Guyana Chronicle E-paper 10-09-2019

WEDNESDAY 9th OCTOBER, 2019

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‘No hike in currency’

No.105785

…Central Bank rubbishes Kaieteur News story

…Governor says only one cambio has increased currency price above $218

SEE STORY ON PAGE 15

The advertised prices at local cambios compared to Kaieteur News’ $235 story (Photos by Adrian Narine)

‘War on fake drugs’ PAGE

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…Govt, PAHO in renewed efforts to strengthen regulations to stop importation of fake, substandard drugs

Govt announces amnesty for miners

SEE STORY ON PAGE 14

Miner dies after pit caves in PAGE

14

...Natural Resources Ministry orders thorough investigation

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, October 9, 2019

ERC outreach planned for Indigenous villages

By Tamica Garnett

VISITS next week to several indigenous villages, including Karasabai, Annai and Kamarang are on the agenda of the Ethnics Relations Commission (ERC), as the body continues its awareness and education campaign across the country.

Plans are also in the pipeline for further outreaches next month in Karasabai and Kato.

Making a presentation on Tuesday at the ongoing National Toshaos Council (NTC) Conference at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, ERC Head of Public Education and Awareness Unit, Renne Chester, underscored that the involvement and input of the indigenous people is vital to the work of the ERC. As such, he said the ERC is doing as much as it can to get the message of the ERC’s

function and work to the indigenous communities. When the ERC visited specific villages, efforts were made to have persons from surrounding villages also involved in the outreaches.

“Even though we are in those areas, we go the extra mile to bring [out] persons from other areas. We have paid for persons to come out from all different areas. So we continue our education outreach to engage persons at the grassroot level,” Chester said.

Chester reminded delegates that the ERC has several indigenous representatives on the commission, who were selected after consultation with various indigenous groups, including the Amerindian People’s Association (APA) and the NTC. Earlier this year, the ERC visited a number of indigenous communities during its

first tour to all 10 administrative regions. These included Konashen (Gunns), Lethem, Port Kaituma, Mabaruma and Moruca.

Chester noted however that many of the complaints from the villages are not necessarily related to racial discrimination or victimisation.

“Based on our conversations we had with persons, it seems in many of these hinterland areas there’s not so much alarming racial issues, it’s mostly social issues,” Chester related.

As such, Chester explained that the ERC will be looking to partner with other agencies such as the Ministry of Social Protection on its indigenous village outreaches, so those issues that are not a part of the ERC’s mandate could still be addressed.

Complaints involving indigenous cases account for only four per cent of the ERC complaints, ERC Senior Investigative Officer Aiden Sparman said.

Nonetheless, Chester said,

ERC presenters at the 2019 NTC Conference. From left are: Head of the Public Education and Awareness Unit, Renne Chester; Senior Investigative Officer, Aiden Sparman; and ERC Legal Officer Kimbely Yearwood (Elvin Croker photo)

much work is still needed to fight discrimination against indigenous persons, noting a particular case of a picture of an indigenous mother and her son posted as “Photo of the day” was questioned.

Chester informed attendees that the ERC has been doing its best to try to tackle racial discrimination on social media, but there are challenges.

“We have a team designated to monitor social media, TV, news. The challenge, of course, is that you have a whole lot of fake accounts being created where we would basically be chasing after a ghost, so instead we want to engage the reputable news agency. We plan to meet with online news agencies and engage them on being a little

more responsible with the things they have happening on their page, or that is being allowed to go on under their posts,” Chester noted.

The ERC is a constitutional body established to promote the elimination of all forms of discrimination on the basis of ethnicity. It was first established in 2002; however, after a seven-year hiatus, it was finally reconstituted in 2018.

The ERC has 55 current cases, of which 64 per cent have been closed; 22 per cent are still being actively investigated, while 22 per cent are awaiting action by the ERC sub-committee.

Of the complaints received by the ERC, a majority involve racial discrimination at the workplace; these are followed by complaints of religious discrimination and economic marginalisation.

ERC Legal Adviser Kimbely Yearwood did a presentation on the powers given to the ERC in the law and what the law says about racial discrimination and incitement.

Indigenous leaders endorse ‘Spotlight Initiative’ …Guyana to benefit from $1B to end violence against women and girls Under the United Nation’s ‘Spotlight Initiative’, Guyana will benefit from $1Billion (€4.5M) to end all forms of violence against women and girls, and to ensure that they realise their full potential in a violence-free, gender-responsive and inclusive way.

This was announced by UN Resident Coordinator and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Resident Representative, Mikiko Tanaka, during a presentation at the 13th National Toshaos’ Council Conference Tuesday evening.

Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Hon. Valerie Garrido-Lowe.United Nations (UN) Resident Coordinator and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Resident Representative, Mikiko Tanaka.

The programme will be implemented over the next three years and several communities will be targeted in Regions 4 and 5 (Coastland) and Regions 1 and 7 (Hinterland). Consultations were held with government agencies, the NTC and NGOs on the selection of the regions.

Tanaka explained that the initiative is a global one that was launched in Septem-

ber 2017 with a European Union contribution of €500M. It galvanizes political commitment in achieving the SDG and promotes a holistic and multi-stakeholder approach to gender-based violence. The UN is also striving to model a new kind of partnership with governments, civil society and communities and across the UN system to deliver on the SDGs comprehensively.

Michael Williams, Community Leader and Radio broadcaster at Radio Paiwomak in Annai, said that the programme is a very important one. He committed to collaborating with the UNDP to prepare content on the issue of violence through radio programming to educate the people of the North Rupununi.

Toshao of Rockstone village, Flagan Carter noted that a lot of women and girls are suffering in silence from abuse. He said villages leaders must play a leading role in eliminating this scourge from society, and proposed that there needs to be some inclusion in the revision of the Amerindian Act of 2006 on the issues.

Carter added that his village will fully support this effort to protect women and girls from all forms of violence. Min-

ister within the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Hon. Valerie Garrido-Lowe acknowledged the importance of the programme, stressing that the nation’s women need to be protected and respected. “We cannot get that done by ourselves. We have to have support from our men and so I am going to ask all the Toshaos and senior council to take this programme seriously,” Minister Garrido-Lowe said as she recalled the Toshao of Kangaruma who was killed when he went to rescue his daughter who was being abused by her husband.

She advised the men and women to speak out on the issue and educate the residents of the negative impact of all forms of violence, especially on children. The ‘Spotlight Initiative’ will deploy targeted, large-scale investments in Asia, Africa, Latin America, the Pacific and the Caribbean, aimed at achieving significant improvements in the lives of women and girls. Guyana is one of the countries in the Caribbean to benefit from this transformative initiative. (DPI)

‘War on fake drugs’

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, October 9, 2019

… gov’t, PAHO renew efforts to stop importation of fake, substandard drugs

By Svetlana Marshall

THE Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO), the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) are currently working with the Government Analyst Food and Drug Department (GA-FDD) to strengthen its regulatory systems to prevent importation of substandard and falsified (SF) medications.

In their quest to strengthen regulatory systems guiding operations of the Food and Drug Department, a stakeholders’ consultation was held on Tuesday at the Pegasus Hotel. Registration Practices for Medicines and Biologics, Pharmacovigilance and Post-Market Surveillance Practices and Best Practices in licensing of establishments were among the topics discussed on Tuesday.

PAHO/WHO Representative Dr William Adu-Krow said health regulation is regarded as one of public health’s basic functions.

“Effective regulation of medicines promotes and protects the public’s health by guaranteeing medicines’ quality, safety, and efficacy; promoting the adequate manufacture, storage, and distribution of medicines; facilitating the fight against substandard, spurious, falsely labelled, falsified, or counterfeit medical products; providing the necessary information to health professionals and patients so they can use medicines rationally; and ensuring that access to medicines is not hindered by inefficient regulatory frameworks. Developing a strong national regulatory system is, therefore, a critical component of a national health system,” Dr Adu-Krow explained.

He said PAHO/WHO has been supportive of the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) in its push to regulate the regional health sector through the Caribbean Regulatory System (CRS). Through that, the CRS helps member states to assess medicines for legal sale in the market based on safety, quality and efficacy. Additionally, it monitors medicines for safety and quality when in use in the market.

In the case of Guyana, it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the CRS permitting medicines to be submitted to CARPHA for review and recommendation for marketing authorisation, that is, registration or approval. Under this agreement, Guyana will also receive assistance with post-market surveillance activities.

“Guyana’s law stipulates that an imported product must have prior approval in one of only four regulatory authorities (Australia, Canada, UK, and the U.S.), in order to be registered. The CRS pathway also requires that a reference authority grants prior approval, but it expands the list to the following: Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, the European Union, Mexico, UK, the U.S., WHO Prequalification—and creates an accelerated pathway to market for those products that can demonstrate they are the same as those approved in one of these reference authorities,” Dr Adu-Krow explained.

Applauding the Food and Drug Department and by extension the government on their decision to buy into CSR, the PAHO/ WHO Representative said at a time when resources remain limited, they cannot do everything and have energetically embraced the CRS mechanism; the use of the regional system will lighten the load.

Director of the Food and Drug Department, Marlon Cole, told the stakeholders that though the Food and Drug Act was in place, the registration requirement for the importa-

PAHO/WHO Representative, Dr Williams Adu-Krow tion of pharmaceuticals and medical supplies was not enforced in 2014. Enforcement commenced mid-2014 and into 2015. He said it was generally observed that many importers were unable to satisfy basic regulator requirements. Though there have been some improvements, meeting the basic requirements remains a challenge for some importers.

Guyana signed on to the MoU in January 2017, and became the first country to register a CRS- recommended drug. Since then to now, the country, through the Food and Drug Department has registered 15 CRS-recommended drugs.

He noted too that Guyana has been utilising the CARPHA’s Medicine Quality Control and Surveillance Department to test samples, and the results have not been favourable. He explained that there are several cases in which the drugs do not meet the required standard.

“These are drugs that we would have taken off of our local market and submit to the Drug Testing Laboratory in Jamaica and these are the results,” Cole told the stakeholders.

However, it is believed that the steps being taken to strengthen the regulatory system will help to prevent the illegal importation of substandard and falsified (SF) medications.

Dr Patrice Douglas, Technical Assistant at the Public Health Ministry, who addressed the forum on behalf of Public Health Minister Volda Lawrence, said despite many challenges and limitations, the Food and Drug Department has been actively enforcing provisions of the laws of Guyana Food and Drug Act, Chapter 34:03 and its accompanying Food and Drug Regulations of 1977. Dr Douglas alluded to the fact that as recent as 2014 registration requirements for the importation of pharmaceuticals were not enforced; like the Director of the Food and Drug Department, Dr Douglas chronicled the steps taken to date to ensure that safe, efficacious pharmaceuticals and medical supplies meet the local market.

Globally, it is reported that one in 10 drugs released for sale is Substandard or Falsified (SF). Here in Guyana, the statistics of SF Drugs are unknown; this, according to Dr Douglas, is a cause for concern. Notwithstanding this, she said the Food and Drug Department continues to chart the way forward.

“The GA- FDD has also created a system of Pharmacovigilance (PV) to monitor drugs even after they are released in the market and has also officially joined the Uppsala - global body for PV. In addition, the GA-FDD is working closely with the CARPHA’s Medi-

Ministry of Public Health Technical Assistant, Dr Patrice Douglas (Photos by Adrian Narine)

Director of the Government Analyst Food and Drug Department (GA-FDD), Marlon Cole

cine Quality Control Surveillance Department (MQCSD) Lab based in Jamaica. Sample submissions of pharmaceuticals from the local market to this Lab are ongoing and preliminary results on the quality of medications on our local market are not encouraging,” she posited.

Remuneration packages for drug inspec-

tors have been modified, and as of Tuesday, the department secured four new drug inspectors to strengthen its regulatory oversight and to build capacity.

The Public Health Ministry is also in the process of relocating the department into its own building and is exploring the possibility of revising the legislation.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, October 9, 2019

‘Buckle up’: Abrupt Syria policy shift is sign of Trump unchained WASHINGTON (Reuters) Over the span of just a few hours, U.S. President Donald Trump upended his own policy on Syria with a chaotic series of pronouncements, blindsiding foreign allies, catching senior Republican supporters off guard and sending aides scrambling to control the damage.

Trump’s decision on Sunday to remove some U.S.

forces from northeastern Syria, opening the door to a Turkish offensive against U.S.-allied Kurdish fighters, provides a vivid example of how, with traditional White House structures largely shunted aside and few aides willing to challenge him, he feels freer than ever to make foreign policy on impulse.

While Trump’s erratic ways are nothing new, some

Wednesday, October 09, 02:00hrs - 03:30hrs Friday, September 27, 03:30hrs - 14:30 hrs

people inside and outside of his administration worry that the risk of miscalculation from his seat-of-the-pants approach may only increase as he moves into re-election campaign mode facing other unresolved, volatile international issues such as Iran, North Korea and Afghanistan. He also made clear on Monday that he was determined to make good on his 2016 campaign promise to extract the United States from “these endless wars,” although his plans for doing so are clouded by uncertainty.

It comes as Trump is under growing pressure from a Democratic-led impeachment inquiry over his efforts to get Ukraine to investigate one of his political opponents, former Vice President Joe Biden. “There’s a real sense that nobody is going to stop Trump from being Trump at this stage, so everybody should buckle up,” said one U.S. national security official, who cited Trump’s firing last month of national security adviser John Bolton as a sign of the president being less restrained than ever by his top advisers.

Trump’s policy whiplash on Syria started shortly after a phone call with Turkish

President Tayyip Erdogan on Sunday in which he sought U.S. support for Ankara’s planned incursion. Several hours later, the White House issued a late-night statement - which, according to one administration official, was dictated directly by Trump to a senior aide - that said U.S. forces “will no longer be in the immediate area.”

This suggested that Turkey could be given free rein to strike Kurdish forces long aligned with Washington in the fight against Islamic State.

Trump, in a series of Monday tweets, appeared to double down on plans for a U.S. troop drawdown if not a full withdrawal, but later threatened to destroy the economy of NATO ally Turkey if it took its military operation too far. That seemed to be an attempt to placate criticism, including from Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, that he was abandoning the Syrian Kurds, who denounced it as a “stab in the back.”

CONFUSION AMONG TRUMP AIDES The latest presidential pronouncements on Syria injected news confusion over U.S.

Syria policy.

Last December, acting without a formal policymaking process, Trump called for a complete U.S. withdrawal from Syria. But he ultimately reversed himself after drawing strong pushback from the Pentagon, including the resignation of then-Defense Secretary Jim Mattis, and an uproar on Capitol Hill and among U.S. allies in Europe and the Middle East.

Trump insisted to reporters on Monday that he “consulted with everybody” on his new Syria decision, although the announcement seemed to catch Congress as well as some within his administration by surprise.

“He makes impulsive decisions with no knowledge or deliberation,” tweeted Brett McGurk, who served as Trump’s envoy for the international coalition to combat Islamic State and quit after the December Syria policy uproar.

Trump’s abrupt decision on Syria came after learning in the phone call with Erdogan that the Turks planned to go ahead with a long-threatened incursion, a senior administration official said.

“We were not asked to remove our troops. The president when he learned about the potential Turkish invasion, knowing that we have 50 special operations troops in the region, made the decision

to protect those troops” by pulling them back, the official said.

The official underscored that Trump’s decision did not constitute a U.S. withdrawal from Syria.

Trump made clear to Erdogan that the United States did not support the Turkish military plan, which came as a surprise to the Turkish leader, a senior State Department official said.

There was some confusion among senior officials trying tofigure out what Trump had actually decided, a source familiar with the internal deliberations at the White House said.

But the senior administration official, speaking on a conference call with reporters, denied that Pentagon officials were “blindsided” and Trump said he had consulted with the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

On Tuesday, after U.S. forces began pulling back from the Turkey-Syria border, Trump was still trying to clean up after himself. In a morning tweet-storm, he denied abandoning Kurdish forces, the most effective U.S. partners in fighting Islamic State in Syria. But he also praised Turkey as a trade partner, softening the economic threats he had issued the day before.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, October 9, 2019

UWI Vice Chancellor wants campuses to cut expenditure, implement new initiatives KINGSTON, Jamaica, Oct 8, CMC – The Vice-Chancellor at the University of the West Indies (UWI), Professor Sir Hilary Beckles, wants all campuses and regional headquarters of the regional tertiary institution to cut expenditures by 10 per cent over the next two years.

A UWI statement said that Sir Hilary made the calls during a recent two-day retreat, which focused on the university’s financial condition and commitment to regional economic growth with a specific examination of the first two years of the university’s performance under its five-year Triple A strategic plan. UWI said that the vice-chancellor approved a “Ten in Two Strategy” at the retreat and tasked all entities of the institution with consolidating

academic programmes to adopt a robust out-sourcing methodology that targets non-core expenditures, and diving deeper into the digital culture in search of cost reductions and savings.

It said that he also requested that operational units increase top line revenue-generation by 10 per cent over the same period, to achieve what was described as “a UWI-wide savings” of approximately US$30 million. UWI said that despite the strides made on strategic outcomes such as research recognition, global impact and leadership, access to teaching and learning, and public accountability, it sees the economic sustainability of the region as its most important challenge.

According to UWI, in the last two de-

cades, it has been challenged with rising levels of receivables from governments on account of the narrowing fiscal space associated with falling competitiveness and meeting International Monetary Fund (IMF) conditionality. UWI said the impairment of these debts and other write-offs in the last decade has meant a considerable loss to the university and that Caribbean Community (CARICOM) leaders at their inter-sessional summit in Haiti last year had agreed to assist with an assets-for-cash swap to remedy the situation, which further motivated the university to accelerate its comprehensive austerity programme.

UWI said that the executive management retreat agreed to an aggressive programme to achieve five new targets over the

next two years of the current strategic plan, themed “Revitalising Caribbean Development”. It said the targets include the intensification of cross-campus planning to drive digital transformation, implementation of the University as a multi-lingual academy, consolidation of UWI’s reputation as the global leader in climate action and advocacy, fast track strategies to develop the entrepreneurial culture across the UWI system and to cultivate “UWI Corporate” as an effective brand and the establishment of the UWI Global Online platform to offer programmes and courses internationally.

UWI said that this strategic direction will help the university to continue to soar as the Caribbean’s premier university.

CCJ President praises Caribbean jurists for their ‘outsized role’ in international law PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, Oct 8, CMC – President of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), Justice Adrian Saunders, says the Caribbean has always played an “outsized role” in the field of international law as the region recognised five Caribbean judicial officers and legal professionals who have made significant contributions to the development of international law.

Speaking at the first ever Eminent Caribbean Jurists Gala and Awards Ceremony here on Monday night, Justice Saunders said it is not by accident that the realm of international law had identified as the first area in which the jurists would be honoured.

The event was organised by the Caribbean Court of Justice Academy for Law, the educational arm of the Trinidad-based CCJ and was established to, among other things “promote the recognition of judges and other legal practitioners who have made a consequential and lasting contribution to Caribbean jurisprudence, and to memorialize that contribution”.

The Guyana-born former secretary general of the London-based Commonwealth group, Sir Shridath Ramphal, the Jamaican judge Patrick Robinson from the International Court of Justice; Trinidadian justice Anthony Lucky of the International Tribunal on the Law of the Sea and Guyanese nationals, Ambassador Dr Bertrand Ramcharan of the United Nations Refugee Office and Professor Duke Pollard, who served as a judge on the CCJ, were the five jurists honoured.

Justice Saunders said the CCJ, established to replace the London-based Privy Council as the region’s final court, has a special relationship with international law and that quite apart from its work as a final appellate court, the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas mandates the Court’s judges to apply “such

rules of international law as may be applicable” when interpreting the Revised Treaty which governs the regional integration movement, CARICOM. “But even beyond this responsibility, we at the CCJ are forever conscious of the fact that international law is of the most profound value to the people of this region. In the first place, it is international law that paved the way for the countries of CARICOM to free themselves from the grip of colonial rule.” Justice Saunders said it is international law that secures the region’s integrity as mini-States in a “volatile world” and that it also provides a framework for states like Guyana and Belize to resolve border disputes, with far more populous and powerful neighbouring states, “in ways that are peaceable,

respectful and based on predictable rules.

“It is to international law that we must turn if our small and vulnerable island states are to meet the existential threat posed by climate change. It is an international legal order that allows my own country, of only 110,000 souls, proudly to take its place, in January next year, as a member of the UN Security Council alongside and with the same single vote as the mightiest nations on earth,” The St. Vincent and the Grenadines born jurist noted.

But he said, come to think of it, the Caribbean has always played an outsized role in the field of international law, noting how he had been struck “by the leadership young Jamaica gave to the world in re-igniting the global debate on international human rights

throughout the 1960s”.

He recalled also it was Jamaica’s then UN Ambassador, the late Sir Egerton Richardson, whose “unstinting efforts and dynamism guided the world community” as Jamaica became the main broker of progress in UN human rights diplomacy from 1962 to 1968.

Justice Saunders said that the respect and acclaim the international community

has had, and continues to have, for Caribbean jurists have continued un-abated. “How many of our students here assembled know that Trinidad and Tobago’s A.N.R. Robinson first proposed and was instrumental in the creation of the International Criminal Court? Or that one of our honourees today, Sir Shridath Ramphal, headed the

Commonwealth as Secretary General for three consecutive terms, from 1975 – 1990 during which time he deftly shepherded the Commonwealth’s efforts to end apartheid and minority rule in Southern Africa? Sir Shridath is, and I venture to suggest will forever be, the longest serving Secretary General of the Commonwealth. “

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, October 9, 2019

Greater recognition

TOSHAOS across Guyana are meeting in Georgetown for their annual National Toshaos Conference being held under the theme, “Guyana’s First Peoples united in the promotion of the Green Economy through preservation of our languages, lands and rights.”

In his address at the opening, President David Granger declared that “Indigenous peoples are enjoying better access to public education, public health, public information, public infrastructure, public security, public telecommunications and social security.”

Government, he said, is also working feverishly to raise the standards of living of Indigenous Peoples, noting that his administration has continued to narrow development gaps between the coastland and hinterland in the provision of these services.

The Hinterland Sustainable Agriculture Development Programme has improved food security through the expansion of hinterland agriculture and agro-processing in the Barima-Waini, Cuyuni-Mazaruni, Potaro-Siparuni and Rupununi regions; hinterland farmers have benefitted from the services provided by the programme.

The struggle by indigenous peoples for recognition has been a long and arduous journey, even though they are the country’s first peoples, but with great determination in

their pursuits, they have managed to come a long way while still holding on to their traditional ways of life. Today, indigenous peoples occupy a more prominent place in society compared to about 30 years ago.

Notable among them are: Fourth Vice-President and Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Sydney Allicock; junior Indigenous People’s Affairs Minister, Valerie Garrido-Lowe; Social Cohesion Minister, Dr George Norton and Minister of Public Affairs, Dawn Hastings-Williams of the current administration. For the former administration, we had the late junior Education Minister, Dr Desrey Fox; former Foreign Affairs Minister, Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett; former Amerindian Affairs Minister, Pauline Campbell-Sukhai; and Yvonne Pearson Fredericks, of the former government; and politicians aside, today, there are indigenous nurses, doctors, community health workers, teachers, law-enforcement officers, journalists, athletes, administrators, attorneys-at-law, religious leaders, and businessmen and women to name a few.

They occupy practically every sphere of national life and by virtue of this, they make valuable contributions to the growth and development of Guyana. Respective governments have over the years recognised the value of this segment of the population and have been working to im-

prove their lives and livelihoods. This has seen this group of people benefitting from a number of state-funded programmes, including the Hinterland Employment and Youth Service (HEYS) geared at equipping indigenous youths with employable skills, the Community Development Project (CDP) and the Amerindian Land Titling Project.

Significant efforts have also been made to preserve the indigenous languages and cultures and to create an environment where indigenous youths can have access to quality education. These initiatives are fashioned at not only enhancing the lives and preserving the cultures of the indigenous population, but also to ensure that they enjoy a secure future.

A lot has been done for the first peoples, but there is still a lot more to be done.

Generally in Guyana, not much or due attention is paid to the arts and culture and this by extension, will include indigenous arts and culture. In the case of the latter, it is too obvious to go unnoticed. Only during Amerindian Heritage Month, radio stations, including the national radio station, play indigenous songs and host programmes featuring the indigenous cultures.

This is something which should not happen. These programmes should be regular features on the various radio stations,

since they would go a far way in helping to build understanding and appreciation of the indigenous ways of life, especially to coastlanders, who have never visited the vast and beautiful interior regions of Guyana. A more vibrant effort should also be made to promote and market indigenous craft in a bid to create viable and sustainable cottage industries in indigenous communities and to make some indigenous communities major tourist attractions.

Unlike other countries, Guyana is blessed with natural sceneries and it is time it invests in making much out of what it has. The Capoey, Mashabo and Tapacuma Lakes, situated in an area known as the trilake area on the Essequibo Coast, can be developed into a major tourism destination; it would, however, require proper marketing and adequate infrastructural investments.

These would include building better roads, guesthouses and other tourism-related facilities. The tri-lake area is an ideal environment for swimming, boating, kayaking, hiking and fishing, to name just a few leisurely pursuits which European tourists travel the world to enjoy.

These can be done without disrupting the indigenous ways of life by placing emphasis on learning about the indigenous cultures and the ways of its peoples in preserving the environment.

The mystery of Irfaan Ali’s PHD thesis-Cold Cases

Dear Editor,

I WOULD argue that to become President, it is not a prerequisite that candidates be academically inclined.

A humble truck driver would suffice, such as the present President of Venezuela.

I would also argue, without an iota of reservation, that anyone aspiring to be President MUST be trustworthy. This is more important when one considers that Guyana is on the verge of becoming the richest country in this hemisphere. Our President must be able to command the unconditional respect of us all and the international community.

Mr Editor, it is for these reasons I write today and humbly request to be indulged in your letter columns. We have been waiting with bated breath and cyanotic faces, for nearly a year for Irfaan Ali’s transcripts. Rumour has it that they were blown away by hurricane Dorian. A lifelong of “studies” gone with the wind and destroyed in seconds. As he mourns such a devastation, Bharrat Jagdeo, always the team player, steps in to fill the huge void. May I hasten to add to avoid confusion amongst

the masses, that when I speak of huge void, I am in no way alluding to Irfaan’s central anatomy. Such “below the waist,” if it can be found, shots I would not reduce myself to.

So we are stuck, akin to the UK BREXIT drama. Our only option, gladly not a backstop, is to trace the universities in question.

The beginning of the perfect start as we work our way along this labyrinthine academic journey. That brings us to the obscure and little known West Demerara ‘University,’ which counts Irfaan as its only student. The roles of chancellor, vice- chancellor, registrar, deans, lecturers, clerks and janitors all carried out by one person. Omnipotence personified.

Not sure whose responsibility it was to design and print the certificates. No wonder the poor exhausted bloke retired after the “scholarly” Irfaan graduated. Talking about the graduation, the very gentleman was the guest speaker, photographer and videographer at the attendance of two, graduation ceremony.

There goes that theory that we men can’t multitask. To get some clarity on the nature of the ‘university,’ questions were asked of the gentleman. Shockingly, he said to ask the

student. Seriously? All questions redirected to Irfaan. A bit odd I thought, but then again this presidential candidate was made persona non grata by the Canadians. A first in Guyana’s post-independent history.

Anyway, around that time of the ‘transcriptgate,’ Irfaan boasted on social media that he had submitted his PHD thesis. What a convoluted and unconventional academic journey this gentleman took. That too is nearly a year ago. We have not heard anything since. The self-effacing presidential candidate, corporeally built like a bear, went into prolonged hibernation. Here we are, the electorate, none the wiser left to formulate our own conclusions. Was the thesis washed away with the recent floods on the West Demerara?

Did the Trinidadians use it to make carnival costumes? Did his supervisor, the one-time UG vice-chancellor, use it to make dunce hats at UWI? We simply do not know.

My point Mr Editor is that Irfaan, of his own volition, proclaimed himself to be academically inclined. He did not have to.

Donald Ramotar and Bharrat Jagdeo are not the brightest sparks but no one made that an

issue. In the court of law if a witness is found to have lied to the court, regardless of how small the lie is, then any further testimony provided by that witness is considered not to be true. The witness is deemed not to be credible. What Irfaan Ali aspires to become is President and not just a simple witness. As a result, he should be held to a higher standard.

Failing to provide his transcripts, evidence of the university attended and outcome of his self-confessed PHD thesis place him in a position of being unelectable.

Now we go to his 20 criminal charges.

Yes 20, that’s not a typographical error. In my opinion he should have been charged for his intimidating behaviour outside Pegasus.

This gentleman clearly cannot control a crowd of about 25 and himself included, then how could he govern a country of nearly one million, while maintaining a calm persona.

Finally, Irfaan, shall we address you as Dr Irfaan Ali, or should we wait a tad longer?

Regards Dr Mark Devonish

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, October 9, 2019

Progress was sabotaged after the death of President Cheddi Jagan Dear Editor, I AGREE with Mr Clement Rohee that October 5, 1992, was “a work in progress,’’ but he should not have ended it there. He should have added that “progress’’ was sabotaged after the death of President Cheddi Jagan.

Mr Rohee has been in the PPP’s

ruling circles to know that had Dr Jagan lived, he would never have sanctioned the run-away corruption and display of abuse of power as we saw during the Jagdeo years, and even under Ramotar.

Mr Rohee knows that Dr Jagan would not have agreed to collusion with death squads and drug dealers, and would have seen as rank politi-

cal opportunism, the celebration by the PPP as a victory the benefit from a political opponent “crossing the floor.’’ The PPP had suffered from the treachery of its own leaders who had crossed over to the PNC, though the party recovered and moved on to win the 1992 elections.

It will be poetic justice when the APNU+AFC Coalition wins the 2020

elections in spite of the betrayal of Charandass, and the treachery of the PPP cabal.

October 5, 1992, was tainted by the opportunism and greed of those who hijacked the “victory’’ and turned it into “shame.’’

Sincerely, Rovin Singh

In its current format, the PSA may not sustain direct cash transfers

Dear Editor,

I WISH to request that you please provide me the opportunity to share my views on the issue of direct cash transfers.

I am equally aware that this issue has gradually ascended to the national stage, where the citizens of Guyana are given an opportunity to discuss this salient topic. With the passage of time, we seem to have accepted the 1999 and 2016 Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) that was signed between the Government of Guyana and Exxon Mobil.

However, the direct cash transfer is a derivative that critically depends on the production-sharing agreement that should remain an outcry to the people of this country.

In its current format, the PSA may not sustain a long-term social policy such as the direct cash transfer to citizens. We are guaranteed only two (2%) per cent of gross income or royalty that emanates from the oil revenue. The other fifty (50%) per cent of profit/(loss) is not within our remit or control, since the outcome is significantly influenced and determined by external factors, such as the world market price for oil and Exxon Mobil’s insatiable expenditures (including donations) that would flow through its profit & loss (P&L) statement. Notwithstanding the fact that whatever the fifty (50%) would represent after the P&L line items have been accounted for, the Government of Guyana

would have to bear the corporate tax burden (e.g. 40% of profits) from its share of profits that Exxon Mobil should have rightfully paid when that time comes. Therefore, we should not discuss the topic of direct cash transfer in isolation from the PSA, for the former is a derivative of the later.

While Guyana is poised to become “the Dubai of the Caribbean,” I would caution that the obnoxious PSA has removed the fat from the cow and we are left to survive on the bones. It is therefore critically important that we hire a team of experienced finance managers that would properly manage the funds that would emanate from the oil agreement.

Instead of the direct cash transfer, we should focus on improving the country’s infrastructure: bridges, network of roads for the hinterland and coastland; accessing a ready supply of electricity; repaying our creditors (World Bank and IDB) and improving the healthcare and education sectors. In summary, let there be a renaissance of development from which all the people of the country could benefit.

I am struggling to believe that the Buxtonians, who believe in hard work and self-reliance, would demand that their government give them direct cash transfers for their votes.

I don’t buy it. Of all the constituents who are within the confines of Guyana, is it only Buxton that is giving support to the professor’s socio-economic proposal? And if one is that gullible to accept that proposition, is Buxton

representative of the entire population? The statistical sample is just too small to arrive to a reasonable conclusion. I could only perceive that the “grounding” of the WPA is not only revolutionary, but very ambitious. It is the professor’s democratic right, however, to present a case for the direct cash transfer. But he should allow the financial experts present to the people a revenue projection and analysis of net profit/(loss) that would derive from that would derive from the oil deal. Only then, we would know what discretionary social programmes the government should entertain. Indeed, the direct cash transfer sounds very encouraging and promising, but we must remember that there are many external factors that could influence the realisation of our share of the revenue and profit (after Exxon Mobil’s corporate tax is deducted).

Let’s amend the PSA, eliminate or minimise some of the cost recovery items (e.g. donations), clearly define cost of goods sold (COGS) and how it is computed, allowable versus un-allowable expenses that could impact the profit & loss (P&L) statement.

Thereby, a reasonable person could adequately understand the Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) and engage in an amicable discussion about the country’s socio-economic future.

Unfortunately, having claimed that the WPA persuaded ten (10%) of the voting population to give the coalition govern-

ment a second chance a few months ago, Dr David Hinds seems to be counterproductively reversing all his party’s gains (efforts), having walked in that hot Guyana sun to convince people. Is he that credulous to believe that Jagdeo will consider his party’s direct cash-transfer proposal in whatever form? The art of politics is, if your opponent is not considering a policy that one of its members wishes to pursue, the opposition would conversely say that it “will” consider that policy. But “will consider it” is not a guarantee that it would see the light of day.

Dr Clive Thomas’ socio-economic proposal appears viable, but it requires some “grounding” in financial analysis and strategy. I think he might have considered the multiplier effect of the direct cash transfer proposal that would encourage a significant increase in consumer spending.

However, in the short run, it would lose its intended effect; inflation is already having a debilitating effect on the country and by extension the five thousand ($5,000) bill-- take it out of circulation.

Regards Winston Adams Master of Business Administration (MBA) Finance Bachelor of Science in Accounting & Finance

Haitians in Guyana launch Association

ON September 29, the Association of Haitian Nationals launched its operations.

AHNIG is a non-profit organisation, designed to help Haitian nationals to better contribute to the Guyanese society and to facilitate interaction with the authorities.

The idea of the association stemmed from a group of Haitian migrants and expats who issued on April 7, the Declaration of Pegasus

capturing the essence of the initiative.

Several Guyanese figures, alongside scores of Haitian migrants and expats, participated in the launch. Expressing his appreciation for the establishment of the association, expat Jean Ricot Dormeus stated that the community was making history by launching the Association of Haitian Nationals in Guyana (AHNIG) and stressed

the importance of mutual service, continuing education and hard work to prosper in Guyana and to contribute to society.

Pastor Ulrick Thibaud encouraged the participants to stick to love and unity as a way to achieve lasting success. Expat Jhonson Alexandre retraced the journey that has led to the formation of AHNIG and expat Jean Alexandre moderated the launch as

MC, while promoting fraternity and common good.

The plenary of the Haitian association adopted its by-laws and selected an acting executive council chaired by Mr Pierre Eric Jean, who expressed gratitude to the Guyanese people who have shown empathy and appreciation for the Haitian nationals in Guyana.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, October 9, 2019

Jagdeo in expletive-laced ‘bad book’ threat …as Chris Gayle issues clarification on visit to Linden

AMID rage from Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo over Chris Gayle’s presence at a PNCR rally in Linden on Saturday, the West Indies batting star on Tuesday issued a statement saying he was apolitical, and that his appearance at the political meeting was to meet his fans.

A leaked tape surfaced Monday evening with Jagdeo, and someone with a voice similar to that of his best friend, Bobby Ramroop seemingly discussing the appearance of Gayle at the PNCR meeting. The Guyana Chronicle was told that Jagdeo had wanted Gayle to appear at a Progressive Youth Organisation (PYO) event the same day, but the Jamaican opted for the Linden outing with the PNCR. On the expletive-laced tape, Jagdeo is heard threatening to place someone in his “Bad Books”.

“Tell him that you just

get in fu….g Jagdeo bad books; he just cussing your sk..t here,” Jagdeo was heard telling two men on the tape as they discussed Tyrell Tull, a former Guyanese cricketer who was seen with Gayle in Linden. Social media commentators said the tape exposes Jagdeo for who he really is.

Ruel Johnson wrote on his Facebook page that “as someone who has spent several years in "fu….g Jagdeo's bad book", I can say two things. The first is that when he was at the height of his power, it was a terrible place to be in; he made sure that I, as an independent man with no political backing and no wealthy family to cushion me, got hit hard in terms of employment. Controlling access to money is his primary way of spreading his tentacles, and his threat to Chris Gayle no doubt stemmed from past arrangements com-

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo

Cricketer, Christopher Gayle

ing out of Jagdeo's founding status with the Caribbean Premiere League, originally sponsored by New GPC, the company whose owner and Jagdeo are extremely close.

Once you have benefitted financially from him in any way, he believes he owns you.”

The second thing Johnson said is that while he remains the single most in-

fluential politician/individual in Guyana, relatively to the control he exerted in the past, he only now exercises what “I've called his 'phantom limb' power outside of his political base and his tiny special interest cabal.

I watched with amusement his behind-the-scene contortions two years ago when I equated the parking meters corruption to a minor New GPC/QAII hustle, and he had

his newspapers, websites and television newscasts create a fiction that I was on the run from the police, eventually getting the Private Sector Commission (dominated by people indebted to him for their wealth) to issue an awkward statement accusing me of inciting terrorism, which they then had to withdraw and rewrite four times, and which ended up being carried only by the Jagdeo media.”

Johnson said he had pointed out a week ago that Jagdeo was saying very statesmanlike things, completely out of character with the vindictive, petty, wrathful person we know him to be.

“That recorded Chris Gayle threat is the real man behind the Bald Saviour mask; the man who is so insecure and hubristic that he is personally slighted by the bullshit theatrical appearance of Gayle at the PNC 62 Anniversary rally in Linden. If the PPP

wins, that is the man who will be effectively in charge of Guyana at its wealthiest…,” Johnson wrote.

For his part, Gayle said: “I, Christopher Gayle, would like to make it very clear that I in no way, manner or form endorse or support any individual or political party in Guyana. I have noted the many Social Media comments in relation to my recent presence in Linden, and I wish to set the record straight. I was invited to Linden to participate in a community outreach. As a sports personality, I relish the opportunity to meet with my fans, and also to reach out to any community under the neutral banner of sports. I am apolitical of any political commitment, and strongly condemn attempts to tarnish my brand and personality.”

GECOM needs assistant elections officer, logistics manager THE posts of assistant chief

tics manager will have to

elections officer and logis-

be filled soon as an admin

committee meet next Tuesday to expedite the process.

This is according to GECOM Commissioner, Vincent Alexander, after another meeting that was held at the election’s body headquarters in Kingston on

Tuesday.

Alexander said the meeting sought to advance the work of the commission and re-activate the work of the admin committee.

He explained that the committee has to look at the

GECOM Commissioner, Vincent Alexander

number of vacancies that have not been filled, specifically that of a logistics manager and an assistant chief elections officer.

Alexander said that the admin committee is scheduled to meet next Tuesday to advance the process of filling the vacancies.

Additionally, he said, “The operations committee itself is expected to meet on Friday, so that they can look at issues pertaining to the house-of-house information, how that will be used and the commission itself is meeting on Friday.”

Alexander explained that the vacancies were available since last year and were left open when the elections commission was void of a

chairperson.

He noted that the commission is in a mode where it is likely to meet twice a week to advance the work towards the hosting of elections.

Further, he said the encoding process has passed the first stage while claims and objections are ongoing.

Meanwhile, GECOM Commissioner, Sase Gunraj, said updates were received on the claims and objections period, along with houses-to-house registration data.

Gunraj said he learned that there were 2,127 transactions from claims and there were only two objections, while the encoding process is scheduled to be completed on October, 15, 2019.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, October 9, 2019

Scenes from opening of the NTC Conference

President David Granger being greeted by Indigenous leaders as he makes his way into the Arthur Chung Conference Centre for the opening of the National Toshaos Council conference (Photos by Carl Croker)

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo receives a hearty welcome at the conference

Minister of Social Cohesion Dr George Norton greets Indigenous leaders

Minister of State, Dawn Hastings-Williams meets some of the Toshaos attending the conference

A section of the gathering including government ministers and MPs at the opening of the conference

Minister of Social Protection Amna Ally being welcomed to the conference

Attorney General Basil Williams is greeted as he makes his way into the Arthur Chung Conference Centre

Toshaos recite the National Pledge

Senior public servants and other officials at the conference

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, October 9, 2019

Judge to sum up case in Anna Catherina triple murder Friday COME October 11, 2019, Justice Brassington Reynolds is expected to sum up the evidence in the trial of Abishai Caesar, who is alleged to have murdered Anna Catherina liquor store owner Jennifer Persaud and her two sons seven years ago.

Caesar is charged with the murders of 41-year-old Jennifer Persaud, called “Jenny,” and her sons Afridi Bacchus, six, and Jadon Ernest, 18 months, who were killed between September 21, 2012, and September 22, 2012, at Sea View, Anna Catherina.

Caesar is represented by attorney Maxwell McKay, while the state is represented

by Prosecutors Lisa Cave and Seeta Bishundial.

Justice Reynold is expected to put the case to the 12-member jury on Friday, after which they will deliberate and arrive at a verdict.

One of the main witnesses

Abishai Caesar

in the case was Zoey Phillips, the former reputed wife of Caesar and neighbour of Persaud.

“Abishai said to me that he was going over to Jenny to get some money because he was broke,” Phillips had told the court during her testimony, while recounting events on September 21, 2012.

The couple then went into the lower flat of their home,

into the kitchen, where Caesar armed himself with a knife and a pair of green gloves, while being clad in a 3/4 pants.

The witness said that Caesar went to the back of their house and gained entry into their neighbour’s yard through an opening in the zinc fence.

Phillips told the court that her neighbour had clear glass windows and she was able to see Caesar in the woman’s home by peeping through the louvre window in her bedroom.

After seeing Caesar as he went up the stairs to Persaud’s home, Phillips claimed that she went to bed and fell asleep.

However, she was awakened by the sound of a woman screaming and sat on her bed.

Thirty minutes later, Caesar called for her and she went downstairs into the kitchen and opened the back door

Jennifer Persaud, and her sons Afridi Bacchus, six, and Jadon Ernest who was 18 months old at the time

for him.

According to Phillips, Caesar had a small cardboard beer box in his hands, and told her that that was all he got from raiding Jennifer’s home.

The box contained a number of $20 and $100 bills which amounted to $3,000.

He also came back with the pair of gloves and a knife, both of which had what appeared to be blood. There was

also what appeared to be spots of blood on his pants.

The witness disclosed that her reputed husband told her that Jennifer awoke and saw him inside of the home and he killed her, because she saw his face and knew him well.

Caesar, Phillips explained, told her that while he was stabbing Jennifer, the older son woke and saw him. This caused him to kill the older

son, plus the baby.

The couple then went to the seawall, where Caesar threw the knife into the river.

They then went into the street and Caesar threw the gloves and pants into some bushes.

The witness explained that they went back home and into bed where they slept.

Troy Broomes not son of Simona Broomes …MNR debunks malicious report on PPP blog THE Ministry of Natural Resources rejects outright, and deems baseless, a mischievous statement emanating from a PPP aligned media outfit, ‘Live in Guyana’, which made reckless and unsubstantiated state-

ments about lands issued to a Troy Broomes and Searomanee Parasram of the Central Mahdia Mining Association.

The blog is operated by Kwame McCoy. In a statement, the ministry said the

facts are that Troy Broomes is not the son of Honourable Simona Broomes, and is a bona fide and legitimate miner, who, along with Mr. Parasaram and others, made an application in early 2017 to the Guyana Geolo-

gy and Mines Commission (GGMC) to be granted access to mining lands as part of the Mining Syndicates Initiative (MSI).

According to the ministry, the application, along with others from various

syndicates, was processed and approved once all the legal and procedural criteria were met. The application by the Central Mahdia Mining Association was given no special treatment or consideration and qualified for 10 mining blocks as per government's policy. Further, at no time was Minister Broomes

involved in any of the decision-making processes for this mining application.

The Ministry of Natural Resources and the GGMC expect a total retraction of this reckless and irresponsible story, which can only be intended to create confusion and disharmony within the society.

Guyanese being trained to keep Yellow Fever at bay

By Navendra Seoraj PROFESSIONALS from the Ministries of Agriculture and Public Health and the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) will, over the next three days, receive hands-on training on epizootic and vector integrated surveillance for Yellow Fever.

The programme, which commenced on Tuesday at Cara Lodge, was organised by the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) in collaboration with the Ministry of Public Health and the Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA).

The programme seeks to train professionals from the two ministries and the GFC, who will be directly involved in the establishment of a surveillance model for epizootics Non-Human Primates (NHP) and Yellow Fever vectors in endemic areas.

It will also establish the foundations for such surveillance mechanism in Guyana.

The programme also aims to introduce and explain

Brazil’s protocol and experiences for integrated Yellow Fever surveillance and exchange experiences with a team of experts from Brazil.

The general objective of the workshop is to structure a system and promote capacity building for the surveillance of NHP and applied entomology of yellow fever in Guyana.

PAHO believes that it is essential that surveillance systems in Yellow Fever endemic countries have a system for surveillance of epizootics in NHP, as an alert or early warning on the presence of the wild Yellow Fever virus.

The objective of the NHP surveillance mechanism is to prevent the occurrence of human cases through a thorough investigation of epizootics and investigation of the presence of the Yellow Fever virus in NHP and in vectors.

The expected result of the training is to have a pool of trained Guyanese professionals in this type of surveillance. The trainees are expected to serve as future

A section of the participants at Cara Lodge on Tuesday (Adrian Narine photo)

coaches for the replication of the same course and creating capacities in endemic Yellow Fever areas in Guyana.

According to PAHO, Yellow Fever continues to be a major public health problem in the Americas. Despite vaccination in endemic areas, sporadic cases and outbreaks continue to occur.

Humans become infected when they enter the forest and are exposed to the mosquitoes which carry the virus.

Most of the cases of Yellow Fever in Guyana occurred among unvaccinated persons who have travelled to the jungle.

These sporadic cases can occasionally cause small outbreaks in communities near the jungle areas.

Resident PAHO/WHO Representative, Dr. William Adu-Krow, in his remarks at the opening of the programme, said although certain parts of the Americas

continue to record cases of Yellow Fever, Guyana has been free of the virus since 1968.

“We have been free of Yellow Fever since 1968, we need to keep it that way… we need to be cognisant that we border Brazil and that has a lot of influence in Region Nine,” said Dr. Adu-Krow.

He said port surveillance, in that regard, is important because Guyana needs to monitor persons who are

coming from endemic areas.

In taking a more proactive approach, Guyana had introduced Yellow Fever vaccines in 2000 and since then, there has been 95 per cent coverage.

Dr. Adu-Krow, however, said although there is 95 per cent coverage, it means that for every birth cohort, Guyana is missing five per cent. In that case, he said it is important to have mass immunisation. According to reports, one dose of the Yellow Fever vaccine is valid for life.

Deputy Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA), Dr. Dwight Waldron, in his remarks, echoed the sentiments of Dr. Adu-Krow, noting that with Guyana expected to see a boost in air transportation, it is important for the country to monitor traffic from endemic areas.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, October 9, 2019

Sole Guyanese Honour Roll student at Hugh Wooding admitted to local Bar TWENTY-FOUR-year-old old Michael Munroe was, on Monday, admitted to the local Bar by Chief Justice, Roxane George-Wiltshire, to practise in his home country.

His petition was read

by Attorney Ronald BurchSmith, who lauded the young man for his many accomplishments over the years.

Munroe graduated from the Hugh Wooding Law School on Saturday, with several special awards: The Guyana Government Prize; The Book Specialist Prize, which is for the best overall performance in academic and extracurricular activities; The Caribbean Court of Justice International Law Moot Competition; and the American Caribbean Law Initiative. He was also listed as the only Guyanese student on the Principal’s Roll of Honour. The Roll of Honour students are those who demonstrated excellence by attaining ‘A’ grades in at least six of the 11 courses over the two years of study.

His academic performance however, was exceptional since his early childhood, into the Bishops High School, then the University of Guyana. He took the same focus to Hugh Wooding, and in his very first year at Law School, Munroe was awarded The London House Chambers Kissoon Prize and The M H Shah Memorial Prize, both of which were for the Best Performance in Legal Drafting and Interpretation.

At his admission on Monday, the young man told the Guyana Chronicle that law was a default career choice that he grew to love over the years. He said that he developed a passion for finding solutions to complex issues, which is what law is really about.

“Dealing with complex issues and finding solutions for these issues is really heartwarming, and I look forward to using my capabilities to help solve issues society may have,” Munroe said.

Though Munroe is usually, a high flyer, he said the news of being the top student took him by surprise. “I was surprised. I wasn’t expecting it, but I knew I worked hard.

I had a plan and ultimately the plan worked out. God’s favour and his grace would have allowed me to emerge with this position. Ultimately, position doesn’t really

define who I am, it’s just an accolade,” he said.

He described his two years at Hugh Wooding as challenging, but he was a guy with a plan.

“It was challenging to be honest. The most difficult task was managing your time. I think Hugh Wooding would have underscored for me, the importance and the value of time, because how you utilise your time,

Michael Munroe

ultimately dictates what outcome you would have, in any endeavor you have. We had an intense taxing work load and at the end of the day, it came down to not being the brightest per se, but being able to manage your time strategically,” Munroe said.

He also alluded that one of the most invaluable benefits of Hugh Wooding is the fact that it allows you to meet colleagues from all over the Caribbean. “That regional integration spirit is something that the law school fosters,” he said.

Even though Munroe is now admitted to the Bar to practise, he said that this is not where it ends. In fact, the young scholar said since he has a passion, and his expertise lies in legislative drafting, he is now venturing off to specialise. “I have a passion for legislative drafting. So the intent is to specialise in that area and come back and serve my country,” Munroe told this newspaper.

Adding that, “I think given that Guyana is on the cusp of Oil and Gas econo-

my it would more or less underscore the need for reformation of a lot of our laws. In that regard, we will need skilled draftsmen to be able to draft the requisite laws, and allow for harmony amongst the laws, to enable Guyana to fortify its legal framework, in light of this new economy.”

(From left) Michael Munroe; Chief Justice (ag), Roxane George-Wiltshire; Munroe’s mother; Attorney Ronald Burch-Smith and Munroe’s father

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, October 9, 2019

Prison director pushes rehabilitation, reform …says good support, opportunities contribute to positive changes in inmates

SOCIAL intervention and support, combined with punishment and encouragement are much more effective in preventing crimes, and if an inmate is not exposed to opportunities that contribute to positive changes, leaving prison and returning to a life of crime would likely be their first option.

This is according to Di-

rector of Prisons (ag) Gladwin Samuels in his remarks at the 36th Anniversary Church Service hosted recently to observe the Guyana Prison Service (GPS) week of celebrations.

The GPS celebrated its week of celebrations under the theme: “Changing Lives: One Inmate at a time.” He explained that due to the mostly poor conditions with-

in prisons, and the lack of sufficient opportunities for change, most inmates will return to society hardened; having been exposed to an environment dominated by more experienced criminals, they will be savvier and more likely to offend again.

However, he said several criminological studies have shown that harsher sentences do not necessarily act as Director of Prisons (ag) Gladwin Samuels

deterrents, and may even slightly increase the likelihood of repeat offending.

The Prison Director said it is the view of the GPS that efforts at punishment without rehabilitation condemn an individual to an existence without hope.

“An existence without hope will invariably lead to recidivism and a life of crime that will further jeopardize our individual and collective security. Our revised laws have not yet been passed to see the GPS move formally to a fully correctional institution. In our existing laws, however, there are sufficient guidelines that allow us to make rehabilitation a critical part of our mandate. This is an ongoing exercise,” the Director explained.

He underscored that with the support of the Ex-Prison Officers’ Association, sister services, religious organizations, businesses, members of society, Prison Boards, visiting committees and budgetary approvals from Government the Prison administration embarked on programmes to rehabilitate and re-integrate law breakers.

He said that over the last 12 months, in the various prisons, 1074 inmates continued their exposure to skills training. He said some of the training includes: Agriculture, Barbering, Block Making, Carpentry/Joinery, Culinary skills, Electrical Installation, Landscaping, Leather Craft, Tailoring, Welding, and Work Readiness.

“Academic training in CXC Mathematics, and Literacy and Numeracy have been curtailed somewhat as we are still feeling the effects of the 2016 and 2017 turmoil,” he noted.

Additionally, psycho social training continues in:

Anger Management, Domestic Violence, and Drama.

“We saw the trial run for the Sycamore Tree Project, a bold initiative which seeks to initiate some positive interaction between victims and/or their families and the offenders, and ease their reintegration into society.

As I stated on a previous occasion, the stark reality is that interaction between victims and/or their families, and offenders, will not be easy. It requires steps that were never taken; it requires dialogue that is open and respectful; it requires a certain level of trust and spiritual maturity,” he said.

“That can present some challenges. Why the Sycamore Tree? The sycamore tree symbolises strength, protection, eternity and divinity,” the Prison Director asserted. Samuels said that the Administration of the GPS embarked on aggressive programmes that seek to bridge the gaps between crime, punishment and rehabilitation.

He said that the theme seeks to highlight efforts to change existing behaviour, provide job training and provide a support mechanism to increase the chances of success for rehabilitation.

“Crime, punishment and rehabilitation -unfortunately - are basic ingredients found in every society from the moment man endeavoured to organize and live communally. That recipe has bedeviled social scientists, psychiatrists and counselors for centuries. The very notion of these three – crime (with its concomitants punishment and rehabilitation) - is reflected in the teachings of various religions, and in our Constitution,” Samuels said.

In the article entitled: “Recidivism and Rehabilitation of Criminal Offenders”,

the Prison Director said research has shown that “one of the prevailing schools of thought is that the severity, unpleasantness and social stigma of life in prison may serve as deterrents to future criminal behaviour, promoting the principle that ‘crime does not pay’.”

He said that the degree of success of these programmes has been mixed. But the GPS still forges ahead. While most of the inmates seem to be doing their part, he said the incontrovertible truth is that, whatever form any initiative takes, it requires the total commitment of all stakeholders for the exercise to be successful.

Success, he said hinges on the collaboration of the prison authorities, civil society and the judiciary.

“Inmates will receive behavioral counseling and job training in the various disciplines mentioned previously, so that on their release they can support themselves, and for some, their families,” he noted.

However, he added that civil society can ease their re-entry by not stigmatizing them, and providing opportunities for optimum employment wherever possible. “Families will have to provide the necessary support systems so they are not pressured to return to a life of crime. It will also require the continued resources of our Ministry of Social Protection - one of our major supporters - to monitor inmates’ compliance with the terms of their release,” the Prison Director noted.

He explained that any programme that seeks to invest in an offender’s future relieves the pressure of crime countrywide and enhances security.

“Every successful person that is returned to society provides a safety net for families, and reduces the work of the Joint Services. We are poised, as a nation, to enter an unprecedented period of nation building and prosperity, so we must utilise all possible approaches to secure our country. The in-country population is very small.

Therefore, the input from all of us is essential to realising the required level of success,” the Director said.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, October 9, 2019

Local Gov’t Commission preparing to appeal Royston King’s reinstatement HAVING received the written High Court ruling reversing the January 2019 dismissal of Town Clerk of Georgetown, Royston King, the Local Government Commission (LGC) is preparing to appeal the ruling, maintaining that, based on legal advice, the Commission of Inquiry (COI) it held last year was lawful.

King was fired by the LGC based on a recommendation contained in a report from a CoI into the operations of the Georgetown Mayor and City Council (M&CC). The CoI was presided over by Chairman, and sole commissioner, Justice (ret’d) Cecil Kennard Justice Simone Morris-Ramlall, at the Demerara High Court last month, deemed the CoI unlawful and void. LGC Chairman, Mortimer Mingo, confirmed that the LGC voted to appeal and is in the process of seeking legal advice on going about it. “At our statutory meeting, the Commission took the decision that we are going to appeal the matter.

We are seeking some advice from some lawyers now as to whether we go to the Full Court or to the Court of Appeal,” Mingo stated.

Mingo said the Commission sought legal advice prior to the setting up of the CoI. “Of course we did. That

Town Clerk, Royston King (right) with his lawyer, Maxwell Edwards during the CoI last year (Photo by Adrian Narine)

is why we choose a retired Chancellor, a legal mind; we had legal justification for the CoI, he was employed by the LGC to do that, so at all material time he was acting with the [Local Government] Commission,” Mingo insisted. “We are saying the reason we are appealing is because we acted lawfully based on the advice of our lawyers.”

Based on the Inquiry’s recommendations, King was charged with gross misconduct, abuse of office, recklessness, dishonesty, conspiracy, and misappropriation of funds at the municipality.

King, through his lawyer, Maxwell Edwards, initially challenged the legality of the CoI last year October, when King appeared during the proceedings. That challenge was dismissed by Kennard.

In February 2019, King

moved to the High Court to challenge his dismissal.

Morris-Ramlall, during her ruling, said the LGC unlawfully delegated its investigatory powers to the CoI, which was not part of the LGC or attached to it. Additionally, the judge said the LGC disinvested itself from the CoI when it transferred the investigation and unlawfully delegated its powers.

According to Justice Morris-Ramlall, by doing this, the LCG committed an error of law and the decisions made by the CoI must be quashed. Thus, the setting up of the CoI, the investigation, finding and recommendation is void and unlawful.

The CoI report contained some 31 recommendations.

Aside from disciplinary actions for King, the report also recommended disciplinary

LGC Chairman, Mortimer Mingo

action for a number of other City Hall officers, including

Deputy Town Clerk, Sharon Harry-Munroe; Human Resources Manager, Paulette Braithwaite; City Engineer, Colvern Venture; and the Internal Auditor, Omodele Umojo-Newton.

There was also the recommendation for a forensic audit to be conducted into the finances of City Hall for the period April 1, 2015, to October 31, 2018, as well as the call for criminal charges to be instituted against King.

Mingo acknowledged that this latest development will

put a pause on moving forward with the recommendations contained in the report compiled from the findings of the CoI, at least as it pertains to disciplinary action against the municipality officers.

“It stands to reason that we will wait on the appeal,” Mingo said.

The forensic audit was started since earlier this year by the Audit Office, and Mingo says the LGC is expected to receive that report shortly.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, October 9, 2019

Miner dies after pit caves in ...Natural Resources Ministry orders thorough investigation

A MINER attached to Troy Resources Inc. died during the wee hours of Tuesday morning after the pit, in which he was working, caved in.

Dead is Ryan Taylor, 34, of Albert Street, Alberttown, Georgetown.

Reports are that the young man was working in the pit at the company's operations in the Cuyuni/ Mazaruni sometime after 02:00hrs when its walls collapsed, covering him with dirt. Efforts were then made

to recover his body.

According to a release from the Ministry of Natural Resources, Minister Raphael Trotman has instructed the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) to begin making the necessary preparations for a thorough investigation into the matter.

The ministry said a report will be compiled and submitted upon completion.

All work in the area of construction has been ordered ceased, pending the investigation."The ministry

continues to urge miners and companies to exercise extreme care when carrying out these operations," the ministry said.

The ministry also urged stakeholders in the sector to comply with the relevant safety practices to evade any risks and fatalities.

Following the incident, current and former employees of the company reported that they have been complaining about the lax attention paid to safety practices at the mining site. “This was

a time bomb waiting to explode. The environment was one of the most unsafe places I have ever been in,” former employee and friend of Taylor wrote on Facebook. He said the company is focused more on production rather than safety Troy Resources, an Australian-based company, launched its operations here in 2013 at Karouni. Over the years, a number of miners met their demise as a result of pit cave-ins. The GGMC has been working to curb the occurrence by promoting high safety standards in the sector.

In a statement, Troy Resources Limited said it regrets the fatality at its Karouni Gold Mine. According to the company, early indications are that the incident occurred at 2:25hrs on the night shift where a geologist was standing above an excavated working face when the three-metre embankment he was standing on collapsed, and he suffered fatal injuries as a consequence.

Troy Managing Director, Mr. Ken Nilsson said, “We are deeply saddened by the tragic news and our heartfelt and sincerest condolences go to the family, friends and colleagues of our employee.

We always make every effort to ensure the wellbeing of all of our people and this incident brings home the need for utmost vigilance in safety at all times. The company is in close contact with the family of the employee and is providing full support to the family at this time of loss.”

Mining operations at Karouni have currently been temporarily suspended and the company said it intends

Ryan Taylor

to bring a grief counsellor to help employees cope with this tragic loss. The company, along with the relevant authorities, has also promised to launch a full investigation into the incident.

Meanwhile, the People's United and General Workers Union (PU&GWU) is of the opinion that the industrial death is one too many and is pursuing immediate action from all quarters to investigate the circumstances surrounding this death, with a view to instituting preventative measures that would protect workers in similar circumstances.

“Ryan Taylor was not a member of the union however, as a worker subjected to the same conditions of labour as all others, his death highlights the importance of health and safety in the workplace,” the union said. According to union, Taylor has left to mourn three children, ages five, nine and 12. “This industrial death has robbed Taylor's children the opportunity of growing into adulthood with him being there to father them. His home circle has lost a breadwinner. Ac-

cidents do not happen, they are caused therefore they are preventable. The worst impact is loss of life.” The PU&GWU said it will also be calling for an inquest consistent with the Occupational Safety and Health Act. “Letters will be dispatched to the subject Minister Amna Ally, Troy Resources, and Guyana Geology and Mines Commission.”

For the union, this industrial death is even more impacting given the fact that last year, the union expressed concerns via engagement with the Occupation Health and Safety Department in the Ministry of Social Protection and the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission, about correcting perceived unsafe practices. “The nuion called for an investigation into the operations at Pataro. Management responded to the union's representation by refusing to engage with the union over a considerable period of time. This relationship remains strained unto today. The company has since then even denied the union visitation rights to its plant and mines.”

PU&GWU extends its deepest condolences to the family, loved ones and colleagues of Ryan Taylor.

“We believe the best we can do under the circumstances in honour of him, outside of giving comfort and support to those he has left to grieve, is to ensure that no other employee suffers a fate similar to him and that all measures are put in place to correct and prevent any similar occurrences.”

Gov’t announces amnesty for miners in arrears on rental

THE Ministry of Natural Resources has granted final amnesty for miners following repeated requests for interventions by the subject Minister, Raphael Trotman, for relief to miners.

In a statement, the ministry said it has directed the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission to grant a final amnesty for miners who are in arrears in terms of payment of rental for medium scale properties.

The amnesty process will be facilitated through the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission. The granted grace period commences on October 1, 2019 and ends on December 31, 2019, a total of 92 days.

This will be given to all medium scale property holders who are in arrears and whose properties have not been published as cancelled in the official gazette. With the period given, the penalty

accrued on such arrears will attract a waiver of 50 per cent. It is important to note that the grace period will not be extended and all property holders, who do not avail themselves to this offer, will have their properties cancelled, the ministry said. As such, all medium scale property holders are advised to utilise this opportunity to make all outstanding payments of rentals prior to the deadline stated.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, October 9, 2019

‘No hike in currency’

…Central Bank rubbishes Kaieteur News story

…Governor says only one cambio has increased currency price above $218

By Navendra Seoraj THE Bank of Guyana (BoG) has denied reports of an exorbitant hike in the price for the United States Dollar (USD).

Following reports from a section of the media that cambios were selling for as high as GYD$233 for US$1, the Central Bank conducted an investigation and found that all cambios, with the exception of one, were selling below GYD$218.

“With the exception of one cambio, the rate is below $218,” said Governor of the Bank of Guyana, Dr. Gobin Ganga, in an invited comment on Tuesday.

Dr. Ganga maintained

that persons can visit any commercial bank and get USD at a selling price of $215 to $216.

“You would not get an unlimited amount, but you would get,” the BoG governor said. According to reliable sources, although the banks and cambios have been selling at a stable price, persons on the streets have been selling at a higher rate.

In light of this, Dr. Ganga said the bank will continue to monitor the situation and implement appropriate measures where necessary. “We will also continue to monitor cambios to ensure that they abide by the three dollars spread and ensure that others are not exploiting the mar-

buying USD for between $213 and $216 and selling for between $216 and $218.

In addition, Republic Bank and Demerara Bank were both selling USD at the $211 rate while the Bank of Guyana was selling for $210 on Tuesday.

Over the past few years, there has been an increase in the demand for USD and

Bank of Guyana Governor, Dr. Gobin Ganga

ket,” he said.

The Guyana Chronicle visited various cambios and found that most of them were

recognising this demand, the BoG had released over US$6M in cash to commercial banks, said Dr. Ganga.

In February this year, Dr. Ganga had debunked claims that there is a shortage of US currency in the banking system. “There is sufficient foreign exchange in the market. As a matter of fact, for the banks’ cambios, we have

almost US$50M available for those who want to purchase foreign exchange,” Dr. Ganga had said.

He had, however, noted that there may be hoarding taking place and coupled with the demand for US dollar notes by foreign nationals, this could be responsible for the claims of currency shortage.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, October 9, 2019

First Lady opens one-month ICT workshop for Mahdia residents FIRST Lady, Mrs. Sandra Granger, on Monday morning, opened an Information and Communication Technology (ICT) workshop for 30 residents of Mahdia, Potaro-Siparuni (Region Eight).

During a simple ceremony held in the Regional Boardroom, the First Lady underscored the importance of technology to youth and community development, especially in providing greater access to employment. She also emphasised that it is important that the hinterland is not left behind in this modern age of technology.

“We think of the young people, who are going to be the ones who will be leading this country, and who need the skills of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to be able to survive and thrive in the 21st Century, and Mahdia, like many of our hinterland areas, must not be left behind,” Mrs. Granger said.

The First Lady added that her focus on ICT is to ensure that young people in Guyana do not just become consumers in a technologically-driven world, but can also “write programs and develop software”.

She encouraged the participants to consider the types of businesses that they can establish with the knowledge that they will acquire.

“Think about the possibilities and where you can create your niches. You can do it by yourself or you can do it with a group of friends

First Lady, Mrs. Sandra Granger (seated centre), and from right to left, Regional Executive Officer, Ms. Mitzy Campbell; Vice-Chairman of the Board of Industrial Training, Mr. Donald Ainsworth; Mayor of Mahdia, His Worship, David Adams; Regional Chairman, Mr. Bonaventure Fredericks; Facilitator of the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) workshop, Mr. Fitzroy Younge and Confidential Secretary to the First Lady, Lieutenant Colonel Yvonne Smith with participants of the workshop

First Lady, Mrs. Sandra Granger listens to a group of students from the Mahdia Primary and Secondary Schools as they welcomed her with a medley of national songs

you trust,” the First lady advised. Vice-Chairman of the Board of Industrial Training, Mr. Donald Ainsworth;

Mayor of Mahdia, His Worship, David Adams; Regional Executive Officer, Potaro-Siparuni (Region Eight),

First Lady, Mrs. Sandra Granger, being escorted into the Regional Boardroom, Mahdia, Potaro-Siparuni (Region Eight) by a student of the Mahdia Secondary School. Also pictured are students from the Mahdia Primary and Secondary Schools who greeted Mrs. Granger as she walked by

Ms. Mitzy Campbell and Regional Chairman, Potaro-Siparuni (Region Eight), Mr. Bonaventure Fredericks,

also attended the workshop.

The Regional officials expressed gratitude to the First Lady for the workshop which

will be held in the Regional Boardroom from October 7 to November 1, 2019. (Ministry of the Presidency)

NTC pushes for the formation of District Councils THE National Toshaos Council (NTC) has been working along with several hinterland communities to establish fully functioning District Councils in all of the areas catered for in the Amerindian Act of 2006.

Currently, there are six functioning district councils which include the South Rupununi District Council (SRDC), North Rupununi District Development Board (NRDDB), North Pakaraimas District Council, Upper Mazaruni District Council, Moruca District Council and the Region 10 District Council. However, the SRDC is the only legally gazetted

council in the history Guyana.

During a presentation of the National Toshaos Council’s 2018/2019 work programme at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre on Monday, Chairman of the NTC, Nicholas Fredericks, explained that over the past year, the NTC has been advocating for District Councils to function as they should.

He noted that these councils can play a leading role in the development of their respective districts.

The NTC chairman, therefore, urged the village leaders to endorse the formation of these very im-

Chairman of the National Toshaos Council (NTC), Nicholas Fredericks

portant bodies. “For those communities who are not in support of the district council

movements, I would now encourage you to ensure that you are unifying yourself to form these district councils.

It is a very important body, a legal body according to the Amerindian Act and is one that allows you to make collective representation instead of just one man fighting for himself,” Fredericks told the over 212 Toshaos gathered in Georgetown for the 13th NTC conference.

He said, once the NTC receives all the letters from the village councils supporting the establishment of District Councils, the NTC will draft a concept letter to be sent to the Ministry of

Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs for gazetting.

According to the Amerindian Act of 2006, the Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs may, by order establish a District Council, if at least three Village Councils, make such a request in writing to the minister.

Each Village Council has to obtain the approval of its village general meeting. A District Council comprises the Toshao and one Councillor from each Village in the District and may elect a Chairman, a secretary and a treasurer.

The functions of a District Council are; to co-

ordinate the activities of the Village Councils in the District; to work for consistency in the rules made by the Village Councils as far as is reasonable; to give advice to the Village Councils and villages on issues of common interest; to plan and develop programmes for the District on environmental protection and management, healthcare, education, transportation, culture, and economic development; and to provide technical advice and assistance to the constituent village. (DPI)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, October 9, 2019

Evening gala held to mark 70th founding anniversary of PRC

BEIJING (Xinhua) -- A grand evening gala is staged on the Tian'anmen Square to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 1, 2019.

Global praise for China's efforts to reduce poverty BEIJING, Oct. 7 (Xinhua) -- China's achievements in combating poverty over the past 70 years are unprecedented, experts worldwide have said as the country continues to celebrate its weeklong National Day holiday.

In the past 70 years, China has lifted over 800 million people out of poverty, which is the greatest poverty reduction feat in history, said United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres last month in a message conveying his best wishes on the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.

Former UN General Assembly President Maria Fernanda Espinosa Garces said China's poverty reduction work provides an example for other countries.

President of the New Development Bank Kundapur Vaman Kamath said that never in human history has a country lifted hundreds of millions of people out of poverty in such a short period of time and led them onto a path of sustainable development.

Poverty reduction, globally speaking, has been a hard nut to crack, but China has made it, said Gordon Brown, Britain's former prime minister.

"The reason that the poverty (rate) has fallen around the world is not because of great achievements in Africa, and not because of great achievements in other parts of Asia, but mostly because China has taken 700 million, or a higher figure of people, out of poverty and given them the chance to become part of an earning middle class, with resources to spend and free of poverty," said Brown, on the sidelines of the 74th session of the UN General Assembly in September.

Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan said China's achievement in poverty alleviation is admirable. "It's never been done in human history."

Khan said that casting off poverty for 100 million Pakistanis is a major goal and his inspiration is China. "China has given us a great opportunity to lift ourselves up from where we are right now."

Juan Carlos Capunay, former Peruvian ambassador to China, believes that the key to China's successful development has been to invest the wealth generated in alleviating poverty and growing the middle class.

China today has identified several "fundamental pillars" for continued growth and development, including combating poverty, he said.

"China's government has lifted so many millions out of poverty. It adopted a very smart development policy that took into account the reality of the country, its characteristics and the potential of the Chinese people," said Alejandro Suarez, director of the Diplomatic Academy at Ecuador's Foreign Affairs Ministry, in an interview with Xinhua earlier this month.

Zambia's founding President Kenneth Kaunda said the African country has a lot to learn from China, which has managed to lift the majority of its population out of poverty.

Robert Kuhn, chairman of the Kuhn Foundation, told Xinhua in a recent interview that China's poverty alleviation is a "remarkable success."

China has accounted for a large percentage of the poverty reduction goals of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, he said.

"It is the China story that must be told," he added. "When historians of the future write the chronicles of our times, a feature may well be China's targeted poverty alleviation."

HKSAR chief executive vows greatest resolve to end violence

HONG KONG, Oct. 5 (Xinhua) -- Chief Executive of China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Carrie Lam said Saturday that the government will take the greatest resolve to end violence, after rampant rioters Friday wreaked havoc in various areas of Hong Kong.

Lam said in a video address that Hong Kong witnessed "a very dark night" on Friday and the society was half-paralyzed, describing the extreme acts as "unprecedented and appalling."

Violent and disruptive acts were staged again in Hong Kong on Friday as masked rioters blocked roads, set fires, damaged public facilities, and assaulted police officers and passersby, leaving the transport network paralyzed and forcing numerous shops to close.

"The extreme violence is a clear indication of the widespread danger to public security in Hong Kong," Lam said. Given the escalating violence recently, the HKSAR government has invoked the power under the Emergency Regulations Ordinance and put in place the Prohibition on Face Covering Regulation. The anti-mask law, designed to end violence and restore order, came into effect on

Saturday, Lam said.

The move has received support from 40 Legislative Council members and many chambers of commerce, media outlets and social organizations, she said.

Lam reiterated the legality of the action and said the HKSAR government adopted appropriate measures using the power conferred by the existing law.

Lam urged foreign officials and lawmakers to understand the nature of the violent incidents.

"Hong Kong is facing unprecedented violence and the government needs to adopt resolute legal measures to stop violence, restore peace and order, and protect the rights and freedoms of Hong Kong residents from the threats of rioters." She said anti-mask legislations were also adopted in a number of western countries.

Lam also called on Hong Kong residents to support the HKSAR government in stopping the violence, make a clean break with rioters, and work together to bring back peaceful lives as soon as possible.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, October 9, 2019

Education on wellness should begin in school WITH the rise in cases of non-communicable diseases in Guyana, President David Granger believes that one effective solution to the matter is to initiate a more robust health and wellness programme in public schools, so as to educate children on the benefits of pursuing a healthy lifestyle and also involve them in physical exercise.

This, he said, should commence at the nursery level and his government will ensure that this is done during the 2020 to 2029 Decade of Development, where a significant amount of money will be pumped into public education.

President Granger recently shared this view on the

Guyana Chronicle’s Vantage Point. He agreed that much more needs to be invested in the public health apparatus and systems supporting wellness and healthcare.

According to World Health Organisation (WHO) Country Statistics (2016), cardiovascular diseases account for 34 per cent of all deaths in Guyana, followed by cancer and diabetes (eight per cent each), chronic respiratory diseases (three per cent) and other NCDs (14 per cent). Almost seven out of every 10 deaths of Guyanese aged 23-60 years are caused by cancers, chronic lung diseases, diabetes, heart disease and hypertension.

As a preventative measure, President Granger re-

iterated that education on adopting health-conscious lifestyles can significantly impact the rising statistics.

“While some diseases are inevitable and unpreventable, as far as lifestyle diseases are concerned, there is much more we can do and this education has to be done within the public education system. Things can get better, we need to take better care of ourselves, it must start at childhood, it must start in the schools,” he said.

Schools must include physical exercise into their weekly timetable and the President urged the education system to pay attention to what is lacking in this regard.

“One aspect of education is that there must be more

President David Granger

playfields, more participation in sports at the level of school. Some schools have no play grounds, no sporting facilities. These are areas that public education must pay attention to,” the President said.

Under the President Granger administration, much has been invested in ensuring students at least have a meal at school. Several schools, particularly in the hinterland district, through the Five B’s initiative, have been benefitting from breakfast programmes since it was determined that many students go to school hungry.

The hot meal programme was also implemented to provide more than just juice and biscuit for students whose parents cannot afford to provide a snack for them.

In Region 10, a decision was made to provide healthier food choices for these programmes and farmers have been contracted to supply the RDC with fresh fruits and

vegetables. Regional Executive Officer, Orrin Gordon, has also amended the dormitory feeding programme to ensure students are fed more fresh foods, than canned foods.

While many diseases are unpreventable due to factors such as hereditary, many are created as a result of unhealthy lifestyles. The President urged Guyanese to eat more nutritious food and mothers to feed their children balanced meals.

If a holistic approach is taken to tackle this health phenomenon, the burden on the healthcare system will be lightened.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, October 9, 2019

MoPH holds successful health fair for Month of Elderly THE Elderly Health Unit of the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH), in collaboration with the Ministry of Social Cohesion, on Tuesday held a health fair at the Palms Geriatric Home , Brickdam, to commemorate Month of the Elderly, October 2019.

According to Coordinator of the Elderly Health Unit, Dr Melissa DeHarte, the International Day for Older Persons is celebrated worldwide on October 1 every year. However in October, 2010, Guyana expanded the initiative to the entire month. Dr DeHarte added that in the coming weeks, several other activities will be held across Guyana; these will be held in collaboration with the Ministry of Public Health, several Non-Governmental Organisations and

faith-based organisations.

“As part of the Elderly Health Unit and the Commission for the Elderly of which I am a member, we have developed what we call New Dawn Clubs, which are community-based clubs and

throughout the year, especially in the month of October, we have activities such as walkathons and health fairs,” Dr DeHarte said.

Dr DeHarte stated that the primary initiative of the fair was to raise awareness

regarding issues faced by the elderly in Guyana. She further explained that the fair focused on abuse of the elderly, the need for healthy and active aging, physical activity, healthy eating and mental illnesses, such as

An elderly woman having her blood pressure checked at the fair

Members of the Food Policy Division of the Ministry of Public Health, demonstrate how to prepare a healthy meal with fresh vegetables

Growing increase in brush fires–Fire Chief

By Lisa Hamilton

TO date, the Guyana Fire Service (GFS) has received over 2,000 fire calls with 60 per cent of these relating to outdoor fires which continue to pose a grave threat to the health of citizens affected.

On Monday, Fire Chief Marlon Gentle sat down with the Guyana Chronicle on its online programme, Vantage Point, where he provided detailed statistics on the effects of fires in 2019 and the years past. Statistics show that a total of 1,418 outdoor vegetation fires were reported by affected residents; 221 calls were made for fires at private buildings; 69 relating to motor vehicles; 33 at businesses; 22 at government properties and four in relation to generator fires. As a result, 349 persons were rendered homeless at the various periods; seven have died and five others have been injured.

OUTDOOR FIRES HARMFUL However, stating the reason for the most frequent calls, Mr Gentle said that these calls have come in from people identified as persons with respiratory problems, the elderly and others conscious about the detriments of the inhalation of smoke. “These are fires that are burning on vegetation and on parapets, garbage heaps and so on, and these are fires that are deliberately set for more than one purposes [such as] land clearing, agriculture clearing, persons who, in certain communal areas, use that to encourage the growth of fresh grass for the grazing of cattle and animals,” he

Guyana Fire Service (GFS) Fire Chief Marlon Gentle

explained.

In 2018, the total figure for the year stood at 748 which shows an increase in the number of concerned calls coming in about outdoor vegetation fires. “It’s not really a challenge to the fire service but it’s more of a difficulty to the people who live around there,” Gentle explained. “Yes, we’re busier; we have to direct more resources to these types of fires which ought not to have happened in the first place, but the challenge mainly is the environmental issues that come from these fires.

Persons are affected by the smoke from these fires, especially from the garbage heap-type fires where rubber and different types of materials give off very pungent and toxic odors and smoke.”

Apart from health challenges, the Fire Chief said that the GFS has noticed that public infrastructure is also being damaged such as bridges, culverts, roadway parapets, electrical installations such as lamp polls; telecommunication infrastructure and more.

“Based on our research on the Laws of Guyana, setting fires in

any place other than a kitchen for cooking purposes is illegal and if these fires damage public property also,it’s something that someone could be prosecuted for,” he said.

The government has long promoted that burning of garbage is an alternative and not a primary option as it pollutes the air, causing global warming.

Meanwhile, the second highest reason given for calls countrywide has been attributed to the failure of citizens to take special caution when cooking, dealing with household appliances, attending to small children. While fires have been started due to electrical malfunctioning, many others have affected private buildings as a result of the illegal tampering of electricity wires, domestic disputes and more. In 2018, the total fires attended to by the GFS stood at 250 while it climbed to the highest in 2016 at 287.

Regarding motor vehicles, over the last three to four years, the Fire Chief said: “What we’re seeing, too, is a trend of persons destroying motor vehicles by fires and our analysis is showing us that two things are happening: there are property issues or disputes and there is also some level of insurance activity…fires deliberately set to damage motor vehicles, especially the high-end cars.” There have been 2,710 ambulance calls as of September 2019 as the services of the GFP are being utilised. Over 662 firefighters and emergency responders are working at 17 fire stations across the country while three auxiliary fire stations are in the hinterland.

Alzheimer's and Dementia.

She also noted that healthy and active living is not just for elderly persons, but for all Guyanese; hence, the MoPH will promote healthy aging from conception to old age.

Several doctors, registered nurses and medical officers were present at the fair to provide blood pressure and blood sugar testing, and to demonstrate healthy cooking and eating habits.

Melanie youth charged for ‘Hassa’ murder A 19-year-old labourer was, on Tuesday arraigned for the murder of Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) employee David Gentle called “Hassa,” who was chopped in the head and left to die in a bushy area at Haslington North, East Coast Demerara (ECD).

Roland Abrams of Melanie Damishana,, ECD, appeared before Magistrate Fabayo Azore at the Cove and John Magistrates’ Court and was not required to plead to the charge, which alleged that on September 2, 2019,

DEAD: David Gentle, called ‘Hassa’

at Haslington North, East Coast Demerara, he mur-

dered Gentle, 58, of Trotman Street, Golden Grove, ECD. The teen was remanded to prison until October 22, 2019.

According to reports, Gentle was found lying motionless with wounds about his body on a grass parapet at Haslington North; an emergency medical technician (EMT) pronounced him dead after examining his body. He was last seen at a Karaoke at Nabaclis, a nearby ECD village.

Diamond residents apprehend bandit PUBLIC-SPIRITED citizens apprehended one of two bandits in the aftermath of an armed robbery committed on a 28-year-old man in front of his Diamond Access Road, East Bank Demerara residence Tuesday morning.

The Guyana Police Force, in a statement, said they applauded the brave and courageous action by members of the public and the persons who managed to apprehend the bandit.

A gold-coloured chain, which was stolen from the victim, was recovered from the captured suspect as well as an unlicensed revolver with six live matching rounds.

The firearm that was seized from the bandit

Efforts are being made to apprehend the other suspect.

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AMERICAN RACING TIPS Keenland Race 1 King Ford Race 2 Embellisher Race 3 Hurricane Highway Race 4 Its Cold In Dehere Race 5 Hard Count Race 6 Honest Mischief Race 7 Jezebel’s Kitten Race 8 Babeswildweekend SOUTH AFRICA RACING TIPS Durbanville 08:50 hrs Khopesh 09:25 hrs Maningi Indaba 10:00 hrs Norfolk Pine 10:40 hrs Rille 11:20 hrs Hildegarde 11:55 hrs Djockovic ENGLISH RACING TIPS Nottingham 08:25 hrs Deb’s Delight 08:55 hrs Well Funded 09:25 hrs Favorite Moon 09:55 hrs Gallaside 10:30 hrs Espresso Freddo 11:00 hrs Knowing Glance 11:30 hrs Rake’s Progress 12:00 hrs Deinonychus WINCANTON 09:05 hrs Get The Appeal 09:35 hrs Joly Maker 10:45 hrs Capitaine 11:20 hrs Midnight Magic 11:50 hrs Force Ten KEMPTON 11:35 hrs Desert Peace 12:10 hrs Well Prepared 12:40 hrs Dubious Affair 13:10 hrs Geranium 13:40 hrs Royal Birth 14:10 hrs Jaleel 14:40 hrs Indian Victory 15:10 hrs Garth Rockett IRISH RACING TIPS Navan 08:30 hrs Flaming Moon 09:00 hrs The King Of Kells 09:30 hrs Strong Johnson 10:05 hrs Pillar 10:40 hrs Royal Canford 11:10 hrs Arthur’s Kingdom 11:40 hrs Mean Fomhair 12:15 hrs Watchman

GOA outfits GuyanaNRA team for WIBFSC C/ships in T&T … Corporate assistance still needed

THE Guyana National Rifle Association (GuyanaNRA) on Monday received a timely donation from the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA).

President of the GOA, Mr K.A. Juman-Yassin, responded to the request from the GuyanaNRA for assistance and outfitted the National Rifle Team members with jerseys and track suits; ahead of the 2019 edition of the West Indies Fullbore Shooting Championships, to be hosted by Trinidad and Tobago.

Vice-captain of the National team, Dylan Fields, accepted the donation in the presence of two other team members. Fields expressed the association’s gratitude to the GOA for the donation and stated that they are looking forward to future collaborations with the GOA. Fields stated that this donation will further add to the professional outfit of the team, “as we will be well uniformed as ambassadors of

our country”.

On team preparation for the West Indies Fullbore Shooting Council’s Individual, Long and Short Range Championships, Fields said the shooters have been training hard each Sunday for the past few months and are beginning to peak.

This Sunday will be the last team training before departure on October 19 for Trinidad and Tobago where Guyana will be facing the host nation, Barbados, Jamaica, Antigua & Barbuda in what is anticipated to be another fierce battle across the various ranges.

In offering brief comments, Mr Juman-Yassin said he was happy that the GOA is able to outfit the rifle team which has been doing Guyana proud over the years and he was equally happy to hear that captain Mahendra Persaud will be joining the team this year as coach in the Twin Island Republic.

“Mr Persaud who has been at

the helm of Guyana’s dominance of the sport for over a decade is still recovering from his illness.

Meanwhile, GuyanaNRA Hon. Secretary, Ryan Sampson, added that while the team were able to secure their airfare through their BBQ fundraiser that was held, they are still seeking corporate assistance to offset the accommodation and entrance fees.

He stated that letters were sent out but responses have been slow, the GuyanaNRA receiving a mixture of positive and negative responses. “The National Team is therefore appealing to corporate Guyana to assist us to once again fly the Golden Arrowhead with pride at the Caribbean level.”

Guyana has been the most dominant nation in Short and Long Range shooting among its Caribbean rivals with its marksmen making up more than half of the West Indies Team at International events.

Former Windies coach Harper named on four-man selection panel FORMER West Indies off-spinner and coach Roger Harper is among four men chosen by the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) to be on the senior selection panel for the regional team.

According to the Trinidad Guardian newspaper, Harper, a Guyanese, will be joined by the former Windward Islands batsman and selector Lockhart Sebastien, who was removed earlier this year before the new selection guidelines were being put in place.

Sebastien reapplied and was chosen on the new panel. He was part of the Courtney Browne-led panel that included Eldine Baptiste and Travis Dowlin.

Also making the grade as a senior selector are former Windwards batsman Miles Bascombe and Hendy Wallace, who served as chairman of the Barbados se-

nior selection panel.

The new panel will get to work very soon in choosing the West Indies team to tour India for the twin series against Afghanistan and India which gets going in November.

Harper’s international career lasted 13 years, from 1983 to 1996, and he distinguished himself as a brilliant fielder. His Test bowling average of 28.06 is superior to that of Lance Gibbs, giving him the leading average among all West Indian spinners with at least 25 Test wickets.

After his playing career he became a coach, taking over the West Indies team between 2000 and 2003 and also managing of the West Indies Youth team in 2005.

However, he was approached

by Cricket Kenya in late December 2005 with an offer to take over

stewardship of the Kenya team.

After this, he went on to coach the West Indies team.

Bascombe is a Vincentian cricketer who played a single Twenty20 international for the West Indies in 2011. In West Indian domestic cricket, he has played for the Windward Islands and the Combined Campuses and Colleges.

Sebastien, who is Dominican, was a West Indies cricketer for the Combined Islands and the Windward Islands in the 1970s and 1980s. He is the father of current Windward Islands cricketer Liam Sebastien.

Wallace has been a longstanding member of the selection setup in Barbados and has worked a lot with young cricketers on the island, in addition to being a regional commentator. (Trinidad Guardian)

32

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, October 9, 2019

Sandhills/Friendship beat Ebini to win BCB/Berbice River T20 cricket tournament … BCB makes donation to clubs

THE Area ground in Guyana’s smallest township came alive last Sunday when dozens of residents from communities located in the Berbice River turned up to witness the final of the 2nd annual Berbice Cricket Board (BCB)/Berbice River Area T20 Cricket tournament.

Last year runners-up Sand Hills/Friendship easily defeated Ebini by 75 runs to lift the 2019 championship.

Sandhills won the toss elected to bat and reached 148 for 8 from their allotted 20 overs after recovering from a shaky position of 3 for

Joshua Leacock 22, Brian King 21 not out and W. Caplie 23 chipping in well. Leacock and King added a crucial 43 for the 5th wicket.

The best bowlers for Sandhills were Peter Grant 3 for 20,Vijai Totoram 3 for 23 and M.Leacock 2 for 26.

Needing to score 149 of 120 balls to earn the BCB title, Ebini were never allowed to score freely as SandHills Friendship bowled a tight line and fielded superbly.

Opening fast bowler Jason Leacock and B. King bowled well to restrict the score to The winning Sandhills/Friendship cricket team pose after the match.

BCB president Hilbert Foster hands over donation to representatives of the club.

33 in the fifth over.

They lost Byron Lindee 6, Michael Caple 19 and Daniel Leacock 1, as medium pacer V. Totoram produced a penetrating opening spell of 4-1-23-3.

The eventual champions middle order batted well with Glendon Fredericks 28,

33 for 2 in the 11th over. SandHills were eventually dismissed for 73 in 17.3 overs.

D. Leacock 17, Skipper Ian Lyte 20 and Vijai Totaram 13 were the only batsmen to reach double figures.

B. King 2 for 14, Ryan DeNobrega 2 for 12, J. Leacock 2 for 17 and Daniel Leacock

2 for 10 were the champions’ best bowlers.

Joshua Leacock was named Man-of-the-Final and received a trophy and a small water pitcher.

BCB president Hilbert Foster praised the positive atmosphere that the final was played in and stated that he was very impressed with the high level of talent on display.

The BCB boss brought the entire delegation of players, clubs officials and supporters from the riverine communities up to date on the current state of Berbice Cricket. As well as plans for the future and areas of assistance that clubs have benefitted from the BCB. He expressed disappointment that a club in the area did not play in the tournament allegedly on the advice of a cricket official who has a history of not supporting his administration.

Foster told the visitors that he has no interest in cricket politics but rather in the overall development of the game and making sure that every cricketing talent is given the opportunity to develop.

Representatives of the clubs stated their displeasure of persons who have no linkage

to their area, but are representing them at the BCB level and vowed to stop the situation.

The winning team and runners-up both received a financial prize and trophies. The BCB donated a 5-gallon water pitcher, a 3-gallon pitcher and a box of balls each to the two teams.

Foster also handed over anti-suicide posters, youth information booklets, exercise books and a large quantity of educational materials including pens, pencils, sharpeners to the clubs on behalf of the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club, MS (RHTY&SC).

The BCB will host both teams on November 23 in a special match at the Albion ground as part of its effort to assist in the development of the game in the riverine areas.

The tournament was sponsored by a West Berbice businessman who has several businesses in the Berbice River area.

The completion of the tournament fulfils the commitment of the active BCB to host cricket in all five sub-associations in Berbice - Berbice River, Upper Corentyne, Lower Corentyne, West Berbice and New Amsterdam/Canje.

Zeeburg Sports Club whip MMZ Future Youths in 20 overs clash ZEEBURG Sports Club registered a commanding victory over MetenMeer-Zorg (MMZ) Future Youths when the two West Demerara teams met at the Zeeburg Cricket ground last Sunday in a T20 fixture.

Zeeburg won the toss and opted to take first strike on a wicket that had felt the effects of a light shower.

Nevertheless their competent batsmen were able to race to 185-9 in their allotted 20 overs.

Several batsmen made quick scores, including Ronaldo Renee

(46), Andre Seepersaud (34), Malcolm Hubbard (24) and Yutesh Dhanpaul (18).

Dexter George led MMZ’s bowling attack with 3-24.

George returned to score 16 with the bat - the second highest score of the innings as MMZ laboured to 64, before they were bowled out in 18.3 overs.

Tevin Imlach led the attack with 18 runs. Bowling for Zeeburg, Mark Jeffers nabbed 4-12 while Hubbard grabbed 4-19.

From left, Ronaldo Renee, Malcolm Hubbard and Mark Jeffers were instrumental in the win.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, October 9, 2019

33

Brampton gets first LED-lit full-size cricket field … BEDCL president thanks mayor for fulfilling promise

By Frederick Halley TORONTO, Canada – Already assured of a state-of-the-art stadium through the initiative of the Mayor and City Council of Brampton, the Brampton Etobicoke District Cricket League (BEDCL) has been further boosted with the introduction of its first LED-lit full-size cricket field.

Teramoto Park, located on Chinguacousy Road, now has nighttime LED lighting that covers the entire field. It also has upgraded spectator seating for all the cricket-lovers in the city. According to BEDCL president Praimp Persaud, the park will soon feature a digital scoreboard, which is to be installed to enhance the unique cricket site.

The Guyanese-born Persaud also boasted that with all the upgrades, Brampton is now in a position to host more competitive cricket tournaments.

Mayor Patrick Brown (left) and BEDCL president Praimp Persaud during an exhibition match to mark the introduction of lights at Teramoto Park

A scenic view of Teramoto Park following the installation of lights Persaud described the installation of the lights as a major milestone for the hosts of the 2019 Global T20 cricket tournament and the fulfilment of a promise from Mayor Patrick Brown. “He has kept his word and all his promises with respect to getting cricket to the next level in our city. He has stood true to his commitments without anyone having to remind him.”

Persaud pointed out that “cricket is now one of the mainstream sports in our city and is on the same level when discussing plans for all sports. It is no longer on the

lowest tier.

“Thanks Mayor Brown for all that you and council have done and continue to do for the sport of cricket, one of the fastest growing sport in Brampton and Canada.”

In a Facebook post, Mayor Brown described cricket as a highly popular sport in Brampton. “We are leading the way with the most cricket fields per capita in Ontario and throughout Canada.”

Speaking from the Teramoto Park, Mayor Brown said he was there to share the exciting news.

The mayor disclosed that the cricket-only field now has LED lighting that covers the entire field – the first of its kind for a full-size cricket field in Canada.

“This field also has upgraded spectacular seating and a digital scoreboard will soon be installed to enhance this unique cricket site.

“This means we can host more competitive cricket tournaments in Brampton.

We are working on other cricket upgrades across your city. Brampton truly is the cricket capital of Canada.”

Meanwhile, the city has also built a new full-size cricket field at the 407/Dixie Park to provide players with an enhanced experience while another one at Gore Meadows Community is almost completed. The site will boast two more cricket fields with turf wickets including one with stadium-style seating and a clubhouse with lighting.

These additions are a direct result of Brown being elected mayor following the 2018 Municipal elections. The major concerns were the lack of lighting, which restricted practices and tournaments to be held only during the day and for better infrastructure to allow the sport to grow.

34

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, October 9, 2019

Reggae Girlz head into USVI clash on the back of 30 goals in three games

JAMAICA’S senior women’s football team continued their impressive showing in Group B of the Caribbean Olympic Qualifying Stage, by thrashing St Lucia 11-0 on Sunday night at the National Stadium in Kingston.

Captain Khadija Shaw and Deneisha Blackwood led Reggae Girlz with three goals apiece.

Shaw handed Reggae Girlz the lead in the second minute before completing her hat-trick in the 16th and 34th minutes.

Blackwood found the back of the net in the 24th, 68th and 78th minutes.

Cheyna Matthews, Dominique Bond Flasza, Tiffany

Sunday night’s victory represented the third straight win for Reggae Girlz.

The Reggae Girlz Cameron, Trudi Carter, and ment being staged in Jaopened their campaign Tarania Clarke secured the maica.

The three games have with a 12-1 victory against other goals.

The victory represents produced 30 goals for Reg- Cuba on September 30, the third straight win for gae Girlz ahead of their final followed by a 7-0 triumph Reggae Girlz in the five- game yesterday against the against Barbados on October 4. team Qualifying tourna- US Virgin Islands.

Black to leave UK Athletics performance director role NEIL Black is to leave his position as performance director of UK Athletics. Black has faced criticism since coach Alberto Salazar was given a four-year ban after being found guilty of doping violations.

UK Athletics appointed Salazar as a consultant to its endurance programme in 2013.

The news comes two days after the World Athletics Championships in Doha ended in which Great Britain’s haul of five medals was their lowest since 2005.

Salazar, whom Black described as a “genius”, coached Britain’s Mo Farah from 2011 until 2017, a period during which he won four Olympic and six World Championship golds in the 5 000m and 10 000m.

The US Anti-Doping Agency’s investigation into how Salazar ran the Nike Oregon Project began in 2015 following a BBC Panorama investigation.

Salazar has denied that the Nike Oregon Project permitted doping; saying he

was “shocked” by USADA’S findings and would appeal against the ban.

In 2015, UK Athletics conducted a review into Farah’s work with Salazar and found “no reason to be concerned”.

Before his departure at the end of October, Black will support Farah, for whom he personally managed his performance support programme in the run-up to London 2012, at the Chicago Marathon on Sunday.

Black took up the performance director role in Sep-

Before becoming performance director in 2012, Neil Black had been head of performance support services, science and medicine at UK Athletics. tember 2012 after Charles van Commenee left his position as Olympic head coach.

(BBC Sport)

Smith, Warner in Australia T20 squad for Sri Lanka, Pakistan series

(REUTERS) - Australia yesterday named Steve Smith and David Warner in their Twenty20 squad for home series against Sri Lanka and Pakistan as selectors firm up plans for next year’s World Cup on home soil.

Australia will host Sri Lanka in three T20 internationals starting in Adelaide on October 27 before facing top-ranked Pakistan in three matches next month.

“It is almost a year to the day until Australia hosts the men’s T20 World Cup and we have selected this squad with that in mind,” selector Trevor Hohns said in a statement.

“The squad we have selected is quite role specific and we believe it gives us the flexibility to thrive in all match conditions.

“We’re delighted to welcome Smith and Warner back ... Steve is a worldclass batsman in all formats while Warner is Australia’s highest ever

T20I runs-scorer.”

Smith is set to play his first T20 international since 2016 and will look to continue the fine form he has shown since his return from a one-year ban for his role in a ball-tampering scandal in South Africa.

The 30-year-old smashed 774 runs in four Ashes Tests against England recently as Australia retained the urn.

Warner scored 692 runs in this year’s IPL for Sunrisers Hyderabad and 647 runs in the 50-over World Cup in England as Australia reached the semi-finals.

Australia dropped all-rounder Marcus Stoinis while Ashton Turner was preferred ahead of fellow spinner Nathan Lyon. They also included the big-hitting Glenn Maxwell.

The 14-man squad captained by Aaron Finch will travel to Adelaide on October 24 before the first T20 against Sri Lanka.

Australia T20 squad: Aaron Finch (captain), Ashton Agar, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins, Glenn Maxwell, Ben McDermott, Kane Richardson, Steve Smith, Billy Stanlake, Mitchell Starc, Ashton Turner, Andrew Tye, David Warner, Adam Zampa.

Gillette T20 Internationals v Sri Lanka: First T20: October 27, Adelaide Oval, 14:00hrs (Fox & Kayo) Second T20: October 30, Gabba, 18:10hrs (Fox & Kayo) Third T20: November 1, MCG, 19.10hrs (Fox & Kayo) Gillette T20 Internationals v Pakistan: First T20: November 3, SCG, 14.30hrs (Fox & Kayo) Second T20: November 5, Manuka Oval, 19.10hrs (Fox & Kayo) Third T20: November 8, Perth Stadium, 16.30hrs (Fox & Kayo)

ECB announce funding boost to revamp women’s cricket (REUTERS) - The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has announced a funding boost for women’s cricket of £20 million over the next two years in a bid to increase grassroots participation and make cricket a gender-balanced sport.

With an ambition of investing £50 million over the five years, ECB launched an action plan that will allow organisations across the domestic cricket network to recruit more dedicated resources.

The funding will also ensure 40 fulltime professional, domestic contracts to be handed out in addition to the existing central contracted players for England ECB’s managing director Women’s elite play- of women’s cricket Clare Connor ers.

The ECB’s 10-point plan focusses on increased girls’ participation, developing a pathway from Under-11 to Under-17 levels and raising the profile of the women’s game through The Hundred - a new domestic tournament which begins in July 2020.

“We have an amazing opportunity to make cricket the sport we want it to be - a sport that is modern, innovative and inclusive,” Clare Connor, ECB’s managing director for women’s cricket, said in a statement yesterday.

“I have been so heartened by the level of enthusiasm, commitment and support for this plan from everyone involved in cricket.”

As part of the project, ECB will also launch a new semi-professional, eight-team regional domestic structure for women’s cricket.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Wednesday October 09, 2019) 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) Trinbago Knight Riders (2) Guyana Amazon Warriors

Today’s Quiz:

(1) Who was voted Man of the Match in the Eliminator game of CPL 2019?

(2) Who was declared Man of the Match in Qualifier 1?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

35

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, October 9, 2019

Pollard says playoff win ideal boost for TKR

TKR captain Kieron Pollard

Teams identified for Dragon Stout ‘Community Cup’ Street-ball tourney THE final 16 teams that will participate in the inaugural Dragon Stout ‘Community Cup’ Street-ball tournament have been finalised.

This information was disclosed following an official press release from Dragon Stout Brand Coordinator Jamal Baird.

The participants, who will be competing for over $500 000 in prizes, are North East La Penitence, Albouystown, Leopold St, Broad St Sophia, LA Ballers, Bent St, Gold is Money, Back Circle, Sparta Boss, Alexander Village, Future Stars, Tiger Bay, Melanie-B, Ansa McAl All-Stars and Showstoppers.

According to Baird, “The teams have been selected from various environs and several regions which provide a national flavour and true representation of the growing streetball culture.”

He further added, “The event is the start of an exciting project, which has the capacity to become a staple of the local street-ball and community landscape and to attract a mass following.”

November 15 is the scheduled date of the elimination tournament’s commencement.

The other playing nights are November 22 and 29, with December 6 pencilled as the grand finale. All matches will be hosted at the National Gymnasium.

Baird affirmed, “It’s an exciting opportunity for the brand to establish and foster a relationship with the respective communities through the common denominator of sport. “ He related, “Presently, systems and structures are being created and fine-tuned to ensure a memorable event that will leave a lasting impression in the minds of the spectators and more importantly the players.

“There is a buzz within the respective communities about the tournament which bodes well for its success as players are excited to compete,” Baird declared.

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC) – Captain Kieron Pollard believes Trinbago Knight Riders’ crucial win in last Sunday’s playoff match, could be the turning point for his side as they head into tomorrow’s massive semi-final against archrivals Barbados Tridents.

The two-time reigning champions entered the contest against St Kitts and Nevis Patriots on the back of four straight defeats and without a victory in six matches, but managed to break the losing streak by chasing down 126 to win by six wickets at the Guyana National Stadium.

“I’m hoping this can be the turnaround. We have a couple days (rest), we go back in front of our home crowd and that will spur us on even more,” said Pollard, looking ahead to the encounter at the Brian Lara Stadium.

“There is always room for improvement – (there were) a couple blemishes in the field (so) that is

something we need to speak about.

Every run and every boundary saved is crucial for us, so that is something we will have a conversation about.”

TKR will be bidding for a place in next Saturday’s final against Guyana Amazon Warriors, who played unbeaten in the league phase to win all 10 matches and top the standings.

However, TKR will have to break this season’s jinx against Tridents to whom they suffered defeats in both their clashes this season.

Pollard, who assumed the captaincy this campaign from injured all-rounder Dwayne Bravo, said it was important to find the right balance for the critical match.

“Winning the toss where the wickets looked a bit tacky, our spinners bowled magnificently well (against Tridents),” Pollard explained.

“Going to Trinidad might be different but we’re gonna come up with the best combination to

win. That’s all we’ve been trying to do. We’ve been trying things.

It’s better to try and fail than fail to try.

“We got a lot of licks for it but we continue to take it because our backs are broad and we crack on.”

Pollard said TKR’s batsmen needed to pull their weight, however, as evidenced by their struggles chasing Patriots’ meagre 125 for seven.

TKR found themselves in trouble at 31 for three in the sixth over before recovering through opener Lendl Simmons’ 51 and an unbroken fifth-wicket stand of 50 between Denesh Ramdin (32 not out) and Pollard (26 not out).

“I can’t fault the guys at the halfway stage. One hundred and twenty-five – if you turn up at any ground and limit the opposition (to that), you’ll take that ten out of ten,” he contended.

At the halfway stage, we thought we were right into it but it got a little too close for comfort.”

Third GT Motorsports Grand Prix set for Sunday THE third instalment of the GT Motorsports Georgetown Grand Prix is set for this Sunday at the organisation’s Thomas Lands track.

The third round of the annual championship is expected to feature a full contingent of drivers as they seek to gain valuable individual points.

Expected to be the highpoint is the X30 Juniors with the resumption of the battle between rivals Nathan Rahaman and Zachary Persaud.

There is a tight battle between leader Persaud (111 points) and Rahaman (109) with the duo trading wins in round two earlier this year.

Still in the fight are Rayden Persaud (82) and Paige Mendonca (79).

In the Easy Cup

Zachary Persaud (79) leads the X30 Juniors class heading into the second round of the GT Motorsports Grand Prix this weekend. Nathan Rahaman (71) is second with Rayden Persaud (26) third.

Rookie class, Naresh Alves leads after two rounds with 111 points ahead of Ackeem Thomas (99) and Rylie Ramroop (84).

In the Easy Cup Super, Kristian Jeffrey (70) leads Stefan Jeffrey (61) and Steven Nobrega third while in the

60cc Kids Cup, Justin Ten-Pow holds a commanding 154-point lead over Nicholas Sawh and Ben Phang, who are tied for second place on 90 points.

In the X30 Masters (125cc Masters), Shan Seejattan leads with 77 points ahead of Mahen-

dra Boodhoo (51) and Vishal Sawh (48).

Down in the X30 Senior class, Matthew Phang leads with 103 points, ahead of Steven Nobrega (98), John Phang (91) and Elan Rahaman (73) Sunday’s event begins at 18:00hrs.

Ramdhani siblings dominate 2019 Canadian Badminton tournament

Priyanna and Narayan Ramdhani pose following their successful run at the YONEX Alberta Series 1# Badminton tournament.

Former Windies coach story Harper named on onSeepage 31 four-man selection panel

CONTINUED magic from Ramdhani siblings, Narayan and Priyanna, lit up things at the Yonex Alberta Series #1 Tournament held at the Sunridge Badminton Centre in Calgary Alberta, Canada.

When the series, lasting October 4-5 2019, got under way, the Guyanese badminton aces bagged numerous titles. Priyanna eventually went on to capture another career Women Singles title as well as the Doubles B-Flight, bettering her brother Narayan who won just the Mixed Doubles title despite strong performances.

Squaring off against some high-calibre players, some of whom are ranked number one according to Pan American rankings, Priyanna who gained a bye in the semis made light work of Calgary Winter Club’s Carol Fu in the Women’s Singles B-Flight, destroying her 21-10 and 21-13 in the finals.

Priyanna then joined forces with Mary Smith as they further inflicted woes upon Fu and her club-mate Jessica Leung, thumping the duo 21-14 and 21-13 in their Doubles B-Flight encounter. The Women’s A-Flight Singles was also a lopsided

event as Ivy Ung of Derrick Golf and Winter Club lost to Ramdhani 21-16 and 21-3 in the Quarter-finals.

The Semi-Finals witnessed Ramdhani endure a 3-set loss 21-11, 1421 and 21-13 to the talented Reshma Bhambhani, a No# 2 seed representing the B-Active Badminton Club. Her brother, on the other hand, found luck as Narayan teamed up with Smith to hand Archelle Ouano and Ung a twoset defeat 21-15 and 21-5 in the Mixed event which saw them win the titles.

Priyanna and Smith had mixed fortunes as the tourney progressed in the latter stages, losing: 21-14 and 21-14 to No. 1 seeds Emily Chan and Samantha Hsu of The Glencoe Club & B-Active Badminton Club Semi-Finals. However, the Guyanese siblings then bounced back to defeat the Quanos, Archangelo and Archelle, in sets 21-17, 21-15.

In the end, supremacy was shown by the Ramdhanis who whipped Viro Hang and Ung easily in the finals after two sets 21-12, 21-15 as the pair of Badminton masters continued to impress and represent Guyana on the international scene.

GOA outfits GuyanaNRA team for WIBFSC C/ships in T&T

See story on page 31

… Corporate assistance still needed

New West Indies cricket selectors - Hendy Wallace, top left, Lockhart Sebastian, top right, Miles Bascombe, bottom left, and Roger Harper.

GOA president, K. A Juman Yassin (2nd right) hands over one of the track suits to Fullbore VC Dylan Fields in the presence of team members Ryan Sampson (right) and Ransford Goodluck.

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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2019