemma of this country, that had caused it to become an entrepot of state criminality and unchecked corruption of which his indictment in the Pradoville matter is a glaring example. The fact that he has been declared persona non grata in Canada underlines how a leading member of the international community views politicians with such shady records. One wonders whether Ali believes that such a decision is also of a ‘’dirty politics’’ nature?

Regards Aditya Panday

able/For all the shame that’s locked him deep inside/Oh, but her words are the medicine/When she says they can begin again/And forgiveness will set him free tonight/As heaven touches earth.” Lyrics

by Jason Gray to his song called “Every Act of Love.”

If only we could have a do-over day in 2019 and go back in time to make a change. What would we do differently? Would we erase or overcome? Would we become stronger in the broken places or erase what caused the broken places?

Grace and Redemption “That is what life is about. We do not get redos, but we do get second chances.”—Jeffrey Fry According to a 2019 article in the Columbus Dis-

patch, Harley Blakeman, a former felon, graduated from Ohio State University with a business degree, and recently stated a website that helps companies connect with former criminals seeking employment. “God answers the mess of life with one word: Grace.”—Max Lucado Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all. That’s the eighth step in the 12 Steps of AA. Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it.

That’s the 10th step.

“Redemption isn’t giving a bank robber a job as a teller.”—Jane Velez-Mitchell. In this fallen world, sometimes we need to seek justice before we give mercy. And perpe-

trators deserve prosecution.

Consequences are a reality when one chooses to harm another. Alas, we cannot erase situations, happenings, or events in 2019. We cannot erase tragedy or trauma. We cannot erase mistakes.

But we can reflect on 2019 and become more aware of hurting humanity, focus on change, give and accept forgiveness when genuine, renew hope. One person can reach out to one person. And that person can reach out to another.

Let’s make 2020 a better year across the globe.

Regards Melissa Martin

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GREEN AND GOLD

I AM tempted to tinker with the imagery of Tom Jones’ song, “green, green grass of home” with the description, “green, green mass with gold,” to capture the beauty and energy of the crowd at the launch of the APNU+AFC 2020 Elections Campaign last Friday.

The green and gold represent the dominant colours of the six-party coalition, which is being led by President David Granger, and is set to be returned at the upcoming March 2 polls, for its second consecutive term as the Government of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana.

The coalition first came to office at the May 11, 2015 elections, after securing a one-seat majority in the National Assembly over the PPP/C, which had held unbroken, one-party power for 23 years.

processes since 2001 to elevate party political puppets as presidential candidates.

At its campaign launch, the coalition rightly highlighted its achievements since 2015 as its central message. It also appealed for the progress to continue under a re-elected President Granger. However, it did not lose the opportunity of impugning the leadership credibility of its closest rival.

This will be for me the 12th elections in which I have been involved as a player. I do not rule out the traditional mudslinging during the husting. But this time around the focus seems to be not so much on personality, but about principle.

When the coalition leader referred to “fakes” and “frauds,” he was raising a fundamental issue that candidates ought not lie about their academic qualifications.

FAKES AND FRAUDS The demise of the PPP/C regime gradually followed the death of its charismatic leader Cheddi Jagan. It came about mainly as a result of unbridled corruption, shamefully caricatured as “Pradoville One” and “Fraudoville Two”, and the rigging of the inner-party

PLATFORM CONTROVERSY While both the electorate and observers would hope that the campaign will highlight the central manifesto promises of the various contestants, it cannot escape attention that a huge platform controversy would be the claimed qualifications of

the PPP/C presidential candidate, Mohamed Irfaan Ali. He has placed in the public domain that during September 2001 he was awarded a diploma, styled “BA Degree in Planning”, from an institution named “Business College, West Demerara Chamber.” His Certificate of Graduation was signed by Fred Sukdeo as Professor and Chancellor, and by Joshua Safeek, as Chamber President.

While unflattering reports have been circulating against both the professor and the president regarding their brushes with the law, it appears that their “business college” never existed. This is the “fake” and the “fraud” that unfortunately will intrude on the debate.

It had marred elections in several other jurisdictions.

For example, during 2016 Indian Supreme Court Justice A.R. Dave and Justice Nageswara Rao quashed the election of a Manipur congressman for falsely declaring that he had an MBA degree. The court also directed the Election Commission to issue orders to obtain from each candidate for election to Parliament personal information, including all educational qualifications.

The premise for the order

was that voters had a fundamental right to know about the educational backgrounds of people contesting in elections, and that a candidate could be set aside for making false declarations.

With the selection of a retired Brigadier as his running mate, Ali might have added figuratively, a mark to his campaign; but that would not give any fillip to his tainted credentials.

He needed to come cleaner, if not better, to match the image of David Granger as a highly qualified academician, a journalist/ publisher, historian, an accomplished military leader and a successful, incumbent politician/president. It is therefore not without merit that the APNU+AFC campaign associates with its presidential candidate the attributes of “honesty” and “integrity.”

SEA OF SUPPORTERS The green and gold flags, buntings and banners, and the sea of supporters in campaign uniforms, have given the APNU+AFC coalition an early advantage of appearing to be fully mobilised, and ready for the vote. The bat-

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, January 5, 2020

tle chants, “Forward Ever; Backward Never”, a familiar refrain from the Grenadian Revo, exude confidence and optimism, and strong resolve to re-elect the coalition – this time with a larger majority.

In another five days, by Nomination Day on January 10, we will know how many parties will be in the race.

Like all previous Guyanese elections there would be, like a hot 20/20 match, lots of pace, bounce as well as spin. As the old saying goes, this race is not for the swift, but for he who endures to the end!

I would expect also that the campaign could move away from the old hat of ethnic appeals, and that the focus should be on the agenda of national development and social cohesion. In this regard, I applaud the coalition for a fantastic pick as a platform speaker, the captivating Juretha Fernandes who, all in one person, projected the image of a youth, a woman, young mother, offspring of our Indigenous peoples, and an intellectual.

That is the winning message of inclusion and balance that would appeal to the elector-

ate on March 2 instant.

CARNIVAL SHOW Two of my grandsons, Wayne and Mark, who were here for the launch told me afterwards that they have never seen anything like that in the United States, or anywhere else. For them, the coalition launch was like a carnival show -- full of colour, movements, sounds and rhythms.

I could not have kept my daughter Angela and her husband Tony away from this show, and they brought with them from the Mid-West loyal coalition supporters, Ralph and Zena Joseph, my old-time Whim friends. They all sensed a coalition victory.

I look forward to the campaign with great enthusiasm. As I told the media on Old Year’s Day: “I am not about to disappear… I am a team player. I play for my village -- I am a Whim boy; I play for my country -- I am a Guyana boy; and I play for my government - I am a coalition man.”

Now, I echo the battle refrain, “Forward to Victory!” La Victoria Siempre!

The Coalition Campaign Launch ‘Tun Up’ SO, the election season has started with a bang. The Coalition held its big campaign launch in Georgetown on Friday. It was quite an affair. By any count, the crowd was massive and upbeat. The sea of green at the Durban Park must have given the leaders quite a boost. One could hear it in the speeches from the platform. Interesting-

ly, the AFC leader was as feisty as the come. It was good to see a united coalition on the stage waving their flags and dancing to the pulsating music. As the youth would say: “the Coalition launch Tun Up.” If that demonstration was anything to go by, the PPP should be worried. They would hold their launch on Sunday in Kitty. They would

be challenged to match the Coalition’s roll-out both in terms of crowd size and platform presentations. There were some anti-PPP jabs at the Coalition’s launch, but there was no political smut.

For the most part, it was clean stuff—no cussing out.

So, I would say the Coalition has passed the first test. If I TURN TO PAGE

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, January 5, 2020

AFC youths will ‘push’ to make free tertiary education a reality

THE youth arm of the Alliance for Change (AFC), known as the Youth for Change (YFC), will be ‘pushing’ to ensure that free tertiary education is restored in Guyana if the incumbent coalition government is re-elected for another term in office.

“One of our biggest push, as the youth arm, will be free tertiary education,” YFC member and Councillor of Georgetown, Ayodele Roach, told the Guyana Chronicle at the launch of the APNU+AFC elections campaign on Friday.

Roach indicated that this push for ‘free education’ is in tandem with the YFC’s broader focus on efforts

to foster the development of young Guyanese.

On Friday, President of the YFC, Juretha Fernandes, addressed the sizeable crowd at the rally. Here, she indicated the body’s fervent support of the APNU+AFC coalition. Here, she posited: “A vote for the coalition is a vote to ensure that your education is secure… A vote for the coalition is a vote for training and empowerment.”

Free tertiary education is one area of focus President Granger has committed to once re-elected.

In August, the Guyana Chronicle reported that President Granger

indicated that it is his aim to restore the right to free education, in accordance to the Constitution. This, he said, was part of his drive to ensure that all citizens in Guyana have access to educational opportunities so that they can add to nation-building efforts.

Article 27 of the Constitution of Guyana states: “Every citizen has the right to a free education from nursery to university, as well as at non-formal places where opportunities are provided for education and training.” Guyana, under the People’s National Congress (PNC) Government, offered free education

from nursery to university. However, today, only education offered from nursery to secondary is free.

In September, with General and Regional Elections on the horizon, the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic’s (PPP/C’s) presidential candidate, Irfaan Ali, highlighted that the party’s manifesto includes ‘free tertiary education for all Guyanese’.

However, it was the PPP/C that introduced fees for UG, in 1994.

Even as those fees were introduced, the constitution was not amended to reflect this. And upon realising what is detailed in the constitution, an informal

LYING LEADERS: THE FALSIFICATION OF QUALIFICATIONS IS THE HIGHEST CRIME IN ACADEMIA FAKE credentials have become a global menace.

Those who refuse to sacrifice sleepless nights have resorted to using the mighty dollar and technology as their refuge for their academic laziness. It is estimated to be a billion-dollar industry (New York Times).

The National Clearing House, a Non-Governmental Organization in the United States which offers academic verification services, has expressed concern about the rise in the number of falsified academic credentials cases.

In 2005, the Observatory on Borderless Higher Education Report found that almost every country with a university system has recorded growing fraud cases. Some crimes in academia include plagiarism, cheating, unauthorised collaboration, intellectual theft, purchasing assignments, falsifying your identity to write exams for others, downloading assignments from

the internet, falsifying data, misrepresenting records and publishing academic work that belongs to others. All of these infractions are patently ignominious, but presenting outright fake achievements takes the cake and is the highest crime in academia.

The nexus between fake certification and corruption The falsification The International Center for Academic Integrity (ICAI) has established the five (5) values of academic integrity; honesty, trust, respect, fairness and responsibility. These values are in congruence with the requirements for leadership that is not corrupt. Where these values are absent, corrupt leadership inescapable beckons. Since the decision to create and subsequently submit fake documents proceeds from a criminal mindset. This mode of thinking is indicative of the character at play. Once this understanding is taken to the realm of

leadership and government, the logical continuum has to be that whoever engages in such dastardly enterprises, is indispensably poised to be corrupt. The nexus is clear: academia’s highest crime is directly linked to corruption. Drawing on a familial analogy, one can say fake certification is the cousin of corruption.

THE GLOBAL STANDARD This practice has become alarmingly common in South Africa. They have recorded an increase of 200% from 2009 to 2014 (Vitte&Makhubele ). As a consequence, this country has emerged as a standard-bearer for the crackdown on fabrication of qualifications.

You can be reported to the South African Qualifications Authority if you publicly seek to make a false submission about your scholastic accomplishments. Also,

South Africa has created the National Qualifications Framework Act (NQF) 67 of 2008. This statute allows for the ‘naming’ and ‘shaming’ of people who lie about their academic accomplishments and is designed to eradicate the scourge of illegal tertiary institutions. Above all, the legislation makes clear: those who engage in this practice can face up to five years in prison. Rightly so, this is a condign approach to deal with this issue. When one considers countries such as Guyana, South Africa is light-years away in this regard. Guyana has no significant and noteworthy legal consequence for the highest crime in academia and this situation is made even more egregious by the fact that we are smack down in the middle of national elections with one major party’s presidential candidate being accused of forging his academic qualifications at the degree level.

If we were in sync with the global standard, the Guy-

am to bet on whether the PPP would outdo the Coalition, I would bet on the Coalition.

I like Ramjattan’s refrain—Let the Progress Continue. Reminds me of Roopnarine’s 2011"No Room for

Donald.” Prezzie Granger was “Unbothered.” That was quite a line coming from the Soldier Man—he had the crowd in stiches. And the crowd loved it when he borrowed from that soca tune about putting the PPP clothes in a garbage bag.

Or was it putting the PPP in the garbage bag. Whichever it was, the crowd loved it. But I love the kaiso about Five into twenty-three can’t go. I predict that would be the big hit on the campaign trail.

Well, contrary to my

advice, the PPP picked the Brigadier as their number two man. I will call him the most recent “Window dresser.” The PPP has been using an African Guyanese as window dresser for a long time now. We had

group of young people banded together into a “Free University of Guyana Movement” last year.

When interviewed by the Guyana Chronicle, member of the movement and advocate for ‘Free UG’, Elson Lowe, related that the group is advocating that a portion of oil revenues be used to make education at the university free once again. Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, who is also an elder Statesman of the AFC, told residents of the Essequibo coast that the incumbent government was considering scrapping university tuition fees if the coalition is victorious at the next general elections.

ana Elections Commission could have disqualified this candidate after a thorough investigation would have established there was indeed fraudulence.

LEADERSHIP AND ACADEMIC FRAUD In 2008, Herbal Life’s CEO Gregory Probert was forced to resign when it emerged that he did not have the MBA he claimed.

In 2012, Scott Thompson, the CEO of Yahoo was put to shame when it was revealed that he had lied about having a degree in Computer Science. Arapat Osipian reminded us, ‘… academic fraud is nothing new…some public officials have built their entire careers on the false pretence of scholastic achievement.’

He further noted the significant case of the German Minister of Defence, Baron Karl-Theodor Maria Nikolaus Johann Jacob Phillip Franz Joseph Sylvester Buhl-Freiher Von

The Coalition Campaign Launch...

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9

und zu Guttenburg (there is no typo, this is his name), who was forced to resign when he plagiarised large sections of his ph.D. Dissertation comparing U.S. and European legal systems.

An investigation by Brookings Institution alleges that Vladimir Putin copied about 16 pages of his 200page ph.D. dissertation. It is further alleged that Vladimir Litvenenko, Putin’s academic adviser wrote the document. In the aforementioned cases, there was the commission of scholastic fraud at the level of exaggeration and plagiarism.

In the case of Guyana’s presidential candidate, it is extremely ignoble due to the fact, it is alleged that the university claimed does not exist. While this shameful practice is the norm, once it meets leadership, the automatic response is either resignation or disqualification.

It is never business as usual in the realm of leadership.

08

gotten used to Sam as the permanent one. Now we are having a different one every election; it’s called “rotating the window dresser.” But no stress—the men dressing up the window like it so. My favorite candidate was the

Bishop. But he made my hand fall when he dropped out. I really thought the man had more stamina than that.

I feel real let down. But better luck next time—there is still 2025.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, January 5, 2020

After demonising soldiers in 2015 ...PPP, Jagdeo now embrace a former Brigadier as PM candidate

“It looks like we have a legionnaires club of old military people who want to establish a defacto militarised country again here in Guyana and we are warning people against this. We must take warning that we have to keep these people out if we want to continue on the path of development and progress.” In April 2015, opposition figure, Robeson Benn, uttered those words at a political rally in the town of Bartica.

Benn’s statement was in support of other members of the hierarchy of the Peoples Progressive Party (PPP) including its leader, Bharrat Jagdeo, and former President, Donald Ramotar, who heavily criticised the APNU+AFC coalition after several former army chiefs threw their support behind the multi-party group in the lead-up to the May 2015 polls.

Jagdeo, at a PPP rally at Albion in April 2015, warned supporters of the party to be wary of the entrance of former army and police officials into the political arena. He said, at the time, that the police and defence forces would be compromised.

“When they link up with the military, as they have done, and come into your homes and start kicking the doors down and when they come after you, who is going to be there?” a fired-up Jagdeo said at the time.

He went on to the tell PPP supporters that since the executive of the APNU+AFC includes former heads of the disciplined services, that the army and the police force would be compromised, a claim which was strongly condemned by former heads of the police force and the army.

At an April 2015 press conference at Freedom House, Jagdeo

According to a Demerara Waves report, Ramotar noted in April

another regional and general elections, the PPP, has U-turned on its

Bharrat Jagdeo, Irfaan Ali and Mark Phillips

stated that the move by former army chiefs to enter the political fold broke trust between the Executive and the army management. He made the statement after Former Chief-ofStaff Commodore Gary Best, who was appointed by Jagdeo to head the military from 2007-2013, endorsed the APNU+AFC in the lead-up to the May 2015 elections.

Following Best’s endorsement of the coalition, Jagdeo took several swipes at Best, suggesting that crimes such as the 2008 massacres at Lusignan and Bartica could have probably been avoided.

Ramotar also expressed concern at the time about what the PPP’s perceived militarisation of the political arena.

2015, that Guyana might have been on the verge of following in the footsteps of countries like Egypt where military officers have taken up civilian office and killing persons on the streets of Cairo almost every day. “That is one thing we have to look at if this is a trend that they want to continue in our world,” the former President said.

Even former Prime Minister, Samuel Hinds, weighed in on the issue. “I am greatly concerned that there is great danger if they are to win the next elections,” he was quoted as saying in the April 2015 Demerara Waves report.

U-TURN As the country prepares for

once strong stance of what it termed militarisation of the State.

On Friday night, as thousands of supporters of the incumbent APNU+AFC thronged D’Urban Park where the multi-party coalition commenced its campaign towards the March 2020 polls, the PPP released a statement which indicated that former army chief , Brigadier Mark Phillips, was selected by that party to contest this year’s elections as the party’s prime ministerial candidate.

Phillips succeeded Best as head of the GDF in 2013 and was appointed under the Ramotar Presidency. For months ago he was touted to be selected to run alongside Presidential Candidate, Irfaan Ali,

who was also selected by Jagdeo to lead that party into the 2020 elections.

The PPP said, in a statement on Friday night, that Phillips is the fittest person for prime ministerial candidacy spot. “Mr. Phillips is well qualified and equipped to partner with the PPP as its Prime Ministerial candidate, as it strides forward to win the upcoming elections and form the next Government of Guyana,” the party said.

Unlike Ali, Phillips’ qualifications have never been questioned.

The former army chief holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Management from the University of Guyana as well as a Master’s Degree in Public Sector Management having completed studies at La Pontificia Universidad Catolica Madre y Maestra in the Dominican Republic.

President David Granger, himself a former retired Brigadier, has in the past rejected the claims of the PPP. He noted in the past that the former military and police heads are Guyanese who have made a choice to serve the country.

“They feel APNU and AFC will be able to provide the quality of life for all Guyanese citizens,” Granger told Demerara Waves in May 2015 prior to the elections.

He said that it was the PPP which employed several military officials in the public service and even made a dismissed officer who has since passed, Minister of Home Affairs.

Raids on prisons uncover range of prohibited items RANKS of the Joint Services, on Saturday, searched the New Amsterdam and Mazaruni Prisons as well as the Holding Bays of the Lusignan Prison and found a range of prohibited items.

Among the items were 23 cellular phones; 16 phone chargers; 7 ear pieces; 6 smoking utensils; 3 SIM cards; one memory card; 27 metal spoons; two metal plates; 48 lighters; a quantity of razor blades and construction nails; six batteries; a quantity of small-sized ziplock bags; six grams of cannabis; one pack bamboo; two pairs of scissors; one glass bottle; four bottles of locally-made wine; a quantity of wires; one speaker; one whistle; one screwdriver; three mirrors; three nail clips; one tweezer; one grater; one bot-

tle nail polish; 10 empty tins and 28 improvised weapons .

10:40hrs and involved a total of 138 ranks inclusive of 6

one day after two high-profile prisoners were among a

Some of the prohibited items that were seized during the raids

The searches were conducted between 05:00-

Officers.

Saturday’s raids come

group of inmates at the Camp Street Prison who were a

part of a foiled prison escape uncovered on Friday. Prison warders discovered several bars of a cell had been cut and secured with cloth.

Gladwin Samuels, Director of Prisons (ag), said the warders made the discovery while interacting with prisoners in the security block of the Georgetown Prison. He explained that the heads of Joint Services were alerted and the immediate search operation revealed that bars of another cell had also been cut.

The director noted that hacksaw blades were discovered during the search that are said to be the items used to cut the bars. The prison head said the police, with the assistance of prison officers from the Georgetown Prison, will be conducting a full investigation into the matter to

determine, among other matters, how the prisoners got possession of hacksaw blades and why the sawed bars were not discovered earlier. The high-profile prisoners were identified as Stafrei Hopkinson Alexander, called “Mad Dawg”, an escapee from the July, 9, 2017 prison break and Ryan Jones, who is serving 28 years for manslaughter.

The prison director noted that the duo are reported to be the main players in the escape plan and systems are in place for these persons to be secured at another location.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, January 5, 2020

A mixture of new developments creating jobs

By Margaret Burke

JOBS and more jobs are being made available even as Guyana enter into the dawn of vast economic development at this time. The government of the APNU+AFC coalition, being ever conscious of this fact is investing heavily on expanding roadways, building bridges, stellings, culverts and improving drainage and irrigation.

New construction or renovation works are also being done on buildings in an effort to expand the health sector; widen the gateway to education; increase trade; develop more industries, for example agro-processing, which is on the rise, and many more.

In addition to roads and other infrastructural work, Internet hubs and radio stations are some other facilities which are also serving to stimulate and sustain economic and social development. Additionally, this is a time when there is increasing demand for movements from farms to markets, through communities, regions and town. Networking and linking residents and communities has therefore become a crucial aspects to so-

cioeconomic development and growth.

After all, in the middle of this year a Nasdaq Report stated that Guyana has been named the fastest growing economy in the world. The Report added that this country’s growth rate is expected to be 33.5 percent in 2020 and 22.9 percent in 2021.

ROADS AND REVETMENT There have been many road works executed over the past four years.

These include the East Coast Demerara four-lane road, as well as renovation works on other parts. In addition, there has been major works done within the Sophia community; four roundabout settings in Kitty, Linden, Lethem and Timehri; upgrade of University of Guyana internal road, as well as Carifesta Avenue. Roads in Region Seven; concrete roads in Mabaruma and Madhia; Port Kaituma; Number 19 public road in Corentyne; the Linden-Lethem road; the West Coast Demerara improvement project; emergency works on the Linden-Wisroc road.

Government invested $328 million

in the construction and rehabilitation of the Bartica-Potaro road, Region Seven.

This road is now being outfitted with LED lights to ensure the safety of residents who commute from Four Miles to Five Miles in Region Seven.

In Phase One, construction and rehabilitation works were done on 200 metres of roadway, also revetment work.

Phase Two saw the completion of some 500 metres of road, while 1000 metres of the road was completed upgraded.

According to a 2017 Report of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) – GY-L1031, Sophia is a community with an estimated population of some 32,000 residents; it also has a very youthful population, with 75 percent of its residents being under the age of 35 years of age.

Soon after the coalition government took the reign of office in 2015, the Sophia community was one which gained the government’s attention and so they went into action. In terms of roads, construction of several kilometres of asphalt and concrete roads, access bridges, culverts, concrete drains, side TURN TO PAGE

12

Restoration of the Cashew Grove Park in Lethem

Let there be light and there was light as the La Parfaite Harmonie community enjoy street lights for the first time

The community of Mahdia

Government, through the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, invested some $473 to create the Barrack Retreat Corridor. This asphalt road of about 1.8km in length is located in the Upper-Takatu-Upper Essequibo Region

The Onverwagt $100M farm-to-market road

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, January 5, 2020

Landlord kills bandit who attacked, robbed tenants -- policeman among three suspects arrested at roadblock

A landlord managed to save his tenants from four armed bandits on Friday night after hearing a commotion in their apartment that led to an armed confrontation and the death of one of the bandits, along with the arrest of three others.

Dead is Mark Prince, 39, called “Fine Man” of James and Curtis Streets, Albouystown, Georgetown.

Back in July 2016, police issued a wanted bulletin for Prince in relation to the offence of robbery under arms.

In January 2016, Prince was charged and remanded to

hospitalised, and a serving policeman and a female.

Reports indicate that the robbery was committed on Guang Hong Wang, a 43-year-old female Chinese proprietor of Five Star Restaurant, located at 695 Tuschen New Housing Scheme, East Bank Essequibo (EBE).

At the time of the robbery, a customer, identified as Navindra Lakahalall, 37, of Zeelugt New Housing Scheme, EBE, was also robbed.

Police said two of the bandits were armed with cutlasses and one with a hand-

The bandits then forced the businesswoman into her apartment, making demands for more cash and valuables, when the landlord, who is a licensed firearm holder, overheard the commotion.

Upon investigation, the landlord, who retrieved his firearm, was attacked by one of the armed suspect and another with a cutlass.

As a result, he was forced to discharge several rounds in their direction after which the other suspects fled.

They then rushed to the roadway into motorcar PTT 8606 that was parked nearby, leaving their accomplice, Prince, who was wounded at the scene.

The landlord and others in the area then made contact

Dead: Serial robber, Mark Prince

The seized firearm

with the police and the vehicle, with the bandits, was intercepted at a road block on the public road in front of the Den Amstel Police Station.

When police searched the car, one of the wounded robbers, who was in the back seat, was arrested and taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he is listed as being in a stable condition.

Police also discovered an unlicensed pistol with an empty magazine in the car, along with a sum of cash.

Cellular phones were found on the other suspects.

At the scene, Mark Prince was found motionless with a suspected gunshot wound to the neck, a cutlass in his right hand and a haversack on his back.

He was taken to the Leonora Cottage Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival. A search of his body revealed he had a sum of $130,000.

Other items seized on the suspects in police custody

prison on an armed robbery charge. He was also accused of several other robberies.

The other suspects were identified as a 20-year-old unemployed man of Herstelling ,East Bank Demerara; a 23-year-old unemployed man of Buxton, East Coast Demerara, who is

gun when they attacked the businesswoman at approximately 21:00hrs Friday night.

Investigations revealed that Wang and her husband operate the restaurant on the lower flat of the premises, while Navindra was a customer, when one of the robbers and a woman entered

the restaurant and purchased two beers.

After drinking the beers, the duo proceeded to order a case of beer and Wang was in the process of delivering same when the man whipped out a gun and proceeded to rob her and the other persons in the restaurant.

A mixture of new developments ... walks, streetlights, and the construction of two community centre and playfields are all being realised – some have already been completed, while other are nearing completion.

“One of the things that was really loud coming out of Sophia in 2017 would have been the insistence on the residence of Sophia benefitting from employment from the project in no less than 30 percent,” and this has been realized, according to Ms. Bess-Bascom of the Central Housing and Planning Authority.

This road is now providing over 125 residents within the community with easy access to their farms, with some 40,000 acres of rice land and 10,000 heads of cattle. Residents have spoken of reduced cost of both production and

transportation, among other benefits.

This $431 million fourdoor sluice, located just a few hundred feet from the Berbice Ricer Bridge was constructed by the government of Guyana, through the Ministry of Agriculture. The sluice, which is almost completed is said to be a ‘game changer’ for the residents of the community, especially farmers, since it will provide drainage for over 16,000 acres of low lying agricultural and residential lands between the Berbice and Abary Rivers.

The village of Sand Creek in Region (Nine-Upper Takatu-Upper Essequibo) received potable water for the first time in its history.

The well, which was dug

by Brazilians is a 272 feet facility and can supply water to more than a 1000 residents at

FROM PAGE

Education is the ‘key’ and the government is doing everything possible to ensure that the children in schools are safe and secure “…We should be in a position to offer support, if parents really need support and teachers as well, because a lot of the time we have parents and teachers that require some amount of psychosocial counselling and welfare support,” Minister of education, Hon Dr. Nicolette Henry as she commissioned the mobile units.

Men at work on one of the roads in Sophia, while also doing revetment works

any one time. It is the first of This is one of many such its kind in the hinterland and government venture to prothis well can provide water to vide potable water for resiat least four times the village. dents in all parts of Guyana.

RECREATIONAL FACILITIES The project is a collaboration between the Regional Administration, the Ministry of Communities and the Ministry of Social Cohesion and is being built on 5.4 acres of land at Onverwagt at a cost of

11 some #148 million.

At the conclusion of these two parks many of young within this community will get permanent employment, while many have are now employed for the creation of the parks. These parks are being constructed with the residents of all ages in mind.

They are intended to provide safe and useful spaces for sporting activities, as well as other social engagements.

The cashew Grove Park is located in the new township of Lethem, Region Nine. This park, which came out of a signed Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of natural resources and Conversation International. It is meant to be a recreational space for the residents within Lethem and extended communities.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, January 5, 2020

'None of my ministers went to ‘University of Uitvlugt’'

13

…President Granger ridicules Ali’s purported academic qualifications PRESIDENT David Granger ridiculed the purported academic qualifications of the Presidential Candidate of the PPP/C, Irfaan Ali, jeering that these qualifications came from a “University of Uitvlugt” and a “University of Cumberland”.

The People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) is the biggest challenger to the incumbent A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) Coalition at the upcoming Regional and General Elections.

Over the past few months, however, the credibility of the Ali’s qualifications has been called into question. It was alleged that a transcript issued by a school, identified as the Chamber Business School on the West Bank of Demerara (WBD), was used for his entry into a university in India, to pursue his Master Degree. It was subsequently reported, however, that the National Accreditation Council found no records of that WBD school’s existence.

While addressing the

massive crowd at the D’Urban Park on Friday for the launch of the APNU+AFC

in my Cabinet ever went to the University of Uitvlugt…

Nobody ever went to the

non-existent WBD school.

And cognisant of the controversy surrounding the quali-

each time. President Granger also alluded to the presence of “fakes and frauds” in the

President David Granger and Leader of the AFC, Khemraj Ramjattan, ‘crank-up’ the massive crowd during the launch of the APNU+AFC campaign, on Friday (Adrian Narine photo)

elections campaign, President Granger said, “You know you’re dealing with honest people here. Nobody

University of Cumberland.”

His reference to the “University of Uitvlugt” was a clear reference to the

fications of President Granger’s main political contender, the crowd joined the President in ridiculing Ali

PPP/C, while advancing that his government has been one that reflects transparency, particularly in managing

Guyana’s resources.

While the controversy on the candidate’s academic qualification remains one which he shies away from when questioned repeatedly by members of the media, Ali received a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of the West Indies (UWI) last October.

Similar to the President’s taunts at the candidate, leader of the AFC, Khemraj Ramjattan, criticised the PPP/C for having a candidate with “questionable” qualifications, at the campaign launch. Ramjattan gave full praises to President Granger, a candidate he deemed to be “Fit and Proper” for another term in office. And as he urged the supporters present at the D’Urban Park to vote for the coalition on March 2, he told them that their choice for their next president is simple: either they vote for President Granger, or for “an arrogant PPP government, led

by Ali whose qualifications are questionable.”

Vagrant dies in fight over sleeping space

A man who has been living on the streets for the past three years was stabbed to death following a fight over where to sleep on Friday night.

Dead is labourer, Lochand Persaud Kamaldeo called “Tyie”. Though he had no fixed place of abode, he would usually find shelter on vacant stall at the Number 79 Village Market.

According the police, at around 21:30 hrs on Friday and 01:00 hrs on Saturday, Kamaldeo and the suspect who was identified as Dave Jacobs had an argument regarding who should occupy one of the vacant stalls.

The argument led to a scuffle during which Kamaldeo was fatally injured.

Initially, the police had arrested two persons of interest but during interrogation, Jacobs admitted to inflicting a single stab wound to his fellow homeless colleague.

He told investigators that Kamaldeo attacked him first and in a bid to defend himself he grabbed the weapon from Kamaldeo and stabbed him to the chest.

The man was picked up and taken to the Skeldon Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Meanwhile, Bibi Deen, a vendor who Kamaldeo works with, said she was informed shorty after that he was injured and when she arrived at the scene, she saw a small amount of blood next to the stall.

The area where the stabbing occurred

“I think that it was not serious because it wasn’t plenty blood but when I

reach to the hospital and I see he on the stretcher and them say he dead, I was left

shock because I didn’t expect that. He was a good person to everyone around the

market. He does watchman or sometime help load stuff.

Till now, I left in a shock. Me and my husband come out last night thinking that we gonna even take him to the New Amsterdam Hospital if it was serious not knowing that he die,” the vendor said.

Guyana Chronicle understands that Kamaldeo spent most of his life in Canada and upon his return to Guyana he has been doing odd work around the Skeldon Market area. Vendors described him as a willing individual who does not create trouble. They noted also often time the suspect, who is also a vagrant, would torment Kamaldeo over trivial things.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, January 5, 2020

Courtesy visit While on a brief visit to Guyana, President of the United Nations General Assembly for the 73rd session, MarĂ­a Fernanda Espinosa on Friday paid a courtesy call on Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Honourable Karen Cummings, and Foreign Secretary, the Honourable Carl B. Greenidge.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, January 5, 2020

Guyana assumes chairmanship of OAS Guyana on Saturday assumed chairmanship of the Organisation of American States (OAS) a key hemispheric grouping headquartered in Washington.

The chairmanship will be held by Guyana’s Permanent Representative to the body, Dr Riyad Insanally who is also this country’s Ambassador to the United State.

The office of chair is held by each of the perma-

Ambassador Riyad Insanally takes over chairmanship of the OAS

Ambassador Riyad Insanally and staff

nent representatives, in turn, following the Spanish alphabetic order of the names in Spanish of their respective countries. The office of vice chair is filled in the same way, following reverse alphabetic order. The terms run for three months and begin on the first day of the months of January, April, July, and October.

The Permanent Council of the Organization reports directly to the General Assembly and has the powers assigned to it by the Charter and the other Inter-American instruments and the functions entrusted to it by the General Assembly and the Meeting of Consultation of Ministers of Foreign Affairs.

The Permanent Council keeps vigilance over the maintenance of friendly relations among the member states and, for that purpose, effectively assists them in the peaceful settlement of their disputes. It carries out those decisions of the General Assembly or of the Meeting of Consultation of Ministers of Foreign Affairs the implementation of which has not been assigned to any other body. It watches over the observance of the standards governing the operation of the General Secretariat and, when the General Assembly is not in session, adopts

provisions of a regulatory nature that enable the General Secretariat to carry out its administrative functions. It acts as the Preparatory Committee. At the request of the member states, it prepares draft agreements to promote and facilitate cooperation between the OAS and the United Nations and other inter-American institutions. It submits recommendations to the General Assembly with regard to the functioning of the Organization and the coordination of its subsidiary organs, agencies, and committees. It considers the reports of the organs, agencies, and entities of the inter-American system and presents to the General Assembly any observations and recommendations it deems necessary.

It serves provisionally as the Organ of Consultation under Article 83 of the OAS Charter and under the provisions of the Inter-American Treaty of Reciprocal Assistance (Rio Treaty). It also considers any matter which the Secretary General of the Organization may bring to its attention under Article 110 of the OAS Charter and Article 20 of the Inter-American Democratic Charter.

The Permanent Council is composed of one Permanent Representative of

each member state, especially appointed by the respective government, with the rank of Ambassador.

Each government may appoint alternate representatives and advisers and, if necessary, accredit an acting representative.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, January 05, 2020

APNU+AFC pushes unity in campaign launch cultural presentation

By Tamica Garnett WITH a programme jam packed with culture, talent, energy, and an atmosphere of togetherness, and joy, the APNU+AFC campaign launch last Friday night, headlined by soca singer Farmer Nappy, was about more than just politics-- it was about unity and patriotism.

The programme that stretched about seven hours long, beginning around 16:00hrs, was as diverse as was the crowd that turned out to support the political party as it set the stage for its race to the March 2 elections. “It was spectacular, very colourful,” expressed 55-year-old Lisa Ali, who came all the way from Pearl Village on the East Bank of Demerara to show her support for her party.

Ali was also in love with the atmosphere and unity reflected in the masses.

“It’s really, really good, we have such a mixed crowd, the crowd is very diverse, and I enjoy seeing the people, I love this. I know this political party has had a very significant impact for the country,” she said, as she listened to remarks being delivered by his Excellency President David Granger.

Speakers at the event also included AFC Leader Khemraj Ramjattan, and AFC Youth member Juretha Fernandes. Coming all the

to begin until 17:00hrs, but supporters began streaming

Reigning Chutney Soca Monarch Stephen Ramphal on stage with President David Granger and other party members at the APNU+AFC campaign launch (Delano Williams photo)

APNU+AFC supporter from East Bank, Lisa Ali

way from Monkey Mountain in Region Eight, 18-year-old Ian King was also blown away by the night’s performances at the event.

“I’ve never seen something like this,” he shared.

Seventy-six-year old Mary Mitchell didn’t come out so much for the performances as she came out to show support

Trinidadian Soca singer Farmer Nappy performing at the APNU+AFC campaign launch (Elvin Croker photo)

Indigenous dancers performing a piece during the APNU+AFC campaign launch (Delano Williams photo)

for her government, but she was nonetheless pleased with the entertainment put forth at the event.

“It was very good, very nice,” said Mitchell, who travelled from West Watooka in Region 10 to be there.

She was accompanied to the event by her daughter. Others, such as little 19-monthold Thomas Chapman were

perhaps too young to understand the meaning of the moment but seemed to enjoy the atmosphere all the same.

Chapman was out with his mother Susan George; they were among a 150- member contingent from Region Nine that travelled to the city show their support.

And APNU+AFC ensured that they delivered quite an entertaining night to their supporters, many who there. There were performances by almost all of Guyanese leading singers in the varying genres from soca, to calypso, to chutney, to gospel and dances by the National Dance Company, punctuated with moving speeches by several of the party’s members.

The line-up preceding the curtain-closing performance

by Farmer Nappy, included local big guns such as gospel singer Saiku, reigning Calypso Monarch Kenroy “Mighty Believer” Fraser; reigning Chutney Soca Monarch and second-placed Soca Monarch, Stephen Ramphal; former Chutney Monarch Bunty Singh; former Soca Monarchs Vanilla, Adrian Dutchin, and other singers such as Alabama, and the Afro-centric Young Royalty.

For the older folk there was also some feet tapping to the performances from the famed Yoruba Singers. And that’s just to name a few.

The event wasn’t scheduled

Local gospel Singer Saiku Andrews performing during the APNU+AFC Campaign launch (Adrian Narine photo)

in the venue from as early as 16:00hrs, eager to get the show on the road.

The afternoon into latenight programme was chaired

by Comedian Odessa Primus and Director of Sports, and party member, Christopher Jones, who kept the crowd in gales of laughter in between performances with their own blend of witty jokes.

The pair got a lot of laughs as they made fun of Guyanese reaction to the country recently realising first oil and becoming and “oil-producing nation,” while Jones was nice enough to show the crowd some of his “screw the light bulb” and wining skills as he danced to Terry Gajraj’s “Guyana Baboo.”

However, he could not beat the hip movements of the “Berbice Delight Chutney Dancers” who gave an impressive, eye-catching performance to a medley of chutney and soca music that also included Gajraj’s song, Bunty Singh. The performers were mainly focused on

messages of togetherness and called for unity as Guyana heads into what is considered the “mother of all elections” come March 2. Other performers however were very

Former Guyanese Soca Monarch Adrian Dutchin performing at the APNU+AFC campaign launch (Adrian Narine photo)

unapologetic in their endorsing of the APNU+AFC as their party.

Singer Alabama noted the extrajudicial killing of some of his comrades under the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), APNU+AFC’s main competitor in the upcoming elections, as his reasoning behind why he supported the green and yellow party.

Others such as Kenroy “Mighty Believer” Fraser, didn’t need to say the words, his sharp green and yellow outfit and his song “Give Granger Some Time” said it all. Local Calypsonian Young Bill Rogers also performed a piece that gave the party his nod.

G Money performed a campaign jingle that established where their support was at this point. Saiku was out in a crisp yellow blazer, while Adrian Dutchin performed “Yellow and Green.”

However, nothing got the crowd as wild as when President David Granger took the stage, and laced his remarks with a few jokes as well as he took stabs at the competition’s presidential candidate Irfaan Ali, joking at Ali’s still-to-be-verified a crucial academic certificate, which he is said to have faked to get into an academic programme. Supporters can expect more of the same as the party takes its campaign countrywide, with the next stop being next Wednesday scheduled for Hopetown. A massive celebration is also expected on January 10.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, January 5, 2020

GRDB records second highest local rice production ever -Over 1M tonnes of paddy produced in 2019, highest-ever production for Region Six THE Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) has recorded the second highest local rice production ever, with over one million tonnes of paddy being produced in 2019.

According to a press statement from the Ministry of Agriculture, some 1,049,874 metric tonnes of paddy was produced in 2019, 8,254 tonnes short of the record 2015 production of 1,058,128 tonnes. The recorded productivity of the rice industry is contrary to what was said by sections of the media and prominent persons about the rice sector declining.

“2019 stands as the second highest rice-producing year to date,” said the ministry, adding that Guyana managed to produce a record amount of rice despite the plethora of challenges the industry faced throughout the year.

Among the challenges that the rice industry faced were “extremely unfavourable” weather conditions and some level of pest infestation.

“These challenges were taken head on by the GRDB, which spared no effort in ensuring that the extension and support services meted out to their rice farmers were superior,” said the agriculture ministry.

Not only was production in 2019 close to surpassing the 2015 national record, but production has increased 28 per cent since 2016. This is possible not only by the efforts extended by the GRDB, but also by the “hard work” of farmers.

Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) remained the highest producing region, harvesting 454,476 metric tonnes of paddy; this is equivalent to some 295,4009 metric tonnes of rice. The region recorded a 99 per cent harvesting rate.

The second top producing region was Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), which produced a total of 311,915 metric tonnes of paddy or 202,745 metric tonnes of rice equivalent. This production was the highest on record for Region Six, said the GRDB. According to the board, the region also produced some

Italy with 20,848 tonnes; Venezuela 15,105 tonnes; Jamaica 8,883 tonnes; the Netherlands 6,698 tonnes; the United Kingdom (UK) 6,294 tonnes; Panama 5,273 tonnes; Trinidad 5,206 tonnes; Honduras 1,566 tonnes; Greece 956 tonnes; Poland 949 tonnes; Spain 759 tonnes; France 707 tonnes; and

General Manager of the GRDB, Nizam Hassan

4,910,444 bags of paddy, which was equated to a 25 per cent increase in paddy production for East Berbice-Corentyne.

Nationally, some 16,526,024 bags of paddy or 682,418 metric tonnes of rice was produced. 178,628 hectares were sown, thereby equating to 93 bags of rice per hectare or 38 bags of rice per acre.

General Manager of the GRDB, Nizam Hassan, said the rice industry has once again been resilient against the existing challenges and has done exceedingly well.

“This time we faced those challenges head strong and head on and with determination to be even more successful than previous years,” said Hassan in an invited comment on Saturday.

The general manager said the board is very pleased with the performance of the sector and owes it to the work of stakeholders such as farmers, staff of GRDB, millers and exporters.

In May last year, the Guyana Chronicle reported that the performance of the rice industry continued to improve rapidly, with earnings for the first quarter of the year reaching US$41.7 million; this was about 2.15 times the US$19.3 million which was earned in the corresponding period in 2018.

In the report, Hassan had said Guyana exported 103,024 tonnes of rice from January-March 2019, more than twice the 49,629 tonnes exported during the same period last year.

Portugal was the top export destination for Guyana’s rice with 25,477 tonnes in January-March 2019, followed by

others 4,298 tonnes.

There was also a notable increase in exports of rice to Jamaica. Exports to the Caribbean nation moved from 6,638 tonnes in the first quarter of 2018 to 8,883 tonnes for the same period in 2019.

There was also an increase in exports to Panama, where

there were challenges in the past. Exports to Panama were 5,237 tonnes compared to 3,771 tonnes last year. Total exports to CARICOM countries netted US$8.4 million in the first quarter of 2019, compared to US$6.4 million in 2018, an increase of about 30 per cent.

Export earnings from the European Union has increased tremendously, moving from US$3.8 million to US$22.1 million. Meanwhile, exports of rice to Latin America decreased, but the total earnings had increased from US$9 million to US$11.1 million.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, January 5, 2020

New maternal waiting home to be built at Moruca

THE highly-anticipated Maternal Waiting Home for Moruca in the North West District will be constructed in this year.

According to a release from the Regional information unit, Regional Health Officer (RHO), Dr. Latchmie Lall, who said that despite the long wait, she is confident that the project will start as anticipated this year.

Dr. Lall said that while the project had not yet been awarded to a contractor, the engineer’s estimate is $40M.Once the National Procurement and Tender Board(NPTB) moves swiftly on it, it will be awarded, thus ensuring that work can commence.

“The engineer’s estimate has been completed and the last thing that I am aware of is that it was at the National Tender Board so we in Health Service are anxiously awaiting the awarding of this contract, so that work can commence, as the residents are eager to have this home constructed,” she said.

The maternal waiting home is expected to accom-

modate a high number of pregnant women from the region, with the primary objective of serving as a transition

noting that a number of women who are living in far-flung communities usually encounter severe challenges when

REO of Region One, Randy Storm

point between the hinterland residents as they await delivery. As such, it will contain 14 beds along with other rooms to address several maternal-related issues.

The waiting home is also geared at reducing several challenges that women face at home, while waiting to deliver, thus enhancing the region’s delivery record.

The RHO said the construction of the home will further enhance healthcare,

they are approaching their delivery dates and it would ensure that they can access a safe delivery as they would be surrounded with professional medical help. “This maternal and waiting home is critically important to Region One as we have had some deaths and other challenges over the years and it is our view that with the completion of the waiting home it would certainly enhance deliveries of babies,” Dr. Lall said.

Meanwhile, Regional Executive Officer, Randy Storm, said that the facility will boost healthcare in the region.

“This is a critically-important project for Region One and we are confident that it will boost healthcare within the region. This is an eagerly-anticipated project for Region One and we are confident that a significant number of women will certainly benefit from this project,” the REO said.

REO Storm stressed that the facility is one of the region’s 2020 priority projects.

He further disclosed that another major project that is expected to be completed early this year is a conference hall. The hall is being constructed to the tune of $10.958M and is being constructed by Yahweh Conglomerate. Engineer Murwin Allison said that the project is moving ahead nicely and he expressed satisfaction with

the quality of work thus far.

That project, the REO said, will help in enhancing and improving healthcare.

Dr. Lall, in commenting on the project, said that these projects are all geared in boosting significantly, healthcare in Region One. She disclosed that the Mabaruma Hospital is looking to become a regional teaching hospital in 2020. “Once we can put the necessary accommodations in place, we can have consultants and student residents coming at intervals to be a part of Mabaruma Regional Hospital. We also want to have our theatre up and functioning, which will offer surgical services to the region,” Dr. Lall stressed.

The RHO said that plans are afoot to have an Intensive Care Unit (ICU) unit established at Mabaruma.

This, she said, will increase the hospital’s capabilities in addressing increased medical challenges facing patients,

thus the establishment of the ICU. She said that with the ICU, the hospital will better handle increased medical difficulties.

“We are also hoping that with approval from the budget committee, we have the ICU unit up and functional as well next year at Mabaruma Regional Hospital. We have recently completed a lab at Mathews Ridge where there is a district hospital, so we are looking to have an x-ray machine coming there and a number of other small services being provided in the Matarkai subdistrict,” the RHO opined.

Dr. Lall reiterated that the new building, which will house the Port Kaituma Regional Hospital, should be completed shortly, disclosing that the staff would be able to move over and occupy the new facility.

The Ministry of Public Health Vector Control Services has commenced fogging exercises at Charity Housing Scheme after residents complained about mosquito infestation

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, January 5, 2020

Charity Wharf feasibility study consultation commences RESIDENTS of the Pomeroon-Supenaam region have commended the efforts of the Region Two Administration and the consultant company, CB and Associates Inc., for starting the first consultation process on a much-needed project at Charity.

On Friday, residents gathered at the Charity Secondary School where they were briefed on the project.

According to team leader and consultant of CB and Associates, Muneshwar Ramnarine, the first consul-

tation is to spread awareness on the project as well as to solicit ideas on changes.

He gave a brief overview of the way forward for the construction of the Charity Wharf and Marketing Centre at Charity. Persons were also shown the draft design of what the project will look like. Major stakeholders were given the opportunity to provide recommendations on changes they would like to see. Businessman Mr. Deleep Singh said that the current wharf is in a deplor-

able condition and it is a threat. He urged the relevant authorities to set the project as a priority since many farmers depend on the facility to showcase their produce.

Speaking to stakeholders, Region Two Regional Executive Officer, Mr. Denis Jaikarran, said that he is pleased that the consultation process had commenced and endorsed the presentation done by CB and Associates.

He said that the project will be a beneficial one for cash crop farmers in the Pomeroon River.

The consultants will now carry out tests and measurements and come up with the way forward

with a view to returning for two more public consultations before the final designs are handed to the

The consultation team

The gathering at the first consultations for the Charity Wharf and Marketing Centre

executing agencies-- the Ministry of Public Infrastructure - Sea and River Defence Unit.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, January 05, 2020

Mother of Ryan Taylor appeals for help from Troy Resources

JUNE Ann Taylor, mother of the late Ryan Taylor who died in a mining pit accident at Troy Resources on October 8, 2019, is calling for a thorough investigation into the incident.

In a letter to the Editor, Taylor said that she needs answers and that she is not satisfied with the response of the company in the wake of the accident.

Ryan Taylor, a geologist who was employed by gold exploration company, Troy Resources, was said to be working at the company’s Hicks Pitt in Region Seven on October 8, 2019, when the incident occurred.

“I met with the CEO of

the company, Ken Nelson, on November 8, 2019, and he has promised to intervene and come to a settlement, but to date, I have heard nothing from him. Whenever I call the company, I am being told by the Human Resources Manager that she cannot give any answers, since she has not received any word from Mr. Nelson.

“I am now a tired and frustrated citizen of Guyana,” the woman said.

The woman appealed for help in her battle for justice for her son and said that the family is now left without a major provider.

“I feel as though I have

been cheated of what I rightfully deserve. This ordeal is just way more than I have expected it to be. I am kindly asking you to assist my family and I, as we fight this battle for justice to be served for the late Ryan Arthur Taylor, only 33 years old when he died,” she said.

She added that her son was a father that was vibrant and full of energy and potential, “a law-abiding and role model citizen. A kind-hearted and willing son that stood out from many others.”

She noted that the family has grieved in silence for far too long and the time has now come for them to speak

up and be heard, “for we are being taken advantage of.”

Ms. Taylor said she raised her son on her own, from a tender age of four months. “Our life was no easy one, and this resulted in him leaving school at a young age to assist with the household. My son had worked at several companies before Troy Resources to ensure he was capable of taking care of his responsibilities. He leaves to mourn three young children (aged five, eight, and 12), his siblings, grandmother, myself and other family and friends,” she said.

Ryan Taylor, the geologist who died in a mining pit accident at Troy Resources on October 8, 2019

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, January 5, 2020

Post on ministry’s Facebook page unfortunate –– Lawrence

A POST which appeared on the Ministry of Public Health’s Facebook page regarding religious beliefs, was unfortunately placed there.

This is according to Minister of Public Health , Volda Lawrence, who told the Department of Public Information (DPI) that the post, which centres on the ministry’s declarations, was placed externally on the ministry’s Facebook page without an explanation.

Noting that it should

have never occurred, she explained that as usual, over the last two years, the ministry, as part of its programme, held its annual Sunrise Service for members of staff, although she noted it was not compulsory in terms of attendence.

She said that persons from various departments and religious background at the ministry attended the event and at the service, the pastor made declarations and persons asked that they be shared with them.

Lawrence said the declarations should not have been placed externally without an explanation, noting that it appeared as if it was based on the policy of the ministry.

She said the department responsible for the blunder should have shared the request by staff of the declarations, internally.

Lawrence went on to explain that the ministry realized that the agency is diverse and that there is a lack of education of the beliefs of persons and, as such, over

the past two years, various programmes, such as Diwali, Phagwah, Youman-Nabi, among others , have had various interactions. She said the objective of such interactions and programmes was to foster tolerance and understanding of each other. ”I can tell you that it has been working,” she told the

DPI. She said it is unfortunate that persons made various statements based on their own belief after the post was made public. She said it goes counter to what the ministry set out to do. ”What we set out to do is to bring harmony, to bring understanding, to bring care, to bring

tolerance into our working environment”, she said, noting persons on staff would better understand the beliefs of each other.

Lawrence requested persons to assist in that process noting that the publication is not a policy or statement by the ministry.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, January 5, 2020

Father of two collapses, dies at Black Water Backdam

Dead: Terrance Victor Cadogan

A father of two dropped dead on Wednesday at Black Water Backdam, Cuyuni River, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni).

Dead is Terrance Victor Cadogan, 55, called “Eye Up” and “Pack up” of Lot 18, Good Intent Village, West Bank Demerara (WBD). He worked in the interior regions and operated a shop in Stabroek Market.

Reports from Black Water Backdam indicate that Cadogan was an alcoholic.

On New Year’s day, he left his job as a shopkeeper in Barakat Backdam, Cuyuni River, and visited his friend, Mark Partamouth, 45, also of Good Intent Village, WBD, and complained of severe abdominal pains.

The following day, he complained again to Partamouth about getting cramps to his side.

Later that day, Partamouth woke up from resting and saw Cadogan lying on a bench at a shop and he once more complained about pain and cramps.

Minutes after, Mark heard a tumbling sound and upon checking, he observed Cadogan on the ground lying face upwards, motionless.

He immediately reported the matter to the police and Cadogan was escorted to the Bartica Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

The body was later taken to the Lyken Funeral Home where it is awaiting an autopsy, as police continue their investigations.

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Stars Pre-World Cup Camp confirmed

ST JOHN’S, Antigua (CMC) – West Indies Under-19s head coach, Graeme West, does not believe the side’s wretched result in last month’s Tri-Nations Series is cause for major concern.

In fact, the Englishman said the campaign had provided a crucial learning curve for the Young Windies, and had shed important light on areas which needed to be improved, ahead of the ICC Under-19 World Cup in South Africa from January 17 to February 9.

The Kimani Melius-led unit lost four of their six matches in the 50-over series in Antigua which was also contested by England Under-19s and Sri Lanka Under-19s.

“The encouraging aspect of the Tri-Series was that the team got into strong positions in five out of the six games that were played, the bowling unit functioned well and was backed up by some impressive fielding that was enhanced by the introduction of fielding specialist, Julien Fountain,” West contended.

“The batsmen came out of the series with a better understanding of the skills they will need to deliver in order to achieve the team-targets that have been set and the camp (in Johannesburg starting yesterday) will certainly focus heavily on these areas.”

He added: “The six games have given each player a better understanding of the roles and responsibilities they will need to fulfil for the team to succeed.

“Equally important was the time the players and coaches spent together to discuss, review and reflect on the cricket that was played and identify how each player can move his game forward and give more to the team.”

West Indies Under-19s departed the Caribbean on New Year’s Day to begin preparation for the World Cup, which they won back in 2016 with Shimron Hetmyer at the helm.

The one-week camp in Johannesburg will precede the team’s two official warmup matches that will see them take on Canada on January 13 and Scotland two days later.

West said the camp formed a crucial component of the squad’s preparations, ensuring “the players receive ample time to acclimatise and more importantly work on the focus areas that came out of the Tri-Series.”

West Indies Under-19s have been installed in a tough Group B, headlined by three-time winners Australia, along with England and minnows Nigeria.

At the last showpiece two years ago in New Zea-

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land, West Indies lost two of their three preliminary round matches to miss out on a place in the quarter-finals.

SQUAD – Kimani Melius (captain), Nyeem Young, Ashmead Nedd, Leonardo Julien, Kevlon Anderson, Daniel Beckford, Matthew Forde, Joshua James, Antonio Morris, Mbeki Joseph, Avinash Mahabirsingh, Kirk McKenzie, Ramon Simmonds, Matthew Patrick, Jaden Seales.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, January 05, 2020

Kiwi openers stand firm after Labuschagne’s 215

By Nick Mulvenney SYDNEY, Australia (Reuters) - Marnus Labuschagne scored a maiden double-century to drive Australia to 454 all out before New Zealand’s openers resisted the home attack to post 63 without loss on the second day of the third Test yesterday.

Tom Latham, standing in as captain for the sick Kane Williamson, had made 26 not out at the close of play with Tom Blundell unbeaten on 34 but the tourists know they still have a mountain to climb if they are to avoid a 3-0 series sweep.

Labuschagne is a large part of the reason for that and a hot, sunny day at the Sydney Cricket Ground belonged to the irrepressible 25-year-old, who has enjoyed a golden summer in Australia’s home season.

He had a nervous 20 minutes, one run short of the double-century mark but his 19th four got him over the line and earned him a standing ovation from the crowd.

He finally departed for

Marnus Labuschagne averages 63.63 from 14 Tests for Australia.

215, caught and bowled by spinner Todd Astle and left the field to another huge ovation having scored 837 runs at an average of 119.57 in five home Tests this season.

Labuschagne faced 363 deliveries in a magnificent innings that looked to have set Australia well on their way to another victory to add to the thumping wins they enjoyed in Perth and Melbourne.

“It was a good day personally but more importantly a good day for Australia,” Labuschagne said.

“They fought back, as you would expect, but we’ll

do the toil and hopefully get the win.”

New Zealand made short work of the tail after Labuschagne’s exit to dismiss the hosts and bring up tea before their openers headed back out to face Australia’s in-form pacemen.

The Black Caps have accumulated only one score in excess of 200 runs in their previous four innings in the series but Latham and Blundell saw off the attack and scrapped their way to stumps.

“It was nice to turn up and show that fight today,” said Astle. “It’s gonna be a tough ask but that’s what this group’s about. We’ll keep grinding away.”

There had been concerns that soaring temperatures forecast for yesterday might have worsened the bushfire emergency around Australia and the blanket of acrid smoke that had covered Sydney on several occasions in recent weeks might return.

Labuschagne, however, resumed his innings on 130 under blue skies and was soon passing 150 for the third time

in his last seven innings.

With Australia utterly dominating all five home matches this year, their fans have had precious little drama to enjoy so it was perhaps understandable that they made the most of Labuschagne’s progress through the 190s.

“Being in the 190s is a bit different to being in the 90s, you’re just trying to avoid doing something stupid,” Labuschagne added.

The crowd were kept waiting for four overs with Labuschagne stuck on 199 and there were good-hearted boos for captain Tim Paine when he scored a single off the final ball of one to keep the strike for the next.

New Zealand pulled in the field to deny him the single and it worked for seven deliveries until he swiped at a Colin de Grandhomme delivery and got a thick edge that sent the ball racing to the boundary.

Elgar rues ‘brain-fart’ as South Africa fall behind

By Nick Said

CAPE TOWN, South Africa (Reuters) - South Africa opener Dean Elgar admits his “brain-fart” opened the door for England to take charge of the second Test yesterday but says there is plenty in the pitch to keep the home side in the game.

Elgar top-scored with 88 as South Africa limped to 215 for eight at the close of day two at Newlands, still 54 behind England’s modest first-innings total of 269.

Having shown enormous patience in his almost six-hour stay at the crease, Elgar tried to launch spinner Dominic Bess over midon, but only succeeded in giving a catch for England

Dean Elgar fell within sight of a 13th Test century.

captain Joe Root halfway to the boundary.

“I was trying to be as patient as possible and if he overpitched it, hit him to the boundary. I played him well until a brain-fart and then I had to sit back in the change room,” Elgar told reporters.

South Africa had been chipping away at the England lead and reached 157 for three before Elgar’s

dismissal, as they lost five wickets for the addition of 58 runs.

“There is disappointment because we grafted hard and fought to get ourselves into a reasonably good position.

We then let it slip in the final hour,” Elgar said.

“I might have just chosen the wrong ball to do what I wanted to do. It wasn’t part of the plan, we wanted to wear out the English bowlers as we knew if they came back tomorrow in this heat with only three or four wickets down, we would be in a strong position.”

Elgar feels there is much in the pitch for bowlers on both sides to exploit and says the South African attack will relish getting their hands on the ball in

England’s second innings.

“There is a crack and divots outside the right-handers off-stump (at the Kelvin Grove end) and it has turned out to be a good contest between bat and ball,” he said.

“If you bowl in the right areas and with the right intensity as a bowling unit, the job can be done. England have one foot ahead of us, but there is a lot of assistance out there and the new ball does a lot on this wicket.

“There is also a lot of rough out there for a guy like Kesh (spinner Keshav Maharaj) and when the ball starts tuning, the chances are there.”

South Africa won the first Test in the four-match series by 107 runs in Pretoria.

CSA backs racial quota targets despite Bavuma axing

By Nick Said CAPE TOWN, South Africa (Reuters) - Cricket South Africa (CSA) remains committed to its transformation agenda according to president Chris Nenzani, despite missing racial quota targets for the second Test running against England at Newlands.

To redress imbalances from the country’s apartheid era, CSA

targets two black African players and four from the mixed-race and Indian communities in each team, averaged through the year. For the last two tests this has fallen short by two. Black African batsman Temba Bavuma missed the first match of the four-game series in Pretoria through injury but, despite being vice-captain on the recent tour of India in October, was overlooked for selection for the second and sent back to play

for his provincial union.

He has a modest Test average of 31.24 from 39 matches since making his debut in 2014.

Bavuma’s exclusion meant the racial quota for South African cricket teams again fell short in Cape Town, drawing some social media criticism and raised eyebrows from local media.

“CSA is fully cognizant of the fact that transformation is a very critical strategy in achieving

equity in our country,” Nenzani said in a media statement yesterday. “Our commitment has been demonstrated in the policies adopted in respect of transformation since February 2013. This commitment remains as central to our governance and operations as it has been over the last few years. “As far as our national representative teams are concerned the evaluation of the achievement of the targets

SCOREBOARD AUSTRALIA 1st innings o/n 283-3 David Warner c Colin de Grandhomme b Neil Wagner 45 Joe Burns c Ross Taylor b Colin de Grandhomme 18 Marnus Labuschagne c & b Todd Astle 215 Steven Smith c Ross Taylor b Colin de Grandhomme 63 Matthew Wade b William Somerville 22 Travis Head c BJ Watling b Matt Henry 10 Tim Paine b Colin de Grandhomme 35 James Pattinson b Neil Wagner 2 Pat Cummins c Glenn Phillips b Todd Astle 8 Mitchell Starc b Neil Wagner 22 Nathan Lyon not out 6 Extras: (lb-6, nb-1, w-1) 8 Total: (all out, 150.1 overs) 454 Fall of wickets: 1-39, 2-95, 3-251, 4-288, 5-331, 6-410, 7-416, 8-426, 9-430.

Bowling: Matt Henry 32-3-94-1 (w-1), Colin de Grandhomme 24-1-78-3 (nb-1), Neil Wagner 33.1-9- 66-3, William Somerville 29-2-99-1, Todd Astle 32-0-111-2.

NEW ZEALND 1st innings Tom Latham not out 26 Tom Blundell not out 34 Extras: (b-1, lb-2) 3 Total: (29.0 overs) 63-0 Bowling: Mitchell Starc 7-0 18-0, Pat Cummins 9-3-18-0, James Pattinson 4-10- 0, Nathan Lyon 8- 3-13- 0, Marnus Labuschagne 1-0-1-0.

SCOREBOARD ENGLAND 1st innings o/n 262 for 9 Zak Crawley c Quinton de Kock b Vernon Philander 4 Dominic Sibley c Quinton de Kock b Kagiso Rabada 34 Joe Denly b Keshav Maharaj 38 Joe Root c Quinton de Kock b Anrich Nortje 35 Ben Stokes c Dean Elgar b Anrich Nortje 47 Ollie Pope not out 61 Jos Buttler c Quinton de Kock b Dwaine Pretorius 29 Sam Curran b Dwaine Pretorius 9 Dom Bess c Quinton de Kock b Vernon Philander 0 Stuart Broad b Kagiso Rabada 1 James Anderson c Rassie van der Dussen b Kagiso Rabada 4 Extras: (b-4, lb-1, nb-1,w-1) 7 Total: (all out, 91.5 overs) 269 Fall of wickets: 1-8, 2-63, 3-105, 4-127, 5-185, 6-221, 7-231, 8-231, 9-234.

Bowling: Vernon Philander 16-3-2, Kagiso Rabada 19.5-3-68-3 (nb-1), Anrich Nortje 18-2-56-2 (w-1), Keshav Maharaj 27-6-68-1, Dwaine Pretorius 11-5-26-2 AUSTRALIA 1st innings Dean Elgar c Joe Root b Dom Bess 88 Pieter Malan c Joe Root b Stuart Broad 5 Zubayr Hamza c Ben Stokes b Stuart Broad 5 Faf du Plessis c Ben Stokes b James Anderson 1 Rassie van der Dussen c Ben Stokes b Sam Curran 68 Quinton de Kock c James Anderson b Sam Curran 20 Vernon Philander not out 13 Dwaine Pretorius c Ben Stokes b James Anderson 4 Keshav Maharaj c Dominic Sibley b James Anderson 4 Extras: (b-4, lb-2, nb-1) 7 Total: (eight wkts, 84.4 overs) 215 Fall of wickets: 1-26 Malan, 2-38 Hamza, 3-40 du Plessis, 4-157 Elgar, 5-191 de Kock, 6-200 van der Dussen, 7-207 Pretorius, 8-215 Maharaj Bowling: James Anderson 16.4-6-34-3, Stuart Broad 16-6-36-2 (nb-1) Sam Curran 13-3-39-2, Dom Bess 27-3-62-1, Ben Stokes 9-0-34-0,

over a year is meant to give team management the flexibility to select teams based on the unique match to match requirements and in line with obtaining objective realities.” CSA has also been publicly criticised for not doing more to develop the game in rural areas of the country, where access to facilities and opportunity remains slim for much of the population. But Nenzani says the South African government has not played its part in an agreement that was signed with CSA five years ago to work on

redressing this.

“In 2015 a tripartite agreement was signed by the then Department of Sport and Recreation, the Department of Basic Education and CSA,” he said.

“The full implementation of this agreement is yet to be experienced.

The state has a critical role in rolling back the legacy of our divided past in sport.

“As the national federation for cricket, we are committed to our obligation to redress of the past patterns of inequality but we cannot do it alone.”

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, January 05, 2020

29

2019 Guyana Cricket Year-in-Review

By Clifton Ross

CRICKET continued to flourish in 2019 across all aspects as Guyana remained the new mainstay of West Indies cricket, while locally the sport has been growing from strength-to-strength.

Regional 4-Day 2018-19 season The Guyana Jaguars 4-Day team have etched their name in the history books as the most dominant franchise in the Professional Cricket League (PCL), ever since its birth in 2013/14 season. Guyana have won the title 5 stra-ght years and despite losing 3 of their 10 matches last season, they still managed to retain their Chip, heading into the 2019-20 period. Their sublime record in the longest format was achieved when they retained their crown on home soil after beating the Trinidad Red Force at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence in the last round.

The headliners last year were wicketkeeper Anthony Bramble who amassed 580 runs with two hundreds and one half-century. The righthander finished with an average over 50 while snapping up 43 dismissals by a gloveman, to end as the most successful wicketkeeper.

Apart from Bramble,

Chris Barnwell

Ashmead Nedd and Kevin Sinclair

Guyana’s core players in Tagenarine Chanderpaul (542), captain Leon Johnson (480), Vishaul Singh (366), Chandrapaul Hemraj (350), Romario Shepherd (315) and Chris Barnwell (307) were the leading run-scorers and main catalyst with the bat throughout the 10 rounds. Seasoned left-arm spinner Veerasammy Permaul led with 42 wickets with the fast-bowling Shepherd bagging an impressive 37 wickets to end as the most successful pacer of the competition. Left-arm seamer Raymon Reifer was next with 26 wickets while Windies star Keemo Paul and Super50 pacer-of-the-tournament in 2018, Clinton Pestano, had 22 and 20 wickets apiece respectively.

Players from the Jags set-

up continued to break into the Windies team with Shepherd, Sherfane Rutherford, Shimron Hetmyer, Hemraj, Devendra Bishoo and Paul all becoming mainstays in all or either featuring frequently in the three formats of international cricket during the past 12 months.

Regional Super50 20192020 The Jaguars again failed to convert their stardom and class of the 4-Dayers to the 50-Over format, as their morethan-a-decade-long pursuit to reclaim the title proved futile despite playing well.

Guyana were knocked out rounds before the semis by the United States of America (USA), but their positives coming out of the tourney, however, included the revival of the 50-Over careers for the

senior pair of Chris Barnwell and Jonathon Foo, who almost fetched Guyana to a title.

Barnwell led the batting charge for his country with 351 runs, smashing three successive half-centuries and missed out on a ton as he had a topscore of 99. Foo trailed closely with 334 runs including two fifties to his credit including an unbeaten 97, rescuing the Jags when needed with his power-hitting down the order.

For the bowlers, Permaul, Guyana’s most experienced bowler across all formats, ended with a below-par 11 wickets while Reifer weighed in with support in both departments to end with 10 wickets and 172 runs. Guyana’s major setback from the Super50 was pacer Ronsford Beaton being sent home from the series due to umpires calling his action out for being suspect.

Beaton, a repeat offender, was replaced by all-rounder Ronal-

Romario Shepherd,

do Alimohamed.

Guyanese Ashmead Nedd and Kevin Sinclair played huge roles in the West Indies Emerging Players’ upset in the region to win the 2019-20 Super50 title, after being thrown into a team with a number of talented players from across the Caribbean who were not first options for their country’s franchise.

GCB Awards 2019, other notable achievements Apart from the on-field action, Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) held its annual awards ceremony to honour its players, officials, clubs and shareholders. Shepherd swept the major awards for the Male Cricketer-of-the-Year and Most Improved Male Cricketer-ofthe-Year. Windies Women vice-captain Shemaine Campbelle was named Female Crick-

eter-of-the-Year while a number of other top awards were distributed. Cricket West Indies (CWI) vice-president Kishore Shallow, who was present for the ceremony, thanked Guyana and their players for keeping West Indies cricket alive and exciting, adding that other territories should pattern themselves with regard to Guyana’s elite developmental system.

The fraternity also suffered mixed emotions in the month of December as legendary Guyana and West Indies batsman Basil Butcher passed away overseas, a little before the Christmas holidays fully commenced. The upside, following Butcher’s passing is another Guyanese in the-now Sir Clive Lloyd receiving his knighthood for the immense contributions to West Indies cricket.

Also, the junior players in Ashmead Nedd and Kevlon Anderson were named in the Windies U-19 squad for the 2020 ICC Youth 50-Over World Cup which gets underway in a few days.

The Jaguars’ academy players, both old and new, continued to improve while GCB further kept emphasis on Secondary School and Kiddies School cricket across the entire spread of the country.

Simmons, Williams help Challengers regain winning touch SYLHET, Bangladesh (CMC) – West Indies whiteball stars Lendl Simmons and Kesrick Williams played meaningful roles as Chattogram Challengers returned to their winning ways with a six-wicket victory over Khulna Tigers in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) here yesterday.

Having suffered their third defeat of the campaign

Seamer Kesrick Williams

on New Year’s Eve to slip from top of the standings, Challengers bounced back

strongly, easily chasing down 122 for victory with 11 balls to spare at the Sylhet International Stadium.

Opting to bowl first, they bundled Tigers out for 121 in the final over with seamer Williams claiming two for 21 in a frugal fourover spell.

Pacer Rubel Hossain (317) and off-spinner Mehedi Hasan (3-29) were the main wicket-takers, however, with

three wickets apiece.

South African Rilee Roussouw top-scored with 48 from 40 deliveries, posting 49 for the fourth wicket with captain Mushfiqur Rahim (29) and 43 for the fifth with Robbie Frylinck (17) to pull his side around from 14 for three in the fourth over.

Once Williams bowled him in the 17th over, Tigers lost their last six wickets for just 15 runs.

In reply, Challengers chased down their target in the penultimate over with Junaid Siddique top-scoring with 38 from 39 balls and opening partner Simmons chipping in with 36 from 28 deliveries.

Together, they put on 69 off 61 balls for the first wicket to guarantee Challengers a sound start, Simmons proving the aggressor with three fours and two sixes.

West Indies batsman Chadwick Walton failed with seven but Imrul Kayes hit an unbeaten 30 off 27 balls to see Challengers over the line.

In the other match, opener Andre Fletcher and Sherfane Rutherford both struck 25 for Sylhet Thunder but Rajshahi Royals, minus Windies star Andre Russell, still came away with a dominant six-wicket win.

Bravo, Greaves deal Ireland warm-up defeat BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, (CMC) – Captain Darren Bravo and exciting all-rounder Justin Greaves both struck half-centuries as CWI President’s XI dealt a blow to Ireland’s confidence ahead of next week’s start of the three-match one-day series against West Indies, with a convincing three-wicket win here Saturday.

Chasing 276 in a 50-over contest at 3W’s Oval, Cave Hill Campus, the President’s XI cantered to their target in

Darren Bravo

the 47th over, with Bravo and Greaves getting the joint top score of 70.

Left-hander Bravo, bidding for a return to West Indies colours following a period out of form, hit one four and half-dozen sixes in a knock requiring 62 balls.

Greaves, fresh from helping West Indies Emerging Players capture the Super50 Cup last month, belted eight fours and a couple of sixes in 67 balls at the crease.

Brandon King, one of West Indies’ latest batting recruits, chipped in with 45 off 57 balls while Sunil Ambris (22) and

Joshua Dasilva (21 not out) played supporting roles.

Ireland had earlier posted 275 for nine off their allotted overs thanks to opener Gareth Delany’s top score of 60 off 78 deliveries.

Kevin O’Brien with 43, captain Andrew Balbirnie, 49, William Porterfield, 36, and Lorcan Tucker, 35, all chipped in with important knocks.

Sent in, Ireland’s momentum came initially from Delany who put on 47 for the first wicket with Paul Stirling (17)

and another 71 for the second wicket with Balbirnie.

When Delany, who counted three fours and sixes, perished in the 25th over and Balbirnie fell eight balls later with five runs added, O’Brien and Porterfield combined in a 74-run fourth wicket stand to rescue the innings.

Asked to score at just over 5-½ runs per over, Ambris put on 32 for the first wicket with left-hander Kieran Powell (17) before adding a further 36 for the second wicket with King,

who struck four fours and a six.

Bravo then took charge of the innings, posting 48 for the third wicket with King and 61 for the fourth with Greaves, to put his side in command.

When Bravo perished in the 35th over, Greaves assumed responsibility for the run chase, adding 56 for the fifth wicket with DaSilva and 35 for the seventh with Romario Shepherd (19 not out) before falling in the 46th over with just eight runs required for victory.

30

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, January 05, 2020

City ease past Vale, United and Wolves stalemate in FA Cup

By Martyn Herman LONDON, England (Reuters) - Holders Manchester City began their assault on the FA Cup with a 4-1 victory over fourth-tier Port Vale but Manchester United and Wolverhampton Wanderers face an unwanted replay after drawing 0-0 at Molineux yesterday.

Goals from Oleksandr Zinchenko, Sergio Aguero, Taylor Harwood-Bellis and Phil Foden made it a routine day for City, although Tom Pope had equalised for a Vale side sitting 74 places lower in the standings.

Manchester United, like City, made multiple changes to their starting lineup at Wolves in a tie that never caught fire.

United failed to land a single attempt on target although Marcus Rashford struck the bar before Matt Doherty had a goal ruled out for Wolves.

Leicester City, second

Manchester City’s Taylor Harwood-Bellis in action with Port Vale’s Mark Cullen, at Etihad Stadium, Manchester, Britain (Action Images via Reuters/Jason Cairnduff)

in the Premier League, beat Wigan Athletic 2-0, Bournemouth beat Luton Town 4-0 and Portsmouth won 2-1 at Fleetwood in the day’s other late kickoffs.

Earlier, third-tier Rochdale held Premier League Newcastle United to a 1-1

draw with 40-year-old substitute Aaron Wilbraham grabbing a late equaliser at Spotland.

Goals by Connor Jennings, Emmanuel Monthe and a late Paul Mullin penalty earned third-tier Tranmere Rovers an unlikely 3-3 draw at Watford

after they trailed 3-0 at halftime.

There were two top-flight casualties. Last season’s beaten semi-finalists Brighton & Hove Albion went down 1-0 at home to Sheffield Wednesday and Aston Villa lost 2-1 at Fulham.

As has become customary in the FA Cup, Watford and Villa both nine changes to their starting lineups, one less than Southampton who avoid an upset as they beat Huddersfield 2-0 to reach round four.

Although the FA Cup has lost some lustre, Port Vale’s Pope provided one of the day’s memorable moments.

When Zinchenko’s longrange effort put Manchester City in front the floodgates looked set to open.

Instead, the 34-year-old Pope powered a thumping header beyond Claudio Bravo from David Amoo’s cross to spark wild scenes of celebration among Vale’s 8 000 visiting fans.

They were only level for

seven minutes, however, before Aguero finished off good work

by Foden.

DEFLECTED SHOT City needed a VAR intervention to have Harwood-Bellis’s goal ruled legal, the youngster deflecting in John Stones’ shot despite initially being ruled offside before Foden completed the scoring.

Vale manager John Askey said his team were “fantastic”.

“I was worried before the games that teams have come here and got annihilated,” he said. “When our goal went in you started to dream a little bit.”

Wolves, playing their 36th game of a marathon season, will have another match to prepare for after their stalemate with a United side who face neighbours Man City in the League Cup semi-final first leg on Tuesday.

Both sides lacked intensity in the first half in which the only save was Sergio Romero’s from Doherty’s rasping volley.

There was more urgency after the break and Rashford almost made an immediate impact when his shot was blocked by Wolves’ Conor Coady and looped against the woodwork.

Raul Jimenez hit the outside of the post for Wolves and Doherty’s goal was disallowed after his header went in off his arm, but excitement was in short supply.

Despite the fixture pile-up, United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said he was happy with the draw.

I’m happier to be in the replay than going out - it’s a tough place to come,” he said.

Leicester, also in League Cup semi-final action next week, made 10 changes to the side who won at Newcastle on New Year’s Day. They needed an own goal by Wigan debutant Tom Pearce to go ahead before Harvey Barnes added their second.

India captain Kohli no fan of four-day Test concept MUMBAI, India (Reuters) - India captain Virat Kohli does not endorse the idea of reducing Test matches to four-day affairs and yesterday warned administrators against tinkering too much with the purest format of the game.

The International Cricket Council (ICC), the world governing body of the sport, is set to reflect on the idea of making Test matches four-day affairs to free up a crammed international calendar and reduce player workload.

Australia have said they will seriously consider the con-

India Test captain Virat Kohli

cept, while England will back

making it mandatory from 2023. The cash-rich Indian board (BCCI) is yet to declare its stance on the matter.

Australia Test captain Tim Paine has been joined by his team mates Travis Head and Nathan Lyon in criticising the idea.

“I am not a fan,” Kohli told reporters in Guwahati on the eve of the first of the three Twenty20 internationals against Sri Lanka.

“I think the intent will not be right then, because then you will speak of three-day Tests, I mean where do you end? Then you will speak of Test cricket

disappearing. I don’t endorse that at all.

“I don’t think that’s fair to the purest format of the game. How cricket started initially and five-day Test matches were the highest of Tests you can have at the international level. According to me, it shouldn’t be altered.”

Four-day matches were given the green light by the ICC in 2017, when South Africa hosted one against Zimbabwe, while England played a fourday Test against Ireland last July.

With an increasing num-

ber of Test matches ending prematurely, the administrators are keen to free up more space in the schedules for lucrative shorter-form matches.

The Federation of International Cricketers’ Associations (FICA) fears the new gaps in the calendar could well be filled with more cricket.

In November, India became the latest major cricket-playing nation to embrace day-night Tests when the Eden Gardens in Kolkata hosted Bangladesh.

Kohli, one of the best batsmen of his generation, feels innovations in the longest format

should end at pink-ball Test matches.

“I was asked about the 100ball (in England), I said I’m not going to try myself in another format because there’s already so much going on,” he added.

“Day-night cricket is the most that needs to be changed about Test cricket, according to me. I mean then you’re purely going to be talking about getting the numbers in and entertainment.

“Day-night is another step towards commercialising Test cricket and creating excitement around it, but it can’t be tinkered with too much.”

Stafanie Taylor, the heaviest runs-scorer over the last decade CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Sunday January 05, 2020) COMPLIMENTS OF THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market & the City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD-83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) 37 (2)

29 Today’s Quiz:

(1) Test?

Who is the first player to captain the WI in a

(2) Who is the first player to captain the WI in an ODI game?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

WEST Indies Women captain Stafanie Taylor, has scored the most One-Day International runs over the last decade of her career.

According to the statistics, Taylor, who led the West Indies Women to a historic T20 World Cup win, has interestingly, done better in the longer format of the game, even though her team have only managed a runners-up finish on the World stage.

This decade, Taylor has scored 3 993 runs at a healthy average of 45.89.

Those runs mean she finishes the decade ahead of the prolific Meg Lanning, the Australian scoring 3 693 runs at an average of 52.75.

Taylor also bested another prolific scorer in the women’s game today, New Zealand’s Suzie Bates, who scored 3 621 runs this decade at an average of 45.26.

Taylor, on her way to amassing the total score, scored the thirdhighest total among women in an ODI, slamming 171 against Sri Lanka in the 2013 World Cup. Also along the way, she scored four centuries with two of those coming in 2013.

The all-rounder also scored 32 half-centuries over the period, with 2019 being her most productive, where she scored five of them.

Though Taylor has not scored a century since 2013, she has

West Indies Women captain Stafanie Taylor consistently come close, scoring 95, 98 not out, 85, 90, 90, and 94 in the year’s following.

Taylor, a Jamaican, has opened for West Indies Women since she was a teenager, and is known for her determined accumulation of runs. At just 19, she became the youngest woman to reach 1 000 ODI runs. (Sportsmax)

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, January 05, 2020

31

Fighting through the pain - the untold story of Jared Ramnarayan

By Stephan Sookram

ONCE you speak of racing and its Guyanese link, you tend to think of the Jeffreys, Mings, Vieiras and Kings; and, given their popularity, you’d be right.

From their exploits locally and on the North American and European stages, they have done well for themselves, But there is another name that has quietly been making stirs on the North American scene. The name is Jared Ramnarayan.

Finishing second in the Final of the ROK Seniors class of the Canadian National Championships and fourth overall represented the greatest stride in his two-year career.

But his determination and pushing through the pain that really underscores his mindset, his battles with low points and his ability to turn those into positives really make him special.

INJURY SCARE “At the start of the 2019 season, it was rough for me.

Having been taken out during

Jared Ramnarayan (361) challenges for a spot.

Jared Ramnarayan stands with his second place trophy at the Canadian Nationals (Photos by Cody Shcindel/ Canadian Karting news)

both of the opening races of the weekend, I just went through a low point.”

The lowest of lows came

with his rib injury.

“I got a rib injury in one of my races two months in, so we cut it (training) down

to once a week.” “The track surface wasn’t smooth; it wasn’t perfect so when everyone is pushing at 100%, you’ve got to suck it up. Just driving from Wednesday to Sunday, on a surface like that destroys your body.”

“Over the season, I never really came back 100%. It was a matter of giving myself enough of a break between races to come back at different times. It would hurt for 3-4 days after. So if I raced Sunday, I’d take the week off and the next weekend I would start getting back into a kart.”

He said times of doubt over his racing career stepped in, “I started to fall off (the pace) and then mentally I started breaking myself down. You say to yourself, ‘I don’t know if I am physically able to do this anymore’. The guys in front of me are just finding an extra tenth of a second and I’m pulling my hair out just trying to find this tenth.

“But every time I came back, I came back faster, I came back stronger and if I

lose now, I will take the ‘L’ now, learn from it and come back faster, better, stronger.”

TOTALLY WORTH IT He described that second-place finish at the Canadian Nationals as the brightest moment in his racing career so far.

“For sure it was worth it.

(Canadian) Nationals came around and at one point I was fighting for the lead but I ran out of laps.

“It didn’t sink in for a good week. I still couldn’t believe it happened but I’ve had a different mentality going into a race that I’ve had so I have not been outside of the top five since that race.”

“There is just so much work that went into it and it was my first podium ever.

It has always slipped away from me but for it to be as big as that and to be Canada’s National Number 2, it was such a great feeling.”

‘learning’ in the year 2018.

Together with his Professional Racing Ontario team (PRO), he finished second in the ROK Seniors Final of the Canadian National Championships, finishing the year fourth overall.

“Basically from the start of our season, for the first two to three months, I was in the kart twice a week when there were no races.”

Working with former Canadian Champion Daryl Timmers, Ramnarayan said was tough but worth it, as the PRO brand has been successful in the past.

“I have no intention of leaving PRO. Daryl and Curtis Fox work so well with me and I progress and as long as I see progression, I’ll continue to work with them.”

He noted that the relationship with his mechanics and data guys for the year was key in 2019 adding, “It’s not just a team; it’s a family.”

2019 SEASON 2019 was his breakout season after doing a lot of

BIG PLANS FOR 2020 INCLUDING GUYANA 2020, for Jared begins in

just a week’s time. He heads to Florida for some pre-season tours with the Canadian series restarting in May. “I’m definitely going to be cutting down on my races, because I did like 30 race weekends in 2019. We are going to be cutting down to roughly 10 or 12 but all major events.

“We are also going to be testing some shifters to potentially move to that which is ideally where I’d want to be “I drove a shifter for the first time during this trip that I was on, so for sure, now that I am finishing up school, I have more time to travel, more time for racing and maybe you can see me.”

“It’s a lot of focus, everything in my head disappears. Nothing else matters until that flag drops - just the guys in front of me whom I am chasing. I don’t look behind me, I don’t think about what’s happening behind me, I just think forward.”

32

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, January 05, 2020

Stars Pre-World Cup Camp confirmed 27 PAGE

…Tri-Series failure an important learning curve for Windies U-19s: West

West Indies Under-19 Rising Stars Pre-World Cup Camp confirmed

Sinclair, Smith the new caps in Guyana Jaguars Regional 4-day squad PACER Niall Smith and all-rounder Kevin Sinclair are the new caps in the Guyana Jaguars 13-man squad named ahead of the Regional 4-Day Tournament.

Five-time winning captain Leon Johnson will lead the strong side named yesterday, which features the usual suspects along with the pair of newbies.

Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Chris Barnwell, Vishaul Singh, Anthony Bramble, Devendra Bishoo, Keon Joseph are among the experienced players Johnson will have at his disposal.

Following the two practice games, Hemraj scored a ton, Bramble struck an unbeaten fifty, Joseph and Bishoo both had 5-fers and Smith a 4-wicket haul. Sinclair, the Windies U-19 youth player also hit and fifty in the first game and bagged 3 wickets to further push his case.

Meanwhile, Jaguars star players Keemo Paul, Shimron Hetmyer and Romario Shepherd are currently on West Indies duty.

Once available, Shepherd will join the competition for the second round.

Guyana Jaguars 13-man squad: Leon Johnson (captain), Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Chanderpaul Hemraj, Christopher Barnwell, Vishaul Singh, Devendra Bishoo, Tevin Imlach, Keon Joseph, Raymon Reifer, An-

Niall Smith

Kevin Sinclair

thony Bramble, Veerasammy Permaul, Niall Smith, Kevin Sinclair. Esaun Crandon – coach, Shivnarine Chanderpaul – assistant coach/ manager, Neil Barry – physiotherapist.

Leon Spinks - famous for upsetting Muhammad Ali has prostate cancer

LEON Spinks, the heavyweight boxer who famously shocked Muhammad Ali in 1978, is battling prostate cancer that has spread to his bladder.

His wife has confirmed the news about the 66-year-old, who was first diagnosed in May. “It’s going to be a long road and a lot of work,” Brenda Spinks said in a statement to USA TODAY Sports.

‘But we are bound and determined for the Champ to make a comeback!’

According to the U.S. publication, Spinks is now back at his family home in Nevada, after being discharged from hospital in Las Vegas on New Year’s Eve. Back in December, she revealed on Facebook that Spinks was struggling with his health. ‘’Dear Friends,” she wrote. “I know it’s been a while. However, you know how I believe in the power of prayer. It’s been a tough year for us. Leon has endured a lot of medical problems. I’m reaching out to ask you to kindly pray for my beautiful husband Leon (so that) he may overcome the obstacles that have crossed his path.”

A member of the Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame, Spinks is best remembered for upsetting Muhammad Ali in 1978 to win the heavyweight title on a points-decision.

Ali won their rematch later that year, marking his final victory in the ring. Speaking to The Guardian in 2005,

Leon Spinks (left) defeated Muhammad Ali in 1978 but lost in a rematch later that year.

Spinks rejected claims that too much partying following his initial victory contributed to his defeat in the rematch.

He was even arrested between fights for possession of cocaine that was found in his hat.

“That wasn’t me, somebody who was wearing that hat put it in there,” Spinks said. I don’t know if it was a friend or whomever. A lot of people tried my hat on. “I wasn’t out of shape for the fight. Yes, I put on some weight, but you can see that I was in shape. How can you be out of shape?

“I went 30 rounds with the man ... I think I won the second fight as well. But they wanted

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Ali (to win).

“It’s politics. It ain’t what you know but who you know.”

Throughout his career, Spinks won 26 fights out of 46 and also won Olympic gold in the 1976 Montreal Games. He lost 17 and drew three.

Prior to becoming heavyweight champion, Spinks served in the U.S. Marines for three years.

In 2006, it emerged that Spinks was working as a janitor in Nebraska for $5.15 (£3.93) an hour at a local convenience store and a McDonald’s.

“I unload the delivery trucks when they come in and

get 50 per cent off on Big Macs,” he told the Sunday Times.

Spinks has struggled with poor health in recent years. He was previously hospitalised in 2014 after chicken bones caused significant damage to his intestines, according to TMZ. He subsequently endured numerous surgeries.

His brother Michael was also a professional boxer who was beaten by Mike Tyson in the first round of their fight in 1988 and his son, Cory, was welterweight champion from 2003 until 2005.

Another of his sons, Leon Calvin, was killed in 1990 in a drive-by shooting.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 05, 2020