Guyana Chronicle E-paper 10-18-2019

FRIDAY 18th OCTOBER, 2019

' No.105794

‘Trade barriers lifted’ …Trinidad removes restrictions on export of Guyana’s pineapples, peppers

US$1.4M fire boat commissioned PAGE

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.. Government, local farmers welcome decision

Pilot survives

SEE STORY ON PAGE 03

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Aricheng plane crash …treks back to departure point with rescuers

Canadian expert to provide technical assistance to GECOM

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Freedom Radio, MTV lawless …

GNBA defends sanctioning outfits after 53 infractions PAGE

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Composite photos of the scene of the plane crash and GDF ranks who assisted in rescuing the pilot (GDF photos)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, October 18, 2019

US$1.4M fireboat commissioned Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan

SEVENTEEN trained Guyana Fire Service (GFS) firefighters are now capable of manning a US$1.4M fireboat called the “Protector”

at the Transport and Harbours Stelling, Water Street, Georgetown.

The vessel is capable of pumping over 5,000 gallons of water per minute.

The fireboat, Minister Ramjattan noted, is an addition to the acquisition of 10 water tenders, five ambulanc-

Chief Fire Officer, Marlon Gentle

that was commissioned by Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan, on Thursday.

The specially designed

which was called the “Forbes B”. It eventually ceased operations after one of the largest fires hit the waterfront in 1977.

The investment, the minister said, is indicative of the government’s commitment to the safety and well-being of all Guyana as the coun-

GY$294M vessel constructed for Guyanese water by Angloco Limited, based in the UK, is docked behind the GFS headquarters

The US$1.4M fireboat called the “Protector” that was commissioned on Thursday (Adrian Narine photo)

es and one aircraft firefighting rescue vehicle.

The minister said over the years, the government has invested heavily in the sector as five new fire stations are in their final stages of construction at Lethem, Mahadia, Melanie Damishana, Onverwagt and Mabaruma.

“This is a significant investment in public safety and security, and I want to commend the efforts by the GFS and other stakeholders in this initiative,” he said, adding: “I want to urge that this piece of equipment be cared and taken care of since it’s an expensive piece of equipment.”

Minister Ramjattan explained that a fireboat operating in Guyana must meet international standards while protecting shoreline investments and aiding in water rescue services, civil emergencies and humanitarian missions.

He reminded that the last time the Guyana Fire Service owned such a vessel was in the period 1977 to 1978,

noted that over the years, the Fire Service has sought ways in which it can protect the waterfronts by retrofitting boats to fill the gap which proved futile.

He said the boat was built from scratch and designed to work in Guyana’s rivers.

Training was also provided to firefighters to effectively operate the boat.

“Over 30 years we have been without a [fire] boat so we would have had no expertise within the fire service even though they [firefighters] had exposure to marine firefighting training. To operate a boat to fight the fires, we needed to have a skilled set of firefighters. The GDF Coast Guard came on board and in two years, through all the training cycles, we were able to train 17 persons who can become the nucleus,” the

The fireboat in action

try is on a march to greater prosperity for its citizens, businesses and infrastructure.

“This very vulnerable waterfront in Port Georgetown with its massive wharves and warehouses and cargo handling facilities that process billions of dollars’ worth of shipping goods, stock and fuel, needed to be protected.

This government continues to invest in the acquisition of assets for that kind of protection,” he stated.

Chief Fire Officer, Marlon Gentle, said the “Protector” will ease the burden of the Fire Service. Gentle

fire chief stated.

Some of the functions of the fireboat include protecting shoreline installation from fires, support shore base fire suppression operations by supplying large volumes of water to land base firefighting units, water rescues and ambulance services and to support environmental stability operations in case of spills and environmental cleanup after chemical release incidents.

The vessel took approximately one year to be completed.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, October 18, 2019

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‘Trade barriers lifted’ …Trinidad removes restrictions on export of Guyana’s pineapples, peppers …Government, local farmers welcome decision

TRINIDAD and Tobago has removed restrictions related to pineapples and peppers, which had been identified by Guyana as possible trade barriers to the export of agricultural products, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Thursday.

In a statement, the Foreign Affairs Ministry disclosed that earlier this week, the National Plant Protection Office (NPPO) of Trinidad and Tobago informed the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) of the amendments.

The removal of restrictions by Trinidad comes approximately one month after technical officers from both sides met at the Ministry of Agriculture, Land, and Fisheries of Trinidad and Tobago.

Subsequently, Foreign Secretary, Carl Greenidge, met with Trinidadian officials on the margins of the United Nations General Assembly to further discuss barriers to trade between the two states.

“The removal of these restrictions has been welcomed

by local farmers. Also, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is pleased with these steps taken by the twin-island republic and aims to continue to do its part to ensure that both countries remain engaged in the bid to remove other restrictions on exports to Trinidad and Tobago,” the Foreign Affairs Ministry said.

Meanwhile, the non-conformity of Trinidad and Tobago’s legislation governing the importation of honey has been a long-standing issue. Trinidad and Tobago’s honey, bees and bee products are guided by the island’s age-old Food and Drug Act of 1960 and Beekeeping and Bee products Act of 1935.

Both of these, however, are not in keeping with the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas (RTC) as highlighted by COTED and has led to the total prohibition of honey from other countries to the island.

During the technical meeting of experts on September 13, 2019, Trinidad said the trans-ship of honey remains high on its agenda.

“Trinidad and Tobago reiterated the seriousness of this issue and indicated that the shipment of honey has attracted the attention of the

active deliberations, with an update to be provided at the next meeting of the Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED), sched-

was also among issues discussed. Following that September meeting, Guyana was required to send a Diplomatic Note requesting written

Trinidad and Tobago has removed restrictions on Guyana’s pineapples and peppers

Honourable Prime Minister, the Cabinet and the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Parliament, all of which are

uled for November 2019,” the Trinidadian experts had explained.

Fumigation requirement

confirmation from the Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries of Trinidad and Tobago that methyl bromide is

no longer required for QPS on crops exported from Guyana. According to reports, an alternative, Epoclorous, has been identified.

Additionally, Trinidad has agreed to review Guyana’s PRA for Eddoes and will provide communication on the rationale for the modalities for use of hypochlorous acid on eddoes.

Guyana was also expected to provide cases to Trinidad to support its arguments that its items have been denied importation. “Guyana to submit to the Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries of Trinidad and Tobago, examples of cases of denials of entry at the border on grounds related to inconsistent interpretation of import permits. Trinidad to make cases known to its Trade Facilitation Committee and address issues related to standard operating procedures (SOPs), system of communication with customs authorities, validation of Permits issues and redress for denials,” the teams explained.

BIT programmes benefitting a wide cross-section ...95 complete 6-month BIT courses at the ETI

Ulie Alexander, graduate of the Board of Industrial Training (BIT)

F O RT Y- F I V E - Y E A R OLD Ulie Alexander and 16-year old Yogeshwairie Lagan are from Essequibo in Region Two. With the age difference between the two Essequibians, you might think they have nothing in common – and you would be incorrect.

Alexander is a serving police officer, and Lagan just completed her secondary education. Both are among the most recent batch of graduates to complete courses offered by the Board of Industrial Training (BIT) at the Essequibo Technical Institute. Speak-

Some of the students attached to the Essequibo Technical Institute (ETI) repairing an air conditioner

ing with the Department of Public Information (DPI), on Wednesday, at the graduation ceremony held at the Essequibo Technical Institute, the women said, signing up to BIT “put an end to time wasted and opened doors to new ideas”.

Alexander said her love of cooking led her to enroll in the food preparation course, which has opened doors to new ideas. “I love to cook, I love to bake cakes, I love to be in the kitchen…

In the near future, when I

retire from the Guyana Police Force, I plan to form a group, and I will teach what I have learnt here, and then we will impart our knowledge to young people.”

Lagan, who is more than 30 years younger than Alexander, highlighted that after completing her examinations, she was uncertain what career to pursue. However, her love for the technical field saw her pursuing the electrical installation course and she knew she has gone in the right direction.

Officials from the Board of Industrial Training, the Essequibo Technical Institute, along with REO Denis Jaikarran [seated second left] and BIT Vice-Chairman, Donald Ainsworth [seated second right] along with some of the graduates

“It was always my passion from childhood to learn things in the mechanical and electrical field. So, after school, I decided to pursue my dreams…. and I am so happy because I am more than a step closer to positively contribute to Guyana,” Lagan remarked.

Vice-Chairman of the Board of Industrial Training, Donald Ainsworth, in his remarks to the graduates, encouraged them to share their experiences with their peers.

“The skills you received

must not be squandered.

BIT has invested in you, and now you must invest in yourselves to be successful…be dedicated and be consistent,” he stressed.

Regional Executive Officer for Region Two, Denis Jaikarran, told the graduates that they possess the tools to develop themselves as well as their families and communities. However, he noted that commitment must be applied for success. “You have to ask yourselves, ‘what do we do after this graduation’,

Yogeshwairie Lagan, graduate of the Board of Industrial Training (BIT)

and once you are prepared to answer this question, you are then prepared to do two things. See worth in the investment in yourselves and be able to use the skills given to you.”

Ninety-five persons graduated from the Essequibo Technical Institute completing courses in Electrical Installation, Food Preparation, Welding and Fabrication and Heavy-duty equipment.

Thus far, for October, over 700 persons would have benefitted from the Board of Industrial Training Programmes. (DPI)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday October 18, 2019

Turkey to suspend Syria offensive after US meeting Turkey has agreed to a ceasefire in northern Syria to let Kurdish-led forces withdraw.

The deal came after US Vice-President Mike Pence and Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan met for talks in Ankara.

All fighting will be paused for five days, and the US will help facilitate the withdrawal of Kurdish-led troops from what Turkey terms a “safe zone” on the border, Mr Pence said.

It is unclear if the Kurdish YPG will fully comply, however.

Commander Mazloum Kobani said Kurdish-led forces would observe the agreement in the area between the border towns of Ras al-Ayin and Tal Abyad, where fighting has been fierce.

“We have not discussed the fate of other areas,” he

The US had been pushing Turkey and its allies to end the offensive in northern Syria (BBC photo)

said.

UK-based war monitor the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) said clashes were continuing in

Ras al-Ain despite the ceasefire announcement.

It said 72 civilians had been killed inside Syria and more than 300,000 displaced

over the past eight days.

Turkey launched the cross-border offensive last week, after US President Donald Trump announced he was pulling US forces out of the Syria-Turkey border region.

Its goal was to push back a Kurdish militia group - the People’s Protection Units (YPG) - that Turkey views as a terrorist organisation.

Turkey had hoped to resettle up to two million Syrian refugees in the border area, but critics warned

that could trigger ethnic cleansing of the local Kurdish population.

President Trump was accused by some of abandoning a US ally, as the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) - a group dominated by the YPG - fought alongside the US against the Islamic State (IS) group in Syria.

But on Wednesday he said the Kurds were “not angels”, and declared: “It’s not our border. We shouldn’t be losing lives over it.”

Mr Trump tweeted about the Turkish ceasefire before his vice-president unveiled it, writing: “Millions of lives will be saved!”

He added later: “This deal could NEVER have been made 3 days ago. There needed to be some “tough” love in order to get it done.

Great for everybody. Proud of all!” Mr Pence credited Donald Trump’s “strong leadership” during the announcement, saying: “He wanted a ceasefire. He wanted to stop the violence.”

“I am proud of the United States for sticking by me in following a necessary, but somewhat unconventional, path,” Mr Trump added on Twitter.

Just a day before the Pence-Erdogan meeting, it

emerged that Mr Trump had sent his Turkish counterpart a letter about the offensive, urging him: “Don’t be a tough guy. Don’t be a fool!”

After the ceasefire announcement on Thursday, he called Mr Erdogan “a hell of a leader” who “did the right thing”.

Turkey’s Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu told journalists the offensive would only be permanently halted when the SDF had left the border zone.

“We are suspending the operation, not halting it,” he said. “We will halt the operation only after [Kurdish forces] completely withdraw from the region.”

Mr Cavusoglu said Turkey had also secured its goal of having heavy arms removed from the Kurdish-led fighters, and their positions destroyed. Mr Pence said the US would lift economic sanctions imposed on Turkey when the military offensive ended, and would not impose more in the meantime.

Speaking to Al Arabiya, senior Kurdish politician Aldar Xelil said he welcomed an end to the fighting, but that the SDF would defend itself if exposed to violence.

James Jeffrey, the US special representative on Syria, acknowledged that Kurdish-led forces weren’t happy about leaving their positions.

“We’re basically doing our best efforts to get the YPG to withdraw using as a carrot and a stick the sanctions levers that we have,” he told reporters.

“There’s no doubt that the YPG wishes that they could stay in these areas.”

(BBC)

Saturday October 11, 2019

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October 11, 2019

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8, 7, 3

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday October 18, 2019

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Barbados tackling high food bill The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security has launched an initiative aimed at slashing Barbados’ gigantic food import bill, transforming the economy and empowering hundreds of young farmers.

Agriculture Minister Indar Weir today announced that more than one hundred successful participants of Government’s Farmers’ Empowerment and Enfranchisement Drive (FEED) programme would be leased as many as four acres of land each in the Scotland District to plant trees, raise livestock and raise bees.

The announcement formed part of World Food Day celebrations where agriculture officials distributed the first plots of land and starter kits to assist young farmers. According to Weir, the initiative holds the potential to significantly reduce the importation of primary agricultural products and reduce the import bill. He argued that Barbadians should be given greater opportunities to choose local products.

“If we are importing potatoes, we want to produce them here, if we are importing soursop, we want to produce them here, if we are importing pumpkins, we know we can produce them here and that is where my target is and you all [participants] need to help manage this narrative now, because you are charged with the responsibility to make sure you do that which you know is

Minister of Agriculture Indar Weir with Dario Joe, 18, who received 70 trees and a starter kit including boots, chemical gloves, garden gloves and overalls to assist him with work on his three acres at Bawdens (Barbados Today)

right for us to target that food import bill in terms of primary agriculture,” the Minister challenged while at the Soil Conservation Unit in Haggats, St Andrew.

“Anything else in terms of preservatives, cornflakes, processed goods, etcetera, that conversation could be had when we get to agro-processing etcetera. But at this time we have to start somewhere and I believe you always need to lay a solid foundation upon which you can build…. I am building this on a solid foundation.”

While this year’s FEED programme’s cohort comprised 100 participants, Minister Weir declared the ministry was aiming for over 200 for the next intake with the goal of training over one thousand farmers in the next two and a half years.

Farmers focused on forestation have been offered three to four acre plots in the Scotland District along with 70 fruit trees to plant and cultivate and Minister Weir advocated for the planting of traditional trees like soursop, golden apples, gooseberry, ackee and avocado trees, among others.

In Bawdens, St Andrew, quarter-acre plots will be distributed to apiculture farmers while land at Greenland in the same parish will be handed over to livestock farmers along with one ram and three ewes.

According to officials, lands will also be distributed in the Pine Basin, Bath St John and parts of St Lucy among other places. (Barbados Today)

Venezuela wins seat on UN Human Rights Council Venezuela has won a seat on the United Nations Human Rights Council, despite widespread criticism of its poor human rights record.

A UN General Assembly meeting in Geneva saw the Latin American country elected to one of 14 new seats on the 47-member body.

Nicolás Maduro’s government hailed it as an “important achievement”.

His administration is accused of jailing, torturing and arbitrarily arresting opposition figures.

More than 50 countries no longer recognise Mr Maduro as the country’s legitimate leader. The US and most governments in Latin America - as well as EU states like France, Germany, Spain and the UK - back opposition leader Juan Guaidó as the interim president.

China, Cuba and Russia continue to support Mr Maduro, while others - including Mexico - have called for dialogue between both sides.

Brazil and Venezuela won the two Latin American seats on the rights body that were up for grabs on Thurs-

day.

Costa Rica announced its own candidacy just this month in a bid to keep Venezuela from securing a threeyear term. Members work to uphold and promote human rights around the world.

Delegates in the chamber applauded the vote, which saw Brazil take 153 votes, Venezuela 105 and Costa Rica 96.

Two days ago, Louis Charbonneau at Human Rights Watch urged member states to vote against Venezuela.

“A vote for Venezuela is a vote for the torture, murder, and impunity that have become trademarks of President Nicolás Maduro’s government,” he said, calling it a “slap in the face to the millions who have fled the country”.

In September, the UN Human Rights Council announced plans to send a fact-finding mission to Venezuela to probe alleged human rights violations.

Mr Maduro’s government denounced the move. (BBC)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday October 18, 2019

Bringing order to public transportation THE United Mini-bus Union (UMU) must be commended for its efforts in bringing some semblance of order in minibus operations in Guyana.

As we reported earlier this week through the union over 45 minibus operators being uniformed in the union’s newly designed jerseys.

President of the UMU, Eon Andrews, said that this is the first stride of many that the union intends to take to ensure that public transportation in Guyana is brought up to world standard. He explained that according to Guyana’s trajectory, the country can expect to be propelled in a new order of operations and thus the public transport sector must be able to keep up.

“So basically when a country starts to expand, especially with the discovery of oil, you’ll find all kinds of persons would start coming to our country, and they could very well be persons who would want to bring fleets of buses; so what we are doing here is that they must put themselves in order and get them-

selves to that standard, so that the government would be able to see that our people are trying.

But it will not work unless they get themselves in order, unless they become good business persons, because it’s a business you’re doing now, and if you want to promote your business, you must have a good appearance, you must be able to speak to people, you must respect the elderly, you must respect the differently abled, you must respect children, and you must understand that there are certain criteria that you have to conform to when you’re providing public transportation,” said Andrews.

Another area that the UMU must also swiftly address is the illegal but persistent minibus touting culture. It has long been in survival mode despite adverse public opinion and intermittent police crackdowns. This persistent nuisance exhibits various shades of criminality, including the growing and blatant disrespect for authority and should not be allowed to continue. Amidst the country’s

progressive emphasis on tourism, the public outrage against sexual abuse, and a growing need for public order, the authorities should condignly terminate this aberration.

The Guyana Police Force must treat this aspect of what is euphemistically referred to as ‘minibus culture’ as a clear and present danger to our travelling public, regardless of age, ethnicity or nationality.

The most targeted and vulnerable appear to be schoolgirls, nubile women, and tourists.

Unfortunately, in many incidents of harassment by minibus touts while soliciting passengers, citizens generally take a vow of silence and decline the role of ‘my brother’s keeper’ or ‘my sister’s keeper,’ and don’t even sound a voice of censure. In fact, in the socalled ‘minibus culture,’ touting, loud and ribald music, fondling and other aspects of harassment, as well as reckless driving have become the new normal.

While there have been sporadic condemnation of minibus touting by

individuals, and half-hearted police clampdowns, the problem has not yet drawn any notable attention from civil society.

There is need for concerted and outspoken opposition against this wanton disregard for minibus passengers, who support what essentially is a public service being provided by private sector entrepreneurs. Some touts are seen engaging in a virtual tug-o-war, but instead of a rope they grab the bags and even the persons of besieged passengers, sometimes after a 25- yard dash to the unsuspecting targets. This tactic disregards the right of each passenger to decide which minibus to choose, while the absence of a regulated queuing system for minibuses persists.

Another aspect of minibus touting that is not readily discernible is the extortion scheme, whereby bus drivers and owners are required to pay a sort of tithe for the service, even unsolicited, of having their vehicles loaded by strong-arm tactics.

There have been instances when

some young men utilise this avenue of catching a quick dollar, but sooner rather than later upgrade themselves to emerge as more productive individuals in sustainable economic pursuits. Many others, too many, however, are louts who shirk their social responsibility and get caught in the dependency culture, taking refuge among the underclass. When all is said and done, it is the police who must face the major challenge of uprooting this loathsome and law-breaking practice of minibus touting, summoning up the will and manpower to ensure its termination, once and for all.

Perhaps it would be useful if a multi-disciplinary approach is taken in dealing with this problem. Touts can be targeted by social welfare officers, in addition to faith-based and civil society organisations that can make an attempt at motivating some behavioural change. We need not rely exclusively or merely on law-enforcement intervention.

How do you know it cannot work if you don’t work it?

Dear Editor: THERE must be something about Guyana’s political and academic elites that makes us afraid of big ideas. Since I don’t share V.S Naipaul’s pessimism of the Caribbean civilization, I wouldn’t go where he went with his conclusion about the region’s capacity to exist and survive in a state of freedom.

But I do wonder sometimes if we don’t give the detractors of our civilization the tools they need to justify why they should still treat us as if we are “half-children.”

I align myself more with Calypsonian Chalkdust who penned the following lines in a calypso titled “Them People laughing at we”. He observes, “Though slavery gone/And the toils done/ Some white people/ Still having Fun/ For there are Black men /who by their works/ Still providing the whites with jokes.”

We have to be joking if, after six decades of independence and all the money we invested in educating the cur-

rent elites and after giving the world some of its most towering intellects, all we can say when confronted with a novel idea is “it cannot work.” I remember two decades ago when, faced with a crisis of governance in our ethically divided society, a few of us, mainly from the WPA, PNC and ACDA (Ravi Dev and Moses Nagamootoo were also supporters) put the idea of Power Sharing or Shared Governance into the public domain, we got the same refrain—“it cannot work.” The esteemed Elder Eusi Kwayana who, in 1961, had first proposed the idea in Guyana was moved to ask—“how do you know it cannot work if you don’t work it?”

The veterans of that campaign are still around.

They will remember the frenzy in the newspapers— the mundane questions, the uninformed comments and downright nonsense. I am making a distinction between informed and intelligent disagreements and uninformed chatter. Today, shared governance is in every party’s man-

ifesto. One party, ANUG, is even building its campaign around the idea. It was one of the APNU+AFC’s gold star campaign planks in 2015.

You learn that history moves on and brushes aside the messengers of nothingness.

But history also repeats itself. Since Clive Thomas and the WPA introduced the one new idea on how we can creatively utilise a small portion of the expected Oil and Gas wealth in a new way, we have witnessed the same circus in the media. There are the uninformed who were colourfully described by Clive Thomas the other day. Then there are the social bigots steeped in their disdain for the poor. There are also those who know better but out of political jealousy bite their tongues—how can such a big idea come from a small, non-existent party they whisper. They obviously don’t read Alan Fenty’s column on the role of political “think tanks.”

So, you read and hear all kinds of nonsense about why Cash Transfers cannot

work—I mean real nonsense that must have emanated from places I can’t describe in a public missive. Then there are the educated ones who ran for their economic textbooks and pull out all the inflations they could find.

They line the newspapers with the imperfections of the idea, but not one line about its perfections as it transforms the lives of approximately 1.2 billion people globally. Others borrow terms associated with racial prejudice. The problem is that not one of these critiques starts with the poor, for whom the policy is intended. For these experts, the poor are invisible. In any case, what do they know of the poor? Ole People say, ”Stone deh a bottom river, he nah know how sun hot.”

But the aspect of this whole thing that saddens me the most is the narrative that instead of Cash Transfers, the money should be spent on education, or agriculture, or infrastructure, or job creation or health care, depending on which guru speaks. Some days, I don’t know whether

to laugh or cry in shame when I read or hear those suggestions from people who ought to know better. I want to scream—“But we already spending money on those things; a lot of money and for a long time now” What’s new about spending on education, infrastructure etc.

I hope the government spends more to improve those areas. But the Cash Transfer discourse is on how we can creatively supplement those areas of development—how we can more directly invest in people. Education, jobs, health care etc. are necessary and vital investments in people, but they are indirect investments. Cash Transfer is a direct investment that comes in the form of added income—Added Income, not free money and handouts. In any case, government cannot give free money—a government is not a philanthropist.

Before I go, I must answer Mr. Jagdeo, who I have acknowledged as one of our better Applied Economist.

He is informed about Cash Transfers—its history and

its economics. So, he is just playing games when he seeks to amplify his differences with the WPA’s proposal. He wants to give it to a targeted section of the society—the poor. So far so good. The WPA wants to give it to the poor too. But in our racially divided society, we know what a PPP or PNC “targeted section” would look like or be accused of looking like. I say no more. WPA says when you give to all households, you leave out no race and no section of the poor.

But this I know—every party contesting the coming election would have to address Cash Transfers in one form or the other; because it is the only creative and fresh people-centred idea that is being put before the people. Jump high, jump low, but give thanks to Clive Thomas and the WPA. As the Sage of Buxton asks with full wisdom —How do you know it cannot work if you don’t work it?

Regards David Hinds

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday October 18, 2019

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It is now important to steer society back to truth and justice Dear Editor:

ON Wednesday, acting Chief Justice (CJ) Roxane George-Wiltshire SC ruled on the case brought by the Opposition regarding the resignation of the Cabinet following a successful no-confidence vote; it is time to restore sanity and decency in political discourse and action. The CJ reiterated the Judgement handed down by the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) in its Consequential Order of 12th July, 2019, notably Item 8, which can be sourced here:- https://ccj.org/wp-content/ uploads/2019/07/2019-CCJ-14-AJ. pdf Going by the Canadian application of a caretaker government, its government website advises: “The caretaker period begins when either the Government loses a vote of non-confidence or Parliament has been dissolved (either as a result of the Prime Minister asking for dissolution, or because of an election date set by legislation).

It ends when a new government is sworn-in, or when an election result returning an incumbent government is clear.

Exercising ‘restraint’ does not mean that government is prohibited from making decisions or announce-

ments, or otherwise taking action, during the caretaker period. To the contrary, the routine operation of government must continue and necessary business must be transacted. In the event of emergencies, such as natural disasters, the government must have a free hand to take appropriate action to ensure that the public interest, notably the safety and security of Canadians, is preserved.” https://www.canada. ca/en/privy-council/services/publications/guidelines-conduct-ministers-state-exempt-staff-public-servants-election.html#I All are encouraged to take time out, reflect on and soak in the CJ’s ruling that the CCJ in its June 18th decision made it “…evident that the effect of the NCM was the immediate resignation of Cabinet, but the Court clearly stated that notwithstanding this, the tenure in office of the Cabinet, including the President, as well as Government as a whole, ‘is on a different footing’– is that of a caretaker mode consequent to the passage of the said NCM.” Thus, the question of whether the government is legal or “illegal” has been unequivocally answered where there was doubt or the work of political mischief. The govern-

ment is legal. Society must no longer give voice/credence to the PPP yelling government is “illegal.” Going forward, it is one thing repeating the PPP’s mischief but most import to let it be known what the truth is.

It is now of import to steer society back to truth and justice.

The media is being called on to do serious introspection of the role they are playing in upholding these values. Some sections of the media have failed us miserably. If we put Guyana first and let the chips fall where they may, it is what it is.

Blame is also apportioned to the government for not helping society by not pushing back on the PPP lies which is helping in the destruction of society and not addressing these issues.

Even as the PPP and some engage in deception, the media, as the fourth estate, the major purveyor of information-- carrying a responsibility to help shape Guyana and build cohesive society, for peace, stability and the common good-- have a responsibility to remind us of the truth. The situation also reiterates the point of relying on primary sourced information and avoid the temptation of being misled.

It may be hard to quantify/qualify as of now how much damage

sections of the media have done to this nation when it comes to building a society. Even if they have a horse in the race, they have a moral responsibility to society not only to those who spend their advertising dollars but those who read them, for failing to do so would be contributing to the political bullyism we have been witnessing. It is hoped the international community that threatened sanctions based on deception, perhaps misunderstanding of the court ruling and high priced lobbying misrepresentation, has taken note of the CJ’s ruling. It is hoped the CJ’s pronouncement that the Consequential Order be “read dispassionately and objectively” is taken seriously. This is a position I have been calling for from day one.

Had we done this it would have eliminated much of the ugly tension and division that have surfaced since the no-confidence issue.

I recognise that even if the PPP knew this was about PR mileage, they have already had their supporters misled and channelling the distorted mantra. Clearly, some have not taken the time to read the ruling or deliberately set out to mislead by applying their own interpretation.

We have to reset our relationship with each other, be we political ally,

foe or neutral. Efforts have to be made to stop normalising conduct in a diverse nation such as ours that can pose threat to our collective stability and well-being.

Finally, there is still need to give effect to the Item 7 in the CCJ Order that “Article 106 of the Constitution invests in the President and the National Assembly (and implicitly in GECOM), responsibilities that impact on the precise timing of the elections....”

The nation is reminded that Kaieteur News August 3, 2019 reports in an article titled ‘Elections date long gone...’ that the CJ, basing her argument on the CCJ’s ruling, reportedly expressed, “we are supposedly in a period of an extension for the timeframe for holding elections, but that extension has not been agreed on.” The CJ is quoted directly as saying, “We are still waiting on the National Assembly to meet.” It is time for the National Assembly to meet, discharge its constitutional duty and uphold the Court’s ruling.

Regards Lincoln Lewis

A solution to curb Anil Nandlall’s vexatious and misguided court cases Dear Editor,

OH Boy, Anil Nandlall has lost another court case again. By any chance, do you know of anyone who may have his ears? I have a very important job for that person to undertake.

Rather, make that two jobs. First job is relatively straight forward. Just remove the sticks that are broken in Anil’s ears. The second job is a bit more complex, some may argue cerebral, no pun intended.

Ideally, the successful candidate must be a teetotaller. Can’t have tremulous hands to undertake this

delicate procedure.

Now that we have selected someone, not an Irfaan-type selection, and cleared Anil’s ears, we can get started. The first step is to identify both of Anil’s tympanic membranes, which are located in the middle ear. Distal to the tympanic membrane, the semicircular canals, which occupy the three geometric planes in the inner ear, can be seen. That should lead to the Eustachian tube, which, with some manoeuvring leads you into the inner skull. This second step is critical, for which I will require your undivided attention. In the syringes to

your right, you will see 200cc of white jelly-type substance.

Immediately to your left, you will see similar type syringes that have 1200cc of grey jelly type substance. What you need to do, is to follow the tract we just established and infuse these substances into Anil’s inner skull.

I know you are wondering what are these jelly-like substances. The white substance is nerve fibres which are critical for neurotransmission. Ignore that tongue biting big word for now. The grey jelly-like substance is the grey matter of the brain, which is important for thinking. Anil needs lots of that.

By now, you should realise what we have done. We have actually infused Anil’s empty skull with brain matter.

Essentially, he was born anencephalic, abbreviated Anil which means, born without a brain. It is for this reason that he has been absolutely abusing the process of the lower court with vexatious and wholly misconceived cases, when the very legal questions he is asking the lower courts to rule on, were answered by the higher courts.

I do trust that this service I have provided, which would result in Anil’s no longer wasting the court’s time, would be seen as an

Jagdeo has no respect for our elders Dear Editor, IT [is] easy to brush aside the recent vulgar tirade of Bharrat Jagdeo against World Cricket Icon, Chris Gayle, as obscenity used in “a private setting”, unless you know the real person talking on the phone.

His former wife (or so

she had believed) has given us a narrative that laid bare the crude and cruel person Jagdeo was to her. Our women need to go back to that narrative.

But time and again, we also heard the narratives of the Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo, who, from time to time, referred

to Jagdeo’s “cuss-down mode”.

We probably did not pay enough attention to someone who was associated with Jagdeo, and who resigned from the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) after 50 years because of Jagdeo is dangerous, corrupt and vulgar politics.

How do we explain to the young ones the videos of “back balls” performed on women and his mockery of journalists he did not like, as “crows” and “vultures”?

Jagdeo has no respect for our elders. I recall how he called Dr. Yesu Persaud an “ignoramus” and Mrs.

invaluable intervention, out of love for the country of my birth, completely rubbishing the spurious and unfounded claims that I’m not patriotic.

Finally, I should make two key points before I close. Firstly, Anil was provided with virgin brain tissue, i.e never before used, from the Opposition Leader. We have excised all his brain matter, since in our expert opinion he does not need any to repeat his favourite words “illegal government.” Echolalia.

Let’s face it, mate has not used any brain matter in 55 years. Secondly, I cannot stress enough, that despite

this successful transethmoidal brain transfusion, Anil’s legal skills would only improve if he spends time reading the disputed law books.

Janet Jagan, an “outsider” when she criticized his excesses.

But we will not forget how he placed Gayle in his “black book”, after the famous cricketer visited Linden while a PNC rally was being held. The “PPP god” decided that he would condemn Gayle, and put him in Lucifer’s Black Book where I suppose all those going to hell would be placed.

It is not alright for

Jagdeo to say that he uses four-letter cuss words when he is angry. It is not alright for him to say that he uses obscenity from time to time. He is a national leader whose salary and perks are paid by taxpayers, and he is not free to disrespect anyone or, to cuss down our heroes!

Regards Dr. Mark Devonish MBBS MSc Med. Ed FRCP(Edin) FRCP(UK) Consultant Acute Medicine Nottingham University Hospital UK

Regards, Indawattie Hardatt

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday October 18, 2019

PPP/C continues to display moral decadence Dear Editor I REFER to Cheryl Campbell’s “Dharamlall’s cheap attack on our chief Toshao”, Guyana Chronicle, October 16, 2019.

Why am I not surprised by what Ms. Campbell has written, for [it’s] yet another revelation of the political canaille which the PPP/C leader has fostered and which rabble, daily surrounds him.

Call it a tragedy for the future of a party that cries out for a new cadre of leadership that will be a welcomed departure from its current politically decayed state.

Such a Facebook post is intended not only to devalue the social dignity of the Chief Toshao but also bring the government into disrepute which perhaps may have been responsible for accommodation arrangements. One should then wonder at the social devaluation shown for the high offices of the Toshaos, by the Dharamlalls, by offering

beers; yes, beers, served under the bottom house of the Church Street offices of the leader of the political opposition after discouraging some of these hinterland leaders from attending a cocktail event at State House, hosted by His Excellency, the President. That is giving due decorum and respect to an important segment of the nation’s leaders.

Talking about this bottom house mentality! That was just an example as to how Indigenous people are thought of, by a political party guilty of insulting the personal dignity of these well-deserving citizens of Guyana. Only as beer-drinkers!

The Dharamlalls of this country received opportunities which had been denied better quality and similarly young PPP/C members. They were reposed with an authority, by way of their official titles of office, to lead, and gave genuine and quality assistance to citizens, as mandated, particularly inclusive of some of their constituents. Ms. Campbell

has given an insight to the desultory actions, less than desirable that were meted out to her brethren with the process of time.

Editor, the public is aware of the bullying, coercive tactics and the personal insults suffered by many Indigenous leaders, who were shouted upon and cursed like non-entities for years as a means of the PPP/C exerting political control.

It was simply a case of these hinterland leaders not being allowed to decide what are in the best interests of their communities wherever these were, under daily threats.

But the Dharamlalls have not learned from their prior experience in which they exercised both power and authority abusively, and completely ignored the responsibility and decorum that is integral to their office and its functions. This has been continuously seen in the opposition’s post-2015 response to its defeat, by actions of the Dharamlalls who have taken a position that

has exceeded the traditional norms of adversarial politics. Without even bothering to state the prior instances of such cesspool conduct, the recent obnoxious and disrespectful behavior displayed at the Arthur Chung Conference centre, is again, a further display of a lack of any personal moral understanding, heralding a betrayal of proper leadership for those that these sadly misguided socalled young PPP/C leaders pretend to lead. It is not about the ‘political party’, as Ms Campbell has correctly stated – it is about respect for the office of pre-eminence that the President holds. And it is standard protocol in any jurisdiction, even in Guyana where the Dharamlalls believe that they can subvert the long-standing and irrefutable mores to suit their partisan and selfish ends and anti-national agenda. The Chief Toshao must be commended for taking to task those who had been led astray by the Dharamlalls.

Just what does this PPP/C cabal

hope to achieve by such display of moral decadence, as they continue to mislead those that they claim are supporters of their party? Only a further view of who they really are – the poor quality of leadership which they continue to display.

Editor, there is no doubt that such personal contempt is intended to provoke a certain response from sections of our demographics, with the shallow-minded political minions failing to take into consideration the forces that every such action releases. It is advised that they read history; that is if they will understand its many bitter lessons for those who continuously defy its numerous self-informing examples.

Regards Carla Mendonca

PPP is hell-bent on sabotaging the President Granger Government Dear Editor, THE PPP is hell-bent on sabotaging the Granger Government, and tries to misuse the court system in doing so. It has become a “vexatious litigant” having failed to bring

cases with some merit.

It’s latest effort was to seek an order from the High Court that the APN U + A F C C a b i n e t / G o vernment, including the President, must resign.

The PPP must be going mad, as they had failed

to topple the government when the no-confidence motion was passed since our Constitution provides for the government to continue in office in order to hold fresh elections. The Constitution also provides that the President remains

Nandlall waging vendetta against Jagdeo

as Head of State until a new government takes office.

The Chief Justice was in order when she threw out the PPP’s fake lawsuit. Her Honour Justice Roxanne George-Wiltshire described the action as

“misconceived”, “vexatious” and as an “absolute abuse of the process of the Court”.

Guyanese would say that Jagdeo and company “eye-pass” the Court, and want to use it as their political plaything in their

crazy game of grabbing power.

This must be the last straw that the drowning PPP is trying to grab.

Yours sincerely, Cheryl Campbell.

Africo Selman trying to politicise the horrific Friendship accident

Dear Editor,

Dear Editor,

Mr. Anil Nandlall is either leading the PPP up a gum tree, or waging a vendetta to embarrass Bharrat Jagdeo for not selecting him as the party’s presidential candidate.

How else can one interpret his infantile approaches to the court to deem the President and the Government illegal, and trying to get the court to compel the government to resign?

Nandlall is very disrespectful of the Courts as well, as I saw him describing the latest decision by the Chief Justice as “shocking”, and insinuating that the learned Chief Justice is incapable of understanding “the clear ambiguous language” of the Constitution.

Nandlall is a former Attorney General and he must learn to accept the ruling of the Court until it is revised by a higher court.

Regards, Christine Henry

IT is disgraceful that a PPP Member of Parliament, Africo Selman, is trying to politicise the shocking death of several persons in road accidents. The accident on the Friendship Public Road is indeed tragic.

But while Mrs. Selman tried to show confidence in the police, she injected dirty politics into this by linking them to “failed promises” by the Coalition.

How this or any other promise led to the accident beats me. But I guess Mrs. Selman has to sing for her supper as a PPP/MP who did not attend parliament for several months while continuing to draw down salaries.

I am saddened by the loss of lives on our roads, and I condemn all those who speed and are otherwise reckless.

Regards, Rovin Singh

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, October 18, 2019

Freedom Radio, MTV lawless …GNBA defends sanctioning outfits after 53 infractions

By Navendra Seoraj THE Guyana National Broadcasting Authority (GNBA) has provided evidence that the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) affiliated broadcast companies, MTV and Freedom Radio, have committed a total of 53 infractions since the start of the year and were rightfully sanctioned.

The evidence was provided in response to Leader of the Opposition, Bharrat Jagdeo, who claimed that the two broadcast companies were sanctioned because they aired disparaging comments about President David Granger. “I am saying this without fear of contradiction, that the GNBA did not sanction Freedom Radio or MTV for airing any comment against H.E. .. This contention by the Leader of the Opposition can only be a reaction of his own conscience and knowledge that it is defamatory of one’s reputation to publish disparaging comments that cannot be justified,” said Chairman of the GNBA, Leslie Sobers, during a press briefing on Thursday.

The GNBA, he said, has not and does not intend to target any broadcaster who is sympathetic to the cause

Chairman of the GNBA, Leslie Sobers

of the PPP or advocates that party’s political position.

Freedom Radio and MTV were summoned to separate hearings of the GNBA, as allowed by Section 28 of the Broadcasting Act, not for any reference to the President as being a charlatan, but for other breaches of the Broadcasting Act. Section 28 (2) of the Act states where a complaint is filed under subsection (1) or where the authority in regards to subsection (1) is satisfied that the complaint is justifiable, the authority shall issue a notice to the licensee specifying the grounds and the particulars relating thereto and the date, time and place of hearing of the matter.

“A notice under subsection (2) shall be served on the licensee by registered post or in such manner as the Minister may, after consultation with the Board. After the conclusion of an inquiry, the authority is satisfied that there has been a breach of any provision of this Act, it may make such order including an order for the cancellation of the licence, as the Authority thinks appropriate,” said Sobers.

Although the GNBA does not go the route of cancelling licences, they had to find other sanctions for the two companies, mainly because MTV committed a total of 27 infractions between January 2019 and September 2019,

GNBA seeking int’l help to monitor airwaves -as elections near WITH the General and Regional Elections just around the corner, the Guyana National Broadcasting Authority (GNBA) will be seeking international assistance to monitor the local airwaves for infractions.

“Many infractions are expected around elections time…so we will be seeking external assistance to monitor the airwaves…international assistance,” said Chairman of the GNBA, Leslie Sobers, during a press briefing on Thursday.

Sobers said the authority has started negotiations with entities from countries such as the United States of America (USA), Trinidad and

Tobago, Jamaica, Barbados and Europe.

“We are looking at all the opportunities available and what we could get from those companies,” he said.

The GNBA is also engaging the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) and will soon be approaching the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM)’s media monitoring unit when it is established.

“Our country will be moving into a period that has its own excitement and during this time we intend that there should be no misuse of the airways…be assured that defiance and violations will be treated appropriately,” said Sobers

in a recent report.

It was also reported that media monitors will be drawn from different age groups, communities and organisations from across the country to aid the GNBA in its efforts to ensure that broadcasters comply with regulations.

“The media monitors will work under the tutelage and guidance of the GNBA,” said GNBA board member, Dr. Rovin Deodat, in a past report.

According to Dr. Deodat, the authority often receives complaints about certain programmes from viewers.

In that regard, he said viewers should be able to have a better role to play in ensuring that broadcasters stay in line.

As such, the focus of TURN TO PAGE

21

while Freedom Radio committed 26 infractions.

In most instances, the authority said those infractions fell into the “red line” category, which once recorded, allows the GNBA to call in a company for questioning immediately.

GNBA had worked out a system to fine broadcasters according to the colour code.

Broadcasters who have red infractions will have to pay a fine of $50,000-$100,000 while those with orange infractions have to pay a fine of $25,000-$50,000 and those with yellow will be fined between $10,000-$25,000.

Broadcasters can also be fined $50,000 for failure to provide a recording when ordered to do so. In addition, if a broadcaster fails to pay a fine on the due date, the authority will add $1000 for every $1,000 not paid. Repeat offenders will, however, be

liable for suspension or revocation of licences.

MISLEADING Sobers said Jagdeo’s contention that Freedom Radio was fined $75,000.00 for publishing his charlatan comment about the President, is false, maliciously deceptive, designed to mislead the nation and tarnish the principled stand of the Broadcasting Authority. Freedom Radio, he said, was called in to the authority and simply encouraged to refrain from committing infractions.

“Our mandate can be gleaned from the Broadcasting Act of 2011. I hasten to say, as I have said before, that the Broadcasting Act of 2011 was piloted through Parliament by the now Opposition and assented to by former President Bharrat Jagdeo, now Leader of the Opposition.

“I would imagine that the Broadcasting Act having been piloted through Parliament by the PPP, Freedom Radio would comply with the said Act,” said the GNBA chairman.

The authority, he said, is just enforcing the law and has been unbiased in doing so.

Sobers said all broadcasters have been treated equally and to show that, he said HBTV was fined, NTN was fined, NCN was warned and Benschop Radio was warned in the past.

The authority, he said, is not unmindful of citizen’s fundamental right to freedom of expression and is fully aware of and understands the meaning, the spirit and intent of Article 146 of the Constitution which guarantees freedom of expression.

However, that right is not an unfettered right, it has limitations.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, October 18, 2019

Guyana on the path to developing value-added rice-based products

by Naomi Marshall

AS the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) reintroduces rice flour to Guyana’s market, Minister within the Ministry of Agriculture with responsibilities for Rural Affairs, Valerie Adams-Yearwood, said that the “rice industry is on an upward trajectory with continued investment positioning rice to sustain economic growth in the future.”

This view as expressed by the Minister on Thursday, at GRDB’s showcase of “opportunities for blended flour in Guyana” at the La Bonne Intention (LBI) Complex.

Opening the exhibition with a presentation on ‘rice flour’ was Gangadai Dindayal, Research Assistant of GRDB who said that over the last few years the com-

ployment creator, sustainable nation builder.

“We are here this morning to plant a seed in terms of rice, in terms of disseminating and communicating that there are opportunities for

will not only be consumed in its traditional way but there will also be a need for products that are rice-based,” Hassan added.

Meanwhile, Minister Yearwood championed the

Gangadai Dindayal, Research Assistant of Guyana Rice Development Board

General Manager of GRDB, Nizam Hassan

Minister Yearwood being served delicious pastries made of the blended flour

pany has been carrying out research on downstream processing and value addition for rice.

Gangadai said that through research and testing GRDB has proven that value added rice based products, such as rice flour, can be blended with wheat flour to extensively make tasty, delicious and healthy pastries, bread, cakes, cereals, amongst others at a ratio of 20:80 percent of rice and wheat flour respectively.

According to Dindayal, Rice is the largest agricultural commodity exported.

In 2018, Guyana produced 627,327 metric tons of rice and exported 74 percent, which indicated that the utilization of rice in Guyana has always been low.

Addressing the audience yesterday was the General Manager of GRDB, Nizam Hassan, who said that the showcase aims to promote rice as a healthier alternative, a revenue generator, em-

rice in terms of its versatility, its benefits and its future,” he stated.

According to Hassan, rice is the traditional staple for almost half of the world’s population and as the population grows, the rice consumption rate will increase resulting in the increase of rice demand.

“Due to sustainable growth in population and development of agricultural practices which improve rice yields and strengthen rice supply, market performance will continue in the upward trend,” Hassan noted.

The Manager said that as rice consumption and economies grow there will be a gradual but definite movement from subsistence food crop production to diversify market oriented production systems.

“A diversified market production-oriented system would evolve and involve producing food and food products based on market requirements, therefore, rice

venture noting that it is a testament to the government’s commitment to further develop the industry, by promoting research and development, in areas such as the production of products and byproducts,

at all levels, as the sector serves as a fine example of Guyana reaching its fullest potential.

She stated that the venture will not only increase Guyana’s local products diversi-

Minister within the Ministry of Agriculture with responsibilities for Rural Affairs, Valerie Adams-Yearwood

reducing the importation of these products from other countries. Promoting value-dded rice products will eventually increase local product diversification with consumers being exposed and encouraged to wider varieties of traditional and non-traditional products usually manufactured solely with wheat flour,” Minister Yearwood added.

She also stated that the venture would create opportunities for training locally and abroad and, as such, the government will be willing to invest to ensure the industry is sustained.

“Funding will be made available and systems put in place to add the necessary academic and technical training capacities to institutions like the Guyana School of Agriculture, Guyana Technical

Attendees viewing the blended flour products at the event

Nizam Hassan tells Minister Yearwood about the by products of rice on display (Elvin Croker’s photos

fication but it will also allow the possibility for nutritional fortification.

According to Yearwood, Guyana only consumes 81 kg per capita of the rice it produces which she sees as very low, while the majority is exported to countries such as Mexico and Cuba.

“It is my view that in order to truly maximize the economic benefits derived from rice production, the development of value-added rice products is necessary,” she said.

The Minister noted that, with the reintroduction of rice flour into the market, there will be a decrease in Guyana’s overall import bill and value-added rice and rice-based products will also create employment and serve as an additional source of income to those who get involved in the production chain.

“The industry will also increase the shelf life of products made from rice, while

institute and the University of Guyana,” Yearwood pointed out.

Agro processors were also encouraged by the Minister to create quality products worthy of competing on the international market products to add to the growing range of locally produced commodities.

Attendees were given the opportunity to view the bi-products of the blended flour and even taste blended flour dishes at the event.

The GRDB was established in 1994 to develop the rice industry and to promote the expansion of the export trade of the industry.

It also established facilities to carry out research relating to rice and to extend the result of such research to farmers, while engaging in promotional and developmental activities which the board deems necessary for the purpose of developing the rice industry.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, October 18, 2019

‘The Gov’t is legal and that’s a fact’ –Lincoln Lewis calls on nation to understand, respect the decisions of the courts

AS the country enters its 10th month of legal battle that stemmed from a No-Confidence Motion brought against the government, Veteran Trade Unionist, Lincoln Lewis, is urging Guyanese and the Diplomatic Community to understand and respect the decisions of the Judiciary.

He addressed this burning issue in a statement on Thursday, one day after the Chief Justice (ag), Roxane George-Wiltshire threw out a Fixed Date Application (FDA) filed by People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Attorney-at-Law Anil Nandlall, for an order, compelling Cabinet, including the President, to resign. The Chief Justice (ag), in handing down her decision in the High Court, said the application was wholly misconceived, vexatious and an absolute abuse of the law while alluding to the fact that the issue was addressed at the level of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) – the country’s final appellate court.

Lewis, like the Chief Justice (ag), said government, notwithstanding its defeat on December 21, 2018 in the National Assembly, must remain in office, though on a “different footing” until a president is elected or re-elected, in accordance with the pronouncements of the CCJ. In its deliberations, the CCJ said too that the Chancellor, Yonette Cummings-Edwards, was correct in citing Canadian Constitutional expert, Peter Hogg, when she noted that: “…The government continues in office as a caretaker government or interim government until the next elections ensue and a President is appointed (or re-appointed) depending on the results of that election.”

Referencing to the Canadian application of an interim government, Lewis said the Canadian Government’s advice is clear on the role and functions of a Government after a successful No-Confidence Motion. “The caretaker

Veteran Trade Unionist Lincoln Lewis

period begins when either the Government loses a vote of non-confidence or Parliament has been dissolved (either as a result of the Prime Minister asking for dissolution or because of an election date set by legislation). It ends when a new government is sworn-in, or when an election result returning an incumbent government is clear.

Exercising ‘restraint’ does not mean that government is prohibited from making decisions or announce-

ments, or otherwise taking action, during the caretaker period. To the contrary, the routine operation of government must continue and necessary business must be transacted. In the event of emergencies, such as natural disasters, the government must have a free hand to take appropriate action to ensure that the public interest, notably the safety and security of Canadians, is preserved,” Lewis said as he quoted excerpts from the Canadian Government’s Guidelines on the conduct of Ministers, Ministers of State, exempt staff and public servants during an election.

He said based on decisions of Courts, including the CCJ, the Government is legal, and that’s a fact. “Society must no longer give voice or credence to the PPP yelling government is “illegal.”

Going forward, it is one thing repeating the PPP’s mischief, but more [important], to let it be known what the truth is.

It is now of import to steer society back to truth and

justice,” the veteran trade unionist said.

Lewis also challenged the media to understand its role as the fourth estate, and the dissemination of factual information. According to him, some sections of the media have failed populace miserably.

“Even if they have a horse in the race, they have a moral responsibility to society not only to those who spend their advertising dollars but those who read them, for failing to do so would be contributing to the political bullyism we have been witnessing,” he reasoned.

Lewis also took a hit at government for failing to push back against “the lies being” peddled by the PPP. “It is hoped the international community that threatened sanctions based on deception, perhaps misunderstanding of the court ruling and high priced lobbying misrepresentation, has taken note of the CJ’s ruling. It is hoped the CJ's pronouncement that the Consequential

Order be “read dispassionately and objectively” is taken seriously. This is a position I have been calling for from day one. Had we done this, it would have eliminated much of the ugly tension and division that have surfaced since the no-confidence issue,” he continued.

He said it is time persons read and deliberate on the rulings of the Courts before making hasty positions on the matter at hand. “We have to reset our relationship with each other, be we political ally, foe or neutral. Efforts have to be made to stop normalising conduct in a diverse nation such as ours that can pose threat to our collective stability and well-being,” Lewis said.

The trade unionist also made another pitch for the Opposition, together with the government, to extend the time frame for the conduct of elections now that the constitutional deadline of three months has been passed.

Credit unions must change their rules for growth to take place

By Svetlana Marshall WITH only 29,000 persons being part of the Credit Union Movement in Guyana, it is the belief of the Guyana Co-operative Credit Union League Limited that changes to the rules governing credit unions in the country must be made to facilitate an expansion of the local movement.

In an interview with the Guyana Chronicle on its online programme –Vantage Point, Secretary of the Guyana Co-operative Credit Union League, Donna Todd, and League’s Board Director, Aubrey Crawford, said that the membership of credit unions have remained low because a majority of the country’s credit unions are “closed bond” and not “open bond.”

Cooperatively owned by their members, credit unions are categorised in two groups – open bond and closed bond institutions. Open bond credit unions have open membership while in closed bond credit unions, membership is limited to organisations, companies and groups.

In Guyana, there are only four credit unions that are open bond from a total of 30. Twenty-six of those credit unions are affiliates of the Guyana Co-operative Credit Union League

while four are not affiliated.

At the Guyana Public Service Co-operative Credit Union Ltd (GPSCCU), for example, there are three primary requirements, among them; applicants must be employed within the country’s Public Sector. GPSCCU is the country’s largest credit union.

Crawford said unless credit unions in the country change their rules to facilitate persons outside of their organisations, companies and groups, membership will remain low. “In other countries, in the Caribbean and other parts of the world, there are open credit unions where anybody can join once you are a citizen or living in the country, you can join those credit unions,” he pointed out.

Todd, the secretary of the league, noted however, that while the membership of the credit union movement represents only one per cent of the country’s population, its asset base remains high. “Our asset base right now is about US$40M, so while the membership may not be growing significantly our asset base is high,” Todd explained, while adding that the credit unions are in competition with the commercial banks here.

“So when a member of our credit union goes to a bank for a loan, the banks are encouraging them to leave the credit

Guyana Co-operative Credit Union League’s Board Director, Aubrey Crawford (Photos by Samuel Maughn)

union. So maybe our membership is low, but when you look at the asset base, and when you look at the other actors in the financial sector…you see we are in competition with them,” the league’s secretary said.

In their to quest to access large sums of monies from commercial banks, some members would write their respective credit unions and request that their deductions be suspended for specified periods until their loans have been secured from the banks.

Todd sees the request by the banks for members leave their credit unions in order to access finance as an attempt to suppress the work of credit

Secretary of the Guyana Co-operative Credit Union League, Donna Todd

unions in the country. It was on this note that she too underscored the importance of upgrading the rules governing credit unions here. Amendments to the Co-operative Societies Act, Chapter 88:01 are also needed, she said.

“Most of the credit unions have rules that are outdated; they are not in keeping with best practices around the world, so that has to be changed first…Most credit unions lend three times your savings, if you have $3 you could only get $9, so the rules of the credit have to change.

Without that change, then it would have the member and the credit union also at a disadvantage,” Todd explained.

Weighing in further on the

issue, Crawford submitted that credit unions and by extension their members can have greater access to finance if they join the League’s Central Finance Facility. “So we are talking about a credit union within a credit union,” he posited while emphasising that through the Central Finance Facility, credit unions would be able to lend their members large sums of monies, ranging in the monies, just as the commercial banks are doing.

“So a $10M would be like nothing because the same system that the bank is using, the credit union movement around the world is using it because they have the central financing system but we in Guyana, our credit unions are not taking part in that. Some of the credit unions are members, but others are not members,” the League’s Board Director said.

Todd also made a pitch for small credit unions to merge, noting that by merging, they would be even more financially empowered. “What we have recognised also in Guyana is that we have a lot small credit unions, some credit unions have approximately 21 members, so we have to think also about merging. When you merge credit unions, your assets become greater, your members will get more money to borrow, you can do a lot

more, than if you stand alone,” she explained.

But Todd was the first to admit that many of the small credit unions have put up a resistance to this proposal of merging credit unions. “Whenever you introduce mergers to these small credit unions, they are not buying it, because they feel comfortable, every king, in his own kingdom. They don’t look at the big picture, for example Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, when you look at the structure of their credit unions, if it wasn’t for mergers, they would not have been going so strong,” she reasoned.

But despite these challenges, Todd and Crawford agreed that though small, the credit union movement in Guyana remains a vibrant force, providing much-needed financial assistance to its members. Todd said since 2015, the government, through the Social Protection Ministry’s Department of Cooperatives, has been working to address the issues facing credit unions in Guyana. According to her, prior to 2015, credit unions were “struggling.”

International Credit Union Day was observed on Thursday, October 17 under the theme “Local Service, Global Reach.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, October 18, 2019

Canadian expert to provide technical assistance to GECOM FORMER Canadian Chief Electoral Officer, Jean-Pierre Kingsley, has been retained by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to provide technical support to the electoral body.

GECOM’s Public Relations Officer, Yolanda Warde, told the Guyana Chronicle on Monday that Kingsley is in Guyana to provide technical support to the commission, particularly the secretariat.

She said he will be assisting the operations of the secretariat and based on his experience, he will share best practices as GECOM implements its work plan.

“His presence will not going to

be on continuous basis in Guyana,” she said. Warde said Kingsley will make periodical visits and as the date for elections nears, he will be here full time.

Kingsley met with the commission on Tuesday and senior management officials on Wednesday.

According to the Elections Canada website, Kingsley served as Chief Electoral Officer from 1990 to 2007. It was noted that during his term, he adopted a proactive role for his Office, recommending and promoting key initiatives to make the electoral process more accessible.

There were also other achievements under his watch and they

included the introduction of the 36-day election calendar, digitized electoral geography systems and products, and the establishment of the National Register of Electors.

Kingsley also presided over a period of unprecedented technological change, including the development of the Elections Canada Website as a comprehensive tool for public information, Elections Canada said.

GECOM is preparing to hold elections on March 2, 2020. The commission is currently overlooking the Claims and Objections period which ends on November 4, 2019. The body has been urging

Former Canadian Chief Electoral Officer, Jean-Pierre Kingsley

persons to utilise the time available at the moment and avoid a last-minute rush.

Ward advised that there have

been reports of persons, purporting 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 temporary 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.

Court hears how....

‘Teen’s life destroyed’ …after sexually molested by father of six ... hands down 5-year jail term after jury guilty verdict

By Clestine Juan A 27-year-old man was, on Wednesday, sentenced to five years imprisonment for sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl, three years ago, when he sneaked into her East Coast, Demerara home.

Jermaine Augustus, a father of six, was found guilty by a mixed 12-member jury for sexually assaulting the 14-year-old girl on February 15, 2016. Augustus was initially charged for rape of a child under the age of 16 but was found guilty on the latter charge of sexual assault.

He was represented by Attorney-at-law, Maxwell McKay, while the state was represented by prosecutors Tariq Mohammed and Tuanna Hardy. Attorney McKay, in mitigation, begged the court for leniency for his client, who he said is the sole breadwinner for his family.

With tears in his eyes, Augustus said “I agree with the decision that the jury had…All I have to say is that I'm sorry.”

Probation officer, Nicola Foo, read the victim’s impact statement in court.

“Being touched for the first time made me feel so dirty.

It made me feel like I was tossed in the mud. That night, after losing my virginity, my whole life took a turn. I did

Jermaine Augustus

stuff [and] my whole life took a turn… I started smoking marijuana, popping pills and drinking alcohol every day,” the victim stated in her statement.

Her behaviour got worst when she started skulking from school, following the wrong company and allowing different men to use her.

Eventually, the victim said, she dropped out of school without her mother knowing and would stay at home, locking herself in her room.

At this point, she began cutting herself every day. She recalled becoming involved with a 21-year-old man, and became pregnant for him three times but got an abortion each time. This did not sit well with her lover who became physically abusive.

Eventually, he left her and she started to ‘hookup’ with different males at parties and one time she was

drugged and gang-raped by three men. Again, she got pregnant and aborted it, but the doctor warned her that she would not be able to conceive a child if she keeps aborting them.

Nevertheless, the teen explained that her mother eventually placed her back into the school system but he continued using drugs and drinking alcohol.

Due to her behaviour, the victim explained that she was eventually placed into an orphanage and cut off her hair.

Now, the victim explained that she suffers from sickle cell, infertility and has a sexually transmitted disease (STD).

The judge made her ruling after considering the victim’s impact statement and the fact that from the inception, Augustus accepted responsibility for his actions.

Augustus had told the court that he withdrew himself from the relationship with the victim after he became uncomfortable with her age.

He explained that he always suspected that the victim was below the age of consent. At the end of the case, Augustus was sentenced to five years imprisonment with the possibility of parole after serving three years behind bars.

Vendor accused of assault released on bail A 39-year-old vendor, who allegedly assaulted a woman, appeared before City Magistrate, Annette Singh, at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, October 17, 2019.

Rawle Robinson of Lodge, Georgetown, pleaded not guilty to the charge which stated that, on October 16, 2019, he assaulted a woman

causing her actual bodily harm.

The unrepresented man told the court that he and the woman had a fight on the day in question.

Robinson’s mother, who was also present in court, stated that the two would fight regularly and she told them, if they could not get along, they should go their

separate ways.

Robinson was released on $30,000 bail and placed on a one-year bond to keep the peace.

Magistrate Singh ordered that the man and the woman attend counselling separately.

She adjourned the matter until November 18, 2019 for commencement of the trial

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, October 18, 2019

Jagdeo outlines process for selection of PPP’s PM candidate OPPOSITION Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo, said he has outlined the process which the Peoples’ Progressive Party will follow for the naming of its Prime Ministerial candidate.

Jagdeo, who was speaking at his weekly press conference at his office on Church Street on Thursday, noted that he made it clear to the party that the person who will be selected to be that party’s Prime Ministerial candidate will be chosen from the Civic component of the party.

He said this selection is

Former army chief, Brigadier Mark Phillips, and PPP’s Presidential Candidate, Irfaan Ali on a local programme hosted by online news, Globespan 27/7.

expected to be made sometime late in November as the party anticipates Nomination Day to be in January 2020.

Jagdeo, who was responding to questions on whether the party has engaged former army chief Brigadier Mark

Phillips for the top post, said that he met with the former military leader and he (Jagdeo) indicated to him that he would be a welcomed addition to the opposition party.

Jagdeo said Phillips indicated his willingness to be a part of the PPP. As he explained the selection process, Jagdeo said the

Prime Ministerial candidate could be nominated by members of the Central Executive Committee of the party and Members of Parliament of the party can also nominate a candidate. He said the party will treat each name on its merit The PPP’s engagement with Phillips to occupy a leading role in the party is

a U-turn taken by the party since the party has heavily criticized the governing APNU+AFC for appointing former military officials in key positions of the public sector.

Phillips moved up the ranks to Chief of Command under the Donald Ramotar presidency. He retired in 2016.

14

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, October 18, 2019

Bandits terrorise Corentyne family

POLICE in ‘B’ Division are looking for three armed suspects who stormed the home and business premises of the Ketwaroo family at Liverpool Village, East Berbice, Corentyne on Wednesday evening.

The men reportedly entered the Ketwaroos’ home at around 18:40hrs and held their son, Rickey, who was having dinner at the time, at

gunpoint. After gun-butting the 39-year-old in the face, the men then turned their attention to his mother, Chabadai, 57, demanding that she hand over whatever money she had in the house.

Speaking with the Guyana Chronicle, the still traumatised Mrs. Ketwaroo said she was halfway through preparing dinner when she heard her son scream from the back

of the house, and ran out to see what was happening.

“Meh hear he scream, suh meh lef’ de roti pun de stove and run out, t’inking he ah choke,” she said. “But when meh reach, meh see two man deh ah beat he wid wan gun, and ah nex’ wan run up to me and cover meh mouth an’ start choking meh. He tell me nah scream.”

One of the men, who

Mrs. Chabadai Ketwaroo as she relived her The wound Rickey Ketwaroo sustained when he was gun-butted traumatic experience

was masked and wore dark clothing, as well as a cap

pulled low over his face, Mrs. Ketwaroo said, kept exerting

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15

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, October 18, 2019

Agro-processing exports doubled in past five years – Caribbean Development Bank

From left: CDB Operations officer for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Zamani Moodie; GCCI Senior Vice-President, Timothy Tucker and Caribbean Technological Consultancy Services Network (CTCS) project officer, Eusi Evelyn (Adrian Narine photo)

By Rabindra Rooplall GUYANA’S non-traditional agriculture sector is beginning to show high growth potential as agro-processing exports have doubled over the past five years.

This is according to Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) Operations officer for Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME), Zamani Moodie.

He made this disclosure on Thursday at the launch of the “Improving Quality Standards of Agro-Processors through Training” Project at the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) Secretariat, Waterloo Street, Georgetown.

Moodie said the CDB contribution to the project is US$90,000 but the total value of the project is over US$160,000, which is a sizeable contribution by stakeholders.

He explained that 40 firms will be assessed and 20 will be selected to be a part of the programme.

“This project is a typical example of one such intervention, it is not only necessary, but I will argue it is absolutely critical that this project is implemented successfully. Agriculture is one of Guyana’s most productive sectors accounting for approximately one-third of the country’s GDP and up to 30 per cent of its employ-

ment,” he said.

The CDB officer noted that the agriculture sector is expected to reduce significantly, hunger and poverty, while ensuring food and nutrition security for not only Guyana, but also the wider Caribbean.

“Although all indicators point to the projected growth of Guyana’s economy, structural weaknesses and other challenges that face MSME sector will inhibit the country from reaching its full economic potential,” the CDB operations officer said.

He explained that some of the challenges include business support services, access to affordable financing, corporate taxation, technology and innovation, cost of doing business, electricity, property rights, gender-related issues and climate change, among others.

“Support to this sector is therefore critical to increase the competitiveness of MSME’s and contribute to the growth of the country,” he noted.

Adding that the agro-processing sector suffers from technological deficiencies, nascent brands and dated methodologies, he said this makes the output uncompetitive in the global market.

He said the project seeks to include international best practices with the aim of creating a more sustainable and competitive brands.

BUILD CAPACITY

“The project will build capacity, increase standards and certification, improve labelling and packaging and provide technical support to at least 20 firms in the agro-processing sector,” he said.

He said the mandate of the CDB is to contribute to the economic and social development for its borrowing member countries, which includes Guyana.

Senior Vice-President of GCCI, Timothy Tucker, said the chambers is a staunch advocate of local content and the aim is to develop local agro-processors to reach the stage of international standards.

He explained that GCCI will not be certifying anyone but will facilitate the process to reach such standards.

“This new project is focused on standards within the manufacturing of agriculture products. We have gotten from the CDB and the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS), who is the local competent authority to deal with standards and the Food and Drug Department that have signed onto a MoU in this project,” he said.

Tucker said the aim is to eventually reach the highest standards in order for local businesses to be very competitive, especially in the oil and gas field.

Caribbean Technological Consultancy Services Network (CTCS) project officer,

Eusi Evelyn, said GCCI is the executing agency for the three-year programme.

He said under this programme, a series of capacity building projects targeting micro, small and medium sized businesses will be carried out.

For the latest project, “Improving Quality Standards of Agro-Processors Through Training”, Evelyn said GCCI will be collaborating with key stakeholders in the agro-processing sector, namely, the GNBS and the Government Analyst, Food and Drug Department.

Food and Drug Department (GAFDD) Director, Marlon Cole, said as the regulatory oversight body for imports and exports, it is essential to provide the type of services to assist all aspects of the agro-processing industry.

He said in the Green State Developmental Strategy, focus is placed on agro-processing exports to maximise its output.

“This is not being restricted to primary products such as sugar and rice, but going into agro-processing, we know that some of the oil revenues can be channeled into enhancing the agro-processing industry in Guyana, like has obtained in Trinidad and Tobago,” Cole said.

He said exporters would obtain a certificate of free sale, “Certificate for Export” or certificate to foreign governments, which means that goods, such as food items, are legally sold or distributed in the open market, freely without restriction, and approved by regulatory authorities.

Cole explained that local manufacturers aiming for the export market would have to raise their standards in order to obtain such a certificate.

“The role we play is so important that sometimes it’s overstated,” the GAFDD director said.

Uncooperative staff stalling projects -- Region One REO

REGIONAL Executive Officer (REO) of Region One, Randolph Storm, said the completion of several projects is stalled because staffers are told not to work while some council members refuse to attend statutory meetings.

Storm was, at the time, responding to statements made by the Region’s Regional Chairman, Brentol Ashley, who made several claims at

said the next council meeting is set for 21-25 October, 2019.

As it pertains to the issues of the execution of projects in the region, Storm explained it is a case where persons are instructed to be uncooperative.

“Projects in the region have not been done as quickly as they should because the staff here was told that there is ‘no government’ and they must not work. Much to the

Region One REO, Randolph Storm (DPI photo)

Region One Chairman, Brentol Ashley (DPI photo)

a People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) press conference last Friday.

According to reports, Ashley claimed many projects in the region are being stalled and council meetings have not been held since April.

Storm confirmed that meetings have not been held since April but said there is more to the story. He said meetings scheduled after April have been boycotted by some councillors.

“It is true that the council has not met since April. When council meetings were scheduled for June 11- 14, 2019 and boats were sent to Port Kaituma and Moruca for the councillors, they were told not to attend because a no-confidence motion was planned against the REO for failing to convene meetings. At that time, the cost of fuel was very high. Meetings scheduled after then were again boycotted,” Storm explained.

The Barima-Waini Regional Democratic Council (RDC) has 15 councillors and statutory meetings are held bi-monthly (every two months).

Ashley has continuously been at loggerheads with whoever is appointed REO to the region. He had continuous issues with the previous REO, Leslie Wilburg. Storm was appointed REO this year. He

delight of the people who said this, it delayed the speedy conclusion of projects. There was no concern for citizens of the region,” Storm stated.

One particular project highlighted by Ashley was the Mabaruma Solar Farm, which was expected to come on stream August last year.

Storm explained that the project is actually being handled by the Ministry of Public Infrastructure (MoPI) and earlier this month a team from the ministry visited the project.

Storm explained that the projected started before he took over as REO, but from what he was told, the facility was damaged and the MoPI was in the process of working it out with the contractor, on who should be responsible for fixing the damage.

“The solar farm was struck by lightning and one of the panels, not the solar panel, the distribution panel was burnt. This is the distribution panel that distributes electricity from there to the power house. An engineer came up here who knows about solar and say what has to happen is that the plant has to be properly earthed or another lightning strike will damage the panel again, even if they replace it,” Storm explained.

Trial of ‘wedding house’ murder accused to commence October 21 A 12-member mixed jury was, on Thursday, October 17, 2019, empaneled before Justice JoAnn Barlow, at the Demerara High Court, for the trial into the murder of Aliston Henry, who was beaten to death at a ‘wedding house’ in 2017 at Grove, East Bank Demerara.

Rajen Dindial, 36, a former resident of Section C Block Y, Golden Grove, EBD, was charged with the indictment and is currently on remand.

On Thursday, Dindial denied that, on September 3, 2017, at Sarran Street Grove, East Bank Demerara, he murdered Aliston

Rajen Dindial

Henry. The defendant was represented by attorney-at-law Nigel Hughes and the trial will commence on October 21, 2019.

According to reports, on the day in question, while at the wedding house celebration, Henry had a misunderstanding with Dindial and pushed down a portable toilet

which was nearby.

The accused became annoyed and dealt Henry several lashes about his body with a food paddle.

The injured man was placed in a push cart and taken home by public-spirited persons. He was then taken to the hospital where he succumbed days later.

16

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday October 18, 2019

Pilot survives Aricheng plane crash …treks back to departure point with rescuers

A LOCAL aircraft pilot, whose aircraft crashed shortly after take-off at Aricheng in the Cuyuni/ Mazaruni on Thursday morning, has survived the accident.

The aircraft, bearing registration 8R-HAI- was piloted by Captain Bernard Singh, the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) stated in a release. The plane went down around 07:53hrs on Thursday in dense jungle.

Singh survived the crash and a search and rescue operation ventured into the area to ferry him to the city

The aircraft and pilot, Bernard Singh(inset) who were involved in the crash

for medical attention. The GCAA said that the pilot only suffered minor injuries and the man was able to trek

to the Aricheng Aerodrome with the search and rescue team.

The aircraft, which is

owned by Domestic Aviation, was destined for Ekereku Top at the time. It was shuttling fuel between the two locations.

According to the GCAA, Air Traffic Services at Timehri confirmed that an emergency locator signal was received from Search and Rescue Satellite Aided Tracking (SARSAT).

The location was confirmed to be 2.71 Nautical Mile Northwest of the Aricheng Aerodrome.

The GCAA immediately launched an investigation into the incident. This is the

second plane crash that Singh has survived.

In March 2014, the pilot, who is known around the capital city for rolling along the streets on roller-blades with his friends, was behind the controls of another Piper-model aircraft when it crashed after take-off from the Arau Aerodrome, also in Region Seven.

Two other persons survived that crash. The other survivors, who were employed by Singh at his mining operations in the area, had taken the matter to the courts and were awarded judgment

following the accident.

Thursday’s crash was also another blow to Domestic Aviation, which has been recovering from another plane crash which occurred in February this year.

That crash claimed the life of young pilot, Randy Liverpool, who died while attempting to land a Cessna 206 at Eteringbang near the Venezuelan border. The company’s owner, Orlando Charles, was placed before the courts for matters relevant to that plane crash.

Minister Ally reverses Troy Resources cessation order Minister of Social Protection, Amna Ally, has reversed a “cease work” order against Australian gold mining company, Troy Resources Inc., issued by junior minister within her ministry, Keith Scott.

Following a preliminary investigation into the death of Ryan Taylor, a miner who died on duty at the company’s “Hicks One Extension” pit last Tuesday, Minister Scott, on Thursday, wrote the company ordering a “cessation of all mining activities with immediate effect until further notice”.

Minister Ally’s position comes after the company, last Monday, issued employees with letters informing that

Minister of Social Protection, Amna Ally

they were being laid off given that operations at the mines had ceased.

This left the employees

apprehensive about their October salaries and fate of their jobs. The company noted that their actions were in keeping with the law.

“The company took the step of standing down all site employees other than those undertaking security duties, exploration activities and those involved in preparing the processing plant for a full shut-down. Under Guyana’s law, a company is permitted to stand down the workforce without pay for up to six weeks in certain cases,” the statement read.

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

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

Following Taylor’s death, the “Hicks One Extension” pit was cordoned off. However, on Thursday, Scott said operations at all the pits would have to be investigated and the investigation was expected to commence last Friday, October 11.

In a reported statement, the company called the order for the cessation of operations at all the mines a “knee-jerk reaction”.

“This stop order was inconsistent with normal protocols in such situations, which is to cordon off the area of the incident, being the Hicks One Extension Trench, a process

the company had already undertaken immediately after the accident,” a statement from the company reportedly said.

“Troy considers that it is possible that the junior minister in question chose to act as a ‘knee-jerk’ reaction in response to extensive false and misleading information being circulated on social media by various groups and individuals, concerning the accident and the safety record of the company generally.”

Meanwhile, President of the People’s United and General Workers Union (PUGWU), Lincoln Lewis, maintains that Taylor’s death was avoidable, noting that the union has been received nu-

merous complaints of safety issues from workers.

Lewis said, however, that he would not say whether the closure of all operations at the company was good or bad.

“I would not say whether right or wrong, it is for the ministers to say if they are operating in the confines of the law. Whatever we do, we cannot just do what we feel, we have to been guided.

Whatever Troy does must be guided by the laws and institution,” Lewis noted, while speaking during an interview on Vantage Point.

Troy Resources was scheduled to meet with the union on Wednesday but cancelled the meeting.

Some City officers a challenge to deal with -- councillor

CITY Councillor Shonelle Smith-Daniels said it is a challenge to deal with administrative officers at the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) but noted that efforts are being made to fix the problem with those who are especially culpable of non-cooperation.

“There’s been a change because it is now a young, vibrant group of councillors,” she observed during an interview with this publication on Thursday but noted that there is “still a lot needs to be done in terms of the administration”.

The Constituency Nine (Lodge/Meadow Brook) Councillor said the administrative staff has

Councillor Smith-Daniels inspecting works at ‘South Alley’ recently

been employed with the City Council for so long that they have become complacent.

“So it’s a challenge dealing with them. It’s no longer their job that you’re asking them to do. If you ask them to do something, it’s like

Constituency Nine Councillor, Shonelle Smith-Daniels

a whole task, something out of their league. But it’s because they haven’t been

doing it for so long.”

Smith-Daniels called for the administration to get more serious.

“This is about the citizens of Georgetown. We have a serious problem in the Engineers Department for instance. It’s a big problem and we have to start dealing with these problems. I don’t think they realise that they are not there for them. Everybody seems to think they will go make their money and then go home. But if you don’t like your job, then leave,” she said.

She referred to the no confidence motion that was recently passed in Chief Constable Andrew Foo. “He is not the only person who is not working. He is not working. It’s just ridiculous and I don’t want to get into it.”

As for the Engi-

neer’s Department, she said a process has already been started by councillors to fix the issues there. “We are actually starting to get that fixed. There’s always one person…. and it has a ripple effect, and that’s where the complacency, incompetence, everything come out.”

Meanwhile, over the past few months, the City Council has been criticised for not coming up with or executing any new, original projects.

“I don’t agree with this.

Take the garbage situation for example. We negotiated with the contractors and got them to break that price down by half. For people to say we are not doing anything; that’s not true. That’s totally untrue.”

Recently, the councillor noted that the Minis-

tries of Communities and Infrastructure have been coming on board with the City Council to assist with several projects.

“We’re seeing things are happening,” she said, noting that in her community, a lot of progress has been made with the South Alley project. “South Alley has been there before I was born.

Mostly children traverse that alleyway now but when it rains, it would flood. We are now having it paved,” she reported.

She said this is something that the residents wanted for a long time, and that when the paving is completed, they will next work on installing lights.

17

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, October 18, 2019

South Pakaraima farmers showcase diverse products World Food Day is an international day celebrated every year around the world on 16 October in honour of the date of the founding of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations in 1945. The day is

Locally-grown beans on display (DPI photo)

HONEY, pepper sauce, wine, organic fruits, vegetables and peas, cuts of mutton and pork were all for the taking as farmers from the South Pakaraima District showcased their produce at a World Food Day Exhibition on Wednesday.

Over a dozen booths were set up at the Cashew Grove Children’s Park in Karasabai,

Minister Garrido-Lowe reiterated that the hinterland is blessed with fertile soil and, therefore, the residents must make full use of it by ensuring enough food is produced to feed the district, the region and ultimately, the entire country.

The REO, Carl Parker, pointed out that the regional administration has been

Organic pumpkins on display by the South Rupununi farmers (DPI photo)

Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo and a wide-cross section of items were displayed.

Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Sydney Allicock; Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Valerie Garrido-Lowe; Ministerial Adviser and Member of Parliament (MP), Mervyn Williams; Permanent Secretary, Sherie Samantha Fedee; and Regional Executive Officer (REO), Carl Parker were among officials who attended the event held in observance of Agriculture Month 2019.

In his opening remarks, Minister Allicock called on the residents to engage in more farming activities to regain the honour of being the breadbasket of the Rupununi region.

“We must produce. Agriculture is the way to go; without food, no one can survive.

This is a way you can develop your community and move it forward,” he said.

This, the minister emphasised, is why the administration has invested billions of dollars to ensure roadways are properly maintained so that residents can take their produce to the market hassle-free.

Also, this administration has installed free Internet service in communities across the region so that the residents can promote their businesses and sell their products.

pushing agriculture in the region. To date, there are 15 shade houses established in secondary schools and selected villages across the region.

While he acknowledged that a common issue is access to market, the REO disclosed that the regional administration has committed to purchasing produce from the local farmers to supply four student dormitories that accommodate over 800 students.

“Many times, we have to source vegetables from Georgetown and neighbouring Brazil… I am saying to you [farmers] take your produce to the dormitories, collect an invoice and bring it to the regional office and we will pay you for it. This year, $153M was allocated to the dorms and all will be going to Georgetown. Next year, we are asking for over $600M … You need to increase your production, we want to support our local businesses.”

Parker also said that this will assist the hot meal programme for students in the nursery and primary schools.

Crop Extension Officer of the Ministry of Agriculture, Romaul Ramkissoon, urged the residents to use the opportunity to create linkages and promote their businesses. He also encouraged them to make use of the upcoming Regional Agricultural and Commercial Exhibition in Lethem.

celebrated widely by many other organisations concerned with food security, including the World Food Programme and the International Fund for Agricultural Development. (DPI)

Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Sydney Allicock and Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Valerie Garrido-Lowe inspect some of the items on sale (DPI photo)

18

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, October 18, 2019

Hinterland residents making good use of Internet connections THE Ministry of Public Telecommunications (MoPT) is not letting up on its mandate to close the gaps in quality-of-life and access to public services between the coastland and interior regions.

MoPT’s responsibilities focus on ensuring that every single citizen has easy access to information and public services, to technology, to computers and training for computer literacy, with the ultimate objective of creating a technology-savvy population.

In addition to the broad scope of work being executed by the eGovernment arm of the National Data Management Authority (NDMA), the agency has, to date, equipped 72 hinterland/inland communities with satellite dishes, computers and, in some areas, solar energy panels.

Residents in most of these remote villages have never before had such easy access to information from around the world, nor to other means of communication beside letter writing and word of mouth.

This embrace of the hinterland is part of that wide-ranging MoPT Project which is being overseen by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and funded through the Guy-

tled: “ICT Access and e-Services for Hinterland, Poor and Remote Communities” (HPRC), was signed late 2017, but it got off to a slow start.

In the interim, the NDMA, which is executing all of the project’s deliverables, started procuring Satellite (VSAT) dishes, solar panels, equipment and fittings since 2018, utilising Government of Guyana (GOG) funds, while they waited for disbursements from the UNDP. The NDMA’s engineers also started the groundwork in the remote and hinterland villages since 2018, installing satellite dishes and Wi-Fi connection equipment.

According to HPRC Project Co-ordinator, Phillip Walcott, that 2018 decision to start the groundwork immediately utilising government’s funds is now allowing them to catch up with the benchmark/delivery schedule. The schedule indicates that the five-year project, which began officially with the signing of the agreements in 2017, is expected to be concluded in 2022. Mr. Walcott added that so far, the GoG has covered over 75 per cent of the project costs.

This week, the HPRC received the first two project

Hiace 15-seater mini bus.

These have been added to

“Our aim is to ensure that our people, in as many populated areas as possible, have free access to the Internet.

The people living in interior regions must have access to the same information, the same resources as our citizens on the coast, and everything we do at the Ministry is to ensure that this becomes Guyana’s reality – real equity”.

Public Telecommunications Minister Cathy Hughes

vehicles, i.e., two 13-seater 4WD Land Cruisers and one

Officer-in-Charge at UNDP Guyana, Navindra Persaud (in jacket), presents the keys to two Toyota Land Cruisers to government’s representative on the project, Permanent Secretary Derrick Cummings. Project Co-ordinator, Phillip Walcott and other officers look on (Ministry of Public Telecommunications photo)

the fleet of NDMA’s vehicles that were put on the project FROM PAGE

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Bandits terrorise Corentyne ... more pressure on her throat as he kept repeating, “Don’t scream; give we all de money!”

According to Mrs. Ketwaroo, the man would eventually take her back into the house, the front of which also serves as a grocery shop, put her to sit on a couch, and

start to gun-butt her in the head as he repeated his demand for money.

“Meh manage fuh move he finger from meh mouth and tell he leh meh go; meh got fuh cut off de stove because de roti ah ketch afire, and de place ah guh bun down; dat meh guh give dem

Public Telecommunications Minister, Cathy Hughes

Innovation Department has already completed an intensive Train-the-Trainers programme for 27 persons drawn from communities surrounding the Iwokrama River Lodge & Research Centre – Wowetta, Fairview, Surama, Rupertee, Kwatamang and Annai.

Children of Fairview utilising the internet service (DPI photo)

ana REDD+ Investment Fund (GRIF). The programme, ti-

to transport personnel and equipment to project sites.

the money whuh deh in de shop,” she said.

She recalled the one bandit escorting her, at gunpoint, to the kitchen to turn off the stove, before being joined by the other two as she took him into the shop.

She said she saw her chance to make a run for it

VILLAGES CONNECTED The project identifies 200 hinterland locations for Internet connections. Of that number, 72 villages are already online including Port Kaituma, Kabakaburi, Aishalton, Surama and Yupukari.

Before the end of 2019, another 24 communities will be connected via satellite dishes. Included in these communities are Parabara, Shiriri, Rupunau, Shea, Monkey Mountain, Ituni, Old England, Kumaka, Ebini and Mabura.

Whereas in the city and towns, preparations for new community ICT hubs require volunteer work from

residents who choose their space, usually a room in a Community Centre, construct cubicles and install electrical fittings. The NDMA would then supply Wi-Fi connections and donate computers for residents to access the Internet free of cost.

But the project takes a broader approach in these remote areas. Wi-fi equipment are being installed in hospitals and health centres to enable health professionals there to practice telemedicine; as well as in village meeting places, multi-purpose centres, and schools.

At the same time, training programmes at basic and intermediate levels have begun for hinterland residents. In Region Eight, the MoPT’s

when, in their greed, the bandits momentarily forgot her as they proceeded to ransack the shop looking for money. Her son also seized the opportunity to make for the road through a side gate.

As for the bandits, Mrs. Ketwaroo recalled seeing them making a run, when they realised that the game was up, towards the back of the premises, from whence she’d later learn they’d accessed the property.

After assessing the situation when the ordeal was over, she said that all the men had gotten was a quantity of cigarettes, and only a small quantity of cash, as she had earlier removed most of the money they’d made for the day.

They’d, however, managed to relieve Rickey of a gold chain he was wearing at the time, leaving him nursing a gaping wound in his head, which had to be

THE IMPACT Today, residents in the identified hinterland communities no longer have to wait until newspapers arrive for news, as they have been doing for generations. They can now access the web free of charge, at any time, on their computers, cellphones and tablets. They are now able to call and text with their children who live far away from home in school dormitories, e.g. at St. Ignatius Secondary in Lethem.

The women manufacturers of peanut butter in Aranaputa now stay in close contact by email, WhatsApp and telephone with the New Guyana Marketing Corporation and the Agriculture Ministry in Georgetown. More recently, a young entrepreneur at Rupertee used his cellphone to fill out and submit his application online to the Small Business Bureau in Georgetown for micro financing without leaving his village. sutured to help staunch the bleeding.

The police, she learnt, were called by a neighbour who heard her son’s screams and saw the men in action. The bandits, two of whom were armed with handguns, and the other with what appeared to be a cutlass or long knife, all wore dark clothing with masks and caps pulled over their faces.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, October 18, 2019

Man charged for murder of stepson remanded TWENTY-ONE -year-old Joseph James, who was being investigated by the Guyana Police Force (GPF) in relation to the death of his 4-year-old stepson, was, on Thursday, October 17, 2019, remanded to prison by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan.

The man, a logger of Silver Hill, Linden, Soesdyke Highway, appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court and was not required to plead to the indictable charge which stated that, on October 7, 2019, at Silver Hill, Linden, he murdered Alex Prince, his stepson, during the course of a rape.

According to reports, the child was left in the care of his stepfather but was later found lying, nude, in an unconscious state at their Silver Hill home.

However, the child’s stepfather alleged that he left the

child at home to go to a nearby shop to buy groceries to cook, and, when he returned from the shop, he found the child unconscious.

An alarm was raised and the child was rushed to a nearby hospital where he was pronounced dead.

The matter was reported to the police, and, following an investigation, the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) advised that James be charged for the murder of the young child.

A post mortem (PM) conducted revealed that the child was sexually assaulted and died from blunt force trauma to the head.

Chief Magistrate McLennan remanded James to prison and transferred the matter to the Linden Magistrates’ Court for October, 23, 2019.

Rehabilitation of Georgetown, Vreed-en-Hoop stellings set for early next year THE Ministry of Public Infrastructure has announced that the Georgetown and Vreed-en-Hoop Stellings will undergo major rehabilitation works scheduled for early next year.

In an article published by the Guyana Times newspaper on Tuesday, October 8, 2019 under the headline ‘Ramshackle stairs endanger commuters at Vreed-en-Hoop Stelling’, the ministry said both the editor and reporter failed to include that a process has commenced for the structure to undergo repairs.

The ministry said in a release that the newspaper published “a few planks were changed during the rainy season” which caused commuters to believe the upgrade commenced.

“We take this time to remind that those emergency

Man gets life imprisonment for killing mother-in-law and step-daughter FIVE years after a 55-yearold woman and her nineyear-old granddaughter were killed, while in their home in Tuschen Housing Scheme, East Bank Essequibo, their killer was, on Wednesday, October 16, 2019, sentenced to life imprisonment for the heinous crime.

Joshua Eze Franklin was sentenced to two terms of life imprisonment, with the possibility of parole, by Justice Sandil Kissoon, at the High Court On October 1, 2019, Franklin, who was initially indicted on two counts of murder, opted to plead to the lesser count of manslaughter.

He admitted that, on December 18, 2014, at Tuschen Housing Scheme, East Bank Essequibo, he unlawfully killed his mother-inlaw, Bibi Zalima Khan, and step-daughter, Ashley Boodhoo.

Franklin’s attorney Mark Conway requested a probation report be prepared for his client before sentencing.

On Wednesday, the probation report which was read in court detailed the abusive relationship between Franklin and his reputed wife.

However, Franklin claimed he was provoked by his reputed wife who was cheating on him.

During a plea of mitigation, attorney-at-law Conway said that Franklin was remorseful and apologised for

Joshua Eze Franklin

his actions.

State Prosecutor Abigail Gibbs asked the court to consider, during sentencing, that Franklin used his skill as a canecutter to slaughter nine- year- old Ashley and her 55-year-old grandmother.

On December 18, 2014, Franklin went to his motherin-law’s home and carried out a ‘chopping spree’, while armed with a cutlass. He attacked Khan and dealt her several chops with the cutlass before turning his attention to Ashley Boodhoo. The child was chopped about her body.

The Guyana Chronicle had reported that, during the melee, Franklin attacked his reputed wife and dealt her several chops about her body.

The woman managed to escape from the house and hid in the verandah of a neighbour’s house. She lost her left hand from the wrist down due to the attack. Her

friend, Floyd Drakes, was allegedly attacked and killed

by Franklin.

Prosecutor Gibbs asked the state to send a strong message to perpetrators and potential perpetrators, who would consider similar crimes.

In his address to the court, Franklin said “I’m sorry for what happened."

Justice Kissoon considered the domestic abuse history Franklin had along with the nature and seriousness of the charges.

For the murder of his mother-in-law, Franklin was sentenced to life imprisonment with the possibility of parole after serving 30 years.

He was sentenced to the same terms of imprisonment for killing his step daughter. The sentences will run concurrently.

works were conducted in the best interest of the traveling public, while the preliminary aspect of the project was ongoing,” the release stated.

It added that it was noted in the said article that the lack of railways along the stairs is dangerous for the elderly and children, as reference was made to a recent incident where an old woman almost lost her balance and fell into the river.

The General Manager of the Transport and Harbours Department, Ms. Marclene Merchant reported to the Ministry on October 8, 2019 that the unit is considering temporary facilities to avoid such mishaps from occurring.

More recently, on October 16, she explained that a floating ramp will be constructed this year for speedboats to berth at the Georgetown and

Vreed-en-Hoop Stellings, to make the experience for passengers much safer.

According to the ministry rehabilitation and overall upgrade works at the Stellings will be executed by the Transport and Harbours Department, costs for which are pegged at approximately $50M. Only last month, the ministry hosted a public consultation to include the views of commuters on the upgrade works moving forward. The successful session was conducted on Friday September 20, 2019 at both the Georgetown and Vreed-en-Hoop Stellings.

Under the UK DFID/ CDB program, complete rehabilitation and extension of these facilities will be undertaken. Presently, the Ministry of Public Infra-

structure is awaiting a draft Environmental and Social Impact Assessment from the consultants on the development of the structures.

That draft is expected to be completed this month. It will recommend mitigation and monitoring options to reduce environmental and social impacts. Meanwhile, in November 2019, preliminary designs will be undertaken. This phase will use information gathered from site surveys and investigations to produce informed engineering designs for the project, prior to the detailed design. The detailed design is expected to be completed by March, 2020 and will pave the way for construction to begin.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, October 18, 2019

Leaking roof at La Penitence Market driving vendors away THE once buzzing La Penitence sees a mere handful of stalls opening daily, and one vendor opined that the reason could be the leaking roof that poses an inconvenience to the vendors and result in damage to their goods.

The grocery vendor, who wished to remain anonymous, has been operating in the market for the past 11 years. “And for so long the market has been leaking.

People stop coming to the market,” he said.

“They need to install gutters around the entire market and lead all of the water to the Sussex Street canal. Otherwise, the water will full up all of the small drains around the market,” the vendor advised.

The market is now a weekend market, and according to the vendor, many persons are robbed every Sunday. “They need policemen to be on the road. Every

Constituency Councillors, David Allicock (at left) and Heston Bostwick

Sunday people get robbed out there. Business used to do a lot in this market, but not anymore,” he said.

Another vendor, Clement Decambra, who has been operating in the market for the past 31 years, told this publication that his problem is that the market staff would clean whenever they feel like. This causes him to have to clean some of the

gutters on his own.

Decambra said another unfair situation is that the La Penitence Market vendors would have to depend on Sundays to do business at the market, but that is the day when vendors from all parts of the country would turn up to sell there also.

“It’s more than unfair because we still have to pay the rent for the stalls,” he

The La Penitence Market

The leaking roof that has been a problem for many years now

An isle inside the La Penitence Market

Clement Decambra has been vending in the market for the past 31 years

said.

Meanwhile, just recently, Constituency Councillors, David Allicock and Heston Bostwick, paid a visit to the market, along with Assistant Engineer, Rasheed Kellman; Public Relations Officer, Debra Lewis and other City Hall officers.

Allicock told reporters that phase one of the repair works, which is soon to be completed, include rehabilitation to the revenue collection office, the constabulary outpost, and the sanitary block. Phase two, he informed, would take in the sheeting of the entire market roof.

“The entire roof has expired; it’s old and if anyone

tries to walk on it, they would sink right through to the bottom, so we have to deal with the entire roof,” Allicock said.

Councillor Bostwick noted that the phase one works are being done to the tune of almost $9M with the assistance from the Ministry of Communities.

He said the roof will have to be done sometime in 2020 and that the project will be given priority, even if it means that help will have to be sought from other agencies. “When the rain falls, most of the vendors are being affected, along with their goods being damaged.

We recognise this and are urging their patience that

in 2020 we will fix these problems.”

So far as security is concerned, Bostwick said he has already called for a security plan to be provided by the Chief Constable. At the moment, he said he doesn’t know how many constables are attached to the market and are patrolling it daily.

While the City Council wants the vendors to occupy the inside of the market, Bostwick called attention to the issue of vendors opting to sell outside instead. “Most of the stallholders are desirous of going against the will of the council. Most vendors want to operate outside of the market and that is not acceptable. If you look along Sussex Street, you will recognise there are stalls not permitted to be there and they are there trying to believe that they can force the council against its will. When the relevant department takes the necessary action, we hope no one will complain that we’re wrong,” Bostwick expressed.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, October 18, 2019 FROM PAGE

GNBA seeking int’l ... the new programme will be to ensure that any broadcast of obscene, lewd and distasteful language is reported. The programme is expected to improve the GNBA’s monitoring capacity since the authority has a small core of monitors.

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The authority had said that its role is not to make life difficult for broadcasters, but to help them achieve a standard that is comparable with or even exceeds international broadcasting standards.

Friday, Oct 18, 2019 - 05:00 hrs

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Sir Andy raises doubt over Bascombe; Shallow defends appointment

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC) – Fast bowling legend Sir Andy Roberts has questioned the appointment of Miles Bascombe to the West Indies men’s selection panel. He believes the former Windward Islands batsman should have withdrawn himself from consideration after having been a member of the recent Cricket West Indies (CWI) Task Force which led an overhaul of regional selection policy.

Further, the outspoken former Windies coach contended Bascombe did not possess enough first-class experience to sufficiently qualify him for the role he now occupies beside former Test off-spinner Roger Harper and newly-appointed head coach, Phil Simmons.“I have a problem first that he was a member of the task force that sat down

to look into who they could pick as selectors and develop a policy; so he’s been part and parcel of it,” Sir Andy told the Mason and Guest cricket radio show here.

“He (also) does not have enough first-class cricket experience in the region. He may have played, yes, but as far as experience goes to be one of the two selectors? No, I have a problem with that.

He added: “My biggest problem is that he, as a member of the Task Force – even though he wasn’t involved in putting his name (forward) – should have withdrawn being a member of the Task Force,” Sir Andy stressed.

Bascombe’s appointment came as a surprise, especially considering his tepid playing career which yielded 24 firstclass matches at an average of 21, and a single Twenty20

International for West Indies against England eight years ago.

He was also earlier this year named to the Selection System Task Force, chaired

by CWI vice-president and fellow Vincentian, Dr Kishore Shallow, as one of three independent members alongside former Test players Ramnaresh Sarwan and Philo Wallace.

Bascombe also serves as vice-president of the St Vincent and the Grenadines Cricket Association, headed

by Shallow.

Sir Andy, however, supported Harper’s appointment as chief selector, pointing out that the former West Indies head coach ticked all the boxes.

“I’m pleased. You’re looking for somebody with vast cricket knowledge, somebody

who knows the game, has played the game at the highest level, who has been captain (and) coach, so I don’t have a problem with that,” the Antiguan outlined.

Shallow, who chaired the interview panel during the recruitment process for selectors, defended Bascombe’s appointment, however, arguing that the process had been a “robust” one that had seen the former player pass every test put before him.

“The recruitment process was as robust as you could actually imagine,” Shallow said.

“One of the first things we did was to identify a group of players based on interviews and feedback from persons across the region. Miles’s name surfaced through that process. Some 20 persons were put forward and approved by the board.

We then wrote to them (to ascertain) their interest and availability.”

Shallow said that of the 17 candidates who responded positively, Harper, Bascombe, Lockhart Sebastien and Hendy Wallace came through as the final shortlist based on their performance in a test exercise.

According to Shallow, Harper and Bascombe then scored highly in the interviews which followed.

“I can tell you that both Roger Harper and Miles Bascombe were outstanding, with no disrespect to the other two gentlemen,” Shallow revealed.

“They stood out in terms of understanding the modern way of selecting where we are now in a data-driven environment. It’s not about an eye for cricket anymore.

We’ve gone past having an eye.”

GUYOIL/Tradewind Tankers launch second Schools Football league THE second edition of the GUYOIL/Tradewind Tankers Schools U-18 Football tournament was yesterday launched at the Ministry of

Education ground.

Present at yesterday’s launch was Petra Organisation co-Director Troy Mendonca who contended that the 2019 edition of the tournament will commence on October 27.

“I want to give a big congrats to GUYOIL and TradeWind Tankers,” he said, commending them for coming on board for a second year.

Mendonca added, “We strongly believe that a league plays a major role in any foundation as it relates to football be it school level, our Pee Wee level or what have you.”

He noted that the selection process of teams for the tour-

nament was based on the Milo schools Football tournament as well as several other criteria.

The 2019 edition will encompass Annandale, St Stanislaus College, St John’s College, President’s College, Berbice High School, Cummings Lodge Secondary, Marian Academy, Lodge Secondary, Queen’s College and Charlestown Secondary.

Notably absent from the list are Linden ‘Multi’ Team who, according to Petra co-director Troy Mendonca, have budgetary constraints.

Ministry of Education’s Lorraine Barker-King contended, that “the Ministry of Education is pleased to be

associated with the tournament. The Ministry is a strong advocate of the arts.”

Focussing on sport, the MoE representative said, “The sport teaches winning and losing. Ultimately it teaches about life.”

Jorge Abukhalil, an executive of the Tradewind Tankers, reminded: “We strongly believe in sport and it’s a great opportunity for you guys to develop your talents and yourself as a team.”

Echoing her sentiments, Marketing and Sales Manager Jacqueline James told the media, “What we recognised is that sport plays an important role in the development

of the child. We recognise that you’re doing something you love and that you are doing something for your school.”

The winners of the tournament along with runners-up will qualify for the end-of-year goodwill tournament to face one Trinidad team, a hinterland team and an all-star team.

The winners will also pocked $200 000 towards a project for their school with second-place getting $100 000, third place getting $50 000 and fourth place $25 000.

The tournament will be played on Sundays and Mondays and will end on December 8.

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

Smith’s fiery spell of 6-41 helps Lower Corentyne destroy Georgetown by 7 wickets

By Clifton Ross

GEORGETOWN’S woeful performance continued in Round 3 yesterday, as they were hammered for the third consecutive time in the League. Lower Corentyne pacer Niall Smith scythed through their batting for a meagre 104 to win by 7 wickets.

Luck at the GCC ground, Bourda, seems to be with the visitors this season as the home team were blown away in the 37th over.

Smith, the right-arm speedster seemed to be clocking high-speeds as he bagged 6-41 in 9 overs.

Batting first proved to be wrong as it turned out to be another dismal batting outing with the experienced home team succumbing to Smith’s lethal spell. He removed the likes of ;Joshua Persaud (0), captain Leon Johnson (0) and all-rounders Chris Barnwell (11) and top-scorer Steven Jacobs (19).

For the second match at Bourda, Barnwell was unlucky to be given out to poor umpiring, a botched lbw decision which attracted mixed reactions on and off the field.

Apart from Barnwell’s misfortune, Georgetown were hapless from the start, being reduced to 55-7 with half the allotted overs left. Smith left no stone unturned as his pace and movement ruffled the feathers of the Georgetown batsmen.

The 25-year-old Berbician pacer forced opener Raymond Perez to retire hurt following a stiff blow to the ribs, while a Race 7 London House Race 8 Eighty Seven North

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few others in the line-up were also peppered with a barrage of short balls.

Jacobs hit a few sixes while Barnwell looked set for a good score, following his recent lean run but after they fell, the rest of the side eventually wilted.

As a result, the Berbice side cruised to their target reaching 105 for 3 in 28.4 overs. The shepherd was again veteran middle-order batsman Johnathan Foo who stroked four fours in his unbeaten 42.

Foo followed up his fifty from a few games ago to play a subtle innings mixed with aggression and maturity to see his side safely over the ropes.

National youth player Kevlon Anderson hit three fours in his 35 to aid Foo in the chase as the home bowlers toiled and struggled. Spinner Steven Sankar grabbed 2-27 with support from Windies Youth spinner Ashmead Nedd who chipped in with 1-17.

Openers Junior Sinclair (10) and Maxie Dejonge (13), set the tone with some positive strokes as they both reached double figures.

Lower Corentyne endured a few hiccups as they reached 98-3, following the removal of the openers by Sankar and Nedd respectively.

Foo and Seon Hetymer (2*) then saw off the bowlers without any further bumps, to easily hunt down the mediocre target with wickets and overs to spare.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, October 18, 2019

Rugby World cup quarter-final

Ireland seek another slice of history against New Zealand

By Greg Stutchbury

TOKYO, Japan (Reuters) Ireland coach Joe Schmidt has been used to making history in his six years in charge and he could make a little bit more tomorrow in the Rugby World Cup quarter-final against his native New Zealand.

The Irish have never advanced past the quarter-finals at the global showpiece, with the clash against the All Blacks at Tokyo Stadium that kicks off at 19:15hrs. (1015 GMT) possibly their best chance to break that curse.

Their structured game plan under Schmidt has led to three Six Nations titles, their first series win in Australia in almost 40 years and, more importantly, their first two victories against the All Blacks - a 40-29 victory in 2016 in Chicago then 16-9 last year in Dublin.

Both Schmidt and All Blacks coach Steve Hansen have said the recent results would have little influence on what happens tomorrow, but they have given the Irish players belief that the three-

time world champions were fallible.

“They have had some pretty successful experiences together. There are a number of players within that side who have contributed to a fair bit of history for us,” Schmidt told reporters.

that you’re second fiddle.

You’ve got to go out and put your best foot forward.”

Ireland’s best foot belongs to inside backs Conor Murray and Johnny Sexton, whose tactical kicking will be crucial in turning New Zealand around and putting pressure

Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt during warm-up.

(REUTERS/Peter Cziborra)

“So the accumulation of those experiences together hopefully builds a bit of confidence - because you need to have some belief.

“You can’t go out against an All Blacks side and accept

on their back three.

Their ability to control possession also appears to confuse the All Blacks and creates frustration.

While they will be without the suspended Bundee

Aki, Schmidt selected his strongest possible side, with seven of the forwards that dominated the All Blacks last November in the starting team.

Hansen, who is stepping down after the tournament, said he was well aware of early exits, having been an assistant to Graham Henry when they were bundled out

by France in the 2007 quarter-finals.

That was the All Blacks’ worst finish at the tournament and they have been unbeaten at the World Cup since, winning the titles in 2011 and 2015.

He named his strongest possible side available with Brodie Retallick back in the side after he recovered from a shoulder injury.

“We have experienced (an early exit) ourselves in ‘07 and there’s no guarantee we won’t experience it again,” Hansen said.

“Ireland are in a situation where they haven’t gone past a quarter-final, so they will be doing their darndest not to go home.

“We’ll be the same.”

Bulgaria authorities fine, ban four fans over racist abuse FOUR Bulgaria fans, arrested for subjecting England players to racist abuse, have been fined 1 000 Bulgarian lev (£443) and banned from sports events for two years.

der Bulgaria’s law for the “protection of public order during sports events”.

Another fan was arrested on Wednesday, bringing the total number detained to seven.

simir Balakov said after the game he “didn’t hear” any chanting, having previously accused England of having a bigger racism problem.

But Balakov later posted a statement on Facebook,

added.

Bulgarian legend Hristo Stoichkov became emotional when he was asked on television how to prevent a similar occurrence in future. He advocated that “fans are not allowed in the stadium or even (face) heavier punishments”.

(BBC Sport)

UAE cricket captain Naveed charged with corruption DUBAI, United Arab “Now this has hapEmirates (AFP) — pened, I feel guilty.

United Arab EmirWhy did I not talk to ates (UEA) Captain the board, why did I Mohammed Naveed not talk to the ICC? was on Wednesday It is my mistake, charged with corrupand I feel guilty.” tion ahead of the World Naveed told Twenty20 qualifiers The National and admitted: he had “I have let everybody down.”

Naveed was one of three UAE cricketers c h a rg e d b y the International Cricket Council (ICC).

B a t s m a n Shaiman Anwar and NAVEED... it is my mistake, and I feel guilty right-arm pace bowler Qadeer Ahmed have also been charged by blundered in failing to rethe ICC, the three players port an approach made to facing a total of 13 counts him by “a fixer” who had of breaching the governing pretended to be an official body’s anti-corruption rules. representing a franchise in All three have been pro- the T10 League also slated visionally suspended with for the UAE in November. immediate effect and axed He said he ended the confrom the UAE squad for the versation as soon as he real2020 World T20 qualifying ised he had been misled, but event, which starts in Dubai admitted he did not report the and Abu Dhabi tomorrow. approach to the ICC. “My family is let down, A fourth individual, Memy friends are let down. hardeep Chhayakar, was also Everybody is let down. This charged for refusing to coopwas my mistake,” 32-year- erate with the ICC. old Naveed told The National “Three UAE players newspaper. and a participant in crick“I am very sincere about et from Ajman have been my game, I am very sin- charged with 13 counts cere about my career. I have of breaching cricket’s anbeen successful for the UAE ti-corruption rules and the around the world, in leagues, players have been provifor franchises. That is be- sionally suspended with cause I am very sincere about immediate effect,” the ICC my game. said in its statement.

Coach confident injured pair will be fit for PNG opener

England players express their concerns during one of the stoppages in Monday’s qualifier.

England’s 6-0 Euro 2020 qualifier win in Sofia on Monday was stopped twice in the first half following racist chanting by home supporters.

The four fans were punished by police - rather than the country’s courts - un-

One of the seven is a minor, the Bulgaria Ministry of Interior told BBC Sport.

Borislav Mikhailov, president of Bulgaria’s football association, resigned on Tuesday.

Bulgaria manager Kra-

acknowledging the incidents on Monday and apologising to “English footballers and to all those who felt offended”.

“I condemn all forms of racism as an unacceptable behaviour that contradicts normal human relations,” he

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, (CMC) – National coach Herbie Bascome says he is confident captain Dion Stovell and teammate Oronde Bascome, who were injured during the 24-run defeat against Hong Kong, will be fit for Bermuda’s ICC T20 World Cup Qualifier opener against Papua New Guinea on Saturday.

Tuesday’s warm-up game was stopped briefly after Stovell collided with Kamau Leverock on the boundary and needed to be helped from the field clutching his ribs.

Dion’s bruised his ribs. It looks like he’ll be fine, he’s sitting up getting treatment after the match, so he should be pretty cool,” Bascome, the 55-year-old former international, said.

“We’re just going to assess him and see how he makes out.”

Stovell missed the bulk of the qualifying tournament in Bermuda in August because of concussion protocol after being struck on the head on the second day of Cup Match, Bermuda’s premier domestic fixture.

Bascome, who also endured an injury-interrupted domestic season, limped off with a knee injury at the death of Hong Kong’s innings of 160 for five. But Bascome believes the eldest of his three sons in the Bermuda squad will be fit for Saturday’s game.

“He jagged his knee in the turf and strained his groin a little bit,” the coach said. “They should be all right for PNG. I don’t see why not.”

Delray Rawlins, fresh from his stint with English County Championship side Sussex, featured for the first time having missed Monday’s warm-up win over Nigeria almost straight from the airport, making 20 not out from 18 balls at number eight.

“Rawlins added a little excitement to the players when he joined and he just wanted to get a hit,” Bascome said.

“This was the only chance he could get in the middle before the first match, so I thought I’d take the chance in just getting him out there.”

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, October 18, 2019

Kohli looking to topple Aussie run-machine Steve Smith RANCHI, India (AFP) - Onsong Virat Kohli is looking to topple Aussie run-machine Steve Smith in the international batting rankings as India push for a whitewash over South Africa in the third Test starting tomorrow.

Kohli’s career-best 254 not out in India’s second successive win in the three-match series moved him to within one point of Smith in the International Cricket Council Test chart.

Smith replaced Kohli at number one last month following his blazing Ashes series against England and after the Indian star made a golden duck against the West Indies.

The Australian, who only returned to Tests in August after a year-long ban for ball-tampering, is out of action in the five-day format until November 21 when Australia host Pakistan.

K o h l i re g a i n e d l o s t ground against the struggling South Africans in the current series as he scored his seventh Test double-century, joining England great Wally Hammond and Sri Lanka’s Mahela Jayawardene.

He also went past Don

Bradman’s tally of 6 996 runs in 52 Tests.

With the Pune win last Sunday, India registered a record 11th straight Test series triumph at home. Australia had two streaks of 10 home series wins.

Markram was ruled out of the final Test after hurting his wrist when he “lashed out at a solid object,” Cricket South Africa said.

The incident happened “in frustration” after Markram was out for his second duck

Virat Kohli registered his seventh Test century in the current series against a struggling South Africa.

(AFP Photo/PUNIT PARANJPE) “I’m just happy to be of the second Test in Pune where I am. Putting the team last Sunday as India won the in a commanding position is match by an innings and 137 the only thing I strive for,” runs, and with it the series.

Markram called his acsaid Kohli, who tops the ODI tions “unacceptable” and batting chart. said that “to let the team down is what hurts me the ‘SOLID OBJECT’ “South Africa suffered most”.

No replacement has been a fresh blow yesterday as opening batsman Aiden called up, opening the way for

Zubayr Hamza to make his second Test appearance.

Skipper Faf du Plessis will meanwhile be hoping to give his team more of a chance from the start in Ranchi after losing the toss in the first two Tests.

It allowed India to amass a mammoth first-innings total of 502 in Visakhapatnam as South Africa’s bowlers toiled then 601 in Pune.

This prompted former England captain Michael Vaughan to call Indian Test pitches “boring”.

Dean Elgar’s 160 has been the visitors’ only standout show in the series so far.

Paceman Kagiso Rabada said the up-and-coming team - following the retirements of Hashim Amla and Dale Steyn - need to up their performance and their mindset.

“Our team is fresh and young, so the best thing we can do is look at where we can improve and remember our strengths and build on them,” he said.

He added: “From a physical point of view, we need to execute our skills and from a mental point of view, we need to believe we can do it in certain situations. It’s a balance we’re working on.”

DIGICEL-NBA association grows; more basketball for SportsMax fans THE National Basketball Association (NBA) and Digicel, parent company of SportsMax, announced a multiyear expansion of its partnership that will deliver more than 200 live NBA games each season, tipping off on October 22 with the LA Lakers taking on the LA Clippers.

Extensive NBA programming will be provided to more than 30 Caribbean territories, including the Dominican Republic through Digicel, SportsMax and the SportsMax app.

Digicel, the official Broadcast and Wireless Partner of the NBA in the region, through its subsidiary SportsMax, will air over 200 regular-season and playoff NBA games, the NBA Eastern and Western Conference Finals and The Finals in the Caribbean, including the Dominican Republic, while offering preferred access to all NBA games through NBA League Pass on its Digicel Play cable system and the SportsMax app with new bundle and

standalone offerings.

“We are thrilled to extend this landmark deal with the NBA that allows Digicel, through SportsMax, to continue to be the Home of Sports in the Caribbean, delivering the NBA as part of the best

content from fans in the Caribbean, including the Dominican Republic, and we are thrilled to bring them more live games and content through this renewed partnership with Digicel,” said NBA Latin America Senior vice-president, Arnon de

Kawhi Leonard celebrates after claiming a first NBA title for Toronto Raptors in last season’s finals against Golden State Warriors. See Leonard turn out for the Los Angeles Clippers on SportsMax

line-up of sports programming to Caribbean basketball fans across cable-TV and streaming platforms,” said SportsMax president and CEO, Olly McIntosh.

“We are seeing an incredible appetite for NBA

29

Mello. “We look forward to working with Digicel to continue to grow the game in the region.”

Digicel and SportsMax will also offer original NBA programming, including NBA Action, the league’s

weekly show that offers the latest news, features, highlights and analysis from around the NBA, and NBA TV, the league’s 24-hour television network.

Fans will have access to select NBA TV programming, offering in-depth NBA coverage, highlights and appearances by current NBA players, coaches and legends.

SportsMax’s programming will include onsite coverage from marquee NBA events.

Territories covered by the partnership include Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Bonaire, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Curacao, Dominica, Dominican Republic, French Guiana, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Martinique, Montserrat, Saba, St Barthelemy, St. Lucia, St Kitts & Nevis, St Martin, St Maarten, St Vincent & The Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad & Tobago, and Turks and Caicos.

Former England midfielder Gascoigne cleared of sexual assault charge

Paul Gascoigne

LONDON (Reuters) - Former England midfielder Paul Gascoigne wept in court on Thursday after being found not guilty of sexually assaulting a female passenger he kissed on a train without her consent.

The 52-year-old, a former Newcastle United, Tottenham Hotspur and Lazio player, was also cleared at Teesside Crown Court of an alternative charge of assault by beating and told he was free to go.

‘Gazza’ was arrested at Durham train station in northern England in August 2018 and later released while police investigated the incident. The court heard he had been drinking beer at the time.

He had denied sexual assault, saying he kissed a woman on the York to Newcastle train “to boost her confidence” after hearing a male passenger call her fat and ugly.

“I was not drunk, I was not forceful, I was not sexual,” the Guardian newspaper quoted him as telling the jury from the witness box.

Gascoigne, who has spent several spells in rehab battling alcohol and drug addiction, played 57 times for England between 1988 and 1998.

In a statement through his lawyer, Gascoigne said the last 12 months had been tough but he was “pleased the jury reached the right verdict.”

Kohli’s India need to win big tournaments, says Ganguly

NEW DELHI, India (Reuters) - India’s Virat Kohli is captaining an enormously talented team, but the players need to adjust their mentality to win big tournaments, having failed in the last seven, ex-captain Sourav Ganguly said as he prepares to head the national cricket board.

Kohli’s men lead the World Test Championship table but India have not won any global tournament since lifting the 2013 Champions Trophy under Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

“It is a very good side. My only thing is that they need to win big tournaments,” Ganguly, president-elect of the Board of Control for Cricket in India, told reporters in Kolkata.

“I’m not saying they need to win every time. It’s not possible. But we have gone through seven big tournaments without winning one.”

“They are a much better side than that. That is the only area where they need to get themselves ready mentally.

“Talent is enormous; otherwise they couldn’t have played so well in the World Cup till the semi-finals. So that’s an issue which Virat needs to address. And that doesn’t happen in the boardroom.”

India topped the group stage at this year’s 50-overs World Cup but were beaten by New Zealand in the semi-finals.

As he completes his transition from a star player to a top administrator, one of Ganguly’s initial tasks would be to decide the future of Dhoni, who has taken a break from international cricket after the World Cup in England.

While many believe the popular stumper should not be pushed into retirement, others want clarity about the future of the 38-year-old.

“We will have to see what Dhoni wants,” Ganguly said of his former team mate.

“Now I will be in a position to find out and then we’ll decide on the way forward.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, October 18, 2019

Don Quarrie says Jamaica’s men will get it right in Tokyo FOLLOWING the poor display from Jamaica’s men in the sprints at the just concluded IAAF World Athletics Championships, Jamaica’s technical leader and sprint icon Donald Quarrie, believes they will bounce back at next year’s Olympic Games in Japan.

Jamaica garnered 12 medals, inclusive of three gold, five silver and four bronze, to finish third in both the medals and points tables behind the United States of America and Kenya, respectively.

Only two males won individual medals as Tajay Gayle struck gold in the long jump and Fedrick Dacres got silver in the discus. The men’s 4x400m relay squad of Akeem Bloomfield, Nathon Allen, Terry Thomas, Javon Francis, and Demish Gaye mined silver.

“We were third in the overall standing of the championships but our performances in the men’s sprint events were below expectations,” Quarrie point-

ed out.

Quarrie, who won gold in the 200m and silver in the 100m at the 1976 Montreal Olympics, told the Jamaica Observer that he was not

bitterly disappointed after speaking with the guys and knowing of their desire to do well.

“I was not disappointed but hoping that a few of

Don Quarrie

Logie appointed interim head coach for West Indies Women FORMER West Indies batsman Gus Logie has been named the interim head coach of the West Indies women’s team.

C r i c k e t We s t I n d i e s (CWI) has also appointed a new team manager.

Logie will take over the duties from Henderson Springer, who will continue to provide assistance to CWI’s Coaching Education programmes.

Logie will guide the preparations of the West Indies Women for their monthlong series against the visiting Indian Women team, which starts on November 1 in Antigua. Gus has been the assistant coach of West Indies Women since 2017.

Gus has a long history

with West Indies cricket, both as a player and as a coach. He has been a part of the women’s team for the last two years and knows the players’ techniques and skillsets.

“I have no doubt he will continue his hard work in preparing the team for India

Former West Indies batsman Gus Logie

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Friday, October 18, 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) (2)

ANSWERS TO YESTERDAY’S QUIZ: Haydn Walsh Jnr-22 wickets(BT) Brandon King-496 runs (GAW)

TODAY’S QUIZ: (1) Who top-scored for the Tridents in the CPL 2019 final?

(2) Who top-scored for the Warriors in the CPL 2019 final?

ANSWERS IN TOMORROW’S ISSUE

Women and then the T20 World Cup next year,” said CWI’s Director of Cricket, Jimmy Adams, who also mentioned the importance of Springer’s involvement in the women’s programme.

“We are extremely grateful to Hendy for his contribution to the women’s programme over the last two years and we will continue to exploit his prior experience within coaching education.”

The recruitment process for a new long-term head coach will begin immediately.

The West Indies Women will also have a new team manager, after the interim manager Anne Browne-John was appointed as the Lead Selector for Women and Girls cricket.

Ms Evril Betty Lewis will take charge of the team immediately for the International Home Series against India Women.

West Indies Women will host India Women for three Colonial Medical Insurance One Day Internationals (ODIs) and five T20 Internationals (T20Is) November 1-20, with matches to be played in Antigua, St Lucia and Guyana. (Sportsmax)

the sprinters would have made it to the finals of the 100m and the 200m and that our 4x100 relay would have made the final,” said Quarrie.

“But after speaking with some of them, I could sense that desire in them to really excel next year and I am confident that we are going to see a lot more from them and others and our sprinting will be at the top in the Olympics,” he added.

The 68-year-old Quarrie, who was the household name in Jamaica men’s sprinting before the emergence of Asafa Powell and Usain Bolt, once equalled the 200m world record in 1971 of 19.86 seconds and the 100m world record in 1976 of 10.07 seconds.

The former Camperdown High school star, who competed in five Olympic Games, now heads Jamaica’s technical committee to the major athletics meets.

“We must do everything possible to maintain our high standard in the sprint events and one way of doing that is to select a group in

charge of looking at means and ways of guiding the young talent that we have,” he pointed out.

“The management team and the coaching staff worked very well together in the interest of the athletes and Jamaica. Thank you to the medical team for their dedicated work with the team,” said Quarrie.

He continued: “The overall performances of the team were very good with four medals from the field events, four medals from the hurdles and field events, and four medals from the relays and of course we had six individual medals from the women and two individual medals from the men.”

“Behind the scenes there were meetings and discussions that enabled us in making decisions in the interests of the athletes and the country. The training camps before the championships allowed our athletes to adjust to the weather conditions and it did not seemed to interfere with their performances,” he noted.

“The training and warm-

ing up facilities were very good. The temperature in the stadium was quite good and favourable for all athletes.

We have a few protests and disqualification which mostly worked in our favour,” said Quarrie.

For the first time at the World Championships, Jamaica got four field events medals in long jump, discus, shot put and triple jump which contributed to the country’s second best medal haul.

“Our field events performances are on the rise and we should seek greater financial support for the local coaches of these technical events,” pleaded Quarrie.

“I must say congratulations to all the athletes that participated in the 2019 Championships in Doha.

Some were more successful than others. But I hope that all of them will focus on having a successful season next year and that our Olympic trials will be one of the most competitive with outstanding performances,” said Quarrie.

(Jamica Observer)

Dwayne Bravo backs decision to drop younger brother PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC) – Veteran all-rounder Dwayne Bravo has backed the decision by selectors to drop his younger brother, Darren Bravo, for the upcoming Afghanistan series.

Acknowledging Darren’s recent poor form, Dwayne said the time away would allow the left-hander to revisit his batting and come back even stronger for future West Indies duty.

West Indies clash with the Afghans in a one-off Test, three One-Day Internationals and three Twenty20s, in a series running from November 5 to December 1 in India.

Maybe it’s the right choice at this time,” Dwayne Bravo told CNC3 Television here.

“This tour in India is one Test match (and) a few one-dayers. Darren hasn’t been the batsman that we all expect and want to see performance-wise. Sometimes you need that moment for yourself to go back into the basics.”

Darren was West Indies’ leading batsman before an ill-advised tweet aimed at former Cricket West Indies (CWI) president, Dave Cameron, resulted in his being sent

home from a tour in November, 2016 and subsequently sidelined from international and domestic duty for two years.

He only returned to action 12 months ago but has since struggled to recapture his form across all formats and has averaged 13 from five Tests, 22 from 16 OneDay Internationals and 17 from eight T20 Internationals since.

West Indies batsman Darren Bravo

Dwayne, a former one-day captain, said Darren’s non-selection could also have a positive effect on his motivation.

“Maybe not being selected will hurt him and he now will be more determined to come back (stronger) and the hunger is going to come

back,” Dwayne explained.

Darren Bravo’s axing is one of several changes to the Windies squad announced on Tuesday. As previously indicated, fellow Trinidadian Kieron Pollard has replaced all-rounder Carlos Brathwaite at the helm while Phil Simmons has taken over as head coach.

Former Test off-spinner and Windies head coach, Roger Harper, is the new chief selector and will be joined by former Windward Islands batsman Miles Bascombe and Simmons.

Dwayne praised the changes, noting Darren had an excellent relationship with Pollard, and expected them to work well together in the future.

“They both have a very good professional relationship and that is what is needed in the cricket,” he said.

“The selection panel is honest and looking to give everyone opportunities, not just saying this one no longer can play and this one can play.”

Dwayne Bravo is currently recovering from an injury which kept him out of the just-concluded Caribbean Premier League.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, October 18, 2019

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National Indoor Hockey Championships

OLD Fort Top Form advance to 2nd Division quarter-finals

WIFBSC Championships T&T

Braithwaite lands full sponsorship from Secure Innovations & Concepts Inc.

…. GBTI GCC Spice, Tigers continue winning ways

THE YMCA Old Fort Top Form have booked their place in tomorrow’s first quarter-final of the Men’s Second Division competition in this year’s National Indoor Hockey Championships through a dominant performance in their opening games.

After disposing of Bounty GCC 3-0 on Tuesday afternoon in Group B of the division, Top Form got the better of Saints Silencer on Wednesday evening with a 5-0 victory at Cliff Anderson Sports Hall, the venue of the event.

In that clash, Omar Hopkinson scored twice, while there was a goal each for Chris Low-Koan, Theodore Thierens and Daniel Woolford.

UNBEATEN Several teams remain unbeaten, including male first division defending champions, Pepsi Hikers, who got the better of Bounty GCC by a 6-4 margin.

In that game, Aroydy Branford exploded with five goals, while Robert France netted the other.

After three nights, Branford leads all scorers with a whopping nine goals in

two games.

For GCC, who suffered their second defeat in as many games, Dwayne Scott, Orland Semple, Kevin Spencer and Meshach Sargeant were on target.

consecutive victory when they defeated the GBTI GCC Spartans and Saints respectively.

The Spice who were flawless on the first two nights, were tested on Wednesday

Marzana Fiedtkou scored three goals for the GBTI GCC Tigers on Wednesday night.

In the female first division, GBTI GCC Spice and GBTI GCC Tigers registered their third and second

evening when they battled sister side Spartans.

Shebiki Baptiste scored the opening goal for the

eventual winners in the 11th minute, while four minutes into the second half, the scores were tied, with Sandy Roopnarine having scored for the Spice, and Sarah Klautky and Abosaide Cadogan for the Spartans.

It then took a second strike from Baptiste, late in the second half, to separate the sides.

For the Tigers, it was a dominant 5-0 performance against the young Saints side. The imposing Marzana Fiedtkou, who powered her way to three goals and an assist, led the unbeaten side.

Gabriella Xavier scored the other two goals late in the game.

Meanwhile, Bounty GCC Pitbulls were able to defeat YMCA Old Fort Hard Ball 7-0 in a Men’s Second Division Group A battle, after Samuel Woodroffe and Rahim Oliver netted a brace each.

YMCA Old Fort Hot Shotz drew 4-4 with Antonio’s Hickers in an Over-35 battle.

Jason Desantos scored a hat-trick for Old Fort, while at the other end Devin Munroe netted a pair for the Hickers.

‘Rawle Toney 3X3 Basketball Classic’ to be launched today SOME of the country’s top ‘ballers’ will converge on the Burnham basketball court for two days, in what is expected to be exciting basketball, when one of the country’s well-known sports journalists hosts his ‘Rawle Toney 3X3 Classic’, November 9-10.

With $300 000 up for grabs for the winner of the Round-Robin/Knockout tournament, Toney will launch the one-of-a-kind tournament today at one of the sponsors, FireSide and Grill, located on Garnett Street, from 13:00hrs.

The second-placed team will pocket $100 000 and the third-placed $50 000. The player deemed ‘Most Valuable’ (MVP) in the final will receive one basketball sneakers of his choice.

Ansa McAl, under its Mackeson brand will be the tournament’s main sponsor, and will be joined by Guyana Lottery Company’s Let’s Bet Sport, ‘STUFF’, Slingerz Family Entertainment,

National Sports Commission (NSC) and Trophy Stall.

“I think when you look around, basketball is the only sport in Guyana that doesn’t offer anything exciting and engaging for its fans. There’s futsal and T20 - both shortened versions of the conventional football and cricket, but

while 3X3 exists in basketball, locally it is not being utilised,” Toney said.

“3X3 is the ‘T20 cricket’ of basketball, meaning, it’s fast (only 10 minutes a game) and simpler rules, as compared to the usual format of the game. The last major tournament, held under the Mackeson brand, was hosted

Rawle Toney

in 2013,” said Toney, who was once a stand-out basketball player.

Toney explained that after Mackeson stepped away from sponsoring 3X3 basketball, the format never found another corporate entity or brand to replace ‘Smooth Moves’, mostly because of the high standard set and players had grown accustomed to a quality tournament.

“It is my hope that this tournament will revive the 3X3 format, especially since FIBA had moved to regularise the sport, which sees it being used by the sport’s governing body globally to bring new fans to the sport,” the journalist added.

The tournament has received the blessings of officials of the Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation (GABF) and will be played under FIBA 3X3 rules.

Registration, according to Toney, has already started and limited space is available. More details will be given at today’s launch.

Denzel Hopkinson (left) hands over WIFBSC’s sponsor cheque to Lennox Braithwaite.

THE Guyana National Rifle Association (GuyanaNRA), having made a call to corporate Guyana last week for more support towards its riflemen’s participation at this year’s edition of the West Indies Fullbore Shooting Council, Individual, Long and Short Range championships in Trinidad and Tobago, received a positive response from Secure Innovations & Concepts Inc. (SI&CI), located in D’Urban Backlands.

Aviation Security Director of SI&CI, Denzel Hopkinson, handed over a cheque to Braithwaite for full sponsorship towards his participation in the Twin Island Republic from October 21 to 26.

Hopkinson, commenting on his continued support for Braithwaite stated that the leading local and Caribbean marksman is part of the SI&CI sporting family and due to his commitment and results in the sport; they had no hesitation in backing him once again.

He also said that his company has a rich history of supporting other sportspersons including Steven Nobrega of Go Kart and Motor Cross Riding fame.

“We at SI&CI no doubt are proud to once again support Mr Braithwaite in his quest to once again conquer his counterparts in the Caribbean later this month in T&T. “We know his ability in the sport of rifle-shooting and his recent exploits in England where he captained the West Indies team at the NRA 150th Imperial Meeting and also did well in the Individual competition to reach the top 100 of Queen’s Final.”

The young Hopkinson whose father, Harold aka ‘Top Gun’, has been blazing the trail as a handgun shooter locally, regionally and internationally, noted that his company is backing Braithwaite and the Guyana team to once again maintain the high standards of winning in the Twin Island Republic, this year.

Braithwaite, in response, expressed gratitude to Secure Innovations and Concepts Inc.. for the unwavering support to rifle-shooting and, in particular, to him.

“For a number of years now, I’ve been receiving regular sponsorship and part sponsorship from SI&CI. The record will show that for the last eight years my shooting has lifted to international standards and I’ve been consistent. This I would say is due to (having) a reliable sponsor which takes away that additional mental pressure to go out procuring sponsorship.”

Braithwaite and the Guyana team are expected to leave on Sunday for Trinidad and Tobago.

Noble House Seafoods second division cricket fixtures THE Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA) has released fixtures for the Noble House Seafoods 2nd division two-day cricket competition. Matches will be played tomorrow and Sunday at the various venues with play starting at 10:30hrs each day.

Fixtures read: MYO vs GDF at MYO Bel Air RUBiS vs Transport SC at QC Police SC vs Everest CC at Eve Leary UG vs DCC at Queenstown Malteenoes SC vs GYO at Malteenoes

t b u o d s e s i a r y d n A r i S w o l l a h S ; e b m o c s a B r e ov t n e m t n i o p p a defends Page

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Test legend Sir Andy Roberts

Recently appointed selector Miles Bascombe

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GUYOIL/Tradewind Tankers launch second Schools Football league Members of GUYOIL/Tradewind Tankers and Petra Organisation pose with some students who will be participating in the Schools Football U-18 tournament

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

Smith’s fiery spell of 6-41 helps Lower Corentyne destroy Georgetown by 7 wickets

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Lower Corentyne pacer Niall Smith celebrates the dismissal of one of his six victims yesterday at the GCC ground, Bourda (Adrian Narine photo)

Dwayne Bravo backs decision to drop younger brother 30 Page

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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2019