Guyana Chronicle E-Papers 12 02 2020

WEDNESDAY 12th February, 2020

' No.105908

2,000 housing subsidies soon

…as CH&PA rolls out US$27M Adequate Housing and Urban Accessibility Programme SEE STORY ON PAGE 03

…50 core houses also to be built in Sophia, other communities

The Guyana Telephone and Telegraph (GTT) on Tuesday recognised sponsors of the company’s 2019 cancer awareness programme called Pinktober. The sponsors included the Guyana Football Federation, Guyoil, Courts Guyana, Icool, Power and Tel, GDT, Citizens Bank, ExxonMobil, Impressions, ANSA McCal Trading Ltd, Always, MovieTowne, Eco Green, MV Electrical and Contracting Services, 93.1FM, Calix, Eco Atlantic, Lactacyd Pro-Bio, Credit Info, Gizmos and Gadgets, Jagan’s Dental Centre and the Government of Guyana. At the ceremony Minister of Public Health, Volda Lawrence (seated in front row with GTT, CEO, Justin Nedd said the fight against cancer cannot be won single-handedly. She said the Ministry of Public Health cannot unilaterally manage this fight like so many other fights (Delano Williams photo)

Guyana to dominate regional growth in 2020 – says CDB president

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Exxon funds STEM

programme for 09 differently-abled children PAGE

29 Ex GRDB accountant gets three years for fraud PAGE

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, February 12, 2020

Jagdeo accused of setting stage to challenge elections results …casts doubts on GECOM in front ‘West-Dem’ supporters

LEADER of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), Bharrat Jagdeo, has been pushing a narrative on the campaign trail that if the upcoming elections do not put the PPP back in power, then it [the elections] would have been tampered with through rigging.

Most recently, he placed doubt in the minds of supporters at a West Coast Demerara (WCD) rally of whether the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) is able to conduct “free and fair” elections.

“Whenever I walk around this country, wherever I go, people say to me, ‘we know the PPP

will win the elections if the elections are free and fair’. But will they be free and fair? This is a pressing concern among

GECOM as “rogue”, stating that the institution is gradually losing credibility.

At the rally on Sunday in

Leader of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), Bharrat Jagdeo, speaking to supporters at a political meeting

many Guyanese,” he told the crowd. “That fear you have is justified but don’t think that we are taking it lightly.”

In several letters in the media, persons have pointed out that the party’s general secretary is seemingly setting the stage to possibly challenge the results of an elections result not in the party’s favour. In the past, he has referred to staff of

Stewartville, WCD, he cast blame on the APNU+AFC Administration as seeking to “rig the elections” through the house-to-house registration exercise. Before the no-confidence motion was debated in the National Assembly in 2018, the government had, in the 2019 budget, allocated $3.36B for the conduct of the house-to-house registration ex-

ercise, to facilitate the planned holding of elections in 2020.

The last time house-tohouse registration was conducted, thereby refreshing the country’s National Register of Registrants Data Base (NRRDB), was in 2008, some 10 years ago, which all parties involved had deemed the exercise “long overdue”. Later, when the no-confidence motion against the government was making its way through the courts, the house-to-house registration exercise commenced, as scheduled, as there was no final decision yet on whether the motion would stand. The opposition lobbied against the exercise they had previously agreed to as “illegal” and now an attempt to disenfranchise voters.

GECOM Chair, Justice (ret’d) Claudette Singh, discontinued the exercise in August 2019 with only 340,000 registered, with the aim of facilitating early General and Regional Elections, given the ruling on the passing of the no-confidence motion. Although the events were well followed by the public, the opposition leader told supporters at the WCD rally: “They tried again to rig the elections; they tried by using an order signed by the illegal Chairman of GECOM [Justice Patterson] to start a house-to-house registration exercise that would have dropped 50,000 people from our strongholds so they would have been disenfranchised and we said to people, ‘we’re going to fight this too’.”

The exercise was in fact aimed at removing the names of thousands of Guyanese who are either deceased or have migrated, and to include

Former PNCR MP, Lurlene Nestor

Guyanese eligible to vote for the first time.

GECOM has added over 16,000 new registrants from the halted exercise to the NRRDB and, through a claims and objections period and other security measures at various levels of the list, some 88,000 address changes were made thereby enabling more persons the right to vote.

At the rally, the opposition leader cast doubts about the credibility of the address changes but married his statements with a call for supporters to check the Official List of Electors (OLE) to ensure that their names “are in the right place”. “We have to ensure that every ‘i’ is dotted and every ‘t’ is crossed when we are dealing with APNU and, in fact, all of the polling places where, in the past, they have attempted to put people or to rig the elections, we’re training some of our best polling agents, the strongest people to go in that area,” the opposition leader told his support base.

“We are watching them carefully because we can take no chances with APNU.” However, those observing

the opposition leader’s repeated remarks, have pointed out that this may be a tactic to later contest any election result not in his favour. “I have been watching the PPP, its media arms and Mr. Jagdeo’s attack on GECOM and it is becoming very clear what their strategy is. They have not succeeded in their efforts to rattle the very formidable female chairperson, so they have occasioned an all-out, brazen attack on the elections commission and its system. Outlined in Mr. Jagdeo’s ‘concerns’ appears to be a blueprint of how the PPP might have rigged and interfered with prior elections,” stated former parliamentarian, Lurlene Nestor in a letter.

“I believe Mr. Jagdeo and the PPP are prepping for a ‘foul claim’. They also seem bent on interfering or influencing GECOM as it prepares for these most consequential elections.”

She called out the PPP leader for attempting, on various occasions, to instruct GECOM, an independent body tasked with facilitating free, fair and credible elections.

Nestor advised: “While GECOM has a responsibility to ensure that there is no interference, other stakeholders also have a responsibility to ensure that they act to ensure that elections are free and fair. People must therefore be extra vigilant!

Mr. Jagdeo seemed to have outlined how he and the PPP may play their cards on elections day. His utterances and apparent concerns must be carefully examined. The intentions of a desperate soul knows no boundary.”

REO sees alleged attempt to sabotage Mabaruma Hospital REGIONAL Executive Officer (REO) Region One, Lieutenant Colonel Randy Storm, is concerned about the motive behind

Guyana Chronicle on Tuesday, Storm said that the night before, an individual or individuals slackened the bolts on the hospital’s generator permitting air to enter its fuel system causing it to shut down.

The matter was reported to the police, the generator was taken a part by a technician to be fixed and, in the

interim, the main generator at a nearby powerhouse had to be used. Such steps were crucial as Storm explained that the hospital has about 40 patients with outpatients coming in daily for treatment. “I want this thing to be known what these people are doing in the area,” Storm told the newspaper.

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Regional Executive Officer (REO) Region One, Lieutenant Colonel Randy Storm

an alleged recent sabotage attempt of the generator powering the Mabaruma Hospital, a key facility to the region.

In an interview with the

The Mabaruma Regional Hospital

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, February 12, 2020

2,000 housing subsidies soon …as CH&PA rolls out US$27M Adequate Housing and Urban Accessibility Programme …50 core houses also to be built in Sophia, other communities

By Svetlana Marshall THE Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) will soon accelerate its US$27M Adequate Housing and Urban Accessibility Programme – a move that would see approximately 2,000 subsidies being distributed and a number of core houses built.

In making the announcement during his appearance on Guyana Chronicle’s Vantage Point on Tuesday, CH&PA Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Lelon Saul, explained that the Adequate Housing and Urban Accessibility Programme has three components – Affordable and Sustainable Housing; Consolidation of existing Housing Schemes; and Support and Institutional Strengthening. It is under the Affordable and Sustainable Housing compo-

nent that US$5M has been earmarked for a Home Improvement Subsidy Programme that will see 2,000 persons accessing as much as $500,000 to rehabilitate their homes. Under this component as well, another US$5M has been budgeted for the construction of 250 core homes.

According to Saul, very soon, CH&PA will commence the disbursement of the subsidies and the construction of 50 of the 250 core homes. “In terms of the subsidies, we are currently going through the beneficiaries’ selection process for home improvement subsidies and core houses…and very shortly we will disburse subsidies for home improvements and about 50 core houses [will be constructed] in the Sophia area,” the CEO disclosed.

The programme, which

targets low income households, spans from La Bonne Intention (LBI) on the East Coast of Demerara (ECD) to Georgetown to Great Diamond on the East Bank of Demerara (EBD) and Parfaite Harmonie on the West Bank of Demerara (WBD), and is being implemented by the Ministry of Communities through the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) with funding from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).

During the ongoing selection process, preference is being given to households that are occupying their low-income lots but are living in buildings that do not meet habitable requirements such as shacks.

Preferences will also be given to persons with disabilities who meet the requirements. The core houses will be constructed

CH&PA CEO Lelon Saul

at the size of no less 330 square feet, and the design will be expandable and will include a sanitary block.

Once a person has been selected to benefit from the core homes support programme, that household will be required to make an equity share contribution of Guy$100,000. The additional cost of the home will be covered under the programme with each unit costing

‘More money, less taxes’ LEARNING from the work and shortfalls of past administrations, political newcomer, Change Guyana, has strung together and unveiled a “Guyanese-first” manifesto, just 18 days ahead of the general and regional elections.

The manifesto brings a “new level” of strategic thinking, said Presidential Candidate of the fledgling party, Robert Badal, during a press briefing at the Pegasus Hotel on Tuesday. “The manifesto outlines a more balanced and regional development plan, rather than something that is central to Georgetown…we have a Guyanese-first policy in the manifesto,” said Badal, adding that the party, if elected to government, will ensure that every Guyanese has a stake in the economy.

Badal was confident that his party’s manifesto includes “pragmatic solutions” for a better economy, which were carefully crafted by the

Change Guyana team. Speak-

the increase of the income tax

Presidential Candidate of Change Guyana, Robert Badal

ing about the creation of the manifesto, Badal said: “The team was able to think through the problems of today and come up with pragmatic solutions…these solutions are based on principles that affects lives and those that created economic underdevelopment in this country.”

Among some of the proposed solutions to existing “economic problems” were

threshold to $100,000 and the reduction of Value Added Tax (VAT) to 12 per cent from 14 per cent. Additionally, the party plans to abolish property and capital gains taxes, and to remove taxes from mobile data plans, water and education.

“There will also be no import taxes on machinery for farming, mining and other manufacturing industries…our focus will be on ensuring that

REO sees alleged ...

“We only have one generator working in the area so they’re trying to blackout the place and then call hysteria by saying that ‘the hospital ain’t got current’…that’s a big scandal [about] how the government ain’t provide generator services and the existing machine can’t work. If that generator shuts down, we are in a hell of a hubble.”

Storm said that the technician called in to fix the issue confirmed that there was no way that the bolts on the genera-

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tor could get loose on their own without tampering. Added to that, Storm believes that it was a definite attempt at creating trouble as the generator is too large to be stolen. “We reported the matter to the police and what we are doing is we are posting a guard on the generator to see that nobody goes there,” the REO said.

“This has never happened before…this is a deliberate attempt. People just want to create mischief in the region to blame the government.”

approximately $4M. With respect to the subsidies, CH&PA, under the programme, will provide the materials and the beneficiary household will be required to provide 100 per cent of the labour to effect the improvement works. The types of improvements eligible include: repairs to roofs, walls, floors including the completion of wet areas, improvements of earthen or wooden floors, and replacement of walls with more durable materials and expansion of homes in cases of overcrowding.

Turning his attention to the Consolidation of existing Housing Schemes Component, Saul said under this project Sophia, located in Greater Georgetown, has benefitted significantly with the construction and rehabilitation of roads within the

area. “If you go through that area, you will see the roads and bridges that are in place and significant upgrades were done in terms of the road network. In total, under the US$16M component, 34km of asphaltic roads, 20km of drainage improvements including the construction of concrete drains where necessary, and 8km of sidewalks are expected to be upgraded.

This component will also see the installation of 10km of solar-integrated street lights and the construction of eight recreational facilities. While this component was first rolled out in the Sophia Housing Scheme, it will spread to other low-income communities within the programme boundary.

…Badal says as Change Guyana launches ‘Guyanese-first’ manifesto

there is more money and less taxes,” said Badal as he laid out his party’s promises.

The manifesto, he said, also outlines the party’s plans for job creation and wealth creation, which are ‘key’ elements of a successful economy. Although the party’s plans for job creation were not specific, Badal said they (Change Guyana) will make youth employment and entrepreneurship a critical compo-

nent of the macro-economic framework of the country.

“We will also make schools and university curriculum more responsive to the needs of the economy; stem the tide of mass migration by UG graduates by creating jobs through an expanded economy; and look at tax incentive mechanisms to encourage employers to provide on-the-job training for youths,” said the leaders of the political party in

their manifesto.

The list goes on, said Badal, adding that the manifesto forms a “list of deliverables” which the party is committed to and will be held accountable for. Persons interested in viewing the party’s full manifesto can do so by visiting the following website: https://changeguyana.com/wp-content/ uploads/2020/02/CG-Manifest-Final-Digital.pdf

have been issued across as Storm Ciara sweeps south-eastwards, bringacrossthe thecontinent. continent. ing gusts gusts of of over over 90mph 90mph across ing 4 Highwinds windsand andheavy heavy (145km/h) (145km/h)ininsome someareas. areas.

High rain continue to batter In Ireland, around rain continue to batter In Ireland, around areas ofof Ireland, Ireland, France, France, 14,000 14,000 homes homes and and busibusiareas Belgium, Switzerland, the nesses were left without Belgium, Switzerland, the nesses were left without Netherlands, Germany, Germany, power power asas the the country country bebeNetherlands, Luxembourg and and ScandiScandi- gins gins counting counting ballots ballots for for Luxembourg navia. its general election. navia. its general election.

Thestorm stormled ledtototravel travel Organisers also also cancanThe Organisers GUANGZHOU, China/GE- loans running into billions of of Severe Acute Respiratory disruptions and the cancelled an opening ceremodisruptions and the can- Syndrome celled aninopening ceremoNEVA (Reuters) - The coro- dollars to stay afloat.

2003. The WHO navirus outbreak in China cellation Company layoffspublic were said on Tuesday 1,017 people cellation ofseveral several public ny to to mark mark the the beginning of ny beginning may be over by April, the beginning despite assurances had died in China year whereasthere events over theJinping weekend.

Galway’s the events over the weekend. ofof Galway’s year as 319 the country’s senior medical by President Xi that were 42,708 cases.

Only Forecasters predict European Capital of Culadviser said on Tuesday, but widespread sackings would be cases have been confirmed in Forecasters predict European Capital of Culdeaths surpassed 1,000 and avoided, as supply chains for 24ture, otherciting countries andsafety. territopublic ture,outside citingmainland public safety. the World Health Organi- global firms from car manu- ries China, France issued amzation (WHO) warned of facturers to smartphone makers with France two deaths:issued one in Hong ama global threat potentially ruptured. China’s foremost Kong and the other in the ber warnings warnings -- its its secsecber worse than terrorism. medical adviser on the out- Philippines. ond-highest level forhad 42 ond-highest level -- for 42 “Wake up and consider break, Zhong Nanshan, told World stocks, which this virus as public enemy Reuters numbers of new cases seen rounds of selloffs due regions of the country, regions of the impact country, number one,” WHO chief were falling in some provinc- toincluding the coronarivus’ on Normandy, the including Normandy, the Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus es and forecast the epidemic China’s economy and ripple

Deutsche Bahn also warned

of severe severe disruptions in the the of disruptions in GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, February 12, 2020

north of of the the country. country. north Storm Ciara known as as Storm Ciara -- known Elsa in Norway, and Sabine Elsa in Norway, and Sabine in Germany Germany and and SwitzerSwitzerin land -- is is the the most most severe severe land storm to to hit hit the the continent continent storm so far far this this year. year. so In recent years, several several years, COVID-19. With travel curbs, delivery giant Meituan Dian- ports In shutrecent and roads blocked. national forecasters have national forecasters have lockdowns and production sus- ping (3690.HK), smartphone Nevertheless, its health aupensions all affecting China’s maker Xiaomi Corp (1810. thority reported 2,097 new adopted the the practice practice of of adopted High winds have also brought severe disruption economy, many were trying to brought HK) and ride-hailing provider cases and 103 new deaths on High winds have also severe disruption naming large storms to help naming large storms to help calculate and predict around the prob-the Chuxing Technology Co. Feb. 10. around theDidi continent continent the public monitor severe able impact. JPMorgan anaWith public angersevere risthe public monitor lysts downgraded forecasts for WORKERS AFFECTED ing, Hubei’s government weather. weather. the provincial Chinese growth quarter, Chinese Xinchao Me- dismissed Ardennes andthis Lorraine.

Thesefirm same concerns Ardennes and Lorraine.

These same concerns But while Irish, Irish,ComDutch, saying the outbreak had “com- dia said on Monday it had laid healthBut commission’s while Dutch, People inthe the country offhave have also led to to the suspenthe country led pletelyPeople changedin dynamics” 500also people, orthe justsuspenover munist Party boss Zhang French and and British have have ofhave its economy.

Investment tenth offerry its workforce, and and directorBritish Liu Yingzi, have beenwarned warned to stay stay a sion sion of of ferry services in in the JinFrench been to services the agreed to adopt the same agreed to said. adoptThe thevirus same bank Nomura’s said chain Xibei said it state media away from analysts coastal and restaurant English Channel.

English theaway virus from seemedcoastal to have and had was worriedChannel. about how to pay has caused chaos and around names, Germany and SwitSwitnames, Germany wooded areas,impact” severalcitcitwiinnddss Asia and beyond, with many “awooded devastating on its roughly areas, several GGaallee 20,000 ffoorrcceeworkers. w zerland have their own zerland have and enChina’s? economy January saidhundreds they wouldof flights suspended ies have have closedinoff off parks Authorities grounded ies closed parks grounded hundreds of separate agreement, and February with markets roll out measures to stabilise try restrictions imposed. separate agreement, as does andseaside seaside promenades. jobs, flights in Germany, Germany, Bel- Washington, and promenades. flights in Bel“significantly underestimating” in addition to previously whose travNorway.

Norway. the disruption. cuts to Netherlands. interest rates el measures have offended Forecasters in in NorNor- announced gium and and the Netherlands.

Forecasters gium the Forauthorized the UK, this Norway’s biggest inde- and fiscal stimulus designed to Beijing, the year’s volFor the way,meanwhile, meanwhile, haveisis- minimise Frankfurt, Brussels and and untary way, have Frankfurt, Brussels pendent energy consultancy any downturn. departure of U.S. storm names have already storm names Rystad Energy predicted the The World Bank ruled were out government employees and sued red red warnings warnings their Amsterdam Schipol were sued -- their Amsterdam Schipol beenmembers chosen, with been chosen, outbreak will cut growth in any new health loans to China, family fromDennis Chihighest risk level for among the airports affecthighest risk level - for though amongtechnical the airports affect- nese-ruled global oil demand by a quarter assistance Hong Kong “out next in in line. line. next some southern and west- would ed. be offered. “China has of an abundance of cauthis year.southern However,and two westEurosome ed. pean officials said the its own large international tion,” the State Department ernUnion areasdue dueto toconcerns concerns ern areas impact on the bloc from dam- reserves,” its president, David said. Off Japan’s port of about higheconomy seas. would Malpass, told Reuters, wishing Yokohama, the Diamond about high seas. age to China’s

Expert sees coronavirus over by April in China, WHO still alarmed

told reporters. As the epidemic squeezed the world’s second-biggest economy, Chinese firms struggled to get back to work after the extended Lunar New Year holiday, hundreds of them saying they would need

would peak this month.

“I hope this outbreak or this event may be over in something like April,” added Zhong, 83, an epidemiologist who won fame for his role in combating an outbreak

effects round the world, kept rising towards record highs on Zhong’s comments.

CHINA STILL IN “EMERGENCY” - WHO But Tedros was less sanguine, saying the coronavirus should be regarded as akin to a terrorist attack. “To be honest a virus is more powerful (in) creating political, social and economic upheaval than any attack,” he said.

The first vaccine was 18 months away, said the WHO boss, urging global unity to prevent “far more cases and far higher costs” from the disease - now officially named

Monday,February February 10, 10,05:00hrs 05:00hrs- -06:30hrs 06:30hrs Monday,

only be “marginal”.

Inside China, more than 300 companies are seeking bank loans totalling 57.4 billion yuan ($8.2 billion) to help cope with the disruption, banking sources said. Prospective borrowers include food

China well in handling the crisis. Hubei, where the flu-like virus emerged from a wildlife market in the provincial capital of Wuhan, remains in virtual lockdown, its stations and air-

Princess cruise ship with 3,700 passengers and crew remained quarantined, with the number of confirmed cases at 135. Thailand said it had barred passengers from getting off another ship, Holland America Line’s MS Westerdam, even though no confirmed infections have been found on board. “Now we are back in limbo,” passenger Stephen Hansen told Reuters by email.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, February 12, 2020

Guyana set to represent border controversy case at ICJ

GUYANA is ready to defend its position at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) that the world court has jurisdiction to adjudicate on the validity of the Arbitral Award of 1899 that established the boundary it shares with Venezuela. However, at this stage, it is unclear whether the Spanish-speaking country, confronted with a socioeconomic and political crisis, would present oral arguments in support of its position when the hearing commences next month.

In the decades-old controversy, Venezuela has argued that the Arbitral Award of October 3, 1899 is null and void – a contention strongly rejected by Guyana.

From Monday, March 23, 2020 to Friday, March 27, 2020, the ICJ will hear arguments in the case at the Peace Palace in The Hague – the seat of the court. In a statement on Tuesday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that Guyana will submit its oral pleadings, defending its position that the court was properly vested with jurisdiction by the United Nations Secretary-General, Antó-

nio Guterres.

In its Memorial on Jurisdiction, which it submitted to the Court on November 19, 2018, Guyana maintained that the boundary was established by the Arbitral Tribunal acting pursuant to a treaty concluded

by Venezuela and Great Britain in 1897.

“Venezuela celebrated the unanimous Arbitral Award, which was rendered by five eminent jurists; participated in a Joint Commission to demarcate the boundary on the ground; and insisted on the award’s strict implementation. Only decades later did Venezuela, in anticipation of Guyana’s independence, cease recognising the award’s validity and binding nature,” the Foreign Affairs Ministry explained.

Nonetheless, to ensure a final resolution to the controversy through peaceful means, the Governments of British Guiana, Venezuela and the United Kingdom concluded the Geneva Agreement, Article IV, which authorises the Secretary-General of the United Nations to decide which of the means listed in

Article 33 of the United Nations Charter should be utilised. Article 33 states, among other things, that the International Court of Justice has jurisdiction to adjudicate on

al, Guterres, on January 30, 2018, chose adjudication by the court as the means for resolving the controversy with finality.

Guyana commenced pro-

University of Guyana law students pay keen attention to Foreign Secretary, Carl Greenidge, as he lectured on the Guyana-Venezuela controversy (Adrian Narine Photo)

the matter with the intention of resolving the controversy.

“In agreeing to Article IV, Venezuela consented to the court’s jurisdiction in the event that the Secretary-General decided that the controversy should be resolved by the court,” the Foreign Affairs Ministry said. It said that it was in keeping with Article IV that the UN Secretary-Gener-

ceedings before the court on March 29, 2018 in accordance with the Secretary-General’s decision. “Guyana has no doubt that the court has jurisdiction,” the Foreign Affairs Ministry made known.

Venezuela, on the other hand, is of the opinion that the ICJ has no jurisdiction, and has such it has long indicated

Best recuses self from campaign ~ sends regards to friends, family of deceased

FORMER Army Chief of Staff Rear Admiral Gary Best, who is a candidate for the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) + Alliance For change (AFC), has suspended his campaign appearances in wake of the recent accident which resulted in the demise of former national cyclist, Jude Bentley.

In a statement posted on Facebook, the former chief of staff related that he will be suspending his campaign appearances to assist and ensure that investigations are done fairly and professionally.

“As a result of the February 8, 2020, accident that I was involved in, and the subsequent loss of the life of Mr Jude Bentley, I’m suspending, out of reverence for the dead and respect for his family, my public campaign appearances,” said Best.

This, he believes, will allow the investigation to pro-

ceed fairly, professionally and without hints of interference.

“Once again, to the family of Jude Bentley, my heart pains me for your loss, which I deeply regret and wish you can find strength in the Lord at this most difficult time. I will continue to uplift you all up in my prayer,” said Best.

Jude Bentley, 41, a businessman and former national cyclist, was killed after he was struck down on the Rupert Craig Highway in the vicinity of the Russian Embassy at approximately 05:00hrs on Saturday morning by a black land cruiser.

Reports indicated that Bentley and Best were heading east along the road. The driver reportedly tried to avoid hitting Bentley and struck a utility pole, but still managed to hit the cyclist and dragged him several feet away from the point of impact.

Traffic Chief Linden

Former Army Chief of Staff Rear Admiral Gary Best

Isles had disclosed that Best was arrested at the scene and two breathalyzer tests were administered. Both tests revealed that Best was way above the legally prescribed alcohol limit.

Best was taken into custody and was subsequently released on $100,000 bail;

Former national cyclist Jude Bentley

he was in police custody at the Kitty Police Station since Saturday but was admitted to the cardiac unit of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).

Best was granted station bail on Monday under the surety of his attorney James Bond and ordered to lodge his passport.

that it will not participate in the proceedings. However, in November 2019, it sent the IC a Memorandum and issued a public Communique in support of its argument that the court has no jurisdiction. “Guyana rejects them both and maintains the position that it is for the court itself to determine whether it has jurisdiction and that neither party can unilaterally determine this question,” the Foreign Affairs Ministry said.

Foreign Secretary, Carl Greenidge, in presenting on the controversy at the University of Guyana late last year, made it clear that Venezuela’s absence will not affect the case. “Whether or not Venezuela participates, I wouldn’t put it as being immaterial, but it does not frustrate the work of the court. The work of the court will proceed,

whether or not they participate,” Greenidge told the students.

Greenidge’s position is one held by the ICJ. According to the international court, if there are preliminary objections challenging its competence to decide on the merits of the case on the basis that it lacks jurisdiction or the application is inadmissible, it has the responsibility to decide on the way forward. “Failure by one party to appear does not prevent the proceedings from taking their course, although the court must first satisfy itself that it has jurisdiction,” the ICJ explained.

Greenidge said the Government of Guyana is confident of a win against Venezuela in both cases – the jurisdictional matter and the substantive matter treating with the validity of the Arbitral Award of 1899.

Bandit dies after thrashing from Lindeners A MAN, who was reportedly beaten by public-spirited citizens after he allegedly attempted to rob a woman on Monday at about 19:30hrs at her Silver Hill, Soesdyke/ Linden Highway grocery shop, succumbed to his injuries at about 01:40hrs on Tuesday at the Diamond Diagnostic Centre.

He has been identified as Daniel Jermaine Forde, 22-years of 759 ‘B’ Field Sophia, Georgetown. Investigation revealed that the 36-year-old shopkeeper was operating her business, when

Forde, who was armed with a cutlass, entered and demanded money. She raised an alarm and he began chopping at her shop grille. He also damaged a flat screen television, by which time persons arrived, disarmed and apprehended him. In the process, Forde was said to have received his injuries before being handed over to the police, who promptly escorted him for medical treatment.

No one has been detained at this time. A further update will be given later, police said in a statement.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, February 12, 2020

Irfaan Ali and his qualifications

T

HE Irfaan Ali qualifications scandal has reached boiling point. Since his controversial appointment as the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) presidential candidate, Ali has been wrangling with his alleged entanglement in fraudulent conspiracies. In addition to the 19 fraud charges Ali is currently facing, he has also been accused of academic fraud in relation to his numerous qualifications.

The matter has become somewhat of a joke in the public sphere and the use of the moniker ‘Irfraud Ali’ has become commonplace in local vernacular. Yet this is no laughing matter. Academic fraud is a serious, yet uncommon, crime to be accused of in our modern world. Although it has always been accepted that people often overstate their academic achievements when applying for work, there has always been a higher standard applied to those who are appointed to certain roles, especially as it pertains to governments and politics. So, for a presidential candidate to be accused of fabricating an entire academic career or key elements of said career is not only worrisome, but warrants further investigation and harkens back to a time we all hoped was truly behind us.

This elections season has highlighted that Guyanese have become quite litigious. So much so, that recently, two citizens Diana Deravinee Rajcumar and Marcus Phillips who are registered voters and Guyanese citizens, have launched an application at the High Court in order to bring light to the matter. The respondents in the matter are PPP/C General-Secretary Bharrat Jagdeo and the Guyana Elections

Commission (GECOM). The particulars of the application are that the applicants are seeking a declaration that they are entitled to know the qualification antecedents of Ali, that he must produce certificates and transcripts for his first degree and a Certificate of Graduation from the now infamous (but non-existent) Business College, West Demerara Chamber of Commerce. The application also requires production of certificates and transcripts from the University of Sunderland in the UK,where Ali allegedly obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Business Management. Finally, the applicants are also seeking an order against GECOM to release the above documents, which will be examined by them.

Although elements of Ali’s qualifications have been made public through various sources, what becomes clear upon close inspection of the documents is that the timeline does not add up and leads to even more questions. According to a certificate from the University of Sunderland, Ali was awarded a Bachelor of Arts in Business Management in September 2006. However, by this time, Ali had already completed a Master’s degree in Human Resource Planning Development from the Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University of India. This is highly unusual, as the prequalification for a master’s programme is usually predicated on the basis that the candidate has already completed an undergraduate degree in a relevant field. If Mr Ali did indeed study at the University of Sunderland in 2006, a simple Freedom of Information request can be made to the university in order to find out his status as an alumnus.

Since the accusations surfaced, Ali has been able to

evade the issue of his allegedly fraudulent qualifications with relative ease. He has however maintained his innocence, stating that; “I will not give credence to such organised slander to discredit my wide-ranging academic progress by responding to every single element of the mischievous information being peddled and which objective is to undermine my effort to serve as the PPP presidential candidate.”

The Guyanese public deserves to know the truth. Academic fraud is a serious crime and one which points to an inclination towards dishonesty. This, coupled with the 19 fraud charges Ali is currently facing sends the wrong message to electors. But Guyanese have proved that we are willing to pursue all reasonable avenues in the pursuit of truth and honesty, especially as it pertains to the forthcoming elections.

Ali’s qualifications can be likened to Erwin Schrodinger’s famous thought experiment involving the cat that is said to be alive and dead at the same time. Like Schrodinger’s cat, Ali’s qualifications might exist or might not. It is hoped that the High Court will take this quandary out of the realms of thought and into the realm of reality by enforcing their orders so that these documents can be made public, so that they are verified in full. We cannot contend with evasiveness, especially as it pertains to the assumption of the highest office in the land. Presidential candidates and indeed all holders of public office must be honest and transparent. The stakes are too high for anything less.

Shattered expectations from false accusations Dear Editor

I

F one is to be guided by the captioned headline: “Jagdeo distances PPP from Global Witness report and timing of its release,” News Source, of February 06, 2020, then it is to be accepted that he is defending his party and its well-known devious apparatus from possible accusations of its being behind the wholly unsubstantiated and meritless Global Witness report, which seeks to accuse the coalition government of negotiating away positive advantages of the nation’s oil-and-gas contractual deal with Exxon and partners.

Though there has not been any such accusation of collusion with a disrespectful international NGO, that dares to attempt a colonial-style reprimand on how this country should govern its affairs, and given all that has been occurring since December 2019, anything that Jagdeo now seeks to deny is possible. The fact is – the nation has witnessed too much of the PPP/C’s great penchant for contrived evil, not to discount any such possibility from which Jagdeo frantically seeks to deny his party of any related deviousness.

But there is another side to Jagdeo’s denial which is worthwhile pointing out.

One has no doubt that he, among many others, has been disappointed by those very eminent international news outlets,

organisations and experts that have not only completely debunked Global Witness attempts at misinformation, but have continued to concomitantly praise the government for its vision in conducting the 2016 contractual negotiations and its conclusions. Had their comments been adverse, Jagdeo would have been among the very first to shout, “I told you so!”

In fact, it would have already been observed, that one of the leading media muckrakers, in one of its headlines, screamed the suggestion that the honourable Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman, be investigated for misdemeanours for his part of causing Guyana to lose multi-billion United States dollars.

This helter skelter piece of mindless and rogue reporting, no doubt with the intention of swaying the electorate, was also supported in the same vacuous, but highly laughable suggestion by a wannabee, turned overnight oil-and-gas analyst/expert, who suggested that Trotman be removed from the list of coalition candidates, because of what Global Witness, falsely painted his role as, in the negotiations with the oil giant.

Editor, for the likes of Charles Ramson Jr to demand such action, supports the fact of his being of the same addicted brand of fake news, lies, political deviousness, and deception, in the same mould of his erstwhile party seniors. For one wonders what would be his credible grounds for such action, when Trotman’s every action would have been the subject of

cabinet discussions and collective responsibility, with authority and permission to act for and on behalf of the Government of Guyana.

Further, to demand the removal of minister Trotman, on the grounds of such unproven allegations/absence of any corrupt doings, as underlined by the very dangerous mischievous international NGO, reflects a mind that is steep in vile contrivance that does his claim to personal morality no good, much less his claims to bringing a new style of leadership to his party, and country. Of course, such were his pronouncements, premised on his being elected as his party’s presidential candidate, if chosen by the puppet master, and eventually winning the presidency.

In real terms, had he been elected and spoken such ignorance, he would have been no different to Irfaan Ali, the now chosen puppet candidate, fraudulent, with his baseless claims/clamour.

Jagdeo’s claim of innocence in reality, is that he and his cohorts must have been sadly disappointed; by another, perceived opportunity for criticisms of the government, which they must have been hoping would exist, to fuel their unquenchable thirst for sensationalist lies, that fit into their devious mosaic of misinformation. Such expectations have once again been shattered.

Regards Shaw James

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, February 12, 2020

Trudeau coming for CARICOM Heads meeting

Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau, will be in Barbados for the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).

Trudeau announced on Tuesday he would be here on February 17 and 18 to participate in the conference and build even stronger ties with the region.

A release from the Government of Canada said the Caribbean region and Caribbean states remain “important political, economic

and cultural partners” and the visit will strengthen the partnership. It said Trudeau would discuss “challenges of mutual interest, including protecting oceans and the environment in the fight against climate change – in a region that is particularly vulnerable to its impacts – as well as creating good jobs for the middle class and sustainable economic growth”.

He will also take part in bilateral talks. Prime Minister Mia Mottley is the

current chairman of CARICOM and host of the meeting, which will be held at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre.

The release also added as Canada pursues its candidacy for election to the United Nations Security Council in 2021-2022, it will “continue to advance shared interests to benefit people and businesses in Canada, the Caribbean, and around the world”.

“Canada and Caribbean countries have always had strong rela-

tionships and almost one million people of Caribbean descent live in Canada. These relationships are based on shared values and partnerships in the fight against climate change, the promotion of democracy, trade, economic growth and security. Look forward to meeting the leaders of CARICOM to discuss how we can work together to strengthen the Caribbean, and build a better world,” Trudeau said. (PR/SAT)

Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley and Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (BGIS)

The rule of law is being respected; there are no more allegations of state-sponsored threats Dear Editor,

T

HANK you for allowing me the opportunity to share an observation with my fellow Guyanese that I believe is a most important development. As my brothers and sisters would be aware, as we approach national and regional elections on March 2, many “smaller” political parties have emerged. I absolutely agree with President David Granger when he declared that the emergence of such political movements is a most welcome change. The

president mentioned that democracy is now flourishing in Guyana, and, I whole-heartedly agree.

Editor, it is not just the formation of new parties; it is the transformation of the entire socio-political atmosphere under the astute leadership of the David Granger administration. The rule of law is being respected; there are no more allegations of state-sponsored threats, acts of terror, torture, nor murder.

Instead, Guyanese are truly free to openly associate with any political movement; Guyanese may speak freely, without any fear of reprisal.

Editor, over the past four years there has been a totally positive and refreshingly transformative change of our political culture. And I am convinced that if David Granger is allowed to continue his visionary work, the oppressive, tyrannical rule of the People’s Progressive Party will become nothing more than a filthy stain on the fabric of Guyana’s historical tapestry.

Regards, Mark DaCosta

Fact-checking by the media seems to be a bridge too far Dear Mr. Editor,

C

HARTERED Accountant and new oil-and-gas expert Christopher Ram is quoted in the Kaieteur News of Sunday, February 9, 2020, as saying; “Nothing… shows Exxon’s bad faith more than its announcement of a major find, one day after the Granger Government awarded them a tainted Petroleum Agreement made possible by the infamous Bridging Deed. It is either trickery or conspiracy.” Here, Ram is referring to the renegotiated petroleum agreement of 2016.

The fact that the first discovery was made in May 2015 and the second discovery was announced in January 2017 begs the question: which major discovery is Ram referring to in 2016?

Further, Ram says the announcement of this discovery came one day after the government awarded Exxon the contract,

implying that the company concealed the results to get the best deal for itself.

So, what are the facts? Liza 1 was Exxon’s first discovery announced on May 20, 2015, described by the company as a ‘significant discovery.’ Liza 2 was one in a series of wells the company then drilled to confirm what it had initially found.

The company then announced in June 2016 that the Liza 2 well confirmed the previously announced ‘significant discovery’ in 2015. The volume was pegged at 800 million to 1.4 billion barrels of oil.

Further, if Ram is suggesting that the government would not have been aware of the Liza 2 results just days before it was officially announced, he is surely a novice with no working knowledge of how these things work.

It would seem a bit disrespectful for any company to be making major announcements about a country’s resources

without first telling the government of the day. In fact, it is almost a certainty that this is mandatory.

Ram would have us believe that just mere hours before Exxon announced the appraisal drilling results for Liza 2, Trotman was clueless. The government itself has issued several statements outlining why it felt going forward with the contract at the time was in Guyana’s best interest. It never once indicated that it did not know about the Liza 2 results.

I am not sure whether to laugh or cry when I read these articles with some of the most absurd claims and suggestions. I am just saddened that the media now apparently sees fact-checking as a bridge too far.

Tired and fed up.

Regards, Trevor Reid

Jude Bentley’s death leaves a devastating void in our youth society Dear Editor

W

E all mourn the death of national cycling great, Jude Bentley, who died on February 8, 2020, following a tragic road accident. His sudden, unfortunate demise is painful for his family, friends and the cycling fraternity. Jude Bentley was a remarkable young man; a hero, an exceptional athlete and role model extraordinaire. His death has left a devastating void in our youth society. Our nation collectively mourns.

My own dad was tragically killed in a horrendous accident on the West Demerara highway. I had just arrived home in Guyana to visit my family when tragedy struck and I had the misfortune of visiting the accident scene. I witnessed parts of my dad’s body scattered across the vehicle and about the roadway – his torso separated from his head and legs. It was the worst day of my life.

Personally, I know that no matter the volume or how profound, words will not assuage the crescendo of pain tragic death brings.

I identify closely with the suffering of this family. I know what it feels like to lose a loved one to such tragedy. I know nothing can comfort you but hope -- that blessed assurance that when you’ve sunk to the lowest valley, you’re not alone. Jesus is walking with you to see you through.

I extend sincere condolences to Jude’s family. I pray that Almighty God will grant you the strength and serenity to overcome this period of bereavement. Through it all, trust him. He will walk

with you to the end, until joy comes in the morning.

Tragedy beckons no one. In a moment’s time and without notice it can bring our world to a halt. It happens to the best of us. I often wonder why do bad things happen to good people? On February 8, a bad thing happened to two good people. Nothing can compensate for, or compare to, the loss of life. It is incomparable.

Nevertheless, we must face the profound reality that this ordeal feels unbearable, precisely because it has impacted the lives of two people. It’s a double tragedy.

The other party in this tragedy, former Chief of Staff of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), Rear Admiral Gary Best, has also met with tragedy. Unfortunately, a life has been lost. This is a terrible reality to confront. I will eschew judgement or attempts to litigate allegations and conjecture about this matter. Such function is the mandate of law enforcement and the judiciary. The indisputable fact, however, is that a life has been lost and all of us must give full support to Jude Bentley’s family.

This incident has devastated Gary Best as well. He too grieves for the loss of Jude Bentley. He has taken full responsibility for his action. He wants no one to make excuses for him. Certainly, I do not seek to defend him. That’s the responsibility of his attorneys.

What I can say, however, is the Gary Best I know is a decent family man with a distinguished record of service to our country. He’s not reckless, nor evades responsibility. He’s humble, caring and always cautious. He’s responsible, exercises good judgment and is uniquely disciplined -- a man of impeccable integrity. My knowl-

edge of him, as expressed above, in no way exculpates culpability or contests any fact, established or presumed, in this matter. It emphasises that amidst all of these attributes, there’s a tragedy and poignant reminder of the fragility and uncertainty of life.

The investigation is ongoing. It must be fair and thorough and executed with fidelity to the law and conformity to police regulation. Fundamental fairness and best professional practices are imperatives for full justice. Consequently, it is prudent to await the full set facts, rather than speculate. Paramount must be the desires and interests of the grieving family.

The sensationalising and politicisation of Jude Bentley’s death is reprehensible. Those who engage in this conduct must be denounced. Unfortunately, the traffic chief’s selective, salacious and prejudicial leaks, before concluding the investigation, were inimical to the justice we all seek. They helped exacerbate the palpable angsts, and enabled further politicisation of this tragedy. Hopefully, as this case moves forward, it will be handled with the professional integrity befitting this moment of national challenge. Rest In Peace Jude Bentley.

May your legacy of a bright light of hope for our youth live on forever!

Regards Rickford Burke President Caribbean-Guyana Institute for Democracy (C-GID)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday February 12, 2020

National Day of Prayer encourages religious diversity, freedom in our multiethvnic, multicultural society

By Wendella Davidson

AT a National Day of Prayer hosted by the Department of Social Cohesion, Culture, Youth and Sport, Ministry of the Presidency, in collaboration with the Religious Core Group, on Tuesday, February 11, 2020, the need and importance of prayer were emphasised by the diverse presenters.

The forum which was held at the National Cultural Centre (NCC), under the theme, “Enhancing the Culture of Prayers: Promoting Religious Harmony”, where Ms Natasha Singh-Lewis, coordinator (ag.) of the Department, in a feature address, encouraged Guyanese here and worldwide, regardless of their social status or religion, to not only respect but have an appreciation for each other’s right to practise their religion unhindered and be kind to each other, as we continue to build this great nation of Guyana.

The event chaired by Reverend (Rev.) R. Tony Autar, featured a welcome address

by Bishop Michael Perreira; a `Faithist Prayer’ by Elder Colin Anderson; `Humanity Prayer’ by Hala Bassier; `Quaranic Recitation’ by Sayyid Aqeed Aabidi; `Prayer’

by Ras Simeon Salassie; `Praarthana’ by Pandit Pooran Seeraj and a `Christian Prayer’ by Bishop Charles Davidson of the Anglican Diocese, along with presentations

by Moulana Tasdeeq, Pandit Ramdia Balbadar and Reverend Noel Holder.

Among Those in attendance were out-going Speaker of the National Assembly, Dr. Barton Scotland; Director of the Department of Energy, Dr. Mark Bynoe;

The `Woodside Choir’ during its excellent rendition of two national songs. The choir is celebrating 65 years as a group.

members of the Diplomatic Corps; out-going members of Parliament; members of the religious community; members of the Guyana Youth Corps, students and staff of the Department of Social Cohesion, Culture, Youth and Sport There were also excellent renditions of national songs `Oh Beautiful Guyana’ and `Hymn for Guyana’s Children’ by the Woodside Choir, along with a poem recited by Maryam Jameel Haniff, a chant by Muslim student, Syesha Yahya and singing of a Bhajan by a female representative of the Guyana Sanatan Dharma Maha Saba.

A `Blessing Dance’ by representatives of

St Cuthbert’s Mission and another by the Royalty Dance Ministries, were all much appreciated by the audience.

An announcement by the emcee that the Woodside Choir was celebrating 65 years of existence this year, was met with resounding applause from the audience.

Singh-Lewis also explained, that Tuesday’s programme portrayed what her department had set out to do four and a half years ago. She noted that it was within the context of the department’s mandate to support actions that strengthen key partnerships across sectors, facilitate bridging of gaps within and across communities, contribute to social, economic, cultural, spiritual well-being and enrich livelihoods for all.

In that context, the Government has reached out to the religious communities in Guyana to collaborate in an attempt to strengthen spiritual well-being of its citizens.

Remarking that social cohesion was a process and not just an end, Singh-Lewis said there were many pathways and processes to be encountered and different societies will require different interventions.

She also reminded that Guyana is a multiethnic and multicultural society, that

religion is one of the diversities and that the citizens have enjoyed the freedom to practise their religion.

“What we seek to encourage at this point, is not only respect but an appreciation for each other’s right to practise their religion unhindered and what that means for us as Guyanese,” Singh -Lewis stressed, while noting that religious diversity and freedom have always been encouraged in Guyana.

The level of religious tensions existing in other parts of the world is alien to us as Guyanese; nevertheless, we should never treat that freedom lightly.

The coordinator expressed the hope that the work that was being done at the community and national levels, will result in behavioural changes. She alluded to this period as one that would be recorded in the country’s history. Most of us will reflect on the strength of the Guyanese people as we strategically work to build a unified nation.

In reiterating the intent of her department by having a collective body, representing the distinct needs and positions of all religious groupings in areas of commonality and mutual respect for each other in such activities, Singh-Lewis said it will lend to creating an awareness of how to respect each other’s religion and unify rather than destroy the nation.

She added that the activity serves to reinforce the concept of integration, bind us as brothers and sisters in humanity whereby we are able to work in our communities together, fostering an environment conducive to individual and community development and eventually leading to national development.

“It sparks the respect for self, morality, togetherness and strengthening societal bonds and, is a wonderful and timely opportunity to promote religious tolerance and understanding, ultimately leading to respect of individual choices and appreciation for each other”, Singh-Lewis added.

The inter-faith prayer session is one of many activities of the Golden Jubilee celebration, including 50 days of prayer which will culminate on Mashramani Day, February 23.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, WednesdAY FEbruary 12, 2020

Exxon funds STEM programme for differently-abled children

By Telesha Ramnarine AT least 60 children with disabilities stand to benefit from a Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Robotics Programme that was launched on Tuesday, with authorities hoping that this pilot project in four special needs schools will be shifted to all others across Guyana.

The concept of STEM for children with disabilities in special education needs schools, was developed a year ago, but could not kick off because funds could not be garnered for implementation.

Through networking, the Guyana Council of Organisations for Persons with Disabilities (GCOPD) approached ExxonMobil for support and the company agreed to fund the entire initiative.

While Public Telecommunications Minister, Cathy Hughes, had assisted by providing tablets to help with a major component of the project, it was difficult for the GCOPD to find funding for trainers, robotic kits, and other related costs.

With ExxonMobil on board, the disability body also partnered with the University of Guyana’s (UG) Computer Science Department (Robotics Club) to have members be part of the training team to work with persons with disabilities in the four schools, namely, the David Rose School, Di-

are on hand to kick off this project, and that staff from the computer department will be overseeing the training.

According to her, the first five months will be spent helping the participants to hone their skills in problem-solving and critical thinking. Effort will be placed on building foundation skills so that concepts in science can be developed.

WELL AWARE Minister Hughes offered that initiatives in STEM have taken children to a whole new level of learning, and that children with disabilities should have the same access. “Innovation is a key in-

Senior Director of Public and Government Affairs at ExxonMobil, Deedra Moe, referred to STEM as one of the company’s corporate responsibility focus areas. “As STEM education gains momentum in Guyana, it is great that the concepts are being adopted by teachers and students. The more accessible this type of teaching and learning, the better the development of critical thinking skills and problem-solving strategies in our young people,” she expressed.

One of the reasons STEM robotics is such an effective tool, Moe observed, is that it provides hands-on learning experience while promoting interesting and fun activities in the classroom.

At least 60 children with disabilities will benefit from the STEM Project launched on Tuesday

Public Telecommunications Minister, Cathy Hughes, shares a moment with GCOPD Programme Coordinator, Ganesh Singh Senior Director of Public and Government Affairs at ExxonMobil, Deedra Moe, interacting with persons at the launch on Tuesday

[From left] BIT Chairman, Clinton Williams; UG Science Department Head, Penelope DeFreitas; US Ambassador, Sarah Ann-Lynch; Exxon Director, Deedra Moe; Minister Cathy Hughes, and GCOPD Chairman, Cecil Morris

amond Special Needs School, Saint Barnabus Special School, and Open Doors Vocational Training Centre.

“We hope that these four schools can be the pilot and we can replicate the project in other special needs schools across Guyana,” GCOPD Programme Coordinator, Ganesh Singh, said at the National Library launch on Tuesday.

The UG team has been able to develop a curriculum to guide the implementation of the project and each school would have a robotic club established so that the trainers can visit once a week to work with the students. The intention is also for the Information Technology teachers to be part of the club so that they can sustain the project upon its completion after six months.

Head of Computer Science Department at UG, Penelope DeFreitas, offered that a dynamic team and enthusiastic group of students

gredient to the success of the next generation and we must all be able to harness it,” she observed.

“I wish to take a moment to thank Exxon Mobil for fully funding this initiative and congratulate you for being a leader in ensuring that your corporate social responsibility includes genuine consideration for persons with disabilities in Guyana. Our government is well aware of the difficulties that persons with disabilities face every day, and we have been working ardently in our commitment to improving their lives.”

The minister said such efforts include the establishment of a website that serves as a hub for information for persons with disabilities, the provision of house lots for them, training IT professionals in making government websites more accessible, and providing tax exemption policies for them when purchasing vehicles and smart phones.

United States Ambassador to Guyana, Sarah Ann-Lynch, acknowledged ExxonMobil’s role in funding the project and for their “thoughtful approach” in involving the GCPOD as a key partner in the development of home-grown science and technology skills.

She said she was very impressed by all the partners that this project brings together, and that robotics clubs are an excellent way to introduce students to programming, and engineering and for training their minds for inquiry and innovation. “Guyana needs scientists, engineers, and innovators,” she noted.

Chairman of the Board of Industrial Training, Clinton Williams, recalled that the body has trained in excess of 400 differently-abled persons in a number of skill areas, and noted that he was happy and excited that funding was received for this new project.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, February 12, 2020

Guyana to dominate regional growth in 2020 – CDB president

By Rabindra Rooplall in Bridgetown, Barbados GUYANA should be dominating regional growth this year as it has become an oil-producing nation and its economy is expected to grow by 76 per cent.

This is according to President of the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), Dr Warren Smith, during remarks, on Tuesday, at the bank’s Annual News Conference in Wildey, Barbados.

“Guyana’s development can have major positive impacts, not only on the government and people of Guyana but also on our region, broadly defined, and hopefully the Caribbean Development Bank. Guyana is a founding member of the institution.

Guyana, even through the most difficult times, continued to meet its obligation to this institution,” Dr Smith noted.

He continued: “We believe that Guyana can play a leading role given their endowment of land and their new endowment of potential wealth from this oil bounty that they have, so we are certainly going to be working closely with the government and people of Guyana and we

-- bank’s disbursements rose eight per cent in 2019

want to be a partner in development with Guyana, not only for their country but also for the region.”

The CDB President said Guyana’s land is also an attractive asset, especially for agriculture, along with the revenues that the country will receive from the oil industry.

He noted that the CDB is projecting regional economic growth to increase to 4.2 per cent in 2020 from one per cent in 2019, powered largely by stratospheric growth in Guyana where oil production has commenced.

UNEVEN However, the CDB president said that this growth will be uneven, and urged the borrowing member countries (BMCs) of the bank to pursue policy reforms conducive to sustainable rates of growth.

“Economic growth will remain lopsided and below the sustainable rates needed for long-term resilience. BMCs like Barbados, Grenada, Jamaica and St. Kitts and Nevis must stay on course with their home grown socio-economic reform programmes,” Dr Smith said.

“Others should join the bandwagon and commence,

with alacrity, implementation of their own adjustment programmes,” he urged.

The bank’s president reported on the progress that

2030 Sustainable Development Goals.

He cited work which the CDB did in 2019 to assist its BMCS in meeting these

CDB President, Dr Warren Smith (centre) flanked by Daniel Best, CDB Director of Projects and Dr. Justin Ram, CDB Director of Economics, during the conference on Tuesday (Rabindra Rooplall photo)

several BMCs implementing economic adjustment programmes, noting improved fiscal performance and debt ratios in several states in 2019.

He pointed to Barbados’ progress in bringing its debt ratio down from 127 per cent of GDP in 2018 to under 120 per cent last year.

Dr Smith confirmed that the bank was determined to assist the BMCs to reach the

goals through modernising infrastructure and economic reform.

The CDB head noted that even as the bank focused on helping its BMCs to improve and modernise, CDB is also striving to “become better equipped to partner with BMCs” through its ongoing internal transformation programme which started in 2019.

DEEPENING CUSTOMER RELATIONS “Some immediate tasks call for deepening our customer relationships and becoming more responsive to BMCs’ needs; supporting capacity and institution building; and ramping up the pace of disbursements so that the projects can deliver, even faster, the promised development impacts,” he stated.

Meanwhile, Director of the Projects Department, Daniel Best, said the CDB has prioritised improving disbursements so its BMCs can press forward with implementing critical projects and programmes funded by the bank.

Adding that the CDB’s disbursements rose eight per cent in 2019, Best disclosed the bank disbursed US$305 million in 2019.

Best emphasised the work the bank has done to ensure that approved project funding can be accessed efficiently.

“Development does not happen without implementation; and the eight per cent increase in disbursements over 2018, is again the result of our renewed emphasis on supervision and providing

much-needed technical support to our BMCs to implement projects approved,” he stated.

Several major projects funded by the bank were completed or under implementation in 2019.

On the approvals front, he said 2019 saw the bank giving the green light for several major projects, including US$29.8M to Barbados to rehabilitate its South Coast sewage system and US$6.8M to Belize to connect the island of Caye Caulker to the mainland electric grid.

The bank also approved a US$10 million line of credit mainly for small business financing in Trinidad and Tobago. A US$10 million TVET project, along with a US$7.5 million renewable energy project is also planned for Haiti.

Additionally, the director of the projects said the CDB has also provided technical assistance to Guyana for a consultant to provide ideas on renewable energy strategies.

He said although the country is now supplying the fossil fuel industry, systems are being sought to incorporate renewable energy into the matrix.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday February 12, 2020

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, February 12, 2020

341 complaints valued $104.2M resolved by CCAC in 2019 …majority of the complaints filed against Fly Jamaica, auto industry

A TOTAL of 341 consumer-related complaints were resolved by the Competition and Consumer Affairs Commission (CCAC) in 2019, amounting to a total value of $104.2M. In a statement on Tuesday, CCAC said increasingly consumers’ are demanding redress and respect for their rights in accordance with the Consumer Affairs and Competition and Fair-Trade Acts.

It noted that during 2019, the commission received 586 consumer complaints which amounted to a total value of $165.847M. “This

amount reflects a 103 per cent increase in the number of complaints and 81 per cent increase in the value of complaints when compared with the previous year 2018,” CCAC explained.

It was keen on pointing out that complaints against Fly Jamaica accounted for 206 of the 586 complaints.

“Fly Jamaica has since filed for bankruptcy and the cases have been referred to their trustee to be added to their list of creditors. Complaints against Fly Jamaica therefore accounts for 85 per cent of the ongoing 242 complaints,”

the commission explained.

Excluding figures from the Fly Jamaica cases, the Consumer Affairs Unit successfully resolved 341 or 90 per cent of the remaining 380 complaints valued at $104.265M. Three cases have been referred to the Commission’s Board for hearing.

It noted that the auto and airline industries dominated the list of complaints, whereas the auto industry accounted for the highest value of complaints, $75,794,605.

Meanwhile, of the businesses inspected by the

CCAC for compliance with the Consumer Affairs Act in Regions Two, Three, Four, Seven and 10, 85 percent were non-compliant. According to the commission, the businesses claimed that they were unaware of the duties of the supplier under the Consumer Affairs Act. These businesses will be re-inspected in early 2020 to ensure they correct the contraventions.

Additionally, the CCAC presided over a price-fixing case against the Shipping Association of Guyana (SAG), and fined SAG’s individual

NDIA says Stabroek News’ Mahaicony flooding story misleading THE Ministry of Agriculture said that an article featured in the Tuesday, February 11, 2020 edition of the Stabroek News titled, “Mahaicony farmers face losses again from spring tides” is misleading to the general public.

In a release, the ministry said while the headline of the article insinuates that there were losses due to flooding, the following quote from the article highlights that there was NO FLOODING in the area; “it was only the eight-foot inland dam that was recently constructed, which prevented the water from surging into residents’ yards.”

According to the ministry, the photograph shown alongside the article shows the secondary earthen dam that was built by the NDIA and the flooded area shown is between the

membership $3.843M each for breaches under the Competition and Fair-Trading Act. The Competition Policy Unit also conducted a study into the operations of the cost of the JFK, New York to Georgetown airline route.

The report was completed and its findings were published late 2019.

The commission will also continue its efforts in 2020 to raise awareness for

consumers and suppliers.

The Competition and Consumer Affairs Commission (CCAC) was established in 2006 and became fully operational in 2010. The commission functions objectively in executing the laws governing two acts, namely the Competition and Fair- Trading Act N0.

11, 2006 (CFTA) and the Consumer Affairs Act N0.

13 2011 (CAA).

Former educator celebrates 100th birth anniversary

earthen dam and the breached sea defence. This dam was constructed by the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) as a secondary defence and creates a holding area for seawater that may come in from the breached sea defence, which is what occurred, the ministry stated.

According to the ministry, since its construction, this secondary defence is being monitored on a daily basis. This is also the seventh spring tide period this dam has withstood.

Monday’s tidal levels reached a height of 3.30 meters, but despite this, no overtopping occurred as was again stated in the Stabroek News article. “The inland dam that was built to protect residents between Dantzig and Fairfield was almost scaled by the ocean water yesterday.”

Minister of Education Dr Nicolette Henry pays Mrs Pearl Gravesande a courtesy visit on her birthday (Photo by The Ministry of Education)

SURROUNDED by family, friends and well-wishers, Mrs Pearl Gravesande celebrated her 100th birth anniversary on Monday at the Archer’s Home.

Minister of Education Dr. Nicolette Henry was present to share the joyous occasion with the centenarian and her loved ones.

Mrs Gravesande is a retired head teacher and dedicated 56 years of service to the education sector. According to Minister Henry, it is not every day that we celebrate a centenarian and more excitingly, one who was an educator.

Minister Henry added that she was honoured to be in Mrs Gravesande’s presence to express her gratitude on behalf of herself, the Ministry of Education and the Government of Guyana for the contributions and sacrifices the former educator had made during her time of service to the sector and by extension, the nation.

Minister Henry noted that, the education system today continues to benefit from such longstanding service, which has contributed to the moulding of those she taught.

Mrs Gravesande taught at the Unity/Lancaster Government School, Plaisance Government School and the St Paul’s Primary School in Plaisance, where she impacted the lives of generations of Guyanese.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday February 12, 2020

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, February 12, 2020

Second Parika stelling consultation held

THE Ministry of Public Infrastructure (MoPI) through its Central Transport and Planning Unit (CTPU) on Monday held another of its public consultations on the planned upgrade of the Parika stelling; it was revealed that the design of the new stelling will have a lifespan of 100 years.

This was according to Mr. Adrian Douglas, who is a consultant attached to the United

Kingdom (UK) Consulting firm, Mott MacDonald.

Mr Douglas explained during the session that the structure of the new stelling will be of reinforced concrete, and the design will take into account the effects of climate change, especially sea-level rise in the future.

Meanwhile, his colleague Ms Steph Wood discussed traffic congestion in the area which usually results from

vending and vehicular dropoffs and how the project is being designed to mitigate these adverse factors.

Ms Wood further posited that the objective of the project is to create a technically and economically feasible structure which will be socially inclusive with adequate provisions for persons with disabilities. It should also play a vital role in improving health and safety of workers

and users of the stelling, as well as the quality of travel for passengers.

The UK team has been working on the project for the past four months, gathering data on the weather patterns, floods and even nearby lands to understand the key issues involved with the upgrade of the stelling.

The public consultation sessions are geared towards educating the general public Consultant Mr Adrian Douglas making a presentation during Tuesday’s consultation

Consultant Ms Steph Wood (second from left) interacting with Chief Transport Planning Officer, Mr. Patrick Thompson

A section of the gathering who attended Monday’s consultation

as well as other government agencies on various aspects of the project, as well as to receive feedback that can be incorporated into the design phase of the project.

Present at today’s meeting, hosted at the Ministry of Public Infrastructure’s Wight’s Lane, Georgetown office were representatives of the Environmental Protection Agency, Ministry of Social Protection, Transport and Harbours Department, the Guyana Police Force Traffic Department, National Drainage and Irrigation Authority, United Minibus Union and the Ministry of Communities, among others.

SRKN Engineering, a local consulting firm is partnering with Mott McDonald on this project and its representative, Mr. Gregory Williams in his presentation alluded to the issues affecting the stelling at

present, some of which include poor structural condition, the lack of climate resilience and poor traffic management At today’s session, a few design concepts were presented for consideration and discussion. These design concepts will incorporate provisions vending, passenger movements, and minibus and taxi operations.

The consultants have revealed that lights will be installed throughout the passageway to cater for passenger movement at nights. A suggestion was made by a representative for a system to be out in place for carts to help transport goods for passengers to the stelling, which will also prevent passenger drop-offs and illegal loading of hire cars and mini-buses on the stelling.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, February 12, 2020

Guyana positioned to enhance CARICOM’s influence -- UG Chancellor, Professor Edward Greene UNIVERSITY of Guyana Chancellor, Professor Edward Greene, has observed that beginning 2020, Guyana has an opportunity to enhance the profile and influence of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) on the global stage by advocating for certain emerging priorities.

These include global financial stability, global economic stability, climate change, energy and the environment, technological innovation and cybersecurity, trade and investment, and women empowerment.

The University of Guyana, Office of Philanthropy, Alumni and Civic Engagement (PACE) recently hosted a professorial lecture series at Theatre Guild, Kingston, Georgetown, where the chancellor delivered a presentation titled, “Reflections on the Future of Guyana in Caribbean Community.”

“In addition, the sectoral meetings of G-77 in areas such as food and agriculture, energy, trade and finance, science and technology, industrialisation and sustainable development,

allow for increased partnerships relevant to the Region’s participation by and in a variety of member states,” Greene stated.

Furthermore, he said there are other success factors that must be considered to enhance the roles of Guyana in the leadership structures of the UN. “Among them are reinforcing the need for the Region's adherence to a coordinated foreign policy, one of the pillars of CARICOM; recognition that the purpose of foreign policy is to utilise sovereignty to engage in multilateral/bilateral

Wind tower at Onverwagt restored

THE wind measurement tower on the Atlantic foreshore at Onverwagt, West Coast Berbice, erected by the Ministry of Public Infrastructure (MPI) in 2019 has been restored and is supplying data for the renewable energy power mix.

Head of the Hinterland Electrification Company Inc (HECI) in the MPI, Horace Williams, disclosed, on Monday, that since the restoration, the tower has been providing vital data on wind speeds in the area.

The project is a test to see if the wind power could be converted into electrical energy.

Williams said data will be collected over the next 11 months and after then decisions will be made on the way forward.

He noted: “In terms of potential for conversion into electrical energy, the wind speed information from Onverwagt to date is very encouraging.”

The current wind resource measurement project at Onverwagt is part of an initiative aimed at installing four such stations along the Atlantic Coast.

Three more are to be installed along the coastline of Region Six (East Berbice/ Corentyne), the locations being at Port Mourant, Number 63 Village and Crabwood

Creek.

The projects are being rolled out with funding from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and management support for HECI from the Inter-American Bank Williams disclosed that the establishment of the wind measurement stations is in

but was stalled by the acts of vandals who damaged several important electronic components of the tower Williams said the site had since been secured with additional infrastructure.

He disclosed that the HECI is still evaluating the locations for additional

The MPI Wind Resource Measuring Station at Onverwagt, West Coast Berbice

keeping with government’s thrust to use 100 per cent renewable energy in the power sector by 2025.

“We have done much work with solar energy to date. We looking at hydro power and of course we want wind power too in the sustainable energy programme mix; hence, this project.”

The project at Onverwagt was launched in 2019

stations since lands along the coastline on these villages in Region Six were mainly privately owned.

“We may want to set up wind turbines after the assessments so we want to place the towers on stateowned lands since we don’t want to run into land ownership issues at a later stage,” he said.

Second Parika stelling ...

Chief Transport Planning Officer, Mr. Patrick Thompson reminded the gathering that the project is intended to transform not only the stelling, but the entire Parika area, as he alluded to the importance of stakeholder participation in these events.

The first public consultation on the planned Parika stelling upgrade was held on the 21st January, 2020.

A few other consultations are planned for Parika and other parts of Region Three.

These sessions continued on Tuesday (11th February,

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2020). It included representatives from the MoPI’s Technical Department and Steering Committee, as well as the National Industrial & Commercial Investments Ltd (NICIL) and the Department of Energy among others.

Chancellor of UG, Professor Edward Greene

arrangements; sustaining and promoting the Caribbean as a zone of peace; standing firm on the AOSIS agenda for Climate action and building

coalitions of the willing.”

Greene said the community has to be mindful that geopolitical rivalries, specifically among China, Russia and the USA, are contributing to the revival of the cold-war that threatens the Caribbean as a zone of peace.

Besides the upsurge in the domestic crime rates, Greene noted that there are the transnational threats of organised criminal activities – illicit trafficking in drugs, arms, ammunition and humans, terrorism, and money laundering – that transcend national borders.

The community also needs to take into greater account that in today’s world, diplomacy is no longer the preserve of state actors, he said. “Non-state actors – NGOs, civil society, corporations, think tanks, influen-

tial personalities, the media, faith-based organisations, etc – play an increasingly influential role in the conduct of diplomacy and international relations and should be tapped as supportive advocates.”

In this regard, he said in the absence of regional ‘think tanks,’ greater efforts should be made to establish working links with regional academia working in the areas of development and of international relations. Using a wider lens, he said CARICOM can draw on the wealth of talent attested to by the over-40 Anthony Sabga Caribbean Laureate Awards of Excellence, of which University of Guyana (UG) Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Professor Paloma Mohamed, is one.

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More employment opportunities needed for Caribbean citizens

– CDB director CARIBBEAN Development Bank (CDB) Director of Economics, Dr. Justin Ram, has talked up the need to improve employment opportunities and the quality of life for Caribbean citizens.

“The Caribbean Development Bank underscores the need to build inclusive and resilient economies, to improve employment opportunities and quality of life for Caribbean citizens. Such economies are characterised by sound macroeconomic management, environmental preparedness, human development, productivity, and competiveness,” Dr. Ram said on Tuesday at the Bank’s Annual News Conference held in Barbados.

Reviewing the assistance CDB provided to help countries build resilient economies, the director highlighted two operations in The

CDB Director of Economics, Dr. Justin Ram

Bahamas and Barbados.

In the aftermath of Hurricane Dorian, CDB approved a US$450M poli-

cy-based loan for The Bahamas.

“Our intervention will help fund the recovery while keeping necessary reforms on track,” stated Dr. Ram. CDB continues to support the Barbados Economic Recovery and Transformation programmer by providing a second US$75M policy-based loan to strengthen public finances and improve the business environment.

“The loan will help protect the most vulnerable in society, by helping strengthen social protection systems and by improving capacity within relevant ministries,” stressed the CDB director of economics.

The bank is assisting Borrowing Member Countries (BMCs) to improve their service delivery and implementation.

In Saint Lucia, a Performance Management De-

livery Unit was created last year in the Office of the Prime Minister to deliver agreed results in areas such as agriculture, crime, education, health, infrastructure, and tourism.

With regards to knowledge products, CDB’s updated Multidimensional Vulnerability Index has the potential to broaden BMCs’ access to concessional finance, regardless of income per capita.

Going forward, Dr. Ram said the bank’s research will examine the benefits of equal opportunity in terms of economic competitiveness and improved social outcomes; explore enhanced regional integration through factor mobility; consider how inclusivity and resilience might be undermined by crime; focus on measurement of the blue economy and the potential of marine renewable energy; and recommend innovative financing mechanisms for building resilience.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, February 12, 2020

UG chancellor plugs widespread digital literacy to enhance delivery of public services WIDESPREAD digital literacy and high-speed 4G connectivity are among the things needed for CARICOM to reduce bureaucratic inefficiencies and governments’ inability to deliver basic services, Chancellor of the University of Guyana, Edward Greene, has noted.

Just recently, the chancellor delivered a presentation titled, “Reflections on the Future of Guyana in Caribbean Community” when the University of Guyana, Office of Philanthropy, Alumni and Civic Engagement (PACE), hosted a professorial lecture series at Theatre Guild, Kingston, Georgetown.

Digital literacy, the skills and education that enable this, full and reliable high-speed Internet, and financial inclusion, will enable the populations to make and receive digital payments, Greene observed.

“It also requires consistently-positive online experiences that encourage confidence at a grassroots level… It needs too, significant financial resources and a significant development programmes if the Region is to achieve the levels of integration between government and its citizens,” he said.

The chancellor referred to the 2019 IDB report which he said indicates that 90 per cent of Caribbean government business transactions are carried out on a face-to-face basis, requiring multiple visits, queueing, then waiting at a counter, filling out

forms, and writing letters.

An average transaction relating to education or healthcare takes five hours, reporting a crime takes 4.8 hours, tax payments 4.7 hours, and an enquiry about a social entitlement the same.

Even the most common transactions relating to vehicles take 3.5 hours. In Jamaica, he noted 45 per cent of all such transactions required three or more visits and was little better in Barbados where 43 per cent of similar enquiries involved the same amount of time. There was no comparative information for Guyana, he observed.

Meanwhile, both the 2019 Report of Transparency International and the 2019 IDB Survey addresses the issue of corruption and illegal payments made to resolve issues relating to the provision of government services.

He said it indicates that 18 per cent of respondents paid to ensure access to a public service to which they were entitled. “The figures were particularly high among those surveyed in Guyana at 27 per cent, but significantly lower in Barbados at nine per cent. The largest percentage of such payments across the Region related to utilities.”

Alarmingly, he said the report notes in passing what most know, that “15 per cent of people paid a bribe to obtain a document of one kind or another”.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, February 12, 2020

TCI collects over $2M in campaign donations IN keeping with its commitment to maintain a high level of transparency, The Citizenship Initiative (TCI) made public its campaign finances, which totalled $2.5M at the end of January.

“When we launched The Citizenship Initiative (TCI) in October of 2019, one of our first commitments was to transparency, particularly in the area of campaign financing. We committed then, and since, to release information on our own campaign finances before and after the elections. Today, we fulfill as promised, the first part of that commitment,” TCI Executive and Founding Member, Shazaam Ally, said in a statement on Tuesday.

The Carter Centre, after observing the 2015 General and Regional Elections, recommended that a campaign financing legislation be introduced to ensure transparency in the sources of funding to contesting political parties.

“Guyana should consider establishing and enforcing realistic limits on campaign expenditures to help promote equity, and avoid inequalities in access to resources, which undermine the democratic process,” the Carter Centre had said. To date, there is no campaign financing legisla-

tion in place.

However, TCI, in upholding its commitment, has made its finances public.

According to the small political party, it received 27 donations amounting to more than $2.5M. “When we launched, we committed to providing the option of anonymity in the public disclosure of the identity of our donors, even as we retained strict records of each donor, except for any donor committing above US$10,000 or the Guyana Dollar equivalent. Each donor was assigned a separate number and their donations measured in aggregate. No donor has given more than the amount we set so we have exercised the option of providing the donor number and the amount(s) given,” Ally explained. It was noted that the highest aggregate donation came from a US-based supporter with a total donation of GYD$462,000 while the smallest donation was an online contribution of US$10 or GYD $2,100.

For the same period – October-2019 to January, 2020, TCI expended approximately $2M. According to Ally, the

party’s primary expenses for October were linked to its launch.

“There was no expenditure for November since we used that month primarily for strategic planning. We dedicated the month of December for outreaches, reconnaissance and final candidate and nominator drives in time for nomination day on January 10. We also dedicated funds towards a US outreach that included visits to the Carter Centre Headquarters, as well as small outreach events in

Disciplined services ballots being finalised

WITH only 19 days to the 2020 General and Regional Elections, plans are moving apace to facilitate voting in advance for the disciplined services, while matters relating to polling stations are almost finalised.

Following the Guyana Elections Commission’s (GECOMs) statutory meeting, on Tuesday, Commissioner Sase Gunraj confirmed that ballots for the disciplined services are being enveloped. “Ballots have been extracted since last Friday and, as we speak, those ballots are being enveloped as part of that process,” he stated.

Members of the disciplined services are set to vote on February 21, 2020.

Similar to the non-resident electors, ballots for the disciplined services will be extracted according to the region where the elector was registered.

According to GECOM, there will be 47 ballots for Region One; 282 for Re-

Commissioner Sase Gunraj

gion Two; 1,482 for Region Three; 5,324 for Region Four; 976 for Region Five; 1,328 for Region Six; 61 for Region Seven; 17 for Region Eight; 29 for Region Nine; and 680 for Region 10.

The ballot officers for the disciplined services are Roxanne Ramdyhaw Lewi for the Guyana Defence Force; Nardeo Persaud for the Guyana Police Force; and Onicia Bynoe for the Guyana Prison Service. Chief Elections Officer (CEO), Keith Lowenfield gave the assurance that the ballots will be locked

in various containers for the duration of the exercise, prior to dispatch. Ballots for overseas missions have also been dispatched.

Meanwhile, the total amount of polling stations to be used, including private residences, will be gazetted soon. Gunraj said: “I believe that the full list of polling stations will be released to us tomorrow and I believe gazetted shortly thereafter.”

As part of preparations for the General and Regional Elections, Lowenfield had said there will be 2,352 polling stations inclusive of 131 private residences, of which 91 of the private residences are in Region Four, particularly on the East Coast corridor. Added to this, the Commissioner announced that soon members of the electorate will be able to see the polling stations they must vote at in an updated online query service in the works.

Atlanta and New York,” Ally revealed.

Ally said financial disclosure pre and post-election is critical, noting that it is important for the public to have a record of the companies and individuals who influence political parties based on finances provided. Absence of such, she posited, creates room for corruption.

“We believe therefore, that any political entity that is to be taken seriously on promises to transform this country for the betterment of all citizens has to begin with tangible commitments to campaign finance reform, ending in reformed

legislation and supporting structures, but beginning with voluntary disclosures. This has been the recommendation of the Carter Center, Transparency Guyana, and CARICOM, and falls under our obligations towards fighting corruption under the United Nations Convention against Corruption to which we are signatory,” Ally said.

By releasing its finances, TCI said it is encouraging participatory citizenship. She said while political campaigns are expensive, it is important for TCI to demonstrate accountability.

However, the TCI Founding Member bemoaned the fact that to date, no other party has shown any tangible

commitment towards campaign finance transparency or reform.

“In contrast, we have released, as promised, our summary campaign finance information before the actual elections have taken place. This is not a requirement by law but we believe it is a critical measure towards inspiring public confidence in the integrity of political players,” Ally said. TCI is now calling on other political parties to disclose their campaign finances, which is important in the interest of public accountability.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, February 12, 2020

‘Setting the record straight on Amerindian land titling’ …ministerial adviser, Mervyn Williams scotches opposition ‘do little’ claims --says ‘coalition’ done more for Indigenous People than PPP did in 23 years

By Gabriella Chapman THE notion that the APNU/ AFC government has done little for the Indigenous Peoples is one that is being amplified at most of the Opposition’s rallies across the country.

However, Adviser to the Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Mervyn Williams is adamant that such a statement is erroneous and ought to be publicly corrected.

Williams explained to the Guyana Chronicle that

there is an Amerindian Act in Guyana’s Constitution that allows for Indigenous Peoples to apply for and claim legal ownership of lands for cultural and other developmental purposes.

He said that according to the statistics, the total land

Adviser to the Minister of Indigenous People’s Affairs, Mervyn Williams

area of Guyana that is, to date, titled to Indigenous Peoples is 15,552 square miles, which amounts to 18.8% of Guyana’s landmass. Williams noted further that under the combined presidency of Forbes Burnham and Desmond Hoyte, a total of 9,915 squares miles were titled, amounting to 11.9% of the above stated 18.8 percentage at reference.

“Let me break down the ‘maths’ even further. Under President Granger, from since he took office to date, he titled 3,000 square miles, which is 3.5%,” Williams said. “That means that for 23 years, under the presidency of five different presidents, the PPP has only titled 2,829 square miles, 3.4%,” he added.

He went on to say that in all those 23 years under the governance of the PPP, all that was issued to the Indigenous Peoples were land title certificates. He further disclosed that because many of those Land Title Certificates were not authentic, those lands were taken back from the people by PPP officials. **He specifically pointed out two villages in Region Seven, the mining communities of Tasserene and Kangaruma in the Lower Mazaruni, who fought for their land tenure status. The residents were waiting several years for the authenticated documents, and it wasn’t until the APNU/AFC government

was made aware of the situation that they had it rectified and the titles were issued.

In the latter part of 2019, at the 13th annual National Toshaos Council (NTC) conference at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC) in the presence of Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo; Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Sydney Allicock; Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Valerie Garrido-Lowe and Minister of State, Dawn-Hastings Williams, Kangaruma and Tasserene, Region Seven; Yupukari, Region Nine and St. Monica and Mainstay/ Whyaka, Region Two received their certificates of titles for their lands.

Prior to that, eight Indigenous communities in Regions Two, Seven, Nine and 10 received titles to their lands and were granted extensions. The grants approved are extensions to existing communities in Mainstay/Whyaka, Mashabo and Capoey, Essequibo Coast, Region Two. There was also the establishment of legal boundaries in Parabara, Region Nine; Rockstone, Region 10 and Tasserene and Kangaruma, Region Seven.

These communities have been waiting years for their grants of titles to move forward with the development of their villages. The tourism-driven communities of

Mainstay/Whyaka and Capoey applied for their extension in 2011-2012 and 2014 respectively, and only got same in 2019.

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

This led to the establishment of the ALT project which was scheduled to commence in 2013 and end in 2016; under the auspices of the Government of Guyana and the United Nations Development Fund, with funding of $2.2Billion (US$10.7M) provided from the Guyana REDD+ Investment Fund.

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

The Director-General, Joseph Harmon had explained at a Post Cabinet briefing late last year, that of the 68 interventions identified, 21 demarcations have been completed and 18 certificates of titles issued, while 45 investigations were completed – 32 for extensions and 13 for new villages.

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

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

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, February 12, 2020

GRA gets $4M lawsuit for wrongful arrest, false imprisonment

By Clestine Juan THE Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) has been “slapped” with a $4M lawsuit by Robbie Outar for wrongful arrest by its agents and false imprisonment after he was kept in custody for more than 61 hours.

The application was filed

by Outar's attorneys Anil Nandlall, Manoj Narayan, Sasha Mahadeo-Narayan, Rajendra Jaigobin, and Anuradha Deodasingh and listed GRA, a statutory body corporate established under Section Nine of the Revenue Authority Act, Chapter 79:04 as the defendant in the matter.

In a statement of claim, Outar is asking the court to grant him in excess of four million dollars ($4,000,000)

The motorcar belonged to his friend Gavin Boodwah, who loaned him the motor car to transport another friend to Corentyne, Berbice.

While Outar was driving along the Mahaica Public Road, in the vicinity of Drill Turn, Mahaica, he was overtaken by an older model Toyota Premio motor vehicle, which was proceeding west at a fast rate of speed.

Simultaneously, Outar observed a Silver Toyota Fielder wagon which was also proceeding in the same direction behind him.

As a result, Outar pulled over and parked off the Public Road. After five minutes he observed a tinted, black Toyota Hilux motor vehicle with licence plate number PYY 3800, without any insignia pull up and

ty-handed.

The claimant then asked the men why he was under arrest, to which Seaforth responded by telling the claimant “in the morning you will see the big boss.”

Outar was then placed in the backseat of the motor vehicle next to one of the men and was taken to the Mahaicony Police Station.

During his time in the vehicle, Outar kept enquiring why he was under arrest, but the men ignored him.

Upon his arrival at the police station, he was taken into a cell and his handcuffs were then removed. Outar claimed that when he again enquired why he was under arrest, Seaforth told him “in the morning you will see the big boss.”

At approximately 8am the said day, Outar was

The Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) Headquarters on Camp Street, Georgetown

for wrongful arrest and false imprisonment.

He is also asking that the interest on all sums awarded under Section 12 of the Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act Chap 6:02, at the rate of six percent (6%) per annum from the date of filing, to the date of judgment and thereafter at the rate of four percent (4%) per annum until fully paid.

Additionally, the claimant is seeking aggravated damages and exemplary damages caused to him by GRA and its officers.

Outar is a person of full age and is the father of a two-month-old baby. He lives at Annandale, East Coast Demerara.

In his statement of claim, Outar explained that on December 31, 2019, around 3am, he was driving a 2008 White Toyota Premio motor vehicle with licence plate PVV 9493 in a westerly direction on the southern side of the Mahaica Public Road, Mahaica, East Coast Demerara, Guyana.

park alongside his motor car.

Five men dressed in bulletproof vests and armed with rifles exited the Toyota Hilux and surrounded Outar’s vehicle while pointing their guns at him.

The claimant immediately became fearful for his life as he felt he was about to be robbed.

Thereafter, one of the men named Seaforth rapped on the driver’s side window and directed Outar to exit the said motor vehicle; an order with which he complied.

Outar was also directed by one of the men to lie face down on the ground; again he complied. He was immediately handcuffed by one of the men who told the claimant that he was under arrest.

Another man stood over the Outar’s body while pressing his foot into his back.

Thereafter, one of the two men searched his vehicle but came up emp-

taken out of the cell and to Eccles, East Bank Demerara in the white Toyota Premio motor with which he was intercepted.

During the journey, one of the men asked the claimant whether he knew the driver of a yellow motor vehicle which drove in front of the said motor vehicle. He replied in a negative.

After arriving at Eccles, the vehicle trunk, the engine, and interior were searched again, but the men did not find anything unlawful or illegal in the said motor vehicle.

The claimant was then asked to sign a document lodging the said motor vehicle and while handcuffed, he was placed in a red Toyota Rav4 and taken to the GRA headquarters located and situated at Lot 200-201 Camp Street, Georgetown, Guyana.

“After arriving at the defendant’s headquarters at approximately 12 p.m., the claimant was removed from the motor vehicle and taken

to the third floor of the said building while handcuffed.

While walking from the red Rav4 to the third floor of the defendant’s headquarters, the claimant passed approximately one hundred (100) persons who stared at the claimant and the handcuffs around his hands.” the document stated.

This caused Outar to feel embarrassed as he was being taken to the third floor.

“It was at this point in time that the claimant realised that the men who arrested him were employees of the defendant. Thereafter, one of the men asked the

claimant where the owner of the said motor vehicle was, and the claimant responded that he did not know where the owner was, the document reads.

At approximately 3p.m. that day, Outar was placed in a 212 Toyota motor vehicle and was taken to Vigilance Police Station. He was not offered food, though being in custody for more than 12 hours.

During the journey from Georgetown to Vigilance, Outar again enquired why he was under arrest, again the men did not reply to him.

After arriving at the Vigilance Police Station, Outar was placed in a cell with other prisoners. The condition of the cell was deplorable and smelt of faeces and urine.

On January 2, 2020, at approximately 4:30p.m., Outar was released after posting one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) station bail and was ordered to return to the GRA headquarters the next day.

The claimant was therefore wrongly arrested and falsely imprisoned for more than sixty-one (61) hours.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, February 12, 2020

More lands, expansion of Black Bush Polder on the charts – Min. Ramjattan MINISTER of Public Security and Prime Ministerial Candidate for the APNU/ AFC, Khemraj Ramjattan, at a community meeting in Johanna, Black Bush Polder, recently told residents that more lands will be opened up in the agriculture-based area in addition to improved infrastructure for the farming community.

Speaking before a gathering, Minister Ramjattan stated that the design for the expansion of the scheme has already started which means that farmers will be able to access more lands for cultivation, as well as the requisite infrastructure such as roads, canals and bridges to facilitate same. “This year alone we will have a huge set of money and that will go towards ensuring roads are built, that infrastructure here will be built and I am talking here about more lands for rice farmers.

Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan, speaking at a meeting at Johanna, Black Bush Polder

the past several years, monies were spent on agriculture and farmers are seeing the results.

“If it was not a government

ernment continues on the path to betterment for all Guyanese.

Speaking on the area of national security, he pointed

A section of audience at the meeting

we have started the design of more rice lands and in the works is an expansion of Black Bush Polder,” Ramjattan told a campaign meeting in the community.

The Public Security Minister was, at the time, explaining to residents that in the first three years in office, billions of dollars had to be spent to help bail out the sugar industry which prevented monies from being spent in other areas as they had previously planned.

“Every month after we came into government…we had to try to save sugar and rice farmers in this area must know that it is not an infinite amount of money that we have as a government. Money is always limited and you have to get priorities of how it will be spent and for the first three years we had to spend on sugar. We fixed and tried to maintain the industry by merging some of the estates…”

He continued that over

that cares, a government that did its best for irrigation and drainage and ensure that all the pumps are working and those that are not working before have been rehabilitated and refurbished, you would not have had, in 2015, the highest production or 2019, the second highest in Guyana’s history. Those are facts! And our cash-crop farmers have been ensuring they are progressing because we have the markets where they can produce and sell for a good price too, that is why Black Bush is improving very rapidly.”

Touching on health, the minister drew attention to the hospital and health centres in Black Bush Polder and made a comparison of the conditions under the PPP rule. He spoke at length about the quality of service presently being offered to those under the previous administration. To approving nods and applause from the residents, he told them to expect much more as the gov-

to the numerous major crimes being solved and the decrease in the crime rate of serious crimes, while noting that there is still room for improvement but credit should be given for the major strides made in all areas of security. In that regard, he also called on the community to be more vigilant in regards to petty crimes and report them so that those responsible can be placed behind bars.

Wrapping up his fiery presentation, the prime ministerial candidate called on residents to let their conscience be their guide and look at the developments that they have witnessed and felt over the past few years and go out early on March 2 to cast their votes for the coalition, so that they can continue the progress and enjoy a better life for all Guyanese.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, February 12, 2020

Giftland to ‘beef-up’ security following robbery GIFTLAND Proprietor, Roy Beepat, has acknowledged that some security concerns need to be addressed at the mall to limit attempted robberies, such as the one that occurred at the mall on Monday night.

Two young bandits, armed with a gun, robbed the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph’s (GT&T) kiosk, located on the ground floor of the Giftland Mall. “The incident which occurred [on Monday], was the first robbery of this type since the mall opened four years and twelve million visitors ago,” Beepat said in a statement to the press on Tuesday.

According to him, the mall’s 46 full-time security officers of the day shift were present but were unable to respond because they were

mall and its patrons from armed attempts such as this, our pleas have fallen on deaf ears,” Beepat lamented.

He pointed out that due to the mall’s “diligence,” security systems, intelligence, cameras, and close working relationship with the police, one of the culprits has been

The Giftland Mall

unarmed. “Our application for arming our head and deputy head of security has been denied by the authorities and their recommendations for

supernumerary accreditation being stuck in the system for the past few years. Despite our repeated request to be able to properly protect the

GTT taking steps to ensure employees’ safety -- following Giftland Mall robbery GTT Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Justin Nedd, has underscored safety of his employees as a major concern following a robbery at GTT’s booth at the Giftland Mall on Monday evening.

Speaking with reporters after the company’s Pinktober Sponsor Recognition Ceremony on Tuesday at the Herdmanston Lodge, Nedd described the incident as disappointing and troubling.

He noted that the company will put systems in place to guarantee the safety of its employees.

“What’s troubling is what we face in society today, where people can be crazy enough to go into a public space and traumatise people that are around. But our first and immediate concern is for

CEO of GTT, Justin Nedd

our staff and their security, so we will be taking the necessary measures to ensure not only the physical safety of our staff, but the psychological safety. Because being robbed at gunpoint is very traumatising,” Nedd told reporters.

He said the amount of money that was stolen is not yet confirmed, as they are

still in the process of assessing the losses. However, he noted that no one was harmed and hopes that the two robbers are caught and brought to justice.

Just around 21:30hrs on Monday, while customers flocked the kiosk to pay their bills, two men walked into the mall and one of whom was armed, pounced on the cashier. One of them pointed the gun at him (the cashier) while another retrieved the cash.

The entire incident was caught on camera and the two men, who appear to be in their 20s, caused a commotion, as the customers were seen scattering across the mall when the firearm was being brandished by one of the bandits.

Magistrate rules paper committal in Marcus Bisram trial

MAGISTRATE Renita Singh, on Monday, ruled that the court proceedings for the man accused of murdering Corentyne carpenter, Faiyaz Narinedatt, will proceed by a paper committal hearing.

The magistrate noted that in keeping with the ruling by the CCJ for an expeditious hearing, the official proceedings will be done via a paper committal.

Thursday, February 13, has been set as the next

date for the hearing. Magistrate Singh has agreed to what can be considered a ‘hybrid hearing’, by granting the prosecution to lead their main witness while the other 32 witnesses and other evidence shall be submitted to the court.

In addition, a site visit will also be allowed and statements and pictures will be tendered. Further witness/s will be allowed to take the stand to provide information on photos which will be tendered as

evidence.

In delivering her ruling, the magistrate stated that she has the greatest respect for the CCJ and wishes to emphasise the ruling made to have an expedited hearing for Marcus Bisram and that everyone has the right to a fair trial.

This decision by the magistrate was welcomed by the defence team that has been pressing for a speedy trial for their client and expressed optimism TURN TO PAGE

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arrested less than 24 hours after the robbery. Beepat said this is a testament to the strong systems in place to deter such robbers, who will think twice before trying to rob any concession at the mall again.

“The mall prides itself on its attention to the

security concerns, and deeply regrets this incident, which should have been avoided. Efforts will be redoubled to ensure we maintain the high standards which we have kept since the mall has been opened,” he assured.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday February 12, 2020

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, February 12, 2020

Writer Melina Harris explores the history and development of the travel and tourism sector in Guyana

THE JAGUAR Rising Kaieteur Falls

G

UYANA’s nascent travel and tourism industry has experienced exponential growth in recent years. With an ever-increasing public profile and growing list of international awards and accolades, Guyana is boldly emerging onto the world stage. Guyana’s national identity has always been rather ambiguous, being the only English speaking country in South America, borne out of British colonisation, but sharing many cultural similarities with the Caribbean islands, Guyana was not regarded as part of the traditional Caribbean tourism circuit and as such the country was not perceived as a tourism destination.

During the 1950s, while the other Caribbean nations were starting to develop their respective travel and tourism sectors which would later become their main foreign exchange earner, Guyana was focused on the development of the agricultural and mineral extraction sectors which would later take off in the 1960s and onwards. The production and exportation of rice, sugar and bauxite meant that there was little need to develop another sector concurrently. The success of these sectors would last decades and would support the young nation’s economy well into the 21st century.

Times have indeed changed since the founding of this nation and as the traditional sectors which supported the economy are now arguably in decline, emerging sectors must now stem the burden of driving future economic growth in Guyana. The travel and tourism industry and the emerging oil and gas sector are expected to propel Guyana’s economy into unchartered territories of incalculable wealth. As the nation enters a new decade and one fittingly titled the “Decade of Development”, the travel and tourism sector is expected to continue its upward trajectory, firmly cementing

Guyana as a premier international travel and tourism destination.

It was only in June 2002 that the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) was established as a semi-autonomous governmental agency operating under the Ministry of Business. The agency was established to develop and promote sustainable tourism in Guyana through collaboration and to maximise local socio-economic and conservation outcomes and to improve visitor experience, according to the GTA’s mission statement. The GTA is also responsible for human resource development/training, industry research, monitoring/regulation of standards, dissemination of statistics, destination promotions locally/oversees, tourism awareness and enhancement of visitor experience.

The GTA works closely with the Department of Tourism which is responsible for the National Tourism Policy in Guyana and gives strategic direction to the tourism sector in order to raise Guyana’s international profile as a leading tourism destination for sustainable and nature-based experiences. The National Tourism Policy lists, under its strategic objectives, the following three policy drivers: growth in the tourism sector’s contribution to Gross Domestic Product (GDP), generation of increased employment in the tourism sector and meaningful and beneficial involvement of rural and hinterland communities in tourism enterprises. Finally, the Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana is responsible for tourism and hospitality advocacy, destination promotion, marketing and sales.

Legal domestic and international frameworks for environmental protection The Constitution of Guyana, article 149 J, recognises the right of every person to an environment that is not harmful

to his or her health or well-being. Section 2 of article 149J stipulates that the State shall protect the environment, for the benefit of present and future generations, through reasonable legislative and other measures designed to prevent pollution and ecological degradation; promote conservation; secure sustainable development and use of natural resources while promoting justifiable economic and social development.

To this end, the government has implemented several domestic legislative provisions aimed at upholding the above-mentioned constitutional guarantees. The Environmental Protection Act 1996 provides guarantees for the management, conservation, protection and improvement of the environment, the prevention or control of pollution, the assessment of the impact of economic development on the environment and for the sustainable use of resources. The Act led to the establishment of the Environmental Protection Agency, the Environmental Assessment Board, the Environmental Appeals Tribunal and the Environmental Trust Fund.

Guyana’s commitment to the preservation of its natural habitats and to low levels of deforestation led to an agreement coming into effect between Guyana and Norway in November 2009. The climate and forest partnership agreement compensates Guyana for maintaining low levels of deforestation and improvement of governance within the forestry sector. The agreement has been very successful and under the initiative, Guyana received a total of some US$250 million. Guyana

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, February 12, 2020

THE JAGUAR and Norway are currently discussing a new deal owing to the success of the previous initiative. Finally, Guyana has endorsed the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Under these goals, nations are encouraged to develop sustainable practices as part of their industrial development. Goal 11 makes reference to strengthening efforts to protect and safeguard the world’s cultural and natural heritage.

Brian T. Mullis –

Director, Guyana Tourism Authority

The Green State Development Strategy Guyana’s Green State Development Strategy: Vision 2040 is Guyana’s twenty year national development policy which will reflect the vision and principles of the “green agenda”, stated as “An inclusive and prosperous Guyana that provides a good quality of life for all its citizens based on sound education and social protection, low-carbon and resilient development, providing new economic opportunities, justice and political empowerment.” The principle objective of the agenda is the development and actualisation of a better quality of life for all ra Guyanese derived from the country’s l flo u f r natural wealth to include its diversity of ou Col people and abundant natural resources.

The Green State Development Strategy (GSDS) states that “the ‘green agenda’ is centred on principles of a green economy defined by sustainable, low-carbon and resilient development that uses its resources efficiently, and sustained over generations”.

Emphasis has been placed on the importance of a more cohesive society based on principles of equity and tolerance between ethnic groups and recognition that heritage and diversity are the main underlying strengths of the country’s human capital. “The development objectives therefore seek to improve the health, education and overall well-being of Guyanese citizens, to lift people out of poverty through an economy that generates decent jobs and that provides opportunities for sustaining livelihoods over the long term”.

The GSDS has been developed in recognition of the nation’s recently acquired status as an oil-producing state and it is envisioned that the revenues generated from this sector would feed into the development and growth of other established and value-adding sectors such as travel and tourism. It is against this backdrop that the strategies and developmental goals outlined in the GSDS have been advanced. The GSDS has therefore introduced a comprehensive set of strategic action plans in order to guide public investment. These development objectives have been advanced to reflect a more holistic view of social, economic and environmental well-being, in line with the country’s commitments to the United Nations’ 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda and Goals (SDGs). The Strategy advances three key messages; Manage natural resource wealth; Support economic resilience; and Build human capital and institutional capacity.

A focus on sustainable tourism de-

Velopment Guyana’s pris- tine and largely untouched rainforest sits upon an ancient geological formation called the Guiana Shield. The Guiana Shield encapsulates regions in Colombia, Venezuela, Suriname, French Guiana and Brazil.

It is one of a few regions in the world with the highest levels of biodiversity. Approximately 77% of Guyana’s landmass is forested and that equates to 18% of the world’s remaining tropical rainforests. Unlike some of the nations within the Guiana Shield, deforestation levels have always been very low in Guyana.

Owing to Guyana’s deep commitment to the maintenance of its pristine natural beauty and the preservation of the nation’s natural heritage, the resultant tourism product has been designed to uphold these commitments. Therefore, a strong emphasis has been placed upon the need to develop a sustainable and ecologically sound tourism industry where the nation’s natural resources are preserved, maintained but also made profitable through their proper exploitation.

Awards Destination Guyana has gained considerable traction in the international tourism scene over the past few years.

This is evidenced by the increasing number of international tourism awards and accolades received from some of the world’s foremost travel and tourism institutions. In 2019 alone, Destination Guyana won 6 awards. The winning streak started in March 2019 at ITB Berlin, the world’s leading travel trade show where Guyana was awarded The World’s #1 in ‘Best of Ecotourism’ and one of the Top Ten Sustainable Destinations.

In June, Guyana won First Place at the Golden City Gate Awards for its Welcome back to Nature product. In the same month, Destination Guyana picked up First place in Sustainable Tourism at the Latin American Travel Association Achievement Awards. The winning streak continued and in August, Guyana was awarded First in Best in Destination Stewardship at the Caribbean Tourism Organisation’s Sustainable Tourism Awards Programme. The outstanding year for Guyanese tourism concluded

with the Silver Prize in Best of Adventure from the International Travel and Tourism Awards being awarded to Destination Guyana in November of 2019.

In December 2019, international travel magazine Conde Nast Traveller listed Guyana as one of its top 20 destinations to visit in 2020. This led to Guyana making an appearance on NBC’s ‘Today Show’ as one of the top destinations to visit in their ‘Where to visit in 2020’ segment, where Mark Ellwood, a contributing editor from Conde Nast Travel described Guyana in very encouraging terms. Meanwhile, in the same month, Britain’s Telegraph newspaper listed Guyana as the Orinduik Falls number 1 country to visit in 2020 from a list of 20 destinations.

These listings, awards and accolades are a great recognition of the collaborative efforts of the Guyana Tourism Authority, the Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana and the Department of Tourism in the furtherance of the National Tourism Strategic Action plan, especially as it relates Vision 2025.

Vision 2025 envisions that Guyana aims to be recognised internationally by 2025, as a leading sustainable tourism destination.

AN INTERVIEW WITH BRIAN MULLIS – DIRECTOR OF THE GUYANA TOURISM AUTHORITY On the true value of Guyana’s tourism product What I love most about Yup uka tourism is that, unlike oil ri Vi llag and gas, which doesn’t eme ploy that many people directly, travel and tourism does.

It’s a labour intensive industry.

The last data we got last year showed that directly and indirectly, 22,000 jobs have been created because of tourism, still a very important metric and one we can continuously build on. In 2018 expenditure data indicated that tourism amassed some $62.6 billion Guyanese dollars and in 2019, approximately some $66 billion Guyanese dollars gross - all direct economic impact.

Average expenditure per visitor is near perfectly aligned with the international average expenditure per visitor in a destination. We knew we weren’t at the lower level but we were using $500 per person

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, February 12, 2020

FROM PAGE 23 ←

and now it’s closer to US$1100, all of a sudden tourism becomes the second largest export sector in Guyana. That’s something that really needed more investment and we now have interest and an appetite in the Ministry of Finance and other decision makers are seeing the value of tourism. If we look at US$1100, and that’s an interesting n u m b e r, b u t that’s just the direct impact; which would be the spending on those businesses – the hotels then buy goods and services from different people, that’s indirect and then other employees then spend money on the local economy- that’s the induced economic impact so when you combine those 3 things- then you can start to see that those cross cutting aspects really make tourism a low hanging fruit and an opportunity for Guyana to support its longstanding sustainability in general, whether it’s the low carbon development strategy or the newer green state development s t r a t e g y .

Guyana is very fortuitous from an international perspective to have had leadership to protect its natural heritage. Knowing that when tourism is well managed and only when it is well managed, it could maximise socio-economic outcomes, the money side of it is really easy to understand.

On maintaining our P r o t e c t e d a r e a s In terms of protection – I think one of the main things that I hope to see Guyana continue to do long after my involvement is look at a value-based versus a volume-based strategy. Marketing is actually the easiest thing we do in our portfolio; we help to develop national policy, licensing and training. Marketing is actually the easy part. More and more travellers around the world are looking for not only authentic experience, in other words, not very touristy, in a traditional sense, they want to meet local people and hang out where the locals hang out and have those immersive experiences.

Also we’re seeing a growing market share for nature and culture tourism. These travellers that have an affinity for sustainable tourism, they want to leave a positive impact on the people and places they visit which means that they spend more and stay longer in t h e d e s t i n a t i o n s t h e y v i s i t .

Whether we

extend the number of protected areas or not, our indigenous peoples have been protecting their ecosystems for millennia as part of their ancestral heritage – as the guardians and beneficiaries of those ecosystems, they are arguably in the best position to continue to protect those eco - systems to where tourism is a sustainable form of commerce that can help them to do that.

Fortunately, we have some of the world’s best examples with Rewa, Surama, Yupukari and up and coming communities like K a r a s a b a i .

Adventure travellers and nature-based travellers are generally more willing to put up with a little bit more hardship to access those unique experiences. With Guyana – we can improve our infrastructure and that would improve tourism, but at the same time, when we improve roads, it does open up exploitation too – the forest would be more exposed to being processed, wildlife will be more accessible to both the legal and illegal wildlife trades. There are trade-offs.

We were able to finalise a Memorandum of Understanding with the Protections Commission, Ms Denise Fraser who sits on our Board of Directors and a Deputy Director who sits on their board of directors – so that opened communications so that we can help them determine how best to utilise tourism to achieve their aims and they can weigh in on strategic matters.

We have focused on our core markets, if we look at in a t n where most peoMou e l d ple come from, Sad it’s the United States and Canada, and to a certain extent the United Kingdom.

Nature, adventure and culture travellers, diaspora and domestic travellers are the ones we are trying to reach. Brand pillars are active exploration, nature and wildlife, birding – market is very unique in and of itself, then we have the culture and heritage as they are embedded in everything we do and we’re the only country in the world where indigenous tourism is one of our primary areas of focus for tourism d e v e l o p m e n t .

The key is that when protected areas are well managed and tourism is a part of that, then the reve-

Savannah cruise

nue from the tourism can fully or partially offset the costs to manage those parks themselves. That’s the key. The nice thing is that while we might only have one Kaieteur, we also have a handful of other waterfalls that have an equal level of grandeur that could potentially be opened up for tourism. Receptive communities in regions 7 and 8 are interested in doing that very thing.

On

developing and empowering hinterland communities When my team came on board in April 2018, former Minister of Business, Mr Gaskin, acknowledged that we do have some Ch success stories in indigenous e Bo rry P community enterprises that urd ep are owned and operated by a M pe ark r, the communities themselves et and which the entire communities are benefitting from tourism. His question was –could we create a framework toolkit to expand the number of beneficiary communities? There was some acknowledgement that in some cases these communities took upwards of 10 years to get up and running so could we reduce that amount of time and ensure that it is just as effective. So we went back to looking at each of these tourism communities. We put together a template to make it easy for communities to decide on certain things and how they want to structure their tourism communities. Then we reached out to Ministry of Indigenous Affairs and secured their collaboration and entered into a formal collaboration a g r e e m e n t with them. Then we started on the process of identifying communities that would benefit or that we thought were in the best position to benefit. We also acknowledged that in the past it wasn’t uncommon for projects to get some money and then that’s it. But if you’ve never run a business before and if you’ve never managed a project or funding at the levels that are required to get a new lodge off the ground, when you’re in the tourism business- I don’t know how anyone could expect you to be successful.

We decided that if we’re going to commit to a community and if a community is going to buy in, start with the Toshao, then the village council, then the community as whole and then decide what type of business model you want to pursue – is it community owned or a joint venture with the tourism sector or joint venture with a community member that benefits the community – but the c o m m u n i t y s h o u l d d e c i d e .

The role of the GTA should be to support them so we chose Karasabai, Moraikobai, Warapoka and Chenapou. We decided to implement a power project using this framework and toolkit and the good news is that all of them at this point have a product that they can offer. We use a differentiation of visitor ready – you meet basic safety quality standards so you have a good experience to market or expert ready meaning that we could sell it in the international marketplace. The average traveller who had been to similar destinations would come and it would meet their expectations when it comes to safety and quality, etc. So we have 3 communities which are now offering overnight itineraries, one of them has an operational eco – lodge and all four of them are working on eco-lodges. I imagine in 2020, all of them would be in a position where we can say our work is done. We will continue to offer training if they need it, marketing support, that’s our role in the GTA- support communities in the private sector.

Some of them might take a little bit longer – some communities are more complex than others with more political nuances but by and large the power project worked out. We now have a

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, February 12, 2020

THE JAGUAR RISING ... couple different donors who want to support this work and get other communities involved so that in 2020, we’re likely to be able to go from 4 communities to at least 10. We will still work with the 4 as mentioned but we will bring in another 6 new ones and get them up and running. Increasingly, we are trying to teach other people how to implement this framework and methodology so that we can have other practitioners – maybe within the Tourism and Hospitality Association, or visit Rupununi or within the Ministry of Indigenous Affairs so that we can have more capacity and more public development.

Ultimately, this idea that marketing is easy but it is only easy because Guyana has so many strengths that are interesting for today’s travellers. We are experiencing unmet market demand, people are looking for new things to do; we need more products.

All the more reason, we are hoping that the Ministry of Finance is interested in supporting some regional tourism development.

We will get some more donor support and continue to utilise our limited resources for product development in collaboration with partners and their limited resources to provide as many opportunities as possible for as many businesses and communities as possible.

Looking at supporting small,l medium and micro-sized businesses, to me, is what Guyana should continue to do.

What I love about our industry, and it’s very different from most around the world, its ‘hyper local’ meaning that it is localisation in the most positive way. We have a Marriott and a Ramada and those are 2 international brands; based on growth here we will get more brands in Georgetown that will probably be international brands but most of our businesses are locally owned, probably over 95% of the total and if we can maintain that 95%+, that would be a wonderful thing.

On training initiatives to bolster tourism products The Inter-American Development Bank just supported a project that will be concluding within the next several weeks – the idea was how many products we can create with a relatively small amount of money. We want to create high quality experiential projects because more people are interested in authentic experiences and the way that’s defined in our industry are experiences that appeal to all 5 senses. So rather than just hearing and seeing - you taste, touching, feeling, seeing, hearing and you are a part of the experience and not passively part of it. We did this experiential project development and so far we have worked with one new start up to launch a ‘7 Curry Tour’- you can pick the leaf, then go to the market and see how some of the things are made, then go to the factory to see how curry powder is made and then you come back to the chef’s home and prepare the curry and enjoy it.

In addition to that we trained 12 trainers to train other people on how to create experiential travel businesses and experiences. 25 trainees participated in the training and all created product as part of that training. They basically mapped out a new product that they want to create. We are working with 3 of them on products which we will probably launch. The fact that 1 training event could generate up to 25 new products starts to demonstrate that it’s possible to address the unmet market demand but to create something that’s equitable, accessible and inclusive.

When I came on board we didn’t have any trainers in house or any curriculum in house and that was an easy thing to fix because I am a believer that you should never bring in outside technical assistance particularly internationally, unless there is going to be a transfer of learning. Otherwise, you’ve just spent your money on a one off. So we flip that on its head; in 2018, we trained 5 individuals on guide training, brought in our first curriculum which was in line with the international adventure guide standard. We know we need more frontline staff so guides are some of the most important things that we need to invest in. We increased it by 10% to approximately 350 trainees. Last year we ended up training 25 trainers – a 500% increase and 750 individuals.

We are trying to train more people outside of the GTA and we’re also trying to

partner more closely with other organisations. We’re working with the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry and we’ve secured a grant to support standardised curriculum development.

We know we want a hospitality institute and it will happen in time but let’s get the standardised curriculum and let’s figure out how best to deliver it. If we get this standardised curriculum to train up bartenders, wait staff, concierge, frontline staff throughout the industry as more and more jobs are going to be created, then anybody that’s qualified can deliver. Then we can make sure that we grow more and more capacity and more effectively and efficiently parties that have a hand in training and development. For every Consultant that we bring in, we have them train somebody on the GTA staff or sometimes external parties on that methodology.

On the importance of inter-ministerial collaboration and structured partnerships We have an opportunity to leapfrog sustainable tourism development, building on this legacy and strong foundation of sustainability which is a way of life or at least this conservation ethic that many Guyanese

Rewa R

iver, Ru

pununi

have, and exercise best practice but filling in all the gaps.

We have done a gap assessment on what is sustainable destination management development best practice and we’re filling a lot of those gaps already with things that people are already doing, let’s fill in the rest so that we remain recognised as not only a leading sustainable destination but one of the top year on year and it is through these types of strategic partnerships, a focus on localisation, a focus on maximising the social and economic and conservation outcomes, if we can continue to do all those things through inter-ministerial multi stakeholder collaboration –that is the key to the whole thing.

The nice thing is more and more government agencies as well as the tourism private sector are seeing the benefit of collaborating with one another; with the GTA, Department of Tourism we’ve had a lot of wins the last couple of years, because of that very thing.

There would be no way to unlock the potential if people weren’t willing to enter into structured partnerships because if we have similar mandates and we are trying to accomplish similar things, then we can find what that overlap is, assign people to take the lead on specific actions and tasks and then at the end of year, we can see that we achieved a lot more than we would independently.

A couple of years ago, we looked at all the ministries that relate to tourism and we defined what they’re doing and what we optimally should be doing with them. Historically what’s happened in travel and tourism because there has been a lack of collaboration, every year whoever wanted to recommend policy and infrastructure improvements, recommended it to the Ministry of Business.

So we had a situation where there wasn’t any cohesion where everyone was looking out for their best interests. Let’s flip that on its head and make a concerted effort to figure out what everybody wants and people would be quick to tell you what the challenges were but the conversation and n a r-

FROM PAGE 25 ←

rative has changed – we talk less about challenges and more about solutions.

Part of it was bringing all of these infrastructural and policy priorities together and then having one document that has them both buried with the Ministry of Public Infrastructure and then vetted on the policy side with various partners such as THAG and the Private Sector Commission. Several of them last year endorsed their priority policy and infrastructure recommendations. If you’re a decision maker, this is easier than everything else. We would work directly with one of the project leads at MOPI to vet the ideas –what’s possible and what’s not, what are budget considerations for the year. Most of these resource constraints – we know what MOPI is doing, they know what we’re doing, then we can foster that alignment for infrastructural improvement. So whether it be stellings or airstrips, aerodromes, road connectivity, or supporting infrastructural development around attractions, we would February put those 12 GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, priorities forward to the Ministry of Business who would put those forward to the Ministry of Finance or MOPI. On improving airlift capacity and visa access By and large, countrywide, Guyana is incredibly attractive for increasing connectivity because you can offer a flight and meet a market need as we saw with American Airlines and Jet Blue in the past 12 months. Mr Gear CEO of Cheddi Jagan International Airport will go to an event called Routes Americas and we joined him last year because we each have a different part of the story to tell. He has the business side such as airport operations, landing fees, etc.

We have how many people are coming here and what are they doing; leisure and business, so when we sit down with an Airline Route Manager- we have a very strong sales pitch and when we went last year, we had 12 airlines that had a reasonable amount of genuine interest. I’d be really surprised in 2020 if we don’t get an announcement for a European carrier.

We analyse all the countries that people are coming from so that if we could see an opportunity to do a visa on arrival because actually making it easier to get visas is one of the fastest ways to increase visitation to any country so if there are countries that are not getting easy visa access- then we can certainly look at making recommendation for improvements there.

Also, increasingly through the Department of Tourism, we are in collaboration with Suriname and French Guyana – the 3 Guianas is a thing and more travellers –if they’re going to take that long haul flight- they’re thinking that Guyana isn’t a huge country and if I can see 3 countries instead of 1, they’ll take advantage of that. We’re actually seeing that cross border traffic, you’ve got air France flying into French Guyana, KLM flying into Paramaribo and our flights so trying to make it easier for those travellers to get back and forth.

We need to strengthen collaboration with our sister agencies responsible for customs and immigration. What we have been doing, we have visitor welcome and customer service training so we did a few trainings at the ports of entry and people have said that the visitor welcome has improved. But we need to continue working on that and I think that Guyanese are some of the most gracious people in the world. We don’t need to be servants to anybody but we can host them in a way that we can share our wealth and bounty of wonderful foods and experiences with them and I think that’s what we have to do with our trainings.

Focus within the context of Guyana and take into consideration the cultur- al norms and morays here. We need to focus on how we can improve the efficiency of the arrival and departure process because we have received some formal complaints from people saying how difficult it was, it’s one of those things in life where there is always room for improvement and what we want to do is make it easy for others to support them to improve so what can we do to help those agencies make that process more efficient. (Photos

by Guyana Tourism Authority)

Cabins at Iwokrama

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, February 12, 2020

CARPHA medical Microbiology Laboratory ready to respond to Coronavirus

-could generate results in 48 hours THE Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA)’s Medical Microbiology Laboratory (CMML) is fully equipped and ready to test samples of suspected cases of the Coronavirus.

According to CARPHA, Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV).

The coronavirus outbreak originated in Wuhan, China.

Common signs of infection include respiratory symptoms, fever, coughs, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties. In more severe cases, infection can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and even death.

“The agency is equipped to investigate and manage communicable diseases. In the event of the suspicion of an outbreak in the region, member states have specific protocols to follow in their investigation process which includes sending the samples to CARPHA. We are prepared to receive and test samples of suspected cases of the 2019-nCoV with immediate effect,” said Executive Director of CARPHA, Dr. Joy St. John.

The reference laboratory is accredited by the Jamaica National Agency for Accreditation (JANAAC) to the international standard for medical laboratories, ISO 15189:2012.

Additionally, all laboratory technicians are certified to handle and transport infectious samples in accordance with the World Health Organisation (WHO)’s guidance on regulations for

the transport of infectious substances, developed with the help of the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

There are no direct commercial flights to the Caribbean from China, and travellers to the Region are screened multiple times prior to their arrival. However, the global situation is changing rapidly and CARPHA is monitoring to determine if sustained transmission of the disease occurs outside of China.

Head of CMML, Dr. Gabriel Gonzalez-Escobar, said all systems are in place, adding that CARPHA does not accept samples directly from the public.

“CARPHA will only receive and test samples from the national referral medical laboratories in member states. Results for all samples tested at the CMML will be sent electronically to the national referral medical laboratories, which it will then disseminate to the health care provider,” said Dr. Gonzales-Escobar.

He further stated that test results for the 2019-nCoV should be provided within 48 hours, but turnaround time is subject to receipt of a sample in a timely manner.

As the virus continues to plague China and other parts of the world, CARHPA is advising that good hygiene practices are important for the prevention of the spread of the novel Coronavirus.

While the risk of 2019nCoV to the Region is currently low, CARPHA urged residents and visitors alike to practice basic protective measures against the new coronavirus. The agency recommended that persons maintain basic hand and respiratory hygiene, and avoid close FROM PAGE

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GRA gets $4M ...

On January 3, 2020, at approximately 11a.m., Outar visited the GRA headquarters where he was interrogated by GRA agents.

Thereafter, Omadat Persaud, an agent, told Outar, “don’t make me come over there and deal with you.”

The claimant responded by asking Omadat Persaud why he was arrested.

Persaud refused to inform Outar why he was arrested and instead told him, “you don’t speed on that” and “you could go but let the owner come for the vehicle.”

At no point in time whatsoever from Decem-

ber 31, 2019, to January 3, 2020, were statements or fingerprints taken from Outar or was an allegation put to him.

To date, Outar has not been charged with any offence known to the laws of Guyana.

During the period of his incarceration, Outar suffered mental trauma as he was detained without cause and he constantly worried about his young daughter.

In the circumstances, he is seeking the orders sought in the Statement of Claim filed.

of respiratory illness such as coughing and sneezing.

Additionally, persons contact, when possible, with are encouraged to frequentanyone showing symptoms ly clean their hands using

soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub if hands are not visibly dirty; cover their mouth when coughing or sneezing; avoid close con-

tact with anyone who has a fever or cough; and seek medical attention early, if you experience fever, coughing or have difficulty breathing.

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Region Nine communities accessing government’s free internet service

THROUGH the National Data Management Authority (NDMA), residents of Region Nine have access to Government’s Free Wi-Fi and have been using this to advance their careers, communicate with their loved ones and for school.

A release from the agency, on Tuesday, updated that following a pilot project in 2017 at Sand Creek, Rupununi, the hinterland and

remote communities across Guyana are being connected to the internet.

Health Worker at Fairview Health Post, Nyota Peters, said that the internet has helped with the efficiency of the delivery of health services within the community.

Peters said that sometimes the job requires health workers and nurses to network to find solutions to problems and she is now

able to communicate easily using social media platforms such as WhatsApp. In addition, she is also able to connect with the headquarters in Georgetown.

“It’s benefitting me a lot, because I am in close contact with all my health centers using the service and I get to follow the news. It’s very beneficial to me and the community,” Peters told the NDMA. She had not stopped

talking before two villagers, noticeably millennials, rode up on a motorcycle that they leaned against a tree stump while reaching for their phones to browse the internet.

Not far away, about 20km to be exact, is the Surama Community Centre where the Indigenous community proudly displays its art and craft for sale. This community also benefits from

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, February 12, 2020

Health Worker at Fairview Health Post, Nyota Peters (right) and another resident connect to the internet with their mobile devices using the Government’s Free Wi-Fi at the Health Post.

Government’s Free Wi-Fi and, more importantly, if any of the creative minds who produce the artefacts want to advertise their work, they simply ‘hop’ online.

“The internet in communities along the Lethem route is serving multiple purposes apart from basic communication and networking. It is connecting families with children who are studying in the coastland of Georgetown.

It is helping health workers come up with speedy solutions to complex problems in the region. It serves as an important resource for researches in the region and, like at Annai Secondary, and Bina Hill, it assists students to complete their homework and School-Based Assessments,” the release stated.

Surama, like Aranaputa, IS home of Guyana’s brand of peanut butter and other value-added products from nuts and the community uses Government’s free internet for marketing. The NDMA stated, in the release, that these important functions of being able to connect to the internet via VSAT technology are the essence of what “bridging the digital divide” means.

Apart from residents, the Agency is also pleased that tourists and other citizens visiting the hinterland Re-

gion of Guyana can not only have the opportunity to communicate via Wi-Fi but share the photos they take of the beauty of Guyana.

“The Kurupukari crossing is one of the first wonders to experience on the journey to the town of Lethem overland. The rapids are absolutely beautiful and by the time you get to the Western side of the crossing, if you are interested, you could update your family and friends on social media of the experience using Government’s Free Wi-Fi internet,” the release stated.

“This is a common practice as scores of travellers take a break at the shops on that side of the crossing, while using their devices to engage in internet communication. Iwokrama River Lodge is a ‘stone’s throw’ in Guyanese lingo, and guess what, the NDMA has also connected this Lodge and Research Centre to the internet.”

The Agency stated that whether it’s Iwokrama, Kurupukari, Fairview, Surama, Wowetta, Annai, Rupertee, Bina Hill, Kwatamang, Aranaputa, Massara, Toka or Crashwater, travelling to Lethem overland has been revolutionised with access to ICT. FROM PAGE

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Magistrate rules paper ... that they are ready, “any court, anywhere anytime” to start the official proceedings.

The matter was first called on November 21, 2019, mere hours after Bisram was extradited to Guyana and charged for the murder of Faiyaz Narinedatt, a father of two.

Since then, the matter has been going back and forth on the way forward for the official proceedings. Senior Magistrate, Alex Moore, had to recuse himself and the matter was sent before the chief magistrate in Georgetown be-

fore resuming in Berbice at the Whim Magistrate’s court.

Marcus Bisram is accused of orchestrating the murder of Narinedatt on November 1, 2016, after he allegedly refused his sexual advances. The men have since been committed to stand trial in the High Court and have been remanded to prison.

The official proceedings will now get underway on Thursday, where the main witness is expected to take the stand.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, February 12, 2020

Ex GRDB accountant gets three years for fraud FORMER accountant at the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB), Peter Ramcharran, was, on Tuesday, February 11, 2020, handed a three-year jail term for fraud committed at the rice entity.

The sentence was handed down by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court. The charge stated that Ramcharran omitted $145M from the organization’s ledger.

The Magistrate stated that the court was satisfied, beyond reasonable doubt, that Ramcharran acted dishonestly, and therefore did not believe his testimony.

The court also believed that

he intended to defraud the GRDB. Chief Magistrate McLennan further stated that the evidence presented by Special Prosecutor Patrice Henry was satisfactory.

Attorney-at-law Nigel Hughes, who represented Ramcharran told the court that his client had a flawless criminal record, and the mon-

Peter Ramcharran

Barber sentenced to four years for indecent exposure and sexually assaulting customer A 41-year-old barber was, on Tuesday, February 11, 2020, sentenced to four years in prison, after being found guilty of exposing his genitals and touching a female customer in a sexual way.

Magistrate Faith McGusty, in handing done the sentence, stated that the sentences will run consecutively, so he will be spending the actual four years.

However, the sentences were handed down in his absence and a warrant was issued for his arrest, since he failed to show up in the court.

Ceon Cantzlaar of Henry Street, Lamaha Springs, on his first appearance at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan was not required to plead to the charges.

Particulars of the first charge stated that, on September 24, 2019, at Aubrey Barker road and Festival City Entrance, North Ruimveldt, Georgetown, he exposed his penis to a woman with intent that she would see the genitals and be alarmed or distressed.

The second charge stated that, on the same day and at the same place, he touched the thigh of the woman in a sexual way, without her consent.

According to statements presented in court, on the day in question, the virtual

Ceon Cantzlaar

complainant made an appointment with Cantzlaar to have her hair cut at his barber shop.

While the defendant was cutting the woman’s hair, he began playing explicit music and exposed himself to the woman; Cantzlaar then tried to kiss her and touched her on the thigh.

Reports also stated that, after the virtual complainant left the said barber shop, Cantzlaar sent the woman several messages and voice notes via WhatsApp, apologizing.

The matter was reported; an investigation was carried out and Cantzlaar was arrested and charged for the offences.

ies were not lost, but just not recorded.

Chief Magistrate, in handing down the sentence stated that the court took into consideration the serious nature of the offence and the amount of money involved.

Hence, she sentenced him to three years in prison.

However, Ramcharran is still facing multiple charges

at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court and is expected to make his next appearance on February 28, 2020, for the commencement of his other matters.

Ramcharran was extradited from Canada last March after an arrest warrant was issued for him for fraudulently converting over $400M, property of the GRDB.

He was on remand after 39 charges that were deemed indictable, were listed against him in the court. The charges included falsification of accounts and converting money to his own use and benefit.

The offences dated back to 2011-2015 at the GRDB head office, Lot 16 Cowan Street, Kingston, Georgetown.

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Junior Calypso Monarch Omaiah Hall

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday February 12, 2020

HETMYER ALWAYS WELCOME IN...

FROM BACKPAGE

By Clifton Ross GUYANA Cricket Board (GCB) secretary Anand Sanasie says Windies batsman Shimron Hetmyer has the full support of the board, as he prepares to undergo another fitness examination to possibly return to action in Round 5 of the Regional 4-Day tournament.

Sanasie, who is also a director at Cricket West Indies (CWI) told Chronicle Sport yesterday in a brief interview following the release of the squad, which included Hetmyer, that the batsman has nothing but the fullest support from the GCB ahead of the upcoming retesting as well as his possible return to action against the Windward Volcanoes.

The dashing left-hander alongside Evin Lewis made headlines last week as two of the high-profile Windies players, who were recently omitted ahead of this Saturday’s kickoff to the Sri Lanka series. The duo flopped the Windies Fitness Test, running below the regulation 40-mark on the Yo-Yo Tests, thus resulting in their axing from the squad.

With no sight of the Berbican in Round 4, GCB secretary then stated that ex-U-19 World Cup winning skipper was overlooked for the Jamaica Scorpions clash which the Champs lost, due to the fact that he had not reported to Franchise management upon his return home from international duties.

With a new assessment date of February 14, the left-hander was seen putting in some vigorous work-out sessions with physio Neil Barry Jr at the stadium during the Jaguars/Scorpions match last week; conditioning himself ahead of this Friday’s re-testing.

Yesterday, the 23-year-old was named in the Jags squad for tomorrow’s 5th round battle against the Volcanoes. The defending champions, thanks to their mindboggling 7-run loss on Sunday at the hands of Jamaica, have dropped to second place with 49 points, with Barbados Pride taking their number one spot after accumulating an aggregate of 65.2 points.

Regarding his inclusion for the important Round 5 battle in Antigua, Sanasie said, “I’m looking forward to seeing Hetmyer back in the Guyana team, Shimron is always welcome in the Guyana Jaguars set-up. I also want him to attain his required fitness level and get back into the side and play cricket for the West Indies in all three formats (Test, ODI and T20); because he is a good player,” stated the GCB executive.

After doing the hard work and nudging the Trinidad Red Force off the points standings to reclaim their number 1 spot, Guyana faltered in the last round, losing the nail-biter to the last-placed Jamaicans which makes their title chase even more tense.

Now, with the 4-Day tourney officially reaching its half-way stage, Guyana will be keen on winning every game from here, should they seek to retain their title for a record sixth year.

Hetmyer’s return to national colours is also a good thing for the Jaguars who will be desperate to improve their mixed batting performances to date and Sanasie confirmed that the batsman will receive the full backing of the GCB going forward.

“We’re (GCB) looking forward to seeing Shimron back in Guyana colours. He will always have the full support of the Board. Hetmyer is one of the best batsmen in the Region and we want to ensure that he returns to the top of his game,” Sanasie ended.

Allicock makes...

FROM BACKPAGE Fiss was stopped in the second round by coach Francisco Roldan after Thomas hurt his hand.

Colin Lewis did not compete as he was battling a bout of influenza.

WILL BE READY According to information out of the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA), seasoned boxing coach Roldan is pleased with the overall performance of the boxers.

In a release, it was pointed out that the former Guyana-based Cuban coach said that “he was pleased with the performance of the boxers and declared that all will be ready for the Olympic Qualifiers next month”.

The boxers are expected to participate in another tournament next week.

The Government of Guyana and the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) made the training-stint in Cuba possible.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday February 12, 2020

New Zealand consign India to first ODI whitewash in 22 years NEW ZEALAND consigned India to their first bilateral ODI whitewash in more than 22 years, riding on the efforts of a second-string attack missing Trent Boult, Lockie Ferguson and Matt Henry. Hamish Bennett’s four-for and some tight bowling around him made sure India managed only 296, despite their biggest gain of the series: a middle-order core of KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer.

New Zealand made the chase seem more difficult than it should have been after a 106-run opening stand between Henry Nicholls and Martin Guptill. Regular wickets, though, brought back memories of the T20I series debacle, but Tom Latham and a charmed Colin de Grandhomme saw them through from 220 for 5.

India might have lost the ODI series, but in Rahul they have solidified a No. 5 to fill the hole left by Yuvraj Singh and MS Dhoni.

Rahul had already shown he could hit hard, hit from ball one and hit for a long time, but yesterday, he rescued India from 62 for 3 to score his fourth ODI century.

(Scores: New Zealand 300 for 5 (Nicholls 80, Guptill 66, de Grandhomme 58*, Chahal 3-47) beat India 296 for 7 (Rahul 112, Iyer 62, Bennett 4-64) by five wickets.)

And he did so without

eating up balls at the start of his 113-ball 112. Rahul stayed at the wicket for 34.3 overs during which time India scored 207 for 2. Around that stay, though, New Zealand not great in the field, mind you - managed to cause enough damage to restrict India to 296 for 7 despite the score reading 269 for 4 in the 47th over.

If the similarities were not enough already, Rahul joined Rahul Dravid as the only India wicketkeeper with an ODI century outside Asia.

Both were naturalised wicketkeepers who batted below their preferred position to suit the team’s needs.

Incidentally, the last time an India batsman scored a hundred from No. 5 or lower was when Dhoni and Yuvraj were batting together, in January 2017 against England. That Cuttack ODI was also the last time India had crossed 290 with the top three’s contribution being under 20%. Not just Rahul, Nos 4 and 6 around him played their role: Iyer scored a near-run-a-ball 62, and Manish Pandey made sure the runs kept coming with his 42 off 48 from 162 for 4.

The day, though belonged to the New Zealand bowlers. Kyle Jamieson continued his impressive beginning by bowling Mayank Agarwal early, beating the outside edge

after having gone past the inside one in the previous game. Virat Kohli played an uncharacteristic innings, getting beaten by wide deliveries early before hitting out to only the seventh ball he faced.

This was the earliest he had hit a six in India’s innings. Kohli’s innings didn’t continue for long, though, as he cut Bennett straight to third man. Prithvi Shaw, looking in great touch once again, gave it away by running himself out, bringing in Rahul to join Iyer.

During their last partnership, in the first ODI of this series, Rahul had sort of carried Iyer, but here Iyer was in better touch. He still kept hitting the ball in the air but never fell too far behind the 100 strike rate. Rahul looked imperious from the time he walked in, square-driving the second ball he faced for four. New Zealand turned to de Grandhomme and James Neesham soon after the early exchanges just like they had done in the first ODI. Runs kept trickling with a Neesham short delivery stopped at Iyer, who could only pop up a catch to short midwicket. The two added 100 in 110 deliveries.

Mitchell Santner missed a run-out of Rahul on 64, and Pandey on 35 but did a good job of keeping a lid on the scoring. From the 39th to the 46th over, India hit 09:35 hrs Sartene’s Son 10:40 hrs Cuban Sun 11:10 hrs Ice Cool Champs 11:40 hrs Carrolls Milan 12;15 hrs Wye Aye 12:50 hrs Little Ginge

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The New Zealand players pose with the trophy. (Getty Images)

only one boundary. There was a slightly strange element of risk aversion for a side only four down.

When Rahul took the risk in the 47th over, Jamieson dropped him at long-off. Bennett, though, got his due reward with a similar chance next ball, with Jamieson hanging on this time. Pandey chose the next ball to try to hit a six, and even he could go only as far as long-on. Bennett’s mix of wide lines, hard lengths and knuckle balls worked well and only 86 came in the last 12 overs.

It took New Zealand a little over 12 overs at the start to score those 86. Guptill took apart Navdeep Saini and also took a 10-run over off Jasprit Bumrah, who went wicket-less in the series. It was eventually the leg-spin of Yuzvednra Chahal that dragged India back into the contest.

Guptill fell to a ripper, but Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor chipped up soft catches to give India a look-in. Nicholls, consistently impressive as a naturalised opener, failed to convert yet again and fell 20

short of a hundred. Neesham took a fair go at a half-volley from Chahal but found Kohli at midwicket. Against the run of play, it was 77 runs required with the last recognised pair in.

With Latham rock-solid at one end, de Grandhomme chanced his arm as soon as he came in. A mis-hit fell short of a deep fielder, two less-than-ideal hits just about cleared the fence, and New Zealand were off again.

Latham remained unbeaten on a soothing 32 off 34.

(ESPN Cricinfo)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday February 12, 2020

Warner ponders quitting T20Is to prolong career

By Daniel Brettig DAVID Warner has flagged his likely retirement from T20Is following the two T20 World Cups to be played in consecutive years, and also explained why he has chosen to skip the Big Bash League for much of his international career.

On an emotional Australian Cricket Awards night for Warner, he took away the Allan Border Medal as the national team’s best player across all three formats despite an abominable Ashes series in which Steven Smith and Marnus Labuschagne scored the runs that allowed Tim Paine’s team to retain the urn in England for the first time since 2001.

He fared far better on home soil after adopting the belligerent, aggressive batting approach that Australian cricket followers have grown used to, and also made runs on the brief India ODI tour last month that was the last series that featured in the medal’s voting period.

At 33, Warner is starting to consider how to approach the remainder of his career, and the dropping of T20Is from his schedule appears the

next step he will take to prolong it - albeit only after the T20 World Cups in Australia later this year and in India in 2021.

“I don’t have a BBL team; I took a break during this period, and that was about my body and my mind, making sure I’m getting ready for the next series that comes up,” Warner said. “If you look at T20 internationals, we’ve got back-to-back World Cups as well, that’s probably a format that could be one I’d probably drop in a few years.

“I have to look at the schedule; it’s going to be very difficult (for me) to play all three forms, and good luck to all the guys who want to keep playing that. You talk to guys like AB de Villiers and Virender Sehwag, these guys who’ve done it for a long time, it does become challenging.

Having three young kids and my wife at home all the time, the constant travelling becomes very difficult. If it was to come down to (leaving out) one format, it would probably be the international T20s.”

As for the BBL, Warner denied that its rapid growth to a 61-game tournament, after starting as a 20-game, state-based

event in 2005 and then growing to 31, 35, 43 and 59 games under the BBL banner from 2011 onwards, was a factor in him avoiding it.

Warner’s manager had said last year that his client would consider playing in the BBL but that it would need to be financially “worth his while” to do so, but the opener also indicated that some CA-contracted players were uneasy about taking the spots of cricketers who had represented their clubs for the whole event.

“For me it’s about working out timeframes with different series, identify when you need a bit of a rest,” Warner sad. “Generally, we play a Test series and go into a one-day series. We went to India and then generally you have a one-day series at home, back-to-back games and then you go away. So, it was a bit different this year; I was able to have that opportunity to have that break which I’m grateful for.

“A lot of the guys try to go back and play as much as they can. Sometimes, you look at the finals as an example, they come back and play the final, you’re taking someone’s spot as well,

Young, Seales named in ICC Under-19 World Cup tournament team

POTCHEFSTROOM, South Africa (CMC) – West Indies stars Nyeem Young and Jayden Seales have been named in the ICC’s Under-19 World Cup team of the tournament.

Young, a fast-bowling all-rounder, starred in the group stage with two half-centuries and a five-wicket haul, finishing the tournament with 140 runs and eight wickets.

Seales, meanwhile, was one of the most impressive seamers on show during the tournament, claiming 10 wickets at an average of 18 runs apiece.

Akbar Ali, who led Bangladesh to victory over favourites India in Sunday’s final, has been named captain of the 12man squad which includes players from six different nations.

Bangladesh and India both boast three representatives on the team.

In announcing Young, the ICC said West Indies “seem to have unearthed a future star all-rounder.”

which is always tough as a player, you don’t want to come back and just take someone’s spot for one game.

So, this opportunity was great for these guys to go out and play, and to see Smithy and Gazza (Nathan Lyon) and them take part in it and win the title is fantastic.”

There had been plenty of tears from Warner as he accepted the medal, after not even being invited to last year’s ceremony, which predated CA’s lengthy reintegration process for him, Smith and Cameron Bancroft after their Newlands bans.

“I had no doubt that I had the capability of being back here again. It was obviously a lot of hard work and commitment to be able to put my hand back up for selection for one, and go away and just do what I know best and that’s to try and score as many runs as I can in any competition I was playing in,” Warner said.

“There was obviously a lot of work behind the scenes to reintegrate the three of us and I really appreciate the way that unfolded and the way we were reintegrated into the team and into the fold, and that was by having

David Warner drives through the off side. (Getty Images) net sessions as well at the Test matches, keeping our sharpness up against quality bowling, and I’m extremely grateful for that.

“There were tough times there with me and, my wife having two miscarriages, there were a lot of things going on in my life away from cricket that I had to work on, and I was able to do that and that was the thing about not having cricket there. I had to work out what was going to be best for me.

I had to work on my fitness, me and my wife are a great team, we have three beautiful daughters, and we really enjoy each other’s company.”

Australia’s next assignment is a tour of South Africa for three T20Is and three ODIs, taking Warner and Smith back to the scene of their transgressions for the first time in nearly two years.

Warner said his experiences in England last year, where he was able to shrug off a constant stream of abuse from crowds while never once retaliating, would be helpful memories.

“I knew what I was walking into in England and I know exactly what I’m walking into in South Africa,” Warner said. “You just look at the recent series against England; it doesn’t matter where you go in the world, you’re probably going to cop something of some sort. You’ve got to try and get that out of your head and not let that affect you.

I’ve well and truly learned my lessons from last time. It’s going to be great to go back over there, and I’m just really excited to get out there against South Africa and hopefully come home with a win.” (ESPN Cricinfo)

HACC president donates cricket gear to young cricketer

Windies Under-19 fast bowling all-rounder Nyeem Young

“He underlined his credentials straight from the off, making 61 with the bat to top-score in his side’s group-stage opener against Australia, before taking five for 45 to beat England next time out – becoming the first West Indian to take a five-for and make a half-century in an U-19 match,” the ICC said.

Of Seales, the organisers noted that he “staked his claim as one of the side’s best up-and-coming fast bowlers as he looks to join a prestigious tradition.”

Former West Indies fast bowler, Ian Bishop,

now a well-respected television commentator, was among a five-man panel choosing the team of the tournament.

SQUAD – Akbar Ali (Bangladesh) – captain, Yashasvi Jaiswal (India), Ibrahim Zadran (Afghanistan), Ravindu Rasantha (Sri Lanka), Mahmudul Hasan Joy (Bangladesh), Shahadat Hossain (Bangladesh), Nyeem Young (West Indies), Shafiqullah Ghafari (Afghanistan), Ravi Bishnoi (India), Kartik Tyagi (India), Jayden Seales (West Indies) Akil Kumar (Canada) – 12th man

Here, Persaud (left) hands over part of the donation to Mohabir while other members of the club look on.

DESCRIBED as a very, disciplined young man by his club’s president Boodnarine Persaud, 20-year-old Chandrapaul Mohabir was recently the recipient of a quantity of cricket gear, compliments of Narchand ‘Archie’ Mohan, president of Hawaiian Arctic Cricket Club (HACC) of Toronto, Canada.

According to Persaud, who is president of Zeelugt Cold Fusion Cricket Club, the Guyanese-born Mohan, who resides in Canada, readily agreed to assist the young all-rounder following a request made on his behalf.

Mohabir, who hails from Green-

wich Park, East Bank Essequibo, is a member of Zeelugt Cold Fusion Cricket Club which is affiliated to the East Bank Cricket Association. He also represented Essequibo at the Under-15 and Under-19 levels.

Both Persaud, on behalf of the club, and Mohabir expressed sincere thanks to Mohan for his fine gesture and generosity, with the former pointing out that it will go a far way in enhancing the cricketer’s fledgling career.

The cricket gear includes MRF bat, helmet, spike boots, a pair of batting pads, thigh pad batting gloves and a gear bag.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday February 12, 2020

RHTYSC, DDL prepare for Pepsi U-19 tourney

DDL Marketing Executive Larry Wills (right) hands over sponsorship to RHTYSC Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster.

… Company pumps $240 000 into sponsorship for 2020 THE Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club (RHTYSC), in partnership with Demerara Distillers Ltd via international soft drink brand Pepsi, continued its relationship following a recent donation.

The partnership, dating back to 2004, continued last Friday at the Demerara Distillers Head Office located at Diamond, East Bank Demerara. The soft drink giant has been sponsoring the RHTYSC Under-19 and Intermediate teams since the relationship began.

The sponsorship was renewed and saw some $240 000 being injected towards the clubs’ plans for 2020. RHTYSC Secretary/ CEO Hilbert Foster recognised Pepsi and DDL as one of the main reasons the club has been hailed as Guyana’s best and for the reputation of producing positive results on the cricket field.

The Pepsi U-19 team in 2019 won the BCB U-19 T20 title, were runners-up of the 50-Overs tournament while the Pepsi Intermediate team won the BCB/Shimron Hetmyer 50-Overs tournament. Pepsi came on board as the official sponsor after the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company withdrew their services in 2004.

Under the sponsorship, the U-19 team have won six titles including the first two editions of the BCB/New York Business Group 50- Overs tournament while the Intermediate team have won both tournaments organised by the BCB. National junior cricketer Jonathan Rampersaud and Berbice player Chanderpaul Govindhan would serve as captain and vice-captain respectively while the 2020 Intermediate team will be led by Junior Sinclair.

Foster expressed gratitude to DDL and Pepsi for their continued investment into the RHTYSC. He committed the teams to uphold the high standard they have set themselves in the future and to be perfect ambassadors of the Pepsi brand.

DDL Marketing Executive Larry Wills congratulated the RHTYSC for being an outstanding representative of the Pepsi brand. DDL, he stated, was proud to be associated with the RHT teams as they have represented the Pepsi brand well on and off the cricket field.

Over the years, the team produced national junior players Dominic Rikhi, Shailendra Shameer, Arif Chan, Loyden

Lewis, Shawn Pereira, Akshay Homraj, Jonathan Rampersaud, Mahendra Gopilall, Jeremy Sandia, Kevlon Anderson, Junior Sinclair, Kevin Sinclair, Matthew Pottaya, Assad Fudadin, Abdel Fudadin, Royston Crandon, Shemaine Campbelle, Sheneta Grimmond, Shabika Gajnabi, Murphy La Rose among others, some of whom have gone on to play at the highest levels.

BOUNTY FARM SQUASH TOURNAMENT SPIKES OFF TODAY THE Guyana Squash Association (GSA) spikes off its second tournament of 2020 with the annual Bounty Farm Ltd Handicap tourney, which gets underway today at the Georgetown Club Courts, Camp Street.

According to a release from GSA, some 35 participants will match skills in two categories - Open which will feature the sea-

soned squash players and Category ‘A’ for the younger players.

The Open category includes last year’s Lucozade handicap winner Nicholas Narain, Peter Michael De Groot, Ashley Khalil, Michael Alphonso, Kirsten Gomes and BCQS Women’s veterans Over-35 winner Lydia Fraser.

Category A will comprise some of the up-and-

coming junior players - Shiloh Asregado, Joshua Verwey, Dhiren Persaud and Lajuan Munroe. Matches will be played each evening starting at 18:00hrs.

On Saturday, action commences at 11:00hrs before concluding with the finals on Sunday starting the same time. The usual BBQ fundraiser will also be held on Sunday, February 16.

Squash action returns to Georgetown Club Courts this evening for the 2020 Bounty Farm handicap tourney.

Veteran Steyn eyes new role in young South Africa side EAST LONDON, South Africa (Reuters) - Experienced South African Dale Steyn has his eye on the Twenty20 World Cup in Australia this year as he takes on added responsibility as mentor to his team’s young fast bowlers.

Steyn is regarded as one of the greatest quick bowlers to play the game, but has been laid low by injury for long periods in the last three years.

The 36-year-old is set to play his first Twenty20 International since March 2019 when South Africa host England in the first match of a three-game series at Buffalo Park today.

Steyn, who ended his Test career in August having taken 439 wickets in 93 matches, says his only goal for now is to play in the T20 World Cup in October.

“With Test cricket, the workload was

South Africa pacer Dale Steyn

too much as I want to extend my career for as long as I can,” Steyn told reporters yesterday.

“In Test cricket you can bowl 20 overs in a day, that is five T20s, so it was a smart decision.

“I love playing cricket, right now I wake up every morning and I can’t see myself doing anything else.

“As long as the desire is still there to play at the highest level, to get batters out and out-smart them … once I have decided I don’t want that I will walk away.”

Steyn admits he has had to adapt his game after chronic shoulder problems reduced his once blistering pace, but has enjoyed challenging himself to find new ways to get batsmen out.

“I want to keep experimenting and trying to change my game,” he said. “If

I’m only going to play one more match I want to take a wicket with every ball, not try and defend a boundary.”

Steyn spent most of his career in the same team as current South Africa coach Mark Boucher and director of cricket Graeme Smith, and now that he is one of the few senior statesmen left in a young squad, has added responsibility on the pitch.

“This is a young group of players and my role is to orchestrate the bowling attack a little bit,” Steyn said. “I want to stand at mid-off and say to the bowler, ‘what are you thinking?’ and hopefully they can learn and get better.

“You want to win every game, obviously, but right now it is more about learning. If we win the World Cup, nobody is going to care if we lost to England in February.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday February 12, 2020

Brazil qualify for 2020 Olympic men’s tournament BUCARAMANGA, Colombia (Reuters) - Reigning Olympic men’s football champions Brazil qualified for this summer’s tournament in Japan with a 3-0 win over Argentina on Sunday.

Brazil had to beat their arch rivals in the Colombia qualifier in order to join them as one of South America’s two representatives at the Tokyo Games.

Paulinho scored the opener after 11 minutes before Matheus Cunha added a second

on the half-hour mark and a third early in the second half.

Argentina had already qualified for Tokyo after winning their first two matches in the round-robin qualifying tournament.

Uruguay lost out despite beating hosts Colombia 3-1 earlier on Sunday.

Brazil won the gold medal at the Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro in 2016, giving them the last major international title to have eluded them.

Brazil players in action during a defensive wall at Alfonso Lopez Stadium, Bucaramanga, Colombia (REUTERS/Luisa Gonzalez)

Russell poised for fitness assessment PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, (CMC) – Injury-prone West Indies star Andre Russell is set to undergo an injury assessment to determine his fitness, as Cricket West Indies begin to hone their plans for this year’s Twenty20 World Cup in Australia.

The 31-year-old has not played a T20 International in 19 months and has not suited up for West Indies since limping

Andre Russell

West Indies setup.

“Hopefully in the next few weeks he will undergo what is described by the medical team as a return-to-play protocol,” Grave said.

“So he will go through a fitness test to see how his knees have recovered from the injuries that he suffered and allowing us to see if he would be passed fit medically – which is the first stage – and injury free in terms of his ability to both bat and bowl.

“He would then build up his fitness levels and hopefully through performances in the Indian Premier League make himself available for selection for the West Indies.”

The IPL runs from March 29 to May 24 and Russell is expected to turn out as usual for Kolkata Knight Riders.

Despite fitness concerns, Russell was picked for last year’s World Cup but managed just four matches, as West Indies produced their worst-ever showing in finishing ninth of 10 teams.

Meanwhile, Grave said off-spinner Sunil Narine was also being monitored, with selectors hoping he makes a full recovery from the finger injury which has troubled him over the last year.

In fact, the 31-year-old last represented West Indies last August when he faced India in three T20 Internationals but that outing was his first in two years.

“He’s obviously been a player that has been a fantastic servant and player for West Indies particularly in white ball cricket but at this stage, Sunil is still working on his action,” Grave explained.

“He obviously had the finger injury which took him out and made him struggle to bowl, and we’re hoping that he’s going to be fully fit … and be able to bowl his full portfolio of deliveries for the IPL and then fingers crossed, from the West Indies point of view, all goes well and he can follow that through into the CPL and hopefully be in form and be available for the World Cup.”

Salmon staying grounded despite memorable debut out of the 50-over World Cup in England last June with a knee injury.

However, Russell has continued to feature in domestic T20 leagues across the globe and CWI chief executive, Johnny Grave, said the player’s fitness would now come under the microscope with the hope of reintegrating him into the

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Today’s Quiz: (1) Who were the winning quarter-finalists of

the ICC Under 19 World Cup 2020?

(2)Who were the losing semi-finalists?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

KINGSTON, Jamaica, (CMC) – Off-spinner Pete Salmon says he will not be carried away by his superb seven-wicket haul on debut last week, stressing he still had much to learn in his first class career.

The 27-year-old produced the fireworks in the second innings against champions Guyana Jaguars as he helped fire Jamaica Scorpions to their maiden success of the first class season with a narrow seven-run victory at the National Stadium in Georgetown on Sunday.

“There is still a long way to go in the season, and I want to continue to work hard and don’t get ahead of myself too much,” Salmon told the Gleaner newspaper on his return here.

Salmon had an unflattering start when he finished the first innings with a single wicket – that of opener Tagenarine Chanderpaul – as Jaguars perished for 190 to earn a three-run lead on first innings.

However, it was in the second innings that Salmon came to the forefront. With the hosts chasing a modest 182 for victory on the penultimate day, the right-armer produced a magical spell of seven for 57 to send them tumbling for 174.

Jaguars were cruising on 49 for one but Salmon scythed through the innings accounting for both openers Chanderpaul and Chandrapaul Hemraj, along with the Windies trio of Vishaul Singh, Chris Barnwell and Raymon Reifer, to leave the innings in ruins at 155 for nine at the close.

“I knew I had to take responsibility from the start, because most of the Guyana top-order batters are left-handers,” Salmon pointed out.

“I knew once I got the ball in the right areas, I knew I could do some damage.”

The victory was a crucial one for Scorpions who had gone winless in the three pre-

Jamaica Scorpions off-spinner Pete Salmon.

vious rounds, as if lifted them off the bottom of the standings.

Also, the win was their first against Jaguars in the Professional Cricket League era and only their third over their rivals in the modern history of the first class championship.

“It’s a wonderful feeling to know that I was able to contribute to the team’s first win of the season and I could not have asked for a better start to my career,” Salmon said.

Scorpions host Leeward Islands Hurricanes in their fifth round fixture starting tomorrow at the Trelawny Multi-Purpose Stadium on Jamaica’s northwest coast.

47

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday February 12, 2020

`We are a good team, good teams always fight hard’ - coach Chanderpaul

Shivnarine Chanderpaul

… Jaguars didn’t bat well in last round

By Clifton Ross

GUYANA Jaguars batting coach Shivnarine Chanderpaul credited the fighting spirit of the defending champions despite their narrow loss to the Jamaican Scorpions last Sunday, as they prepare for a possible rebound in Round 5 against Windwards Volcanoes tomorrow in Antigua.

The Guyana and West Indies batting icon, following the end to Sunday’s dramatic 7-run loss in a topsy-turvy Round 3 encounter against the last-placed Scorpions, was still in high spirits despite the Jaguars batting not clicking at all this previous round.

Chanderpaul, despite the horrific loss lauded his boys for their courage and heart shown especially by the lower-order, who almost pulled off one of the most daring heists in the Professional Cricket League (PCL).

“It was a great effort from the last two guys (Keon Joseph and Veerasammy Permaul). It shows we still have fight and it doesn’t matter if we are down to the last guy or not, we are going to fight all the way,” said the Jags batting coach.

Going by the Jaguars’ natural instincts to rebound from such losses, Chanderpaul who has been in many gruelling battles during his playing years, said what he saw by Guyana even in an uphill situation was just a reminder of the team’s never-say-die spirit which they have embodied ever

since giving birth to the championship dynasty.

“We are a good team and good teams always fight hard. Thinking about international teams like Australia this is the way they play. Those teams would never give up until you are all out, so you have to fight all the way to the end because those are the signs of a good team.”

In a match where bowlers, most notably the spinners, took centre stage and Jermaine Blackwood’s 81 was the top-score overall, no batsman in the Guyana team seemed set for a big score in either innings, prompting the batting coach to rue the shoddy batting returns.

“We didn’t bat as well as we needed to bat. We needed to bat a little better. It was probably difficult to bat on the pitch because if you look at the scores no team reached 200 on the surface. So it’s difficult on a pitch like that, but with that being said both teams had the same opportunities to bat on it and we came out at the backend of it,” admitted the ex-Guyana captain.

With no hundreds in the camp, despite a number of half-centuries Chanderpaul said he wants to stick to the initial team plan when it comes to their approach, especially with the tournament now officially reaching the half-way mark.

“As I said it was not an easy pitch to bat on, because some of the guys had starts but were never able to carry on. We have a lot of 50s but no hundreds yet. We have some plans and goals that we have set for ourselves. It’s

still early in the tournament so hopefully coming down to the next couple of game we could start hitting them,” added the 45-year-old.

Guyana’s attention will now shift to tomorrow’s start to Round 5 where they seek to get back on top of the points table when they clash with Volcanoes in Antigua. Wrapping up his interview, the ex-West Indies captain said the champs will be looking to get acclimatised and assess conditions before knowing exactly what their plans will be for the next battle.

“When we get there (Antigua) we will see what the conditions are like. We have to look at that and what we are going to do and what our plans are going to be, because we have our team goals in terms of batting fielding and bowling which are also personal goals that we carry. When we get there we will see the conditions and see how we can adjust ahead of the match,” Chanderpaul ended.

Five Under-19 World Cup final players sanctioned by ICC

DESCRIBING the unpleasant events at the close of Bangladesh’s successful chase at the Under-19 World Cup final on Sunday as “unedifying”, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has heavily sanctioned three Bangladesh and two India players for breaching the governing body’s Code of Conduct.

India leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi, the leading wicket-taker in the tournament, was found guilty on two counts, while fast bowler Akash Singh and the Bangladesh trio of Towhid Hridoy, Shamim Hossain and Rakibul Hasan were charged with violating one article of the code.

While all five players were held guilty of breaching Article 2.21 of the ICC’s Code of Conduct, which deals with bringing the game into disrepute, Bishnoi was also found guilty of violating Article 2.5, which pertains to the use of “language, actions or gestures which disparage or which could provoke an aggressive reaction from a batter upon his/her dismissal.”

All five players were slapped with varying suspension points, with Hridoy

Ravi Bishnoi celebrates a wicket with gusto. (ICC via Getty) bearing the stiffest penalty of 10 suspension points, which equate to six demerit points. Both Hossain and Singh were handed eight suspension points (six demerit) while Hasan was given four suspension points (five demerit).

Bishnoi was handed a total of seven demerit points: five for breaching Article 2.21 and another two for the manner in which he celebrated the

dismissal of Avishek Das in the 23rd over of the Bangladesh innings, which breached Article 2.5.

All the above points will remain on the players’ records for two years and apply to upcoming international matches - at the Under-19 or senior level - they are likely to participate in. One suspension point equals to a player being ineligible for one ODI or T20I, Under-19 or A team

international match.

Match officials, including on-field umpires Sam Nogajski and Adrian Holdstock, third umpire Ravindra Wimalasiri and fourth umpire Patrick Bongni Jele, levelled the charges against the players, with the final penalty proposed by the match referee, Graeme Labrooy.

There was a lot of aggression on both sides through the final, a low-scoring thriller in which Bangladesh chased down a revised target of 170 with only three wickets left.

Players engaged in several short exchanges since the second over of the match that culminated in some players from both sides being involved in pushing and shoving and, in the process, causing damage to a Bangladesh flag.

Both captains condemned the behaviour on their players’ part. Priyam Garg, the India captain, said the opposition’s reaction was “dirty” while his opposite number, Akbar Ali, was “sorry” on behalf of his team, admitting that emotions needed to be kept in check without spoiling the fabric of the “gentleman’s

game”.

Geoff Allardice, the ICC general manager cricket, said it was “disappointing” to see a final that was “hardfought” ending with players being sanctioned.

“The match was hard-fought, as you would expect in an ICC U-19 Cricket World Cup Final, but the elation and disappointment experienced by some players after the game spilled over into unedifying scenes that have no place in our sport,” he said in an ICC release issued on Monday.

“Respect is at the very heart of the spirit of cricket, and players are expected to show self-discipline, congratulate the opposition on their successes and enjoy the success of their own team.

“It is disappointing that Code of Conduct charges needed to be laid after such a closely contested match, but it is important to reinforce the standard of behaviour that will be expected of these young players should they transition to senior international cricket.” (ESPN Cricinfo)

UK Sport to begin independent review into UK Athletics LONDON (Reuters) - Britain’s under-fire track and field governing body UK Athletics (UKA) will be the subject of an independent review after a turbulent 15 months, UK Sport announced on Tuesday.

In that time UK Athletics, which received 27 million pounds in UK Sport funding for the current Olympic cycle, has lost its CEO, performance director and chair and managed only five medals at the world championships in Doha, the lowest total since 2005.

UK Athletics has also been criticised for its handling of the fallout from the Alberto Salazar

scandal, notably its decision to allow Mo Farah to continue training at the Nike Orgeon Project despite concerns raised about Salazar in 2015.

In a statement UK Sport, the body responsible for funding elite sport in Britain, said it had commissioned an independent first stage review to define the key components of a ‘fit for the future’ national governing body for athletics.

“Issues raised in recent months regarding the sport are of major concern to both UK Sport and to the leadership team at UK Athletics,” Sally Munday, CEO of UK Sport

said on Tuesday.

“Our aim in commissioning this first stage review is to ensure we have a full understanding of the priority issues and any next steps required to help the sport move forward.”

The review will consider the strategy, leadership, governance, operation, culture and connectivity of UK Athletics within the context of the sport as a whole and sit alongside independent reviews into issues around the Nike Oregon Project.

Preliminary work will be undertaken by Sue Street, former Permanent Secretary at the Depart-

Athletics - British Athletics Championships - Alexander Stadium, Birmingham, Britain - August 25, 2019 Britain’s Morgan Lake in action during the women’s high jump Action Images via Reuters/Peter Cziborra

ment for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport.

She will recommend next steps later in the next few months.

UKA performance director Neil Black stepped down after seven years in October following the poor performance in Doha and his past support for banned U.S. coach Salazar.

Shortly afterwards Zara Hyde Peters, who was to succeed Niels de Vos as CEO, opted against taking up the post because of newspaper revelations about her husband.

Chairman Richard Bowker also stepped down early in 2019.

HETMYER ALWAYS WELCOME IN JAGUARS TEAM SANASIE

Shimron Hetmyer

PAGE

42

… GCB secretary backing batsman to face upcoming fitness exam

Keevin Allicock was impressive in his bout.

Allicock makes light work of Cuban boxer in

competition CARIBBEAN bantamweight champion Keevin Allicock stormed to a convincing victory against Cuban boxer Victor Abreu in his first boxing competition in Cuba, but some of Guyana’s other Olympic hopefuls were not as successful.

Allicock and three other boxers, middleweight Desmond Amsterdam, light welterweight Colin Lewis (both former Caribbean champions) and light heavyweight Dennis Thomas (a Caribbean two-time silver medallist) are current in monthtwo of a three-month training stint on the Spanish-speaking Caribbean island.

The boxers are hoping to get into shape for the upcoming Olympic Qualifiers, scheduled for March 26 to April 3 in Argentina as they aim to qualify for the Tokyo Olympics (July 24 to August 9).

In the recent competition at the Sancti Spiritus province (almost in the middle of the island), Allicock registered an easy 3-0 win. Amsterdam on the other hand, lost a close points-decision to Jorge Cuellar; while Thomas’s match against Lazaro Turn to Page 42

GCB secretary Anand Sanasie

Ferrari say Vettel is ahead of Hamilton for 2021 seat

By Alan Baldwin

Ferrari’s drivers Charles Leclerc and Sebastian Vettel pose next to the new Ferrari Formula One in this handout photo released Tuesday. Ferrari Press Office/Handout via REUTERS

REGGIO EMILIA, Italy (Reuters) - Sebastian Vettel is Ferrari’s first choice to partner Charles Leclerc next year, team boss Mattia Binotto said yesterday, despite speculation that they want six times world champion Lewis Hamilton.

The 32-year-old German had a difficult and disappointing 2019 season, outperformed by Leclerc in the young Monegasque’s first year at Ferrari, and is out of contract at the end of 2020.

Hamilton is in a similar position with Formula One champions Mercedes, although the Briton is expected to stay, and met Ferrari chairman John Elkann last year.

Binotto told reporters at the launch of the Italian team’s new SF1000 car, however, that Vettel remained very much part of future planning even if he no longer retained clear number one status.

“Seb is our first choice at the moment,” he said.

“Obviously it is something we are discussing with him and we will continue discussing, but he is certainly our first option, our preference.”

Asked whether he could therefore rule out Hamilton, who can expect to become the highest paid Formula One driver of all time if he stays at Mercedes, Binotto refused to be drawn.

“We are focused on our drivers,” he said.

“And we are considering Seb as our option at the moment.”

Pressed on whether Hamilton might still be a

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‘fallback option’, Binotto said that was not under consideration.

Vettel, asked if he wanted to stay at Ferrari for what would be a seventh successive season, said age was certainly not a factor.

“I feel young enough. You spoke about Lewis, he’s even older,” he said of the 35-yearold who can equal Ferrari great Michael Schumacher’s record seven championships this year and also beat the German’s unprecedented 91 wins.

“So that’s not a limitation. So yeah, happy to keep going.”

Vettel started last season as the clear number one at Ferrari, the sport’s most successful team but without a title in 12 years, only for Leclerc to take more wins, poles, podiums and points.

In December, Ferrari extended 22-year-old Leclerc’s contract to the end of 2024 — a huge vote of confidence from a team that has rarely committed itself to even the greatest of drivers for so long.

The pair clashed on track, most famously with a collision in Brazil when they were warned about their behaviour, but Binotto said they would be free to race on equal terms from the start of this season.

“Last year we said Seb would have been first driver, and Charles second,” he said.

“I think that after a year both have shown they can fight for the best result so they will be on the same level. Let’s say they can both fight for being ahead and that’s it. So let them race.”

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2020