Guyana Chronicle E-paper 9-11-2019

WEDNESDAY 11th September, 2019

No.105757

NO DELAYING TACTIC … GECOM rubbishes claims of ‘lengthy gaps’ to delay elections

… says proposals in conformity with elections laws

‘No space for polls 03 this year’ PAGE

… Alexander says GECOM timetable can’t facilitate elections this year

JetBlue to take off in 22 Guyana in April PAGE

... Min Patterson hails airline’s entry as timely

Education is pathway to prosperity 02 PAGE

… President Granger tells Heritage Day celebrations at Riversview President David Granger receives a warm welcome during Tuesday’s Heritage Day celebrations at Riversview Village, Upper Demerara-Upper Berbice, Region 10 (DPI photo)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, September 11, 2019

Education is pathway to prosperity

… President Granger tells Heritage Day celebrations at Riversview PRESIDENT David Granger, on Tuesday, attended Heritage Day celebrations at Riversview Village, Upper Demerara-Upper Berbice, Region 10 where he emphasised that education is the pathway to prosperity.

The President said Riversview Village, which straddles two regions, the Upper Demerara-Upper Berbice Region and the Cuyuni-Mazaruni (Region Seven), needs the human capital to turn promise into prosperity.

The village is on the verge of a farming, logging, mining and tourism economy, he said.

“All of these economic activities can bring wealth and prosperity to the people of Riversview and this beautiful village. But

how will you do it? How will you attract the eco-tourists? How will you attract the revenue from mining and logging? You will do so with an educated population. Education is not a side show. Education is central to the development not only of Riversview, but entire Indigenous Community, the entire Region Seven and 10, and to the entire country,” President Granger said.

Education will equip not only the nation’s children, but those of Riversview with the knowledge and skills needed to transform the resources into riches and enable them to develop the economy and open opportunities for employment, the President said. In May 2016, the Head of State visited the communi-

President David Granger being escorted by Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Mr. Sydney Allicock, in the company of Minister of Social Cohesion, Dr George Norton and other officials

ty to hand over two boats, one to assist in the event of health emergencies and, the other, a ‘David G’ boat to transport children to school in Bartica.

He reminded that education is supported by the Public Education Transport Service (PETS or 5Bs) which is essential to school attendance. The provision of the school boat has resulted in significant reduction in ‘skulking’ and significant savings for parents who were paying more than $20,000 per month for one child to attend school in Bartica.

“As long as I am President, you will never have to pay. You can now use those savings to improve the quality of life in your homes and villages. This Education Month is a very significant month for all of us because it is the pathway to development and the pathway to giving your children a better opportunity to succeed,” the President said.

With both Indigenous Heritage Month and Education Month being observed in September, the Head of State said educational development is the pathway to Indigenous People’s development. “Everyone has a better chance in the modern economy with its emphasis on knowledge-based industries, if he/she has a good education,” the President said.

He then reminded that his government’s policy is ‘Every child in school’. “We want every child to have access to education, to attend school regularly and to graduate from school with the knowledge, skills and values to be able to provide for his or her family,” he said. “I would like Riversview to adopt that motto so that nowhere in this village, this community, region, should children be prevented from going to school and doing

well in school. Children must be given access; they must be allowed to attend school and they must achieve high results,” the President asserted.

Iterating that education is a public good, the President said one of the most important objectives of education in Guyana is not about distributing certificates, but is a matter of ensuring equality. “It doesn’t matter where you were born, it doesn’t matter where you grow up, once you achieve education through our public education system, nobody can kick you around,” the Head of State said, even as he urged youth to remain in school. “There is a golden prize waiting for you,” he said, adding that “education is essential to success”.

The President charged all villagers to take responsibility for every child in Riversview Village as it takes a village to raise successful citizens in this country.

FOCUS ON EDUCATION Meanwhile, the Head of State emphasised that the Decade of Development, which starts in 2020 and ends in 2029, will focus on education, including hinterland education through improvements in schools’ infrastructure, including accommodation and transportation; investments in better teaching and educational tools – books, educational kits information communications technologies, laboratories, learning resource centres, scholarships and smart classrooms; and increases in the number of schools so that children would not have to travel long distance to attend school.

“Today my friends, we are on the threshold of another revolution in hinterland education…Where will the money

Hundreds turned out to the celebrations on Tuesday

See page 10

‘No space for polls this year’ 3

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, September 11, 2019

… Alexander says GECOM timetable can’t facilitate elections this year

By Lisa Hamilton

LITTLE came out of a meeting on Tuesday between the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) and Leader of the Opposition, Bharrat Jagdeo even though the latter left the Commission stating that he was encouraged by feedback received from the Chairperson.

Government-nominated commissioner, Vincent Alexander, has insisted that, while he would participate in a re-discussion of the timelines, the Secretariat’s timeline put forward has no space for an election this year.

During the meeting requested by Jagdeo, all of what the opposition and government nominated commissioners have been debating for the last several months was rehashed with no new information put on the table.

The Leader of the Opposition, on his own, has held press conferences every week to publically speak on the very issues he brought to the Chairperson on Tuesday. In fact, giving a recap of what he pitched to the Commission, he stated: “We went through the details of the merger to show that 1) it would be merging unverified data with verified database; 2) that it would take a very long time to do so; 3) that the cross-matching of fingerprints would not be helpful in identifying duplicate registration; 4) that the NRR will be contaminated with multiple regis-

nied by People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Chief Whip, Gail Teixeira; Opposition Members of Parliament (MPs) Anil Nandlall, Juan Edghill and Joe Hamilton and PPP Executive Secretary, Zulfikar Mustapha.

Much like what the Opposition-nominated Commissioners have said in the past, Jagdeo floated that elections can easily be held “long before the end of the year” on a ramped up timeline. The views of his party have swarmed the media even before the GECOM Secretariat, last Friday, made a proposal to the Commission that credible elections can be facilitated

by March 2020.

Nonetheless, upon leaving the Commission, the Opposition Leader insisted that, following the engagement, he is

and we’ll await the discussions from the Commission and the decisions.”

Later, pressed with the same questions, Opposition-nominated Commissioner, Sase Gunraj likewise shifted from giving a direct answer on the “encouraging” words relayed. “The Commission was very receptive of the ideas and I am sure he [Jagdeo] has made his case to you when he came out as to what ideas he has pitched to the Commission and, I must say, that the Commission was very receptive to those ideas…whatever reports that the Leader of the Opposition would have given subsequent to that meeting, I believe that is it. The reaction of the Chairperson has to come from the Chairperson, not me,” he said.

Gunraj also told the media: “We have

Government-nominated Commissioner, Vincent Alexander (Samuel Maughn photo) fore; all of the issues that he would have raised previously,” Alexander said.

“Commissioners sought in a few instances to clarify some matters; I sought to clarify some matters.

He [Jagdeo] made the point that we have used this List repeatedly and there had been no complaints about it and I made the point that, since 2011, internally I’ve raised issues concerning the List because in 2011 we saw spikes in certain parts of the country in terms of registration which seemed not to reflect the population.”

Leader of the Opposition, Bharrat Jagdeo [first right] leaves the meeting with the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) on Tuesday in the presence of People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Chief Whip, Gail Teixeira; Opposition Members of Parliament (MPs) Anil Nandlall; Juan Edghill and Joe Hamilton and PPP Executive Secretary, Zulfikar Mustapha.

Chairperson of the GECOM, Justice Rt’d., Claudette Singh tration and we said there is a simpler way to identifying new registrants because only the new registrants can be added to the List and that could be done swiftly in a Claims and Objections period.”

At the meeting, Jagdeo was accompa-

more optimistic based on the feedback received from Chairperson, Retired Justice Claudette Singh. Pressed several times to state what exactly encouraged him, Jagdeo declined to answer directly and shifted the responsibility over to the commissioners.

“The Chairman said some encouraging words; very encouraging words but I will not repeat them, maybe you can ask the commissioners,” he said. He later added: “…encouraging words because it has an outside limit to this whole ordeal that we are going through... March [2020] is totally out the window, we’re looking for elections before the end of the year.

They [the Commission] will continue their discussions. There were some very encouraging signs and statements made

not made any decisions today.

In fact, the longest part of the meeting was the engagement with the team led by the Leader of the Opposition and we’re meeting again Thursday, hopefully to have some meaningful discussions in relation to the holding of elections.”

REHASHING OF POSITIONS Government-nominated Commissioner, Vincent Alexander also told the media on Tuesday that even during the rehashing of information already known, he took the opportunity to highlight key facts to the Opposition Leader and his team.

“We heard [at the meeting] all that you all know and would have heard be-

WITHHOLDING OF SCRUTINEERS Alexander said that he also put forward that the Opposition, having withheld their scrutineers from the house-to-house registration exercise which they disagreed with, does not give them the leeway to now call it flawed as a result of their negligence.

Added to this, the Commissioner stated that the registration exercise is the best means by which citizens can be verified as able or unable to vote. “Given the presence of the Opposition, we merely went through the minutes.

I made it clear that I was not engaging with the Leader of the Opposition for a debate, I was just giving factual clarification,” he said.

Although the Opposition Leader left the Commission encouraged, Alexander stated that while he would participate in a re-discussion of the timelines, the Secretariat’s timeline put forward has no space for an election this year.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, September 11, 2019

NO DELAYING TACTIC … GECOM rubbishes claims of ‘lengthy gaps’ to delay elections

… says proposals in conformity with elections laws RUBBISHING claims that it is employing delay tactics to stall elections, the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) said the operations of its Secretariat are guided by the decisions of the Commission conformity with the Elections Laws of the country.

GECOM’s Public Relations Officer (PRO), Yolanda Warde, on Tuesday, said the article published in the Stabroek News on Monday, September 9, under the headline “Lengthy gap between Nomination, Election days in draft timeline for polls” failed to articulate the reasons why Nominations

was placed 55 days before elections day as against the usual timeline – 32-34 days prior to elections day.

“The law is clear that Nominations Day should be no later than 32 days before elections day.

Therefore, any time before that amount of days, even if it’s 55 days, is acceptable and in conformity with the laws of Guyana,” Warde explained.

She made it clear that the shift in the time is justifiable and within the confines of the law, adding that it is not intended to delay the holding of elections as suggested by the article.

“Historically, when all

the lists of candidates were submitted and once [there are] no errors for corrections, the ballots were sent off to print. As such, some mandatory statutory timelines which took as much as 10 days after Nominations Day were bypassed and the contending parties’ list of candidates were approved and sent off for the production of ballots.

However, the Operations Sub-Committee, which is co-chaired by Commissioners Sase Gunraj and Charles Corbin decided at a meeting on July 17, 2018, that all statutory timelines must be adhered to,” Warde said as she explained the decision

The Guyana Elections Commission has dismissed claims that it is delaying the holding of elections resulting in the gap. She noted that the proposal was subsequently presented to and adopted by the full commission.

Added to that, the GECOM PRO pointed to the fact that the ballots are printed overseas and would take approximately 21 days to be produced by the service provider. “Shipping is likely to be 5-7 days which will take us to roughly 28 days,” Warde added.

Upon arrival in Guyana, she explained, a per cent has to be extracted to ship overseas to Resident Ambassadors to allow for them to vote. This process, she outlined, takes as much as 14 days to be completed.

“Consequent to the foregoing and in the present circumstances, expediting those activities means that Nominations Day must be held at least 55 days prior to elections day. It must, however, be emphasised that the timelines presented are in draft

and the commission can determine whether they will reverse the decision to remove nine days for appeals after Nominations Day, once all the lists of candidates are error free,” Warde explained.

The Elections Commission, she said, remains committed to ensuring it delivers credible elections within the shortest possible time and has no motive to delay the conduct of those elections.

But Warde’s statement did not sit well with the People’s Progressive Party (PPP). According to the PPP, the statement issued

by GECOM’s PRO is another manifestation of the lengths to which it will go to justify delaying General and Regional Elections.

“The ‘runaway’ Secretariat continues to invent reasons for lengthy timelines (for which it has been called out by the local media corps) that were included in its notorious

election activities plan that envisages elections being held until March 2020 – a full year past the constitutionally-mandated deadline,” the PPP said.

Though the PPP has referred to a constitutionally-mandated deadline, it however, failed to acknowledged that the deadline elapsed one day before the Court of Appeal, by a two-to-one margin, invalidated the no-confidence motion against the David Granger-led Administration and it was only in June, that the motion was validated by the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), by which time the Official List of Electors had expired.

It nonetheless said the statement by GECOM was issued minutes after the Elections Commission had met with the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) General Secretary and Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo, along with his team.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, September 11, 2019

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Barbados PM wants global political will to deal with impact of climate change

GENEVA, Sept 10, CMC –Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley Tuesday called on the international community to summon up the political will as well as a multilateral approach to deal with the impact of climate change saying also that new institutional structures are needed that will allow substantial more resources to be raised for Small Islands Developing States (SIDS) in building resilience in a changing global environment.

Delivering the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) 16th Prebisch Lecture here, Mottley said there was need for a moral obligation to deal with the existential threat of climate change as had been the case when the global community stood up against colonialism, slavery, the insidious threats of terrorism and other issues.

“But, what will it take for us to get our leaders and countries to protect an entire world against today’s existentialist threat to our own survival as living beings on this planet,” Mottley said, asking when will the political will be formed within countries and across international institutions to do what is right to create the policy space “and not just hand out aid- that will allow our countries to

plan and to protect what we have and propel our people to prosperity”.

Mottley, the first Caribbean person to deliver the Prebisch Lecture, said this policy flexibility will often be of minimal cost to the developed world in terms of the market access they grant but will give opportunities and may even have tremendous transformative effect for us in the developing world.

“In many instances, it is the difference between life and death. Regulatory tyranny is the new weapon being used to maintain dominance in today’s world and enhance so-called competitiveness.

Rules are made and changed without our participation in many instances. It’s a game of football where the goal posts keep changing,” said Mottley.

She said the battle against harmful taxation, for instance, while appearing worthy from the outside is practiced in a manner so devoid of the most basic of legal tenets and social justice, laws of natural justice as old as humanity itself. “Countries cannot sign up to international treaties, charters, commitments and declarations and then treat them as if they are not meaningful or real. That they only apply to others or when it is not inconvenient to the powerful. If they are treated

as hollow documents, the international order is de-legitimised and diminishes in relevance”.

She said the reform of the international institutions, not just the international financial institutions but also the wider UN system, is a task that must be completed and that the time for action is now.

The worthiness and pursuit of this reform is unquestionable yet this remains decades after unresolved. “Let us put to bed these things that we have been fighting for that are legitimate and worthy.

Let us move beyond them to reach the other important issues, such as the poverty and inequality, the boundary of genetically modified foods, the future of work and the rise of robotics and other disruptive technologies. The failure to put these issues of representativeness to rest, reeks of the same patronising attitude that sustained colonialism for too long.”

She said that the problems the world faces today can only be defeated multilaterally. “No one nation can defeat climate change, no one nation can defeat international terrorism and financial crime.

It can only be defeated by a strong international order,” she said, warning that this international order is only as strong as its weakest link.

“In the same way that weak

links attract financial crime, an international order that is not inclusive, not strongly rooted in fairness and moral legitimacy will fail to halt and reverse climate change. In this most global of battles, all are needed to fight. Even the invisible are indispensable.”

Mottley, the first woman to head a government in Barbados, said that she fundamentally believes that like with everything else in life, “we must claim ground, secure it and move forward.

“We do not always move in a straight line. And often, we need collective partnerships; we need new voices to inspire and to influence. We need to set our priorities and work assiduously to make them happen.”

She said that the first priority should be the revival of the nexus of trade and development,, noting that at present, trade policy, with its focus on the removal of local protection, reliance on transport logistics and the multinational corporate ownership of technology stands in conflict with climate policy and its focus on the building local resilience and food security.

“Food security in the age of devastating climate change is real. We need a bridge between trade and climate policy. We are not seeking a return to autarky. We are not seeking a reversal of in-

ternational trade. We know that trade plays a vital role in ending poverty.

“There is no other set of countries in the world that are more open than small islands.

We aren’t just open, we are hyper-open. There is no other set of countries as exposed to the shifts in international consumption and production. It is a source of our strength and our vulnerability,” she said.

She said the imports and exports of small island states are a huge multiple of their economies, and very often “we export everything we produce and import everything we consume. “In that context we need a reorientation of trade policy that it supports both global trade and local resilience, that allows a resilient minimum to be secured first. We need a reorientation of trade policy that supports non-discrimination but also recognises that in the age of diabetes, with the explosion of other non-communicable diseases, that trade in agriculture is a health issue.

“That fresh food is not just an issue of resilience against hurricanes, but resilience too against the ravages of poor nutrition and against spiralling health costs. Yes, we need a revival of the nexus of trade and development,” she told the audience. Mottley said any focus on economic

sustainability, must bring into focus the blue economy, adding that the value of the seas, be it from fisheries, extraction of minerals, absorption of carbon, adds materially to the economic base of all, but especially of island states.

“In my own country, our seas are more than [400] times our land. Our seas are the gateway to the Caribbean, Central America and the Pacific. We think of ourselves as islands, but we are as much seas.” “The value of this blue economy comes not from just saying so, requires recognition, yes but also measurement, careful conservation, cooperation and enforcement of international law, and significant investment.

“The blue economy is an opportunity but one not grasped that could quickly turn to a source of loss and damage. Coastal zone management is increasingly expensive as sea levels rise, the bleaching and death of reefs is impacting fisheries, untreated run-offs are contributing to the rapid spread of sargassum and other blights on our beaches.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, September 11, 2019

Youth, training and job creation

GOVERNMENT’S commitment to youth, and its programmes and initiatives aimed at educating and empowering young people is appropriate and timely, and should be saluted. After all, a trained, educated, and qualified young person is more likely to obtain a satisfying, stable, secure, and well-paying Job. President David Granger recognises the importance of having good jobs. His Excellency is clearly aware that the future of any society is heavily dependent on the actions of its young people. In the case of Guyana — having geographically, politically, ethnically, and culturally diverse circumstances — government has

a duty to ensure that all the country’s youth, across all regions, have equitable opportunities to contribute to the development of their communities, regions, and ultimately, the nation. And the APNU+AFC administration is evidently taking action to ensure that Guyana’s youth are equipped to obtain good jobs so as to provide for themselves and their families, enjoy good lives, contribute positively to their communities, and, ultimately, help develop their country, even as they prepare to take up the mantle of leadership in the future.

One of the significant initiatives launched by the coalition administration is the establishment of the Na-

tional Youth Corps (NYC).

The NYC’s core objective is to give Guyanese who may have dropped out of school, a second chance to have a good life. The idea of a National Youth Corps was first made a reality shortly after Guyana gained its independence; the first NYC was launched on January 1, 1968, by the government of that day. That original programme lasted for seven years, during which some 1,200 young Guyanese were trained in various areas. The current initiative, though similar to the original one, has been tailored to the country’s present realities, and reflects the administration’s commitment to equitable, across-the-board, personal, regional, and na-

tional development.

The APNU+AFC’s youth programmes and various undertakings are not haphazard, ad hoc, or slapdash, as they were under the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), (if they had any programmes at all). Instead, The government’s approaches and interventions are guided by its National Youth Policy, which is a comprehensive plan for the development of Guyana’s young people.

Government’s approach to youth education includes an increase in the number of scholarships being made available to youth at all levels; investing in improving the public education system which will make quality education available to all Guyanese, whether rich or

not; Expanding the Youth Innovative Project, geared towards creating opportunities for entrepreneurship and business expansion; innovative approaches towards education based on scientific research; the establishment and continued expansion of Night School aimed at giving dropouts a second chance at an education; taking action to reduce crime, to make the streets safer for students; the continued expansion of the president’s 5Bs programme intended to increase school-attendance in hinterland communities; and the list goes on. Clearly, government’s approach, which integrates education with job creation initiatives demonstrates that the ultimate objective of the ad-

ministration is the provision of fulfilling employment to all. In other words, it is all about jobs, particularly for Guyana’s youth, regardless of where they live.

Guyanese are fortunate to have an honest leader who can be trusted to deliver what he promised. It is fortuitous that Guyana now can depend on the honest leadership of a president who tells the truth, and who can be depended upon to ensure that Guyana’s young people never again have to feel hopeless and weak.

Instead, under the current leadership, one expects that Guyana’s youth may look forward to a bright, prosperous, and productive future.

Let us continue to take pride in what is originally ours Dear Editor,

INDICATIVE of the government’s recognition of Indigenous Peoples, practising our true native culture, something ‘Indigenous’ must have been the input in composing the theme, “Maintaining our Traditional Practices while promoting a Green Economy.”

That’s what it should be.

Implicit in that theme, though, is not only the concept of a people practising a life that is unique to themselves, but being thankful and proud for the opportunity to be able to contribute to growth in a new epoch, or dispensation, in our beloved Guyana. The pretext of some of our own being ‘indigenous’ for only a specified time in the year, for convenience’s sake, is probably a myth. Here’s hoping that’s

not reality.

Perhaps in the past we were made to loathe ourselves, but understandably so, because individuals did not understand our way of life, because persons in the larger Guyanese society did not believe we have the potential to make a difference in this beautiful land. So, at all times, in all places, we are a proud people for we are seen essentially as natives of this beautiful land, continuing to promote, in general terms, our general image as Indigenous Peoples. We are demonstrating, too, that all things being equal, we can be as competitive as any of our ‘other’ brothers and sisters in our social world. Yes, as proud Indigenous Peoples we can excel.

How could we then delineate ourselves from our own native origin, opting out, as

it were, from the identity of being an Indigenous person?

We have a contribution to make in our own unique way- originally ours, so to speak.

In the Guyanese mainstream society are social scientists, artists, administrators, lawyers, teachers, doctors, nurses, engineers and I can go on, and on; many, many, of whom I can mention are of Indigenous extract...but for unknown reasons preferred not to identify.

Student Rianna Toney, originally from the native village of Kwebanna, Region One, topped the Anna Regina Secondary School, Region Two, in this year’s CSEC examinations; Dianna Boyan-Persaud of Arawak ancestry from the native village of Wakapoa on the Pomeroon; a practising attorney in the CARICOM nation of Barbados, was called to the Bar in

Guyana in 2008.(she should be recorded as our first female lawyer .)... and, of course attorney-at-law, Miriam Angelique Sonu Andrew, of Wapichan ancestry, called to the Bar recently, who for all intents and purposes is Indigenous and in no uncertain way takes most pride in her ancestral roots. How can we not be a proud native people?

My take as an Indigenous leader is, if anyone experiences a perception of loathing for one’s culture, that, that can only be a symptom of growth or a turning point--sociologically speaking--within the native man.

It’s a symptom in the crude process of societal growth and development. The conflict, however, only arises out of the total rejection of one’s own culture or way of life and the adoption of another culture, living as Dave

Martins and the Trade Winds sang, “Imitations,” aiding and abetting the loss of one’s own culture. But it’s all a process and should not been seen in a negative light.

Nothing is generically wrong in owning cars, fancy houses, having top-notch education, etc. I thank God, too, for all my wonderful friends from all walks of life...but our roots must be important to us. Not recognising this essential “life’s” question is perhaps the source of problems of many a people in the world today: where did I come from?

To be careful to preserve our originality and preserving the Indigenous identity is first and foremost the responsibility that rests on the shoulders of us the Indigenous Peoples of Guyana -- no one else’s.

I take this opportunity to salute my Indigenous broth-

ers and sisters during this month of Indigenous heritage celebrations. I salute all of us from Pointa’ Playa to Siparuta on ‘the Corentyne’s lush sands,’ from the Atlantic Coast to Lethem.

Certainly, we all take pride in “maintaining our traditional practices” among ourselves as Guyanese first and foremost, every culture, of all ethnic origins; not pretending to be others, but continuing to be a proud people within our diverse cultures. Yes, we all invest of our talent, time and energy, making a difference within our unique worlds, for our regions...and for the nation at large, but let us continue to take pride in what is originally ours.

As for me, ‘Indigenous is awee own’.

Regards Joseph C. Atkinson

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, September 11, 2019

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Political PSC’s recent engagement with GECOM totally hypocritical ignorance that hurts citizens Dear Editor

Dear Editor

THE report of “Mabaruma mayor accused of ignoring government projects” as reported in the Guyana Chronicle, September 08, 2019, is joined.

One should not doubt that this is still happening and does not augur well for the new understanding of what local government is all about, and should be in terms of its mission of serving the needs of citizens at the community or grassroot level.

But this reminds me of your editorial in a recent edition which spoke about arson to the canefield of a well-known Berbice, now closed, sugar estate and similar acts carried out to bridges in some communities. Of course, these are acts of sabotage, to which any stymieing of government projects that benefit citizens must also be added. The latter is indeed obstruction, and therefore falls under the meaning of sabotage.

Not long ago, there had been a similar report pertaining to the refusal of a reported 200 street lamps by the Corriverton Neighbourhood Democratic Council(NDC). Of course, such acts are political in nature, with the clear hand of the PPP/C evident, as with the present situation at Mabaruma. One sees the dark hand of cronyism as employed by the current council. These are acts, which the current mayor and his council must be reminded will not result in a council working in unison and for the benefit of community and citizens.

It is obvious that the wrong citizen is now mayor of Mabaruma; as well as, that he has come to the municipality with an anti-government agenda, which he is carrying out by refusing to execute its many projects for the township. Such is the usual backward doings of political parties and their adherents, who are political antediluvians, and will continue to drown in the larger pool of murky backwaters of their own filling.

One only has to look at the PPP/C councillors’ campaigning against taxing the business community for raising much-needed revenues for a municipality that has a financial deficit, as an example of sensible governance being sacrificed on the altar of political opportunism and expediency. A similar pitch by the PPP/C had been made to the citizens of Georgetown during the course of the last LGEs campaign that taxes would not be increased, for a municipality that has not raised taxes for over 30 years, and which is owed multi-billions by recalcitrant citizens. Just how such a category of so-called councillors expect to give proper services to their respective communities is best left to their unrealistic thinking.

The Mayor of Mabaruma and his PPP/C councilors should be reminded that “ignoring government projects’’ will not benefit anybody, inclusive of themselves and political party supporters. But they will, in time, become the victims of their own blinkered understanding of local government. And if the citizens are affected by such political idiocy, then it is in their hands to make changes in the best interest of the entire municipality.

Regards Mark Dacosta

IT is a widely held belief by some sections of society, as to the role of large sections of the private sector in the planned, orchestrated actions which have brought this country to the socio-political juncture that it is currently at.

Under the umbrella Private Sector Commission(PSC), these commercial and business concerns have been, and still believed to be, one of the major support pillars of the political opposition PPP/C’s attempts to remove the lawfully and democratically elected APNU+AFC government from

office. In fact, so obvious has been its open political role that it was questioned by a very prominent business principal, for such a stance.

Of course, its participation as one of the primary supporters of the biggest political parliamentary hoax in the nation’s political annals is well known, in addition to the big mess that it has caused.

What was so rude and plainly disrespectful, despite being a co- partner to political falsity and treachery, was its effrontery, emitting of bullyism, that demanded GECOM cease its house-to-house registration, while questioning the need for it. One must further wonder,

from where the PSC received such authority, as all Guyanese have a stake in free, fair and credible elections.

Such a presumptuous line could only have been described as one that shamelessly parroted its political party’s line, while shamefully disavowing a legitimate and constitutional procedure which it is fully aware has been the strict guideline for prior PPP/C national elections participation. Instead, it has become the denied subject of the dishonest chorus, demanding immediate elections.

Therefore, the PSC’s recent engagement with the GECOM, under the guise of a

stakeholder, is totally hypocritical; it is a misleading attempt to pretend cooperation with, and respect for, the national electoral body’s constitutional authority with regard to preparing for national and regional elections.

Further, in all its public statements and its recent GECOM engagement, the PSC is seriously guilty of continuing to advance a hurried, premature position for GECOM to fix a political putridity that the former has been a party in creating.

How could such treachery be washed in the basin of both constitutional correctness and cleanliness is best understood by the political and vested-interest clique in which the PSC continues to be a principal.

Regards Carla Mendonca

Dr. Brian O’Toole still Together, let’s keep Guyana moving forward seeking justice Dear Editor, IT is now more than seven months since I was shot outside of my home. We have received more than 650 messages of support from people all over the world, and I thought this could be a simple thank you to all those comments and outpourings of love and empathy.

Time has passed; no one has been arrested and my hand is still paralysed. There has been so much publicity in several newspapers and radio and TV programmes in more than 10 countries. Surely, many, many persons are tired of ‘my story’, but it is not ‘my’ story; it has become ‘our’ story. The shooting happened after we expelled a young boy for allegedly selling drugs in schools. All this was shared with the police. The threats made against schools in the capital were also shared with the police and with the American Embassy in Georgetown, as

these threats came from a young man in Florida. Again, no action. It was reported to us by the Guyana police that the same Florida youth was interviewed by the FBI, and his response that the whole matter was just a ‘joke’ was enough to end any further action. It is therefore ‘our’ story, in that an attempted murderer is left on the loose; drugs continue to be peddled in many schools; children are being intimidated not to come forward to give evidence... So it is not ‘my’ story but a tragic situation that affects us all.

And what has been the response to date, from the police who have provided no feedback, the American Embassy who are content to judge vicious threats as a mere ‘joke’ , and the media as they move on to another ‘story.’

Regards, Dr. Brian O’Toole Director, School of the Nations

Dear Editor, WE continue to witness the transformation of every sector while development continues under His Excellency President David Granger.

I have visited the Watooka Guest House on many occasions for various events. I was appalled at the condition and the manner in which this historic structure had become. Yet the management team tried its best to encourage residents and visitors to support the activities promoted there, to swim in the pool, sit in the antique chairs and enjoy the natural breeze, etc. Access was not restricted.

In 2018 I was invited on a tour to see what had become of the complex. The condition of the building showed significant damage and loss of structural integrity. Additional extensive damage to the walls and ceilings due to lack of maintenance was clearly evident. This once beautiful example of Linden’s architecture was literally crumbling from a total lack of

maintenance and respect.

The exterior of the structure was in dire need of repair.

In my opinion, significant structural failures had occurred over the 23-year rule of the PPP. Fast forward, today under the APNU+AFC led by his excellency David Granger the Watooka Guest House has been transformed and is now the glamour of Linden, a beautifully restored building with a bar and deck that serve up a wonderful variety of foods, drinks and desserts. This is the place where everyone wants to be, with an atmosphere that gives you an appetite and a smile.

The negative consequences of deprivation and neglect by the PPP have been reversed by President David Granger through this appropriate and timely intervention by his government; there is more work to be done. Together, let’s keep Guyana moving forward.

Regards Deron Adams

Isn’t it about time we have our own airline?

Dear Sir, A FIVE-HOUR flight aboard a JET BLUE aircraft from Kennedy International Airport in New York to Piarco Airport in Trinidad on a one-way ticket, including baggage fees and taxes cost US$214. 70. A 55-minute flight on a

one-way ticket travelling from Piarco in Trinidad to the Cheddi Jagan International Airport in Guyana aboard Caribbean Airlines costs US$171.93.

Go Figure.

Back in 2001, some intelligent people who were stewards of this country disbanded our national airline, leaving us

the travelling public to the whims and fancies; read that as “exploitation” by whichever name is written on the aircraft doing business in Guyana. Isn’t it about time that we have our own airline?

Yours faithfully, Milton Bruce

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, September 11, 2019

Another example of wild rants and baseless accusations Dear Editor SOMETIME ago, I had expressed the opinion that former presidents on retirement must give of their political experience in terms of insights into problems of their country, even which they would have faced while in office and offer both answers and solutions as to causes that would benefit their successors, while educating the nation in general. This much they owe their country, as they would have been part of the political equational dynamics that would have given rise to so many of the challenges.

The reality here, is that problems do not happen – they are caused, inclusive of the ones that are political.

And even though such a pathway may be difficult to undertake in our own country because of its historical peculiarities, former executives are still expected to rise above partisanship for the better whole of country; for to do otherwise, is a betrayal of the understanding of ever becoming a leader for all.

Editor, these were my thoughts, in shorter version some time ago when I responded to a cache of lies that were offloaded in the usual media repository of the Kaieteur News by Donald Ramotar. Of course, they are lies, horrible and outrageous in conceptualization, that have now become a favourite past time of a former president. But the more recent ones, as conveyed in a September 3 missive in the stated media print, “The tragedy continues to unfold” must be in the top five that will be considered for King Liar Letter of the year.

Honestly, I am fed up reading such incredible and obnoxious lies each day that come from the person of a former president; for it would mean that he would have to be branded a liar, which ought not to be, since he/she, because of status/ national standing, should be accorded every respect,

irrespective of party affiliation or ethnicity. But since such lies are dangerous to the well-being of the nation, then they should be debunked and the purveyor be accorded similar description and reprimand.

As is now the accustomed fashion of all of the PPP/C’s famed liars, there is the accusation of “… dismantling of democratic gains since ’92, has resorted to the same type of governance as was done between 1964 - 1992….”and governing elite has accumulated huge fortunes …. they seem to get a strange delight in wielding power to protect their ill-gotten gains and to increase it even more, this clique is destroying and emasculating all of our more important state institutions.”

Editor, both of these claims are again made as part of a strategy to accord it a life of truth which they each do not have. Both have been concocted in the politically demented minds of a communist, whose sojourn in Eastern Europe is now being put to use.

First of all, how can Ramotar ever lay claim to “democratic gains” of his party, an ideology which its successive regimes never recognised and practised as a government, much less accorded the nation? In fact, the 23 years of PPP/C rule were mostly authoritarian in many ways, as it did not brook dissent, with critics being spited and victimized -- and even murdered; the judiciary was never really independent, since judges were mostly acting in their capacity. Moreover, they were afraid to make decisions that went against the government. A mafia state was how the PPP/C regime had been described by the U.S. State Department, with the narcotics trade and extra-judicial killings being the seminal features of a country which institutions, inclusive of its police force, became seriously compromised because of political interference which demoralised its functions. These are just

samples of the kind of ‘democracy’ which existed in Guyana under the horrors of PPP/C governance.

To these, the stifling of the media must be added, with the case of CNS 6, being a prime example of the heavy hand of state punitive measures, because it dared to criticise the Jagdeo regime. Even the Stabroek News, the very newspaper which is now the leading media chorus boy for Ramotar’s party, suffered heavily at the hands of the then PPP/C government. Editor, when the media in any country could be intimidated and cowed in such manner as in Guyana, as what had occurred during the Jagdeo and Ramotar tenures, then it meant that democracy had assumed another interpretation and meaning, as it did during those perilous times in Guyana.

Editor, compare the offensive, nightmarish bureaucracy of the anti-democracy of the Jagdeo and Ramotar regimes as existed then, as against the refreshingly new air of a democracy that has been blowing through the length and breadth of this nation since 2015, and one will be able to appreciate and understand why this current government has achieved so much in so short a period of office and citizens being able to openly engage with their government, in terms of what they expect of their leaders and for their country without fear.

And by the way, Donald, this government is not a “clique,” since it is not one that represents the interests of friends and cronies, but instead, continues to govern in the best interest of all Guyanese, irrespective of race and party. Neither did it “seize power” as you so wickedly stated. Live in a real world, man – your party lost the 2015 elections because GECOM had been able to remove the rigger Gocool Boodoo, before he could have resorted to further electoral crookery as he was caught doing in 2011.

For this, your party hounded

the fair-minded Dr Steve Surujbally from the GECOM chairmanship. Certainly, this was testimony to the kind of ‘democracy’ that you practised from 1992 – to the end of your regimes, disrespecting constitutional offices that did what was right!

Secondly, this claim of a’’ … governing elite” and accumulation of “huge fortunes”; “strange delight in wielding power to protect their ill-gotten gains and to increase it even more, this clique is destroying and emasculating all of our more important state institutions”.

This is one of the two main planks of reverse psychology, continuously deployed by the PPP/C in its bid to besmirch the coalition government; and it is another dark ploy of communism, well learned by its eager student, Donald Ramotar.

But it is unfortunate, since it informs a mindset of a former leader whose daily experiences of kleptocratic practices in Guyana of his government’s tenure, has imbued in him the mistaken mental belief that all governments will follow suit. An instant correction: The feudal lords and peasants which Ramotar speaks about, were created during the years of wholesale pillage which benefitted the PPP/C cohorts. And this national theft included large acreages of land.

Ramotar, should be more forthright and state who are the persons comprising this “elite”, and further explain how they wield this power, and how it protects ‘’their ill-gotten gains.’’ One suspects that Ramotar is also subconsciously referring to what had been practised blatantly during his party’s many years in office. Only recently, a well-known political activist, illustrated the creation of a clique of persons with untold wealth during the Jagdeo terms, and whose lawless social behaviour betrayed a brazen disregard for citizens and, in the process, the law. This would have certainly resulted in the “emasculating of

“important state institutions” as had existed at that time.

In fact, Ramotar would realise that after decades of foul disregard, institutions are better respected by this present administration. None of what Ramotar seeks to contend, as taking place, is occurring, since this is a government of law and order, dedicated to battling corruption and its eviler centrepiece, money laundering, as recognised by the IMF and other international agencies. Moreover, institutions are allowed to function in keeping with their statutory/ constitutional functions, without fear from government’s intrusion.

Thirdly, it becomes funnier as one continues to read the entrenched political self-delusions of Ramotar’s non-existent mind, with the question being natural – has he lost his marbles? Absolutely not! For this is communist self- delusionary behaviour at its best, similar to the ‘confessions’ that many of the prominent communists made at their show trials during the bloody purges of the Stalinist years.

Thus, to further suggest that there is ‘cahoots’ between persons in the Public Service and from constitutional institutions and the government that makes them “part of the elite”, that prevents them from standing up for the “rights of the people”; and that the clique is ‘’using a combination of threats and bribes” continues to befuddle the imagination. However, such poison from the dark and dangerous mind of Ramotar, is really his setting stage for further accusations of rigging; and criticising the GECOM’s plan of merging the data from the just concluded house-to-house registration.

It is easy to discern yet again, another attack on the current plan of action

by GECOM, as it continues preparations for national and regional elections.

Ramotar’s vulgar accusations, therefore seeks to infer a combination of highly placed persons who are

part of the figment of his imagination’s grand plan of conspiracy with the government to influence the statutory processes of the electoral body, to rig, and therefore steal the upcoming electoral process. For him to even mention the government’s involvement in ‘’trafficking’’, as part of its electoral strategy despite evidence to the contrary, again underlines the depth of his filthy political bowels, which he continues to evac on the nation.

Reading Ramotar’s wacky statements amounted to a journey of high fantasy, through his and the PPP/C’s never-never land. It is the kind of tour that brings one to the full survey of all the kinds of political dementia that formulates the daily thinking of the Donald Ramotars of the PPP/C who believe that it is still their right to bully, dictate, and cow institutions and their administrators into doing the party’s illegitimate biddings; and because of non-compliance with such perversities, has resorted to doing what it does best – a grand design of misinformation, inclusive of filthy lies, and other unspeakable perversities.

To further ask citizens to” stand up against the regime”, thus preventing ‘’another tragedy’’, gives further insight into Ramotar’s dying, desperate attempt at inciting a nation that is paying no heed to his baseless accusations, and his equally dark deceptions that are thrown in as justifications. The real tragedy is what his and Jagdeo’s regimes have inflicted on this country and its people, during its criminal years in offices.

It is this tragedy which has destroyed so much of our nation, and which for national repairs are evident, with the advent of a new government since 2015.

It is a tragedy which the people of this nation must never allow to recur.

Regards Earl Hamilton

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, September 11, 2019

Straight Up with

Mark Benschop

I HAVE been privileged to have interviewed and interacted with all of the chairpersons of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) since the 1992 General and Regional Elections, and while those encounters have not always been comfortable for most, I must admit that those individuals were, for the most part, approachable.

However, it is no secret that two of the most controversial heads of GECOM were the late Doodnauth Singh, and Dr Steve Surujbally. Surely, my interpretation of these two gentlemen is in no way an attempt to besmirch their characters, but rather, to highlight their leadership role at GECOM. Hence, the following: Chairman Mr. Singh, had gotten good reviews prior to his appointment as Chairman in 1997.

His name was accepted by the then Leader of the Opposition, Mr. Hugh Desmond Hoyte, without much fussing and fighting. Mind you, it was under Desmond Hoyte’s presidency in 1985 that Mr. Singh was, without prejudice or regards to his political affiliation, elevated to the status of Senior Counsel. That aside, his stewardship at GECOM will go down in history as one of the most politically-partisan, weak and highly questionable.

In fact, at his deathbed, I reminded him (of course, in a cordial manner) that his decisions were mostly leaning to ensure that the PPP remained in office at all costs, and that GECOM was used to make it appear as though the 1997 elections were free and fair. Of course, he brushed that aside with a smile, and reminded me of a few good interactions we have had, when he represented a relative of mine.

Indeed, Singh was quite charming, and was one of the brightest legal minds in the history of Guyana. However, my respect for him diminished after his questionable antics at GECOM, and his treasonable act, when he allowed Mrs. Janet Jagan to be sworn-in as President of Guyana, under questionable circumstances. As a matter of fact, Mr. Singh ought to have known better, when he showed disregard for a High Court order to block Mrs. Jagan from being swornin. But, I guess, he became blinded by his political preference, selfish motives, and also ignored the oath he took when he was admitted to the Bar in 1959. In fact, the results of the December 15, 1997 elections were highly suspect, with the incumbent PPP/Civic receiving 53

per cent of the votes (34 seats) and the PNC, 40.5 per cent (26 seats), while the remaining seats were split between some very small and insignificant parties – at least, those parties have lost all electoral powers and respect by the masses. Immediately following the 1997 elections, a petition was brought by Ms. Esther Perreira, who challenged the results. The case took almost four years to conclude, and finally, the High Court judge (Ms. Claudette Singh) vitiated the results of the elections, on the grounds that there was an “unconstitutional use of a voter ID card”. Her decision immediately reduced the PPP/C regime to that of a caretaker status until the 2001 General and Regional Elections, which were held in March of that year.

Thus, it is for those questionable acts and more that I do believe that Mr. Doodnauth Singh’s tenure as Chairman of GECOM, was not served in the best interest of the country, but rather, as alluded to above, in the interest of the PPP. Maybe, this explains why he was appointed as a Member of Parliament of the PPP, and Minister of Legal Affairs, a few months after the March 2001, General and Regional elections.

And now to the other controversial Chairman of GECOM, Dr Steve Surujbally. The goodly doctor is a veterinarian by profession, and was appointed following the 2001 General and Regional elections. In my opinion, and without any malice or disrespect, he would have served the country far more effectively, had he remained doing what he is good at – taking care of animals, instead of running one of the most important institutions in Guyana.

The truth is, apart from some form of arrogance when dealing with the media, I somewhat liked his charm. But, that wasn’t enough to have convinced me that he performed his duties with much political impartiality. As it pertains to some controversies under his watch, in the 2006 General and Regional elections, GECOM mistakenly (or maybe intentionally) awarded a parliamentary seat from Region 10, to Prime Minister, Samuel Hinds. Surely, GECOM would have known that the seat was won by the Alliance For Change (AFC) and not the PPP/C. That said, there are other controversies under the veterinarian’s watch that are best suited for another article.

Sadly, I have to give him a C-grade, and wish him the very best in life.

Turning to the current Chairperson

Justice Singh is a godsend to GECOM of GECOM – the Hon. Justice (rtd.)

Claudette Singh SC is a woman of distinction, solid reputation, unquestionable credibility, and enormous patience to have survived tremendous trials and tribulations in the past, especially at the hands of some very powerful and vindictive politicians who, during those years, were more concerned about controlling the judiciary. Unfortunately, those judges who did not fall in line with the political directorate were punished, purged or denied promotions.

In the case of Justice Singh, she was denied being promoted as Chief Justice and instead, a lesser qualified individual was handpicked for the position. It is said that the political king at that time ensured that Justice Claudette Singh was punished, allegedly as a result of her ruling against the PPP in the 1997 General and Regional Elections.

In closing, I wish to make this point clear without a doubt, Justice (rtd.) Clau-

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dette Singh SC, thus far appears to be the most competent Chairperson of GECOM. The honourable lady will, I am certain, do what is in the best interest of the country and not cave into pressures by pompous political parties, or leaders whose interest is more self-serving, rather than wanting what is in the best for all Guyanese.

Hence, it is my view that Chairwoman Justice (rtd) Claudette Singh, is a Godsend to GECOM, and would ensure that the list is cleaned up in order for Guyana to have free, fair, transparent and credible elections, whether those elections are held before the end of 2019, or early 2020.

Please, ignore the naysayers and those who wish to chastise the honourable chairwoman because of their narrow partisan politics, bitterness, or their obvious lack of experience in legal matters. Best wishes, Chairwoman Singh.

Most Guyanese are confident that you will fearlessly execute your duties.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, September 11, 2019

Investors hunger and thirst after Guyana’s market – Go-Invest Education is pathway ...

THE private sector in Guyana will be working to ensure that local businesses are set up to benefit from joint ventures as a recent business expo trip to the United Kingdom (UK) revealed that many are “hungry and thirsty” to learn how to enter the Guyana market.

The reports coming out of the recently-concluded Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) Offshore Europe Conference and Exhibition held in Aberdeen, Scotland this month, is that the interest in Guyana is at the highest it has ever been.

At a press briefing of the media on Tuesday at the Roraima Duke Lodge, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Guyana Office for Investment (GO-Invest), Owen Verwey, stated that Guyana’s participation was beneficial.

“Guyana’s participation at the conference allowed the delegation to benefit from several networking sessions with industry leaders,” he said. “…there is significant interest in doing business in Guyana. This curiosity was evidenced by the level of participation by international companies at the Guyana events and their keen interest on how to capitalise on Guyana’s thrust towards oil production.”

During the period of September 3-6, the Guyanese delegation participated in a Networking Reception attended

From page 2

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Guyana Office for Investment (GO-Invest), Owen Verwey [center] and Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) President, Nicholas Boyer (left) at a press briefing on the recent business expo in Aberdeen (Delano Williams photo) by 125 people and organised by the UK Energy Industries Council (EIC); attended the 21st ‘World Gateway’ series event attended by over 250 persons and hosted by Granite PR; attended a Guyana Reception hosted by Lord Provost of Aberdeen, Councillor Barney Crockett, and engaged in several one-on-one, business-to-business meetings.

Presentations were made by the British High Commission to Guyana; the Guyana High Commission to the UK; Hannam and Partners; Peter Hambro Limited and Dr. Lei Wang, the latter which launched the US$100M Guyana Onshore Fund.

The fund is intended to be an in-demand investment vehicle targeting the Guyana economy and its impending boom. Added to this, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI)

and Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce.

The two-year MoU will allow the two countries to support each other at various levels of business growth and prosperity. The Guyana delegation also visited Robert Gordon University, an applied university with specialist expertise in the oil and gas industry and the North East Scotland College.

Verwey stated on Tuesday, “Guyana continues to present a vast prospect, not only in the oil and gas sector but also in spin-off industries that will benefit from increased financial resources within the Guyana economy. Our involvement in events such as these, signals to international stakeholders that Guyana is ready to become one of the key players in the global oil and gas industry.”

Meanwhile, GCCI President, Nicholas Boyer, stated that the Guyanese-diaspora in the UK was amongst those

interested in learning about doing business in Guyana. Many, he stated, were also buoyant about the recent oil find of Tullow Oil in the Orinduik block offshore Guyana as the company is UK-based.

“It is through these networking events that we learn, inculcate knowledge, experience networking and meet with companies who then [offers] its services to the industry,” Boyer said. “In Guyana, here is where we’ll need to set up a supply chain that can provide those products and services.

Of course, one the fastest way for us to be able to do that is through joint-ventures and partnerships with countries which have existing technology and who have the existing know-how.”

Some 15 Guyanese companies attended the oil and gas expo in Scotland while the SPE has a membership base of more than 164,000 in 143 countries.

come from? It is not going to come from the sky, it is going to come from the sea. Our petroleum resources will be invested first and foremost into you and your children to provide world class education for the Guyanese population,” the President said, to loud applause from the gathering. The President said the Decade of Development beckons and in just a few months, Guyanese will be benefitting from a decade of growth which would be propelled by petroleum.

“Education is at the top of my list…Education is the cornerstone of development. This is not a pipe dream; this is not an elections slogan. This comes from the supreme law of the land; this comes from the Constitution,” the President noted.

The Constitution of Guyana says, “Every citizen has the right to free education from nursery to university, as well as at non-formal places where opportunities are provided for education and training”.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES President Granger said that it is his duty, desire and obligation to ensure that hinterland students are given equal opportunities through access to education.

He said, education is now moving on the correct path with more than $170B having been expended on education over the past four years. Expenditure on the public education sector moved from 14.8 per cent of the national budget in 2014 to 17.0 per cent in 2017. Additionally, President Granger said the Indigenous village is the cradle of culture; a repository of Indigenous cultural customs, traditions, values and practices. It is the village, he said, which inculcates the Indigenous way of life in its children and youth. The village plays an essential role in preserving Indigenous languages and promoting the Indigenous way of life, including the development of arts, he said, as he referenced the National Day of Villages observed on November 7, annually.

The President said the National Day of Villages is a national, not coastal concept, which recognises the indispensable role which villages play in the nation’s development. President Granger said during the Decade of Development, efforts will be made to ensure safe villages with vibrant village economies, clean air, healthy environment and a school in every village.

The Head of State said Riversview Village, in particular, is entrusted with the protection of its environment. The village lies along the bank of Guyana’s longest river, one that stretches for more than 1,000 km. “Riverview must help to protect the integrity of not only its air and land but also of this river by ensuring a pollution-free environment. It must preserve its rich biodiversity so that it can hand over, to future generations, a rich legacy of environmental protection,” the President said, as he congratulated Riversview on being designated as Indigenous Heritage Village 2019.

Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Mr. Sydney Allicock, said today was historic as Riversview Village is the first village in the Upper Demerara-Upper Berbice to host the National Indigenous Heritage Day celebrations. “You should be proud of the title Indigenous Heritage Village and should not take this occasion lightly. Instead, I urge you to capitalise on the opportunity to market your products, share your knowledge and share your experience… you have a great opportunity to work towards access to business and markets, and showcase new products from the hinterland,” Minister Allicock said.

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Karen Cummings; Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Ms. Valerie Garrido-Lowe; Minister of State, Mrs. Dawn Hastings-Williams; Minister of Social Cohesion, Dr. George Norton; Minister of Natural Resources, Mr. Raphael Trotman; Minister within the Ministry of the Presidency with responsibility for Youth Affairs, Ms. Simona Broomes; Mayor of Bartica, Mr. Gifford Marshall; Regional Chairmen of Upper Demerara-Upper Berbice, and Cuyuni-Mazaruni Regions, Mr. Rennis Morian and Mr. Gordon Bradford, also attended the Heritage Day celebrations. This year’s celebration is themed, “Maintaining our cultural practices while promoting a green economy.” (Ministry of Presidency)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, September 11, 2019

Man who failed to pay compensation sentenced

A 35-year-old man was on Tuesday, September 10, 2019, sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment by Magistrate Faith McGusty, after he failed to pay compensation to his victim.

Leon Murray, made his first appearance at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court on Monday, September 9, 2019, and admitted that, on September 5, 2019, he maliciously destroyed a spectacle valued at $30,000, property of Shawn Solomon.

Murray also admitted that, on the same day and at the same place, he assaulted Solomon causing him actual bodily harm.

However, the virtual complainant explained to the court that he would no longer proceed with the matter if he can be compensated for his spectacles and medical bills and Murray agreed. The Magistrate granted Murray 24 hours to get the money to pay the victim.

When the matter was recalled on Tuesday, September 10, 2019, Magistrate McGusty told Murray that he had 24 hours to pay the sum of $60,000 to Solomon for the damages done, but, since he failed to do so, he will serve 18 months in prison.

Reports stated that, Murray and Solomon lived together, and, on the day question, they had an argument and Murray armed himself with a brick and ‘pelted’ the virtual complainant to the face, breaking his spectacles and fracturing his nose.

The matter was reported to the police and Murray was arrested and charged.

Wednesday, September 11, 03:30 hrs - 14:30 hrs

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, September 11, 2019

Heritage Day sce

President David Granger addressing the gathering at the heritage day celebrations

These women were eager to take a photograph with President David Granger

President David Granger shares a light moment with Toshao Riversview, Mr. Kenneth Edwards (first left) as he greets Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Mr. Sydney Allicock. Also photographed are Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Ms. Valerie Garrido-Lowe and Chairman Upper Demerara-Berbice Mr. Renis Morian

President David Granger waves to children of Riversview, Region Ten upon his arrival for Heritage 2019 celebrations

An indigenous group performs a cultural dance

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, September 11, 2019

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enes at Riversview

(Photos by Ministry of the Presidency)

A group performs a cultural dance

Some Indigenous residents during Heritage celebrations at Riversview Village, Region Ten

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, September 11, 2019

Consulate in The Bahamas working feverishly to assist Guyanese

By Svetlana Marshall

THE Guyana Consulate in The Bahamas is working feverishly to ensure that all Guyanese on the hurricane-ravished island are accounted for, and provided with the best possible care.

“Our primary goal is to ensure that our compatriots receive the best care and provision that

we can offer in the first instance,” Honorary Consul for Guyana, Jairam Mangra, told the Guyana Chronicle on Tuesday. On Monday and Tuesday, the Honorary Consul and the Guyana-Bahamas Association met with Guyanese who have been affected as a result of the destruction caused by Hurricane Dorian when it struck The Bahamas on September 1,

decimating Abaco Islands in the process. Grand Bahama, the northernmost island of the Bahamas, was also severely devastated.

While the record shows that approximately 80 Guyanese families had registered as residents in Grand Bahama, Mangra said it is likely that there are many more Guyanese on the island than those who have would registered

with the consulate. The consulate, he said, is trying its utmost to locate all Guyanese who have been affected as a result of the hurricane.

Guyanese, who were resident on the Abaco Islands at the time of the storm, have been evacuated, along with other nationals, to New Providence. “So far I have checked with many of the shelters, and they are no Guyanese nationals in any of the shelters. They have been accommodated by friends and relatives in New Providence, thankfully, (and) that’s very good,” Mangra reported. Approximately 5,000 residents have been evacuated from the hurricane-hit islands to New Providence, including some from Grand Bahama.

“Those who have chosen to remain in Grand Bahama, they are trying to cope with the tough living conditions, lack of electricity, water, and so they have appealed to us, especially to the consulate for assistance,” Mangra said.

He said the consulate is pushing in the extra hours to provide critical items to those persons. “Their immediate needs are water, food, particularly canned foods,” he posited. It is expected by today, those affected on the Abaco Islands and Grand Bahamas would be provided with additional food and water.

The Honorary Consul said in New Providence there is access to food and water. “We are receiving an abundance of aid coming in. The difficulty is the logistics of getting it to the people were they are,” he told this newspaper. He explained that once water, food and other critical items arrive, it has to be transported and distributed to hurricane affected islands – a process that can take more than one day.

However, he is optimistic that the situation in the affected islands will improve for Guyanese, the Bahamians and other nationals. “Within a few days, things will improve drastically, especially in Grand Bahama,” Mangra said.

On Tuesday, the Honorary Consul also met with the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education for The Bahamas to discuss the available options for the large number of Guyanese teachers affected as a result of the storm.

“Certainly in Abaco, there is no room for them to be retained in Abaco

for schooling purposes. So they have been offered the opportunity to be relocated to other islands, and that is the most viable option that is available,” the Honorary Consul said.

He said the Bahamian Education Ministry is doing its best to accommodate the affected Guyanese teachers at schools on other islands within The Bahamas. “Now should they seek to remain in New Providence, now that poses a challenge because…the Bahamian teachers would prefer to be in New Providence, because it is the city,” Mangra explained.

While New Providence is regarded as the city, accounting for 70 per cent of the total population of The Bahamas, Mangra believes that relocating to other islands is also a viable option.

“It is not a bad option at all. In fact it is a good option in many cases. Given their horrific experience, I don’t know what decision they will make but they always have the option of returning to Guyana,” Mangra said. He acknowledged, however, that due to their horrifying experience, they would need time to consider their options – weighing the pros and the cons. Counseling for the affected is also critical at this time, he posited.

On Monday, the Honorary Consul met with approximately nine teachers, who are attached to the Catholic Board of Education. “They also had a meeting with the Director of the Catholic Board of Education. They had a very fruitful discussion, where their future employment, working and living conditions were discussed,” Mangra disclosed.

At the executive level, he said the Catholic Board of Education will decide on the systems that will be put in place to facilitate those teachers within the private education system.

In the meantime, those teachers are housed at the Breezes Bahamas All Inclusive Hotel. They will be there until Friday, Mangra said. “I met with them at the hotel and I learnt of their horrific experiences of survival,” he stated, while noting that he was also told of their needs, and is currently working with the authorities to ensure those teachers are assisted.

While returning to their homeland remains an option, the Consul said Guyanese teachers there may

Guyana’s Honorary Consul in The Bahamas, Jairam Mangra want to remain because they are highly respected in The Bahamas. “Their work ethics are exemplary and the people love them, so it is not an easy thing to break away from that admiration and affection that is shown; and the dedication that these teachers have displayed is commendable at the highest level; so it is a hard choice really to say that I will go back home, even though I am sure in their hearts they would want to do so, it is a hard decision for them to make,” he explained.

The Honorary Consul has been in constant contact with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs here.

Mangra said a number of Guyanese living in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and other parts of the world have reached out to the consulate to provide assistance, however, they have been advised to make those contributions through their embassies and consulates.

He said it is important for everyone to work in unison and one accord.

Mangra is also cognisant of the ground work being done by the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) to mobilise assistance, however, he underscored the importance of having a clear understanding of the needs of the people.

Through a Whatsapp contact, more than 100 Guyanese, living in The Bahamas, have directly and indirectly reached out to the CDC for assistance.

The CDC has joined its Regional partners through the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) to provide relief and support to the Bahamians and Guyanese who have been affected as a result of Dorian, a category five hurricane that struck the Bahamas.

Here in Guyana, the CDC has established a Whatsapp contact – 592662-0671 – for affected Guyanese to reach out for assistance.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, September 11, 2019

Guyana commemorates World Suicide Prevention Day

… Minister Lawrence urges vigilance IN commemoration of World Suicide Prevention Day, the Ministry of Public Health, along with several stakeholders, held a march, from the Ministry of Public Health, Mental Health Unit, on Quamina Street, to the National Culture Centre where a ceremony was held.

In attendance were, Volda Ann Lawrence, Minister of Public Health; Dr. Shamdeo Persaud, Chief Medical

Volda Ann Lawrence; Minister of Public Health Officer; Dr. William Adu Krow, Pan American Health Organization of the World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) representative; Mr. Ray Davidson, Deputy British High Commissioner; and Dr. Util Richmond-Thomas, Director of the Mental Health Unit.

In her feature address, Minister Lawrence, explained that many Guyanese often ignore and contribute to the causes leading to suicide. Selfharm, an issue, which, for many years, Guyana has swept under the rug, deeming it as something that just happens in movies; bullying, another issue that Guyanese often call a part of our culture.

Sexuality, problems fitting in, weight issues,

abusive environments, and drug addiction are also issues that are ignored in the Guyanese society.

“We often miss the signs of suicide because we are busy texting and video chatting; we are busy using facetime and snapchat. We have put aside the face to face and the intimacy we once had with each other. We are always teasing each other and we say that ‘it is we culture, it is who we are’ but when we get down to it, it is insensitivity not realizing the hurt that this can cause” she said.

The minister urged Guyanese to be observant and pay attention to the signs of suicide and to be sensitive to the feelings of others so that we can eradicate suicide in our nation.

Dr. William Adu Krow expressed immense pleasure with the decrease in Guyana’s suicide rate from 2014 to 2019. ” In 2014, Guyana was ranked the highest in the suicide rate in the world.

I am happy that, to date, Guyana is ranked third.

While this is progress, a lot more work is still to be done; for every death we have about 20-25 people who have attempted to harm themselves, that means for every year we have about 3,500 persons who attempted to harm themselves. We need to continue to do more so that when our new list is published, the rates will continue to go down” he explained.

Guyana had a suicide rate of 44.2 per 100,000 people, and that for every single female suicide victim there were 3.2 male suicide victims.

While Guyana is still in the top five, there has been an immense decrease in the suicide rate.

Persons participating in the march against suicide

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, September 11, 2019

Chief Constable’s dismissal a case of injustice … say Councillors Richards, Peter

By Telesha Ramnarine

THE two councillors who voted against the no-confidence motion against Chief Constable, Andrew Foo, believe that this is a clear case of ‘injustice’ meted out by Mayor Ubraj Narine and their fellow councillors who supported it.

The two, Trichria Rich-

ards and Akeem Peter, both ‘A Partnership for National Unity’ (APNU) councillors, told the Guyana Chronicle, on Tuesday, that they were not permitted to speak on the “badly worded” motion by the mayor.

It was moved last Monday when councillors met for their fortnightly statutory meeting at City Hall.

The motion, moved by Councillor Denroy Tudor and seconded by Councillor Eketa Edwards, received the support of 19 councillors, while three others abstained.

In part, it said that the Chief Constable has been displaying a “lackluster, cavalier, inept and generally incompetent” attitude towards his job.

It said the Chief Consta-

The four officers of the Constabulary Department who were promoted are Quacy Baveghems, Marston Mc Inroy, Virjanand Gafur, and Peter Livingstone ble’s inaction includes and are not limited to his failure to formulate and implement a modern security plan to guard the council’s assets, his continued failure to adhere to council’s decisions with respect to the acting appointment of the Deputy Chief Constable, his continued unwillingness to work with the council to ensure that there is order and peace both within the council and on the streets of Georgetown and his failure to effectively supervise the council’s constabulary which has been the subject of public

Councillor Trichria Richards ridicule.

The motion also contended that officers in that department are undisciplined and that their work ethics and morals have declined under Foo’s leadership.

It recommended to the Local Government Commission (LGC) that Foo be immediately dismissed. It also directed that Foo be sent on leave pending the commission’s decision.

When contacted by this publication on Tuesday, Foo informed, by means of his secretary, that he was too busy to take the call.

“When this government came into power in 2015, there was change in the entire country. I believe in that change. So when I see injus-

Chief Constable Andrew Foo tice, I feel very disheartened.

If this motion is carried, then it would be a travesty of justice,” Councillor Richards expressed.

She said the motion was badly worded, and even as she repeatedly requested to speak, the mayor denied her an opportunity. “I do believe in natural justice and a man’s right to be heard.”

Richards reasoned that even if someone else is brought in to fill that position, the department still couldn’t function effectively without resources. “In the

Councillor Akeem Peter preparation of the 2019 budget discussions, the chief constable emphasised the dire need for human resources and other allied resources that are critical to the functionality of this See page 17

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, September 11, 2019

Man electrocuted at Sophia

A 59-year old man was electrocuted on Tuesday after a crane, which was fetching piles at a work site at Sophia, came into contact with electrical wires in the area.

Dead is Elroy Haynes, 59 of Kiltairn village on the Corentyne.

The father of five was working as a general foreman

the late, Elroy Haynes. “We are saddened by the death of Mr. Haynes, and we would like to offer our condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues. At this point, the agency is taking steps to have the family and affected colleagues of Mr. Haynes benefit from the services of counsellors during this time of grief,” Saul said.

The crane which was involved in the accident with Annirude Ramcharitar Construction Co., a firm which has been contracted by the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) to execute works in the ‘C’ Field, Sophia area.

The CH&PA, in a statement that following the unfortunate incident, said that Chief Executive Officer, Lelon Saul, has pledged support to the bereaved family, friends, and colleagues of

According to the CH&PA, Saul said the agency will be launching an internal investigation to see whether any safety standards were breached. The incident, Saul said, will be reported to the Labour Department of the Ministry of Social Protection.

At the time of the incident, Haynes, along with other workers, were moving construction piles from one location to another when a

Chief Constable’s dismissal ...

From page 16 department,” Richards recalled.

Councillor Peter offered that sufficient evidence was not put forward to support the motion. Even though the Chief Constable may have done things contrary to his duties, Peter said this did not warrant the man’s dismissal.

“It was very rash, and extreme. To blame him for the entire situation of that department is unfair,” Peter said, adding that other measures could have first been taken, such as suspending him pending an investigation, sending him on administrative leave, or conducting a system’s audit of his department.

Meanwhile, four officers of the constabulary were promoted by the mayor, which were approved by the LGC. Corporal Quacy Baveghems was promoted to Sergeant; Sergeant Marston Mc Inroy, to Inspector; Assistant Superintendent Virjanand Gafur to Deputy Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent Peter Livingstone to Superintendent.

Public Relations Officer, Debra Lewis, offered that it has been several years since officers were promoted.

“Hence, these elevations were met with great approval and loud cheers for officers and councillors seated in the chambers of the City Hall,” Lewis said.

part of the crane which was being used to move the piles came into contact with a high-voltage electric line, resulting in the unfortunate incident.

Subject Minister, Annette Ferguson, upon hearing of the incident, met with the children of the deceased at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation.

Minister Ferguson, accompanied by Saul, also visited the scene of the incident and met with colleagues of Haynes.

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Minister within the Ministry of Communities, Annette Ferguson, offers support to the relatives of the late Elroy Haynes

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Three years for serial robber

AFTER spending almost two months on remand on a series of charges, a 27-year-old man finally confessed and was sentenced to serve three years’ imprisonment

by Magistrate Annette Singh.

Travis Payne of West Ruimveldt made his third appearance at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court and requested to change his plea to guilty to the 10 charges.

Payne confessed that, on July 19, 2018, at West Ruimveldt, while armed with a gun, he robbed Ram Narine of a $10,000 BLU cell phone along with other items valued $26,000.

Payne admitted that, on October 10, 2018, at West Ruimveldt, while armed with a knife, he

robbed Mohammed Ishmael of a cell phone valued $40,000.

The court further heard that, on October 11, 2018, Payne, while in custody at East Ruimveldt Police Station, on a robbery charge, escaped.

Payne further admitted that, on November 26, 2018, at North East La Penitence, while armed with a gun, he robbed Collin Edwards of two gold chains valued $202,000 and a $160,000 cell phone.

Particulars of the other set of charges alleged that, on January 3, 2019, at Kitty, Payne, while in the company of another, and armed with a gun, robbed Randy Simon of $90,000 cash.

The court also heard that Payne, on January 21, 2019, at Castello Housing

Scheme, while armed with a gun, robbed Angela Caesar of a handbag with a quantity of items totalling $13,500.

It was further stated that, on January 29, 2019, at Kitty Seawalls, Georgetown, Payne, while armed with a gun, robbed Michael Agrippa of a cell phone along with other items totalling $522,000.

The court heard that, on January 30, 2019, at Kitty Seawalls, Georgetown, Payne, while armed with a gun, robbed Terrence Park of a cell phone and cash totalling $12,000.

He admitted that, on the same day and at the s a m e l o c a t i o n, w h i l e armed with a gun, he robbed Ronaldo Etwaroo of a $6,000 cell phone and $1,800 cash.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, September 11, 2019

Trial for 2012 Anna Catherina triple murder to commence soon Travis Payne Payne was also charged for being armed with a gun on April 12, 2019, at West Ruimveldt and robbing Faith Desouza of a Samsung Note 4 valued $48,000.

The last charge stated that Payne, on May 23, 2019, at Tucville, Georgetown, discharged a loaded firearm at Roxcel Naipaul, with intent to maim, disfigure, disable, or to cause her grievous bodily harm.

Magistrate Singh sentenced Payne to serve three years’ imprisonment on each charge and ordered that the sentences run concurrently.

JUSTICE Brassington Reynolds is expected to commence the High Court trial into the murders of Anna Catherina liquor store owner Jennifer Persaud and her sons Afridi Bacchus, six, and Jadon Persaud, 18 months, who were killed during a home invasion in September 2012.

On remand for the indictments is 34-year-old

Abishai Caesar

Jennifer Persaud, and her sons Afridi Bacchus, six, and Jadon Persaud who was 18 months old at the time against Caesar alleged Abishai Caesar, a former that between Septembarber of Tuschen Hous- ber 21, 2012 and Seping Scheme, East Bank t e m b e r 2 2 , 2 0 1 2 a t Anna Catherina, he Essequibo.

C o m e T h u r s d a y , murdered 41-year-old September 12, 2019, a Jennifer Persaud called 12-member jury will be “Jenny” and her two children Afridi Bacchus empanelled.

The three charges and Jadon Persaud.

Rape accused freed NANDRAM Ganesh was, on Tuesday, September 10, 2019, freed of two rape charges by the Sexual Offences Court of the Demerara High Court, after a jury returned not-guilty verdicts.

Ganesh, 36, was on trial before Justice Simone Morris-Ramlall for allegedly engaging in sexual penetration with a 26-year-old woman during the month of January 2014.

The second charge read that on April 28, 2014, Ganesh allegedly engaged in sexual penetration with a 26-year-old woman The verdict was unanimous and he was found not guilty on the two charges.

Ganesh was represented by attorney Stanly Moore, while the state’s case was

Nandram Ganesh presented by Prosecutors Tariq Mohamed and Sarah Martin.

Justice Morris-Ramlall told Ganesh to thank God for the verdict.

Attorney Moore had contended, during trial, that his client was involved in an intimate relationship with the victim for over three years and it was consensual.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, September 11, 2019

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Reg. 5 hosts suicide prevention programme

THERE is need for a technical package to help in prioritisation of suicide prevention in Region Five (Mahaica/ Berbice).

This observation was made by Regional Health Officer within the region, Dr Desmond Nicholson, during a programme by the Public Health Department to mark Suicide Prevention Day 2019,

held at Fort Wellington West Coast Berbice on Tuesday. Dr Nicholson said that such a package for Region Five is urgent since the rates of suicide in Guyana published by the Mental Health Unit of the Ministry of Public Health in 2017, revealed that the region has the second highest rate of recorded suicides and selfharm incidents in the country.

Staffers of the Regional Health Department at a booth

Cops involved in accidents get refresher driving course THE Traffic Department of the Guyana Police Force (GPF), on Monday, launched a ‘Remedial Driving Programme’ for ranks of the GPF who were involved in accidents with force’s vehicles in 2019.

The initiative is a new one that will be conducted at Traffic Headquarters under the guidance of Traffic Chief, Senior Superintendent, Linden Isles, and is expected to last for two weeks.

During the programme, the ranks will be required to go through the practical and theoretical aspects of driving, covering topics such as defensive driving, principles of steering and cornering, traffic signs,

signals and markings to name a few.

During addressing the participants, Traffic Chief, Senior Superintendent, Linden Isles, urged them to remain disciplined and take full advantage of the programme while reminding them that as policemen they are here to serve and protect and are supposed to be setting an example for other road users to follow.

Traffic Chief Isles also explained that a monitoring system will be put in place to evaluate the ranks upon completion of the course and if they are involved in other accidents and found to be at fault, their force permit to drive will be revoked.

Traffic Chief, Senior Superintendent Linden Isles addresses ranks at the Remedial Driving Programme

School children at the programme in Region 5 He identified risk factors for suicide ment in Region Five, Ms Jennifer Wade at individual, relationship, commu- and Regional Executive Officer Mr Ovid nity and societal levels. Ingestion of Morrison. A popular element of the propesticide, hanging and use of firearms gramme was a skit by staff of the Mental are among the most common methods Health Unit of the Department of Health of suicide. He stressed that protective within the region, which portrayed how factors include effective coping and suicide can follow from a sense of hopeproblem-solving skills, moral objec- lessness, lack of social support as well tions to suicide, strong and supportive as the easy availability of lethal means. relationships with partners, friends and The day’s activities were preceded family, connectedness to community and by a march of students and regional other social institutions, availability and health personnel from the health centre quality and ongoing physical and mental at Woodley Park to the Regional Demhealth care and reduced access to lethal ocratic Head Office Compound at Fort means.

Wellington.

Other speakers at the occasion includThe formal ceremony was followed ed Dr Patrice Douglas, who represented by a health fair and exhibition at the the Minister of Health; Member of Parlia- same venue.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, September 11, 2019

National Library looking to advance in technology –– as it celebrates 110th Anniversary

THE Guyana National Library is observing 110 years of service to the country with a week of activities planned under the theme, “Preserve the

Deputy Chief Librarian Nadine Moore past; Embrace the future”.

Established in 1909, the library, which is located at Lot 76-77 Main and Church Streets, Georgetown, sees about 1,200 persons per

week, with a number of school tours thrown in for good measure every month.

The week of activities began with a walk and fitness run, followed by an inter-faith service on Monday.

According to Deputy Chief Librarian Nadine Moore, an open night is planned, so that persons can visit the facility to share their memories of the library and what it has done for them over the years. A health fair is also planned, for which the Ministry of Education and ‘Dental School’ will be on board.

Furthermore, an appreciation awards ceremony is on the cards, so that the library can honour its loyal patrons and other members of the public.

“Weekly, we get about 1,200 visitors, whether it’s to borrow a book for research purposes, to use the Internet library for a meeting, for a tour,” Moore told the Guyana Chronicle on Monday at a photographic exhibition at the library. If

The week of activities began with a walk and fitness run, followed by an inter-faith service two schools are visiting in adding: library’s rare books and statement is as follows: the same week, the library “We would like to push government publications “To satisfy both nationally will see as many as 250 the library forward tech- can be digitised and made and internationally, the instudents that day. nologically, having e-re- available on the Internet. formation and recreational “Government has been sources available for the “With more help from needs of the library’s users doing a lot for the expan- public, more computers, the government and cor- through the collection, orsion and development of more Internet bandwidth porate Guyana, we may ganisation, dissemination our library services, but so that persons can use our be able to push these plans and preservation of inforwe’re looking to advance services.” forward,” she said. Mean- mation in printed and other in technology. The techMoore went on to state while, at the moment, the formats.” nological landscape has that they are also looking public can benefit from the It is opened Monday been growing over the forward to the establish- use of 12 computers at the to Friday from 08:30 to years, if we look at librar- ment of the Online cata- library.

17:30h, and on Saturday ies abroad,” Moore said, loging system, so that the The library’s mission from 08:45 to 15:00h.

An exhibition depicting some past chief librarians

A photographic exhibition was held last Monday at the library

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, September 11, 2019

Economic Watch: Multinationals aim for greater presence in China market

XIAMEN, Sept. 10 (Xinhua) -- Advancing with a more localized development strategy, foreign firms are expanding investment in the Chinese market over a strong belief in the country’s future.

Over 100 senior leaders from U.S. companies under the delegation of the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) South China have demonstrated their interests of greater presence in China, as they attended the China International Fair for Investment and Trade (CIFIT) in the coastal city of Xiamen, east China’s Fujian Province, for the 17th consecutive year.

“We are here at CIFIT to make sure that we have the avenues and ways of doing business with our friends in China,” said Harley Seyedin, president of AmCham South China.

A report released earlier this year by the chamber showed that multinationals have not withdrawn from the Chinese market on a large scale and they maintain a strong interest in investing in China.

The report attributed this to the market’s growth potential and its relatively high return on investment.

As Seyedin noted, China has a market with lots of opportunities and room for cooperation.

Investing over 1 billion dollars in China in the past 30 years, U.S.-based global food processor OSI Group plans to keep improving its investment level and adapt the development strategy to the opportunities in China.

“China has been continuously launching new measures on industries upgrading, providing powerful support for the

multinationals developing in China,” said Cai Hua, government affairs director of OSI Group’s China office.

Louis Dreyfus Company, a French firm of agricultural goods, has positioned China as an investment focus in the future with an improved localization strategy.

“We are cooperating with Meituan, an online food delivery-to-ticketing services platform, and have invested in Chinese startup Luckin Coffee, which reflects our progress on cooperating with local companies to serve consumers together,” said Jiao Yan, vice president at Louis Dreyfus Company China.

China’s opening-up policy also provides more opportunities for foreign firms to connect with the world.

“Today we have more than 2,000 employees in R&D in China, delivering

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innovative products all over the world,” said Chen Silin, vice president of Asea Brown Boveri (ABB) China.

As the world’s top automation technology provider, ABB has advanced from investing in China to taking root in China while serving globally, Chen noted, adding that ABB had more than 280 projects related to the Belt and Road Initiative in the past year, benefiting the company a lot.

According to Seyedin, besides a U.S.-led multinational joint venture that involves 150 million yuan (about 21 million U.S. dollars) of investment, more projects will be announced during this year’s CIFIT. “I personally feel we have every confidence in investing in China,” he said.

Carrie Lam hits back foreign interference in Hong Kong affairs HONG KONG -- Chief Executive of China’s Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Carrie Lam said Tuesday that foreign interference in the HKSAR’s internal affairs is extremely improper.

Lam made the remarks at a press briefing in response to the proposal of the so-called Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act at US Congress.

Lam stressed opposition to the interference of foreign legislatures in the HKSAR’s internal affairs in any form.

During the press briefing, Lam also said she was deeply saddened by the violence at Hong Kong’s Mass Transit Railway (MTR) stations of Central and Prince Edward, calling for an end of the vandalism of infrastructure.

Both the airport and the railway system are the lifeblood of Hong Kong,

closely related to the daily life of local residents, Lam said, adding that the escalated violence will not solve social problems but exacerbate conflicts, rifts and hatred.

Lam called on all sectors of the Hong Kong community to work together to stop violence.

Rule of law is an important core value of Hong Kong and the HKSAR government will investigate all violent incidents according to the law, Lam said.

Lam also said the HKSAR government was very sincere in engaging in dialogue with people from different backgrounds and she and other officials will reach out to the community in this month, adding that she will strive to make the dialogue open to the public.

Chief Executive of China’s Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Carrie Lam addressing the press

Mid-Autumn celebration: Time for festival and family reunion MID-Autumn festival is on the 15th day of the eighth month on the lunar calendar every year. This year it will be on this Friday, September 13.

The festival dates back to the Tang Dynasty (AD 618907), then it prevailed through the Song Dynasty (960-1279) and was handed down through the centuries until today.

Mid-Autumn festival customs include appreciating the moon, eating mooncakes and drinking osman-

thus wine.

On Mid-Autumn night, the full moon hanging in the sky symbolizes the reunion and harmony of Chinese people.

In the poetic masterpiece, Prelude to Water Melody, by famous litterateur Su Dongpo after getting drunk on Mid-Autumn night, the writer poured out his love for his family and revealed his philosophic thoughts on life.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, September 11, 2019

JetBlue to take off in Guyana in April

… says seats available for purchase in the U.S. UNITED States-owned JetBlue Airline, on Tuesday, announced it is again expanding its large Latin America and Caribbean network with new non-stop service between New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and Guyana’s Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Georgetown (GEO).

In a release, the airline said flights will operate daily on JetBlue’s new A321neo aircraft beginning April 2, 2020, with seats available for purchase in the U.S. starting from Tuesday. “Guyana service introduces a diverse and underserved destination to the JetBlue route map which will benefit both leisure travellers, as well as those visiting friends and relatives,” said Andrea Lusso, director route planning. “Just as we’ve done in our South American markets in Colombia, Ecuador and Peru, we’re intro-

South America JetBlue serves and grows the airline’s presence in Latin America and Caribbean where it is a leading carrier serving nearly 40 destinations. The new non-stop flight between New York City and Georgetown will be made possible by the A321neo’s extended range and fuel efficiency.

Schedule between New York (JFK) and Georgetown (GEO) Beginning April 2, 2020 JFK - GEO Flight #1965 GEO - JFK Flight #1966 11:55 p.m. – 5:58 a.m. (+1) 7:20 a.m. – 1:09 p.m.

Meanwhile, regarding its newest aircraft, the A321neo, JetBlue says it will join the airline’s growing fleet of more than 250 aircraft. It boasts a 20 per cent

JetBlue will begin non-stop service between New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and Guyana’s Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Georgetown (GEO) ducing a new, low fare high-quality choice to travellers in Guyana.”

“The Government of Guyana is delighted to welcome the services of JetBlue to Guyana,” said Guyana’s Minister of Public Infrastructure, the Honourable David Patterson. “The introduction of this immensely popular low-cost carrier will see lower ticket prices to Georgetown and provide travellers with an opportunity to fly on an airline of choice to their favorite destination. This agreement with JetBlue is timely and comes on the heels of continued and sustainable growth in several sectors of our economy, including, service, tourism, mining and oil and gas.”

Just five hours from New York by air, Georgetown serves as the gateway to Guyana. With pristine beaches in the north, mountain ranges to the west, vast rainforests and never-ending savannahs in the south, Guyana has emerged as a playground for adventurists and modern-day explorers, the airline said in its release. JetBlue’s newest route will also connect New York’s Guyanese American community – the largest in the U.S. – with Guyana’s capital city, making the connections between friends and family easier and closer than ever.

“We are extremely excited to welcome JetBlue’s new non-stop services from New York-JFK to Georgetown, Guyana,” said Brian T. Mullis, Director of the Guyana Tourism Authority. “2019 has been quite a year – winning five international awards, increased route options to Europe, new community-led and owned tourism product development, increased stakeholder collaboration, growing demand in our target markets and now JetBlue improving connectivity with one of our core markets – North America.”

Guyana becomes the fourth country in

increase in fuel efficiency which supports some 500 nautical miles of extended range.

The longer-range flying capabilities of the A321neo open up a host of new markets which JetBlue’s existing fleet could not serve with non-stop flights, including the recently announced service between New York-JFK and Guayaquil, Ecuador, launching this December. Additionally, each JetBlue Airbus A321neo will be powered by two Pratt & Whitney GTF engines, which produce a smaller noise footprint and lower operating costs when compared with today’s engines.

Inside the aircraft, JetBlue’s award-winning comfort and connectivity will be the focus of the onboard customer experience.

The A321neo will feature the Collins Meridian seat – which is the widest seat available for the single aisle Airbus family of aircraft – with enhanced cushion comfort, adjustable headrests, power connections at every seat and the most legroom in coach.

In-flight entertainment will be powered by Thales AVANT and ViaSat-Two connectivity. With this system – featuring 10.1 inch, 1080P high definition screens, more than 100 channels of live television with DVR-like pause and rewind functionality, picture-in-picture function and more – JetBlue will offer customers expanded entertainment choices in nearly every region the airline flies. JetBlue is the only major U.S. airline with seatback entertainment screens at every seat on every aircraft.

JetBlue is New York’s Hometown Airline®, and a leading carrier in Boston, Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood, Los Angeles (Long Beach), Orlando, and San Juan. JetBlue carries more than 42 million customers a year to 100 plus cities in the U.S., Caribbean, and Latin America with an average of more than 1,000 daily flights.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, September 11, 2019

Prisoner recaptured after brief escape from NA jail … three warders suspended as probe begins THREE warders were suspended from their duties after a convicted prisoner, who was working on a farm next to the New Amsterdam Prison, Berbice, escaped after he forced his way, using a ladder, into a prison officer’s home next door on Tuesday. The convict was late last evening recaptured.

The prisoner has been identified as Rameshwar Prakash of Lot 53, Princetown, Corentyne, Berbice. Rameshwar Prakash Search teams consisting of police and prison officers were deployed immediately following the escape and last evening Acting Director of Prisons, Gladwin Samuels confirmed that Prakash

The living quarters adjacent to the prison which the prisoner broke-into before escaping was recaptured. Samuels had said that at 07:50hrs on Tuesday, 13 male prisoners were accompanied by two female prison officers to labour at the New Amsterdam Prison Farms.

He said that the prisoners were working at the Arable ‘B’ which is situated opposite the Prison Officers’ Club. Adding that, among the prisoners was 21 year-old convict, Rameshwar Prakash, who was sentenced for the offence: “Larceny of items”. Samuels said Prakash was serving 18 months’ imprisonment that commenced on June 20, 2019.

His expected date of release is June 20, 2020. According to information received, Samuels said that the prisoner, while at carrying out his duties on the farm, requested to use a washroom that is on the opposite side of the road from where he was working.

From there, Samuels said it is alleged that he went into a house used by one of the female officers he was working with. “The report indicated that he removed $17,000 and an electronic tablet from the officer’s room and made good his escape,” the director noted.

An initial investigation, he said, suggested that there were breaches of Standing Orders and as a result, three officers have been relieved of their duty.

“They are required to report to the prison daily at 08:00hrs, pending the outcome of investigations.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, September 11, 2019

Mon Repos poison victims in stable condition THE mother and daughter who were allegedly fed a poisonous substance on Monday at their Lot 59 Second Street Marty’s Ville, Mon Repos East Coast Demerara home, are listed as stable at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation.

A 57-year-old taxi driver and father of three, Balkaran Persaud, ended his life after allegedly forcing his wife and daughter to ingest the toxic substance. When a neighbour rushed over, the man, woman and their child showed signs of suspected poisoning.

On Tuesday, his wife, 35-year-old Kavita Persaud could not speak properly as her entire mouth was swollen while her three-yearold daughter Saraswattie Persaud is recovering. Relatives and neighbours said the taxi driver and his wife separated approximately six months ago and he would usually take care of his three children on his own. The woman had moved out of the house and lived a short distance Dead: Balkaran Persaud away. He had frequently grumbled about his wife not taking care of the family and himself properly and would instead be more inclined to partying and drinking with friends.

One relative said, “he does complain to me that this girl don’t cook for him and he child and does torment he and do all sort of things to stress him out.” Neighbours said the woman, who lived a short distance away, would show up at the house in the morning to get the child ready for school and would leave the child at a neighbour’s house.

Persaud would then take the child to school. Relatives said that the man’s first wife died, seven years ago. He subsequently moved on with Kavita and had another daughter. Reports indicated that, at the time of the act on Monday, two of Balkaran’s daughters from a previous marriage were staying at a relative, after visiting over the weekend.

His sister, Brenda Persaud, said no one knew exactly what happened but he had a very troubled relationship.

She explained that one of the major problems the couple had was over one of the daughters from the previous marriage who was psychically challenged.

“She is not well and the step mother would just put a cup and plate outside and lock the door on her when the father goes to work, this was a major problem,” the sister said.

Gov’t severs ties with Pathologist Brijmohan BERBICE-BASED Government Pathologist Dr Vivekanand Brijmohan’s contract with the Ministry of Public Health has been terminated, says Director of Region Six Health Services Jevaughn Stephens.

Stephens said, “Dr Brijmohan’s contract has been terminated. Another pathologist will be assigned. Until then, Dr Nehaul Singh will be conducting examinations.”

While Dr Brijmohan has conducted hundreds of autopsies and testified in the courts on police matters, there were reports back in March which indicated that at the Skeldon Hospital Mortuary, he had verbally abused a police corporal during the post-mortem of Mark Johnson of Nurney Village, Corentyne. After the incident, the pathologist failed to complete the autopsy and left the opened corpse before leaving the mortuary in his vehicle.

Back in June 2017, Dr Vivekanand Brijmohan was arrested and made to spend a night at the Georgetown Prison after he failed to turn up at the High Court in Georgetown to testify during a murder trial.

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FROM BACK PAGE

Patriots upstage Gayle as sixes fly and records tumble in Warner Park thriller

ST Kitts & Nevis Patriots produced the most astonishing Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) victory as they chased down Jamaica Tallawahs’ 241/4 on a night when sixes flew and records tumbled at Warner Park.

The Tallawahs appeared home and hosed at the halfway stage after Chris Gayle had returned to torment the side he had led for the previous two seasons. The Universe Boss smashed 116 from 62 balls with 10 sixes to register his 22nd T20 century, sharing a Hero CPL re-

cord partnership of 162 with Chadwick Walton – who kept pace with Gayle in his own 36-ball innings of 73 – to propel the Tallawahs to the highest total in the history of the tournament.

It was a record that would stand for only two hours as the Patriots reached 242/6 with seven balls to spare. The sixes just kept flying, the records just kept tumbling.

Evin Lewis hit six Hero Maximums and three fours as he blitzed his way to 50 in just 17 balls – another Hero CPL record – and took the Patriots to 85/0 inside the Power Play before he was surprised by extra bounce and caught behind by Glenn Phillips off Andre Russell.

But he had shown the way, and his team-mates followed his lead. Devon Thomas made his way to 50 off 30 balls and new arrival Laurie Evans from England gave an immediate display of his class as spin and seam alike disappeared to all parts of Warner Park.

Evans’ third Hero Maximum meant that, remarkably, the Patriots were well on course for victory at halfway with 133/1 on the board and only another 108 required.

But Evans fell in the 12th over, caught by Russell at deep point off Oshane Thomas for 41. When Phillips flung himself to his right to take a stunning one-handed catch to dismiss Devon Thomas at the start of Oshane Thomas’ next over things appeared to be unravelling and it looked like the Patriots’ brave and brilliant bid for victory would come up short.

Carlos Brathwaite and Jason Mohammed fell in the same over without scoring.

Still the Patriots kept coming, though. Shamarh Brooks joined Fabian Allen and immediately smashed his first Hero Maximum and the game’s 35th – yes, that’s another record. The next ball was slammed over mid-off and the Patriots found themselves needing just 43 from 24 balls. Allen brought up the 200 with the biggest six of all, waiting on a Jerome Taylor slower ball and sending it miles over long-on and out of the stadium. A four down the ground for Brooks took the required rate down to below 10 an over from the last 18 balls.

Shamar Springer started

the crucial 18th over with a nervous-looking wide and was hit through midwicket for four by Brooks before a couple of scampered twos and a single kept things on track. Allen then steered the final ball of the over past short third-man. Suddenly, the Patriots needed just 15 from 12.

Another twist in this extraordinary spectacle seemed possible when Russell cleaned up Brooks for 27 at the start of the 19th over, but Allen was having absolutely none of it. A scampered legbye got him back on strike, and he smashed the last 14 runs required from the next three balls to complete a thrilling win.The Patriots had not just chased down the highest total ever made in the Hero CPL, but had done so with more than an over to spare.

It had all looked so very unlikely when Gayle was dominating the first half of the night. He made his intentions clear from the very first over when he dispatched Allen’s left-arm spin for four through square-leg and then huge Hero Maximums over long-on and midwicket in successive balls.

Alzarri Joseph dismissed the dangerous Phillips – who made a century against the Patriots last season – for just 8 but Gayle was not about to be stopped.Back-to-back boundaries off Rayad Emrit propelled Gayle into the 30s and he found a willing ally in Walton.

Having not scored from the first six balls he faced, Walton then took just a further nine deliveries to reach 30 and got to 50 off 25 in all.

A Gordon Greenidge-style pull shot off Dominic Drakes getting him off the mark with a Hero Maximum; the next ball was pumped down the ground for a one-bounce four.

Usama Mir’s first over was pulverized. A sweep shot brought Walton four before back-to-back big hits down the ground for six, the first of them landing on the roof of Warner Park. The 50 partnership came up in 39 balls before another big over off Usama. First Walton and then Gayle cleared long-on to take the Tallawahs to three figures and leave the leg-spinner nursing figures of 0/33 from two overs.

Walton won the race to

50 despite giving Gayle a three-over headstart and failing to score from his first six balls faced. Inevitably, he got there with a Hero Maximum, carved over third-man. Gayle was not far behind, pumping Joseph down the ground to reach a double landmark.

Not only did it take him to 53 from 37 balls, it was also the 150th Hero Maximum of the Universe Boss’ Hero CPL career. No other player has yet reached 100.

Walton was for now winning the six-hitting race here, though, adding his seventh of the innings in the same Brathwaite over to dent the Patriots skipper’s figures.

And still the sixes kept coming. Gayle smashed three more from Emrit’s third over, and Walton added his eighth with a scoop over fine-leg off Drakes. Gayle brought up the 150 partnership with three sixes in a row to start Brathwaite’s fourth and final over. Thoughts of six sixes in an over ended with a single from the fourth ball but Brathwaite, having conceded just six runs in his first two overs, still ended with the bruising figures of 0/42.

Gayle got through to his hundred after a nervous wait while the third umpire checked Walton had completed the second run needed to get Gayle from 98 to 100. The not out verdict confirmed Gayle’s 22nd T20 century, almost three times as many as any other player.

Walton’s reprieve was shortlived, though, well caught by Brathwaite after skying one off Joseph. Relief for the Patriots – until they saw Russell walk to the crease.

Gayle was still the main man, though. He picked up three successive fours off Joseph, the third of which had Russell taking desperate evasive action as the ball whistled past him at the non-striker’s end.Russell himself launched a couple of sixes of his own before he, like Gayle, departed in the final over – both caught by Brathwaite, who caught all four Tallawahs batsman to fall – as Allen got a measure of revenge. There was time for one last big hit in the innings as Springer walked in to face the final ball and sent it sailing over the ropes to take the score beyond 240. Remarkably, it would not be nearly enough.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, September 11, 2019

Andreescu ‘not done yet’ after Grand Slam breakthrough

(REUTERS) - Canadian teenager Bianca Andreescu, who upstaged tennis great Serena Williams in the U.S. Open final to win her maiden Grand Slam title, said she was not done yet during a whirlwind media tour on Monday.

Since claiming the title in her U.S. Open main draw debut, Andreescu has had a trophy photoshoot atop Rockefeller Center

and appeared on several U.S. morning shows in New York to discuss her breakthrough win.

“I never thought it would be this hectic, but I’m not complaining,” Andreescu, 19, said on Good Morning America. “This is truly an amazing accomplishment, but I could definitely get used to this feeling. I’m not done yet.”

Andreescu produced a bold and brilliant

performance on Saturday to secure a 6-3, 7-5 win and deny former world number one Williams from a recordtying 24th Grand Slam title.

With the win, Andreescu has jumped to a career-high fifth in the world rankings a year after sitting outside the top 200 when she was an unknown quantity to most in her home country.

But Andreescu will now have to get used to her celebrity status as she is

headline news back home.

“It hasn’t really sunk in,” Andreescu said on Live with Kelly & Ryan. “I didn’t really have the time to just see what’s happening in my life right now. It’s been a crazy year for me, and being able to hold this trophy is pretty awesome.”

Andreescu, who also appeared on the ‘Today’ show, ABC’s ‘The View’ and ‘The Tonight Show’ with Jimmy Fallon to

Bianca Andreescu kisses the US Open trophy after beating Serena Williams in straight sets. (Getty Images)

discuss her U.S. Open win, said she has spent plenty of time reflecting on her journey to the U.S. Open title. “I started playing tennis at the age of seven, and ever since I’ve been

BCB/Let’s Bet Sports 20/20 tournament bowls off THE long postponed Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) Let’s Bet Sports 20/20 Cricket Tournament bowled off across Berbice on Sunday.

The tournament was scheduled to start in June, 2019 but was postponed due to the long rainy season which lasted until late August.

The BCB, three weeks ago, gave all clubs in Berbice adequate notice to get their grounds in order and to start practice, so that they can be match-ready.

The Let’s Bet Sports Tournament would involve the hosting of four different tournaments for teams in Four Zones - Upper Corentyne, Lower Corentyne, New Amsterdam/Canje and West Berbice’. Each Zone would have its individual champions, who would then go on to play in a separate tournament to determine the overall Berbice Second Division 20/20 champions.

Public Relations Officer (PRO) Simon Naidu stated that close to 80 teams will participate in the tournament with Upper Corentyne having the most teams (25). Clubs would be allowed a maximum of three First Division players who are not debarred.

Among the debarred players are Veerasammy Permaul, Devendra Bishoo, Jonathan Foo, Romario Shepherd, Eon Hooper, Keon Joseph, Gajanand Singh, Shimron Hetmyer, Jason Sinclair, Joshua Ramsammy, Gudakesh Motie and David Latchana.

All matches start at 13:00hrs and Naidu stated that teams who turn up late would lose their right to the toss while walkovers will be granted half-hour after the schedule start.

Due to the nature of sponsorship, players under the age of 18 years would not be allowed to participate. Among the teams who will be playing in the different Zones are Blairmont Community Centre, Rose Hall Canje, D’Edward, Cotton Tree Die Hard, Police Sports Club, Edinburgh, No.19, Young Warriors, Albion Community Centre, Chesney, Fyrish, Rose Hall Town, Whim, Ramnarine Memorial, No.43, Scottsburg, No.72 Cut and Load, Dukestown, No.72 All Stars and Crabwood Creek All Family.

THE FIXTURES FOR THE OPENING ROUNDS ARE: ZONE ‘A’ WEST BERBICE: Blairmont Community Centre Cricket Club vs Bath Sports Club - Bath D’Edward Cricket Club vs Blairmont Remnants Cricket Club - D’Edward Cotton Tree Die Hard Cricket Club vs No.5 Monedderlust Cricket Club - Cotton Tree Bush Lot United vs Achievers Cricket Club - Bush Lot Hopetown Cricket Club vs Paradise Challengers - Paradise Bush Lot Rising Star - BYE ZONE ‘B’ NEW AMSTERDAM/CANJE: Rose Hall Canje Cricket Club vs Kendall’s Union Sports Star - Canje Young Warriors ‘A’ Cricket Club vs Kendall’s Union Cricket Club - No.19 Betsy Ground Cricket Club vs Mental Hospital Cricket Club - Mental Hospital Young Warriors ‘B; Cricket Club vs Tucber Park ‘B’ Cricket Club - Cumberland Tucber Park ‘A’ Cricket Club vs East Bank Blazers Cricket Club - East Bank Edinburgh Warriors Cricket Club vs Police Sports Club - Edinburgh Flying Star Cricket Club vs Goed Bananen Land - Flying Star Mt Sinai Cricket Club vs Guymine Cricket Club - Mt Sinai ZONE ‘C’ LOWER CORENTYNE: Chesney Cricket Club vs No.1 Road Cricket Club - Chesney Courtland Cricket Club vs Toopoo Cricket Club - Toopoo Albion Open Cricket Team vs Nigg Intruder Cricket Club Belvedere United Cricket Club vs Kilcoy Cricket Club - Kilcoy RHT Bakewell ‘A’ Cricket Club vs UG Elites Cricket Club - Area ‘H’ Rose Hall Town Tigers vs Tain Block 4 Cricket Club - Tain Albion Community Centre vs Big Star Cricket Club - Albion Tamarind Root Cricket Club vs Fyrish Road Cricket Club - Hampshire Fyrish Cricket Club vs Kildonan Cricket Club - Fyrish Port Mourant Cricket Club vs Ramnarine Memorial Cricket Club - Port Mourant Whim National Cricket Club vs Jai Hind Cricket Club - Jai Hind ZONE ‘D’ UPPER CORENTYNE: Crabwood Creek Sports Club vs No.52 Survival Cricket Club - Crabwood Creek Bomb Squad Cricket Club vs No.43 Scorpions Cricket Club - No.43 All Family Cricket Club vs No.70 MYO Cricket Club - No.70 MYO Yakusari Horizon Cricket Club vs Yakusari Carib Cricket Club - Yakusari Dukestown Cricket Club vs No.68 Darkeners Cricket Club - No.60 Radha Krishna Academy vs No.64 Fighting Marines Cricket Club - No.64 Scottsburg United Cricket Club vs No.69 Vikings Cricket Club - No.69 No.66 Giants Cricket Club vs No.48 Challengers Cricket Club - No.48 No.69 Red Rose Cricket Club vs No.70 Spartan Cricket Club - Red Rose Skeldon Titans Cricket Club vs No.70 Young Blood Cricket Club - Skeldon No.71 Sports Club vs No.68 Turn Team - No.68 No.73 Young Warriors vs No.72 All Stars Cricket Club No.72 Cut and Load Cricket Team - BYE.

dreaming of this moment,” Andreescu told Good Morning America.

“I mean, it’s another story for it to actually happen. So I’m just, like, truly blessed right now.”

Lewis to step down as chief executive of All England Club in 2020

Richard Lewis has been chief executive of the All England club since 2012.

(REUTERS) - Former British Davis Cup player Richard Lewis said yesterday he will step down as chief executive of the All England Club at Wimbledon after next year’s Championships.

“It has been an immense privilege to be chief executive of the club and to play a part in the continued evolution of the club and The Championships,” Lewis, 64, said in a statement on Wimbledon’s website here Lewis said some of the milestones of his tenure included a 160% increase in prize money, the acquisition of the Wimbledon Park Golf Club and development of club facilities.

“Given the election of a new chairman in Ian Hewitt, and the development of the next master plan for the full breadth of the grounds, it’s the perfect time for me to step down,” he said.

Lewis joined the All England Club as chief executive in 2012, having been executive chairman of the Rugby Football League since 2002 and chair of Sport England since 2009.

He reached a career-high world ranking of 68 and played for Britain in the Davis Cup from 1977 to 1983 before getting involved in coaching, sports administration and business consultancy.

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FROM BACK PAGE

CV doesn’t matter to me; prove it... … Brazilian hints new policy to expose local players

Márcio Máximo “Players should prove themselves on the pitch, not with talk or their Curriculum Vitae,” Máximo expressed, while adding that CV doesn’t prove anything. You have to prove it on the pitch. Shelly (Sheldon Holder) was in

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better condition, that’s why he’s playing. But I don’t like talking about players, I talk about a team.”

Máximo’s comments might seem a bit farfetched, given the fact that he could not have seen the players in action, since he only took over after coach Michael Johnson departed in midAugust.

Máximo also had only three days in camp with the players in Curacao prior to their game against Aruba where they went on to win 1-0, thanks to a 22nd minute goal from Sheldon Holder.

Ondaan, the former Netherlands U-18 and U-21 player, moved from Telstar in the Dutch League to France just upon his return home from the Gold Cup where he made one start (against Panama), winning a penalty that was converted by Neil Danns.

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don Holder, Kelsey Benjamin, Liam Gordon, Keanu Marsh-Brown, Akel Clarke and Stephen Duke-McKenna were the overseas-based players on the team for the

first two Nations League games.

Meanwhile, specifically addressing Guyana’s loss to Jamaica, Máximo recounted, “I think we paid the price in

the first half … in the second half we fixed our mistakes, because we went to the changing room and we did our tactical adjustments and we became better. It’s a

good lesson for us because Jamaica are a good team.

“Of course we are as well, but in the meantime we have a long way to go.

I’m not a magician, we’re going to take lessons from each game and for the next game we’re going to get better.”

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Ex-PM May prompts storm over knighthood for cricket hero Boycott

By Alistair Smout, Michael Holden LONDON, England (Reuters) - Former British Prime Minister Theresa

May has chosen Geoffrey Boycott, one of her cricket heroes, for a knighthood, attracting criticism from domestic abuse charities.

The retired England

batsman was convicted in France in 1998 of hitting his ex-girlfriend; yesterday he was unrepentant over the incident, saying that the allegations were untrue and that

he “couldn’t give a toss” about the criticism.

The opposition Labour party and campaigners called for Boycott’s nomination to be rescinded.

“Celebrating a man who was convicted for assaulting his partner sends a dangerous message – that domestic abuse is not taken seriously as a crime,” Adina Claire of the charity Women’s Aid said in a statement.

Boycott, interviewed yesterday after the honour was announced, was irritable when asked about the conviction.

“It’s a cross I have to bear – right or wrong, good or bad, I have to live with it – and I do because I am clear in my mind, and I think most people in England are, that it’s not true,” Boycott, 78, told BBC radio.

When asked about the charity’s criticism, he replied to the female presenter: “I don’t care a toss about her, love. It’s 25 years ago.

You can take your political nature and do whatever you want with it ... I couldn’t give a toss.”

Boycott is set to receive a knighthood after previously expressing his frustration with not getting the honour in terms that also attracted criticism.

In 2017, Boycott apologised “unreservedly” after the Daily Mirror reported that he had said he needed to ‘black up’ to improve his chances of getting a knighthood given how many West Indian cricketers had received the honour. Boycott said he meant no offence but “what I said was clearly wrong”.

Former England cricketer Geoffrey Boycott

Queen Elizabeth grants Resignation Honours at the request of an outgoing prime minister. May nominated Boycott, whose persistence she had vowed to emulate in her ultimately failed efforts to deliver Brexit, among a list of other people.

Boycott scored over 8 000 runs in Test cricket and was known for his stubborn and conservative batting style.

“One of my cricket heroes was always Geoffrey Boycott,” she said in November when quizzed about how long she would stay in office as ministers quit in protest at her strategy for pulling Britain out of the European Union.

“Geoffrey Boycott stuck to it and he got the runs in the end,” said May, who ended up leaving the job in July after repeatedly failing to get her Brexit deal approved by parliament.

RETCHING FEELING May previously mocked her predecessor David Cameron’s decision to knight his communications director Craig Oliver, implying that seeing his name on Cameron’s resignation honours list had given her a retching feeling.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER

(Wednesday September 11, 2019) COMPLIMENTS OF THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market & The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD-83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: 1. Tridents vs Zouks (Barbados, July 30, 2013) 2. Veerasammy Permaul-56 matches Today’s Quiz: 1. How many matches were scheduled for the inaugural CPL? 2. How many matches are scheduled for 2019?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, September 11, 2019

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Ramesh Sunich - sponsor with a difference … hails Toronto Cup organisers

TORONTO, Canada – Ramesh Sunich is a sponsor with a difference. While most sponsors hardly venture out of the country of their birth to support other sports associations/organisations, Sunich, the proprietor of Trophy Stall (Guyana), has been a constant supporter of the Toronto Cup. Now in its third year, following its successful staging just over a fortnight ago, the organisers, Ontario Masters Softball Cricket Clubs (OMSCC), were once again the beneficiaries of Trophy Stall’s sponsorship, with Sunich providing all the winning trophies in all three categories – Open, Masters Over-40 and Legends Over50, a repeat of his benevolence since the inaugural tournament in 2013.

A prominent softball player himself, Sunich told

Chronicle Sport that he’s once again delighted to be associated with the staging of the third edition of Toronto Cup despite his Over50 team failed to make an impression in the three-day event which climaxed at the picturesque University of Toronto ground here on Sunday, September 1.

According to Sunich, who is a prime supporter and sponsor of sports in Guyana, he has long been a lover of softball cricket and still plays the game at the senior level.

He boasted that his business is extremely supportive of softball cricket and sponsors teams as well as tournaments in Guyana. Sunich pointed out that Trophy Stall is happy to be one of the sponsors of the Toronto Cup and his presence in Toronto was an indication of the importance he and the Trophy Stall attach to it.

While praising the organisers for a “wonderful job” Sunich felt there is room for improvement and greater efforts should be made to attract more international teams. He was especially pleased with the turnout in the Legends Over-50 category which has grown by leaps and bounds since its introduction in Toronto, Canada at the second edition of the tournament in 2015.

Sunich believes that with so many softball players around, most of them migrating from Guyana, there’s every possibility for the expansion of the game in the North American country and he looks forward to the day when the sport can be extended to the international level.

The popular Guyanese businessman, who is also vice-president of the Guyana Floodlights Softball

Ramesh Sunich poses with his collection of trophies at the Toronto Cup final, held at the University of Toronto ground recently.

Cricket Association (GFSCA), has embraced his passion for softball cricket over the years, having also served in the-then Guyana Softball Cricket Association (GSCA).

Over the years, Sunich, who has an ingrained pas-

sion for sports, has also been associated with other sport disciplines as a sponsor.

These include horse racing which has a special place in his heart since his late father was a jockey, hard ball cricket, football and athletics.

Apart from his main

operation in Bourda Market, Trophy Stall also has branches at South Road and Bourda Street, Georgetown, which is managed by Sunich’s wife, Devi, and at Freeyard, Port Mourant, Corentyne, Berbice. (Frederick Halley)

GFF/NAMILCO- Selection changes aimed at ‘best sponsored possible outcomes’ - Skerritt WDFA football resumes Friday AFTER no play last weekend due to the international football scheduled for the Guyana Men’s National team, the West Demerara Football Association (WDFA) will resume play in the Guyana Football Federation (GFF)/NAMILCO Flour-sponsored Under-17 football championship with one game this Friday and a triple-header on Sunday.

Come Friday, at either the Wales or Den Amstel ground, Den Amstel are set to oppose Wales at 16:00hrs while on Sunday there will be a triple-header. On Sunday, the three matches are: Wales versus Hurry-ATE from 09.00hrs, Den Amstel against Uitvlugt at 11:00hrs and in the final game Eagles will clash with Pouderoyen from 13.00hrs.

So far Eagles are leading the points table having played unbeaten after four wins for 12 points, with Uitvlugt second on nine points from five games played, winning three and losing two.

Third are Pouderoyen who have played four games, winning two and losing two for six points, while Hurry-ATE and Den Amstel follow on three points each after four games, having lost three with one victory. Wales are on the carpet with two points from three completed games - one win and two losses.

Den Amstel’s Chris Smith and Travis Fraser of Uitvlugt are the two leading scorers with five goals each followed by S. Moonsammy of Hurry-ATE with four so far in this tournament.

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC) – Cricket West Indies (CWI) has overhauled its selection system to feature team-specific panels, selection analysts and a new policy aimed at creating transparency and efficiency in the process.

In a departure from the current system, the men’s, women’s and junior squads will now benefit from separate selection panels headed by an executive selector, and comprising another selector and the head coach.

The changes, which were announced here Monday at a CWI media conference, resulted from recommendations put forward by a CWI selection task force headed by vice-president Dr Kishore Shallow and which included director of cricket, Jimmy Adams.

CWI president Ricky Skerritt, who said selection panels would be staffed shortly, explained the new changes were aimed at creating the “best possible practices that could lead to the best possible outcomes”.

“They (task force) presented their report with recommen-

dations included. Over the past four months they carried out a comprehensive review of the system of selection, with the intention to identify the best possible practices that could lead to the best possible outcomes,” Skerritt told media here.

“We want the best possible cricketers performing at their best at all times and we’re confident if we can achieve that consistently, you will see the winning results and you will see the West Indies teams moving back up the ladder from where we presently lie at the bottom in every version of the game.”

A selection analyst will be attached to the panels while the men’s panel will benefit from three scouts who will undertake the role of monitoring players throughout the region.

Dr Shallow said in the past there had been little analytical approach to the selection of players, and it had not augured well for player development or performance.

“What we believe is that our selection system going forward should revolve around

a data-driven system,” he stressed.

The captain, along with the head coach and the executive selector, will choose the final playing XI but while the captain will be involved in squad selection, he will not have a vote.

Despite this, Skerritt contended, the captain still retained a key role in the selection process.

“Don’t believe the captain is not involved in selection.

He’s very involved as influencer in terms of the final squad and he’s completely involved with a vote to choose the final XI that goes out onto the field,” Skerritt explained.

Player selection will now have to satisfy six criteria – form and performance, fitness (based on a new approved fitness and conditioning policy), team balance, mental capacity, technical ability and commitment. This, CWI said, would guarantee greater transparency and create a more effective means of choosing the best players.

Skerritt, who swept to power last March after dra-

CWI president Ricky Skerritt

matically ousting three-term incumbent Dave Cameron at elections in Jamaica, said the overhaul of the selection process was in keeping the agenda of change on which he was elected.

“I want to make it clear that all strategic decisions are made in the best interest of the future of West Indies cricket and are designed to bring back a sense of pride and aspiration to West Indian teams that has been too often absent in recent times,” he said.

“Nothing that I preside over as president will be for my own well-being or for my own promotion.

Everything that I preside over in my time as president will be for achieving the objectives in our Cricket First Plan including our promise to evaluate the selection system as a first order of priority.”

CV doesn’t matter to me; prove it on the pitch! – Golden Jaguars

Márcio Máximo

head coach

… Brazilian hints new policy to expose local players By Rawle Toney

Terell Ondaan in action for Guyana during the 2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup NEW head coach of the country’s senior national men’s football team, Már-

cio Máximo, has made it clear that big names or playing in a big league wouldn’t impress him. He told Chronicle Sport that players have to prove their worth in order to break into the Golden Jaguars team.

Following Guyana’s 4-0 defeat to Reggae Boyz on Monday night at the National Track and Field Centre, in the team’s latest match in the CONCACAF Nations League, Máximo was responding to Chronicle Sport’s question as to why Terrel Ondaan, who plays with Grenoble Foot 38 France’s Ligue

2, didn’t find favour in his lineup against Jamaica, even as a substitute.

“It’s our new policy to give more chances to local players. I don’t talk about players, I talk about a team. Don’t ask me about a player because I never talk; I talk inside the changing room,” Máximo boldly expressed.

Many football fans, especially those knowing the ability of the 25-year-old forward who was born in the Netherlands and broke onto the scenes following his youth career at Ajax and Alkmaar Zaanstreek (AZ) football clubs, were left scratching their heads after Ondaan, who made 78 appearanc-

es for another top Dutch club, Willem II, was left off of the starting line-ups for both of the Golden Jaguars Nations League encounters.

In fact, Ondaan lost his spot to Kelsey Benjamin, a nifty 20-year-old who this season moved to Trinidad and Tobago to play in the Islands’ Professional league with Morvant Caledonia United – a team owned and managed by former Golden Jaguars coach Jamaal Shabazz.

Ondaan has found the net once this season in the French league, and has been a regular starter for his side.

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s t o i r Pat

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upstage Gayle as sixes fly and records tumble in Warner Park thriller

Fabian Allen celebrates after St.Kitts & Nevis Patriots remarkable run chase last night at Warner Park.(Getty)

Ramesh Sunich - sponsor with a difference Printed and Published by Guyana National Newspapers Limited, Lama Avenue, Bel Air Park, Georgetown. Telephone 226-3243-9 (General); Editorial: 227-5204, 227-5216. Fax:227-5208

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WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2019