Guyana Chronicle E-paper 10-12-2019

SATURDAY 12th OCTOBER, 2019

' No.105788

‘Food products

not fuel products’ …President Granger David Granger talks up food security through agro-processing

SEE STORY ON PAGE 03

Major upgrade for Botanical Gardens 02 PAGE

…President says gardens will include all species of trees in Guyana

Woman throws husband’s salary, wedding band in offering plate 08 PAGE

-- seeks police intervention after pastor refuses to return items

Five more Indigenous communities receive Land Titles

PAGE

11

President David Granger plants a tree at the Union Sports and Culture Complex, No. 53 Village, Corentyne, East Berbice-Corentyne Region 6

2

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, October 12, 2019

Major upgrade for Botanical Gardens …President says gardens will include all species of trees in Guyana

By Nafeeza Yahya PRESIDENT David Granger, on Friday, announced that his government intends to upgrade the Botanical Gardens to a world class facility, which will include all species of trees grown here.

“We have to establish, in every region, a Regional Park not just a national park where it helps to preserve the beautiful flora and fauna… I am going to change the National Botanical Gardens, which Botanical Gardens must be the home to every specimen of tree in Guyana. It must obtain, it must contain, and maintain several specimens of all of the species of trees anywhere in Guyana,” President told a gathering at the National Tree Planting Exercise at Union Village, Corentyne, on Friday.

He said the Botanical

Gardens must be a school house for children “so that we can learn about the wonders of Guyana’s trees.”

Back in 2016, Natural Resources Minister, Raphael Trotman, had announced a $50M upgrade of the Botanical Gardens. According to Minister Trotman then, the restoration will include the construction of a Black Caiman Walkway, rehabilitation of the fencing structure, improvements to drainage and irrigation structures and the rehabilitation of the plant nursery. The minister revealed that in order to alleviate flooding, government had to purchase an excavator at a cost of $19M. “We will be rehabilitating offices and raising the walkway. There is going to be a Black Caiman walkway built. We will rehabilitate the eastern fence (facing Vlissengen Road), which is crumbling, because

we discovered there is no foundation. We are investing $2.12M in the restoration of the plant nursery, and the koker will be rehabilitated,” Minister Trotman revealed.

He noted that the government’s aim was to “restore the Botanical Gardens to its original intent…for botany.”

The Botanical Gardens, one of the popular recreation-

al parks in Georgetown, is 142 years old this year. Former Curator at the Gardens, Mr. Fitz Ogle, had told the Guyana Chronicle that, at a meeting of the Royal Agri-

President David Granger interacts with students on the Corentyne during the National Tree Planting Day on Friday

cultural and Commercial Society (RACS), held on April 03, 1877, members were convinced that great benefits were to be derived from establishment of the Botanical Gardens in the vicinity of the city, and appointed a committee comprising Messrs.

J. Hampden King, Henry Watson, Henry Kirke, W.H. Campbell and R.W. Imlach to prepare a memorandum to the Governor and Court of Policy in this respect.

The petition was favourably received, and the Attorney General and Messrs.

Robert Smith and William Russell were appointed to plan a scheme. The initial plans came to fruition when 276 acres of the backlands of Plantation Vlissengen were bought by the Government for $72,000, and 185 acres TURN TO PAGE

03

3

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, October 12, 2019

‘Food products not fuel products’ …President Granger talks up food security through agro-processing

PRESIDENT David Granger, on Friday, emphasised the importance of this country remaining food-secure when he addressed hundreds at the National Tree Day exercise at Number 53 Village – Union Sports and Cultural Complex in East Berbice, Corentyne.

The Head of State, while expressing confidence in returning to office following National Elections on March 2, 2020, stated that the coalition government will utilise funds from oil revenues to boost other sectors, especially agriculture.

“Food Products not fuel products will remain the mainstay of our economy.

Petroleum revenues are welcomed but will be deployed to modernise the agriculture and other sectors of development,” the Guyanese leader told the gathering. While noting that East Berbice alone

can supply the entire eastern Caribbean with enough food through its abundance of fertile lands, President Granger pointed to agro-processing to add value and making this a reality.

“Agro processing can add value to our primary products and help this country and this region to be more prosperous.

Tree based agro processing can ensure greater food security by increasing our exports and adding more value to our food production while reducing market uncertainties associated with primary produce.”

The Head of State noted that Guyana exported US$8M in fruits and vegetables in 2018. This figure, he stressed, is well below the potential that Guyana has to offer and based on economists’ calculations, with a more robust agro-processing programmer, that figure should be somewhere around US$250M annually

instead. “We can be exporting more in agricultural produce than rice and sugar in value.

We are talking about a new chapter in our hinterland and rural economies. We can go more robustly in the packaging and bottling of foods and drinks using modern equipment on a large scale. That is one of the elements in our policy to ensure food security by reducing food imports and increasing exports particularly in processed form,” President Granger said.

The President said to help achieve this objective, the government will be offering financial incentives to investors that are interested in promoting export-oriented agro-processing, as it has the potential to transform the entire economy. “It improves food security by stimulating increased demand for food production by reducing crop losses due to spoilage. But President David Granger waters a plant

A section of the gathering at the National Tree Day exercise

Major upgrade for ... of that land was taken over for the Gardens.

In 1878, Mr. Prestoe, of the Trinidad Gardens, came to the then British Guiana to examine the site and, accordingly, prepare a plan. Mr. J.S Waby arrived in 1879 from Trinidad to begin establishment of the Gardens. A great amount of work had to be done before the land could be planted, as it was mostly swampland and pasture.

Trenches had to be dug, roads constructed, propagation sheds erected, and the land raised by taking soil from lakes onto the land, while the front of the Gardens was tile-trained.

Among the first seedlings

raised by J.S Waby were samaan trees, some of which were planted along the north side of the Gardens. Others now form the avenue on Vlissengen Road.

In 1880, Mr. George Samuel Jenman arrived as Botanist and Superintendent of the Botanical Gardens, and the project made great progress under the care and diligence of Messrs.

Jenman and Waby. Jenman’s sterling contribution to development of the Botanical Gardens earned him much honour and respect internationally.

Today, a clock installed on the Botanical Garden’s Office (formerly the Curator’s Office) bears his name as testimony to

most of all it would improve and increase farmers income and we could employ more of our young people and reduce poverty in our villages. ” He continued, “Agro-processing has the potential to transform rural and hinterland communities and to augment the national product. When value is added to the primary production, the export value is increased, exports are stimulated and foreign exchange is generated.”

President Granger stated that the need for agro-processing on a larger scale cannot be underscored enough as it has the potential to start a revolution where products that would have otherwise gone to waste will now be-

come a source of income.

He made reference to fruits in different communities that are left to rot while in other communities that same fruit is being imported from another country.

The President stated that his government will launch a Decade of Development in 2020. He stated that agro-processing plays a critical role in that development of which the ‘Green State Development Strategy’ is also a key component.

That strategy, he said, is the roadmap to making Guyana a ‘green’ state as well as the roadmap to food security. “Next year we know petroleum will start to flow but don’t let us get drunk

on oil, let us remain sober because we want to make sure during that decade of development every section, every sector, every segment of our economy and society will benefit from economic development. The objective of the Decade of Development is not to share out oil money, it is to make Guyana economically reliable and self-sufficient. So Guyanese you can look forward to this decade of Development which will lay the foundation for sustained progress and prosperity but also a decade that will be based on agricultural development.”

◄ From page 02

his remarkable achievement in shaping the Botanical Gardens of Guyana.

After Jenman’s death in 1902, changes were made to the layout of the Botanical Gardens. Drainage was improved; the famous arched “kissing bridge”, depicting the Victorian era, was constructed; and a bandstand was erected in memory of Mr. J. Brummel, the then Sheriff of Demerara. The Botanical Gardens were continuously beautified as flowering and ornamental shrubs took root, providing a landscape that was pleasing to the eye.

President David Granger said the national Botanical Gardens will be reconfigured to contain and propagate specimens of every tree found anywhere in Guyana

4 GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday October 12, 2019

Nobel Peace Prize: Ethiopia PM Abiy Ahmed wins (BBC) The 2019 Nobel Peace Prize has been awarded to Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed who made peace last year with bitter foe Eritrea.

He was awarded the prize for his efforts to “achieve peace and international cooperation”.

Mr Abiy’s peace deal

with Eritrea ended a 20-year military stalemate following their 1998-2000 border war.

He was named as the winner of the 100th Nobel Peace Prize in Oslo, where he will receive the award in December. It is worth some nine million Swedish crowns (about £730,000; $900,000).

Following the announcement, Mr Abiy said he was Abiy Ahmed became Ethiopia’s prime minister in April 2018

“humbled and thrilled”.

“Thank you very much.

It is a prize given to Africa, given to Ethiopia and I can imagine how the rest of Africa’s leaders will take it positively to work on [the] peace-building process on

our continent,” he added in a phone call with the secretary of the Norwegian Nobel Committee.

A total of 301 candidates had been nominated for the prestigious award, including 223 individuals and 78 organisations. There had been great speculation over who would win the prize, with climate activist Greta Thunberg widely tipped as the favourite. Under the Nobel Foundation’s rules, nomination shortlists are not allowed to be published for 50 years, and the organisation says any speculation ahead of the announcement is “sheer guesswork”. What has Abiy Ahmed done?

After becoming prime minister in April 2018, Mr Abiy introduced massive lib-

12 October, 2019 04:00hrs ~ 05:30hrs

eralising reforms to Ethiopia, shaking up what was a tightly controlled nation.

He freed thousands of opposition activists from jail and allowed exiled dissidents to return home. Under him, several women have also been appointed to prominent positions. Most importantly, he signed the peace deal with Eritrea. But his reforms also lifted the lid on Ethiopia’s ethnic tensions, and the resulting violence forced some 2.5 million people from their homes.

WHY DID HE WIN? Mr Abiy, 43, was honoured for his “decisive initiative to resolve the border conflict with neighbouring Eritrea”, the Norwegian Nobel Committee said.

“The prize is also meant to recognise all the stakeholders working for peace and reconciliation in Ethiopia and in the East and Northeast African regions,” they said.

“Peace does not arise from the actions of one party

alone. When Prime Minister Abiy reached out his hand, President Afwerki grasped it, and helped to formalise the peace process between the two countries. The Norwegian Nobel Committee hopes the peace agreement will help to bring about positive change for the entire populations of Ethiopia and Eritrea.”

Since the Eritrea deal, Mr Abiy - the youngest head of government in Africa - has also been involved in peace processes in other African countries, the committee said. This has included helping to broker an agreement between Sudan’s military leaders and civilian opposition after months of protests.

Mr Abiy’s office said the award was testimony “to the ideals of unity, cooperation and mutual coexistence that the prime minister has been consistently championing”.

Wednesday October 10, 2019

04 05 09 12 15 19 20

October 11, 2019

A

11, 13, 14, 15, 16 09, 15, 16, 20, 24

6, 1, 2

1, 9, 5

3

6

11 14 19

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday October 12, 2019

5

TT Agriculture Minister: Money doesn’t grow on trees (TRINIDAD NEWSDAY) MONEY does not grow on trees, but people feel one could just find the money, Agriculture Minister, Clarence Rambharat told farmers at the opening of the Central Market at Woodford Lodge, Chaguanas, on Friday.

“There is something called the standing committee on finance, and this committee took the opportunity to drill me for as long as they wanted, so I have to account to the country on agriculture.

“I cannot say,’I went by a tree in Moruga and picked $1,000,000,’ because when I took office I had to decide what is the priority in agriculture,” he said.

The Woodford Lodge

Senator and Agriculture Minister Clarence Rambharat

facility was offered to the Borough of Chaguanas in 2016, he said, but after several meetings and many exchanges, he had to move

TT Local govt elections on Dec 2 (TRINIDAD NEWSDAY) LOCAL government elections will be held on December 2. The PM said the writs of elections shall be issued in due course.

The announcement was made in a statement issued by the Office of the Prime Minister.

The life of local government corporations comes to an end in November. The last local government elections were held on November 28, 2016. The ruling PNM currently controls eight of the country’s 14 local government corporations. The opposition UNC controls the remaining six corporations. The PNM last month said it has completed its screening of local government candidates. The party will announce its candidates at its annual convention on November 10.

The UNC has said it is nearly completed its local government screening.

Other political parties, such at the MSJ and COP, are still screening candidates.

Progressive Party leader Nikolai Edwards said his party will not be contesting the local government elections.

PM Dr Keith Rowley

on and open the market.

The market is open, but there is a daily cost to maintain the facility, and the security bill alone is $1.4 million a year, he pointed out.

“For every day that the market is open, there is a need for six officers and one supervisor and it costs $4,000 a day.”

Rambharat said when he took office, the Norris Deonarine Northern Wholesale Market was marked as a priority for development, as Namdevo had issues with parking. Namdevco’s Debe Market had issues with flooding, and while there are issues surrounding health, the market remains open. The Norris Deonarine Market will be expanded.

Rambharat said the wholesale market in central put farmers in direct contact with consumers, and his government expanded the Port of Spain farmers’ market to allow this.

He said consumers in search of fresh produce would go to the central market and jostle for parking space, and this became a habit.

But, he warned, “This generation will not go to the central market. Instead, they will go to the one-stop shopping at the supermarkets to get their produce.”

When he became Agriculture Minister, he said, he had to look at what was happening across the country in terms of primary producers – farmers – being

able to access the market to sell their produce. While farmers’ produce can get into consumers’ hands in a number of ways, “The number-one way is for farmers to sell their produce directly to consumers. This way they maximise their profit. The more interveners and interlopers you have, particularly in agriculture, wherever it is in the world, the less the farmer makes on the sale.”

Rambharat said such middlemen tend to store the goods for a long period, and hence customers do not get fresh produce. This was why it was very important for the farmer to interface with the consumer.

“Supermarkets all over the country demand price, quality and reliability of

supply. Farmers need to guarantee the supermarket a regular supply of produce at a consistent price,” he said.

Supermarkets preserve their produce for long periods by using chemicals, he noted.

The restaurant industry also demands a high quality of produce on a regular basis.

The farmers’ market in the Queen’s Park Savannah was a resounding success, Rambharat said, and when the farmers’ market was opened in Rio Claro, cassava sold out in 45 minutes. The markets in Couva and Diego Martin were also successful.

Two women shot in Arima (TRINIDAD NEWSDAY) Two women are in serious condition at hospital after being shot on Hill View, Bypass Road, Arima.

Police did not disclose the two women’s identities.

Newsday understand the two were driving along

Hillview, Bypass Road at about 9 am when the car was riddled with bullets.

Police at the scene said there were over 25 bullet holes in the windshield and on the driver’s side of the car.

No motive has been established.

6 GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday October 12, 2019

Social intervention and prison reform IN our Tuesday edition this week we reported the Prisons Director, Gladwin Samuels, exhorting that social intervention and support, combined with punishment and encouragement are much more effective in preventing crimes.

He said too that if an inmate is not exposed to opportunities that contribute to positive changes, leaving prison and returning to a life of crime would likely be their first option. Samuels also said several studies have shown that harsher sentences do not necessarily act as deterrents, and may even slightly increase the likelihood of repeat offending and that efforts at punishment without rehabilitation condemn an individual to an existence without hope.

We quoted him as saying, “An existence without hope will invari-

ably lead to recidivism and a life of crime that will further jeopardise our individual and collective security. Our revised laws have not yet been passed to see the GPS move formally to a fully-correctional institution. In our existing laws, however, there are sufficient guidelines that allow us to make rehabilitation a critical part of our mandate. This is an ongoing exercise.”

Society has a responsibility to contribute in influencing a national conversation on the state of our prison system and what we desire of it and a serious conversation must start now. The prison has been and will continue to be an institution in society. Recognising that the prison encompasses people who are citizens, it must not only be looked at as a penal system, but a reformist institution that prepares

the incarcerated for re-integration into society.

Addressing reform will require reviewing sentencing based on the type of crime. Innovative ways can be examined to dispense with petty crimes such as stealing a bicycle, wherein justice can be dispensed through community service in a controlled environment. Sentencing for marijuana should also be examined as a matter of priority, including decriminalisation of a certain amount or for medical reason.

President David Granger’s initiative of pardoning young men who had committed non-violent offences must be considered a good intent to kick-start a major prison reformation. The prison population can be placed in several different groups since the one-size-fits-all system is a proven failure. Even as inmates are

taught CXC and basic technical education, such can be complemented with programmes like an effective parole system designed towards preparing prisoners for reintegration and reducing the congestion that presently exists.

Every incarcerated individual, outside of those on death row or life imprisonment, is expected to re-integrate into society. Taking cognisance of this reality requires a reform structure that is deep, focused and incisive with consideration for the varied groups. It should be considered that prison life must bring with it, new opportunities or a second chance to pursue a life of legitimacy and productivity through acquisition of knowledge and development of appropriate life skills.

In the wider society, efforts can also be made to empower the

citizenry of the various crimes and corresponding penalties via roadway signs, etc., which play a role in deterring crime. Given that the prison system is being managed at a tidy sum to the taxpayers, attention ought to be paid to value for money. Applying this principle can see a system put in place targeting reduction in recurring offenders by separating them from the hardened criminals who can influence them to a life of crime. Prison reform is possible in the presence of will and commitment, but such must also be seen as a matter of necessity to bring Guyana into the 21st Century.

REMEMBERING THE PAST; LEST WE FORGET Dear Editor, Allow me to commend the organisers of the Commemoration Ceremony of the African Holocaust, 2019.

(ACDA). They remind us of the importance and dynamism of ancestral piety.

They deserve our applause and admiration.

It is in order that the community celebrate this event.

The circumstances that occasioned the worst treatment of some of God’s children, the Africans.

The holocaust occasioned the worst treatment of man to man known in recent history.

Africans were ruthlessly severed from their homelands in West Africa and transported in ships across the Atlantic to Guyana and other countries in the so-called ‘New World’.

Many of them, recognising the plight of new and unaccustomed captivity and brutality jumped overboard,

never to be seen again.

Today, we celebrate and honour their decision of magnificence martyrdom.

Today, we must, by recognising the horrors of slavery, redouble our efforts to vindicate their sufferings. It is our responsibility to act so that their bones will not rattle in shame or disbelief that we, their descendants, are not behaving in a manner that truly honours them, both by word and deed.

At supper my wife reminded me recently and my parents shared this wisdom to be “gentle as doves but be wise as serpents.”

At this time, I ask that on behalf of the slaves that we forgive. However, we must not ever forget, for if we forget, it will be a form of disarming this and future generations. The month of October offers Guyanese of every age, race and class, an opportunity to learn from

history and avoid a journey of shared stupidity.

It was in October 1957, that the descendants of slaves and indentured labourers met to establish the People’s National Congress (Burnham, Jainarine Singh, JP Latchmansingh) to advance the cause of freedom in this colonial outpost and importantly, to avoid the folly of being aligned to alien powers and ideologies.

Recently, we hear the propaganda about a return to democracy in October 1992.

A complete deception. This propaganda should embolden us to emancipate the truth.

In some cases, reminiscent of stories told of the proverbial house slaves.

After that October, we saw a reversal of the gains won in the mid-1960s. We witnessed the discrimination of the descendants of those Africans who endured the Trans-Atlantic journey and the blood,

sweat and tears of life on our plantations, where those slaves civilised the entire coastal belt by digging drains, canals and dams by hand.

It was after October 1992, that we witnessed the extra judicial killing of 400 odd persons, 95 per cent were of African stock.

We witnessed house slave mentality when as part of a previous government, a minister and descendant of a slave, facilitated the now infamous cash jet-plane pilot with a special access road to his hangar, etc. at our main International Airport. How many trips the gentleman made is unknown to us. It would be unnecessary for me to give all the examples, except to say on holocaust day, we must remember with respect and reverence our earlier fore-parents.

The task our organisations face is to unapologetically support the leader that will give us the tools to narrow

the vast gap created by enslavement, which completely severed the African from its roots. This dismemberment unto this day witnesses Afro Guyanese carrying names alien to Africa.

Today, we must note, this is a monumental task and educational and similar opportunities are the best medicine to dissolve this debility and give each one of us irrespective of race, colour or creed, the opportunity to achieve to our highest potential.

Next year holocaust must see us pursuing a good life, good education, so that we rekindle the dreams and aspirations of our noble ancestors.

This must not detract us from our efforts for reparation and the pursuit for unity, not only among the Afro-centric groups but be reminded as Forbes Burnham said as we ushered in Independence, “To us, the Amerindians are important. To us, the Chinese

are important. To us, the Portuguese are important. To us, the Europeans are important.

To us, the mixed races are important. To us, the Africans are important. To us, the Indians are important.”

“In short, all Guyanese are important and valued members of our community and we cherish them and consider that as a government it is our duty and privilege to guard, protect and further the real interests of all.”

Today, we focus on the enduring strength and resilience of the Africans, who unlike the others, arrived here with a status below the estate mules and animals.

Next holocaust, we must advance with courage, patience, and determination, the fulfilment of our Motto, ‘One People, One Nation, One Destiny.”

Regards, Hamilton Green

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday October 12, 2019

7

Misleading and a clever hatchet job Dear Editor,

I have noted an article on page 13 of the Friday October 11, edition of Stabroek News under the headline ‘Toshaos urged to study constitution ahead of planned reform consultations’.

Editor, I was present during this session and I find the article to be misleading and a clever hatchet job on the presentation made by Mrs. Tamara

Khan.

Mrs. Khan’s session lasted for approximately 90 minutes yet Stabroek News sought to misrepresent her comprehensive and thorough presentation with an article that selectively, and it would appear, purposely, cherry-picked certain aspects to create a certain negative impression.

I found Mrs. Khan was receptive to the views and suggestions from Toshaos and senior councillors

and responded respectfully and engagingly to questions posed. The Stabroek News article disingenuously sought to portray the opposite as having taken place. I am aware that several Toshaos, obviously pleased with both Mrs. Khan’s presentation and her style, have extended invitations to her and her team to visit their villages to make similar presentations to the people of the villages.

In fact, Chairman of the National Toshaos Council,

How will Stabroek News act?

Dear Editor,

Now that Mr. Ralph Ramkarran SC has been formally announced as the presidential candidate for A New and United Guyana (ANUG), it is incumbent on Stabroek News to act with swiftness if it wishes to preserve any vestige of being an independent newspaper.

Mr. Ramkarran has been a weekly columnist in the Stabroek News for some time, penning the Conversation Tree column which has not unexpectedly taken on a naked political persona. Now that he is a named presidential candidate, Stabroek News is obligated to take one of two actions in accordance with the principles of fairness, balance and equal access. The newspaper could either offer equally prominent space in its pages to all other presidential candidates on the same arrangement as with Mr. Ramkarran or, alternatively, the newspaper can suspend Mr. Ramkarran’s column until the conclusion of elections.

Should the newspaper continue to offer Mr. Ramkarran premium space in its pages (without a similar offer to other presidential candidates) it would be

a clear statement of political bias. This would mean that the newspaper would be offering to Mr. Ramkarran unfettered space above and beyond what it is offering to other presidential candidates. And further, the newspaper will be submitting itself as a platform for the propagation of ANUG’s policies and plans, and to allow Mr. Ramkarran to execute political attacks on his opponents.

It is worthy to note as well that Dr. Henry Jeffrey, a senior executive and certain to be a candidate of ANUG, is also a weekly columnist in the Stabroek News. Mr. Ramkarran is himself a member of the board of directors of the publisher of Stabroek News, as is another senior executive of ANUG, Mr. Timothy Jonas. The once-independent newspaper is at grave risk of being identified solely as the mouthpiece of ANUG, should it refuse to act as it once might have done under the leadership of its founder, Mr. David deCaires. Stabroek News’ editorial policy has come under fierce scrutiny recently following the debacle with its debunked allegations regarding the placement of government advertisement.

Should the newspaper seek to

retain any modicum of balance it must demonstrate that by action, as outlined above.

Failure to act in accordance with the principles of fair and balanced journalism and democratic access to press will further diminish the newspapers’ once lofty pride of place in Guyana’s media landscape.

Over to you Anand.

Regards, Earl Hamilton

Mr. Nicholas Frederick, who is also Toshao of Shulinab Village in the Rupununi, is among those who have invited Mrs. Khan to make presentations in the villages.

Had Mrs. Khan’s presentation been offensive to the Toshaos as Stabroek News sought to insinuate, surely, she would not have been invited to the villages to make further presentations.

Mrs. Khan pointed out in her engagement with the Toshaos and senior council-

lors that everyone must have a seat at the decision-making table because the constitution affects all Guyanese and the constitutional reform process is therefore for all Guyanese.

Based on Mrs. Khan’s presentation Toshaos offered initial suggestions for what they would like to see included in the constitution and so the idea of workshops being held in various villages was shared.

Toshao of Awarewaunau Village in Region

Nine, Mr. Vitalis Alfred, read excerpts from the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and stated that in the constitutional reform process efforts should be made by the Indigenous Peoples to ensure the inclusion of specific provisions from the declaration in the Constitution.

Respectfully, Carla Mendonca

Disregard for the law Dear Editor, Of course, the Kaieteur News headline is apt, in describing the pictorial spread on its front page, “No respect for the law and tax$$$”, Sunday, October 06, 2019.

In extension, it is absolute lawlessness, a kind that would have been a product of the breakdown of societal morals during the years of PPP/C bad governance. One has to be frank, by alluding to the fact that such behavior patterns do not begin to occur suddenly – they are the gradual march of a

process that stems from a deeper malaise.Apart from the fact that there is the issue of destroying a structure, funded by tax payers, there is also the more serious matter of the manner of parking that is an obstruction of pedestrians’ continuity, causing them to temporarily come off the walkway, and becoming exposed to the hazards of road traffic. The question is therefore fair to ask – should there be an accident resulting in injuries or worse to a pedestrian, where does the liability go? Who must be held responsible?

Editor, that I ask this

question, is because this is also regular feature in some sections of our city, where cars are seen parked on pavements, often forcing pedestrians, including children and senior-aged citizens, to engage, however briefly, the hazards of the adjoining busy roadway. It is time that such reckless behavior be reined in by the relevant authorities.

Lives are at risk because of someone’s disregard for the law.

Regards, Aditya Panday

8 GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday October 12, 2019

Fireman remanded, police corporal granted bail for possession of marijuana

TWENTY-EIGHTYEAR-OLD police corporal, Quincy Bacchus, of New Amsterdam, Berbice, and 37-year-old fireman, Raymond Singh, of School Street, Rose Hall Town, Corentyne, were, on Friday October 11, 2019, charged jointly for possession of marijuana, for the purpose of trafficking.

The men appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’

Court before Magistrate Faith McGusty and pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to them.

Particulars of the charge stated that, on October 7, 2019, at Aubrey Barker Road, South Ruimveldt, Georgetown, they had, in their possession, 2405 grams of marijuana for the purpose of trafficking.

Attorney-at-Law George Thomas addressed the court on Bacchus’ behalf and asked

the court for reasonable bail.

Thomas added that his client was the driver of the motor vehicle, when he met Singh, at the side of the road with a bag, and offered to give him a drop to Georgetown.

Thomas also told the court that his client, at no time, checked the bag Singh placed in the trunk of the vehicle.

Singh who was unrepresented said, “when the police catch us Bacchus turn to me and

say let me tell the police that is me alone weed, but me in know but all that weed”.

Police prosecutor, Seon Blackman, told the court that, on the day in question, ranks, acting on information, intercepted the car on Aubrey Barker Road, Georgetown, and Bacchus, who was dressed in uniform, was the driver while Singh was the passenger in the said vehicle.

Blackman also told the court

that a search was conducted, and a quantity of leaves, seeds and stems, suspected to be marijuana, were found wrapped in several black plastic bags. Both Bacchus and Singh were arrested and charged.

Blackman objected to bail being granted to Singh based on the penalty and quantity of drugs found and asked that Bacchus be placed on substantial amount of bail.

Magistrate McGusty, after listening to the prosecutor, remanded Singh to prison and granted Bacchus $300,000 bail, and ordered that he lodged his travel documents at the court. The matter was adjourned until November 2, 2019.

Guyana safety forum slated for October 16

THE Energy Chamber of Trinidad and Tobago will host the Guyana Safety Forum on October 16, 2019, where industry leaders will share perspectives on developing a safety culture, addressing risk, safety and operational excellence and contractor management.

Recently in an interview with the National Communications Network (NCN), the Chamber’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Dr. Thack-

wray Driver, noted that such a form will prove especially beneficial to Guyana’s private sector which needs to improve its Health Safety and Environmental (HSE) standards if they want to continue as competitive businesses in Guyana.

“I think it’s very important for Guyana because I think it’s about making sure your private sector is ready to work with the new oil and gas industry and the only way

that your companies will be able to work with the oil and gas industries is if they meet the high Health, Safety and Environmental requirements of those companies,” he said.

The forum will take place at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre and will feature a number of key local and international speakers from the energy industry.

Those attending will also discuss the role and importance of safety culture in

achieving the desired HSE performance in the hydrocarbon industry; evaluate current approaches to safety culture and explore strategies to improve safety culture in the industry and discuss the importance of engagement of employees to achieve the desired safety culture.

This year, the Safety Forum will also feature a tradeshow through which Guyanese, Trinidadian and international companies will showcase

their services and products to the Guyanese market.

Driver said that it is impor ant for Guyana to develop a cadre of HSE professionals to support its upcoming oil and gas industry and that the conference will also serve expose local companies to HSE training.

“I would fully endorse such a forum in Guyana as it relates to improving the technical capabilities of our local businesses. I believe the

workshop would allow our local businesses to be able to work in the oil and gas sector,” Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) Executive Director, Candelle Walcott-Bostwick, also said on the programme.

“Health and safety is very important and I believe that Guyana needs a framework where all of our energy operators can come together and agree on requirements for our local businesses.”

Woman throws husband’s salary, wedding band in offering plate -- seeks police intervention after pastor refuses to return items

A WOMAN, who threw her husband’s monthly pay cheque and her wedding band into an offering plate, at a well-known Deliverance Ministry church in Berbice, is seeking the police intervention to retrieve

them, after the pastor said he could not return the offering.

The pastor reportedly told the woman “to have faith and believe God for whatever breakthrough or miracle that is needed”.

But the woman, fearing that

God would not grant the miracle, rushed to Berbice Police Divisional Headquarters for assistance.

She bolted to the station after her husband gave her an ultimatum to recover his money and wedding band or “go and

live with the pastor”.

The husband, who works at an interior location, returned home and realised that none of the bills were paid.

“No food was in the house,” he told relatives. Thereafter, he enquired from his unemployed

wife and was told that she threw it in the offering basket.

The married mother of three became a follower of the church which has several branches along the coastlines of the Ancient County.

This newspaper was told

that after services, members of the fast-growing congregation would make large financial contributions, in return for huge blessings.

No depth and analysis in Freddie Kissoon’s columns

Dear Editor,

Please accept my humble apologies for my unusually late letter. The reason is not physical, rather it is spiritual.

The fact is that once again I found myself praying for the souls of the kids that Freddie Kissoon spent nearly three decades at UG miseducating. Mr. Editor, each passing day I am becoming more convinced that Freddie Kissoon’s columns are more of a dumbsite rather than a medium for academic and social commentary. Everyday Freddie’s true Bourda-Market-vendor persona is coming out. His columns are full of “he say and she say.”

In essence, one thousand

words of useless hearsay. I could just imagine him with his dog gossiping with some random stranger in the park then he rushes home to type it up for another installment of gossips.

In his most recent installment of lonely housewife gossip, he employed Guyanese vernacular to add spice and excitement to it.

Truth be told, the article is as dead as the opposition leader’s chance of becoming president. The academically constipated article is titled, “Kamarang visit: Jagan compared with Granger.” In this garbage, camouflaged to look like an academic analysis, he concluded that President Granger is not modest since he had bodyguards when he

visited Kamarang, while Dr. Jagan did not. What utter hogwash. He also stated that the fact the President went with his family is immodest. This guy is not serious.

Whose family should Mr. Granger had gone with – your family?

Mr. Editor, I asked my eleven-year-old daughter what she thought of Freddie’s recent article. Her response was expectantly caustic: “I never heard so much humbug in my entire life.” I’ve seriously had enough of Freddie. Mate here is some free medical advice. Take it easy on the laxatives, faecal matter is plastered all over your face and please don’t blame Kwame. Mr. Editor, to determine whether some-

one is modest is a complex process of observation that can take years in varying environments. It is impossible to characterise one’s personality based on a one hearsay encounter.

Mr. Editor, I would not pretend to be a security specialist. Far from it, but what I do have is basic common sense. One cannot compare the security detail of Dr. Jagan and Mr. Granger without first analysing the political environment. The intelligence gathered would influence the extent of the security. In 1994, when Dr. Jagan visited Kamarang, I’m absolutely certain no one was calling him illegal President.

No one was calling him caretaker President. No one was

labelling his government as illegal. There was no mass protest around the country.

The then opposition was not power drunk and was cooperating with the government of the day. Guyana had not discovered oil, the main cause of attempts of creating political instability. None of these was at play, hence the security specialist would have advised low level security.

As a result, it is obvious that the smaller security detail for Dr. Jagan was just based on the political environment and nothing to do with his modesty. The larger security detail for Mr. Granger was because of the political environment and impending election.

Mr. Editor I’m not arguing that Dr. Jagan was not

modest. No Guyanese would argue against that. What I am arguing is Freddie Kissoon hearsay argument is flawed. Frankly his conclusion that Mr. Granger is not modest is based on hearsay, but more importantly based on one encounter.

Why Glenn Lall publishes such a ridiculous column befuddles the rational mind but then again Glenn does not know better. Anyway, I will take definitive actions against Freddie. Put your hands down, take 10 seats back and let the smart kids speak.

Regards Dr. Mark Devonish MBBS MSc

9

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, October 12, 2019

U.S. Embassy celebrates World Tourism Day UNDER the theme “Sustainable Landscapes and Conservation Tourism”, United States Ambassador to Guyana, Sarah-Ann Lynch, hosted leaders from the tourism and hospitality industries on Thursday, October 10 in observance of World Tourism Day. In line with the U.S. Embassy’s commitment to promoting sustainable landscapes, Ambassador Lynch recognised the growing importance of the tourism industry’s contributions to Guyana’s future, the embassy said in a release.

She noted that “with Guyana’s diverse habitat, from the savannahs to the forested highlands to the low-level coastal areas,

opportunities for tourism abound in Guyana.”

Guest speakers at the reception were Director of the Guyana Tourism Authority, Brian T. Mullis; Damian Fernandes, Executive Director of Conservation International-Guyana, and Gregg Bleakney, Founder & Director of WhereNext. Their presentations focused on the potential for supporting both economic growth and sustainable landscapes through premium conservation tourism products. Ambassador Lynch thanked the speakers for their focus “on ensuring good stewardship and preservation of Guyana’s natural wealth and beauty.”

From left to right, Brian Mullis, Ambassador Lynch and Gregg Bleakney

IRO praying for peaceful general elections THE Inter-Religious Organisation (IRO) of Guyana has commended President David Granger for affirming March 2, 2020 as elections day and informed it will remain in deep prayers for the elections period to be cordial, peaceful and patriotic.

“We have been very

prayerful during the time when the country was grappling with the constitutional and legal processes and we thank God that we came through that period without any conflict. The members of the IRO join with the nation as we continue to pray for, and work towards, continued peace in our homeland,” the

IRO said in a brief statement.

Even before its official establishment in 2003, the IRO has been participating in discussions concerning a peaceful civil society with international, governmental and non-governmental agencies.

“With this in mind, the members and executive stand

GCCI hosts 'Connecting Women in Business' cocktail THE Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), thorough its Membership and Diversity Committee, will be hosting a “Connecting Women in Business” cocktail reception on October 18 from 18:30 hrs at Oasis, Pegasus Hotel.

The GCCI, in a release, said its mission was to empower more women to take up leadership positions in the private sector. As such, the aim of the event is to offer professional women a unique opportunity to network and make valuable business connections.

For this event, the GCCI has partnered with the Cancer Institute of Guyana to spread awareness about breast cancer. Proceeds from the event will be donated to the Cancer Institute of Guyana. In addition, Girls in Tech (GIT), a global non-profit organisation that focuses on the engagement, education and empowerment of girls and women in technology, will have a booth at the event.

Tickets for the “Connecting Women in Business” cocktail can be pur-

chased for $7,000 each at the GCCI Secretariat located at 156 Waterloo Street, North Cummingsburg.

Tickets can be reserved by contacting the GCCI v i a e m a i l a t g c c i c o mmerce2009@gmail.com or via WhatsApp at 6664224. The Georgetown

Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) was founded in 1889 by an Act of Parliament. The GCCI is the oldest and largest private sector support organisation in Guyana. It represents a wide cross-section of businesses in Guyana.

ready to assist in any way possible, as we move forward. If for any reason, either of the competing parties think our input would aid in normalising any situation that

may arise, we stand ready and willing to assist,” the religious body said.

The IRO consists of some 40 religious bodies and organisations. The ex-

ecutive conducts statutory monthly and special meetings where the matters discussed are geared towards the harmonious development of Guyana.

10

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, October 12, 2019

Guyana Education Trust College: Celebrating 20 Years of education

THE Guyana Education Trust College is celebrating its 20th year in service. The school, which was established as a way of bridging the gap between a higher quality of education and affordability, has since its establishment achieved its goal.

Chairman of the school’s Board, Samuel Tross, speaking on the school’s history, related to the Guyana Chronicle the circumstances surrounding the establishment of the school. He said that it was never his intention to start a school, since he had never had that level of expertise in the education sector. Tross further related that the school started out of necessity and bloomed into what it is today.

“Let me tell you how the school started, the building in front there was rented to a gentleman who had a school there. After a while of operating the school he had migrated. He left in December 1998 and he had some students here. At the beginning of 1999, January, the parents and the teachers that he had

approached me as owner of the premises saying that the school should continue because of course, come early January, the children had to go to school, and I said no, because I did not have that experience in the education sector.”

He said he considered a suggestion from some colleagues and approached the then Chief Education Officer, Ed Caesar, with the proposal that the school commences operation in January of 1999.

He was told however, that the school must commence at the beginning of the school year in September.

Tross further related that upon returning to the Ministry of Education in September, he was granted permission to set up the school, and so the school started. He explained that even though the school was very new, it had a healthy intake of around 50 students, which at the time, he did not expect. He further explained that the school only took children from forms one to three because they wanted to ensure that the children

had a solid foundation before allowing them to sit the CSEC examinations.

He went on to say that a board was put in place to govern the operations of the school, and that the members of the board were chosen based on their level of expertise in the education sector.

Tross explained that there are persons on the board who have served as, Ex Ministers of Education; past Chief Education Officers within the ministry; senior lecturers at the University of Guyana; and past head teachers of senior secondary schools across the country.

Tross said that the vision of the school was to provide a chance for students, particularly those who did not gain top schools, to excel and at an affordable cost.

“Essentially what is important about the school is that our fees are the lowest, compared to other private schools and it is specifically done that way because we want to attract poor people.

I call it the lower socio-economic brigade. Children who

have been sent to schools that have not been doing very well, whose parents were looking for somewhere to take them that would push them to perform and excel, but that they could still afford. From the very first time the board met that was the objective and that objective has remained to this day,” he said.

Tross stated that the school could not function effectively and achieve its goals without the leadership and sacrifice of the expert teachers.

He said the school’s board worked expeditiously to ensure that the students of the school were given every opportunity to learn from some of the best in the education sector.

Throughout the years following the school’s establishment, the board has implemented several new systems to ensure that the students of the school are given every opportunity for continued success. The board had budgeted for the creation of several laboratories, inclusive

of an information technology lab, a food and nutrition lab, a technical drawing facility, as well as a science lab to facilitate the teaching of Biology, Chemistry and Physics.

Tross stated that these labs were created to ensure that the students have the opportunity to remain competitive in the academic world.

He related that the students needed new and updated spaces to ensure that they could actually excel in the varying subject areas.

He further stated that the school has, since its establishment, been doing exceedingly well at the CSEC examinations, stating that just this year, the school recorded a 100 per cent pass rate at the examinations with the top two students securing passes in all 12 of the subjects they wrote. He said regardless of where the students come from, the school can change their lives and be a guiding hand in enabling them to achieve their full potential.

“I describe this school as taking brass and turning it into gold… children

have come here after being sent to schools with a [bad] reputation of nothing and we have taken that and our results are startling, all professionals have come out of this school:- doctors, people have done law, people have done international relations abroad, managers and so on and so forth, and the teachers have also been making a sacrifice because they aren’t paid the biggest salaries, but they make the sacrifice to ensure that this section of society benefits and that is the point I want to stress. This school has seen so many success stories, and we are extremely proud of our students as we see them have the opportunity to grow in this society, and have every bit of their individual potentials reached… we plan on having this school here for a long time impacting the academic lives of all youths all across Guyana,” he said.

Hung jury as Anna Catherina triple murder trial ends AFTER four hours of deliberations, the jury was unable to arrive at a verdict, in the trial of Abishai Caesar, who is alleged to have murdered Anna Catherina liquor store owner Jennifer Persaud and her two sons, seven years ago.

On Friday, October 11, 2019, a 12-member jury was unable to arrive at a verdict, even after further direction was given by Justice Brassington Reynolds at the High Court.

Based on the jury’s failure to arrive at a verdict, Caesar will be remanded (back) to prison and will be retried at the next practical sitting of the Demerara Assizes.

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

Caesar was represented by attorney Maxwell McKay,

while the state was represented by Prosecutors Lisa Cave

Abishai Caesar

and Seeta Bishundial.

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

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

on September 21, 2012.

The couple then went into the lower flat of their home, into the kitchen, where Caesar armed himself with a knife and a pair of green gloves, while being clad in a 3/4 pants.

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

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

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

However, she was awakened by the sound of a woman screaming and sat on her bed. Thirty minutes later, Caesar called for her and she went downstairs into the kitchen and opened the back

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

door for him.

According to Phillips, Caesar had a small cardboard beer box in his hands, and told her that that was all he got from raiding Jennifer’s home. The box contained a number of $20 and $100 bills which amounted to $3,000.

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

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

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

Caesar, Phillips ex plained, told her that while he was stabbing Jennifer, the older son woke and saw

him. This caused him to kill the older son, plus the baby.

The couple then went to the seawall, where Caesar threw the knife into the river. They then went into the street and Caesar threw the gloves and pants into some bushes.

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

11

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, October 12, 2019

Five more Indigenous communities receive land titles GOVERNMENT, on Friday, handed over land titles to five Indigenous communities, the Department of Public Information reported.

Kangaruma and Tasserene, Region Seven; Yupukari, Region Nine and St. Monica and Mainstay/Whyaka, Region Two received their certificates of titles for their lands. The documents were handed over on the final day of the 13th annual National Toshaos Council (NTC) conference at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC) in the presence of Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo; Minister of Indigenous Peoples' Affairs, Hon. Sydney Allicock; Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples' Affairs, Hon. Valerie Garrido-Lowe and Minister of State, Hon. Dawn-Hastings Williams.

Only last month, eight Indigenous communities in Regions Two, Seven, Nine and 10 received titles to their lands and were granted extensions. This was announced by Director-General of the Ministry of the Presidency, Joseph Harmon, who said that Cabinet has approved the absolute grants of land titles following recommendations made by the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, which has responsibility for the Amerindian Land Titling (ALT) project. The grants approved are extensions to existing communities in Mainstay/ Whyaka, Mashabo and Capoey, Essequibo Coast, Region

Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo, joins other ministers of government at the handing over ceremony

Two. The establishment of legal boundaries in Parabara, Region Nine; Rockstone, Region 10 and Tasserene and Kangaruma, Region Seven.

These communities have been waiting years for their grants of titles to move forward with the developmental of their villages. The tourism-driven communities of Mainstay/Whyaka and Capoey applied for their extension in 2011-2012 and 2014 respectively.

For decades, the residents of the mining communities of Tasserene and Kangaruma in the Lower Mazaruni fought for their land tenure status.

In fact, in 2012, the former administration handed over

land title certificates to the leaders of these communities, but later, officials took away the certificates.

The Amerindian Land Titling process was facilitated by the Amerindian Act of 2006 that provided for land titling and extensions.

This led to the establishment of the ALT project which was scheduled to commence in 2013 and end in 2016; under the auspices of the Government of Guyana and

the United Nations Development Fund, with funding of $2.2Billion (US$10.7M) provided from the Guyana REDD+ Investment Fund.

The project was extended from 2016 to 2018 and subsequently from 2019 to 2021.

The Director-General explained that of the 68 interventions identified, 21 demarcations have been completed and 18 certificates of titles issued, while 45 investigations were com-

pleted – 32 for extensions and 13 for new villages.

Harmon said that in approving the granting of titles, the government reiterates its commitment to the completion of the land titling project and assures that the process will continue until all Indigenous communities receive their titles in accordance with the law. The ALT project seeks to achieve three primary goals: completion of land

title issues and demarcation process for all Indigenous villages that submitted requests; increased use of existing and alternative mechanisms to resolve land titling disputes and thirdly, a communication strategy including a handbook describing the process of titling, demarcation and socio-economic impact of secured land tenure.

12

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, October 12, 2019

President talks up environmental preservation -- at National Tree Day PRESIDENT David Granger has underscored the importance of preservation of the environment at the Ministry of Agriculture National Tree Day at Union Village, East Berbice, Corentyne, on Friday.

The event was observed under the theme, “Time Waits For None, The Best Time To Plant A Tree Is NOW”.

“National Tree Day is not a sideshow, it is central to our national policy.

We want to highlight the importance of trees. The day emphasises not only the economic, but also the environmental value of trees and also the social and recreational purpose of trees,” the President said.

Trees, he said, add value to everyday life.

“Trees provide a range of economic services; they provide food and shelter.

They provide medicine.

Farmers reap produce from trees which allow them to earn an income and provide for their families and to generate exports and provide

employment.

“Agriculture, forestry, fisheries collectively account for 17.5 per cent of employment in this country and trees are central to that employment. Trees are part of this country’s natural wealth; they must be valued and not allowed to be devalued by reckless burning or by bulldozing and by chopping them down.”

As such, the President urged the preservation and planting of more tress since they also help in combatting the ever growing threat of climate change.

“Trees are worthless when they are dead ash; they are valuable when they are alive and growing and this is the reason we have a National Tree Day. This is the reason we emphasise the preservation and planting of trees rather than their destruction,” he said.

The President added: “We are a country that is covered with 87 per cent forest, because our foreparents have protected, planted and preserved those trees

Taking the lead: President David Granger plants a tree as he encourages others to do the same

and it is our duty as trusties of this beautiful country, to continue to plant and to continue to protect and preserve the trees so that future generations can continue to inherit more than we have inherited from our parents and grandparents.”

The President also made it clear that his government is very serious about its Green State Development Strategy. Trees are central to the plan, and in this regard, the Head of State stressed the need for stricter policies in mining and logging.

“Mining and logging can be dangerous to our environment… and must be subjected to strict rules since they may be the main causes of deforestation and land degradation, but they are subjected to regulation.

There must be more land reclamation more reforestations and at the level of the government and the Ministry of Natural Resources, employ counter measures to adverse effects of the extractive industries damaging our environment,” he said.

While noting that the country has already set aside over 7,000 square kilometers, an area larger than that

of Trinidad to the Queen’s Common Wealth Canopy, as a part of the protected area, the President wants to see a regional park in every region. He also pledged to transform the Botanical Gardens.

“We have to establish in every region a regional park, not just a national park, where it helps to preserve it beautiful flora and fauna… I am going to change the National Botanical Garden. The Botanical Gardens must be the home to every specimen of tree in Guyana; it must obtain, it must contain, and maintain several specimens of all of the species of trees anywhere in Guyana. The Botanical Gardens must be a school house for children so that we can learn about the wonders of Guyana’s trees,” the President said.

Meanwhile, Agriculture Minister Noel Holder, in his remarks, said the National Tree Day is among the days he looks forwards to annually, as tree planting exercise is critical to the eco-system and helps in combatting global warming.

Lawyer admitted to the bar …. hard work and determination yield success IT is often said that anything is possible with hard work and determination, and this was proven by newly sworn-in attorney-at-law, Tifaine Rutherford, when she was admitted to the local bar on Friday, October 11, 2019.

Rutherford, 30, who is the daughter of A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) + Alliance for Change Member of Parliament Audwin Rutherford, was admitted to the bar by Acting Chief Justice Roxane George-Wiltshire at the Demerara High Court.

Her petition was presented by prominent female attorney-at-law Latchmie Rahamat, who presented the court with a brief biography of Rutherford.

Rutherford, who was born in Linden, attended the Watooka Primary School, where, after completing the National Grade Six Assessment, she secured placement at McKenzie High School.

After she wrote eight subjects in 2005 at the Ca-

ribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC)Examination, she continued her education as a student at Saint Stanislaus College for her ‘A’ levels.

In 2010, she attended the University of Guyana, where she secured a Degree in Sociology.

In 2017, she secured a place at the Faculty of Law at the University and was awarded her Bachelor of Laws Degree (LLB.) After completing her LLB, Rutherford attended the Hugh Wooding Law School in Trinidad and was awarded her Legal Education Certificate (LEC) on September 6, 2019.

Attorney-at-law Rahamat, in her petition to the court, disclosed that Rutherford was a former journalist at Stabroek News and was an impeccable young woman, who is a wife, a mother and now an attorney”.

Rahamat urged Rutherford to practise law with integrity and ethics of the

Member of Parliament Audwin Rutherford, Acting Chief Justice Roxane George -Wiltshire, Attorney-at-law Tifaine Rutherford with her baby and husband Dennis Adams and prominent female attorney Latchmie Rahamat

profession.

The Chief Justice welcomed Rutherford to the bar and urged her to commit to the hard work that success entails and to commit to conducting thorough research to serve her clients and the citizens of this nation.

In addressing the court, Rutherford became emotional as she recounted the hard

work and sacrifices that were made for her to become an attorney.

While being a journalist, Rutherford explained that she was covering a case at the High Court before Justice Navindra Singh, and realized, at that moment, she wanted to become a lawyer.

Rutherford said because of her argumentative spirit,

her parents always told her that she would grow up to become an attorney.

"It wasn’t an easy journey. The road was very hard, sleepless nights, long hours.

For me, the hardest thing was being away from my family for two years and having my daughter midway of my journey" Rutherford said.

The young attorney ex-

plained that during her second year at law school when she returned to Trinidad she discovered that she was pregnant.

“While I wanted to take a leave of absence, I decided that I would consult with my family and friends to see if that was the best route for me,” Rutherford said.

However, in the end, she decided that she was going to continue with the law programme to finish with her peers, because, if she waited, it would set her back another year.

Despite having high blood pressure during her pregnancy, Rutherford said that she continued with her studies because she did not want her daughter to see her as a failure.

“Don’t give up! Don’t doubt yourself, keep pushing through” were the words of advice Rutherford wishes to give other persons studying to become an attorney.

13

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, October 12, 2019

New electrical standards to be rigorously enforced MINISTER within the Public Infrastructure Ministry, Jaipaul Sharma, has

tubing and cable fittings, among others.

With many recent fires at

Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Jaipaul Sharma

praised the new 31 compulsory National Electrical Standards and stressed the need for public sensitisation on this new development.

The Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) in collaboration with Guyana Electrical Inspectorate (GEI) and the Competition and Consumers Affairs Commission (CCAC), will be engaging in public awareness campaigns on the new compulsory standards.

These standards will regulate and govern the required quality of electrical fittings and equipment imported, sold and used in Guyana, including safety measures for armoured cable, panel boards, knife switches, conduits,

residential and commercial buildings being attributed to faulty electrical equipment, the new standards are seen as an important advancement in country.

“This is a significant accomplishment for the Government of Guyana and the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, alike. Fire hazards, death by electrocution and destruction of property, are some of the most common outcomes of a lack of electrical standards,” noted Sharma.

He was at the time speaking at a press conference held on Friday at the MoPI boardroom aimed at sanitising the public of the new standards.

“Before the year 2017, there was only one electrical

standard in Guyana, which was the standard for holiday decorative products. There were no other electrical standards being enforced, and as a result, all sorts of inferior

This was intended to help to ensure that installations are carried out in a safe way that complies with the established national standards, reducing the risk of fires and electrical

Chief Inspector of the Government Electrical Inspectorate, Roland Barclay

quality of electro-domestic appliances, electronic devices and materials for use in electrical installations were allowed into the country, to the detriment of Guyanese and to a wider extent our economy,” he said.

The new standards will be complemented with an awareness campaign and consistent enforcement.

“The National Electrical Code provides practical information and safety guidelines for the performance of electrical work in a safe and effective way. These regulations establish rules on who can, and how to, conduct electrical installations.

shock,” said Sharma.

He added, “It is because of this we have launched this awareness campaign to inform Guyanese of the necessity for proper electrical standard as we seek to get the best standard for Guyanese.”

Also present at Friday’s press conference was GEI Chief Inspector, Roland Barclay, who echoed Minister Sharma’s sentiments. Barclay stressed that only electricians certified and licensed should be performing electrical installation works. Unlicensed persons can be fined and imprisoned.

Importers and businesses have up until February 1,

2020, when enforcement begins, to get into compliance.

Dealers of the products will

Rai said the GNBS will be moving to have the list of registered electrical dealers

GNBS Head of Product Compliance Department, Shailendra Rai

be required to be registered with the GNBS and be familiarised on the requirements of the standards.

Head of the Product Compliance Department at GNBS, Shailendra Rai, emphasised that the GNBS will not just be instituting the standards but actively monitoring and enforcing them, continuously to ensure compliance.

Though all electrical products imported after the specified date will be inspected to ensure they meet the new standards, Rai acknowledged that the bureau would face a challenge is assessing just how much non-compliant products are currently on the market.

published to better aid consumers in guaranteeing that the products they are purchasing are up to standard.

The senior GNBS official noted however, that when it comes to Guyanese consumers, the issue is not only related to substandard equipment, but improper use of electrical products or hazardous electrical practices such as plugging in successive extension lines into one outlet, which can overload the point.

CCAC Director, Dawn Cush, noted that the commission will also be doing its part to ensure products sold on the markets are safe and will be carrying out investigations and inspections after February 2020.

Remapping project to address hinterland land issues - State Minister THE remapping of Guyana, a project being executed by the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission (GLSC), will address the many land issues across the country, especially the hinterland.

This was explained recently by the Minister of State, Hon. Dawn Hastings-Williams, who noted that the exercise had not been done for some 50 years.

The minister was at the time speaking at the 13th conference of the National Toshaos’ Council (NTC) at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC).

The gathering was informed that the remapping

project is currently ongoing in the Barima-Waini, Region One. Through the exercise, GLSC will be better able to determine and advise at any time, where lands are available, whether it is suitable for housing, agriculture or whatever purposes might be required.

“We have found out that some boundaries extend to other communities, and we find that in all the different regions… For example, in Rockstone [Region 10] people are claiming they have leases falling within that boundary. We have found out that in some communities persons were granted mining concessions within those

Minister of State, Hon. Dawn Hastings-Williams addressing the gathering of Indigenous leaders at the 13th meeting of the National Toshaos' Council at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC)

boundaries.”

According to the State Minister, while this was a situation the administration met upon entering office, a solution had to be found.

Therefore, the GLSC has

been tasked with crafting a National Land Policy for Guyana, a project that is being funded by the Guyana REDD+ Investment Fund, (GRIF).

“Thus far, we have no

plan that can identify where public and other buildings are, where mining concessions are and where roads are. That is why the Lands Commission is working on remapping our our lands

so that you can just go on google and identify where a specific area or building is, a specific restaurant, where to turn, where to find a heritage,” Minister Hastings-Williams explained.

Regarding the Amerindian Land Titling (ALT) project, she made it clear that the GLSC continues to collaborate with the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs to title, demarcate and address the many issues of land in Indigenous villages. Minister Hastings-Williams reminded that the GLSC is the main authority body that is responsible for all state lands in Guyana. (DPI)

14

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, October 12, 2019

ACDA seeks justice for those killed by phantom squad …to host Holocaust/Maafa Memorial Programme today

THE African Cultural and Development Association (ACDA) and other African-centered organisations will today commemorate and host a Holocaust/Maafa Memorial Programme at the Seawall Bandstand. The programme is scheduled to commence at 13:30hrs.

High tide is at 15:41hrs.

Floral tributes are encouraged.

In a release, ACDA said the Holocaust/MAAFA refers to the largest mass murder and the largest economic genocide of African People.

“We gather on October 12 to remember our ancestors that died during the more than two centuries of brutal removal of African people from their lands, their subjugation, the heinous acts committed

against them during chattel slavery and the decimation of their families and cultures.

The African Holocaust/Maafa has been described by the United Nations as “the greatest crime against humanity”.

ACDA believes that it is important for African Guyanese to be reminded at this time that “while we are heartened by the many discoveries of oil, in the oceans in which thousands of our ancestors’ bodies lie in unmarked graves, during slavery and colonisation, foreign investment was often a major contributor to the African Holocaust and while others and the economy were doing well, African Guyanese were languishing in despicable conditions and abject poverty.”

Today in Guyana the economy is doing well while African Guyanese are still at the margins of the economic life of the country, ACDA said. “Just recently, when it became known that some persons of African descent had applied for oil concessions, it became apparent that there are still persons and organisations that are of the mindset that African-Guyanese must remain at the fringes of the economy.”

According to ACDA, African Guyanese enduring legacy of land and infrastructure development, mineral prospecting, nation-building and defence of Guyana’s territory are worth too much to let others succeed in continuing their efforts “to keep us marginalised and economically

unequal in the country that over 473,000 of our ancestors died in the process of building.” “ACDA rejects the call by those groups that advocate for revised and more costly conditions for the granting of the oil concessions to African- Guyanese. We believe it is tantamount to the immoral colonial practice of flooding African lands, changing the conditions of land acquisition and raising land prices to prevent our ancestors from owning lands as they adjusted to their freedom and sought to create wealth for themselves while the colonials and slave holders were given reparations.”

Further, ACDA repeats it call for the development of a full local content policy in which Guyanese are allowed

to own the resources of Guyana as a means of partnering with foreign entities for the development of business.

Now that the oil resources to a large extent have been de-risked, it is time that the APNU/AFC Government stops giving out oil concessions to foreign companies.

Enough is enough.

Secondly, ACDA calls for an Ancestral Rights Bill similar to the Amerindian Act of 2006, which involves a Ministry of African-Guyanese Affairs and Land Justice. Thirdly, the organisation demands justice for the hundreds of young African-Guyanese men executed by the PPP’s state-sponsored phantom squads. “Until justice is done the blood is on the hands of those who orches-

trated these heinous crimes and those with the power to address this matter but refused to act,” ACDA said.

ACDA also reiterates its support for direct cash transfers to Guyanese households derived from the wealth that will accrue from the oil and gas revenues and also supports the establishment of a national income threshold that could be used as the determining factor in the distribution of the cash transfers. “We call on African Guyanese not to abandon the political process since this will determine who govern and the way the country’s resources are distributed in the society,” the ACDA released ended.

The Bishops’ High Alumini to host career guidance conference THE New York Tri-State Chapter of the The Bishops’ High School (BHS) Alumni Association will hold its second career guidance Student Conference at its alma mater in Georgetown, Guyana, on October 16-19, 2019.

The three-day conference, which will be held at the school’s campus on Carmichael Street is titled “After Graduation-What’s Next?”

Once again, the event aims to provide the senior students of the school with a unique opportunity to be exposed to a variety of perspectives on career choices, higher education and vocational opportunities, organisers said in a release.

This year, however, the conference has expanded both in scope and reach. President of the Alumni Chapter, Wayne Knight, notes that this year the group has targeted fifth form students in addition to the sixth formers, the original beneficiaries of this opportunity. “As we are cognisant that students tend to leave high school after either fifth or sixth form, we wanted to make sure that regardless of when they opt to leave, we would have the chance to interact with them in a meaningful way in terms of professional guidance,” the Alumni President explained.

The Bishops’ High School (BHS) Alumni Association to hold career guidance conference

The conference will host for the first time a career fair and three sports clinics.

“We invited businesses to our career fair, where they will have the opportunity to speak with students and showcase their businesses, while also showing the students what career opportunities might be available to them in their organisations. Our association will also be providing the school with sports equipment that we will utilise as we have also added sports clinics

in table tennis, badminton and basketball,” Chapter President Knight said. Students will take part in a team-building event and will also gain skills in CV writing and Interview Preparation.

The conference will begin on Wednesday 16th October with a Welcome Assembly and registration of the students at 8:30 am. The highlight of that day will be the Career Fair and the first Sports Clinic that will be held at 1.00 and 3.30 pm, respectively.

The main events will be held on Thursday and Friday with concurrent presentations and workshops daily, featuring 37 presenters representing a wide variety of fields of study from Entrepreneurship, Law, IT, Medicine, Culinary Arts and Engineering, to new areas including Veterinary medicine and Agriculture, Energy, Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselling and Real Estate and Asset Management Services, to name a few.

“We hope that by provid-

ing the students with information and some of our own experiences, they will be better equipped in making decisions about their careers. We also hope in some cases to show them career paths that they may not have thought about as viable options,” said Alumni Chapter President Knight.

“We will be providing information about traditional and non-traditional careers, as well as many life skills that they will hopefully be able to start to cultivate now, and

then continue to develop in the future. I also hope that the conference will open their eyes to the broad spectrum of opportunities available to them,” said Chair of the Conference Planning Committee, Jo-Ann Davis-Valz. A former head girl of the Bishops’ High School, Davis-Valz says she is excited to be able to give back to the school that has been so pivotal in her own development. “I am especially looking forward to meeting the other presenters as an extension of the "true comrade and true friend" relationship as reflected in the school motto.”

Current Headmistress of The Bishops’ High School, Marilyn Gibson, in looking forward to the event said she hoped students would use the guidance given to be better able to decide where they would like to be in the next five years. “Strive to be a [well] rounded person not just an academic student,” she advised. The headmistress hopes that Communications, History and Foreign Languages will be among the career paths represented in the future.

15

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, October 12, 2019

MoTP flags erroneous KN article -- calls for immediate retraction

THE Ministry of the Presidency has condemned a Kaieteur News article headlined, “No cash transfers in the absence of detailed studies – President Granger” as false and misleading and called for an immediate retraction.

The ministry said the article published in October 10, 2019 edition of the paper, deliberately perverts President David Granger’s responses to questions posed to him by Senior Journalist, Julia Johnson, in the margins of an accreditation ceremony hosted at the Ministry of the Presidency on Wednesday.

At no time did President Granger say that cash transfers (from oil revenues) to citizens, were dependent on detailed studies, the Ministry of the Presidency said in a release.

The President, during the interview, said the Working People’s Alliance made a proposal, but no details had been worked out.

The content of that interview is printed, verbatim, below: Ms. Johnson: “Just a clarification on the cash grant.

There seems to be a ‘for and against’ that proposal, where does that take you?”

President Granger: “There is no ‘for and against’. The proposal has been made by the Working

People’s Alliance, but we have not worked out the details. We… the other partners, are not against cash grants but we asked for more information … details on who will be eligible; how it will be disbursed. So it will not be a question of refusal or any conflict, it is a question of the operationalising of that element of what is going to be part of the Sovereign Wealth Fund.”

“I made public announcements about the role of education and that is uncontroversial. I think all the parties, even the opposition party has accepted that education has to be given a key role in the disbursements from the Sovereign Wealth Fund or the Natural Resources Fund.

So, among the partners, there are no major disagreements.”

PRETTY SMOOTH The President also said: “As part of the proposal for the review of the Cummingsburg Accord, we included some of the items which we hope will find a way into the manifesto.

So I would say that we are still in discussion with the AFC and my expectation is that during the course of this month, we will move further along to reaching a solution to any other difficulty we may have, but

right now the discussions are going on pretty smoothly.”

Johnson then asked: “Mr. President just going back to the cash grant issue. Would some of the queries or clarifications that you are seeking from the other parties… would it be how to identify those beneficiaries because previously, and looking at when we had the flood in 2015, there was this government’s plan to compensate all those who were affected and then …and lot of people who were affected were not compensated? So, I am asking you whether the framework or the queries you’re seeking would be who these beneficiaries would be and how to find them or chose them [or] select them?”

In response, President Granger said: “Right now we are eating the cake before we [get] it. We need to decide how much will be coming and the profits must be shared with other national needs, you know infrastructure, social development, agricultural development and so on. So, we don’t know how much we are getting; we are asking our partners to address their minds to how much needs to be spent and for what purpose and to whom. I agree with you there is a question of national and natural disasters… We are

Trotman briefs toshaos on natural resources sector REPRESENTATIVES of the Ministry of Natural Resources and its agencies; Guyana Forestry Commission, Guyana Geology and Mines Commission and Guyana Gold Board on Wednesday participated in the National Toshaos Conference at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre.

The participation served as a means to present on Government initiatives, interact with, and answer questions and address matters of concern of the village representatives and Toshaos, the ministry said in a release.

Ministry representatives of the Forest Partnership Facility Project, Clayton Hall – Project Coordinator, and Michelle Astwood, Project Assistant, made initial presentations on the work the project had done so far.

The presentation focused on the immense progress that the Inter-American Development Bank-funded project, which aims at sustainable forest management, has made.

Particularly, the presentation highlighted the partnership with Indigenous Peoples in fulfilling the Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation (REDD+) initiative. The project’s assistance in funding some operations of the National Toshaos Council was also highlighted.

Also making presentations was the

Minister of Natural Resources, Hon. Raphael Trotman, who outlined the ministry’s goals, sector accomplishments, along with completed projects to better the lives of persons residing in the hinterland. Minister Trotman outlined projects regarding water management, roads, environmental management and youth. He further highlighted the partnerships with the NTC through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding to better allow both parties to complete their objectives and mutually benefit. The minister closed by noting the ministry’s aim and commitment towards sustainable management development of the Natural Resources Sector to the benefit of all Guyanese.

On completion of presentations, village representatives and Toshaos were allowed to ask questions, all of which were addressed by the minister, Commissioner of the GGMC, Mr. Newell Dennison, and Deputy Commissioner of Forests, Mr. Gavin Agard. The ministry is pleased to have been able to present and interact with the attendees. The ministry maintains its commitment towards the Indigenous Peoples and will ensure all matters raised during the conference will be addressed.

now in the stage of planning and it is not necessarily the best thing to conduct this debate before the plan has been made. There has been a lot of speculation and we ask that people put figures to their intentions before we make any public discussion, but the APNU is not against cash grants. It needs to know more before it can make a proper announcement to the people of Guyana”.

The ministry, therefore, contends that the article is inaccurate and does not reflect the Head of State’s true statements.

It is, therefore, calling on the Kaieteur News to retract immediately, the inaccurate article and to publicise the accurate statements made by the Head of State.

The ministry further encourages members of the media corps to hold fast to

the principles of sound journalism and to desist from publishing false information.

The ministry is also urging all right-thinking Guyanese to review the interview between the Head of State and the journalist for themselves and not to be misled by misinformation designed to manipulate them and create mischief in the society. (Ministry of the Presidency)

16

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, October 12, 2019

Coalition will continue development of hinterland GONE are the days when residents in Guyana’s hinterland Regions had to depend on State handouts for development and only get a chance to have their concerns heard during the elections period.

This is according to the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) member, Mervyn Williams when he addressed members of the media on Friday. He stated that through the hinterland development policy established under the PNC government in the 1960s, 70 indigenous communities and four indigenous districts, with as many as 15 settlements, were issued with

land titles. When the Coalition government took office in 2015, President David Granger renewed the commitment to reducing the gap between the hinterland and coast which Williams said is being realised through the Hinterland 10-Point plan.

The coalition has therefore approved titles to eight communities including Parabara in the deep South Rupununi. “The foregoing is commendable, since it brought to an end the PPP’s failed approach at hinterland development, a policy that dictated what the indigenous people could and could not do. The policy of handouts as a means of control and the

scant regard that was shown to our indigenous peoples, in which one former President had suggested that if another PPP former President was present, he would have slapped a young man from the hinterland for expressing his views. Those days are over,” Williams said.

“The President Granger led coalition government correctly brought an end to the PPP’s practice of treating our indigenous peoples as only useful at elections time.

Our hinterland and its people are on the course to genuine development and they intend to stay there.”

The PNCR Member also highlighted that coalition is

proud to have established the Hinterland Employment and Youth Services (HEYS) which has trained over 4,000 young people of which 2,500 of these have been able to set up their own business.

He stated that this ends the dependency on the State for handouts by these youths even as over 2,000 Stimulus Grants were also distributed.

Added to this, 350 km of roads have been rehabilitated in the hinterland; bridges critical to the development have been constructed; there has been first-time access to potable water, electricity, radio stations and the internet in many villages and women in the Rupununi are developing their own businesses.

“President Granger and

Member of Parliament, Mervyn Williams (Adrian Narine photo)

the APNU+AFC have been teaching the hinterland how to fish rather than the PPP dictatorial approach of giving a fish so that they can dominate and control indigenous peoples for electoral gain. The PNCR is proud of the hundreds of our indigenous brothers and sisters who are now fishing and are on the road to self-reliance,” Williams stated. “This is a far cry from the days when the PPP dictators treated the

hinterland and its people with contempt and used whatever little development occurred in the hinterland as the basis for accumulation of wealth by the corrupt and dishonest PPP friends and family regime.”

He assured Guyanese in the hinterland region that these developments realised will continue into the future until all of Guyana is equally developed.

E-passport to replace current ones

By Tamica Garnett GUYANESE will soon be issued biometric passports (e-passports) and equipment at all of the country’s major airports will be upgraded to read them.

Speaking at the ongoing National Toshaos Council (NTC) Conference at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, Minister of Citizenship, Winston Felix, explained that issuance of the new epassports is expected to begin late next year.

“Our passport stock is timed to end in July [2020] so everything is timed to come in place at the end of the current passport supply that we have,” Felix said while nothing that the Ministry of Citizenship is also scheduled to receive 10 new kiosks.

“We have to change all the equipment and all of that is arranged along with the 10 kiosks. It’s a part of the contractual arrangement. All the equipment at Cheddi Jagan [International Airport], Ogle, all have to be changed to accommodate the new passports, plus the 10 new kiosks,” he said.

The e-passports are machine readable. They include a chip on the cover which contains the bio data of the passport holder, and can be used at the automat-

Minister of Citizenship, Winston Felix

ed e-passport gates.

“That carries a second storage of your bio data so that anybody who might tamper with the machine readable part you can resort to reading the information off of that,” Felix explained.

He told the Indigenous leaders that soon all passports will be e-passports.

“It is being consistent with what is happening internationally. I have been told that in a short period of time, all countries will have to become compliant with the e-passports so we don’t have an option not to do it; we have to do it because we will be left behind and our passport would not be accepted. It is for us to move with the times, it is an international requirement and we just have to meet our

international obligations,” Felix said.

The e-passports are designed to increase security, making it more difficult to change data recorded on them and therefore limiting the chances of fraud.

The e-passports are not expected to significantly affect the cost of obtaining a passport. The price of the passport is expecting to remain the same but the number of pages will increase from 32 to 48.

During his discussions, Felix also addressed issues of birth registration and citizenship by naturalisation, descent and marriage.

He stressed that anyone born outside of Guyana cannot be issued a Guyanese birth certificate but once the parents are Guyanese, the child will be given citizenship by descent. However, the birth certificate form the country of birth would be necessary.

The case of fake birth certificates surfacing in Indigenous villages was also raised and Felix noted that persons need not be afraid to come forward and report these matters.

It is the person who issued the birth certificate and not the holder of the birth certificate who would be at risk, he said.

17

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, October 12, 2019

$35M in lights for selected hinterland airstrips ––$690M in upgrades for airstrips for 2020

MANY airstrips throughout the hinterland are set to receive $35M in lights before the end of 2019, Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson, said on Thursday when he addressed the National Toshaos’ Council (NTC) Conference.

Immediately upon being briefed, the auditorium at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC) erupted with applause. “That is exciting news for me,” Toshao Milton Fredricks of Mainstay/ Mayaka told the Department of Public Information (DPI).

The village leader explained that during a conference at Mainstay last year, the Ministry of Public Infrastructure assisted with lighting the airstrip to facilitate landing and departure at nights.

“If we have permanent lights in place, it will certainly serve a very good purpose because we do have cases of emergencies in the village, and not only in the village but on the Essequibo Coast and if aircraft or heli-

copters need to come in and we have lights, it will be no problem. So, I really really feel excited about that news and I look forward to the implementation,” the Toshao added.

government [for] upgrading the airstrip. It is in good condition right now and now putting this system into place would be a great im-

Even though Akawini does not have an airstrip, the village’s Toshao welcomed the transformation that awaits some of the other

Milton Fredricks, Toshao of Mainstay/Mayaka

Representing the Annai District, Toshao Zacharias Norman wasted no time in stating his unequivocal approval of the ministry’s move. In an invited comment, Toshao Norman said, “first of all, I must thank the

Bimichi airstrip in Morocu subdistrict

provement for the airstrip…

It would be a big improvement for the people of the North Rupununi.”

hinterland airstrips. Toshao David Wilson called on the village councils to secure the lights so that they can

No politics in the handing over of cash grants to toshaos –– APNU+AFC MP WHILE the opposition has found fault with the handing over of some $34M in Presidential and Capital Grants to Toshaos at the 13th annual National Toshaos’ Council (NTC) Conference on Wednesday, Member of Parliament, Mervyn Williams, has assured that there is no ulterior political motive involved.

The cheques, which were presented to 25 village leaders by Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Sydney Allicock and Minister within the Ministry, Valerie Garrido-Lowe, will go towards green sustainable community projects. The Presidential Grants programme is aimed at creating self-sufficiency within the hinterland villages and communities and, over $200M will be invested into 215 villages and communities under the programme for 2019.

Some of the villages that

serve their communities.

The Toshao also shared the opinion that lights along the airstrips are critical to the advancement of Indigenous

did not receive their grants from the ministers in their home town received same on Wednesday. The opposition seeks now to paint the handing over of the grants at the conference as “politically motivated”.

“It’s not a case where government deliberately stayed its hand in handing over those grants. Many villages have already received their grants and the grants that were handed out yesterday or the day before are grants that were not handed over earlier in the year, and it’s for the small component of the total package. Some of the villages are extremely remote and if you go in to those villages and you hand over those cheques to them they will still have to travel to the city to negotiate those cheques with the banks,” Williams explained.

“So, we have capitalised on the presence of the leaders in the city to hand over the cheques so that they can

APNU+AFC Member of Parliament, Mervyn Williams

use the banking systems at no expense to the village, so that when they get back home they have a 100 per cent of the grants available for the developmental project that they had in mind.”

Over the past months, millions-of-dollars in grants have been handed over to villages to support community projects.

The Moruca sub-District, Region received close

to $17M in grants for villages in Santa Rosa; Kopinang and Bamboo Creek in Potaro-Siparuni, Region Eight; and Wakapau, Kabakaburi, St. Monica and Mainstay/ Whyaka in the Pomeroon-Supenaam, Region Two received presidential grants totalling over $8M, while Patarinau, Region Nine, and its satellite, Baitoon and Katuur also received $3M. Questioned whether receiving these cheques in the third quarter of year would hinder the intended developmental projects in the regions, Williams disagreed.

“No, it will not place any burden on the villages. In fact, some villages have been saving their grants from one year to the next to do projects that cannot be totally funded by one grant,” he said.

Referencing in the North Rupununi, he said that the community has embarked on an eco-tourism venture which was made possible through saving three years’ worth in grants.

communities in the hinterland. In his address to the Toshaos, Minister Patterson disclosed that the Guyana

Energy Agency (GEA) for which he has oversight will, “procure solar lights with chargers so that we can install on selected airstrips so that medivacs in the evening can be done.”

According to the minister, the items will be in the care of the village council to reduce the likelihood of tampering and theft. Several hinterland communities are also on the list for airstrip upgrades under the Public Infrastructure Ministry’s budget for 2020. These will be conducted at a cost of $690M. Karukubaru, Orinduik, Kaieteur, Fairview, Karisparu, Paruima and Achiwib will receive major rehabilitative works.

Since 2015, the Coalition Government has invested a staggering $1.4Billion in upgrades for 16 airstrips. It is the Granger-led Administration’s mission to reduce the disparities that may exist between the coast and the hinterland by the execution of these critical projects. (DPI)

Porter ordered to complete community service TERRENCE Thomas of kitty was, on Friday October 11, 2019, ordered to complete six months of community service, by Senior Magistrate Leron Daly.

The 24-year-old porter appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates' Court and accepted the charge when it was read to him.

Particulars of the charge stated that, on October 8, 2019, on Vlissingen Road, in the vicinity of Survival Supermarket, he unlawfully and maliciously damaged six windows, valued at $181,000, of a motor vehicle owned

by Quincy McEwan.

McEwan pleaded with the Magistrate not to send Thomas to jail but allow him to do community service and work and pay for the damages.

Police prosecutor Christopher Morris told the court that Thomas and McEwan were known

to each other, since they were engaged in a relationship for over two years. Morris also told the court that, on the day in question, McEwan and Thomas were on Vlissingen Road, in the vicinity of Survival Supermarket, where they were involved in a heated argument and, as a result, Thomas took away McEwan’s bag containing $70,000. Thomas damaged the windows of McEwan’s vehicle using a brick. The matter was reported and Thomas was arrested and charged.

Magistrate Daly ordered Thomas to complete six months of community service at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court and ordered him to pay McEwan compensation for the damages. The Magistrate gave Thomas up to December 27, 2019, to complete payment.

18

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, October 12, 2019

Fire Service sensitises the public on fire safety THE Guyana Fire Service on October 11, 2019, hosted its fire safety fair at Durban Park in an effort to sensitise the public on fire safety and how each individual could potentially help to prevent fires and protect their lives and properties.

The fire safety theme for this year is “save lives protect property, strive towards a greener environment.”

Division Officer with responsibility for operations, Gregory Wickham, said that the fire department aimed this year to have the fair as a part of Fire Prevention Week, to allow members of the public to have a firsthand experience in what the fire service is about and how it operates on a daily basis.

During the fair, persons where given the opportunity to take part in several fire safety simulations and training exercises.

“The purpose of this fair is to capture a larger cross section of persons, our students especially, and the members of the community so that they would come and interact with us. We have some firefighting games, and instruments on display so persons would be able to learn about their uses, and how they help the fire service to operate effectively,”

said Wickham.

He further stated that the fire service wishes to have everyone stand and be ambassadors of fire prevention, saying that everyone needs to play an integral part in stopping fires.

Fire Prevention Officer, Sheldon Sauna, said that the fire service came up with the idea to have the fair because they wanted to have a new channel for disseminating information on fire and safety, and how that relates to every individual.

“Over the past few years, we have been going to schools and doing lectures, evacuation drills etc. so this year we tried to have a new approach where we try to capture the schools around Georgetown to meet with us at a centralised point, and we decided that the ideal place would have been here, Durban Park.”

“Most of the activities connote fire safety and some of the operational aspects of what we would do in the Guyana Fire Service, specifically targeting operation, our response, our response time and how we actually extinguish these fires when we arrive on these respective scenes,” Said Sauna.

A student from the LaBonne Intention Secondary School, Hebron Lesperance,

related that from the activity, he had his entire perspective changed on how the Guyana Fire Service operates and how impactful their work is to the entire country.

“Before I came here I didn’t really know the importance of fire fighters like what they really do for the community, and since I came here I learnt what they really do, the types of equipment they use and how that’s important, like the ladder on the truck that they would use to get into those tall buildings to save lives.

Its something definitely fascinating to me, I even think I might look into joining the fire service sometime into the future,” said Lesperance.

Another student, Zahira Alia Banarsee, spoke on her experience at the fair saying, “I didn’t even know that the firefighters’ job extends past just putting out fires and stuff like that, I just learnt that sometimes if persons are locked out their home because they left their key inside, the fire department has special equipment that they could actually use to get that door opened.”

Division Officer with responsibility for operations Gregory Wickham

Students having a practical feel of the ladder on one of the fire trucks

Students receiving a fire safety demonstration from a member of the GFS

Persons taking part in one of the training simulations (Adrian Narine Photos)

19

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, October 12, 2019

Over $2M in items donated to boost Reg. 6 communities –– Part of GOG/IDB partnership through CSSP programme THE communities of Angoy’s Avenue, Kilcoy/Chesney and Bush Lot/Adventure, on Wednesday, received items that will see over 100 persons directly benefitting from programmes that target specific groups in the areas of job creation, recreation and education.Angoy’s Avenue Adolescents Youth Space members receive the equipment from Community Action Specialist Lauren Fraser (second from right).

Beneficiaries from the Kildonan Community Action Council Group with the donation of the kitchen appliances.

Community Action Officer Arjuna Veersammy of Kilcoy/ Chesney receives the sports gear in the presence of youth beneficiaries.

This was made possible through a partnership between the International Development Bank (IDB) and the Government of Guyana, through the Ministry of Public Security, under the Citizen Security Strengthening Programme’s

Angoy’s Avenue Adolescents Youth Space members receive the equipment from Community Action Specialist Lauren Fraser (second from right).

Beneficiaries from the Kildonan Community Action Council Group with the donation of the kitchen appliances

(CSSP’s) Rapid Impact Project.

The CSSP programme is a countrywide one that seeks to enhance each of the communities to make them safer with short-term and long-term solutions that seek, among other things, to reduce crime, by engaging at-risk population in meaningful activities, such as

vocational training, recreation and education. In Berbice, 12 groups are benefitting – six in Region 5 and a similar number in Region 6.

The donations are aimed at making an immediate impact on the respective communities.

Angoy’s Avenue received stationery, sports gear and farming tools. These were do-

nated to the Community Action Officer (CAO), Pinkey Author at the Angoy’s Avenue Adolescence Youth Space. The items will be used by young people who utilise the facility. The farming tools, she noted, will be used to establish a kitchen garden at the facility and will facilitate the teaching of farming techniques and, ultimately,

generate funds that will be re-invested for the benefit of the youths.

Kilcoy/Chesney also received sports gear and a brush cutter. The CAO, Arjuna Veersammy, said the equipment will go a long way in getting the youths meaningfully occupied and help to harness their energies positively. In the long-

idents between the villages of Bush Lot and Adventure on the Corentyne Coast. Before the presentation, the gathering saw the commencement of a baking and cake decoration class. It was highlighted that, with the donation, the communities are well on their way to move into the next phase of their catering classes.

The CAO for the community explained that, through a partnership with the Board of Industrial Training (BIT), the participants will receive recognised certification that will help make them more marketable, upon completion of the programme.

The community will also receive donations for the completion of a multi-purpose court that will further engage youths in other recreational activities.

According to the Community Action Specialist, Lauren Fraser, a needs assessment was conducted in each community which helped

Community Action Officer Arjuna Veersammy of Kilcoy/Chesney receives the sports gear in the presence of youth beneficiaries

term, the community will also benefit from a basketball court.

Meanwhile, at Kildonan Community Centre, several kitchen appliances and utensils were handed over to boost a catering class targetting young single mothers. The equipment will enhance programmes already ongoing that target res-

to identify the projects that best suit each area; this was followed by the submission of a proposal to the IDB. Upon approval, funding was released and the items needed were procured to see the successful implementation of the initiatives.

20

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, October 12, 2019

Acting top cop talks up good More welfare and social support for police-community relations Indigenous communities

POLICE actions must reflect the values of the communities they serve, said acting Commissioner of Police, Nigel Hoppie, as the Guyana Police Force (GPF) implements a threeyear strategic plan from 2019-2021.

Hoppie issued the charge during his feature address at a graduation ceremony of 88 police ranks who participated in an elementary prosecutor’s course; station management course and the newly-promoted subordinate officer’s course.

The graduation was held at the Officers Training Centre, Eve Leary, Georgetown, on Friday.

He said participants would have been exposed to certain areas of training which are critical in personal development and in extension development of the GPF. Hoppie noted that the participants and content of all three courses were carefully selected, not just only to highlight contemporary issues, but to build capacity necessary to confront various issues.

“It is important to note that the GPF has embarked on a reform programme and is currently engaged in the implementation of a threeyear strategic plan, that is from 2019-2021, and the plan is guided by five pillars namely: operational priorities, human development, partnership, performance and infrastructure,” the acting commissioner said.

He said training remains

Assistant Commissioner, Clifton Hicken

attention through care and maintenance to equipment

Hoppie said this was done to improve functional cooper-

Acting Commissioner of Police, Nigel Hoppie

and vehicles at various stations.

“We have implemented a trained and divisional/branch logistics officer whose duty largely compliments the inspectors and subordinate officers in charge of stations, serving as an oversight with an effective and efficient

ation between the GPF and regional executive.

The acting commissioner said the force expects improved efficiency from divisional officers and ranks, resulting from enhanced interaction with a shared mission and focus on crime issues specific to the region.

sary skills, while noting that integrity and duty to citizens are paramount.

“Be a person of character; seek to live a life off of integrity and encourage others to earn the trust in your peers, your supervisor and the community. Be a good partner by being an individual who is trusted based on reputation, integrity and competence,” the acting top cop said.

Meanwhile, Force Training Officer (FTO), Assistant Commissioner, Clifton Hicken, said the participants were introduced to community-based policing in theory and practice.

The ranks were exposed to community work and produced solutions based on their surveys and interactions.

“If it can be adopted at the junior level, it means therefore we will certainly build the bridge between members of the public and the GPF; hence, there should be no more conflict,” the assistant commissioner said.

In giving an a course overview, Taramatie Singh of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), who also participated in the courses, said the intention of the exercise was to identify police ranks and members of the GRA with the skillset required to be effective prosecutors.

Some of the main topics covered, she said, included the role and functions of the prosecutor; ethical responsibilities of the prosecutor; the course of a summary

…gov’t commits to continued development of hinterland educational institutions GOVERNMENT is well on its way to bridging the divide between the coastland and the hinterland in the area of education, and in keeping with its quest to ensure every child across Guyana is afforded the same educational opportunity, the administration, through the Ministry of Education has recommitted this plan to Guyana’s hinterland communities.

“Teacher training, teacher preparation and teacher support, that is a very important part of what we do in the Ministry of Education,” stated Minister Henry.

As the minister made her presentation later the afternoon before the National Toshaos Council Conference, she made it clear that every step of the way, the government will provide support to communities across the country. “We have had to provide training not only for new teachers who are coming into the system but also training for teachers who are already in the system. And we have been able to train many teachers in many of the communities which you are representing,” Minister Henry told the NTC. However, support will not only come in the form of training, materials, technological advancement and infrastructure development but also via welfare and social support services. “As you are aware, we have a lot

of social issues in many of the communities,” explaining that “Mobile Psychosocial Unit, this is used by officers from the welfare department with other stakeholders to go around this country to address welfare issues and social issues,” she noted.

The Ministry of Education launched its Education Schools Welfare Unit back in 2018.

According to Minister Henry, the government was also in the process of resuscitating its Early Childhood and primary programmes in several regions, particularly in the hinterland.

Following her presentation, Toshaos and council members raised several issues for the government to address, they included:- training for teachers, teacher accommodation, school repairs and transportation. In response, the minister underscored that these matters were already being addressed, in addition to the creation of practical instruction centres where they were not available previously. “I also want to point out that the University of Guyana is also supporting, in a large way, education delivery for persons of the hinterland, and, together with the support of the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, we now have a tertiary dormitory to house as many as 120 students.” (DPI)

Two years for possession of unlicenced firearm

A section of the gathering of senior police officers (front row) with participants of the training

a key strategic imperative of the organisation since it is important to ensure that the human resource component of the force has the expected value to its operation.

Hoppie said that it is important that mechanisms are in place to provide direct

administration of vehicle, equipment and division and branches,” he said.

Underscoring that the GPF has already commenced the alignment of divisional boundaries in line with the 10 administrative regions,

“This will result in better allocation of resources and understanding of the region’s dynamics,” he told the junior ranks.

He explained that the training has equipped the participants with the neces-

trial; rebuttal and closing statement and mock trials, among others.

Singh said the courses enhanced the participants’ perspectives and knowledge in fulfilling the respective roles as law enforcement officers.

FIFTY-FOUR-YEAROLD David Nelson was, on Friday October 11, 2019, sentenced to two years’ imprisonment and fined $15,000 by Magistrate Dylon Bess.

Nelson appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court and was found guilty, after months on trial.

Particulars of the charge stated that, on November 9, 2017, at Quamina Street, he had a rifle in his possession when he was not the holder of a firearm licence.

According to particulars of the matter, the

police, acting on information received, proceeded to the address where they conducted a search on Nelson’s vehicle and, under the seat, they discovered the unlicensed rifle. Nelson was arrested, and, at the station he had given a caution statement to the police admitting that he bought the gun from a Brazilian.

Magistrate Bess told Nelson that he found sufficient evidence against him and sentenced him to serve two years’ imprisonment and fined him $15,000.

21

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, October 12, 2019

Indigenous Affairs Ministry advocates for the formation of District Councils – MP Williams lieve that the purposefulness will be recognised,” he said.

On Monday, the NTC chairman urged the village leaders to endorse the formation of these very important bodies. “For those communities that are not in sup-

Ministerial Adviser at the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples' Affairs, Mervyn Williams

THE formation of district councils to represent the voice of Indigenous villages across the country is being advocated for by the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, and, providing all the legal documents are in order, new councils are guaranteed approval from the ministry.

This is according to Ministerial Adviser at the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Mervyn Williams, who, on Thursday, during the airing of the Guyana Chronicle’s live programme, the Vantage Point, noted that the Amerindian Act provides for the formation of councils and, by order, for the subject minister to establish such councils.

Currently, there are six functioning district councils which include the South Rupununi District Council (SRDC), North Rupununi District Development Board (NRDDB), North Pakaraimas District Council, Upper Mazaruni District Council, Moruca District Council and the Region 10 District Council. However, the SRDC is the only legally-gazetted council in the history Guyana, a move which materialised under the APNU+AFC government.

During a presentation of the National Toshaos Council’s 2018/2019 work programme at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre on Monday, Chairman of the NTC, Nicholas Fredericks,

explained that over the past year, the NTC has been advocating for district councils to function as they should. Fredericks, who heads the SRDC, noted that these councils can play a leading role in the development of their respective districts.

Williams said that after the SRDC was gazetted, “it motivated Indigenous leaders across the country”, whom he noted, recognise that it easier to speak with one voice. He said there is a shared belief among Indigenous leaders that if the leaders come together and agree to speak as one, the needs of the villages will have a better impact through that single voice.

He said the Upper Mazaruni District Council is about to be recognised providing its documentation is in order. “We await the applications for legal recognition,” Williams said, as he noted that the recognition is guaranteed.

Williams noted that there are four administrative regions dominated by Indigenous villages, those being Regions One, Seven, Eight and Nine. He said if the villages can establish themselves under a council, the NTC conference can and will be more effective in terms of addressing Indigenous issues. He explained that instead of hearing 250 individual representations at the NTC annual confab, the district councils which will have a heavier impact. “I be-

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

It is a very important body, a legal body according to the Amerindian Act and is one

that allows you to make collective representation instead of just one man fighting for himself,” Fredericks told the over 212 Toshaos gathered in Georgetown for the 13th NTC conference.

He said, once the NTC

receives all the letters from the village councils supporting the establishment of district councils, the NTC will draft a concept letter to be sent to the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs for gazetting.

22

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, October 12, 2019

Promise kept to Hinterland villages MINISTER of Social Cohesion, Dr. George Norton, on Friday, delivered on his promise when he made donations to villages in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo).

The village of Apoteri received a fully accessorised keyboard, along with 10 tablet computers, while Kwatamang Village received

two guitars. The Village of Sand Creek also benefitted from a keyboard.

The items were all handed over to the Toshaos of the three villages, who were attending the National Toshaos’ Conference in Georgetown.

The instruments donated to Apoteri were part of the delivery of a promise Min-

ister Norton made to assist the culture and youth groups of that community. “When Minister Norton visited us a few days ago, we just mentioned some of the things we needed, and he was very prompt in not only making the promise to us, but delivering it as well,” Kenny Thomas of Apoteri said, in a release from the Ministry.

Toshao of Apoteri, Kenny Thomas accepts a keyboard from Minister of Social Cohesion, Dr. George Norton

Toshao of Sand Creek, Maxie Pugsley accepts a keyboard from the Director of Culture (ag), Tamika Boatswain

While the Toshao of Kwatamang, Rocky Vanlong was accompanying Thomas to uplift the donated items for Apoteri, he made mention of the Kwatamang Culture Group and its need of some assistance which saw two guitars immediately being presented to the Kwatamang Toshao.

Toshao of Kwatamang, Rocky Vanlong accepts a guitar from Minister of Social Cohesion, Dr. George Norton

“It was very sudden, and we are very much grateful to the Minister for his very kind and sincere gesture,” Toshao Vanlong said. The Toshao of Sand Creek also expressed gratitude for the keyboard presented to him by the Director of Culture (ag), Tamika Boatswain.

The Toshaos all agreed

that the donated items will go a long way in helping to preserve the Indigenous Cultures in Region Nine.

“I am glad that these communities reached out to us. We can only assist if we know what the needs of these communities are,” Minister Norton posited.

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 TURN TO PAGE

23

23

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, October 12, 2019

Courts Optical Grove opens today

COURTS Optical Guyana Inc. has announced the launch of its newest branch, Courts Optical Grove location.

The brand, which has already established a name for itself within the mere three years of being in Guyana, currently has other branches at Courts Main Street, Courts Linden, Courts Parika and Courts New Amsterdam. It is the hope is that this new location in Grove will be a continuation of the

brand’s success.

A release said Courts Optical Grove will boast the finest and most fashionable pieces in eye wear and will bring quality optometry and exceptional services directly to the community of Grove, while at the same time maintaining affordability through credit plans for spectacles purchases.

“The opening of this new location will see an expansion of the business with

this further investment in the country. Employment will also be created for additional staff and the Courts Optical brand has plans of rolling out some community initiatives to aid in better eye care for individuals, especially high school students,” the company said.

The launch will be a short ceremony with remarks from chairman of the Neighbourhood Democratic Council and a walk though

Pensioner strangled at Bourda POLICE are investigating the death of a 67-yearold pensioner who was apparently strangled with a mosquito net, sometime between Wednesday and Thursday afternoon, during the course of a robbery.

Dead is Marva Oudkerk, 67, a pensioner who was the caretaker of a home at Lot 241 Bourda Street, Georgetown. The woman was killed

Marva Oudkerk

The house in which the woman was killed.(Adrian Narine photo)

sometime between 16:30hrs on October 9 and 18:30hrs on October 10, 2019.

The woman’s daughter told this newspaper that her mother was the caretaker of

the home which belonged to the late Magda Pollard, the Guyanese stalwart who passed away in May this year. The intruder/s carted off items from the home

Young mechanic ... 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

including the woman’s cash.

Her body is presently at Lyken’s Funeral Home awaiting an autopsy.

Police are investigating the incident.

FROM PAGE

22

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.

of the facilities.

All eye examinations

will be free and customers will be able to take advan-

tage of a special offer available on the opening day.

24

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, October 12, 2019

Fireman remanded, police corporal granted bail for possession of marijuana

TWENTY-EIGHT-YEAROLD police corporal, Quincy Bacchus, of New Amsterdam, Berbice, and 37-year-old fireman, Raymond Singh, of School Street, Rose Hall Town,

Corentyne, were, on Friday October 11, 2019, charged jointly for possession of marijuana, for the purpose of trafficking.

The men appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’

Court before Magistrate Faith McGusty and pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to them.

Particulars of the charge stated that, on October 7, 2019, at Aubrey Bark-

er Road, South Ruimveldt, Georgetown, they had, in their possession, 2405 grams of marijuana for the purpose of trafficking.

Attorney-at-Law George Thomas addressed the court on Bacchus’ behalf and asked the court for reasonable bail.

Thomas added that his client was the driver of the motor vehicle, when he met Singh, at the side of the road with a bag, and offered to give him a drop to Georgetown.

Thomas also told the court that his client, at no time, checked the bag Singh placed in the trunk of the vehicle.

Singh who was unrepre-

sented said, “when the police catch us Bacchus turn to me and say let me tell the police that is me alone weed, but me in know but all that weed”.

Police prosecutor, Seon Blackman, told the court that, on the day in question, ranks, acting on information, intercepted the car on Aubrey Barker Road, Georgetown, and Bacchus, who was dressed in uniform, was the driver while Singh was the passenger in the said vehicle.

Blackman also told the court that a search was conducted, and a quantity of leaves, seeds and stems, suspected to be marijuana, were found wrapped in several

black plastic bags. Both Bacchus and Singh were arrested and charged.

Blackman objected to bail being granted to Singh based on the penalty and quantity of drugs found and asked that Bacchus be placed on substantial amount of bail.

Magistrate McGusty, after listening to the prosecutor, remanded Singh to prison and granted Bacchus $300,000 bail, and ordered that he lodged his travel documents at the court. The matter was adjourned until November 2, 2019.

Man charged with ‘break and enter and larceny’ remanded MAGISTRATE Leron Daly, on Friday October 11, 2019, remanded to prison, a man who was charged with ‘break and enter and larceny’.

Christian Webster appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court and pleaded not guilty to the three charges when they were read to him.

Particulars of charges stated that, on September 10, 2019, at South Ruimveldt, Georgetown, he broke and entered the dwelling house of Jasmine Harris and stole a laptop valued at $354,000, the property of Guyana Telephone and Tele-

graph Company; a phone valued at $114,000; a gold and diamond ring valued at $222,000, the property of Ryan Smith and four finger rings valued at $442,000, property of Jasmine Harris.

Police Prosecutor Sanj Singh objected to bail being granted to Webster and told the court that Harris secured her home and went to bed around 21:00 hours and, around 02:52 hours, she was awakened by a loud noise, and, upon checking, she observed Webster standing in her bedroom.

Harris raised an alarm and Webster jumped through the window and made good

his escape. The couple then made checks around their home and they discovered the items were missing. The matter was reported, an investigation was conducted and Webster was arrested and charged.

Singh also told the court that Webster had 10 other break and enter and larceny charges, and 10 burglary charges, and he was under investigation for a murder.

Magistrate Daly, after listening to the prosecutor, remanded Webster to prison and adjourned the matter until November 8, 2019.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, SATURDAY OCTOBER 12, 2019

SATURDAY OCTOBER 12, 2019

25

26

GUYANA CHRONICLE, SATURDAY OCTOBER 12, 2019

SATURDAY OCTOBER 12, 2019

GUYANA CHRONICLE, SATURDAY OCTOBER 12, 2019

SATURDAY OCTOBER 12, 2019

27

28

GUYANA CHRONICLE, SATURDAY OCTOBER 12, 2019

SATURDAY OCTOBER 12, 2019

GUYANA CHRONICLE, SATURDAY OCTOBER 12, 2019

SATURDAY OCTOBER 12, 2019

29

30 GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday October 12, 2019

RACING TIPS American Racing Tips Belmont Race 1 Tiz Epic Race 2 Seaside Dancer Race 3 Mo Diddley Race 4 Peaceful Race 5 Thesis Race 6 Turbo Drive Race 7 Goldwood Race 8 Perjury Trap Race 9 New And Improved Canadian Racing Tips Woodbine Race 1 Ice Blue Race 2 Dulcibelle Race 3 Yum Yum Race 4 Souper Shenanigan Race 5 Post To Post Race 6 Have A Souper Day Race 7 Blind Ambition Race 8 Red Tea South Africa Racing Tips Durbanville 08:20 hrs Caribbean Sunset 09:00 hrs Blue Gangsta 09:35 hrs Gold Metal 10:10 hrs Rush Hour Girl 10:45 hrs Sergeant Hardy 11:20 hrs Dancing Sally 11:55 hrs Sir Michael Irish Racing Tips Faityhouse 08:40 hrs Tintangle 09:15 hrs Champagne Classic 09:50 hrs Captain Cobajay 10:25 hrs Daylight Katie 11:00 hrs The Abbey 11:35 hrs Select Opportunity 12:10 hrs Lady Of Elysium English Racing Tips Newmarket 08:45 hrs Ascension 09:20 hrs Volkan Star 09:55 hrs Molatham

10:30 hrs Pinatubo 11:10 hrs Land Of Oz 11:45 hrs Bravo Sierra 12:20 hrs Matterhorn

York 09:05 hrs Convict 09:40 hrs Lampang 10:15 hrs Harrovian

10:50 hrs Aplomb 11:25 hrs Colour Image 12:00 hrs Arrowtown 12:35 hrs Dubai Icon

Chepstow 09:10 hrs Sir Psycho 09:45 hrs Highest Sun 10:20 hrs Relentless Dreamer 11:30 hrs Indefatigable 12:05 hrs Charbel

12:40 hrs Glenlivet

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday October 12, 2019

31

Kohli double ton punishes South Africa (ESPNCRICINFO) - ON day two of Test two, Virat Kohli and friends just stood there and beat every bit of fight out of a tattered and directionless South African side.

Kohli could have chosen to bat on and have a stab at a triple, Ravindra Jadeja could have got a hundred had he not pushed too strongly towards a declaration, and then Umesh Yadav announced his comeback with two wickets in his first two overs.

South Africa, meanwhile, dropped catches, misfielded regularly, conceded overthrows, snapped at each other, bowled 11 no-balls, and just waited for declaration.

Oh and they also made strides towards having the worst

Virat Kohli now has more double-centuries (7) than any other Indian batsman. (BCCI)

series for a set of spinners in India, and none of their three fast bowlers charged in for the last 18 overs of the innings, even when Keshav Maharaj was off the field with injury.

Retirements, talent drain, relative quality of this South African side compared to their other teams are things beyond the scope of this report, but it is hard to remember an untidier effort from them in the field.

Even the forecast rain refused to come to their rescue.

South Africa’s spinners now average 95; only two sides have ended a series with worse numbers in India. Maharaj has gone at 4.04 an over so far and has averaged 85.66, putting him in the worst five on both counts.

While these are mid-series

numbers, it will take some correcting to not walk away with dubious honours by the time Ranchi is done.

India’s honours were the farthest thing from dubious.

Kohli was tested with the new ball in the first hour, but South Africa’s cordon didn’t help themselves by refusing to move closer.

Thrice Kohli edged in the first exchange, but none of those went to hand.

That South Africa could draw edges through traditional channel bowling tells you how sporting the pitch was. Kohli was less sporting whenever the bowlers erred, and they erred frequently.

No matter how honest they kept him with length balls outside off, Kohli was brutal

on any that were too full or too straight.

This was one of Kohli’s more difficult home hundreds.

Only on a crazy seaming track in Kolkata, against Sri Lanka, did Kohli have a worse control percentage over his first 100 runs than the 87.86 here.

He was respectful accordingly, even with debutant Anrich Nortje.

Ajinkya Rahane was less fluent with his ongoing struggles against spin. He took 33 balls to score his first run off Maharaj.

To the first 100 runs of the 178-run partnership with Kohli, Rahane contributed just 25; he took 100 balls to do so.

Against pace he opened up a little, but Maharaj dismissed him on 59.

Left-arm spin did come close to getting Kohli out: but three outside edges off Maharaj refused to go to Faf du Plessis at slip.

This, though, happened well after

he

had

reached

his

hundred and was now pushing for quicker runs.

That was one of the reasons why Jadeja was promoted to No.6, but Kohli was so dominating

that

Jadeja

could score just six in the first 50 runs of the 225-run partnership.

‘Benna Boys’ tame Golden Jaguars 2-1 … Guyana to host Antigua and Barbuda on Monday

By Rawle Toney ANTIGUA and Barbuda edged Guyana 2-1 at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium last evening, to secure their second win in the inaugural CONCACAF Nations League.

It was a crucial three points secured by the Benna Boys, as Golden Jaguars slumped to their second consecutive defeat, following their 4-0 drubbing by the ‘Reggae Boyz’.

Coach Marcio Maximo surprised everyone when he left Sheldon Holder out

of the line-up, and opted to start with Trayon Bobb, who hasn’t touched a pitch locally and for the national side, since Guyana’s qualification tournament for the Gold Cup earlier this year.

Nonetheless, along with Bobb, Maximo started with Akel Clarke in goal, skipper Samuel Cox, Kevin Layne, Matthew Briggs, Kadell Daniel, Elliot Bonds, Neil Danns, Keanu Marsh-Brown, Clive Nobrega, and Emery Welshman.

Golden Jaguars seemed shaky in the opening minutes of their first game against

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Saturday October 12, 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) Barbados Tridents (2) 4 times (2013, 2014, 2016, 2018) Today’s Quiz: (1) Who scored the first century in CPL 2019?

(2) Which team (in 2019) failed to make the Play-off stage of a CPL Tournament for the first time?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

Golden Jaguars fell 1-2 to Antigua and Barbuda in their latest CONCACAF Nations League match.

Antigua and Barbuda since their November 29, 2010 1-0 defeat, as the Benna Boys pressed forward with relentless attack.

The Antiguans looked to threaten on almost every possession, and went on to score two goals in two minutes through Quinton Griffith (15th) and Junior Benjamin (17th), as the home side sat on a 2-0 cushion throughout

the first half.

However, Golden Jaguars came out hungry in the second stanza and five minutes into play, Danns slipped a ball through to Welshman, and the forward, who plays with Hapoel Haifa FC in the Israeli Premier League, calmly put his effort past Molvin Jones in goal.

It was redemption for Welshman, who had a clear-

cut chance in the second half to score, but, as they say in Guyana, he ‘bubble’ on the attempt.

Sheldon Holder, who scored Guyana’s lone goal in the Nations League so far, came on late in the half, replacing Trayon Bobb, and made an immediate impact on the game.

Guyana’s unyielding push for another goal didn’t

materialise and Benna Boys held on for the win which puts them on six points and second place in Group C of League B behind Jamaica.

The Golden Jaguars will return home tomorrow evening and will host Antigua and Barbuda on Monday at the National Track and Field Centre, in a must-win affair.

32 GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday October 12, 2019

Scottish Rugby considers legal action over Japan match threat (BBC) - SCOTTISH Rugby believes it has a legal case against the game’s governing body as it seeks to ensure its decisive World Cup match with Japan goes ahead.

The game in Yokohama is under threat amid concerns over Typhoon Hagibis.

World Rugby will do an inspection of the stadium at 22:00hrs BST today, with a decision expected within two hours about whether the match will be played.

It has already cancelled two Saturday games and declared them a draw - a repeat would mean Scotland’s exit.

Mark Dodson says he will not let Scotland be “collateral damage” in Typhoon Hagibis’ wake

But Scottish Rugby’s Mark Dodson says “legal opinion unravels” the case.

Gregor Townsend’s side lie third behind Ireland and Japan in Pool A and must beat the hosts - earning four more points than they - to progress to the quarter-final stage unless the Irish lose to Samoa.

World Rugby rules state that “where a pool match cannot be commenced on the day in which it is scheduled, it shall not be postponed to the following day and shall be considered as cancelled. In such situations, the result shall be allocated two points each and no score registered”.

But Dodson said: “World Rugby has pointed us back to the participation agreement and that it is clearly stated there. We’ve had a legal opinion and then we’ve taken a leading sports QC opinion in London that challenges that and unravels the World Rugby case.”

‘WE WILL PLAY ANYWHERE, ANYTIME’ Chief executive Dodson argued that rugby fans around the world “are absolutely astounded” at World Rugby’s “rigidity” and think the match should be played on Monday if it cannot go ahead tomorrow.

“We don’t want to get in some sort of legal arm wrestle with World Rugby, but our view is it doesn’t sit right with us, we don’t feel it’s just, we feel there are other ways,” the chief executive said.

“I think most people feel that if it had been an economic powerhouse - let’s say New Zealand - perhaps more thought would have been given to a flexible approach.

“I think in the court of public opinion, we’ve already won. Right from the start, we said we will play any place, anywhere, behind closed doors, in full stadiums. We will travel the length and breadth of Japan.

“We have spoken to the Japan Rugby

Football

Union

and

members are keen for this game to go on. What we’re asking for is a common-sense approach that allows this game to be played in perfect safety 24 hours after the storm clears.”

However,

World

Rugby

described those comments as “disappointing, at a time when we are doing everything we can to enable all Sunday’s matches to take place as scheduled”.

F1 Saturday sessions cancelled as Hagibis approaches (BBC) - FORMULA 1 has cancelled all activities at the Japanese Grand Prix on Saturdays as Typhoon Hagibis approaches.

The tropical storm, the year’s biggest, is due to hit Japan today and strong winds are set to continue into tomorrow, when qualifying and race will be held.

Valtteri Bottas led Lewis Hamilton to a Mercedes onetwo in second practice.

Those results could decide the grid if conditions are too difficult to hold qualifying tomorrow morning.

Bottas was 0.1 seconds quicker than Hamilton, with

Max Verstappen third and the Ferraris of Charles Leclerc and Sebastian Vettel fourth and fifth ahead of Red Bull’s Alexander Albon.

Organisers said they had taken the decision to postpone qualifying and close the circuit yesterday “in the interests of safety for the spectators, competitors, and everyone at the Suzuka Circuit”.

Qualifying, which had been due to take place at 15:00 local time (08:00 BST) today, is now due to take place at 10:00hrs (14:00hrs BST) tomorrow.

The race will be held as scheduled at 14:10hrs (18:10hrs BST).

Ferrari were nearly a second behind Mercedes’ Valtteri Bottas at the end of the first practice session.

The potential impact of the

at the Rugby World Cup.

tropical storm has already led to

F1 organisers delayed a decision

the cancellation of two matches

on Thursday to have a clearer

idea of the path of the storm.

Mercedes were first and second, with Bottas ahead of Hamilton, in both practice sessions.

And the second session took on more importance than normal because teams were aware it could set the grid.

Suzuka is expected to be hit by high winds and heavy rain throughout today in what is currently a Category Three typhoon and is due to hit the coast not far from the track today before moving north towards Tokyo.

Flights are being cancelled across the country, as are train services from Tokyo to Nagoya, the closest big city to Suzuka,

Ronaldo one away from 700 as Portugal beat Luxembourg (BBC) CRISTIANO Ronaldo moved one strike away from his 700th career goal as Portugal edged closer to Euro 2020 with a 3-0 win against Luxembourg.

Manchester City’s Bernardo Silva opened the scoring before Ronaldo chipped over Anthony Moris.

Valencia’s Goncalo Guedes completed the scoring just before full-time.

Portugal remain second in

Group B, five points behind Ukraine, but four points clear of Serbia in third.

Ronaldo

will

have

the

chance to become just the sixth person to score 700 goals when Portugal travel to Ukraine on Monday.

Fernando

Santos’

side

can qualify with a win in Kiev, if Serbia fail to win in Lithuania.

Cristiano Ronaldo has now scored 94 goals for Portugal.

from this morning, as well as most trains between Nagoya and Osaka to the west.

Efforts were being made to limit the potential damage at the track today, for which there have been warnings to stay inside and Japanese authorities have set up social media accounts and an app for safety tips during the storm.

But, even though the storm has weakened slightly from its high point earlier in the week, there are concerns among officials that the damage might be too extensive for the track to be cleared in time to run qualifying tomorrow morning.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday October 12, 2019

33

Classy Taylor too much for Gladiators in CPL Women’s T10 opener NLCB Revellers 78-2 (Taylor 36, Cooper 22*, King 15; Matthews 1-5) beat Courts Gladiators 74-2 (Matthews 46*, Kycia Knight 24; Isaac 1-13, Henry 1-13) by 8 wickets A CAPTAIN’S knock from Stafanie Taylor powered her NLCB Revellers to a breezy 9-wicket win over Courts Gladiators in the Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) Women’s T10 NLCB Challenge played at Brian Lara Cricket Academy, Trinidad.

Gladiators recovered from a slow start to end with 74-2 from their allotted 10 overs.

Windies star all-rounder Hayley Matthews stroked an unbeaten, blistering 46 with Kycia Knight making 24. The pair added a strong second-wicket

Hayley Matthews topscored with an unbeaten 46 for Gladiators.

partnership of 54 to stabilise their team. Stacy-Ann King and Britney Cooper got the

Stafanie Taylor played a captain’s innings to see her side home.

Revellers’ chase off to a steady start, before King was trapped lbw by Gladiators captain Afy Fletcher. Taylor then put on a show, cutting her second ball to the point boundary to set the tone for what was to follow.

The Windies Women skipper continued to find the boundary with ease and, combined with some hard-run twos, raced to 36 from 17 balls before falling to Matthews, with the scores level and looking to smash the winning runs and finish the game in style.

The game was well won by then, with Cooper stepping up from the support role, first with King, then with Taylor. She smacked the second ball of the final over straight back over the bowler, Guyanese Shabika Gajnabi’s head for four and sealed the victory in fitting style.

Earlier, Matthews and

Knight batted with increasing confidence and fluency as Gladiators recovered from the loss of Sheneta Grimmond for a duck, after the Guyanese was bowled by Caneisha Isaac.

The West Indies pair shrugged off the woes and held their nerve to accelerate from 27-1 at halfway to 74-2 after their 10 overs. In the end, Matthews smashed seven fours and a six while Knight also hit a six before succumbing to Chinelle Henry.

The two sides meet again in the Courts Invitational this afternoon ahead of the Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) final.

Unstoppable Warriors, ex-champs in tussle for vacant 2019 CPL title

By Clifton Ross

A VACANT title, a former champion and a group of relentless Warriors now set the stage for possibly the biggest and most highly-anticipated final in Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) history; set to bowl off this evening at Brian Lara Cricket Academy, Trinidad.

Barbados Tridents captain Jason Holder and his men held their nerve to knock out the defending champs Trinbago Knight Riders, who missed their shot at the final by 12 runs, following Thursday night’s thriller under lights.

Tridents now face an uphill task should they have realistic plans to reclaim the title, having once beaten the Warriors a few seasons ago under weather-oriented circumstances. They now square off against the most

dangerous team in this year’s tourney, and a side who have been waiting patiently for their opponents ever since qualifying for the cup many moons ago.

The 11-0 Warriors have been on a rampage and should their records against Tridents hold up, it could be a tea party for the Guyana franchise.

The in-form opener Chandrapaul Hemraj and his partner Brandon King will strike fear into the opponents without a shadow of a doubt, following the latter’s phenomenal season and his 132 which shattered the record books in Providence last week.

Withstanding King’s factoring presence, the likes of Shimron Hetmyer will be under the scope following his mixed tournament. The left-hander could show up tonight especially after racking up seven individual scores under 10 from

Guyana Amazon Warriors openers Chandrapaul Hemraj and Brandon King will play huge roles for their side.

his last 7 matches played.The Warriors frontline all-rounders in Sherfane Rutherford, Roma-

rio Shepherd, Keemo Paul and Chris Green will make skipper Shoaib Malik rest easy as they

have been major X-factors in both departments. Green, Shepherd, Paul will also lend ideal support to the veteran leg-spinner Imran Tahir who will play a big role with the ball.

Tridents will be in high spirits following their big win over TKR. The lion’s share of the work was done by the bowlers in the end who did a sterling job on ensuring that 160 was easily defended. Leading wicket-taker Hayden Walsh Jr ended with another good haul, snatching up 2 wickets.

Holder will rely on Walsh, Englishman Harry Gurney, off-spinner Ashley Nurse, leftarm seamer Raymon Reifer and the world-ranked spin of Bangladesh’s Shakib AlHasan. Tridents signalled their intentions with the ball as all of their bowlers, except Shakib who qualifies for a pass; returned two wickets in the match against TKR.

Given the history between these two franchises and how track records played in favour of the Tridents when they beat TKR heading into the game, having already gained a 2-0 win over the former champs this season.

The last time Tridents beat the Warriors was way back in 2018 when Reifer bagged 5-20, ever since the Warriors have been running roughshod over Holder’s men and could likely dismantle them for yet another time to clinch their maiden title after failing in 4 finals.

Weather permitting, 2019 CPL final will bowl off at 17:00hrs.

Sunshine Snacks hands lucky fan a ticket to CPL Final SUNSHINE Snacks, the official snack of The Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL), launched its CPL promotion on the August 26, 2019.

Customers who purchased Sunshine Snacks Peanuts had a chance to win cricket bats, hampers, tickets to the matches at the Providence stadium and grand prize of an all-expense paid trip for two to Trinidad for the final.

The lucky winner of the

Sunshine Snacks country manager Mr Jeranzee Marques and winner Ms Savitri Basdeo

grand prize, Ms Savitri Basdeo, expressed her excitement about going to Trinidad to watch Guyana Amazon Warriors compete in the final this Saturday, October 12.

“I saw the promotion on social media and decided to look for Sunshine Snacks Peanuts with the CPL logo when I was shopping in the supermarket one afternoon. When I got home, after unpacking my groceries I sat on my bed with my phone looking for the code to enter on

the site. I thought that was that.”

Ms Basdeo reported she initially missed the call from Trinidad which she thought was from a friend, but after receiving the second call; the representative from Sunshine Snacks in Trinidad told her she had won the grand prize for the Sunshine Snacks CPL promotion.

She said she thought it was a prank as she was not expecting to win but was ‘extra excited and very appreciative’ because it had always been her dream to go and

experience the final in Trinidad.

The prize was even more special for her because she has never travelled to Trinidad.

Country Manager of Sunshine Snacks brand in Guyana, Mr Jeranzee Marques, who handed over the prize to the winner, thanked all the participants for taking part in the promotion and said he was elated that Sunshine Snacks was able to make a lifelong dream come true for someone.

34 GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday October 12, 2019

SBF Petroleum Jaguars One-Day 50 Overs League bowls off tomorrow

… League officially launched yesterday THE SBF Petroleum-sponsored Jaguars One Day 50 Overs tournament was officially launched yesterday afternoon, ahead of tomorrow’s opening round of matches.

Cricket Guyana Inc. (CGI) executive Anand Kalladeen, during the brief ceremony, held upstairs in the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) head office, said that

the gesture was a good one by the sponsors.

“We are grateful to SBF for accepting the invitation for the Jaguars league. The tourney is a nursery for the Guyana national team and our league has success with over 100 players who have pressed cases for national selection,” said Kalladeen.

On behalf of SBF Petroleum, CEO Dorwain Bess

stated, “We’re happy to be here and to assist the players. Our company has been around five years and we hope to continue promoting cricket in the future.”

Meanwhile a number of former current and future Guyana and West Indies players will be on show over the next few weeks.

The first round bowls off on October 13 and runs until

CGI executive Anand Kalladeen (right) collects the sponsorship cheque from CEO Dorwain Bess.

Marriott branded golf carts for LGC GOLFERS will now have the option of using golf carts while playing competitions or practising at the Lusignan Golf Club’s nine-hole course.

The vehicles were handed over yesterday by the Guyana Marriott Hotel (Georgetown), which has collaborated with the LGC to enhance the golfing experience in Guyana.

The partnership stemmed from discussions between LGC president Aleem Hussain, Marriott’s General Manager Eduardo Reple and Director of Sales Sandra Bernal.

The two carts, which will be available for rental at the East Coast location, carry the Marriott Bon Voy brand.

Reple said: “Marriott has always been associated with the development of sports in every country where we are located and offer the best experience for our guests.”

The General Manager added that the hotel chain has “over 120 million reward guests in their Bon Voy programme” and that the partnership with the LGC allows the guests to take advantage of quality both on and off property.

FUN DAY AND GOLF COMPETITION The Guyana Marriott will also host its first-ever Customer Appreciation Awards, at the LGC on November 3 with a fun day and golf competition.

According to Bernal, the event will allow all guests, clients and staff to play with local golfers.

“The tournament was the brainchild of our General

October 24.

East Coast and West Berbice will play at Lusignan while defending champs Essequibo will battle Leon Johnson-led Georgetown at Bourda ground.

Berbice will have its fair share of the action when Lower Corentyne and East Bank do business at the legendary Albion ground, with West Demerara tackling Upper Corentyne at the Port Mourant ground.

(Clifton Ross)

Unbeaten Gobin ahead in Meusa Junior Chess Championships

Samirah Gobin is leading after week one of the Meusa Junior Chess Championships.

One of the golf carts that would be available at the Lusignan Golf Club. In picture are members of the LGC and key officials from Guyana Marriott.

Manager, who is himself an avid golfer and has seen the value of associating the Marriott brand with golf in Guyana,” Bernal added.

Hussain, who has been a proactive president, said that the sport would continue to grow.

“We have projected that more than 400 golfers will be in Guyana over the next few years and are determined to be prepared for this eventuality.”

He added that with several international airlines already flying here and several en route, visitors to Guyana would significantly increase. It is anticipated that Guyana will be host to more than 500 000 visitors annually and golf is a key sport for those who are

coming and we will be ready!”

Assistant Club Captain Joaan Deo later added that the carts would also assist a number of ageing golfers who find it difficult to play 18 holes. “Now they’ll get to play 18 holes and even more.”

Deo and the club’s PRO/ Assistant Secretary, Guy Griffith, along with several members of Marriott management team and hotel guests witnessed the handingover ceremony.

Information from the club indicates that “interest was extremely high as many of the guests present were both happy and astonished to hear that Guyana has a golf course and several immediately booked

appointments to visit the club”.

A release from the club added: “In the near future, guests at the Marriott will be able to practise their putting as the agreement between the two entities extends to having a permanent presence at the hotel for guests to enjoy on a daily basis.”

For more information on how you may benefit from the partnership, simply stop by the Marriott or sign up online for their Bon Voy rewards programme.

The club is into its busy season as it prepares to host its biggest annual tournament - the two-day Guyana Open, which is billed for October 26-27.

SAMIRAH Gobin will look to stay unbeaten when she competes in the remaining rounds of the Fourth Wendell Meusa Junior Chess Championships this weekend at the National Sport Resource and Racquet Centre.

In the event, which started last Sunday, the teen has six points after three consecutive victories.

Chelsea Juma, who is also unbeaten with one win and two draws after three rounds, is tied for second, with Joshua Khan on four points. Khan earned his four points after he won twice and lost once.

Jaden Taylor is also unbeaten. He won once and drew his other game for three points.

Sasha Shariff and Ricardo Baksh, who are on two points each, have also played two games (one win and a loss) and are tied for fifth.

Meanwhile, Taylor emerged victorious last Saturday in the School of the Nations Chess Club one-day Rapid competition, which was played at the school’s auditorium.

Taylor finished on top with 14 points after he claimed seven

wins from eight games. His only blemish was a default loss to Suriyah Gobin due to a late arrival.

In the Invitation competition, Samirah Gobin, who attends the Al Ghazalli Islamic Academy, placed second on 11 points with five wins and a draw. Her only loss was to Taylor.

Khan, who also finished on 11 points, but lost one game more than Gobin, ended in third place, while Angel Rahim placed fourth with 10 points and Suriyah Gobin fifth on seven points.

Ricardo Baksh and Emmanuel Primus were tied for sixth with six points each, while Jacob McDonald placed eight with 5 points (two wins and a draw), Mahir Rajkumar ninth with four points and Julian Mohabir tenth.

Meanwhile round two of the second Gaico Grand Prix Chess Tournament would be played on Sunday at the National Racquet Centre. The multi-round competition continues on Tuesday and Thursday before it concludes the following Sunday.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday October 12, 2019

35

Ansa McAL Trading Ltd Lucozade Handicap Tournament 2019

Action heats up as squash aces continue battle DEJE Dias, Zachary Persaud and Abosaide Cadogan were among the notable winners when the second round of the Ansa Mcal/Lucozade Handicap Squash Tournament continued at the Georgetown Club.

In Category A, Zachary Persaud’s good from continued as he took on Dhirren Persaud in a 3-game bout and despite a fight in the second game by Dhirren, as he climbed to 8 points to cut Persaud off before he got into positive score from his -8 start. Persaud then wrapped up things 15-11, 0-15, 15-11.

Louis DaSilva bested Safirah Summer in just two games, easily winning 15-11,

Squash action continues today.

15-12 focussed the final. Shiloh Asregado and Matthew Spooner also secured wins in Category A. In the Open Category games heated up as top seed Deje Dias came from the largest handicap in the com-

petition (-15) to out out Regan Rodrigues. Daniel Ince fought an on-form Nicholas Verwey with a one-point handicap difference in another 3-game matchup.

The top 3 seeded girls played their first matches

last night with mixed results.

Abosaide Cadogan was the only victor against Johnathan Antczak after a first-game defeat of 10-15. Her athleticism came through to dominate in the second and third gaining her 10-15, 15-9, 15-7 victory, while Kirsten Gomes and Maddison Fernandes fell to Mohryan Baksh and Nicholas Narain respectively.

Play continues in the Open Category, Category A and Plate divisions on Friday at 18:00hrs at the Georgetown Club, Camp Street.

Thursdays Results Open Category Deje Dias (-15) defeated Regan Rodrigues (7) 11-15 15-11, 15-11.

National bodybuilding team ready for weekend’s CAC Championships … Bess optimistic that ‘elite athletes’ will medal THE four-member Guyana team, currently in the Dominican Republic for the 46th Central American and Caribbean Bodybuilding and Fitness Championships, will be in action this weekend.

President of the Guyana Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation (GBBFF) Keavon Bess said that the competitors are ready for the spotlight.

Two of Guyana’s representatives are no strangers to CAC, including five-time Mr Guyana and former CAC gold medallist Kerwin Clarke and four-time Mr Guyana (Men’s Physique) Emmerson Campbell, who has a CAC silver and a bronze medal under his belt.

Meanwhile, the experienced former Mr Guyana Physique, Yannick Grimes, would be competing in his first CAC. Also making his maiden trip is Darius Ramsammy, who would battle in the U-154 category.

TRAINING HARD The Space Gym athletes: Clarke, Campbell and Grimes have been training hard over the last few months for the event.

Clarke even decided to retire from the Senior National Championships, which was held in August to focus on his

Kerwin Clarke is ready for another gold medal performance. training for the top regional bodybuilding and fitness competition.

Campbell had fine-tuned his body and felt he was in top shape prior to leaving, while Grimes underwent some serious transformation and is expected to be in a much better shape than at Seniors.

ELITE ATHLETES “I am confident that the team will do exceedingly well at the CAC 2019 Championships. It’s a small team but notably it is

Yannick Grimes (left) and Emmerson Campbell will continue their ongoing battle on the big stage. comprised of three elite athletes who have done well over the years,” Bess noted.

He added: “Mr Clarke has put together a gold medal body and his aim is to replicate his performance in 2016. Mr Emmerson Campbell has signalled his intention to finally break through and to capture that elusive gold medal.

“I am confident that he can do well and can capture another gold medal for Guyana.

Yannick Grimes has grinded hard for a long time with the single aspiration of dominating

a CAC stage. He has his chance and I expect nothing but gold from him in addition to being a transitioned athlete.”

Bess added: “Mr Ramsammy who favours his chances at his first CAC will get the opportunity

to

share

the

stage with some of the best bodybuilders in the Americas and Caribbean.”

Mohryan Baksh (0) beat Kirsten Gomes (0) 15-13, 15-13.

Johnathan Degroot (4) defeated Lucas Jonas (0) 1315, 15-11, 15-9.

Nicholas Verwey (-1) beat Daniel Ince (0) 15-11, 14-15, 15-12.

Gianni Carpenter (0) defeated Javed Rahaman (-4) 13-15, 15-12, 15-14.

Abosaide Cadogan (0) beat Johnathan Antczak (-2) 10-15, 15-9, 15-7 Samuel Ince-Carvalhal (-11) defeated Ethan Jonas (4) 15-10, 15-11.

Nicholas Narain (-15) defeated Madison Fernandes (4) 15-6, 15-9.

Category A Zachary Persaud (-8) defeated Dhirren Persaud (7)

15-11, 0-15, 15-11.

Shiloh Asregado (0) defeated Lucas Persaud (6) 15-10, 15-12.

Matthew Spooner (0) defeated Kaden Pymeandy (0) 15-12. 15-12.

Louis DaSilva defeated Safirah Summer (10) (-8) 15-11, 15-12.

Category A Plate Bradley Walton (2) defeated Angel Rahim (0) 1511, 15-11.

Teija Edwards (0) defeated Rylee Rodrigues (5) 15-4, 12-15, 15-11.

Joshua Verwey (0) defeated Breno DaSilva (8) 15-14, 15-13.

COURTS Pee Wee round of sixteen on today

The round of 16 in the COURTS Pee Wee Football tournament commences today.

TH E round of 16 segm ent of t he ongoi ng CO URTS Pee Wee School s Foot bal l t ournam ent com m ences t oday , at t he Mi ni st ry of Educat i on t ournam ent .

The event, whi ch i s al so sponsor ed by t he Mi ni st r y of Publ i c Heal t h, wi l l see t he segm ent com m ence at 13: 00hr s , weat her per m i t t i ng.

The f ul l day’ s f i xt ur es ar e bel ow: 13: 00hr s Redeem er vs St Agne ’ s 37 13: 00hr s Genesi s vs Mae’ s 38 13: 50hr s Ti m ehr i vs St St ephen’ s 39 13: 50hr s Cr ai g vs Soesdyke 40 14: 40hr s St Pi us vs Ui t vl ugt 41 14: 40hr s Ent er pr i se vs West Ri um vel dt 42 15: 30hr s Mar i an Academ y vs Tucvi l l e 43 15: 30hr s Nor t h Geor get own vs St Am br ose 44

Unstoppable Warriors, ex-champs in tussle for vacant 2019 CPL title

36 GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday October 12, 2019

PAGE

33

Guyana Amazon Warriors have their fifth clean shot at the title; could they bring it home?

SBF Petroleum Jaguars One-Day ‘Benna Boys’ tame Golden Jaguars 2-1 50 Overs League bowls 31 off tomorrow 34 PAGE

PAGE

The team captains pose with Cricket Guyana Inc. (CGI) executive Anand Kalladeen (fifth from right) and SBF Petroleum CEO Dorwain Bess (sixth from right). (Adrian Narine photos) Printed and Published by Guyana National Newspapers Limited, Lama Avenue, Bel Air Park, Georgetown. Telephone 226-3243-9 (General); Editorial: 227-5204, 227-5216. Fax:227-5208

Emery Welshman SATURDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2019