Guyana Chronicle E-paper 9-30-2019

MONDAY 30th September, 2019

STABROEK NEWS NAILED … had refused State advertising over debts No.105776

… raked in over $50M in gov’t ads for 2019 PAGE

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Five regions 08 affected by floods PAGE

–– Stabroek Market closes

due to unprecedented high tide

‘We’re adhering to the Constitution’ 03 PAGE

… AG tells Guyanese in Canada as gov’t prepares to return to Parliament

… says move also in keeping with CCJ directive

President hails Methodist Church for its role in education advancement 09 PAGE

First Lady, Mrs. Sandra Granger congratulates Miss Indigenous Heritage Queen, Esther Marslow from Region One (Barima-Waini).

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, September 30, 2019

Gov’t to accelerate growth in agriculture sector –– food safety high on the agenda

By Navendra Seoraj

during an Interfaith Service held on Sunday to usher in Agriculture Month, which begins GOVERNMENT, through the Ministry of on October 1, 2019.

Agriculture, will be accelerating efforts to “This is an inspirational time for transachieve growth in the agriculture sector in formational change…we need to continue 2020 and beyond. working as one nation… the ministry will be This is according to Minister of Agricul- accelerating efforts to achieve growth in 2020 ture Noel Holder. He was delivering remarks and beyond,” Minister Holder said.

Going forward, the Agriculture Ministry will be placing significant focus on food safety and food and nutrition security.

“We have a responsibility to feed our nation, while being a food-secure nation…we were blessed with all the resources to achieve both food and nutrition security,” said Holder, adding that the requirements for food safety get higher each year.

Although there are many challenges to achieving food security, he said, if agriculture plays a central role in the “green” economy, the country can get closer to achieving the long, overdue international goal of eradicating hunger.

According to the United Nations (UN), there is no food security without food safety. In a world where the food supply chain has become more complex, any adverse food-safety incident may have global, negative effects on public health, trade and the economy.

The UN said that the global burden of food-borne diseases is considerable; it affects individuals of all ages, in particular children Minister of Agriculture Noel Holder under five years of age and persons living in addresses the audience at the in- low-income regions of the world.

In that regard, Minister Holder said Guyterfaith service on Sunday (Samuel ana needs to look at how to produce the food Maughn photo) needed for consumption, how to eat healthily

A section of the gathering at the interfaith service (Samuel Maughn photo) and how to live on a sustainable planet at a time when not just Guyana, but the world is facing the negative effects of climate change and the loss of biodiversity.

Holder believes that the systematic issues related to climate change are not unique to Guyana, but they are international issues which are being addressed through the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).

“Those goals include goal 12 which is the sustainable production and consumption of food,” said the minister.

Government has already taken steps towards achieving that goal by promoting food safety and food security in Guyana.

Among those steps was the passage of the Food Safety Bill in the National Assembly during May 2019.

One of the strategies aligned with the bill was the operationalisation of a Food Safety Authority; government has been allocating greater technical and financial support towards the establishment of the authority, which would coordinate food safety in Guyana.

“The Food Safety Authority will play a pivotal role in developing policies and a regulatory framework and establishing and implementing effective food-safety systems

that ensure that food producers and suppliers along the whole food chain operate responsibly and supply safe food to consumers,” said Minister Holder.

The Food Safety Authority will be responsible for ensuring that all agricultural produce, whether produced locally or imported, are of the highest quality and are produced under the strictest hygienic conditions and are not capable of causing harm to the consumer.

With these systems in place, Guyana will see its food-safety requirements meeting internationally acceptable standards, thereby opening up both regional and international markets for locally grown produce, while also ensuring that not only the best, but a greater variety of raw products are available for local agro-processors.

Minister Holder said government intends speaking more about the importance of food safety during the celebration of World Food Fay on Wednesday, October 16, 2019. World Food Safety Day will be celebrated under the theme, ‘Our actions are our future, healthy diets for a zero-hunger world.’

“On this day we will reinforce our commitment to safe food and healthy diets and the importance of food safety,” he said.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, September 30, 2019

‘We’re adhering to the Constitution’ … AG tells Guyanese in Canada as gov’t prepares to return to Parliament

… says move also in keeping with CCJ directive

ATTORNEY-General and Minister of Legal Affairs Basil Williams told Guyanese in Toronto over the weekend that the government will be returning to Parliament in October as directed by the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) to seek an extension of the period to hold elections, and once again encouraged the Opposition to do the same, in compliance with the Constitution.

Attorney-General Williams was on a private visit to Toronto for his son’s admission to the Bar in Ontario, and took the opportunity to update Guyanese on recent developments in Guyana at a

on March 2, 2020, with or without the support of the Opposition in Parliament,” Attorney-General Williams reiterated. He explained that given the three months had passed since the no- confidence vote was taken because of court action, the government was required to seek an extension of the March 21 elections deadline, as stipulated by the Constitution with a two-thirds majority in parliament. The Caribbean Court of Justice, in its consequential orders, had also directed that the parties adhere to the constitutional requirements as they relate to the holding of elections following a no-confidence vote.

He said that in this regard,

will then proclaim March 2 as the date for elections and dissolve parliament under the Doctrine of Necessity,” Minister Williams explained.

Necessity is a common-law doctrine which can be used in Commonwealth countries to justify action in these circumstances.

“The President has gone ahead and announced March 2 as the elections date, and if the Opposition does not show up, he will proceed to do what he has to do,’ Minister Williams said.

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo has repeatedly said the Opposition will not return to Parliament to facilitate an extension of the

March 21 deadline.

plan, and the Department of Energy (DoE) is doing a lot of work to put the necessary policies and programmes in place to successfully manage the oil-and-gas sector.

On the prosecution of corrupt officials, the Attorney-General admitted that they are facing challenges in gathering evidence to successfully prosecute these cases. “In many of these cases, persons within the system have destroyed evidence,” he said, adding: “We are, however, not allowing this to defeat our efforts to bring these people to justice.

In these circumstances, it takes time, and that is why we are asking for another mandate to deliver on these promises and other initiatives to provide a good life for all Guyanese.”

OIL AND GAS In addressing points of interest among Guyanese in Toronto, Attorney-General Williams assured his audience that the ‘Coalition Government’ is developing an oil- spill contingency

‘THE TROUBLES’ He promised that the ‘Coalition Government’ will be investigating ‘The Troubles’, a period during which many young people lost their lives, but reminded his audience that there

Attorney-General Basil Williams and some of the Guyanese in Canada at the meeting meeting in Scarborough, and via a live Radio Talk Show Programme on WTOR 770 AM Radio with popular host Richard Azeez Shuban.

The Attorney-General addressed a wide range of searching questions from those at the meeting and Radio Host Shuban. The issues raised included the recently announced elections date by President David Granger; oil-and-gas spill contingency plans; challenges of keeping a ‘coalition government’ together; the apparent failure to prosecute present and former corrupt officials; investigations into activities that occurred during a time referred to as ‘the troubles’, during which hundreds were murdered; efforts by the government to promote social cohesion to eradicate ethnical imbalance in the society; and investments in education, infrastructure and the hinterland communities.

“The President has announced that national and regional elections will be held

the government is operating within the Constitution and the directive of the CCJ by going back to Parliament on October 10 to seek that extension. “The Opposition in Parliament will have to support that extension to achieve the two-thirds majority, and if we don’t get it, President Granger

Attorney-General Basil Williams and organisers of the meeting at the head table

A section of the audience at the meeting in Scarborough

is a huge amount of work to be done after 23 years of lawless government under the PPP, and that th present admi8nistration has only been in government for four years.

“We have achieved a great deal in four short years,” the Attorney-General pointed out. “We have invested over $170B in education, and huge amounts in infrastructure, and to develop the hinterland and Indigenous communities,” he said.

“And we are not discriminating in where we make these investments. For instance, in Wakenaam and Leguan Islands in Essequibo, areas that traditionally vote for the Opposition, we have been building new roads. These areas have been neglected for 23 years.”

The Attorney-General, in response to a question on the radio show about efforts by the ‘Coalition Government’ to break the ethnic divide in Guyana, said that the PNCR, the largest partner in the six-party coalition has always encouraged diversity in its ranks. He reminded the

host that there was even a time when former president, Desmond Hoyte was referred to as “Desmond Persaud”, due entirely to his efforts at encouraging ethnic diversity in the party.

“We have done a lot of work in four short years to ensure we have a safe society and a good life for Guyanese, despite huge challenges,” he said. “People on the ground are already seeing the results of our efforts.” Calls to the radio station in response to the interview pointed to the positive developments in communities in Berbice and Bartica under the ‘Coalition Government’.

One caller said that she is from Bartica, and that that community has been transformed for the better under the ‘Coalition Government’.

Attorney-General Williams said that because of the work they have done, he is confident the ‘Coalition Government’ will be returned to power, and they will be able to continue the work to provide a just, fair and wealthy society for all.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, September 30, 2019

No reason to probe Bidens: former Ukraine prosecutor

(BBC) A Ukrainian ex-prosecutor general has told the BBC there is no reason for his country to investigate President Donald Trump’s political rival Joe Biden.

Yuriy Lutsenko said any investigation into Mr Biden and his son would have to start in the US. “I don’t know any reason to investigate Joe Biden or Hunter Biden according to Ukrainian law,” he said. Mr Trump’s efforts to have Ukraine investigate the pair prompted an impeachment inquiry by the Democrats.

A transcript of a call Mr Trump made to Ukraine’s new President Volodymyr Zelensky on 25 July shows he urged him to investigate discredited corruption allegations against Mr Biden and his son.

Mr Trump and his allies have been suggesting that Mr Biden, as Barack Obama’s vice-president, encouraged the firing of Ukraine’s top prosecutor, Viktor Shokin, because he had been investigating Ukrainian natural gas company Burisma, which employed Hunter Biden.

Hunter Biden became a

director at Burisma in 2014, while his father held a key role in US policy towards Ukraine. Mr Biden is currently frontrunner to be the Democrat to take on Mr Trump in the November 2020 presidential election.

WHAT DID LUTSENKO SAY? Speaking to BBC Kiev correspondent Jonah Fisher, Mr Lutsenko - who succeeded Mr Shokin and stood down last month - said there was no plan to open the investigation into Burisma, and that any investigation into Hunter Biden would have to start in the US. “It is the jurisdiction of the US,” he said, adding that any “possible embezzlement” at Burisma

Joe Biden

“happened two or three years before Hunter Biden became a member of the board”.

Mr Lutsenko also said he had met Donald Trump’s personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani,

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

who asked him if it was possible to investigate the Bidens in his country.

“I told him the same I told you - it is not my jurisdiction,” he said. “It is likely to be the jurisdiction of the US. If you will send me a request, yes, I will give you all official information, but it is not Ukrainian jurisdiction that was my answer.” Pressed by our correspondent on any evidence Ukraine may have against the Bidens, Mr Lutsenko said: “I can do nothing [on a case] which is not connected with Ukrainian law.”

WHAT IS THE IMPEACHMENT INQUIRY ABOUT? In a complaint filed last month, a whistleblower from the intelligence community reported his “urgent concern” that the president had used his office to “solicit interference from a foreign country” in the 2020 US election.

The impeachment inquiry launched on Tuesday now focuses specifically on Mr Trump’s call to the Ukrainian president about the discredited Biden allegations. Democrats accuse Mr Trump of illegally seeking foreign help in the hope of smearing Mr Biden. Mr Trump is also accused of using military aid for Ukraine as a bargaining tool.

President Trump has dismissed the proceedings as a “hoax” and “another witch-hunt”. On Saturday he accused leading Democrats of “presidential harassment” and branded them “Democrat Savages”.

Mr Lutsenko also said he had met Donald Trump’s personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani, who asked him if it was possible to investigate the Bidens in his country.

US President Donald Trump

“I told him the same I told you - it is not my jurisdiction,” he said. “It is likely to be the jurisdiction of the US. If you will send me a request, yes, I will give you all official information, but it is not Ukrainian jurisdiction that was my answer.” Pressed by our correspondent on any evidence Ukraine may have against the Bidens, Mr Lutsenko said: “I can do nothing [on a case] which is not connected with Ukrainian law.”

WHAT IS THE IMPEACHMENT INQUIRY ABOUT? In a complaint filed last month, a whistleblower from the intelligence community reported his “urgent concern” that the president had used his office to “solicit interference from a foreign country” in the 2020 US election.

The impeachment inquiry launched on Tuesday now focuses specifically on Mr Trump’s call to the Ukrainian president about the discredited Biden allegations. Democrats accuse Mr Trump of illegally seeking foreign help in the hope of smearing Mr Biden. Mr Trump is also accused of using military aid for Ukraine as a bargaining tool.

President Trump has dismissed the proceedings as a “hoax” and “another witch-hunt”. On Saturday he accused leading Democrats of “presidential harassment” and branded them “Democrat Savages”.

Saturday 28, Sept. 2019

05 10 11 15 17 27 19

27, Sept., 2019

A

03 04 09 13 15

02, 03, 04, 05, 10

9, 7, 6

5, 2, 9

01, 06, 09, 15, 17

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, September 30, 2019

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Lorenzo’s swells batter east coast

(TRINIDAD NEWSDAY) Long-period north-easterly swells generated by Hurricane Lorenzo are expected to continue to batter TT’s northern and sheltered coastal areas until October 1.

The swells, coupled with spring tides which are expected to last until tomorrow, are also expected to affect the island’s eastern coastline with battering waves.

TT Met Service (TTMS) meteorologist Paula Wellington, in a telephone interview, was commenting on a video posted on social media of large waves topping the Guayaguayare sea wall, Mayaro yesterday. She said the phenomenon is normal for

areas along the east coast which is on the windward part of the island.

“Guayaguayare is on the east coast. The east coast is on the windward part of the island, and would be battered by waves at any time when we have the prevailing easterly waves and winds,” said Wellington.

“For the eastern coastline, that is a normal occurrence and it may be that with the high tides, the battering waves could come over the sea wall.” Wellington, however, said the TTMS’s hazardous seas yellow level alert is for those areas that do not

experience that type of wave.

She said the alert was issued from Friday until Tuesday with areas expected to experience “occasional battering waves which can lead to localised disruption to sea bathing and other near shore coastal activities.”

“Mosquito Creek is in the Gulf of Paria, the gulf don’t usually have that kind of battering waves but because the long period swells are getting through the BoWaves crash over the sea wall along Mosquito Creek causing traffic cas, you could see the delays on Friday. Swells from Hurricane Lorenzo will batter the east sheltered areas being batand south coastlines until Tuesday, according to the TT Met Service. tered by the waves.

PHOTO BY JEFF K MAYERS “You have the bays

in the northern coastline, bays are usually sheltered areas but because of the long period swells, the waves are going to move up the coast a lot higher and faster and stronger, so that is why we have mainly the northern and sheltered areas affected because those are the areas not normally affected by oncoming waves.” Wellington said spring tides are phenomena which occur during the full and new moons. “We have higher than normal heights of high tides on Saturday, Sunday and Monday.”

Social media posts showed waves topping the Guayaguayare sea wall with flooding taking place at Mosquito Creek.

Regional parliamentarians in gun talks

(TRINIDAD NEWSDAY) PROMINENT parliamentarians from Barbados, Grenada, Jamaica, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Suriname, together with MPs from TT, convened at the Hyatt Regency Trinidad, last week, to identify how female parliamentarians can ramp up their engagement in tackling the illegal gun trade in the region.

A statement from the Parliamentarians for Global Action (PGA) said nearly 60 per cent of all homicides in the region were gun-related and over 1.6 million

illegal guns were in circulation, despite the fact there is no local manufacture base in the Caribbean.

The workshop was organised

by PGA and was funded by the United Nations Trust Facility on Cooperation in Arms Regulation (UNSCAR).

It was tasked with highlighting how female decision-makers, including parliamentarians were increasingly being looked to by the international community, to get involved, especially since the situation has deteriorated considerably in several CARICOM

member States, including TT. At the workshop, participants recognised that reckless, unchecked arms exports by certain countries outside the region were a major cause of the problem.

They also identified a number of practical steps they can take, both as advocates and lawmakers, to tackle the significant security, public health and socio-economic and development challenges that arise directly from this trade.

Head of the EU Delegation, Ambassador Aad Biesebroek and UN Resident Coordinator in TT Marina Walter were at the work-

shop and spoke of the substantial resources their respective organisations were collectively committing to address this region-wide challenge.

PGA International Peace and Security Program Senior Director, Peter Barcroft said: “For too long, and for a number of different reasons, female legislators have been confined to the sidelines in addressing some of the most pressing national security issues confronting their national authorities.

“But it is female legislators who often have a greater un-

derstanding and appreciation of the wider negative impact of the illegal guns trade, including in the public health and education sectors, and also in the context of negatively impacting a number of sustainable development goals, beyond the more immediately obvious security consequences.”

He added that the parliamentarians at the workshop had adopted a plan of action and had a “very clear sense of the many vital steps they can take to tackle head-on the illegal arms trade, both as advocates and lawmakers.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, September 30, 2019

A professional public service IT was recently announced by Minister of Finance Winston Jordan that, come what may, public servants will be granted salary increases by the end of this year.

This news would certainly come as welcome news to members of the public service.

However, the announcement is certainly not at all surprising, considering that one of the most important policy developments made by the David Granger administration is the decision to create and foster a “professional public service.” And a professional service would, correctly, expect to be adequately compensated, so as to enjoy a decent standard of living.

The president has always been committed to a well-compensated, disciplined, well-trained, satisfied public service. This is part of his overarching vision for a good life for all Guyanese. As early as May 2015 Brigadier Granger in an address to heads of government agencies and permanent secretaries and other officials at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre, had disclosed that under his administration, public servants will be

held to strict standards of professionalism, transparency and integrity, even as government works towards providing a living-wage.

The Brigadier had stated that, “It is my view that the public service is the engine of the executive, (and) it is essential to have an efficient public service.” He added that, “It is we the public servants who create that environment in our day to day work, so, civilised life in Guyana is not possible without good public service.” His Excellency underscored that for progress to take place and most importantly, equality, a responsive public service is the engine that will ensure this. A relevant public service, which has roots in all regions, is also needed to meet the needs of all citizens, said the president.

“We need a public service that is reliable, and I mention this, the relevance, the responsiveness, the resourcefulness and reliability, because I believe in having stronger regions.” The President called on public servants to improve efficiency and, most importantly, to increase the satisfaction which citizens can derive [from the services

that are offered by government].

The president noted too, that the service must be politically impartial. He said, “We cannot function without a public service and if the public service tries to be politicians, there will be catastrophe, there will be administrative catastrophe, the public service must live by different rules.”

With those facts in mind, the president – in his typically visionary outlook – announced that “The Public Service must possess expert knowledge and high standard academic education and for that reason, I intend to introduce a staff college, so that everyone entering the administrative branches of the Guyana Public Service must do a course at the Public Service Staff College. ”This would ensure that persons serving the nation would be more equipped, even as the present Public Service Training Division of the Public Service Ministry will be upgraded.” In keeping with this commitment, The Bertram Collins College of the Public Service began operating in November 2016 and the first batch of students graduated in

December, 2017.

More recently, last Wednesday, President David Granger addressing the Guyana Public Service Union’s 23rd Biennial Delegates’ Conference held at State House, iterated that, “The modern public service demands competent, proficient, and versatile workers, who can adapt consistently to new technology.”

The administration’s commitment to public servants is beyond any doubt. Since being elected to office, government has raised the minimum wage from $39,570 to $60,000. It took the PPP/C administration nine years to move the minimum wage by a similar percentage, or from $26,070, in 2006 to $39,570, in 2015. As government continues to make good on its promises, Guyanese, including public servants, should make our own commitment to stay the course. After all, public servants may continue to expect a higher standard of living with an APNU+AFC government, even as the general public benefits from better trained and motivated government workers.

Conviction of Khamraj Lall is evidence of organised crime under the PPP/C Dear Editor

the current coalition government.”

FROM the reported details via “US jails Guyanese ‘Cash Jet’ pilot for 13 years for cocaine trafficking”, September 28, 2019, one concludes that the saga of the ‘Cash Jet’ story is now closed, with full justice finally being dispensed, by way of sentence.

Expressing views via “Removal of another brick in the construct of money laundering,” October 14, 2018, in which it was stated”…apart from shedding further light on the criminal dynamics of local money laundering facilitates a further window view of the operations of the local criminal state under the PPP/C administration.” This is in addition to its “vastness and pervasiveness …..and the players who are often involved,’’ and that “It also nails the deceptive lie of the PPP/C …..to downplay the cancer that is money laundering to its supporters, especially that it is a figment of the imagination of

Editor, the given statistics of 1287 deposits which Lall also made or had others make tell its own story. It supports the contention as to its “vastness and pervasiveness ‘, in addition to underlining the field day which facilitated the daily, serious crime of money laundering during the PPP/C administration, and for which the APNU+AFC not so long ago received commendations for combatting its grip on the nation. The fact that a former permanent secretary within the past regime could have been found with $14B in several bank accounts, referred to in that prior letter, explains what was the meaning of the criminal state, as fashioned and allowed to flourish unabated during the PPP/C type of governance. Organised crime and pillaging of the state became the order of the state.

As further expressed in that October 2018 letter, money laundering was more

than a “cancer’’ which this unconscionable party has always tried to ‘’downplay’’ to its supporters, even seeking to ascribe its existence to a figment of the imagination of the current government”, as also expressed in the first letter, in October, 2018.

Of course, there are other Khamraj Lalls against whom the state’s relevant authorities are continuing to build credible cases, before they are taken for prosecution. And in saying this, one is reminded by remarks by former US Charge d’ Affaires, Jeremy Hunt, who cautioned against quick results in matters of financial crimes, since he opined that they take years, with the paper trail having to be followed. He was right, given the overwhelming tide of existing expectations.

However, what is so bold and shameful, is that these nefarious criminals’ existence is continuously denied by a political opposition whose pronouncements can only be interpreted as a reckless and law-

less disregard for efforts towards fighting corruption, of which money laundering is its centrepiece crime. Further, and this is the very sad aspect of such bold irresponsibility, is that it has inculcated an understanding among the general stream of PPP/C supporters that such ills are acceptable, for which those who are guilty are not expected to be held accountable.

It would seem that for many, any means suffice for a justification for such disreputable ends. Editor, a further question is necessary here: what moral examples are being established for the young? Just what spiritual legacies are they being bequeathed? The case of Khamraj Lall is a timely reminder that money laundering is not only a crime, but is a deadly cancer which must be defeated.

Regards Earl Hamilton

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, September 30, 2019

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WHO director visits David Granger has proven his leadership, devastated sites and did not disappoint the more than half of in the Bahamas Guyana who supported the APNU-AFC

Dear Editor

THIS letter is directed in response to the FITUG statement in Stabroek News, Friday, September 27 and to the confederacy of the no-confidence motion, stating ‘That President Granger has lost the legitimate right to govern.’

I must further refer to and quote the reference as cited by Ralph Ramkarran September 8, Stabroek News, pertaining to the no-confidence motion as, the ‘Shenanigans and treachery of Bharrat Jagdeo and Charandass Persaud,’ unquote-- which did not achieve its intended halt of national matters as conceived by their devious and reprehensible scheme. This directive against President Granger did not start with the no-confidence motion; it began further back, to the plot to assassinate this president, involving Nizam Khan, that was proposed to Andrif Gillard as alleged, that was orchestrated in late 2015, but was rejected by Gillard. This confederacy is driven by the pursuit of greed and the passion for ethnic

dominance. This is a re-enactment of the post-emancipation onslaught to facilitate a stratagem towards who are the proprietors and the eternally subjugated employees. As a member of ACDA and a student of ‘our Guyanese history,’ the features, posture and pretensions applied are known and easily recognised and predictable. For this reason, we had always proposed a coalition of political ideas, towards a common, cohesive ideal, which APNU+AFC has brought to the table, as a not perfect, but workable administrative body. What has followed I turn to the biblical Solomon Romance to inform the reader through the reference of 1Kings chap. 3, 16 to 28: “ A Mother had through death lost her right to motherhood, so she usurped her neighbour’s privilege and stole her child; when confronted before the King, she would not admit her guilt but hid behind props and facades of legality; so King Solomon drew his sword and proposed to divide the child, the self-serving, wicked mother agreed to the murder of the child, while the true mother agreed to surrender her

right to motherhood, to save her child’s life, and thus by moral right, the wise King gave the true mother her child.”

Twice already, the child of Guyana was fractured by self-serving political passions, 1961-64 and 1993 to 2012, again with this usurper confederacy, divisive politics behind props of legal postulations long-violated, attempted to unseat a performing government with a no-confidence motion’ on what grounds? There were no narratives of ‘on what grounds,’ but those mentioned above. David Granger managed this invasive entity on behalf of the majority of Guyanese with tact and elegance, establishing beyond doubt his right to govern and as a result, Ralph Ramkarran highlighted that the coalition ‘Triumphed’ over the Trojan Horse.

What it has done however, is expose the creatures behind the props and the deficiencies of its exclusive ‘Guyanese’ stage hands, as we proceed to the natural act 2.

Regards Barry Braithwaite

No optimal health without good mental health Dear Editor

IN 1984 the World health Organization defined optimal health as “a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.”

With elections around the corner, The Caribbean Voice urges all political parties to inform the nation about their mental health plans, especially where they stand with respect to the following: integrating mental health into the physical health care system; establishing psyche wards in every hospital; training all health care workers in basic mental health care; mental health coverage under the NIS; psychologists in all hospitals and counsellors in all schools gatekeepers’ training across Guyana; addressing agri-poisons suicide; domestic violence units in all police stations; suicide and domestic violence training for all police officers; safe houses in all regions; laws to try abusers even when victims refuse to press charges and/or to testify; the establishment of detox rehab programmes in the public health sector, accessible in every region; establishing a registry of sex offenders; raising the age of consent to 18 years; decriminalising suicide; across-the-board support network for abused victims and suicide survivors; creating a mental health app to facilitate

Guyanese everywhere to be able to easily and quickly access services and assistance; peer mediation programmes in all high schools; a national programme focusing on men to help address domestic violence; incorporating mental health, including suicide, all forms of abuse, self esteem, coping skills in the Family and Health curriculum and have this curriculum as part of the overall curricula in every school, handled by appropriately trained teachers; establishing special education teachers and classes in all schools; making all public buildings accessible by the disabled; early intervention programmes in all schools to screen for mental health and learning disabilities; psycho-social support for all teachers, health care workers and police officers; inclusion of mental health in occupational health and safety regulations and training; establishing poison-control centres across Guyana; getting the mentally ill off the streets and into treatment centres; licensing protocols for clinically trained counsellors and regulations to prevent quacks setting themselves up as counselors; government support for NGOs and CSOs offering services in mental health, bereft of political or other unrelated considerations; updating the mental health ordinance of 1930; a national campaign to eliminate the stigma around mental health; making rape a non-bailable offence; getting all

child workers off the ‘jobs’ and into schools; making it mandatory for all convicted abusers to report to the closest police station on a monthly basis; mandatory psychological evaluation for all mentally ill, whether actual or perceived, who appear before the courts; establishing a mechanism making it easy for abused victims to report to magistrates and judges, if police do not take their complaints, do not act on complaints quickly or ridicule them when they go to report abuse; creating and passing legislation to protect the elderly from abuse and make detection of elder abuse and law enforcement a priority; establishing a viable network of support nationally for caregivers for the mentally ill and the disabled.

Last year a Lancet Commission report on mental health said that mental disorders are on the rise in every country in the world and will cost the global economy $16 trillion by 2030. While the actual figures are not available for Guyana, there is no doubt that a more caring society will be a less violent and more productive society and with oil money geared to transform our nation, future governments must entrench mental health care at all levels in all plans, programmes and policies.

Sincerely The Caribbean Voice

… to assess health impacts of Hurricane Dorian THE world must rally around the Bahamas in the tragic aftermath of Hurricane Dorian which has not only cost many lives and livelihoods but caused severe damage to essential infrastructure, depriving communities of vital services at a critical time, said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), upon completion of a visit to the Bahamas.

“It breaks my heart to see the devastation to communities and families who have lost friends and loved ones as well as their homes, possessions and access to crucial services,” said Dr Tedros according to a release from the organisation. “Hurricane Dorian is another urgent reminder that we must address the drivers of climate change and invest more in resilient communities. The longer we wait, the more people will suffer.

We need to keep the world and people safe.”

During his visit, Dr Tedros met with the Governor-General, Minister of Health and other government officials and commended their preparedness, readiness and efforts to mitigate the damage caused by the hurricane. The visit included stops in Abaco and Grand Bahama islands where most households and infrastructure, including healthcare facilities, were completely destroyed. Dr Tedros was accompanied by Minister of Health Dr Duane Sands. Hurricane Dorian hit the country on 1 September 2019, affecting 75 000 people.

About 1500 people are still being housed in shelters; about 600 are still missing; and 53 are confirmed dead.

The health sector in Abaco and Grand Bahama suffered a substantial blow, with equipment and medical supplies destroyed and electrical and water supplies interrupted. In Grand Bahama three health clinics have been destroyed and two in Abaco. The Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO), which is the specialized health agency of the Inter-American System and serves as the Regional Office of WHO for the Americas, is the only United Nations agency with a physical presence in the Bahamas. PAHO-WHO has deployed 20 staff members and coordinated the mobilization of 7 International Emergency Medical Teams for the response. Dr Tedros thanked the teams for their rapid response and tireless service to the most vulnerable.

WHO has mobilised USD 1 million from the Contingency Fund for the hurricane response. Dr Tedros reiterated WHO’s commitment to support the government and people of the Bahamas for the recovery of the health system. Globally, WHO will continue to work with Member States to make the health sector more resilient and to mitigate the effects of climate change, especially in Small Islands Developing States that are in greatest jeopardy despite contributing the least to the problem.

Last week at the Climate Action Summit in New York, WHO called on countries to commit to cut carbon emissions, clean our air, save lives, and significantly scale up investment in proven interventions for climate-resilient health systems.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, September 30, 2019

Five regions affected by floods –– Stabroek Market closes due to unprecedented high tide

THE current unprecedented high tide has resulted in flooding in several parts of Regions Two, Three, Four, Five and Six, Director-General of the Civil Defence Commission, Lieutenant Colonel Kester Craig has reported.

“The Civil Defence Commission, through its 24 hours National Emergency Monitoring System (NEMS) is monitoring the situation and is in contact with all the Regional Administrations that have activated their Regional Disaster Management System and are conducting assessments and updating the Commission,” Craig said on Sunday.

He noted that the Commission is coordinating with key agencies and ministries, including the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) and the Ministry of Public Infrastructure.

“Additional teams will be deployed to affected regions to augment their response mechanism and continue the

Region Three Information Officer, Ganesh Mahipaul to assess the situation and render much-needed assistance.

“A rapid assessment in collaboration with the Regional Democratic Council, Region Five, was conducted across the communities and found that seven families experienced floodwaters in their homes. It was noted that several small scale subsistence farms, livestock,

vators to broaden channels to alleviate some of the flooding. Members of the Guyana Livestock Development Authority and Mahaica-Mahaicony Abary - Agricultural Development Authority are also conducting their own assessments.

In Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica), the Georgetown Mayor and City Council announced that the Stabroek Market will be closed to members of the public, today, Monday, September 30, 2019. The market, City Hall reported, has been inundated with water as a result of overtopping of the Demerara River, linked to the unusually high tides.

“On Monday, September 30, 2019, the Council will only allow Stallholders access to the Market using the middle gate located at the southern entrance to the Market,” it said.

“The Georgetown Municipality sincerely regrets the inconvenience caused and wish-

Director-General of the Civil Defence Commission, Lieutenant Colonel Kester Craig affected, Region Three Information Officer, Ganesh Mahipaul, told the Guyana Chronicle but said residents are being assisted.

“The waters rose to very high levels at Parika, cover the stelling and there was also water overflowing at Wakenaam and Leguan and

by the flooding. I can tell you also that no home has been hampered in such a way where there was stagnated water,” he told this newspaper.

Added to this, clogged drains in some of the communities have been brought to the attention of the Regional

three to four feet high last year but this year there was no flooding; the hospital was not forced to shut its doors,” Mahipaul said.

Cognizant of the effects floods could have on the health of communities and villages, the Ministry of Public Health issued an advisory

Democratic Council (RDC) and machines from the NDIA and the Regional Administration Office were deployed to assist.

Mahipaul said he is thankful that the flooding situation is less severe than it was back in 2018 during the Phagwah season when the tides were shockingly high.

“Not all the areas that were affected last year are affected this year and that’s because the government, in collaboration with the Caribbean Development Bank, spent billions of dollars to fixing sea defences along the Coast of the Region. For example, the Leonora Cottage Hospital was under water at

on Sunday calling on citizens in the affected areas to take precautionary measures, and pay keen attention to their health, personal hygiene, vector control, food and water safety to avoid any waterborne illness.

“If you are living in flooded areas, stay out of the floodwater as much as possible, as it can greatly reduce your chances of contracting diseases such as skin irritation, skin infection, Leptospirosis, diarrhoea and other water-borne diseases,” the Public Health Ministry urged.

It explained that direct contact with floodwaters can

Flood-affected areas in Region Five response that commenced on Saturday in Region Three and in Region Five today (Sunday),” the CDC Director-General said.

In Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice), Craig said that the floods were as a result of the above normal high tides with heights of approximately 3.31 meters. He noted that the situation was further compounded by a breach at the Danzig Sea Defence Dam. “Over 200 meters of the structure has been compromised,” he explained.

On Sunday, a five-person team was deployed to the communities of Danzig, Columbia, Glazier’s Lust, Fair Field, High Dam and Propect

including poultry, were severely affected. Further, over 10 rice cultivated plots were inundated with saltwater,” the CDC Director-General said as he gave a synopsis of the situation on the ground.

The CDC, he reported, provided the seven families with cleaning hampers to ensure that they are able to clean and return their homes to normalcy after the high tides. With the above normal high tides to continue for the next two days, the commission and local authorities have provided residents with sand to create sandbag barriers.

Added to that, the Public Infrastructure Ministry and NDIA have provided exca-

es to assure the general public that the Council is working assiduously to restore normalcy to the operations of the Market,” it further added.

In Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara Region), more than 300 homes spread across seven villages were severely affected on Saturday due to the overtopping of the seawall caused by high tides.

Blankenburg, Den Amstel, Fellowship, Cornelia Ida, Anna Catherina, Zeelugt and Uitvlugt Ocean View, were among the villages inundated with water due to overtopping of the seawall.

O n S u n d a y , a n a d ded number of villages were

the communities of Zeelugt, Uitvlugt, Cornelia Ida, Anna Catherina, Den Amstel, Hague, Blankenburg, Fellowship, La Grange on the West Bank; in those areas, water flowed over the seawalls,” he explained.

Mahipaul noted that residents were all forewarned one week prior about the imminent high tide. The CDC, he noted, has been actively providing relief to those affected.

“The Civil Defence Commission has been very friendly to our Region in terms of their presence and, as a first phase, they have distributed thousands of cleaning agents and cleaning hampers to homes that were affected

See page 9

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, September 30, 2019

President hails Methodist Church for role in education advancement

THE Methodist Church in Guyana continues to play a pivotal role in the advancement of education and morals amongst youths and must continue to find ways to maintain this legacy.

These were the sentiments of President David Granger who joined with members of the Bedford

several of these in their establishment, have taken into consideration that faith is aligned with education.

This, he noted, is evident in the number of Methodist churches which have adjacent schools in areas such as the Cumberland Methodist School, Friendship Methodist School, Kingston Methodist School, Kitty Methodist

9

reasons for establishment of the Bedford Methodist Church was the rate at which Methodism was growing in Georgetown. Existing churches, he explained, could not accommodate the population.

Through its numbers, he stated that the church has worked to instill life-long ethical values in Guyanese

President David Granger addresses members of the Bedford Methodist Church at its 150th Anniversary Service on Sunday. (DPI photo)

The Bedford Methodist Church (Carl Croker photo) Methodist Church at its 150th Anniversary Service on Sunday.

Guided by the theme ‘From the Calabash Tree, Growing Deeper into Christ Jesus, Nurturing Communities of Love’, scores of community members from Georgetown reminisced on the history of the church and the goals yet to be achieved.

In his address, the President pointed out that there are some 42 Methodist congregations in Guyana and

School, Mahaicony Methodist School, Plaisance Methodist School and the Supply Methodist School.

“Church and school were linked,” he stated. “Education is vital to young people’s development. We live in a world of increasing complexity and rapid technological change. The uneducated young person will be disadvantaged, seriously, in the modern world,” the president said.

He noted that one of the

such as compassion, cooperation, humility, integrity and respect.

He stated: “Education is part of the church’s mission.

The word ‘mission’ is associated with being sent out to undertake a task, often to spread the faith. The church is a teacher, instructing the faithful about the scripture and morals. The church’s mission was commanded by Jesus himself as revealed in the Holy Bible [Gospel of Matthew 28: 19-20]: ‘Go

A small children’s choir sings hymns of praise (Carl Croker photo) ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.’”

In congratulating the church for its years of service, President Granger encouraged its leaders and members to find ways to continue the church’s role in education.

By doing this, he explained, the body will wage war against the four horsemen of crime, disease, ignorance and poverty.

He also commended the church for being one which accepts all Guyanese despite their ethnicity.

At the service, the sermon was brought to the congregation by Reverend

Barrington Litchmore, while there were also special selections of music and prayers of thanksgiving to God. In the coming week, to continue its celebration, the church will host a presentation of its history on Monday and on Tuesday a photographic exhibition of its development, which can be traced back to 1868.

Five regions affected...

From page 8

expose persons to several germs that can lead to any of the named diseases.

“Keep children especially out of the water as they are most at risk of contracting diseases. Avoid swimming in canals and trenches. During the rainy season and floods, these become contaminated by both human and animal faeces and can make you sick,” it further warned.

Use of protective gears is key for those persons who are required to venture out into floodwaters, the Ministry said. These gears include long boots, gloves and eye protection.

“Prepare a foot bath of ½ cup of bleach to one bucket of water and wash your feet before entering the house. Apply

Vaseline or oil to your skin as it forms a barrier and provides some protection from the dirty salted water,” the Public Health Ministry advised.

It also called on families to sleep under mosquito nets, use mosquito repellents and coils to prevent being bitten by the insects that could lead to Zika, Dengue and Chikungunya.

“Use safe water for drinking, cooking, brushing your teeth, making ice and beverages. Safe water is water that is treated with chlorine bleach by adding 1/2 teaspoon to 5 gallons bucket of water, cover and let the water stand for 30 minutes before using ) or by boiling clean water for at least 5 minutes, cool and store in covered containers. Sealed bottled

water is also considered safe for consumption. Keep food supplies away from contact with any floodwater. Flood water can contaminate food supplies including dry groceries, vegetables, fruits, cooked foods and beverages. Discard all foods that have been in contact with floodwaters safely by placing in a plastic bag and deposit in covered bins,” it further urged.

Persons are also being reminded to wash their hands with soap and safe water or use hand sanitizers, especially before eating meals, after going to the toilet or latrine, cleaning children or handling animals and contaminated materials.

Use the approved toilets or latrines to defecate and dispose of baby’s diapers in your

CDC officers assessing the situation on the ground in Region Five covered bins. Do not mess or electric shock by turning off periencing any fever, coughlet faeces get into the flood- the main electrical switch ing, vomiting, diarrhoea, skin waters, drains or trenches, the and unplug all appliances and rash, cuts, sticks, bruises, ministry urged. move them to safe areas of injuries or other medical con“Protect against wild ani- your homes if your home is ditions to seek immediate mals coming into your homes. at threat of flooding. If you medical attention.

Rats, roaches, snakes, centi- suspect electrical wiring have The West Demerara Repedes and other pests, which been damaged in your home, gional Hospital, Leonora may spread disease that have turn off the main and have it Hospital, Georgetown Public been flooded out of their natu- checked by a qualified elec- Hospital and other regional ral homes, may seek shelter in trician before turning on back and district hospitals are fulyour homes. Keep doors and the power,” the Public Health ly operational and equipped windows closed or screened Ministry advised. to provide adequate care, to prevent them from entering The ministry is also en- the ministry assured the your homes. Protect against couraging persons who are ex- public.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, September 30, 2019

Car abandoned by Linden gunmen belonged to Cayenne gang leader –– Regional officials call on youths to end the violence

WHILE the police in Linden have not been able to make any arrests following a shooting incident on Saturday evening, it has been confirmed that the incident was gang-related, since the motorcar ( PWW 8986) that was abandoned by the gunmen is owned by a top-ranking member of the ‘Cayenne Gang’, Denzil Grant, also known as Denzil ‘Mob’.

His mother, Denise Grant, who a few weeks ago was the victim of gunplay while at home, was taken to the Mackenzie Police Station for questioning, but was subsequently released. Their Amelia’s Ward home was

Teon Allen shooting continues.

SEVERAL LEADS The police are currently

The Nissan motorcar that was riddled with bullets also searched.

Commander of ‘E’ Division Superintendent Ramesh Ashram related to the Guyana Chronicle that Grant confirmed that the car belongs to her son, who is presently in Cayenne. She claims to have rented it out to one ‘Rawle’, as her son gave her permission to do so. ‘Mob’ is known in Linden as a key member of the ‘Cayenne gang’ that has been allegedly responsible for several incidences of violence in and around the community. The gang also allegedly distributes illegal substances around the township, particularly marijuana and ecstasy.

The PYY 732 Nissan Juke that was driven by the victim of the shooting, 24- year-old Ian Williams, called ‘OJ’, of Wisroc Housing Scheme, Linden, along with Grant’s car, have been impounded as the investigation into the

following several leads in an effort to make an arrest.

Survivor of the shooting incident, 20-year-old Melitia Antigua, who was shot in her back and leg, remains warded but stable at the Linden Hospital Complex (LHC).

She related that Williams had picked her up at a birthday party she was attending in Central Amelia’s Ward, and that she’d just entered the car, some two minutes after talking with her boyfriend, when she heard three gunshots.

She said she saw two men dressed in dark ‘hoodies’ shooting at the car, and that Williams, despite being shot, drove off in the direction of North Amelia’s Ward, with the gunmen in hot pursuit, in what was to become a highspeed chase between Third to First Corners Lover Lane, Amelia’s Ward, and onto the Amelia’s Ward Highway.

She said that when the car became immobile, since all

Dead: Ian ‘OJ’ Williams the tyres were down, Williams attempted to escape on foot on the Amelia’s Ward Highway. The gunmen took that opportunity to finish him off. They then abandoned the car and escaped on foot.

Williams is the cousin of Teon Allen, a rival of the Cayenne gang. Williams and Allen reportedly shared a close relationship, and it is believed that the gunmen thought Allen was in the car, or that they targeted his close cousin out of revenge, since it is believed that Allen was the one who shot up Denzil Grant’s home, with the intention of harming his mother and another relative.

Denzil ‘Mob’ Grant pushing gang violence.

According to a reliable source, the gang war started when members of the Cayenne gang allegedly bullied one of Allen’s workers. And that when Allen approached gang members about the incident and requested that they leave his worker alone, some members returned and physically assaulted him.

Since then, at least one person has been shot, about three have been stabbed, and several vehicles were torched and there were multiple shooting incidents, the latest being fatal.

The feud has been sending shock waves throughout Linden, particularly Amelia’s Ward, where

The Toyota Allion that is owned by Denzil “Mob” Grant VEHEMENTLY DENIED Allen, however, has vehemently denied that he committed the act, and while he was charged for it, he has since released an alibi video as evidence that he was somewhere else at the time. Allen also rubbished claims that he is the leader of a gang, and has been

several of the incidents occurred.

NEED TO SPEAK UP Commander Ashram said that residents of the communities are very tightlipped, despite having a wealth of information on who is involved in the gang.

He assured residents that all information received

Denise Grant will be treated with the highest confidentiality.

Earlier this month, ranks from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in the capital journeyed to Linden and arrested 14 males suspected to be involved in the ongoing gang violence. Ten of them were subsequently released, but four were charged for offences ranging from possession of narcotics and acquiring military clothing from the Guyana Defence Force. Those persons are Adrian Webster, Yuriel Lewis, Rodwell Fraser and Lennox Estwick. Rodwell Fraser was released on $20, 000 bail, and Estwick on $5, 000 bail.

Webster and Lewis were each fined $10, 000 and ordered to do community service.

There were claims, however, that the CID ranks stationed in Linden were in collusion with the Cayenne gang, and that since then, the senior inspector that was attached to E’ Division was transferred.

A new Inspector is now on the case, and Ashram affirmed that under his watch, no collusion or corruption would be tolerated. He said that the police will continue to aggressively pursue the case, until the perpetrators are brought to justice.

“We have to continue and get the situation under control as soon as possible; we will continue our intelligence exercise, but are encouraging residents to speak up on what they know,” he said.

STOP THE VIOLENCE With Linden being a relatively peaceful community, and the Division enjoying a 20% reduction

in all categories of serious crimes, regional officials are bemoaning the situation and are calling on the youths to stop the violence before another life is taken away.

Member of Parliament Jermaine Figueira said the recent upsurge in violence is of concern to him, more so now that a life has been lost.

“These criminal activities, allegedly between two gangs, that has led to the destruction of personal property, grave physical and bodily harm and as recent as Saturday night, the death of a well-known and liked youth in the community, is most concerning to all of us,” Figueira said, adding: “This is an intolerable and unacceptable situation, since an innocent live was taken.

This barbaric act has caused much grief for families and friends, and much insecurities in the neighbourhoods where these two said elements are cohabiting.” He urged residents to collaborate with the police to help solve the case, adding that it is unfortunate that these actions are trying to destabilise the efforts made to foster social cohesion and unity.

Mayor of Linden Waneka Arrindell called on the youths to get involved in meaningful activities that will curb their livelihood and their lifestyle. A plethora of these, she said, are available through government agencies, which will allow youths to be equipped with the skills to become employable or to start their own business.

In this way, they don’t have to be working for criminal elements, selling drugs and getting involved in hit operations. She also called on religious organisations to get involved in youth empowerment initiatives. “Spend time with our youths; pray for them.

Check on them; look out for them. Visit them and encourage them,” she said.

On social media, condolences were poured out by Linden youths for Williams.

The young man was said to be a sports fanatic, a hardworking and jolly individual.

He was no way involved in gang violence, and had no previous brushes with the law.

It was only one year ago that Williams’ father passed away.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, September 30, 2019

Stabroek News nailed … raked in over $50M in gov’t ads for 2019 … had refused State advertising over debts STABROEK News has received more than $50M in payments for ads from the Department of Public Information (DPI) thus far for 2019, far in excess of even the state owned Guyana Chronicle.

The DPI made the disclosure on Sunday, in response to an article published in the Sunday Stabroek, headlined ‘DPI cuts state ads in Stabroek News.’ In that article, it was alleged that the DPI has significantly cut the placement of state advertisement with the Stabroek News and Editor-in-Chief, Anand Persaud, believes it is a clear attempt to “muzzle” the newspaper.

But hours after the article was published, the DPI refuted the claims made. “DPI advises the public that the article is wholly erroneous, misleading and mischievous.

DPI rejects the article,” said the department.

In addition to receiving payments of over $50 million, several government entities have booked advertisements directly with Stabroek New, putting the figure significantly higher, DPI said.

“It was in fact Stabroek News, of its own volition, which took the unprecedented action of formally writing to DPI stating that the newspaper will refuse to take government advertising, thereby effectively blocking government advertising from the newspaper,” the DPI explained.

The DPI said it is preparing a thorough and comprehensive response and presentation of all the unvarnished facts. These facts, it said, will be released to the public today, Monday, September 30.

Stabroek News has reported that an analysis of the ads placed in the four daily newspapers over the last six months has shown a sharp decline in the number of state ads placed per column inches in Stabroek News as of June 2019. The publication said there has been no corresponding decline in the Guyana Chronicle or Kaieteur News but a decline has been noted in the Guyana Times.

According to Persaud, on May 22, 2019, Guyana Publications Inc (GPI), publisher of the Sunday Stabroek

Director of Public Information, Imran Khan and Stabroek News, wrote the DPI about a large outstanding debt for state ads and advised that no new placements would be accepted until there was a substantial settlement of the amount outstanding. After the substantial reduction of the debt, the GPI wrote the DPI in July, advising that the normal flow of advertising could resume. According to Stabroek News, it, however, did not. The publication said some government ads were placed in the newspaper in the period since but those

Minister Ally engages Toka residents

MINISTER of Social Protection (MoSP), Amna Ally engaged residents of Toka Village, Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo as part of a larger outreach exercise by several ministers of government.

At the Toka meeting, the residents were given an opportunity to voice their concerns.

The residents also expressed their satisfaction with the government’s efforts.

Toshao of Toka’s Toshao, Delano Davis explained that over 200 villagers have experienced major accomplishments and are very appreciative. “We have seen developments all over. Our schools, our health post, our roads, and soon we will be establishing a tourism site for persons who plan to visit. The government has been helping a great lot,” he said.

Another resident Eugene Isaacs reminded that within months of assuming office then Minister of State Joseph Harmon (now Director-General attached to the Ministry of the Presidency), donated monies for members of the community to travel to Georgetown to meet and engage with ministers of government. “We have the internet now… and in the next five years we will see more being done,” Isaacs commented.

Additionally, Micah Davis, speaking with the Department of Public Information (DPI), disclosed that youths in the community can now enjoy a game of cricket with the newly constructed pavilion and upgrades at the playfield. He said a spectator stand was built, which allows persons to shelter from

the sun as they watch an afternoon cricket and football match. “There are a lot more projects ongoing in the community and these same projects involve several youths proving employment for the residents…. We also have our tourism effort …these are all developments we were seeking for in past years.

Now they are happening.”

Minister Ally said some $173Million was invested in the Sustainable Livelihood and Entrepreneurial Development (SLED) initiative in Toka, as part of the ministry’s empowerment plans for the hinterland community. She reminded that the government will continue to make representation for all its citizens, citing that President David Granger has commenced and will continue to bridge the gap between the coastland and hinterland communities.

Further, the minister reminded the gathering that Guyana will witness its General and Regional Elections on March 2, 2020 – the earliest possible time announced by the President.

At the end of the meeting, each villager present, both children and adults, were presented with gifts.

The Minister’s Saturday outreach did not end at Toka, as she travelled to the community of Parishara to join in the heritage festivities.

While there, residents also welcomed the gifts provided as minister Ally made the presentation on behalf of the government.

Editor-in-Chief of Stabroek News, Anand Persaud were only because those advertisers insisted specifically on Stabroek News.

Social Activist and Radio Station Owner, Mark Benschop, in a letter to the

editor, said ads to Stabroek News were not withdrawn, they were cutback.

“Unlike what Jagdeo and the corrupt PPP did when they were in office. Actually, when Jagdeo withdrew all ads from you, I joined in protesting against his vindictive act. However, I see absolutely nothing wrong with the government scaling back on feeding you with ads. After all, such is not an automatic entitlement to any newspaper or media house,” said Benschop.

Although he does not support any media house being deliberately starved of ads from any government, regardless of how anti-government they may be, Benschop said there are clear journalistic misconduct and mischief being perpetrated by the ‘high level political

actors” at the Stabroek News.

“Yet, the David Granger Government continues to handout millions of dollars in ads every month to the very Stabroek News, Guyana Times and the Kaieteur News,” said the social activist.

Meanwhile, other media houses like Channel 9 TV/ radio, Prime News, Capital News, News Source, Benschop Radio and others get “crumbs” or “nothing at all.”

“Sadly, it looks like Stabroek News wanna eat out de pepperpot, and others must starve to death. And when they can’t continue eating the big chunk, dem ah cry foul,” said Benschop.

He, however, called on Government to remove the DPI as the agency which is responsible for the placement of Government ads.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, September 30, 2019

Beating back non-com – with ancient Indian traditional healing, yoga

By Tajeram Mohabir WITH non-communicable diseases (NDCs) eating up millions of dollars in treatment yet accounting for some 70 per cent of all deaths in Guyana annually, the need for a workable and cost-effective solution to tackle these challenges remains a priority.

According to the Health Ministry’s Strategic Plan for Integrated Prevention and Control of Chronic Non-communicable Diseases (NCDs) and their Risk Factors 2013-2020, the annual indirect costs of all NCDs were estimated at between US$207.5M, or 10 per cent of GDP, in 2010.

The report added that the total annual costs accruing due to NCDs are estimated at US$221.5M. Specifically, it noted that the annual direct

costs of treating diabetes and or hypertension are estimated to be between US$7.2M and US$10.8M, and for cardiovascular diseases and cancer, the estimate is between US$ 0.3M and US$2.5M. The report further noted that of these sums, clinic visits, laboratory tests, treatment and drugs account for the highest burden of these costs.

According to World Health Organisation (WHO) Country Statistics (2016), cardiovascular diseases account for 34 per cent of all deaths in Guyana, followed by cancer and diabetes (eight per cent each), chronic respiratory diseases (three per cent) and other NCDs (14 per cent).

This statistical report also indicated that 12 per cent of deaths are as a result of injuries. In 2017, Guyana launched a Presidential Com-

Sandra LaRocque says yoga has helped her to overcome a back injury and improve her creativity as an artist and sculptor

mission on NCDs. President David Grang-

er, speaking at the launch, observed that lifestyle and cultural carelessness have caused more than half of the country’s adult population to suffer from an NCD. The Department of Public Information (DPI) quoted the president as saying at the launch, “almost seven out of every 10 deaths of Guyanese aged 23-60 years are caused by cancers, chronic lung diseases, diabetes, heart disease and hypertension.”

Given the seriousness of these health challenges, and the social and economic costs on the State and families, a lingering question is natural and inevitable: Is there a solution that is workable, cost-effective and available in Guyana? The answer to both questions is a resounding yes. WHO Regional Director for South-East Asia, Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh says yoga is a vital tool to increasing physical activity and decreasing non-communicable diseases. Physical exercise, she said, is key to life-long health and well-being, pointing out that it “improves muscular and cardiorespiratory fitness, enhances bone and functional health, and helps prevent depression and promote mental health.”

Importantly too, the WHO regional director shared that physical exercise helps to reduce life-threatening NCDs, particularly hypertension, stroke, heart attack and diabetes, which claim millions of lives across the planet every year. So

much for physical exercise, but what is yoga? Agnela Mazrekar, a yoga teacher certified by AYUSH, a Government of India Ministry that develops, educates and conducts research in the field of alternative medicine, said, in a nutshell, yoga connects the body, mind and spirt through the practice of an eight-fold path created by Sage Patanjali more than 2,000 years ago.

Modern-day yoga scholar Ananda Balayogi Bhavanani, in a paper titled ‘The History of Yoga from Ancient to Modern Times’, identified the eight-fold paths as Yama, Niyama, Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana and Samadhi.

Yama, involves attitudes towards the environment; Niyama, attitudes towards oneself; Asana, physical postures and stretches; Pranayama, restraint or expansion of the breath; Pratyahara, withdrawal of the senses; Dharana, focus or concentration; Dhyana, meditation; and Samadhi, spiritual connection which involves a meditative consciousness. “Yoga is a universal practice; it is not related to religion, caste or creed, and so anyone can join a yoga session. Yoga is not just about exercises [simple and complex postures], but the integration of the mind, body and spirit into one harmonious whole,” said Mazrekar, an Indian national who teaches the 5,000-year-old

Indian traditional practice at the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre in New Haven, Bel Air, Georgetown.

BENEFITS She claims that after one session, yoga improves brain function, lowers stress levels, and increases flexibility, and that after a few months of practice, participants experience lower blood pressure, improved lung capacity, improved sexual function, reduced chronic neck and back pain, anxiety relief, lower blood sugar levels in diabetics and an improved sense of balance. After years of practice, the expert said practitioners develop stronger bones, healthy weight, and lower risk of heart diseases.

The Journal of Social Sciences and Diabetes in 2017 reported that based on traditional and scientific thinking, obesity, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus and hypertension are some of the NCDs for which yoga may be used with “a favourable effect in modern medicine”.

The findings of the latter NCD in the scientific journal resonates with 69-year-old Jeewan Shaw, a diabetic; one of thousands of Guyanese living with the lifestyle disease.

According to the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) 2018 report, of Guyana’s 505, 722 adult population, some 53, 496 persons

Yoga teacher Agnela Mazrekar leading one of her classes at the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, September 30, 2019

13

mmunicable diseases

Jeewan Shaw, second right front row, participating in a curtain raiser for International Yoga Day, 2019

are diabetic, representing a national prevalence rate of 10.6 per cent.

The report estimates that the State, on average, spends US$369.90 annually per patient; that around 18, 921 persons are unaware they are diabetic, and one in 18 adults have the lifestyle disease which, on average, claims the lives of 1079 persons every year.

Shaw related to this publication that he felt a renewal in life when he learnt of yoga, which he credits as being “a wonderful coping mechanism” to his diabetic condition.

“I believe yoga has actually prolonged my life,” said the elderly man, who was first diagnosed with the lifestyle disease some two decades ago. The ancient Indian art and science of

healing, he said, has kept him both physically fit, and in a balanced mental state.

“Yoga does not only involve stretches to tone the muscles of the body, but it includes meditation, which relaxes the spirit, and together they put the body at complete ease; no tension and stress to increase the blood pressure and sugar levels,” Shaw told this publication. Yoga, he said, aside from helping him cope with diabetes, has also helped him to overcome a severe emotional hurt. Just over 10 years ago, the father of two told Guyana Chronicle, he endured much emotional pain during the divorce of his wife of more than 20 years.

Anything could have happened, he said, but noted he decided to stay on course, and through yoga, he was

Hockey player Sarina Kawall going through her paces with another student at the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre

able to take control of his life.

LIFE “I view yoga as LIFE, and by that I mean, those words stand for ‘Look Inside For Everything’. I looked inside and discovered my inner self; I was able to develop willpower, and these help me to overcome my challenges and become the contented soul I am today,” said Shaw with a pleasant smile.

His lifestyle reverberates in a recent message by Public Health Minister Volda Lawrence in observance of Caribbean Wellness Day 2019. Minister Lawrence advised that the elderly should be encouraged to live healthy lifestyles to avoid NCDs, and pointed out that overall wellness cannot be divorced from mental well-being.

“In fact, this constitutes one of the key areas of our health,” the minister said.

“We must promote the mental well-being of all, where we can learn, work, play and listen to each other. In other words, as we speak about well-being, we cannot forget mental health; there is no balanced health without mental health,” she emphasised.

Shaw is one of the thousands of Guyanese battling diabetes and mental health issues, but is perhaps one of a few who have developed a coping mechanism that targets both the physical and mental state of the body, and is inexpensive compared to the prices for prescriptive medicine.

Aside from helping persons to avoid and cope with various lifestyle diseases, yoga is also a useful tool in helping persons to overcome physical injuries. Accord-

ing to the Harvard Medical School in an article titled “The physical benefits of yoga”, the ancient Indian practice helps in stress management, promotes flexibility and reduces joint pain. Sarina Kawall, 25, a hockey player and student of the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre, related to the Guyana Chronicle that two years ago, she suffered a torn ligament during a match, and it was yoga that helped her to make a full recovery.

“About two years ago, I was playing a match when I suffered a torn ligament in the left leg. The injury caused me great discomfort, and I had to seek treatment.”

Sarina said, adding: “I did physiotherapy for some time before starting yoga. The stretches and meditation, I believe, helped me to recover much faster than I expected.”

Kawall, who has been practising yoga for more than two years, told the Guyana Chronicle that apart from recovering from her injury, the ancient Indian form of healing has also helped her to get over the anxiety she was going through during the period of her injury.

CALMNESS AND SERENITY “I returned to my calmness and serenity, and I enjoy today a better frame of mind,” the young lady said. She believes that since yoga also helps in balancing the mental state of persons, the Public Health Ministry should consider adopting it as a tool to tackle mental health issues in Guyana.

This, she said, would be helpful to the citizenry, as it is an effective, inexpensive

and convenient.

Sandra LaRocque, wife of CARICOM Secretary-General Irwin LaRocque, expressed similar sentiments, and related a similar experience to Kawall’s. An artist and sculptor, LaRocque related to this publication that a few years ago, she suffered a back injury that caused her tremendous pain, and yoga aided in her recovery.

“The physiotherapist who was working with me was a bit surprised at my flexibility when doing stretches to relax the muscles in my back. I developed this flexibility doing yoga, and this greatly helped in my recovery. Even though from time to time I still experience a slight pain in the back, it is far less than what it was before. The stretches I

do in yoga, I believe, helped me to recover faster that I had initially expected,” said LaRocque, also a student of the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre.

Like Kawall, she shared that yoga has helped her to maintain a serene spirit, as well as discover her hidden talent as a painter and sculptor. According to LaRocque, as a creative mind, the meditation aspect of yoga has enabled her to not only overcome challenges, but focus her energies towards producing more pleasing creative works.

“Recently, I was a bit anxious about the limited time I have to get ready for an art exhibition at the Castellani House, and whether I should go to yoga classes, as I have not gone in a while.

And after some thought, I decided I will go, and it actually helped me to better manifest my creative thoughts in my work,” she told the Guyana Chronicle. Yoga instructor Mazrekar said health and wellness are closely related to the lifestyle of the individual, the latter of which has a tremendous effect on the person’s health, depending how he lives.

The principles of yoga, she contends, equips the practioners to balance the body, mind and spirit, and on achievement of this balance, they become better able to deal with the stresses of life without any great monetary cost or mental or physical strain.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, September 30, 2019

Nesha’s Flowerland opens branch at Parika

NESHA’S Flowerland, a store known for its wide variety of flowers, opened its third branch on Sunday at the Lotus Mall in Parika.

In an interview with

Guyana Chronicle, co-owner of Nesha’s Flowerland, Samaria Deonauth, said the new store will serve customers in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), Region Two

(Pomeroon-Supenaam) and even those journeying to Parika from Bartica, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni).

“This store will function just like our main branch on Church Street; it has all

(From left): Proprietor of Nesha’s Flowerland, Nesha Deonauth and her daughters Samaria Deonauth and Pritti Deonauth.

Inside the Parika Branch of Nesha’s Flowerland

of the same things – fresh flowers, artificial flowers, bridals, wreaths, everything that you would expect from our branch – the same quality, same service,” Deonauth explained.

She noted that Nesha’s Flowerland offers products and services that are affordable. “We offer high quality flowers with prices to suit your budget,” she said.

Nesha’s Flowerland is also located on Church Street and in the Giftland Mall.

In addition to the establishment of a new branch at Parika, the store extended its services to tap into the ‘wedding industry,’ through a subsidiary store called ‘Pritti’s Bridal Boutique.’

“As an extension of Nesha’s, we’re just trying to offer our customers a lot more

than just their flowers for their bridal bouquets or their happy occasions; we want to help them get dressed and get ready for their occasions,” Pritti Deonauth, the manager of the boutique told this newspaper.

Pritti’s Bridal Boutique, which is also located in Lotus Mall, Parika, is also offering party services.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, September 30, 2019

Lethem aerodrome to be upgraded to regional hub

THE transformation of the Lethem aerodrome into a regional airport remains a priority for the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) Government,

Minister of Public Infrastructure David Patterson, said on Sunday during the ceremonial signing of an agreement for rehabilitation of the aerodrome.

The agreement was

signed at the Takutu Hotel in Lethem and the $137.3M contract was awarded to H. Nauth and Sons Limited on September 20.

In his remarks, the Public Infrastructure Minister said

GLDA reopens hatchery after resolving issues linked to duck disease MONTHS after closing its hatchery to prevent the spread of a duck disease, the Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA) reopened its facility at Mon Repos on Sunday.

“We apologise for the inconvenience experienced during our closure, but assure the duck farming community that the issues have been resolved and we look forward to your continued support,” GLDA said in a notice on Sunday.

The hatchery has, however, been reopened with new conditions. It will no longer be hatching eggs of poultry species such as fowl, turkey, geese, guinea fowl, quail and other species.

Back in June, there were suspected cases of Duck Hepatitis Virus, mainly at six duck farms on the coast of Guyana.

GLDA’s surveillance team had reportedly seen an increased mortality rate of the ducklings hatched at the facility.

A number of farmers had made similar reports.

GLDA said that the high mortality rates were recorded primarily in the Muscovy breed of ducklings, generally between the ages of two to three weeks.

There were no reports of high mortality in adult Muscovy ducks and other breeds such as Pekin and the Kunshan.

In an effort to guard against the spreading of the disease, the GLDA had

closed its hatchery which was the only one in Guyana that hatched duck eggs commercially.

The disease had not manifested itself in the other poultry sectors– chicken, turkey and Guinea bird– and had only been observed in ducklings between the ages of 3 to 15 days old, said the authority.

Trinidad and Tobago, after becoming aware of the disease, had placed a ban on all poultry products-- raw and cooked-coming from Guyana.

Trinidad’s Minister of Agriculture, Clarence Rambharat, had explained that the ban was instituted as Guyana had advised of the existence of Duck virus hepatitis in a part of the country.

GLDA had expressed disappointment in the “premature and excessive” response of the Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries of Trinidad and Tobago.

“While a disease incidence report to the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) may elicit a country response, we are disappointed at the premature and excessive response of the Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries of Trinidad and Tobago,” said the GLDA. The GLDA did not consider the advisory to be ill-advised as the sale, nor does consumption of poultry meat pose any health risks.

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo (second left); Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson (left); Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman (second right) and H. Nauth and Sons Limited Project Coordinator, Kiran Nauth (left), following their discussion about the Lethem aerodrome in Lethem, Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) there continue to be increasing calls for air transportation between Georgetown, Lethem, Northern Brazil and the Caribbean. This demand, he said, “is projected to grow exponentially, particularly with expansions in the gold-mining sector and emerging oil and gas industry.”

“The Government of Guyana ultimately intends to upgrade the Lethem aerodrome to regional standards, which will also act as a hub in servicing this demand,” Minister Patterson stated.

He said that the rehabilitation of the Lethem aerodrome will significantly reduce the cost of doing business and improve the quality of inter-regional connectivity.

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo said government believes that “the project is worthy and is critical to the vast region.”

He also noted that transformation of the aerodrome will contribute to improving the standard of living in the Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo District (Region Nine).

The prime minister emphasised that the upgrades are testimony to the government’s commitment to ensuring development in all 10 administrative regions of the country.

Also present for the ceremonial signing was Minister of Natural Resources Raphael Trotman, along with engineers from the Ministry of Public Infrastructure.

The contracted works will see 4000ft of runway upgraded, which forms phase one of the upgrades to meet ICAO standards.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, September 30, 2019

Gov’t to support Katoka self-help works

“I AM happy. I have been waiting for this moment to come,” said Loretta Marco, the head mistress of Katoka Nursery School. Her remark came after Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson, visited the community and pledged to

support several community-led initiatives.

During a meeting in the community, the head mistress drew the minister’s attention to a number of selfhelp projects.

One of the projects is the construction of a kitchen to

prepare hot meals in support of the breakfast programme, which is in keeping with the President’s 5 Bs initiative.

The columns for the building have already been erected along with a section of the roof, but materials are needed to complete the project.

Minister of Public Infrastructure David Patterson hands over electronic tablets to Loretta Marco, the head mistress of Katoka Nursery School “When they [residents] are motivated, they like to work. So, I know if we get these things, they would be happy. The cooks and the people in the community will benefit,” the head teacher said.

Upon hearing this, Minister Patterson pledged to deliver cement along with zinc sheets to assist with completion of the building.

Additionally, a generator will be given to the Village Council to assist with the manufacturing of furniture for both the nursery and primary schools.

Also, the restroom facilities at the Nursery School

will receive a facelift with upgrades to the pipe fittings, along with the installation of five additional toilets.

The active Parent Teachers’ Association has taken on the responsibility to coordinate the enhancement works.

Minister Patterson reiterated the government’s support for the upward mobility of residents in the Indigenous community. According to the minister, Guyana’s progress cannot be achieved in isolation. He explained that Indigenous communities play a vital role in the success of the country. On that note, Katoka residents were urged to work in unison towards Guyana’s

development.

In support for the first ICT hub that will be established in Katoka, Minister Patterson handed over electronic tablets to the toshao, the head mistress, the Village Council and the Katoka’s Women’s Cooperative Society.

This was done on behalf of Minister of Public Telecommunications, Catherine Hughes. Agricultural equipment was also gifted to the community. Katoka is home to approximately 800 residents and is located along the Rupununi River in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo).

Africans, Asians at higher risk of developing heart disease

THE Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) has said that persons of African and Asian ancestry are at higher risk of developing Cardiovascular Diseases (CVDs).

CARPHA, in its message on World Heart Day, said persons living in CARHPA member states are at a very high risk of becoming affected by cardiovascular diseases.

CVDs are the number one cause of death and illness among the population in Caribbean countries. CVDs are disorders of the heart and blood vessels and include coronary heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, rheumatic heart disease and other conditions.

Some people are born with conditions that predispose them to heart disease and stroke.

A pre-existing heart condition and other physiological factors, including diabetes, hypertension or high blood cholesterol also increase the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases. However, most people who develop cardiovascular diseases do so because of a combination of risk factors such as poor diet, lack of physical activity, overweight and obesity, raised or high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking of tobacco and excessive use of alcohol.

The more risk factors you expose yourself to, the higher your chance of developing CVDs. Studies show that cardiovascular dis-

ease risk can be reduced through consumption of healthy foods including adequate amounts of fruits and vegetables, reducing body weight to normal levels, increasing physical activity, reducing blood pressure to normal levels, lowering cholesterol, stop smoking and avoiding harmful use of alcohol.

Although some risk factors for CVDs, such as age or family history, cannot be controlled, Dr. Glennis Andall-Brereton, Senior Technical Officer for Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) at CARPHA urged persons to: “Take responsibility for your health by making changes to reduce risk factors. Reducing risk factors improves your chances of leading a heart-healthy life.”

CARPHA is encouraging persons to take action and lower their chances of developing cardiovascular disease.

The agency said it will continue to support its member states in moving towards improving population health by reducing risk factors; to achieve reductions in premature deaths from cardiovascular disease; and other NCDs in the population.

World Heart Day, observed annually on 29th September, aims to inform people about cardiovascular diseases, and promote preventative measures to reduce the risk of these diseases.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, September 30, 2019

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, September 30, 2019

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, September 30, 2019

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English Racing Tips Bath 09:00 hrs Goodwood Rebel 09:30 hrs Passing Fashion 10:05 hrs Capriolette 10:35 hrs Pettochide 11:10 hrs Scoffsman 11:40 hrs Celtic Classic 12:10 hrs Kodiac Attack Wolverhampton 12:25 hrs Sparkling Diamonds 12:50 hrs Isobar Wind 13:20 hrs Brad The Brief 13:50 hrs Tavener 14:20 hrs Acclaim The Nation 14:50 hrs Baryshnikov Irish RacingTips Roscommon 09:05 hrs Union Gap 09:35 hrs Well Set Up 10:10 hrs Kansas Kid 10:40 hrs Shanwalla 11:15 hrs Cool Colonnade 11:45 hrs Sir Bob 12:15 hrs Out Of The Loop 12:45 hrs Lou Trek South Africa Racing Tips Fairview 08:25 hrs Flame Of Fire 09:05 hrs Master Newton 09:40 hrs Lateral’s Flash 10:15 hrs Palo Alto 10:45 hrs Teofilia American Racing Tips Delware Park Race 1 Malibu Sunset Race 2 Lil Commissioner Race 3 Blaze A Trail Race 4 Indian Gulch Race 5 Sea Candy Race 6 Aimed Race 7 Mystery Guest Race 8 Gallanor Race 9 Eighty Six Mets

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, September 30, 2019

10 man Leicester thump Newcastle

(BBC) - LEICESTER City’s impressive start to the season under Brendan Rodgers continued with a thumping win which left woeful Newcastle anchored in the relegation zone.

Ricardo Pereira’s outstanding low finish set Leicester on their way before Newcastle were reduced to 10 men shortly before half-time after Isaac Hayden’s terrible challenge on Dennis Praet.

Leicester made the extra man count with three goals in 10 second-half minutes.

Jamie Vardy beat Martin Dubravka at his near post to double the lead and, after Paul Dummett had deflected Praet’s cross into his own net to make it 3-0, headed the fourth.

On a miserable day for

Newcastle, Wilfred Ndidi added a late fifth goal with a shot on the turn. Leicester move back up to third in the table, where they started the weekend, after a fourth win in five league and cup games.

Rodgers’ side are two points off second-placed Manchester City and seven behind leaders Liverpool, who they visit next Saturday. Rodgers will have a spring in his step when he makes his first return to Anfield since being sacked by Liverpool in 2015.

This was Leicester’s 10th - and almost certainly easiest - top-flight win in 18 games since they announced the appointment of the Northern Irishman in February.

Jamie Vardy of Leicester City scores his teams fourth goal during the Premier League match between Leicester City and Newcastle United at The King Power Stadium on September 29, 2019 in Leicester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Chloe Knott - Danehouse/ Getty Images)

Mercedes cruise to 1-2 in Russia

Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain driving the (44) Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team Mercedes W10 on track during the F1 Grand Prix of Russia at Sochi Autodrom on September 29, 2019 in Sochi, Russia.

(Photo by Charles Coates/Getty Images)

(BBC) - LEWIS Hamilton was handed victory in the Russian Grand Prix after a virtual safety car cost Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc the lead.

Hamilton’s first win in four grands prix inched him closer to a sixth world title and came after Ferrari’s chances of victory fell apart following a controversy over Leclerc’s team-mate Sebastian Vettel disobeying team orders.

Ferrari’s pre-race plan was for Leclerc to tow Vettel down into the first corner to remove the risk of Hamilton, starting second, taking the lead. Leclerc played his side of the bargain, but once Vettel was in the lead, he refused a demand to let his team-mate back past him.

After a series of conversations over the radio, Ferrari decided to do the swap later and Leclerc recovered first place when he was pitted four laps earlier and allowed to benefit from fresher tyres.

But Vettel’s engine developed a problem in its hybrid system on his first lap out of the pits and when he was told to park the car that led to the virtual safety car being deployed.

It was bad timing for Ferrari, because it meant Hamilton, who had been promoted into the lead by Ferrari’s pit stops, could stop under the VSC and lose far less time than under racing conditions, allowing him to keep the lead. Leclerc then lost second place as well when George Russell crashed with an apparent braking problem just as the VSC was ending, bringing out the safety car. Ferrari decided to pit Leclerc again to swap his medium tyres for softs, the same as the Mercedes drivers, and that dropped him to third behind Hamilton’s team-mate Valtteri Bottas.

Try as he might, Leclerc could not quite get close enough to attack Bottas, and Mercedes were able to deliver their first one-two since the

British Grand Prix back in mid-July.

Hamilton scored an extra point for fastest lap and his championship lead is now at 73 points.

Mathematically, he cannot win the title at the next race in Japan - but he could well do it the race after that in Mexico. Losing the win was bad luck for Ferrari - although there will be questions as to whether they could have asked Vettel to make it back to the pits and avoided the VSC that looked to have cost them the race.

But they will be as nothing compared to the debate over Vettel’s actions at the start of the race.

At the start, Leclerc seemed to have made a mistake in leaving the door open on the inside for Vettel into the first corner.

But a radio message within a couple of laps betrayed a pre-race plan, as Leclerc was told: “We are looking into doing the swap later in the race.”

“I’ll give my life to make the supporters proud of this club,” said Rodgers on the day he was unveiled as Leicester’s fourth permanent boss in 23 months. Rejuvenated and full of energy, they have been transformed by the former Celtic manager who took over a team drained of confidence and starved of wins seven months ago.

Only Manchester City and Liverpool have accumulated more points than Leicester in the Premier League since Rodgers’ appointment, and Newcastle can count themselves fortunate not to have been on the end of an even heavier drubbing.

Leicester produced

a clinical performance and scored from all five of their shots on target.

Portugal defender Pereira’s second goal in as many top-flight games set the tone for an utterly dominant performance - the former Porto player starting the move inside his own half before finishing after a neat one-two with former Newcastle player Ayoze Perez. After Hayden’s red card, Leicester swarmed their opponents yet Dubravka should have kept out Vardy’s first goal.

Dummett’s own goal added to Newcastle’s woes yet Leicester were not done as Vardy was left unmarked to make it 4-0 with a close-range header before Ndidi piled on the embarrassment for the visitors.

Marseille

held to draw

Duje Caleta Car Celebrating goal during the Ligue 1 match between Olympique Marseille and Stade Rennes at Stade Velodrome on September 29, 2019 in Marseille, France. (Photo by MaximeAlexandre Paul - OM/Olympique de Marseille via Getty Images)

(REUTERS) - OLYMPIQUE de Marseille missed the chance to move into the top four in Ligue 1 when they were held to a 1-1 draw at home to Stade Rennais on Sunday, their third consecutive tie.

Rennes arrived in Marseille fresh from beating Paris St. Germain 2-0 away from home in midweek and looked to be on course for another significant away win when M’Baye Niangan slid in to turn a cross into the net in the 19th minute.

However, the strike was given as an own goal by Marseille defender Hiroki Sakai, who got the final touch.

Andre Villas-Boas’s side pulled level seven minutes into the second half with a header

from defender Duje Caleta-Car from a corner.

Marseille are fifth in the table on 13 points after eight games, five behind leaders and champions PSG. Rennes are eighth on 12.

Struggling 10-times champions St. Etienne earned a much-needed victory, beating Nimes 1-0 away from home with a second-half header from Mathieu Debuchy.

St. Etienne had to play the final quarter of an hour with 10 men after Romain Hamouma was sent off for two bookings but they held on for a first win in seven games, staying 19th but moving on to eight points.

Racing Strasbourg beat Montpellier 1-0 at home to go 13th on nine points.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, September 30, 2019

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Felix wins twelfth world title

(REUTERS) - ALLYSON Felix won her 12th world title, and her first since becoming a mother, as the United States claimed the inaugural world championship 4x400 metres mixed relay on Sunday.

In doing so, Felix, who won her first gold in 2005, overhauled Usain Bolt’s record of 11 world titles.

Felix ran the second leg as the U.S. team also featuring Wilbert London, Courtney Okolo and Michael Cherry won in three minutes 9.04 seconds — a world record for the new event — to finish ahead of Jamaica and Bahrain.

The team draped themselves in U.S. flags as they celebrated their win but, with barely any spectators in the Khalifa Stadium,

went straight down the tunnel instead of completing a lap of honour.

Seven of the eight teams chose to run the first and fourth legs with men while Poland went for men in the first two legs and women in the last two.

That meant the Poles finished the second leg with a healthy lead which was cut back in the third leg and obliterated within the first 100 metres of the fourth as Justyna Swiety-Ersetic was overtaken by Cherry.

Poland eventually finished fifth.

Felix, 33, has also won three world titles in the women’s 200 metres, one in the 400 metres, three in the women’s 4x100 metres relay and four in the women’s 4x400 metres relay.

Wilbert London, Michael Cherry, Courtney Okolo and Allyson Felix of the United States pose after setting a new world record in the 4x400 Metres Mixed Relay during day three of 17th IAAF World Athletics Championships Doha 2019 at Khalifa International Stadium on September 29, 2019 in Doha, Qatar. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)

‘Four times the Pryce!’ Gold is gold - Sidorova Jamaican sprint queen powers to WC Gold

(REUTERS) - JAMAICA’S Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce powered her way to 100-metres gold on Sunday to become the first person to win four gold medals over the distance at the athletics world championships.

Fraser-Pryce, who returned to the track in earnest only last year after giving birth to a son, stormed across the line in a season-best time of 10.71 seconds followed by Britain’s Dina Asher-Smith in 10.83.

Ivory Coast’s Marie-Josee Ta Lou, world silver medallist at 100m and 200m in London two years ago, completed the podium, grabbing bronze with 10.90. The victory cemented Fraser-Pryce’s status as one of the all-time great sprinters, with her four world titles going alongside Olympic gold won in 2008 and 2012 and perhaps more to come at the 2020 Tokyo Summer Games.

The 32-year-old Jamaican now stands alone in terms of the world championships where her four titles are one better than her compatriot Usain Bolt and Americans, Carl Lewis and Maurice Greene.

“Standing here having done it again, holding my baby, is a dream come true,” said Fraser-Pryce, who had switched from the yellow dyed hair she sported in the heats to a multi-coloured style for the final. “I had no sleep last night. “Last time, I was at a major championship, was 2016, and I just could not sleep with nerves,“But with mental toughness you will get what you want.”

The only disappointment about the race was that once again there was a shockingly sparse crowd at the 40,000-capacity Khalifa Stadium to watch the world’s top sprinters perform.

With the upper sections of the stadium covered

in signage and only the lower bowl open for spectators, there were still more empty seats than occupied ones even on a night when five gold medals were on offer.

By the time the women sprinters hit the track for their race, the last of the night (11.20 PM local time), the stadium had almost emptied.

Letting out a mighty scream as she crossed the line, Fraser-Pryce wrapped herself in the Jamaican flag then found her son, Zyon, who was soon asleep on her shoulder as she took a victory lap around the vacant stadium.

“I can’t believe it, I worked so hard to be back,” said Fraser-Pryce. “Zyon and my husband have been my strength.

“When everybody else doubted me, they never did.” After a lavish pre-race production for the benefit of the small crowd, the sprinters settled in their blocks and when the gun went off there was little doubt that Fraser-Pryce would be adding to her golden haul as she left Asher-Smith in her wake.

The silver was the first medal for a British woman in the 100m since Dorothy Hyman at the 1960 Olympics. “A PB (personal best) and a national record, that is more than I could have ever asked for in a world championship final,” said Asher-Smith. “I’d have loved to win today, but Shelly-Ann ran a superb race, that’s why she is the champion she is.”

The results confirmed that Jamaican women have taken over the mantle of global sprint superpower from their men whose dominance has been in decline since the retirement of 100 and 200m record holder Bolt, who is not competing at the worlds for the first time since 2003.

Anzhelika Sidorova of the Authorised Neutral Athletes competes in the Women’s Pole Vault final during day three of 17th IAAF World Athletics Championships Doha 2019 at Khalifa International Stadium on September 29, 2019 in Doha, Qatar. (Photo

by Andy Lyons/Getty Images for IAAF)

(REUTERS) - RUSSIAN pole vaulter Anzhelika Sidorova said her victory at the world championships on Sunday had not been overshadowed by the absence of her country’s flag and the scandal surrounding its athletics federation.

The 28-year-old Russian, who cleared 4.95 metres on her third and final attempt, said she felt slightly uncomfortable seeing the silver and bronze medallists celebrate with their flags but was too caught up in her own emotions to be bothered.

“All that is not too comfortable but I was so happy,” she said. “I was just so happy that I didn’t really think about it...

Gold is gold.” Russia’s athletics federation has been suspended since a 2015 report commissioned by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) found evidence of mass doping in the sport.

Since then some Russian athletes have been cleared by the IAAF, athletics’ global body, to compete internationally as neutrals after demonstrating that they were training in a doping-free environment.

Barred from wearing their national colours or celebrating with their flag, Russia’s neutral athletes are serenaded by the IAAF anthem if they win

gold.

Sidorova’s all-time best result left American rival Sandi Morris with silver in her third successive major championship. Greek Ekaterini Stefanidi, the title-holder and Olympic champion, took bronze. Morris, the 2016 Olympic silver medallist, said she had no hard feelings about Sidorova’s status as a neutral athlete.“Sidorova is a friend of mine,” Morris said. “She can’t help what is going on politically.”

Drained by her showdown with Morris, Sidorova said she knew her final jump was her last chance to claim the title. “I thought this is a chance that needed to be taken,” she said. “If not, I would have had to jump again and I didn’t really have the strength at that point.”

When she returns to Russia, Sidorova plans to celebrate her gold medal with whipped cream she bought before travelling to Doha. “I’ll come home and just eat it all,” she said, chuckling.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, September 30, 2019

Drakes secures Patriots playoff spot

ST KITTS & Nevis Patriots secured their 2019 Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) playoff spot in dramatic style as Dominic Drakes bowled Harry Gurney with the final ball of the night to seal a thrilling one-run victory over Barbados Tridents, who now face a winner-takes-all clash with St Lucia Zouks on Sunday after a dramatic batting collapse when victory appeared in their grasp.

Superb bowling from Carlos Brathwaite, Sheldon Cottrell and Rayad Emrit on the back of what would prove a crucial 33-ball 53 from Shamarh Brooks, all helped set up the dramatic finale and, ultimately what had looked for most of the night, an unlikely victory. The two points move the Patriots up to second in the table for now but more importantly certain of at least fourth, no matter what happens over the next few days.

Tonight’s result means Trinbago Knight Riders are also sure of a top-four finish despite their recent struggles, while the Tridents are condemned to what amounts to an eliminator before the Eliminator against the Zouks to determine the final top-four spot.

The Tridents will be kicking themselves for failing to chase down the Patriots’ 149/7 having appeared in full control for much of the game, first when keeping the runs down with the ball and then when easing to 85/2 in the run-chase.

Shakib Al Hasan was integral to both on his return to Tridents colours, opening the bowling with a maiden and ending with 1/14 from his four overs, before appearing set to guide his team to a routine victory.

But his dismissal for a 25-ball 38, caught at long-on off Brathwaite, triggered a collapse of 5/14 in under four overs to leave the chase in ruins. Yet the Tridents would roar back once again, Raymon Reifer blasting three sixes on his way to 34 in just 18 balls.

Harry Gurney of Barbados Tridents bowled by Domnic Drakes of St Kitts Nevis and Patriots during match 25 of the Hero Caribbean Premier League between Barbados Tridents and St Kitts Nevis Patriots at Kensington Oval on September 28, 2019 in Bridgetown, Barbados. (Photo by Randy Brooks - CPL T20/Getty Images)

From needing 51 off 29 with three wickets in hand, Reifer’s assault reduced the equation to five runs in five balls with two wickets in hand before he was run out attempting a high-risk second run in a desperate bid to retain the strike.

Last pair Harry Gurney and Chemar Holder each picked up a single to leave the target at two to win from the final ball of the

night. But Drakes went full and straight to beat Gurney and spark dramatic celebrations.

That collapse from 85/2 to 99/7 had proved decisive after all. After Shakib fell, Jonathan Carter chopped on to give Brathwaite a second wicket in the over, while Jason Holder struggled before miscuing Emrit to mid-off.

Emrit had earlier had Alex Hales superb-

ly caught by Sheldon Cottrell running back from short fine-leg in an impressive spell.

Ashley Nurse was then trapped plumb in front to give Cottrell a second wicket, having seen off opener Johnson Charles early in the run-chase, and Brathwaite got his third when Thursday night’s record-breaker JP Duminy edged behind for 18. Shakib had earlier led the way in a fine all-round bowling display from the Tridents, in which he, Jason Holder and Gurney all went for under a run a ball while Hayden Walsh Jr added two more wickets to his impressive recent tally.

Although he had to wait until his final over to take his only wicket – Brathwaite trapped lbw – Shakib was the leading man.

His first over of the 2019 Hero CPL was also the first over of the innings. It was a maiden that set the tone for a powerplay that brought only 32 runs for the Patriots and the wicket of Mohammad Hafeez caught behind off Jason Holder. Evin Lewis never really got going and was Walsh Jr’s first victim of the night as a slog-sweep picked out Jonathan Carter at deep midwicket.

That the Patriots got any kind of defendable score on the board at all was largely down to Brooks, who rewarded the decision to push him up the order to number three by blasting his way to a half-century from 30 balls in an innings where no other member of the top five reached a run a ball. He was bowled by Walsh Jr’s final delivery of the night, though, and when Brathwaite followed in the next over, it was left to Fabian Allen and Keron Cottoy to try and lift the total beyond 150.

They gave it a good go, but a superb closing over from Gurney that gave up just four runs before Allen was bowled off the last ball, meant the Patriots came up short of that landmark. But, by the barest of margins, 149 would prove sufficient.

Tridents in playoffs as Walsh Jr and Gurney spark Zouks collapse THREE wickets in an over from Hayden Walsh Jr. and a superb spell from Harry Gurney turned the Barbados Tridents’ whole season around as they defended 141/6 to defeat St Lucia Zouks and grab the final 2019 Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) playoff spot in a winnertakes-all clash at the Kensington Oval.

The Tridents looked to be heading out of the competition when the Zouks got the target down to 31 runs from 28 balls with six wickets in hand, but Gurney then dismissed Hardus Viljoen before Walsh Jr’s three-wicket burst in the next over made it four wickets in eight balls and turned the match on its head.

Their total looked slightly short at the halfway stage, but with the pressure of a win-or-bust situation, and a pitch offering some assistance to the bowlers, it always promised to be a nervous run-chase for the Zouks.

Nevertheless, the Tridents’ hopes were

already fading fast when the asking rate for the Zouks dropped below a run a ball within the Powerplay despite the loss of openers Andre Fletcher and Rahkeem Cornwall.

Colin Ingram and Colin de Grandhomme kept the hammer down and got the Zouks so far ahead of the rate that even when they fell in successive overs, control of the chase was still firmly in the visitors’ hands.

But first Gurney, and then most dramatically, Walsh Jr. changed that with dizzying speed. Viljoen had smashed Gurney for six the ball before his dismissal, making the English left-armer’s slower- ball bouncer an even bolder choice. But it did the job with Viljoen early on his shot and gloving through to Johnson Charles.

That triggered a startling collapse, with the Zouks losing their last six wickets for six runs in barely three overs to tumble out of the tournament.

Walsh Jr. had Chris Barnwell, Daren

Sammy and Krishmar Santokie caught on the boundary in his third over, while Gurney returned to finish off a superb spell of bowling in which he used the helpful conditions expertly by having Kesrick Williams caught on the fence from another deceptive slower ball. He finished with 3/17 from four high-quality overs.

It was Walsh Jr. who had the last word, bagging his fourth wicket of the night and tournament-leading 14th of the 2019 Hero CPL to finish off the game and send the Tridents into the playoffs.

It was a fine effort from the Tridents after the heartbreak of the one-run defeat to St Kitts & Nevis Patriots 24 hours earlier that had turned this game into a must-win.

Even on a pitch offering a bit for the bowlers, 141/6 still felt short of what the Tridents would have hoped for after getting over the loss of Alex Hales to Santokie’s slower ball for a duck to post 48/1 in the Powerplay. With Charles looking in impe-

rious form and the classy Shakib Al Hasan another major headache for the Zouks, a total in excess of 160 looked on the cards.

Shakib, though, fell just as he was starting to really get going, drilling a slogsweep off Fawad Ahmed but picking out Ingram who held a stinging catch at deep midwicket.

Charles fell three short of a half-century, having hit four fours and two sixes in a 36-ball stay. No other Trident was able to match his ball-striking.

JP Duminy, a record breaker earlier in the week, made 13 from 18 here before edging the excellent Santokie behind, while there was to be no repeat of last night’s Raymon Reifer fireworks as he holed out for just 3.

Ashley Nurse lifted the total beyond 140 with a six from the final ball of the innings, and thanks to Walsh Jr. and Gurney, that proved more than adequate.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, September 30, 2019

23

Competitors from five nations confirmed for 2019 Stage of Champions

Winners at the Senior National Championships: Rosanna Fung and Marlon Bennett are set to represent Guyana.

COMPETITORS from five nations, including host country Guyana, will participate in this year’s Camille’s Academy Stage of Champions IV Fight to the Finish, which is scheduled for the Theatre Guild, in Kingston, Georgetown on Saturday,October 19.

Coordinator Videsh Sookram confirmed that participants from Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados and Antigua would join their Guyanese counterparts for the bodybuilding, bikini and men’s physique events. Among the big overseas names expected for the bodybuilding competition are Mr. Suriname 2019, Fabian Wehl, Antigua’s Warren English, T&T’s Barry Copilah, who is the Twin Island Republic 2018 National Junior Champion.

English, who captivated the audience last month at the Guyana Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation (GBBFF) Senior National Championships as a guest poser, is Guyanese by birth.

The overseas participants will face

2019 Mr. Guyana, Marlon Bennett, rising star Derran Harris, who won the U143 pounds category at seniors after winning the novices bodybuilding competition earlier this year, and one of Guyana’s most decorated bodybuilders, Sylvan Gardner, among others.

Gardner, who confirmed his participation over the weekend, has a string of international wins, including the 2008 MuscleMania Superbody Championships, and three gold medals at the Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Bodybuilding Championships. A number of persons are expected to take part in the Mr. Physique competition, including reigning Mr Novices Physique, Delroy Phillips.

Warren English dazzled the Guyanese So far, two Guyanese women have audience at the Senior Championsigned up to compete in the bikini com- ships as a guest poser. petition: reigning Senior National Ms. Sookram said that along with CaBikini champion Rosanna Fung and Tower Gym’s Amrita Shiwdas. Three mille’s Academy Diamond and SoesSurinamese will also travel for the dyke branches, Fitness Express and event: Militia Galimo, Tatiana Bawon Tower, powered by Unity Gym, are sponsoring the championships. and Jo Pereira.

GBA aims to host two local Meusa plays unbeaten to title in Gaico Construction chess tourney competitions in October -Lennox Blackmoore National Intermediate set for this weekend LOCAL amateur boxers will have a busy few weeks ahead as they prepare for the Lennox Blackmoore National Intermediate Championships and the National Open, which are both set for October.

The Intermediate Championships is billed for this weekend (from Friday to Sunday) at the National Gymnasium, while the National Open is tentatively set for the end of next month.

The three-day battle was originally expected to be held over the weekend, but was pushed forward to facilitate the now postponed Pro Am Card, which was scheduled for last Saturday at Durban Park.

According to President of the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) Steve Ninvalle, this weekend’s event would involve gyms from across the country.

The Guyana Defence Force is the defending

President of the Guyana Boxing Association Steve Ninvalle is hoping to host the National Open at the end of October.

champion, but they should expect challenges from Forgotten Youth Foundation, Pocket Rocket, Young Achievers, Harpy Eagles, Rose Hall Jammers and Winston Pompey Warriors Gym, among others.

Entrance fee per night is $500. Ninvalle added that Guyana is focused on

sending a well-prepared side to Trinidad for its most challenging Caribbean Boxing Championships to date and aims to use the National Open to select the side.

“We would want that national squad to have at least one month of encampment because of the fact that the Caribbean Championships will be having some countries who usually don’t participate…

We expected the opposition to be tougher, so we got to have our boxers well prepared.”

This year, the regional body decided to invite four Latin American nations, including powerhouse Cuba, who have produced several world and Olympic champions.

Venezuela, Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic are also expected to field boxers for the December 4-9 competition.

FORMER National Champion and FIDE Candidate Master (CM) Wendell Meusa registered three wins over the weekend to remain unbeaten at the end of the Gaico Construction-sponsored Guyana Chess Federation Fide-rated seven-round Swiss tournament.

The competition concluded yesterday at the National Racquet Centre in Woodford Avenue, Georgetown with Musa registering a win against previous leader, Taffin Khan.

The FIDE instructor finished with 6.5 points. His only blemish was a drawn clash against Glenford Corlette in the third round.

In their battle on Saturday, CM Khan played with white and attacked with e4 and Meusa answered with the Sicilian Dragon Accelerated Variation (without d6).

However, Khan opted away from the main line and went for the early sideline with e5, which saw Meusa gaining strategic advantages.

Meusa told Chronicle Sport that the game was tense and long and said that

Wendell Meusa (left) and Taffin Khan in the battle of the competition on Saturday last.

it was theoretically drawn, but although Khan offered him the draw, he decided not to accept. It proved to be the correct decision, as Khan was unable to implement the right defensive plan in the latter stages of the clash.

On Sunday, in rounds six and seven, Meusa defeated Justino DaSilva and Shiv Nandalall. Khan, who finished second on six points, got past Joshua Gopaul and Corlette in those rounds.

Loris Nathoo, who lost to Nandalall on Sunday morning, but defeated DaSilva in the afternoon, and Davion Mars, who beat Errol Tiwari

in the morning and Ethan Lee in the afternoon, finished tied for third on five points.

Meanwhile, Nandalall, Colette and Frankie Farley were tied for fifth on 4.5 points, while Joshua Gopaul, DaSilva, Lee, Saeed Ali, Chino Chung and Rai Sharma ended on four points each.

Although 27 players started the seven-round (originally eight) competition last weekend, only 18 played the last three rounds, as many of the children opted to play in a junior competition that took place at the same venue.

Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce of Jamaica competes in the Women’s 100 Metres final during day three of the 17th IAAF World Athletics Championships Doha 2019 at Khalifa International Stadium on September 29, 2019 in Doha, Qatar. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images for IAAF)

‘Four times the Pryce!’

Jamaican sprint queen powers to WC Gold

See Page 21

In this handout image provided by CPL T20, Jason Holder (L) and Hayden Walsh Jr. (R) of Barbados Tridents celebrate the dismissal of Andre Fletcher of St Lucia Zouks during match 26 of the Hero Caribbean Premier League between Barbados Tridents and St Lucia Zouks at Kensington Oval on September 29, 2019 in Bridgetown, Barbados. (Photo by Randy Brooks - CPL T20/Getty Images)

Tridents in playoffs as Walsh Jr and Gurney spark Zouks collapse Printed and Published by Guyana National Newspapers Limi ted, Lama Avenue, Bel Air Park, Georgetown. Telephone 2 2 6- 3243-9 (General); Editorial: 2 2 7- 5204, 2 2 7- 5216. Fax:2 2 7- 5208

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MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2019