Guyana Chronicle E-paper 12-01-2019

1st December, 2019

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5 DEAD

No.105838

… in separate accidents on West Demerara

… four killed when car, minibus collide at Nismes … Republic Bank staff dies after crashing car at Leonora 02&04 PAGE S

DEAD: Rile Charlesto bring awareness to road Partners and media operatives signing the banner to indicate their commitment DEAD: Ayesha Sealey to joining the campaign DEAD: Maria Bisnauth The minibus which was involved in the accident Newtorn

Nomination Day is January 10, 2020 19 PAGE

‘Iwokrama is here to stay’ 03 PAGE

–– President Granger reassures conservation entity of continued gov’t support

Live and Direct

… Radio Essequibo begins transmission across Region 2

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE December 1, 2019

Four dead in Nismes smash-up

… Six critical as car and minibus collide

By Alva Solomon and Tamica Garnett AT least four persons are confirmed dead following a smash-up on the public road at Nismes, West Bank Demerara last evening.

Reports are that a minibus crashed into a Toyota Premio motorcar bearing registration PTT 691 along the roadway around 1900hrs as the latter exited a gas station. Persons on the scene reported that the Route 31 minibus was heading to the city when the car exited the D&L Gas Station at Nismes and ended-up in its path.

Among those confirmed dead are: 29-yearold Ayesha Sealey of Patentia Housing Scheme, a 12-year-old girl, whose name was provided as Maria Bisnauth and the driver of the car, who was identified as Rawle Williams, a 52-year-old father of four.

Bisnauth died while undergoing medical attention.

The identity of the fourth fatality is being ascertained.

Several persons, including

the driver of the minibus, whose name was given as Hensley Alleyne and passenger Mark Anthony, age 24, were hospitalised in critical conditions. They were among several persons who were transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation from the West Demerara Regional Hospital where the injured were taken to following the accident.

Anthony’s relatives told the Guyana Chronicle that the young man was on the way to work when the accident occurred. He works at the Pritipaul Singh Investment firm on the East Bank of Demerara. The man’s family said that he sustained mainly head injuries and they were hopeful that he would survive.

The accident sent shockwaves throughout the country as the nation has witnessed a number of road fatalities within the past week.

Last Sunday morning, Republic Bank employee, David Headley, crashed into a bridge rail at Felicity, East Coast Demerara. He

died while getting medical attention. Early Monday morning, off-duty police officer Carl Roach died after he collided with a car as he rode along the roadway near Brickdam and Lime Street.

On Tuesday, 55-yearold Raymond Cassal died after he was struck down by a pick-up at Coffee Grove on the Essequibo Coast.

On Wednesday night, the owner of Kosmos Bar and Grill, Dillon Dos Ramos along with Senior Superintendent of the Guyana Police Force, Brian Eastman, died after the vehicle the two were travelling in crashed into a fence at Liliendaal, East Coast Demerara.

Then on Thursday afternoon, a school child, Nifram Nezamodeen, died after a speeding motorcar slammed into a crowd at Bush Lot Village on the Corentyne.

His sister and his mother also sustained injuries following the accident.

On Friday afternoon, rice farmer Bissoonauth Ramnarine called ‘Lora’ died after he crashed into a vehicle and fell into the

DEAD: Ayesha Sealey

DEAD: Maria Bisnauth

CRITICAL: Mark Anthony

opposing lane of traffic at Devonshire Castle, Essequibo Coast.

Earlier Saturday morning, another Republic Bank employee, Riley Charles Newton, of Ruimzeight, West Coast Demerara (WCD) died after crashing his car at Leonora, WCD. During the past week, there were several other non-fatal accidents along the country’s roadways. On Friday morning, Nurse Darcia Bisson was struck down as she crossed the roadway at Queenstown on the Essequibo Coast. She remains in a critical condition. November has been designated as Road Safety Month.

PUBLIC Security Minister, Khemraj Ramjattan said while the Police Traffic Department is more actively involved in public awareness campaigns, there is need for better individual responsibility. “If there are qualified persons – having passed the driving exam –

driving irresponsibly causing deaths and damage to our public infrastructure as well as private property… it shows that the fault lies with individual driving, in my opinion.”

Minister Ramjattan noted that of the over 91 fatal accidents for this year, 77 resulted from excessive speed or driving under the influence. Once these are addressed, he opined, road fatalities can be reduced by half. He called on motorists, in particular, to pause and take a look at “what is happening to our society”.

Minister of Public Infrastructure David Patterson pointed to the fact that with the improved roadways constructed by the Coalition Government, “persons can commute quicker and at a safer rate to ease traffic congestion. However, some drivers have been taking advantage of this and that is a concern,” he said.

The public infrastruc-

ture minister opined that early education is needed and maybe relicensing, and pledged to implement more safety structures such as overpasses at critical junctions on the East Coast Demerara.

“I will continue to make all the necessary interventions, however, nothing could be effective as persons taking responsibility for the rate of speed at which they drive,” he remarked.

The use of speed bumps has proven effective in reducing accidents and unnecessary speeding at critical junctions according to Minister Patterson.

This view was supported by Snr. Superintendent Isles, who called on the operators of heavy-duty commercial vehicles to remember that their uses is restricted to hours of 7am to 9am on weekdays and any breaches will be dealt with.

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‘Iwokrama is here to stay’

SUNDAY CHRONICLE December 1, 2019

–– President Granger reassures conservation entity of continued gov’t support

By Alva Solomon

THIRTY-years after former President, the Late Hugh Desmond Hoyte, gifted to the world one million hectares of Guyana’s pristine rainforest for conservation in the form of the Iwokrama International Centre for Rainforest Conservation, President David

Gobin , conservationists and other public officials, President Granger said that the centre is “here to stay.”

After providing a background of the value of the country’s flora and fauna, the Head of State said that Iwokrama remains relevant to the national responses to local and global environmental threats.”It is a part of the solution

velopment, without cutting the “umbilical” cord to the international community.

He said that “change is imperative and indispensable “for improvement as he added that the centre will not survive unless it adapts to the challenges imposed by climate change.

The President, in his address, told the gathering

A section of the gathering at the event

Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Sydney Allicock as he addressed the gathering Granger on Saturday evening assured the centre of the APNU+AFC government’s continued support.

The President made the gesture at the Umana Yana during the 30th Anniversary celebrations of the conservation body. While addressing a gathering which included Fourth Vice-President and Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous People’s Affairs, Sydney Allicock , Iwokrama’s CEO Dane

to the adverse effects of climate change such as extreme weather, rising sea levels, precipitous levels of biodiversity loss and diminishing fresh water supplies to which the world is seeking solutions.”

The President described the centre as ‘immense, impressive, irreplaceable” providing priceless ecological and environmental services to the earth and remains a vital element in the protection of the world’s biodiversity.

He said that Iwokrama is central to Guyana’s transition to becoming a green state, adding that the centre is part of the country’s heartland.

The President told the gathering that the conservation entity must “change” in order to survive, noting that it can no longer subsist entirely on the old covenant which played a pivotal role in its lifespan.

He said that it is part of the national patrimony and Guyanese must bear the greatest responsibility for the centre’s future de-

that Iwokrama will not be allowed to become a “lifeless monument or a museum, or worst, a timber grant or a gold mine.”

He said a new covenant must be crafted to ensure its future, adding that it would be about education and research rather than entertainment and recreation. He said it must become a “school house” for students to study the sciences.

The president said that with its rich bio-diversity, the centre is pivotal to “positioning of our economy”, one to a green, growth pathway. He said that the pursuit of sustainable development cannot be achieved unless there is an unobstructed obligation to the protection of Guyana’s biodiversity, adding that it can teach the world lessons on biodiversity.

He said it is the government’s intention, with the support of international partners, to make Iwokrama into a world class institute for biodiversity research and an academy of excellence to serve

the educational needs of Guyanese children.

He said one of his first moves when he assumed office was to make the Fairview Aerodrome safe and expand its length for ease of travel into the area.

On a sour note, the President said one of his more depressing trips over the past four years was a visit to the University of Guyana’s Centre for Biodiversity. He said he was almost reduced to tears by the state of that entity. ”I saw cemetery rather than a laboratory for diversity,” adding that it was a disservice for the nation to allow such neglect.

He said Iwokrama will not suffer that state, adding that the new covenant for the centre will be unveiled during the decade of development which commences in 2020.

understanding what the area can offer to the world, including tourism. “It is the value of utilizing or exploiting the national resources without too much harm,” he added.

He also noted that on Iwokrama’s anniversary, it is a time to reflect and consider what lie ahead.

Iwokrama’s CEO noted that the centre, since its establishment, continues to enjoy the support of successive governments and international bodies as well as Britian’s Prince Charles, who recently renewed his patronage to the centre.

He described Iwokrama as an environmental flagship for Guyana and the Commonwealth and he noted that it remains the most studied research forest in the region.

Iwokrama was birthed

President David Granger as he addressed the gathering on Saturday night. and Development Act (1996) was passed by the Parliament of Guyana.

The legislation oversaw the establishment of the centre to manage the

President David Granger greets CEO of Iwokrama, Dane Gobin while the centre’s Director, Resource Management and Training, Dr Raquel Thomas looks on “The decade will also witness Guyana’s honouring its commitments to place another two million hectares under conservation in accordance with our national and determining commitments under the Paris Agreement,” the President said.

Minister Allicock, in his address to those gathered, noted that the relationship built between Iwokrama and the hinterland communities “is very significant.”

He said it gives the residents a greater role in

out of the 1989 Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

In that year, President Hoyte offered the 371,681 hectares of rainforest to the international community for research.

In 1995, an Iwokrama Agreement was signed by the late former President Cheddi Jagan and the Commonwealth Secretary General, Chief Emeka Anyaoku. Then in 1996, the Iwokrama International Centre for Rainforest Conservation

forest area and to promote the conservation and the sustainable and equitable use of tropical rainforests in a manner that will lead to lasting ecological, economic and social benefits to the people of Guyana and to the world in general.

Over the years, Iwokrama has been doing just that in all aspects of its operations from tourism, research, community development and even sustainable forestry.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, December 1, 2019

Republic Bank staff loses life in Leonora crash

A 26-year-old Republic Bank staff lost his life Saturday morning after crashing the car he was driving on the Leonora, West Coast Demerara (WCD).

Dead is Riley Charles Newton of Ruimzeight, WCD. The father of one was the driver of motorcar PRR 1703 which ran off the road at Leonora at about 05:15hrs and turned turtle. There were two other persons in the car; Monesh Gopie who was in the front seat while Joseph Ramjohn was sleeping in the

back. Both men walked away with minor injuries.

The driver allegedly died at the scene of the accident.

Newton was dropping off Ramjohn home after leaving an East Bank of Demerara (EBD) location for Parika, East Bank Essequibo (EBE).

Exactly one week ago, another Republic Bank employee was killed at after crashing into a bridge near Felicity Embankment, East Coast Demerara. He was David Headley of 370 Powis Close, South Ruimveldt Gardens.

Riley Charles Newton

Headley, who was employed as a Technical Operator at the Republic Bank, was reportedly driving his vehicle, PRR 2531, at a fast rate of speed at the time of the accident.

The injured being taken to the hospital by police

Headley was driving west along the East Coast Demerara public road when he overtook another car, But he

lost control and slammed head-on into a bridge. The driver that Headley had overtaken tried in vain to

free the injured man from his wrecked car. Passersby eventually managed to pull Headley out of his vehicle.

GPA holds another ‘Oil and Gas Training for Media Workers’

01 December, 2019 - 08:00hrs ~ 09:30hrs

AS media workers continue to prepare themselves better, to be able to objectively monitor, question and report on Guyana’s coming oil and gas sector, several turned out on Saturday for the commencement of a two-day “Oil and Gas Training for Media Workers,” held at the Herdmanston Lodge.

The event was organised by the Guyana Press Association (GPA), in collaboration with Exxon, with training facilitated

by international journalism trainer, editor and writer Lisa Essex and Journalist and Former President of the Association of Caribbean Media Workers (ACM), Wesley Gibbings.

The event builds on a previous two-day seminar held in May that dealt with oil, gas and energy transparency matters.

That was also organised by the GPA Last weekend’s event was attended by representatives from most media houses in the

country, including the Guyana Chronicle, Stabroek News, Guyana Times, Kaieteur News, Prime News, the National Communications Network (NCN), Nightly News, Capitol News, News Source and News Room, among other entities.

Some of the objectives of the event included training on How oil prices work; Factors which influence prices; How to write an energy story; and The Code of Ethics in oil Journalism,” among others. Attendees were also given an opportunity to share some of the issues that they hoped to see addressed during the two-day workshop, and these were incorporated.

The importance of fact-checking and objectivity were particularly stressed by Essex and Gibbings, as they opened the session. They emphasised to media workers their role in ensuring that factual information gets out to the

public; this, in an age where disinformation and misinformation abound and is further proliferated via social media.

“With the vast explosion of social media and channel for users information, we have to reside in that landscape and continue to establish ourselves as the place people go to verify their information,” Essex noted.

Gibbings delivered a presentation on “The Process of Verification”; he stressed the importance of being objective, and unbiased in reporting “In your personal life you will have a bias, a preference, a belief system, [but] what you think about an issue is perhaps the least important part of the story,” Gibbings warned.

The media workers were given a chance to role-play and act out scenarios covering hypothetical situations in covering oil and gas news.

Saturday November 30, 2019

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November 29 2019

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, December 1, 2019

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Scotia is TT’s Bank of the Year (TRINIDAD NEWSDAY) Scotiabank has been named TT’s Bank of the Year, by The Banker Magazine a Financial Times publication. This is the sixth occasion that the bank has been recognized by the publication, having also achieved the title in 2007, 2010, 2013, 2014 and 2016.

“The past year has been particularly exciting with the introduction of several digital innovations, providing customers with more convenient and efficient banking options. Many of these were first

Scotia Bank (TT) Ltd Managing Director Stephen Bagnaroll

to market within the local banking industry - Scotiabank Alerts, Digital Branches, Next Generation ATMs, Digital Tokens, and a new Branch Customer Management System to name a few,” said Stephen Bagnarol, Managing Director of Scotiabank TT. “This award means a lot to us as it’s a reflection of the passion and dedication of our employees who work diligently to ensure we deepen and strengthen our relationship with customers. I am truly proud to be a part of this amazing team of profes-

sionals” he continued.

He also mentioned the Bank’s focus on continuous improvement.

“We recognise that customer needs are constantly changing and that we need to ensure we continue to deliver on our commitment to customers.

We know we still have a lot to do.

This award gives us the motivation to further improve in 2020 and beyond” Bagnarol indicated.

This year, Scotiabank was also named the Bank of the Year 2019 in Bahamas and Canada. The Banker selects winners based on their abili-

ty to deliver shareholder returns and gain strategic advantage. The magazine is the world’s longest running international banking magazine, recognized as a leading source of information on finance and investment around the globe.

The Banker selects one winning bank for each of the 120 countries judged. Over 1,000 applications are collected and judges select winning banks based on which ones they believe have made the most progress over the past 12 months.

UNC MP: Were health funds diverted to LGE campaign?

(TRINIDAD NEWSDAY) Fyzabad MP Dr Lackram Bodoe has asked whether the reduction of the allocation for drugs and supplies to the Ministry of Health in the 2020 budget means the rest of the money was being used for “other purposes” connected to the local government campaign.

He was addressing an extremely boisterous mass meeting of flag-waving UNC supporters at the Grants Road Junction, Rousillac, on Friday night.

Bodoe, the opposition party’s shadow minister of health, said the budgetary allocation for drugs and supplies was to ensure that patients could get their medications and other supplies at hospitals and health centres throughout the country.

He said the 2019 allocation was just under $600 million, but this had been

MP for Fyzabad Lackram Bodoe during the UNC political Monday night meeting held at Fyzabad Secondary school. Photo

by Chequana Wheeler

substantially reduced, to just under $145 million, in the 2020 budget.

“That is a shortfall of over $400 million. So we asked the Minister of Health to explain the shortfall, and he could not answer,” Bodoe said, adding the minister, Terrence Deyalsingh, had referred the question to the Minister of Finance.

“But I want to know

whether that $400 million is being used for other purposes,” Bodoe said, before saying the ruling party seemed to have bought out the airwaves of the various radio and TV stations.

Bodoe said the continued closure of the Couva Children’s Hospital would go down as the greatest tragedy in the nation’s history.

He said with work being done at the Port of Spain General Hospital, patients would have to be transferred

to the already overcrowded San Fernando General Hospital.

They could have been accommodated at the Couva hospital, he said, but this would not happen, as it was being used as a pharmacy.

Returning to the local government election campaign, Bodoe said the only reason the PNM was targeting certain electoral districts in the Siparia Regional Corporation (SRC) was to “brag” that it was able to

take the SRC from the UNC. The candidates for both the SRC and the Point Fortin Borough Corporation took the podium to implore supporters to vote early and bring both corporations into the UNC fold.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE December 1, 2019

PPP and the Walter Rodney factor

NOT for the first time, the Walter Rodney factor has become part of the national conversation on the eve of a general election.

The PPP in a desperate attempt to sow seeds of discord within the coalition and the country at large, has spent the last few weeks fuelling anti-WPA sentiments in the media and using two issues surrounding Walter Rodney in nasty ways. This has brought the PPP into a war of words with the WPA. It all started when another publication carried a report of a speech made by Dr Rodney’s widow in England in which she reportedly called on the government to formally release the Walter Rodney CoI report. The report also seemed to imply that the WPA, of which Rodney was a co-leader, was culpable for Dr Rodney’s death. The WPA immediately responded by endorsing Mrs Rodney’s call and indicated that it would engage the government on the issue. The party also took the opportunity to answer its critics who claim that by being part of the governing coalition it had betrayed Rodney.

In a wide-ranging statement, the WPA accused the PPP of trying to blackmail it into leaving the coalition, but vowed to remain part of the six-party grouping. According to the WPA: “WPA frowns on those who have sought to use Rodney’s name for cheap political gains. Rodney has in death become a plaything for a group of political hypocrites. Many who today sing praises to Walter Rodney never joined his cause when he was alive, or in the difficult period following his assassination. Some dismissed him as an

adventurist, while others taunted him as an “ultra- leftist and a “Black Intellectual.” The then leader of the PPP went as far as telling supporters that Rodney promised Guyana a Christmas present, but they instead got his body on a platter. These same people today maliciously try to tie WPA’s membership of the APNU and the APNU+AFC government to a fictitious betrayal of Walter Rodney and our party’s core principles. They have made that line part of their narrative aimed at breaking up the coalition.”

What followed was a seemingly orchestrated series of letters to the press from PPP leaders and sympathisers, which sought to drive a wedge between the WPA and the Rodney family and in the process muddy the waters on the eve of an election. First, the PPP’s Chief Whip Ms Gail Teixeira responded to the WPA’s statement by charging the party with abandoning Rodney. She studiously avoided the WPA’s accusation that Dr Jagan had made fun of Rodney during the 1980 election campaign.

The WPA hit back in the form of two revealing letters by the legendary Elder Eusi Kwayana, who reminded the country of the PPP’s long history of anti-Rodney actions and rhetoric. He also laid bare the partisan political machinations of the PPP as far as the Walter Rodney CoI was concerned. Elder Kwayana is a veteran of Guyanese politics and is one of the most respected leaders; his reputation for fairness and political morality lends credibility to his utterances.

One remembers that the PPP, then in government, in 2014 mounted a Commis-

sion of Inquiry (CoI) into the death of the esteemed Guyanese historian and political activist. The CoI was, to say the least, held in controversial circumstances as both the PNC and the WPA charged the PPP government with an overt partisan agenda; neither party was consulted in the working out of the Terms of Reference (ToR), although they had in 2006 voted for the parliamentary motion to have such an inquiry. The PPP had abstained, although it was that party that piloted the motion.

Kwayana recalled the PPP’s manipulation of the CoI this way: “ It was the National Assembly that carried a resolution in the year 2006, authorising a Commission of Inquiry. The PPP had abstained on the vote because the word “assassination,” in its original motion, had been wisely amended to read “death,” out of respect for a guarantee of fairness. This treatment of elected parties as things of a lower status angered the PNC in particular which, assisted by Dr Roopnaraine, had overcome its decades-long opposition to such an inquiry.

Under the Commissions of Inquiry Act (Ch. 19:03), it is the President who creates a commission, appoints the members, authorises the Terms of Reference, and sets the rules governing the commission. The need for consultation is not written into the Act, but an enlightened political culture will advise it.”

In a reply to Kwayana, former president Donald Ramotar defended his lack of consultation with other parties. He insisted that that was the wish of the Rodney family and concluded that had he opted for consulta-

tion, the CoI would not have materialised.

His then Attorney General Anil Nandlall corroborated his narrative. But Kwayana argues that as president he was bound by the constitution and should have acted consistent with its conventions. As he puts it: “ I rebuked the former president for not consulting political parties in a parliament of which the president forms a part. I did not impose on him the duty of reaching consensus with other parties. Consultation in this case would reflect a political culture. In any case, the legal responsibility for the content of the terms of reference is the President’s.”

This publication views the PPP’s attempt to inject Walter Rodney into the election campaign as a cowardly act. The Rodney family has a right to press their case; they have suffered a great loss. But for the PPP to then use it for partisan political gain is beyond the pale. The constant attacks on the WPA for its membership of the coalition is equally nasty. It is our view that the WPA and the PNC should be commended for burying the political hatchet in the interest of national reconciliation and cohesion. Guyana is better for it. We hope that the PPP takes a leaf from these parties’ books and move in the direction of healing and reconciliation.

Finally, we commend the intervention of Elder Kwayana on this matter; he remains an example to younger politicians.

Never one to attack others, he makes his arguments in a humane and respectful way.

At a time when political discourse is most uncivil, Kwayana’s voice beckons us to our better side.

Let us set the records straight and honour those who deserve to be venerated Dear Editor, I NOTE with great alarm the letter published in Kaiteur News, November 29, 2019, titled ‘Queen Victoria statue should be respected, preserved,’ written by Rooplall Dudhnath.

I do not propose at this stage to debate the virtues of the good Queen Victoria, or the Victorian Era. But Mr Editor, I ask you to publish the following to debunk generations of propaganda.

In his letter, praising the good Queen, he

claims that “it was during her reign as Queen of England that she abolished slavery and put an end to the undignified slave trade that some European governments and monarchs started and enriched themselves with the exploits.

She also abolished the inhuman indignities of slavery, to her credit.”

This is an absurdity.

Queen Victoria had absolutely nothing to do with the epic struggle for freedom of the slaves in the British Commonwealth.

Queen Victoria ascended the throne as Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Brit-

ain and Ireland on 20th of June, 1837.

Long after the efforts of Wilberforce, John Newton and in particular the glorious and gallant struggle by the slaves themselves, who had said in modern parlance that ‘enough is enough.’

She came to the throne in the final months of apprenticeship.

Another error by our African ancestors is when they renamed the village North Brook, which they had purchased on the East Coast of Demerara to Victoria and a mistake that Victorians themselves must appreciate for

Queen Victoria.

I repeat, Queen Victoria had nothing to do with the freeing of our slave ancestors.

I challenge the author of the letter and historians to produce any evidence that Queen Victoria was involved meaningfully in the struggle for African freedom from slavery (1834-1838).

Let us set the records straight and honour those who deserve to be venerated.

Regards Hamilton Green

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE December 1, 2019

There is opposition to renaming of National Archives Dear Editor,

NOTHING is wrong with naming something after Dr Walter Rodney.

For instance, renaming Croal St where the WPA’s office was to Rodney Street, or where he was born or grew, but the National Archives has a particular denotative and connotative value to be seen as a national entity. According to the National Archives of Guyana Act, Chapter 40:08, Section 3 (2) the institution was established to “be the place of deposit for the storage and preservation of public archives.”

We have the Victoria Law Court, which is named after Queen Victoria. Back then it was the Supreme Court of British Guiana and it was about colonisation and control to show who was really in charge and had control over us. By the same token are we now witness-

ing efforts by the WPA to play the control game on us.

For instance, you don’t take the Guyana Defence Force, whose first locally born Chief of Staff was Colonel Clarence Price, and rename the institution the Colonel Price Defence Force. Neither do we rename the Ministry of Education the Forbes Burnham Education Ministry, given that he was the first locally born Minister of Education under internal self-government. Or do we name the Ministry of Agriculture the Cheddi Jagan Agriculture Ministry, because he was the first Minister of Agriculture, Forest, Land and Mines.

Will we see the WPA wanting the Ministry of Telecommunications be renamed the Sydney King or Eusi Kwayana Public Telecommunications Ministry, whichever is preferred, because he was the Guyana’s first Minister of Communi-

cations and Works? Would they want two departments of government renamed in honour of Joycelyn Dow and Andaiye, the founding women of the WPA? The only two WPA leaders standing on their own two feet without the ghost of Rodney on their shoulders are Dr Rupert Roopnaraine and Professor Clive Thomas.

And this raises the concern about the need to rename the National Archives the Walter Rodney Archives. Is it because he was the co-leader of the WPA and may be known in the international community?

Comparatively, on the local scene, he did not distinguish himself with the body of work akin to fellow historians such as Sister Mary Noel Menezes, Prof James Roses, Pat Dyal Singh, Vere T Daly and Archivist Tommy Payne.

Taking this renaming

business to the logical ridiculous conclusion, the Cooperative Republic of Guyana can be renamed the Cooperative Republic of Jabuda in honour of Cheddi Jagan, Forbes Burnham and Peter D’Augiar, Guyana’s Founding Fathers. Knowing the

culture of the WPA, fighting for recognition, the party will want the name Rodney added, so we can then do a final renaming to that of the Cooperative Republic of Jabudaro. Instead of being Guyanese we will be Jabudaroes or Jabudaroians. This

Editor’s note: DESPITE announcing a change in the name of the National Archives to honour the late Dr Walter Rodney, the former PPP administration had refused to gazette the change and government gave the assurance on Thursday that it would right the wrong.

Director-General (DG) of the Ministry of the Presidency, Joseph Harmon, said the government will have to correct another wrong by the former administration that has, over the last few days, caused some uneasiness in society. Recent news of the removal of the name of late Working Peoples’ Alliance (WPA) founding member Dr Walter Rodney from the National Archives of Guyana had caused some displeasure; however, Harmon said: “it is

will make the WPA happy.

There is disagreement with the government’s position to rename the National Archives the Walter Rodney Archives Regards Minette Bacchus

our intention to correct that.”

He explained at a post-cabinet news conference that the previous government, which made the name change from the “National Archives of Guyana” to the “Walter Rodney Archives,” had failed to follow the legal course and have the change gazetted. Since the issue came to the fore, members of the opposition have been taking to the pages of local newspapers. However, the DG said the opposition has been trying to drive a wedge between the parties of the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU). “Our partnership in which the WPA is an active and valued member is as strong as it was when it first started.

“We are engaging the WPA and we will address that matter,” the DG insisted.

Boyer should continue dialogue Dear Editor, ANY conversation that seeks to improve our system of governance and creates a more inclusive and prosperous environment for the citizens is encouraging.

I see such an effort in the address delivered last Thursday by Nicholas Deygoo-Boyer, President of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) in marking the organisation’s 130th anniversary. Having read Stabroek News’ coverage surrounding the presentation, I applaud the 10-point proposal for the Development of Guyana in what the organisation believes “… will address the major structural issues in our economy.” Refer to ‘City Chamber wants single development plan, restoration

of PM as head of gov’t’ (29th November online edition).

In many respects the 10 points contain elements not unlike that of the Guyana Trades Union Congress’ (GTUC) 19-point agenda presented to the nation, President David Granger and Leader of the Opposition Bharrat Jagdeo in March of this year. There is a convergence of interests to realise a better Guyana which communicates that even in diversity there is commonality; identifying common ground is a human strength in building synergies which we must capitalise on.

The above having been said, the opportunity is taken to address the areas on governance in the presentation as reported:1. A “split Parliament system into a lower and up-

per house, with the lower house being elected at local government elections.” This is something new. There exists uncertainty how the proposed structure could work in our system of National, Regional and Local Government. At the legislative level Members, though coming from a single list, are elected under two criteria, that is, the national and regional components where the latter are the representatives of the respective 10 administrative regions, with two coming from each region. The GTUC has proposed that the Representation of the People Act be amended to allow for such members to be directly elected by the people in the respective regions. In the case of the Caribbean where countries have a lower and upper house, members of the upper house, which is

referred to as the Senate, secure their seats through appointment, not elections.

In the United States these members are elected.

2. “Limiting Powers of the President to a Constitutional Function such as in Trinidad and Tobago, and placing the executive functions with the prime minister.” Unlike Trinidad and Tobago where sovereignty resides in the Crown, in Guyana sovereignty is vested in the people as stipulated by the Constitution. Our republic is unlike Trinidad and more mirrors a model similar to the U.S., where the President is Head of Government and Head of State.

The Trinidad model would mean taking away sovereignty from the people and making them subjects of the Crown. The President in Trinidad has non-executive

duties as a result of a governance structure where the Crown (i.e. the United Kingdom) is the Head of State and the prime minister the Head of Government. Trinidad’s President is the Crown’s local representative and functions on behalf of the Queen.

3. “Changing the structure of ministries so that the permanent secretaries are in charge of operations, and ministers are in charge of policy and direction.” This structure currently exists.

What has been happening is that successive governments, private agencies and citizens have not allowed it to work. On many occasions businesses and citizens entice and encourage politicians to undermine the structure in pursuit of self-interest. What we may need are strong oversight institutions, inclusive of severe penalties, to serve

as deterrence to its undermining.

There is agreement in improving “the judicial system through increased training for police prosecutors, and IT system implementation.” On GECOM’s structure, when it was implemented it was intended to be temporary, not permanent; and on term-limits for constitutional office holders, such is not beyond review. The media did not elaborate on the other nine points in the proposal and efforts will be made to secure a copy.

The fact that Dey goo-Boyer has used the public space to speak to these issues is commendable and he is hereby encouraged to continue the dialogue.

Regards Lincoln Lewis

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE December 1, 2019

Irfaan and Jagdeo do not deserve a hearing or a chance AT the media launch of its manifesto, the PPP made a very barefaced call for Coalition supporters to give the party a hearing.

Its proxy presidential candidate is reported to have said the following words: “To those who may not have historically supported us, at least give us a chance, an opportunity to be heard. Give us an opportunity through this document to reach into your hearts, to reach into your homes so that you can analyse the plans that we have, so that you can make a more informed decision.”

The Political Teacher could not believe his eyes when he read those words-this could not be real. But

after all, in politics all things are possible. And the PPP would go to any length to fool the public. Maybe Irfaan Ali may be too young to know of his party’s historic hostility to those who “may not have historically supported us.” Or maybe, he is pretending not to know.

Wasn’t he there in Cabinet during the bad days?

First off, that group which has not historically supported the PPP has a collective ethnic identity— African Guyanese. Irfaan and Bharrat don’t have the courage to refer to them by their correct identity.

From the time of the split of the PPP in 1955, the PPP declared war on that section of our society. Some

African Guyanese leaders and supporters remained with the Jagan faction at the time of the split and some even voted for them at the 1957 election. But they were forced out of the party. In 1956, the African Guyanese leadership left and accused Dr. Jagan and the PPP of race politics. Kwayana was there. Martin Carter was there. Rory Westmass was there. They all left.

The 1957-64 PPP government had an anti-PNC supporters’ agenda. It marginalised the Civil Service.

It refused to take Guyana into the West Indies Federation out of fear that Indian Guyanese would be ruled

by Black West Indians. It invested in areas of the economy that were dominated by one race and marginalised those dominated by the other races. It helped to create the conditions for the racial disturbances of 1961-64.

Now the PPP wants to get into the hearts of PNCR supporters. Did they think of this when they were carrying blows to that community?

When it returned to power in 1992, the PPP picked up from where it left off. It fired left, right and centre those PNC supporters. From the Foreign Service to the public service it wiped the PNC slate clean. It tried to ban Mashramai. It declared a new war on the Civil Service. The 1964 refrain of “not one damn cent more” was revived. After arbitration in 1999, the PPP refused to honour the recommendations.

When Jagdeo took power in 1999, all hell broke loose. Guyanese had to run for cover as his government imposed Rogue Governance

on the country. When the dust settled, over 400 mainly Afro Guyanese were dead.

Communities like Buxton were decimated. The Political Teacher remembers Donna McKinnon, Ronald Waddell, Courtney Crum Ewing, Ron Somerset, Ivan Lewis and Shemron Bouyea. The police were given licence to kill.

Jagdeo was in charge from 1999 to 2011. Irfaan was around. He was in Cabinet, so he bears responsibility too. Since they were defeated in 2015, they never said one word of apology to the community. Now, they are appealing for support. The Political Teacher believes all political contestants should be given a hearing. But in this instance, I break with that tradition. Irfaan, Bharrat and the PPP do not deserve a hearing from Coalition supporters. They should be free to go to all communities unmolested. But when they come, ignore them. Give them the silent treatment. Go about your business as if they are not there.

The Teacher says this to Irfaan: Tell us who killed Donna McKinnon and Waddle and Crum Ewing. Tell us what you know about Roger Khan’s doings. Tell us about the schemes to get Black youth into the dancehalls rather than into jobs. Tell us why Black organisations were dissed when they demanded a say where the 1823 monument should be erected.

Tell us why you destroyed Buxton. Until you do so, this Political Teacher says that PNC supporters should not give you a chance.

PPP plagiarised all govt’s past, present and future ideas Dear Editor, THE PPP had the launching of the 2020 manifesto on Friday. To get a comprehensive understanding of it, I read the reports in several media outlets.

First, I did a general examination of the photos.

Sam Hinds as usual looked completely at sea. Is he ever awake? Don’t take my word, examine the picture.

I then scanned the photos from right to left. I do not know if it was by coincidence, but all the ‘losers’ from the PPP presidential selection process sat on the right.

The coconut oil consultant was there, suited and booted in Sub-Saharan temperatures. That fella does not know how to dress for the weather. To his left was my batch mate, Dr Persaud, who did not quite look her radiant self. Ahead of them was Mr. Vexatious aka Chat-3.

Apparently, he missed his stolen law books case to be there. He must be quite scared of that magistrate, preferring to sit in brain- frying temperatures, listening to a grown man recite the alphabet. Just read the law books and defend yourself mate. If you had done that, this case would have been long over. I don’t know if you have noticed, but Dr Anthony was absent. I guess he is still having therapy after that traumatic ‘loss’ to the alumnus of West Demerara University.

Now the manifesto speech proper. Puppet Irfaan-19 was given the day out. Mate was over the moon. Actually, I retract that last statement. I don’t think it is possible for him to defy gravity much less reach the moon. He looked very upbeat after consuming a few gallons of coffee. Bharrat was a few inches to his left in the event of any error, a pinch of the gluteus maximus should put him back on track. After a deep inspiratory breath, MIA began his speech. As reported by Demerarawaves, he made a pitch to Afro-Guyanese. He reportedly said that if they vote for him they would not be discriminated against. That’s a bit disconcerting when a candidate has to categorically state that he will not discriminate against a group. I thought that was a given. Just out of curiosity, I wonder what will happen if they don’t vote for him? He then went on to state that if he is elected, cash transfers would be bountiful. Seriously? First they were for cash transfer. Then they are against cash transfer. Now they are for cash transfer. Look what flip floppers, you may wish to follow our President’s lead.

Pick a side and stick to it. This pendulum-type changing of position is giving us ‘eye turn.’ Then he proceeded to oil contract renegotiation. Again the party of confusion is all over the place; vacillating from one position to another. First, they had argued that the contract cannot be renegotiated, but now they say it will. Look what, I am no lawyer, but my understanding is that a contract has two parties. For a contract to be renegotiated, then both parties have to agree to it. Why would Exxon wish to renegotiate a contract, if as PPP argues, the original contract favours them? Probably, I am missing something. I guess the ‘champion’ will threaten them a place in his black book if they don’t play ball. Finally, he once again promised this 50,000 jobs nonsense. I will just ignore that for now, since I have no idea how this is possible and I think he is none the wiser.

In conclusion, rather than boring you with everything Puppet Irfaan-19 stole, I would direct you to the APNU-AFC developmental policies. In essence, the PPP plagiarised all of the government’s past, present and future ideas.

Apparently, the manifesto like Irfaan-19 certificates, is on facebook. Don’t waste your time reading it. You would be better served attending some random person’s funeral.

Regards Dr Mark Devonish

SUNDAY CHRONICLE December 1, 2019

OUR CHILDREN AND OUR CONSTITUTION THE Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) in collaboration with the Ministry of Education has recently concluded a debating competition among secondary school students on Guyana’s Constitution.

It was the first time that copies of the Guyana Constitution were distributed to secondary schools, as well as to Toshaos in our indigenous peoples’ communities. This is an an on-going exercise in constitutional education that was piloted by the OPM’s Governance Department with support from the Child Rights Commission and United Nations organisations such as UNDP and UNICEF, and The Carter Center.

The young debaters were drawn from 15 secondary schools from all three counties and from each of our 10 administrative regions.

It was the first time ever that our schools were exposed to the Constitution as the base document, and as focal points for moots on diverse issues that were of immediate interest to them.

EXCHANGE OF IDEAS I was able to re-live the excitement of the early 1970s.

Then, I had led a powerful team from West Berbice into the Patrick Dargan Debating Competition on whether nationalisation of the “commanding heights of our economy” was a suitable policy for our newly independent state. I can still remember our uncompromising, fierce encounter with a team headed by the then young and articulate Robert Corbin, at the Maha Sabha Secondary School in Georgetown.

It didn’t matter who won the debate, as it was an exchange of ideas on the choice of path for the development of our nation, and as young people, we felt strongly that we had a point of view that we wanted to share.

At that time, based on the historic, colonial structure and expatriate control of our economy, the dominant thinking had favoured radical nationalism, with nationalisation of the bauxite and sugar industries being high on the cards. That was expected, since both of the entrenched political parties, especially their leaders Cheddi Jagan and Forbes Burnham, had opted for socialist orientation as the political-ideological goal of our country. It was later written into the present 1980 republican Constitution.

That charged atmosphere was evident in the recording studio for the final between the Diamond Secondary School and the McKenzie High School, where the moot elicited responses to whether humanitarian intervention undermines national sovereignty.

HUMANITARIAN INTERVENTION Our Constitution came into play as it provides that sovereignty belongs to the people, and that Guyana is a sovereign, indivisible state. Students argued that no organisation or foreign state, under the cover of “humanitarian intervention,” should use “aid” to undermine a national government.

On the other hand, there was a counter argument that once done under mutual agreements, humanitarian assistance, such as those for refugees from states in distress, should be welcomed. Both sides agreed that the genocide in Rwanda that claimed the lives of

some one million people, could have been avoided had there been timely humanitarian intervention.

Under our Constitution, our children are guaranteed many rights, i.e., the right to life, to an education and to work. During the debate, they used these guarantees as a guide for other civilised countries of the world. They also recognised that we must have a changing constitution, that reflects new realities in the world, and that would strengthen safeguards for human rights.

As I noted at the debate final, the Constitution is a living document. It is not immutable, but it should reflect changes in the society and in the wider world; it must be subjected to periodic, critical reviews and opened to the citizens for constructive recommendations as to how changes should be introduced.

NATIONWIDE CONSULTATION Constitutional reform cannot be an academic exercise or a bureaucratic escapade.

The process must start with consultation and consensus, upon which I had embarked.

Recently, Mr Ralph Ramkarran, the former Chairman of the Reform Commission and now leader of a new political party, tried to pick a row with me as if I had failed to effect constitutional reform. I did what in law should be done, that is, to table in the National Assembly a Bill to set up a Constitutional and Consultative Constitutional Reform Commission. After its first reading, it was by consent of the parliamentary political parties, sent to the House’s bi-partisan committee that was established under the Constitution to look at matters such as this.

The committee did not, for some three years, conclude its examination of the Bill. The facts will show that the APNU+AFC Government had taken an initiative; there is no evidence, however, that the opposition wanted to review or reform the Constitution -- at least not now.

In a society where any major reform has to receive the support of two-thirds of all the elected members of the National Assembly, it would be futile to get any such changes until the government and the opposition fully buy in to the process. This has to await the 2020 elections, after which constitutional reform would be placed on the front burner.

For me, constitutional reform is not a political slogan. It is not a protest note on a placard. We have seen how a no-confidence motion to remove a democratically elected government on December 21, 2018 had spawned protracted legal contentions regarding the threshold for a simple, as distinct from an absolute majority, and the role of dual citizens in our national parliamentary system. Had the reform process got underway, as I was hoping, certain ambiguities would have been cleared up. The society could have been saved the unnecessary burden of

9

literally marking time, now for just under one year.

By taking the Constitution to our children, we hope to promote a new awareness in our society that all of our citizens should obey our laws, as our National Pledge commands us to do.

At the same time we should work towards strengthening these laws, and not blame our Constitution for the political fissures and ethnic polarisation in our society.

BROADER INCLUSION As this awareness grows, I am confident that the major players would amend constitutional provisions to provide for broader inclusion in our governance system, to strengthen our democracy and fortify national sovereignty.

On Friday last, children in Europe and Australia took part in mass demonstrations to highlight that climate change is real, and to ask their governments to do everything possible to save our planet. There is no Plan B for our world, they appealed.

There is also no Plan B for Guyana. A manifesto for a one-party government is a recipe for doom. The wave of the future is the broadest, multi-ethnic, multi-party government of national unity for which constitutional reform is necessary.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE December 1, 2019

Understanding Energy

GIPEX highlights local content progress AT last week’s 2nd annual Guyana International Petroleum Summit and Exhibition (GIPEX), local content was a focus for many of the hundreds of businesses, officials and private citizens in attendance.

Guyana’s Draft Local-Content Policy is expected to be finalised as early as the end of 2019, but Energy Department Director Dr. Mark Bynoe warned against a one-size-fits-all approach and noted that local content policies need to be carefully tailored and take into consideration the circumstances in Guyana in order to achieve the desired effects without adverse consequences.

Many speakers cautioned against overly unrealistic national content demands, especially at a time when many local companies are succeeding and finding work in the industry without a formal policy. Already, more than 3,400 people are working to support the oil-drilling projects in the offshore Stabroek Block. The operator of the project, ExxonMobil, estimated that half of those employees are Guyanese.

Several of the speakers from Africa, par-

ticularly Sierra Leone, warned the Guyanese government against forcing local content prematurely and requiring “local” in situations where there local companies or experts are not yet ready to specialize supply needs of oil production. Of course, with time and training and capacity building, these local companies will be able to meet the needs of the industry.

Officials from Ghana, another new oil producer and a frequently referenced example for Guyana, described their own problems with tailoring policies to fit real-world conditions and requirements. The CEO of Africa Energy Consortium, Ghanaian lawyer, Kwame Jantuah, highlighted the highly specialized needs of the industry and how difficult they can be to meet locally.

“What we didn’t understand was that welding and fabrication in the oil industry was totally different from normal welding and fabrication, and these had to be trained specifically for the industry,” he told attendees.

Jantuah was highlighting a well-recognized problem in the industry—requiring high local content rates may sound good on paper, but

can often make procuring the right specialized materials and technical experts difficult.

Ghana implemented its famously strict local content policy after major finds at the Jubilee Field in 2007, but there has been rising concern in Ghana that an overly strict policy has hampered development and encouraged corruption since few Ghanaian companies were capable of filling highly specialized roles such a short time after the industry began in the country. Brazil, too, has faced scrutiny after tight local content requirements had undesirable results, including increased project costs and effects on the pace of development.

Dr. Bynoe spoke at length to attendees and reporters about how capacity building can help raise the capabilities of local companies and job-seekers to help alleviate this problem and fill the many positions available within the oil and gas industry. But he warned that shortterm and long-term opportunities will be very different as the industry shifts from an early phase that requires manpower and basic skills to a later phase that will require advanced and highly technical skills for production.

Industry executives highlighted the need for a full spectrum of workers, from accountants and lawyers to environmental monitors to drillers and technicians.

Many companies are investing aggressively in building the local knowledge base needed to fill positions now and in the future.

Dr. Bynoe also acknowledged an ongoing collaboration between Exxon, the Council for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and the Board of Industrial Training (BIT) aimed at skills training for youths.

Companies like Exxon also noted ongoing training programmes for Guyanese in Canada, Singapore and the U.S. for jobs in operations and maintenance, safety, and apprenticeships on FPSO production vessels like the Liza Destiny.

Jantauh lauded the goal of building local capabilities based on Ghana’s own experience, telling attendees, “Don’t think money; think quality of product, because a good product will bring the money in and make one competitive.”

APNU+AFC manifesto to focus on ‘Decade of Development’ DIRECTOR-General in the Ministry of the Presidency, Joseph Harmon, says when the APNU+AFC political party releases its manifesto, it will focus on the “Decade of development”, looking to build on the path of development that is already in place.

First coined earlier this year by President David Granger, the APNU+AFC government has signalled that the forthcoming decade will be a “Decade of Development” for all

Guyanese, particularly with the looming oil and gas industry. Harmon said the APNU+AFC manifesto will not be an ambiguous one.

“We are going to see a plan that is located within a bigger plan. Clear thoughts, clear plans, clear pathway for action. It’s not just a one-year, or a five-year plan, but one that will be part of the wider development of Guyana that people can buy into from now. You will see that and you will see clear original thinking and not just somebody

tinkering with this and tinkering with that,” Harmon related, as he fielded questions at the People’s National Congress/Reform (PNC/R) weekly press briefing last Friday.

The PNC/R is the largest party of the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) faction of the government.

With Guyana already on a path to development, Harmon said the party’s focus is to build on that. “There are several things there in our manifesto that is actually being done. Our manifesto will, to some extent, be a continuation of these programmes that we are doing.

With the manifestations of how we see Guyana developing in the next decade, a manifestation of how our Green State Development Strategy (GSDS) will affect the way in which governance takes place,” Harmon said.

“If you look at some of the renderings out there, you will find some elements of our thinking of our manifesto coming through. The written work is going on, but conceptually we have some ideas already, more than ideas, on what we pro-

pose to do, and this basically looks at a whole decade of how we are going to move Guyana for the period covered by our GSDS. ” In politics, a manifesto is a publication issued by a political party before a General Election. It contains the set of policies that the party stands for and would wish to implement if elected to govern. Each political party is expected to present one in the lead up to general elections. With Guyana set for general and regional elections on March 2, 2020, the contesting parties are busy presenting or completing their manifestos.

Guyana so far has some eight political parties that have indicated their intentions to contest the upcoming elections, six of which were launched this year alone. The new parties hope to challenge Guyana’s longstanding, and biggest political parties, the APNU+AFC and the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C).

Harmon explained that the APNU+AFC manifesto can be expected after the finalization of the new Cummingsburg Accord between the two factions of

the coalition. The Cummmingsburg accord is the document which brought the APNU and AFC together as a coalition since 2015.

“The coalition manifesto is part of a four-stage process which we have engaged with the AFC. That process involves the acceptance and signing of core principles [that] will guide us in how we will conduct ourselves in the elections. The second stage is the agreements on the Cummingsburg Accord that will determine the composition of our elections team and so on. Third stage is the preparations of our manifesto, and the final stage is our campaign, launch of our campaign and so on,” he noted.

The PPP/C released excerpts of their manifesto last Friday, with promises of the entire document being released in January 2020.

Of the newer political parties, the Liberty and Justice Party (LJP), led by former Toshao, Lenox Shuman has also released theirs.

The most recent party, established earlier this month, is The New Movement, backed by businessman Dr. Turhane Doerga ,

Director-General of the Ministry of the Presidency, Joseph Harmon and has a woman, Dr. Asha Kissoon, as the presidential candidate.

Other parties thus far indicating their plans to run include the Federal United Party (FED-UP), having controversial lawyer Ryan Crawford; A New and United Guyana (ANUG), led by former PPP executive, Ralph Ramkarran; and the Citizen’s Initiative, which is yet to select a presidential candidate and or executive.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE December 1, 2019

Days of sharing one bed are gone –– Public Health Minister says maternity wards being consistently improved –– more maternal waiting homes to be built in hinterland

By Navendra Seoraj

PATIENTS of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC)’s maternity ward are no longer forced to share a bed, as was the case in the past when reports constantly surfaced about patients having to endure “unconscionable” conditions.

The Ministry of Public Health, along with assistance from various stakeholders such as Food for the Poor Guyana (FFP) and other organisations, has been able to efficiently address the issue and ensure that patients are comfortable, said Minister of Public Health, Volda Lawrence.

“We no longer have more than one patient on a bed as was the case in the past,” said Minister Lawrence during an interview with Social Activist, Mark Benschop on Benschop Radio, last Friday.

The capacity of the GPHC’s maternal section has been significantly improved, said the minister, adding that it could not have been possible without the assistance of various stakeholders.

She said development has not been specific to GPHC, but has been widespread, reaching maternity wards across the country. With the help of FFP, the Ministry of

Public Health was able to send beds to maternity wards across the country.

“Although much has been done, there is still a need for more…we have not fully solved the problem because as we seek to add more beds, we have to get rid of the old, rusty beds…we cannot do it alone.

“You need to understand that we in the government cannot solve the issues we have on our own, the issues must be solved collectively,” said Minister Lawrence.

The conditions of the hospital facilities in the past made persons lose trust in the public health system, but the minister believes that with assistance from stakeholders, they have been able to restore that trust to some extent.

Although the system might still have its flaws, she said government is ready to admit to the issues, which they have before them, and will not deny anything.

“We recognised and we admitted to the issues that we have, especially those related to maternal mortality and the maternal health system… but we have been working with PAHO (Pan American Health Organisation) and other consultants to do a review of what was taking place in the maternity departments across the country.

“When there were many maternal deaths, we did not play the blame game… instead, in addition to assistance from PAHO, we put together the Maternal Mortality Review (MMR) committee… they have been reviewing all the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and visiting all the medical facilities where deliveries are done,” said the minister.

The MMR committee was launched in 2007 to investigate maternal deaths, that is, deaths during pregnancy or up to 42 days after delivery; probe ‘near misses’ mothers who were critical but made it through; still births (children who were born dead) and to develop strategies to help with protocols to reduce maternal deaths.

Their mandate also includes reviewing cases: examining charts, community interviews and hospital audits before making recommendations to the chief medical officer (CMO) for the necessary action based on their findings from the probes.

Minister Lawrence said the Ministry of Public Health places deep consideration into the recommendations from the MMR committee and tries to address the existing issues in a timely manner.

“We address the issues on spot, there is no cover up…if

persons need training, we get that done or if a department needs x or y equipment, we get it,” said the minister, adding that as the ministry continues along that line, they are hoping for zero maternal deaths.

The ministry had recognised that many maternal deaths were happening in the hinterland because persons were bleeding to death or suffering from anemia. The consultants from the MMR committee and PAHO were, however, able to look at how to reduce the occurrences of maternal deaths in the hinterland.

Through assistance from PAHO, the ministry was able to introduce maternity suits, which mothers would wear to stop the bleeding.

“Through PAHO, we obtained several suits and placed them in the hinterland…when there was an issue, the use of the suit kicks in, so by the time the medical experts reach, they can take over that patient and it helped to reduce the deaths we are having, especially in Region One (Barima-Waini),” said Minister Lawrence.

The ministry has also been continuously looking at other ways to reduce maternal deaths in the hinterland.

Minister Lawrence believes it is necessary to re-

duce maternal deaths because a life is a life, and she emphasised that point by stating: “when a mother dies, it does not end there, you have to look at the negative social spin off… if that mother has other children, the state will kick in to ensure they can go on public assistance and so forth, so there is an economic impact as well.”

Although the ministry has not fully addressed the problem as yet, they are working to ensure that any inefficiency receives attention. One of the inefficiencies being addressed by the ministry is the issue of a shortage in human resource.

“We did not have enough to spread around in all the health facilities and, in many instances, we still had fathers delivering babies, birth attendants delivering babies and so forth, but what we sought to do was to address that gap by training young people from various hinterland villages,” said Minister Lawrence.

After being trained, the villagers would be considered as Community Health Workers (CHWs) who would assist in delivering babies, especially if the mother was unable to travel far distances to reach the nearest health facility.

The issue of mothers hav-

Minister of Public Health, Volda Lawrence ing to travel far distances is also being addressed simultaneously by the Ministry of Public Health, said Minister Lawrence, noting that maternity waiting homes are being built at various hospitals and health facilities in the hinterland.

Women, who have health issues, would be sent two months in advance to a waiting home so that they would be next to a specialist when the time for delivery reaches. The ministry intends on constructing more waiting homes in the coming year.

Linden on public health development radar for 2020 –– Minister Lawrence says a lot of things in store for mining town

THE mining town of Linden is set to get a boost in the area of public health, come 2020, said Minister of Public Health, Volda Lawrence.

“Linden is on the radar for 2020 and you will see a lot of things happening there,” said Minister Lawrence during an interview with Social Activist, Mark Benschop on Benschop Radio, on Friday evening.

Taking a step back in time, the minister said when the APNU+AFC Government was elected to office in 2015, they inherited a public health system that was as bumpy as Sussex Street in the same year.

Linden was also no stranger to deficiencies and “bumps,” but, according to Lawrence, the Linden Hospital Complex has been “holding its own” over the past few years.

“I won’t lie, we have a lot

of deficiencies there… there is a nice building, a lot of workers, competent workers, but they lack the tools,” said the minister, adding that the Linden hospital lacks equipment and specialty services.

This is something which Minister Lawrence hopes to leave in 2019, since there is

The Linden Hospital Complex much in store for the Linden The minister made a Hospital next year. Among commitment to ensuring that the improvements in the pipe- those things come on stream line for the hospital complex next year, especially since is the refurbishment of the the Ministry of Public Health main theatres, the purchasing wanted to take other services of “much needed” equipment to the hospital in the past but and the addition of an Oph- could not do so because of thalmology department and lack of equipment. theatre.

In addition to infrastruc-

tural advancements, Minister Lawrence said her ministry will be looking to equip the Linden Hospital Complex with the requisite personnel, so that the transferals to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) will be reduced.

“In that way we will not only improve the capacity of the hospital, but we will also spend money smartly and get more out of the buck…if the specialist goes to Linden Hospital, they will provide services to more than one patient,” said the minister, noting that the same strategy has been employed in other regions and has proven to be successful.

As the ministry continues to look at ways to relieve the burden from the GPHC and ensure that persons are treated in the comfort of their communities, Minister Lawrence said her ministry will be

looking to add an emergency section to the Kwakwani Hospital.

“We have really been working on improving the health system in Region Ten by bridging the resource gap… in doing so, we have also refurbished the doctor’s quarters at Kwakwani, so that doctors have proper residence,” said the minister, adding that an ambulance will also be placed at the hospital in the coming year.

Similar developments will be seen at the Wismar Hospital. A mini emergency department has already been added to improve the services offered there.

“We are now working on the wards…the contractor was called back to do remedial work so that we can bring up the Wismar Hospital so persons are not sent to Linden Hospital,” said Minister Lawrence.

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Live and Direct

SUNDAY CHRONICLE December 1, 2019

… Radio Essequibo begins transmission across Region 2

COMMUNITIES like Adventure, Akawini Mission and Bethany to Machabo and Kabakaburi and all the way up and down the Pomeroon River, can now tune into Radio Essequibo 95.5FM, the first such frequency on the Essequibo Coast.

On Saturday, The Hon. Moses Nagamootoo, Prime Minister of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, launched the frequency, part of the Voice of Guyana (VOG) radio network. The launch took place in the studio of the National Communications Network (NCN) in Georgetown, simultaneously with the frequency being turned on in Essequibo.

During his feature address, the Prime Minister, who is also celebrating his 72nd Birth Anniversary today, noted that it was indeed an honour to be a part of this

historic event. “Today is a very historic day in the history of broadcasting and communication, not only for Essequibo but for the entire Guyana,” the Prime Minister stated.

Adding that Guyana has a plural democratic structure and it was necessary for the government to undertake the process of informing the nation. “This country has now opened up itself to become part and parcel of the worldwide communication system where citizens are not locked out from receiving information. Imparting information is part of citizens democratic right to be informed, it’s a democratic society,” he explained.

Prime Minister Nagamootoo said the transmission throughout the Essequibo Coast and even further was also part of government’s commitment to all Guyanese. It is also

Hon. Moses Nagamootoo, Prime Minister of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, speaking during the launch of Radio Essequibo. Also in photo is CEO of NCN, Enrico Woolford and Business Minister, Haimraj Rajcoomar a specific pronouncement, he noted, made of a studio at Anna Regina for two-way proby His Excellency President David Granger, gramming would come at a later time,” the that there should be a radio station in the Prime Minister explained. capital of each region. “We are signalling to The project, which cost more than Essequibo that we are keeping our promise; GY$12M, will serve approximately 46 thouwe have said we will give you radio service sand people. and this is part of that service called the pubAmong those persons present at the lic broadcasting service which is a regional launch today were: Minister of Business, broadcasting service that has now reached Hon. Haimraj Rajkumar; Chairman and throughout Guyana.”

CEO of NCN, Enrico Woolford; Director As phase one of the project wrapped up, Responsible for Regional Radio, Kamal the Prime Minister assured phase two will Persaud; Region Two Executive Officer be underway soon, and that His Excellency (REO), Denis Jaikaran, Chairman, ComPresident David Granger will be part of it. munication Specialist, Dr Rovin Deodat; “This is phase one, we do not have a stu- and Director of the Department of Public dio as yet and therefore the commissioning Information, Imran Khan. (DPI)

Officials in the audience during the launch of the radio frequency

Minister of Business, Haimraj Rajcoomar along with REO of Region 2, Denis Jaikaran and NCN Director Responsible for Regional Radio, Kamal Persaud

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE December 1, 2019

PPP promises to criminalise non-disclosure of oil receipts

IN order to promote transparency in the oil and gas sector, a People’s Progressive Party (PPP) government will criminalise the non-disclosure of receipts from oil companies to the government, which will result in jail for the Minister of Finance.

This was disclosed by PPP General-Secretary, Bharrat Jagdeo, during the launch of the party’s 2020- 2025 Manifesto titled “Our Plan for Prosperity”. The event was held Friday at the PPP/C Headquarters, Freedom House, Robb Street, Georgetown.

“Any money coming from oil companies to the government, if it is not gazetted within three months and notified to the Parliament, then the minister of finance can go to jail for an extended period and that will be passed in legislation,” Jagdeo said.

He continued: “That tells all Guyanese at the end of the year or any point in the year, we can know how much money we collected over the year from the oil companies and anything outside of that forces the political directorate or the people who are managing, including the minister can go to jail for it.”

Describing it as a sector-specific policy, Jagdeo said, additionally, campaign finance reform will also be made in order to prevent oil companies from subverting political parties, along with financing them to influence national policies in the resource sector.

“Policies can be sold to harm the entire country,” Jagdeo said while noting that the campaign finance reform will provide greater transparency in elections and corruption.

Essequibo nurse air-dashed to GPHC DARCIA BISSOON, the nurse who was hit down Friday morning on the Queenstown Public Road in Region 2,was air-dashed to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation on Friday evening. She is currently in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at that hospital.

The driver is currently in police custody assisting with investigations. Bissoon was struck down Friday morning by a speeding car. The incident reportedly occurred around 8:00 hrs in front of Gokul Hot Dog stand. Bissoon is from Bartica but Darcia Bissoon works at the Suddie Health Centre.

According to Shelon Gokul, a resident of the area, she was in her house when she heard a loud impact. She immediately rushed out and saw a nurse lying on the ground. The car driver was also around. Gokul said she picked up the nurse in an unconscious state and took her to the Suddie Hospital.

Gokul said that to her understanding, the nurse was crossing the road to meet another nurse in a red car when she was unfortunately hit down by a taxi.

The police were summoned to the scene and the driver is currently in police custody.

Further, Jagdeo said, under a PPP government, the Integrity Commission will be strengthened to ensure compliance.

Jagdeo added that the PPP will also take away the powers from the finance minister to issue duty-free concessions and

other tax concessions.

“When you have politicians doing this, then you have a whole scope for corruption, so we will be returning to arm’s length processing of duty-free concessions, tax concessions away from the politicians which this govern-

ment reversed,” Jagdeo noted.

He noted that the procurement laws also will be upgraded since it appears to be there for convenience instead of serving the best interest of society and tax payers.

Additionally, he said

that Cabinet should not be involved in approving contracts, instead only a no-objection should be given and if there is an issue the Tender Board should be written, as such no minister should be responsible in issuing any contract.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE December 1, 2019

US envoy joins fundraising dinner for Ruimveldt Children’s Home –– diplomat also hosts thanksgiving for 100 senior citizens

US Ambassador to Guyana, Sarah-Ann Lynch, has lauded the work done by the Ruimveldt Children’s Home and Care Centre, noting that the initiatives being done around ‘Project Hope’

will create a ‘real home’ environment for the children.

The diplomat shared her remarks at a fundraising dinner and concert Friday night held by the Ruimveldt Children’s Home

Ambassador Lynch also recently hosted over 100 Guyanese senior citizens at her residence for a Thanksgiving luncheon

in collaboration with the Foundation Seven Music School at Parc Rayne, Rahaman’s Park, Houston, East Bank Demerara.

The Ruimveldt Children’s Home is located at 227 Freeman Street, East La Penitence, Georgetown.

The Ruimveldt Home has been opened since 2006 and provides 24hour care for up to 20 vulnerable children.

“It’s quite an achieve-

ment and it speaks to the Guyanese value of taking care of each other and the less fortunate,” the ambassador said.

She said Project Hope plans to build a home for children-- 11 years and younger --to cater for their unique needs as vulnerable children.

Ambassador Lynch said the new home will provide round-the-clock care for the children and referrals will come from

the Childcare Protection Agency and the Ministry of Social Protection.

Children above age 12 will remain at the existing location, allowing them more privacy and space as they cope with the challenges of being teens and young adults.

The ambassador also praised the youths of the US Embassy’s Youth Action Network, who donated tens of hours of their time and talent to help the

U.S Ambassador, Sarah-Ann Lynch

A section of the gathering at the fundraising dinner and concert Friday night home.

“From monthly visits where they help with homework, to bake sales to raise money for projects, to Christmas parties, and dental clinics, these young Guyanese truly embody the spirit of community,” the envoy said.

Ambassador Lynch also recently hosted over 100 Guyanese senior citizens at her residence for a Thanksgiving luncheon, sponsored by the American Chamber of Commerce of Guyana (AMCHAM Guyana).

She congratulated AMCHAM Guyana on its initiative to spread Thanksgiving cheer to the community and underscored the role of AMCHAM Guyana and the

wider business community in engaging in social service initiatives for senior citizens as part of their corporate social responsibility.

President of AMCHAM Guyana, Zulfikar All, noted that the organisation was pleased to give back to Guyana’s senior citizens who have contributed immensely to its development.

“It is a joy to share the tradition with Guyana, whose people treat US diplomats not as foreigners but with open arms and a warm welcome.

The first Thanksgiving celebrated the bounty of the fall harvest just as we celebrate the bounty of our friendships with the people of Guyana,” said the ambassador.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE December 1, 2019

Disability is not inability – Colleen Hamilton defies the odds and is positively influencing others

COLLEEN Hamilton, 36, of Angoy’s Avenue, New Amsterdam, Berbice, is special in many ways. On Saturday last, she graduated from the University of Guyana Berbice Campus with an associate degree in Social Work and is now reading for her bachelor’s.

Born pre-maturely and suffering a fall when just a few months old, she was immobilised for the first few years of her life, unable to attend nursery school.

The doctors at that time felt she would not be able to walk or lead a normal life since the injury affected her spine.

Through perseverance, confidence, trust in God, the desire to help others and with support from family and friends, Hamilton proved her doctors wrong and soon became a beacon of hope and inspiration for others.

From an early age, she never accepted that she

would have to remain confined at home and kept pestering her parents to send her to school as normal kids do, because she wanted to get an education and do something worthwhile.

She eventually started to walk a little at age five and her parents agreed to send her to nursery school. Her stint there was short-lived, having spent two weeks only, as she had to be in and out of the hospital.

Corrective surgery was recommended but since it was a 50-50 chance of success, her parents decided to put their trust in God and decided against it.

Hamilton went on to attend the St Therese Primary when she was discharged from hospital. There, she wrote the National Grade Six Examinations and was awarded a place at the Tutorial Academy where she passed her CSEC examinations with flying colours.

Reflecting on her school days, a somber mood took

over the otherwise energetic and confident young woman.

“I just wanted to move around and play at recess or lunch time but, instead, I was given a chair and all I could do was look at my friends having fun. For physical education in secondary school, I was placed in a particular spot in the field. I could not really take part and it really hurt me emotionally,” said the young lady.

However, her physical struggles with mobility allowed her to appreciate and see life differently. She immediately started volunteering after high school, helping those in her community to read, write and complete assignments and projects.

Wanting to do more, she started volunteering at the special needs school in New Amsterdam and recognised that people were comfortable with her and would often confide or seek her listening

ear whenever they were troubled.

Seeing the impact her words of advice had and the ‘good feeling’ she gets from helping out, Hamilton decided to enroll at the University of Guyana to become a social worker.

She believes in upward mobility by people and aspires through her work to see persons develop.

“I want to be able to help people and I am in a unique position to share my story and help to inspire others, so even though I still cannot walk properly on my own, I want to be educated so that I can help others in

Coleen Hamilton need professionally,” she said Hamilton did not attend the graduation exercise and chose to wait until she gets her bachelor’s degree to celebrate. In the meantime, she continues to volunteer her services in her community and the Special Needs School.

She said disability is not inability Hamilton also

hopes to see, in the future, facilities throughout the country being equipped and designed for use by people with disability. Additionally, she advises that a special ministry be created to deal with persons with disability. She advises persons to put their trust in God and they will overcome any challenge that they face.

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Parents are their children’s – Education Ministry first role models THE Ministry of Education is reminding parents to ensure that they always act responsibly as they are the first role models for their children.

This statement comes in the aftermath of the ministry’s condemnation of the unfortunate and unacceptable incident which occurred at the Winfer Gardens Primary School on Wednesday between a teacher and a parent.

A Grade One teacher is

now nursing injuries after she was attacked and beaten in her classroom by a parent.

The teacher, Yolanda Jackson, was visited by the parent within the confines of the school to address an issue concerning her child who was reportedly beaten by the said teacher.

An eyewitness indicated that a verbal confrontation ensued between the teacher and the woman, whose child is a pupil in her class.

This, however, led to a physical attack in the presence of other pupils.

Other teachers and pupils who witnessed the incident detailed that Jackson was “dragged onto the floor”, “kicked”, “punched” and “slammed” by the lone parent and the entire confrontation lasted several minutes.

While the injuries were not critical, Jackson was bleeding from the head with “cuts and bruises” about her

body.

Assistant Chief Education Officer with responsibility for all primary schools, Carol Benn and General Secretary of the Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU) Coretta McDonald told the media that there is zero-tolerance for this type of behaviour.

The matter has been promptly placed for attention and action by the Guyana Police Force since it is criminal in nature.

“Teachers are also reminded to always act in accordance with policies, rules and due procedures that have

been established by the Ministry of Education,” the ministry noted.

According to the Education Ministry, several internal approaches, including strengthening of security at schools, are being adopted by the ministry in an effort to deal with this matter without prejudicing the ongoing investigations which have been launched by the Guyana Police Force.

“The ministry wishes to assure the public that the security and well-being of its teachers and students are of paramount importance.

The ministry cannot and will not tolerate violence in our schools. It is our collective responsibility as Guyanese to ensure that our schools are safe spaces for learning and teaching,” the ministry stated in a press release.

The Ministry of Education also called on all stakeholders including parents, communities and law enforcement agencies, to play their roles to ensure that together they raise caring, responsible citizens and that schools are protected from the social ills that threaten to undermine them.

Cuban embassy hosts tribute to Fidel Castro THE Cuban Embassy in Georgetown recently paid tributes to iconic leader, Fidel Castro (1926-2016), with several tributes dedicated to remembering his legacy on the third anniversary of his death.

Also in attendance were President of the Guyana Cuba Solidarity Movement (GCSM), Halim Khan; Minister of Labour, Keith Scott; former President Donald Ramotar and other special invitees.

A video presentation was shown at the embassy on the life of Fidel Castro.

GCSM President, Halim Khan said

Castro lives on in the minds of his people and his legacy still earns the admiration of those from around the world.

Khan said everyday reality offers proof of the affection for ‘the Chief’ as many called him, as hundreds of people every day visit the Santa Ifigenia Patrimonial Cemetery, and in front of the huge granite rock where Fidel’s ashes lie.

Khan said Santa Ifigenia records also reveal that about 270,000 foreigners from more than 80 countries, from all continents, have visited the site to pay their respects to Fidel.

From Left: Minister of Labour, Keith Scott; former President Donald Ramotar; parliamentarian, Indranie Chanderpal; Cuba’s Ambassador, Narciso Reinaldo Armador Socorro and GCSM President, Halim Khan

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE December 1, 2019

Caribbean business alliance launched … to promote Region through ‘grassroots’ entrepreneurs

By Jared Liddell.

“OUR aim is to create a sustainable presence in the Region that the world can point to and say there’s a group of people who really represent the Caribbean that we can call on for the goods and products we need.

The Sustainable Caribbean Grassroots Business Alliance (SCGBA) is here to help Caribbean people to help the world to love us and know who we are, so that they will desire us and want our products and want to come and be a part of what we are; eat what we eat; taste what we taste and do what we do,” said Executive Chairman of the SCGBA, Nichole Murray.

Murray was speaking at the SCGBA’s launch in Guyana on Saturday. She explained that the business organisation, which is working in conjunction with the Small Business Bureau, was launched as a way to create an interlinked business enterprise throughout the Caribbean; that enterprise would boost the Caribbean’s export levels on the international market. She explained that the organisation will serve to bring together grassroots entrepreneurs from the Caribbean, allowing them to develop and grow their businesses, while promoting cooperation among CARICOM countries.

Murray stated that the company is hoping to have 30 new products from the Caribbean that will be ready for exportation to the other Caribbean countries, as well as parts of Europe and Africa; it also intends to have 10,000 businesses registered with the organisation by the end of 2020.

Further, she explained that many businesses are operating and earning without the relevant documentation; one of the organisation’s aims therefore is to ensure that businesses receive their relevant documentation, so that they would be able to take their businesses further than the level at which they

( From left) Representative of Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Barbados, Tyrone DeFreitas; Executive Chairman of the SCGBA, Nichole Murray; Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Small Business Bureau, Dr Lowell Porter and Guyana’s Coordinator of the Sustainable Caribbean Enterprise Management Group (SCEMG), Melvin Smith are currently operating; that would enable them to benefit more from their businesses.

“There is so much work that is being done, so many businesses that are operating and earning and this organisation’s job is to help those unrecognised businesses to be recognised, by making things official. Our approach is simple, if we get products and goods that are up to a certain standard, begin to move in between the countries, then we empower people financially, to have the ability to logo and do the things that they need to do: for instance, getting your Skilled Nationals Certificate from your CARICOM office and getting all your paper work done,” said Murray.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Small Business Bureau (SBB), Dr Lowell Porter, spoke at the launch, stating that the bureau sees this collaboration as one that would be very beneficial to the business community in Guyana, especially those members of the small business community; it would help them to not only operate their businesses in their normal capacity, but it would afford them the opportunity for growth.

“I like this initiative because I believe that if we don’t start helping those who are down below you could never build the top. So if we try to build entrepreneurs we want people who are capable; who understand why they are in business; who understand the metrics of why they are in

business and at the same time they have to have the capacity to scan the environment to understand what is going on outside of my little space here,” said Porter.

Further, he said that the over 2000 businesses registered under the SBB would benefit from training in small business management, record-keeping and business plan writing; they would then be able to use this as a way to expand their businesses to a level where they are in a position to export their products.

This initiative launched by the Sustainable Caribbean Grassroots Business Alliance (SCGBA) is backed by the CSME; this is according to representative of Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign trade Barbados, Tyrone DeFreitas. He said that Barbados, the head of the CSME, is in favour with any plans that are directed toward promoting growth throughout the Caribbean.

“Any initiatives leading to greater integration within the Region will be supported by the government of Barbados.

The Region is faced with unprecedented challenges, including climate change and challenges of blacklisting, and the countries in the Region need to come together; and the only way we can come together is to build out profitable industries that would be mutually beneficial, and that’s what we see from this initiative: mutually beneficial outcomes for all parties involved,” said DeFreitas.

The SCGBA will on November 2, 2019, host a symposium at the Arthur

Chung Convention Centre. That event will feature some of the businesses with

which it has been working since beginning operations in Guyana.

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Nomination Day is January 10, 2020

THE Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has set aside January 10, 2020 as Nominations Day. GECOM, on Saturday via newspaper advertisements, said that all political parties desirous of contesting the General and Regional Elections to be held on March, 2nd, 2020, are required to submit a symbol for approval by the elections body before nomination day.

“GECOM is hereby requesting that applications for the approval of symbols be submitted no later than 13th December, 2019, to facilitate timely consideration by the commission and provide a response to the respective applicants. Symbols in both printed and electronic versions should be submitted to the Office of the Chief Elections Officer, 31 Fort Street, Kingston, Georgetown,” the GECOM advertisement stated.

Guyana’s constitution mandates that each contesting political party must submit each of the Lists of Candidates on Nomination Day, one National Top-Up List, at least six Geographical Constituencies’ Lists and the Regional Democratic Councils’ Lists that the given Party may seek to contest on Nomination day.

The various Lists of Candidates must comprise registered voters who are eligible to be elected as members of the National Assembly.

The various Lists of Candidates must be accompanied by Statutory Declarations by each person named therein as candidates, indicating their consent to be nominated before a Justice of the Peace, Commissioner of Oaths, notary public or other person authorized by law to administer an oath in the place where the declaration is made.

The Constitution also

stipulates that a person may be a signatory to a List of Candidates, notwithstanding that he/she is named therein as a candidate.

Candidates’ names may be duplicated only in that contesting party’s Geographical Constituency Lists and on its National Top-Up Lists; however, it must be noted that a Candidate’s name must appear on only one Geographical Constituency’s List.

In addition to the main political parties, a number of small groups have indicated their intentions to contest next year’s elections.

The governing coalition--A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance for Change-- is seeking re-election for a second term.

Earlier this month, Chief Elections Officer (CEO), Keith Lowenfield, and Chair of the Commission, Justice (Ret’d) Claudette Singh, told reporters that GECOM is on track for elections on March 2, 2019, as plans such as the procurement of election materials and the preparation of polling stations and staff are falling into place.

The chairman was able to defend the commission’s decision to utilise the house-to-house data during the claims and objections (C&O) period. She referenced the August 2019 decisions of Chief Justice (ag) Roxane George-Wiltshire in a case challenging the constitutionality of registration exercise in which she ruled that the Constitution and the Laws of Guyana provide for the conduct of house-to-house registration as a form of verification.

On elections day, Lowenfield said that there will be more or less 2,350 polling stations countrywide – susceptible to change based on the commission’s decisions on the

use of private residences for polling stations.

Meanwhile, training for polling day staff has also been completed with a total of 13,500 persons trained, who will be retrained at the appropriate time.

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Playing with firearm at Stabroek Two arrested in cannabis find Market results in arrests

A 32-year-old vendor and a 34-year-old licensed firearm holder were Friday night arrested after investigations revealed that they were “playing” with the weapon at the Stabroek Market Square.

They are assisting police with their investigation.

The Guyana Police Force (GPF) said that at around 18:15hrs, ranks under the command of a senior superintendent, went to the market and conducted a cordon and search exercise.

The vendor, of Old Road Eccles, East

Bank Demerara (EBD) was found in possession of a quantity of cannabis.

Meanwhile, the other person is a supernumerary constable attached to a mining company.

He was found in possession of a pistol with 16 live ammunition which he was licensed to carry.

“But information received that he was at the very location in company of the narcotics suspect and others playing with the firearm,” police noted.

The seized cannabis FIVE police ranks under the command of a superintendent on Friday conducted an intelligence driven operation at Diamond Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara and discovered 44 kilos of cannabis.

Two persons, a 60-year-old businessman and a 38-year-old miner were taken into police custody.

Reports indicate that the policemen visited the home and identified themselves and requested to search the property for suspected

The seized handgun

drugs.

The ranks were then allowed to proceed and they discovered several plastic-wrapped parcels containing seeds, leaves and stems suspected to be cannabis in the first and second rooms of the three-bedroom flat concrete house.

The suspects were then told of the offence, cautioned then arrested and escorted to the Narcotics Branch, CID Headquarters.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE December 1, 2019

Amelia’s Ward on the upswing … residents praise gov’t for improved roads, other facilities

By Vanessa Braithwaite THE community of Amelia’s Ward, one of the largest in the country, has benefitted from a number of developmental projects over the last four years by the Government of Guyana in its effort to ensure that the needs of the growing population are met.

The community has ben-

efitted from infrastructural, social and educational projects and residents as well as officials have expressed satisfaction over the strides made; some, however, have posited that there is still room for improvement.

It has also pushed residents to form themselves into community groups, in an effort to provide the needed support to the

government. In the area of infrastructure, the community has benefitted from the rehabilitation of scores of access roads, many of which are main roads.

For 2019 alone, the Main Street road was completed; this road gives access to the communities of Lovers Lane, Central Amelia’s Ward and Cinderella City.

The newly rehabilitated Main Street Amelia’s Ward road

MAJOR RELIEF Residents, especially those living in Cinderella City, said that construction of the road has brought major relief to them, since previously, they were forced to walk long distances to access transportation.

Hire cars had absolutely refused or demanded more money to traverse the former potholed and crater-strewn road. Other roads in Lover’s Lane and the new schemes including the Second and Third Phases of Amelia’s Ward, were also rehabilitated and in some cases, constructed, to provide access to new communities.

The construction of these new roads in the new schemes, also came with the allocation of 400 house lots in Amelia’s Ward, since 2016. These house lots were made available after basic amenities such as roads, water and electricity were established. To provide a better scope for housing, the construction of housing units was also completed by the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CHPA),

as part of the first of four phases. These phases will see 60 housing units being constructed in the community. Presently, 500 house lots are being further developed in Amelia’s Ward and will be ready for allocation in 2020; this is according to subject minister, Annette Ferguson.

Also, to ensure that these new schemes are provided for adequately, construction of the Bamia Nursery School has commenced; this will be followed by construction of the Bamia Primary School.

These two new education institutions will serve the children coming out of these new communities; Amelia’s Ward presently has one primary school and two nursery schools. The new families will also receive adequate water supply, as the Guyana Water Incorporated is digging an additional well in South Amelia’s Ward. Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Dr Richard Van-West Charles, related to this publication that the new well is expected to meet the needs of the growing population in Amelia’s Ward.

Amelia’s Ward Councillor Lawrence Simon Several communities were also brightened with street lights within the last year.

SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT In August, Amelia’s Ward received its first community centre which will add to its socio-economic development. The centre was gifted to the community by the New See page 25

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Amelia’s Ward on ...

From page 24

Horizon 2019 team.

The centre will be fully functional by January, as its custodians are currently putting the necessary equipment and furnishing in place. The centre will play a role in the development of youths, women, children and seniors, as well as sports development, since a basketball court will be constructed in the near future.

To ensure that the youths of Amelia’s Ward are integrally involved and that they benefit from all of what is offered through government and privately sponsored programmes, is young municipal councillor Yanick Graham. Graham is currently pushing the momentum for youth involvement, so that they can tap into programmes that will provide funding for training, internships, scholarships, etc.

Constituency Representative for Amelia’s Ward, Lawrence Simon, posited that as a result of the development, Amelia’s Ward has seen an increase in entrepreneurship, which shows economic development. “We would have seen an increase in shops, we would have also seen the establishment of an ATM machine,” Simon related. Simon said that several farmers in Amelia’s Ward have received farmlands, which will also

boost agricultural production in the community.

“That by itself shows that there is a growing need for agriculture that was met by the distribution of these lands. This was done simultaneously with the regularisation of house lots in South Amelia’s Ward and other parts of Amelia’s Ward and now residents are legal owners of lands they squatted on for years.” In relation to road construction, Simon said that many communities such as Moore’s Avenue, now have access roads for the first time in more than 40 years and this he deemed “astronomical development.

“Amelia’s Ward is more environmentally friendly, the livelihoods of people are improved and the Linden Mayor and Town Council also played a major role in this regard,” the councillor said.

I FEEL GREAT ABOUT IT Amelia’s Ward businesswoman and resident of the new scheme, Shondal Chan, also commended the government for the improvements, particularly those in her community.

“I feel great about it and the people in the community feel good about it, because when you have

a community with nice roads, it brings easier access, it lifts the value of your community,” Chan said.

As a parent, she said that she also welcomes the new school at Bamia as the children are presently utilising a multi-purpose facility as their school. As regards the improvement in the water service, Chan recalled her 20 years as a resident in Amelia’s Ward and how things have improved drastically. “When we first got there, we used to be fetching water from like half a mile away from home; we [still] have to be fetching water, but now we are getting water at home and with the new well, it will even be better. I think these things are very nice and it will give the community a boost.

Touching on the social aspect, resident Eon Lindore said the community centre is a historic development in Amelia’s Ward. “Having a community centre, it can help with community activities.

I remembered years ago we had to be meeting [at] a residents’ place to have community meetings, but now having a community centre there, everybody would be able to meet there. He is looking forward for the building to be used as an empowerment venue.

The ongoing works to facilitate installation of a new water well in Amelia’s Ward

The handing over of the Amelia’s Ward Community Centre to Linden officials “I’m hoping that community stuff can be done at the building; for example, women can have sewing classes;

cake decoration classes; children could learn ‘lil’ phonics and you can have counselling sessions for teenagers and even

big women, big women need counselling too.... these things can help us as a people and a community,” Lindore said.

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ENGLISH RACING TIPS Carlisle 08:20 hrs Curramore 09:20 hrs Mr Scrumpy 09:50 hrs Atlanta Ablaze 10:20 hrs One Night In Milan 10:55 hrs No Hassle Hoff 11:25 hrs Call Me Freddie IRISH RACING TIPS Fairyhouse 08:30 hrs A Wave Of Sea 09:00 hrs Envoi Allen 09:30 hrs Fakir D’oudairies 10:05 hrs Ask Susan 10:40 hrs Honeysuckle 11:10 hrs Janidil 11:40 hrs Ferny Hollow SOUTH AFRICA RACING TIPS Greyville 09:00 hrs Fives Wild 09:35 hrs G G’s Dynasty 110:10 hrs Quick Star 10:45 hrs Bint El Malak

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, December 1, 2019

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Starc wrecks Pakistan, after Warner’s epic 335 not out OPENER David Warner scored his maiden Test triple-century as Australia continued to dominate Pakistan on day two of the second Test in Adelaide.

Warner, whose previous highest score was 253, hit an unbeaten 335 from 418 balls - the second-highest Test score by an Australian and 10th highest overall.

He passed Sir Donald Bradman and Mark Taylor’s mark of 334, before Australia declared their first innings on 589-3.

Pakistan were reduced to 96-6 at the close, trailing by 493 runs.

Warner, who was caught off a no-ball on 226 off the bowling of Musa Khan, hit 39 fours and a six. He scored 154 in the first Test last week, Former opening batsman Matthew Hayden has the highest

David Warner scoed his maiden Test triple-century Test score by an Australian just 95 runs in 10 innings in with his 380 not out against the summer’s Ashes series.

Australia resumed day two Zimbabwe in 2003.

West Indies great Brian Lara of the day-night Test on 302is the current world record- 1, with Warner and Marnus holder with his unbeaten 400 Labuschagne at the crease.

They put on another 67 runs against England in 2004.

Labuschagne was It caps a remarkable before turnaround for the former bowled by Shaheen Afridi for vice-captain who had scored 162, ending a partnership that

had put on 361 runs - the secondhighest of all-time by Australian batsmen, behind only Bill Ponsford and Don Bradman’s 451-run stand against England at The Oval in 1934.

Steve Smith then made 36 to become the fastest batsman to reach 7 000 runs, beating a record which had stood since 1946.

He took a single off Muhammad Musa to reach 7 000 runs in his 126th innings, taking possession of a mark held for 73 years by England great Wally Hammond who reached the milestone in his 131st innings.

Matthew Wade was 38 not out with Warner when Tim Paine declared.

Left-arm seamer Mitchell Starc did the damage in Pakistan’s reply, taking 4-22 with Pat Cummins and Josh

SCOREBOARD AUSTRALIA 1st innings David Warner not out 335 Joe Burns c Mohammad Rizwan b Shaheen Afridi 4 Marnus Labuschagne b Shaheen Afridi 162 Steven Smith c Mohammad Rizwan b Shaheen Afridi 36 Matthew Wade not out 38 Extras: (lb-6, nb-7, w-1) 14 Total: (three wkts decl., 127.0 overs) 589 Fall of wickets: 1-8, 2-369, 3-490.

Bowling: Mohammad Abbas 29-7-100-0, Shaheen Afridi 30-5-88-3 (nb-1), Muhammad Musa 20-1-114- 0 (w-1, nb-6), Yasir Shah 32-1197-0, Iftikhar Ahmed 15-0-75-0, Azhar Ali 1-0-9-0.

PAKISTAN 1st innings Shan Masood c Tim Paine b Josh Hazlewood 19 Imam ul-Haq c David Warner b Mitchell Starc 2 Azhar Ali c Steven Smith b Pat Cummins 9 Babar Azam not out 43 Asad Shafiq c Tim Paine b Mitchell Starc 9 Iftikhar Ahmed c Tim Paine b Mitchell Starc 10 Mohammad Rizwan c Tim Paine b Mitchell Starc 0 Yasir Shah not out 4 Extras: 0 Total: (six wkts, 35.0 overs) 96 Fall of wickets: 1-3, 2-22, 3-38, 4-69, 5-89, 6-89.

Bowling: Mitchell Starc 13-5-22-4, Pat Cummins 14-1-45-1, Josh Hazlewood 8-2-29-1.

Hazelwood

picking

up

a

wicket apiece. (BBC Sport).

North Georgetown, Tucville, West Ruimveldt and Redeemer advance Smalta Girls Pee Wee football tournament FOLLOWING a rain-affected morning at the Ministry of Education ground, Carifesta Avenue, only quarter-finals of the Smalta Girls Pee Wee football competition were played.

According to a release from the organisers, the semi-finals were to be played yesterday as well, but only one round was possible due to “measures beyond our control”.

However, in those games, North Georgetown, Tucville, West Ruimveldt and Redeemer advanced to next weekend’s semi-final stage.

In the first game, tournament

favourites North Georgetown beat Smith Memorial 2-1 in a hard-fought contest.

It was Smith Memorial who opened the scoring in the 16th minute thanks to Fiona Gibbs but Martha Chance responded for North in the 21st minute.

Try as they did, the teams could not get the consolation goal in regular time. However, Chance, in the 30+1 gave her side the much-needed lead to move into the next round.

In the second game, Tucville overcame South Ruimveldt 1-0, thanks to Shania Lovell in the 29th minute.

Game three went down to

penalties with West Ruimveldt winning by the slimmest of margins.

Tyanna George in the 8th minute gave the lead to the eventual winners before a mix-up allowed Rihanna Rhajcoomar to level it up in the18th minute.

The remaining regulation time and extra time ran out without a goal being scored and when it came down to penalties, West won 4-3.

Redeemer also needled St Stephen’s thanks to Leanna Hill (15th).

The semi-finals will take place next weekend.

Super Smith smashes 73-year-old record FROM BACK PAGE

“You hear all sorts of words, ‘genius’ is one that comes to mind,” Ponting told cricket. com.au in September when asked about Smith.

“It’s his application to what he does.

He just doesn’t make any mistakes.

His concentration levels are obviously unbelievably good.

“He’s got a game plan that’s working incredibly well for him to the point where it just looks like teams have no idea how they’re going to bowl to him, where they’re going to bowl to him, how they’re going to

get him out.

“Right now, he’s on top of his game but he’s also got every opposition team exactly where he wants them.

“He’s in his early thirties now, he’s got four, five, six years of good cricket ahead of him, which if you add it up that’s probably another 80, 90 Test matches.

“Then he’s played 150 games and could have all sorts of numbers and records by then … he deserves to go down as one of the greats.”(Cricket.comau)

36

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, December 1, 2019

NZ take control of second England Test with early wickets WELLINGTON, New Zealand (Reuters) - Tim Southee and Matt Henry removed both England openers as New Zealand reduced the tourists to 39-2 and took control of the second Test by the close of play on the second day at Seddon Park in Hamilton yesterday.

New Zealand had been dismissed for 375 about an hour after tea and hold a 336-run lead heading into the third day of a match that England need to win to level the two-Test series.

Rory Burns was on 24 at the close of play, having survived two dropped catches, with captain Joe Root on six and looking uncomfortable at the crease as he battles with a precipitous drop in form over the last year.

Opening batsman Dom Sibley was trapped in front by Southee for four to leave the tourists 11-1 before Joe Denly (four) was snapped up by wicketkeeper BJ Watling with a superb low catch off Henry to reduce them

New Zealand batsman Tom Latham hit 105 in the New Zealand innings further to 24-2. dragged their side back into the England could have been even game with a fiery spell of shortfurther in the mire at stumps pitched bowling at New Zealand’s with Burns dropped on 10 by tail after Stuart Broad had broken Ross Taylor at first slip off a 124-run stand between debutant Henry and again, from a more Daryl Mitchell (73) and Watling difficult chance, on 19 by Jeet (55).

“When I was sitting on zero I Raval at midwicket off Southee.

England’s pace attack had earlier wasn’t that calm,” Mitchell said.

“So it was nice to get a run and get started and the more time you spend out there the easier it does get.

“But England bowled very well.

They were very patient at times and built pressure and asked good questions.

“We just had to grind it out for a period there and I was lucky enough to get a few runs.”

New Zealand had been well set at 315-5 heading into tea before Broad removed first Test manof-the-match Watling with the penultimate ball before the break.

Broad then had Mitchell caught at deep fine leg by Jofra Archer about 20 minutes after play resumed in the final session.

With the hosts’ bowlers prepared to take on the shortpitched deliveries, England quickly wrapped up the innings as mistimed shots from New Zealand’s batsmen ended up in the hands of the boundary fielders.

SCOREBOARD NEW ZEALAND 1st innings Jeet Raval c Joe Root b Stuart Broad 5 Tom Latham b Stuart Broad 105 Kane Williamson c Joe Root b Chris Woakes 4 Ross Taylor c Joe Root b Chris Woakes 53 Henry Nicholls c Stuart Broad b Sam Curran 16 BJ Watling c Rory Burns b Stuart Broad 55 Daryl Mitchell c Jofra Archer b Stuart Broad 73 Mitchell Santner c Chris Woakes b Jofra Archer 23 Tim Southee c Ollie Pope b Chris Woakes 18 Matt Henry not out 5 Neil Wagner c Dominic Sibley b Sam Curran 0 Extras (b-15, lb-3) 18 Total: (all out, 129.1 overs) 375 Fall of wickets: 1-16, 2-39, 3-155, 4-182, 5-191, 6-315, 7-330, 8-357, 9-375.

Bowling: Stuart Broad 28-7-73-4, Jofra Arche 28-8-751, Chris Woakes 31-6-83-2, Sam Curran 23.1-7-63-2, Ben Stokes 13-5-36-0.

ENGLAND 1st innings Rory Burns not out 24 Dominic Sibley lbw Tim Southee 4 Joe Denly c BJ Watling b Matt Henry 4 Joe Root not out 6 Extras: (lb-1) 1 Total: (two wkts, 18.0 overs) 39 Fall of wickets: 1-11, 2-24.

Bowling: Tim Southee 8-1-24-1, Matt Henry 7-3-10-1, Neil Wagner 2-0-3-0, Daryl Mitchell 1-0-1.

Relentless Liverpool march on as Man City stumble Premier League football

By Martyn Herman LONDON (Reuters) - Liverpool opened up an 11-point gap at the top of the Premier League on Saturday when the old adage that title winners churn out victories even when not at their best had a special ring.

A couple of hours after champions Manchester City dropped two points at Newcastle United in a 2-2 draw, Liverpool scraped out a 2-1 win over Brighton and Hove Albion despite having goalkeeper Alisson red-carded.

It took Juergen Klopp’s relentless leaders to 40 points from 14 games after 13 wins and a draw with City on 29, the same as Leicester City who host

Everton on Sunday.

Chelsea’s grip on fourth place suddenly looks a little less tight as they suffered a first home defeat by West Ham United for seven years, Aaron Cresswell’s goal sealing a 1-0 win for the Hammers who had lost five of their last six games.

Frank Lampard’s side have 26 points, six ahead of Jose Mourinho’s resurgent Tottenham Hotspur who claimed successive league wins for the first time since April as they beat Bournemouth 3-2 with Dele Alli twice on the scoresheet.

Crystal Palace claimed a first league win in six games with a 2-0 victory at Burnley and Southampton came from behind to beat fellow strugglers

Watford 2-1.

All was calm at Anfield when Dutch central defender Virgil van Dijk scored two firsthalf headers against Brighton, but the second 45 minutes was anything but comfortable.

Brighton had shown some threat and when Alisson rushed out of his goal in the 76nd minute and blatanly handled there was no option but to send him off — a rush of blood that will rule him out of the Merseyside derby.

The immediate problem for Liverpool was that Lewis Dunk’s cheeky free kick beat sub keeper Adrian, prompting panic in the home ranks that Brighton looked capable of exploiting.

Liverpool hung on but were breathing a sigh of relief at the final whistle as Klopp’s side

stretched the club’s unbeaten league run to 31.

“We should have gone better than we did in the second half but you have to give them credit as well,” Van Dijk said.

“Unfortunately we got that red card with Alisson then we just had to defend.”

City have now won only once in their last five games in all competitions and will be kicking themselves after twice leading at struggling Newcastle.

STERLING STRIKE Raheem Sterling’s 22nd-minute strike was quickly cancelled out by Jetro Willems but when Kevin de Bruyne’s sledgehammer shot restored their lead late on it seemed the points were in the bag before Liverpool player Jonjo Shelvey’s superb curling effort left them frustrated.

“It’s a difficult one to take, conceding so late, having scored so late,” defender John Stones said.

“Everything happened so quickly in the last 10 minutes — from elation to deflation.”

Chelsea’s momentum has stalled after a second successive league defeat as Cresswell lifted the pressure on West Ham boss Manuel Pellegrini. Chelsea’s response to going behind was disappointing and West Ham keeper David Martin, making his Premier League debut aged 33, was not overworked.

Tottenham’s Mourinho enjoyed his third win in a week since taking over from sacked Mauricio Pochettino with Dele Alli’s brace and Moussa Sissoko putting them 3-0 ahead before two late goals by Harry Wilson took the gloss off the

win.

“I felt the boys felt a bit tired after playing a high intensity game, but we had the chance to score the fourth goals, but then in the Premier League the game is always alive,” Mourinho said.

In the late kickoff basement battle, James Ward-Prowse struck a stunning free kick seven minutes from time as Southampton fought back to beat bottom side Watford and record their first home league win this season.

Danny Ings equalised for the hosts after Watford had taken the lead through Ismaila Sarr and Southampton moved above Norwich into 18th place in the table.

Portugal, France, Germany in Euro 2020 super group BUCHAREST, Romania (Reuters) Defending champions Portugal and the last two world champions, France and Germany, were thrown together in what German coach Joachim Loew described as the group of death, following a lopsided and complicated Euro 2020 draw yesterday.

England were drawn against Croatia in a repeat of last year’s World Cup semi-final while other favourites were given a much easier ride in the 24-team tournament which will be played in 12 different countries across the region.

The clear pick of the six first-

round pools was Group F, to be played in Munich and Budapest, which pitted France, Portugal and Germany, plus the winners of either playoff A or D. However, the sting was slightly taken away by the format which allows four of the six third-placed teams to qualify for the round of 16, UEFA’s decision to rank the teams according to their result in the qualifiers, combined with Portugal’s performance in their group, meant they ended up among the third seeds while France were one of the second seeds.

“This is a group of death,” said

Loew whose side will play all three games at home under competition rules. “The expectations will be quite high. For our young team, this will be (not only) a huge challenge but also a big motivation.”

England and Croatia, who have met in the Nations League since Croatia’s 2-1 win in Moscow last year, will be joined in Group D by the Czech Republic and the winners of playoff C - either Scotland, Norway, Serbia or Israel.

EASIER MATCH The Group D winners will face the runners-up from Germany’s group in the round of 16 while the second-placed team will travel to

Copenhagen to meet the Group E runners-up - potentially an easier match.

The Group will be played in London - host for the semi-finals and final - and Glasgow.

Other favourites were given a much easier-looking ride.

Italy, who won all 10 qualifying games as they bounced back from failing to make the last World Cup, will face Turkey, Wales and Switzerland in Group A, in Rome and Baku.

“We have a slight advantage by playing at home. Maybe some will think we are favourites but we need to confirm everything on the pitch, as always,” Italy coach

Roberto Mancini said.

Euro 2008 and 2012 champions Spain, who will jointly host Group E in Bilbao with Dublin, play Sweden, Poland and playoff winner B - either Bosnia, Slovakia, Ireland or Northern Ireland.

Belgium’s opponents in Group B will be Denmark and Russia - who are both host nations - and Finland, who will be making their first appearance in a European Championship or World Cup. The Netherlands, who like Italy missed out on the last World Cup, were pitted against Ukraine, Austria and playoff winner A or D in Group

C, which will be played in Amsterdam and Bucharest.

Under the complex rules, all host nations will play their group games at home, meaning a number of teams had been allocated their groups before the draw “The rules are clear, they were accepted by everybody,” said UEFA deputy general secretary Giorgio Marchetti.

“Portugal are in pot three because they didn’t win their group, and the winners of their group were Ukraine. And Ukraine, thanks to their results, are in pot one, and everybody accepts it because once again we have clear rules.”

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, December 1, 2019

37

I’m the more skilled boxer, says Ruiz, ahead of Joshua rematch (REUTERS) World heavyweight champion Andy Ruiz Jr said he was the more skilled fighter and Briton Anthony Joshua will have to rethink his strategy in their December 7 title rematch.

Mexican-American Ruiz produced one of boxing’s biggest upsets when he dethroned the previously undefeated world champion Joshua, with a seventh-round stoppage at New York’s Madison Square Garden in June.

Their second WBA, IBF and WBO title showdown - dubbed the ‘Clash on the Dunes’ - takes place in Saudi Arabia after former Olympic champion Joshua triggered a rematch clause and Ruiz said the fans can expect

Flashback: Anthony Joshua suffered the first defeat of his career against Andy Ruiz Jr in June. (Getty Images) “fireworks” when they slog it out again.

“He’s going to try to make adjustments. I don’t know

if he wants to exchange punches, but I’d love for him

to do that because I’m the more skilled boxer,” Ruiz said in an interview published yesterday by The Telegraph https://www.telegraph.co.uk/ boxing/2019/11/30/exclusiveandy-ruiz-jr-interview-stillchubby-little-fat-kid.

“He’ll try to box me round and use his jab. But for how long? How long can he keep me away from hunting him down? That’s what we’ve been working on most of all, right now, heading into the fight.

“Fight fans are ... going to see a lot of fireworks. If he knocks me down, I’m going to get up and knock him down. I know he’ll try to do the same if I knock him down. The main thing is to stay focussed and disciplined.”

Joshua was dropped to the canvas four times in the June bout and Ruiz, who has never been knocked out in his professional career, said that he would look to control the fight and use his speed against his taller opponent.

“I want to impose myself in this fight, but I don’t want to overlook him,” Ruiz added.

“He’s still a dangerous fighter.

I respect him and all the fighters who risk their lives inside the ring.

“He’s going to have some tricks up his sleeve and it’s my job to not let that affect me.

The main thing is pressure, throw combinations and use my speed. I can’t let him grow balls in there.”

Warner joins illustrious company with triple-century DAVID Warner has become just the seventh Australian to post a triple-century in Test cricket, further banishing his Ashes demons and eclipsing Sir Donald Bradman’s iconic score of 334.

Warner moved to the magical 300 milestone at 17.10hrs local time yesterday, the first Australian to do so since Michael Clarke posted 329 not out against India almost eight years ago.

He brought up his 300 from the 389th ball he faced, clubbing Mohammad Abbas to the mid-wicket boundary and celebrating in trademark fashion with an audible roar, an exuberant leap in the air and vigorous acknowledgement of his teammates and family in the Adelaide Oval members’ area.

Attention then turned to how far Warner could go, with the all-time Test world record

David Warner is the second batsman to score a triple hundred in a day-night Test. score of 400 not out set by innings closed at 589-3.

Brian Lara in 2004 well within In all, Warner batted for more reach. But skipper Tim Paine than nine hours and struck 39 had a different idea and waited fours and a six. until Warner moved past He joined Bradman (twice), 334, Bradman’s highest Test Matthew Hayden, Taylor, score that had stood alone as Bob Simpson, Bob Cowper the Australian benchmark for and Clarke as Australians to 68 years until Mark Taylor have scored a Test triple-ton equalled it in 1998. and is the 27th man overall When Warner clipped a single to reach the mark, the most into the leg-side from the 418th recent of which was India’s ball he faced to move to 335 not Karun Nair in 2016. out, Paine declared Australia’s Warner’s knock is the

highest-ever Test score at the Adelaide Oval, surpassing the unbeaten 299 that Bradman scored against South Africa in 1932.

Warner is also just the second man to score a triple hundred in a day-night Test, joining Pakistan skipper Azhar Ali, who has watched the entirety of the left-hander’s demoralising knock from his fielding position in this Test.

Warner’s innings here is his third century of the international summer having posted 154 in the first Test last week in addition to his T20 hundred against Sri Lanka last month.

It’s been a remarkable response to a horror Ashes campaign this year, his first Test series since returning from a 12-month ban, where he managed just 95 runs in 10 innings.

Warner’s triumphant return home has widened the gap

between his Test record in Australia and overseas. At the time he brought up his triple hundred, Warner’s home Test average was 65.84 compared to 34.50 away and 17 of his 23 Test hundreds have come in Australia.

Former teammate Ricky Ponting told cricket.com. au on Friday that Warner should still be remembered as an all-time great of Australian cricket, despite the discrepancy in his home and away records.

And he predicted the 33-yearold still had plenty more years of Test cricket left in him.

“Statistically, he’s better than most in Australia and that puts him ahead of some others,” Ponting said. “But he’s not quite as good in other areas.

“He’s got a long way to go yet, it doesn’t look like he’s going anywhere soon as far as Test cricket is concerned, certainly the way he’s playing now. If

he plays for another couple of years, he might end up with 30 hundreds.

“And if he does, he will be remembered as an all-time great, even if he doesn’t make many of them overseas.”

Highest Test scores for Australia 380 – Matthew Hayden v Zimbabwe, Perth, 2003 335 n.o. – David Warner v Pakistan, Adelaide, 2019 334 n.o. – Mark Taylor v Pakistan, Peshawar, 1998 334 – Don Bradman v England, Leeds, 1930 329 n.o. – Michael Clarke v India, Sydney, 2012 311 – Bob Simpson v England, Manchester, 1964 307 – Bob Cowper v England, Melbourne, 1966 304 – Don Bradman v England, Leeds, 1934 .

(Cricket, comau)

Australian Open to honour Margaret Court after same-sex marriage dispute MELBOURNE, Australia (Reuters) - Tennis Australia have brokered a truce with Margaret Court and will recognise the 50th anniversary of her calendar Grand Slam at next year’s Australian Open but reiterated the organisation disagrees with her personal views on same-sex marriage.

Tennis Australia will Court, who holds the all-time record of 24 Grand Slam singles recognise Margaret Court’s 50th anniversary of her titles, has not attended the calendar Grand Slam.

Australian Open since 2017 when her opposition to same-sex a national plebiscite on the issue. marriage made her a lightning However, Court said earlier rod for criticism in the lead-up to this month she wanted her 1970

calendar Grand Slam to be given the same respect afforded to compatriot Rod Laver, who was feted earlier this year at Melbourne Park for his 1969 Grand Slam.

A calendar Grand Slam in tennis means winning Wimbledon and the Australian, U.S. and French Open titles within the same year.

Tennis Australia (TA) said yesterday they would honour Court’s achievement throughout the January 20-February 2 Australian Open, the year’s opening Grand Slam tournament, with a series of events and had

invited her to attend, which she had accepted.

“I’m looking forward to celebrating the 50th anniversary of winning the Grand Slam with my family and friends at the Australian Open,” Court said in a Tennis Australia statement yesterday.

“This is an incredible milestone for me, and I can’t quite believe how quickly the time has gone.

It’s always wonderful to catch up with my fellow legends and I’m grateful to Tennis Australia.”

In women’s tennis, only Court, Maureen Connolly (1953) and

Steffi Graf (1988) have managed the calendar Grand Slam, widely considered the game’s toughest achievement.

Laver, who completed the achievement twice in 1962 and 1969, is the only man after Don Budge (1938) to have managed it.

Australia legalised same-sex marriage in December 2017 after 61.6% of respondents to a voluntary plebiscite voted for it.

Court, a Christian pastor at a Perthbased church she set up decades ago, has long been vocal about her opposition to it, a stance that has alienated gay players, past and

present.

“As often stated, Tennis Australia does not agree with Margaret’s personal views, which have demeaned and hurt many in our community over a number of years,” TA said in the statement.

“They do not align with our values of equality, diversity and inclusion.

“Our sport welcomes everyone, no matter what gender, ability, race, religion or sexuality, and we will continue to actively promote inclusion initiatives widely at all levels of the sport.”

38

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, December 1, 2019

GCC keen on naming dressing room after the late Harold `Doc’ Dhanraj - Tucker PRESIDENT of the Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) Timothy Tucker said the club plans on renaming one of the dressing rooms after late club member, Harold `Doc’ Dhanraj.

The former GCC player passed away recently at the age of 78 and was buried on Friday.

Memories of his work and contributions to all aspects of cricket were highlighted this week with fond sentiments being poured out from the respective clubs and associations.

A former executive member of the Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA) following his years with GCC, Dhanraj spent a long time at the legendary Bourda Ground.

After joining GCC in 1970, he was also a member of Everest Cricket Club (ECC) but later

shot to the president’s post in 2007.

When his work with cricket administration ended, the former player-turned-executive held a number of posts including GCA

executive member. Up until his final days, Dhanraj had been an ambassador for his fraternity and club.

Tucker told Chronicle Sport yesterday that the members of

Players and executives form an arch in respect to the late Harold ‘Doc’ Dhanraj. made GCC his home at the age of 29.

He was appointed Club skipper in 1990 and, following his playing days, ‘Doc’ went

into administration where he applied his same love for cricket but in an executive capacity. He was named GCC vice-president in 2004 and

Flashback A young Harold Dhanraj receives a trophy from then GCB president Chetram Singh.

GCC were adamant on having part of the venue named after their now late Life-Member of the club. As such, the GCC president identified one of the two dressing rooms as a possible candidate for a name change in the future.

He added that it was good to see the outpouring of sentiments from the fraternity while commending them for ensuring that the former Club president will get the recognition and respect he deserves following his passing.

The cricket stalwart’s funeral was more of a celebration of his life, as members of GCC and other clubs, as well as a number of past and current players, executives and friends gave him a fantastic send-off. (Cliftin Ross).

GCA extends condolences on the passing of Harold `Doc’ Dhanraj

THE president, executive and members of the Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA) would like to extend sincere condolences to the family of the late former Georgetown Cricket

Club (GCC) cricketer Harold `Doc’ Dhanraj. `Doc’ as he was familiarly called, donned his whites for the Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) for many years and became their

Intermediate cricket captain for a number of years.

After his playing days were over, he took up the mantle of being an executive member of the GCA.

`Doc’ Dhanraj became an institution in Georgetown’s cricket fraternity. Many cricketers can attest to how thankful they are for the impact he had on them; not only as a cricketer but

more importantly as a mentor. He always had time to pull aside to discuss life, especially discipline, be it at the Bourda sward or his famous Bacchus Drug Store in Stabroek Market.

Cricket in Georgetown will surely be the loser with the passing

of

Harold

`Doc’

Dhanraj. Someone so special can never be forgotten.

MYO to play three times today in Inter-Jamaat competition RUNNERS-UP in last year’s Muslim Youth Organisation (MYO) Inter-Jamaat 10-over softball competition, MYO will begin their campaign today with three matches at their home ground in Woolford Avenue.

MYO’s first game is against New Mosque from 09:00hrs while from 13:00hrs they play New Amsterdam Masjid.

At 15:00hrs they will play defending champions Diamond New Scheme in a rematch of

last season’s final.

Along with the three clashes, New Mosque will play New Amsterdam Masjid from 11:00hrs.

Meanwhile the competition continued last Sunday at the same venue with Tuschen Train Station Masjid losing twice.

They went down to Leonora Masjid by 30 runs, before they lost by 13 runs to Hague Masjid.

In their first clash, Leonora batted first after winning the toss and posted 132-7 in their

allotted overs. Tariq led the attack with 32 (2x4, 3x6) unbeaten runs towards the end.

Harry Singh was the pick of the bowlers with 3-20.

The chase proved tricky for Tuschen as wickets fell at regular intervals. In the end, they were 102-7 when their overs expired, as Ajay Khan nabbed 4-16 to lead Leonora’s attack.

In the other clash, Hague Masjid won the toss and opted to take first strike. They were able to

reach 106-6 with opener Kishan Ramsaywack leading the charge with 47 (1x4, 5x6).

In reply, Tuschen Train Station Masjid fell short by 13 runs, although they had eight wickets in hand. Opener Timothy Persaud made 44.

Prior to those two games, Hague Masjid had defeated LBI A Masjid by 11 runs.

Hague batted first and scored 122-6 with Ajay Kishan belting six maximums for a top score of 50 runs.

Javid Campbell took three wickets for LBI. Ramsaywack then picked up two wickets to help restrict LBI A Masjid for 111-3.

LBI B team also fell short in their clash against Cornelia Ida Masjid. LBI B won the toss and opted to bowl first, but Cornelia Ida were up to the charge and with a number of persons getting starts, were able to reach 127-9.

LBI B Masjid in their turn at the crease looked very good, but

although middle-order batsmen Carl Spencer and captain Sarfaz Ally made 50 (2x4, 5x6) and 46 (1x4, 5x6) respectively, the side fell short in a thriller.

It came down to 13 runs from the last over and LBI scored only 11.

Ralph Yusar picked up 3-18 and Naieem Khalil 2-16 for Cornelia Ida.

Sri Lanka name full-strength Test squad for Pakistan tour SRI Lanka selectors have named a full-strength squad for the first Tests to be played in Pakistan in a decade.

Ten high-profile players opted not to tour when Sri Lanka visited Pakistan for three oneday internationals and three T20s in September and October, with limited-overs captains Dimuth Karunaratne and Lasith

Malinga among those absent.

However, Karunaratne will skipper a strong group that also includes Angelo Mathews and Dinesh Chandimal for the two Tests in Rawalpindi and Karachi.

The only change to the Sri Lanka squad that faced New Zealand in August is Kasun Rajitha replacing Akila Dananjaya, who

is serving a one-year ban for an illegal action.

Pakistan have not hosted a five-day game since several Sri Lanka players and members of their coaching staff were injured in an attack on their team bus in March 2009.

These two Tests were originally scheduled to be hosted at a neutral venue because of

security concerns but will now take place in Pakistan, following the success of the limited-overs games in the country.

The first Test begins on December 11 in Rawalpindi.

Sri Lanka squad: Dimuth Karunaratne, Oshada Fernando, Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal, Kusal Perera,

Lahiru

Thirimanne,

Dhananjaya

De

Silva,

Niroshan Dickwella, Dilruwan Perera, Lasith Embuldeniya, Suranga

Lakmal,

Lahiru

Kumara, Vishwa Fernando, Kasun

Rajitha,

Sandakan.

Lakshan

The 16-member squad will be led by batsman Dimuth Karunaratne.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, December 1, 2019

39

Cornwall eager to get the batting right after man-of-the-match performance

ALTHOUGH Rahkeem Cornwall’s 10-wicket haul in a nine-wicket win for the West Indies over Afghanistan in Lucknow, India, is a great start, it is just one part of the game.

The all-rounder wants to get his batting right for the regional side.

Speaking after the game against Afghanistan where his 7-75 and 3-46 were instrumental in bringing the West Indies victory, Cornwall said while he was happy with his performance, he does

Rahkeem Cornwall was the star of the show as he finished with match figures of 10-121; 7-75 in the first innings and 3-46 in the second to be the undisputed Man-of-the-Match. He also held three catches at first slip.

want improvements with the bat.

“Runs will come, hope to put in a good performance with the bat as well,” he said.

Cricket West Indies (CWI) selectors came in for some criticism about picking Cornwall for the regional side despite his good performances in first-class cricket. Detractors questioned the burly all-rounder’s fitness.

But Cornwall seems to have silenced those critics with some inspired spells of bowling,

and has earned some new supporters, he is happy to have on board.

“Everyone at home is full of joy.

They are celebrating at home.

Just want to say thanks for the support,” he said.

Cornwall believes that his debut in a home series against India helped go a long way towards the performance that saw him destroy Afghanistan.

“The India series was a good one.

Pitches back home are similar, so the India series helped,” he said.

While Cornwall has done well with the ball and even survived some acid tests over his fitness in the field, he has not done well with the bat just yet.

The all-rounder wants to change that and believes it is only a matter of time before he shows what he can do with the willow for the West Indies.

“Runs will come. (I) hope to put in a good performance with the bat as well.” (Sportsmax)

Leeward Islands Hurricanes, Windies Emerging Players to contest today’s Super50 final … Hamilton’s 21-ball stunner takes down Red Force

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC) – Jahmar Hamilton stunned favoured hosts Trinidad and Tobago Red Force with a 21-ball half-century as Leeward Islands Hurricanes pulled off an exciting four-wicket win in the second Super50 Cup semi-final, to set up an intriguing clash with WI Emerging Players in today’s final.

Chasing a challenging 269 at Queen’s Park Oval on Friday night, Hurricanes reached their target with three balls to spare, with captain Hamilton unleashing a scintillating unbeaten 78 off 34 deliveries.

With six runs needed from the final over, the 29-year-old smashed part-time off-spinner Jason Mohammad for four off the second ball to erase any doubt about the result, before formalising the win with a single off the very next delivery.

All told, the right-handed

Leeward Islands Hurricanes captain Jahmar Hamilton celebrates after lifting his side to a dramatic win in Friday’s Super50 Cup semi-final.

Hamilton belted three fours and eight sixes in an innings that left

Red Force shell-shocked, after the hosts believed they held the advantage with Hurricanes stumbling on 165 for five in the 39th over.

Stroke-maker Keacy Carty supported with a polished 53 off 70 deliveries while West Indies opener Kieran Powell struck a breezy 47 from 49 deliveries and Devon Thomas, a patient 28 from 50 balls.

Red Force had earlier made all the running when they gathered 268 for eight off their 50 overs, with opener Tion Webster smashing 91 off 120 balls and Mohammed carving out 59 from 55 deliveries.

West Indies batting star Darren Bravo got 34 and fellow lefthander Jeremy Solozano, 30, but Red Force lost their way late on after being well poised on 209 for three in the 44th over – losing their last five wickets for 59 runs off the last 42 balls of the innings.

Fast bowler Sheeno Berridge, the

tournament’s leading wicket-taker with 21 scalps, finished with four for 58.

Sent in, Red Force batted well in partnerships, Webster posting 99 for the first wicket with Solozano before adding a further 34 for the second with Keagan Simmons (14).

When Webster holed out to deep mid-wicket off Berridge in the 33rd over within 17 runs of Simmons after counting seven fours and four sixes, Bravo and Mohammed combined in a 59run fourth-wicket partnership to push Red Force past the 200run mark.

Bravo struck two fours and a six off 33 balls while Mohammed notched six fours and a six, both appearing likely to go deep.

But Berridge returned to account for Bravo in the 44th over, mistiming a drive to Thomas at long off and his dismissal stalled Red Force’s

run-scoring at the back end of the innings.

The in-form Powell then anchored two stands at the top of the order to get Hurricanes away handsomely, putting on 33 for the first wicket with Montcin Hodge (15) and a further 42 for the second wicket with Amir Jangoo.

Powell became the first batsman to pass 500 runs in the tournament and was closing in on his fifth score in excess of fifty when he edged a cut at left-arm spinner Akeal Hosein and was caught at the wicket in the 19th over.

Thomas posted 41 for the fourth wicket with Carty but never really got going and by the time he was bowled by leg-spinning captain Imran Khan (2-71) in the 31st over, Hurricanes were facing a required run rate of over seven runs an over.

Carty, who punched four fours and a six, then took charge for Hurricanes by adding 31 with

Akeem Saunders for the fifth wicket and 54 for the sixth wicket with Hamilton, before falling to a catch in the deep off-spinner Jon Russ Jagessar (2-49) in the 44th over with his side still needing 50 runs from 39 balls.

Hamilton had already launched a ferocious assault on Red Force’s bowlers to turn the game in the visitors’ favour. He smashed 25 runs from the 41st over bowled

by Imran Khan and after being dropped on 42 by Bravo in the deep, reached his fifty in quick time at the start of the 46th over with a massive six off Jagessar.

He finally dominated a 45run, seventh-wicket stand with Terrance Warde (12) who limped off hurt at the start of the final over with the match all but won.

‘Absolute clarity’ on Dhoni’s future, but cannot make ‘public’ - Ganguly THERE is “absolute clarity” between MS Dhoni and the BCCI regarding his future, but the details aren’t meant to made public right away, according to board president Sourav Ganguly.

India’s premier wicketkeeper-batsman has been on a sabbatical ever since the end of the World Cup, and although the general public - as well as the media - can only speculate about what is going to happen, the administration appears comfortable.

“No, no, there is clarity, but certain things cannot be said on

MS Dhoni and Sourav Ganguly share a light moment (AFP)

public platform,” Ganguly told

PTI. “There is absolute clarity

on MS Dhoni and you’ll find out in time.

“There’s transparency between the board, MS and the selectors. When you deal with such champions - MS Dhoni is an unbelievable athlete for India - certain things have to be kept within the closed doors.

It’s very transparent and everybody knows where they stand.”

Dhoni hasn’t played any competitive cricket since India’s World Cup semi-final loss to New Zealand at Old Trafford in July.

He opted out of the West Indies tour that followed the

Tiwari birth anniversary Inter-Ward football on today LEONORA ground on the West Side comes alive today when the highly-anticipated Brian Tiwari birth anniversary

9-a-side Inter-Ward football tournament kicks off. Six matches will be contested in order to determine which sides

make it to the final. Among teams on show are Wales, Gaza, Crane and Den Amstel. Firstplace winners will pocket $200

000 and the Bradley Gabriel trophy, while second-placers will carry away the $100 000 prize and the Kane Gabriel trophy.

World Cup, in order to spend a fortnight with the Indian territorial army, and since then has not featured in the squads for the home series against South Africa and Bangladesh and the upcoming one against West Indies. He hasn’t played any domestic cricket in this period either.

In response to India head coach Ravi Shastri’s comment that IPL 2020 will give a clear picture on Dhoni’s future, Ganguly said, “We will see what happens, there’s enough time.

Of course it will get clear (within three months).”

On Wednesday, Dhoni himself had added to the speculation on his future with an intriguing comment: when asked the question by a reporter, Dhoni simply said, “January tak mat pooch (don’t ask until January).” He, however, did not elaborate on what was meant to happen in January.

The selectors, meanwhile, have kept faith in Rishabh Pant as the limited-overs keeper in this time, with Sanju Samson picked as his back-up for the last two T20I series.(ESPN Cricinfo).

Meanwhile, finishers in the 3rd and 4th places will pocket $60 000 and $40 000 respectively, for their trouble. Action is set to kick off at 16:00hrs.

Fixtures are as follows: Sunday December 1 - Wales vs

Soesdyke, Gaza vs Plaisance, Pouderoyen vs Hurry Ate Den Amstel Kings vs Timehri, Den Amstel vs Crane, West Side Spartans vs Casa Coima

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, December 1, 2019

Action between Tucville and South Ruimveldt in yesterday’s quarter-final of the Smalta Girls football tournament.

(Delano Williams photo)

North Georgetown, Tucville, West Ruimveldt and Redeemer advance 35 PAGE

Super Smith smashes 73-year-old record STEVE Smith has added another milestone to his remarkable international career, breaking a 73-year record that stood since 1946, in becoming the fastest player to 7 000 Test runs on day two of the second Domain Test against Pakistan at the Adelaide Oval.

Smith began the match needing just 23 runs to reach the landmark, and in doing so he also moved past another feted number in Australian cricket – the 6 996 Test runs scored by Sir Donald Bradman.

Since playing his final Test in 1948, Bradman’s mark has now been eclipsed by 11 Australians, though none have come close to the cracking pace set by Smith.

The 30-year-old reached 7 000 runs in his 126th Test innings, breaking the world record of 131 innings held by Englishman Wally Hammond, whose brilliant 85Test career ran through the same era as Bradman’s.

In the intervening decades, Indian pair Virender Sehwag (134 inns) and Sachin Tendulkar (136) had come closest to Hammond among the 48 other batsmen to have reached the 7 000-run landmark.

Prolific batter Steve Smith rewrites history yet again as his legend continues to grow. (Getty Images)

UNTIL SMITH The Australian, who made one and 12 from No.8 as a leg-spinning all-rounder on Test debut in 2010, has established himself in the past six years as the dominant batsman of his era with a stunning 26 hundreds in his past 57 Tests and an average that topped 65 during this year’s Ashes.

For context, Bradman’s 6 996 runs arrived in just 80 innings, leaving the legendary Australian streets ahead of his nearest rivals.

Fastest to 7 000 Test runs 126 innings – Steve Smith (Aus) 131 – Wally Hammond (Eng) 134 – Virender Sehwag (Ind) 136 – Sachin Tendulkar (Ind) 138 – Sir Garfield Sobers (WI), Kumar Sangakkara (SL), Virat Kohli (Ind) 140 – Sunil Gavaskar (Ind), Viv Richards (WI) Among the 11 Australians to have reached 7 000 Test runs, Matthew Hayden (142 inns) and Ricky Ponting (145) are the next quickest to the mark, while Indian Virat Kohli is Smith’s nearest contemporary rival, having hit the figure

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