Guyana Chronicle E-paper 10-11-2019

FRIDAY 11th OCTOBER, 2019

' No.105787

‘Go after the 40%’ …Minister Jordan nudges NIS to widen coverage

…wants stiffer penalties, including imprisonment for employers who do not remit workers' contributions SEE STORY ON PAGE 03

Two killed at Shell Beach 12 PAGE

PPP tries to block funding for infrastructural projects …Minister Patterson tells Toshaos 13 PAGE

66 Indigenous communities 10 accessing internet PAGE

Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Hon. Sydney Allicock presents one of the Toshaos with an electronic tablet during Thursday’s session of the NTC Conference. Also in photo are (from left) Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Hon. Valerie Garrido-Lowe and Minister of Public Telecommunications, Hon. Catherine Hughes (DPI photo)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, October 11, 2019

Troy Resources ordered to cease operations

THE Ministry of Social Protection (MoSP) has written Australian-owned Troy Resources Inc., directing the "cessation of all mining activities with immediate effect until further notice" at all the company’s operations here.

The order comes in light of a preliminary investigation at the company’s "Hicks One Extension" pit where miner, Ryan Taylor, died last Tuesday.

The People's United and General Workers Union (PUGWU), the union representing the workers, believes that Taylor’s death was avoidable, noting that it has been receiving complaints from workers since last year on issues of safety.

In the ministry’s letter signed by Minister with responsibility for Labour, Keith Scott, the ministry informed that following the initial investigation, further inquiry at the company will begin from Friday, October 11.

The company has three pits, the other two being "Larkin" and "Smarts Three".

Taylor died while on duty, after he was buried beneath the rubble of part of the mining pit which collapsed.

A decision was taken on October 9 to cordon off the “Hicks One Extension” pit until a thorough investigation involving all stakeholders was completed.

Now all the pits will have to be investigated.

"An officer of the Ministry’s Occupational Safety and Health Department has conducted a preliminary investigation which has determined that there is need for further inquiry, particularly in relation to Larkin and Smarts Three,” the letter said.

“This decision is taken with the utmost concern for the safety and lives of the most valued resource which is our human resource – managerial and non-managerial alike,” the letter added.

The minister noted that the company will be informed of when permission will be granted for mining to resume, with permission contingent on the ministry being satisfied that there is

PUGWU President Lincoln Lewis

no foreseeable impediment to the safety of employees.

In addition to the MoSP, the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission is also expected to be carrying out a thorough investigation of the company’s gold mining operations in the Cuyuni/ Mazaruni area.

UNCOOPERATIVE PUGWU President, Lincoln Lewis, said when the union approached the company after receiving complaints last year, the company continually became uncooperative after a report was made

to the Occupational Safety and Health Department (OSHD).

“We got complaints last year, starting sometime around September and we were expecting a meeting with management but they keep putting it off so what we did, we draw it to the attention of the Labour Department and GGMC,” Lewis noted.

The complaints were specific to the pits.

“It was primarily that the pit is unsafe, that the ‘benching’ of the mining operations they are not comfortable

with that. The walls are too steep, too horizontal. The pit, the depth that you are going down in comparison to the top opening of the pit was too narrow, and persons were saying that there are times when the wall had been falling, debris from the wall have been falling down and they’re not comfortable with it and that’s why we went to GGMC in the first instance. I understand that the GGMC was in there,” Lewis explained.

From complaints made to the OSHD and GGMC, Lewis said the OSHD did an investigation and reported that they were comfortable with the level of safety at the pits.

Lewis said it became a difficult fight for the union after that.

“After that management refused to engage the union and wrote one long letter about being disappointed when the law permits that we do so. We had agreed on a date to visit the operations but after we complained to the OSH Department, they

kept postponing for a long time. This year, they decided we can visit but said clearly that we cannot visit the plants neither can we go at the mines. We made two visits this year, we went there and we were able to talk to the workers on site, at the campsite where they work,” Lewis said.

The union is now working with Taylor’s family to consider taking legal action against the company.

“This is as a result of what they did. Accidents are caused; there is always a cause to it. If a wall break down you can’t come to tell me is the employees fault.

The wall should be constructed in a way that it shouldn’t break, based on your operation,” Lewis said.

The union is also calling for an inquest into Taylor’s death.

“I want to see first and foremost an inquest being held and who is culpable should be held accountable. That will determine the course of action in the future,” Lewis said.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, October 11, 2019

‘Go after the 40%’ …Minister Jordan nudges NIS to widen coverage

…wants stiffer penalties, including imprisonment for employers who do not remit workers' contributions

By Lisa Hamilton MINISTER of Finance, Winston Jordan has urged the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) to put relevant measures in place such as the crafting of a 2020-2029 Strategic Plan and the revamping of its existing legislation to go after employers who do not remit their workers contributions.

Jordan made the call on Wednesday at the NIS General Assembly in observance of its 50th Anniversary. He told the audience that the NIS remains a relevant stakeholder in the social security sector and the wider economy, reminding that it was former Prime Minister Forbes Burnham who conceived the idea which was “grounded in the fundamental right to social security protection”.

Despite the importance given to social security protection coverage, Minister Jordan said that a large proportion of the world still have no access to the same, according to the International Labor Organization (ILO).

This sees some persons having no access to the fields of health, child benefits, maternity benefits, disability or old-age pensions. The minister expressed that he was thankful that such is not largely the case in Guyana as the NIS’ Actuarial Report in 2016 showed that 60 per cent

of the country’s employed population is covered by the NIS. However, pinpointing the need for improvement, he stated: “At 50, it goes without saying that urgent measures must be put in place to improve this ratio, because if employed persons are not registered and the contributions are not remitted, it impedes the objectives of the National Insurance Scheme and the organisation’s longterm sustainability.”

He reminded that research shows that an aging population, low economic growth and high unemployment were some of the contributors to the “widening fiscal deficit” in the NIS. “It is a known fact that for decades, our teachers, nurses and UG graduates, particularly young persons, planned for their movement to other countries before they graduated. There was also an era in Guyana when individuals, who were actively looking for jobs, were unable to find jobs. These factors significantly reduced the contribution payments, while payment for claims, including pensions, had to be made,” Jordan said.

“I am happy that a reversal of this trend has started… this government has also been placing emphasis on education in the development process, and the reintroduction of free education at the

Minister of Finance, Hon. Winston Jordon at the 50th General Assembly and Bursary Awards Ceremony of the National Insurance Scheme (NIS)

University level is on the cards. These developments will propel growth in Guyana, increase the number of skilled persons in the work force and and reduce the unemployment rate. These conditions provide an opportunity for the National Insurance Scheme to collect higher levels of contributions and improvement [in] its financial position.”

NEW STRATEGIC PLAN However, to achieve this, he noted that the NIS Board and management must put relevant measures in place and meaningful steps must be taken to revolutionise the

Scheme through the crafting of a 2020-2029 Strategic Plan.

He advised that the plan must coincide with President David Granger’s Decade of Development strategy which would steer the Scheme towards enhanced systems and procedures and the use of information technology. He also advocated for a complete overhaul of the NIS legislation which, he said, in its current form, cannot take NIS into the next 50 years.

“The NIS must no longer be in a begging position, where employers thumb their noses at the Scheme, deducting employees’ contributions

Value our sovereignty “We have entered a new phase in pursuit of our national dream for the betterment of all Guyanese and so it is, therefore, important that all Guyanese have an understanding and be vigilant with respect to the protection of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of our country.”

This call was made by Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Karen Cummings to the Indigenous leaders attending the 13th annual meeting of the National Toshaos’ Council (NTC) being held at the Arthur Chung Conference

Centre (ACCC).

Minister Cummings was among several government ministers engaging the Toshaos on the fourth day of the council. She briefed the participants on the history of the border controversy before informing them on the most recent development which will see the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in Hague, Netherlands, carrying out the oral hearings in the case concerning border issue from March 23 to 27, 2020.

Minister Cummings also expressed that the Govern-

ment of Guyana remains optimistic as they anticipate the final ruling. “This hearing

will determine whether the court has jurisdiction over the case filed by Guyana on

and using it as their cash flow. I am tasking the Board and the Legal Department of the NIS to immediately lead the process to reform the legislation, to imbue it with teeth and muscle,” he said.

Minister Jordan explained that such a move would do away with the need to approach the Court for a Garnishee Order and introduce stiff penalties, including imprisonment, to those who deduct and not remit to the NIS. Another recommendation given in keeping with the Scheme’s last Actuarial Report was the implementation of a Formal Long-Term Investment Policy.

GONE ARE THE DAYS OF RECKLESS INVESTMENT “I urge the Board to start this discussion immediately, because the viability and sustainability of NIS is grounded in large measure on this policy. Gone must the days when NIS’s money was recklessly invested in schemes such as CLICO,” the minister said.

“I am happy to report that nearly a billion dollars has been paid to the Scheme, thereby helping it to improve its solvency. If I am sad, it would be because this money could have been used to advance human and social development in other areas.”

He stated that NIS’ finances must no longer be invested in projects such as

the Berbice Bridge, where returns are not forthcoming or as exploited as a “slush fund to be lent to political friends and institutions” as was practised by the former Administration.

He also urged the NIS to find innovative ways to sustain itself; tread carefully when venturing into unknown areas; think outside of the box; collaborate with the Central Housing & Planning Authority (CH&PA) and other credible housing developers to invest in housing; make investments that yield higher returns than what is currently being received and adopt enhanced measures to collect the existing contributions and reduce the number of delinquent employers who do so at the risk of their employees.

At the same time, the Finance Minister urged the scheme to take the elderly into consideration, who may not be computer-literate or may not have access to the internet, to keep up with the particulars of their contribution status. He told the audience that while Guyana’s Natural Resource Fund (NRF) does not cater for pension and other social security expenditures, the government could include a social security component in the future to better serve the needs of Guyanese.

–Foreign Affairs Min. apprises Toshaos on latest developments in border matter March 29, 2018, and from that case, Guyana seeks to obtain from the court a final

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Dr. Karen Cummings and other officials of her ministry at the NTC conference

and binding judgment that the 1899 Arbitral Award which established the location of the land boundary between then British Guiana and Venezuela remains valid and binding.”

Also accompanying the Foreign Affairs Minister was Deputy Chief of Protocol, Marian Herbert who provided clarity on the birth registration process. Toshaos mostly from border communities in the Rupununi, highlighted the difficulty residents face in registering their children. (DPI)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, October 11, 2019

Man who engaged in sexual activity with six-year-old to know fate October 28 FORTY-FIVE-year-old Selwyn Lancaster was, on Wednesday, October 9, 2019, found guilty, by a 12-member mixed jury at the Demerara High Court, of raping a six-year-old girl in 2018, and also engaging in sexual activity with her.

Lancaster of Linden, according to the first charge, on October 8, 2018, in the county of Demerara, engaged in sexual penetration with a 6-year-old girl.

The second charge stated that Lancaster, on November

6, 2018, engaged in sexual activity with the same girl by touching her vagina.

“I really don't have anything to say" Lancaster said when asked by the trial Judge Simone Morris-Ramlall if he had anything to say about the verdict.

The victim’s impact statement was read in court by a probation officer. The witness said that she still felt sad and got angry every time she saw Lancaster.

“I want Selwyn to go to jail because of what he did

to me" the victim said in her statement.

Lancaster was remanded to prison and will return to court, on October 28, 2019, for sentencing, after the presentation of a probation report.

The Guyana Chronicle had earlier reported that Lancaster was taken into Police custody after the mother of the child filed a complaint against him.

The alleged incident reportedly took place at the home of the child’s mother.

According to reports, Lancaster was friendly with the mother of the child and frequently visited the family’s home.

On November 6, 2018, it is alleged that Lancaster visited the home, and, after having a conversation with the mother in the yard, where she was doing chores, he made his way into the house

and then to the verandah area, where the six-year-old girl and her 10-year-old sibling were playing.

It was there that Lancaster allegedly exposed himself to the younger child and touched her vagina.

The older child, who witnessed the incident, informed her mother about what Lancaster had done to her sister.

By the time the mother hurried into the house, the man had already left the scene.

The shocked and confused woman immediately called in the Police and Lancaster was arrested the same night.

While being questioned, the six-year-old told her mother that Lancaster had once placed his penis into her mouth and forced her to perform oral sex on him.

Wanted bulletin issued for Lennox Roberts

Wanted: Lennox Roberts

Dead: David Gentle

POLICE have issued a wanted bulletin for 19-year-old Lennox Roberts for questioning in relation to the murder of a Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) clerk.

David Gentle, a 58-yearold man of Lot 42 Golden Grove, East Coast Demerara (ECD), was found dead with wounds about his body at Haslington, North Road, ECD, on September 02, 2019.

The police do not know where Roberts resides.

Another teen, Rollan Abrams, 19, of Melanie, East Coast Demerara was, on Tuesday last, arraigned for the murder of David Gentle.

Abrams was not required to plead to the indictable charge when he appeared at the Cove and John Magistrate’s Court.

He was remanded to prison by presiding magistrate, Fabayo Azore, and will make his next court appearance on October 22, 2019.

Anyone with information that may lead to the arrest of Lennox Roberts is asked to contact the police on telephone numbers 229-2750, 226-6978, 225-8196, 2262870, 226-7065, 227-1149, 226-7065, 911 or the nearest police station.

The police said all information will be treated with the strictest confidence.

Friday, October 11, 2019 - 03:30 to 05:00 hrs

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, October 11, 2019

Mahaica/Berbice flooding…

Authorities mull construction of dam, digging canal

…to aid relief efforts of affected residents

By Navendra Seoraj AUTHORITIES are exploring the possibility of constructing a dam or digging a canal to provide relief to flood-affected residents of certain communities in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice).

Two weeks ago, farmers and the average resident of communities within Region Five were affected by flooding which was caused by a breach in the sea defence at Dantzig.

Although it was reported that authorities are working to repair the sea defence, residents of Dantzig, Rebecca’s Lust, Fairfield, Harmony Hall and some other communities are still affected by flooding.

“We are trying to deal with the situation… engineers have to talk to residents so that we could get their consent to build a dam or dig a canal,” said Government Member of Parliament (MP), Jennifer Wade, in an invited comment on Thursday, adding that government is working to provide

a solution to the problem.

In a past report, Wade had said that government was aware of the situation and systems were being put in place to deal with the effects of the breach. “Although we are now working to alleviate the problem, we were aware of the situation before and we had put systems in place, but the contractor did not do the work urgently so the unfinished work got caught with the high tide.

“I am very perturbed by what is going on…we had made the money available but the contractor could not finish the work,” said Wade.

Residents, who were in some level of distress, said they would welcome the construction of a dam or canal because they have suffered countless losses since the flooding started. “Water still in my yard…it started to recede two days ago, but yesterday it started raising back,” said Keith McGarrell, a resident of Rebecca’s Lust.

Keith McGarrell’s house still inundated due to the overtopping of the sea defence at Rebecca’s Lust (Adrian Narine photo)

McGarrell said he lost his small garden and other equipment because of the inundation. His sentiments were echoed by his neighbour, Annika Bissoon, who said that she had lost most of her furniture and appliances during the flood.

Although most of the water had receded from Bissoon’s yard, she said it is beginning to rise again, so she is fearful.

A resident of Harmony Hall, Winston (only name given), said he lost all of his fruit

Government Member of Parliament (MP), Jennifer Wade (Adrian Narine photo)

breaches, in the sea defence by the high tides.

“Please be on the alert to

A resident of Harmony Hall points to where the water has been rising (Adrian Narine photo)

trees due to the lodging of salt water.

“All my trees dead out…

I ain’t know if I gone be able to plant back because of the salt water, but I trying something…I hope that the water hold off,” said Winston.

Meanwhile, Minister of Agriculture Noel Holder, during his remarks at the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB)’s Open Day, said over the last weeks, agricultural communities (cash crops and rice) of Regions Two, Three, Four, Five and Six have faced flooding due to overtopping and in some cases

assess and adjust on a continual basis to these climate change issues. Therefore, going forward, the sea defence structures will have to be improved along with an expansion of the industry to higher ground,” said Holder.

It was reported that the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) had deployed a five-person team to the communities of Dantzig, Columbia, Glazier’s Lust, Fair Field, High Dam and Propect to assess the situation and render much-needed assistance.

“A rapid assessment in collaboration with the Regional

Excavator operators working to mitigate the inundation (Adriane Narine photo)

Democratic Council, Region Five, was conducted across the communities and found that seven families experienced floodwaters in their homes. It was noted that several small scale subsistence farms, livestock, including poultry, were severely affected. Further, over 10 rice cultivated plots were inundated with saltwater,” the CDC Director-General, Kester Craig said, as he gave a synopsis of the situation on the ground.

Cognisant of the effects floods could have on the health of communities and villages, the Ministry of Public Health issued an advisory on Sunday calling on citizens in the affected areas to take precautionary measures, and pay keen attention to their health, personal hygiene, vector control, food and water safety to avoid waterborne illnesses.

“If you are living in flooded areas, stay out of the floodwater as much as possible, as it can greatly reduce your chances of contracting diseases such as skin irritation, skin infection, Leptospirosis, diarrhoea and other water-borne

diseases,” the Public Health Ministry urged.

It explained that direct contact with floodwaters can expose persons to several germs that can lead to any of the named diseases.

“Keep children especially out of the water as they are most at risk of contracting diseases. Avoid swimming in canals and trenches. During the rainy season and floods, these become contaminated by both human and animal faeces and can make you sick,” it further warned.

Use of protective gears is key for those persons who are required to venture out into floodwaters, the ministry said. These gears include long boots, gloves and eye protection.

“Prepare a foot bath of half cup of bleach to one bucket of water and wash your feet before entering the house. Apply Vaseline or oil to your skin as it forms a barrier and provides some protection from the dirty salted water,” the Public Health Ministry advised.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, October 11, 2019

Driving and road safety OFTEN said in jest is “If you can drive in Guyana, you can drive anywhere in the world”, and though this theory is yet to be proven, the connotations hold a serious undertone that remind us that this is not something that Guyanese should be proud of. It stems from the assumption that the risks involved in driving in Guyana are so extreme that they prepare the driver for any dangerous roadway elsewhere in the world.

Guyana has been known for its high road fatality rate and while fatal accidents are the worst outcomes of the misuse of roadways, it is the actual misuse that remains the burning issue for drivers in Guyana.

Statistics show that there is no shortage of charges by police of persons committing traffic offenses-- 42,349 persons were charged for various traffic violations for the year 2016-yet drivers continue to be callous

on the road.

Though the task may seem simple, driving is in fact a complex action that requires significant use of several parts of the brain. While operating a vehicle, it often takes a load of brain power to analyse, plan, make decisions and quick judgements at all points during the journey. One’s brain is also constantly at work in the area of visio-spatial perception (average) and other analytical tasks. For this reason, stern warnings are continually made against indulging in distractions such as using the phone to talk or text or other types of multi-tasking while driving. It is these seemingly harmless distractions, however, and the perceived ease of movement of the vehicle that drivers often take for granted just how technical driving is. It is also the late reaction of our brain, often brought about by these distractions, that lead to dangerous outcomes.

Danger also rears its ugly head every time drivers take other unnecessary risks such as failing to utilise the required patience and/or breaking traffic rules. On an average journey, drivers can be seen taking countless risks and breaking numerous rules trying to get to their destination, all in the name of shaving off a few minutes- or sometimes mere seconds, from the trip. And indeed, this is something that is not unique to Guyana, but somehow the frequency with which you encounter ‘reckless drivers’ is so high here, that one must wonder what is it that allows this behaviour to thrive?

Perhaps, it is that while there are penalties, these are not efficiently enforced, or when they are, they are not stringent enough. If the fine for breaking a minor traffic law were an exorbitant amount, this could serve as a deterrent for drivers. In larger countries, an offence as minor as driving without a tail light could in-

cur hundreds of US dollars. Systems are also in place for the revocation of licences through a strict points system. Drivers are, therefore, made to keep in line due to little or no room for error on the roadways. In Guyana, there are countless vehicles with one or no tail lights working, and little or no penalty is incurred for such offences. Though seemingly not connected to the larger problem of road fatalities and other misdemeanors, it is such minor oversights that create a gateway for larger offences to occur.

Somehow, the gravity of driving does not connect with the average driver. Every time you step into a vehicle, you put your life and the life of others at serious risk. It is for this reason that rules are in place.

But if these rules are not adequately enforced due to a lax system, and if you fail to place enough attention to the task itself, the consequences can be dire. Moreover, if drivers are

allowed to skip pertinent steps before becoming a driver--by acquiring false documents or bypassing parts of the licensing process, as is rumoured to be a regular occurrence in Guyana – these events could put many unqualified persons behind the wheel as well. Such persons would, therefore, not learn important techniques needed to operate vehicles and therefore fail to build the respect required for the rules of the road.

Not all accidents can be avoided, but there are too many that occur that could have been. Driving can become routine, but what persons fail to realise is that while many routes we take may be the same, the situation never is. As such, vigilance must be taken on the part of both authorities and drivers; the 5 Cs must become a mantra, and the value for human life must be a top priority when getting behind the wheel.

We don’t want a repeat of the 'One LapTop Per Person' Programme Dear Editor, I HAVE written a letter on August 27, 2018, and was published in the media which expressed the view that any increase of State revenues, whether it be from oil, gold or whatever, those additional resources should concentrate on the following seven areas.

Make our educational system solid and top class, geared to produce that new Guyana person we talked about even before Independence.

A system that allows us to cope with a fast, advancing, scientific and technological world, but moreover to fashion a curriculum similar to what was put in place for the first batches of President’s College in 1985. The students engaged in several sport and cultural activities, including

music, swimming, equestrian skills, producing their own food and mixing with ordinary people in the contiguous communities. At the same time, pursuing the highest academic standards, truly a school of excellence. Every school in Guyana with appropriate modifications based on several factors should aim for levels of excellence. Attention to be paid to our university, technical and teacher training institutions. This means a massive injection of resources into buildings, grounds, training, laboratories, etc. Finally, let us fulfil the dream and passion of Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham to make education free from Kindergarten to University.

2) Increase poste haste salaries of the security services, educators, including teachers and medical person-

nel. This should be non-negotiable.

3) Provide a state-ofthe-art health service where complex surgical and medical procedures are available to all, either free or at an affordable cost.

4) Retool NIS, so that we make good the objective of those of us who first conceived and implemented the National Insurance Scheme.

And so for example, remove the present absurdity where health care benefits are available to contributors up to sixty (60) years of age, but not available beyond sixty, when you are more than likely to be in need of medical health support.

Both the Late Dr. Gladstone Mitchell and I inveighed against this oddity.

(4) Have an ongoing massive clean-up in urban and rural areas. This will

provide jobs, training and to develop a sense of pride in our surroundings and teaching people to love and care for their neighbours.

(5) Provide delightful holiday resorts at affordable rates so that young and old can share in the natural beauty and charm of our country with magnificent things to see.

(6) A re-tooled remigration scheme, geared to encourage young and experienced professionals to return home to contribute to development. This should include second-generation Guyanese.

My position remains unchanged. However, there seem to be some confusion and concern judging from writings and statements recently. Let me say I have the highest regards for Professor Clive Thomas, Dr. David

Hinds and Lincoln Lewis.

From time to time, they may disagree with me and I with them. However, these three Guyanese are patriots of the highest order and we need to listen and digest their opinions.

This question of ‘Cash Transfers” is mired in interpretation; the earliest media reports refer to a proposal to give five hundred thousand ($500,000.00) dollars in cash to citizens [from the] expected oil boom.

This is where the trouble started from the highest level to the man in the street.

First of all, unless there is a carefully worked out criteria, does cash transfer mean a cheque to everyone, to all and sundry?

Old Age Pension, for example, the very rich and the very poor, qualify and now obtain that benefit or should

I say cash transfer. I believe the arguments put forward by Lincoln Lewis, in Wednesday’s Kaieteur News, present an opportunity for further dialogue with the President, the Cabinet and the initiators of the idea-- the WPA. We must be careful as public figures to seek justice and equity, difficult as it may be. As a small child, I grew up in Charlestown and my father had a drugstore in Albouystown. This allowed me to observe what may have been conditions in the poorest part of the city, if not the country. My mother was a philanthropist and I remembered a middle-age man coming regularly for a ‘small piece’ or something from the kitchen. Out of a concern, my parents offered him to pick a few buckets of genip from TURN TO PAGE

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, October 11, 2019

The emergence of the Coalition has allowed for an accompanying re-emergence of political plurality among African Guyanese Dear Editor IN his most recent column (Give us a chance: To do what? Stabroek News October 9, 2019). Dr. Henry Jeffrey sought to make sense of part of President Granger’s appeal to his constituents at the recent PNC rally at Linden.

Jeffrey zeroed in on the following quotation from the president: “‘Now my brothers and sisters, we are in government again.

Eight years ago, we founded APNU and four years ago, we went into an alliance to form a coalition with the AFC. This is the first time in the history of Guyana that a six-party coalition has formed the government. We formed it because that is what the people wanted. They don’t want to see winner takes all. They don’t want to see one-party government.

They got what they asked for. Look at our record…

We deserve another five years to conduct, to carry on the work we have started…give us a chance” (SN: 06/10/2019).

Jeffrey took issue with the statement on two grounds. First, he correctly contends that the Coalition does not represent Granger’s and the APNU+AFC’s promised Government of National Unity. Second, he suggests that the coalition of parties is really a mask for African Guyanese ethnic vote for the PNC. It is this second conclusion that prompts my response.

While I agree with Jeffrey’s view that African and Indian Guyanese electoral behaviors are driven by ethnicity, I think he has not given sufficient attention to the nuances that accompany that ethnic vote.

Understandably, over time, analysts and analysis of Guyanese politics have become so trapped by this notion of hyper-ethnicity that we often miss other elements of political behavior.

In a sense, we tend to start our analysis with the conclusion of an unchanging ethnicity rather than with an observation of the present and let that guide the conclusion. Because of the absence of serious and regular polling data, analysts and the media take refuge in this ethnic paradigm. So, for example, in this African-Indian, PNC-PPP paradigm, there can be no place for viable Third Parties. My party, the WPA, falls victim

to the logic of this paradigm.

The AFC, after exposing the inadequacy of this paradigm at the last three elections, is now increasingly being perceived as ineffectual as the WPA. I am arguing that there have always been nuances that accompany ethnic political behavior in Guyana. Despite the electoral dominance of the two major parties and the ethnic sentiments that drive that behavior, there has always been a plural political attitude within the respective groups. For all of the PNC’s reign 1964-92, it had to compete among African Guyanese first, with Kwayana’s ASCRIA and later Rodney’s WPA for political space and allegiance.

And the PPP has had to contend with similar insurgencies within the Indian Guyanese constituency.

ASCRIA, for example, declined to contest the 1964 election after Kwayana and Burnham agreed that such a move would split the African vote. According to a study by Edward Greene, ASCRIA and the PNC had overlapping membership.

Between 1964 and 1974 ASCRIA functioned as a radical left flank of the PNC both through cooperation and confrontation. When ASCRIA merged with others to form the WPA, it took the confrontation to a higher level of competition during the period 1974-92.

Both Kwayana and Rodney had equal standing with Burnham and Hoyte among African Guyanese, but it cannot be measured only in electoral terms. Kwayana influenced support for Burnham’s PNC until their break in 1971. It was Kwayana and ASCRIA’s critical mass of support that provided the WPA with its initial constituency which Rodney was able to broaden.

In the post-1992 era, the AFC briefly did the same in the 2006-2011 period when it reduced the PNC to 34 per cent of the vote in 2006. The AFC, with Nagamootoo and Ramjattan at the helm then, did the same to the PPP at the next two elections, leading [to] the unexpected defeat of that seemingly unbeatable party. The AFC, as the WPA did before, shattered the rigid PPP-PNC

paradigm by exploiting the plural sentiments within the ethnic groups. What is often forgotten is that Paul Tennessee’s DLM and Ravi Dev’s ROAR preceded the AFC in influencing Indian Guyanese political behavior even if it was not reflected in their electoral performance.

I come back to Henry Jeffrey. I think his over-reliance on the ethnic PPPPNC paradigm leads him to misread President Granger’s Coalition’s message to the Linden Rally. Granger was being careful and astute— he was speaking from the standpoint of an informed actor. The emergence of the Coalition has allowed for an accompanying re-emergence of political plurality among African Guyanese whereby they vote ethnically but arrive at the ballot box from more than one perspective. In that regard, the voters vote race, but comes to that race vote from different perspectives. I understand how, in the absence of data and by not visiting the communities, Jeffery and other analysts could miss this development.

I arrive at this conclu-

sion by visiting communities as part of the WPA’s groundings and through daily communications from individuals. I discovered, for example, from going into the communities that there is a critical mass of the African Guyanese constituency whose political thinking is in line with the WPA’s and/or is influenced by individual members of the party’s leadership, including this writer. This segment of the constituency is currently disappointed at the Coalition’s performance in government but are simultaneously anti-PPP. Hence, the WPA’s message that identifies critical areas of advance under the Coalition within the context of a self-criticism that highlights the shortcomings is enthusiastically embraced. They are also receptive to a nuanced message that combines empowerment of African Guyanese and the poor. The direct cash-transfer policy, for example, resonates with them.

Finally, this segment that cuts across gender and age-group welcomes the WPA’s apology for the Co-

alition’s shortcomings even as they crave an aggressive pushback against what they view as the aggressive Jagdeo-PPP juggernaut. The WPA’s message brings all of this together and the potential effect is not lost on the PPP and Ravi Dev. The PPP’s relentless demeaning of the WPA as being in an abusive relationship with the PNC and Ravi Dev’s observation of the WPA as a PNC flank group recognise the pivotal role of the WPA in the Coalition.

It is clear to the WPA that its resonance within the African Guyanese constituency is contingent upon the party remaining in the Coalition. To borrow from President Granger, that’s what the people want. One of my most applauded lines at the meetings urges constituents who are dissatisfied with the PNC and AFC to vote WPA. It is for that reason that the WPA has resisted suggestions from some well-meaning supporters to pull the party out of the Coalition—that is not what TURN TO PAGE

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, October 11, 2019

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 longterm 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 rev-

enue. 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 latter.

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 FROM PAGE

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to accept that proposition, is Buxton representative of the entire population? The statistical sample is just too small to arrive [at] 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 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 government 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 FROM PAGE

The emergence of the ...

We don’t want a repeat of the ...

our supporters want. And I think the PNC and AFC are hearing the same thing from their supporters. The point here is that analysts who are unfamiliar with how the intra-Coalition dynamics are playing out on the ground are arriving at partly flawed conclusions.

The WPA has to report on its experiences or toot its own horn because the logic of the dominant ethnic paradigm locks it out of consideration by analysts and the media. That they could think that my constant media presence as an opinion shaper, for example, does not translate into some political capital for the WPA points to the over reliance on the dominant paradigm. I am contesting the coming election as part of the WPA’s leadership.

our tree during the genip season. He was told that we will provide the bucket, he climbs the trees and pick the genips and he will have all of the proceeds from selling the genips.

The gentleman never returned and that taught me a lesson to be careful not to spoil people who are unwilling to help themselves. We must therefore give credence to the President’s statement what cash transfers really means about ‘teaching a man to fish instead of giving him a fish.’

Let me, however, hasten to quote another fact of life, “while the grass is growing, the horse is starving.”

What is necessary is for us to discuss extensively what cash transfer really means. It ought not to be an open season for the lazy and those who will not practice

The WPA is contesting the elections as a party that has something to offer Guyana—we are contesting as part of the Coalition. In the process, we are putting WPA’s traditional values, its political culture and its ideas for development before the people of Guyana. We do so cognisant that there is a critical mass of people who look to us for political guidance and leadership and that we have the

capacity to sway disgruntled voters who may otherwise choose to stay home.

Unlike Jeffery, I think the president was responding to this dynamic at Linden. It is no secret that both parties are doing internal polling.

The president, I think, was partly responding to what he is hearing from his people on the ground and from his polling. First, by asking for a second chance, he was apologising to his constituency. And as someone who has been apologising, I can attest to how such apology facilitates an easier discourse with voters. Second, he was aware that he was in Linden, which is probably the most plural and independent section of the Coalition’s constituency. You have to sell the Coalition to Linden and the larger constituency even as you sell the individual parties. As President Granger opined, that is what drives them—that is what they want.

Regards David Hinds

deferred gratification.

It is never easy for a government to navigate the uncertainties and vast differences of human behavior. In this regard, I do not draw a nexus between both bicycles and buses to cash transfers.

I have been to communities, where we tried to help families to give them money, food, planting materials, etc.

Some made good use of it, others did not.

In the Bible, there are instructive stories to the sower – Jesus tells us to choose the kind of soil that we would like to sow our faith on. The suggestion that we do anything to allow certain folks to get their hands on ‘oil money’ should not be entertained.

For that will only lead [to] sin and corruption.

Perhaps, the WPA and others should not use the term ‘cash transfers,’ but

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maybe something like ‘A N e e d A s s e s s m e n t P r ogramme,’ or ‘uplift the needy. ‘ In this way, we will avoid the image and understanding of a certain comrade living in New York who, on hearing of the $500,000.00 cash transfer, felt he could invest in a ticket back home to collect his cheque making at least $200,ooo to $300,000 dollars profit. Finally, everyone in public life must know that any scheme involving the release of money must have cheques and balances so that there is no exploitation and that those in need are the primary beneficiaries.

We don’t want a repeat of the ‘One Lap-Top Per Person Programme.

Regards Hamilton Green

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, October 11, 2019

Robbers smash concrete walls, rob YMCA business

Holes made in the wall by thieves to gain access to the building

FOR the sixth time this year, robbers carted off supplies and valuables from popular entertainment spot “The Grill” located in the compound of the Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA)

Building, Thomas Lands, Georgetown.

Reports indicate that about 01:30 hrs Thursday morning, the security service contacted the proprietor of the business and informed

him that an alarm was activated.

The security officers then visited the scene but no one was at the scene and, upon further investigation, it appeared that the robbers used the trench located behind the

Clarity is needed from Brother Nigel Dharamlall DEAR EDITOR, I have read a letter published in the Stabroek News dated Thursday October 10, 2019 with the caption, “PPP/C consulted in good time with toshaos council chairman on its planned activity,” and wish to seek a quick clarity.

In paragraph eight (8) of the letter, sentence two, Mr. Nigel Dharamlall wrote, “The PPP/C officials who attended the opening ceremony did so out of respect for our Amerindian Leaders.”

Editor, after reading this particular

sentence a question has arisen in my mind which of course I wish to seek clarity on.

The question is, Am I to conclude, given the language used in the sentence referenced above, that the PPP/C officials who DID NOT attend the opening ceremony did so out of disrespect for our Amerindian Leaders?

Yours faithfully, Ganesh Mahipaul

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 Jag-

deo 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 political 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 [by] Charrandass, 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

YMCA to escape with several cases of beverages and other valuables.

“It appears as if the persons knew how the alarm system was set up and tried to access the building where they thought there was no

connection for the alarm, but they were wrong,” one security officer said.

The robbery was reported to the police as investigations continue.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, October 11, 2019

66 Indigenous communities accessing internet THE Ministry of Telecommunications has made significant strides towards connectivity in Guyana’s hinterland region with 66 indigenous and hinterland communities already connected and 31 more to be connected by the end of 2019.

Telecommunications Minister, Cathy Hughes, told a gathering of leaders in Georgetown for the hosting of the National Toshaos’ Council (NTC) Conference on Thursday that internet connectivity is vital to the hinterland Region.

Providing additional figures, she informed that a total 170 secondary and 170 primary schools, 30 tertiary institutions and 120 government ministries and agencies have all been connected with free internet. “Communities that had internet had to buy it off a private company and

you had the headache of finding every month --- I heard there were times when it cost as much as --- $50,000 to bring internet to your communities,” the Minister said.

“I am glad and proud that through the vision of President David Granger, you are getting internet free.”

Hughes stated that while the entirety of Guyana is not yet connected, it is the ministry’s vision to see all of Guyana experience connectivity.

In explaining to the hinterland leaders what this has already done for some communities and has the potential to do for more, she said that access to the internet saves individuals the hassle of travelling to Georgetown and puts an unlimited amount of information at their fingertips.

She noted that technology can also connect citizens in the hinterland to medical

assistance by helping set appointments with doctors and facilitating one-on-one advice-sharing with medical practitioners on the coastland.

Access to the internet can also provide residents in the hinterland with information from the government and its agencies such as the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA); can provide access to e-textbooks and an avenue for advertising businesses online.

During her presentation, the minister also highlighted the benefits of the Farmer’s Market App and the opportunities for Persons With Disability (PWD) through technology. “We are using technology to bring Guyana into a whole new world and to transform our country,” she said.

“I’m very proud of what we’ve done but I want to say that, God-willing, there is

Communal lands in Indigenous Villages limit access to funds …says Toshao of Waramuri THOUGH the Indigenous Community has strongly endorsed the granting of communal lands to Amerindian Villages, it poses a challenge when attempting to access large sums of finance from commercial banks here in Guyana.

This is according to Toshao of Waramuri. During a discourse with the Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams, the Toshao said though the issuance of Communal Lands is in keeping with the Amerindian Act, it has the potential to deprive Indigenous People of much needed financial resources.

In support of his position, the Waramuri Toshao shared his own experience. The Toshao detailed that recently he approached a commercial bank for a loan and after submitting his documents, inclusive of a ‘title’ from the local village council, he was informed that he was not eligible for the amount sought.

“Looking at my salary as a public servant they told me that according to my salary I am entitled to a loan from the bank in the sum of $10M but because of the land title, which is communal, they were very sorry to say, that they cannot grant such an amount but we can assist you with $500, 000,” the Toshao told the Attorney General.

He enquired what systems can be put in place to

Attorney General Basil Williams (DPI Photo)

allow for Indigenous people to have easy access to finance particularly from commercial banks.

Minister Williams, in his response, reminded that the Grants of Communal Lands to Amerindian Villages and Communities are aligned with the Amerindian Act, Cap 29:01. However, he noted that the Ministry of Legal Affairs, and by extension, the Government, is open to consultation on the review of the Amerindian Act. “The land titling and demarcation process is guided principally by the Amerindian Act and the State Lands Act. Overall, the Amerindian Act which was formulated out of consultation makes provisions for matters of land management, allocation,

leasing, titling, demarcation and extension. It further allows Village Councils to hold-for the benefit and use of the village-all rights, tittles and interest in or over village lands and to manage and regulate the use of, and occupation of village lands,” the Attorney General detailed in his presentation.

Additionally, the Act provides for the recognition and protection of the collective rights of Amerindian Villages and Communities, the granting of land to Amerindian Villages and Communities and the promotion of good governance within Amerindian Villages and Communities.

While some of the Toshaos urged swift amendments to the Amerindian Act, others underscored the importance of not rushing the process.

Chairman of the National Toshaos Council (NTC), Nicholas Fredericks, said the NTC, in collaboration with the Amerindian Peoples Association and the South Rupununi District Council, has conducted widespread consultation and has submitted its recommendations to the Ministry of Legal Affairs.

He said the NTC and its partners will work with the Ministry to amend the Amerindian Act. “We would like to bring the Act up to international standards,” Fredericks posited.

Minister of Public Telecommunications, Catherine Hughes

even more that I hope to be able to do.” Minister Hughes assured the leaders need not worry about not being knowledgeable with the internet as the ministry is committed to conducting training in villages across Guyana.

EVERY COMMUNITY TO BE CONNECTED

Meanwhile, Chairman of the National Data Management Authority (NDMA), Floyd Levi, told the gathering that every hinterland community will eventually receive free connection to the internet.

This will be set up through schools, village offices, health centres, and police outposts. Levi explained that the reason some communities were connected before others was because of the ease of transportation to get to some villages as opposed to others and the reality that some communities are clustered together and can all be addressed at the same time. For 2020, he noted the NDMA plan to upgrade existing communities and install over 100 new communities bringing the total to 200 with access to free internet.

The NDMA, through the government, will also work

to ensure that all communities in 2020 are provided with up to 12 laptop computers, printers and scanners.

Added to this, a new phone system is coming in 2020 whereby each government building in the hinterland will have a telephone system which enables citizens to call government offices anywhere in Guyana for free. At the end of the presentation, Minister Hughes presented all the Toshaos with electronic tablets while community development officers attending the conference will also receive the same to better serve their communities.

She encouraged the leaders not to use the tablets only to idly surf the internet, but to meet their responsibility of improving access to information through technologies in their villages.

Teacher-training on front burner …Minister Henry says some 3,800 upgraded skills since 2015 FROM 2015 to 2018, the Ministry of Education has facilitated the professional training of over 3,800 teachers for the improvement of education across Guyana.

These teachers have participated in the National Centre for Education Resource Development (NCERD) Professional Training which is just one of the avenues through which teachers are being upgraded in Guyana.

This was relayed by Minster of Education, Dr. Nicolette Henry, on Thursday at the hosting of the National Toshaos’ Council (NTC) Conference at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre.

Providing statistics, she showed that 213 secondary school teachers and 350 primary school teachers were trained between and 2015 to 2018. The minister explained that better trained teachers, despite their region of residence, means that all Guyanese children, no matter where they reside, can receive the quality education which guarantees them a bright future.

She also noted that, as consequence to the training given, there were improved performance in the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) Examination; the General Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examination and the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE).

Minister Henry said that the education sector will

Minster of Education, Dr. Nicolette Henry

continue to train teachers incrementally until there is 100 per cent coverage of trained teachers in the public education system.

During her presentation to the Toshaos and community leaders, she also zeroed in on the improvements in education which have taken place in the hinterland and rural areas.

Over the years, she noted that there has been the construction of schools at Calcutta; Kato; Parikwaranau; Tabatinga; Smyth Street; Turkeyen and Mocha, while extensions took place at St. Christopher’s Nursery and Dolphin Secondary. Added to these, she noted that schools like Kato Secondary have been equipped with solar panels while others have received new science laboratories and teaching blocks.

Noting some of the projects working to boost education in the country, Minister

Henry highlighted successes such as the US $1.7M Early Childhood Project and the Psychosocial Mobile Unit.

Minister Henry highlighted that laptops were distributed to all trained hinterland and rural teachers, while secondary schools in villages such as St. Ignatius, Leonora, West Demerara, Bladen Hall, Diamond, North Ruimveldt and others, received tablets funded by the World Bank.

Meanwhile, the launching of the Pastoral Care Initiative saw 250 students, including those in the hinterland, benefitting, while over 1,200 trainee teachers are currently benefitting from 10 training centres.

During the discussion session with the leaders who attended, some of the leaders advocated for additional teaching personnel; dorm extensions; the construction and renovation of more schools; transportation; ICT Hubs and equipment needed to assist in education delivery.

Minister Henry responded to the concerns raised and noted at the end that concerns which can be met in a short period will be met, while those which will require a process will take a time but will be addressed by the ministry. Those who spoke up were also asked to hand in their written concerns to the ministry and its staff so that their specific concerns could be better documented.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, October 11, 2019

Electronic registry of social workers on the cards

--to be available by year end IT is imperative that the Ministry of Social Protection (MOSP), in developing the social work profession towards preventing and responding to the current and emerging challenges, be committed to the planning,

respond appropriately when preparing, managing and responding to cases in the court system and to embrace an attitude of sensitivity, care and responsibility in the execution of their duties.

In defining social service

practitioners, first responders, policy advisers, programme leads and other.

Additionally, an electronic registry of Social Workers will be created, which will aid in determining the future human resource needed in the

Social workers listening to a presentation during the workshop

developing and supporting of the social workforce here in Guyana.

MOSP, being the largest employer of social workers, is leading several initiatives.

These include reviewing the current capacity, profile and competencies of social workers, which will aid in establishing the requirements needed for the eventual licensing of Social Workers and assessing the policy and legislative framework towards the process.

A capacity building workshop for gazetted social workers was hosted on Thursday by the MoSP with support from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in the Savannah Suite of the Pegasus Hotel, which sought to increase the knowledge about and clarify attitudes towards the legal and regulatory provisions for gazetted social workers and increase the ability to

workforce, Director of Social Services Mr. Whentworth Tanner told participants that it refers to allied professionals and para-professionals whose focus is normally on preventive, responsive and promotive programmes that support families and children by alleviating poverty, reducing discrimination, facilitating access to needed services, delivering services, promoting social justice and preventing and responding to violence, abuse, exploitation, neglect and family separation.

PLAY A KEY ROLE Such workers, he added, function in government or non-government organisations, are paid or unpaid, and play a key role in preventing and responding to violence against children and families. They include teachers, educators, mental health professionals, medical

country.

Last year, the ministry facilitated the gazetting of in excess of 125 social workers countrywide, and while the intention is to continue the process annually, it is working towards having another group gazetted before the end of this year.

According to the social services director, several pieces of legislation detail the responsibilities and specific functions of social workers, particularly in the court system. They include, but are not limited to, the Domestic Violence Act (1996); Protection of Children’s Act CAP 46:06; Sexual Offences Act (2010); Adoption of Children CAP 46:04 and the Juvenile Justice Act (2018) among others.

In particular, the Domestic Violence Act (1996) makes provision for the gazetting of social workers to perform specific function

Young mechanic granted bail CHIEF Magistrate Ann McLennan, on Thursday, October 10, 2019, granted $100,000 bail to a 23-yearold mechanic accused of having 86 grams of narcotics, for the purpose of trafficking.

Keshawn Ridley of Roxanne Burnham Gardens appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court and pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Particulars of the charge

stated that, on October 6, 2019, at Norton Street, Georgetown, he had 86 grams of cannabis for the purpose of trafficking.

Police Prosecutor Gordon Mansfield made no objection to bail being granted to Ridley. Mansfield also told the court that the police said they saw Ridley throwing the suspected cannabis into the bushes.

Attorney-at-law Patrice Henry addressed the court

on Radley’s behalf and asked the court for reasonable bail, since the cannabis was found in a pile of bushes next to his client and not in his possession.

Magistrate McLennan granted Ridley bail in the sum of $100,000 and ordered that he report to the Albert Town Police Station every Friday. The case was adjourned until October 29, 2019.

in the court system, Tanner added, while pointing out that Subsection 4 clarifies that a qualified social worker is one who is approved by the minister by notice published in the Gazette’.

Tanner reiterated that the workshop is evidence that the ministry is committed to the process of developing and implementing programmes and activities aimed at strengthening the capabilities of social workers in the delivery of quality services.

The participants represented several government ministries, agencies and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) with facilitators, Legal Officer in the Social Protection Ministry Ms. Telisha Williams; Attorney-at-Law Emily Dodson; Magistrate Leron Daly, and Homophobia Education Coordinator, Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD), Ms Valini Leitch.

Williams spoke on the ground rules of social work, the Official Gazette, and the publication of qualified

Director of Social Services, Mr. Whentworth Tanner, addressing the capacity-building workshop for Gazetted Social Workers, at the Pegasus Hotel

social workers and Standards for professional social work practice; Dodson addressed Legislation governing the functions of social workers; Magistrate Daly on Experiences from the Court: Perspectives of Magistrates; and Leitch on Gender and Sexual Diversity in Social Work Practice.

Chairperson for the day’s event, Ms. Akilah Dorris, Manager of Sexual Offences & Domestic Violence Policy Unity of the Ministry of

Social Protection, noted that while the profession is not quite regulated, the ministry is seeking to raise the bar in the profession and is in the process of developing a registry for social workers.

She recalled that in 2017 Guyana had its first-ever Masters in Social Work being conducted at the University, of Guyana, while discussions are ongoing to have students study for a PhD in Social Work there as well.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, October 11, 2019

Jagdeo admits to lewd behaviour …says when he is angry he uses profanity OPPOSITION Leader, Bahrrat Jagdeo, on Thursday, admitted to lewd behaviour when he apologised for exposing the public to his expletive-laced comments, on Monday, in which he stated that Jamaican cricketer, Chris Gayle was in his “*&%$# bad books”.

“I’m really sorry that the public had to hear what took place in a private setting,” Jagdeo said, on Thursday, during a press conference hosted at the Office of the Leader of the Opposition.

He made the expletive-laced remarks amidst rage that Gayle had appeared at a People's National Congress Reform (PNCR) rally in Linden last Saturday. It was revealed in a leaked tape which surfaced on Monday evening.

Jagdeo has denied the word on the street that he was enraged because he had wanted Gayle to appear at a Progressive Youth Organisation (PYO) event on the same day, but the Jamaican opted for the Linden outing with the PNCR. On the tape, Jagdeo is heard threatening to place someone in his “Bad

Leader of the Opposition, Bharrat Jagdeo

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.

The West Indies batting star on Tuesday issued a statement saying he was apolitical, while social media commentators expressed that the tape exposes Jagdeo for who he really is.

However, on Thursday, even while apologising for his remarks, the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) General Secretary sought to turn the blame back on the PNCR.

“The tape proves that – and let me say to people – I do get angry and – let me say to them again – when I get angry sometimes I use expletives and I am sorry that people had to be exposed to that because APNU illegally recorded this and they circulated it. It was done in a private setting. So I’m really sorry that the public had to hear what took place in a private setting,” he said.

He sought to assure the public that in private settings he does not push racism or do anything that divides the country’s peoples or harms the country’s interest.

However, he also claimed that Gayle was unaware that he was heading to Linden

for the political meeting but reporters called the political leader out on making the 40-year-old man seem like “a child being led astray”.

Nonetheless, Jagdeo continued to justify his anger in the situation.

“I’m sorry people had to hear that because it was in a private setting,” he said.

“I was angry because 1) the people of Guyana would believe somehow that Chris Gayle would endorse APNU and I know Chris Gayle would not endorse any party in this country…. so when people said to me ‘he’s a great friend’ and stuff I used these expletives that they are in my bad book.”

He got emotional down to the end of the interview when reporters were not satisfied with the justification given as to why he would be so concerned with the conscious actions of a cricketer.

Asked what it means to be in Jagdeo’s “bad book”, the PPP politician said: “some of these individuals I know them and so they call me from time to time to talk to me etcetera that means that privilege is gone.”

Anna Regina mayor requests assistance from Ministry of Communities MAYOR of Anna Regina, Rajendra Prabulall, is requesting assistance from the Ministry of Communities to have the Town Council building powered by solar energy. This request was made during a media briefing with Region Two reporters on Wednesday.

The works to have the solar panel installed were done two years ago by the Ministry of Communities, but to date, it has not been connected. He said when the building is con-

Anna Regina Mayor, Rajendra Prabulall

The solar system that was installed at the council but is not connected to provide power to the building

nected it will save the council some $75,000 monthly.

The money saved can be used to improve services to residents of the township, the mayor said, while Councillor Hermon Persaud noted that the council, once connected,

would be able to supply power to the public.

Once the council receives a full supply of power from the solar panels, more street lights are expected to be placed around the township.

Two killed at Improved Proficiency at the Guyana MoTP calls for immediate Shell Beach Lands and Surveys Commission retraction of misleading

POLICE in the North West District are investigating the murder of two brothers who were shot and killed while fishing off the Waini Coast, in the vicinity of Shell Beach, on Wednesday afternoon.

The victims have been identified as brothers ‘Ian’ and ‘Rakesh’ and they resided at a section of the beach called ‘Father’s Beach’, some 6 to 7 miles from the mouth of the Moruca River.

Divisional Commander, Wendell Blanhum, told the Guyana Chronicle that police ranks were at the scene conducting an investigation into the shooting.

He said residents of the area heard rapid gunfire in the area between 14:00 hours and 14:30 hours on Wednesday. Residents went in search of the two brothers after the gunshots subsided. However, the men and their boat could not be found.

Blanhum said police ranks and the Coastguard combed the area on Wednesday afternoon but could not find the brothers.

Reports are that the men’s lifeless bodies were found by their relatives along the beach on Thursday morning. Blanhum said the men’s bodies bore gunshot wounds while one of the men also had ‘chop wounds’.

Police are investigating the incident.

THE Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission is ensuring that the commission‘s record-keeping facility is at its optimum.

This is the view expressed by Commissioner of the Commission, Trevor Benn, during an interview on DPI’s programme “One on One”.

Benn made the point that, for years, the issue of record-keeping continues to be an issue but the commission is working assiduously to address the situation.

He said that “I have insisted on the staff that we must respond to every piece of correspondence that comes in to us even if it is just an acknowledgement”.

One of the issues facing the commission is the audit.

Benn noted that the commission has not been audited since 2009, and he will not preside over an agency that does not have an updated audit.

Since assuming the post in 2016, Benn indicated that the commission is working on completing the audit for 2015.

The Commissioner made the point that the agency cannot account for some of the resources to sustain functionality of the commission and as such the agency is working to update its electronic data.

Trevor Benn said that when he assumed office in 2016, there was very little use of the commission’s electronic data but that had since changed.

The Commission is also working assiduously to ensure that citizens can access relevant and critical information via electronic data right in the comfort of their own homes instead of visiting the office.

Commissioner Benn noted that, for the first time, residents of Matthew’s Ridge in Region One have, in their possession, land titles.

This, he said, was welcoming news for the commission, since the agency will ensure that citizens, throughout the ten administrative regions of the country, have land titles.

Guyana Times article

THE Ministry of the Presidency is calling for an immediate retraction of the deliberately misleading Guyana Times article headlined, “President’s advisor attempts to woo Region 10 RDC for biomass project”.

The ministry, in a release, said the article sought to link falsely, the Presidency and the government to a private project.

The article, published in the October 10, 2019 edition of the paper, the ministry said intentionally links the Presidency and government to a project the paper says is being operated by former Presidential Adviser, Rear Admiral Gary Best.

Rear Admiral Best has not held the post of Presidential Adviser (on

the environment) for approximately two years.

President David Granger had revealed this at a press conference in 2017 and it was reported in the local media.

“The ministry therefore, condemns the article as wicked as it was clearly crafted to deceive the public and create mischief. While the Government of Guyana stands resolutely for the protection of freedom of the press in Guyana, it strongly condemns the publication of half-truths and falsifications and is calling on the Guyana Times to retract the false article,” the release said.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, October 11, 2019

PPP tries to block funding for infrastructural projects …Minister Patterson tells Toshaos

Indigenous leaders present at the 13th Annual National Toshaos Council Conference at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre (DPI Photos)

THE Government, through the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, submitted a list of projects for financial consideration by the Indian Government, Minister of Public Infrastructure David Patterson, disclosed during his discourse with Toshaos and other Indigenous Leaders on Thursday.

The submission, according to Patterson, was made on Wednesday. The Government of India has made available US$14M grant for developmental projects in the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), and another US$150M in Line of Credit for solar, renewable energy, and climate change related projects.

The Public Infrastructure Minister told the Indigenous Leaders that, during his meeting with the Indian High Commissioner to Guyana, Dr. K. J. Srinivasa on Monday, Guyana was invited to submit proposals for the funding of renewable energy and climate change related projects, in keeping with a commitment made

by India’s Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, to the CARICOM leaders last September. Minister Patterson’s announcement was met with loud rounds of applause.

But even as the Government forges ahead with its plan to bring much-needed development to Guyana, the Opposition, Patterson told the Indigenous Leaders, has been on a mission to block major developmental projects, though unsuccessful.

He explained that though the US$2.25M contract was signed months ago for the design, supply and installation of a 150kw hydropower plant at Chiung River, Kato Village, Region Eight, the Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo and the People’s Pro-

gressive Party (PPP/C) Presidential Candidate, Irfaan Ali, informed the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), that once in office, the PPP/C will not repay the “loan.”

“Why they have done that? I don’t know…but they were unsuccessful,” Minister Patterson said, while noting that funding for the contract was done in the form of a grant and not a loan from the bank, hence there is no need for repayment. In its letter to the IDB, the Opposition reportedly indicated that the Government was illegal but Patterson said the contention is far from the truth.

“Ladies and gentlemen in Kato, I am pleased to announce to you here, that despite those attempts, the project is going ahead unfettered and will continue,” Minister Patterson said.

When completed in 2020, the Hydro Power Plant will power the Village of Kato and its secondary school. In the future, the transmission lines will be extended to power neighbouring villages, the minister said while noting that the potential of the site “is quite big.”

The establishment of the hydro power plant will complement the Photovoltaic (PV) solar systems across the country. By the end of November, the PV Solar Systems would be producing more than 5 megawatts of electricity.

Minister Patterson said after years of attempting to source funding for the upgrade of the road from Linden to Lethem, one of the most important corridors in the country, the Opposition recently attempted to block the project from being funded.

He noted that the UK Government, under its Caribbean Infrastructure Part-

nership Fund (UKCIF) programme, agreed to co-fund the construction of the first phase of the Linden-Lethem Road Project. The first phase of the project covers approximately 122.5km of road from Linden to Mabura Hill and the construction of a bridge across the Essequibo River at Kurupukari River.

The UK Government had committed approximately US$75M to the project, while an additional US$75M was secured from the Caribbean Development Bank. Added to that, the Government, using some $200M, will upgrade the road between Wisroc Linden and Rockstone to international standards.

Despite these milestone achievements in securing the requisite funds to initiate the project, the Opposition, Patterson said, met with UK and indicated that it will not support the initiative on the basis that Government is “illegal.”

“Ladies and gentlemen despite what you have heard and what you may hear, that project will go ahead and it will be done,” the Public Infrastructure Minister assured the Indigenous Leaders.

While the proposed road upgrade applies only to one section of the Linden-Lethem road, the capital works on the remaining 331.5km of the laterite road will be undertaken through funding from other sources. The remaining capital works would fall under additional phases and the Ministry of Public Infrastructure has already engaged the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) on possible funding for the stretch of road between Mabura Hill and Lethem.

Since taking office, the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) Government

injected $8.7B into the repairs, upgrades and construction of roads. “We have rehabilitated and maintained approximately 2000km fair-weather road in association with the Ministry of Natural Resources,” Minister Patterson reported while adding that over 200 bridges were repaired and built since 2015.

According to him, the Hinterland’s budget has more than doubled since

Minister of Public Infrastructure David Patterson addressing the Indigenous Leaders

2014. Capital works for the Hinterland totaled $2B alone for 2019. Minister Patterson was among several ministers of Government who addressed the

indigenous leaders during the 13th Annual National Toshaos Council Conference at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre on Thursday.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, October 11, 2019

Harvesting of second rice crop 42% complete -GRDB to roll out new FAO project

Minister of Agriculture, Noel Holder (Adrian Narine photo)

AS the harvesting season for the second rice crop progresses, farmers from across the country are reaping the fruits of their labour and so far harvesting is 42 per cent complete, standing at 227,793 tonnes of paddy.

This was according to

General Manager of GRDB, Nizam Hassan (Adrian Narine photo)

food security and the health of the nation. And in spite of many commercial options, many still rely on agriculture and specifically rice for their income.

In Guyana, rice is an important source of livelihood.

Approximately 6,020 farmers produce rice in Regions Two,

exporting rice as a commodity… we also export branded rice, but we must look at using rice as an ingredient,” said Hassan.

Among the efforts to improve production, is the rolling out of a Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO)-spon-

Farmers reaping the fruits of their labour (Adrian Narine photo)

Minister of Agriculture, Noel Holder, during his address to the gathering at the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB)’s Open Day at GRDB’s Rice Research Station, on Thursday.

The target for the second crop was initially 85,000 hectares, but it was revised due to the fact that the rice sector had surpassed its target of 88,500 hectares for the first crop. GRDB projected a total harvest of over 500,000 tonnes of paddy at the end of the second crop.

“Average rice yields have constantly been growing in Guyana…in 2018 our farmers recorded six tonnes per hectare, a five per cent increase from 2015 which was 5.5 tonnes per hectare and a 37 per cent increase from 10 years ago which was 4.2 tonnes per hectare,” said Holder.

Such increases in average national rice yields are not by coincidence, he said, adding that it is due to government’s commitment to the overall expansion of the industry and specifically, to investments in research and development.

Rice is the staple food of more than half the world’s population. It contributes to

Three, Four, Five and Six, and there are there are 43 licensed rice millers and 22 registered exporters of rice.

Rice accounts for 3.3 per cent of Guyana’s total Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and 20.5 per cent agriculture GDP, and is, therefore, one of the most significant agriculture industries.

According to Holder, in 2018, Guyana produced 627,105 metric tonnes of rice and exported 75 per cent of this amount, 470,313 metric tonnes, amounting to US$186M in exports and at August 2019, Guyana has exported rice commodities to the value of US$148M. More so, Guyana exported approximately 14 types of rice and rice by-products.

General Manager of GRDB, Nizam Hassan, said the performance of the rice industry shows that research has been useful and successful.

He said the board has been working on production-oriented research which includes strategies for managing pests and so forth.

“We have also started to work on downstream processing or value-added processing…we have been

sored project which will run for two years. The project is geared at strengthening rice production monitoring in Guyana.

According to Hassan, the project is two-fold and for the first part will include the design of an upgraded and digitised system to monitor rice production.

“We are hoping to digitise and get real-time data on what is happening in the industry… extension officers, who visit farmers, will have smart equipment to take data and upload it,” said the general manager.

In addition to implementing and establishing new technologies, the GRDB will also conduct a value chain assessment of the rice sector, as part of the second objective of the project.

The assessment will include an in-depth analysis of supply and demand, and it will also analyse the gaps and challenges for diversification, all in an effort to increase profitability.

Heading into 2020, the GRDB, through its project, will be focusing on becoming more efficient and digitising the rice monitoring system.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, October 11, 2019

GPHC holds free eye-screening exercise -Optometrist urges citizens to have regular tests done IN observance of World Sight Day, October 10, 2019, the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) held a free eye screening exercise.

diseases. She also noted that children who use digital devices regularly, and adults over the age of 40, should have regular eye screening.

Several persons, includ-

An optometrist at the GPHC performing an eye screening

Dr. Jenell Sarju-Kanhai, an optometrist at the GPHC, told the Guyana Chronicle that the exercise targeted persons who were diagnosed with diabetes and hypertension, along with persons who had a family history of eye diseases such as glaucoma and cataract.

She added that the eyes are a vital organ to the body and it is essential that persons have a yearly eye screening to detect and prevent eye

ing the elderly, received free eye screening, diagnosis and treatment on the spot, at the exercise.

World Sight Day is observed on the second Thursday of October annually. It is aimed at drawing attention to a range of issues surrounding eye diseases and blindness.

It is known to be one of the most important communication and advocacy events on the eye-health calendar.

It was initially started

by the Lions Club International Foundation as part of the Sight First campaign in the year 2000 and is now coordinated by the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB).

Several persons gathered at the GPHC for the eye screening

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, October 11, 2019

Guyana’s rice capturing more attention

RICE is the staple food for more than half the world’s population. It contributes to food security and the health of our nation, and, in spite of many commercial options, scores still rely on agriculture, and, specifically rice, for their income.

On Thursday, the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB), once again, hosted its ‘Open Day’ at the Rice Research Station, in Mahaicony, Berbice. The event also saw booths displaying

several research projects undertaken by the centre.

In his keynote address, Minister of Agriculture, Hon. Noel Holder, highlighted that the average rice yields have constantly been growing in Guyana. According to the Agriculture Minister, such achievement in the sector remarkably demonstrates the government’s dedication.

“It is due to the government’s commitment to the overall expansion of the industry and specifically to our

investments in research and development. The improved agronomic practices for rice cultivation being transferred to farmers by the extension programme that works closely with the researchers are also contributing factors.”

Minister Holder added too that some $372M is expended annually by the Guyana Rice Development Board to execute initiatives at the Rice Research Station.

During his remarks, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Claude Housty, underscored that rice research is the avenue through which new technology was made available to the rice sector, on a continuous basis, to sustain its competitive-

Minister of Agriculture, Hon. Noel Holder pays keen attention as one of the researchers demonstrates.

One of the booths displaying its produce at the ‘open day’ exercise.

ness.

General Manager of GRDB, Nizam Hassan, while addressing the gathering, said the board has established offices in Regions 2, 3 and 5, which also provide services to Regions 4, 5 6 and 9. He said research has been conducted in plant Breeding, Agronomy, Entomology, Pathology and Post-Harvest and value addition. He noted that all the services provided by GRDB are aimed towards further developing the rice industry.

According to Hassan, among its plans for the sector, the GRDB is working to implement a project titled “Strengthening the rice production monitoring system

in Guyana and investigating value-chain opportunities.”

The two-year initiative, he noted, will be an effort by the Government of Guyana (GoG) and Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

The project is expected to design, upgrade and digitise the system and methodology to monitor rice production throughout Guyana and to implement a value-chain assessment to the rice sector.

Before the formal ceremony, the Minister of Agriculture, dignitaries from government agencies and the private sector, along with students, were privileged to tour some of the testing fields at the station to see the works being done by the

One of the booths displaying its produce at the ‘open day’ exercise.

Students on guided tour by one of the researchers, during the ‘open day’ exercise.

researchers.

Established in 1994 by an act of Parliament, the GRDB seeks to develop the rice industry and to promote the expansion of the export trade in the said

industry. GRDB also establishes facilities to conduct research relating to rice and extending to rice through an established system, the benefits derived from the research. (DPI)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, October 11, 2019

Over 50 new leprosy cases recorded in past three years

By Naomi Marshall THE Guyana Leprosy Control Programme Unit continues to progress in its effort to educate Guyanese on leprosy, a chronic disease caused by a slow multiplying bacillus called Mycobacterium leprae.

On Thursday, the unit, which forms part of the Ministry of Public Health, hosted a mascot show on the Brickdam Road aimed at addressing the stigma and discrimination attached to persons with the disease in Guyana.

The Armadillo mascot by the name of “Ardie”, took the streets with placards and music to inform persons passing by about leprosy in Guyana.

The disease, also known as Hansen’s disease, is transmitted via droplets, from the nose and mouth, during close and frequent contact with untreated cases.

However, it takes approximately five to eight years to develop while symptoms can take as long as 20 years to appear.

According to Dr Heather Morrison Wilson, Director of the Guyana Leprosy Control Programme, the armadillo is very important to leprosy research.

The armadillo is a model for the neuropathy of leprosy and potentially other neurodegenerative diseases.

It allows scientists and leprologists to study the bacterium linked to leprosy, find out what new drugs can target the bacterium and do new research.

The director stated that over the years it has been observed that majority of the Guyanese population lack basic knowledge on leprosy, and as such, individuals with the disease are discriminated

Staff of the Guyana Leprosy Control Programme unit

Dr Heather Morrison Wilson

and not treated well.

“We have had persons with leprosy lose their jobs, so they don’t have any financial way to earn money, all because of the stigma and discrimination,” Dr. Wilson added.

However, she noted that persons with leprosy who are on treatment are not a threat to society.

“But these persons are just left and are being avoided but they actually need a lot of social support,” the doctor said, adding: “Just have an open view of these persons, they are humans just like us and they deserve to remain in their jobs even if they have a job maybe they can move from doing something physical to something else, let them substitute but don’t just knock them off.”

While Guyana, over the last three years, has been reporting over 50 new cases annually, Dr Wilson said that the increase in the amount of new cases recorded yearly is due to the unit being active and spreading awareness.

“We are envisioning that we are going to get more cases coming in because they may be afraid of the stigma

or not know they have it so we tend to go out,” she stated.

Dr Wilson said early diagnosis leads to cure with without disabilities.

Within its mild stages, persons can be cured of the disease within six months, while it takes 12 months or more for persons with sever leprosy to be cured.

If leprosy is not treated early, then it may lead to the damaging of nerves which can form disabilities such as “clawing of the hands,” that are irreversible.

Signs and symptoms of leprosy includes numb spots, painful bumps, light brown spots not itching, numb hands and feet and clawing hands.

Persons who may experience the said signs and symptoms are encouraged to visit clinics in their communities for examination.

In the future, the Guyana Leprosy Control Programme Unit will be targeting schools in and out of Region Four and will be creating a fun and educational environment for the students with “Ardie the armadillo.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, October 11, 2019

Amerindians urged to join Police Force

WITH the Guyana Police Force (GPF) needing some 458 more ranks, Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan has called on Amerindians to join the Force or become members of Community Policing Groups (CPGs).

The minister made the call during a presentation at the National Toshaos Coun-

cil’s conference at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre on Thursday.

“I am pleading with our Amerindian brothers and sisters that I would like, especially the young men and women, especially if they can articulate well in English language, to join the Police Force so that you can go back to your communities and serve in a

greater capacity,” Minister Ramjattan said.

Noting that there will be more benefits and allowances for persons who take up the opportunity, he said: “We are going to ensure that our young Amerindian applicants are assisted.”

He noted that if residents of hinterland communities are reluctant to join the Po-

Deputy Commissioner of Police Paul Williams

lice Force, they can instead become voluntary members of community policing group.

If no such group exists in the communities, Minister Ramjattan urged the toshaos to submit the names of persons who are willing to serve the Force to the Ministry of Public Security.

He said that through various budgetary allocations, Minister of Public Security Khemraj Ramjattan

CPGs will be provided with the necessary vehicles and supplies to carry out their duties.

The minister also urged the toshaos to report bad behaviour and allegations of misconduct of law enforcement officers.

“Every single report of misconduct is investigated, and if we have to do a transfer or termination in the interest of the Police Force… I concede that there are rogue elements in the Force, and a number of them have been terminated,” Minister Ramjattan said.

He said that police stations in the hinterland will be upgraded in order to house female ranks to address certain crimes.

Deputy Commissioner of Police, Paul Williams, who was present at the event, told the gathering that a meeting will be held with the toshaos, and that at another GPF performance meeting, issues on assistance for the hinterlands will be discussed.

He said one of the challenges is finding persons who could speak their native language and English in order to aid the police in their operations within hinterland communities.

The deputy commissioner also said focus will be placed on having more female ranks within hinterland communities to assist with various cases where women are affected.

“Definitely, we would like to see the relationship with the toshaos strengthened,” Williams said.

He urged all toshaos to assist residents in filing complaints in the form of statements, and to ensure the complainant assists with the respective investigation. He noted that the use of smart phones in capturing wrongdoing is an addition to assist police.

Many of the toshaos at the event complained of the need for more vehicles in the hinterland to assist the police; the need for renovations of police stations; more police outposts; and the need to clamp down on an alarming increase in the use of marijuana.

Also underscored at the meeting was the need for police ranks to be more professional in executing their duties.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, October 11, 2019

CARICOM celebrates technological advancements in standards AS the world celebrates the standards that enable seamless video production and sharing, on World Standards Day, October 14, 2019, the CARICOM Regional Organisation for Standards and Quality (CROSQ) acknowledged the breakthroughs for the Caribbean with the launch of a digital promotional campaign.

The theme of World Standards Day 2019 is “Video Standards Create a Global Stage”. Around the world, including within the Caribbean, quality-based organisations like National Standards Bureaux of CARICOM will be marking the day with activities aimed at creating awareness of the development and use standards in general.

The campaign, part of the Caribbean Development Bank-funded project “Strengthening of the Regional Quality Infrastructure”, is set to be launched using social media and on-

CROSQ Technical Officer, Latoya Burnham

line platforms of CROSQ, as well as the National Standards Bodies (NSBs) of Antigua and Barbuda, Grenada, Guyana, Saint Lucia and Suriname. Those five countries have been part of the CDB project being implemented

by CROSQ. As part of the project, the member states of Antigua and Barbuda, Grenada and Suriname are on the path to having National Quality Policies (NQPs) by the end

CROSQ Project Coordinator, Terry Hutchinson

of the year, while Saint Lucia and Suriname have laboratories that are being assisted with accreditation within the same period. Through other initiatives, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Saint Lucia and Dominica are also in the process of developing NQPs. CROSQ Project Coordinator, Terry Hutchinson, explained that the project has been very fast-paced with great participation, led by the NSBs in each country, to-

PPP mourns passing of Cyril Belgrave THE People’s Progressive Party (PPP) has announced the passing of one of its leaders, Cyril Belgrave, C.C.H, in New York, USA on Thursday.

The party, in a release, expressed deepest condolences to the family and relatives of Belgrave and the members of the PPP family who knew and loved this friendly and humble leader.

“Cyril Belgrave was a long-standing and loyal member and leader of the party dating back to the 1950s. Unquestionably a fighter for the working man and woman, as a stevedore, he joined the trade union movement and became a well- respected trade unionist in the Guyana Labour Union, becoming its President in 1984. In the 1960s, during the long strikes engineered to bring down the democratically-elected PPP government, Belgrave and many stalwarts of the PPP such as Shirley Edwards, Philomena Sahoye-Shury and others, at great sacrifice, guarded the Guyana Power Company and the wharves when they came

Cyril Belgrave

under threat by the People’s National Congress.

Brave and disciplined, he remained loyal to the People’s Progressive Party throughout his more than six decades of membership right up to his passing. Ill health led him to live overseas but his heart remained always in Guyana and up to his passing he was anxious to be kept abreast as to what was happening and when elections would be held next year,” the party said.

Belgrave joined the Pioneer Youth League, the precursor to the Progressive Youth Organisation, in 1955. He joined the PPP and was elected repeatedly

to the Central Committee of the party for over 50 years. He was a Member of Parliament for over three decades (1976-2006) and a member of several parliamentary committees, including the Public Accounts Committee.

Belgrave also served on the Georgetown City Council from 1970-76.

“As a patriot who fought for Guyana’s independence and the restoration of democracy, in 1992 Cyril Belgrave was given the Cacique Crown of Honour, the C.C.H by President Dr. Cheddi Jagan, in recognition of his bravery and commitment to the people of Guyana.

The PPP has stood as a strong and relevant party for 69 years for all the people of Guyana because of men and women members and leaders like Cyril Belgrave, who remained committed to the vision of a united, modern and democratic Guyana,” the release from the party concluded.

wards finalising the policies that will guide the development of quality services and procedures.

“The critical thing about the development of an NQP is that there has to be complete involvement of all sectors of society – from government to private sector and civil society because in each case, these bodies and institutions are the ones that will have to guarantee the necessary steps are put in place to implement the directives created. It is intended that each policy will be a living document that will help develop countries’ trading

abilities and ultimately their sustainability on a national, regional and international stage.

“It is a fact now in the international community that investment into developing all the systems of quality by donors is increasingly dependent on a country’s ability to prove that it has a sustainable plan for how it is developing its internal infrastructure in this regard. So countries in CARICOM that have NQPs stand a much greater chance of not only knowing how they want to plan their own development, but in articulating what kinds of assistance they will need to do so,” said Hutchinson.

CROSQ Technical Officer – Communication and Information, Latoya Burnham, said this is why the campaign was so important. She noted that the quality promotional materials being released will be relevant and accessible to all the standards and quality institutions in CARICOM. “What we want to do, beginning on World Standards Day, is to acknowledge the role video and all technology plays in our development of quality at the national

and regional level. So this campaign will utilise digital platforms and animation to underscore why an NQP and national involvement in its development and implementation is so critical. The campaign will also explain to our CARICOM populace why they need to demand quality products and services in everyday life and especially in consumption.”

“We’ve also looked at the two main developing areas of production – agriculture and tourism, and developed a pack of tools, information really, that can help processors and stakeholders in those two industries understand better how they can ensure their businesses and practices are driven by quality.

We are very aware that our Region needs trade to be sustainable, so we are trying to prepare our industries and sectors, beginning with these two, to be more competitive within the spheres where they operate,” she added.

Accused wife-killer remanded 38-year-old Clive Wilson was, on Thursday, October 10, 2019, remanded to prison for the murder of his wife, who was fatally stabbed two months ago in her Victoria Village, East Coast Demerara (ECD) home.

Wilson called ‘Boyzee’

DEAD: Shemain Frank

Clive Wilson called ‘Boyzee’

of B Starlite Street, Montrose ECD, appeared before Magistrate Fabayo Azore at the Vigilance Magistrate’s Court and was not required to plead to the capital offence.

The indictment alleged that, on August 25, 2019, at Victoria Village, ECD, Wilson murdered Shemain Frank, 27.

Wilson, a labourer was remanded to prison until November 26, 2019.

Earlier this week, Wilson was arrested by the police after being on the run from the police.

According to reports, he went into hiding after he allegedly killed the mother of his three children, on August 25, 2019.

On the day in question, it is alleged that Wilson removed several louvre panes from a bathroom window, climbed into the house and stabbed Frank while she slept in bed with their three children.

He then made good his

escape through a back door.

Frank was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival.

Prior to Frank’s death, Wilson had been trying to get to see her for some time, but she had continually refused to see him.

On the day of her death, a relative of Frank observed Wilson in the yard and requested him to leave.

According to one relative, Frank and Wilson shared a tumultuous relationship for over ten years, and, at one point, Shemain took out a restraining order against Wilson.

The couple was living in Mon Repos at Wilson’s family’s home. However, last year, Frank ended the relationship and moved back to the Victoria Village home after she found Wilson with another woman, and they had a physical confrontation.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, October 11, 2019

Gavin Mendonca ‘Folk it Up’ in T&T

By Vishani Ragobeer

L

ocal creole rock musician Gavin Mendonca brought the curtains down on his multi-country tour in Trin-

idad and Tobago, where he introduced young persons in the Twin Island Republic about the sweet melodies and cultural underpinning of Guyanese folk music.

His tour, ‘Folk it Up’ began after he stumbled upon a book of 100 Guyanese folk songs, and realised that he didn’t know too many of the songs. And building on his inclination to foster cultural

preservation in Guyana, he decided that he would begin recording all of these folk songs.

“My plan is, over the next three to five years, release all of the folk songs in a series of albums called "Folk it Up",” he shared with the Buzz.

And so, he begun his endeavours, and just recently launched Volume One in New York, at the Guyana Folk Festival. He also started his tour earlier this year, where he along with the leader of the Buxton Fusion Drumming Group Marlon 'Chucky' Adams, began singing these folk songs in open spaces be it the Courtyard Mall, Main Street, at the Seawall, Giftland or anywhere they could possibly go.

“We were just playing folk music so people can hear it because it's not playing on the radio or TV and we have been, and we’ve been successful in that mission of raising awareness on our folk songs,” Mendonca highlighted.

While in New York for the launch of his album, he spent four weeks there doing a few gigs, including

a few Caribbean gatherings, the folk festival and at the United Nations. And, he was also subsequently invited to China by the Guyanese embassy there to represent Guyana as part of the cultural presentation.

That was an experience of a lifetime, he said, as he recounted the surge of pride he felt being on the other side of the globe basically as an ambassador for his country’s folk culture.

But, he had one more stop to make before he returned to the land of many waters. That was to Trinidad, where he decided to end his tour by reaching out to the youth, to help them understand the value of their culture and in keeping it alive.

He performed at theSt. Dominic's R.C., a primary school, where the children were unfamiliar with the music but were still vibrant and enthusiastic about the folk songs and culture.

He also reached out the Guyana Students Association in Trinidad and Tobago (GuySATT), which is an umbrella organisation for tertiary students and organized a pro bono gig at

the University of the West Indies (UWI)- St. Augustine Campus. Not only did he get to perform the classic folk songs for Guyanese and give then a taste of home, but he also allowed other Caribbean students to indulge in the culture of Guyana.

“It was good to see young Guyanese and young Caribbean persons who were real interested in folk songs and folk culture and it was a real refreshing way to end my tour,” he said. “I think right now a little shift in culture and consciousness is happening as this new generation is becoming adults and I think little by little the young people of today are realizing the importance of cultural preservation and we're all trying to find our identity as young Guyanese and young Caribbean folks.”

His album, Folk it up Volume One will be in stores in Guyana shortly, but interested persons can contact him on info@ creolerock.com, and he is willing to deliver it to persons in Guyana. The music will also be available on all online streaming platforms soon.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, October 11, 2019

CurlFete

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deemed grandest event of this weekend Tamika said that many exciting things are in store this year including a fashion show, hair expo competition, the live panel discussion, cultural presentations, and many more giveaways.

The venue will also have many vendors who play a great role in the fun aspect of CurlFete, which includes beauticians and creatives who will have their pieces on

O

n Sunday, the Promenade Gardens will be transformed into a real life doll house to host CurlFete Natural Hair and Beauty Expo 2019, and the anticipation is building up.

The fun starts from 9:00am and ends at 9:00pm, and tickets are only $1,000, but more will have to be paid at the gate.

The event is known to attract thousands of patrons who enjoy the ambiance created, with their family and friends.

Now in its fourth year, CurlFete has worked its way up to become one of the most anticipated events in the latter part of the year, and 2019 is promised to be bigger and better.

Over the years the event was themed with different creative concepts that made

it interesting for patrons, and this year it has been themed ‘Doll House’. Creating now the opportunity for patrons to dress like dolls and showcase their creative fashion taste.

CEO of CurlFete, Tamika Henry-Fraser said that this year much team work was exercised to make the event grand. She said that this event started out four years ago to celebrate girls with dark skin and kinky hair, the unconventional beauties, encouraging them to embrace their natural beauty.

However, it has evolved over the years and is now an event that celebrates all natural textures and skin tones, and overall celebration of diversified beauty. What is also incorporated are fun and exciting activities to keep the audience well engaged.

sale and will have for giveaways as well.

Tickets can be purchased from Koko Natural Hair store, RareFinz Boutique, Makeda, Renee Chester BROMELIAD.rnc, Salon Grace, Sister to Sisters Beauty Salon, That Look Boutique.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, October 11, 2019

Essequibo Dharmic Sabha Motorcade and Rangoli set for 19 and 17

T

he Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha Essequibo Coast Praant Annual Diwali Motorcade is set for October 19 at the Anna Regina Community Centre Ground. The Sabha’s Annual inter-school rangoli competition is also set for October 17 at the Anna Regina Multilateral Secondary School commencing at 10:00 hours.

Flashback two little girl dressed like the mother Lakshmi. The goddess is adored during the festival.

Essequibo Coast motorcade will kick off the Sabha’s countrywide motorcades which will set the spirit for Diwali celebrations on October, 27. According to President of the Essequibo Coast Praant, Pandit Kaydar Persaud the motorcades has become a family event in the region and many persons despite their ethnic background look forward to viewing the creative floats. He, therefore, urged persons to come out in their numbers to support the event. The motorcades will converge at the Affiance bus shed from 6:30 pm and then will leave at 19:00 hours for the Anna Regina community centre ground.

The floats will be judged at the starting point and as they make their way to the Town.

The cultural programme will feature local artist and popular dances from the Dharmic Swarswattie Dance Academy and Khanidya Dance group. The event is open to the public free of cost. No alcohol is allowed. The Diwali is the festival of lights.

Winner of last year motorcade Golden Fleece Vishwa Jhotir Mandir5th year they are winning the motorcades.

JSZ World of Fashion presents two-day fashion extravanza

By Wendella Davidson

T

HE Arthur Chung Conference will be a hive of activity on November 8 & 9, 2019 when Junshazyna’s (JSZ) World of Fashion presents Guyana’s first live Fashion Stylist Makeover Seminar & Evening of Photoshoot and Cocktails.

Held under the theme: `Discover the Power of Knowing How to Dress’, the

events will feature exhibits of local entrepreneurs, fashion, beauty products jewellery, natural products and anti-aging supplements from 10:00hrs to 16:00 hrs on November 8, 2019.

The following day which is set aside for the photoshoot and cocktails will entail modeling of fashionable attire and prize awards will commence with an exhibition at 14:00hrs and showtime beginning at 18:00 hrs.

The seminar designed to be fun and interactive, will feature live makeovers where participants will learn how to reflect who they are through their clothing, and receive tips from fashion experts and beauticians on fashion collection, beauty products and natural healing products etc.

The discussion will target Chief Executive Officers (CEOs), Corporate Women, Organisational Representatives, Human Resources

Managers, Training Managers, Teachers and individuals who desire to become fashion pace setters.

Presenters will address topics such as: Dressing for your body type, Body shaping, Buy your correct size, The woman through the eyes of a man, Choosing your correct size and cut in undergarments (bra & panties), Recycling your wardrobe, Religious dressing & culture wear isn’t fashion, Ideas for mixing, matching & layering, Knowing which undergarment to wear with dresses or trousers, Makeup base on skin tone, Clothing each woman should have in their wardrobe, What does dressing include and How the Fashion Industry contributes to body image problems.

Facilitators will be Beauty Consultant, Event Consultant, Fashion Specialist, Fashion Jeweller, Beauty & Body Specialist and an Image Building Consultant .

The main objective of the seminar is to educate women on how to identify clothing styles for a particular body shape, professional dress ethics/coding and proper application of make-up based on the skin tone.

Junshazyna’s World of Fashion & Interior Designing Enterprise (JSZ), owned and managed by Junette Stuart who is a designer, aims at manufacturing customising clothing and producing goods and services for its customers.

In addition to making people feel better through producing fashionable clothing for them to wear, JSW also provides redesigning of interior surroundings, tutoring and consultancy services.

The CEO plans to host future sessions on how to style, identify angled and curved body and facial shapes; measure a client to analyse their body shape; what is a combination figure type; colours and skin tones; colour analysis and how to proportion and balance clothing in style.

Persons desirous of attending can make contact on 694-6825.

‘Cultural Centre’ gets sound upgrade

Patrons can now benefit from much improved sound quality at the National Cultural Centre (NCC) as a brand new, state-of-the-art sound system is currently being installed at the at a cost of $19M. The first phase of the project commenced recently at a cost of $7M. This saw the installation of new stage monitors, a new Public Address (PA) System for the theatre, as well as new amplifiers and line array speakers.

The upgrades to the NCC’s sound system is just part of a multibillion-dollar effort to comprehensively upgrade the NCC, and bring it up to par with similar facilities located across the region and internationally.

The Ministry of the Presidency, Department of Social Cohesion, Culture, Youth and Sport has embarked on a massive overhaul of the facility, with a series of upgrades already being executed in several areas.

These include rewiring of the facility, the purchase of new curtains, the installation of a modern lighting system and repairs to the NCC’s roof.

More significant, are the efforts to replace all the old chairs in the NCC’s theatre, with brand new ones.

The NCC, which opened on May 16, 1976, is Guyana’s premier location for cultural and theatrical entertainment. The auditorium for cultural seats approximately 2,000 people; its stage is 48 feet (15 m) deep with an orchestra pit, and has a 72-foot (22 m) wide and 20-foot (6.1 m) high opening.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, October 11, 2019

Sunday

IT’S time for the weekend again people, and it’s time to keep you in the loop with what’s ‘buzzing’ in and around Guyana.

Today The Tower Suites Poolside “Friday After Work Chill” starts from 5.30pm. Enjoy their five for $1000 deal with 5 Banks for only $1000. Eat, drink and dance.

Head down to the Pegasus poolside, Ignite Bar and Grill every Friday and Saturday for fun, food, and entertainment!

Tomorrow

The CPL Finals is not being held but that’s no reason to miss out on the party atmosphere. All roads will lead to Durban Park where the Government of Guyana is hosting an “exciting” watch party for the finals of the Caribbean Premiere League (CPL) tournament. See if the Guyana Amazon Warriors will make history and clinch their first CPL finals and make it 12 out of 12 wins.

592Tees presents its first thanksgiving concert “Praises in de Yard” at the Courtyard Mall featuring Samuel Medas live in concert. Proceeds from all items on sale at the event, will be donated to The Hauraruni’s Girls Home. The event is free, but items will be on sale.

It’s “Happy Zone: Selector Andre Birthnight Color Party” at the GT Motor Sports Ground. Music by Notorious, Fusion, Determined Sound and many more.

The Vintage Lounge presents “Brazilian and Latin Saturdays”. Enjoy food and drink specials. Music by DJ Tranquilo Santos. Doors open from 5pm

This year there’s a doll house so go play at Guyana’s annual Natural Hair & Beauty Expo, the biggest in the Caribbean! “Curl Fete 2019: Doll House” returns at the Promenade Gardens with your favourite salons, hairstylists, barbers, makeup artists, beauty supply stores, boutiques, and so much more. Tickets: $1000 Team Eastville presents “Sunday is Funday” at Mango Lane East Ruimveldt. Enjoy grill chill and beer vibes with music by SteroSonic. Enjoy beer at special prices and barbeque chicken and pork District Ultra Lounge presents “Soca and Bollywood Sundays” featuring Selector Andy, WR Reaz, Selector Chino. Ladies free before 9pm. Bacardi drink specials all night.

Marvelous Entertainment presents Marvelous Sundayz at its new location 592 Spot and Night Club (John and Norton Street). Ladies free all night. Music by Stereo Sonic, Fusion and Boom DJs. G-Money in association with Leprechaun Entertainment presents Summer Sundays at Club Privilege (Main Street, Georgetown). Free entry for first 50 ladies. Throwback music and finger foods. Music by One Drop from NY, DJ Denzil, Selector Dexter and a special guest DJ and one man band.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, October 11, 2019

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, October 11, 2019

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, October 11, 2019

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, October 11, 2019

Nurse and Reifer all-round show ...

From back page the match-clinching one of Khary Pierre – plundered an unbroken 48 runs for the seventh wicket from the final 14 balls.

With the Knight Riders ultimately coming up 12 runs short, the final two overs when the Tridents batted were the difference between going to Saturday’s final and going home.

Johnson Charles could have been dismissed twice early in his 35, dropped by Denesh Ramdin in the first over of the night and then seeing a skied shot land safe after Lendl Simmons and Chris Jordan left it for each other.

While never quite at his fluent best, Charles’ effort was crucial in holding things together during a fraught first half of the Tridents innings in which

Hales and Shakib fell to Pierre and JP Duminy was forced to hobble off retired hurt after injuring his leg while hitting a six.

The Tridents will be desperate to have him available for tomorrow’s final.

Charles followed Duminy straight off the field, skying Ali Khan to Jordan at mid-off to leave the Tridents in bother at 74/3 – effectively four down – in the 12th over. Things got worse for them two overs later when Jonathan Carter was spectacularly caught and bowled by Jordan, who flung himself to his left in his follow-through to pluck the ball from the air inches above the grass.

When Jason Holder picked out Colin Munro at deep midwicket in the same over, the Tridents were 92/5 with time running out and the innings in real danger of falling away completely.

That didn’t happen.

Shai Hope played nicely for his 23 from 18 with two fours and a six, before Reifer and Nurse gave the innings its all-important explosive finish.

Both men finished 24

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not out, with five Hero Maximums between them.

Even then, 160/6 was no more than a par score in tricky conditions for bowlers coping with a wet ball.

Sunil Narine got the TKR innings off to a flying start with four boundaries from Shakib’s opening over and, although he and Lendl Simmons both fell in the powerplay, the Knight Riders were well on course at 50/2 after six overs.

Enter the 2019 Hero CPL leading wicket-taker to change the momentum once again. Hayden Walsh Jr picked up his 20th wicket of the tournament when Colin Munro reverse-swept straight to that man Nurse at short third-man.

When Nurse then removed Darren Bravo caught behind for just 2, the Knight Riders had lost two wickets for just 12 runs in 3.3 overs since the powerplay.

Denesh Ramdin holed out to long-on to hand Nurse a second wicket in a four-over spell that also gave up just 14 runs.

The game lurched back TKR’s way when Prasanna started smacking everyone to and over the ropes, but

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he was also at fault in the mix-up that led to the run out of Knight Riders skipper Kieron Pollard for 23.

On a night full of crucial moments, here was another.

Prasanna was undeterred, though, and powered to a 22-ball half-century with back-to-back sixes – his third and fourth in all – off Walsh Jr. When 20 were needed from the last 15 balls, it looked like the Knight Riders’ game to lose.

Walsh Jr ended his spell of 2/31 with three dot balls,

though, and Harry Gurney delivered at the death once again with a superb 19th over that gave up just six runs and brought the wicket of Jordan.

That left Prasanna and the Knight Riders needing 14 from the final over with two wickets in hand. When Reifer pinned Prasanna with a millimetre-perfect yorker to start that final over, a topsy-turvy game finally looked settled.

Pierre was caught by Hales at long-on two balls later to confirm it.(CPL)

Golden Jaguars hunting for three points ...

From back page

Welshman and Trayon Bobb, who all missed Golden Jaguars’ encounters against Aruba and Jamaica.

Alex Murray, Akel Clarke and Sese Norville are the goalkeepers in the team, while Matthew Briggs, captain Samuel Cox, Kevin Layne, Sherwin Skeete, Raphael Edwards and Kevin Dundas are the defenders.

Neil Danns will have Delwin Fraser, Clive Nobrega, Ryan Hackett and Daniel Wilson in the midfield, while Welshman and Holder will partner with Keanu Marsh-Brown, Bobb and Pernel Shultz up front.

Meanwhile, looking ahead to today’s game, Maximo noted that the players “understand our tactical approach for this game. Antigua are a very physical team and we should be smart to use our strategy well, to win the game.

We are very optimistic as we look forward to our international players blending well with the local players to do us well; I think we can take a win on Friday (today).”

The last time Antigua and Barbuda faced Guyana, the Benna Boys walked away 1-0 winners thanks to a 69th minute goal from Gayson Gregory, during the Golden Jaguars’ CFU Caribbean Cup tournament. In fact, since their 2006, 6-0 win, Guyana went on to lose four consecutive games to Antigua.

Guyana will host Antigua in a return leg on Monday, October 14, at the National Track and Field Centre.

‘Unbeaten’ Grove Hi Tech are 2019 ...

From back page

Yohance Porter, T. Price and Genesis Lewis.

Grove’s performance was commanding in fashion as they crafted win after win; blasting a total of 60 goals (six per game) while only conceding eight (8), less than one per match to end with a perfect 30 points.

Former champions Timehri Panthers, who won the inaugural NAMILCO competition and represented the EBFA in the national playoffs, had to settle for the runner-up position this time around, ending with nine (9) wins and a single defeat.

In their final match on Sunday they defeated Agricola Red Triangle 2-0, goals coming from Tyrell Khan and Junior Adams, either side of play.

Swan Football Club did no wrong in their two matches which yielded positive results. They defeated Diamond United 3-0 on Saturday whilst triumphing over Friendship All Stars 5-2 on Sunday.

Mocha Champs trounced Samatta Point/Kaneville 5-1 on Sunday while the other match on Saturday, involving Samatta Point/Kaneville and Hersteling Raiders, saw the Raiders win the match, 6-2.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, October 11, 2019

Kohli builds for India after Agarwal hits second century … Pujara provides platform MUMBAI, India (Reuters) - India’s Mayank Agarwal notched up his second hundred in as many Tests and combined with Cheteshwar Pujara to set up a platform for the hosts to post a big first-innings total against South Africa in the second Test at Pune yesterday.

India lost Rohit Sharma cheaply during a difficult opening spell from South Africa’s fast bowlers but Agarwal and Pujara weathered the storm through a second-wicket stand of 138 to help the hosts reach 273 for three wickets at close on the first day.

Opener Agarwal’s stroke-filled knock came to an end on 108 while Pujara fell for 58.

India captain Virat Kohli then got together with his deputy Ajinkya Rahane to add 75 for the unbroken fourth wicket to continue the good work for the hosts, who lead the three-Test series 1-0.

Kohli, in his 50th Test as captain, was unbeaten on 63 with Rahane 18 not out when bad light forced early stumps.

Both teams added an ex-

Mayank Agarwal notched up his second century in as many Tests. tra fast bowler to their side from the opening Test at Visakhapatnam, which India won by 203 runs, with the Pune surface looking harder and sporting a tinge of grass cover.

The visiting pacemen posed a lot of problems for India’s batsmen during an inspired opening spell after Kohli won the toss and chose to bat.

POTENT OPPOSITION Rohit, after enjoying the highs of twin hundreds in his maiden Test as an opener at Visakhapatnam, faced a much more potent opposition on a surface offering movement and fell for 14, edging Kagiso Rabada to wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock.

Rabada, 24, bowled with intensity and was the pick of the South African bowlers through the day as all of his wickets came in similar fashion, with the batsmen edging behind.

With the ball seaming around during the first hour of the match, Agarwal and Pujara played themselves in patiently and improved their scoring rate as the partnership developed.

Agarwal, who hit a maiden hundred in the opening Test, appeared shaky at the start and survived a close leg-before appeal off seamer Vernon Philander.

He also had problems against short-pitched deliveries and was hit on the back

Iran thrash Cambodia 14-0 on marquee night for female fans HONG KONG (Reuters) - Iran made it a night to remember for female fans allowed into the Azadi Stadium for a World Cup qualifying match, for the first time since the Islamic Revolution as they inflicted a record-breaking 14-0 thrashing on Cambodia yesterday.

Striker Karim Ansarifard scored four goals and Sardar Azmoun hit a hat-trick as the Iranians handed Cambodia their heaviest ever defeat.

The win came as 3 500 female fans were permitted to buy tickets for the game, the first time women have been allowed into the stadium in Tehran for a World Cup qualifier in more than four decades.

It took just five minutes for Ahmad Nourollahi to put Marc Wilmots’s side in front when his shot from a

Iranian women attend Iran’s World Cup Asian qualifier against Cambodia. (Source: West Asia News Agency) distance clipped the underside of Keo Soksela’s crossbar before crossing the line.

Azmoun slotted his first into the bottom corner six minutes later before Hossein Kanaani headed home Ramin Rezaeian’s curling cross

from the right with barely 18 minutes on the clock.

Mehdi Taremi made it 4-0 when his shot was deflected over Soksela and, with 10 minutes left in the half, Azmoun grabbed his second when he slotted in

from close range after a handling error by the Cambodian goalkeeper.

Ansarifard scored his side’s sixth, five minutes before the interval after Cambodia had conceded an indirect free kick seven yards from goal and the home team took a seven-goal lead into the break when Azmoun struck from close range.

Iran goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand kept out Keo Sokpheng’s penalty soon after the interval for the hapless visitors and two further goals from Ansarifard either side of Mehdi Taremi’s effort gave Iran a 10-0 lead on the hour mark.

Mohammed Mohebi added two more before substitute Mehrdad Mohammadi put his strike into the corner and Ansarifard completed the rout two minutes from time.

of his helmet by debutant fast bowler Anrich Nortje but that blow seemed to wake him up from his slumber.

The 28-year-old, playing his sixth Test, hit the same bowler for three exquisite boundaries in an over that seemed to kickstart his innings.

He stepped out to hit spinner Keshav Maharaj for two successive sixes to reach 99 and then guided Philander to third man for four to complete his century.

Agarwal hit 16 fours

and two sixes in his 195ball innings.

Pujara had an usually slow start and hit Rabada straight to Temba Bavuma at short leg before he had opened his scoring but the fielder failed to hold on to the sharp chance.

He was nimble in his footwork against the spinners and appeared in complete control before edging Rabada to slip just when it seemed like South Africa would go wicketless in the second session.

Scoreboard

India 1st Innings Mayank Agarwal c Faf du Plessis b Kagiso Rabada 108 Rohit Sharma c Quinton de Kock b Kagiso Rabada 14 Cheteshwar Pujara c Faf du Plessis b Kagiso Rabada 58 Virat Kohli not out 63 Ajinkya Rahane not out 18 Extras: (lb-6, nb) 12 Total: (three wkts, 85.1 overs) 273 Fall of wickets: 1-25, 2-163, 3-198.

Bowling: Vernon Philander 17-5-37-0, Kagiso Rabada 18.1-248-3 (nb-4), Anrich Nortje 133-60-0, Keshav Maharaj 29-8-89-0, Senuran Muthusamy 6-1-22-0 (nb-2).

ECCB/Elizabeth Styles competition bowls off Sunday THE Elizabeth Styles/East Coast Cricket Board (ECCB)-endorsed 40 overs tournament will bowl off on Sunday, October 13 with 4 matches.

Sunday’s line-up will see Lusignan Sports Club play Lowlands Cricket Club (CC) with umpire Omadat Samaroo in charge. Buxton Sports Club (SC) (A) will battle Buxton CC (B) at Buxton Community Centre with Imran Khan as the official.

Over at Enterprise Community Centre, Enterprise SC versus Clonbrook CC, the umpire will be Gavin D’Aguiar. Lusignan Seafoods SC will battle Golden Grove CC (A) at Golden Grove Community Centre. Charles Gibbons will be the presiding umpire.

Twenty-three teams are scheduled to participate in this year’s tournament and will be played strictly under the rules and regulations of the ECCB. The first prize will be $380 000 and a trophy, the second prize will be $80 000 and a trophy and the player-of-the-final will be awarded. The competition will be played on a round-robin basis and all matches are expected to start promptly at 11:00hrs.

The ECCB has already distributed the rules and regulations and is requesting that all participating teams/clubs make contact with the chairman of the competitions committee, Mr Raymond Barton, or Mr Davteerth Anandjit for the playing conditions.

Contact can be made via telephone Mr Barton 626-0223 and Mr Anandjit 617-8502.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, October 11, 2019

Rugby World Cup

Italy out; games called off for first time in tournament’s 32-year history

By Mitch Phillips

TOKYO, Japan (Reuters) - Rugby World Cup organisers were forced to call off matches for the first time in the tournament’s 32-year history yesterday - eliminating Italy as a result - saying the risk from Typhoon Hagibis made hosting them an impossibility on safety grounds.

With the huge storm set to potentially devastate parts of Japan, Italy’s game against New Zealand in Toyota and England’s match versus France in Yokohama tomorrow have been cancelled while Japan’s game against Scotland on Sunday is also in doubt.

Italy could have qualified for the quarter-finals with a shock win over double defending champions New Zealand and star player Sergio Parisse said the decision would have been different if the All Blacks had been facing elimination.

Host nation Japn would advance to the quarter-finals for the first time if their game in Yokohama is called off.

The sport’s governing body World Rugby and tournament officials told a news conference the decision had been taken due to the huge disruption expected from the typhoon, predicted to be one of the most violent to hit the region in recent years.

“While making every possible effort to put in place a contingency plan that would enable all of tomorrow’s matches to be played, it would be grossly irresponsible to leave teams, fans, volunteers and other tournament personnel exposed

Italy coach Conor O’Shea during what is predicted to be a severe typhoon,” said tournament director Alan Gilpin.

Super Typhoon Hagibis is expected to bring torrential rain, high winds, storm surges and high waves tomorrow.

OTHER EVENTS ARE ALSO BEING HIT Organisers of Sunday’s Japanese Formula One Grand Prix, obviously mindful of the fact that driver Jules Bianchi died after a crash at Suzuka in 2014 when the track was soaked by Typhoon Phanfone, are closely monitoring the situation, while a 2020 Olympics BMX cycling test event has been brought forward.

Gilpin defended the decision to hold the tournament, the first to be hosted in Asia, at this time of year.

“We always knew there would be risks but it’s rare for there to be a typhoon of this size at this stage of the year,” he said, adding that he did not feel the integrity of the tournament had been compromised.

“We have no regrets.”

CANCELLED GAMES Tournament regulations

state that cancelled games are ruled a 0-0 draw, with two points going to each team.

That would be enough to ensure Japan reach the quarter-finals if their game falls victim to the typhoon, which might look like some sort of sporting karma to their supporters.

Four years ago Japan beat South Africa in the biggest upset in rugby history but then became the first team to fail to reach the knockout round after winning three pool games, being edged out on bonus points

by Scotland.

A decision on whether that match will be played is set to be made early on Sunday and the Scottish Rugby Union said it expected the game to go ahead.

“Scottish Rugby fully expects contingency plans to be put in place to enable Scotland to contest for a place in the quarter-finals on the pitch and will be flexible to accommodate this,” the SRU said on Twitter.

Coach Gregor Townsend added: “I hope everyone involved in the tournament wants the game to be played and will do their utmost for the game to be played. We have got to believe, and have faith in the organisers, even if it is behind closed doors or played at a different venue.”

Ireland are due to play their final game against Samoa tomorrow knowing a bonus-point victory would ensure progress. A win without a bonus point, or even a bonus point in defeat, would also send the Irish through if Japan’s game is called off.

Italy finished third behind

New Zealand and South Africa after their match against the All Blacks was cancelled leaving an angry Parisse to question the tournament regulations.

“If New Zealand needed four or five points against us it would not have been cancelled,” said the man who has been the backbone of Italian rugby for years.

“It is ridiculous that there was no Plan B, because it isn’t news that typhoons hit Japan.

“Sure, everyone might

think that Italy v New Zealand being cancelled counts for nothing because we’d have lost anyway, but we deserved to be respected as a team.”

Coach Conor O’Shea said the players’ reaction to the news was “horrible”. “Their World Cup has ended on the training pitch, when it should be on the playing field,” he said.

New Zealand finish top of the group with South Africa going through as runners-up.

Yesterday’s decision

marks the first time a World Cup match has been cancelled since the tournament started in 1987.

The 1995 semi-final between hosts South Africa and France was delayed by an hour due to a waterlogged pitch, but famously went ahead after a team of cleaning ladies took to it with brooms.

If bad weather strikes again in Japan, tournament rules allow for knockout stage games to be rescheduled.

Verwey, Persaud among shining stars on Squash opening night A FEW big guns fired on Wednesday evening as the 2019 Ansa McAL Trading Ltd-sponsored Handicap Squash Tournament spiked off at the Georgetown Club courts.

Play commenced with three preliminary matches in the Open category and first-round matches in Category A with players bringing their A-game from the word go.

In Category A, Matthew Spooner (0) had

Nicholas Verwey

to keep full concentration to come out victorious against Angel Rahim (0) after winning a close first game 15-14. He dropped the second game 11-15 but rebounded to win the third game 15-10.

Kaden Pyneandy (0) also won in three games in his match-up against Bradley Walton (2). Kaden won the first game 15-13 but lost the second game rather easily 7-15. He recovered to win the third game 15-12, to further add sauce to Category A.

In another close Category A match, Lucas Persaud (0) beat Brenno Da Silva (2) 15-5, 14-15, 15-12. In the Open Category, Nicholas Verwey (-6) eventually prevailed in his match against Ian Mekdeci (0). Nicholas easily won the first game 15-8, but then dropped the second game 13-15. Verwey’s class was too much as he proved to be a handful, comfortably winning the third game 15-4.

Matches all week start at 18:00hrs with the semifinals set for tomorrow at 15:00hrs and the finals on Sunday beginning at 11:00hrs.

Full results of all the matches played last evening were as follows.

Category A Zachary Persaud (-8) defeated Rylee Rodrigues (12) 15-14, 15-13.

Louis Da Silva (-8) beat Lajuan Munroe (5) 15- 8, 15-10.

Dhiren Persaud (0) thrashed Teija Edwards (0) 15-3, 15-5.

Shiloh Asregado (0) beat Joshua Verwey (0) 15-13, 15-10.

Kaden Pyneandy (0) beat Bradley Walton (2) 15-13, 7-15, 15-12.

Lucas Persaud (0) beat Brenno Da Silva (2) 15-5, 14-15, 15-12.

Matthew Spooner (0) defeated Angel Rahim (0) 15-14, 11-15, 15-10.

Open category Nicholas Verwey (-6) defeated Ian Mekdeci (0) 15-8, 13-15, 15-4.

Jonathan Antczak (-4) beat Wayne Alphonso (8) 15-14, 15-10.

Jonathan De Groot (0) beat Tian Edwards (7) 15-9, 15-9.

BCB/Shimron Hetmyer 2019 Intermediate Tournament

Arch rivals RHT Pepsi, Albion clash tomorrow for Championship honours TWO decades of rivalry between two of Berbice’s strongest cricket clubs will continue tomorrow, with arch rivals Albion and Rose Hall Town (RHT) Pepsi battling it out for Championship honours in the final of the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB)-organised Shimron Hetmyer 2019 Intermediate cricket tournament.

The 40-overs clash is scheduled for the Port Mourant ground starting at 11.00hrs.

Intermediate is the second highest level of cricket

in the Ancient County and serves as a bridge between First and Second Division cricket.

West Indies middle-order batsman Shimron Hetmyer readily agreed to sponsor the tournament after he was approached

by BCB president Hilbert Foster earlier this year.

RHT Pepsi, the defending Berbice Intermediate champions, will be headed by former Guyana Under-19 captain Shawn Pereira who, over the years, has led his club to over 25 major championship honours.

He will be supported by former national junior player Kevin Sinclair, who has been enjoying a productive 2019 season, national junior players Sylus Tyndall, Junior Sinclair, West Indies Under-19 selectee Kevlon Anderson, Jonathan Rampersaud and Mahendra Gopilall.

Talented players like Kevin Sewraj, Doorasammy Mahadeo, Keith Simpson, Chanderpaul Govindhan, Surendra Kissoonlall will also offer good support.

With the likes of Junior Sinclair, Kevin Sinclair, An-

derson, Kissoonlall, Rampersaud, Govindhan and Simpson the defending champions have a strong batting lineup while Anderson and Tyndall will share the new ball.

Off-spinners Junior Sinclair, Kevin Sinclair, Rampersaud, left-arm spinner Jeremy Sandia and leg-spinner Dorasammy Mahadeo and skipper Shawn Pereira offer a lot of variety.

Albion most likely will be led by the experienced Kandasammy Surujnarine and will be supported by a strong batting lineup led by Jetendra Outar, Anthonio

February, Reyad Karim, Ritesh Umroa, Sarwan Chaitnarine.

Albion all-spin attack should enjoy the Port Mourant pitch which usually favours spinners. West Indies Under-19 selectee Kevin Umroa leads the attack with support from Gourav Ramesh, Beesham Surujnarine, Sarwan Chaitnarine and Devindra Latchman.

BCB president Hilbert Foster, executives of the board, along with members of the Hetmyer family, are expected to be present at the closing ceremony.

Kevlon Anderson

30

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, October 11, 2019

Tony Becca - Where is Brandon King?

(Republished from the Jamaica Gleaner of Sunday, December 4, 2016) I HAVE been watching Jamaica at cricket for a very long time. In fact, I have been watching it for around 60 years or so, and I have been doing so almost non-stop, from the days of batsmen like Frank Worrell, Allan Rae, J. K. Holt Jr, Ken Rickards, Neville Bonitto, and Collie Smith.

And from those days until now, I have never seen a Jamaica team bat so poorly, or a Jamaica team of such poor batsmen, like those of the past two or three years.

I have also travelled the world of cricket and I have seldom witnessed such poor batting, be it at the first-class or the Test-match level.

I have seen wickets fall in bunches, at the beginning of an innings, in the middle of an innings, and at the end of an innings, and in quick time for a few runs.

I have seen it happen on sunny days and on rainy days, sometimes because of good bowling, and sometimes because of bad pitches.

Mostly, however, I have seen it happen because of poor batting, the kind of batting where good technique is missing, and where playing back and playing forward, playing with a straight bat, knowing when to attack and when to defend, knowing when to cut, and when to sweep are normally foreign things.

A batsman like John Campbell is the exception, and each time I see Jamaica collapse

recently, and to bowling of average standard and on relatively good pitches, I wonder what has happened to Jamaica’s batting.

Most times, however, I wonder what has happened to young promising batsmen, and especially to Brandon King.

King is a batsman of pedigree who can develop into a batsman of class.

He is a former Jamaica Under-19 and West Indies Under-19 player, he is the captain of Kingston Cricket Club, and he will be, in another week or two, only 22 years old.

He is at the age when most good cricketers start their international careers, and although he did likewise last year, it was only a false start, or so it appears.

After getting into the national team last year against Trinidad and Tobago, and making an impressive 71 in his second match, he was unceremoniously dropped, and after a couple of matches, and only brought back for the odd match here and there.

He has played seven times for Jamaica, he has had no resting place in the batting order, he has scored 285 runs, and he has averaged only 21.92.

King, however, is better than those figures suggest he is. He should bat near the top of the order and not up and down the order. He deserves to be treated better by the selectors and the captain.

PROPER CANING Two seasons ago, on a Sun-

Amazon Warriors batsman Brandon King day at Sabina Park, he took on a Jamaica Defence Force team with their three fast bowlers, including Sheldon Cottrell and Reynard Leveridge, and he gave them a proper caning.

He was hit on the head

by Cottrell early in the innings before he stood tall and played a real masterpiece of an innings.

Kingston needed quick runs to try and win the Senior Cup after trailing on first innings, and he went at the bowling.

He went to bat at 15 for one, he scored 92 with six sixes and five fours, he was dismissed at 167 for two, and the fans, on either side, were thrilled by his composure at the wickets, and by his stroke play.

It was a classy innings.

He demonstrated the stuff of which great batsmen are made. He destroyed the bowlers, including the spin bowler, with lovely, fluent drives,

some of them ending in the stands behind the boundary at long-off and long-on.

King, on that day, and many days after, in the Senior Cup season and in this year’s Trial matches, during which he made the most runs, including a brilliant century, showed his class.

His technique is good, and pleasing to the eye. His style is good, he has the stamp of a future West Indies batsman, and he should be treated as such.

He has not really demanded a place on the national team because he has not dominated the scene, but he has performed and he is not the first not to have dominated the scene and then move on to dominate the level above, and he will not be the last.

For those who do not know, or who may have forgotten, King scored 438 runs with one century and an average of 43.06 in the 2014 Senior Cup season, he scored 247 runs and one century and an average of 24.76 in the 2015 Senior Cup season, and he scored 647 runs, three centuries with a top score of 179 and an average of 71.89 in the past season.

In the past three Senior Cup seasons, he has scored 1 335 runs, he has scored five centuries with a top score of 179, and he has averaged 51.14.

On top of that, his runs, his number of centuries, his top score, and his average for the recent season were far above every other player.

In the three Trial matches a few weeks ago, King scored 223 runs; he had a top score

of 155, and finished with an average of 74.33, all above his contemporaries.

He has class and that should be obvious to the selectors. He deserves a run, no question about that. The fans know it, and so should the selectors.

Each day I go to Sabina Park, I hear the fans asking one question: Where is young King? Where is Brandon King?

King’s figures, overall, may not be the greatest, or not very great. Every time, however, I see Jamaica buckle and fall like ninepins, I remember how men like Sonny Ramadin and Alfred Valentine, although it was a different era, were selected for the West Indies, how Wes Hall was selected, how Michael Holding was selected, how Malcolm Marshall was selected, and how Fidel Edwards was selected for the West Indies.

I also remember, as great as he became, that it took Garry Sobers, the greatest all-rounder cricketer of alltime, 16 Test matches before he scored a century, a memorable 365 not out, and that it took Rohan Kanhai, the magician, 12 matches before he scored a century, a scintillating 256 runs.

The selectors deserve credit for calling up all-rounder Fabian Allen, no doubt about that, although they dropped him after a few good games and after a few poor ones, also for the selection of fast bowler Marquino Mindley, who is also a good and promising one.

DESERVES A REAL CHANCE King, however, appears

ready to become more than a good one, and he deserves a real chance. Is it that the Senior Cup is not good enough, or the Trials are not good enough, or is it that selectors are waiting on one like Ian Bishop to come in and select King for them?

It is neither right nor justified to omit King, not according to the structure, not according to the process, not according to his performance and certainly not according to his talent.

King may not reach the heights that others have done and he may not be really as good as some of us may think, but he deserves the chance to really parade his skills, and because he promises so much, he deserves more than just a chance.

Remember Lawrence Rowe, or one like Jeffrey Dujon, and another like Jimmy Adams? King also does not need to score an abundance of runs to prove that he is good, or that he can go further than being a good Senior Cup batsman.

Unlike Cleveland Davidson, or Colin Fletcher, he does not need a bagful of runs to prove that he can bat, and that he possesses the pedigree to bat well.

On top of parading the class, King made the runs, he has been through the process, and he deserves a good run in the Jamaica team, especially in a weak Jamaica batting team, so that the fans can stop shouting his name and asking the question: Where is young King? Where is Brandon King?

(Tony Becca passed away on February 28, 2019).

Biles wins all-round gold for 16th World Gymnastics title SIMONE Biles extended her record of women’s all-around World Gymnastics Championships titles with another convincing gold in Stuttgart.

The 22-year-old’s total score of 58.999 gave her gold by a margin of 2.1 marks.

The success is the American’s 16th world title and follows the team gold that USA women won on Tuesday.

The win was Biles’ fifth all-around world title and she is now one medal short of equalling Vitaly Scherbo’s all-time record of 23 world medals.

With four apparatus finals over the weekend

she is expected to overtake the Belarusian.

‘MOST SUCCESSFUL IN HISTORY’ Biles started the allaround final on vault with a big score of 15.233 and followed that up with high marks on uneven bars (14.733) and beam (14.633).

Going into the last rotation on floor Biles needed 12.3 to overtake China’s Tang Xijing for gold.

And despite two steps out of bounds, her routine was still worthy of 14.4 to seal her fifth world allaround title.

Biles returns to com-

Simone Biles competes in her floor routine during the women’s all-around final in Stuttgart.

petition tomorrow, when she could claim her 23rd and 24th world medals in the vault and uneven bars apparatus finals.

Should she do so she would become the most successful gymnast in World Championships history!.

While on vault she qualified first and is again favourite to retain that title, on bars she qualified in seventh place.

If Biles does not claim the record tomorrow she has two more chances on floor and beam the following day - where she qualified first for each final.

Great Britain’s sole representative in the all-

round final was Alice Kinsella.

The 18-year-old posted a total of 54.765 to

improve upon her qualifying performance to finish a creditable 12th.

(BBC Sport)

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Friday October 11, 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) 3 times (2015, 2017, 2018) (2) 2 times (2013 & 2016)

Today’s Quiz:

(1) Which team won the CPL title in 2014?

(2) How many times the Warriors have played in a CPL final?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

31

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, October 11, 2019

Hercules: Champs Essequibo ready for 50-Over title defence … Head coach elated over Beaton’s return

By Clifton Ross RYAN Hercules, head coach of the defending Professional Cricket League (PCL) 50-Over Champs Essequibo, said the players are healthy and raring to defend their championship, come this Sunday when the 2019 edition of the tournament bowls off.

The former cricketer-turned-title-winning coach, having led Essequibo’s resurgence and restoration of value over the past 4 years, delivered the 3-Day title along with the 50-Over Cup which they won last year following a near-perfect run in the competition.

Hercules told Chronicle Sport during an exclusive yesterday that the champs are in high spirits, healthy and eager to get their title defence underway.

“During the off-season most players have been playing at their clubs and I’m coaching at Police Club so I get to spend time with a few of them. We trained at the outdoor facility built by the Guyana Cricket Board recently with guys like Kemol Savory and Kevon Boodie, putting in the extra work,” said Hercules.

An injury-free, unchanged squad is good ac-

Pacer Ronsford Beaton will make his return to the Essequibo team. cording to the coach who noted that he was constantly banging on the players to stay fit and in form. “We know the franchise was supposed to start anytime soon so I kept pressing them to do personal work, so we could be up and ready to go, but we have players in the academy who are training constantly too.”

Essequibo will have the same side which virtually won most of their recent titles and with the confirmation that Windies pacer Ronsford Beaton will be making a comeback for this domestic season, Hercules was elated to have a wellgelled, experienced unit on deck.

“We have the same side that won the One-Day title

last year and the 3-Day title the year before, so we’ve been gelling for years and it’s the same team with the same guys. It’s crucial to gel because we are a family.

The team is a family so it’s important having unity so we usually spend time on and off the field. Talks are good, it keeps us together,” explained Hercules.

Regarding Beaton’s role this season, Hercules said he thinks the pacer is ready to burst back onto the big stage following his recovery from injury. “Beaton is back in the team and it’s crucial for him.

He was working hard on his fitness and plans on giving 100 percent to the team as he plans to get back into the national side. I’m really looking forward to working with him. He’s still young, he’s a hard worker and he knows it’s time he makes a comeback.”

Hercules, who was a part of the Guyana Amazon Warriors coaching set-up earlier in the tournament, said he will be using all his experience and knowledge of the team to help them retain their title this season.

“Last year we would have identified some factors with batsmen, like partnerships and we let players

Essequibo head coach Ryan Hercules is confident of having a good season. know their roles and keeping with the fundamentals.

We need to work on fielding. It’s one of the most important aspects of the game.

“We are going to put in the extra effort with guys like Anthony Adams, Joshua Jones, Ricardo Adams, Beaton and Keemo Paul when he returns. So we just need to take it one game at a time and not get complacent because we are the champions,” he ended.

Titans high-performance table tennis camp to focus on conditioning, career prospects - Dick PRESIDENT of the Titans Table Tennis Club, Dwain Dick, said the upcoming International High-Performance Camp is crucial for the physical growth and career expansion of the younger generation of players.

With the camp set to teeoff November 9-22 at the Guyana Red Cross facility, Dick told Chronicle Sport recently that the core aim of the clinic was to help further mould and develop the younger generation of table tennis players, with regard to their physical maintenance as well as solidifying a career.

“This camp helps to

properly condition the young players physically and mentally while it exposes them to modernised techniques of training which, once learned, will definitely improve their level of playing,” Dick stated.

Students will learn from head facilitator of the camp, Christian Lillieroos, of the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) Course Conductor, who has hundreds of successful clinics under his belt.

Dick added that the other vital aspect of the camp is the chance at providing the players with career-changing chances in

the future.

“Our general aim is to provide a pathway and opportunities through competition and training.

We want to take our young players to the elite level where they can compete on the world stage and help them to assess and evaluate their development,” ended the president.

Meanwhile the camp will cater to 24 local and regional players of all levels, who will be split into two groups of 12. Group A is scheduled to commence training from 06:00hrs to 08:00hrs and 16:00hrs to 18:30hrs daily.

Group B will then train

Secure Innovations and Concepts Inc. supports 1320 Heat rematch PREMIER firearm dealership and Security Company Secure Innovations and Concepts Inc. is one of the first companies to support the 1320 Heat rematch drag racing event billed for next weekend.

The Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club (GMR&SC)-organised event is picking up traction among fans and competitors.

The company, through managing director Harold Hopkinson, confirmed their support by saying, “We at Secure Innovations and Concepts Inc. always look to support sports, especially motorsport.”

“We have a love for motorsport and we are more than happy with the last event and we felt that the support for this event should reflect that.”

Reflecting on the support, president of the Club, Rameez Mohamed, contended, “Secure Innovations and Concepts is one of the most ardent supporters of motorsport. We feel that their support comes at a valuable time and we are more than thankful for it.”

The October 20 event, billed for the South Dakota drag strip, is already causing a stir among local competitors, especially with the announcement of the ‘callouts’ segment.

The club announced the segment as a way of allowing special cars to ‘choose’ which competitor to run against in an exhibition drag.

According to the club, the Callouts will run for one hour during the 1320 rematch and competitors will have to register their callouts prior to the start of the event.

In addition to that, Suriname has confirmed participation with a prospective contingent of six cars.

LIMACOL football final postponed Titans Table Tennis Club president Dwain Dick from 09:30hrs to 12:00hrs and 18:00hrs to 20:30hrs each day, with a tourney held on the last two days and which will be assessed and evaluated by the facilitators.

Registration fee for the camp is US$200 per participant. (Clifton Ross)

FANS who are waiting for the final of the 2019 edition of the LIMACOL Football tournament will have to wait a week longer, according to organisers, Petra Organisation.

The organisers in an email to the media yesterday confirmed that logistics have forced a switch in the tournament’s final game.

An email read, “Please be advised that due to logistical issues we have decided to postpone the final of the LIMACOL Football Tournament from 13th October 2019 to Sunday 20th October 2019 at the same venue.”

“The final will be contested between the two powerhouses for Junior Football title - Santos and Fruta Conquerors.

The third-place playoff will be between the top two teams in the GFA - Pele and Riddim Squad.

Nurse and Reifer all-round show fires Tridents into CPL final

… to face Amazon Warriors tomorrow at Brian Lara Stadium ASHLEY Nurse and Raymon Reifer starred with both bat and ball as Barbados Tridents knocked out defending champions Trinbago Knight Riders (TKR) to set up a 2019 Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) final against the all-conquering Guyana Amazon Warriors.

Nurse’s intervention was crucial in both innings, first when blasting an unbeaten 24 from nine balls to propel a stuttering Tridents innings up to 160/6 and

then taking two key wickets to help strangle the Knight Riders’ run-chase.

Having been put into bat, the Tridents looked set to make an under-par total for the majority of their innings until Nurse and Raymon Reifer – who later also played his part with the ball, bowling a nerveless final over that included the vital wicket of Seekkuge Prasanna for a 27-ball 51 and

Barbados Tridents players celebrate their victory over TKR last evening.

See page 27

‘Unbeaten’ Grove Hi Tech Golden Jaguars hunting for three are 2019 Champions points against ‘Benna Boys’ today

By Rawle Toney

humbled by Jamaica (0-4) in their second match, played at the National Track and Field Centre at home.

Antigua and Barbuda, on the other hand, got off to a rough start when they went down 0-6 to the ‘Reggae Boyz’, but bounced back to edge Aruba 2-1, setting up a crucial encounter in Antigua and Barbuda today.

“For me the team is coming good; after we arrived we had a good session with the players on Tuesday and we also trained on Wednesday and I think that they have all held well so far and are focussed on the task,” Jaguars head coach Marcio Maximo.

The Brazilian will have the services of Hull City’s Elliot Bonds, Margate FC’s Kadell Daniel, Hapoel Haifa FC’s Emery

NAMILCO/GFF/EBFA 2019 Under-17 Champions, Grove Hi Tech Football Club

THE Golden Jaguars, Guyana’s senior men’s national football team, will for the first time since November 29, 2010, take on Antigua and Barbuda, when the CONCACAF Nations League (League B) matches continue today at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium. Kick-off time is 17:00hrs.

Both teams picked up a win and a loss from their two games played so far and have secured three points, but it is the Golden Jaguars who currently sit behind the undefeated ‘Reggae Boyz’ with a superior gold difference (-3) over the ‘Benna Boys’ (-5).

Guyana had opened their Nations League (League B, Group C) campaign with a 1-0 win over Aruba, but were

GROVE Hi Tech are the new East Bank Football Association/GFF/NAMILCO Thunderbolt Flour Power 50th Anniversary U-17 Intra Association League champions.

They played unbeaten throughout the second edition of the competition which will end on Sunday at the Guyana Football Federation National Training Facility, Providence, East Bank Demerara.

In romping to the title and bragging rights for the next year as well as earning the right to be the EBFA’s representative team in the clash of the Regional Member Associations championship, Grove Hi Tech stormed to back-to-back wins last weekend.

Neil Danns (R) and Samuel Cox are among the players who will roar today against Antigua and Barbuda when the CONCACAF Nations League continues. (Samuel Maughn photo)

They hammered Timehri Panthers ‘B’ 4-0 on the back of a Rasheed Evans hat-trick on Sunday, while on Saturday the Hi Tech boys got past Mocha Champs 5-3 after a 1-1 halftime score.

Evans hit the back of the nets in the 13th, 43rd and 51st minutes against the Panthers’ B side. The other goal came off the boot of Vincent Chin in the 31st minute.

In the Mocha clash, Grove got their goals from Evans, Kurwayne Lyte, Samuel Garnett and Devon Padmore who netted a double. Scoring for Mocha Champs were See page 27

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See page 27

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2019