Guyana Chronicle E-paper 12-16-2019

MONDAY 16th December, 2019

’ No.105853

Short-term, direct sale of crude best for Guyana – Dr Bynoe PAGE

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–– warns that selling to open market now could hamper sale in the future

GWI commissions $15M 09 St. Ignatius Water Supply System PAGE

–– over 1,600 residents receiving first-time, improved access

Mayors call for reform of M&DC Act 08 PAGE

–– due to current barriers, impediments frustrating the work of councils

Partners and media operatives signing the banner to indicate their commitment to joining the campaign to bring awareness to road safety (Adrian Narine photo)

Taris Andries and his teammates from the Fairview Robotics Team of the Fairview Primary School in Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo, Region Nine, analyze a manual as they build a machine during the 3rd Annual Robotics Exhibition at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre on Sunday. (Elvin Croker Photo) See story on page 9

Two RUSAL workers electrocuted

–– receiving treatment at Kwakwani Hospital for injuries 12 PAGE

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, December 16, 2019

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, December 16, 2019

Short-term, direct sale of crude best for Guyana now – Dr Bynoe

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–– warns that selling to open market now could hamper sale in the future

ONLY the first three lifts of Guyana’s crude following ‘first oil’ will be up for direct sale to international traders expected in the country this week and this short-term arrangement is the best option for Guyana as it heads into the new industry.

On Sunday, the Department of Energy (DoE) clarified misguided reports that are circulating; the DoE confirmed that its decisions are being guided by a full team of international experts, internal experts and the Guyana Public Procurement Commission.

The Guyana Chronicle reported on Sunday that at least half a dozen traders from Houston, Geneva and London were expected to land in Guyana over the weekend to bid on some of the first-oil cargoes produced here.

The report first came from Bloomberg, which acknowledged that Guyana is poised to produce more oil than neighbouring Venezuela; the country however, has no experience in trading oil

Director, Department of Energy (DoE) Dr Mark Bynoe and is looking to learn the basics from its very first buyer.

On Sunday the DoE explained that the process expected this week is not for marketing services to sell Guyana’s crude in the open market for the long term; this is not scheduled until January 2020.

Instead, the selected operators will take Guyana’s initial three lifts, the quality of which is still being de-

termined. According to the DoE, selling the crude on the open market while uncertainty about its quality exists, could cause the Liza Crude to be priced downwards off the bat.

“The full extent of the quality of crude is not yet known. It usually takes several lifts to determine crude only quality and the cost of refining it. Guyana is embarking on its very first new crude introduction into the market of the Liza grade. The quality of the crude and its yield have not yet been tested within a refinery system. This interim arrangement is put in place just for this period,” the department explained.

“Guyana’s main incentive in taking this approach is to establish a norm in terms of quality standard and quantity availability, so as to prevent any possible down-pricing.

What the DoE is seeking to accomplish with the shortterm approach is to allow for stabilisation and standardisation to prevent our Liza Crude from being priced downwards due to uncertain-

ty of the quality.”

At the negotiations, Guyana will be represented by a crude marketing specialist, a commercial specialist and an external legal adviser, among others.

After careful consideration of all aspects, the DoE initiated a conversation with a selected group of companies for a potential placement of the first three cargoes of Guyana’s entitlement.

They are International Oil Companies (IOCs) with a global refining footprint and integrated oil-value chains best suitable to support the DoE during this incubation and launching phase.

Selected companies are invited to bid to buy Guyana’s product in the short term and are required to make offers from which Guyana’s team will choose the most acceptable proposals.

The DoE stated that given Guyana’s inexperience and the impending early date of the first lifts, an introductory phase of the grade was more advantageous to Guyana at this time; this will focus on

setting national benchmarks for selling Guyana’s portion of its crude in the future.

This marks the first phase of the crude sale and the second will involve a public Request for Proposals (RFP) for marketing services for Guyana’s crude.

The department indicated that this is currently in the final stages of preparation. In January 2020, a full RFP will be issued inviting companies to bid for the marketing of Guyana’s portion of oil on a longer-term basis; this could take about three months to be finalised.

Back in July, DoE Director Dr Mark Bynoe had stated that the department is aware of the risk associated with not getting this right.

In all its efforts, the department has stated that industry-standard documents, based on the Association of International Petroleum Negotiators Crude Lifting Agreement (CLA), is being applied.

“While this may be considered by some to be a novel

approach, it is a strategic one which brings the best value to the country and one which has been used in other places,” the department said.

“The Department of Energy wishes to assure the Guyanese public that we continue to leave ‘no stone unturned’ to secure the best value for our national resources. We look forward to introducing our own Liza grade oil into the market in the new year when the full RFP has been executed.”

It called on those tasked with interpreting these unfolding events to the public to revise their reporting and desist from advancing any other interpretations which seek to tarnish the judgement of the President and, by extension, the Department of Energy.

The Liza field is scheduled to start production this month and will reach 120,000 barrels a day next year.

By 2025, it is expected to ramp up to 750,000 barrels daily. At that rate, Guyana is set to produce as much oil as Venezuela in five years.

Scenes from PM’s end-of-year Social and Cocktail Reception PRESIDENT David Granger, on Saturday evening, attended the Office of the Prime Minister’s end-of-year Social and Cocktail

Reception, which was held at the Prime Minister’s residence.

President Granger, in brief remarks,

Aww... Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo and his wife, Mrs. Sita Nagamootoo sharing a light moment at the end-of-year Social.

thanked the staff for their service throughout the year while noting that he is grateful for the support provided by Prime Minister

Moses Nagamootoo and his office, especially during the period he was ill and undergoing medical treatment in Havana, Cuba.

President David Granger with Mrs. Sita Nagamootoo and Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo at the Prime Minister’s Residence.(MOTP photos)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday December 16, 2019

COP25: Longest climate talks end with compromise deal THE longest United Nations climate talks on record have finally ended in Madrid with a compromise deal. Exhausted delegates reached agreement on the key question of increasing the global response to curbing carbon.

All countries will need to put new climate pledges on the table by the time of the next major conference in Glasgow next year. Divisions over other questions - including carbon markets - were delayed until the next gathering.

After two extra days and nights of negotiations, delegates finally agreed to a deal that will see new, improved carbon cutting plans on the table by the time of the Glasgow conference next year.

All parties will need to address the gap between what the science says is necessary to avoid dangerous climate change, and the current state of play which would see the world go past this threshold in the 2030s.

Supported by the European Union and small island states, the push for higher ambition was opposed by a range of countries including the US, Brazil, India and China. However a compromise was agreed with the richer nations having to

show that they have kept their promises on climate change in the years before 2020.

Next year’s big climate conference will be held in Glasgow, Scotland - and that heaps enormous pressure on UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson. He’s already been warned by environmentalists that he will be “humiliated” if he tries to lead other nations whilst the UK is still failing to meet its own medium-term climate targets. The UK’s climate advisers warn that tens of millions of homes must be insulated. Other experts say Mr Johnson’s £28.8m road-building plans are not compatible with eliminating CO2 emissions.

They say even fully electric cars won’t solve the problem completely - and urge the government to help people walk and cycle to benefit their health and the environment. They also say expanding aviation will increase emissions. Mr Johnson’s Brexit decisions will play a part too. The US wouldn’t discuss climate change in any trade deal. Meanwhile the EU is putting a border tax on countries that don’t cut greenhouse gases. It will be impossible to please both.

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said he was disappointed by the result. “The international community lost an important opportunity to show increased ambition on

Monday, December 16, 08:30hrs - 10:00hrs

mitigation, adaptation and finance to tackle the climate crisis,” he said, quoted by AFP. ‘Another year of failure’ Meanwhile, Laurence Tubiana from the European Climate Foundation, and an architect of the Paris agreement, described the result as “really a mixed bag, and a far cry from what science tells us is needed.”

“Major players who needed to deliver in Madrid did not live up to expectations, but thanks to a progressive alliance of small island states, European, African and Latin American countries, we obtained the best possible outcome, against the will of big polluters.” Decisions on other issues including the thorny question of carbon markets have been delayed until Glasgow.

This aspect of the deal was welcomed by campaigners.

“Thankfully the weak rules on a market based mechanism, promoted by Brazil and Australia, that would have undermined efforts to reduce emissions has been shelved and the fight on that can continue next year at COP26 in Glasgow,” said Mohamed Adow, with the group Power Shift Africa.

Many of those in attendance were unhappy with the overall package, feeling it did not reflect the urgency of the science.

Spain’s acting Minister for the Ecological Transition Teresa Ribera said the mandate was clear.

“Countries have to present more ambitious NDCs [nationally determined contributions] in 2020 than what we have today because it is important to address science and the demands of people, as well as commit ourselves to do more and faster.”

However, negotiators will be satisfied to have kept the process alive after these difficult and complex talks in Madrid.

The world is now nearly one degree Celsius warmer than it was before widespread industrialisation, according to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). The 20 warmest years on record have all occurred in the past 22 years, with the years from 2015-2018 making up the top four. The WMO says that if the current warming trend continues, temperatures could rise by 3-5C by the end of this century.

A threshold of 2C had long been regarded as the gateway to dangerous warming. More recently, scientists and policy makers have argued that keeping temperature rise to within 1.5C is a safer limit for the world. But an IPCC report in 2018 suggested that keeping to the 1.5C target would require “rapid, far-reaching and unprecedented changes in all aspects of society.” (BBC)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday December 16, 2019

Tardy political parties!

JLP, PNP late in declaring how much they spent on Portland Eastern by-election, source of funds Jamaicans will have to wait a while longer to find out how much the two political parties reportedly spent on the April 4 by-election in Portland Eastern and what was the source of the money despite allegations of vote-buying and an orgy of spending in the contest.

More than two months after the deadline for the governing Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) and the Opposition People’s National Party (PNP) to declare how much they spent on the by-election, the Electoral Commission of Jamaica (ECJ) is still awaiting full disclosure.

The JLP’s Ann-Marie Vaz defeated the PNP’s Damion Crawford in the contest and under Jamaica’s Campaign Financing Legislation of 2016 the two candidates had until May 16, to file a declaration of their election expenditures and a declaration that, to the best of the their knowledge, no contribution from any impermissible contributor had been accepted during the campaign reporting period.

Both candidates met the deadline with Vaz reporting that she had zero expenditure in her run to victory and Crawford reporting that he spent $4.7 million during the campaign, which included $2.7 million in donations.

The two parties were given a deadline of October 1, to submit their

Campaign Period Expenditure Report by October 1, 2019 and their Final Disclosure Report of Income and Election Expenditure.

But last Friday Director of Elections Glasspole Brown confirmed that the ECJ was still awaiting information on the income and expenditure from the two parties. “The parties filed some information in October but we requested additional information from them and that is what we are waiting for,” Brown told the Jamaica Observer.

“They put in their disclosure report on time, because the law requires them to file their disclosure reports and that was done in October.

There was some additional information that we wanted and further details to what they submitted.

“Once they do that we will do our investigations and then you will get a report from us,” added Brown. Responding to questions about the delay in the full disclosure, general secretary of the JLP Dr Horace Chang told the Sunday Observer that he is finalising the compilation of the information and should submit the details to the ECJ shortly.

According to Dr Chang, he has one or two more persons to speak with. On Friday PNP general secretary Julian Robinson told the Sunday Observer that he had finally completed the report and submitted it to the ECJ that morning. According to Robinson, the new filing requirements are quite detailed and it took the PNP longer than expected to reconcile

its income and expenditure statement. Under the Jamaica’s Campaign Financing Legislation of 2016 with related Regulations of 2017, every registered political party should submit the “Campaign Period Expenditure Report in the prescribed form and manner within a period of 180 days after the day of an election.”

The law further states the report should include a consolidated statement of all contributions received by the parties during the campaign period with an itemised list of the values of all contribution, in cash or kind, of a value exceeding $250,000. The parties should have also have submitted a consolidated total income and expenditure statement by the October 1 deadline.

Under the law, if the parties fail to submit the report on time and in the manner prescribed, the authorised representative (usually the general secretary of treasurer) commits an offence and “shall be liable on summary conviction in a Resident Magistrate’s Court (Parish Court) to a fine not exceeding $1 million.” Dr Chang had already disclosed publicly that the JLP spent some $40 million in the by-election.

Responding to the cynicism which greeted the claim by Vaz that she spent nothing on the campaign, Dr Chang said that it was the party which did all the spending, not the candidate. He said the official declaration will show expenses for advertisement, canvassing, polling of three-to-four million dollars, plus transportation and meetings. Going into the by-election Robinson had alleged that the JLP had outspent the PNP by as much as 10 to one. There were also allegations of vote-buying and other financial irregularities surrounding the contest. (Jamaica Observer)

The 2020 HIV/Aids mission

UN regional director urges treatment for migrants

Human mobility has increased in Latin America and the Caribbean and if countries hope to maintain their projection to eliminate the spread of the HIV/Aids by 2030, it would be a good public health practice to give migrants treatment.

UNAids regional director for Latin America and the Caribbean Dr César Nunez said governments should welcome migrants, because they bring more good than bad. He said in many cases people in mobile populations are ill-treated and even subjected to sexual trafficking, and there should be policies addressing the need to protect them which should include the availability of HIV treatment, because it would not only benefit the migrants but protect the host country from transmission.

Part of the 2016 HIV declaration to eliminate the spread of the virus by 2030 is a commitment to fast-track the response.

The 90-90-90 target indicated that by 2020, 90 per cent of those infected should know their status; 90 per cent of that number should be put on antiretroviral drugs; and 90 per cent of those should have their viral loads suppressed to an undetectable level.

If the virus cannot be detected, it cannot be transmitted.

Nunez, who was in TT for the Second Regional Seminar for Parliaments of the Caribbean on December 5, explained that every two years UNAids invites governments to share data in a workshop to take stock of what has been done so far. The next workshop for estimates will take place in 2021, although it is expected that countries supply 2019 data by March 31, 2020.

He said governments have the tools for an effective prevention and treatment plan, as well as to address stigmatisation and discrimination. He believes TT is on track to being close to meeting its goals, given the 2016 and 2017 numbers. However,

he hopes TT will increase its efforts, and suggests increasing the number of testing sites and the availability of drugs.

In the Caribbean region, he said, there are 340,000 people living with HIV. In 2018 there were 16,000 new infections, a 41 per cent drop from 2000. There were also 6,700 deaths, a 67 per cent reduction from 2000. He added that 77 per cent of those diagnosed are on treatment and 74 per cent of those being treated were virally suppressed. He added that in nearly all Caribbean countries, viral suppression among men is lower than among women, so it is necessary to improve services to men. “If treatment is given correctly, without interruptions, we would also add a protection effect to people who may engage in sexual relationships with somebody who is receiving treatment.”

He feels the progress towards the 2020 target has come to a plateau, because there are still new cases despite the number of people on treatment. He said UNAids needs Caribbean countries to reach out to those living with HIV, including those who do not know they are infected.

One challenge is late diagnosis. Five out of 12 countries reporting data showed half of newly diagnosed cases present with advanced HIV. “So people are not coming to be tested because they have been informed, or because they attended a particular session.

People come when they feel ill, if at all. And when they come, more than 50 per cent of the cases already have advanced signs of the disease.”

Therefore, he said, more aggressive strategies are needed and suggested several.

The first is self-testing, which he compared to a home pregnancy test that is both specific and sensitive enough to be accurate. He said the test is

already being used in Brazil and he hopes other countries will follow.

In the past, Nunez said, people believed finding out they had tested positive was too difficult to face without some sort of support. But with the effective treatment available, most people recognise that HIV is not a death sentence. In this way, after a positive result, people can get a more sophisticated analysis and start treatment immediately.

“Treatment would not only be good for them, but from a public health point of view, it will be good for the country, because it will be able to prevent new infections from this particular person, since they will become undetectable or virally suppressed.”

Another strategy, he said, is for every woman who goes for antenatal care during her first trimester to be tested for HIV. In this way she herself can receive treatment as well as prevent her baby from being born with the virus. “I believe the Caribbean has done a very good job at the elimination of motherto-child transmission. Cuba was the first country in the world to have eliminated paediatric HIV. They were certified by WHO, UNICEF and UNAids and every two years they need to recertify, because if they lower their guard, HIV can resurge.”

Since Cuba, six more territories in the Caribbean – Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Bermuda, Cayman Islands, Montserrat, and St Kitts and Nevis – have been certified. And although they have to maintain the certification, he believes they will do so and that more Caribbean countries will gain certification.

He said it is also public health good practice to do index testing. This means if someone tests positive, every member of the household should be invited to be tested as well.

“It doesn’t matter the age

or the gender, every member of that household should be tested.

We have found when you do that, we identify more members of the household already living with HIV.” Nunez explained, “All of the measures are meant to corner HIV and stop it, because if we keep on getting new infections, it will be costly. Even if you buy the least expensive treatment, 16,000 times $100 per year is a lot of money...The fiscal space available to make sure that TT is the leader on those promises (of the 2030 agenda) is limited.”

Nunez said treatment used to be several pills which cost US$10,000 per person per year.

Now a person can take one pill

a day which costs about US$80 per person per year. Therefore, to ensure the sustainability of the programmes and contribute to the progress of countries, it is necessary to reduce treatment costs through prevention.

He also recognises the role of communities, including women, indigenous, and sexual diversity groups. He said their leadership and advocacy ensures the response remains relevant and grounded, and that people remain at the centre of the response, rather than other issues. At a time when reduced funding threatens treatment programmes, he said, communities ensure HIV remains on the political

agenda, that human rights are addressed, and that decision-makers are held accountable for their HIV response.

(Trinidad Newsday)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday December 16, 2019

The yuletide season is upon us

CHRISTMAS is generally seen as a time of merriment.

Outside of its commercial value, gathering of loved ones and festivities, its religious value heralding the birth of Jesus Christ, the son of God who came to earth in order to bring redemption to humankind, cannot be lost sight of.

His presence brought new expectations, new experiences, new beginnings, and new opportunities. Even though He was the son of a King, he dedicated his time to the people, empowering them through teachings and miracles; and while the option and temptation existed for Him to be a part of the privileged class, it was the common man and woman He sought out, and was committed to working with.

His teachings, grounded on the principle of equality and respect for each other, informs tenets such as ‘do unto others as you would like them to do unto you’; and the Ten Commandments, inseparable from His teachings, have grounded the quest for positive human relations among world organisations, governments and institutions.’ The said principles are the pillars upon which laws are built, in that peaceful co-existence, harmonious relationships, growth and development are hinged on all being held to the same standards and playing by the same rules.

Christ was a fierce advocate for justice. His was an approach which, at the time, challenged the status quo.

Justice, for Him, was not built on the premise of reprisals (eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth), but was tempered with forgiveness and second chances. This speaks to an acknowledgment that humankind, by nature, possesses shortcomings. With shortcomings come expectations that mistakes would be made; but generally, persons would appreciate compassion, forgiveness, and a chance to redeem themselves.

A look at our justice system bears testimony. When one is convicted before being sentenced, examinations and cross-examinations are done to determine what may have led to the alleged errant conduct. And in instances where convicted, the errant individual may enter a plea seeking forgiveness and a chance to redeem his/her self by living a life consistent with the dominant values.

Poverty and hunger were other social ills that informed Christ’s solution-driven teachings. The famed story of Him feeding a multitude with few fishes and loaves of bread is a notable example. Though the option existed to serve those fishes and loaves among a select few, the decision was taken to ensure that all were fed and none was with want. This is a principle that undergirds polices, laws, programmes and implementation to end poverty and hunger.

In a world where poverty and hunger are on the rise, as human beings, when we act towards each other with

It’s time Jagdeo stops threatening Guyanese Dear Editor PLEASE allow me a space in your daily to weigh in on the numerous threats being levelled at my fellow countrymen and -women. It seems to me that our people are having a shackle around their necks by Bharrat Jagdeo and the PPP. Guyana is now positioned on the right path of development, thanks to His Excellency David A Granger and his team. We must not allow one man to threaten the masses of this country with reprisal if the PPP wins the next elections, which I am certain they will not.

The people of this country need to let this so-called leader know that he is not the ‘Lord’ and he cannot get away with these kinds of behaviour. He must understand that he was elected to serve the people.

I have read and listened to Jagdeo stating that he will not be repaying loans acquired by the present government.

What ignorance is this? We need to remind Jagdeo that the taxpayers are repaying a huge loan, from which we are yet to see dividends. This is one of the largest single investments in the Caribbean, the Skeldon Estate sugar factory.

This project must always be a subject of our discussion when Jagdeo speaks. It therefore means that this government should not be paying for something that has not benefitted the nation in any way, but has taken us further in debt. The sugar industry is now dead as a result of this

project. My fellow countrymen, do not be fooled by this man. He led this country into the ground internationally and economically. I can recall Guyanese being shunned all over the world when we sought greener pastures. This was a result of the low wages that were imposed by Jagdeo and the PPP. The coalition government announced tax-free salary increases for public servants, and here again they are being threatened by the PPP. We need to send a strong message to ‘Guyana’s Lord’ that we will use all in our power to ensure that our citizens will not be victims of a political onslaught

by Jagdeo and the PPP’s allies in the Private Sector Commission. We must stand up to the diabolical plans that are being developed to create instability and deny citizens their constitutional rights. We must ensure that we continue to have equality among the masses. All categories of workers must be treated equally, all ethnic groups must be treated equally, all citizens, rich or poor, must be treated equally, all investors, locally, regionally and internationally must be treated equally.

We must reject fearmongering in our society, so that we can live in peace and unity as Guyanese. Say NO to the 1% domination of the country’s resource and YES to equality for all.

Regards Kirk Fraser

oneness, it bodes well in recognising that the success of one hinges on the success of the other. And while no one should begrudge or covet his/her neighbour’s goods, the pursuit of one’s desire for upliftment is better achieved in an environment created with equal opportunity.

Spending on this occasion, though, in some instances can be considered as bordering on extravagance. In spirit, it is seen as an important act in demonstrating that we are all part and parcel of the moment and the principles that define it. Further, the desire for sumptuous consumption can be looked at through the lens that Christ’s birth promised hope, which includes an end to hunger and want. In that persons may indulge at this season, as against anytime during the year -sharing with families and friends -- is reflective of the said belief. Families, neighbours, friends or rivals who may have had differences, momentarily or prolonged, in this season set aside unpleasantries and seek to greet and share with each other. This is a season wherein expressions of happiness and well-wishes are dispensed freely. The value of camaraderie that propels us at this time, irrespective of socio-economic, political or religious circumstances, fittingly marks the celebration of the yuletide season. May this value continue to guide us beyond this season.

Residents against Repsol’s occupation of building in residential Subryanville Dear Editor

IT has been brought to our attention that Repsol is currently occupying premises situated at 100A & 103 Fourth Avenue, Subryanvile. We take this opportunity to inform you as has been previously done, that since its inception, Subryanville has been a residential neighbourhood. It was specifically designed with common areas located at the Farnum Play Field and what is now 103 Fourth Avenue, where it was designated as a communal area with tennis courts, inter alia. All the transports of the properties within Subryanville contain the covenant which restricts any and/or all commercial activity.

In or around 2010, Mr Shields bought 100A and See page 7

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday December 16, 2019

Councillors praise leadership of Regional Chairman Dear Editor

THE Regional Democratic Council (RDC) held its last and final statutory meeting as they prepare for regional and general elections.

At the statutory meeting, which saw a large turnout of regional councillors, Regional Chairman (RC) Renis Morian thanked councillors for what he said has been their committed, disciplined and devoted service to the council. He also told then that despite the very rocky start that they had in 2015, he is pleased that there has been significant cohesion among councillors despite the fact that they are from various political parties. He also confirmed that while several councillors representing the APNU+AFC side of the council have repeated their call for him to serve a second term as regional chairman, he firmly believes that it’s time for someone else to take the mantle. “I have no intentions of returning as the regional chairman as I firmly believe that my work in this aspect has been completed and for that I am very grateful to have served as the regional chairman of Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Upper Berbice).

I will always hold great memories as we certainly achieved a great lot and for that I am thankful to all the councillors who served from 2015 to present,” Morian said.

He said that despite the council’s life being cut short for a second time, he firmly believes that

there were a number of achievements, stressing that he is hopeful that whoever is selected to serve the people of Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Upper Berbice) at the next council, irrespective of their political affiliation, will do so with great pride and dignity. He however thanked everyone stating that while its evident that some councillors will not be returning, he would like to reiterate that whoever is selected to serve must never forget the people that they were selected to serve.

“We must never forget that we owe our residents that responsibility of serving them to the best of our ability and while there were many challenges and difficulties over the past four years. I am satisfied that many of us gave our best to further enhance and improve the lives of residents within this region,” the RC said.

The Standing Orders were then suspended and councillors and departmental heads were given an opportunity to address the council.

Several of councillors representing both sides praised the regional chairman stressing that his stewardship should be emulated throughout Guyana at several other RDCs. A number of PPP councillors said that despite their political differences, the regional chairman did not allow his political affiliation to hinder progress within the region; they commended him for representing not just a section of the council, but everyone. “Your leadership was all

inclusive and for that you certainly deserve another term RC, I was particularly impressed with the level and quality of service that you provided and would like to thank you for always making yourself and office available to render whatever assistance and/or support to me,” PPP Councilor Serojnie Naraine said. She reiterated that while she isn’t sure if her party will select her to serve again, she remains ready and prepared to serve her party for another term.

Another PPP councillor in Dr Gregory Harris, said that he is privileged to have served the council, declaring that he is proud that Region 10 has been blessed with one of the most professional regional chairmen. He thanked the RC, declaring that he is confident that he will not serve another term. He disclosed that having completed his Masters in the UK, his primary focus is to further improve himself both professionally and academically, stating that he is taking a break from the political circle so as to concentrate on his family, whom he said needs him more than ever now.

He however issued a call for Renis Morian to be given another term at the helm. “Fellow councillors, it is clear that I will not be returning, but I would like to say that Renis Morian has served this council very well and while I sat on the PPP side, I was very impressed with his leadership and management style and I am publicly stating that he should

be given another term as RC. We as councillors should put our political affiliations and beliefs aside and recognise leadership at its best; and I can say that the RC provided a high level of leadership,” he told fellow councillors.

APNU+AFC councillor Gordon Calendar who heads the Regional Health Committee, said that when he first came to the council he came with several misconceptions and ideas, but learnt a lot throughout the four years that he has been there.

He said that his experience was one from which he has learnt; he added that the RC was willing and effective in guiding councillors. He supported the call for another term as RC, expressing his own desire at serving again. “Our Regional Chairman served well and [I] would like to support the call made by several councillors, even to those on the PPP side, that he should be given another term. RC, your leadership was certainly a great one,” Calendar said.

PPP Councillor and Chairman of the Coomacka CDC said that he was going to be bold to declare that he has enjoyed working with the RC despite their different political affiliations. He declared that RC Morian served exceptionally well and thanked him for supporting his community and several projects and programmes that he brought to the council. He stressed that despite his affiliation as a PPP councillor, he would endorse Renis Morian having

a second term, stressing that the council should not seek to change what he said has been a remarkable formula of RC Morian. “This council in my mind was one of the most cohesive, as anyone coming into this boardroom would not know that we were from different political parties and because of that I am forever grateful and thankful. We learnt a lot and while the RC has indicated that he has no plans of returning, I trust that we can convince him to return,” Councillor Harding said.

Meanwhile, Deputy Regional Chairman Elroy Adolph who represented the Alliance For Change (AFC), said that he has certainly learnt significantly from the leadership of Renis Morian.

He admitted that while he served previously on the council, it was this time around that he learnt a lot; he noted that he firmly believes that the council needs Morian, whom he said can continue leading the council in a very professional way. “I would like to endorse our RC for a second term as he served this council very well and there is no doubt as many of the other councillors have admitted that he brought real cohesion to this council and also managed in a very professional way. Thank you, RC, but please note that we need you again,” VC Adolph said.

Regards Region Four Public Relations Department

Residents’ against Repsol’s occupation of ..

One in custody for Canje Robbery

acquired 103 for originally what was to be a hotel. Numerous residents, including some of those hereinunder, strenuously objected to this; the idea was later shelved. He later got permission from the Central Housing & Planning Authority to construct the current building for use only by his then company, Guyana Shields Limited. The residents lodged objections to this but permission for this limited use was somehow attained.

In or around May 2017, the Guyana Geology & Mines Commission on whose board Mr Shields sat at that time began a commercial rental of the aforesaid property. Residents mounted a sustained and successful campaign for their removal from the said residential area. Currently, many of the commercial activities in the area, including the presence and expansion of schools, are engaging the attention of our judiciary at the behest of residents.

We thought it pertinent to reiterate, the words of Director of the Department of Energy Dr Mark Bynoe at the Guyana International Petroleum Exhibition, where oil companies were asked to “respect our laws”, to Repsol via this written medium. Before proceeding to take legal action we write to request that Repsol kindly respect the

COMMANDER of ‘B’ Division, Calvin Brutus, on Sunday, confirmed that one person is in custody in connection with the armed robbery that occurred at Chenick and Son Supermarket at Betsy Ground, East Canje, on Saturday evening.

A Western Union outlet and a Superbet Shop are also housed in the Betsy Ground business establishment.

At approximately 19:34hrs on Saturday, six masked bandits, each armed with a gun, attacked the supermarket while it was open and filled with customers including children. They held the customers at gunpoint while two immediately went to the owner, Doodnauth Moses, 45. Moses was gun butt-

From page 6

laws of Guyana and vacate their occupation of a building in a residential neighbourhood. There are numerous vacant properties in commercial areas. Currently, the other oil and gas operators of note occupy premises in commercial locations.

Further, it is hoped that Repsol in Guyana lives up to its corporate social responsibility as touted on its international website and respect the request of the people in the area in which they work, Subryanville.

We write to kindly request that Repsol inform us in writing by 31 December, 2019, of their intentions viz a viz their continued occupation of the premises at 100A & 103 Fourth Avenue, Subryanville, a residential neighbourhood.

Regards Elizabeth Deane-Hughes, Bernard Mathews, Oncar Ramroop, Luana Fernandes, Fay Clarke, Pat Deen, Peter Fraser, Aisha Fraites, Damian Fernandes, Anand Harrilall, Johnette Gonsalves, Vidyaratha Kissoon, Jamela Ali, Sabine McIntosh, Birchelene Harris, Patrick Dial, Eva Rawana-Scott, Jocelyn Cholmondeley.

- as investigation continues

ed to his head and had to seek medical attention afterwards.

A 14-year-old relative of Moses, Marvin Ishmael, was also injured and received four stitches to the head. The men were able to cart off a canister containing an undisclosed sum of cash. Two gold rings and earrings were also taken from the owner.

The men were dropped off by a while Toyota Allion. In their bid to escape, the bandits carjacked Moses’ Toyota Verossa, which they later abandoned several villages away. According to reports, the Police responded in a timely manner and was able to give chase minutes after the men departed; however, they were only able to recover the vehicle.

8

Mayors call for reform of M&DC Act

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, December 16, 2019

–– due to current impediments frustrating work of the councils

By Tamica Garnett WHILE the local government system in Guyana has been developed since its revitalisation in 2016, many Mayors are of the opinion that the Municipal and District Councils Act Chapter 28:01 presents several limitations and impediments in the performance of their duties, and as such, are calling for a reform of the Act. The lack of executive power in the council, the one-year term limit for Mayors and Deputy Mayors, penalties and building codes are just a few of the areas in need of changes, according to the mayors.

“The entire Chapter 28:01, we need to have a reform of. I will push for that in 2020,” said Mayor of Georgetown Ubraj Narine, while speaking to reporters last Wednesday, moments after being re-elected to his second term as Mayor of the City of Georgetown.

Serving since January 2019, Narine’s frustration with how Chapter 28:01 has hampered the functionality of the City Council is well recorded, particularly in dealing with administrative matters.

Narine’s sentiments have been echoed by several mayors. And while some differ on where and how the changes should be made, they unanimously agree that change is needed.

Enacted since 1969, and last amended in 2013, Chapter 28:01 of the Act

Mayor of Georgetown, Ubraj Narine at reference governs the operations and powers of municipalities. However, many of the mayors consider the Act to be outdated, and in some areas restrictive to the smooth functioning of municipalities. Guyana has 10 municipalities.

“I do believe that all mayors believe that Chapter 28:01 needs to be revised. In some areas, it’s not so much the concept, but I think it’s the relevance of the concepts to this time,” noted Waneka Arrindell, Mayor of Linden.

Arrindell, who is also President of the Guyana Association of Municipalities (GAM), the collective body for Mayors and other councilors, emphasised the need for change in areas of the Act dealing with penalties and taxes.

“The fines that are set for the different penalties are still set for the 1976 timeline and economy.

As such, those need to be revised to bring municipalities up to the standard of what we are facing right now, especially financial-

Mayor of Linden and President of GAM, Waneka Arrindell ly,” she said.

Mayor of Anna Regina Rajendra Prabulall also underscored the need to update rates and taxes.

“Currently, the 28:01 that is there that deals with all these operations, it needs to be examined and changes need to come,” he said, adding: “It needs a lot of changes on the operations of the municipality in terms of rates of tax collection and so on.

That is what the council depends on; the heart of the council is money.”

New Amsterdam Mayor Winifred Heywood said it affects her municipality’s ability to deal with the situation of litter.

“If we want to address littering on the road with the garbage situation, we have to change that.

And there are other things as it relates to penalties to people, in different aspects,” she said.

BONE OF CONTENTION Another major bone of contention for the mayors is the power dynamics between

mayors butt heads with their Town Clerks, and of Town Clerks acting on their own accord, or even going against a decision taken by the Council.

Similar situations have also occurred between the Council and other department heads and other officers of the administration.

“Chapter 28:01 gives certain powers to the deF o r m e r M a y o r o f partmental heads, the town Georgetown Hamilton clerk in particular, the Green engineer, the chief constathe administration and ble, and so forth, where, the council, which they in spite of several reports, believe frustrates the those fellows sort of befunctioning of the munic- have as though they are ipalities. law unto themselves,” atIn their current state, tested former Georgetown municipalities function Mayor Hamilton Green, with two components: The whose clashes with former Councils, which are head- Town Clerk Carol Sooba ed by the elected May- are legendary, as they have ors, and the administra- been well recorded. tion, headed by the Town “We took decisions Clerks. as a council to do certain Councillors are elected things, and she, with the to the municipalities at [then] Minister’s support Local Government Elec- defied us. And there were tions, which are held no hundreds of examples,” more than three years Green recalled. apart. Mayors and Deputy Green, who served Mayors are elected by the from 1993 –1995, and Councillors from among then 1996 – 2015, is Guythe sitting councillors. ana’s longest serving MayHowever, there is no or, and is all too familiar executive authority placed with the difficulties that on the municipal coun- Chapter 28:01 presents to cil, with the Town Clerk Mayors in the functioning considered to be the Chief of their duties. He emExecutive Officer or Chief pathised with the struggle Administrator, having the Narine and some of the general responsibility of other Mayors face. coordinating the work of He, too, noted that the the Council. one-year term for Mayors While Chapter 28:01 and Deputy Mayors is specifies that the Town too short. Though LGE is Clerk is subject to the set for every three years, general and specific direc- Chapter 28:01 currently tions of the Council, there calls for elections of Mayare many instances where ors and Deputy Mayors to

be held annually.

“The Mayors do believe that one year is too short a time for a mayor to make significant changes, and so they believe that at this time, the entire three years should be set aside,” Arrindell says.

Mayor of Mahdia David Adams agrees.

“I strongly support it.

So instead of [Mayors] serving for one year and having to be re-elected every year, they should be given some more time, so you can get your plans and programmes going for three years. Those are some of the things that we have to look at to improve the lives and work of the Mayors and deputy Mayors,” Adams said.

Green said that as much as reform is needed, the process should be thorough, and see consultations with several stakeholders before going forward.

“It’s a monumental challenge,” he said, adding: “It’s a policy decision for the government and the citizens to decide; it’s not a matter that can be done simply. Even before it goes to Parliament, it ought to be discussed with civil society and the ministry itself to decide what are the existing dynamics.

Things change over time, and we only just restored the integrity of the local government system. And one has to take account of that, and ensure firstly that the people are in tune with the responsibilities of the Mayor.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday December 16, 2019

GWI commissions $15M St. Ignatius Water Supply System --over 1,600 residents receiving first-time, improved access A PARADIGM shift in the way residents access potable water in the hinterland is evident as the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) continues to make strides in improving the livelihoods of residents there, as it relates to the supply of water. The utility’s most recent achievement is the commissioning of a $15M water supply system at St. Ignatius, in Central Rupununi, on Saturday.

Some 175 residents in that Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) community, located approximately 10 minutes from Lethem, gained first-time access to potable water, while some 1500 residents gained improved hours and level of service.

Previously, residents accessed water from hand-dug wells or the Moco Moco Creek, but with this project funded by GWI and the Regional Democratic Council (RDC), they now have access to water on their premises.

The new water supply system comprises a well drilled to a depth of approximately 321 feet, the installation of transmission and distribution mains, and in excess of 35 service connections, including to schools and dormitories. It was executed by GWI, in collaboration with the community, and is powered by the Lethem Power Company.

The system is the fifth to be commissioned in Region Nine within the last three weeks. During the weekend of November 23 and 24, GWI commissioned the Yupukari, Kaicumbay, and Moco Moco Water Supply Systems, and on Saturday, November 30, 2019, the Sand Creek Water Supply System.

Delivering remarks at the commissioning ceremony last Saturday, GWI Managing Director, Dr Richard Van West-Charles highlighted that in the past, though wells were drilled in Region Nine, citizens had to walk some distance to access the water.

Since then, he said, GWI has changed its approach and is now running distribution networks to homes, whereby persons can either access water outside of their residences or connect them into their homes. This, he said, is part of the good life spoken about by President David Granger.

According to him, in 2019, GWI was able to complete the drilling of 22 wells in various regions. These include wells at Shulinab and Meriwau in Region Nine, in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), and Amelia’s Ward in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice). He pointed out that GWI is delivering first-time access to potable water in many unknown communities, thanks to the astute leadership of

President Granger, whose mandate of bridging the gap between the hinterland and coastland is being executed.

The investment of the Government was also highlighted, but more specifically, the Managing Director spoke of the almost G$300M provided to GWI for the purchase of two rigs, one of which will be used in the hinterland.

Further, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the government and GWI have pooled resources to purchase the necessary equipment to provide guidance on the ideal location for the drilling of wells and the required depth. A maintenance truck has also been procured, and will assist in cleaning wells at a faster rate.

Dr. Van West-Charles also dwelt on the importance of water quality, saying that he does not want a repeat of the occurrence of children and the elderly dying from water-borne diseases. He said that the GWI is working towards having servicemen in every community to test the water quality on a monthly basis.

These results will not only be provided to the respective village councils but the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) as well. He also noted that GWI’s office in Lethem is equipped with a water quality laboratory where testing is also done.

According to him, GWI plans to continue working in collaboration with RDCs and village councils. He assured that residents in Region Nine can depend on the service GWI provides and the company will respond very quickly to any concerns. He thanked the toshao, council and villagers of St. Ignatius for their support in the execution of the project.

Minister of Social Protection Amna Ally told the gathering that the government believes that if the people in Georgetown can be exposed to good education, improved health services and water running through their taps among other things, then the Hinterland residents should also be able to experience that.

She said that there has been vast improvement in the hinterland and of this she is proud. Minister Ally specifically noted that she is happy that St. Ignatius has gone past the stage of having shallow wells, and congratulated Dr. Van West-Charles and his entire staff for a job well done.

Regional Executive Officer (REO) of Region Nine Carl Parker said that the RDC is cognisant of the challenges that the residents face during the dry season, but thanks to GWI, that is now a thing

Minister Social of Social Protection Amna Ally turns on the tap at the St. Ignatius Well Station as GWI’s Dr. Richard Van West- Charles and Toshao of St. Ignatius, Dennis Benedict look on

of the past. He said that the RDC will now be able to reduce the pollutants in the creek, and preserve it for other purposes, such as recreational ones.

Toshao of St. Ignatius, Dennis Benedict said that the water supply system in his community is a demonstration of the commitment of the government to the people. He said the supply of water has always been a challenge during the prolonged dry season. Further, he pointed out that water security has been a challenge in many other communities in the region, despite the many rivers and creeks.

The establishment of the well, he said, will meet the social and health needs of the people of St. Ignatius. Benedict assured that the community will ensure that the well is maintained and serves its purpose.

In the near future, several other water supply systems located in areas such as Karasabai and Aishalton – Region Nine, Campbelltown and Paramakatoi – Region Eight and Ituni – Region 10, are scheduled to be commissioned. This in keeping with GWI’s goal to provide clean water for all Guyanese by 2025, five years earlier than that set out in Sustainable Development Goal Number 6.

STEM Guyana nurturing young minds with annual robotics exhibition WITH technology to identify them and nurture their talents.

Guyana helped children in relation to reasoning and creativity. She constantly evolving, “We are looking for those young people added that it also assists in developing their mathematical skills as Guyana is pickwho are interested, excited, thoughtful, cre- some level of mathematics is required in robotics. ing up the pace as ative… we want to make [a] difference in the The Guyana Chronicle spoke with two young geniuses, Malachi STEM Guyana held lives of those young people,” she stated.

Hawk and Lucas Simpson, from the St. Roses High School. They its third annual RoAdditionally, Joachim Vogt, Tullow (Guy- spoke about the robots they were able to create with their robotics botics exhibition on ana) Country Manager, stated that the world is kits.

Sunday, with the full of global problems, which need to be adThe youngsters, who created a solar-powered car and battle aim of urging even dressed and as such many of those problems can robots for the exhibition, stated that STEM Guyana has helped more Guyanese to be solved with technology and STEM Guyana is them to unlock a new creative side of themselves with mathematics become affiliated a part of the solution through its brilliance and and science. with the exhilaratAnother young innovator, Taris Andries of the Fairing world of science, view Robotics Team from the Fairview Primary School in technology and the Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo, was one of the first mathematics. winners of the grand giveaway at the exhibition.

Joachim Vogt, Tullow Guyana Country Manager The event is Also, in attendance at the exhibition was Minister and First Lady Sandra Granger part of the Guyana of Telecommunications, Ms. Kathy Huges, who donatNational Robotics ed a number of electronic tablets which were awarded League activities, to several of the young participants. Director of Youth, which includes a five-week competition, where over forty teams Ms. Leslyn Boyce was also in attendance. from every region of Guyana will compete to build a robotic solution to any problem in the security sector.

However, despite the gloomy weather, hundreds were gathered at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre where First Lady Sandra Granger, in her address to the gathering, urged parents and potential sponsors to get on board with STEM Guyana to support the growing wave of young innovators.

“We have a lot of geniuses and it shows because, with team work, with the drive that our young people have shown at other Mrs. Granger inquiring about a robot built by the competitions, they faced challenges but were able to overcome…

Buxton Robotics Team they were able to work with teams from other countries and they were able to succeed, coming out among the top groups as a country but also winning the Albert Einstein award,” she stated.

Mrs. Granger further stated that one must keep up to date with innovative spirit. technology to remain relevant and to learn new things, “These He further stated that Tullow’s business is centred on STEM days, the world is a world of continuing education, so if you want education, so it is no surprise that Tullow is one of the major to remain relevant you must keep identifying and learning about supporters of STEMGuyana. new technology and be open to everything technology has to offer.”

The coach of Team Titan from the Greenwich Park Primary Also speaking at the event, co-founder of STEM Guyana, Karen School on the East Bank Essequibo, Esha Persaud, stated that it is Abrams, stated that the organisation aims to nurture the growth of the team’s first time at the exhibition. She added that the team parLucas Simpson and Malachi Hawk of the St. Roses High Guyana’s future innovators and creators. She added that ‘geniuses’ ticipated in the security challenge, where they built a mini tanker.

School are being discovered in all corners of the country and it is their goal Persaud noted that the entire robotics initiative and STEM

10

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, December 16, 2019

Strengthening families to cope BEING part of a family is a personal and basic requirement in everyone’s life, regardless of age. Babies and young people depend on family members for care, love, guidance and protection, and older family members rely on family members for love, care and consideration. Families are very important; they are the cornerstone of every society. Belonging to a close-knit family can help determine a person’s professional outlook on life, and their behaviour towards others and society on the whole.

Families benefit from their members in many positive ways, such as for moral support, mental stability, financial security and healthcare. Families may comprise of any given number of people (including uncles, aunts and grandparents, cousins and step and half-siblings) inhabiting a home and sharing facilities. The parents of the children in the home may or may not be married, and in some cases they may even be the same gender. The children in the family could belong to one of both parents or may be adopted.

But whatever the composition of the unit, a strong and stable family is worth its weight in gold to society, regardless of social background. Young people who come from these families tend to have a

more organised life, and enjoy a better sense of well-being. Their growth and development are consistent, and they usually make responsible decisions.

The Childcare and Protection Agency (CPA) recognises the importance of helping families when they require support, and especially in cases where children are suffering or could be ‘at risk’. Their aim is to keep families together, therefore whenever a family needs assistance, the CPA will focus on building the family’s capacity for sustainability, rather than removing the children and placing them in care (Unless the situation requires that the children are removed for their safety).

The Family Support Unit at the CPA aims to help families enhance their skills to resolve problems. They promote optimal child development to maintain the Family Unit. One skills-based project is the Better Parenting Programme, which was initiated in 2016. Since then, over 1000 parents have attended, and been trained in the areas of child development, communication, and non-violent methods of discipline.

The attendees are referred to the Agency due to parenting or child abuse issues, or they may have an on-going case where it was noted that certain parenting skills need to be improved. When parents

acquire a better understanding of their parental roles, they can seek alternative methods of communicating with and disciplining their children.

Many parents have never examined their parenting skills, and tend to use methods that have been handed down from their parents. Some of the unsavoury methods used can traumatise children, which, in turn, can affect their adult lives.

The CPA does not only target the parents; they also make provision for children. In addition to the Better Parenting Programme, a ‘Teen Pregnancy Prevention and Empowerment Programme’ for young people has been operational through the CPA for several years. The programme aims to reduce the incidents and risks associated with early sexual behaviour, by empowering young men and women.

This is done by increasing their knowledge about prevention of HIV, STDs and pregnancy, as well as enhancing their decision-making skills, and providing them with casework support for personal development.

Most parents and teenagers who attend the programmes will participate and benefit from the knowledge shared. They will interact, contribute, and no doubt take away some valuable information and

knowledge from their experience.

These are just two of the tested and proven ways that the CPA has been assisting families over the years in building their capacity: With better communication and understanding between parents and their children.

Some families, however, do not like the idea of anyone interfering in the way they live, and they do not take kindly to support or advice, especially from the CPA. They make it difficult for CPA Officers to do their job, and as a result, children suffer. Officers are tasked with monitoring and assessing every report that is made to the Agency, and, where necessary, follow-up visits will be maintained to assure that children are safe.

‘Giving families hope by strengthening them to cope in 2020’ is the CPA’s theme for this season, and we are looking forward to initiating even more unique ways to help sustain families in the ensuing years.

If you are concerned about the welfare of a child, call the CPA hotline on 227 0979 or write to us at childcaregy@ gmail.com A MESSAGE FROM THE CHILDCARE AND PROTECTION AGENCY, MINISTRY OF SOCIAL PROTECTION

Former GSA principal Winslow Davidson passes FORMER Principal of the Guyana School of Agriculture (GSA), Mr Winslow Davidson has passed away. He died on December 3, 2019 at the age of 91.

Mr. Davidson, who resided at Lamaha Gardens in the city, had spent 28 years as the full-time principal of the country’s lone and prestigious agriculture school at Mon Repos , from May 1965 right up to 1993 when he retired.

During his tenure at the helm of the institution, he is credited with molding several of the country’s top agriculturalists, some of whom now hold top jobs overseas.

Davidson, who hailed from Anna Regina, on the Essequibo Coast in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), had his first book published in 1998.

Born August 25, 1928, he began a career in agriculture during his childhood on the Essequibo Coast where the main agricultural produce was and remains rice.

A graduate of Cornell University, in the USA, Davidson held a Bachelor’s Degree in Agriculture Economics and a Masters in Agriculture Extension Education.

Upon graduating, he returned to Guyana to impart his knowledge of

agriculture to other Guyanese.

A funeral service for the father of five will take place on Wednesday at the St Phillip’s Anglican Parish, on D’Urban and Smyth Streets starting at midday.

The following day, the body will be taken to his home village, Anna Regina, where a service will be held at the Holy Trinity Church, followed by interment at the La Belle Alliance Cemetery.

The family has requested that there be no wreaths, however, a collection will be taken during the service in aid of the Ptolemy Reid Rehabilitation Centre.

Former GSA principal Winslow Davidson with one of the two books he authored

11

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, December 16, 2019

Gov’t ministers cheer Guyana’s children

OVER 1,000 children from across Guyana were showered with early Christmas gifts as government ministers spread holiday cheer for the festive season.

An approximate number of 500 eager children from East Berbice-Corentyne were gathered at the No. 53 Community Centre on the Corentyne coast Sunday morning, as they received gifts from Minister of

ed that this is a special time of the year for her.

“Christmas for me is all about Christ. The advent of Christ, the whole focus on Christmas is not just about Santa Claus or the gifts, it is about Christ himself and what he came on the earth to do.

“On behalf of the government, myself and family, I wish every Guyanese a merry Christmas.

Remember whatever you

Minister of Social Protection, Hon. Amna Ally shares a moment with one of the children Social Protection, Honourable Amna Ally and her team.

“No. 53 is one of the places that is close to our hearts and so His Excellency President David Granger has asked me to visit this area and make sure that I extend on his behalf Christmas greetings to all of you.

So, I want to say Merry Christmas, and I know 2020 is going to be a rewarding year,” Minister Ally told those gathered.

Meanwhile, at the East Rumiveldt Community Centre an additional 500 children received various gifts as Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Honourable Annette Ferguson, in collaboration with the Minister of Public Health, Honourable Minister Volda Lawrence held their annual Christmas party for the youngsters of the East and West Rumiveldt and Laing Avenue communities in Georgetown.

Minister Ferguson stat-

do, remember the focus is on the coming of our Lord Jesus,” she added.

The day’s event followed a similar exercise

hosted by Education Minister Dr the Hon. Nicolette Henry, who distributed gifts to about 200 children in the region on Saturday.

Minister Ferguson sharing a moment with a baby at the Christmas party

Some of the youngsters with their gifts

Minister within the Ministry of Communities, the Honourable Annette Ferguson distributing goodies at the Christmas party on Sunday afternoon

12

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, December 16, 2019

First Lady roots for more girls in STEM FIRST Lady Mrs. Sandra Granger is of the opinion that girls in technology and like-minded socially-conscious women leaders can mentor the next generation of women to ensure that they are equipped to take their place as equal partners in Guyana’s development.

The First Lady was at the time delivering an address at the Girls in Tech (GIT) Mentorship Programme’s premier Christmas fundraising dinner, which was held at the Herdmanston Lodge on Saturday.

“Our girls and women require education which is relevant, and which will put them in a position of strength when they are placed (or they place themselves) in roles

tured, how they are educated and what may be their own aspirations,” Mrs. Granger said in her keynote address at the event.

The First Lady said girls and women require education which will propel them into positions of strength when they accede to leadership positions, especially given the diverse challenges that women in Guyana face.

The first step in equipping women for success, Mrs. Granger said, is by re-evaluating how the children are socialised to prepare for the future.

“Our girls and women require the education and nurturing that will instill in them confidence in their worth.

This confidence will lead them to broaden their hori-

children, and prepare them for the world of work. This implies that our boys and menfolk accept that girls and women are equal partners in the workforce and therefore entitled to equal pay for work,” she said.

Mrs. Granger said that women, too, must take note of the fact that in a technology- driven world, 90 per cent of the jobs being done by women are predicated to be obsolete by 2050, and that as such they should develop an interest in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)-related fields.

DECISION-MAKING The First Lady also noted that in Guyana, women comprise approximate-

At the GIT dinner are, from left, Head of the Computer Science Department at the University of Guyana, Penelope DeFreitas; US Ambassador to Guyana, Sarah-Ann Lynch; First Lady Mrs. Sandra Granger; GIT Managing Director, Evie Kanhai-Gurchuran; and award-winning Motivational Speaker, Sherry Ann Dixon of leadership. In thinking of mentoring the next generation of female leaders, we must consider how they are socialised, how they are nur-

zons and aspire to top levels of management and decision-making in any group...

I believe that we must begin with how we socialise our

ly half of the population, and their voices in decision-making forums must be heard and treated equally.

–– rallies women leaders to the cause at Girls in Tech fundraising dinner

First Lady Mrs. Sandra Granger delivering the keynote address at the GIT fundraising dinner on Saturday at the Herdmanston Lodge “The fact that our women and girls seem to be stuck in traditional areas of employment when the technology-driven world which we inhabit is constantly evolving must be a matter of concern to anyone interested in the growth of our country… It is imperative that we encourage our girl children and women to embrace STEM. Given the predication… the situation becomes more urgent,” she said.

The First Lady also said that it is estimated that women spend 90 per cent of their earnings on their families, compared to men, who spend about 30 to 40 per cent on their families. These statistics indicate that a greater number of women in leadership position could result in better educated children and more comfortable families.

Meanwhile, United Sates Ambassador to Guyana, Sarah-Ann Lynch, in her address, applauded GIT

for focusing on mentoring young women in the aspects of personal and professional development, noting that mentorship is important, as it underlies professional successes. She also encouraged women and girls to get more involved in STEM fields.

“More women and girls should be involved in tech fields. Nations and companies that do not accept this truth fail to take advantage of one-half of the creative energy and ingenuity available in a society. STEM fields belong to a handful of professions that are already becoming the core of a new economy. But nothing will change for our girls without working to reprogram the structure of support networks that very often keeps young women out of certain fields.

The Girls in Tech Mentorship Programme does that.

I believe this mentorship programme will make

a difference,” she said.

HELP MAKE A DIFFERENCE GIT Managing Director Evie Kanhai-Gurchuran shared an overview of the programme, and encouraged persons who are interested in technology to join the team and help to make a difference within society.

GIT is a global non-profit organisation focused on the engagement, education and empowerment of girls and women who are passionate about technology. The organisation was founded by Adriana Gascoigne in 2007 to create a support framework to help women advance their careers in the STEM fields.

The event was themed, ‘Mentoring the next generation of Female Leaders’. Head of the Computer Science Department at the University of Guyana, Penelope DeFreitas also attended the event.

Two RUSAL workers electrocuted –– receiving treatment at Kwakwani Hospital for injuries

TWO workers of the RUSAL-owned Bauxite Company of Guyana (BCGI) up to late Sunday evening remained hospitalised at the Kwakwani Hospital after suffering electric shocks while on duty around 16:00hrs on Saturday; and some workers are unhappy with the manner in which management dealt with the matter.

General Secretary of the Guyana Bauxite and General Workers’ Union (GB&GWU), Lincoln Lewis, said though the incident was reported to the union, they are still investigat-

ing and verifying information, after which the union would be better equipped to comment on the issue.

Twenty-five- year-old Pump Operator Glendon Tinnaman, a father of one, was working on a pump in a river in the Kurubuka mines, when he and another employee were shocked.

“Right now he at the hospital. I call he phone this afternoon and he tell me he at the hospital taking saline.

According to what he told me, he feeling numbness and pain in his shoulder and legs. Both of them hospitalised,” Tinnaman’s father, Derrick Frank, relayed to

the Guyana Chronicle on Sunday evening in a telephone interview.

He say it is expected that Tinnaman would be well enough to be discharged from the hospital

by Monday.

Tinnaman and the other employee were shocked after another employee turned on the electricity without being cleared to do so.

“They had some electric pumps that we normally use. So they were changing a discharge line for the pump and he went in the water to connect the discharge and the guy, one

of them electricians, put on the current same time. He supposed to inform we before he put on the current, but he didn’t inform we he just go and turn it on,” Frank said It was the aftermath of the incident, and behaviour of the mines supervisor on site, that some of the staff noted they were not entirely pleased with, according to reports.

According to Frank, who also works at BCGI and was present during the incident, the Mines Supervisor on site, a Russian, did not attempt to check on the workers after they came out

of the river The two workers were made to wait until a bus came at 18:00hrs to take the workers out of the mines, he says.

“They could’ve called the ambulance but nobody didn’t really show no interest. The people in authority was [sic] supposed to do it.

As far as I concern he (supervisor) didn’t really respond, the response wasn’t worthwhile, he just stand up and look around. He don’t really know English but at least he could’ve taken them out to the medical centre. They could’ve showed more interest in the

worker,” he said.

The injured workers were first attended to at the Aroiama Health Centre before they were transferred on Sunday to the Kwakwani Hospital, where they taken by a Safety Officer of the company.

Chief Occupational Health and Safety Officer, Gweneth King, noted that when an industrial accident occurs, according to the Occupational Safety and Health Department, the company has up to four days to report non-fatal accidents, while fatal accidents require reporting within 24 hours.

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RAID initiative yields benefits to farmers

FARMERS in Guyana are praising the Rural Agricultural Infrastructure Development (RAID) project as an initiative which has helped to re-position them for greater benefits from the agricultural sector.

The project, launched in 2016 and supported by a G$318M loan from the Caribbean Development Fund (CDF), focuses primarily on infrastructural development for farmlands.

The four-year project has been implemented in Mon Repos, Buxton, Ithaca and other areas.

During an interview with

the Department of Public Information (DPI), Mon Repos farmer for over 20 years, Latchman Khemra, highlighted the many ways in which the RAID initiative has assisted him.

“We [are] getting a lot of help. They give us a lot of plants, get the drains clean, clear down the lands…I thank very much to them for helping us [sic],” he said.

Khemraj encouraged other farmers to seize the opportunities offered to improve themselves and the agricultural sector.

Meanwhile, single parent and commercial farmer

Michella Benjamin shared her appreciation for the programme. “[There are] a lot of benefits for me because I’m a single parent. I have been able to save a lot of money… the government did so much for me and all I have to do is the planting,” Benjamin said, as she encouraged other farmers to get on board.

Ithaca farmer, Adrian Caesar listed machinery as some of the numerous benefits of RAID. He said: “It’s wonderful because if you’ve got to dig the drain – [it’s] manual labour, [and] it’s going to be

hard, and the tractor, hymac and the bulldozer, they have done well man; I appreciate what they have done so we can go ahead with the farming and be successful.”

Another farmer from Ithaca, Frank Anthony, with 15 years’ experience said that land-clearing, tilling, drainage and irrigation are all benefits he reaped from the RAID programme. “I see the programme as beneficial to Ithaca people,” Anthony said.

Meanwhile, Extension Officer for Buxton Farmlands, Hamani Tinnie, said the RAID programme was

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, December 16, 2019

Mon Repos farmer Latchman Khemraj

Ithaca farmer Michella Benjamin

beneficial.

“We did the primary drains, which would be these big canals, clearing of land as well, and we did some ploughing and chipping of land…basic land preparation, so the farmers could

get an easier time handling,” he said.

Tinnie explained that access to the farms has increased vastly through RAID; other benefits include improved drainage and planting materials.

A section of Latchman Khemraj’s farm (Photos by DPI’s Abike Barker)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, December 16, 2019

Orealla experiences unprecedented growth since 2015 – Toshao

OREALLA, an Indigenous community in the East Berbice-Corentyne region, has seen unprecedented development since 2015, according to its Toshao Carl Peneux.

At a recent community meeting, Peneux said the $132M road project that will bridge Orealla and Siparuta is a welcomed initiative; under this project, the community’s internal roads are also being rehabilitated.

There is also a plan in the pipeline to link Orealla to Kwakwani via a carriageway.

In his address to the residents, Minister of Public Infrastructure David Patterson said all efforts are being made to complete the Orealla-Kwakwani road, since the construction of the Linden-Lethem roadway will enable communities such as Orealla to benefit from trade relations and the expansion of eco-tourism.

“Everywhere will be interconnected… that is one of our priorities,” Minister Patterson told the residents.

Alluding to other initiatives that are benefitting the people of Orealla, Peneux said the decision by the Ministry of Social Protection to issue pensions and public assistance disbursements at the level of the community augurs well for its people. Describing the move as historic, Toshao Peneux

community of nearly 1,200 residents.

Minister of Public Security Khemraj Ramjattan and Minister of Public Telecommunications Catherine Hughes, also delivered remarks at the community engagement in Orealla. Appearances were made at Radio Orealla where they reiterated the government’s commitment to the people of Guyana.

The ministers also visited Siparuta where sports gear and electronic tablets were handed over to youths in the community.

Toshao of Orealla, Carl Peneux remarked, “this has never happened before and all of this is coming with the help of the government.”

Also highlighted were: the provision of six free Wi-Fi hotspots within Orealla; the construction of a public restroom and a $1.5M presidential grant for construction of the village’s first guest house; the $22.5M river ambulance which has improved healthcare delivery in both Orealla and Siparuta and a regular supply of fuel for the generator in the village.

Peneux contended that since 2015 Indigenous communities have received the full attention of the coalition government; many of these projects were identified as record-breaking for the

Nominations invited for 2020 national awards in two categories THE Advisory Council for the Orders of Guyana is inviting nominations for National Awards 2020 in two categories: the Order of Roraima and The order of Service of Guyana.

The awards may include, but are not limited to industry and commerce, education, medicine, religion, culture, sports, conservation and social protection, among others; this is according to a public notice appearing in the Sunday, December 15 edition of this publication.

It further stated that after the nominations are made and considered, the Advisory Council will make a determination of the award under the respective Orders, which should be recommended to the Chancellor of the Orders of Guyana.

The nominations should be made on a prescribed form (of which a copy is shown) and could be obtained from the Public Engagement and Protocol Service, Ministry of the Presidency, Shiv Chanderpaul Drive, Bourda, Georgetown.

Among the requirements are: the nominee’s full name, including surnames and other names; Nationality; Rank and Title; Date of Birth showing the Day, Month and Year; Country of Birth; Home Address; Present Appointment or Occupation; Education-- Primary, Secondary and Tertiary; Record of Service with a listing of the dates of engagements, including service overseas; Honours (if any) already awarded stating the dates; whether the nominee was nominated for another award since the last award and grounds for nomination, giving details.

The person nominating, however, should not be below the level of Head of an Organisation, the notice stated.

A section of residents at the governmental meeting in Orealla

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday December 16, 2019

GTA, THAG honour local entities, personalities in tourism

A NUMBER of local hospitality enterprises Experience of and personalities were honoured at an awards the Year’; Visit ceremony held last Thursday evening at the Guyana: ‘TourRamada Princess Hotel. ism Supporting The event, which was co-hosted by the Services Award Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana Reel’; South (THAG) and Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA), R u p u n u n i saw veteran hotelier, Paul Stephenson being Conservation named the Hall of Fame inductee for 2019. The Society: ‘Most bodies also named him and Donald Sinclair, another veteran in the tourism business, this year’s Leader in Tourism winners.

The event successfully brought the curtains down on Tourism Awareness Month, which was observed this year Outstanding under the theme, ‘Tourism is a Contribution force for good in Guyana’. to Tourism by The revelation that SteNGO/Volunteer phenson and Sinclair were the Group’; Wilderwinners in their respective cateness Explorers: gories was met with resounding ‘Best in Tour: applause from the audience, as Tour Outfitter/ did the announcement of the Destination Toshao of Yupukari Village, North names of the 13 other awardees Committee of the Rupununi Mr. Russian Dorrick in the various categories.

Year’; Wichabai delivering the feature address Stephenson, who first came Ranch: ‘Tourism to Guyana in 1986 for what was Investment of meant to be a two-year stint the Year’; Bistro with the then Pegasus Hotel, is still here with us Café and Bar: ‘Best in-Service Excellence and 33 years later, and very much committed to both Hospitality’; Karanambo Trust and Lodge: ‘Best country and the local tourism industry. in Sustainable Tourism’; and John Christian and The other awardees were: Cara Lodge: Leroy Ignacio: ‘Best Emerging Tour Guide’ and ‘Best in Accommodation (Hotel)’; Arrow Point ‘Best Senior Tour Guide’ respectively.

Nature Resort: ‘Best in Accommodation (InteThe awardees were selected based on two rior Resort)’; Bistro Café and Bar: ‘Best Dining categories: The People’s Choice Awards for three Restaurant of the Year’; Karasabai Village: ‘Best categories: Hotel of the Year, Interior Lodge or Emerging Tourism Destination Community of the Resort of the Year, and Restaurant of the Year.

Year’; Wichabai Ranch: ‘New Tourism Product or They were given based on the total number of

The GTA 2019 awardees following the presentation ceremony last Thursday at the Ramada Princess Hotel at Providence

votes derived from the its kind here, and it will public. also foster patriotism.”

The Industry He said, too, that figAwards for 12 nomures show that Guyana inees were based on has surpassed the US$1M public nominations mark in the advertising and justifications, and equivalent value for the strength and volearned media in North ume of the justificaAmerica, The United tions to support the Kingdom and Germany. nomination for the GTA’s Brian Mullis category in question. said the Authority is exThey were all selected cited to be working closeby the GTA-THAG ly with THAG to co-host judging panel. the 2019 Awards CeremoTHAG President ny, and aims to make the Mitra Ramkumar, event more meaningful, in commending the inclusive and impactful.

Authority for its outMinister of Business standing work, noted Haimraj Rajkumar comthat in 2019, Guyana mended the GTA and GTA Hall of Fame inductee, Paul copped six internaTHAG for hosting the Stephenson with his award tional awards, includawards ceremony and ing the top spot for thanked the stakeholders ‘Best in Ecotourism’, for their efforts to develop and made the Conde Nast list of ‘20 Best Places the local tourism industry. “We in government to Visit in 2020’. salute the courage and determination of our local entrepreneurs in developing this challenging but PLANS FOR 2020 important sector, and the GTA Awards 2019 is a He alluded to several plans the Authority has way of recognising the contributions of some of our on its 2020 agenda, such as working with the police brave entrepreneurs,” he remarked. to ensure the efficient handling of incidents involvAn interpretive dance presentation by two reping guests, contractors, the property of its members resentatives of Unique Arts; a beautiful rendition of and others; the development of sports tourism; ‘Oh Beautiful Guyana by Bethany, Essequibo resexpanding the Tourism Development Fund for ident, Mr. Myron Thomas, also a Medex attached tour operators; establishing the Hospitality Institute to the Kumaka Health Centre who accompanied with the Education Ministry, and partnering with himself on guitar; and a dance by a representative Impressions to erect an ‘I love Guyana’ sign in of Worship in Spirit and Trust (WIST) Guyana, central Georgetown. provided much entertainment during the event, “The sign, he said, “is intended to serve as a which also included a sumptuous dinner. gathering point for visitors who wish to celebrate At the conclusion of the event, each guest their travel here through the sharing of photographs was given the opportunity to take one of several and videos via social media. It will also create a small plants that were used as centre-piece dépositive image of Guyana. This will be the first of cor for the respective tables.

Medex Myron Thomas accompanying himself on guitar while rendering a patriotic song

Unique Art dancers doing an interpretative piece at the function (Photos by Delano Williams)

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Major electric utility conference for Guyana come 2020

COME May 2020, Guyana is set to host the Caribbean Electric Utility Services Corporation (CARILEC) Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) and Leadership Symposium, where the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) will have the opportunity to tap in to best practices for efficiency in the energy industry.

Recently visiting Guyana to ensure that plans are moving apace was CARILEC Executive Director, Dr Cletus Bertin, who told the newspaper that the conference will be co-hosted by GPL in collaboration with the CARICOM Secretariat.

It is set to be hosted at the Marriott Hotel, while the nearby Pegasus Hotel will serve as the spill-over hotel for accommodation.

“In terms of our major conferences. I think it’s been a while since we’ve had anything that big in Guyana,” Dr Bertin said.

He explained that the electricity and energy industries often go hand in hand as one is needed to supply the other.

Guyana has already become a hot spot for various energy-related conferences and experts as the country heads into first oil in December 2019, with the expectation of becoming one of the most noteworthy oil-generating countries in the world.

Meanwhile, the demand for energy worldwide is

Executive Director, Caribbean Electric Utility Services Corporation (CARILEC), Dr Cletus Bertin (Delano Williams photo) ration.” from across the CARICOM Giving an example, he Region and even from internoted that in the past when national locations from as GPL faced issues with re- far as Germany. gard to equipment failure, Others to attend include they contacted CARILEC general managers, chief and were presented with financial officers, business the assistance from sister executives, consultants, countries. senior technical officers, CARILEC comprises vendors in the energy and 106 members which include electricity industries, in34 full members which are ternational and regional electric utilities and over organisations, development 70 associate and affiliate partners and government members. officials/policy makers.

“What we do is to put The event will run from the 17-20 May, 2020 and will feature a range of exhibitors as well as a team of expert speakers.

The Guyana Power and Light (GPL) constantly increasing, owing to economic expansion and increases in the global population, which is projected to grow to 9.2 billion by 2040 from 7.5 billion today.

It is therefore important that electric utility services such as GPL prepare themselves to meet the need.

Speaking of what Guyana can expect from the conference, given its current challenges with electricity provision, the CARILEC executive said: “We’re going to get into some of the reasons for that [such as] why we have outages, load-shedding and so on in the electricity sector. That’s why we have conferences, for the sharing of best practices, new technologies, new techniques [and] having mutual-assistance collabo-

utilities in touch with each other to provide mutual assistance, which is more efficient and less costly than having a contractor independent sometimes,” Dr Bertin said.

“GPL is a member and what we do for our members is industry-training, conferences, advocacy and assistance programmes after disasters [where] utility members help each other out with the restoration efforts. So, if there’s something like an earthquake or a hurricane, anything of the kind, we have a programme where we have a fund with about a million US dollars and that is used to assist the members in terms of recovery.”

In attendance will be all CEOs of electric utilities

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, December 16, 2019

Tourism body developing industry in Region 3 WITH the hope of boosting the tourism potential of the region, the Essequibo Islands- West Demerara (Region Three) Tourism Development Association (TDA) is lobbying for transformation of the Vreed-en-Hoop stelling into a modern waterfront facility and will be spending 2020 promoting the Saxacalli, Fort Island and Bushy Park beaches.

The Vreed-en-Hoop Stelling, a key point of entry to the region is currently scheduled for massive rehabilitation and overall upgrade in 2020; this is part of the wider, approximately $50 million project for the upgrade for both the Vreed-en-Hoop and Stabroek Market stellings.

Preparatory work is currently being undertaken for realisation of the project, which is currently at the design stage; consultations with various stakeholders were conducted last September. The works will be executed by the Transport and Harbours Department, and funded under a grant scheme by the United Kingdom Caribbean Infrastructure Partnership Fund (UKCIF), and Caribbean

it’s going to be happening… it’s a treat to the tourism committee. It’s our hope that the suggested timelines are maintained.”

Mayers highlighted that with Vreed-enHoop Stelling being a key point of entry to the region from the Demerara-Mahaica region, it does not give a worthy first impression, and is not inviting.

“The waterfront will add value to the region’s tourism products and create opportunities for new entrants in the industry, such as river tours, craft shops, river dining and bird watching,” he said.

Mayers believes that the region holds great tourism potential, and with the right support the industry can grow.

“The region has big tourism potential, both as a destination and for transit as tourism moves on to destinations in Regions Two and Seven. It calls for coordination from all stakeholders and that’s what our committee is making strides towards in 2020. We know our hotspots; we need to strategically package and develop them to create worthwhile products. This will require public/private

A section of the Vreed-en-Hoop stelling which will boost tourism in Region Three when upgraded Development Bank (CDB).

Once completed, the facility is expected to boost the region’s appeal.

“It will be like a beautification project, where we will get a nice waterfront sort of thing,” noted Eric Morris, an Engineer at the Transport and Harbours Department.

“Basically there is some plan to modernise both the Vreed-en-Hoop and Georgetown stellings, which would entail dredging of the channel and a total reconstruction of the stellings to a more modern state.”

The detailed design of the projected appearance of the stelling is expected to be completed by March, 2020; this will pave the way for construction of the facilities to begin.

President of the TDA, Dennis Mayers, believes this project will be a great development for the region’s tourism industry.

“Since 2017 we have been advocating for a waterfront development at Vreed-enHoop. Our hope is that we can transform the stelling; it has been under neglect for some time, and it’s an obvious eye sore, but we recognise how important it is whenever we have a collapse with the [Demerara] Harbour Bridge,” noted Mayers.

“We’re elated by that news to know that

partnership,” Mayers said.

Also, towards the end of developing tourism in the region, the association has put together a list of locations in the region to strategically promote, as well as coordinate customer service training and advocate for tourism police.

“The tourism police is something great and we think it’s something useful if we want to push tourism in this region; it is something that within our groups we discussed,” Mayers said.

With the customer service training, the association is targeting the mini-bus and speed boat operators in the region. The association will also be running a pilot arts and craft fair to test the viability of such a platform to promote the creative arts in the region.

Mayers sees room for the development of a number of tourism activities in the region.

“We can host fishing competitions in the savannahs at the back of Canal Polder; jet skiing from Bushy Park to Leguan, and tours to the islands in the Essequibo River are only a few opportunities for tourism which will boost economic activity within the region,” he noted.

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Hetmyer, Hope centuries power Windies to huge ODI win CHENNAI, India, (CMC) – Left-hander Shimron Hetmyer uncorked a magical hundred while Shai Hope notched a second straight One-Day International century as West Indies completed a record run chase to stun India by eight wickets and take a 1-0 lead in the threematch series here Sunday.

In pursuit of a challenging 288 for victory, West Indies executed brilliantly to pull off the highest-ever successful run chase at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, overhauling their target in a canter with 13 balls to

spare.

Man-of-the-Match Hetmyer slammed 139 off 106 balls, striking 11 fours and seven sixes in an astonishing exhibition of power-hitting, as he marched to his fifth ODI hundred in his 40th match.

In contrast, Hope patiently carved out an unbeaten 102 off 151 deliveries, counting just seven fours and a single six, but providing the ideal counter to Hetmyer’s calculated onslaught, en route to his seventh century in the format and second in as many matches following his unbeaten 109 against Afghanistan a month ago.

Together, they posted a precious 218 for the second wicket to compensate for the early loss of Sunil Ambris for nine. When the partnership was finally broken, it was just three runs shy of the all-time West Indies record for the second wicket against India set by legends Sir Vivian Richards and Gordon Greenidge, 33 years ago in Jamshedpur.

Left-hander Nicholas Pooran arrived late on to put the finishing touches on the victory with an important 29 not out off 23 deliveries, helping the visitors take a giant step towards their first series win on Indian soil in nearly two decades.

Wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant had earlier top-scored with 71 off 69 balls while Shreyas Iyer got 70 off 88 deliveries as India reached 287 for eight off their 50 overs, after they were sent in.

Kedar Jadhav, with 40 off 35 balls and opener Rohit Sharma, with 36 off 56, chipped in at either end of the innings but India could only muster 71 runs from the last 10 overs in a somewhat anticlimactic finish.

Seamers Keemo Paul (2-41), Alzarri Joseph (245) and Sheldon Cottrell (2-46) all finished with two wickets each to lead an admirable bowling effort.

Cottrell provided the early thrust for West Indies when he struck twice in the seventh over, first removing

KL Rahul for six to a catch at mid on and then bowling captain Virat Kohli for four, to leave India on 25 for two.

Iyer quickly stabilised the innings, adding 55 for the third wicket with Rohit before putting a further 114 for the fourth with Pant, as the hosts coasted towards the 200run mark.

But Iyer clipped Joseph to captain Kieron Pollard at mid-wicket in the 37th after striking five fours and a six, and left-hander Pant followed 18 balls later with 16 runs added after hitting seven fours and a six, picking out Hetmyer at deep square off Pollard’s slow medium in the 40th.

It was then left to Jadhav, who struck five fours and six in a 59-run, sixth wicket stand with Ravindra Jadeja (21), to provide the late runs.

Facing a required run rate of just above 5-½ per over, West Indies were set back early when Ambris played around a straight one from seamer Deepal Chahar in the fifth over and was lbw in his first ODI innings in nearly six months.

Any hopes India harboured of quickly slicing through the Windies innings were then squashed, however, as Hetmyer and Hope

put the contest firmly in their side’s favour.

While Hope opted for the supporting role in a measured innings, the 22-year-old Hetmyer played with gay abandon, posting a run-a-ball half-century before reaching three figures off 85 balls in the 33rd over with a single into the deep off ineffective left-arm spinner Kuldeep Yadav.

Dropped on 106 at long

by Iyer off Chahar in the 35th over, Hetmyer cashed in further by lashing leftarm spinner Jadeja for successive leg-side sixes in the 36th before perishing three overs later, Iyer redeeming himself in the deep off seamer Mohammed Shami.

Hope, meanwhile, put down on 10 by Rohit at slip off Kuldeep, crawled to his half-century off 92 balls before raising the tempo to complete his hundred off another 57 deliveries, reaching the landmark by punching Chahar for a straight six and then finding the ropes at mid-wicket off the next ball.

Importantly, he added 62 in an unbroken third wicket stand with Pooran who finished the match in style with two consecutive boundaries off pacer Shivam Dube.

SCOREBOARD INDIA Rohit Sharma c Pollard b Joseph 36 KL Rahul c Hetmyer b Cottrell 6 *V Kohli b Cottrell 4 S Iyer c Pollard b Joseph 70 +R Pant c Hetmyer b Pollard 71 K Jadhav c Pollard b Paul 40 R Jadeja run out 21 S Dube c Holder b Paul 9 D Chahar not out 6 Mohammed Shami not out 0 EXTRAS: (b5, lb5, w11, nb3) 24 TOTAL: (8 wkts, 50 overs) 287 Did not bat: Kuldeep Yadav.

Fall of wickets: 1-21 (Rahul), 2-25 (Kohli), 3-80 (Rohit), 4-194 (Iyer), 5-210 (Pant), 6-269 (Jadhav), 7-269 (Jadeja), 8-282 (Dube) Bowling: Cottrell 10-3-46-2 (w4), Holder 8-0-45-0 (w1, nb1), Walsh Jr 5-0-31-0, Paul 7-0-40-2 (w3, nb2), Joseph 9-1-45-2 (w3), Chase 7-0-42-0, Pollard 4-0-28-1.

WEST INDIES +S Hope not out 102 S Ambris lbw b Chahar 9 S Hetmyer c Iyer b Mohammed Shami 139 N Pooran not out 29 EXTRAS: (lb4, w7, nb1) 12 TOTAL: (2 wkts, 47.5 overs) 291 Did not bat: R Chase, *K Pollard, J Holder, K Paul, H Walsh, A Joseph, S Cottrell.

Fall of wickets: 1-11 (Ambris), 2-229 (Hetmyer).

Bowling: Chahar 10-1-48-1, Mohammed Shami 9-1-57-1, Kuldeep Yadav 10-0-45-0 (w3), Dube 7.5-0-68-0, Jadhav 1-011-0, Jadeja 10-0-58-0 (nb1).

Series: West Indies lead three-match series 1-0.

MAN-OF-THE-MATCH: SHIMRON HETMYER

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, December 16, 2019

Starc takes match haul of 9-92 as SCOREBOARD Aussies thunder to crushing victory

By Tristan Lavalette PERTH (Reuters) - Australia cleaned up a hapless New Zealand under lights on the fourth day to secure a commanding 296-run victory in the first Test on Sunday.

Chasing a record 468 runs, New Zealand crumbled against sustained bowling from Australia’s undermanned attack and were bowled out for 171 in a lopsided contest.

A rejuvenated Australia have won their third straight Test of the home season since retaining the Ashes in England and stretched their unbeaten run in day-night matches to seven.

“It was a pretty solid performance considering we were a bowler down for two innings and not having an all-rounder in our side,” Australia captain Tim Paine told reporters. “Really rapt with that performance particularly from our bowlers.”

BJ Watling (40) and Colin de Grandhomme (33) stonewalled in a bid to stretch the Test into a final day, but their dismissals triggered a swift end. Quick Mitchell Starc and spinner Nathan Lyon claimed

four wickets apiece.

The tourists’ chase on a deteriorating Perth Stadium pitch got off to a disastrous start when opener Jeet Raval and Kane Williamson (14) fell before the tea break.

for 22.

Latham soon departed for 18 when he was trapped lbw by Lyon in a decision overturned on review.

Watling had luck on 27 when he was given not out after

Pacer Michell Starc returned match figures of 9-97. (Getty Images)

Lyon picked up the prized wicket of Williamson with his first ball as the New Zealand skipper meekly poked to short leg.

Raval made just one for the second time in the match, falling to a sharp Starc delivery.

Ross Taylor, who topscored with 80 in New Zealand’s first innings, stonewalled alongside Tom Latham before losing patience and edging an attempted pull shot off Starc

a loud appeal for caught behind off Lyon. Replays showed he had edged the ball but Australia declined to review. He then was dropped on 30 by Steve Smith at slip.

Smith, however, made no mistake when De Grandhomme edged a fierce short ball from Cummins.

Watling’s charmed life ended when he gloved a short delivery from Starc in a decision overturned on review

to effectively signal the end of New Zealand’s resistance.

Australia dominated throughout with their formidable first innings total setup by a majestic 143 from Marnus Labuschagne in his third straight ton. Starc, who was sidelined for most of the Ashes series, overwhelmed New Zealand with a nine-wicket haul.

Both teams were without a paceman after debutant Lockie Ferguson, himself a replacement for injured New Zealand spearhead Trent Boult, and Josh Hazlewood suffered leg injuries on the opening two days.

Williamson said Australia deserved the series-opener but lamented his team’s lack of preparation for the vagaries of day-night cricket. Australia, in contrast, had thrashed Pakistan with the pink ball in Adelaide earlier this month.

“There are some parts to the pink ball test that are unique, especially the night time part,” he said. “Australia were outstanding throughout this game. Their pink ball tactics were right on point.”

Williamson said Boult was “looking likely” to take his place in the second Test.

AUSTRALIA 1st innings 416 New Zealand 1st innings 166 Australia 2nd innings o/n 167-7 David Warner c (Sub) b Tim Southee 19 Joe Burns c Henry Nicholls b Tim Southee 53 Marnus Labuschagne c Mitchell Santner b Neil Wagner 50 Steven Smith c Jeet Raval b Neil Wagner 16 Matthew Wade c Jeet Raval b Colin de Grandhomme 17 Travis Head c Colin de Grandhomme b Tim Southee 5 Tim Paine b Tim Southee 0 Pat Cummins c BJ Watling b Neil Wagner 13 Mitchell Starc c Ross Taylor b Tim Southee 23 Nathan Lyon Not Out 0 EXTRAS: 0b 7lb 6nb 0pen 8w 21 TOTAL: (69.1 overs) 217 for 9 decl Fall of Wickets : 1-44 Warner, 2-131 Labuschagne, 3-148 Burns, 4-154 Smith, 5-160 Head, 6-160 Paine, 7-180 Cummins, 8-189 Wade, 9-217 Starc Did Not Bat : Hazlewood Bowling: Tim Southee 21.1-6-69-5 (3w),Colin de Grandhomme 17-2-47-1 (1w 3nb), Neil Wagner 23-4-59-3 (4w 3nb), Mitchell Santner 8-0-35-0.

NEW ZEALAND 2nd innings Jeet Raval c Nathan Lyon b Mitchell Starc 1 Tom Latham lbw Nathan Lyon 18 Kane Williamson c Matthew Wade b Nathan Lyon 14 Ross Taylor c Tim Paine b Mitchell Starc 22 Henry Nicholls c Travis Head b Nathan Lyon 21 BJ Watling c Tim Paine b Mitchell Starc 40 Colin de Grandhomme c Steven Smith b Pat Cummins 33 Mitchell Santner c Travis Head b Pat Cummins 0 Tim Southee c Steven Smith b Nathan Lyon 4 Neil Wagner c Tim Paine b Mitchell Starc 8 Lockie Ferguson Not Out 1 EXTRAS: 0b 6lb 1nb 0pen 2w 9 TOTAL: (65.3 overs)

171 all out Fall of Wickets : 1-6 Raval, 2-21 Williamson, 3-57 Taylor, 4-57 Latham, 5-98 Nicholls, 6-154 de Grandhomme, 7-154 Watling, 8-154 Santner, 9-163 Wagner, 10-171 Southee Bowling: Mitchell Starc 14-5-45–4, Pat Cummins 19-6-31-2 (2w 1nb), Nathan Lyon 22.3-3-63-4, Travis Head 5-1-13-0.

Pakistan’s Abid, Azam hit tons to brighten drawn Test LAHORE (Reuters) - Abid Ali and Babar Azam each hit a century to light up the final day of Pakistan’s first Test at home in a decade against Sri Lanka as the weather-hit match at Rawalpindi ended in a drab draw on Sunday.

Rain and bad light did not allow full play on any of

the previous four days since Sri Lanka won the toss and chose to bat but Pakistan’s supporters still packed the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on the final day amid bright sunshine.

There was ample entertainment on offer for the crowd as Abid became the only male cricketer to hit a

century on his debut in both the test and one-day international formats.

Azam also added to his burgeoning reputation as one of world’s top upcoming batsmen, completing his third Test hundred after knocks of 104 and 97 in his last two Tests in Australia.

first in the World Test Championship, having lost 2-0 in Australia. Sri Lanka also picked up 20 points to take their total to 80.

The recently-launched WTC sees the top nine test nations face-off over a two-year period, scoring points based on their

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batsmen.

The two-match series marks Pakistan’s first Tests on home soil since a militant attack in 2009 on Sri Lanka’s team bus in Lahore.

The teams will next travel to Karachi for the second and final Test from Thursday.

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day, reached his mark with a sublime cover drive off fast bowler Mohammad Abbas and remained unbeaten on 102.

Dilruwan Perera was not out on 16 when Sri Lanka captain Dimuth Karunaratne called the pair in to allow his bowlers to have a go at Pakistan’s

Babar Azam performs the sajda as Abid Ali looks on (AFP)

Abid, who scored a ton in his ODI debut against Australia at Dubai in March, remained unbeaten on 109 while Azam was 102 not out as Pakistan reached 252 for two when the stumps were drawn.

Shan Masood and captain Azhar Ali missed out for the hosts, who picked up 20 points for the draw - their

success and culminating in a final at Lord’s in June 2021.

Earlier, Sri Lanka declared their first innings closed on 308 for six immediately after batsman Dhananjaya de Silva completed his sixth Test century.

Right-hander De Silva, stuck on 87 since the third

SRI LANKA 1st innings Dimuth Karunaratne lbw Shaheen Afridi 59 Oshada Fernando c Haris Sohail b Naseem Shah 40 Kusal Mendis c Mohammad Rizwan b Usman Shinwari 10 Angelo Mathews c Asad Shafiq b Naseem Shah 31 Dinesh Chandimal b Mohammad Abbas 2 Dhananjaya de Silva Not Out 102 Niroshan Dickwella c Babar Azam b Shaheen Afridi 33 Dilruwan Perera Not Out 16 EXTRAS: 5b 7lb 3nb 0pen 0w 15 TOTAL: (97.0 overs) 308 decl Fall of Wickets: 1-96 Karunaratne, 2-109 Fernando, 3-120 Mendis, 4-127 Chandimal, 5-189 Mathews, 6-256 Dickwella Did Not Bat : Fernando, Rajitha, Kumara Bowling: Mohammad Abbas 27-9-72-1, Shaheen Afridi 22-758-2 (3nb), Usman Shinwari 15-4-54-1, Naseem Shah 27-5-92- 2 ........................................................

PAKISTAN 1st innings Shan Masood c Dinesh Chandimal b Kasun Rajitha 0 Abid Ali Not Out 109 Azhar Ali c Dimuth Karunaratne b Lahiru Kumara 36 Babar Azam Not Out 102 EXTRAS: 2b 0lb 2nb 0pen 1w

5 TOTAL: (70.0 overs) 252-2 Fall of Wickets : 1-3 Khan, 2-90 Ali Did Not Bat : Sohail, Shafiq, Rizwan, Shinwari, Abbas, Shah, Afridi Bowling: Kasun Rajitha 6-2-5-1 (1nb), Vishwa Fernando 13 -149-0 (1w), Lahiru Kumara 14-4-46-1, Dilruwan Perera 24-0-5-0, Dhananjaya de Silva 11-0-48-0 (1nb)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, December 16, 2019

25

‘Never seen that before’: Angry Kohli slams late umpire call on run out

Emirates Stadium, London, Britain - Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne scores their third goal (Action Images via Reuters/John Sibley)

By Martyn Herman LONDON (Reuters) - Manchester City resumed normal service in the Premier League as a masterful display by Kevin De Bruyne fired them to a 3-0 victory over a listless Arsenal at the Emirates on Sunday.

Belgian De Bruyne produced two sublime finishes and one silky assist for Raheem Sterling as Pep Guardiola’s City killed the match as a contest before halftime.

Arsenal managed to avoid any more punishment in the second half as City switched on cruise control but it was an uncomfortable 90 minutes for their stand-in manager Freddie Ljungberg whose side were totally outclassed.

There was no big celebration by the travelling City fans as the champions, who dropped eight points in their previous five games, remain 14 points behind runaway leaders Liverpool.

They did, however, close the gap on second-placed Leicester City to four points ahead of their clash next week.

Arsenal managed only six shots — their lowest total at home in the Premier League since 2008 — and are ninth with 22 points, seven points adrift of the top four and showing little sign that things will improve anytime soon.

Ljungberg has managed only one win from five games in interim charge since Unai Emery was sacked and midway through the season the north London club appear rudderless — as close to the relegation zone as the top four.

Impressive as City were, Guardiola said last week’s performance in losing 2-1 to Manchester United was better.

“Against United we played much better,” the Spaniard,

Man City crush Arsenal with De Bruyne masterclass in charge of his 200th match for City, said. “I know we are judged on the result but I have a duty to judge the performance, not just the result.”

It is now six home games without a win for Arsenal in all competitions, yet they almost took the lead in the opening minute when Gabriel Martinelli burst through.

A minute later, however, they were behind as City counter-attacked and Gabriel Jesus cut the ball back from the byline to an unmarked De Bruyne who belted a stunning side-footed finish into the roof of the net from just outside the penalty area.

City were two up in the 16th minute and again they sliced through Arsenal with alarming ease. De Bruyne swapped passes with Jesus and then picked out Sterling who was all on his own to calmly dispatch the ball past Bernd Leno.

Shortly before halftime, with Arsenal briefly down to 10 men as left back Sead Kolasinac limped off, City made it 3-0 with De Bruyne again given time and space to pick his spot, this time passing a sublime left-foot finish just inside the post.

Many Arsenal fans headed for an early halftime coffee, or perhaps home, and missed a superb save by Leno to deny the outstanding De Bruyne a first-half hat-trick, clawing the Belgian’s bending effort against the post.

City could and should have scored more after the break, despite taking their foot off the accelerator, while for a chastened Arsenal it was simply a case of damage-limitation.

The last time they experienced such a long run without a home win was 1994-95.

Drayton commences weekly Chess classes for next generation of players

NATIONAL chess champion Anthony Drayton recently turned the Presidential Suite of the Guyana National Stadium into learning quarters as he prepares to school the next generation of players.

Drayton, who recently dominated the Berbice Chess Association (BCA) Open tourney a few Sunday’s back, kicked off his drive which has now turned the Stadium’s Presidential suite into the newly-dubbed Drayton’s Chess Club and Scholastic Centre.

With chess being a methodical, lengthly game, Drayton’s Chess Club is set to focus on the strategical

ins and outs of the game as well as the necessary fundamentals needed to progress

in the sport.

While some players who might have a bit of familiar-

Anthony Drayton

ity with chess are free to attend, the weekly sessions will primarily target children who are new to the game while seasoned players will also get a much-needed schooling from the FIDE (International Chess Federation) Chess master.

Classes are being held on Thursdays from 16:30hrs-18:30hrs, while Saturday’s session will commence at 10:00hrs to 12:00hrs. Fees for classes range from GYD $12,000 for beginners, $15,000 for Intermediates, Advanced $20,000 and hourly session $3000. Interested persons can contact Drayton on 613-2083.

Unhappy: India captain Virat Kohli gestures during the match (AFP Photo/Arun SANKAR)

CHENNAI (India) (AFP) - India skipper Virat Kohli Sunday slammed a controversial on-field decision to rule Ravindra Jadeja run out after a belated TV referral in the opening one-day international against the West Indies.

Shimron Hetmyer hit a career-best 139 to lead West Indies to an eight-wicket win but the match saw controversy during India’s innings.

In the 48th over, Roston Chase hit the stumps at the bowler’s end where Jadeja was running and South African umpire Shaun George ruled not out.

But replays suggested Jadeja was short of his crease, prompting the on-field official to refer it to the third umpire who then gave it out, as an angry Kohli shook his head in disapproval in the dressing room.

“The thought is simple, the fielder asked ‘how is that’ and the umpire said ‘not out’. The dismissal ends there,” Kohli said after his team’s loss.

“The people sitting on the TV outside cannot tell the fielders to then tell the umpire to review it again. I’ve never seen that happen in cricket.

“I don’t know where the rules are, where the line is drawn. I think the referee and the umpires have to take that up, see that incident again. And figure out what needs to be done in cricket.”

Jadeja made a quickfire 21 in his 56-run sixth-wicket stand with Kedar Jadhav, who made 40, as India went to score 287 for eight after being put into bat first.

West Indies skipper Kieron Pollard said no matter what happened but “the right decision was made”.

“For me at the end of the day, the right decision was made, which is important,” said Pollard.

“We appealed and the umpire didn’t take it at that time, but eventually the right decision was made.”

The second ODI is on Wednesday in Visakhapatnam.

GTTA supports table-tennis rebirth in Berbice

THE Guyana Table Tennis Association (GTTA) recently threw its weight behind their Berbician counterparts as they are on a mission to revive the sport in the Ancient County.

Region Six Sports Officer, Godwyn Allicock, spearheaded the move which spiked off last week and will continue on a weekly basis with a number of newbie and seasoned players utilising the New Amsterdam Prison Officers Sports Club as their training base.

While the sport has mostly been centralised in Georgetown, with a number of senior and junior national players being produced from within the city hub, the Berbice Table Tennis Association (BTTA) now seeks to attain similar success as they have now found much support from their parent family, the GTTA. In the past, the GTTA has been doing a lot to help promote the sport over the years and now they have taken it a step further by providing the BTTA with not only coaches but with a number of gear which include nets, balls and tennis racquets for the ongoing drive.

Meanwhile, the tennis players will continue their weekly training from 17:30hrs to 22:00hrs from Monday to Friday with sessions going from 10:00hrs to 20:00hrs on Saturdays.

26

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, December 16, 2019

Dorado swimmers finish in top five at ASATT Invitational Meet ―Gonsalves, Watson and Woodroffe end in top three of age division

DORADO Speed Swim Club finished fifth out of 28 teams that competed at the Amateur Swimming Association of Trinidad and Tobago (ASATT) Individual Swimming Championships, which concluded on Saturday evening at the National Aquatic Centre in Couva.

The ace Guyanese club finished with 270.5 points, half a point behind St. Vincent and the Grenadine’s top club, Black Sands Swim Squad.

Guyana had four none-Dorado swimmers (Leon Seaton, Andrew Fowler, Fitzroy Thom and Andrew Jordan), who swam under the banner of the Guyana Amateur Swimming Association as Guyana Combined and they tallied 18 points for a 24th overall finish, while USbased second generation Guyanese, Chase Thompson, represented the Dolphin Speed Swim Club (nine points, 27th position).

Dorado, which was represented by 13 swimmers, was impressive in the 11-12 age group division. Elliott Gonsalves finished second, while his teammate, Vladimir Woodroffe, placed third.

On the distaff side, Monique Watson placed third.

FINAL NIGHT On the final night, Dorado surged to eight individual medals: two gold, three silver and three bronze along with one relay gold.

with two silver medals (50M Breast and 200M Freestyle), finished with another first place, this time in the 200M IM. In that event, he clocked 2:27.42 to beat his closest rival by over seven seconds.

Woodroffe had placed third in

meet, Gonsalves, Woodroffe and Stephen Ramkhelawan also helped Dorado to three relay gold medals (4X100M Freestyle, 4X50M Freestyle, and 4X50M Medley Relay).

Dorado also used Tyrell Allicock in one of the relays and Alex Bentham in two.

Dorado’s top individual performers (l-r): Elliott Gonsalves, Monique Watson and Vladimir Woodroffe

Gonsalves, who won gold in the 200M butterfly on the opening day, gold in the 200M breaststroke on night two, and a gold in the 400M Individual Medley (IM) on night three, along

a time of 2:35.78 in that race.

Gonsalves’ other individual medals on the final day was in the 100M Backstroke (1:10.04) and 100M Breaststroke (1:17.99). In both events, he won silver. At the

Woodroffe, on the other hand, started off with a bang on the opening day. He won gold in the 1500M and a silver in the 50M Backstroke.

On day three, he won two gold medals (200M Back

and 800M Freestyle), before winning bronze in the 200M IM and bronze in the 400M Freestyle (4:55.33s) on the final day.

Stephen Ramkhelawan had placed fourth in the 400M Freestyle in a time of 4:57.99.

Watson was also outstanding over the four days.

She won gold on day one (400M IM), a silver on day two (200M Breaststroke) and a silver in the 200M Backstroke on day three. On the final day, she added a bronze medal to her tally. In the 400M Freestyle, she finished third in a time of 5:22.32.

Watson finished fourth in the 100M Backstroke in a time of 1:16.53.

Along with Gonsalves, Daniel Scott also won gold on the final night. The 18-year-old dominated the Men’s 15-and-over 400M Freestyle event. He clocked 4:25.03, which was almost nine seconds faster than the second place finisher.

Athalcy Hunte copped a silver medal in the Girls’ 1112 100M Backstroke after finishing in a time of 1:15.89s.

The final medal of the day was by the dominant boys’

11-12 relay team. Woodroffe, Ramkhelawan, Bentham and Gonsalves captured gold number three. The quartet clocked 1:58.01, over five seconds faster than the competitive Black Sails’ ‘A’ team.

Daniel Scott won gold in the 400M Freestyle for Dorado on the final day

Meanwhile, 14-year-old Seaton just missed the podium for Guyana Combined in the 50M Freestyle. The ace swimmer placed fourth in a time of 25.58s in the 1314 age division. His teammate at the meet, Andrew Fowler (23-years), placed seventh in a time of 25.27s in the 15-and-over division.

Double for record-setting Ronaldo as Juve beat Udinese All roads lead to GFF training centre for day two

(REUTERS) - Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice to set yet another goalscoring landmark and help Juventus to a 3-1 home win over Udinese on Sunday that sent them back to the top of the Serie A table.

In-form Ronaldo, who has five goals in his last four games, took his tally for the season to 11 in 19 appearances, becoming the only player in Europe’s top five leagues to hit double figures in all competitions in each of the last 15 seasons.

The Portuguese struck twice in the first half before Leonardo Bonucci headed in Juve’s third on the brink of halftime.

Ignacio Pussetto netted a consolation for the visitors late in the game.

“The most important thing was to win,” Ronaldo told Sky Sport Italia.

“This is how we should play, with confidence. Individual performances aren’t what matters, but the collective effort.”

Juventus suffered their first defeat of the season at Lazio last weekend to surrender the lead to Inter Milan, but the champions put pressure back on Antonio Conte’s side by moving one point clear at the top with victory at the Allianz Stadium.

Maurizio Sarri’s side have 39 points, but Inter can regain

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Monday, December 15, 2019)

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ANSWERS TO YESTERDAY’S QUIZ:

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Albert Trott-8/43 (AUST vs ENG, Adelaide, 1895) Narendra Hirwani (IND vs WI, Chennai, 1987-88)

(1)

(2)

What was the result of the recent three-match T20 International series between WI and India?

Who was declared Man of the Series?

TODAY’S QUIZ:

ANSWERS IN TOMORROW’S ISSUE

first place by beating Fiorentina away in the late game on Sunday.

Udinese remain in relegation trouble after falling to 17th place on 15 points, hovering just two points above the drop zone.

Gianluigi Buffon started in goal for Juventus to match Alessandro Del Piero’s club record of 478 Serie A appearances, while Ronaldo was given the rare opportunity to start in an attacking trident alongside Paulo Dybala and Gonzalo Higuain.

They needed just nine minutes to find the breakthrough when Dybala’s deflected shot fell into the path of Ronaldo, who fired in a low finish from the edge of the box.

After Dybala looked to have made it 2-0 with a sublime lob only for it to be ruled out for handball in the buildup, Ronaldo scored again after 37 minutes, latching on to Higuain’s through ball to smash a shot into the bottom corner.

The game was over as a contest by half time after Merih Demiral rose to head a corner towards the six-yard box, where Bonucci was on hand to nod in off the crossbar.

Ronaldo came close to a hat-trick in the second half when his powerful shot was palmed onto the post by Udinese goalkeeper Juan Musso.

AFTER an enticing first day of matches in the 2019 edition of the KFC goodwill series, day two promises even more fireworks.

Today, from 13:00hrs, Lodge Secondary will play Waramadong Secondary, while at 15:00hrs, Shiva Boys Hindu College will play Annai Secondary.

On Saturday, both Annai and Lodge Secondary recorded wins by commanding margins over their respective opponents.

Annandale Secondary got the sharp end of the sword in a 9-1 drubbing at the hands of Region Nine’s Annai Secondary.

Controlling possession was not enough for the hinterland team as the passed at will.

Two goals from Junior Rodrigues (7th) and Italo Benjamin (24th) in the first half could have been enough to hand Annai the win but they were not done.

In the second half, Rodrigues and Benjamin completed their braces in the 64th and 54th respectively while Raul Swan (52nd) and Brimley Mo-

ses (78th) contributed one each.

Annai’s captain led from the front as he hammered a hat-trick (57th, 67th, 69th) against the lack lustre Annandale side.

Colin Henriques scored a consolation goal in the 72nd.

goal in the 27th.

Marian’s Daniel Lowe netted on the resumption of the half, but that only made Lodge more vicious.

Curt Edwards (61st) and Shemroy Mayers (69th) contributed one a piece and George completed his hattrick in the 69th for the 6-1

Part of the action on the first day of matches on Saturday

In the second fixture of the day, Marian Academy was able to put up a wall for a lengthy period of time but when the floodgates broke, Lodge slammed six goals to their one.

Dorwin George netted goals in the 25th and 30th with Earl Grant getting a

victory.

President of the Guyana Football Federation, Wayne Forde, opened the event by saying, “I want to ask each and every one of the players that are here to ensure their conduct on and off the field is good.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, December 16, 2019

Hetmeyer says match-winning hundred meant a lot

GUYANESE power hitter Shimron Hetmeyer said his match-winning ton against cricket powerhouse India on Sunday had special meaning.

Hetmeyer smashed 11 fours and seven sixes in his knock of 139 that was made off just 106 balls and shared in a second-wicket stand of 218 with Shai Hope, who remained unbeaten on 102, as the West Indies successfully chased down an imposing 287 for 8 set by India.

The West Indies reached their target with 13 balls to spare to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. Sunday’s hundred was only his second this year. On February, he scored 104 against England in Bridgetown, Barbados. Since then he has had a run of low scores with the exception of scores of 50 and 54 against Bangladesh and New Zealand on June 17 and 22, respectively.

Sunday’s hundred represented a return to form for the talented player who is known

to lose his wicket playing risky and sometimes reckless shots.

“This hundred means a lot because the last one I had was at the start of the year,” he said. “Now it’s a matter of

Shimron Hetmyer smashed 11 fours and seven sixes in his 139 off just 106 balls

being consistent next year. I just backed myself and tried to execute my plans. It’s always nice to have a smile

TTFA sacks head coach Dennis Lawrence

DENNIS Lawrence has been fired as head coach of the Trinidad and Tobago national senior team with immediate effect.

Dennis Lawrence

A statement from the William Wallace-led Trinidad and Tobago Football Association on Sunday confirmed the sacking of the 45-year-old coach, who has

been in charge of the national team since January 2017.

According to reports coming out of Trinidad and Tobago, the TTFA’s board had a nine-hour meeting Saturday at the Ato Boldon Stadium. It was at that meeting that the decision was taken to relieve the coach of his duties.

The TTFA’s statement said Lawrence’s representatives and the board will meet to determine the terms of his departure.

Under Lawrence, Trinidad played 31 matches.

They won five, drew seven and lost 19 for a win percentage of 16.13 per cent.

In those matches, TT scored 36 goals while conceding 53.

Stokes voted BBC Sports Personality of the Year LONDON (Reuters) Cricketer Ben Stokes was voted the 2019 BBC Sports Personality of the Year on Sunday for his World Cup-winning and Ashes heroics during the summer.

Lord’s, London, Britain - England’s Ben Stokes celebrates winning the World Cup (Action Images via Reuters/Peter Cziborra/File Photo)

The all-rounder won the prestigious award, which is voted for annually by the British public, for his incredible feats for an En-

gland side that also landed the Team of the Year award.

The 28-year-old was man of the match for his brilliant innings in both the run chase and decisive super over that saw England’s men win the World Cup for the first time in a dramatic final against New Zealand at Lord’s.

He then topped even that by playing one of the great match-winning test innings against Australia, his 135 not out that guided England to the most nail-biting and unlikely one-wicket victory at Headingley.

Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton finished runner-up in the voting while sprinter Dina Asher-Smith, the world 200 metres champion, was third.

on your face after a victory.

The last time I was here, I got a hundred and we lost that game.”

Keiron Pollard, the team’s captain said he did not lose faith in the player despite his lean run of form. “Hetmyer has come under a lot of criticism, but it’s about understanding his role and responsibility. As a management group, we have faith in him,” Pollard said.

Hetmeyer also came in for praise from Indian captain Virat Kohli.

“They played very smartly on a slow pitch. We thought six bowling options will be good enough, especially with the pitch being slow and Kedar as an option.

But it played differently under lights. I think they batted really well, you can’t take that out of the equation.

But I think the ball wasn’t holding enough for the fast bowlers. Hetmyer was outstanding and Shai as well.

(Sportsmax)

27

Left-hander Shimron Hetmyer celebrates his fifth ODI hundred on Sunday.

(Photo courtesy CWI Media)

Hetmyer, Hope centuries power Windies to huge ODI win 23 PAGE

Shai Hope and Nicholas Pooran finished it for West Indies. Hope was left unbeaten on 102 and Pooran 29

Sparta Boss

AFTER the dust was settled at the National Gymnasium on Mandela Avenue, football heavyweight, Sparta Boss, of the East La Penitence environs, emerged the inaugural champion of the Rio Indoor Streetball tournament on Saturday.

The capacity crowd which descended on the venue was treated to a thrilling finale which was decided 5-4 in favour of the Spartans over Bent Street, after regulation and extra time ended 1-1.

Clive Nobrega was the guilty party as he missed from the distance in the tense shoot-out, with Gregory Richardson applying the finishing touch for Sparta Boss to seal the result.

With the win, Sparta Boss pocketed $1,000,000 and a trophy. The loser walked away with $400,000 and the runner’s-up title. In the third-place playoff, Gold is Money bested Rio All-Stars 2-0. Keifer Brandt recorded goals in the fourth and 16th minutes. With the win, Gold is Money walked away with $200,000 and a trophy.

On the other hand, the loser pocketed $100,000 and the corresponding accolade. In the earlier semifinal matches, Sparta edged fierce rival, Gold is Money 1-0. Ryan Hackett scored in the 10th minute. Also, Bent Street overcame Rio All-Stars 1-0 on penalty kicks after regulation and extra time ended 4-4.

Nelson fashioned a double in the 21st and 29th minute for Bent Street while Daniel Wilson and William Europe scored in the second and 15th minutes each. For Rio All-Stars, Kelsey Benjamin bagged a brace in the 18th and 25th while Andrew Murray netted a double in the 27th and 35th minutes.

Meanwhile, after the game, coordinators of the event, Three Peat Promotions, said “the tournament was an overwhelming success on many fronts and provides the perfect platform for the improvement of the tournament and the format as a whole. We would like to thank the sponsors for their invaluable commitment and investment in making the tournament a reality as well as the fans for their unwavering support.”

The organisers said that “ultimately, we would like to thank the players who displayed discipline and talent in providing and creating a spectacle and product for the fans to consume Million Dollar Team! An elated Sparta Boss following the conclusion of the and enjoy. Without them, they would be no sport. Special inaugural Rio Indoor Streetball Championship at the National Gymnasium praise must also be afforded to the lawmen who carried out their duties with esteem in providing a safe and conducive atmosphere for all and sundry.”

captures Rio Indoor Streetball Championship title!

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

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MONDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2019