Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 18 11 2016

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WITHIN the last year, 21-year-old Vincent Shelto went from being the new kid on the block in the makeup industry, to one of the more sought after local makeup artists. More than just being one of the only male makeup artists in the game, Vincent serves as a living advertisement of his talent by pushing the envelope, and wearing makeup on his own face. And, whereas in the wider world, such an occurrence would not be so uncommon, in Guyana, Vincent attracts much attention every

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, November 18, 2016

‒ Male makeup artist urges

time he steps out the door. Though he admits that such attention is oftentimes negative, he has some choice words for those naysayers: “Live and let live!” As he told The Buzz in an interview, “People should really get rid of that type of negativity and let people live and be what they want to be. “I live to please me; my family accepts me. And if people don’t have anything nice to say, they shouldn’t say anything at all.” A frequent traveller, Vincent attests to

Vincent Shelto is not shy about wearing makeup

the fact that in other places such as New York City, men wearing makeup is no cause to stare. “But if I go down Georgetown,” he said, “people would be like, ‘Oh my God! What is that!’ and so on. We are very selective of what we want to think good and bad about over here, but we really need to open up our minds in Guyana and stop trying to make people feel uncomfortable.”

Woman shot to mouth UNDENIABLY TALENTED Negativity aside, Vincent’s talent is undeniable, and can be seen by his own perfectly made up visage as well as the faces of his satisfied customers. Moreover, the young makeup artist has also started offering makeup classes at his recently opened store in Sharon’s Building on King Street. The week-long class teaches students such techniques as foundation application, highlighting, contouring, blush application, bronzer application, eyeshadow blending and lip techniques and eyebrow filling. Each class hosts eight persons per session to allow more attention to be given to each student. “Makeup is my passion, and I love to help my clients feel confident and beautiful on the inside and the outside, and to help to make their personality shine,” Vincent said. And this is what makeup does for him as well, as his passion for makeup started

One of Vincent’s satisfied customers

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when he began experimenting with the art on himself. “At first, I would just wear it indoors,” he said. “But this is 2016, so when people stare, we should make it worthwhile. I love doing it; it makes me feel comfortable.” For those who may be in a similar position where society is banging down on them for being different, Vincent has some sage advice. “Anyone out there who is being judged, you should just keep doing what you want to do. You have to do for you and only you; You only have one life to live,” he said. Topped off with the ever famous bit of encouragement to follow their dreams, Vincent encourages that once they follow that advice, they will find that anything is possible, even while people continue to discriminate.

… as husband ‘cleans’ gun

Sniff out

BASED on intensive intelligence-gathering, ranks of the Guyana Police Force on Wednesday conducted a search on a taxi driver of Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo, and his motor vehicle at the Brickdam Police Station. According to a police release, in the initial search, the ranks came up empty-handed and decided to utilise one of its sniffer dogs trained in the detection of firearms and explosive devices. It was noted that the canine, which goes by the name ‘ACE’, arrived with its handler and in the presence of the driver and other ranks, led them to the left front door panel, which when o p e n e d re v e a l e d a n unlicensed .38 Smith and Wesson revolver with five live matching rounds. The driver has since been taken into custody.

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Miners assail new proposal on gold purchase 3

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Businesswoman on sex trafficking charges Page

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Alleged human trafficker Carmeletta Thorman

No hand-picking of judges 7 Page

… AG says vacancies in judiciary will be advertised

New Afro 9 business chamber launches today Page

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday November 18, 2016

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday November 18, 2016

Woman shot to mouth … as husband ‘cleans’ gun

A WOMAN is nursing gunshot wounds to her mouth after her husband’s firearm allegedly went off accidentally Thursday afternoon while he was cleaning it. Injured is Ovika Jagmohan of Schoonord Housing Scheme, West Bank Demerara. Reports are sketchy, but the Guyana Chronicle was told that the woman’s husband, Deonarine Jagmohan, brother of popular businessman, Tameshwar Jagmohan, was allegedly cleaning his weapon when it went off, hitting the woman in her mouth. The police have arrested the man and seized his

licensed firearm and the woman was rushed to a city hospital. Commander of ‘D’ Division, Leslie James, said that the man told investigators that he was cleaning his licensed 9MM pistol at 12:30PM when a round was discharged hitting his wife in her jaw. However, investigators found the circumstances suspicious and are hoping his wife recovers soon to explain how she was shot. The incident comes amid a fierce row between government and citizens regarding the issuing of firearm licences, which the administration intends to limit. Pres-

ident David Granger announced recently that his administration intends to see fewer guns on the streets by limiting the issuing of firearm licences to private persons. He said he believes weapons should be used by law-enforcement agencies, and not private citizens. He said, too, that there are licensed holders of firearms who rent their weapons to criminals, and as such, efforts are in train to curb such activities. “So we would like to see fewer weapons in the hands of private citizens; it is my personal view that weapons should be used by law- enforcement agencies -– the Guyana Police Force and the Guyana Defence Force,” the President said. Commissioner of Police Seelall Per-

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saud has also come out backing calls for the issuing of fewer firearm licences, arguing that there is evidence of fewer gun crimes in societies that have refrained from issuing gun licences to private citizens. He pointed to China, where he said no private person is allowed to have a firearm licence; and he also cited the United Kingdom, where the issuing of gun licences is very limited. Citing the United States as a diametrically contrasting society that has enshrined in its constitution the right to carry firearms, the Top Cop said: “So, in the societies where there are less licensed firearms, there are less gun crimes; and that has been the trend.”

Miners assail new proposal on gold purchase … govt says no decision has been made TWO umbrella mining bodies are calling on the government to reconsider a proposal which they said will result in small and medium scale gold miners losing $8000 for every ounce of gold. According to a joint release from the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA) and the Guyana Women Miners Organisation (GWMO) on Thursday, the proposal will see local miners paying 3% less than world market prices for their gold. “No miner, under any circumstance will support this proposal. Our two associations are united in this position”, the mining bodies noted. According to the release, at current market prices, miners will lose $8,000 for every ounce of gold sold noting that the move will adversely affect local small and medium scale miners. It said that the foreign companies, who mainly export their gold won, will be exempt from the proposal. However, in a statement the Ministry of Natural Resources makes clear that the discussion on asking gold miners to pay a percentage below the “London Fix” price for gold has been ongoing for many years.

There are advantages and disadvantages to it. No decisions have been taken on this as the matter is before the Cabinet, the release added. According to the ministry in so far as the absence of consultation goes, the MNR believes that would be an unfair statement by the GGDMA/GWMO. “We met with the executive of the GGDMA/GWMO on Monday November 14, 2016 and this was one of the matters discussed. It was agreed to exchange documents related to the matter and to meet again before any decisions are made. Government of Guyana has to lessen losses arising from bad decisions made by the previous administration and is examining all the ways of doing so. Despite GGDMA’s and GWMO’s publicizing of this matter, the Ministry of Natural Resources remains committed to finding solutions and building meaningful partnerships through consultations with these organisations.” Meanwhile, the two bodies noted that the Guyana Gold Board, lost over $10 billion during the period of 2012 to 2014 which it blamed on mismanagement. “Buying gold from local miners at the fixed world market

prices has been the norm for the Guyana Gold Board and Gold Dealers in Guyana for over 20 years”, the miner’s bodies said. According to the miners, the proposal will add to intended moves by the government to remove all assistance to the industry, including Value added tax (VAT) relief, fuel relief, duty-free vehicle concessions and tax relief on spares and mining equipment. They said that the move is likely to impact heavily on the industry which they noted is struggling. It was explained that the proposal will see miners being made to pay almost $25,700 for every ounce of gold. In addition it was noted that the move is being tabled without any consultation with miners or the mining associations. They said that despite all the rhetoric about consultations, the proposal was developed and put into motion adding that they are no unsure of previous consultations made with the government. “We demand an immediate halt to this proposal and a commitment from the Government of Guyana that they are serious about meaningful consultations”, the GGDMA and GWMO said. They noted that they will be meeting with miners across the country to inform

them about the impending changes and to discuss how it will affect their livelihood. An outreach programme is planned and will commence next week, the two bodies said. The two bodies noted that mining currently ranks high in terms of providing employment to the population as they cited the industry’s importance to the economy. Guyana’s gold mining sector has been performing well and this year the target is set to create history as it edges closer to the 600,000 ounces production mark, the highest ever recorded. At the end of September, gold declarations were 94 per cent more than it was at this time last year, and remains on track to surpass the 555,000 ounces projection set at the start of 2016. The Government Information Agency (GINA) quoted Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman, as saying, “In mining, we are doing relatively well,” in that gold declaration for the first quarter of the year stood at 161,942 ounces, and that the figure could pass the 600,000 ounces. Trotman said that the sector has been making positive developments in reducing the incidence of gold smuggling, an issue which has hampered declarations over the years.

Cabinet mulls options to revive forestry sector CABINET is currently analysing a menu of options in its quest to revive the forestry sector, according to the Natural Resources Minister, Raphael Trotman. When the Finance Minister, Winston Jordan delivered the Mid-Year-Report in August, the forestry sector had contracted by 13.1 per cent during the first six months of 2016 when compared with 2015. At the time, it was anticipated that during this the latter part of the year the sector would have shown signs of improvement but now reports are suggesting that the sector has contracted even further to more than 15

per cent. In an effort to move the sector forward, Minister Trotman said Cabinet has established a sub-committee comprising the Ministries of Natural Resources, Social Protection, Public Infrastructure, Communities and Indigenous People’s Affairs to assess and holistically plan for the future of the sector. “There are many options that Government has – do we for example, aggressively go back to giving out our forest for harvesting of logs, do we do so in a less aggressive way and withhold for carbon credit financing that we can raise,” the Natural Re-

sources Minister said, while addressing reporters at the Ministry of the Presidency on Thursday. The 1.6 million hectare forest concession, which is being returned to Government following Barama Company Limited (BCL) decision to close its logging concession here, is also under serious review. “The State is examining the future – one, whether we should give them back out in blocks, and we have received some expressions of interest from both local and international companies, (or) whether we should cut them into about four of about 400,

000 hectares each putting aside some for conservation, putting aside some for small loggers and saw-millers, putting aside for international concessionaires,” Trotman said. He said these are the options currently being examined by the sub-committee which is expected to submit a report soon to Cabinet. He said while there may be some incentives in the 2017 Budget for operators within the Guyana Forestry Sector, the sector must remain competitive and self-financing. I n O c t o b e r, B a r a m a Company Limited (BCL) indicated to Government that

it will no longer be operating a logging concession here, after opting not to renew its Forest Concession Agreement. The company had explained that it was no longer viable to continue in the forestry operations in view of prevailing global prices. Additionally, the Natural Resources Ministry has mandated the Guyana Forestry Commission to work with BCL to ensure a smooth closure of all concession related activities within the stipulated period. The parties will ensure that all labour and other related issues are fully addressed in keeping with applicable

laws and regulations. Demerara Timbers Limited (DTL), another logging company which has its concession at Mabura Hill in Region 10, in recent days has been scaling down operations there with reports indicating that it is soon to close shop. In the case of Bai Shan Lin, the Government, through the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) had taken a decision to repossess all of the company’s concessions. The company had failed to meet several legally binding obligations, including the payment of $80M which it had owed Government.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday November 18, 2016

Regional educators crafting plan to tackle maths

WEEKS after the Guyana Government unveiled a plan to tackle the poor performances of students here in mathematics the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) recently hosted a two-day workshop for mathematics education stakeholders from across the Region. Participants reviewed the current status of mathematics education in the Caribbean, identified current good practices, and came up with strategies to improve students’ mastery of the subject. In the Caribbean, pass rates in mathematics at the primary and secondary level are an area of concern. Pass rates typically do not exceed 60% in any national or regional assessments. Against this background, in 2014, CDB supported research into instructional practices of mathematics teachers in the Eastern Caribbean. The study, conducted by the School of Education, Cave Hill Campus, University of the West Indies, aimed to identify solutions to improve teacher-effectiveness

and student-learning in mathematics. The recently held workshop is a continuation of those efforts. Taking into account the

mathematics education across the region. Upon completion, the FAME will be presented to the CARICOM Council of Human and Social Develop-

will help us to take a multipronged approach, it will help us guide systematic and mutually reinforcing strategies in curriculum policy,

Efforts are underway to improve performance in Mathematics across the region results of the research study, workshop participants developed a draft comprehensive Framework for Action and Results in mathematics Education (FAME), which is meant to inform ongoing policy reforms, and support concrete interventions in

ment and the OECS Council of Ministers of Education for adoption and implementation by CARICOM and OECS member countries. “This FAME will assist us in monitoring and evaluating mathematics education in our countries and region. It

teacher preparation, effective instructional practice, and accountability for learning in maths,” said Patricia McKenzie, Vice-President (Operations), CDB. Ronald Jones, Minister of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation, Barba-

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dos, noted that the workshop provided an opportunity for experts in the education sector to build consensus on actions and strategies to improve mathematics teaching and learning. “We have recognised for a long time in our region that mathematics teaching and understanding and appreciation has not been at the level that we would want to be. This exercise will give us…an opportunity to refine our whole idea and thought of taking mathematics teaching forward,” he said. The workshop was held from November 15 to 16, 2016, at the Hilton Barbados Resort. Participants included Chief Education Officers, Curriculum Officers with responsibility for mathematics, teacher educators in mathematics, principals, teachers and students from across the Caribbean. Earlier this month Minister of State, Joseph Harmon announced that government was spending some $48M for emergency intervention to strengthen the teaching capacity of Mathematics at the Grade 6 level in public schools. Students across the countries have been struggling for years with mathematics and government in recent months has deemed this a crisis which needs fixing immediately. President David Granger had mandated Minister of Education Dr Rupert Roopnaraine to meet with technical officers and staff of his ministry to find solutions to address the issue. Over the years, Guyana has failed to achieve acceptable pass rates in mathematics, a critical core subject. This year the Ministry of Education has contracted the Caribbean Examination Council (CXC) to conduct the examination for the Grade Six students here and it was discovered that the

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different assessment illustrated the deficiencies in the system. According to Harmon, several recommendations were made and approved and those include the training of teachers in content and methodology; facilitating fortnightly cluster meetings in all regions; the recruitment of mathematics coordinators and monitors; the training of officers and school administrators to supervise the teaching of mathematics; the preparing and administering a diagnostic assessment of pupils in the hinterland regions before training; the enhancement of public relations, parental involvement in the education of the children and the acquisition of support material for the students. “Having had a very thorough discussion on the matter, Cabinet approved the proposed plan and agreed to the allocation of a sum of $48, 682,690 for the expenditure and strategy that will deal with the issues before and up to the end of December 2016 and the allocation of a further sum to be spent on the strategy in 2017 and going forward,” said Harmon. He explained that preparatory work has already started and full implementation was pending Cabinet’s approval and release of funds. As part of the reform process teachers will be recruited from overseas to fill the existing gaps. “… as you know, over the years many of our good teachers have actually migrated to the Caribbean and as far as Botswana in some cases and certainly once we provide the correct environment… and most of them have started coming back…we believe we can attract some of those teachers who had left in the first case.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday November 18, 2016

UNEP reaffirms UN support for ‘green’ state-Pres Granger

PRESIDENT David Granger on Thursday held talks with Executive Director of the United Nations Environmental Programme, Erik Solheim an engagement which he said has served to intensify the agency’s relationship with Guyana and concretises the commitments which have already been made. Solheim, who is well known for having signed the Norway-Guyana Agreement on the banks of the Essequibo River when he was Norwegian Minister of International Development and the Environment, met with the President in the margins of the 22nd Session of the Conference of Parties (COP22) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC) in the COP22 Village and expressed his support for Guyana’s ‘green’ state development agenda. Following the meeting, President David Granger, in an invited comment, said that he looks forward to receiving support for capacity building for the setting up of the struc-

From left- Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan, Mr. Erik Solheim, Under Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and President of Guyana, His Excellency, David Granger ture of Guyana’s Department of the Environment, so that it can effectively advance Guyana’s push towards becoming a ‘green’ state. “The meeting comes at a time when Guyana’s Department of the Environment has gotten started. We know that we have certain agencies and commissions:

the Wildlife Authority, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Office of Climate Change, the Protected Area Systems, all of these have to be brought together. So we want to make sure that there is not only a coherent policy but also a cohesive structure,” he said.

The Head of State added that he is pleased with the meeting because it builds upon prior commitments made by UNEP to Guyana. He added that Guyana must partner with international agencies that can provide the expertise and mobilise financing to ensure the success

of its ‘green’ development programme. In this regard, President Granger welcomed Mr. Solheim’s engagement in the process. “Although he has a long relationship with Guyana, he is speaking today as an international civil servant and member of the United Nations, so he was very supportive of Guyana’s commitment to the ‘green’ state and he is very supportive of efforts to give Guyana the type of assistance needed in those two areas; the architecture and the policy areas. It was a very important meeting. The engagement started before today. We have been able to benefit from UNEP and I would say the meeting today intensified that relationship and concretised the commitments that were given previously by the [that agency] to Guyana,” he said. Guyana has an ambitious goal of realising its status of a ‘green’ state by 2025, and President Granger has been advocating for international support in order to achieve this. He, however, admitted that a significant amount of support is needed from

international players, as well as local buy-in in the short, medium and long term. The President said, “There is a general strategy that eventually, maybe by 2025, that Guyana could actually claim to be a green state but we are working towards that goal. There are many areas that require attention and I would say in the short term the important thing is for us to have a framework so we know what are the ramifications; what financing is needed, what structures have to be put in place and thereafter we can start looking at research and education and legislation and the other aspects of developing this green state. So in the short term we want to have a framework so we are all singing from the same song sheet. The new Department of the Environment containing climate change and protected areas and everything else will be reading from one page, so to speak. So today’s meeting with Mr. Solheim was a reaffirmation of United Nations’ support for Guyana’s green state.” (Ministry of the Presidency)

No bail for woman accused of robbing Rohee

THE female suspect who was arrested in connection with the armed robbery committed at the home of People’s Progressive Party (PPP) General-Secretary and parliamentarian, Clement Rohee, was on Thursday charged with two counts of robbery under arms. The accused, Corlette Parks, 49 years, of 4692 Postal Housing Scheme, Georgetown, appeared before Magistrate Lambert at the Providence Magistrates’ Court and pleaded not guilty to both charges. She was remanded to prison until January 11, 2017. This newspaper had reported

that Parks’s National Identification Card (ID) was found in the vehicle which was reportedly used to execute the robbery at Eccles, East Bank Demerara, on November 9. The car, PRR 514, was found on Wednesday aban-

doned on Croal Street, Georgetown. The vehicle owner reportedly told police that he had rented the car to the woman, but she returned the vehicle an hour later, alleging that it had developed mechanical problems.

However, the owner noted that the car appeared to be in good condition when he checked it. Police later discovered that the woman had used a fictitious name and address to rent the vehicle. Three men,

armed with guns and a knife, carted off an undisclosed sum of cash and jewellery from the former minister’s home. Rohee had told reporters that he left his two maids at home at about 09:30hrs, and was later informed that bandits had invaded the property. According to the politician, the grilled back door was left open, facilitating entry to the home for the bandits. The unrepresented woman pleaded not guilty to the charges which alleged that on Wednesday, November 11 at Eccles, East Bank Demerara, while being in the company of others armed

with a gun stole a quantity of jewellery and cash totalling over $400,000, property of the parliamentarian. Magistrate Lambert remanded the woman until January 11 after the police prosecutor strongly objected to the woman being granted her pre-trial liberty. Investigators had reportedly lifted a number of fingerprints from the car, one of which matched Parks’s. On the day of the robbery around 09:30hrs three men, armed with guns and a knife carried out the home invasion and robbery at the former minister’s residence.

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Editor-In-Chief

Nigel Williams Editor

Godfrey Wray

Editorial: 227-5216; 227-5204 guyanachronicle.com wnigel10@hotmail.com gnnleditorial@gmail.com

Editorial United Nations advice to the United States UNITED Nations (UN) Secretary-General Ban Kimoon and French President Francois Hollande at the Climate Change Conference on Tuesday called on the United States (U.S.) to honour the 2015 Paris Agreement. This call was directed to the U.S. President-elect Donald Trump as to the importance of the U.S. remaining as a partner in the agreement, given its economic power and being the world’s second largest greenhouse gas emitter, which is a leading cause of climate change. This advice is communicating to Trump that while the U.S. is a superpower it is not the world; and whereas governments may come and go, the rest of the world will not countenance the behaviour of any country seeking to engage in international treaties and ending same based on internal politics. The almost 200 governments, including the U.S., that are attending the Conference in Morocco (7th-18th November) believe climate change poses a clear and present danger to the world and man’s survival. With Trump having campaigned on the belief that climate change is a hoax, his incoming administration has already set about looking at ways how the U.S. can extricate itself from the 2015 Paris Agreement which came into force on November 4. This treaty was in the making for the last 20 years and involved significant diplomacy, presentations of hard-core scientific evidence, compromises by powerful nations and commitmentsby participating nations to work together. According to a Reuters report (15th November) a source on Trump’s transition team said he is seeking ways of withdrawing from the Paris Agreement within a year, by-passing a theoretical four-year wait. This is cause for concern in the face of scientific evidence of rising atmospheric temperatures and sea levels and dramatic melting of the Arctic seas. Any withdrawal would bring into question the credibility of the U.S. as a partner on the world stage and co-founder of the U.N. The issue is not only about the treaty, but that of credibility and image that will be besmirched in withdrawing from providing leadership for world peace and man’s collective good. Climate change in Guyana has seen a record increase in temperature; storms are becoming more destructive; there are higher tides, resulting in water from the Atlantic Ocean coming over the seawalls and flooding the coastal roads, destroying livestock, vegetable gardens and farms. In the U.S., the southern states are beginning to experience snow, and in the north-east region, there are higher levels of snowfalls and more frequent snow storms. For instance, Haiti, where there are frequent earth-

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday November 18, 2016

Delays and frustration in addressing 2016 wages and salaries Dear Editor, WITH 2016 now having entered into its final few weeks, the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) wishes to restate its ongoing and mounting concern over the failure up until now for the ongoing negotiations between itself and the Government of Guyana to bear any meaningful fruit in the various issues on the negotiating agenda. The union is on record as having: (1.) Clearly stated its rejection of the 2016 wages and salaries increase offer made by the Government of Guyana and deemed the payout made by the Government of Guyana in October 2016 to have been an interim measure. As a consequence, the union has called for the speedy return to the negotiating table to address with alacrity the remaining issues on the agenda including allowances, debunching, increments and other conditions of service for Public Servants. Contextually, the union believes that it is the expectation of Public Servants that (a) the appropriate mechanism for ensuring continuity in the wages and salaries negotiations will be effected with due haste and (b) that there will be an early return to the negotiating table in order that the various other unfinished items can be dealt with. While there has been exchanges of correspondence between the union and the Government of Guyana on the aforementioned issues over the past several weeks, it is not the view of the union that the Government of

Guyana is attaching to these matters the merited level of urgency and importance. It had been the expectation of the GPSU that the negotiations between itself and the Government of Guyana would have, by now, realised much more than an “unreasonable and unacceptable” wages and salaries offer and that we would have at least arrived at a point where the talks would have resulted in some measure of seasonal satisfaction. That, regrettably, has not been the case. At this juncture, the GPSU wishes to make the point that it remains both disappointed and concerned over the fact that the Government of Guyana negotiators do not appear to attach the deserving level of urgency to treating with the aforementioned issues in a fair and reasonable manner. We believe that this posture ignores the continuing anguish and frustration of Public Servants and sends a message that might even raise questions about the extent to which any serious value is placed on the contributions that Public Servants make. Equally importantly, the GPSU ponders the seeming dichotomy between the publicly articulated desire on the part of the Government of Guyana for meaningful and comprehensive public service reform, on the one hand, and the seeming disposition of indifference to hastening the pace of the ensuing negotiations on wages, salaries and allowances, among other things, on the other. From the GPSU’s perspective, it should be made clear that it is not

realistic to anticipate a qualitatively enhanced Public Service in circumstances where little corresponding attention is being paid to adequately incentivising Public Servants to rise to challenges that are being set them. In this context, the GPSU wishes to point out to the Government of Guyana that it is in its own interest and the interest of the people of Guyana as a whole that the issue of the emoluments of the nation’s Public Servants be treated with the level of urgency and importance that it deserves. There is, even at this time, manifest evidence that demands are being made of Public Servants and the Public Service that are inconsistent with the rewards that they are being offered. Accordingly, the GPSU calls on the Government of Guyana to remove the aura of uncertainty that currently attends the negotiations by: immediately and clearly addressing its position on the agreed mechanism for addressing the deadlocked negotiations on wages and salaries; and proposing a timeline that does not extend beyond the end of November for the resumption of determined and diligent negotiations on the remaining agenda items in the negotiating process. Both Public Servants and the union anticipate an immediate and positive response from the Government of Guyana. Regards Guyana Public Service Union

PPP ruined sugar industry, betrayed workers Dear Editor, I REFER to a news story in the Kaieteur News (Nov 14, 2016) in which former President Donald Ramotar blames the present Granger government for the atrocious condition of the Skeldon sugar factory. Mr. Ramotar is very selective in his reflection on the state of the Skeldon factory. He has forgotten that former President Jagdeo had promised to fix the factory which was producing sugar at 36 (U.S.) cents per pound, while the world price was 16 (U.S.) cents per pound. Mr. Jagdeo had said that without Skeldon being fixed, the sugar industry

would be dead. The PPP didn’t fix it. Now Mr. Ramotar wants Guyanese to believe that the ROT took place in the past 17 months. Sir, iron and steel don’t rot in months! After spending some $50 billion on the Skeldon factory, the Government took over the structure without proper trial runs. The factory was defective from day one. Then the PPP regime brought in “doctors” from South Africa and India to save the patient which was by that time near to the grave. It was under Mr.Ramotar, as a member of the GuySuCo board, that the sugar industry collapsed and went

quakes, hurricanes and storms, with the destruction wrought by these to homes, infrastructure and farmlands are contributing to increasing poverty, communicable diseases, conflicts among the people to access scarce resources, and reduction in life expectancy. The famines in Africa, where once arable lands have been depleted, have led to wars. In North Korea, where droughts and floods have ravished the country, the BBC in 1999 reported that 3 million have died since it began in 1995. Unlike the U.S. that has safety measures in place to deal with disasters (natural and man-made), such disasters have not been without grave consequences as seen with Hurricane Matthew that last month passed through southern states such as Florida, Georgia, North and South Carolina. Successful relations are built on trust, be it between

bankrupt. Mr Ramotar left GuySuCo with some $90 billion in debt, and to keep life in the industry government over the past five years gave some $40 billion in bailout to pay wages to sugar workers. Under the new government, in less than two years, some $21 billion was given as bailout. The PPP should be ashamed to make the silly claims they make now,after they ruined the sugar industry and betrayed the workers. Regards GOBIN HARBHAJAN

and among persons, institutions and countries. The role the U.S. has played on the world stage has earned it a reputation as a credible and reliable partner, not merely because of its economic prowess, but because it has been seen as embracing the values of institutions such as the UN. And over the years it has been seen as a country that is prepared to honour its words and commitments. Should the U.S. withdraw from the Agreement, it would diminish its standing in the global community. It will also embolden adversaries who would see such an act as weakness, and where it is felt that such a nation is weak, the bad guys will be more inclined to strike. And while diplomacy necessitates careful use of words by Ban Kimoon, Hollande and others, they are not without merit, for lying beneath them are deep, justifiable concerns.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday November 18, 2016

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No hand-picking of judges … AG says vacancies in judiciary will be advertised

ATTORNEY General, Basil Williams said that President David Granger is not bound to appoint a list of persons recommended by the Judicial Service Commission to the position of judge without first ascertaining their fitness and qualification for the office. The AG’s comments were made in a statement issued on Thursday as he responded to charges by the People’s Progressive Party The party in a statement outlined concerns over the shortage of judges which it says “has been affecting the Administration of Justice to the detriment of our citizens”. “We are aware that there are dire shortages of judges in the judicial system. We are also aware, that the Judicial Service Commission has made recommendations to the President for the appointment of several judges to the High Court and the Court of Appeal several months ago. “But to date no such appointment has been made. A reasonable inference that one can draw is that the nominees of the JSC do not meet the approval of the Executive. This is quite unfortunate because the approval of the Executive of the nominees for the JSC is not a Constitutional requirement.” The party went on to note that the retirement of Chief Justice, Ian Chang (SC) has created quite a void in the judicial system, adding that the Chief Justice was replaced by the Justice of Appeal, Mrs. Yonette Cummings-Edwards, thereby leaving the Court of Appeal, a three-member Court, with only two judges. “Every time the Court of Appeal sits, a Judge from the High Court is required to leave all of his/her cases in the High Court to go to the Court of Appeal. The consequences are chaotic in the High Court.” The party also noted that it was under the Donald Ramotar administration that the complement of the judges of the High Court was increased from 12 to 20, specifically, to avoid these types of problems. “We also feel compelled to point out that the work of the crucial Constitutional and Administrative Law Court is severely affected by this situation. This is a specialised Court which was established to exclusively hear and determine, with dispatch, allegations of the citizens’ of constitutional violations and abuse of power by the executive branch and by public officers.” PARLOUS However, Williams said the PPP/C, after 23 years has finally admitted to the parlous state it had left the Judiciary on demitting government. He said the judiciary was never a high priority of the PPP/C government except for them seeking to control it. “The Judiciary was not “Independent” because it had no financial independence, until the APNU+AFC Government came to office and passed legislation to effect same. In particular the PPP/C government inflicted a mortal blow on the independence of the Judiciary when it passed legislation to remove the powers hitherto inhering in office of Chief Justice and reposing them in the office of Chancellor. This resulted wittingly or unwittingly in the PPP/C seeking to place their champion in the office of the Chancellor at every meeting of the President and Leader of the Opposition to agree on the appointment of a Chief Justice and Chancellor there being

no power in the office of the Chief Justice.” SECRET APPOINTMENT OF JUDGES According to Williams having removed all the checks and balances necessary to guarantee and an independent and effective judiciary the way was paved for secret, appointments to the bench by the JSC and a PPP/C President who created the distortion in the Judiciary in the first place. Williams said the alleged shortage of judges was not occasioned under the APNU+AFC government which inherited excessive delays in both the civil and criminal jurisdictions and the crippling backlog of cases in all courts. The question therefore is why didn’t the PPP/C government make those appointments while in office?, he asked further asking why now the party appear to have the acuity of a RIP VAN Winkle recently awakened from his slumber? CROCODILE TEARS Accusing the PPP/C of shedding crocodile tears, Williams said the courts are functioning now as they were under the PPP/C a year and a half ago when the APNU+AFC took up the helm of government. He said the APNU+AFC Government came to office on the promise to the electorate to restore the Rule of Law in Guyana including transparency in Judicial appointments. “His Excellency, President Brigadier David Arthur Granger while Leader of the opposition had called for vacancies in judicial offices to be advertised so that our judiciary would attract the best possible candidates. The PPP is suggesting that the recommendations of the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) to the President for the appointment of certain Judges after the new government came to office, must be accepted and swiftly acted upon by him. Suffice it to say that the Constitution does not impose a time line on the President to treat with any such recommendation by the JSC and for good reason.” Williams added that the President must have a higher and perpetual retainer in ensuring that the Judges he appoints are fit and proper, and were selected and recommended after a transparent process. NO PUBLIC ADVERTISEMENT He said in the case of the said recommendations, they were not triggered by any public advertisement of vacancies in the office of Judges and inviting applications for appointments thereto. “Under the APNU+AFC government the days of handpicking and secret overtures to fill vacancies in the office of Judges are over. The President would be remiss in his duty to the Guyanese people if he were to robotically appoint Judges recommended by the JSC without first ascertaining –the qualifications, suitability, experience, expertise, integrity and absence of nepotism among other considerations,” Williams asserted. He said too that in the case of Justices of Appeal similar considerations apply but in addition, work ethic, the number of judgements written and whether within the statutory time limit. “:The Guyanese people are assured that the President is not in breach of his constitutional duties and is paying careful attention to his remit,” the AG said.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday November 18, 2016

Gov’t formally notified of ExxonMobil oil find

EXXONMOBIL, in collaboration with its partners Nexen Energy and Hess Corporation, is seeking to fast track work in the Stabroek block. On Wednesday, the company officially gave notice of its find of commercial quantities of oil in the area via a letter to the Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman at the Ministry’s boardroom, Brickdam. Minister Trotman noted that the notification given by the oil company is one that is required by Section 31 of the Petroleum Act. The minister pointed out that it is the first time in Guyana’s 50-year history as an independent nation, that the section of the Act is being activated. “This is a profound and watershed moment in the development of our country … so there is great humility and great responsibility that comes with the handing over and receiving of this letter,”

Minister Trotman explained. Additionally, the Minister said that the Ministry is fully aware that every decision and action taken will have an impact on Guyanese for centuries to come. The Minister pointed out that Government is working diligently with the various partners to meet expectations, and to build capacity for the oil and gas sector. The year 2016, Minister Trotman said, is the year of foundation building with 2017 being the year of implementation of earmarked plans and programmes. The Minister noted that the Ministry will be rolling out a number of plans in a few weeks. Further, Minister Trotman notified the oil company that the government is looking forward to receiving their development plan. The plan, the Minister stated, “Tells us that all the partners in this project are committed, and that the investment decision will be a

positive one next year, and that we could move to production in the earliest possible time.” Vice-President of ExxonMobil, Erik Oswald, along with representatives from Nexen Energy and Hess Corporation noted that they are excited about the prospects of being able to produce the oil found in the Stabroek block. “What you are seeing today, is the beginning of a very large effort which will unfold over the next few years as we finalise our plans, and implement them, trying to develop this field,” Oswald stated. Only recently, ExxonMobil moved its ‘Stena Carron’ drillship, to test the third prospect of the Stabroek

Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman (centre) receives the letter of notification from Jeff Simons, Country Manager of ExxonMobil along with representatives from Nexen Energy and Hess Corporation at the Ministry of Natural Resources Boardroom, Brickdam block. The oil find in Guyana has been attracting the

attention of major companies, with a number of

them seeking to obtain exploratory permits. (GINA)

AFC condemns PPP campaign to demean state leaders THE Alliance For Change has condemned the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) campaign to demean state leaders including the Speaker of the National Assembly and has called on the party’s MPs to behave in a manner befitting their office. In a statement on Thursday, the AFC said it has observed with distress the campaign by the Bharrat Jagdeo-led opposition to demean state leaders including President David Granger and the Speaker of the National Assembly, Dr Barton Scotland, in an attempt to assassinate their characters and to lower their esteem. The recent attack by People’s Progressive Party backbencher Mr. Nigel Dharamlall is clearly defamatory and intended to portray the President as being unfit to hold office, the AFC said. “Mr. Dharamlall, on other occasions, had made scurrilous attacks against the Speaker of the National Assembly, Dr. Barton Scotland, for

which he had been threatened with sanction. The AFC views Mr. Dharamlall’s conduct not only as an insult to all members of the National Assembly, but to our democracy as well. It is not enough for Oppo-

the intemperate and infantile display of another PPP MP, Mr. Anil Nandlall, inside and outside of the National Assembly and his recent disobedience of the Speaker’s ruling is nothing short of contempt for the National Assembly. “While it could be understood that PPP functionaries would indulge in pre-congress vote-catching antics, they ought to be mindful of the damage that their disrespect and contempt could do to Guyana’s image as a parliamentary democracy,” the AFC cautioned. “The AFC believes that there is no room in our politics for personality attacks reminiscent of a period when journalists were referred to as vultures and carrion crows and national business PPP MP, Nigel Dharamlall leaders were deemed ignoramuses and the party calls sition Leader Mr. Jagdeo on the PPP MPs and leaders to believe that his wayward to conduct themselves in a MP is contrite. We believe dignified manner befitting that appropriate sanctions their status.” should be visited on Mr. Jagdeo on WednesDharamlall as an MP,” the day chastised Dharamlall AFC asserted. for ranting on his FaceThe AFC also noted book page about President

Granger. Jagdeo, during a press conference at his party’s Freedom House headquarters, said he had received a number of calls about Dharamlall’s Facebook comments. “I looked at the comments and find them unacceptable, in fact reprehensible. I believe of being critical of the President – the opposition in the past has criticised each other, but it should never get personal,” Jagdeo said. He said the coalition government can be addressed on issues, but this can be done without being disrespectful. “I have spoken to Mr Dharamlall. He said to me that he recognised that the language was not befitting a Member of Parliament and he apologised to everyone for it and he has expressed contrition to me that there will be no repetition of this sort,” Jagdeo stated. Jagdeo said the PPP/C could deal with venality, duplicity and incompetence by using language that is not hateful or personal.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday November 18, 2016

New Afro business chamber launches today

THE new African Business Chamber of Commerce (ABCC) will be launched Friday evening at the Marriott Hotel located in Kingston, Georgetown.

Formally known as the African Business Roundtable (ABR), the new body is designed to promote the interests of African business enterprises in Guyana and to

serve as an organised conduit to Government and other stakeholders in society, a release stated. The chamber is being launched under the auspic-

Afro Guyanese businessmen will on Friday launch the new African Business Chamber of Commerce

es of the African Cultural Development Association (ACDA), which has been hosting a series of planning meetings in recent months to prepare for the launch of the grouping. The ABCC was formed in part out of a need to strengthen the economy of Guyana and by the urgings contained in the United Nations General Assembly resolutions A/Res/68/237 and A/Res/69/16 dealing with the International Decade for People of African Descent and the Programme of Action associated with it. Part of its goal is to strengthen efforts at national development and achieving surety of economic inclusion through support for the

growth of private businesses owned by Guyanese of African descent, the organisers said in their release. Additionally, the ABCC will seek to create opportunities for self-development and the transformation of villages into viable economic centres. The ABCC will also seek to create training opportunities for members and collect, compile, analyse, disseminate and publish reliable statistical data for business decision-making. Towards these ends, the ABCC will work with all persons, organizations, and institutions that seek to achieve the objectives of economic and social inclusion of people of African

descent in the full enjoyment of Guyana’s patrimony in recognition of their uncompensated contribution to the development of Guyana, and in accordance with the objectives of the two UN resolutions in reference and the relevant provisions of the Guyana Constitution. The ABCC is an incorporated body and will be establishing a Secretariat with full a compliment of full-time staffers. Future plans include the establishment of sub-offices in various administrative regions. Outreaches will be made to African business enterprises in the Diaspora as the organisation grows from strength to strength.

Linden teachers shun Berbice River schools By Vanessa Braithwaite

PRIMARY and nursery schools in riverine villages located up the Upper Berbice River in Region 10 are said to be very severely understaffed. In fact, according to Regional Democratic Councillors of Region 10, who recently paid a visit up the river, the Kalkuni Primary School with a population of over 80 students is being manned by one teacher who is tasked with overseeing the school and teaching the children ranging from Grades one to six. In other villages such as Wairuni and Ebini, there are only two and three teachers. The issue was raised at the recently held statutory meeting, where the officials bemoaned the situation as the children are tremendously suffering as a result of the lack of staff. According to Regional Education Officer, Marcia Paddy, teachers residing in Linden and Kwakwani have

Region 10 Chairman, Renis Morian been posted to these schools but have refused to take up their posts, citing several reasons for not doing so. “As soon as they are called they come with a document stating that they have a hole in their heart, asthmatic problems, back problems… you name it… and these documents are being signed by the Mackenzie Hospital Complex,” Paddy stressed at a recently held education consultation.

She said that the situation is unbecoming,as there are several schools in Linden that are significantly overstaffed while schools in the remote areas are understaffed. Paddy revealed that to tackle the issue, payment to these teachers will cease in January. Paddy said that on Wednesday, the teachers were informed of the decision made and will be replaced if they do not take up their posts. Regional Chairman Renis Morian who also bemoaned the situation said that the Regional Education Department also has to put systems in place to have these teachers reside in comfort and have all the basic necessities needed both in the schools and in the living quarters. NO SENIOR PERSONNEL Meanwhile, the Council was also told of the absence of a senior official who should be residing in one of these communities and who

Businesswoman charged for sex-trafficking A THIRTY-THREE-YEAROLD businesswoman was on Thursday remanded to prison by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan after it was alleged that she had trafficked a teenage girl for sexual exploitation. Carmeletta Thorman was charged with the offence which alleged that between June 1 and July 30 at Omai, Region Seven, she transported, trafficked and harboured the 15-year-old girl for the purpose of sexual exploitation. The unrepresented woman was refused bail. The matter stands adjourned until November 24. Thorman was arrested on November 11, following a surprise raid in the Omai mining area, Region Seven, carried out by a team which included officials from the Ministry of

Alleged human trafficker Carmeletta Thorman Social Protection, the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC); the Guyana Police Force and the Community Policing Group (Linden). The officials were following a tip-off about a missing person who was said to be a Trafficking in Persons victim. Five alleged human- trafficking victims were

rescued. The missing person, a male who claimed to be under-aged and had no identification, was found to be the only adult among the victims. Three of the alleged victims were reintegrated with their families, while the others remain under the protection of the ministry assisting investigators. Investigations have revealed that the fourth victim, who is a 15-year- old is an alleged victim of human- trafficking, since the two required elements of human trafficking as stipulated in the Counter-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2005 are present in the statement. The Omai Mine is one of the largest gold mines in Guyana. A GGMC source has said that all current business operations in the once-thriving mining area are illegal.

… REDO warns of ‘serious’ consequences

should be overlooking the administration of schools in the Berbice River. It was revealed that this senior official is however stationed at the Education Office in Linden, rather than taking up her post. Morian said that after the budget, that official will have to take up her post or will reap the consequences of not doing so. “The RDC will not accept all these excuses because come January, is either she moves there or she move out of here,” Morian exclaimed.

He said that the teachers will be referred to the Teaching Service Commission if they do not cooperate. “We are going to make big, big noise on this publicly, because we look at our results in certain areas and we in past 25%.” Councillor Charles Sampson commenting on the issue expressed dissatisfaction with the education situation in the riverine communities and stressed that more respect should be given to Amerindian resi-

dents residing in these areas. “We cannot continue treating the riverine areas the way we are treating them…we have to deliver and if we have to deliver we have to start now fixing the system,” Sampson said. These issues were raised at the recently held Education Commission of Inquiry in Linden and Chairman of the Commission, Ed Caesar, had taken the issues raised to the relevant authorities to have them addressed.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday November 18, 2016

New legislation, policies coming

GUYANA’S promising oil and gas potential is being modelled after Uganda’s and in January 2017, the authorities will engage the general public on the sector as moves are afoot to strengthen the legislative framework in the lead-up to First Oil.

During a forum on Thursday at the Cara Lodge in Quamina Street, in which stakeholders met to commence a two-day interactive seminar entitled ,”Good governance : Preparing for First Oil, “ Minister of Natural Resources , Raphael Trotman, told stakeholders that in July this

… as Guyana prepares for oil and gas take-off year a delegation from the ministry visited Uganda to engage the authorities there on that country’s oil sector. Several government officials, including Minister of

Minister of Natural Resources , Raphael Trotman , addresses participants at the opening of the seminar.

Business and tourism, Dominic Gaskin, Members of Parliament, Jermaine Figueira and Audwin Rutherford attended the opening of the forum. The two-day event was organised by the New Petroleum Producers Discussion Group, a non-profit, non-governmental organisation based in London and its mission is to analyse and promote the understanding of major international issues and current affairs. It is working along with the Natural Resources Ministry as Guyana prepares for First Oil which is expected in the year 2020. “The group consists of partners Chatham House, the

He explained that the New Petroleum group made Guyana “a beneficiary of a unique and open exchange” forum with Uganda. He said that the latter was chosen as a suitable mentor, having recently completed preparations for oil and gas extraction, which is expected to commence next year. Uganda first discovered oil in 2006 and over time, the country has enacted laws and cautiously scrutinised production-sharing agreements to ensure the country receives the best possible deals. The country has since issued eight petroleum licences since the July visit and personnel from that country’s energy sector will be participating in the

public consultations. “They address the governance, regulation and development of opportune settings and establishment of institutional frameworks and agencies”, he said, noting that drafting of the legislation is expected by next month. A public communication framework is among the items which will be addressed. He said that capacities for training locally and internationally are being addressed. Only Wednesday United States oil giant ExxonMobil created history when it officially gave notice of its find of commercial quantities of oil in the Stabroek Block. The notice was handed over in writing to the Ministry of Natural Resources, the first time an oil-production notice took place in the history of the country. Trotman deemed the event “the trumpet call in heralding further development of the oil sector.” In May 2015, 800million to 1.4B of high-quality crude oil was estimated following discovery of oil through Exxon’s partner, Esso Corporation at the Liza 1 well in the Stabroek Block. Since then, the company has announced Valerie Marcel, Associate Fellow, Chatham House, through its partners, additional discoveries raising addresses the gathering on Thursday . the prospects of Guyana being a major oil-producNational Resource Gover- ongoing forum at the Cara ing nation in the years nance Institute and the Com- Lodge. ahead. “There is now great monwealth Secretariat. Its Meanwhile, the govern- expectation, great excitework entails bringing together ment has recognised the need ment, and great responcountries such as Guyana, for a highly skilled work force sibility in the weeks and that are about to enter oil pro- with the advent of oil pro- months which lie ahead,” duction and those who are in duction. As such, revamping Trotman told the room similar stride or that are in the the public education system full of members of the initial stages of production. as well as integration of the public and private sectors “It provides a setting for con- supply and demand of labour at Thursday’s event. The versation on matters relevant into a flexible, technical/voca- two-day forum will see to the development of the tional education and training presentations on several sector, “ Trotman said. He system is expected to come aspects of oil and gas exsaid that Guyana has been a on stream. The move is ex- ploration, including the participant and beneficiary of pected to rapidly raise skills principles and practice of the group’s discussions in re- relevant to the energy sector. petroleum fiscal systems cent years; however, he added According to Trotman, design, good governance that this country’s focus has a set of new policies and of the petroleum sector and shifted to a soon- to- be new legislation will soon be pre- establishing a national oil petroleum producer. sented for review through company .

Minister of Business , Dominic Gaskin , in foreground , attended the opening segment of the seminar on Thursday.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday November 18, 2016

Bauxite centenary arch unveiled

THE installation of an overhead arch as part of the bauxite centenary observances has been completed and stands tall at Casaurina Drive, Mackenzie, Linden. The arch was gifted to the residents of Linden by the bauxite company Bosai Minerals Group Guyana (BMGG) and was constructed at a cost of over $20M. A team of employees consisting of mechanics, masons, electricians and other tradesmen over the past few

weeks worked assiduously to complete the installation of the steel structure that was constructed in Suriname. According to Chairman of the centennial committee, Horace James, the decision was made to situate the arch where three main communities of Linden meet. Mackenzie, Wismar and Watooka have close ties with bauxite since the white expatriates who managed the bauxite company lived in Watooka, while the employees

lived in Mackenzie and the company was also located there. When persons came to Linden to seek employment at the Bauxite Company, they resided in Wismar as all other communities in Linden were restricted. The tall metal arch is accessorised with a beautiful crown depicting all the former and present bauxite companies with the Golden Arrowhead and Bosai’s flag flying high. The foundation was executed

The new arch installed in Linden

City Hall owes GPL $1.8B … seeking write-off for a ‘fresh’ start By Telesha Ramnarine THE Mayor and City Council (M&CC) owes the Guyana Power and Light Inc. (GPL) more than $1.8B and wants the power company to write off this debt for them so that they can have a “fresh” start for 2017. But GPL has a different approach in mind. The company has written to the M&CC threatening to disconnect City Hall and other buildings under its purview if the amounts owed are not met. A source has told this publication that the power company has since requested a meeting with City Hall officers to discuss the issue. Mayor Patricia Chase-Green on Tuesday told reporters that the M&CC and GPL can very well exchange cheques, since both entities owe each other, but that the ideal thing would be for the latter to write off the sum entirely. “It’s a history from GEC (Guyana Electricity Corporation) to GPL with them and us. Also with GWI and us - we owe them, they owe us. So we will be in negotiations with them (GPL). If possible, we’re hoping for a write-off, so come 2017, we can start fresh,” she said. The mayor complained that for the M&CC to take on the responsibility of the national security lighting in Georgetown would be a heavy burden for the municipality. “We can manage our domestic assets in paying light bills, but to pay the street lighting… If you go at many squatting areas, there are lots of people who have illegal connections and we have to pay that bill.” Deputy Mayor Sherod Duncan, at Monday’s statutory meeting, similarly offered that he would like to see GPL playing a greater role in the city.

“GPL occupies our parapets; their poles are on our parapets. GWI (Guyana Water Inc.) also, their pipes are run on our parapets and I don’t know if they pay anything to the council for the use of our parapets. So maybe that’s an area we can focus on.” Duncan said the best thing would be for the M&CC to approach the government for debt forgiveness in this regard. “I would hasten to say that the benefit of the street lamps is not only for the council. The benefit is for every citizen of Georgetown, and we know of recent that safety and security is a major issue. Why should the City Council be asked to foot the bill of lighting the city? “So I would ask that the government forgive us of this debt because it goes back to help the entire national capital city at the end of the day, and it would free up our hands in that regard. It’s one less thing that we will have to think about.” Meanwhile, City Hall has said it has used up all of its resources and is currently in a desperate, cash-strapped state. “We have used up our monies; now we don’t have any and we are at the end of the year. We are asking the government to assist us, because all the works we were doing were done with our money,” the mayor had said. As such, Councillor Junior Garrett moved a motion at City Hall on Monday seeking Government’s intervention in the form of a $600M “bail out” for the municipality. The money is to be used to assist in clearing City Hall’s debts to its garbage contractors; to help with payment of wages and salaries; prepare the city for Prince Harry’s visit and for additional works that have to be done in time for the Christmas season.

by Linden-based construction company McRae’s construction and the arch itself was assembled by VSH United in Suriname, the same company that constructed the Agricola Independence Arch. The lighting will be sponsored by the Linden Electricity Company Incorporated (LECI). According to the calendar of activities, the arch will be officially unveiled on November 21st. While some Lindeners expressed appreciation for Bosai’s generosity in gifting the arch to Linden, some posited that the finances could have

been used for other infrastructural development. “I am happy that the arch was constructed, it will give the community a boost and the surrounding a facelift, I think it is something good that Bosai did for Linden,” one resident said. Another resident of Canvas City however, whose home is threatened by erosion said that the money could have been used to build roads, drains and assist residents who are in need. “They building arch and people road washing away because of erosion before they look at what is important, they

building arch,” she said. The bauxite centennial observances were held in October as 100 years ago, October 1916, the first batch of bauxite was processed in Linden to be exported. Some of the activities hosted were the launching of the centennial stamps, a bauxite centennial symposium, a school debate and quiz competition and a centennial dinner. An industrial museum depicting equipment used to mine bauxite in the 1900s is also located in proximity to the arch.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday November 18, 2016

Guyana, Norway advance dialogue on climate pact

PRESIDENT David Granger and Minister of Climate and Environment, Vidar Helgesen of the Kingdom of Norway met on Thursday on the sidelines of the UN Climate Change Convention in Marrakesh, Morocco, for a very constructive dialogue on the way forward for their forest and climate partnership. The cornerstones of the Guyana-Norway part-

nership are to safeguard Guyana’s rainforest, improve forest governance and support Guyana’s holistic green development, including the transition to green and renewable energy. President Granger used the opportunity to outline a holistic vision for Guyana’s green development. He detailed, as part of this vision, Guyana’s ambitions in the areas of

climate mitigation, coastal zone management, conservation, renewable energy, biodiversity management and eco-systems management. “My administration is committed to the establishment of the ‘green’ state and creating the institutions and the governance structures to ensure that we achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the shortest possible time. I am pleased

that the dialogue with Norway is advancing,” he said. The meeting confirmed that Guyana has kept its deforestation rate low since the start of the partnership; is making good progress on agreed forest governance reforms and is pursuing a mix of clean energy solutions. The Minister of Climate and Environment of Norway, Mr. Vidar Helgesen said, “I am very impressed

President David Granger and Minister of Climate and Environment, Mr. Vidar Helgesen of the Kingdom of Norway following their meeting that President Granger’s government has decided to embark on a green economy pathway, including its commitment under the UN Climate Change Convention to eliminate its dependency on fossil fuels and move close to 100 percent renewable energy supply by 2025. We are proud to work with Guyana to realise its green economy vision, maintain its deforestation rates as one of the lowest in the tropics and strengthen forest governance, as well as its commitments to a green

energy transition”, says Minister Helgesen. President Granger and Minister Helgesen agreed to have in place, early in 2017, a work plan for detailing Guyana’s clean energy transition, including a facts-based consideration of the Amaila Falls Hydropower Project and all other possible renewable energy options. The two countries agreed to continue a dialogue on how to develop their partnership in the 2020-2030 period. (Ministry of the Presidency)

Man swallows 91 cocaine pellets A FORTY-SIX-YEAR-OLD, West Demerara resident is under police guard at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) excreting cocaine pellets, after being nabbed at the check-in area of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport on Wednesday. The incident occurred around 14:00hrs on Wednesday and according to a police release, his transporter, a 35-year-old taxi driver also of West Demerara was taken into custody. The 46-year-old who has been on the police’s radar for some time now, has so far excreted 61 of the 91 cocaine pellets which were detected via X-ray. The amount retrieved thus far amounts to 444 grams. He was an outgoing passenger bound for the USA.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday November 18, 2016

Protecting a generation … NAPS mulls early HIV testing for upper forms schools

By Shirley Thomas THE National AIDS Programme Secretariat’s (NAPS) on Wednesday launched its “Week of HIV Counselling and Testing with the stark revelation that young people from amongst the 15 to 25 age groups are being diagnosed with HIV on a daily basis. And with a determined resolve by the Ministry of Public Health to change this emerging trend, NPAS is considering having HIV testing done in the upper forms in schools. This disclosure was made by Voluntary Counselling and Testing

present at the launch was Permanent Secretary of the MoPH, Mr. Trevor Thomas. “When we look at our Programmatic data, we are seeing that persons between the ages of 15 and 19 and 19 and 25 are infected; they are being diagnosed on a daily basis with HIV. And so we need to ensure that we do something urgently to ensure that we are able to decrease that,” Ms. Success-Hall said. Concerned that the nation’s ‘In’ and ‘Out-ofSchool’ youths are at risk, she proposed: “We probably have to go back to the drawing board and develop a new strategy to deal with these

Moore. For the first half of 2016 (January to July) some 40,331 persons were tested, with the second half soon to be released. Dr. Norton, acknowledged the key players present and used to occasion to call on citizens to come on board - join with the ministry in making this initiative a success. He recalled being impressed last year, on witnessing tests being done in a number of public places around Georgetown and adding that it was a good exercise, urged the stakeholders to continue with that. And calling on the general public to know their status, Dr. Norton said that

Standing 2nd left): VCT Co-ordinator, Debra Success-Hall. Seated from left: P.S., Trevor Thomas; Dr. Karen Boyle; Dr. Rhonda Moore; Dr. George Norton; Dr. Karen Cummings; Dr. Morris Edwards. Standing in background are volunteers for testing in the launch at NAPS (VCT) Co-ordinator, Ms. Debra Success-Hall as she delivered brief remarks at the launch- a precursor to World AIDS Day to be observed on December 1. Programmatic data from the NAPS has shown that locally, young people from among the ranks of the 15 to 19 and 19 to 25 age groups are becoming infected and are being diagnosed with HIV on a daily basis. This has prompted the Ministry of Public Health to take urgent measures to ensure that something is done to reduce the number of new cases, particularly among the ranks of ‘In’ and ‘Out-of-School’ youths. To this end Minister of Public Health, George Norton, and with the support of Minister within the Ministry of Public Health, Dr. Karen Cummings; Director of the Health Sector Development Unit (HSDU), Dr. Morris Edwards; Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Karen Boyle; NAPS Programme Manager, Dr. Rhonda Moore and staff of NAPS, a decision was made to re-initiate and revitalise the Week of Counselling and Testing for HIV, which had been de-emphasised for some time. Also

young people.” Success-Hall took the opportunity to ask the two ministers present to examine the possibility of a dialogue between the Ministry (NAPS) and the Ministry of Education, which will allow for the senior school children to be tested, stressing: “because it is amazing what is happening and we need to take control.” Meantime, the Week of Testing kicked off at the NAP Secretariat yesterday, with testing being done at NAPS, 60 established sites countrywide and several private sector entities, albeit, on a smaller scale than previously. It will be conducted over a five-day period–from November 16 to 20 (Wednesday to Sunday), according to NAPS Programme Manager, Dr. Rhonda Moore. However, while recognising and appreciating the benefits of the exercise, and after critical analysis, a decision was made to have it done on a smaller scale than previously. This is according to Director of the Health Sector Development Unit (HSDU) Dr. Morris Edwards and Programme Manager of NAPS, Dr. Rhonda

many times there are people who do not know their status, adding that the only way they could know this is by taking the test. Minister Norton “Gone are the days when having HIV used to be a certain death sentence, but now it has become a chronic infection because of possibilities that exist now. [Like taking antiretroviral drugs exactly as prescribed by your doctor].” And alluding to the theme of the initiative, “Test and Start a New Life”, Dr. Norton is urging those who test Negative, to stick to one partner or to ensure they engage in ‘protected sex’ only. Reiterating his call for persons to come out and get tested, the health minister affirmed: “We are here setting the pace and ask that you follow example “Know your Status.” The launch got underway at NAPS, with the testing of volunteers by a team of trained and certified counselors sworn to confidentiality. No person should be fearful of a breach of confidentiality, Hall said, assuring that the Ministry of Health will seriously sanction any breach of confidentiality.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday November 18, 2016

Trans-Pacific donates ambulance to Ituni

THE residents of Ituni were on Thursday in high spirits as a brand new ambulance was handed over to the community by Minister of Social Cohesion, Amna Ally. The availability of the ambulance will bring relief to the residents who were forced to provide their own transportation at a hefty cost to transport injured persons to Linden in the case of an emergency. The ambulance was handed over to the community at a simple ceremony held at the community’s ball field. Present at the ceremony were: Regional Chairman, Renis Morian, Regional Vice-Chairman, Elroy Adolph, Deputy Director of Community Development Council, Sandra Adams, Deputy Regional Executive Officer, Maylene Stephens, representatives of the Ministry of Health, regional councillors and the donor of the ambulance Mr. Harripersaud from Trans-Pacific Motors

Spares & Auto Sales Inc. Minister Ally in brief remarks said that “today is a defining day for Ituni as the residents’ cries for an ambulance have finally come to an end.” The ambulance is the first she revealed to be sourced through the ministry’s private/public partnership. The ambulance was sought after the residents related to the regional authorities several horror stories of dealing with emergency cases in the absence of an ambulance. “Today your prayers have been answered…we do not want you to see it as a handout, it is your ambulance,” she said. Minister Ally posited that it is the first ambulance to be gifted to the region from the Ministry of Social Cohesion. “Ituni you are part of history, today it is the first time we are making an ambulance donation to a region or community.” She urged the residents to take good care of the am-

bulance so that it can bring maximum service to the community and will guarantee them more donations

Now that an ambulance is available for use, Morian stressed that it is paramount that an administrative body

Minister of Social Cohesion, Amna Ally presenting the ambulance to Regional Chairman, Renis Morian from the Ministry of Social Cohesion. Morian underscored that the need for an ambulance in the community has always been on the front burner.

be present in the community so that the use of the ambulance can be carefully monitored. Medic Lorna London, representing the Ministry of Health pointed

out that the ambulance is an asset to the community because of the geographical location of Ituni, given the fact that it has a mobile population of loggers, miners and bauxite workers. The ambulance is equipped with every apparatus needed to stabilise a patient until they reach the next available hospital. She also encouraged the residents to not misuse and abuse the ambulance as it was brought to save lives. Donor of the ambulance, Harripersaud Ransewack said that the donation was made out the belief that as a businessman he should give back to the community. He revealed that he has been making several donations across the country especially to children. “We want to give back to our people and I am very happy and proud to make this donation to the Ministry of Health and I am happy to be here today, this is a fully loaded ambulance and it is good for the

terrain of the area as well,” Ransewack said. Medic Mayglen Pluck, who is currently the only medic stationed at the Ituni health post also expressed gratitude for the ambulance citing the difficulty in dealing with a patient having to be transported immediately. She said that what is needed now is a trained ambulance attendant and a driver who is trained in first aid delivery. Residents expressed gratitude for the ambulance as they were forced to pay $30,000 for a sick person to be transported to Linden in the eventuality of an emergency on private transportation. “We had to use a mini bus and with the condition of the road instead of getting better, getting worst, by the time you reach Linden so it is very very good that we get this ambulance; it will benefit everyone in this community,” Carmain Cox, a resident of Ituni said.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday November 18, 2016

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday November 18, 2016

Broke City Hall unable to complete Kitty Market for Christmas THE reconstruction of the Kitty Market, which was initially expected to become a reality in time for the May Jubilee celebrations, and which has since had several delays and postponements, will no longer come on stream this year. Public Relations Officer at the Mayor and City Council (M&CC), Ms. Debra Lewis, told the Chronicle on Wednesday that the market which is under renovation is not likely to be ready for this year, because the Council is financially unable to complete it. “We are working as the finances come to the municipality and we are not getting a grant to do this project; it is merely the rates collected that are being used,” she offered. The M&CC, she said, is now looking at having the market in operation during the first quarter of 2017. Town Clerk Royston King had announced that the market would have had a November 1 opening. In fact, even as only 65 percent of the works have been completed, the M&CC had said it was “optimistic” that the market will open “before” the much anticipated holiday season. Lewis had earlier explained that the market is not being subsidised and that rehabilitation works are solely dependent on the rates and taxes, of which some $16B is outstanding to the municipality. Meanwhile, the M&CC has received more than 170 applications from citizens who wish to occupy new stalls in the market, the ground floor of which is costing the Council roughly $35M. The market, which has great historical significance and bears much pride for the Kitty community, is to feature a traditional health centre, an office for rates and taxes, and space for the community councillor. “We are also contemplating putting some space for the councillor’s office at the market; and this is not only at Kitty, but wherever we have municipal buildings, we intend to make space available for councillors working with their local communities,” the Town Clerk had said. According to him, there will be a decentralisation of Council’s work, as the market will take into account the needs of communities between Cummings Lodge and Kitty. The upper flat of the market is being remodelled to include a rates and taxes office, as well as a municipal clinic. “People from Cummings Lodge to Kitty don’t have to come all the way to City Hall to pay their rates and taxes. We are aiming to reintroduce the system that was in place many years ago,” Mayor Patricia Chase-Green had told the Chronicle. The Kitty Market was established in 1882, two years after the Bourda Market had come into being. Like the Bourda Market, Kitty Market is timber-framed. The 19th century structure had suffered massive deterioration over the years prior to its renovation, causing vendors operating in its environs to lodge numerous complaints with the City Council. The Council had, however, long been citing financial woes as the reason why the market had continued to remain a “threat to life and limb.”

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday November 18, 2016

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday November 18, 2016

Cars in a rush collide at North Road, Oronoque Street

POLICE are investigating an accident which occurred Monday at the junction of North Road and Oronoque Street, Bourda, Georgetown where two motorcars collided, resulting in both vehicles heading into a nearby canal on North Road. One eyewitness said a white Nissan Bluebird PVV 1889 was travelling in a northerly direction

Tow truck representatives trying to attach a hook onto the front of the vehicle to extract it from the canal while others look on

on Oronoque Street when it jumped the major road resulting in a collision with a blue Toyota Spacio PPP 1643. The Toyota vehicle which was being driven by a female ended up nose deep into a nearby canal and the other vehicle was prevented from going farther into the canal because of a rope barricade on the parapet. Eyewitnesses say

The Nissan Bluebird involved in the accident that the intersection experiences many crashes and the police should

start placing humps on the streets that do not have the right of way.

M&CC bans sale of meat on streets

THE Mayor & City Council at its statutory meeting this week decided that there should be no selling of meat on the streets of Georgetown. The sale of meat on the streets of the city is a public health risk and a contravention of the city’s by-laws, according to Public Relations Officer (PRO) Debra Lewis. She said it has been observed that several vendors are engaged in the sale of meat on the streets. This practice is particularly prevalent in

the vicinity of Bourda and La Penitence markets. As the festive season approaches, Ms Lewis said the Council would like to warn consumers to be careful as they purchase meat. Firstly, she said all meat offered for sale should be inspected by a Meat and Food Inspector and deemed fit for human consumption and have a municipal stamp affixed. The Municipal and District Councils Act Chapter 28:01, City Market -By- Laws states that: “It shall not be lawful for any person to bring without permission of the Council uncooked fresh meat into the market. Also, no person shall sell or offer for sale in any market fresh meat except at a stall set aside and appropriated for that purpose.” Also, the PRO noted that any meat entering the city should first be inspected and approved by the city’s Meat Food and Hygiene Section before it is offered for sale. The Council is asking those persons involved in this way of doing business to desist and to contact the Office of the Clerk of Markets immediately.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday November 18, 2016

Row at QC over siting of $35M multi-complex

… agri students, teachers against move A MAJOR disagreement at Queen’s College over the siting of a $35M multi-purpose complex has led to protests by the students and members of the Agricultural Science Department. Members of the Agricultural Science Department told the Guyana Chronicle that a $35M multi-complex facility will be erected to the south-east of the agriculture farm. The construction of this facility will encroach on 10 metres of the plot, which according to the teachers and students of this department is already “too small”. The protests began on Tuesday, November 15, when members of the Department sat in front of the farm in an attempt

to stop the workers from breaking down the fence of the plot. According to members of the Department, “We were not informed of any such decision.” Members of the Agricultural Science Department further stated that on Wednesday, November 16, all key stakeholders [the Board of Governors, teachers, students and Principal of the college] met and tried to reach a compromise. “The only compromises being made were those regarding our side.” This entailed actions to move the plot and continuing with the works for the construction of the Multi-complex facility. A decision was however not made at this forum and further consultations

Queen’s College Agricultural Science students try to remove the sand that contractors dumped on the land, while other members of the student population, teachers and PTA members protest the partial demolition of the agricultural plot were to be done, but on Thursday the contractors were seen “filling in the sand.” This action resulted in students of the college, teachers and members of the Par-

ent Teachers Association (PTA) protesting, chanting various slogans including “Agree for Agri”, “Save the plot” and “Less Land, Less Food, Less Life.” They also took bold

Students of the college rally around the area in which the complex is slated to be built

action by using spades and shovels from the plot itself to remove the sand. Committee Member of the college’s PTA, Michele Fraser, highlighted that one major concern is that the students’ projects will be affected. She lamented that QC’s Golden Boy who is set to write about 25 subjects at next year’s CSEC Exams is now faced with having to redo his research project while having to juggle with his other subjects. She also lamented that for the past few years Queen’s College has been receiving the Regional “Science Award” from the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) and Agricultural Science is a criterion for this award. Students also aired their concerns by highlighting that putting the complex-

which will also house a cafeteria, will be “unhealthy” because the plot usually houses chicks and chickens. They also said that the “cement dust” will harm both the chicks and the students themselves, especially those who suffer from respiratory illnesses such as asthma. This plot, which was only recently extended, houses the farming beds and research projects of the current 5th and 6th formers who are preparing to sit their CSEC and CAPE examinations next year. Students believe that the demolition of a fraction of the plot will result in the displacement of these projects and will hamper the farming activities of the other students from first to sixth forms.

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Teen moms empowered

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday November 18, 2016

… urged to keep the dream alive By Tamica Garnett

SEVERAL smiling young ladies on Wednesday spoke of the hardship of being a teen mother and showered praises on Guyana’s First Lady, Sandra Granger, and the staff of the Women Across Differences (WAD) during the graduation ceremony for the “Comprehensive Empowerment Adolescent/Teenage Mothers” programme held at the Umana Yana. “Being a teen mother is not easy. Throughout my pregnancy I felt like an outcast. But WAD helped to equip me to build my self-esteem, and value myself as a person of worth; set goals for myself and I’ve already begun to achieve them,” said one of the graduates, who also spoke of her achievement of getting married and

Bank, among others. Delivering the feature address, Mrs Granger spoke of many of the great things the programme has achieved in the lives of these young women. “I have seen these women grow in confidence and self-esteem. I have witnessed them as they begin to believe in themselves. They have learnt skills and craft, to understand their roles and responsibilities as mothers. Above all, they have realised that they can be whoever they want to be. They can go as far and jump as high as they wish. “Keep the dream alive, don’t let it die and never give up, don’t every give up on you,” the First Lady told the women, explaining that she was so inspired by their achievements that the lyrics of the popular song “Never Give Up” by Yolanda Adams

a number of challenges in order to have made it this far. “Women face many challenges and for adolescent mothers these challenges are multiplied because these are still, in essence, girlchildren who are trying to understand themselves and their bodies. They have to confront and solve the problems which adult women face. Many will have had to drop out of school. Some may lack family or financial support. Many will struggle to feed and clothe themselves, their children [and] to keep a roof over their heads. Some may have to endure violence on a daily basis, whether it be verbal, physical or psychological abuse,” she said. For this reason, the First Lady said that the WAD and Republic Bank (Guyana) Limited must both be accorded special praise for

First Lady, Sandra Granger (seated fourth from left) with other officials and the graduates moving into her own home. The girls talked of how WAD came to their rescue at a point in their lives when they most needed it. “WAD is indeed my family, my all. I just want to say thank God for this programme. I want the First Lady to know, you have given me a lot of strength,” was the heartfelt delivery made by a young mother, as she addressed Ms. Granger. As the girls received their certificates some chose to proudly walk on stage with their babies. The Office of the First Lady is one of the supporting agencies of the programme. Other agencies include Ministry of Social Protection, the East Demerara Lions Club, and Republic

played in her mind as she was preparing her address. The Comprehensive Empowerment Programme for Adolescent Mothers hosted under the theme “Reducing Unplanned Pregnancy among Adolescent Mothers and Enhancing their Life Skills and Competencies” aims to help adolescent mothers ages 12 to 19 to reduce unplanned pregnancies; build self-confidence; provide entrepreneurial knowledge and skills and promote positive lifestyles. It is funded by Republic Bank (Guyana) Limited. The First Lady noted that she was particularly proud of the young women’s accomplishments as they would have had to overcome

the profound contributions that they are making to the growth and development of the young mothers and their children. Wednesday‘s ceremony represented the seventh batch of students to graduate from the programme which began in 2008. Six of the ladies that were part of the 2016 class could not attend the ceremony because they had recently landed jobs and were unable to secure time-off. Of other mothers who have come out of the programme, two recently graduated from the University of Guyana with diplomas in Social Work, and another is set to complete her studies in Communications Studies. One of the teen mothers

L-R: Ms. Clonel Samuels-Boston, Coordinator of Women Across Differences, United Nations Population Fund Assistant Resident Representative, Ms. Patrice LaFleur, First Lady, Mrs. Sandra Granger and UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative Ms. Mikiko Tanaka of the programme wrote the 2016 May/June CSEC exams and secured eight passes with two Grade 1s and six Grade 2s, while another four are scheduled to write the regional exam in the 2017 sittings. One of those expecting to write next year spoke of her aspirations of becoming a lawyer. Meanwhile, Ms. Hazel Halley-Burnett, Gender Consultant at the Ministry of Social Protection, after conveying regrets that Minister of Social Protection, Ms. Volda Lawrence could not attend the ceremony, read her message to the graduates. “You are not stepping out today in the same way that you arrived prior to your participation in the Comprehensive programme…You are emerging as empowered individuals in possession of relevant and practical knowledge and a repertoire of skills, which you can use for your

personal development and that of your children. Your toolbox [is] replete with tools of all kinds, among which are self-confidence, self-esteem, communication, negotiation and entrepreneurial income-earning skills,” Ms. Halley-Burnett quoted from the minister’s message. High Commissioner of Canada to Guyana, His Excellency, Mr. Pierre Giroux, United Nations (UN) Resident Coordinator and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Resident Representative Ms. Mikiko Tanaka; United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Assistant Resident Representative, Ms. Patrice LaFleur, CUSO International, Ms. Alexandra MacAulay and Ms. Caroline MacIsaac also attended the ceremony. Also speaking at the ceremony was Republic Bank’s Jonelle Dummett, who shared the company’s

pride to be part of the initiative. “Teenage Pregnancy in Guyana… is an issue that is very close to our hearts at Republic Bank…we did not hesitate to throw our support behind this initiative, because of its very close alignment with an identical cause, which for the past few years has been championed by one of our Social Investment partners, Women across Differences,” Dummett said. The packed programme, which also featured an exhibition of decorative items created by the teenage mothers, was chaired by Dr. Patrice Douglas. It also included the recitation of a poem titled: “Woman of Substance” by WAD member, Ms. Tamara Rodney and a song sung by Ms. Michelle ‘Big Red’ King. Musical accompaniment was provided by the Guyana Police Force Band.

Some of the decorative craft pieces created by the ladies

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday November 18, 2016

State not under threat … Trotman says gov’t not deploying soldiers to fight gun crimes

DESPITE calls from the private sector and the opposition for soldiers to be deployed to beat back armed criminals, government is maintaining that the military should only be put on the streets when the state is under threat. This is according to Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman, during a post-Cabinet media briefing on Thursday at the Ministry of the Presidency. He said the Defence Act Chapter 15:01 states the specific use and deployment of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF). “It is only if the state is under threat, sometimes that threat is as a result of criminal or other violent activities within the state that the army shall be deployed; we may see some confidence-building patrols where members of the army may go alongside

the police, but at this point and time we don’t believe that there is any threat to the state that should see the deployment of the army,” the Minister of Natural Resources explained. Private sector spokesman on security, Captain Gerry Gouveia, on Monday said that members of the GDF should join the fight against crime. Speaking at a forum on Christmas policing, Captain Gouveia said that although he is resolutely against the army being involved in crime-fighting, in a small country such as Guyana, the time is right for the Guyana Defence Force to become so involved. “I think the army needs to join the fight under the police command, and there should be an increased presence [of army personnel] in armed patrols, especially where the

Captain Gerry Gouveia crime statistics show [crime] happening,” he said. “When people lack confidence, they start taking the law into their own hands,” he cautioned. Government, over the weekend, deployed the military in a 48-hour operation

to counter a “potential domestic security threat.” That operation saw ranks from both the GPF and the GDF conducting massive raids at the Georgetown and New Amsterdam prisons. Several contraband items were found during those raids. Reflecting on this operation, Trotman said if threats posed by the prisons are not handled properly, then it becomes a national security threat and the army was summoned for that purpose. Minister Trotman said the sight of women and men in green in patrol should not be a regular feature and at this “point and time though the

trends show higher incidents of crimes with firearms, we don’t believe that they pose a threat that warrants the use of the military.” Further, he said Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan, presented a report to Cabinet on crime and security statistics with plans to address such in the Christmas season. He said Minister Ramjattan highlighted the plans which the Guyana Police Force will implement to combat crime. “Cabinet expressed its continued concern about the high incidence of criminal activity across the country and urged the minister to intensify ef-

forts to address the issue,” Trotman noted. During the raids on the prisons, the lawmen confiscated from the Georgetown Prison 22 cellular phones; 558 grams marijuana; nine packets of cigarettes; eight cellular phone chargers; a quantity of zip lock bags; 45 lighters; a quantity of bamboo wrappers; a quantity of wine; 21 weapons; four cellular phone batteries; one arrow; two pairs of scissors; $300 cash; TT$200; four grabber hooks; five gallons of home-made wine; 20 razor blades; five sim cards and one tattoo machine.

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WITHIN the last year, 21-year-old Vincent Shelto went from being the new kid on the block in the makeup industry, to one of the more sought after local makeup artists. More than just being one of the only male makeup artists in the game, Vincent serves as a living advertisement of his talent by pushing the envelope, and wearing makeup on his own face. And, whereas in the wider world, such an occurrence would not be so uncommon, in Guyana, Vincent attracts much attention every

time he steps out the door. Though he admits that such attention is oftentimes negative, he has some choice words for those naysayers: “Live and let live!” As he told The Buzz in an interview, “People should really get rid of that type of negativity and let people live and be what they want to be. “I live to please me; my family accepts me. And if people don’t have anything nice to say, they shouldn’t say anything at all.” A frequent traveller, Vincent attests to

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, November 18, 2016

‒ Male makeup artist urges

Vincent Shelto is not shy about wearing makeup

the fact that in other places such as New York City, men wearing makeup is no cause to stare. “But if I go down Georgetown,” he said, “people would be like, ‘Oh my God! What is that!’ and so on. We are very selective of what we want to think good and bad about over here, but we really need to open up our minds in Guyana and stop trying to make people feel uncomfortable.” UNDENIABLY TALENTED Negativity aside, Vincent’s talent is undeniable, and can be seen by his own perfectly made up visage as well as the faces of his satisfied customers. Moreover, the young makeup artist has also started offering makeup classes at his recently opened store in Sharon’s Building on King Street. The week-long class teaches students such techniques as foundation application, highlighting, contouring, blush application, bronzer application, eyeshadow blending and lip techniques and eyebrow filling. Each class hosts eight persons per session to allow more attention to be given to each student. “Makeup is my passion, and I love to help my clients feel confident and beautiful on the inside and the outside, and to help to make their personality shine,” Vincent said. And this is what makeup does for him as well, as his passion for makeup started

One of Vincent’s satisfied customers

when he began experimenting with the art on himself. “At first, I would just wear it indoors,” he said. “But this is 2016, so when people stare, we should make it worthwhile. I love doing it; it makes me feel comfortable.” For those who may be in a similar position where society is banging down on them for being different, Vincent has some sage advice. “Anyone out there who is being judged, you should just keep doing what you want to do. You have to do for you and only you; You only have one life to live,” he said. Topped off with the ever famous bit of encouragement to follow their dreams, Vincent encourages that once they follow that advice, they will find that anything is possible, even while people continue to discriminate.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, November 18, 2016

Religion and its prophets ‒ and its ‘god-men’ and ‘wish-masters’ SCIENCE has determined that religion is wired into our brain. We have tended to relate, from as far back as our genetic memory takes us, to the recognition of forces that explain what we cannot. And all indications from the more rational of us compel us to recognise that meditation, serenity and prayer does something that we can’t easily define, but places us in a better place to interact with our human and natural environment. Something is out there or within us that insists that we are more complicated than the mundane cloak that has enveloped us, and that we need to enhance its potential. The mundane world relegates us to the three-dimensional impulses of ‘Weight, Measurement and Time’, which have managed to build the physical world we live in. But humans are also gifted with symbolic thought, the fourth dimension that leads to other potential. It’s the symbolic thought process that enables us to manifest art, music and writing, hieroglyphs, cuneiform and other scripts and alphabets, mathematics etc. and religion. And religion is a tremendous impetus. Look at the pyramids, cathedrals and temple architecture across the human timeline. Symbolic awakening took us to Astronomy and, of course, the sometimes ambiguous language of Astrology. Without the universe of symbolic thought and reasoning, we, the masses, become locked within the 3-Dimensional aspect of our makeup. THE OTHER SELF Though, for many, the ‘other within’ longs for esoteric expression and guidance. And that’s where the ‘con men’, with just enough information and loads of ritual propaganda, come in; to tickle the imagination. And when the imagination becomes active, they provide no relative substance, but proceed to concoct the religious/superstitious shackles that ‘street talk’ define as Salawala. I could remember while living in West Ruimveldt, we would gaze in wonderment from the back windows of the ‘range apartment’ that gave us full view of the happenings in a church bordered by the parallel street. There, the head of a church, the headquarters of which was stationed in East La Penitence, would beat members of his church with a sword. One church member told us that he was beating out spirits; there was no religious or other logic to that, but church members believed it. The heroes of our youthful reading, from the Tales of Aesop, The Greek myths to Kwaku Anancy, were mainly, principled intelligent men and creatures who applied logic and wit to triumph over overwhelming obstacles. We drew examples from those characters, and compared them to our environment. End-of-term and school graduations were celebrated, with dramatic renditions of Biblical and popular plays, before audiences of parents and wellwishers, and concluded with some popular ‘Juke Box’music under the watchful

eyes of teachers. A POSITIVE MOVE It’s a positive move by the Minister of Education to once more include the Performing Arts into the school system, for the wholesome wellbeing of young minds. When Religious Studies were discontinued in Guyana, we should have transformed that area into the study of Philosophy, which would

have included necessary aspects of Geography and History, with sprinkles of Archaeology. The exploration of applied religious philosophy across the human spheres would have equipped students with a better understanding during adulthood to confront the various impositions of religious charlatans and ‘conmen’ that now have ingrained themselves in our humanity. The problem, however, would be the teachers to deliver these classes. Guyana has led before; it can lead again, through addressing such a secondary study-base. Students would be intrigued by the origins of the sciences through our ancient Astronomers and Alchemists; and they were rooted in the ancient religious philosophies we now term Mythology. Politicians in Guyana have always found themselves hemmed in by bold religious movements, though quietly agreeing that these people are ridiculous charlatans. But as a now opposition activist remarked to me once, “Stupidy people does vote, yuh know.” The trend of ignoring things in the hope that it will eventually fade away does not work. Freedom of religion should also have checks and balances. Public mischief comes with the inducement of religious coercion to accept gifts of land transports, and make ‘Pope-like’ videos. There must be some mechanism to protect the stupid. Guyana is not exclusive when it comes to the management and exploitation of the masses through religion; and there’s a nexus between religion with the ‘Wuk-Man’; they at times overlap. Because this is part of our mental and psychological makeup, we all have creeds, customs and beliefs. I know that there is some

reality out there and within that we don’t quite understand; and I have put to rest the ‘Big Bang’ theory for now. Neither did we evolve from any existing primates or reptiles; we’re younger than almost all the species we call ‘wild’ animals. We are not sure what we evolved from, or what or who conducted our very deliberate intelligent design, though every aspect of the human world were bound to the concept that “We were created by our God”. That debate now comprises volumes. We are going to continue to gaze towards

the universe for answers, as did the followers of the ‘Heaven’s Gate Cult’, who were conned by a leader with a terminal disease and dressed in Nike sneakers to commit suicide to ascend to a mother ship. I’m unaware of the connection, but NIKE [Victory] was, after all, a titan in Greek mythology. We should look at philosophy at some level in our education system; don’t leave them to the whims and fantasies of the con-craft of self-proclaimed Prophets, Popes, Bishops, Swamis and ‘See-far’ folk. They’re not going anywhere.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, November 18, 2016

Vybz Kartel breaks silence ‒ on recording music in prison VYBZ Kartel is adamant that he is not recording music in prison, despite coming under increased pressure from authorities. On Tuesday, Jamaican law enforcement moved in and conducted a search of the dancehall deejay’s cell block where contraband was found. He was subsequently relocated to another prison, and placed in confinement pending the outcome of an ongoing investigation. Speaking with Rolling Stone through his attorney, Tom Tavares-Finson, Vybz Kartel made it clear that he has not been recording in prison, and all his recent singles are as a result of his hard work in the years before his arrest. “I’ve always been a prolific songwriter, and I record at breakneck speed as well, so I have a lot of surplus material to choose from,” the former Portmore Empire head said. “There is a recording studio at another correctional facility [in Jamaica], but none here; cellphones, laptops, or any Internet-capable

TONIGHT If you’re staying in tonight, or even if you’re just driving home, tune you radios into 98.1 FM from 18:00hrs to 20:00hrs for a ‘Jazz and Poetry on a Stool’ Live Radio Special hosted by Gavin Mendonca. Guyanese artistes will be entertained by a surprise line-up of treats that the ‘Jazz and Poetry on a Stool Family’ has lined up, and will also give you a preview of their Christmas showcase, scheduled for December 10, 2016. So, don’t miss this treat!

instrument are prohibited items,” Kartel said. A ‘rep’ for the incarcerated dancehall star backed up his story, telling us that all his new music are as a result of a massive catalogue of previously recorded unreleased material. “We have hundreds and possibly thousands of unreleased material for Vybz Kartel, so, for years to come, we will still be putting out new music,” his ‘reps’ told Urban Islandz.

TOMORROW Are you a businesswoman looking for ways to expand your trade or better your practices? Then come out to the ‘Women in Business’ Seminar at the Pegasus Hotel at 13:00hrs. The event will be hosted by the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) in collaboration with GeoTechVision, the Small Business Bureau and CUSO International. The purpose of this seminar, themed “Fostering Entrepreneurship, Celebrating Women in Business”, is to promote further discussions with entrepreneurs and stakeholders on the topic of Business Incubation, and some of the benefits that can accrue from this process. The seminar will also feature presentations from women who are in business in Guyana. Panelists include experts from Guyana and the Caribbean. Admission is free. Premium Pink entertainment brings you Euphoria at Palm Court. Join Guyanese artiste, Timeka Marshall and have the time of your life while you party the night away. Enjoy ‘Premium Pink’ shots all night, while the best DJs bring you ultimate euphoric vibes. Tickets are $2,000 each. Event begins at 21:00hrs. Christmas is upon us; summer is over and some of us can’t get over the Sun, Water and Fun effect. But, guess what? Freedom Family is at it again, this time with a concept that is for everyone! It’s the Pool Party called Hookah & Bikini! This event concept is one that is new to Guyana’s shores, and is taking place at the newly renovated Tower Poolside. Patrons can come out to have fun and not have to worry about anything! There will be women in bikinis, hookahs at the cabanas, and drinks at the bar. Vibes will be provided by Guyana’s best, Gully Ras and Diamond, along with Seen Up and Selector Deron. Doors will be opened from 15:00hrs and everyone is free before 17:00hrs. SUNDAY Miss Global International Queen, Poonam Singh did Guyana proud by placing First Runner Up at the international pageant. Now this talented queen is returning home, and wishes to celebrate her homecoming with her supporters. Join her at Vintage Wine and Cheese Lounge, Lamaha Street from 19:00hrs for her Karaoke and Dance Party. Come and interact with the sassy beauty who brought us the catchy tune, ‘G.U.Y.A.N.A’.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, November 18, 2016

‘Masque’

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The inner workings of YOUNG Subraj Singh has, since his entrance into the realm of theatre, demanded attention with his penchant for the unique and the outstanding. It is not surprising, therefore, that this writer’s 2016 entry into the ongoing National Drama Festival, ‘Masque’, which was recently among those shortlisted for the Finals of the Festival, does not disappoint. First staged last Saturday during the Preliminaries, ‘Masque’ is the second part of Subraj’s Rebellion Trilogy, each on which focuses on the post-colonial experience of the three main ethnic groups in Guyana. It is set over 500 years ago in the interior of Guyana, and centres on the story of an Indigenous tribe and the conflicts that arise after they kidnap a white woman. Though it falls primarily within the post-colonial genre, exploring several tropes within that category, the play also overlaps with several other genres such as post-modernist, ritualistic, feminist and revenge tragedy. Just as with Part One of the Trilogy, Laugh of the Marble Queen, which was staged last year, Subraj says that ‘Masque’ also received an “overwhelmingly positive” response. “One of the judges said at the end of the production that the writing was very beautiful; and that really meant a lot,” Subraj said, adding: “I did attempt to make the language slightly more poetic than usual in order to impart the beauty, the strangeness and the exotic nature of these people and their home in the forest and I’m glad that was recognised.” DUE PRAISE He noted that the acting also received due praise, adding that he was even told by a fellow director of another play that his play possessed the “strongest of the strongest” actors. Subraj concurs. “I agree with him, simply because I have worked with them and seen how amazing they are,” he said. “Not only does ‘Masque’ call for intense emotional responses from the actors, but it is also very physically demanding... All the actors have done tremendous work on this production, probably working the hardest they ever have before for the National Drama Festival, and it definitely shows in the finished product,” he added. Among the list of actors are Tashandra Inniss, Le Tisha DaSilva, Onix Duncan, Lorraine Baptiste, Ackeem Joseph, Nicholas Singh, Kinberly Samuels, Nirmala Narine and Lisa

Douglas. But, more important, is the narrative that ‘Masque’ portrays: Colonization and everything that comes with it, including the loss of culture and identity, race-relations, power and authority, reality and the unreal. OTHER THEMES Additionally, the play also incorporates other themes such as family, the environment, the past versus the

‘Masque’ is one of those plays that show how a section of Guyanese society (our Indigenous Peoples) who, probably because of the effects of colonisation, has suffered and continue to suffer in our country,” he said. He’s always felt that the stories of our Indigenous Peoples are not well-represented in Guyanese literature, and he sought to change that. Said he: “One of the primary goals when the play was being written, was to create a unique and poignant drama, using techniques within contemporary theatre, so that the story of our First Peoples can be properly told, particularly in this the 50th year of Guyana’s Independence, which, as it nears an end, still offers us the opportunity to look back and to learn and to fix everything that needs to be fixed. “Masque aims to be a piece of literature the Indigenous Peoples of our country can be proud of, because of the way their history and the various themes of the play, of their lives, and of the life of our country.” It is this passion and insight that led playwright and Director of Studies at the National School of Theatre Arts and Drama (NSTAD), Al Creighton to refer to Subraj as one of the key players in the future of theatre in Guyana. But asked whether he sees himself as a catalyst for reviving the theatre industry in Guyana, Subraj states

Scenes from ‘Masque’ during the NDF preliminaries

present, and many others. Subraj said the themes are meant to be expressed in a manner that seeks to educate the public, as is the case with each of the plays within the Trilogy. “The effects of colonisation are still very much present in modern Guyanese society, and, in fact, a lot of our country’s many problems were borne from colonisation.

that it is the work of both the National Drama Company (NDC) and NSTAD that will really do the trick. “The work being put on by NDC members and graduates of the NSTAD is impeccable and of high standards. These are the people who, in a sense, will set trends for the future with regard to what eventually becomes recognised as Guyanese Theatre,” he said.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, November 18, 2016

DIGICEL launches Special Olympics

5km walk, wheel and run race

By Stephan Sookram DIGICEL yesterday signed on to the first-ever Special Olympics 5km walk, wheel and run race, set for December 4 in the National Park. During a press conference, the company, along with members of the Guyana Special Olympics Committee, briefed the Press on the event which will feature athletes of various classes. “This is the first project of its kind that we have embarked on and we will use it as a stepping stone to be able to better this project, ” said Wilton Spencer, head of the Special Olympics committee. He contended, “We want to encourage athletes to compete in the longer distances and by offering this kind

of event, we hope that over time, we will have much more athletes competing in the longer distances.” Assistant Director of Sport, Bryan Smith, added, “The National Sports Commission (NSC) under the Directorship of Christopher Jones has mandated that the body play a greater role in the participation of women and the differently-abled.” He indicated that Governments must join with private sector entities to make this happen and called for more companies like DIGICEL to come on board. Meanwhile DIGICEL through Senior Sponsorship & Events Executive Louanna Abrams stated that they are elated to be on board with the committee, mentioning that it is an initiative

stretched throughout their 32 markets. “We have a soft spot in our hearts for our special needs athletes and it is through this soft spot that we have conducted several initiatives at various institutions. We are so excited for December 4 at the National Park,” she added. Male athletes will compete amputees with crutches, while both genders in the blind (B1 and B2) wheelchair users and persons with intellectual disabilities are being registered. First-place finishers will be rewarded with trophies and $10 000, second place trophy and $8 000 and third-place trophy and $5 000. There will be participants from Regions 2, 4, 5, 6 and 10.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Friday November 18, 2016) COMPLIMENTS OF THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market & The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & AUDREY’S TASTY SNACKETTE-176 Charlotte Street, Georgetown (Tel: 226-4512) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) Michael Holding-14/149 (8/92 & 6/57-WI vs ENG, The Oval, 1976) (2) 102 (vs AUST, Lord’s, 1975) Today’s Quiz: (1) Who is the first WI to hit a triple-century in Tests? (2) Which WI has struck the fastest century in ODIs to date (in terms of balls faced)? Answers in tomorrow’s issue

English Racing Tips Ffos Las 08:40 hrs Gayebury 09:10 hrs Impulsive Star 09:45 hrs Hawkhurst 10:20 hrs Return Flight 10:55 hrs Tanit River 11:30 hrs Royal Salute 12:05 hrs Tacenda

bell 10:45 hrs The Clock Leary 11:20 hrs Mustmeetalady 11:55 hrs Draytonian

Haydock 08:50 hrs Capitaine 09:25 hrs Cloudy Dream 10:00 hrs Island Heights 10:35 hrs Delusionofgran deur 11:10 hrs Brio Conti 11:45 hrs Claimantakin forgan

South Africa Racing Tips Greyville 11:00 hrs Majix 11:30 hrs Roy Is Second 12:05 hrs Master Run ner 12:40 hrs Mr O’Neill 13:20 hrs Palladium 13:55 hrs Dawn Calling 14:30 hrs Texas Cowboy 15:00 hrs Peace Again 15:30 hrs St Elmo’s Fire

Ascot 09:00 hrs Secret Investor 10:10 hrs Thomas Camp

Irish Racing Tips Dundalk 13:30 hrs Go Kart

14:00 hrs He’s Our Mu sic 14:30 hrs Honor Oak 15:00 hrs Sharp Defence 15:30 hrs My Direction 16:00 hrs Galaxor 16:30 hrs Rock On Ros ie 17:00 hrs Walk The Line American Racing Tips Aqueduct Race 1 River Date Race 2 Kinder Race 3 Uncle Dave Race 4 Buckwellspent Race 5 Saturday Bliss Race 6 Giant Ending Race 7 Cashconsider ations Race 8 Couert Dancer Race 9 The Great Sa murai

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, November 18, 2016

ELITE coaches’ preview for season two THE much-awaited start of the GFF/STAG Elite League is set for Sunday at the DCC ground in Queenstown. The season two will see six teams compete for the top prize of $6M. Chronicle Sport caught up with the coaches and got their previews. Today we feature the first three teams. Floyd ‘Runningman’ Cadogan, Monedderlust FC: “It has not been an easy task in terms of preparations, taking into consideration the uncertainty of the start of the League. This has frustrated some of the players and in fact we have lost five players, but over the last month I have

been able to capture the minds of the players in getting them focused to prepare for this

Kevin’s loss is very significant as he singlehandedly took care of players’ needs

elite League. Of course, you know we lost our manager and main sponsor Kevin Layne Sr and that has been a severe blow to the club, in particular myself, so it has been a difficult period for me as a coach.

and, generally, the club’s welfare, but now that he has departed so have all those things and also five key players, including the captain. Despite all the difficulties I still strive to keep Kevin’s dream and vision of playing in the Elite League alive.

Herbert ‘Dan’ McPherson, Buxton United: “Our preparations are ongoing under the circumstances and the players have been responding well. The morale of the team is high and we are looking forward to a good

season. The players all feel there is a need to do better than last season and that’s a good feeling”.

“Last season our finishing let us down badly and more importantly our play in the attacking third was lacking. We have worked on those areas and hopefully we’ll get it right this season. Buxton are always a fighting team because we don’t give up easily and that spirit of defiance is natural in us. Gavin ‘Jug Head’ Huntley, Victoria Kings FC: “The preparations were not one hundred percent although we started our programme early. We had a few setbacks with players through injuries, work schedule and migration. “Nevertheless we made

use of the time and what was available, to persevere and the team is getting better. Over the last two weeks of training I can feel the spirits have risen and I think the players know that the game is definitely on and we are getting ready for that particular opening game against the Army. It is now up to the players to go out and execute.” “The club is known for an attitude of ‘never-saydie’ and I expect a good showing this season despite the team being in a rebuilding process. We are coming out to play football and win like every other team.”

Guyana team heads to Jamaica THE Guyana male basketball team is scheduled to travel to Jamaica for a Tri-Nation showdown from November 25 to 28. The Invitational will also feature the USA. Six games will be played during four days. The other teams are the Libertyville Vipers, Jamaica Senior Team and the Jamaica U-21 Team. The Guyana Am-

ateur Basketball Federation has already selected the team with a focus on youth development. The 13-man team reads: Shane Webster, Jermaine Slater, Akeem Kanhai, Dominique Vincente, Nikkolio Smith, Curt English, Jason Squires and Michael Turner, inclusive of the youth component - Travis Belgrave, Stanton Rose, Roger John,

Terron Welch and Nathan Saul. Mark Agard has been named head coach with Abdulla Hamid and Junior Hercules as assistant coaches. The team manager is Troy Greene. The first practice is scheduled for today from 19:00hrs on Burnham Court.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, November 18, 2016

Several winners on first night GSA/Farfan & Mendes Junior Squash ‌

THE Guyana Squash Association, in collaboration with its number one corporate sponsor DIGICEL, commenced the annual Farfan & Mendes Junior Squash Tournament at the Georgetown Club Inc. squash courts last night. Play commenced with matches in eight of the nine categories to be contested. In category A in the feature match of the day junior national Under-17 player Alex Cheeks upset higher-ranked seeded player Caribbean Girls Under-19 runner-up Taylor Fernandes winning three games to two in a match that could have gone either way.

Taylor won the first game 11-6, but Alex bounced back in the second game 11-6. Taylor then won a close third game 11-9 but Alex again rebounded to take the fourth game 11-4. The fifth game was close throughout but when Alex had match ball at 10-7, it seemed all over for Taylor but she did not give up and won the next three points to even the score at ten. The scores were again even at eleven, but Alex then won the next two points to secure a well-earned victory. Also in category A in the match-up of the two Islam brothers Daniel defeated Anthony in three straight games

11-8, 11-1, 11-8. Category B had another upset as Samuel Ince-Carvalhal bettered higher seeded Maya Collins in three straight games 11-8, 11-5, 11-4 In category C, Michael Alphonso proved to be too strong for Dominic Collins, winning easily 11-1, 11-3, 11-1, while in category D Kirsten Gomes outplayed Aliyah Persaud 11-7, 11-0, 11-5. Also in category D Abosaide Cadogan got past Jason Gomes also in straight games 11-3, 11-6, 11-7. Matches will continue from 18:00hrs daily with the finals set to commence at 11:00hrs on Sunday.

4R clash with Floodlights this evening

GUYANA Softball Cup 6, Masters Champions Floodlights will clash with business entity 4R of Duncan Street, in a 20/20 softball affair this evening under lights at the Demerara Cricket Club ground, starting at 18:30hrs. USA baseball players Eric and William Pluemer will line up for the business entity, which will be spearheaded by Richie Deonarain. Both overseas players are confident in converting their skills.

Richie Deonarain 4R squad reads: Richie Deonarain (captain), Romeo Deonarain, Eric Pluem e r, Wi l l i a m P l u e m e r, Kevin Narine, Rabindra

Singh, Mark Harold, Arjune Badal, Anil Beharry, Khalid Baksh, Ricky Deonarain, Unos Yusuf and Imtiaz Mohamed. Floodlights squad reads: Ramesh Sunich (captain), Reyaz Husein, Ramo Malone, Mike Singh, Wayne Jones, Steve Naraine, Jailall Deodass, Pitamber Maharaj, Ramchand Ragbeer, Clyde Canterbury, Dharam Persaud, Surendra Nauth, Richard Persaud, Lalta Gainda, Patrick Khan and Richard Persaud.

Ten more disqualified after Olympic re-testing (REUTERS) - Ten more athletes, mostly weightlifters and wrestlers, have been stripped of the medals they won at the 2008 Beijing Olympics after failing doping tests in re-testing of samples, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) said yesterday. They were among a total of 16 athletes named in the latest batch of disqualifications from the Games. A total of 98 samples have come back as positive for banned substances in re-analysis from the 2008 and 2012 Games as the IOC

has attempted to root out cheats. The athletes named yesterday included three silver medallists - Khasan Baroev (Russia) in the men's 96-120 kilo Greco-Roman wrestling, Vitaliy Rahimov (Azerbaijan) in the men's 55-60 kilo Greco-Roman wrestling and Irina Nekrassova (Kazakhstan) in the women's 63 kilo weightlifting. Others were four bronze medallists in weightlifting Russians Khadzhimurat Akkaev (men's 94 kilos) and Dmitry Lapikov (men's 105 kilos), Kazakhstan's Mariya

Grabovetskaya (women's 75+ kilos) and Ukraine's Natalya Davydova (women's 69 kilos). Two athletics bronze medallists, Ukraine's Denys Yurchenko (men's pole vault) and Greek Chrysopigi Devetzi (women's triple jump), were disqualified along with Kazakhstan's Asset Mambetov, who took part in the men's 84-96kg Greco-Roman wrestling. The IOC stores samples for a decade to test with newer methods or to analyse performance-enhancing substances that have yet to be identified.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, November 18, 2016

Agencies excel at Agriculture Ministry’s sport finals THE sun was out in all its brilliance and so too were the staffs of the different agencies affiliated to the Ministry of Agriculture, which hosted its annual Inter-Agency Sport Finals 2016 at the National Park Tarmac last Friday. Staff members put aside their tools of trade for one final time in 2016 and exhibited their sporting prowess and athleticism, much to the delight of a very vocal crowd, who were loud in support of their respective agencies. Action got underway with the March Past observed by Director of Sport Christopher Jones, and although only two agencies - the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) and the Fisheries Department - were represented, they were well coordinated in their display. Immediately after the Director’s brief address, the fun began with the lone semi-final of the cricket competition between GRDB and the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI). Batting first in the 10over contest, GRDB bene-

fited from 41 extras on their way to 106-7. They were in danger of a lower score had it not been for a quick-fire 20 not out from Walcott, 18 from opener Travis Fung and 13 from G. Ramnauth. Kawall Mangal picked up 3-7; Bisham Singh (2-10) and Beecham (2-15) for NAREI, who could muster only 68 in reply, as they lost by 38 runs. Ryan Sukhna was the lone batsman into double-figures with 12, as extras contributed 16. Bowling for GRDB, Nirman Bahadur was the pick of the bowlers with 3-12; Tyrone English picked up 2-4, while there was one each for Walcott, Ramnauth and Fung. In the final, GRDB faced Guyana School of Agriculture (GSA), who had drawn the bye to the championship game. Deciding to bat first upon winning the toss, GSA put together 88-7 by the time the overs expired. A. Narine (16), S. Franklin (14) and C. Fraser (12) were the leading scorers, while extras tallied 19. Bowling for GRDB, Bahadur was again among the wickets with 2-10, while there was one

apiece for Walcott, English and Fung.

in his 50th Test appearance, the task awaiting them was already looking formidable. India's overnight score of 317 for 4 was everything that Kohli could have wished for after winning a vital toss. First-innings runs on a wicket that neither captain expects to last five days will be a critical aspect of this contest, and Alastair Cook had cut an almost condemned figure after missing out on the chance to have first use. "Now we've got nothing to lose," he admitted after calling incorrectly. He might wish to revise that assessment now. Ominously for England, there had been glimmers of the assistance that the pitch is likely to offer at every juncture of India's day, including signs of turn and uneven

GSA and NAREI had to settle for the runner-up priz-

The winning GRDB cricket team with Minister of Agriculture Noel Holder. GRDB then raced to the target, completing the victory in 6.4 overs with just two wickets down. After Bahadur went without scoring, Fung and English took the attack to the bowlers with a partnership of 70 to effectively seal the match. While Fung was the ag-

Kohli, Pujara make England toil (ESPNCricinfo) - It was a day of firsts at the Dr Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam. The first day of the first Test at what is now the 111th such venue in world cricket, and quite possibly the first occasion on which a pitch invasion by a stray dog has brought about an early tea interval. But, notwithstanding a trio of breakthroughs for England's returning attack leader, James Anderson, who was playing in his first competitive fixture since August, it was also a day dominated by numbers three and four – specifically Cheteshwar Pujara and Virat Kohli, who compiled a masterful pair of hundreds in a 226-run stand for India's third wicket that has, for the first time in this series, given their side unequivocal control of the contest. England, emulating their wholehearted efforts in the drawn first match at Rajkot, started the day with a flourish and finished it with a grind, digging deep on all fronts - with seam and spin, new ball and old - to demand that India had to work hard for their runs. But by the close, with Kohli still in situ on 151 not out, his 14th century

gressor, blasting three sixes and a four in 36, English was

bounce for the spinners and indications of reverse swing in the evening session. Anderson, in particular, tried desperately to exploit that aspect in a wholehearted five-over spell that yielded the vital scalp of Pujara for 119. And then, with two overs of the day remaining, he struck with his third delivery with the second new ball to unseat a tentative Ajinkya Rahane for 23. But up until those late intercessions, such was the quality of India's third-wicket stand that England had little option but to cling onto the batsmen's coat-tails and seek to manage the speed of their progress, rather than the inevitability.

SCOREBOARD INDIA 1st innings M. Vijay c Stokes b Anderson 20 L. Rahul c Stokes b Broad 0 C. Pujara c Bairstow b Anderson 119 V. Kohli not out 151 A. Rahane c Bairstow b Anderson 23 R. Ashwin not out 1 Extras: (lb-2, w-1) 3 Total: (for 4 wickets, 90 overs) 317 Bowling: J. Anderson 16-3-44-3, S. Broad 12-2-39-1, B. Stokes 13-3-52-0 (w-1), Z. Ansari 12-1-45-0, A. Rashid 26-1-85-0, M. Ali 11-0-50-0.

more content to rotate the strike, before he unleashed two sixes and a four in the seventh over to finish the game. English ended on 22 not out, while extras were again a healthy 22. For the win, GRDB cricket team received a beautiful trophy and medals, while

es. While Fung was named Man-of-the-Series and Highest Run-Scorer, Bahadur emerged as the bowler with the most wickets. In the preliminary cricket matches, NAREI (148) had defeated Hydromet/New GMC (126) by 22 runs with Kumar Bishundial making

58 runs and taking a wicket, while GRDB (173) had disposed of Fisheries/Pesticides (75) by 98 runs with Fung making 50 off 13 balls. In the other disciplines, Hydromet defeated GSA in the football final; Head Office won the dominoes competition; and GSA got the better of GRDB in the volleyball and basketball finals. The cards competition was won by GLDA, while the March Past was won by Fisheries. There were also several novelty competitions, including Lime and Spoon, Tug-of-War, Buns Eating, Beers Drinking and a Heads of Department race. The winners of these events were all presented with hampers, compliments of New GMC. On hand to help in the distribution of prizes were Minister of Agriculture, Noel Holder, and Permanent Secretary George Jarvis. The sport finals brought the curtain down on Agriculture Month 2016, which was held under the theme: “Exploring new production frontiers: in pursuit of climate resilience”.

“What is needed now is support!” – GRFU President By Stephan Sookram

GUYANA’S ‘Green Machine’ continue to prove they are the best in the Caribbean. This was most evident when they carted off their eighth Caribbean 7s over the past weekend. This is according to president of the Guyana Rugby Football Union (GRFU) Peter Greene, who was at the time addressing a post-tournament briefing at the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) headquarters in Kingston. He said, “Guyana won the Caribbean segment for the eighth time last weekend but I personally feel the level of the opposition is not improving,” leading to the notion that the unit must compete with those in the wider world if they are to

move ahead in the rankings. Guyana, who finished runners-up to Canada after losing 52-5 at the overall final, must move past their regular Caribbean opponents. “This is a very troubling feature. We aspire to be like Canada who scored 175 points and only conceded five, but in my opinion Guyana’s rugby will not benefit unless we have the opportunity to compete regularly on the international circuit. How do you improve against teams you beat year after year, you are not improving.” After finishing as one of the top two teams in the tournament, the local males have also won the option to compete in Hong Kong, but after that thrashing at the hands of the Canadians, it is obvious

that a lot more is needed to be among the world’s finest. “What is needed now is support,” the rugby boss contended, with an eye towards new sponsorship grounds while adding, “We also need a high performance coach.” “RAN also has to recognise that Guyana need opportunities to not only play in Hong Kong but in the Las Vegas and Vancouver 7s, we should be given that opportunity too because we would need adequate preparation,” he said. He, however, thanked Edward B. Beharry Group of Companies who chipped in for this tournament with $1.5M, the Guyana Olympic Association ($1.2M) and the government of Guyana (airport tax waiver and transportation). He also thanked the coaching staff of the male and female squads.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, November 18, 2016

Jaguars aiming to maintain winning momentum By Rajiv Bisnauth MAINTAINING momentum will be the order of the day when the defending champions Guyana Jaguars clash with the Leeward Islands Hurricanes today in round two of the Regional Four-Day Championships at Warner Park in St Kitts. The Jaguars are second on the points table, but will definitely start this round as firm favourites, taking into consideration their huge win in the opening round on Monday. They currently sit on 17.8 points, .2 behind leaders Trinidad and Tobago Red Force. However, complacency will be the only thing that

Leon Johnson and company will have to resist, but the Jaguars have never given the impression that this is something which imbeds itself in the way they operate.

Veerasammy Permaul

Rahkeem Cornwall Monday’s win against the Jamaica Scorpions was the 18th time the Guyanese have gone undefeated since the 2013/2014 season.

However, the contest will still generate a lot of interest in both countries, since the hosts have displayed plenty of character in their opening encounter, where they drew the game against former

champions Barbados Pride last Monday at the venue. Antigua & Barbuda’s Rahkeem Cornwall led the Hurricanes’ charge when he finished with match figures of nine for 218. After that game, coach of Leeward Islands Hurricanes, Reginald Benjamin, has hailed his team’s positive start, as encouraging. He told the Daily Observer newspaper that his charges look forward to their match against the defending champions, adding that he expects the team to improve as the competition progresses. On the other hand, the Jaguars’ batting and bowling departments have definitively clicked as a unit in

round one. Four batsmen scored half-centuries, while the bowlers did their part, especially left-arm spinners Gudakesh Motie and Veerasammy Permaul, but their fielding remains a concern.

Head coach Esaun Crandon has urged his side to

improve in this area, in order to be a competitive force. Jaguars earned their points from a 181-run win over Jamaica while Red Force blew away Windward Islands Volcanoes by nine wickets at Queen’s Park Oval, Trinidad. Hurricanes are on 8.8 points, Pride on 6, Scorpions 4.8 and Volcanoes 4. Teams earn 12 points for an outright victory while extra points for batting, spin bowling and pace bowling are also up for grabs. Meanwhile, in other second-round matches Scorpions take on Volcanoes at Sabina Park and Red Force play Pride at Queen’s Park Oval.

THIS Sunday’s local leg of the South America 10K Classic road race will go on without the participation of Guyana’s top distance man Cleveland ‘Little Kenyan’ Forde, after he indicated that he will not be a part of the Guyanese line-up competing in the international event. According to Forde, he has been suffering from injury to his Achilles tendon. He had been suffering from the injury as far back as May, and it was further compounded by his performance at the Joint Services Championships last month and then the Suriname leg of the South American 10k Classic three weeks ago, he says. The 31-year-old says he feels awful about missing the event. “It got worst after the Joint Services, but it’s been affecting me way before Joint Services, since in May, so I’m doing therapy now. I feel terrible it’s not a nice feeling that competition is there and you just have to watch it and can’t compete,” Forde said. This now leaves the Guyana side to be headed by Cleveland Thomas and Winston Missigher, in the competition where athletes are expected from all across South America and the Caribbean region. Forde’s absence means a missed opportunity for him to try and match strides with Peruvians Yerson Orellana

and Luis Ostos, who are expected to be among those in this Sunday’s line-up. It was last year that 23-yearold Orellana ended Forde’s seven-year reign as the title-holder. Forde was relegated all the way to fourth place, with Ostos taking second and Trinidad and Tobago-based Kenyan, Kenneth Rotich, winning third.

minutes 9 seconds, but still took the win, at the Suriname South American 10k Classic three weeks ago. Forde has had a tough year so far, with his hopes of going sub-30 minutes in a 10k continuing to elude him, with his fastest 10k timings for the year being the 32 minutes and 39 seconds that he clocked at the CARICOM

Reginald Benjamin

Shattered Sports Hall Forde out of local South American 10K backboard to be replaced

THE shattered backboard at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall (CASH) will once again undergo renovation since the re-

night. However, this one was also shattered. According to a source inside the National Sports Commission (NSC), the

country by the weekend,” the source said. When asked how about the old replacement shattering the source said, “It

The shattered backboard during IGG placement glass was also shattered. The original GARED backboard was shattered in October during the second basketball game at the Inter Guiana Games (IGG). It was replaced with the old backboard the same

replacement backboards will be in Guyana by the end of the week. “We contacted GARED International who are the makers of original backboards and we have already sourced the backboard, it should be in the

was a temporary fix to facilitate the games, it wasn’t the official replacement.” The new replacement should be installed sometime next week with clubs in Georgetown being able to resume their training.

Cleveland ‘Little Kenyan’ Forde Orellana clocked 31:08.00s for that win. This leaves Forde with only having participated in one leg of the three-part event, which also features a 10k event in Suriname and Panama. Most recently, Forde ran a disappointing 34

10k back in July. Earlier this year too he suffered his only 10k loss of the year when he lost to Missigher in the Golden Jubilee 10km Road Race back in May. Missigher had clocked 32:46.00s for that win.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, November 18, 2016

Jaguars aiming to maintain winning momentum See Pg. 35

What is needed now is support – GRFU president See Pg. 35

DIGICEL launches Special Olympics

5km walk, wheel and run race Shattered Sports Hall backboard to be replaced

See Pg. 35

See Pg. 31 See Pg. 35

Forde out of local South American 10K

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FRIDAY, NOVEMBNER 18, 2016