Guyana Chronicle E-paper 9-2-2019

MONDAY 2nd September, 2019

Bridging the educational gap No.105748

–– Pres. Granger promises it will happen during ‘Decade of Development’ 03 PAGE

‘PPP benefitted from padded voters list’ 02 PAGE

–– PM says party lost some 54,292 votes between 2001-2011

Cheap fuel can be provided without 12 local refinery PAGE

–– Energy Director tells Men’s forum

CARICOM reacts 04 PAGE

–– as ‘Dorian’ pounds Bahamas

Surama Cultural Group performing a dance during the launch of Indigenous Heritage Month at the Indigenous Village. This year Indigenous Heritage Month is being held under the theme ‘Maintaining traditional practices while promoting a green economy.’

(Samuel Maughn photo)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, September 2, 2019

‘PPP benefitted from padded voters list’ –– PM says party lost some 54,292 votes between 2001-2011

PRIME minister Moses Nagamootoo said there are legitimate beliefs that the existing voters’ list is contaminated with names of deceased persons, Guyanese who have long migrated and, possibly, it is padded with the names of aliens or phantoms.

He said too that there are suspicions that the Opposition PPP has benefitted from the padded list. Writing in his Sunday Chronicle column, Prime Minister Nagamootoo said Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan, had shared with him some interesting statistics on the voting patterns during elections between 1997 and 2015. He said at the 1997 elections (the last during the Jagan era), the

Prime Minister, Moses Nagammootoo PPP received 220,632 votes.

However, in the post-Jagan period, it started to lose votes between 2001 and 2011, as follows:-In 2001, its votes fell to 210,013 or by 10,619; in 2006 its votes again fell

to 183,988 or by 26,025; in 2011 its votes fell to an alltime low of 166,340 or by 17,648.

“The cumulative loss between 2001 and 2011 was 54,292 votes. But, inexplicably, the PPP polled 202,694 votes at the 2015 elections, or an increase by 36,354 votes over its showing in 2011, during which period the government had wallowed in corruption and had sunken to an all-time low in popularity. Key leaders, including former Speaker, Ralph Ramkarran and myself, left the party; other “Jaganites” were alienated,” Nagamootoo wrote.

He said it must raise much more than curiosity that when the list stood at

Minister of Social Protection, Amna Ally 475,496 voters in 2011, the PPP lost 17,548 votes to the then opposition parties.

Combined, the APNU and AFC polled 175,011 votes as against the PPP’s 166,340.

The latter won on a plu-

rality of votes, but with a minority of parliamentary seats – 32, against 33 for the APNU+AFC. However, in 2015, when the voters’ list jumped upwards by a whopping 107,948 voters, the PPP romped home with 202,694 votes or 36,354 more than it had received in 2011. “It is evident that the padding of the list benefitted the PPP and, without more, the “phantoms” came out to vote for this party,” Nagamootoo said.

He said now allegations are surfacing about some possible reasons for the padding, with several persons in at least one location found to be in possession of faked birth certificates and national identification cards. The Prime Minister quoted a Guyana Chronicle headline: “Probe launched into fake birth certificates”; “Region 9 residents tie PPP to alleged racket”, were met with the PPP’s rebuttal that these claims are a “political ploy”.

The coalition had made the case that the voters’ list was contaminated and that the only way to clean it up was through house-to-house registration. This national exercise was conducted by the Guyana Elections Commission but was shortened after close to 400,000 persons were registered to facilitate an extensive claims and objections period. GECOM also said it will be merging the data gathered during the house-to-house registration with that of the National Register of Registrants.

Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo at his weekly press conference, last Thursday, said that a merger of the house-to-house registration and the NRR was a delaying tactic to push elections until next year and that the merger would “further” contaminate the NRR list.

But General Secretary of the Peoples National Congress Reform, Amna Ally responded: “How it is if you merge the information from house-to-house registration to what exists as the NRR you are going to have contamination? Is it that he is admitting that the NRR is corrupt? Is it that he is admitting that the

Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo NRR is no good? I am sure silently he is.”

Ally noted that even as GECOM prepares for the hosting of Regional and General Elections, a credible Official List of Electors (OLE) is of critical importance. Ally questioned why the PPP is prepared to go to elections without a credible OLE, establishing that the PNC/R “will continue to advocate for a credible list of electors”. “The PPP is prepared to go to the polls with any list, they don’t care if the list is corrupted. Why? It is essential that we hold fair, free and credible elections and we cannot do so if the people of Guyana believe that the list is outdated and corrupted. The process GECOM takes to sanitise the list must therefore take into consideration the concerns expressed,” Ally who is also Minister of Social Protection said.

Ally reminded that it is also up to GECOM to come up with a method of ensuring that it provides a credible OLE. “Elections can only be held when GECOM notifies us that they are ready, the underpinning thing is that there is need for a credible list so that we can have credible elections,” Ally said.

“GECOM has a right to implement whatever process they have to implement in order to produce a credible list.

The house-to-house is not illegal, and there is an NRR. GECOM has to know what they are going to do to put the two together to come up with a credible list, and I have full confidence in GECOM that they have the capability to produce such a list.”

Bridging the educational gap

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, September 2, 2019

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–– Pres. Granger promises it will happen during ‘Decade of Development’

By Tamica Garnett PRESIDENT David Granger said his Government, through investment in education, has been bridging the gap between the hinterland and the coastland.

At the time, he was delivering the keynote address during the ceremonial launch of Indigenous Heritage Month 2019, on Sunday, at the Indigenous Village, Sophia Exhibition Centre.

Guyana, President Granger said, is poised for a ‘Decade of Development,’ during which continued improvements in hinterland education system would be a key feature.

“Education, next to food, clothing and shelter, is essential to nurturing the next generation and to prepare them for leadership. Plans are on stream to continue improving hinterland education over the next ten years in what I have dubbed the ‘Decade of development’, from 2020 to 2029,” the President told the gathering.

He noted that education is the cornerstone of government’s plan to ensure greater equality between the hinterland and the coastland – a move intended to reduce poverty while providing greater economic opportunities for indigenous communities.

Dubbing it as a great equaliser, the President said education can be used to reverse underdevelopment within the hinterland through job creation. Here in Guyana, he said, hinterland education is on the right path.

The event was also attended by Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo and his wife, Sita Nagamootoo; Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Sydney Allicock; Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Valerie Garrido-Lowe, and representatives from the National Toshaos Council.

As he launched Indigenous Heritage Month, President Granger reflected on the significant progress made in the hinterland in the area of education since his administration took office in 2015.

“The government inherited a public educational system with many problems,” Granger explained.

“The path and pattern of public education in the hinterland were set in the immediate post-Independence period, fifty years ago. Our first Prime Minister, Forbes Burnham, addressing the Amerindian Leaders’ Conference in 1969, promulgated a policy aimed at ensuring the efficient delivery of public services to the indigenous population,” Granger informed.

He recalled that a drive was launched to expand access to education for hinterland students, explaining that it was facilitated further

tertiary education. Guyana’s petroleum profits will be deployed, in part, to improve education, including and especially hinterland education. The ‘Decade’ will restore free education as an entitlement. The ‘Decade’ will help to eliminate the educational inequalities between the hinterland and coastland by devoting more resources to hinterland education,” the President further stated.

The launch saw three Indigenous scholarship students being awarded trophies for their outstanding perfor-

inations,” Granger noted.

“Students’ performance is being boosted by investments in better classrooms and laboratories and through information communications technology. The expansion of the school-feeding scheme and the provision of transportation and scholarships have helped to reduce the number of hinterland school dropouts from 10 primary school students per week in 2014 to an average of 3 students per week in 2017. An average of 17 secondary school students dropped out weekly from hinterland schools in 2014;

President David Granger as he delivers remarks at the launching of Indigenous Heritage Month 2019 (Samuel Maughn photo) Prior to 2015, the hinterland was plagued with issues that hampered students’ ability to receive proper education.

The situation at some schools was so severe that it even affected the health and wellbeing of students and in some cases resulted in death.

In 2008, a nine-year-old student died after falling in a pit latrine at the Santa Rosa Primary School. That year, three girls also died in a fire at the dormitory at Waramadong Secondary.

In March 2010, students in Port Kaituma were sent home from the secondary school due to a shortage of food while in 2012, residents protested the overgrown vegetation and poor sanitary facilities at the primary school.

There were reports of sexual molestation at the Aishalton Secondary School in 2011; that same year, three students perished when an abandoned mining pit collapsed. A student of Charity Secondary committed suicide in the school’s dormitory.

Shortage of teacher, poor sanitation, food poisoning and lack of access to potable water were all issues afflicting hinterland schools prior to 2015, President Granger said.

“Parents and residents no longer need to protest against the conditions at hinterland dormitories and schools.

Students now feel safer and are more comfortable because of the interventions and improvements which have been made over the past fifty months,” Granger pointed out.

Though the education system is far from perfect, the President said one must admit that significant progress has been made.

“No government could be happy with so many, so frequent and such serious reports. Hinterland education, still, is far from perfect but we have come a long way from those grim, grisly days and progress has been made.

We are making progress. The future is bright. Real change takes time but is more enduring. We must continue the task of improving hinterland education,” he reasoned.

Hinterland education has seen massive investments and improvements.

“The Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs has increased the number of hinterland scholarships from 110 in 2014 to 187 in 2018.

Students are benefitting from access to information communications technology… learning resource centres… access to accommodation for students… The hinterland schools’ feeding programme has been expanded… access to schools has been improved through the Public Education Transportation Services (PETS) - known popularly as the 3 Bs initiative. Hinterland students, also, have been among the beneficiaries of the 1,599 tertiary-level scholarships offered by the Department of the Public Service since 2015,” Granger pointed out.

President Granger reminded that it was some 50 years ago that the focus on hinterland education was first initiated.

Hinterland scholarship students who performed well at this year’s CSEC and CAPE were awarded at the launch of Indigenous Heritage Month. From left are: Best CAPE Student, Raseda Hack; Best CSEC Student, Alex Abraham; second-placed CSEC student, Amisha Ramdin (Samuel Maugh photos) by the award of scholarships which allowed students free education, at government’s expense, in Georgetown.

“Hinterland education, indeed, did receive its first great boost fifty years ago and the task continues today,” he posited.

President Granger said over the past four years there has been a renewed focus on education.

The ‘Decade of Development’ will create an environment for the government to build on what was put in place over the last four years, the President said.

“Hinterland education is being established on a strong footing and will be prioritised over the next ten years. Education will be a cornerstone of the ‘Decade’ which will continue the task of repositioning education which commenced four years ago,” Granger explained.

“The ‘Decade’ will protect citizens’ right to universal primary, secondary and

mance at the 2019 Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) and Caribbean Advanced Proficiency (CAPE) examinations.

Being honoured was 16-year-old Alex Abraham, who finished second in the country at the 2019 CSEC examinations, having attained 18 grade ones and two grade twos. Amisha Ramdin from St Ignatius Secondary, who finished fourteenth in the country with 15 grade ones and five grade twos, was also honoured.

Eighteen-year-old Reseda Hack received a trophy for the ‘Best CAPE Hinterland Scholarship Student.’ She wrote seven units, passing five of them with grade ones.

“Hinterland students have demonstrated that once provided with educational opportunities, they are capable of the best performance as proven by one of the country’s top performers at this year’s Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate exam-

this has declined to an average of 5 per week in 2017,” the President said.

President Granger said when Guyana’s Oil and Gas Industry comes on stream, the indigenous people will not be left out of the benefits.

“Indigenous people can be assured that they will not be left behind when petroleum production commences next year; the national, natural resources wealth will be developed in a manner to ensure greater equality between the hinterland and the coastland; and there will be adequate provision to strengthen hinterland development, particularly through greater educational investments, interventions and improvements,” the president promised.

In Guyana, September is celebrated both as Indigenous Heritage Month and Education Month, making the president’s speech on hinterland education a fitting one.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, September 2, 2019

CARICOM reacts BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, Sept 1, CMC – Dominica’s Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit Sunday reiterated a call for developed countries to do more to deal with the impact of climate change as Caribbean Community (CARICOM) governments were expressing their support for the Bahamas that is being pounded by the Category 5 Hurricane Dorian.

“My thoughts and prayers are with the government and people of The Bahamas in this time of profound anxiety. I urge all the residents to take heed of the advice of the authorities. This is not a hurricane to take chances with. We shall stand in total solidarity with our dear brothers and sisters should they need our assistance,” Skerrit said in a statement posted on his

Facebook page.

“Again, I reiterate the call for the countries of the developed world to take action in relation to climate change. Why can’t the Paris Accord be implemented?,” he added.

Dominica is recovering from the pounding it took from a similar Category 5 hurricane when Maria lashed the island in September 2017, killing at least 30 people and leaving millions of US dollars in damages.

Jamaica’s Prime Minister Andrew Holness, who also took to social media, said that he had been in contact with his Bahamian counterpart, Dr. Hubert Minnis, “and assured him of our prayers and support. “?We stand with the people of the Bahamas in this time of great threat and pledge

our support in their time of recovery,’ Holness added.

St. Lucia’s Prime Minister Allen Chastant, whose is-

Monday, September 2, 2019 05:00hrs. - 06:30hrs.

- as ‘Dorian’ pounds Bahamas

land was spared the wrath of Dorian when it made its passage through the Lesser Antilles early last week, wrote on his Facebook page “our thoughts and prayers are with our brothers and sisters in the Bahamas and Florida”.

Earlier, Prime Minister Minnis pleaded with residents on the island of Grand Bahama to leave high risk zones immediately as the hurricane made landfall.

“Grand Bahama, those individuals in the West End area, this is your last warning. We have made all necessary arrangements, at least 13 shelters available. “May God bless us all,” said Minnis, who said that residents of the Abacos who refused voluntary evacuation are in for the “long haul.”

“This is probably the

most saddened and worst day of my life to address the Bahamian people. I just want to say as a physician, I’ve been trained to withstand many things but never anything like this. We are facing a hurricane, one that we’ve never seen in the history of the Bahamas. There will be gusts in excess of 200 mph.

We have some of the best standards of home-building within this region.

“Our homes are built to withstand at least 150mph so this will put us to the test that we have never confronted before. The extreme surge of about 20ft… that’s higher than the average roof of our homes here in the Bahamas,” he added. In its latest bulleting, the Miami-based National Hurricane Centre TURN TO PAGE 8

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, September 2, 2019

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‘Category Five’ Hurricane Dorian slams into Bahamas Hurricane Dorian has made landfall in the north-west Bahamas as a monster category five storm with sustained winds of up to 180mph (285km/h).

The “extremely dangerous” storm is the strongest hurricane on modern record in the area, the US National Hurricane Center (NHC) says.

Grand Bahama residents have been evacuating from its predicted path. A storm surge could be life-threatening and as high as 23ft (7m) in places, officials warn.

The storm made landfall at 12:40 (16:40 GMT) on Elbow Cay in the Abaco islands, northern Bahamas, the NHC said. Local residents posted footage showing floodwaters engulfing some homes, their rooftops blown off. Dorian, moving westward at 7mph, is expected to continue to move over Great Abaco Island and near, or over, Grand Bahama Island later on Sunday into Monday.

Authorities closed some airports in the outlying islands, but the main international airport remains open on Sunday.

After hitting the Bahamas, it should move closer to

the Florida east coast late on Monday through Tuesday night local time.

US President Donald Trump said he was monitoring Dorian. He cancelled a planned trip to Poland, sending Vice-President Mike Pence in his place.

In a tweet on Sunday, Mr Trump warned Dorian was expected to hit “much” harder than originally thought, and urged residents in its path to be careful.

Hurricanes, which vary in strength from category one to five on the Saffir-Simpson scale, tend to get stronger as they move over warm waters like those off the coast of Florida.

Dorian has also grown larger in size, with hurricane-force winds currently extending 45 miles (75km) from the storm’s centre.

Prime Minister Hubert Minnis earlier announced an evacuation order for parts of Grand Bahama and the Abaco Islands, both in the north of the archipelago. All tourists were asked to leave the islands.

Dorian’s exact path remains uncertain but a state of emergency has been declared in four US states: Florida,

Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina.

Florida was earlier expected to take a direct hit in the storm. Its governor, Ron DeSantis, has activated 2,500 National Guard troops and has another 1,500 on standby.

As Dorian crawled towards the US, shoppers were seen queuing around blocks to buy supplies such as medication and fuel. Popular attractions, including Disney World in Orlando, have said

they are “closely monitoring” the storm. The coastal city of Miami has also ordered the removal of electric rental scooters from the streets to avoid them becoming projectiles.

Palm Beach and Martin counties issued mandatory evacuations for some residents, including for those in mobile homes, barrier islands and low-lying areas.

(BBC)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, September 2, 2019

Time to say ‘No More!’

– to sexual harassment in the workplace

ONE type of violence, more specifically sexual violence against women in the workplace, has been headlining the news lately.

The workplace should be a place where we go daily to fulfil our obligations to our employers. Implicit in this arrangement is an understanding, via contract, written and unwritten, as to the other conditions of our service.

Chief among these are that we be punctual, and be of personal conduct acceptable to good human relations. But there is also a corresponding obligation, that employees, both male and female, be made to feel safe from any personal harm or injury. That has always been the traditional meaning of a safe working environment.

Guyana is guided by some strong, progressive and gender-inclusive laws, including the Domestic Violence Act 1996, Chapter 98:01, and the Sexual Offences Act, Chapter 8:03. This Act reveals that

there are no specific laws which protect against sexual harassment in workplaces, which renders the need for this law to be examined.

Section 8 of the Prevention of Discrimination Act, Chapter 99:09 states: “Any act of sexual harassment against an employee committed by an employer, managerial employee or co-worker, shall constitute unlawful discrimination based on sex within the meaning of Section 4 of this Act, and the Sexual Offences Act 2010. Section 4 further states, “A person discriminates against another person if the first mentioned person makes, on any of the grounds mentioned in subsection (2), any distinction, exclusion or preference, the intent or effect of which is to nullify or impair equality of opportunity or treatment in any employment or occupation.” These grounds include, inter alia, “race, sex, religion, ethnic origin and colour…”

Sexual harassment is cov-

ered under the Prevention of Discrimination Act of 1997.

The section is very cursory, and simply states that, “‘Sexual harassment’ is defined as unwanted conduct of a sexual nature in the workplace, or in connection with the performance of work, which is threatened or imposed as a condition of employment on the employee, or which creates a hostile working environment for the employee.”

The law thus confines the offence to the workplace when, in fact it can, and does, occur in any location.

Schools, for instance, are a source for sexual harassment of female students by teachers, the most recent case in point being the Bishops High School matter which was widely reported on in the media.

But even with the limited ambit of our law, the problem is much more widespread than the reports indicate. In 2005, a U.S. State Department report on Guyana re-

vealed that a study conducted by the Guyana Women’s Leadership Institute(GWLI), in collaboration with the Government and the UNDP, asserted that sexual harassment was a significant problem.

The GWLI reported that, “while the problem is widespread, victims were reluctant to make official reports due to fear of the associated stigma and a lack of confidence in the legal system to deliver justice promptly.” **In Guyana, with its more than fair share of single mothers, maintaining a job is literally a matter of maintaining one’s livelihood, and most females are very reluctant to report cases of sexual harassment. But if the anecdotal evidence is to be believed, then closer attention has to be paid to all places of work, be it private or public sector organisations. These violations are not confined to the poor, and include all strata and ethnic groups.

Many Guyanese men be-

lieve that sexual overtures are harmless, but the reality is that it can cause both physical and emotional anguish to women and girls. The more serious the nature of the harassment, the more harm will be inflicted on the victims.

Within recent times, the issue of the workplace and how safe it has been for female employees has come full circle, with shocking revelations dominating our international news headlines.

The reality is that females in the workplace have been targets for the criminal acts of sexual abuse and violence in all forms, perpetrated by those who are influential (in management and supervisory positions), the rich and powerful. These incidents have not been recent, but instead have been the source of whispers in the corridors of power and influence wherever they are, with women being seen as fair game for the lascivious gluttony of those in positions of power.

This brings sharply to the fore that we in Guyana can no longer sweep under the rug instances of sexual harassment and sexual vio-

lence in the workplace, or in any other environment for that matter. Sexual harassment of women and girls is a serious problem, and many women/girls in Guyana experience it daily. It is clear that many do not understand their rights, much less how to deal with this problem.

Considering Guyana’s unique ethnic, social and cultural conventions, legislation to define and penalise sexual harassment should be fully explored; it should incorporate appropriate mechanisms for public education on the Sexual Offences Act 2010, and Section 8 of the Prevention of Discrimination Act, Chapter 99:09 about what constitutes sexual harassment, as well as grievance-resolution measures.

Sadly, the workplace as a domain of meaningful endeavours has become an extension of the societal jungle where women have continued to be violated and forced to accept sexual harassment as part and parcel of their employment obligations. We say no more to this form of violence against women!!

Some local companies give crumbs to fellow Guyanese

Dear Editor,

With the ongoing discussion on Local Content policy, it is instructive to note that local companies and individuals need to be brought in line. This is an area that seems to be totally overlooked but needs regulating.

1. A local owned company that is the middleman for employees in the Oil and Gas Sector pays Guyanese who they contract at a flat salary while they work and the time they are home they are not paid - despite proof that the oil company pays. No benefits package is offered.

2. Trinidadians who are hired by the same local company are paid thrice as

much for the same work as their Guyanese counterparts as well as compensated for the off-days.

3. Another local company is hiring Guyanese at $74,000 monthly to work as cooks on the ships while paying the foreigners attractive packages.

4. I have experienced Guyanese consultants instructing foreign companies to pay fellow Guyanese way lower than they intended to with the flimsy excuse that “it’s too much in our economy”.

5. Some Guyanese O&G employees have brought to my attention that one company is demanding that the requisite training - paid for by the oil companies - must be reimbursed to them before they release the

international certification. This particular issue is engaging the attention of Clerical and Commercial Workers’ Union where I recommended they air their grievances.

It’s sad that many who are screaming loudest for Local Content policy - and rightly so - are the ones who are fleecing their fellow Guyanese while also being remunerated for the talent they source, separate to the employees’ remuneration.

Even before O&G was a thing for Guyana, Guyanese have been made to collect the crumbs from many foreign companies whose local directors/consultants have chosen to drastically reduce the compensation packages of these companies to their fellow country-men. In many instances, Guyanese

have also complained that the stench of corruption at the Labour Department has been to their detriment.

It is time that they too be brought in line and be made to treat with Guyanese in a manner that is fair and just. Guyanese also need to understand the importance of a union and its role in their interests and not be “penny wise and pound foolish” while Unions have to be more aggressive in their approach to workers’ rights and representation in an effort to rid themselves of the stain/perception that they’re only about collecting union dues.

Regards Stan Gouveia

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, September 2, 2019

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Private media not exposing the PPP Dear Editor

There should be no surprises surrounding the revelations of fake birth certificates; national identification cards (ID) without source documents and the trucking of non-nationals also in possession of Guyana ID cards into the Lethem Region, for national registration purposes – fraudulent occurrences admitted by those found with such dubious credentials, traced to the Freedom House branch at Lethem.

This exonerates Malcom Haripaul’s revealing letter a few weeks ago in the Guyana Chronicle in which he detailed an account about persons with large numbers of national ID cards driving to select polling stations to carry out what had been clearly fraudulent polling acts.

More significant is the fact, is that the Lethem fraud, exposes full blown what had clearly been known and suspected about reports of PPP/C electoral crookery, but only now finally unearthed, catching the Freedom House dirty tricks department with its pants down.

Significantly, the entire nation, inclusive of even the supporters of the PPP/C will now fully understand, as one is quite certain they always have done, as to the government’s reasons for insisting on the need for a sanitised voter’s list for national elections that are free and fair, and above

board.

But there is also another equally significant, an observation, that is also not surprising.

For a private media that have been effortless in peddling unsubstantiated accusations of rigging against the President Granger – led administration, there has not been, up to this time of writing, any mention of the shameless PPP/C orchestrated act of pre-electoral fraudulent practice at Lethem. Again, Editor, not strange, as to the deafening silence, given the great hypocrisy and politically expedient behaviour of virtually the entire private media. One wonders where is that Stabroek News Page One comment, which flew sparks about rigging on the appointment of the former GECOM chair, retd. Justice James Patterson?

This extends, too, to the Private Sector Commission, the principal business and commerce organisation in Guyana, and a torch bearer and supporter of the treacherous NCM against the government, and of which some of its members began the plot to embarrass the government by way of the hoarding of foreign currency until the erudite Minister of Finance, ended their plan of economic destabilisation.

To these two, must be added some of the most shameless political apologists and distortedness to have ever emerged in any era of this nation’s modern political era:

the Neil Adams, the Rudolph Singhs, the Robin Singhs, just to name a few.

These are the Bharat Jagdeo/Irfaan Ali and PPP/C pen pushers, whose daily swamping of the PPP/C friendly print media, with their brazen white lies, has become a standard for their vulgar attempts at not only whitewashing the criminalities committed against this nation, but also the immoral acts of ethnic discrimination against a section of this nation, which must also include against the very poor working class of other ethnicities, and for seeking to disrespect the impeccable moral credentials of President David Granger.

Editor, since their only discernible reason for such acts of putridity has to do with dishonesty, and not on the practical and objective issues of the nation’s day, one must not expect a condemnation of, or concern for a matter as grave as what has been discovered at Lethem. Make no mistake; these sorry defenders of the PPP/C have taken political whitewashing and immorality to barefacedly new heights in this very interesting period of Guyana’s political existence. They are bad examples to truth, and to the younger segments of this nation. No doubt that the PPP/C still exists in its own backwaters.

It is time, Justice Claudette Singh!

Dear Editor, Having made her observations and having heard the arguments, it is time now to pragmatically follow the rule of law and the Constitution. Her job is not to pander to the politicians on any side but rather to use this opportunity to focus on the greater good of the nation.

I was extremely disappointed in her judgment to merge the last updated National Register of Registrations (the original database) with the data from the House-to-House information (H-2-H). First off, the H-2-H information is polluted, impure and unverified while the original database is cleaner. The hard sciences have taught us that if one adds an impure substance to a pure one, the outcome becomes impure. Logically, we should not expect differently in this case.

To clean the impure data from the H-2-H process will take as much as three months. Firstly, you have to strip it of all the duplicate registrants, then you have to examine it to ensure that only bonafide Guyanese citizens who were not on the original base remain. That entails an ineffective investment of a lot of time, effort and money to arrive at a conclusion that could have been easily complied using the tried and tested Continuous Registration Process and an extended Claims and Objection Period to produce a credible voters list. After all, isn’t that what the majority of Guyanese want? Free and fair elections and one free from fear as soon as possible and in compliance with the Guyana Constitution?

Regards Sasenarine Singh

Regards Mark Dacosta

MARAD officers hurting image of ‘Coalition Gov’t’ Dear Editor, Please permit me a space in your editorial column to express my views in your widely read newspaper. I am businessman who travels regularly from Essequibo to Georgetown and I used the speedboats to transport my goods to and fro.

However, on Thursday 29, August, 2019, about 17:00hrs while the sun was still up and shinning bright, I arrived at the Parika Stelling with my family and my goods which are brought from Georgetown to Essequibo to stock my business for the new school term. My family and I, along with 14 other passengers were on the Parika Stelling, when one of the MARAD representatives namely Charmaine Joseph was standing on the stelling. It caught my attention when there was a Supenaam boat loading which could not have accommodate my load and my family, so I enquired as to the next boat that will be loading for Supenaam and I was told by the operators that they could not have load because the MARAD representative told them that they have to tie their boats

and if they move or load their boat, she will report them and cause them to be grounded.

But during that time as I was standing and enquiring, I saw a boat was loading, namely “Dreams Express” so I decide to ask the Rasta Man who was at the steering wheel where the boat was going and his response was Bartica, to my amazement that boat will take about 90 minutes to arrive at Bartica and Joseph did not offer a single word to those Bartica operators.

It is known that from Parika to Supenaam, it only takes about 25 to 30 minutes, then why are these operator officers being bias? At 17: 5hrs, there were 16 passengers on the stelling, why couldn’t she (Joseph) dispatch a Supenaam boat? Instead, she waited their till the Supenaam operators took their boats to the boat house and moored them.

While standing there, she (Joseph) saw a boat named “Contented Youth” which is an unlicensed boat which was loading, and then she walked off the stelling.

That operator of “Contented Youth” charged each passenger $3,000 per person.

Why couldn’t the boat that is

in the association, of a rightful system load? A boat that pays for a yearly licence and pays tax and contribute to this country’s development are not allowed to work and an unlicensed boat with an uncertified captain is allowed to operate anytime. It looks like we are heading backwards or it pays off to be illegal rather than legal. Without a doubt I think this is something MARAD needs to use their discretion on.

Essequibians are left to wonder what next to do because sometimes you are caught in a traffic jam at the Demerara Harbour Bridge resulting in lateness and when you have arrived at Parika, you have to pay extra just to meet your destination and there are persons who have to reach home to look after their loved ones and there are some who are even bedridden, and some are even singly parents trying to make a honest living and then you have to deal with this situation.

As we were in the boat I spoke to my fellow travelers and this was one of the views from a woman who had her five-year-old grandson with her. She related that both the

child’s parents passed away along with her husband but she is taking care of him and went to the city to purchase goods to sell and provide for herself and the grandson.

What do these people want us to do? Steal or become prostitutes? It only leaves me to wonder if these MARAD officers have a business going on with these unlicensed boats. I only come to this conclusion after what I saw happened, if you are going to stop the legal boats to work who have licence and is certified to operate on the waterways then it leaves me with no other choice but to think that MARAD officers at Parika are corrupt. I am calling on the government and President David Granger to look into the welfare of Essequibians, please bring some relief to this situation, so our fellow travelers can enjoy the good, safe and reliable service offer to us by the PSSA – Parika Supenaam Speed Boat Association). With Guyana soon to start producing oil, it will be a significant growth for tourists entering our beautiful country and for sure they will have access to the speed boat services that are available,

since Guyana is a land of many waters.

Once again the actions of these MARAD officials are only bringing a bad reflection on the government and I am quite sure that this is not the way the government would want it to be. They are only giving

the Essequibians more reasons to see the President and his Cabinet as bad. I plead once more Mr. President, we the travelling public, are appealing to you to look into this matter, urgently.

Regards Concerned commuters

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, September 2, 2019

Straight Up with

Mark Benschop

IMAGINE, for the most part of the 23-year rule of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), they have virtually destroyed every institution, with the sugar and bauxite industries topping that list. So, it is mind- boggling to me that the very Party which has done so much damage to Guyana is suddenly making lots of questionable promises about leading the people to the ‘Promised Land’ where there is milk and honey in abundance.

Let us not forget that it was under the corrupt and despotic PPP regime that sugar workers were given the bitter end of the stick to swallow, while both Presidents Jagdeo and Ramotar, their friends and relatives enjoyed all of the sweetness from the cane. In fact, to put it mildly, they sucked the juice and profit out of the cane, and caused the people to suffer tremendously.

Apart from the horrible political leadership, obvious greed, dishonesty, and massive corruption that led to the destruction of the industry, the union (GAWU), with its visionless and outdated leadership, should also be held responsible for making sugar bitter. The President of

GAWU, Mr. Komal Chand, an unapologetic die-hard PPP, has held on to that position for decades, while using his position to play Communist-like politics with sugar workers.

Mr. Chand was once quoted in a local newspaper as saying, “I have always stood with the workers.

GAWU is a mass organisation; we are not affiliated with the PPP as we were in the mid-70s. I have always stood very firm with the workers; my loyalty first is with the workers...”

To quickly debunk this barefaced lie: The truth is, Komal and the leadership of the PPP have used sugar workers as political pawns for the past 50 years; hence the brainwashing of the people into believing that it is only the PPP and GAWU who were given the ownership title to manage the industry.

Surely Chand’s contribution to the enhancement of the sugar industry prior to 1992 should be seen as something positive. However, I do believe that he has lost most of his energy and commitment to the industry after the PPP was elected into office when he became a Member of Parliament, and a

Director of GUYSCO, under Mr. Ramotar’s presidency.

Again, when we take an objective look at his direct political affiliation with the PPP government, we have sufficient reason to conclude that he must not be excluded from the destruction of sugar. Don’t get me wrong. I know Mr. Chand, and I like him. But after he got a taste of “sweet” power, his mission changed, all in the name of PPP politics, thus creating a conflict of interest, where it was pellucidly clear that he did not have the interest of the workers at heart.

Let’s take a look at the PPP, with a special focus on Jagdeo and Ramotar, and their cruel treatment of sugar workers. Because some of my relatives and friends have worked as ‘cane cutters’ at the Albion, Skeldon, and Rose Hall Estates, I am well aware of how healthy and “sweet” the industry was under Presidents Burnham and Hoyte. Unfortunately, the obstructionists in the PPP applied forms of domestic terrorism within the industry for political gains, and this served to ultimately sabotage the industry.

Sadly, under the PPP, sugar workers were robbed of their dignity, and their

CARICOM...

FROM PAGE 4

(NHC) said that the eye of ‘catastrophic” Hurricane Dorian was over Abacos Islands and “heading with all its fury towards Grand Bahama.

It has maximum sustained winds of 185 miles per hour (mph) and is moving towards the west near seven mph. “A slower westward motion should continue for the next day or two, followed by a gradual turn toward the northwest. On this track, the core of extremely dangerous Hurricane Dorian will continue to pound Great Abaco today and the move near or over Grand Bahama Island tonight and Monday. The hurricane should move closer to the Florida east coast late Monday through Tuesday night,” the NHC said.

It said Dorian is an extremely “dangerous Category 5 hurricane” and that some fluctuations in intensity are likely. “Dorian is expected to remain a catastrophic hurricane during the next few days,” the NHC said, adding that life-threatening storm surge will raise water levels by as much as 18 to 23

feet above normal tide levels in areas of onshore winds on the Abaco Islands and Grand Bahama Island.

“The combination of a dangerous storm surge and the tide will cause normally dry areas near the coast to be flooded by rising waters moving inland from the shoreline. The water could reach the following heights above ground somewhere in the indicated areas if the peak surge occurs at the time of high tide,” the NHC added.

The Barbados-based Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) has sent a team to the Bahamas to coordinate the Regional Response Mechanism (RRM). “CDEMA has maintained a high level of readiness in support of all participating states threatened by Hurricane Dorian. We took a decision to pre-deploy in this instance in view of the threat and after consultation with the Bahamas.

“Being on the ground will allow the regional support to be mobilized immediately after the all clear. CDEMA deeply

Guyanese should not trust Jagdeo and the PPP futures were curtailed as a direct result of Jagdeo and Ramotar, who, during their years in office, wasted billions of dollars by paying hefty salaries to cronies and those who could easily be described as “political parasites”.

In fact, greed and nepotism at GuySuCo was never so high as under the PPP. The disregard and disrespect of workers’ rights was never so high as they were under the PPP. Protests, beatings and the teargassing of sugar workers were the hallmark of the PPP regime. Yep! I was there, interviewing and protesting with the very workers who were forced to beg for their salaries, and for their rights to be respected.

It is widespread public knowledge that the PPP has wasted billions of taxpayers’ dollars, not only on high salaries, but on disreputable ventures such as the construction of a building in Skeldon, which is now a ‘white elephant’. Unfortunately, when the APNU/ AFC coalition took office in 2015, the sugar industry was already locked away in the Intensive Care Unit at Freedom House. Thankfully, President Granger and his government have seen it

fit to ensure that the entire industry is not cremated, as the PPP had intended.

Ok, enough of sugar for now! Let’s talk bauxite. The bauxite industry, like sugar, has been equally important, and in all honesty, it was the backbone of Guyana in the late 1960s, 70s and 80s. As most of you would recall, when the PPP was busy inciting its members to burn the cane-fields and destroy the industry in order to sabotage the PNC, and by extension the entire country, bauxite ensured that all 750,000 Guyanese were fed three meals a day.

Sadly, as with sugar, when the PPP got into office, the bauxite industry was made to suffer in the name of political spite and vindictiveness. Some may argue that it was not just politics but race which played a vital role in exacting revenge against the people of Region 10, a stronghold of the People’s National Congress (PNC).

Also, under the PPP, scores of bauxite workers who protested were beaten, shot at by the police, and locked up, just for standing up for their rights. These hardworking people (just like the sugar workers) were

appreciates the support of the government of the United Kingdom to the Regional Response Mechanism.” said CDEMA executive director, Ronald Jackson.

CDEMA said it had deployed two rapid needs assessment teams including representatives of the CDEMA participating states of Antigua and Barbuda, the Turks and Caicos Islands as well as the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC), the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA), the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), Port Managers Association of the Caribbean (PMAC), the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA), the University of the West Indies (UWI) and the World Food Programme (WFP).

“This deployment is in direct response to a request from the Commonwealth of the Bahamas. The rapid needs assessment teams are expected to support assessments on the family islands most impacted by Dorian in the aftermath of the event. The teams will support the government of the Bahamas in rapidly assessing the damage from the hurricane and in prioritizing needs,’ CDEMA said.

treated worse than ‘strays’.

Here is a quick example: In early 2002, the people of Kwakwani, Linden and Ituni were badly treated by Jagdeo and his minions in the PPP while protesting for their rights to be respected, and to be treated with dignity. The PPP regime not only ignored their concerns, but, during a peaceful protest, some were beaten, shot at, locked-up, and a few were killed at the then Office of the President, in the presence of some top-level PPP officials, who stood idly by and watched as the trigger-happy Presidential Guards used excessive force on the hapless people.

So, in a nutshell, the PPP, with all of its overnight promises for the next five years, is nothing more than pack of liars, as all they have in mind is just one thing: Votes. After all, during their years in office, they took Guyana to the opposite side of the ‘Promised Land’ where there was no milk, much less honey, but plenty of bitterness, starvation, discrimination, corruption, and all forms of brutalities.

Hence, without any hesitation, Guyanese should never trust Jagdeo and the PPP again. Never!

Democratic National Congress wants Jagdeo barred from participating in upcoming elections Dear Editor, The Democratic National Congress wishes to inform Guyanese that we have filed an official letter with the Guyana Elections Commission requesting that Bharrat Jagdeo be barred from participating in the upcoming national elections, and from holding public office in the future.

Regards Craig Sylvester

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, September 2, 2019

Harmon delivers on promise –– secures boat for Aliki schoolchildren

DIRECTOR-General of the Ministry of the Presidency, Joseph Harmon, on Sunday, visited the village of Aliki, Essequibo IslandsWest Demerara (Region Three), where he delivered on his promise to provide a school boat for the learners in the area.

The Director-General also handed over 100 pairs of school shoes to the Headmaster of the Aliki Primary School, Ganesh Dugan.

During a meeting with the Director General and the Minister of Business,

boat was handed over to the Headmaster, Harmon said that the David Granger- led administration sees education and access to education as a national priority and would therefore do what is necessary to ensure that barriers, which prevent students from getting to school, are removed.

“I am delighted to be here to deliver on the commitment which we made when we were here in June. We wanted to ensure that the children can get to school and get so on time,” the Director-Gen-

take, will be dependent on an educated nation and we have to start by ensuring that our children get to school. We have made that commitment to get children to school. So, the delivery of this boat is consistent with the promise, which our President made to ensure our children are in school and they can get to school,” he explained.

The boat was donated by Tulsi Persaud, a businessman from the neighbouring village of Lanaballi.

The Director-General said he is pleased that cor-

Director-General of the Ministry of the Presidency, Joseph Harmon; donor of the boat, Tulsi Persaud; and students of the Aliki Primary School.

Haimraj Rajkumar, on June 30, 2019, residents made a request for a school boat. The Director-General subsequently promised the residents that the boat will be delivered to the community in time for the commencement of the new school term in September.

In addressing the residents at the Aliki Primary School, minutes after the

eral told the residents present.

He noted that education is a high priority for President David Granger and his administration.

“Since we came into office in 2015, every year, the budget for education has increased because we recognise that the development of this country, the leaps and bounds which we will have to

porate Guyana, as well as individuals, are coming forward to aid the Government in its mission of ensuring that every child across Guyana is able to attend school.

“We believe that if the government sets a framework, that the private businesses and individuals can make a contribution within that framework for the de-

velopment of the country and in this case, the development of our children. This is the kind of corporate social responsibility we talk about, where people recognise that they can give back to their communities,” Harmon said.

He said while the government establishes policies, it is the private sector that drives development in the country.

He also called on the community, the parents, teachers and village leaders to ensure that the boat is used for its intended purpose and taken care of.

“The boat is there to serve the children so I would ask that special attention be placed on how it is used. It is for the children. It is not to be used for recreation and other uses. Let it be for the children, who have to go to school,” he said.

Meanwhile, Persaud, in an invited comment, said that as a child, born and raised in a riverine community, he had to paddle to get to school every day. Persaud told the gathering that he had long taken note of the ‘Boats, Buses and Bicycles’ initiative by the President, and when the request for assistance was made by the Director-General, he responded in the affirmative almost immediately.

Persaud disclosed that in the coming weeks, he will be handing over two more boats to serve the students in Lanaballi, Bonasika and surrounding communities.

Meanwhile, Dugan, in his remarks, thanked the Director General, the government and Persaud for their commitment to the community. He noted that the boat will go a long way in ensuring that children get to school.

Director-General Joseph Harmon hands over the boxes of school shoes to Headmaster of the Aliki Primary School, Ganesh Dugan.

“I cannot tell you the joy ensure that it is taken care I am feeling, and so on behalf of because it is in our best of our school, our teachers interests. We will also use it and our children, I wish to for the purpose it has been say thank you. You have given to the community for,” done a good thing here for he promised. us,” Dugan said.

Meanwhile, following a A resident, Roy Creigh- request for internet connecton, also expressed his grati- tivity in the area, Harmon tude as he gave the assurance informed the residents that that the residents will ensure the National Data Managethat the boat is well taken ment Authority (NDMA) care of. has already started work in “You had made promis- the village. es to the community and I The system, he said, would say that once someone will be up and running by can stand to their words, the end of 2019. The Directhose are good people be- tor General was accompacause you gave us their word nied by Regional Executive and today you are back to Officer of Region Three, fulfil those promises and we Jennifer Ferreira-Dougal. must applaud that. We would (MoTP)

Regional workshop makes advances in methodology for public spending on climate change THE Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) says advances on the basic elements to build a methodology that identifies public spending on climate change was one of the outcomes of a regional workshop conducted with the Ministry of Finance of Chile, regional and international institutions, and the governments of Latin America and the Caribbean.

The Washington-based financial institution said the workshop that ended on Thursday addressed the issue of budgetary classification of public expenditures to ad-

dress climate change. “There were coincidences that this methodology should be consistent with the accounting and statistical classification systems for international use, and also contribute to the consistency of public financing with Objectives of the Paris Agreement,” the IDB said.

It said its objective, through its NDC Invest® platform, is “to join forces with the countries of the region and with international institutions, to respond to the need for an integrated methodology for identifying and classifying expenditures on

climate actions, because better public spending represents better economic development opportunities for the region.”

The IDB said the workshop highlighted its support for countries in the implementation of their national commitments under the Paris Agreement, “particularly in a key year like this when Chile and the region will host COP25, which will take place in Santiago this December.”

“Climate change imposes great challenges for the economic and social development of our region,” the IDB said. In December 2015, it said the international

community defined the main response framework to this threat, the Paris Agreement, within which countries submit Nationally Determined Contributions, or NDCs, for their acronym in English.

The IDB said the NDCs “recapitulate national efforts to stabilize average temperature increases below 2°C. “That target represents a threshold that must be respected to avoid the strongest impacts of climate change, in terms of the magnitude of its impacts on society and natural resources,” it said.

“Achieving the objectives of the Paris Agreement rep-

resents an economic and technical challenge that requires great planning and economic and social considerations.”

Latin America and the Caribbean is among the most vulnerable regions to the negative effects of climate change – according to the Global Climate Risk Index 2015, several Latin American countries are among those most affected by extreme weather events. “This vulnerability leads to anticipate important consequences for the future,” the IDB said, pointing to studies that show that economic costs by 2050

could be between 1.5 percent and 5.0 percent of regional gross domestic product (GDP).

“Given the serious current impacts of climate change in the region and the risks that this entails in the future, as well as the opportunities to increase investment and improve the quality of life of the population through a low-carbon and more resilient economy, it is essential to establish climate expenditures among the most important issues in the current debates on fiscal expenditures,” the IDB said.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, September 2, 2019

Children and personal hygiene

GUYANA is so hot that even during the rainy season some people bathe two, sometimes three times per day. Usually, children are happy when they are sent to bathe, so they can cool down their skin. On the other hand, there are some children who will cut corners when it comes to personal hygiene: and if parents do not stay on their trail they will profess to have brushed their teeth and bathed their skin when they have done neither.

Parents might call them nasty and even want to beat them for not taking their personal hygiene seriously or for lying. However, some children fail to see the benefits that are derived from these daily procedures. For them the routines are monotonous and boring and even bothering to apply deodorant can be a massive distraction from what they consider to

be ‘more important things’ to be getting on with at any given time.

Some aspects of child development need a little help more than others so it is a good idea for adults to talk to children about personal hygiene while they are young.

For instance, when they are bathing parents should teach them to wash their bodies properly; paying attention to under their arms, genital and anal areas. These incubated areas can be breathing grounds for bacteria and should be kept clean. They should dry their bodies thoroughly when done. Underwear must be changed every day and even twice a day after playing sports or physical activity.

When introduced in the right way, these habits will become a natural lifelong practice rather than a tiresome chore. Children need to be taught about germs and how

easily they can be spread. A basic thing such as washing hands after using the bathroom is essential. Little boys especially have a tendency to skip this important practice and rush back to whatsoever they were doing beforehand.

Hand washing, preferably always with soap, can ward off illnesses and help children to stay healthy. Because children cannot see the germs, they do not understand the importance of keeping their hands clean. They will only understand the logic behind the action, if an adult takes the time to explain.

Hand-washing should take place after using the toilet; playing in the yard, before eating and when children come home from school.

It is surprising how far germs can travel from a sneeze or a cough: children should cover their mouths and wash their hands after coughing or sneezing. Why

run the risk of spreading viruses among children when illnesses can be prevented by teaching them a little knowhow and by taking some extra care. So often adults say, ‘Cover your mouth’ to a coughing child, but they should explain that it is not only a polite thing to do but also the best way to prevent the spreading of germs.

Maintaining a good level of personal hygiene helps children to build better self-awareness and promotes a positive sense of well-being.

Clean hair, clean bodies and clean clothes will help children to feel good about their appearance and boost their confidence.

Children should brush their teeth at least twice a day and especially before going to bed at night and after meals if possible. If a child has persistent bad breath it could be due to a number of reasons including gum infection or

infected, inflamed tonsils.

Parents must seek professional advice in this case: it is not the fault of the child but could be a matter that needs attention.

Fingernails are the perfect place for harbouring germs in the adventurous world of childhood; they should, therefore, be kept trim and clean.

Adults can teach children how to use a nail clipper and nail file and make the exercise a fortnightly/monthly enjoyable routine. Once children are taught these seemingly small practices, they will understand how they influence their overall good health, their deportment and general appearance.

Personal hygiene becomes even more important as children approach adolescence. During adolescence their bodies start to change physically and psychologically. A reasonable standard of hygiene must be maintained

in order for them to stave off sickness and infections.

High perspiration is common among pre-adolescents and teenagers but it is better to provide a good antiperspirant that will prevent perspiration, rather than a deodorant that only masks the smell.

Adults must do their best not to embarrass children about their body odours or lack of cleanliness during this transitional phase of their lives. Children need to be guided; some more than others. Try to provide all the toiletries that teenagers need to keep fresh and to stay clean along with a level of patience and understanding. If you are concerned about the welfare of a child call the CPA hotline on 227 0979 or write to us at childcaregy@gmail.com A MESSAGE FROM THE CHILDCARE AND PROTECTION AGENCY, MINISTRY OF SOCIAL PROTECTION

October 21, 2016…

A defining moment for all of Region 9 – looking back on a very rewarding political career with Phillip Duncan

By Vanessa Braithwaite IT WAS only on October 21, 2016 that Lethem became a town. To the newly-sworn-in Council, the residents and other officials, this was a prestigious achievement for Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo). For Phillip Duncan, however, a man who can be considered a chief cornerstone in the Rupununi District, it was the realisation of a dream he had 55 years ago, and for him the joys of the declaration of township sank in a little deeper.

The 76-year-old community leader, who, through his many political titles, selfless service, spotless reputation and plain old love in his heart, is described as a political father of yesteryear and an earlier catalyst for change in the Region Nine district.

It was at that very defining moment that Duncan did not regret being brave enough to respectfully decline the request of his service as a Member of Parliament by former President Linden Forbes

Burnham in 1964. He was only 21 years old at the time.

In reminiscing on the start of a very fulfilling and satisfying political career, Duncan said that he had no idea what he was going to do, but just couldn’t say no. “I didn’t know what it was to be a Member of Parliament. They just said, ‘Phillip come; we want you to be Member of Parliament.’ I didn’t even know the date I was born at that time, because the Roman Catholics used to have a baptismal paper, but that was not sufficient to say well you were born on this date. But most of my struggle is that I didn’t know English well; it wasn’t my first language,” he reflected. It was President Burnham who brought him to reality on how important his new appointment was.

“He said to me, ‘Parliament is a High Court of Guyana; it makes laws and amends laws. You are a member of that Court.’ I didn’t know the importance, but I had to fall into the system,” Duncan related.

FIRST THINGS FIRST

Mr. Phillip Duncan and his wife of 53 years

Mr. Duncan was the only Indigenous MP at that time, and rather than focus on his limitations, he used his strengths to help his people.

His first goal was to perfect his English so that he can raise at the level of the National Assembly the issues and concerns of his fellow Wapishan Peoples, and by the same token translate for political figures what his people were saying during community meetings in Region Nine.

Knowing that he was not in possession of a real birth certificate, Duncan pursued a verification process to ascertain his date of birth. He also began to do the same for his fellow Indigenous brothers and sisters who were in the

same predicament as he.

Being a servant of his community brought him high praise and many rewards.

And in 1966, he was appointed Parliamentary Secretary for Amerindian Affairs.

Some seven years later, he was appointed Minister of State for Region Nine, and no sooner had he settled down at that job than he was made Minister of Amerindian Affairs. That was in 1977.

He feels the thing that helped him reach the pinnacle of his political career the most was his coming to realise that service to the people came first.

WITHOUT FEAR OR FAVOUR

His mission was to represent the residents of Region Nine, and he did so without fear or favour, even though he grew up at a time when tribal rivalry was encouraged.

He pushed for the development of the Region at many forums, and says that he is finally seeing progress at the doorstep of his people, with the APNU-AFC Government.

“There is progress with APNU-AFC,” the veteran politician said. “We see roads building; health centres. The training of Amerindian personnel; the efforts being made to identify Amerindian Lands, and of cohesion, so that we can live as One Nation.”

And while there is so much more to be achieved where the issue of Amerindian land titling and other privileges that are democratically theirs are concerned, he is optimistic that they will be achieved once the current administration is at the helm of the government. “There are a lot of things to be straightened,” Mr. Duncan said, “but it cannot be straightened in one day or one year. It would

take years.”

THE QUIET LIFE Now that he is retired, Mr. Duncan says, he is beginning to enjoy the quiet life in Lethem with his wife of 53 years. He is also into spreading the Word of God, and serves as a Commissioner of Oaths and Affidavits.

A former member of the Rupununi Rehabilitation Committee and the Board of Directors of the Guyana School of Agriculture, Mr. Duncan is also a National Awardee, having been conferred the Golden Arrow of Achievement (A.A.).

Looking back on a life of service not only as a politician but as a son of the soil, he is urging other Amerindian youths to make themselves available for service. Though they may not have all the qualifications, he believes that it is the genuine desire to serve that matters. “I went without knowing what it meant to be a representative of the people, but I was able to represent, because I loved what I was doing,” he said.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, September 2, 2019

Calls for full implementation of building codes ... homeowners urge greater monitoring of contractors

By Tamica Garnett

MORE than seven years after the initiative, entitled ‘National Building Codes’(NBC), was launched, buildings, particularly in the Housing Sector, continue to be erected with little or no supervision from the authorities.

The initiative, often referred to as the code,is expected to guide architects and contractors on the design and construction of buildings. As such it focuses on fire safety, use and occupancy, electrical, plumbing, use of Guyanese hardwoods in construction, concrete and block masonry, structural steel, high rise buildings, foundations and excavations, and design and construction of septic tanks and associated secondary treatment and disposal systems.

But from all indication, the National Building Code is not in full effect. Contractors building residential homes, for the most part, are unregulated.

Such deficiency exists at a time when Guyana continues to experience an increasing demand for housing with the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CHPA) currently tackling a backlog of over 25,000 applications for house lots. For many there is no greater feeling than owning their own home.

“It’s a really nice feeling of accomplishment and going there from day one when you were looking at just mud on the ground and now you have a whole building there, you feel so accomplished, you feel like I’ve done this,” testifies Wasim Khan, who built his home between 2015 and 2016.

Though he has a success story to tell, Khan said he is all too aware of the many horror stories told by home-owners whose buildings were poorly constructed.

Khan’s contractor was a family member who was recommended to him. “I didn’t feel like I needed a contract, but looking back it’s risky.

With how the industry is going I think a contract is something important because I’ve heard 101 horror stories about contractors and persons who had to change contractors,” Khan told Guyana Chronicle.

Noting that the Housing Sector should be monitored, Khan suggested that contractors should be registered under a single authority.

Marketing of contractors, in Guyana, happens largely by word of mouth, with consumers rarely using contracts, or questioning the contractors’ qualifications. Some consumers pay the price when they are left with shoddy work.

Many complainants end up at the Consumer and Competitions Affairs Commission (CCAC), hopeful for some

Consumer Affairs Officer, Feyona Austin-Paul redress for the poor work done by contractors.

As a result of increasing complaints, the CCAC in 2018 launched a ‘Homebuilders Roadmap,’ marking the start of the compilation of a document that would answer many questions, and direct home builders as they pursue their dream of building their home. The roadmap is almost completed.

“We are about three-quarter way completion, so we’re expecting that to be finished at least by the end of the year.

We’re hoping to have a physical copy and a virtual online copy. When the groundwork is completed, we do hope to have it online. We want to create this interactive website so people can go there, and have access to all the steps when they’re building their home.

If not this year then early next year we hope to launch it online,” explains Consumer Affairs Officer, Feyona Austin-Paul.

The roadmap will cover six phases, walking the consumer through from land acquisition all the way to construction. “We have had complaints from persons, who built, not only homes, but just did some sort of construction, and it is some sort of shoddy construction and we realise that consumers don’t have all the knowledge,” Austin-Paul told this newspaper.

“We realise that this is something that is lacking in Guyana, and we realise a lot of times when people hire these contractors, the contractors are not recognised. They’re just somebody who was recommended by somebody, and that person is not qualified in the area and you have a whole lot of complaints with the work not being done appropriately,” she added.

CCAC is mandated to protect consumers’ interest in accordance with the Consumer Affairs Act of 2011. The roadmap hopes to eliminate problems consumers encounter in the process, which in some cases can be considered extremely dangerous or life threatening.

Nonetheless, even when it

GNBS Public Relations Officer Lloyd David goes into existence, the roadmap will not address all of the challenges being experienced in the Housing Sector. It will not address Guyana’s lack of an effective licensing or monitoring system for contractors and other service providers.

This deficiency, however, is not so much about the need for more policies but rather the need for more enforcement.

Though launched in 2012 by the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS), the code is not being enforced.

“There is no agency monitoring the building codes. They are currently just voluntary, some contractors and builders follow the requirements, but they are not obligated to because there is currently no agency monitoring them. But it is good if they follow the codes and do what is required to improve their activities, or outcome of the construction,” GNBS Public Relations Officer, Lloyd David explained.

According to David, the Bureau establishes standards but is not responsible for the monitoring of buildings during their construction phase. The “National Building Codes” speak to the creation of a “National Building Code Committee” and a “Sub-committee – Enforcement” but there are no such committees in place.

“The Bureau realises that there is a gap there because there is great need for some institution or agency to monitor the codes. Enforcement, registration, licensing all of that is addressed in the building code but there is still need for that authority to be established to monitor all of that,” David said.

He said the establishment of a monitoring agency would require directive from the subject minister. GNBS falls under the Ministry of Business, headed by Minister of Business Haimraj Rajkumar.

The code was established to “provide an efficient and effective system for granting building permits, administering building matters and resolving building disputes”, as well as to “facilitate uniformity in the education, training and qualifications of building

practitioners and the recognition of qualification.”

For Althea Thegg, if such a system, as outlined in the NBC, was in effect she probably would have been spared the horrifying experience of witnessing her home collapse.

A young professional, Thegg was filled with joy at the thought of one day owning her own home, and began to see that dream take shape in 2017 when she began construction in Phase Two, Farm Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara.

But her story had no happy ending; Thegg became widespread news when she posted pictures on her social media page of her home crumbling to pieces. At the time, it was more than 90 per cent completed.

Watching her home and ultimately her dream crumble, Thegg compared the feeling to that of losing a loved one.

“I think I met my lowest point on that day. It was like the way how I felt when I lost my mother that is how I felt like everything was over for me, done with, this was the end. Knowing that you worked so hard, you have reached so far, you have achieved something, you were about to move into this home and it just all went away in the blink of an eye, but God is the one has me standing here, I didn’t run mad and I thank him,” Thegg testified.

Thegg is currently still wrapped up in legal proceedings in her attempt to get com-

The Farm Housing Scheme Phase II home of Althea Thegg in 2017, before and after it began to crumble to pieces pensation from the contractor.

She was forced to tear down the entire property, and today the land remains empty even as Thegg continues to pay her mortgage.

She still hopes, as she did in 2017, that her story could effect a change in the system, and other home builders could be spared the nightmare she endured.

“We need systems in place that would prevent these crookish contractors out there

from getting jobs and destroying people’s lives,” she said.

“I think all contractors, especially those who are doing residential buildings should be certified or licensed and if he or she does not have a license to build the commercial banks, who are lending these monies, they also should get involved, they should say to the customer if the contractor does not have a license we cannot issue this loan,” Thegg opined.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, September 2, 2019

Indigenous Heritage Month launched!

Amid a rich cultural display, Indigenous Month 2019 was launched

by President David Granger on Sunday at the Indigenous Village under the theme ‘Maintaining traditional practices while promoting a green economy.’

Below are scenes from the ceremonial launch.

Persons viewing craft at a booth at the 2019 Indigenous Village

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo (second from right) greets Guyanese and non-nationals as he takes a stroll around the Heritage Village. He is accompanied by his wife, Sita Nagamootoo (right); The Surama Cultural Group performing a dance during the Ministers of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Sydney Allilaunch of Indigenous Heritage Month cock (left) and Valerie Garrido-Lowe (second from left)

Patrons enjoying the Indigenous Village which opened on Sunday at the Sophia Exhibition Centre

A patron tries out a feathered Indigenous headband at the Heritage Village

A family strikes a pose at the Indigenous Village Photos by Samuel Maughn

Cheap fuel can be provided without local refinery DIRECTOR, Department of Energy, Dr. Mark Bynoe, on Saturday said that with the advent of first oil, cheap fuel can be provided without a local refinery, noting that the possibility of a refinery has not been completely ruled out.

Dr. Bynoe was at the time speaking to 200 men at the Men’s Regional Convention organised by the Restoration Temple A.O.G., in New York, in collaboration with the Mocha Church of the Nazarene, according to a statement from the Department of Energy.

In his address at the gathering, Dr Bynoe said that his Department will only pursue evidence-based decision making, which he said will lead to prudent, non-regrettable investments.

“We have never said that there will never be a refinery. At this time a refinery is not feasible… I think what most people are conflating is not if a refinery should come to shore, it’s whether or not we should have cheap fuel. A refinery doesn’t mean cheap fuel or the absence of a refinery doesn’t mean

that you will not have cheap fuel, cheap fuel is a policy decision and there are many ways by which you can ultimately have cheap fuel… I cannot advise my Minister to pursue an investment down a rabbit hole. What the Department is concerned about is what we call ‘no-regrets investment’. When you invest today, you must not regret tomorrow… it must be monies that are well spent,” Dr. Bynoe is quoted as saying.

Additionally, he said, the industry must be managed to the benefit of all Guyanese.

“We are accountable first and foremost to the people of Guyana. These resources are not Bynoe’s resources; these resources do not belong to the President of Guyana; they belong to Guyanese… and the minute we stop the distinguishing about ethnicity, the better it will be for all Guyanese,” Dr. Bynoe said in the release.

It said that during the interactive session, participant Mr. Dornnel McFarlane said as a Communications student at the University of Guyana, he now has a better

President David Granger (on podium) reviews the Guard-of-Honour, alongside Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo (left); Ministers of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Sydney Allicock (second from right) and Valerie Garrido-Lowe (right)

―Energy Director tells Men’s forum understanding of the role that he can play in the development of the oil and gas sector.

“I recognise that through the media which has a very important role to play in changing our landscape for the transformation of Guyana. I can play a very integral role in disseminating information that is very objective, that will lead to truth and confidence and that will surely show the real picture. Another thing that stood out to me is that the contracts [are] not as bad as they seem. How Dr. Bynoe explained the contracts, I recognise that it’s really and truly moving Guyana forward,” he said.

As Guyana swiftly advances towards oil production early next year, the Department of Energy is continuing to spearhead interactive sessions, targeting a wide cross section of persons, to keep them informed about developments in the petroleum sector.

The Convention was held at the Ramada Hotel, East Bank Demerara.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, September 2, 2019

‘Do better’

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– Min. Lawrence charges Reg. 1 health facilities’ staff

MINISTER of Public Health, Volda Lawrence, during a four-day visit to the Barima-Waini District, challenged healthcare personnel there to improve the efficiency of service delivery in the region.

Minister Lawrence said while the hospitals, health centres and health posts, in the region, are operating at acceptable standards, there is still the potential to raise the level of healthcare delivery.

Visiting the region for a period of five days (August 2731), the Public Health Minister and her team, which included Director of Regional and Clinical Services, Dr. Kay Shako, took a hands-on approach to

and recommendations were made for improvements specific to each facility, catering to the needs of the population each serves.

Minister Lawrence emphasised that staff in the Public Health Sector play an important role in ensuring persons’ access to health services.

“The people that come through these doors, they come because they have nowhere else to go. You are their only hope, we are their only hope… the least we can do is do better,” Minister Lawrence told the healthcare workers.

In terms of infrastructural development for the sector, she noted that there is much to be done. PAHO/WHO has

Minister of Public Health, Volda Lawrence, and her team engage in a discussion with staff of the Kumaka District Hospital in the Moruca Sub Region ensure persons in the Barima-Waini District have access to quality healthcare.

Also accompanying the high-level medical team was PAHO/WHO Representative, Dr. William Adu-Krow.

The team visited the Kumaka District Hospital, Kwebanna Health Post, Mabaruma Regional Hospital, White Water Health Centre, Port Kaituma Hospital, Sebai Health Post, Pakera District Hospital and Baramita Health Centre.

Regional Health Officer (ag), Dr. Latchmie Lall, guided the visiting team, and highlighted the challenges being experienced with the Regional Democratic Council (RDC).

He reported that some regional health projects and programmes are delayed as a result of the RDC. The visit to each health facility encouraged discussions

pledged continued support to the ministry in its efforts to ensure that health facilities in outlying areas receive the necessary attention needed for quality healthcare to be delivered.

“Whenever I come to these regions, I usually stay central and deal with the RHOs but this is the first time I’m coming out and actually seeing things. Your Minister has brought PAHO along and if there is any way your facility can benefit from PAHO’s assistance please feel free to let me know,” Dr. Adu-Krow said.

Urgent interventions needed, as identified during the visit, will be added to the region’s health budget proposal for 2020. However, there were some matters that were reviewed and rectified immediately. The health team was

Minister of Public Health, Volda Lawrence, and PAHO/WHO Representative, Dr. William Adu-Krow, inspect stocks of drugs in a hospital (DPI Photos)

particularly pleased to note that there was no shortage of medical drugs and staff members were encouraged to monitor the consumption of medicines and to request new stocks promptly.

Similar visits are scheduled for other hinterland villages in Regions 2, 7, 8 and 9. Riverine communities in other regions are also being targeted.

Minister of Public Health, Volda Lawrence, interacts with one of the staff of the Mabaruma Regional Hospital

14

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, September 2, 2019

New Amsterdam Primary gets breakfast programme

AS the new academic year commences, parents, students and

teachers alike are looking forward to the introduction of a breakfast

programme at the New Amsterdam Primary School.

Minister of Education, Dr. Nicolette Henry engaging parents and students Beginning today, scores of children from the school will, for the first time, benefit from free hot meals to begin their day. This forms part of President David Granger’s 5Bs initiative which is designed to ensure children have every tool necessary for optimum school attendance.

Making the announcement was Minister of Education, Dr. Nicolette Henry, who underscored the government’s commitment to ensuring every child is in school and equipped to learn.

“This effort here, though it might appear simple, it is important

because we want to put the children at the centre of what we do,” Minister Henry explained.

In engaging parents in Angoy’s Avenue, New Amsterdam, Minister Henry said that all the resources poured into the programme will also increase students’ performance as seen with the recent historical 73 per cent pass rate at the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations, the highest in the Caribbean.

“As parents, I’m asking you to ensure that your children are prepared for school and that you give your children the

support that is needed so that they can go to school, they can perform and they can excel,” she added.

Children nationwide continue to benefit from several programmes through the 5Bs initiative which provides buses, boats, bicycles, books and breakfast free of cost.

President Granger believes that ensuring quality, equitable and free education for all will develop all sectors in Guyana.

The programme comes at the start of Education Month 2019, appropriately themed ‘Education: Key to National Development.’

(DPI)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, September 2, 2019

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Persaud scores ...

From page 23

a seventh place qualifying in group two on inferior rubber, was able to acquire ‘grippier’ tyres before race one.

The advantage gained by the new rubber was exponential, moving from seventh to fourth before half of the first lap was complete.

He continued to claw his way up the field to second before car troubles eventually forced him out of the race.

Despite his engine trouble, Rameez’s car was obviously one of the fastest group two cars on the track which will be a positive for him moving forward.

He said, “That’s how racing is sometimes. The car felt great before it breaks but that’s just how it happens.

When we get back home we will check to see what’s the problem.

TROUBLESOME WEEKEND FOR JEFFREY If Guyana’s problems were mechanical, then Kristian Jeffrey was Guy-

American Racing Tips Saratoga Race 1 Doswell Race 2 Mo Diddley Race 3 Spinning Kitten Race 4 Curlin Road Race 5 Zap Daddy Race 6 Gouverneur Morris Race 7 Rhode Island

anese to the bone.

No faster had he fixed his small problem yesterday than it returned on Sunday.

Starting sixth, he moved up to fourth, ending there.

In the second race, which featured a reverse qualifying grid, Jeffrey suffered gear problems from the start, having a poor start after the car would not go into first gear.

When he finally got going, after falling back to seventh, Jeffrey carefully cut through the pack up to fifth before the issue again stepped in, ensuring that he could not challenge for any other places.

In the third race, the issues would prove too much for the young Jeffrey who did not start.

The team will return home today.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, September 2, 2019

Windies seeking miracle at Sabina to save second Test

KINGSTON, Jamaica, (CMC) – Exemplary seamer Kemar Roach narrow missed out on a hat-trick but beleaguered West Indies were left needing a virtual miracle on today’s penultimate day in order to escape another heavy defeat to India, in the final Test at Sabina Park.

Set a mammoth 468 for victory, the home side lost both openers Kraigg Brathwaite (3) and John Campbell (16) cheaply to stumble to the close of Sunday’s third day on 45 for two, still requiring a further 423 runs for victory.

West Indies’ highest successful run chase in Tests is 418, achieved 16 years ago in Antigua against Australia.

Much will depend on experienced left-hander Darren Bravo who was unbeaten on 18, while Shamarh Brooks, in only his second Test, was not out on four.

India had earlier declared their second innings on 168 for four, thanks to half-centuries from Ajinkya Rahane (64 not out) and Hanuma Vihari (53 not out), the pair posting 111 in an unbroken fifth wicket stand to snuff the fight out of West Indies.

Rahane struck eight fours and a six off 109 deliveries while Vihari, who notched his maiden hundred in the first innings, counted eight fours in a 76-ball knock.

Yet again, Roach was the outstanding bowler for the hosts, claiming three for 28 from 10 overs to overtake legendary former speedster Sir Wes Hall and assume ninth place on the list of Windies all-time wicket-takers with 193 scalps.

West Indies always faced a tall order after resuming the day on 87 for seven and quickly found themselves facing a first innings deficit of 299 after they were rolled over for 117, 1-¼ hours into the morning session.

Debutant Rahkeem Cornwall, unbeaten on four at the start, added just 10 before failing to keep down a short one from pacer Mohammed Shami and fending a catch to Rahane running around from gully in the morning’s fifth over.

Wicketkeeper Jahmar Hamilton (5) struggled to score and managed only a single run in the first hour after resuming on two, as the Windies reached reached the first drinks break on 115 for eight.

He lasted just three balls after the resumption before stabbing at a wide ball from seamer Ishant Sharma and giving Virat Kohli an easy catch at third slip.

Roach tried to entertain

with three fours in his 17 off 31 balls but was last out when he drove left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja to Mayank Agarwal at cover.

Left with nine overs at India before lunch, Roach once again proved the hero for the Windies, trapping Agarwal lbw for four, 20 minutes before the interval as the visitors crawled to 16 for one.

Afterwards, India struggled to score with 20 runs trickling from the first 11 overs, as the combination of off-spinner Cornwall and speedster Shannon Gabriel kept KL Rahul (6) and Cheteshwar Pujara (27) shackled.

However, the game suddenly sprang to life with the first hour approaching when Roach removed Rahul and Kohli in successive deliveries in his sixth over, to reduce India to 36 for three.

First, he ended Rahul’s 63ball labour when he found the edge of the right-hander’s defensive push, for wicketkeeper Hamilton to complete the catch moving to his right.

And off the very next delivery, West Indies were in jubilation when Kohli edged a defensive stroke off one that held its line, giving the keeper a regulation catch.

Roach nearly claimed the hat-trick when Rahane almost played on first ball, the ball narrowly missing the stumps off the inside edge en route to the fine leg boundary.

With Rahul’s wicket, Roach drew level with Sir Wes on 192 wickets before going past his fellow Barbadian with Kohli’s scalp.

India were in further strife when pacer Jason Holder removed Pujara to a catch at third slip by Brooks at 57 for four but Rahane and Vihari guided their side to tea at 73 without further loss, before dominating afterwards.

When the declaration came 71 minutes after tea, a demoralised West Indies quickly found themselves in trouble when the woefully out-ofform Kraigg Brathwaite edged a defensive prod at seamer Ishant and was taken behind in the third over with the score on nine.

His left-handed partner John Campbell, dropped on 11 at first slip by Vihari off Ishant two overs later, made little of the reprieve when he was well taken at third slip

by Kohli in the eighth over, injudiciously throwing his bat at one from Shami.

SCORECARD INDIA 1st Innings 416 West Indies 1st Innings (overnight 87 for seven) K Brathwaite c wkp Pant b Bumrah 10 J Campbell c wkp Pant b Bumrah 2 D Bravo c Rahul b Bumrah 4 S Brooks lbw b Bumrah 0 R Chase lbw b Bumrah 0 S Hetmyer b Shami 34 *J Holder c sub (Rohit Sharma) b Bumrah 18 +J Hamilton c Kohli b Sharma 5 R Cornwall c Rahane b Shami 14 K Roach c Agarwal b Jadeja 17 S Gabriel not out 0 Extras: (b8, lb5) 13 TOTAL: (all out, 47.1 overs) 117 Fall of wickets: 1-9 (Campbell), 2-13 (Bravo), 3-13 (Brooks), 4-13 (Chase), 5-22 (Brathwaite), 6-67 (Hetmyer), 7-78 (Holder), 8-97 (Cornwall), 9-117 (Hamilton), 10-117 (Roach) Bowling: Ishant 10.5-3-24-1, Bumrah 12.1-3-27-6, Shami 13-334-2, Jadeja 11.1-7-19-1.

India 2nd Innings KL Rahul c wkp Hamilton b Roach 6 M Agarwal lbw b Roach 4 C Pujara c Brooks b Holder 27 *V Kohli c wkp Hamilton b Roach 0 A Rahane not out 64 H Vihari not out 53 Extras: (b8, lb4, nb2) 14 TOTAL: (4 wkts decl., 54.4 overs) 168 Fall of wickets: 1-9 (Agarwal), 2-36 (Rahul), 3-36 (Kohli), 4-57 (Pujara) Bowling: Roach 10-3-28-3, Holder 11.4-5-20-1, Cornwall 23-768-0, Gabriel 7-3-18-0 (nb2), Chase 3-0-22-0.

WEST INDIES 2nd Innings (target: 468 runs) J Campbell c Kohli b Shami 16 K Brathwaite c wkp Pant b Ishant 3 D Bravo not out 18 S Brooks not out 4 Extras: (b4) 4 TOTAL: (2 wkts, 13 overs) 45 Fall of wickets: 1-9 (Brathwaite), 2-37 (Campbell) To bat: R Chase, S Hetmyer, J Holder, +J Hamilton, R Cornwall, K Roach, S Gabriel Bowling: Ishant 4-1-13-1, Bumrah 5-2-16-0, Shami 4-1-12-1.

Position: West Indies require a further 423 runs to win with eight wickets intact.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, September 2, 2019

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Arsenal fight back against Spurs to draw London derby

By Richard Martin

LONDON (Reuters) - Arsenal strikers Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette inspired a stirring comeback against rivals Tottenham Hotspur to salvage a 2-2 draw in a thrilling north London Premier League derby on Sunday.

Spurs were looking to bounce back from a shock 1-0 home loss to Newcastle United and went ahead through Christian Eriksen and a Harry Kane penalty before Lacazette struck before the break and Aubameyang got a 71st minute equaliser.

Arsenal, who were beaten 3-1 at Liverpool last week, are in fifth place with seven points while Spurs are ninth on five after four games.

The visitors took a 10th minute lead when Eriksen knocked the ball into an empty net on the rebound, capitalising on some sloppy goalkeeping from Arsenal’s Bernd Leno, who could only parry Erik

Lamela’s weak shot into the path of the Dane.

Arsenal had most of the ball on a sun-soaked afternoon at the Emirates Stadium but Tottenham were far more threatening on the break and Leno was forced to keep out stinging efforts from Kane and Eriksen in the first half.

“We played with our heart sometimes more than our head, we needed more balance, we needed to have clearer heads,” said Arsenal coach Unai Emery of his side’s first-half mistakes.

Tottenham were then awarded a penalty for a clumsy foul by Granit Xhaka on the lively Son Heung-min and Kane converted in the 40th minute to put Spurs on track for a first league win on enemy territory in nine years.

However, Arsenal’s France striker Lacazette halved the deficit right before halftime with an emphatic strike after controlling an exquisite pass from the club’s record signing

Nicolas Pepe.

Kane came close to sealing the points for Tottenham when he struck the post but

keeper Hugo Lloris did well to tip over.

An equaliser looked ever likelier and duly arrived when

Emirates Stadium, London, Britain -Tottenham Hotspur’s Hugo Lloris makes a save (REUTERS/David Klein)

Arsenal became galvanized when Spanish midfielder Dani Ceballos came off the bench and hit a shot which

Gabon striker Aubameyang prodded a lofted pass from Matteo Guendouzi into the net in the 71st minute, scoring

a third goal in four Premier League games this season.

AMAZING MATCH “It was an amazing match.

We are proud of our work and our supporters,” added Emery.

“The key was the first goal to give us confidence and give us more chances in the second half. We deserved it.”

Tottenham coach Mauricio Pochettino also felt Lacazette’s timely goal was pivotal.

“Conceding with the last action of the first half gave relief to Arsenal and was an emotional hit to us, we were very down, before our emotions were very high and football is all about emotion,” he said.

Arsenal’s Sokratis Papastathopoulos later had a goal ruled out for offside while Tottenham’s Moussa Sissoko spurned a last-gasp chance in a thrilling finale by blasting over the bar after Kane was denied a penalty when he tangled with

Sokratis.

Tottenham striker Kane said his side were disappointed to have let their lead slip.

“I feel like we’re coming off disappointed, we expected to see the game out,” he told reporters.

“The (Lacazette) goal hurt us with momentum just before the break. It was an end-to-end game, especially the last 10-15 minutes, but the players left everything on the pitch.”

The England international also felt he should have been awarded a second penalty.

“As a striker, if it is on halfway (line) it is a definite foul. In the box you don’t always get them,” he added.

Aubameyang, meanwhile, said Arsenal should have come away with more than a point.

“I think in the first half we deserved to score two goals,” he said. “It was a tough game and I think we deserved more.”

Leclerc claims bittersweet first F1 win in Belgium Barty knocked out by China’s Wang Qiang …dedicates race to Anthoine Hubert

By Abhishek Takle SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS, Belgium, (Reuters) - Charles Leclerc claimed a bittersweet first Formula One win on Sunday, the Monegasque’s joy at fulfilling a long-held dream tempered by the death of French racer Anthoine Hubert.

Hubert on the grid before the race and a sombre mood hung over the paddock.

Leclerc, who raced with Hubert early in his career, was among those most affected and dedicated the win to him.

“My first ever race I did it with Anthoine, Esteban (Ocon), Pierre (Gasly),” said the Ferrari driver, who

Charles Leclerc registered the maiden win of his Formula One career after romping to victory at the Belgian Grand Prix.

Leclerc crossed the line 0.9 seconds ahead of a hardcharging Lewis Hamilton, who still extended his overall championship lead to 65 points over Mercedes team mate Valtteri Bottas who finished third.

Hubert, 22, lost his life on Saturday after sustaining injuries in a high-speed accident during a Formula Two race at the same Spa-Francorchamps track that hosts Formula One. The first driver fatality at a Formula One race weekend since Ayrton Senna and Roland Ratzenberger were killed at Imola in 1994 plunged the sport into mourning.

Formula One held a minute’s silence in memory of

looked up to the sky when he got out of his car, after scoring the Italian team’s first win of the season.

“I can’t fully enjoy my first victory, but it will definitely be a memory I will keep forever.”

The Monegasque made a good start, leading unchallenged into the tight La Source hairpin.

Team mate Sebastian Vettel, second on the grid, went wheel to wheel with Hamilton who was third.

The Briton briefly got ahead but Vettel used the straightline speed of his Ferrari to sail past on the run up to Les Combes.

Hamilton finally got past Vettel on the 32nd lap, with the

German a sitting duck on fading tyres, and set off in pursuit of Leclerc.

TENSE LAPS For a few nail-biting laps it looked like Leclerc, denied victory by an engine problem in Bahrain and passed for the lead

by Max Verstappen two laps from the end in Austria, might miss out again.

But he soaked up the pressure from the faster Mercedes, notputting a foot wrong until the laps ran out.

“The Ferraris were just too fast on the straights and very hard to keep up to keep up with them,” said Hamilton.

“He’s had it coming all year so I’m really happy for him,” he added of Leclerc’s victory.

Vettel, hunting for his first win since last year’s Belgian race, finished fourth.

The German was tricked into pitting early by Mercedes.

While the early stop initially gave him an advantage that put the four-times champion in the lead, he eventually began to run out of grip.

He was ordered to make way for Leclerc, who was clearly faster, before stopping for a second time on the 33rd lap.

His only consolation was scoring the single point on offer for setting the fastest lap.

“I couldn’t stay with the pace that I had to,” said Vettel.”Then we covered for Lewis and at that point we pitted way earlier than everyone else and that determined the race result.”

Alexander Albon was an impressive fifth on his Red Bull debut.

The Thai rookie, promoted from Toro Rosso to the former champions in a swap with Frenchman Gasly, had started 17th due to an engine-related grid penalty.

SECOND seed Ashleigh Barty has been knocked out of the US Open 6-2 6-4 by China’s Wang Qiang in the fourth round.

French Open champion Barty was out of sorts throughout, making 39 unforced errors and failing to convert all nine of her break points.

Wang, the 18th seed, secured victory when a Barty return went long.

T h e 2 7 - y e a r- o l d i s through to her first Grand Slam quarter-final where she will face six-time champion Serena Williams on Tuesday.

From 2015 until earlier this year, Wang was coached by three-time Grand Slam doubles champion Peter McNamara, who died of cancer in July.

‘Q’ was very good, very

solid,” said Barty. “I felt like she was able to put the ball with great depth in difficult positions for me.

“I still was able to create opportunities, it was just very frustrating that on the

big points today, she played a lot better.

“I mean, I had nine break points, and I wasn’t able to even get one of them, which is really frustrating.”

(BBC Sport)

Wang Qiang is through to her first Grand Slam quarter-final

Serena beats Martic despite medical timeout

SERENA Williams remains on course for a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam title despite needing medical attention in a win over Petra Martic at the US Open.

The American, 37, reached the quarter-finals in New York with a 6-3 6-4 victory against the 22nd seed.

The six-time champion needed her ankle restrapping in a medical timeout after turning awkwardly during the final set.

Williams was able to return to the court at Arthur Ashe Stadium to see off the Croat in dominant fashion.

She faces China’s Wang Qiang next after the 18th seed beat world number two Ashleigh Barty in the last 16.

Williams will move lev-

el with Margaret Court on the most Open era Grand Slam titles if she wins at Flushing Meadows.

(BBC Sport)

Serena Williams needed a medical timeout after injuring her ankle in the second set

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, September 2, 2019

Umpires confirmed for fourth Ashes Test

KUMAR Dharmasena will help control the fourth Ashes Test from the middle, rather than the third-umpire room, in a late change to arrangements for the high-stakes match.

Marais Erasmus and Ruchira Palliyaguruge, who isn’t on the International Cricket Council’s elite panel, had been originally slated to umpire the Old Trafford contest that begins on Wednesday.

But Palliyaguruge is listed to remain as third umpire for the rest of the five-Test series, which is locked at 1-1.

It means Erasmus and Dharmasena, two of the most-experienced umpires on the circuit, will be standing in the middle for the rest

of the series.

The standard of umpiring has been a constant talking point in this Ashes.

than half of the elite panel, officiate in the showpiece series.

But the powerful Maryle-

Umpires Marius Erasmus (left) and Kumar Dharmasena will be standing in the middles for the rest of the Ashes series

Ricky Pointing has led calls for the ICC to let Australian and English umpires, who represent more

bone Cricket Club (MCC) insists neutral Test umpiring is still the best way forward.

Joel Wilson had eight

on-field decisions overturned on review during the series opener then shocked Australia by turning down Nathan Lyon’s lbw shout during a dramatic finish to the third Test.

Lyon would have clinched a one-run win for Australia if the tourists were able to review Wilson’s on-field verdict, with ball-tracking replays suggesting it was out.

“Can’t fathom why or how that wasn’t given out,” captain Tim Paine said.

“England had two referrals so, if it was given out, the correct decision would have been made upstairs.

“Saw it live - that’s all I needed to see. I don’t want to watch that again.”

(Cricket.com.au)

Taylor fires New Zealand to T20 win over Sri Lanka KANDY (Sri Lanka) (AFP) - Ross Taylor hit a quickfire 48 to set up New Zealand’s five-wicket win over Sri Lanka in the first Twenty20 international against Sri Lanka in Kandy on Sunday.

Taylor lifted the Black Caps from a precarious 39 for three in their chase of 175 to complete the win in 19.3 overs and lead the three-match series 1-0.

Sri Lanka skipper Lasith Malinga became the highest wicket-taker in the shortest format after his two scalps took his tally to 99 in 74 matches, surpassing Pakistan’s Shahid Afridi.

But his effort was not enough as Taylor put on 79 runs for the fourth wicket with Colin de Grandhomme, who scored 44, to take the attack to the opposition bowlers.

Taylor, who survived a dropped catch on 31 by Dasun Shanaka at deep mid-wicket off Akila Dananjaya, made the most of the reprieve to hit three fours and two sixes in his

29-ball blitz.

He was finally trapped lbw off debutant leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga who returned figures of 2-21 from his four overs.

Ross Taylor hit a quickfire 48 to set up New Zealand's five-wicket win over Sri Lanka in the first Twenty20 international against Sri Lanka in Kandy on Sunday

Daryl Mitchell, who made 25 off 19 deliveries, and Mitchell Santner, scoring 14, then put on an

(Monday, September 2, 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)

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made 11 before falling to Kiwi skipper Tim Southee and number-three batsman Avishka Fernando was out for 10 as Sri Lanka slipped to 68 for two.

Mendis held firm to complete his fifth T20 fifty and also went past his previous best of 70 after surviving a dropped catch on 55.

Mendis was finally holed out at deep mid-wicket off Southee, who returned figures of 2-20 from his four overs of pace.

The second T20 is scheduled for Tuesday at the Pallekele International Stadium in Kandy.

Luke Campbell went to hospital after his defeat by Vasyl Lomachenko for a routine check

by Lomachenko

LUKE Campbell says Saturday’s defeat by world lightweight champion Vasyl Lomachenko is the first time he has been “truly beaten”.

The Briton, 31, lost his first world title fight via a split decision to Jorge Linares in 2017.

Despite losing to Yvan Mendy in 2015, Campbell won the rematch last September, but Ukraine’s Lomachenko earned a unanimous decision in London.

“No excuses,” Campbell told Sky Sports. “I was beaten by the better man.”

The 2012 Olympic gold medallist went to hospital after the fight for a routine check and said: “We were extra cautious with what’s been going on in boxing the last couple of months. I was completely fine.”

Beating Campbell at the O2 Arena meant Lomachenko added the WBC title to his WBA and WBO belts, and the double Olympic champion wants to claim the IBF title held by Richard Commey, who is set for a mandatory defence against Teofimo Lopez.

Lomachenko, 31, and his promoter Bob Arum said the three-weight world champion could then go back to featherweight or super-featherweight.

That would free up the lightweight belts for Campbell, who now has a professional record of 20 wins and three defeats.

“I’m not going anywhere,” said the Hull fighter. “I don’t care who I go up against, I want those belts. They have my name on.

“I do believe I got a lot better from that performance. I learned a few tricks in there myself, from Loma. I’ll add them to my style.”

Federer beats Goffin to reach US Open quarter-finals

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER

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unbeaten 31-run stand to steer the Black Caps home.

Malinga, who retired from Test cricket in 2011 and played his farewell one-day international in

Campbell ‘truly beaten’

ANSWERS TO YESTERDAY’S QUIZ:

Ashok Mankad (vs India, QPO, 1971) Andy Roberts & Malcolm Marshall

TODAY’S QUIZ:

Who is the first Guyanese to hit a Test match century?

How many Test runs Kapil Dev made? How many wickets he took?

ANSWERS IN TOMORROW’S ISSUE

July, bowled Colin Munro in the first over of the New Zealand chase to equal Afridi’s record of 98 wickets.

The 36-year-old then cleaned up de Grandhomme, for 44, to achieve the feat in his 74th T20 match of his illustrious career.

Earlier Kusal Mendis smashed 79 toff 53 balls to help Sri Lanka post 174 for four.

Mendis built crucial partnerships including a 63-run stand for the third wicket with Niroshan Dickwella, who made 33.

Opener Kusal Perera

ROGER Federer cruised into the US Open quarter-finals, thrashing 15th seed David Goffin 6-2 6-2 6-0 in just 78 minutes.

The Swiss five-time champion fell a break down early in the first set but then won six games in a row to establish control in the fourth-round match.

Federer, 38, hit 34 winners while Belgian Goffin could only manage eight.

He will face Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov in the last eight.

Dimitrov, a former world number three whose ranking has dropped to 78, beat Australian Alex de Minaur 7-5 6-3 6-4.

Federer said of his win: “It was great. David didn’t have his best day either, he was struggling. I was down on the score early so had to come back mentally.

“But then when I was up a break I started to feel like he wasn’t playing the same way and I was very happy with my level of play.”

The third seed had dropped the first sets in both of his opening two matches, but played with a swagger when he beat British number two Dan

Roger Federer won the US Open five times in a row from 2004 to 2008

Evans in 80 minutes in the last round.

That form continued against Goffin, with the Belgian winning less than half Federer’s total of 83 with 39.

Federer booked his place in the quarter-finals for the 13th time in New York with a stunning passing shot down the line and remains on course to face world number one Novak Djokovic in the semi-finals - a rematch of the epic Wimbledon final which the Serb won in a fifth-set tiebreak.

And should Federer make it to the last day for the first time since his defeat by Djokovic in 2015, he could come up against Spanish second seed Rafael Nadal for the first time at the US Open in the final. (BBC Sport)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, September 2, 2019

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Williams Industries International Race Meet

Persaud scores Guyana’s only win (By Stephan Sookram in Barbados, compliments of Secure Innovations and Concepts Inc, Miracle Optical, Nexus Machining and Fabrication Workshop, Trans Pacific Motor spares and Auto Sales, BM Soat Auto Sales and Spares)

day after nursing home an ailing car.

Changing several parts between Saturday and Sunday at the track, he overcame his difficulties to snag the win against a charging

Tremaine Forde-Catwell.

Persaud, who spoke to the media said, “I’m just glad to pick up a win and do my country proud. We had a long weekend of changing parts but in the end, one first

and one third is a good weekend for us.”

In race one, Persaud picked up a third place finish behind Suleman Esuf and Kerick Husbands, in that order, while he failed

to make it past corner one in the second race.

―Podium finishes for King

DANNY Persaud produced Guyana’s only win on a day when mechanical issues ran rampant at the Williams Industries International Race Meet at the Bushy Park Circuit, Barbados.

Persaud, driving the Buy Me Auto Sales’ Mazda Miata, picked up the top spot in the last group three and four combined race of the

Kristian Jeffery's SR3 holding off William Myers of Jamaica

Defending champion King’s Jewellery World supports Wong’s Osaka defeats Gauff in US Open showdown Germany dream

… Payless Variety Store also on board

A HOUSEHOLD name in Guyana, King’s Jewellery World has thrown its weight behind National table tennis player Miguel Wong, as he seeks to realise his dream of attending a three-month training camp in Eilenburg, Germany, at one of the world’s finest table tennis club and youth nursery, Sachsischer Tischtennis-Verband eV. Meanwhile, Payless Variety Store has also made a contribution. Wong, however, says that he needs just a little more support to realise his journey halfway around the world.

The table tennis club, Sachsischer Tischtennis-Verband eV, is considered the training ground for the World’s best talents from Latin-American countries.

Wong revealed that he met a Mexican senior player along with a Dominican player at the Pan-American Games in the Dominican Republic a couple of years ago and they were impressed by his skill, so they had put plans in motion to get him invited to the training facility.

The training camp invitation is for September 1- November 30 in Eilenburg, Germany and as such Wong is appealing for support. Anyone interested in assisting the youngster can contact him via +592 646-0825 or on Facebook: Miguel Wong.

Miguel Wong receives King’s Jewellery World’s contribution from a representative of the business entity.

Rameez Mohamed (19) on the charge during the group two event

VINTAGE KING SHOWS CLASS There was also a second place finish for Andrew King who personified the Guyanese weekend in Barbados.

Qualifying second on Saturday, King fell out of the first race after just one lap with differential problems, leaving Jamaica’s Kyle Greg to take the win ahead of Barbados’ Mark Maloney.

While the team worked hard ahead of the second race, they were unable to get the car out in time.

In the third race, however, King came back strong in chase of Mark Maloney before the latter fell out, leaving first place for Greg.

BRIGHT SPARK FOR RAMEEZ MOHAMED Rameez Mohamed, after Turn to page 19

Lukaku racially abused after scoring winner at Cagliari INTER Milan striker Romelu Lukaku was racially abused

by Cagliari fans as he scored from the penalty spot to give his club a 2-1 victory in Serie A. He is the latest black player to suffer abuse from Cagliari fans, prompting calls for action to be taken.

Lukaku, 26, stood and stared at fans behind the goal - where monkey chants had come from - after scoring.

“Cagliari have history for this,” said European football’s anti-discrimination body Fare.

The fans’ actions were condemned by Inter defender Milan Skriniar in a post-match interview. “There are things that must not be in football,” he said, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport.

US teen Coco Gauff, left, wipes away tears as she speaks with top-ranked defending champion Naomi Osaka after the Japanese star advanced to the fourth round of the US Open on Saturday

(AFP Photo/CLIVE BRUNSKILL)

New York (AFP) - Top-ranked defending champion Naomi Osaka defeated US 15-yearold sensation Coco Gauff 6-3, 6-0 on Saturday in a showdown at Arthur Ashe Stadium to reach the US Open’s fourth round.

The 21-year-old from Japan, also the reigning Australian Open champion, dominated the American who reached the fourth round at Wimbledon to book a last-16 matchup against Swiss 13th seed Belinda Bencic.

The emotional clash was followed by tearful on-court interviews, Osaka asking Gauff to join her with the microphone as they met at the net.

“I said no because I knew I was going to cry the whole time,” tearful Gauff said after Osaka talked her into it.

Gauff looked toward her doubles matches upcoming with partner Caty McNally then begged off, not wanting to spoil the moment for Osaka.

Gauff was aware of the controversial ending to last year’s US Open final on the same court that left the awards ceremony a bittersweet one for Osaka -- fans booing after the umpire had awarded a penalty game to Osaka following insults from Serena Williams.

Osaka, fighting back her own tears, spoke to Gauff’s parents, saying, “You guys raised an amazing player. I remember I used to see you guys training. Both of us made it and we’re still working hard.”

Osaka said the match was one of her best since winning the Australian Open.

“This is the most focused I’ve been since Australia,” Osaka said, telling Gauff, “Sorry for playing you on this mentality.”

After praising Gauff ’s movement skills on the court, Osaka appeared emotionally worn out over the moment.

“My brain isn’t working any more,” she said to end the interview. “I’m sorry.”

Romelu Lukaku scored the winning goal for Inter at Cagliari.

However, when Inter boss Antonio Conte was asked about the chants, he said: “I really didn’t hear anything from the bench.

However, it is true that in general in Italy more education is needed.”

Belgium international Lukaku, a £74m signing from Manchester United in the summer, was playing in his second game for Conte’s side at Cagliari’s Sardegna Arena.

Last season Everton’s Moise Kean suffered similar abuse when playing against Cagliari for Juventus. But the incident became a bigger issue when Juventus boss Massimiliano Allegri and defender Leonardo Bonucci appeared to suggest Kean should take some of the blame for the way he celebrated scoring a goal.

Serie A decided not to sanction Cagliari for their fans’ racism - despite admitting their actions were “reprehensible”.

The previous year Cagliari fans were called out after abusing another Juventus player in Blaise Matuidi - but Italian football chiefs did not take any action.

In 2017, Pescara midfielder Sulley Muntari walked off the pitch after being racially abused by Cagliari fans - but was subsequently banned by football authorities for his protest.

Cagliari was heavily criticised on its social media channels but the club has not yet addressed Sunday’s abuse.

(BBC Sport)

Windies seeking miracle

West Indies fast bowler Kemar Roach … surpassed Sir Wes Hall on the list of all-time West Indies wicket-takers.

at Sabina to save second Test Page

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Hanuma Vihari topped up his first-innings hundred with a half-century in the second innings for India (Getty Images)

Reds’ Perreira gets CWI award for service to cricket, hails Cozier and Becca

Joseph “Reds” Perreira is presented with his award by Ricky Skerritt, President of Cricket West Indies (CWI Photo)

KINGSTON, Jamaica – Cricket West Indies (CWI) on Sunday honoured renowned cricket commentator, journalist and broadcaster, Joseph ‘Reds’ Perreira for “his dedicated service to the game of cricket and sports in the region for close to 60 years”.

The 80-year-old Guyanese received his award from CWI President Ricky Skerritt at an appreciation ceremony at Sabina Park during the lunch break of the ongoing second Test of the India tour.

This is the 150th Test on which ‘Reds’ Perreira will have been commentating, CWI said in a statement.Perreira’s first “live” cricket broadcast took place in 1961 in a first-class match between his native Guyana and long-standing rivals Trinidad & Tobago at Rose Hall.

Ten years later, he covered his first Test between West Indies and India at Bourda Oval. Perreira has also worked on 250 One-Day Internationals, including attending the half of the dozen ICC Cricket World Cups to be staged – 1975, 1979, 1983, 1992, 2003, and 2007, when it was held in the West Indies, CWI said in its statement Sunday.

In accepting the award Perreira said he would like to share with two other outstanding regional journalists and colleagues, the late Tony Cozier of Barbados and the late Tony Becca of Jamaica.

“I am truly humbled and I want to thank the President (Skerritt) and everyone who helped to make this moment a truly memorable one for me. I’m going out on a very special high,” Perreira was quoted as saying.

“The only sad part is that Tony Cozier and Tony Becca are not here. I want to donate my honour and share with these two esteemed gentlemen. We were friends for a very long time and we shared many special moments in West Indies cricket.”

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Persaud scores Guyana’s only win Danny Persaud picked up Guyana’s lone win at the Williams Industries International race meet in Barbados

Umpires confirmed for fourth Ashes Test 22

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MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2019