Guyana Chronicle E-paper 10-15-2019

TUESDAY 15th OCTOBER, 2019

'

‘Don’t delay’ No.105791

…warns against imposters offering to conduct transaction as part of exercise

…GECOM urges citizens to take advantage of claims and objections period

SEE STORY ON PAGE 03

SWAT team gets training in airborne operations PAGE

02

Senior joint service operatives who participated in airborne operations

Goldminer killed, two others injured

Reg. 9 REO refutes claims of neglect, corruption

…during attempted robbery at city gold dealership …body of suspected bandit found hours after in Tucville 15

…says over $950.1M injected into regional villages 19

PAGE

Dead: Deon Stoll

Dead: Olijah Chesney

PAGE

2

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, October 15, 2019

SWAT team amongst GDF ranks in airborne operations training THE Joint Services is poised for added improvement following the successful test launch of heavy cargo by the members of the 3 1 Special Forces Squadron as well as an additional set of paratroopers which also include members of the Special Weapons and Tactics Unit (SWAT).

The historic moments were unveiled on Friday October 11, 2019, at Air Station London (Air Corps).

The activity was the official closing ceremony for the Grade Three Special Forces Course 2019/01, of which Airborne Operations (Para-trooping) is a component, and the Free Fall Course 2018/2019-01.

A total of 35 students graduated from the Grade 3 Special Forces Course, with 13 from various units of the Force and six members of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) SWAT team joining to complete the Airborne Operations Phase.

According to the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), it is the first time that members of the GPF have been trained on the course. Seven other soldiers successfully completed the Free Fall Course.

The members of both courses successfully completed closing jumps.

Immediately following the jumps, there was a display of aerial delivery of cargo by newly- trained Launch-masters, Lieutenant Kaya Dover and Sergeant Chris Corbin, who recently returned from the relevant training in Brazil.

Three cargoes were discharged from the skyvan.

Inspector General, Colonel Trevor Bowman presented a certificate to one of the GPF ranks who participated in the event

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations) Maxine Graham and Second in Command (Operations) Senior Superintendent Errol Watts strapped in preparation for airborne operations

The first cargo, which was an ammunition crate, weighed 110 lbs, while the second, consisting of three ammunition crates, weighed 233 lbs.

The third and largest cargo was a humanitarian case which weighed 453 lbs. The cargoes were launched with parachutes and they all landed successfully.

Inspector General, Colonel Trevor Bowman congratulated the ranks for their diligence and perseverance throughout the courses.

He noted that the fact that the SWAT ranks were part of the course and competed

successfully with the Special Force ranks, speaks volumes of the unity and cohesiveness of the Joint Services.

He also congratulated Lt Dover and Sargent Corbin for their diligence and attentiveness to training which has now boosted the Force’s capability of delivering supplies to any part of the country.

“This is in no way a small achievement. Ask the troops on the border who would see the aircraft with supplies circling but was unable to land and forced to return to Timehri. We now have

Paratroopers in action

the expertise and means of delivery and an expanded fleet of aircraft that would make these things possible,” he noted.

Colonel Bowman encouraged the soldiers to expand their knowledge base and

cross train to ensure that everyone in the Special Forces Squadron has the expertise to fulfil all the unit’s functions.

To the SWAT ranks, the Inspector General told them that in order to remain current, they should return to do

refresher training with SF ranks. He also encouraged the ranks to continue to develop themselves and focus on leading healthy lives.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations) Maxine Graham, Second in Command (Operations) Senior Superintendent Errol Watts and Head of the SWAT team, Deputy Superintendent Amit Dass was also present at the activity.

Lance Corporal Troy Miggins graduated as Best Student while Corporal Delon Sheckle of the Guyana Police Force SWAT team was awarded the prize for the runner-up student of the Grade Three Special Forces course.

The course is intended to equip students with the core skills of the 31 Special Forces which will enable them to effectively execute operational duties within a Special Forces team in accordance with the associated manual.

Students are also equipped with the knowledge to operate effectively under combat situations in the jungle terrain. Additionally, the course, among other objectives, aims to give students the requisite skills to successfully execute Force extraction jumps even if emergencies are encountered.

Another young attorney admitted to practise LIVING by the mantra ‘through hard work, perseverance and a faith in God, you can live your dreams’ a childhood dream came true for attorney-at-law Yonika Rowland, when she was, on Monday, October 14, 2019, admitted to the local bar to practise law in Guyana.

Hailing from the Mining Town of Linden, 24-year-old Rowland was admitted to the bar by Justice Jo-Ann Barlow, at the Demerara High Court.

Her petition was presented by Solicitor General Nigel Hawke from the Attorney General’s Chambers.

He presented the court with a brief biography of Rowland.

Rowland, who was born in Linden, attended the Wismar Hill

Primary School, where, after completing the National Grade Six Assessment, she secured a placement at McKenzie High School.

Hawke described Rowland as an active church-goer who had a strong faith in God. Between the years 2011 and 2013, Rowland attended Nations University, where she studied sociology and other pre-law subjects before venturing to the University of Guyana where she gained her Bachelor of Law Degree (LLB.) After completing her LLB, Rowland attended the Hugh Wooding Law School in Trinidad and was awarded her Legal Education Certificate (LEC) on October 5, 2019.

Rowland did her legal tenure at the Director of Public Prosecution

Attorney-at-law Yonika Rowland

(DPP) chambers and now is attached to the AG’s chambers.

While quoting from a booklet written by prominent Queen’s Counsel, Karl Hudson-Phillips, a legal luminary, Hawke told Rowland that her first duty as an officer of the court was to Guyana and she was expected to uphold the laws of the country.

Justice Barlow welcomed Rowland to the bar and urged her to commit to the hard work that success entails and to commit to conducting research to serve her clients and the citizens of this nation.

In addressing the court, Rowland became emotional as she explained that, after 19 years of dreaming of that day, it finally came true.

At the age of six, Rowland said that her grandmother asked her what she wanted to become when she got older and she replied that she wanted to be a lawyer.

Now, after struggling for sleepless nights and long days, the young attorney is one step closer. For her, the journey has only just begun.

Rowland thanked her parents for their financial support and being her strength when she felt like giving up. She also thanked Sophia Findlay and Kalesh Loakman, who were also recently admitted to the local bar.

Sophia, Rowland said, helped her with her studies and became a good friend during the time spent at the Hugh Wooding Law School.

3

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, October 15, 2019

GECOM urges citizens to take advantage of claims and objections period GUYANA Elections Commission’s (GECOM’s) Public Relations Officer (PRO), Yolanda Ward, is advising Guyanese not to wait until

as of Sunday, October 13, 2019, a total of 6,369 persons have visited the Commission’s various offices to make a claim to be on the

low, even as the Commission has set up some 40 additional offices to facilitate the C&O process. “We urge persons not to wait until that last

November 4, 2019, she explained that, while persons who visit the offices within this time will be accommodated, one can understand

to be GECOM officials, visiting homes and offering to conduct transaction as part of the C&O exercise. The Commission is therefore urging residents to be vigilant and to only conduct transactions at the permanent and tempo-

GECOM Public Relations Officer (PRO), Yolanda Ward

A past photo of potential polling day staff being trained at Lodge Secondary School in Georgetown (Adrian Narine photo)

the last moment to make Claims and Objections (C&O) to their information on the Preliminary List of Electors (PLE).

Since the commencement of C&O on October 1, 2019,

List or an objection for those who require changes in their particulars.

GECOM’s PRO, Yolanda Ward, said, on Monday, that, in her estimation, the visits to the offices set up have been

minute but to ensure that they visit the offices within close proximity to them to have whatever transactions they need to have within the shortest possible time,” Ward said.

With the deadline set at

the strain a high number of last-minute visitors could place on the Commission to do verification.

Also on Monday, Ward advised that there have been reports of persons, purporting

rary GECOM Registration Offices.

The PLE has 646, 625 names and, at the end of the C&O, a Revised List of Electors (RLE) will be produced. The RLE will reflect all the updates to the PLE which include new registrants, corrections and the removal of names in the case of objections Added to this, GECOM

has successfully completed the training of some 13,134 polling day and management staff for the upcoming General and Regional Elections.

“It concluded last weekend,” Ward said. “There were no major hiccups; we revisited and had training where we found that there were short falls.

The training commenced in August with an initial goal of 11,500 being trained ahead of elections.

Meanwhile, during a visit to the government’s Parliamentary Committee, the People’s National Congress / Reform (PNC/R) Chairman Volda Lawrence had indicated that, should the Commission require additional funding leading up to Elections, the government would assist. However, the PRO said that, at that time, the Commission was not in a financial constraint regarding its budget but should such a need arise it would make the necessary arrangements with the government.

Troy Resources serves employees ‘lay off’ letters --following suspension of operations, in wake of employee’s death

EMPLOYEES of the Australian-owned gold mining company Troy Resources Inc. on Monday gathered from early morning in front of the company’s Georgetown office, after they were handed “lay off” letters but given no answers as to the fate of their payment for days worked in October.

“The suspension and lay off does not affect security and certain persons required to keep the site on care and maintenance,” a ‘memo’ to employees reads.

The development follows the death last Tuesday of Ryan Taylor, a miner, while on duty at the company’s “Hicks One Extension” pit, and the company’s subsequent issuance last Saturday, October 12, of a ‘memo’ to employees informing them that they would have “to lay off employees at site until further notice” since operations have been suspended.

“Up at the operations, we saw the ‘memo’, and they told us to come at the office any time from the 14. They just said come at the office from October 14, so we come today,” one of a number of

employees encamped outside the company told the Guyana Chronicle on Monday on condition of anonymity.

“They just invited us into the office and collect our

sources Officer, and despite asking for further details on what the layoff meant in terms of being paid for October, being told nothing.

“That is the part that

on to say, adding: “They didn’t say anything about that. When I reach there, all they said is our condolences to you, and whatever, whatever, and this

but they’re not saying that.”

Following Taylor’s death on October 8 at the company’s Karouni Gold Mine, ‘Troy’ was, last Thursday, ordered by Minister with responsibility for Labour Keith Scott to cease operations at all three of its mining pits due

Former ‘Troy’ employee, 34-year-old Ryan Taylor, who died on the job last Tuesday Employees outside of Troy Resources Prashad Nagar Office on Monday

names, and as our numbers call, we go upstairs and they give us their sympathy for the tragedy that happen, and ask us a few questions about whatever,” another said.

They all reported having met with the Human Re-

we’re kind of asking so much of questions about,” one said.

“They’re saying the operations is suspended. We want to know if we’re going to get half-salary this month; we want to know what’s going to happen next month,” he went

is the letter that ‘Troy’ has suspended the operations indefinitely, not saying what, when, where or whatever.

What we grasp from in between the lines is that they would probably only be paying us from the 1st to now,

to safety concerns.

Taylor was buried beneath the rubble of part of the mining pit which had collapsed.

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

An Occupational Safety and Health Department preliminary investigation at the

“Hicks One Extension” pit has determined that there is need for further inquiry.

On Monday, even as the employees awaited word on the situation, representatives from the company had an afternoon meeting with Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman. Also at the meeting were officials of the Guyana Geology and Mines (GGMC), Minister Scott, and executives of the employees’ union, the People’s United and General Workers Union (PUGWU).

When the Guyana Chronicle visited the company’s Prashad Nagar Office on Monday, a security guard indicated that all company officials were busy.

PUGWU President Lincoln Lewis has since reported that their meeting that afternoon with the company has yielded a presentation and discussion on the GGMCs preliminary report into Taylor’s death.

The parties are scheduled to meet again tomorrow.

4

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday October 15, 2019

Pro-Trump massacre video prompts media condemnation (BBC) American media groups have urged the White House to condemn a parody video showing the US president massacring media outlets and political rivals.

The White House Correspondents’ Association said it was “horrified” and urged Mr Trump to denounce the video.

It was on shown at an event organised by American Priority, a pro-Trump group.

Organisers said the video had been part of a “meme exhibi-

tion”.

President Trump’s 2020 re-election campaign has disavowed it.

Campaign spokesman Tim Murtaugh told the BBC on Sunday: “That video was not produced by the campaign, and we do not condone violence.”

On Monday, White House spokeswoman Stephanie Grisham wrote on Twitter that Mr Trump had “not yet seen the video”.

US President Donald Trump has repeatedly hit out at what he calls the “fake news media” at rallies and on Twitter

“But based upon everything he has heard, he strongly condemns this video,” she said.

However US media groups demanded that the president personally censure the video, which was played at a Trump resort in Miami, Florida, last week.

“All Americans should condemn this depiction of violence directed toward journalists and the President’s political opponents,” said Jonathan Karl, president of the White House Correspondents’ Association. “We have previously told the President his rhetoric could incite violence.”

“But based upon everything he has heard, he strongly condemns this video,” she said.

A pro-Trump creator of viral video, MemeWorld, said the clip had been generated by one of its contributors, by TheGeekzTeam.

MemeWorld said in a statement that it did not condone violence.

“The Kingsman video is clearly satirical and the violence depicted is metaphoric,” said its owner, who goes by the name Carpe Donktum.

“No reasonable person would

15 October, 2019 05:00hrs ~ 06:30hrs

Saturday October 11, 2019

10, 11, 13, 23, 25

5, 1, 7

7, 7, 5

believe that this video was a call to action, or an endorsement of violence towards the media.”

What is in the video?

Mr Trump’s head is superimposed on the body of a man who goes on a killing rampage inside “the Church of Fake News”.

The heads of the people he kills have been replaced with the logos of media organisations, including BBC News, CNN and the Washington Post, and political opponents such as Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton.

The video is a doctored version of scenes from 2014 movie Kingsman: The Secret Service, starring Colin Firth.

American Priority also sought to disassociate itself with the video, saying it was “not approved, seen, or sanctioned” by event organisers.

The video, the group added, was shown in a “side room” at the event and was only brought to the attention of organisers by the New York Times.

The president’s son, Donald Trump Jr, and former White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders were scheduled to speak at the event, according to the New York Times.

“I wasn’t aware of any video, nor do I support violence of

any kind against anyone,” Ms Sanders told the paper.

On Monday, Republican Party Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel took to Twitter to denounce the “horrific” video.

CNN said in a statement on Sunday: “Sadly, this is not the first time that supporters of the President have promoted violence against the media in a video they apparently find entertaining - but it is by far and away the worst.

During his 2016 campaign, and as president, Mr Trump has repeatedly lashed out at what the “fake news media”, describing media outlets as “enemies of the people”.

In recent weeks, Mr Trump ramped up his attacks on his political rivals and media organisations as an impeachment inquiry into his presidency escalated.

A similar parody video was shared on Mr Trump’s Twitter page in 2017.

That clip was an altered version of Mr Trump’s appearance at a WWE wrestling event in 2007, in which he “attacked” franchise owner Vince McMahon.

In the video, a CNN logo appeared in place of Mr McMahon’s head.

04, 05, 07, 13, 17

08 19 21 23 24 25 04

N

October 11, 2019

3

6

11 14 19

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday October 15, 2019

5

Fourteen police dead in Mexico gun ambush (BBC) Fourteen police officers have been killed and three injured following a shooting in western Mexico.

The police were carrying out a court order in El Aguaje, Michoacán state, when their convoy was ambushed.

A powerful criminal group, the Jalisco Nueva Generación Cartel, is believed to have carried out the attack.

Authorities said all resources would be put into finding those responsible.

The region is a hotspot for violence linked to turf wars between drug cartels.

Mexican President An-

Drugs-related violence has taken a heavy toll in Mexico over the years

drés Manuel López Obrador has been trying to tackle drug crime since he took office last December.

What happened in El Aguaje?

Police patrol vehicles were ambushed as they passed through the town.

Reports say the convoy was surrounded by heavily armed men in a number of pick-up trucks who then fired on the officers and set their vehicles on fire.

At least 14 police officers were killed and three others injured.

El Aguaje is considered to be of strategic importance between two battling cartels: the Jalisco Nueva Generación Cartel (CJNG) and a splinter group of the Knights Templar called Los Viagras.

A message left at the site suggested the attack was carried out by gunmen connected to the CJNG. The supposed leader of

the CJNG was killed by Michoacán police less than a week ago.

In Michoacán in August, nine people were found hanging from a bridge with seven other corpses found on the road.

The federal government offered assistance to the state authorities after Monday’s attack.

Michoacán Governor Silvano Aureoles Conejo said there would be “no impunity” for the attack on his officers.

However, the Jalisco cartel has grown much more powerful in recent years and there have been no signifi-

cant victories against them by either the state or federal government, the BBC’s Will Grant in Mexico City reports.

What’s the background to this?

Despite the government’s efforts to tackle drug crime, last year saw a record number of murders with over 29,000 recorded.

Worse still, this year could be set to surpass that figure.

Ecuador repeals law ending fuel subsidies in deal to stop protests

(BBC) Ecuador’s government has agreed to restore fuel subsidies in a deal with indigenous leaders to end mass protests that have brought the capital, Quito, to a standstill, the UN says.

It came after the two sides held talks brokered by the UN and the Roman Catholic Church.

The talks, which were broadcast live on state television, came after nearly two weeks of violent demonstrations.

President Lenín Moreno had imposed a curfew enforced by the military.

What’s in the agreement?

A joint statement said the government had withdrawn an order removing the fuel subsidies.

“With this agreement, the mobilisations... across Ecuador are terminated and we commit ourselves to restoring peace in the country,” it said.

The two sides will now discuss a new law to ensure subsidies are not exploited by people who smuggle fuel to neighbouring countries.

Government official Juan Sebastián Roldán said talks to start drafting the new law would start immediately.

“Conceding is not losing,” he said. “Here we are all conceding.”

A commission will also be set up to re-establish peace in the stricken Andean nation, with mediation by the Catholic Church, the UN and others.

A blow for Moreno The protest leaders in the negotiating room applauded while President

President Lenin Moreno (C) was at the talks

Moreno gave no response.

This is undoubtedly a blow for him. Decree 883 was the main issue which prompted people to take to the streets in the first place and the president had repeatedly said there would be no going back on it.

However, given the intense and widespread protests over the past 12 days, in the end he had little choice.

The calls for his resignation have been growing louder with each protest and President Moreno has looked increasingly vulnerable - especially since a number of demonstrators were killed in clashes with riot police.

What has been the reaction?

The announcement after Sunday’s meeting sparked late-night celebrations in the capital Quito.

People shouted “yes, we could” and “the people, united, will never be defeated”.

Fireworks were set off and car drivers honked their horns.

A resident, Cristina Vasquez, told Reuters news agency she wanted to praise the contribution of Ecuador’s indigenous people, who were at the forefront of the protests: “More than a celebration it is an appreciation of the indigenous people who represented us and helped because this is a win for everyone.”

T h e i n d i g e n o u s u mbrella group Conaie called on its members to come together to “clean the streets” of barricades and debris after the damage caused by 12 days of protests.

How did the protests come about?

The protests began after the government announced an end to fuel subsidies as part of public spending cuts agreed with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in return for a loan.

Mr Moreno said the subsidies, which cost the government $1.3bn (£1bn) annually and were introduced in the 1970s,

were no longer affordable.

Eliminating them was part of his plan to shore up Ecuador’s flagging economy.

But petrol prices soared and thousands took to the streets.

Clashes between protesters and riot police led Mr Moreno to declare a two-month national emergency. He accused his opponents of attempting a coup.

As the violence grew worse Mr Moreno temporarily moved government operations from Quito to the port city of Guayaquil.

Seven people died

during the protests, more than 1,300 were injured and 1,152 were detained, according to official figures.

Protesters also took dozens of officers hostage in various locations throughout the country.

Indigenous-led protests have toppled three presidents in the past few decades.

6

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday October 15, 2019

Will the real Irfaan Ali please stand up

IT was generally felt during the Donald Ramotar presidency that his predecessor, Bharrat Jagdeo ran the show from behind the scenes. This speculation had always been vehemently denied by President Ramotar, who insisted that he was in total control of the government. What we do know is that at the time, Mr. Jagdeo seldom pronounced on matters pertaining to the government; that his public appearances and pronouncements were generally limited to party matters.

However, once the PPP was defeated in 2015, Jagdeo almost immediately took charge of the party. He has since been the face and the voice of the party. It became clear that he wished to be president again. However, that ambition died when the CCJ upheld the consti-

tutionality of the law that prohibited a president from serving more than two terms.

The PPP was then forced to choose another presidential candidate. From all indications, that process was severely compromised, as Jagdeo succeeded in getting the candidate he preferred: Mr. Irfaan Ali. This caused some upheaval within the PPP’s ranks and among the support base. As we editorialised on Sunday, Ali has not been embraced by his potential constituents, largely because he does not meet the basic requirements of leadership. He lacks the necessary experience for the presidency. While he served as a government minister, his role was more of a follower of the maximum leader.

Further, he has not shown an intellectual grasp of the issues that animate the discourses about Guyana’s future devel-

opment.

But the most bizarre thing about Ali’s candidacy is his invisibility. Anyone unfamiliar with Guyana’s politics would assume that Mr. Jagdeo is the candidate. It is he who pronounces on anything and everything. He holds a weekly press conference, and even answers questions that are potentially directed at the presidential candidate.

Recently, he has begun to talk about the PPP’s manifesto; an area that one assumes would be left to the presidential candidate.

This matter has now become a national scandal.

Is Mr. Jagdeo the de facto candidate, while Mr. Ali’s name is going to be on the ballot for cosmetic purposes?

Irfaan Ali is seldom seen in public. He turns up at PPP protests, but hardly speaks to the media. Apart from a few comments here and there, the

country has not heard directly from him how he intends to govern the country should he be elected. This is unacceptable. The PPP must be called out on this blatant disrespect for the Guyanese people.

It is time Irfaan Ali steps forward and face the electorate in his own name. Mr. Jagdeo has a right to speak as the PPP’s leader, but he cannot and should not speak for the presidential candidate.

If Ali has obvious shortcomings, the PPP has to live with them, because he was duly chosen by the party to be the standard bearer. Mr. Ali must be honest with the Guyanese people; if he knows that he is not fit for the job, then he must say so or throw in the towel.

It is indeed shameful that Guyana’s oldest political party could, in the first place, allow one man to manipulate its leadership in such a brazen

manner. Secondly, how can the party’s senior members remain quiet in the face of the situation regarding Ali’s candidacy? Thirdly, has the party not learnt anything from the outcome of the scenario whereby Donald Ramotar was conveniently chosen over his more qualified colleagues?

The matter of a party’s presidential candidate goes beyond the confines of the party; that person has to face the electorate and potentially lead the entire country. This is the situation that Mr. Ali faces. He can no longer hide behind Mr. Jagdeo’s mask; he must come forward and speak to the public, and directly and indirectly debate the other contestants for the office. And Mr. Jagdeo needs to get out of the way and allow the candidate to face the music. Guyana wants to hear from him how he intends to

manage the coming oil-andgas economy; they want to hear his views on, and plans for, education, healthcare, cash transfers, agriculture, infrastructure, constitutional reform and foreign policy.

He also needs to come clean on his academic certificates; that is a most critical element of his candidacy.

Guyana cannot afford to fetch that burden. Aspirants for the highest office must be held to a very high standard. Irfaan Ali cannot want to fight in the big league and not have the required qualities for such a fight. It is political fraud to choose a candidate and have another person speak and perform for him. Let the real Irfaan Ali stop hiding behind placards at protests and step out into the open space.

Urgent, extensive need for help Dear Editor, IN an interview with NCN’s Access Health programme on September 29, The Caribbean Voice (TCV)’s Managing Director for Guyana, Bibi Ahamad, shared contact info for TCV, the Suicide Helpline and a number of other NGOs, so those needing help for mental health issues can reach out.

Since the interview was aired, Bibi has been inundated with calls and messages from Guyanese seeking help.

300-plus so far with requests still coming in. The range of issues for which help is sought includes: Abuse, sex, child and gender-based; suicide, ideation, depression, stress, self-harm, dysfunctional relationships, alcoholism and drug use/abuse

and a number of direct mental-health illnesses.

Since TCV launched its suicide and abuse prevention campaign in 2014, we have dealt with over 450 counselling cases from over 25 different nations, with the majority being Guyanese. Most of these cases have been handled by our team of highly credentialed and experienced counsellors from Guyana, the US, Canada and Jamaica. Additionally, we have referred more than 100 cases in Guyana to overworked but willing counsellors from the Regional Administrations, Mental Health Unit, the Suicide Helpline and other NGOs. Cases involving children have also been referred to the Childcare and Protection Agency, which is doing an awesome job.

A few times we attempted

to persuade clients to make contact with the Ministry of Social Protection, but they absolutely refused, claiming that the Ministry generally gives callers the run around, and/or says they cannot help, even though the Ministry has often publicised the range of assistance available. TCV was once told the Ministry does not have personnel to process the assistance. Also, we have found that many, over the years, have been and continue to be unwilling to call the Suicide Helpline. The reasons given include lack of trust and empathy and an inability to emotively connect.

TCV has written about this before, and we have suggested that the Helpline be moved from the police and housed either at an appropriate ministry or a special unit set up to handle it. We have also

suggested that responders be trained in emphatic communication, and that resource personnel include priests from the Hindu and Muslim communities.

Meanwhile, the response to the interview, contrary to a long-held myth, makes it clear that people are willing to reach out for help, but that often they are alienated and demonised. Besides, most of those who seek help prefer face-to-face connections after initial phone contacts, but while some are willing to travel to meet counsellors, others request that counsellors travel to meet them. This can be time-consuming, as often it takes an entire day to deal with just one individual or family. And almost all of those who seek help are generally unable to pay for counselling. In fact, there

have been occasions when TCV even had to cover client’s transportation. In effect, those without the financial means have very little access to assistance.

Meanwhile, TCV expresses our gratitude to all media, especially the Stabroek News, Guyana Times, Kaieteur News and Guyana Chronicle, that have not only been placing significant focus on mental health in general, but more specifically abuse and suicide. The role of the media in addressing these issues cannot be overemphasised.

Our appeal is for the media to continually publish coping information and evidence- based strategies, and to encourage others to seek help for those in need, since suicidal persons and abused victims are general-

ly unable and/or unwilling to do so. We also urge the media to focus on organisations that are engaged in activism, advocacy and assistance on the mental health landscape, so that people will know that help may very well be available in their own backyards.

TCV can provide a list of such organisations. And we appeal to the media to use suicide, abuse and mental health-appropriate language at all times, to help debunk myths and misinformation, and to help expose quacks who pretend to be counsellors or mental health experts, since they can cause significant damage.

Sincerely, The Caribbean Voice

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday October 15, 2019

7

Unpatriotic actions must not threaten national development Dear Editor, DISTURBINGLY, a recent public disclosure at the National Toshao’s conference, “PPP tries to block funding for infrastructural projects”.

Though one will deem it unbelievable at such a report, it follows a pattern, as with some other known cases, beginning with a visit to Trinidad months ago by a senior PPP/C operative who sought to advise the island’s businessmen not to invest in Guyana. One may remember that this would have occurred shortly after the successful visit by a high-level government ministerial team to the twin island.

This anti-national mindset, the primary aim of which is to cause disaffection between citizens and the government, and subvert the development process, then rides home, smack into the Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) bastion of traditional PPP/C support, where a businessman publicly reported to a ministerial visiting team, the refusal of the PPP/Ccontrolled Corriverton NDC to install 200 streetlamps given by the APNU+AFC Government for community illumination.

Next was the other ex-

ample at the Mabaruma municipality, where its Mayor, a PPP/C supporter, was reported to be refusing to implement government projects.

And now we come to the latest examples of the PPP/C writing the funders of a vital hydro facility, among others, that will make life easier for the community at Kato, in Region Eight.

Editor, it is unheard of, even if it is a political opposition, for such a party to carry the well-known tradition of such brand of politics to such an extreme of stymieing vital social development for even what are supposed to be your constituents. Even the claim of adversarial politics cannot stand as defence for such shameful, narrow-minded, reckless political behaviour, claiming as cause an ‘illegal’ government. How many times has this unsubstantiated description not been debunked?

At best, this is vindictive politics that reeks of the darkest kind of anti-people intent that informs of a particular calibre of political leaders who are petty minded, and deliberately blinkered in their understanding that personal and selfish ends do not bring any value to the understanding of country first. Such a brand of diminished political

actions is a self-constructed mental hindrance for harbouring such an unpatriotic collective.

Every sensible parliamentary opposition should want to be associated with socio-development projects for its country, despite being in the parliamentary status of an alternative administration, as such actions are still seen as being part of the enabling process of socio-economic development, which can still garner development support for their constituencies. It begs the question, therefore, as to claims of care and concern, as expressed by the PPP/C, when those become superseded by acts that fall outside of the realm of political maturity, inclusive of understanding the role of a national leader, particularly that of the Opposition, that is an important equation in the national political firmament.

There can be no denial that Government’s Hinterland socio-development policies have been consistent with its intentions of narrowing the development gap between coastland and hinterland. This vast land space, underpopulated and underdeveloped for the rich potential it possesses of becoming the modern metropolis of a transformative Guyana has,

under the coalition’s administration, began to experience the early march to parity with its coastal other half. Leading this crucial development thrust, has been the building of vital infrastructure, such as the repairs, upgrades and construction of roads, at a cost of$8.7B since 2015; the repairs and building of 200 bridges, with a hinterland budget that has been doubled since 2014, with capital works tagged at $2B for 2019.

Already, there are the key aspect of the decentralization of some public services now available in Hinterland communities; as well as four radio stations, commissioned in hinterland areas that are broadcasting to Hinterland communities, in their native languages, in addition to bringing timely national information to citizens. Additionally, 66 indigenous and hinterland communities already connected to free internet services.

And so, the question is pertinent, when asked: which responsible and enlightened parliamentary opposition party would seek to advise for the cessation of funding of a Hydropower facility in Region Eight that would not only power the important Kato Secondary School, but

which would also transmit power to neighbouring villages, while complementing the already photovoltaic solar systems across the Guyana, aimed at improving the quality of hinterland life? Which political opposition, should indulge in such anti national strategy, in seeking to prevent the finally acquired financing for the important corridor of the Linden – Lethem Road, especially its first phase, inclusive of the Linden to Mabura Hill section, and the construction of a bridge across the Essequibo River, beginning at the Kurupukari.

Emphatically, these samples of on-going Hinterland development are designed to improve living standards of our Indigenous peoples, reposing in them a sense of their communities being a vital part of the national development process. What the government has done since 2015, is to give genuine impetus and meaning to Hinterland socio-economic development, much to the satisfaction of Indigenous locales, which are continuing to experience qualitative changes in the way they live, particularly in efforts at empowerment and self -sustainability. It was both inconceivable and disrespectful that they and their communities

could have been conveniently used for selfish political ends, by a former PPP/C regime, as was the known instances at election time.

Such behaviour, of an opposition, seeking to undermine the national development process, is totally unbecoming; highly misplaced; and underlines a proven predilection for attempting to sabotage social progress, so long overdue in most parts of our country, but especially in our hinterland regions. Such actions were clearly attacking the nation’s right to development, providing a better life for all Guyanese.

However, the fact that such unjustified requests by the PPP/C for withdrawal of such development funding for critical infrastructure, have been emphatically denied; with the government of Guyana recently invited by the government of India “to submit proposals for funding of renewable energy and climate change related projects”, again exposes as unsustainable, the opposition distorted reasons for its unpatriotic behaviour.

Regards, Mark DaCosta

C’wealth finance ministers to discuss joint action to prevent future debt crises COMMONWEALTH finance ministers will meet in Washington D.C. on 17 October 2019 to discuss coordinated interventions to prevent future debt crises.

The meeting will be chaired by the Finance Minister of Cyprus, Harris Georgiades, under the theme ‘Preventing Debt Crises: The Roles of Creditors and Debtors’. It will be preceded by sessions for senior finance

ministry officials and central bank governors.

Ministers will explore policy options and strategies by which debtor countries can work with creditors to prevent the recurrence of debt crises. Debt crises, as witnessed recently in Greece and Argentina, can devastate economic growth, increase poverty and derail global agendas such as the UN Sustainable Development Goals

and Paris Agreement.

Secretary-General Patricia Scotland said: “The meeting comes at a time when global financial institutions, including the International Monetary Fund, have indicated another global debt crisis could be on the horizon. We have seen the calamitous impact that the Asian debt crisis and the 2008 global financial crisis had in our member countries, and we

know the grave threat that the recurrence of such crises would have on the health of the global economy. So the countries of the Commonwealth are determined to work together to prevent this from happening”.

“The Finance Ministers of our member nations will explore economic policy instruments to curtail rising household debt as well as how technological advance-

ments and other approaches can promote debt transparency for improved risk assessment and debt sustainability.”

The Secretary-General will present findings of the 2019 Commonwealth Economic Development Report, which examines the debt challenges member countries had to tackle in the aftermath of the 2008 global financial crisis. At the meeting, ministers will

also consider ways in which the newly-developed Commonwealth financial technology (fin-tech) toolkit can be deployed to help countries create and share innovative, technology-driven responses to emerging financial challenges.

8

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday October 15, 2019

‘PPP running Lethem Town Council like a cake shop’ …former mayor complains

A PARTNERSHIP for National Unity/Alliance for Change (APNU/AFC) Council members on the Lethem Town Council are up in arms against the opposition members, accusing them of deliberately stymieing the work of the Council by absenting themselves from meetings and running the body like a ‘cake shop.’

On Monday, APNU/AFC Council Member and Former Lethem Mayor, Carlton Beckles stated that the Council has “sunken to the extreme low” as its Mayor and others on the PPP divide abandoned Monday’s Council meeting. At the meeting, the members were expected to discuss pressing issues in relation to the Council’s spending and its rumoured plans to invite the Leader of the Opposition to launch the planned Lethem Town week.

On the Council there are four APNU/AFC members to six PPP. Beckles told

the Guyana Chronicle that the upcoming October 2124, Town Week does not have the support of the APNU+AFC members because they believe that it is being planned at the very last moment with discussions only having commenced on October 4. He also stated that the Council majority continues to make decisions without inviting the APNU/AFC Councillors to meetings.

“We understand, through the grapevine, that it is their intention to invite the Opposition Leader up here to open the Town Week but I have some serious questions.

I want to know where they are getting funding from for this Town Week; whether it is Council’s money or not because I know when we ran Town Week 2017 no money was taken from Council,” the former Mayor said.

He raised the concerns in relation to finances as he noted that the Council is approaching a financial crisis

as its revenues have been decreased by over 50 per cent.

There are also the issues of a stolen $300,000 worth inverter, previously installed at the Lethem Declaration Park; unauthorised constructions at a “rapid rate”; the non-payment of minimum wages to persons and more.

Beckles also said that residents recently petitioned President David Granger in relation to construction works taking place in an area designated for ecological purposes and, while the President would have responded, the letter is still to be discussed by the Council.

“At the last statutory meeting, when we brought it up and we showed the Mayor a copy of the letter from the President, the Mayor totally disregarded that letter and said that it wasn’t addressed to him,” Beckles reported.

On Monday, while the APNU/AFC Councillors turned out to another statutory meeting the Former

Yolanda Moffett

APNU/AFC Council Member and Former Lethem Mayor, Carlton Beckles

Mayor said that the Deputy Mayor, a PPP representative, slipped out of the compound to avoid the meeting while the Mayor called off the meeting by phone just before it was to commence. “When we were there, just before the commencement time of the meeting, the Mayor called in to say that he is unavailable but it looks as if it is something deliberately planned,” Beckles said.

“We’re not there because we want to have our own

Some City cambios say not affected by alleged currency shortage …Central Bank commits to finding reason for some dealers hiking prices

DAYS after reports surfaced about there being a shortage of United States Dollars (USD) on the local market, Governor General of the Bank of Guyana (BoG), Dr. Gobind Ganga, has committed to finding the reason for the shortage.

“I am going to look at the reason for the shortage and try to do some work on that,” said Dr. Ganga in an invited comment on Monday.

Dr. Ganga said the matter will be addressed after he meets with officials from the Federal Reserve Bank of the United States of America (USA). It was reported that the Private Sector Commission (PSC) had expressed concerns about the rising exchange rate of USD and its potential impact on the business community. A representative of the PSC had met with Dr. Ganga to discuss the situation last week.

“The PSC was briefed on the situation and the mitigating measures being taken

Governor of the Bank of Guyana (Bog), Dr. Gobind Ganga

by the Bank of Guyana. The PSC was advised that the matter is mostly due to the unavailability of U.S dollar notes and not access to US currency to facilitate transactions such as payment for USD debit/credit cards and wire transfers,” said the PSC representative.

Although there were reports of a shortage, major city cambios have said that

they are not affected by the shortage. A senior representative of the L. Mahabeer and Son Cambio said there is no shortage of USD and money is still flowing.

‘There was a little shortage of big notes because of what was going on with the street changers, but that did not last long,” said the representative. A representative of R. Sookraj Cambio also said that they have not recorded a shortage of US currency, but the demand has not been too high. The representative said persons, who need US currency, can visit the cambio and get it, not an unlimited amount, but the currency is available.

L. Mahabeer and Son Cambio was purchasing USD for $216 and selling for $219, while R. Sookraj was buying at $215 and selling at $218.

Following reports from a section of the media that cambios were selling for as high as GYD$233 for US$1, the Central Bank had con-

ducted an investigation and found that all cambios, with the exception of one, were selling below GYD$218. Dr. Ganga had said that persons can visit any commercial bank and get USD at a selling price of $215 to $216.

“You would not get an unlimited amount, but you would get,” the BoG governor said. According to reliable sources, although the banks and cambios have been selling at a stable price, persons on the streets have been selling at a higher rate. In light of this, Dr. Ganga had said the bank will continue to monitor the situation and implement appropriate measures where necessary.

“We will also continue to monitor cambios to ensure that they abide by the three dollars spread and ensure that others are not exploiting the market,” he said.

personal agenda. We’re there out of concern because we know we started a Council from nothing and to the magnitude that we would have built that Council. And now to see that Council disintegrate to the level where the Mayor and his Councillors that have a majority are running from a statutory where it is just four of us? Something is definitely wrong.”

Beckles said that when he arrived at the Council the Deputy Mayor slipped out of the compound at its second exit. He noted that some of the Councillors would have written to the Local Government Commission on numerous occasions and they hope

that the Commission will pay attention to the many issues affecting the Town Council.

Another APNU/AFC Councillor, Yolanda Moffett speaking to the Mayor’s managing style said: “He acts as a dictator. It’s his way or no way.” She believes that the statutory meeting was not only boycotted for political reasons but as a means to avoid discussions on the Town Week. “Town Week is a big thing; it’s a big event.

We have young girls who would go up for pageants and all these things. How are you now deciding on a Town Week where you have to write letters to different Ministries; different stakeholders, the private sector in order to garner revenue to hold the Town Week?” Moffett questioned. Beckles has chastised the PPP six, stating: “You’re in charge.

You have to steer this ship in troubled times. You cannot abandon the ship.”

GDF conducts aerial search for missing fishermen THE Guyana Defence Force (GDF), in a joint effort with the Guyana Police Force, conducted an aerial search for the still-to-be-found fishermen who disappeared at sea last week.

The bodies of two of the men have been found. Marvin Tamessar and the Captain Vishnu Seeram both of Miss Pheobe village are still missing and feared dead. The bodies of their other two crew members Kawal Kissoon, called ‘Ajay,’ 36, of Lot 233 Letter Kenny and Lamar Petrie, 20, of Miss Phoebe village were found on Saturday and Sunday respectively.

The four fishermen departed Guyana on Saturday the 5th of October, destined for Suriname, to ply their trade and had scheduled to return on the 19th October. However, their boat, Sara 1, was found abandoned at the Cromarty foreshore on Friday October 11. The engine and catch were also missing.

The bodies of both Petrie and Kissoon were found with their hands tied behind their backs and their feet bound. They were both found in the vicinity of Abary, some 60 kilometers away from where the boat was grounded. The post mortem of the two men is scheduled for today at the Fort Wellington Hospital.

Meanwhile, the mother of Lamar Petrie, Onicka Simon, is at her wits end as she contemplates how she will be able to finance the funeral for the oldest of her six children.

Still missing Marvin Tamessar

Still missing Vishnu Seeram called Kevin

In tears the woman said Lamar was the only one that helped out financially. She explained that Lamar and three of his siblings ages 6, 11 and 12 live with her while her two older daughters 16 and 19 are living elsewhere. “He is the only one that does help out home here, I don’t know who gon help me now. If anybody can help we would really appreciate it cause God knows I can’t afford it.”

Simon can be contacted on telephone number 655-4184.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, October 15, 2019

India, Guyana partnership fruitful – High Commissioner

By Rabindra Rooplall APART from capacity building training, India is deeply involved in partnership cooperation with Guyana on many projects since this cooperation is purely driven by Guyana’s requirements and priorities.

This is according to India's High Commissioner to Guyana, Dr. K. J. Srinivasa during recent remarks at Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) Day, held recently, to commemorate bilateral relations between India and Guyana.

The High Commissioner said that some of the projects that the partnership covers include: the East Bank Demerara and East Coast Demerara link road project; supply of ocean-going ferry, Upgrading of three primary hospitals, supply of fixed and mobile pumps, establishment of ITEC Centre of Excellence, supply of pilot scale rice husk gasifier, all of which at various stages of implementation.

“We may proudly say that more than 500 Guyanese have been trained under [the] ITEC scheme and another 100 from Antigua and Barbuda, St. Kitts and Nevis and also from CARICOM Secretariat and the British Administered Territory - Anguilla which fall under the jurisdiction of High Commission of India seated in Georgetown,” he noted.

Dr. Srinivasa said any private individual applicant or person requiring assistance in training or skill development can under ITEC can apply directly to the High Commission.

He added that “organizations like the Chambers of Commerce, Private Sector Commission, GMSA or even a private company can nominate suitable candidates directly to the High Commission.”

He explained that such applications will be considered under discretionary mechanism.

“This is to promote private sector in seeking skill development to ensure the

availability of a highly skilled ICT workforce and to act as a tool for furthering relations between the two countries

others.

“These scholarships are also offered to Guyana. The ICCR portal contains all relevant information regarding ICCR-sponsored scholarship schemes and other informa-

India's High Commissioner to Guyana, Dr. K. J. Srinivasa

in future. I would like to request all the partners from the Government and private sector to avail the opportunity to the maximum to the High Commission in our efforts to enhance the number of ITEC slots for the next year from the current allotment to Guyana, CARICOM, etc.,” Dr Srinivasa said.

Further, the ambassador said that the Government of India, under its Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), also offers, annually, about 3,940 scholarships under 26 different schemes to foreign students from about 140 counties.

“India is known as an education hub attracting international students from all over the world. India’s diversity and vibrant history tender a broad range of options for students,” he explained.

Adding that India being a rapidly growing country on the cutting edge of the technological revolution, Dr. Srinivasa said studying in India has much to offer, whether an applicant’s interest is in Engineering, Computers, Philosophy, Politics or in Classics, amongst others.

He explained that the courses offered for studies are for under-graduate, post-graduate and PhD levels.

In every academic year, the diplomat said, ICCR holds about 6,000 plus foreign students who are studying at various Central/State Universities, Institutes and Agricultural Institutions amongst

tion like name of the Indian universities, courses offered by them and guidelines of scholarship schemes etc. In the academic year 2018-19, approximately 2,150 new foreign students have been confirmed for admission in various universities of India,” Dr. Srinivasa said.

Moreover, he said in all the recent development co-operation initiatives, capacity building has been a central theme.

Recently, he said the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, during his interaction with CARICOM leaders on 25th September 2019, on the sidelines of the UNGA in New York, announced special capacity building courses, training and deputation of experts based on the needs and requirements of the CARICOM countries.

“He also offered assistance of US$ 14 million Grant (US$ 1million per CARICOM member state) for quick impact community development projects in CARICOM countries, and US$ 150 million Line of Credit for CARICOM countries for solar energy and climate change-related projects,” the High Commissioner noted.

He explained that development cooperation has always played a central role in India’s foreign policy.

“Ever since our Independence, India has been committed to remain a steadfast and reliable developmental

Family seeking assistance after their home went up in flames A FAMILY of six of Kumu Village Region 9 (Upper Takatu / Upper Essequibo) is seeking assistance, after their home went up in flames on Friday October 11, 2019.

Sources told the Guyana Chronicle that Thomas Nacimento Francis (26) and his family lost their home, after an over-charged battery exploded on the premises.

Francis had lived in

Kumu for all of his life, with his partner Elsa George and their four children Junior Francis, Rihanna Francis, Joel George and Tihanna.

Sources also confirmed that the mother of the children left home for work on Friday while the Father went on an errand, leaving a 4-year-old daughter and a 3-year-old son asleep in the home.

The little girl, after re-

alising that their home was on fire, reportedly, ran and managed to pull her brother to safety. Their home was burnt to ashes.

The Francis family is at this time seeking the assistance of the general public to put their lives back together.

The Francis Family estimates their loss to be in the millions.

partner by sharing its own vast development experience of over seven decades. India’s relations with partner countries are based on the principles of equality, mutual respect for sovereignty and freedom of action and choice.

It is not based on competition, conditionalities or prescriptions. It stems from the spirit of solidarity to enhance mutual learning for shared and sustainable growth,” Dr. Srinivasa said.

Additionally, he said governance is confronted with new complexities and chal-

lenges and, in the wake of the governance challenges, there is need to expand partnership choices in foreign cooperation and resolve to collaborate more closely to press ahead with the Sustainable Development Goals.

Thus, he said, in its own modest way, India has also tried to step-up the material resources and enabling mechanisms, especially in the past decade, in sharing of the country’s development experience with the rest of the world.

“Setting up of the De-

9

velopment Partnership Administration Division as a dedicated agency within our Ministry of External Affairs and enhancement of budget allocations for partner countries, increase in the size of the Foreign Service, including hiring of subject matter experts, increasing number of scholarships etc. are some of the recent measures taken by the Government of India in this regard,” the envoy added.

10

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, October 15, 2019

Consider a career in aviation -GCAA pitches for youths

By Wendella Davidson YOUTHS are being urged to start thinking outside of the box when it comes to choosing a career that is stimulating and rewarding.

“Step away from the conventional job choices, and choose a career that’s exciting and fulfilling. The aviation industry provides hundreds of different job opportunities one can fol-

low. Whether you choose a ground –based position such as Air Traffic Controller (ATC), flight dispatcher or engineer, or something in the air like pilots, flight attendants, or prefer working in an office or dealing with the public,” says Lolita Fernandes, Air Traffic Control

Officer 11 (ATCO11).

She is part of the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority’s (GCAA) NexGen team, whose main focus is to enlighten, expose, and attract youths to world of aviation and have them move away from the conventional job choices, like becoming doctors, lawyers and teachers etcetera.

Addressing a gathering at the launch of NexGen at Umana Yana on October 11, 2019, and speaking directly to the many secondary school students in attendance, Fernandes, who hails from Queenstown Village, Region Two (Pomeroon–Supenaam) said she had just completed schooling at Abram Zuil Secondary, when she was encouraged to apply for the job to become an ATC. Admitting that she was then clueless as to what the job entails, Fernandes who has chalked up 18 years as an ATC said, “GCAA has taken me from maps, rulers and clocks to well-established digital systems and advanced technology to assist in separating and monitoring flights. We have moved leaps and bounds in ATC over the past years.”

Alluding to the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) statistics which suggests that airlines will have to add 25, 000 new aircraft to the current 17,000 fleet in the next seven years, Fernandes said as a result there would be a higher demand for pilots, cabin crew, dispatchers, mechanics, ATCs and airport staff to service the industry, even as she wondered what the world would have been without aeroplanes.

“The advent and evolution of the aviation industry have a tremendous impact on everything around us consumers, travellers, businesses and even politics. The current reality of the aviation industry has far exceeded the wildest imagination of science fiction writers from the past. The aviation industry has created what we’d like to call the global village, enabling people to travel from far-flung locations in a matter of hours. It also created the Global Marketplace enabling the rapid transport of products and material to and from different locations around the world. “ Fernandes also explained the regulatory framework within which the aviation system operates. “But how does this entire process take

Air Traffic Control Officer 11, Lolita Fernandes at her job in the Control Tower at Timehri

place so smoothly and in such a safe and expeditious manner? It is as a result of a complex system of interdependent organisations in a regulatory framework. For instance, if an airport closes, planes cannot land and passengers cannot travel. If the regulator or service provider is inadequate, there may be conflicts between airlines and accidents may occur and as a result people would not want to travel, exports would not leave the region and imports may be lost in transit. To ensure that this does not occur, we have our airlines, airports, civil aviation authority and air navigation services.”

In continuing her pitch for the youth, urging upon leaving schools to consider aviation as a career, more so as an ATC, “the job entails being responsible for issuing clearances, instructions and advice to aircraft, both in the air and on the ground, to ensure that aircraft are separated from each other, and that flights are conducted in a safe and expeditious manner,” Fernandes stated.

Working from Control Towers using complex Digital, Visual and Communications Technology where they are able to see and direct airplanes, with the primary concern being safety, the ATC must also direct airplanes efficiently to minimise delays; manage the flow of aircraft into and out of Guyana’s airspace using - invisible roads in the sky called flight routes; guide pilots during takeoff and landing, and separate and monitor aircraft, as they travel through the skies; provide information to pilots,

such as weather updates, runway closures, and other critical information, and alert appropriate organizations, like Guyana Defence Force (GDF), Guyana Fire Service (GFS), Guyana Police Force (GPF) and the Guyana Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), in the event of an aircraft emergency.

Also, controllers usually manage multiple aircraft at the same time and must make quick decisions to ensure the safety of the aircraft, using as an example, that a controller might direct one aircraft on its landing approach, while providing another aircraft with weather information, or separating several aircraft from each other, Fernandes pointed out.

“Every second, every minute, every hour, every day, there are men and women working to ensure the safety and efficiency of our national airspace system - Of course this includes weekends and holidays. We provide a vital public service to guide pilots, and their planes with thousands of passengers and hundreds of tons of cargo daily from taxi, to takeoff, through the air and back safely on the ground,” she added.

Remarking that the job is a “very exhausting and stressful career”, she added that among the many advantages is job satisfaction knowing that their work protect lives and make air traffic safer. Additionally, all training is conducted locally by the Civil Aviation Training School which is located in the Control Tower complex building, Timehri.

11

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, October 15, 2019

Trial of nephew who decapitated uncle continues today GOVERNMENT Pathologist, Nehaul Singh, on Monday, October 14, 2019, took to the witness stand, before Justice Sandil Kissoon and a mixed 12-member jury, and gave his finding in the post mortem conducted on a 51-year-old man who was beheaded, in 2017, by his nephew.

The former Guyana Defence Force soldier, Dwayne Tappin, 29, had pleaded not guilty to the charge which stated that, on August 6, 2017, at Lot 125 South Better Hope, East Coast Demerara, he murdered his uncle, 51-year-old Randolph Seenauth.

He is on trial at the Demerara High Court where evidence in the case is being led by state prosecutors Mandel Moore and Abigail Gibbs.

According to reports, Seenauth and his nephew lived in separate apartments on the plot of land.

However, the family had a dispute over the plot of land which the dead man’s

mother had occupied before she died. On August 6, 2017, around 04:30 hours, neighbours heard a loud commotion coming from one of the apartments, but then there was silence for a few minutes which led them to suspect something was amiss.

Neighbours called out for Seenauth but got no response and later contacted the Sparendaam Police Station.

Police ranks arrived shortly after, and, upon pushing the front door to Seenauth’s apartment, found his head lying in a passageway between the living room and kitchen.

Further checks were made in the apartment and the rest of the man’s body was discovered on a mattress in the bedroom. The murder weapon was not recovered despite searches in both apartments. Tappin, hours after the murder, turned himself over to ranks at the Sparendaam Police Station.

On Monday, Singh, who is the head of the pathology

Dwayne Tappin

department at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation, testified on carrying out the post mortem examination on Seenauth in 2017.

According to the witness, Seenauth’s clothing had blood strains and his head was wrapped in a cloth.

Seenauth’s head was severed from his body and had a laceration under his ears. The back of his hands had cuts on them, which Singh deemed as defensive wounds.

The pathologist explained that the cause of Seenauth’s death was decapitation, which was caused by a sharp weapon- a cutlass.

Police Detective Sergeant Kevin Martin also took to the witness box on Monday and gave a detailed account of what transpired between himself and Tappin at the Sparendaam Police Station, on August 6, 2017.

On that day, about 09:55hours, the detective said that he put the murder allegation to Tappin and cautioned him in accordance with the judge’s rule.

After administering the

caution, the witness said, Tappin told him “Offisah me guh tell yuh the truth of this story what happen.”

This response caused the Detective to enquire of Tappin if he would like to give a statement and he (Tappin) said yes and asked him (Martin) to write the statement.

Detective Martin said that, in the presence of his colleague and Tappin’s sister, the statement was taken.

In reading the statement to the court, the witness said that the murder accused told him, “Sir this is what happen.

Me guh at me uncle at Lot 125 South Better Hope where

me mother use to live, but me mother move out and I get a key for the house. Every time I go there he (Seenauth) always attacking me when I go there. When I go there this morning he attack me with a cutlass after I open the door with me key. I suspect he was drunk so I tek way the cutlass from he and fire three chops.

I then throw way the cutlass in the cane field at the back of Better Hope.”

The trial continues today (Tuesday, October 15, 2019).

12

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, October 15, 2019

5-year sustainable artisanal fisheries plan completed

–– WWF hands over Strategic Framework and Management Plan for Artisanal Fisheries to Agri-Ministry IN the face of climate change, overfishing, illegal and unregulated fishing, the Ministry of Agriculture has secured a five-year management plan for the artisanal fisheries sector that will be implemented immediately.

Artisanal fishing involves the exploitation of fish and shrimp species for local consumption or export on various scales.

Following a simple ceremony on Monday, World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Guianas handed over the 24-page document to Minister of Agriculture, Hon. Noel Holder.

There are five objectives outlined in the action plan.

They seek to address issues relating to licensing and registration, marine environment,

safety and order at sea, dialogue cooperation and coordination, and finance.

Minister Holder remarked that the transformation of the artisanal sector will undergo is one that is necessary for its growth.

“These changes will be resisted by many, but with awareness programmes by the Fisheries Department, and with assistance by Cooperatives, I am sure all involved in this sub-sector will be willing to adapt to these changes,” the Agriculture Minister stated.

Among some of the changes that are necessary to effectively manage the sector are modification to fishing gear, to the types that are more environmentally friendly, along with the enforcement

of closed seasons.

During an invited comment, Chief Fisheries Officer within the Department of Fisheries, Denzil Roberts, touched on another topical area that the action plan seeks to address. “We will have more enforcement to ensure that the vessels are licensed,” the official explained.

Meanwhile, WWF-Guianas’s Country Manager, Aiesha Williams mentioned that while the conservation body consistently partners with the Ministry of Agriculture’s Department of Fisheries, further collaboration will be done as the plan is being implemented.

According to Williams, “we will definitely work with the department to assess

Country Manager of WWF Guianas, Aiesha Williams hands over the Artisanal Fishery Management Plan to Minister of Agriculture, Hon. Noel Holder and Chief Fisheries Officer within the Department of Fisheries, Denzil Roberts

the fish stock. We are really re-catching, re-eating, but we don’t have a good idea of the fish stock and the impact of our fisheries extraction on the stock itself.”

Without knowing the fish stock for different species, monitoring of fish populations may be difficult. Hence, the Country Manager declared that once a baseline of the fisheries stock is established, monitoring can be done. This will address concerns such as the harvest of fish of improper

sizes and low harvest counts.

Williams highlighted that under the Safety and Order at Sea section within the plan, the actions to be taken seek to improve tracking of vessels, reporting and addressing piracy.

While pledging to work alongside the Fisheries Department during the phases of implementation, Williams described the handing over of the management plan as one that is, “a show of our commitment for safeguarding

of our marine environment, as well as the wellbeing and our livelihoods of folks that depend on the sector.”

This management plan, that runs from 2019 to 2024, allows Guyana to maintain its obligations towards upholding the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal #14 which seeks to conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources. (DPI)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, October 15, 2019

13

14

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, October 15, 2019

Cancer awareness outreach hosted in Linden ON Saturday, ‘For the Children Sake Foundation’, in collaboration with Adolescents Health Department, Ministry of Public Health, Linden Fund USA, Mayor's Office and Vernon Todd Foundation, hosted a Cancer Awareness Health outreach at the Wisroc / Amelia’s Ward Park.

The outreach was held under the theme "It's a big deal", and, during the event, a number of hampers and bags were distributed to cancer survivors. The outreach also brought smiles to the faces and filled the hearts of the persons who received hampers.

The Executive Officer of ‘For The Children Sake Foundation’, Vernon

Todd, stated that, too often, precious lives are interrupted or cut short by cancer. Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers among women. It affects over 230,000 women as well as 2,300 men each year and is responsible for more than 40,000 deaths annually in the United States.

He added that breast cancer does not discriminate. It strikes people of all races, ages, and income levels.

“As we raise awareness of this disease and its symptoms, we can easily identify it and more effectively treat it. This month, as we honour those whose lives were tragically cut short by cancer, and as we stand with their families, let us arm ourselves with

the best knowledge, tools, and resources available to fight this devastating disease” Todd said.

The Mayor of Linden, Waneka Arrindell, and the office manager of Linden Fund USA, Cheryl Waithe, were also present at the event to give their support.

Regular screenings and quality care are vital to improving outcomes for millions of people. Women and men are advised to take precautionary action on their own, by talking with their health care providers about what they can do to lower their individual risk factors, and learning about what tests are right for them.

Persons who participated in the outreach

Some of the items that were distributed

Youth Organisation to hold Breast Cancer Awareness Seminar IN commemoration of ‘Pinktober’ Breast Cancer Awareness Month 2019, a local non-governmental organisation, Youths on the Rise Guyana, in collaboration with a local dance group, Jewan Ko Nritya, will host a cancer awareness walk and seminar as a part of the Breast Cancer Awareness calendar.

The event is scheduled to be held on October 19, 2019, under the theme ‘Supporting the fighter, admiring the survivor, honouring the taken’. The participants will assemble at the Leonora Primary School Bridge and then walk to the XS Bar and Lounge at Lot 1 Corneila Ida West Coast Demerara, where the seminar will be held.

The organisation was established in 2018 by some outstanding youths who wanted to make a difference in the lives of others.

The organisation is primarily focused on youth development and humanitarian work with families & youths from communities throughout the country, offering free health care, counseling, tutoring, and mentoring.

It is aimed at involving youths in community and developmental work as well as creating sustainable projects and opportunities for less fortunate individuals.

The self-funded organisation has held several outreach programmes and seminars to improve the lives of the youths in their communities. Recently, the organisation held a suicide awareness event to commemorate world suicide day 2019.

Scene from a recent suicide awareness event, organized by Youths on the Rise Guyana

15

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, October 15, 2019

Goldminer killed, two others injured …during attempted robbery at city gold dealership …body of suspected bandit found hours after in Tucville

By Rabindra Rooplall A GOLD MINER was shot dead in a botched robbery outside El Dorado Trading Company in DaSilva Street, Newtown Kitty, Georgetown, on Monday morning and a man suspected to be one of the bandits was later found shot to death at Tucville.

The gold miner has been identified as 44-year old Deon Stoll, called “Mow” of Charity, Essequibo Cost, Essequibo and Barima Avenue, Bel Air Park. He succumbed to his injuries at the Georgetown Public Hospital.

Injured are: Stoll’s driver Clayton Powley, 43, of 326 Section ‘C’ Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown who is hospitalised along with El Dorado Trading security guard, Rory Deegs, who was shot twice and is in a stable condition at a private city hospital.

Police later discovered the body of a man, suspected to be one of the bandits, who had escaped from the scene, with two gunshot wounds to the chest, abandoned at Tucville Squatting Area.

He has been identified as 18-year-old Olijah Chesney, of Lot 562 D Field Sophia, Greater Georgetown. He was also identified as a member of the Guyana Defence Force.

The body is currently at the Georgetown Public Hospital Mortuary awaiting a post mortem examination. El Dorado Trading is regarded as a top private gold dealership here and the business would commence operations at 08:00 hours, Monday to Friday. This was the first time such a robbery occurred at the business site.

Enquiries revealed that Stoll and his driver had earlier visited a business place on Sheriff Street and did a business transaction where they collected a sum of cash, after which they proceeded, in

Dead: Deon Stoll

Investigators marking and retrieving firearm shells from the scene where a nearby vehicle’s windscreen was also damaged during the shootout.

Injured: Clayton Powley

Police ranks at the scene of the shooting at El Dorado Trading Company in DaSilva Street, Newtown Kitty (Adrian Narine photo)

Toyota Carina 212 car, PPP 7227, to El Dorado Trading at 63 Da Silva Street Kitty to conduct another transaction. They were trailed by the bandits’ car. As soon as the gold miner pulled over at the gold dealership, the bandits’ car also pulled up and the two bandits exited the car wearing caps with their faces partially covered with handkerchiefs. One armed

with a knife approached the driver while the other approached the businessman with a handgun.

Reports further indicated that the robber with the knife ordered the driver to get out the car while the other bandit told the businessman, not to draw his firearm.

The driver then pushed the car door towards the bandit with the knife and

came out of the car and was pushing the bandit away. As a result the bandit with the gun shot the driver to his right hand between the elbow and shoulder.

The businessman then drew his licensed firearm and he and the bandit with the gun had a shootout. However, the businessman received a gunshot injury to the right side pelvic. The bandit who

Dead: Olijah Chesney

was also shot then ran away and joined the car with his accomplice, and they made good their escape.

Meanwhile, the security guard of El Dorado Trading, 40-year-old Rory Deegs, who was armed with a pistol, opened the gate of the business to see what was going on, when it was alleged that the businessman, in a panic, discharged two rounds into

his direction and he received injuries to the right hand.

Surveillance Footage Meanwhile, surveillance footage shows the businessman’s car driving on Da Silva Street towards the gold dealership with the gunmen’s car, a white Toyota Carina 212, tailing behind.

Just as Stoll’s vehicle entered onto the gold dealership’s driveway, the robbers stopped behind and two men jumped out of the vehicle and ran to the driver and passenger doors simultaneously, resulting in a scuffle.

During the scuffle to enter the driver’s seat to grab something, Stoll was seen on surveillance footage returning fire, after he was shot, and his driver wrestling one of the robbers.

From the surveillance footage, it appeared as if the bandits were not successful in robbing the gold dealer or the driver of any of their valuables.

During the bandits’ escape to their waiting car, it also appeared that one of them was shot by the gold miner, since he fell on the roadway and scrambled to get back to the getaway vehicle.

The victims were immediately rushed to the hospital where Stoll subsequently died. Reports indicated that the miner recently travelled out of the interior where he operates. Police investigators were called to the scene and cordoned off the area for over an hour as they began their investigation.

One of the windows of a car that was parked near to Eldorado Trading was shattered during the attack. Investigators believe that the gold miner might have been followed by the assailants to the trading company where he would usually sell his gold whenever he came out of the interior region.

Sophia man remanded for providing gun used in fight A TWENTY-SIX-YEAR-OLD father of two, who allegedly provided his friend with a gun, was, on Monday October 14, 2019, remanded to prison by Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs –Marcus, at the Georgetown Magistrates’ court.

Adrian Scott, a labourer of ‘C’ field Sophia, was not required to plead to the charge which stated that, on October 7, 2019, at Leopold Street,

Werk-en-Rust, Georgetown, with intent to maim, disfigure, disable or cause grievous bodily harm, he unlawfully wounded Arlington Harper.

Scott was represented by Attorney at Law, Keoma Griffith, who, in an unsuccessful bail application, told the court that his client was not the person who shot the man.

He added that his client was the sole breadwinner for his family and

would adhere to any conditions imposed by the court.

However, Police Prosecutor Shellon Daniels, objected to bail being granted to the defendant because of the serious nature of the allegation and the fact that the victim was still hospitalized at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).

Thee police prosecutor informed the court that, on the day in question,

the victim went to a party at Leopold Street where he saw Scott.

Scott however left the party and returned with one Kurt Carter, who is wanted by the police in relation to the matter.

Prosecutor Daniels added that while at the party, the victim and Carter were involved in a fight during which Scott pulled out a firearm from his waist and handed it to Carter.

Carter then discharged the firearm in Harper’s direction and shot the man in his lower back. The injured man then fell to the ground and was rushed to the GPHC where he was admitted.

The matter was reported to the police and Scott was arrested and charged while Carter is currently being sought by the police.

Scott is scheduled to return to court on November 18, 2019.

16

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday October 15, 2019

Natural hair ‘expo’ prevails --in spite of Sunday’s unexpected deluge

By Tamica Garnett LATE afternoon into evening showers did not do much to dampen the jiving atmosphere at the Promenade Gardens on Sunday, as Curl Fete Natural Hair and Beauty Expo celebrated yet another successful year of hair, beauty, and so much more, as hundreds flocked to the event.

Notwithstanding their displeasure at the rain, and a suggestion by some for the organisers to begin considering a change of venue even, the event saw a huge turnout from its target audience of young women with natural hair.

True to the aim of the event to be an environment for ‘naturalistas (black women who rock their natural hair instead of perming)’, many of the black young ladies took the opportunity of getting creative with their natural hair, complementing their looks at times with exotic outfits and “on fleek” makeup.

However, over the years, the ‘Expo’, which celebrated its fourth annual edition this year, has become a place for all hair types and races to showcase and celebrate their hair and beauty. There were quite a few first-timers among the crowd. For some, the event did not live up to expectations, but their spirits to return was not dampened.

After getting caught up in the hype leading up to the event, 17-year-old Aaliyah Gilkes thought it was time she checked out for herself just what this Curl Fete was all about. What she got fizzled a little below expectations.

“To be honest, because of the rain, I didn’t get to enjoy myself properly,” Aaliyah said. “I came out around 4-something, and the rain started around the same time.

The rain fall, so I was stuck

at one place all the time, so I didn’t really get to check out anything.”

NO MORE PERM Rocking an Afro puff, Gilkes says she had been wearing her natural some two years now, and swears she’s never going back to a perm. Notwithstanding her first experience at Curl Fete, she says she’ll be coming again, and is inspired by what the event represents for natural-hair black girls.

“I never really got the chance to enjoy my natural hair, because my mom relaxed my hair since I was six, and I always wanted my hair natural. So I finally cut off all my hair and went natural. I love it. I will never relax my hair ever again. I think Curl Fete is great, because it encourages persons to go natural. It helps persons who want to do the big chop to go forward and start that journey,” Gilkes said.

Another first-timer was 18-year-old Bartican, Cheyenne Jordan, also rocking her natural coils and kinks. She recently transitioned, and came out looking for deals on products. She, too, wasn’t too pleased with what she got when she came out, but looks forward to continuing to support the event.

“I’m not originally from Georgetown, so now that I’m living in Georgetown, this is my first year here,” Jordan said.

“I started transitioning last year July, so I just wanted to explore and see what

Curl Fete is like. But, no! It didn’t really live up to my expectations. I came late, one, and then the weather was bad. It’s a really nice event, but the weather just wasn’t good. I braved the weather because I’ve been told they have a nice fashion show I wanted to see. For sure, I will be coming back next year, but earlier next time,” she added.

Second-timer Teria Garrett, of Eccles, had full praise for the event. Compared to her last-year experience, she says, hands down, it was a bigger, better one. She was one of the few people who thought maybe it was time for a change of venue.

“It’s way better this year.

Comparing the booths, there were more booths and lots to see. They are improving, but one major factor is every year rain falls, and I think maybe they need to change the venue. I cashed in on the natural-hair booths; that’s all about the curly hair and natural hair products. I think this is a great idea, and they should continue with every year being bigger and better,” Garrett said.

Among the booths of the day was “Hair Plus Beauty Salon” which retails in weaves, hair products and clothing. While the store deals in straight-hair wigs, they took the opportunity at Curl Fete to display and give out deals on their ‘coily’ and kinky-textured wigs.

EVERYTHING HAIR

Straight or coily, Curl Fete is a place for all hair types

Patrons brought out the umbrellas and braved the rain to enjoy the evening shows at Curl Fete

“We do everything hair and beauty salon related. We do everything for all types of hair, and today we had a lot of wigs on display. Every day you see the straights, so today we had strictly curls on display. We had the Afro curls; Jherri curls; body-wave curls; wigs with different colours and everything. We had slashed prices giving back to our customers; we just sell out everything, because these wigs sell themselves. And once you’re good, your customers follow you,” shared Suenanta, one of the business’ managers. She, too, was happy for the environment the event creates for natural-hair girls, and her business.

“This is the biggest show that Guyana has ever put on that is positive in terms of persons showcasing their natural hair. And everybody get to wear and feel confident about themselves. You get to be yourself; you get to

Curl Fete was a place for natural hair in every texture, style and length

A patron rocking her big afro at Curl Fete 2019

showcase how you feel, and I think it can only get better and better,” Suenanta said.

But the day wasn’t all about hair and beauty, and while some booths catered specifically to natural hair, others were there to take advantage of the vibrant crowd to market their products.

Sueria Manufacturing Inc. was out for a second year at the Curl Fete, and while they were pushing their Daily’s Cocktails last year, this year they chose to take advantage of the large number of young ladies to promote their Sleepy brand of products.

“Swank Tank”, a new business that started earlier this year, took the opportunity to promote its brand.

“Swank Tank is fairly new. We launched in August, so we couldn’t miss the opportunity for persons to really get to know about the business. And so far for today, we achieved that. “Swank

Tank” is a beverages bar. We do quenchers, snow cones, slushies, milkshakes and smoothies. The items were well received, especially the slushies” shared co-owner Monique Springer.

“It’s been really good,” she said, “and we’re just hoping to grow from here.

This event is a stepping stone to something much bigger.

The exposure has been really good for us. A lot of people who didn’t know about us were finding out stuff. We’re currently located outside of the Big Kahuna at Giftland.”

In addition to the booths, patrons at the event were also treated to a number of staged activities, including a fashion show; hair ‘expo’ competition; the live panel discussion; cultural presentations, and several giveaways.

The fashion show at Curl Fete saw some pushing the boundaries of exotic hairstyles and fashion

Some persons got creative with their hair colours for Curl Fete 2019 (Photos by Elvin Croker)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, October 15, 2019

17

18

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, October 15, 2019

19

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, October 15, 2019

Reg. 9 REO refutes claims of neglect, corruption …says over $950.1M injected into regional villages

RUBBISHING claims of neglect, corruption, and abuse of resources in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo), the Regional Executive Officer (REO) Carl Parker, in a missive on Monday, pointed out that over $950.1M has been pumped into the region to address the developmental needs of the villages for the period 2015-2018.

The figure, he was keen on pointing out, does not include finances allocated to the region’s villages for 2019. Parker, who was blunt in his remarks, was at the time responding to statements made by Region Nine Vice Regional Chairman, Karl Singh, during a People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Press Conference on Friday, October 11, 2019.

Singh, who sat alongside Region One’s Regional Chairman, Brentnol Ashley, and PPP/C Member of Parliament, Nigel Dharamlall, accused the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) of stymieing the development within the district while abusing its resources. But these allegations, Parker said, are intended to misinform the population about the developments within the district as they are far from the truth.

“The Regional Vice Chairman has walked right up my alley, in the middle of the night without torchlight.

He is delusional to think that there will be light for him to see; but I do not expect any better from a man who is so desperate that he is hoping that people out there are easily fooled. He has not remembered there is a thing called

social media, a medium that is replete with the works that have been done, not only in Region 9, but across the entire country,” Parker said as he dispelled the allegations made by Singh. Parker has been a resident of the Rupununi since July 18, 1991.

Refuting the allegation that donations made to villages are subsequently reclaimed by “party officials,” Parker said the Vice Regional Chairman is in panic mode at the prospects of his party – the PPP/C – losing its grip on the villages that were iron clad since 1992.

“What I am aware of, is the fact that a Farmers’ Group in Parikwarinau had petitioned the Regional Administration for a boat and engine to assist them to get their produce from their farms across the Sawariwau River to their village. That boat was handed over to them on the recent Ministerial Outreach. I am aware too, that the Toshao had wanted the boat to be handed over to the Village Council, a Council that has serious accountability issues,” Parker said.

Singh had also contended that developments were being stymied in the region due to, among others, the inconsistency in holding statutory meetings at the level of the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) but Parker said the Regional Chairman and Regional Vice Chairman have only themselves to blame. He noted that only one statutory meeting was held for 2019, and that was in January.

“After that, the Regional Chairman and Vice were on their regular outing in villages campaigning as a result of

the No-Confidence Motion (NCM), and their expectations that elections would be held before the end of the year. In fact, many visits to their offices by me were met with their absence. The Regional Vice Chairman, Karl Singh, who is also a member of the Regional Tender Board (RTB), could not be reached for his invitations to be delivered to him. As a result, he has not attended one meeting since my assumption of duties in the Region on January 7th,” Parker explained.

He said although Singh has shown little or no interest in the development of the district, minutes of the RTB meeting were still delivered to his office. “Not expecting the level of progress in the Region without his input, the Regional Chairman penned a letter to the Public Procurement Commission, requesting an investigation into unfounded allegations of the Board, but more specifically, the Chairman of the Board.

That investigation was conducted and, like the Regional Vice Chairman, I too am awaiting the PPC’s report,” the REO further pointed out.

Nonetheless, he said this and other investigations of REOs have demonstrated Government’s commitment to transparency.

Turning his attention to the claim that donations from Food for the Poor (FFTP) are being used for campaign purposes, the REO said, it would appear that the Regional Vice Chairman is delusional “A check with that organization will reveal that they are more than satisfied with the way their donations are distributed across communi-

ties in the Region. The FFTP requires strict accountability.

As the Officer that has forged

Region Nine Regional Executive Officer, Carl Parker

a relationship with the FFTP, I ensure that all communities, irrespective of their political preferences, benefit from those donations. To illustrate, I have distributed donations to Aishalton, Parikwarinau, Shulinab, Karasabai, Achawib, Karudarnaua, Awarewaunau, Nappi, Parisharra, Shirriri, among others. None of the villages mentioned, supported the Coalition in the 2015 elections,” Parker explained while iterating that the assertions cannot be substantiated. He said the Vice Chairman’s attempt to drag Food for the Poor into his politics deserves to be condemned by all.

The REO noted that while the Regional Chairman and the Vice Chairman continue to play politics, he has been actively meeting the needs of the people with much support from the APNU+AFC Government. Mechanical tillers, he pointed out, were distributed to both farmers’

groups and individual farmers while sewing machines were distributed to women’s groups to enable them to sew school uniforms and, in the process, earn for themselves and families. Additionally, farming implements and seeds were distributed to farmers’ groups, individuals and Village Councils.

He added too that instead of depending heavily on the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) for assistance in times of hardship, the Government, through the RDC, has been equipping villages with the requisite skills and knowledge needed to allow for them to maximize the use of their lands in the area of agriculture.

“A comparison of the allocation for Agriculture under the two administrations will reveal who was really serious about agriculture.

Since 2015 this administration has led communities to engage in climate-smart agriculture. In this regard more than 10 shade houses were constructed for the Secondary Schools and communities.

The Regional Administration has encouraged communities to increase production since there is a ready market for their produce through the 4 dormitories and the School Feeding program. We have constructed slaughter poles in every sub-region. This will negate the need for cattle farmers to travel all the way to Lethem to use the abattoir there,” Parker detailed.

He said the assertion that the government has not extended the ‘good life’ to Rupununians can be easily debunked. To prove his case, Parker pointed out that be-

tween 2015 and 2018, close to one billion dollars were directly injected into villages within the region. St Ignatius Village ($103,666,613), Lethem ($260,173,601), Moco Moco ($9,283,580), Rupertee ($4,453,580), Surama ($9,966,430), Toka ($7,463,980), Sawariwau ($1,475,300), Maruranau ($9,760,145), Tiger Pond ($16,124,549), Hiowa ($14,600,000), Parisharra ($13,500,000), Nappi ($18,454,190), Quarrie ($14,410,680), Annai ($87,695,302), Wowet ta ($3,932,600), Rewa ($5,276,740), Aishalton ($121,901,485), Karudarnaua ($14,374,240), Shulinab ($42,037,264), Kaicumbay ($13,800,000), Yupukari ($9,668,586), Kwatamang ($8,498,000), Aranaputa ($56,496,379), Katoonarib ($12,475,200), Achawib ($27,679,683), Karasabai ($14,364,663) and Sand Creek ($48,643,788) are the villages that have benefited from direct investment by the government.

“Maybe it will be instructive to see the allocations to this Region in any four-year term under the previous administration. These figures represent the Capital expenditure only. Much more would have been spent under the Recurrent Budget,” Parker said.

Additionally, there have been several interventions by other Central Government Ministries across the Region. The total funds spent in this Region would amount to billions of dollars the REO said.

Robbery victim killed on Church Street identified THE man who was on Saturday last killed during a robbery on Church Street, Georgetown, was identified on Monday as 32-year-old Jason Bowen.

He was identified by his 66-yearold mother. Reports indicate that, on Saturday, about 21:30 hours, Bowen was being chased by the 24-year-old suspect and went to the security officer at the Office of the Opposition Leader for assistance.

However, the security officer was not armed with a gun, baton, mobile phone or a radio set, and as such she was unable to call for assistance. Upon

seeing the scuffle between the now dead man and the suspect, the female guard reportedly ran and hid out of fear that the suspect might have a gun.

It is alleged that Bowen was severely beaten and was eventually strangled with a belt belonging to the robber. After committing the act, the suspect attempted to escape, but he was apprehended by public-spirited citizens and handed over to the police when they arrived at the scene. The suspect is expected to be charged with murder this week.

Investigators at the scene when the body was discovered on the bridge

20

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, October 15, 2019

Ministry of Public Health Launches Clinical and Technical training programmes -aims for equity in the medical facilities across Guyana

(From left) Nursing and Midwifery Education consultant to the Ministry of Public Health, Mandy La fleur; Minister of Public Health, Volda Lawrence; Director of Health Sciences, Seraiah Validum; Clinical and Regional Health Coordinator, Carolyn Hicks; Adviser to the Minister of Public Health, John Adams

“OUR dream is that persons residing here in Guyana would be the healthiest not only in Caribbean but in the Americas and you will help us to achieve that, and this programme, you being a part of this training programme, is so significant in helping us achieve that goal,” Minister of Public Health Volda Lawrence said in addressing the one-hundred-andforty-seven (147) young men and women from the ten administrative regions across the country who commenced training in five allied health professions of Pharmacy, Environmental Health, Medical Lab Technology, Audiological practices, and X-Ray technology.

Speaking at the commencement ceremony of the Clinical and Technical Programmes at the Georgetown School of Nursing Annex on Monday, Minister Lawrence stated that the ministry of public health’s main aim is to ensure equity in the medical facilities across the country. She said that the ministry aims to ensure that the citizens of Guyana do not have to make extremely long trips, while being sick, to have access to basic services. Hence, this batch of practitioners commencing training is the first step in ensuring that all of the medical facilities are able to have access to multiple practitioners who specialize in the varying disciplines.

Minister Lawrence emphasised the necessity for persons skilled in these varying areas to be placed in the medical facilities outside of the coastland areas; explaining that the ministry expends some $500,000 every time there is an emergency and someone needs to be airlift-

A section of the students who will be part of the medical training

ed from the hinterland to the coastland facility.

The Ministry of Public Health proposes to place skilled persons in these hinterland communities so that it can redirect those funds towards the purchase of its own aircraft, which would be used in case of medical emergencies.

She further reminded the students of the importance of having a healthy population, saying, “If we don’t keep our population healthy, then we cannot take charge of our economy. If people are not well, they cannot go to work, they cannot go to the farms, they cannot produce, and so we will not be well off economically at all.”

Minister Lawrence said the government is pleased

to initiate such a training opportunity for young persons as it demonstrates that every effort is being made to address the human resources gap in the public health sector.

At the end of the programme, the Medical System is set to see 43 new persons trained in Pharmacology, 30 Environmental Health Assistants, 22 X-ray Technicians, 40 Medical Lab Technicians, and 12 Audiological Practitioners.

According to Health Education Officer of the Ministry of Public Health, Kim Fraser-Bristol, this is the largest intake since the ministry introduced clinical and technical training programmes in 2007.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday, October 15, 2019

21

22

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday, October 15, 2019

23

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday, October 15, 2019

‘Right man’ Simmons returns as…lands Windies head coach four-year contract ST JOHN’S, Antigua, (CMC) – Former all-rounder Phil Simmons was on Monday appointed West Indies head coach on a four-year contract, returning to lead the side for the second time in four years after his first stint ended in acrimony.

The 56-year-old beat out challenges from legendary Windies opener Desmond Haynes and incumbent Floyd Reifer, who were short-listed for the post left vacant since Australian Stuart Law departed hastily last November.

Simmons led West Indies for 18 months before being dramatically sacked in September 2016 just five months after overseeing the Caribbean side’s capture of the Twenty20 World Cup in India, for what the then CWI administration labelled “differences in culture and strategic approach”.

The Trinidadian, who has also coached Zimbabwe, Ireland and more recently, Afghanistan, was also always considered the front-runner for the position and CWI president Ricky Skerritt said the governing body was confident it had “chosen the right man for the job at the right time”.

“Bringing Phil Simmons back is not just righting a past wrong, but I am confident that CWI has chosen the right man for the job at the right time,” said Skerritt, who replaced three-term incumbent Dave Cameron in CWI elections last March.

“I want to also thank the very talented Floyd Reifer for the hard work he put in while he was the interim coach.”

Simmons was one of 34 applying for the job which for the first time excluded any foreign applicants, as CWI announced its intention to recruit someone from the Caribbean.

The list was eventually whittled down to six last month with the final three-man shortlist undergoing interviews last Tuesday here at the Coolidge Cricket Ground.

Director of cricket, Jimmy Adams, hailed the “robust recruitment process” and said he expected Simmons to be the catalyst the team required across all formats.

“I am happy, after a very robust recruitment process at the appointment of Phil to the role of head coach,” said the former Test captain.

“I have no doubt that Phil brings the requisite leadership skills and experience needed to drive improvement across our international squads and I look forward to supporting him in the role.”

Simmons’s appointment also comes seven months following a payout from CWI as a legal settlement, after he successfully contested his sacking under then president Dave Cameron.

At the time, Skerritt also issued an apology to Simmons, pointing out he had been “the best candidate” when he had been first chosen as Windies head coach just following the 2015 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

The statement was in response to a claim by Cameron during the election campaign that appointing Simmons had been “a bad decision”.

Simmons, who played 26 Tests and 143 One-Day Internationals, made his name with Ireland with whom he spent eight years, during that time capturing 11 trophies and qualifying for every ICC tournament.

Following his Windies stint, he took over Afghanistan in December, 2017, guiding them to their capture of the World Cup qualifying tournament in Zimbabwe, which saw them make their debut at the ICC World Cup in England earlier this year.

After stepping down following the tournament, he joined Barbados Tridents in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) and only last weekend saw them to their second title.

Simmons will take over the helm of a West Indies side which has continued to slump in all formats. They lie eighth in Tests only above the likes of Bangladesh and Afghanistan, and are ninth in ODIs following their worst-ever showing at a World Cup last July in England under interim choice Reifer.

In the T20 format where the Windies are reigning champions, they also lie a disappointing ninth following a spate of poor results.

Simmons will also serve as one of three selectors, with former West Indies off-spinner and head coach, Roger Harper, along with Miles Bascombe – who played a single T20 International eight years ago – announced as the new men’s selection panel.

Women’s ICC events receive prize money boost

AN extra US$2.6 million will be up for grabs at women’s tournaments after the International Cricket Council (ICC) announced a major boost in the prize money pool.

Winners of the Women’s T20 World Cup in Australia next year will receive US$1 million and the runners-up US$500,000, five times the amounts on offer at the 2018 edition.

The overall prize money will increase by 320% for 2020, compared to 2018, meaning a windfall for each of the 10 teams competing.

The prize pot for the Women’s World Cup in 2021 will rise to US$3.5 million from $2 million in 2017 under changes announced by the ICC on Monday in the wake of increased revenue.

The ICC Board also confirmed the introduction of an Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup, to be played in Bangladesh in 2021 and staged every two years after that.

ICC chief executive Manu Sawhney said the moves were part of a “commitment to reach parity across men’s and women’s cricket as part of a broader plan to grow and develop the women’s game”.

“We want to build a long-term sustainable foundation for women’s cricket and that is about more than just prize money,” he said in an ICC release. “It is about building a product that fans want to watch, that kids want to take up,

American Racing Tips Finger Lakes Race 1 Mimi Media Race 2 Thefinalcrazydude Race 3 Bustin The Rules Race 4 Lune Lake Race 5 Pana Elianne Race 6 Judge Carr Race 7 Seekingopportunity Race 8 Masterkey

South Africa Racing Tips Durbanville 08:40 hrs Djockovic 09:15 hrs Fleeced 09:50 hrs Head Honcho 10:30 hrs Double The Fun 11:05 hrs Imperial Rage 11:40 hrs Mayfern English Racing Tips Leicester 08:50 hrs Nashy 09:20 hrs Metallic Black 09:55 hrs Finoah 10:25 hrs Bobby The Great

that sponsors and broadcasters want to be part of.

“Creating a Women’s U19 event also improves the pathway available to young cricketers and ensures they have the same opportunities as their male counterparts.

“Next year it’s our ambition to fill the MCG on International Women’s Day for the final of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2020 which would be a world record for a women’s sporting event. This significant increase in prize money and the introduction of a Women’s U19 event is part of a much larger effort to grow the women’s game around the world.”

The Board decided that the eight-year cycle starting in 2023 will comprise eight men’s events, eight women’s events, four men’s Under-19 events and four women’s Under-19 events.

The ICC will call for expressions of interest from all member nations wanting to host events, with the bidding process to start early next year for women’s and Under-19 events.

Meanwhile, Indra Nooyi was unanimously reappointed as the ICC’s independent director for a second twoyear term from 2020-22. Former PepsiCo chairperson and CEO Nooyi became the ICC Board’s first independent female director in 2018. She sits on the board of directors at Amazon and Schlumberger. (ESPN Cricinfo).

11:30 hrs Big Boris 12:05 hrs Rake’s Progress Hereford 09:00 hrs Searcing 09:30 hrs Mercy Mercy Me 10:05 hrs Financial Outcome 10:35 hrs Pontresina 11:10 hrs Chequered View 11:40 hrs Runasimi River 12:15 hrs Does He Know Huntingdon 09:10 hrs Glory And Fortune 09:45 hrs Timetochill

10:15 hrs Charlemar 10:50 hrs Mabela 11;20 hrs Shady Glen 11:55 hrs Jimmi Chew Irish Racing Tips Punchestown 08:55 hrs Notebook 09:25 hrs Riviera Sun 10:00 hrs A Wave Of The Sea 10:30 hrs Coko Beach 11:05 hrs Sixshooter 11:35 hrs Burlesque Queen 12:10 hrs Larquebuse

24

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday, October 15, 2019

‘My biggest priority will be to look after first-class cricketers’ - Ganguly AS he prepares to take charge as the BCCI president, former India captain Sourav Ganguly has said the welfare of the country’s domestic players will be his foremost priority.

Ganguly, who is set to become the first president of BCCI since the board adopted the reforms recommended by the Lodha Committee, said he had no idea that he would emerge as the favourite in the presidential race, but said he would accept the “challenge”.

He is already ready with his to-do list. “We will speak to everyone first as we take a decision, but my biggest priority will be to look after first-class cricketers,” Ganguly told PTI in the early hours of Monday.

Ganguly said he had asked the Committee of Ad-

ministrators (CoA) to provide financial security for domestic cricketers when the panel was appointed by the Supreme Court to supervise the BCCI and help it implement the reforms.

financial health of our firstclass cricketers.”

Ganguly admitted he was surprised at the turn of events at the meeting on Sunday in Mumbai, which was arranged by the powerbrokers of the

Sourav Ganguly chats with Virat Kohli at an event in Kolkata in 2018 (Getty Images)

“I have been requesting that to the CoA for three years. That’s the first thing I will do, look after the

board led by former BCCI presidents N Srinivasan and Anurag Thakur.

Ganguly said he was a

newcomer to the board politics and witnessed firsthand how quickly things change.

Earlier on Sunday he felt former India opener Brijesh Patel was likely to become the BCCI president.

However, a few hours later he emerged as the favourite, receiving the backing of the two former BCCI presidents, Srinivasan and Thakur.

“I didn’t know I would be the president when I came down. You [reporters] asked me and I told you it’s Brijesh and when I went up, I came to know it has changed. I have never been in a BCCI election and I never knew it worked like this.”

Ganguly did not want to dwell too much on the strong likelihood of him emerging as the sole nom-

ination for the president’s post. As per the timeline laid out by the BCCI’s electoral officer, today is the deadline to file nominations for the five office bearers’ positions: president, secretary, joint-secretary, treasurer and one vice-president.

“Whether unopposed or not, there has to be a responsibility as it is the biggest organisation in world cricket,” Ganguly said. “Financially, India is a cricketing powerhouse, so it will be a challenge.”

He said the new job would be daunting but nothing compared to leading India on the field. “Nothing can beat being an India captain,” he said.

One challenge for Ganguly could be the limited time he likely has as BCCI president. According to the

new BCCI constitution, an officer bearer has to undergo a cooling-off period of three years if he has completed six consecutive years at state association and/or BCCI level.

Ganguly has been an office bearer at the Cricket Association of Bengal (where he was recently re-elected as president) for five-plus years, and so he has about 10 months left before the cooling-off period should come into effect.

For now, Ganguly is looking at the bigger picture. “I am taking over at a time when the BCCI has not been in greatest of position for the last three years. Its image has got hampered quite a lot. It’s a great opportunity for me to do something good.”

(ESPN Cricinfo)

Former England coach Andy Flower Kipchoge, 10 others nominated for male to leave ECB after 12 years (REUTERS) - Former England coach Andy Flower said on Saturday that he was stepping down from working with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) after 12 years.

Zimbabwean Flower coached England to Ashes glory three times between 2009 and 2014, with England reaching number one in the test rankings during his five-year spell in charge as well as clinching a surprise World T20 triumph in 2010.

For the last five years, Flower, 51, has coached England’s second-tier Lions team, but will now leave the ECB. “It’s been a real privilege,” he said in a statement. “The Ashes victory

in 2010-11 stands out. It’s difficult to win in Australia,

and to do it so comprehensively was a really proud

Andy Flower (right) led England to home Ashes series victories in 2009 and 2013, and in Australia in 2010-11

moment in my coaching career.

“I will still be based in England and I will continue to watch English cricket very keenly — it has a very bright future.”

ECB managing director, Ashley Giles, praised the work Flower had done during his time in England.

“Andy moves on with every best wish from all of us at ECB for his outstanding contribution to the English game over the last 12 years,” Giles said in a statement.

“It has been a pleasure working with Andy, who sets such high standards of professionalism and preparation for the teams he leads. I have no doubt he will enjoy further success in the years to come.”

Bobb’s double spurs Guyana 5-1 past Antigua and Barbuda TRAYON Bobb, netted a double, while Sheldon Holder, Pernell Schultz and Kadel Daniel netted a goal each, as the Golden Jarguars roared past the visiting Antigua and Barbuda last evening at the National Track and Field Centre ,Leonora.

It was a ‘must win’ game for Guyana following their back-to-back defeats against Jamaica at home and away in Antigua, but coach Marcio Maximo and his troops showed a glimpse of their destruction once firing on all cylinders last evening.

More details in tomorrow’s edition.

athlete of year

Kenya’s Eliud Kipchoge, the marathon world record holder, celebrates after a successful attempt to run a marathon in under two hours in Vienna, Austria, last Saturday. (REUTERS/Leonhard Foeger)

(REUTERS) - Kenyan Eluid Kipchoge, who on Saturday became the first man to run a marathon in less than two hours, is one of 11 nominees for the IAAF male athlete of the year, athletics’ governing body said on Monday.

Kipchoge, who finished a special marathon in Vienna in one hour, 59 minutes and 40 seconds that will not be recognized for world record purposes, also was nominated for his London Marathon course record.

Ten winners from the recent world athletics championships in Doha also are under consideration for the global honor: Americans Donovan Brazier (800m), Christian Coleman (100m), Sam Kendricks (pole vault), Noah Lyles (200m), Christian Taylor (triple jump).

Also, Uganda’s Joshua Cheptegei (10,000m, world cross country title), Kenya’s Timothy Cheruyiot (1,500m), Bahamas’ Steven Gardiner (400m), Sweden’s Daniel Stahl (discus) and Norway’s Karsten Warholm (400m hurdles).

Female nominees will be announced today.

Fans may vote online on the IAAF’s social media platforms.

Athletes of the year will be announced live on stage at the World Athletics Awards 2019 in November.

25

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday, October 15, 2019

BCB/Shimron Hetmyer 2019 Intermediate Tournament

Anderson’s 128 not out leads Rose Hall Town Pepsi to another championship win

WEST Indies Under-19 selectee, Kevlon Anderson, showed his class and why he is widely regarded as Guyana’s best youth batsman by stroking a majestic 128 not out to lead his team, Rose Hall Town Pepsi, to a 19-run victory over Albion in the final of the Shimron Hetmyer/Berbice Cricket Board Intermediate tournament.

Played in front of a sizeable crowd at the Port Mourant ground, Anderson used his feet well to tackle the allspin Albion bowling attack which comprised Kevin Umroa, Beesham Surujnarine, Devindra Latchman, Gourav Ramesh, Sarwan Chaitnarine, Kandasammy Surujnarine and Ramesh kasinauth.

Rose Hall Town won the toss and elected to bat on a dry pitch. They lost the attacking Kevin Sinclair for 5, at 5 for 1 in the 2nd over, when off-spinner Beesham Surujnarine trapped him LBW after he missed a sweep shot.

Anderson, batting at the crucial No3 position, joined fellow national junior player, Junior Sinclair, and they repaired the damage by adding 95 crucial runs in 20 overs before Sinclair was caught

off left-arm spinner, Gourav Ramesh, for a well-crafted 35 . Surendra Kissoonlall and Anderson continued the repair job by adding another 55 runs for the 3rd wicket.

Kissoonlall (18) then sacrificed his wicket after he and Anderson were involved in a mix-up. Anderson and former Berbice Under-19 all-rounder Keith Simpson took the score to 173 before Simpson seemed unlucky to be given out, caught at the wicket by Ritesh Umroa for 07.

Anderson reached his century with a single to extra cover in the 38th over before belting 28 off the last nine balls of his innings (128 not out), which included ten boundaries and two massive sixes.

Bowling for Albion, Beesham Surujnarine, Gourav Ramesh and Sarwan Chaitnarine took 1 wicket apiece for 31, 34 and 23 respectively.

Needing to score 207 from 240 legal balls, Albion lost Jetendra Outar( 0) and captain Kandasammy Surujnarine (01) to be reeling at 12 for 2 in the 3rd over. Sylus Tyndall, in a fiery opening spell, had Outar caught behind by Kevin Sewraj while

Big names added to Region 4 horse race meet BIG names like Osona, Pinky Promise and Ebony Prince, among others, have been confirmed for the October 27 grand one-day horse-race meeting set for the Georgetown Turf Club.

Organiser Compton Sancho

The region 4 sports community is the organiser of the event which will also see Orion, Sunday Silencer, Cash Return, Plain Land, Touch Down and Irish Boy. Seven races are carded for the meet with the feature event being the J and K Class for a top prize of

$180,000, second $90,000, third $45,000, while fourth will pocket $22,500.

Other events on the card are the I/Open, L-Non winner, the unclassified, the L3, the 2-year-old maiden and the first-time starter. Over three million dollars in cash prizes and trophies are up for grabs.

Meanwhile, horse owners are asked to register their horses with the name and correct class.

No late entries will be allowed and persons interested in participating can contact E. Elliot (6570071), Compton Sancho (655-5080), or Mr Hussein (682-7490).

Red Regent Release, the Heat Victoria, Lucky Lucky , First Prince, Byron call , She’s Royal Up Front, Amazon Warrior , Up Top Boss, Up Rising, Red Jet , School Boy, Poor People Money, Quick Kiss, Early Bird and Unruly are some of the other horses that are expected to be on show.

Surujnarine’s stumps were sent flying.

Sarwan Chaitnarine and Reyad Karim struggled to get the ball away in a run-starved 3rd wicket partnership before Karim

Keith Simpson, broke the partnership when Kasinauth was caught at the wicket with Albion 84 for 5 in the 22nd over.

Big hitting Anthonio February joined Umroa and

Albion were eventually dismissed for 187 off 39.3 overs to lose by 19 runs, despite a quick-fire 26 by Devendra Latchman, batting at No 9.

Bowling for the champi-

The winning RHT Pepsi team poses with Seon Hetmyer and BCB officials.

threw away his wicket to off-spinner Junior Sinclair for 21. Kevin Sinclair then dismissed Chaitnarine for 09. Ritesh Umroa and Ramesh Kasinauth added 31 runs but left arm spinner,

together they took the attack to the Rose Hall Pepsi team before leg- spinner Shawn Pereira had February caught

by Keith Simpson for 26 and then Kevin Sinclair dismissed Umroa for 56.

ons, Sylus Tyndall 2 for 15 (5 overs), kevin Sinclair 2 for 53 (8 overs), Junior Sinclair 3 for 18, Shawn Pereira 2 for 31 (8 overs) and Keith Simpson 1 for 29 were the successful bowlers

Anderson was named Man-of-the-Finals while the champions and runner-up took home $100,000.00 and $50,000.00 respectively along with trophies.

BCB President Hilbert Foster praised both teams for playing a final of the highest order and doing so in an atmosphere of friendliness.

Rose Hall Town and Albion, as the top two clubs in Berbice, have a duty to lead by example and Foster hailed the relationship that both clubs currently enjoy.

The BCB boss also expressed gratitude to West Indies player, Shimron Hetmyer, for his sponsorship of the tournament which serves as a bridge between second and first division teams. Foster stated that at the end of his twenty-two month term in December, a record 58 tournaments would be completed at the schools, U-13,U-15,U17,U-19,U-21, female, second division, double-wicket, intermediate, internal zone, and first division levels.

He stated that it is very pleasing when cricketers assist administrators to develop the game and hailed Hetmyer as a true Berbician for remembering where his career started.

Bacchus Bulls reign supreme in Central Essequibo T-20 final FORMER national Under-19 batsman, Yogeshwar Lall, scored a stylish half-century to gallop Bacchus Bulls to a comprehensive 75-run triumph against Reliance Hustlers when the two teams met in the Central Essequibo T-20 final last Sunday at the Imam Bacchus ground in Affiance.

and batting. Opener Navendra Persaud with 33 (3x4s) batted solidly at the top before paving the way for Lall, whose skillful touch was mixed with some degree of aggression as he gathered runs to all parts of the field.

His delightful innings of 59 was decorated with 5 exquisite boundaries while he cleared the ropes twice

all-rounder, Latchman Rohit with 28 (3x4s, 2x6s) and Neiland Cadogan 27 (4x4s) ensured that the Bulls capitalized at the end by registering a competitive 175-4 from their 20 overs.

Medium-fast bowler and former Demerara Under -19 inter-county player, Anthony Ifill, bowled with some ven-

Skipper Tushal Surajpaul receives the winner’s trophy from Coach Nankishore Andrews, much to the delight of his teammates.

Watched by a sizable crowd, the defending champions took full control when proceedings began at 11:30 am, after winning the toss

before departing in the 14th over.

The innings gathered further momentum as former national youth

om to claim 2-30 from his 4 overs. In reply, the Hustlers were hustled out by a hostile spell of fast bowling from former national youth

player, Parmesh Parsotam, whose figures of 4-18 from his 4 overs stunned the Hustlers quest for an upset win.

The lively Neiland Cadogan also bowled menacingly to claim 2-15 from his 4 overs to demolish the Hustlers for 105 in 18.5 overs. Only Beesham Narine 19 (2x4s) and Trevis Simon 17 (3x4s) reached double-figures as they were steam-rolled by the Bulls for yet another title.

During the presentation, the Winner received $50,000 and a trophy while the runners-up collected $20,000 with a trophy as well. Man-of-the-Match was Yogeshwar Lall who received a trophy while Mark Austin of Reliance Hustlers was adjudged the Most Valuable Player for amassing the most runs in the competition.

The Central Essequibo Cricket Committee representative, Autto Christiani, thanked the teams for participating and announced that another similar competition will begin shortly.

26

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday, October 15, 2019

England thrash Bulgaria after game halted over racist abuse

By Angel Krasimirov

SOFIA (Reuters) - England bounced back from their first tournament qualifying defeat for 10 years with a 6-0 thrashing of toothless Bulgaria on Monday in a Euro 2020 Group A clash marred by racist incidents in the first half that stopped the game The match at the Vasil Levski stadium was temporarily halted by the referee in the first half under a three-step UEFA protocol to tackle racist abuse from the crowd.

Racist chanting was heard from the stands and reported by England players to manager Gareth Southgate, with the referee informed and a public announcement made on two occasions.

“The officials were onto everything very quickly,” said Southgate.

“We reported everything

very quickly when we heard things.

“I explained to the players that if anything else did happen in the second half we would be coming off. We all saw the second half was calmer and that allowed our players to do their talking with the football.”

Ross Barkley and Raheem Sterling both scored twice after Marcus Rashford opened the scoring and captain Harry Kane finished off the rout, Bulgaria’s heaviest home defeat, as the visitors recovered from a 2-1 loss to Czech Republic on Friday.

England, who moved closer to a place at Euro 2020, are top with 15 points from six games, three ahead of the Czech Republic and four in front of Kosovo who beat Montenegro 2-0.

EARLY VICTIM England debutant Tyrone Mings was an early

Biles breaks World Championships medals record SIMONE Biles became the most decorated gymnast in World Championships history with two more golds on Sunday.

The American, 22, surpassed the overall medal record held by Vitaly Scherbo by winning on the balance beam - her 24th medal, 18 of them gold - in Stuttgart.

Biles put in another sublime display to post a score of 15.066 and pick up her fourth gold of these championships.

She then produced a stunning 15.133 to beat compatriot Sunisa Lee, 16, and win another gold in the floor final.

China’s Liu Tingting and Li Shijia took silver and bronze respectively on the balance beam.

Lee took silver in the floor final with a score of 14.133, while Russian Ange-

lina Melnikova finished third.

Having won four gold medals and one bronze at Rio 2016, Biles now has 30 medals in World Championships and Olympics, three short of the record held by Scherbo, who rep-

Simone Biles won five gold medals at this week’s world championships.

resented the Soviet Union, the Commonwealth of Independent States and Belarus in the 1990s. (BBC Sport)

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER

(Tuesday, October 15, 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)

(1) 5 (2) 4 (1) (2)

Answers to yesterday’s quiz:

Today’s Quiz: Who are the CPL 2019 champions?

Who was declared Man of the Tournament?

ANSWERS IN TOMORROW’S ISSUE

victim of racist abuse, turning towards the fans when chants were aimed in his

direction. Croatian referee Ivan Bebek stopped the game in the 28th minute

Vasil Levski National Stadium, Sofia, Bulgaria England’s Kieran Trippier celebrates after the match

(Action Images via Reuters/Carl Recine)

after Raheem Sterling was a target for abuse.

A group of black-clad Bulgarian fans, some of whom were making rightwing salutes, were moved from an area behind the dugout with home team captain Ivelin Popov trying to appeal to the supporters in a heated discussion at halftime.

Popov did not even go to the dressing room, attempting to explain to fans that their behaviour was unacceptable.

European soccer governing body UEFA had ordered the Bulgarian Football Union to partially close the Vasil Levski national stadium for England’s visit after supporters were found guilty of racist behaviour in matches earlier this year.

On the pitch, Barkley struck twice after Rashford score in the seventh minute as Southgate’s side highlighted the gap in quality with the hosts before Sterling netted before halftime.

England’s victory was rounded off by Sterling’s second goal midway through the second half and a cool finish from Kane five minutes from the end against bottom side Bulgaria.

“We have no class,” coach Krasimir Balakov said of his side. “I understand all the people who have bought tickets and wanted something different, but against this England team, with this dynamic, and with these players that cost millions...”

2019 SBF/CGI Jaguars One-Day League 50 Overs Tournament

Upp. Corentyne in for a fight against ruthless Essequibo today --Georgetown, East Bank among victory seekers

By Clifton Ross FOLLOWING their strong statement made in the opening round, reigning champions, Essequibo, will be looking to make it 2-0 when they square off against Upper Corentyne today at the Everest ground.

Round 2 could be even more exciting as the Cinderella County team looked ominous from the get go.

Playing like Champs in all 3 departments, Essequibo drew first blood in their bout versus a strong Georgetown team on Sunday at Bourda.

Wicket-keeper batsman, Kemol Savory, showed his class with a solid half-century, just missing a ton and will be the key batsman in this match against the Berbice franchise.

Guyana/Windies pacer Ronsford Beaton tapped into his old self to bag the MVP

award after hitting top pace as his return match saw him snuff out 5 for 18. Upper Corentyne could be in for the same treatment from the speedster, given their sad performance in the last match.

Ronsford Beaton

Essequibo’s batsmen will need to step up; namely the extremely dangerous pair of Ricardo Adams and Kevon Boodie, who will be looking to rebound after failing in the opening game.

The bowlers will rally

around Beaton with Skipper Anthony Adams and his brother Akinie sharing four wickets in game one and could be a handful on the Everest ground, especially with the ocean breeze pushing in.

Alex Algoo was the shining light for Upper Corentyne with 63 but his side was defeated by 9 wickets in a one-sided match against West Demerara.

Without the services of the Guyana Jaguars duo, Clinton Pestano and Anthony Bramble, at the moment, the Berbice franchise will need more from national players, Kandasammy Surujnarine and Shawn Perriera, while veteran spinner, Eon Hooper, will have to step up against the dangerous defending champs.

On the other hand, Leon Johnson and his Georgetown team will be seeking a re-

bound when they play a confident West Demerara side at Tuschen.

Johnson and his men looked shaky, a far-fetched image of how they could really perform but with seniors in Johnson, Chris Barnwell and Robin Bacchus not having their best games, this could be the ideal match the trio need to get their series going.

East Bank, who were beaten by 38 runs in their Duckworth/Lewis influenced-game against Lower Corentyne, will be aiming for a rebound when they play a confident West Berbice unit at Bush Lot. Meanwhile, Lower Corentyne will look to keep their winning streak alive when they face East Coast in their home turf at the Enmore ground.

Weather permitting, matches will commence at 9:30hrs.

ICC lifts suspensions on Zimbabwe and Nepal

(REUTERS) - Zimbabwe was reinstated as a full member of the International Cricket Council (ICC) on Monday, nearly three months after its cricket board was suspended for government interference.

The ICC had frozen funding to Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) in July and banned its teams from international events after the African country’s Sports and Recreation Commission (SRC) had suspended the national governing body for cricket.

The ICC announced its decision to lift the suspension after a meeting in Dubai with ZC chairman Tavengwa Mukuhlani, Zimbabwe Sports Minister Kirsty Coventry and SRC chair Gerald Mlotshwa.

“I would like to thank the Zimbabwe sports minister for her commitment to the reinstatement of ZC,” ICC chairman Shashank Manohar said in a statement here “Her desire to work in support of ZC was clear and she has unconditionally complied with the conditions set down by the ICC Board. Funding to ZC will continue to be on a controlled basis as part of a collective effort behind getting the game in Zimbabwe back on an even keel.”

Nepal were also reinstated on a conditional basis after a 2016 suspension for breaching ICC regulations on government interference, following this month’s elections to the Central Working Committee for the Cricket Association of Nepal.

27

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday, October 15, 2019

No more boundary countback as ICC change Super Over regulations

THE unprecedented conclusion to the 2019 men’s Wo r l d C u p f i n a l h a s prompted an International Cricket Council ( ICC) rule change, putting an end to boundary countback as a way of deciding knockout games.

After board meetings in Dubai, the ICC resolved that in semi-finals and finals in future world tournaments, if the teams score the same number of runs in their Super Overs, the Super Over will be repeated until one team

A sign signals the game is going to a Super Over. (Getty Images)

BCB congratulates Roger Harper on appointment as Windies selector

THE president, executives and members of the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) would like to offer profound congratulations to former Guyana and West Indies player, Roger Harper, on his appointment as a selector by Cricket West Indies(CWI).

The appointment of Harper is welcomed by the entire county and we are confident that the selection of West Indies teams would be done on merit. West Indies cricket needs all of the leaders especially selectors to be professionals and in Roger Harper, we have the complete product with a long, distinguished career on and off the cricket field.

Harper was a highly successful captain of Guyana for several years and also served as vice-captain of the West Indies team under the great Viv Richards.

After his playing days ended, Harper earned respect as a coach for the West Indies and Kenya while his performance as President of the Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA) is only surpassed by the BCB in Guyana. Roger Harper is widely respected as a disciplinarian, a knowledgeable and a fair-minded person.

For many years, Berbicians have watched on as players like Veerasammy Permaul, Anthony Bramble, Erva Giddings, Tremayne Smartt, Romario Sheperd and even Devindra Bishoo were treated unfairly by selectors who seems more interested in selecting players from one country.

The BCB would like to recommit itself to working along with every legally-recognised stakeholder to develop our cricket to its highest level in the West Indies.

Congrats are also extended to the other newly-appointed selectors, Miles Bascombe and Head Coach Phil Simmons. We are confident that the three selectors would work together and take West Indies Cricket to a new level.

wins.

Had the new rules been in place for the 2019 final, England and New Zealand would have played another Super Over, rather than the game being decided on the technicality of England having scored more boundaries over the course of the final.

An ICC statement said that the change was “in keeping with the basic principle of scoring more runs than the opponent to win,” and added that both its cricket

committee and the chief executives’ committee agreed the Super Over represented an “exciting and engaging conclusion” to a game.

The Super Over will also now be in place for every game in both 20over and 50-over World Cups, having previously only applied in the knockout stages.

In the group stages of a tournament, if a Super Over is tied then the match result will be logged as a tie. (ESPN Cricinfo)

GT Beer/Keep Your Five Alive starts Thursday

FLASH BACK:

Sparta Boss captain, Sheldon Shepherd, in the presence of Outdoor Events manager, Mortimer Stewart (left) and teammates, collects his team’s firstplace prize following their win over Tiger Bay in the final.

FOLLOWING a brief lull in the indoor format, the National Gymnasium is expected to once again burst alive when the 7th Annual GT Beer / Keep Your Five Alive’ Futsal Tournament starts on Thursday with opening action, commencing from 19:00hrs.

Promoter Kevin Adonis, speaking recently, disclosed that this year’s competition has been tailored to provide riveting action throughout the seven days, while, unlike previous years where the top two teams were the only ones compensated, this year will see the top four teams winning cash in excess of $1million.

Adonis said he has acquiesced to a request made by the teams and will now reward the top four teams with cash prizes and other incentives.

Another change that Adonis has made is that the total teams invited to the tournament has dropped from thirty-two to twenty-four and they will be divided into six groups of four with the top two from each advancing automatically to the

knockout phase along with the best four third-placed finishers, following the completion of the round robin stage.

The teams invited are: Gold is Money, Sparta Boss, Leopold Street, Tiger Bay, Albouystown, BV, Melanie, Vryheid’s Lust, Avacado Ballers, Future Stars, Back Circle, North East La Penitence, Showstoppers, Broad Street, Alexander Village, GWI, Upsetters, LA Ballers, Bagotstown, Sophia, Spot 7, Charlotte Street, OL Skool Ballers and Bent Street.

Adonis added that very shortly, team representatives will be provided with all the relevant information regarding the group placements and fixtures along with the breakdown of the individual prizes for the respective winners.

Among the corporate entities that have signalled their intention to support the tournament are GT Beer, Hits and Jams 94.1 Boom FM, Star Party Rentals, Royal Castle, Prime Security, Fireside Grill and Chill, Keep It Clean Car Wash, Flashback 2020 and BK. International.

Newly appointed head coach Phil Simmons is congratulated by CWI president Ricky Skerritt.

(CWI photo)

‘Right man’ Simmons returns as Page

23

Windies head coach …lands four-year contract

Women’s ICC events receive prize 24 money boost Page

Australia celebrate their World T20 victory (ICC/Getty)

Page

24

Bobb’s double spurs Guyana 5-1 past Antigua and Barbuda

Trayon Bobb (first from left) celebrates with his teammates following his second goal in Guyana’s 5-1 win against Antigua and Barbuda in their latest CONCACAF Nations League match.

Harper leads new men’s senior selection panel - CWI …will be joined by Miles Bascombe and Head coach Phil Simmons

New West Indies selectors Miles Bascombe and Roger Harper.

ST JOHN’S, Antigua, (CMC) – Former Windward Islands batsman Miles Bascombe has been appointed to the men’s senior selection panel, which will be headed up by former West Indies off-spinner and head coach, Roger Harper.

Bascombe, who has never held a senior selection post previously, was a surprise choice announced by Cricket West Indies (CWI) on Monday to serve on the high profile threeman committee, which also comprises Phil Simmons, the new men’s head coach.

Bascombe played a single T20 International eight years against England, in a weakened West Indies squad that drew a two-match series in London.

And his 24-match first class career was largely a tepid one, petering out following the 2017 season when he played just two matches with little success for Volcanoes.

Significantly, Bascombe was a member of the recent CWI Selection System Task Force, which was chaired by fellow Vincentian and CWI vice-president Dr Kishore Shallow, and charged with overhauling regional selection policy.

The 33-year-old, a University of the West Indies graduate, serves as first vice-president of the St Vincent and the Grenadines Cricket Association which is headed by Shallow.

Former international cricketer, Ann Browne-John, will meanwhile serve as chief selector for the women’s panel, along with former West Indies batsman, Travis Dowlin, with the head coach complementing the three-member committee.

Jamaican Robert Haynes, recently the interim chairman of selectors, will serve as talent ID manager for the boys’ panel.

“We have been delighted at the interest and quality of candidates who participated in the recruitment process to fill the roles for the selection panels,” said Shallow, who chaired the panel interviewing candidates.

“These roles are vital to execute the new selection policy to select squads for the West Indies teams at every level. We wish the selectors every success as they commence work immediately.”

Harper, who played 25 Tests and 105 One-Day Internationals, comes highly recommended after also having served as West Indies head coach between 2000 and 2003.

His first job will be to select the squad which will face Afghanistan in three T20 Internationals, three ODIs and a one-off Test from November 5 to December 1 in India.

Browne-John, recently the interim manager/selector for the women’s unit, will also sit down shortly with Dowlin, who in the past has served on the men’s senior panel, to decide on a squad for India Women’s tour of the Caribbean beginning November 1.

According to CWI, 18 candidates were interviewed for the post of selectors across the three panels before a shortlist of 10 was arrived at.

Director of cricket, Jimmy Adams, said he believed the move to use three different panels to address selection of the various West Indies representative teams, would pay dividends.

“After a comprehensive revamp of our selection system including the introduction of separate panels, I am confident that our ability to identify and manage talent will be enhanced,” he noted.

“I have all confidence that the new system, along with the selectors chosen to the various panels will continue to help drive our game in this critical area.”

The Men’s Teams squads will be announced in a press conference at 11am at Queens Park Oval, Port of Spain, Trinidad today WI Men’s Panel Lead Selector: Roger Harper Selector: Miles Bascombe WI Women’s & Girls’ Panel Lead Selector: Ann Browne-John Selector: Travis Dowlin WI Boys’ Panel Talent ID Manager: Robert Haynes The Head Coach of each team will complete the makeup of each of the respective panels.

Printed and Published by Guyana National Newspapers Limi ted, Lama Avenue, Bel Air Park, Georgetown. Telephone 2 2 6- 3243-9 (General); Editorial: 2 2 7- 5204, 2 2 7- 5216. Fax:2 2 7- 5208

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2019