Guyana_Chronicle_Epaper_01_14_2019

TUESDAY 14th January, 2020

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'Don't be duped by PPP' No.105879

SEE PAGE 03

....Aubrey Norton, others call on Linden fo help reelect President Granger at Amelia's Ward public meeting

First-of-its-kind Hull for Liza Unity SEE PAGE 03

Former PPP Region One official throws support behind Coalition …says gov't has addressed 'long-term needs' of 09 indigenous communities PAGE

ExxonMobil’s second Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel, the Liza Unity will soon be home to SMB Offshore’s first generic hull as a part of the company’s innovative Fast4Ward® program. The Multi-Purpose Floater (MPF1) is SBM’s first in its series of hulls currently under construction and has safely arrived at Keppel yard in Singapore where the company will construct the vessel.

‘Residency a 02 Dual citizenship major 08 must for voting’ headache for small parties PAGE

–AG tells appellate court as challenge into CJ’s decision to block removal of non-residents from NRR opens

PAGE

…several leaders still to be regularised despite signing statutory declaration forms

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 14, 2020

‘Residency a must for voting’

–AG tells appellate court as challenge into CJ’s decision to block removal of non-residents from NRR opens

By Svetlana Marshall ATTORNEY GENERAL and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams, on Monday, argued that residency is a requirement when voting in Guyana as he challenged Chief Justice Roxane George-Wiltshire’s decision to block the removal of persons from the National Register of Registrants (NRR) Database, on the basis, that it is unconstitutional.

As arguments opened in the case brought against Chartered Accountant, Christopher Ram; the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM); and the Chief Elections Officer (CEO), Keith Lowenfield in the Court of Appeal, the Attorney General told the panel of judges led by Chancellor of the Judiciary, Yonette Cummings-Edwards, that overseas voting was abolished in 1991.

In the partial appeal to the Chief Justice’s August 14,

2019 ruling, Williams, who was backed by Solicitor-General Nigel Hawke, told the appellate court that under the 1966 and 1970 Constitutions, residency was a requirement in order to be registered as an elector. Article 65 (1) in both Constitutions provided that: “No person shall vote at an election unless he is registered as an elector,” and (2) (a) “is a citizen of Guyana who is domiciled in Guyana or who is resident in Guyana and has been so resident for a period of one year immediately preceding the qualification date...” However, residency was removed from the 1980 Constitution as a result of the introduction of overseas voting by virtue of Act No. 16 of 1968 Laws of Guyana, The Representation of the People.

“The clear intent of this amendment, having recognized the impracticality of parallel rights, was to remove residency as a requirement from the 1980 Constitution to facilitate non-resident

voting,” Minister Williams submitted to the court but was keen on noting that overseas voting was abolished in 1991. It was explained that

Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams

Senior Counsel Ralph Ramkarran

the Elections Laws (Amendment) Act, 1991 removed non-resident voting or overseas voting in Guyana. Provisions were only made for diplomats, their families and

staff of an embassy or high commission.

“What can be gleaned from the amendment is that Parliament abolished overseas voting and expressly made provision only for Ambassadors and High Commissioners, their wives and children, staff members of embassies and their family to vote outside of Guyana.

The necessary and logical implication is that all other Guyanese citizens outside of Guyana could not vote unless they were resident in Guyana. Moreover, as a matter of historical context, in fact, there is no evidence that as of 1991, any person not resident in Guyana was allowed to vote overseas unless they fell into the legislative exception under the aforementioned provision,” the Attorney General told the appellate judges.

Arguing that the electoral changes were evident in the Carter Centre Report of 1990-1992, he submitted to the court that all other nonresident Guyanese Nationals cannot vote in General Elections in Guyana if they were not resident in Guyana and registered during the qualifying period.

“It is our respectful submission that the National Assembly showed its clear legislative intent as it relates to the restoration of Residency in the Guyana Constitution, when it introduced the Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 36 of 1991 in seeking to amend Article 159 of the Guyana Constitution,” he told the court, while emphasizing that residency was restored in the Constitution.

Pointing to the Explanatory Memorandum for Constitutional (Amendment) Bill No. 36 of 1991, the Attorney General told the appellate

judges that it was clearly stated that, “a citizen of Guyana, who is not a diplomatic agent or member of staff of a diplomatic mission or the wife or child of such person, must be resident in Guyana in order to be qualified to be registered as an elector.”

This, he posited, is outlined in Article 159.

Justice George-Wiltshire, in ruling on the House-toHouse Registration case brought by Ram, had said that it would be unconstitutional for names of citizens of Guyana to be removed from the existing National Register of Registrants though they are not resident in Guyana but the Attorney General, on Monday, maintained that the Constitutional (Amendment) Bill of 1991, reinstituted the residency requirement.

“It is our respectful submission that the learned Chief Justice therefore fell into error by failing to address her mind to this particular amendment,” he told the appellate court.

In support of the arguments put forward by Williams, the Solicitor-General told the court that while the right to vote is an essential feature of the country’s democracy, it is not an absolute right. Hawke, who was brief in his delivery, emphasized that certain requirements must be met for one to vote in Guyana. “You could be resident in Guyana as a citizen of Guyana; you could be age 18 – meet those requirements but if you have not registered during the qualifying period you cannot still approach the courts and say, you have a fundamental right to vote, when in fact you have not met the requirements as outlined by our framers of the Article 159,” Hawke reasoned.

GECOM’s Attorney, Senior Counsel Stanley Marcus told the appellate court that the Chief Justice erred when she proceeded to consider and deliberate on an issue that was not raised in the Fixed Date Application (FDA) filed by Ram. Providing a number of supporting cases, Marcus argued that the removal of persons from the NRR Database was not a matter of contention and should not have been addressed by the court.

Ralph Ramkarran, who appeared on behalf of Christopher Ram in association with Anil Nandlall and others, pleaded with the court to decline jurisdiction in the

matter. “I would respectfully submit that the course that this honourable court ought to adopt, having regard to the law which we face and the circumstances of this case, having started before the proclamation, is either, this court should decline jurisdiction in this matter or alternatively, even if the court comes to a conclusion in this matter, should decline to make any order,” Ramkarran submitted.

He said the Chief Justice’s decision, which was handed down prior to the proclamation, should stand.

With a proclamation issued for General and Regional Elections to be held on March 2, Ramkarran told the court that the matter has now become an elections case, and as such, could only be determined by an Elections Commission. But Ramkarran failed to consider the fact that the case was brought before court since August, 2019, months ahead of the proclamation, and at a time when House-to-House Registration was still in progress.

His colleague, Anil Nandlall, in rebutting the arguments made by Williams, told the court that residency is not a requirement for voting.

Attorney-at-Law Roysdale Forde, who appeared on behalf of the Chief Elections Officer, and President of the Guyana Bar Association, Attorney-at-Law Teni Housty, who appeared Amicus Curiae, also made submissions in the case.

Justice George-Wiltshire, in handing down her decision in August, 2019, refused to grant a total of five declarations, which sought to nullified or invalidate the House-to-House Registration but ruled that it would be unconstitutional for names of citizens of Guyana to be removed from the existing National Register of Registrants albeit they are not resident in Guyana. The fundamental pillar upon which the ruling was founded was there was no law that made ‘residency’ a requirement for the purposes of House-to-House registration as envisaged by Article 159 (2) (c) of the Constitution of Guyana.

The Attorney General and Senior Counsel Marcus will give closing arguments on Wednesday before the three appellate Justices – Chancellor Yonette Cummings-Edwards; Justice Dawn Gregory and Justice Rishi Persaud.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 14, 2020

Norton implores Lindeners not to be duped by the PPP

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--others on campaign trail remind Amelia's Ward residents ‘one good term deserves another’

By Vanessa Braithwaite

house lot.”

AFTER 23 years of treating Linden and its peoples like the proverbial stepchildren, the People's Progressive Party (PPP) should know better than to come here begging for votes during this campaign season. This was vintage PNCR executive member Aubrey Norton in action as the featured speaker at the Amelia's Ward campaign meeting on Sunday evening. To loud cheers from an audience emboldened by his very presence, Norton said that the PPP often boasts of being the party with the wherewithal and political will to develop the Amelia's Ward housing scheme, but what they’ve failed to realise is that not only was Amelia's Ward the brainchild of the late Linden Forbes Burnham, but also a well-developed housing scheme, as opposed to what obtained under successive PPP administrations, when all they did was give out “bush lots”. “They gave us a piece of land. No road; no water; no light,” Norton said, adding: “This Government has begun the process of restoring communities. When we gave you, we gave you a house with roads and light; not a

LAND ALLOCATION Speaking further on the issue of land allocation, he reminded those before him that while ordinary citizens like themselves had to pay $500 for a square foot of land, PPP government ministers and their cronies sold themselves at the princely sum of $144 per square foot.

Warming to the topic, Norton said that in addition to poor infrastructural development, no projects to speak of to drive the community’s economy were initiated in Linden; that in fact, the PPP

cronies, and then plunged Linden into darkness,” Norton said, adding: “You who have short memories, we are going to remind you. The PPP’s record in Linden is bad, and so they should be ashamed to come to Linden, because they did not treat Linden as part of Guyana.”

Noting that by contrast, the present administration, led by President Granger, has ensured that development has occurred in all ten of the country’s administrative regions, whether those regions are in support of or opposed to it, Norton asked Amelia’s Ward not to forget

At the Amelia's Ward meeting on Sunday evenin

did away with the very projects that were implemented to stimulate the economy.

“They seem to forget that they had a Bunker C fuel plant here that served us, and they sold it to one of their

the dark days of the PPP, and not be fooled by their empty promises of 50,000 jobs. He urged, instead, that they look at what has been done for their community in the last four years in terms

First-of-its-kind Hull for Liza Unity EXXONMOBIL’s second Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel, the Liza Unity, will soon be home to SMB Offshore’s first generic hull as a part of the company’s innovative Fast4Ward® program.

The Multi-Purpose Floater (MPF1) is SBM’s first in its series of hulls currently under construction and has safely arrived at Keppel yard in Singapore where the company will construct the vessel.

In a release on Thursday, SBM stated that the hull safely arrived from China after a journey of 2,300 nautical miles.

“This first, new build hull was completed by Chinese yard SWS in December and

is part of our industry-changing, Fast4Ward® program.

The hull’s arrival represents a significant milestone on the path to delivering the Company’s first standardized FPSO,” the release stated.

It noted that the hull was completed in less than two years from first steel cut in March 2018. The MPF1 hull was allocated to the Liza Unity FPSO for offshore Guyana, following Final Investment Decision (FID)

by ExxonMobil, Hess and CNOOC in May 2019.

SBM added: “This milestone is in line with our client’s project schedule, which targets Liza Phase 2 start-up in early 2022.”

In May 2019 the company had announced that it was awarded contracts to

construct, install, lease and operate the Liza Unity FPSO which almost doubles the capacity of the Liza Destiny FPSO. The Liza Unity FPSO will be designed to produce 220,000 barrels of oil per day with a storage capacity of 2 million barrels in comparison to the Liza Destiny FPSO with 120,000 barrels of oil per day with 1.6 million barrels storage capacity.

It will have associated gas treatment capacity of 400 million cubic feet per day and water injection capacity of 250,000 barrels per day. It will be spread moored in water depth of about 1,600 meters and able to store some 2 million barrels of crude oil.

He said that youths are so upbeat and empowered by what is transpiring, that they have formed themselves into youth groups to ensure these projects reach the right people and the right communities.

PNCR’s Aubrey Norton addressing Linden residents late Sunday

of development, such as the many efforts to decentralise several key services such as citizenry and social services.

These were highlighted in detail by Councillor Deron Adams, who spoke of the plethora of training opportunities that have benefited many Linden youths, the construction of a synthetic track in the region; street lighting in places where there were none before; and job creation projects, amongst other things. “We are not where we want to be, but we are surely not where we used to be,” Adams said, adding: “We have seen clean progress… Lindeners, un-

derstand that your best days are ahead.”

PROJECTS Zeroing in on projects in Amelia's Ward alone, Constituency Representative Yanick Graham highlighted the fact that Bamia-Amelia's Ward benefited from electrification in 2016 for the first time; that more roads than ever have been constructed and rehabilitated in the community; more streets were lit in once neglected communities; the construction of the first community centre; forestry concessions for residents for the first time was given, amongst other things.

EDUCATION AFC Regional Chairman Devin Sears touched on educational development in the township, through the establishment of a mining school; the construction of a multi-million-dollar dormitory to provide accommodation for students in outlying communities who desire to pursue studies at the Linden Technical Institute; as well as the provision of Internet access all across Linden. “Under the PPP, they treat Linden like it was a bad kidney or a dirty old sore, and they constantly ignored us. But for 23 years, that kidney started to fail and affect our body. They ignored Linden so much that it started to affect development in Guyana. But let me tell you, God sent David Granger, and he planted a new kidney and he fix we up. And now the country looking nice,” Sears affirmed, urging his audience, “One good term deserves another.”

Woman remanded after dousing man with hot oil.

THIRTY-year-old Latoya Angel, a sales girl of Lot 160 Gangaram Village, East Canje Berbice, appeared before Magistrate Peter Hugh, charged indictably for attempted murder.

Angel is accused of pouring hot oil over the face and body of Danny Vannooten, causing him to sustain injuries.

Initially, he was admitted to the New Amsterdam Hospital, but has since been transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation, where he is a patient in the Burns Unit.

Angel has been charged

by Constable Jaigopaul under section 103 (c) of the Criminal Law Offences Act Chapter 8:01.

She has since been re-

Remanded: Latoya Angel

manded to prison until January 15, 2020.

Angel is accused of dousing, last week, her lover of six months with a pot of hot oil at her home following an argument over text messages.

The injured man, Danny Vannooten, called Donavan, aged 50 years, of Leopold Street, Georgetown,

is self-employed and had commenced an intimate relationship with Angel since June 2019.

On Wednesday, around 20:00hrs, following his arrival at his lover’s home, an argument erupted resulting in him being cuffed about his body.

He ignored her behaviour and went to sleep.

The following day, just after midday, he was seated in the living room when the woman commenced using a series of expletives, but again he ignored her and went into the bedroom to sleep.

According to him, while he was in the room, she entered with a pot containing hot oil, which she poured on his face resulting in injuries.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday, January 14, 2020

City Treasurer suspended over money-in-vehicle saga …several others also disciplined DISCIPLINARY action has been announced against City Treasurer (ag) John Douglas and a host of other officers of the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) for the respective roles they played in the controversial issue surrounding money found in the former chief constable’s vehicle.

Following the incident, an investigation was launched by the Local Government Commission (LGC), and Town Clerk (Ag) Sherry Jerrick on Monday read the

results of the concluded investigation to the Council.

The setting was the first statutory meeting for 2020.

Douglas received one month’s suspension which was supposed to begin on Monday. However, because budget discussions have already started, the Council moved a motion that the Town Clerk write to the LGC seeking to have the suspension deferred.

Jerrick will write asking the LGC to allow Douglas to proceed on his one month

City Treasurer (ag) John Douglas

no-pay suspension in March, when all budget preparations are expected to be concluded.

Meanwhile, other officers of the Markets and Constabulary Department who

were disciplined in connection with the same issue are Clerk of Markets Sherlock Lovell, Iva Bryan, Sonia Pitt, Yolanda Forde and Felicia Mc Rae. A bag containing cash belonging to the M&CC was found inside the vehicle assigned to Chief Constable Andrew Foo, and the LGC was subsequently called in to launch an investigation.

Mayor Ubraj Narine had told the Guyana Chronicle that according to his information, the money was being kept in the vehicle, PVV 1405, for quite some time.

He could not state how much money was in the bag, or

who found it and reported the matter.

While not his responsibility to investigate, he had said that he was disturbed that no one at the City Council told him about this incident.

“The only thing that bothers me is that no one apprised me of this. I had to hear it on the road, which is not good for business,” Narine expressed, adding, “I heard it on the road and when I came here, I walked into the Town Clerk’s office and asked her to launch an investigation.”

According to him, the bag found was one that contains a ‘lock’ or M&CC seal. It was

for that reason that it could have been confirmed that the money belonged to the Council.

Just recently, Foo’s 30year service to the council was terminated over the said issue of the movement of the Council’s finance in his personal vehicle.

In his defence at the time the money was found, Foo indicated to the Mayor and Councillors, at a statutory meeting later in the month of July 2019, that he made contact with the mayor, town clerk and other relevant authorities about what he had found.

Port Kaituma residents join hands to clean up community RESIDENTS of Port Kaituma, on Saturday, joined hands to clean up the waterfront area of the community and also helped to raise awareness on dangers of polluting the area.

In Port Kaituma, the waterfront area is usually polluted with garbage that has been im-

properly disposed. According to the Environmental Officer attached to the area, Ricardo Chan, persons who vend in the area would usually pay vagrants to dispose of their garbage when the tractor operated by the Neighborhood Democratic Council (NDC) is not functioning. The vagrants, he said,

TUESDAY JANUARY 14, 2020 - 05:00hrs

Saturday January 11, 2020

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would dispose of the garbage in that waterfront, wharf area.

Seeing this as an eyesore, and as a problem within the community, one resident, Felicia Collins, decided to approach the NDC with a proposal to engage in a community cleanup of the area. She also wanted to raise awareness among other residents about the ills of disposing the garbage improperly.

The project was spearheaded by a resident of the community, Felicia Collins, who related that after walking around her community, she decided upon engaging in the project.

“If you look at the amount of waste at the waterfront, it is a lot... behind the wharf there, it is known for dumping garbage,” Felicia bemoaned, explaining the situation.

9, 3, 1

Initially, the project at hand was aimed at cleaning up the direct environs of the wharf area, which is the main point of entry and exit for the mining community. This waterfront is a hub for the community because there are quite a few businesses located around the area, and it is here that the goods imported by the community is received. Beneath the wharf and these surrounding environs had become filled with garbage. In addition to this being an eyesore, the pollution could negatively impact the health of the residents.

As such, early Saturday morning, after engaging with residents, the local business community and local authorities, she organised the clean-up.

Nearly 50 persons, mostly from established groups within the

1, 0, 8

community, came out to join the clean-up. The result was this target area was cleaned.

However, the residents were so enthusiastic about getting the environs clean, that they opted to clean a wider area. This clean-up campaign lasted about five hours. Collins indicated that having this community effort provided leeway to engage a wider section of the Port Kaituma population on the ills of pollution. “I thought that if we get people to come out, we could help raise awareness to the problem,” Collins said. And that goal had started to materialise on Saturday. As people cleaned up, more came out and business persons who could not leave their businesses, donated garbage bags and refreshments.

“I was really happy that people were willing. I was

surprised that people were willing to stick around and do things,” she related. While this initiative was a good one, and indicated that communal spirit, the Environmental Officer, however, told this newspaper that his task ahead is to ensure that there is some positive, long term change effected that is sustainable. Instead of engaging in clean-up activities often, he stressed that people should find proper ways of disposing garbage. However, he will work on erecting signs about the community in an attempt to dissuade people from dumping garbage and he mentioned that he will try engaging young people so that they can be edified on better ways of disposing of their litter.

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January 10, 2020

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday, January 14, 2020

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Robust vaccination drive for 2020 flu season— Ministry (TRINIDAD GUARDIAN) The Ministry of Health says it is currently engaged in a robust, nationwide influenza vaccination drive for the 2020 flu season—October 2019 to May 2020.

The ministry said this campaign had been implemented to protect the population against the influenza (Flu) Virus.

In a statement yesterday the Ministry said as of January 10 this year •The cumulative number of vaccines administered to the public for this flu season

- 60,256; •The number of suspected

influenza cases for the 2020 calendar year (as of Friday,

10th January 2020)—17 cases; •(NB the number of suspected influenza cases for the 2019 calendar year was 3,638) •The number of confirmed influenza deaths for the current flu season—38.

The ministry said The Influenza virus is serious and is generally more severe than the common cold. The flu vaccine is available, at no cost, at all health centres.

Persons in the following groups are particularly vulnerable to the virus and are

urged to get the flu vaccine: • Children aged six months to five years • Pregnant women • Adults over 65.

• People with chronic medical conditions (such as Diabetes Mellitus); • People with chronic respiratory illnesses (such as Asthma).

Persons in the health care workforce and essential services are also encouraged to get the flu vaccine.

Members of the public are advised to contact their nearest health centre to con-

Mr Killa: Men’s mental health, not soca to blame for domestic violence (TRINIDAD GUARDIAN) The 2019 International Soca Monarch winner is in Trinidad and he is hoping to pick up another crown.

But soon after touching down on T&T shores, the Grenadian singer found himself defending the genre of music as he addressed criticism that some local soca artistes are responsible for men viewing women as objects, therefore contributing to domestic violence.

The comment was made by former Health Minister and San Juan/Barataria MP Dr Fuad Khan on the spate of domestic violence, which led to three women being murdered so far for the year.

According to Mr Killa, the mental health and well-being of men are the issues which should take focus and not soca music.

“Throughout the year sometime soca hardly playing and men killing women. I think society is mentally deteriorating in many other ways. I think you have more issues that are more pressing on the stressed nature of human beings in society than to try and blame something on the music. Music is what helps people to actually free stress, free their problems, and also frustration. Soca is medicine.”

Mr Killa whose real name is Hollice Mapp, took home the 2019 title with his song Run Wid It. He said he is looking forward to Carnival 2020 and he anticipates that his song The Storm will pick up steam.

“I am a man going to be the leader of the storm and I know definitely in Trinidad there are

in soca fetes, Mr Killa said it’s no threat to the culture.

“I don’t think we should be afraid of anything playing amongst the soca music because when Carnival time

Mr Killa (Hollice Mapp) speaks during a news conference yesterday.

going to be some dread storm hunters. Arm up yourself with yuh rag, with yuh flag, go to the gym get fit and we get ready to move something, to shake something, to sway, make the soca breeze blow.”

And he said fans can soon expect to see him alongside some international artistes later

this year.

“There is a collaboration we are going to launch for the summer, its Mr Killa, Barrington Levy, Shaggy and Capleton on one track and it’s going to be soca flavoured.”

And when it comes to dancehall music being played

come there is nothing that can beat soca and I feel even outside of Carnival right now soca is a force to be reckoned with.”

firm the dates and times that vaccines are distributed.

Additionally, everyone should take the following necessary personal health precautions to protect themselves and their families from the Influenza virus and other diseases: • Wash hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub; • Avoid touching the eyes, nose and mouth.

Germs spread this way;

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday, January 14, 2020

Preparing for Republic Jubilee SOME 40 days from now, Guyana will be celebrating one of the most important milestones of this nation’s history-- the 50th Republican Anniversary.

The Government has plans to celebrate this occasion in a grand way and already the Department of Culture has begun rolling out some of the activities.

Fittingly, Director of Culture, Tamika Boatswain told this newspaper in an interview last week that the 50th Anniversary is quite a momentous occasion for Guyana, and as such, the department has been tailoring events that are reflective of this achievement.

She also mentioned that these events were actually structured in tandem with the theme for the Mashramani celebration this year, which is: “Guyana Together — Reflect, Celebrate, Transform,” and noted that “the jubilee presents one of several great platforms where we can practise our traditions and artforms.”

This Republic celebration marks centuries of struggle to break the yoke of domination.

This struggle began with the first rebellion of the enslaved people, including the Berbice Slave Rebellion, led by our national hero, Cuffy, which began on February 23rd, 1763, and had its high point when, as a people, we achieved republican status in 1970 on the date that marked the 207th anniversary of that rebellion. The actual street revelry, now named Mashramani, was first held by the Jaycees in Linden. Then Prime Minister Forbes Burnham, in his vision, and facing the challenge of building and moulding a nation, borrowed from the Linden celebration and created a national event that has since become a significant part of our national and cultural fabric. This is evident in making out of six peoples and diverse cultures a tolerant, multiracial society, in which all will see themselves as One People, living as One Nation, and with One Destiny to mould.

As has come to be seen as part of our ‘culture’, this national event has not been spared negative peddling, in which political forces and successive regimes have sadly made efforts to downplay this aspect of our culture on misinformation that it is intended to celebrate one group or individual, as against it being national in nature. Thankfully, those efforts have been unsuccessful.

Mash has truly become a national event that drives our economy, and Guyanese at home and abroad look forward to participating in its celebration. Mash is about all groups which have played a part in this nation’s evolution and development. While, in the annals of history, one group had enslaved, indentured and colonised others, members of every ethnic group have been represented in the struggles for independence and republican status. This new government must therefore ensure that Mashramani and all national events are put in their rightful

perspective of pride, honour and dignity for all, and eliminate the remnants of partisan thinking about things that are at the centre of nation-building or social cohesion.

Nation-building is not only about roads and infrastructure, but about building a culture, and especially in our diverse society, one in which every group can feel part of and will be allowed expression and protection to celebrate their unique heritage in a national way. Clearly, on the multicultural foundation on which this nation stands, President Burnham’s struggle was not only to use Mashramani to build a culture, but also to foster social cohesion, wherein diverse groups can have expression and be appreciated. Mashramani exemplifies a period of much cultural expression: calypso and chutney competition, steel pan, children’s costume parade, and so forth. This is a period used for deepening our national pride and seeing the blossoming of Guyanese abilities and talents.

Here is where we see our costume designers, musicians, children and teachers at their most creative.

It would not be unreasonable to ask the relevant ministry to examine the need to encourage such talent. It may be possible to offer separate incentives for those using local materials, bands playing the music of local artistes, and increasing the artistes’ frequency on air time.

These persons are bringing us their creativity through intellectual work, and at times at great sacrifice, and thus should be rewarded. This, too, is another approach to improving our arts and entertainment industry.

Mash has become an integral part of what it means to be Guyanese, and is here to stay. Outside of its economic benefits through employment and economic opportunities for those within, it places Guyana on the map as a tourist destination. And it needs to be said that while Guyana is competing with other bigger global festivities, we do not necessarily

need to take it down the road of nudity; we can maintain our cultural identity/uniqueness by being conservative in dress.

We can also encourage more talent of diverse music, expanding the range of calypso and chutney to include music with an Amerindian flavour, etc. Though the event is named in honour of our Amerindian brothers and sisters, there is not much outside the name that points uniquely to the Amerindian community. As with human beings, there is still need for growth.

Where Mash was once celebrated in all regions before there was a lull, there is need for a resurgence, to return the celebration to all the regions.

It is not only an event for revelry and an opportunity to showcase our talents, but one in which friends and friendships are formed. Let us keep it this way for generations to come, growing from strength to strength each year.

I did not walk out from the GECOM meeting Dear Editor, I WRITE in response to an article in the Guyana Times of January 8, 2020 captioned “Govt. Commissioner’s walkout breaks up GECOM meeting”. Because I am not certain Guyana Times will carry my clarification of the situation, I therefore seek herein to solicit the support of other media houses for the intended purpose.

The first point I wish to make is that Commissioner Charles Corbin had previously

left the meeting, having indicated at the inception his desire to do so at a particular time.

My second point is I did not walk out from the meeting, but prior to leaving, I explained to the Chairperson why I was doing so. Guyana Times would have been better placed to report on this matter, if its reporter had sought an explanation from me about the reason/s that led to my departure from the session.

For the benefit of readers. I use this opportunity to explain my actions.

I spent the entire night of

Monday, January 6 and the early hours of Tuesday the 7th sitting in a chair while I tried to control my blood pressure, which was fluctuating between high and low.

Eventually, at about 5:30am on Tuesday morning, I began to bleed through my nose, and had to seek medical treatment at the GPHC. Thankfully, as a result of the care and attention of the medical staff at the Accident and Emergency section of the GPHC, led by Doctors Morris and Tait, I was declared, sometime after noon, well enough

to be sent home. My heartfelt thanks to Doctors Morris and Tait and the other caregivers for seeing me through that difficult period.

On arriving home, and in spite of the entreaties of members of my family, who advised me against attending GECOM’s meeting, which was scheduled for 1pm that day, I felt that because GECOM’s timelines could be affected by my non-attendance, it was incumbent upon me to attend, which I did. I take my responsibilities as a GECOM Commis-

sioner seriously, and will not, like some of my colleagues who walked out of approximately 14 meetings in 2019, walk away from a GECOM meeting. I am on record at GECOM as saying that only serious illness or death will keep me from attending a meeting when I am required to do so. Notwithstanding the seriousness of the episode I encountered, I still felt that it was absolutely necessary for me to attend the meeting.

While I felt it was important to be at the meeting, I was not prepared to be part of what I

considered to be the ridiculous behaviour of Commissioner Robeson Benn, who constantly throws tantrums, is disrespectful even to the Chairperson, and indulges in regular bouts of threatening and intimidatory behaviour to the Secretariat staff attending meetings of the Commission. It is that atmosphere which prompted my departure from the meeting on Tuesday, January 7, 2020.

Regards, Desmond Trotman GECOM Commissioner

Tony Vieira does not know when he does not know Dear Editor, ALLOW me to respond to a Prolix Prosaic piece by Tony Vieira published in at least two dailies on January 13, 2020 and designed to denigrate me in particular, and NCN in general. I got to

know Tony Vieira after my return to Guyana from Syracuse University in 1982.

Around that time, he began pirating US Satellite Signals and retransmitting those stolen TV signals in a “scrambled” manner for

a fee. Another Television Station came on the air and created a free channel, challenging Tony’s monopolistic pernicious predatory position.

Since then, Tony has continued his classist, calumnious, contemptuous bullying

approach. Unfortunately, Tony Vieira does not know when he does not know.

I stand by the distinction I made between “Broadcasting” and “Telecommunication Services” in the Guyanese context. Your pan-

dering to ignorance and the International Community neither fazes me nor makes me impecunious, Tony Vieira. So be informed before you seek to inform. Now watch as he and his contemptuous classist comrades come

after me.

Regards, Enrico Woolford A.A Chairman, NCN

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday, January 14, 2020

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When the PPP/C was advising the country to chase the President and his ministers --this ‘west side academic’ was silent

Dear Editor, ANYONE who took the time to listen to the address of the PPP/C presidential candidate at the launch of his party’s campaign cannot help being appalled by the sheer depravity of the mind of the messenger, and by extension, of the PPP/C. Time and space may not permit me to look at the whole speech here, but there are a couple of things that I would like to address.

The Candidate attempted to appeal to the sympathies of his following from the outset, by saying that like every human being, he is not perfect, and that none of us can claim perfection. We all make mistakes. This is true. But this is where the candidate knocked the footing from under his argument, and that of his Party. If he is admitting to imperfection, why then is he expecting the Coalition Government to be perfect? Admitting to human imperfection makes nonsense out of his challenge for the presidency, because, by his argument, he will be just like every other human being who holds and has held the office of

the presidency, imperfect. If, as he argues, because we are all imperfect, the approach should be to lift each other and make each other stronger, then he should listen to his own advice and lift President Granger and the Coalition Government and make them stronger rather than preying on their imperfections.

The appeal to human imperfection, however, is nothing but a subtle justification for the academic crookedness he committed. This is where the depravity of mind exhibits itself. By admitting to human imperfection, the PPP/C presidential candidate is attempting to excuse away the immorality of forging qualifications, among other things. His is the subtle suggestion that the end justifies the means. So we must forget about all of that, because, after all, he now has a doctorate. Moreover, as the president, he will transform himself to be an example of morality. The issue here is that mistakes and morality are not always related. A mistake is an unintentional committal of a wrong. But when one engages in an elaborate scheme to create false qualifications, conspires

with others to commit the act, and carries out the act on multiple occasions, that can hardly be regarded as a mistake. The PPP/C Candidate knew exactly what he was doing. It was his intention to commit an academic fraud. He chose the road of moral decadence to achieve his objective. He now has no moral ground to stand on to appeal to human imperfection.

He did not make a mistake; he chose to commit an academic crime. Now he can hardly be an example to the youth of this nation; he can never tell the youth of this nation of the virtue of working hard for academic success.

The other issue that warrants a comment is his view on the psychological state of the President and the Coalition Government. The Uitvlugt College graduate accused President Granger and the Coalition for being stuck in an old mindset. Soured by the rejection of the PPP/C in Sophia and Laing Avenue, he lamented that it is because the Coalition and its leaders were stuck in an old mindset that they did not offer a comment.

This was the same barbarian

Another dangerous false reporting exposed Dear Editor, THE Guyana Times continues to justify why, along with some notorious elements in the media, it is the PPP/C’s CHOICE PAPER OF POLITICAL SLEAZE. Its latest example of what has been deliberately proven as false reporting by the Guyana Revenue Authority’s Commissioner-General cannot be a mere coincidence, particularly at this most interesting juncture: The road to national elections. **It is part of the grand plot by the Jagdeo forces to prove a case of corruption against the current coalition, A Partnership for National Unity+Alliance For Change(AFC), government. Its contrivance is as false and criminal as those who are its intellectual authors, and who have been the grand architects of what had been CARICOM’s definably criminal state. It is surely another example of the incomparably wicked minds of politicians who have played all

their cards, but must now rappel down into the greater depths of further dangerous distortions to feed further wicked allegations.

Editor, just examine the outright desperateness of wicked minds now publicising a declaration of a higher sum of GRA collected revenue, that never was; than a lower and correct sum that had been announced, months ago, according to Commissioner-General Godfrey Statia. This is more than being disingenuous. This is being barefacedly criminal, and outlines all that is wrong with a political party with its principal print medium, a part of its well- known campaign of disinformation.

This is, undoubtedly a plot, to besmirch the professional integrity of Godfrey Statia, whose presence at the helm of the nation’s revenue body, and being proactive, has been a graphic revelation in closing virtually all the loopholes of the well-known tax dodgers: those who refuse to pay their fair share of taxes; the tightening

on tax concessions and waivers, which were brutally abused and converted to personal use, given to the favoured ones, during the regime of the PPP/C; the clamp down on smuggling of goods, that has been reducing its high incidence.

These aggressive measures, coupled with the introduction of modern technologies, have certainly brought about greatly improved measures for both managing and monitoring the nation’s revenue-collection system. Of course, there would be numerous persons whose evasive measures have been curtailed, and forced to comply with the legal requirements of tax remittances, since 2015.

One has no doubt, that these are among the persons who would support such media falsifications against the GRA, and the outstanding stewardship of Commissioner- General Statia.

Regards, Aditya Panday

who led a bunch hooligans to threaten the safety of President Granger and some Ministers of his Cabinet. When the PPP/C was advising the country to chase the President and his ministers, this West-Side’ academic was silent. Now that the advice is used against his party, it has now become a grievous wrong. Lawyers describe a depraved mind as an inherent deficiency of moral sense and integrity. This definition

aptly describes the PPP/C candidate and his party. It sickens the stomach to think a person will condone a certain action when they are leading it, and be transformed into a complaining wimp when the same action is perpetuated against them. If anyone is stuck in an old mindset, it is the Uitvlugt alumni. He is still stuck in the old politics of deception and disregard. To think that such a one wants to lead this country in its most

glorious era since independence is enough to make one vomit. Leaders must, above all else, display a high sense of morality and integrity.

This bequeaths to the youth the right attitude for nation building. The alternative is ‘gangsterism’, and we can never again let that become a feature of our society.

Regards, S. Benjamin

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday, January 14, 2020

Dual citizenship major headache for small parties …several leaders still to be regularised despite signing statutory declaration forms

By Lisa Hamilton RECENTLY, much public criticism has come against leaders of several small parties who hold dual citizenship but are vying for a seat or more in the National Assembly following the March 2020 General and Regional Elections.

Just on Nomination Day, when parties showed up at the Umana Yana to hand in their various lists of Candidates, there was mystery around whether Leader of the Liberty and Justice Party (LJP), Lenox Shuman was still a Canadian citizen.

When pressed by the media before handing in his party’s lists --- on which he signed a Statutory Declaration Form as candidate --- Shuman said that he had surrendered all of his documents to the Canadian Government and it was now “for them to deicide”.

He claimed that his “citizenship has been renounced” although he is yet to receive any correspondence from the Canadian Government and he would therefore remain a citizen of Canada until such.

After submitting his list and questioned again by reporters about his dual citizenship, Shuman said: “That issue has been resolved, as I said. I would not come to submit a list, sign a declaration and perjure myself.

I intend on upholding the Constitution of Guyana.”

The Statutory Declaration Form signed by Shuman first confirms that he is aware of the provisions of articles 53 and 155 of the Constitution with respect to the qualifications for election as a Member of the National Assembly. Article 155 of the Constitution states: “(1) No person shall be qualified for election as a member of the National Assembly who – (a)

Former Prime Ministerial Candidate of Change Guyana, Nigel Hinds (fourth right) joins his party last Friday to hand in their lists (Adrian Narine)

Leader of the Liberty and Justice Party (LJP), Lenox Shuman (third right) accompanies representatives of his party to hand in their lists to the Chief Elections Officer of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) (Adrian Narine photo)

is, by virtue of his or her own act, under any acknowledgement of allegiance, obedience or adherence to a foreign power or state.”

Shuman, a Guyanese by birth, has had dual citizenship for approximately 28 years.

Under the story posted by various media houses on social media, several persons questioned his ethics and whether it was right for him to sign the legally-binding form. “So, he is still a citizen of Canada. Harmon and others has declared that they are no longer dual citizens, why Shuman can’t do the same?

He should be disqualified from running,” one person said.

According to the Statutory Declaration Act, Chapter 5:09: “Everyone who makes a declaration according to this Act containing any statement false in fact, which he knows or believes to be false or does not believe to be true, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be liable to imprisonment for one year.”

However, Shuman is not the only person to have signed a Statutory Declaration Form but is still in the process of relinquishing their dual citizenship. Presidential Candidate of the United Republican Party (URP), Dr. Vishnu Bandhu, told the Guyana Chronicle’s Vantage Point on Monday:

(CoI) into the operations of the Georgetown Mayor and City Council (M&CC) was unlawful and also reversed the dismissal of King.

However, when the matter was called on Monday it was stuck out since the LGC failed to file a record of appeal.

Thus, the LGC failed to satisfy the court and the Registrar of the Supreme Court should have disposed of the matter before it reached to that stage.

Consequently, based on the LGC failure to file the document, the matter was struck out.

King was fired by the LGC

based on a recommendation contained in a report from a CoI into the operations of the Georgetown Mayor and City Council (M&CC). The CoI was presided over by Chairman, and sole commissioner, Justice (ret’d) Cecil Kennard In September 2019, Justice Morris-Ramlall deemed the CoI unlawful and void following a challenge which was brought against the LGC

by King for his ‘wrongful dismissal’.

Based on the Inquiry’s recommendations, King was charged with gross misconduct,

CoI must be quashed. Thus, the setting up of the CoI, the investigation, findings and recommendation were void and unlawful.

“The respondent acted blindly upon the recommendation of the CoI,” the judge said since the LGC did not do any further investigation into the findings of the CoI. In concluding, the decision made by the LGC cannot stand, especially sending King on administrative leave in September 2018 and then dismissing him in January 2019.

The LGC then moved to the appeal court, to challenge the Judge’s decision and listed five grounds of appeal.

One of the grounds stated

that the learned trial judge committed errors of law when she found that the LGC did not have the authority to delegate its powers to a CoI. Another ground in the document stated that Justice Morris-Ramlall erred in law and fact in finding that the LGC had delegated its authority to the COI to enquire into allegations against King.

“The learned trial judge erred in law and fact in having found errors of procedure in the hearing by the Local Government Commission in exercising her decision in granting the reliefs sought by the applicant” the document read.

Presidential Candidate of the United Republican Party (URP), Dr. Vishnu Bandhu hands over his lists to the GECOM on Nomination Day (Adrian Narine)

“I am relinquishing my dual citizenship. I sent a letter to the American Embassy since the 2nd of this month. I am hoping to have a meeting with them today to verify everything is okay but I’m relinquishing because I’m a Guyanese.”

This is after he had signed the Statutory Declaration Form of a Presidential Candidate named in the National Top-up List.

It would have required him to “solemnly and sincerely declare” that he is a citizen of the Co-operative republic of Guyana; a citizen of Guyana by birth or parentage; a resident of Guyana on the date of nomination for election; continuously residing in Guyana for a period of 7 years immediately before Election Day and qualified to be elected as a Member of the National Assembly.

Though one may argue that both Shuman and Dr. Bandhu may be in right standing by March 2, 2020, others question the ethics of signing such a legally-binding declaration without the same being true. While Nigel Hinds, co-founder and Chairman of Change Guyana, has recently bowed out of the

Appeal of LGC ‘struck out’ THE appeal filed by the Local Government Commission (LGC) seeking to overturn the ruling of High Court Justice Simone Morris-Ramlall, who ruled to reverse the dismissal of Town Clerk, Royston King, was on Monday, January 13, 2020, struck out by the Full Court.

The appeal hearing came up before Full Court Judges Justices Naresh Harnanan and Franklyn Holder at the Demerara High Court.

The LGC had appealed Justice Morris-Ramlall ruling that the commission of Inquiry

electoral race due to his ill health and the fact that is he a dual citizen, some members of the public were not phased as they questioned why he would take up the leadership position as the party’s prime ministerial candidate knowing his citizenship.

“Knowing all the facts about his citizenship and our country’s stance on dual citizenship, he should have never gotten this far down the election campaign. He is dishonest. The only reason he dropped out is because he’s afraid of being exposed and discrediting the entire party,” Dell Seepersaud wrote.

Another individual on Facebook stated: “Nonsense... if you really had the country and people at heart you would have done the right thing before fooling the people by going at it until Nomination Day to say you withdrawing. Then on top of it all you signed a declaration form which shows that you are very deceptive and dishonest.”

At a briefing on Nomination Day for media operatives on January 8, 2020, reporters had raised the question about whether the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM)

should do more to ensure that candidates of the various parties are in good standing before the acceptance of their lists on Nomination Day. GECOM Public Relation Officer (PRO), Yolanda Warde had informed the audience that GECOM does not have the “legal obligation” to investigate such or even matters related to the criminal record of a candidate which articles 53 and 155 of the Constitution also speaks to.

“It is a Statutory Form and the expectation is that the candidates signing those forms to be part of an elections that they adhere to what are those statutory requirements,” Warde said. The forms are also to be signed by a Justice of the Peace or Commissioner of Oaths – persons who are authorised to verify affidavits, statutory declarations and other legal documents.

Warde added: “The statutory declaration form is a legal form. The law says it must be signed in the presence of a duly-appointed Commissioner of Oaths [or] Justice of the Peace. It is hoped that when you go in front of the Commissioner of Oaths [or] Justice of the Peace, the onus is also on the Commissioner of Oaths and Justice of the Peace to ensure that whatever you’re swearing to is also [factual].”

GECOM relies on these individuals and the honesty of political party members and candidates to ensure that the information put forward is factual. However, the public has observed that it is these very leaders, even with the signature of Justice of the Peace or Commissioner of Oaths, who are sidestepping the due process.

abuse of office, recklessness, dishonesty, conspiracy, and misappropriation of funds at the municipality.

Justice Morris-Ramlall, during her ruling, said the LGC unlawfully delegated its investigatory powers to the CoI, which was not part of the LGC or attached to it.

Additionally, the LGC disinvested itself from the CoI when it transferred the investigation and unlawfully delegated its powers.

By doing this, the LGC committed an error of law and the decisions made by the

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 14, 2020

Former PPP Region One official throws support behind coalition …says govt addressed “long-term” needs of indigenous communities FORMER Region One chairman, Paul Pierre, believes that the implementation of long-term projects in the North West District and other areas across the country by the coalition government will have a lasting impact on the country’s indigenous people.

Pierre, who served under the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) as regional chairman for the Barima/ Waini region prior to 2015, told the Guyana Chronicle on Monday that the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) should have done more for the nation’s indigenous communities during that party’s term in office.

However, he noted “it was more or less about handouts,” during the previous administration’s term in office, adding that the regional authorities never received the support which was needed for the development of Region One. “I think they should have done more for indigenous communities,” Pierre, who is the current toshao of Kwebana, said.

On the other hand, he noted that the coalition government has established more long-term projects which he noted will vastly benefit the communities in the Hinterland. ”We now have more long- term, solid industries,” Pierre said. He listed several projects which were

implemented in the Moruca sub-region over the past four years as evidence.

MAJOR PROJECTS These include a cassava processing facility which was built at Kwebana last year. Pierre said that not only will the project benefit residents of Kwebana, but other communities in the area since the end-product will add to the staple used in those areas. He explained that farmers in the area will be able to add value to their products via the facility.

The factory –a $26 million investment by the government – is expected to produce cassava flour as the main product as well as supply casareep, starch and other cassava by-products.

Establishment of the facility at Kwebana followed a study which was conducted by the Kwebana Farmers’ Cooperative. It was determined that the production of cassava flour would provide a great source of income for farmers and vendors in the local markets. As a result, 30 acres of land was cleared and prepared and cassava sticks were purchased for planting.

On Monday, Pierre also spoke about a coffee-cultivation project which was implemented in 2019 at Moruca.

about and I can see this project prospering. It will be massive, I know that, and the farmers are very excited too.”

On Monday, Pierre echoed similar sentiments, noting that the importance of agriculture is being revived in the area. ”It is a major area of development,” he said.

Former Region One Chairman/ Toshao of Kwebanna, Paul Pierre

Last March, the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs said that farmers were caring for approximately twelve thousand coffee seedlings on an effective rotation basis in a nursery which was established in the village.

Toshao of Santa Rosa, Whanita Phillips, lauded the government’s efforts at the time, saying, “this is big for us, this is awesome and something that I’m very excited

INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT When asked his opinion on infrastructural development in the region over the years, Pierre noted that the completion of several road projects by the coalition government across the North West District is one of several areas of development which, he noted, is impacting the region’s advancement.

Pierre, who took a step back from the political spotlight post2015, noted that Region One never received the support from the previous administration which it currently receives.

He said that back then, the major concern by the past government was taxes and long-term benefits of projects. “There was always an issue with the budget or some concern over taxes,” he added. ”We never got a good road,” he said.

To this end, he listed several road projects which have been undertaken by the David Granger-ad-

ministration throughout the region.

These include the construction of concrete, all-weather roads at Port Kaituma and in the administrative capital, the town of Mabaruma. He also listed the Kwebana road project which provides an alternative route for residents during dry weather.

Pierre said that the $110M Moruca Bridge is another project which is “significant” in terms of its importance for the region. ”That is something that was needed over the many years, the fact that it is a concrete structure, the Bemicihi airstrip was also upgraded and that is also important because emergency services can now be done better,” he added.

But despite the transformation taking place in the region, Pierre noted that persons will have their own views. He explained that “there is this belief in peoples’ minds that no matter what type of development is taking place, they have this political allegiance,” he said, adding that the latter is “hurting development “ in the region and other indigenous communities.

Pierre has been serving as vice-chair of the National Toshaos Council (NTC) and he noted that he will continue to undertake the mandate of that body, in the interest of the indigenous people and other stakeholders.

Hearing of DHB lawsuit ‘Oil money’ must benefit all fixed for March 27 Guyanese – Dr Vindhya Persaud

Vehicles traversing the Demerara Harbour Bridge

THE $90M lawsuit, filed by the Demerara Harbour Bridge (DHB) against the Panama-registered barge which slammed into the Bridge, causing damages, comes up for hearing on March 27, 2020 before Chief Justice (ag) Roxane George-Wiltshire at the High Court.

On September 2, 2019, a Marina Oceanic and a barge, which is registered in Panama and manned by Cubans, slammed into the DHB causing damages to the 40-yearold bridge Following the incident, the bridge was closed to vehicular traffic. After undergoing structural repairs

to damage caused, the bridge reopened 36 hours after.

The DHB then moved to the High Court and filed a lawsuit to the Panama-registered barge for revenue lost when the bridge was out of operation, and for damage to a woman’s car.

The tug and barge were impounded in Guyana.

FORMER People's Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Member of Parliament, Dr Vindhya Persaud, has affirmed that the oil revenues Guyana will soon begin to get must benefit all citizens of Guyana, and not a select few.

“When the oil comes... it should not be used to fill people’s pockets. The money that we get from oil, the richness that this country should benefit from, should go to you the people of Guyana,” Dr. Persaud told a gathering of PPP/C supporters at an election rally organised at Albion, in Berbice.

With Guyana set to receive its first set of revenues from its new oil and gas sector shortly, many persons have emphasised that the massive revenues expected should be used in a way that ensures development in Guyana, and that all Guyanese benefit.

President David Granger, in his 2020 New Year’s address, outlined a ten-year plan dubbed the “Decade of Development” for Guyana.

The fourth pillar of this plan

Former People's Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Member of Parliament, Dr Vindhya Persaud

highlights that petroleum production should result in faster economic growth, increased employment and economic opportunities and larger fiscal revenues.

He also related that if re-elected at the upcoming Regional and General elections on March 2, his government would ensure that the petroleum sector is managed prudently for present and future generations. Similarly, Dr. Persaud also highlighted that prudent management of the oil and gas sector is necessary. In this vein, she

outlined that the PPP/C, if elected to government, would ensure that this is done, with particular focus on using the massive amounts of revenues expected to spur local development. She highlighted that it is the PPP/C’s plan to plug the revenues garnered into all sectors of the economy. Specific mention was made to the mining and agricultural sectors which have been traditional sectors in Guyana.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 14, 2020

Guyana ramps up health and safety training for oil sector

By Lisa Hamilton

GUYANA has become the first Caribbean country to have a tailored programme for its workers geared towards the health and safety inspection of its offshore Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel.

This is being done in preparation for the oil and gas sector, through a fiveday FPSO Certified Safety Inspector training programme being conducted by Business Crisis Consultants Limited.

The training is sponsored by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and is being offered to Safety and Health workers of the Ministry of Social Protection, the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), the National Advisory Council on Occupational Safety and Health (NACOSH) and other key stakeholders.

An opening ceremony to launch the training programme was held at the Ministry of Social Protection, Department of Labour, on Monday. Addressing some 17 Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) workers, Minister within the Ministry of Social Protection, Keith Scott, said that while there had been much publicity about Guyana’s emergence into oil production and the possible benefits to arise, not enough was being said about human development

and safety.

However, he was pleased to note that the men and women present will now serve as the future "torch

sessments at various parts of the process.

He assured the public that the Department of Labour will not become complacent

cy Response Operations for the Bp Trinidad and Tobago (BpTT) Emergency Response Team, managing the daily emergency co-ordination efforts of the 65 contracted emergency response staff at BpTT onshore and offshore assets.

In brief remarks he stated that one of the main parts of the programme will be based on preventive control and preventing an incident before it happens. Vincent said that

cation.

“This programme is actually the first of its kind in the Caribbean so you guys are also pioneers when it comes to FPSO [Inspector training].

Remember Trinidad didn’t do any drilling or exploration via FPSO. So it’s the first of its kind in the Caribbean,” he explained.

Meanwhile, speaking on behalf of Chief Labour Officer, Charles Ogle, was Labour Officer, Latoya John.

Seated from left at the Department of Labour are: Labour Officer, Latoya John; Consultant/Trainer at the Business Crisis Consultants, Garth Vincent and Minister within the Ministry of Social Protection, Keith Scott

bearers" of FPSO education in Guyana. “While several persons are talking about money, we in the Ministry are talking and focusing on people and their health,” he said.

The Minister stated that the programme was specifically designed with the Liza Destiny in mind and comprised of five modules with over 60 subject areas. Scott encouraged the OSH workers to pay special attention to the subjects of risk management, assessment and control as experience had shown that most accidents happen due to failure to conduct risk as-

and will work until Guyana is home to OSH officers of the highest standard. Facilitating the training is Consultant/ Trainer at the Business Crisis Consultants, Garth Vincent.

Vincent brings 26 years of experience in Emergency Response from both the municipal sector and the oil and gas industry.

He possesses Masters Degrees in Risk, Crisis and Disaster Management from the University of Leicester and Occupational Health Safety and Environment from the University of Greenwich in the UK. He previously served as Chief of Emergen-

Some of the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) workers to receive training in the five-day Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) Certified Safety Inspector training programme. (Delano Williams photos)

OSH workers can expect to visit the FPSO at some point to see the equipment they would have learnt about.

Ultimately, an examination will determine whether the workers receive certifi-

She told the OSH workers that if the sector is not cautiously managed challenges can arise. John reminded that OSH workers trained in FPSO Inspection are critical as there must be monitoring

of the sector to ensure compliance with international standards. “You the inspectors must be equipped with the technical skills to ensure that oil companies FPSO vessels meet the international bench marks for safety,” she said.

Also addressing the gathering, Vice Chair of NACOSH, Patricia Woolford stated that NACOSH has been advocating for the strengthening and expansion of its small unit of OSH workers as it sees the need for these persons to be further developed through international-level training.

“I hope that every officer will apply themselves and really take in all that will be offered so that Guyana will be in a better position to manage and inspect the sector that is so new to us,” Woolford said. The Liza Destiny, Guyana’s first FPSO vessel, is expected to pave the way for unimaginable development for Guyana. It has a production capacity of up to 120,000 barrels of oil per day and an overall storage volume of 1.6 million barrels. During normal operations, there will be at least 80 persons living and working onboard the vessel.

January 2020 criminal assizes opens today JUSTICE Sandil Kissoon, Justice Brassington Reynolds and Madam Justice JoAnn Barlow are expected to deal with a list of 318 cases at the January criminal assizes, which opens today, January 14, 2020.

The list includes 85 cases for murder, 15 for manslaughter, 145 rape related cases, plus other cases such as abduction, wounding, robbery under arms, narcotics and stealing a child.

The opening of the January session will be marked by the holding of a traditional parade by the Guyana Police Force Band and ranks.

One of the three judges to preside at the session is expected to inspect a Guard of Honour to mark the occasion, and will later take the salute during a march-past outside of the court.

Thereafter, the Registrar of the Supreme Court will address jurors of the three panels.

Listed for trial is Muslim scholar Nezaam Ali, who is currently serving a 45-year sentence for raping a nine-year-old boy.

Ali will go on trial for eight additional counts of sexually abusing eight boys. He is facing multiple indictments for crimes allegedly committed between 2011 and 2012, including sexual activity with a child under 16 years and sexual activity with a child by abusing a position of trust.

Another well-known case is former Bishops’ High School teacher, Coen Jackson, who is set to go on trial for engaging in sexual

activity with a child under the age of 16, while being in a position of trust. He is currently out on bail.

Sandy, used his service gun and opened fire at Payne during a domestic dispute. A post-mortem report revealed that Payne died from 14 gunshot wounds to her body– 13 to

FLASHBACK Justice Brassington Reynolds inspecting the Guard of Honour during April 2019 Assizes opening ceremony.

Meanwhile, for the capital offence of murder, former Guyana Defence Force captain, Orwain Sandy, will go on trial for the murder of his reputed wife in 2018.

her chest and one to the head.

Also, businessman Robert Benn will go on trial for the murder of 24-year-old Colin Perreira and the attempted murder of his girl-

friend, Gail-Ann Chachon.

Four men are also set to go on trial for the murder of Foulis, East Coast Demerara businessman, Rajendra Singh.

Currently on remand are : Doenauth Katwaru, also known as ‘Pumpkin’; ‘Doodnauth Katwaroo’ or ‘Doodnauth Ketwaru’; Tony Christopher Thomas, also known as ‘Mataran’, ‘Matteron’, ‘Job’ or ‘Fix Up; Michael Lewis called ‘Michael Joseph’, ‘Jet Lee’, ‘J- Ice or ‘Mikey and Adony James called ‘Don. Meanwhile Mark Lowchee called Mark Lee is finally expected to face trial for the September 21, 2003 murder of Collis DeAbreu at Fifth and Light Streets, Alberttown, Georgetown.

Also, there is the case of Regan Rodrigues, called ‘Grey Boy,’ who is charged with the murder of political activist Courtney Crum-Ewing.

The bullet-riddled body of Crum-Ewing was found at Third Avenue, Diamond New Scheme, EBD, on March 10, 2015. The 40-year-old was shot twice to the temple, once to the back of the head and twice to the stomach.

The political activist was well-known for his one-man protest outside the office of former Attorney General (AG) Anil Nandlall. Minutes before he was gunned down, he was reportedly heard via a bullhorn urging residents of the neighbourhood to vote against the then ruling PPP/C party.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 14, 2020

GWI to expand water treatment infrastructure WITH a US$19 million loan from the Ca- we build individual systems for each pumping ribbean Development Bank (CDB) to con- station. We're using a more in-line system duct feasibility studies and construct new which would remove the need for these large water treatment facilities, in addition to the treatment plants. These would be more cominstallation of line filters countrywide, the pact systems that would allow us to cover Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) is ex- more areas. So rather than build the big plants pected to significantly improve the quality that we built at Diamond or Sheet Anchor, of its supply of potable water to citizens. [at] a pump station like Providence we built a On average, of all ‘final’ water supplied smaller in-line system to treat the water there, to customers, approximately 95 – 100 per- then we built one at Mocha, one at Caledonia cent of it meets healthso that at the end of it, based guidelines of the it covers a larger area World Health Organwith a larger impact,” isation (WHO). HowShako related. ever, the company was The project was looking to improve its currently at the design ability to remove iron stage and was expectcontent from the water. ed to go out to tender The new systems, shortly for the invitawhich will improve tion of bids. iron content removal The utility had inas well as disinfect vestigated with the for microorganisms, use of the in-line oxis primarily focused idation filters, having on projects in Regions tested the system at One, Two, Five and Agricola pump station, Six. However, the with a proven removal utility will be lookof over 98 percent of GWI Executive Director of Operations, ing at utilizing a mixthe total iron from the Dwayne Shako ture of small and large water, bringing the final scale measures to extend coverage across the concentration to less than 0.1 mg/l. country as far as possible.

The company had also placed emphasis “We've identified those regions for water on the water systems at several schools, and improvement projects. What we're looking will be putting measures in place to also imat is water quality improvement, and designs prove those. where we can now install water treatment “The in-line system for the schools is to systems across the entire regions. However, ensure that the children have a good supply though the scope of these projects are for of potable water at the schools. While we these regions, we're now looking at the dehave been working with the schools to ensure signs to extend the scope outside of these rethe taps are clean, we decided to put in place gions. We want to now try to cover the entire an in-line filtration system as an additional coast as far as possible with the funds that we have,” explained GWI Executive Director of treatment for the water at the schools so the children will have access to a better service.

Operations, Dwayne Shako.

“The aim is to put in place systems so that The filters will ensure that the water available we can remove the iron from the water and to the children is filtered and purified. These be able to deliver water that is free of iron. It will be built by GWI in house using local will remove any other metal as well such as materials,” Shako related.

The systems at the school will be a smaller manganese and other contaminants and then it's going to provide disinfection. So the water version of the one the company hopes to roll that really going now to the customer will be out across the country.

“The principle of operation is the same but free from any bacteria.” these are smaller domestic filters. The ones “There are different forms of treatment, so if you're looking at people who receive water being built for the treatment stations will be free of iron it's about 60 percent treated and more industrial in nature… much larger metal 40 percent of areas that have well water. With tanks. These [in the schools] will be much this project we're looking to carry it to over smaller PVC in-line filters,” he said.

In addition to the three newly-commis80 percent or close to 100 percent,” he said.

The company’s coverage of treated water sioned water treatment plants, work has also increased significantly with the recent con- begun on rehabilitation at a treatment facility struction of the three water treatment plants in Bartica, while in Region Six the company at Uitvlugt on the West Coast Demerara; will also be installing new distribution mains Diamond on the East Bank of Demerara; and in Orealla to expand coverage of that water treatment plant up to Sandvoort.

Sheet Anchor in Berbice.

For Bartica, Shako said, the company is The three plants were a part of a $6.6 billion partnership between the Government of awaiting the importation of the necessary Guyana, Inter-American Development Bank parts for the system.

“That will be completed this year. The (IDB), and the European Union (EU). Those plants added to another 29 treatment plants filtration system for that has been shipped so we're waiting on the arrival of that sometime already located throughout the country.

Under the new project, Shako explained, around the first week in February, and that the company was not looking towards cen- will be completed by the end of February,” tralized plants as big as those of the recently he said.

The utility has also installed three wacompleted; instead the company was looking to focus more on smaller plants throughout ter purification tanks at communal wells in Nappi, Parishara, and Hiawa to assure the system.

“We're not going with the large plants… water quality that meets international we're looking to build smaller systems where drinking standards.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 14, 2020

“Decide who you must trust with your children’s future” –– Minister Cummings tells Sophia residents

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Karen Cummings, addressing residents of ‘C’ Field Sophia on Sunday

THE Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Karen Cummings, urged residents of the Sophia community to decide who they trust with their children’s future.

Dr. Cummings was, at the time, addressing a gathering on Sunday night at ‘C’ Field Sophia ‘four corners’, where she cautioned the residents to not place their future in the hands of people who were bent on enriching themselves.

The Minister further stated that, in 2015, the people let their voices be heard and initiated change. Today Guyanese are enjoying better infrastructure, healthcare, education, security, wages and salaries among other meaningful services. Minister Cummings added that the progress made in the four years under the current government far outweighed the 23 years of the previous administration.

According to the minister, the process of change takes time; and the govern-

ment has been working assiduously to ensure that a better life is provided to all Guyanese. ‘It is important that as a government we prioritize the important issues… Guyana is on the rise and if we are to achieve our potential, we have to be a government that is accountable and transparent,” she stated.

Minister Cummings pointed out that the government had achieved much but recognised that there was more to be done and with the support of the people she assured the persons gathered that better will come.

“You are living witness of the changes taking place in Guyana,” the Minister stated.

The APNU+AFC government has hosted several similar community meetings across various communities to engage the people of Guyana in preparation for March 02, 2020 elections.

Scenes from the gathering on Sunday at ‘C’ Field Sophia

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 14, 2020

Guyanese in Cuba to observe 50th Republic Anniversary

The decorated Embassy can be clearly seen with the Logo of the 50th Anniversary in full display.

THE Guyana Embassy in Havana, Cuba, will be hosting several activities to mark the 50th Anniversary of the Founding of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana.

In the Guyanese tradition, those activities will begin with a Prayer Service at the Guyana Embassy on Wednesday, January 15 at 16:oo hours and will include visits to various Provinces, including Cienfuegos, where the Founder of the Republic, then Prime Minister LFS Burnham, met with Comandante Fidel Castro, Leader of the Cuban Revolution, in April 1975.

Other activities would involve the placing of a Floral

Arrangement at the Caribbean Heroes Park in Havana, hosting of the Republic Day observance at the Laguito Protocol Salon, a Photographic and Book Exhibition, a Rum Tasting Event at the La Foresta Restaurant, and a Special Visit to the Province of Matanzas organized by the Provincial Government.

Over the past week, the staff of the Embassy, led by Executive Officer, Ms. Millicent Rose, devoted a lot of time to decorating the exterior of the Embassy, assisted

by Cuban artistes.

Guyana officially became the Cooperative Republic of Guyana on February 23, 1970.

Police conduct school sessions on “Safe Roads” in Essequibo

Policemen explaining aspects of road safety to pupils of May’s Primary School, Essequibo Coast

IN keeping with Operation “Safe Roads” and School Safety Patrol Guidelines, Police Corporal Sarwan Kumar and other ranks from the Charity Police Station Traffic Department, yesterday, visited the May Primary School, Essequibo Coast and distributed Road Safety Patrol Belts and Stop Signs.

One hundred and fifty pupils, along with eight teachers, benefitted from a practical demonstration on how they should properly use the Pedestrian crossing, since they will be assisting their peers to cross in a safe

manner.

Additionally, the students were informed on the importance of using the roadway correctly, Kerb-drill, the significance of Pedestrian Crossing, playing on a roadway, use of pedal cycle and the wearing of light-coloured clothing at nights.

Also, a similar talk was conducted at C.V. Nunes Primary School by Corporal Andrew Ramkissoon and Lance Corporal Brian Persaud, where 457 pupils and 22 teachers benefitted from the topics mentioned above.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 14, 2020

GTT joins effort to raise awareness about Cervical Cancer -to host several outreach activities in various Regions CERVICAL Cancer has been one of the leading causes of death across the world, and the seriousness of this disease has not gone unnoticed locally, with the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GTT) being the latest organisation to take a step to raise awareness about the disease.

According to a press statement from GTT, the company

has collaborated with the Ministry of Public Health’s Chronic Disease Unit to raise awareness on cervical cancer prevention and promote Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid (VIA) screening and treatment. This initiative coincides with Cervical Cancer Awareness Month, which is observed in January every year.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) defines Cervical

The outreach locations

Cancer as a disease that starts in the cells of the cervix. When cervical cancer first appears, there are no symptoms and the woman is entirely unaware that a deadly disease process has started in her body. Later, as the cancer grows, there may be pelvic pain and bleeding.

According to the WHO, cervical cancer is the fourth most frequent cancer in women with an estimated 570,000 new

cases in 2018 representing 6.6 per cent of all female cancers.

Approximately 90 per cent of deaths from cervical cancer occurred in low- and middle-income countries. The WHO’s conclusion is that the high mortality rate from cervical cancer globally could be reduced through a comprehensive approach that includes prevention, early diagnosis, effective screening and treatment programmes.

In taking a step towards raising awareness about the disease, GTT has pledged its support towards the Chronic Disease Unit’s awareness/ screening project. GTT’s Pinktober Coordinator, Diana Gittens, said that it was the first cancer awareness project GTT had pledged its support to for this year, and the company was set to support many more cancer awareness projects throughout the year.

“Too many women have lost their lives because of the late diagnosis of cancer. Not only their families are affected, but the entire nation feels the effect,” the Pinktober Coordinator said.

Gittens encouraged all women between ages 21 to 65 to stay on top of their health by getting regular pap smears or VIA screenings.

“We will continue the

chant that early detection saves lives, because we want to save and help as much persons in Guyana to fight against cancer,” she said.

Doctor at the Chronic Disease Unit and Coordinator of the event, Dr. Martin Campbell said he was grateful for GTT’s partnership on the project.

“GTT, in the last few years, has always showed a key interest in cancer awareness. I am pleased that they have extended their reach to benefit all types of cancer and not only limit the support to breast cancer awareness,” Dr. Campbell said.

He added: “this observance is very important because cervical cancer is the second highest reported cancer in Guyana and we happy to have GTT’s support. We encourage all women to take advantage of our VIA screening outreach.”

Campbell said the unit started it’s VIA screening outreach at Goed Intent Health Center and will continue this drive at various health centers in regions Three, Four, and Five.

The cervical cancer awareness activities will conclude with a grand health fair on Main Street, on February 4, from 09:00 hours to 15:00 hours.

Hair-dresser accused of wounding granted bail MAGISTRATE Sherdel Isaac-Marcus, on Monday, January 13, 2020, granted a 29-year-old hair-dresser $100,000 bail on an unlawful wounding charge.

Shelly Allicock of Hill Street, Albouystown, appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court and denied the charge, when it was read to her.

Particulars of the charge stated that, on September 25, 2019, at Hill Street, Albouystown, Allicock unlawfully and maliciously wounded Cassie Blair, with intent to maim, disfigure or cause grievous bodily harm.

The police prosecutor told the court that Allicock and Blair had an argument which became ‘physical’ and, as a result, Blair received a swollen eye. He also stated that Blair was unable to see well with the said eye.

M a g i s t r a t e Isaac-Marcus released Allicock on $100,000 bail and placed Allicock and Blair on a bond. The matter was adjourned until February 10, 2020.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 14, 2020

First Lady launches four-week ITC training workshop in Region Two -Tells youths it will make them more marketable- First Lady Sandra Granger By: Indrawattie Natram THE Office of the First Lady, in collaboration with the Ministry of Social Cohesion Board of Industrial Training (BIT), under its Youth Development Initiative, on Monday, January, 13, 2020, launched its Information and Communication Technology (ICT) training programme in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam).

Forty young people who hail from various backgrounds and communities will be trained in the field of ICT, Literacy, Numeracy, Entrepreneurship, Sexual Reproductive Health, and Science, Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). Those who are successful in the programme will receive a BIT accredited certificate signed by First Lady, Mrs. Sandra Granger herself.

Addressing the participants for the programme in the boardroom of the Regional Democratic Council at Anna Regina, the First Lady said that the certificate will enable them to become more marketable, outlining that employers will accept it as a qualification. She, therefore, thanked the Ministry of Social Cohesion for funding the workshops and for providing the necessary resources needed to empower the youths.

Mrs. Granger also thanked the Regional Executive Officer, Mr. Denis Jaikarran, for organizing and mobilizing the youths in his area.

“The knowledge you gain from the training programmes you will use it as a tool to move forward with your life and further develop,” the First Lady told the gathering.

She also encouraged the youths to use the skills from the workshop to further enhance their life. The training she added will also consist of Robotics knowledge and emphasized it was important for youths to be trained in the field.

Mr. Jaikarran, during his address, said that Region Two was fortunate to be selected for the ICT training programme and, therefore, thanked the Office of the First Lady for choosing the region and for giving youths within the community equal opportunity. He urged the youths to focus on the training and to make the region proud. He also told the gathering that a special committee had been set up to monitor the youth’s performance and to ensure that they successfully completed the programme. The youths he said will receive free snacks and lunch during the workshops.

At the launch, Deputy Chairman of BIT, Mr. Don-

First Lady, Mrs. Sandra Granger, being welcomed at the Hampton Court airstrip

First Lady, Mrs. Sandra Granger, addressing the audience at the launch of the Region Two ICT training workshop.

ald Ainsworth, said that in the past children from distant areas were neglected of certain opportunities and he was happy that the workshop reached Region Two. He,

therefore, thanked the First Lady who was implementing the vision of her husband, President David Granger, to educate youths across the country in ICT skills. He said

The launch of the ICT workshop in Region Two. Oveanne Manswell giving an overview of the project.

The participants of the programme.

the current Government had been investing millions of dollars in the education system to educate youths across Guyana.

At the end of the launch,

participants got the opportunity to interact with the First Lady. Participants will be graduating from the course on February 10, 2020.

Nadeza Rodrigues defying the odds

PERSONS living with disabilities are often undermined and underestimated because of their conditions but Nadeza Rodrigues, an entrepreneur, who suffers from speech and hearing impediments, has refused to be confined and suppressed by the demoralising rhetoric.

According to a press statement from the Ministry of Indigenous People’s Affairs, Rodrigues runs a “thriving business” in Karawab Village, located more than 60 miles up the Pomeroon River, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam).

Rodrigues, who benefitted from the Hinterland Employment Youth Service

(HEYS) movement, runs a snackette and sells a variety of locally-made, delicious-tasting foods, snacks and beverages. According to the ministry, despite speech and hearing impediments, Rodrigues does not let the challenges, of being differently-abled, deter her from enhancing her vocational skills and she continues to radiate positivity.

Close friends of the young woman also offered praises for her culinary skills, as they spoke about her exceptional skills in making chicken curry and roti, among other things.

Rodrigues’ well-wishers believe her ability to operate in the kitchen speaks vol-

Nadeza Rodrigues in her snackette

umes of her determination to not allow her physical challenges to deter her from living a normal life.

Rodrigues’ mother, Zelda Braithwaite, believes that her daughter’s aptitude and charisma, in spite of her physical challenges, allowed her participation in the HEYS

programme and gave her the opportunity to leave an indelible mark on the lives of her peers and anyone who she may come in contact with.

In addition to her culinary skills, she is married and is the mother of 12-year-old Triston Rodrigues. Aside from her motherly duties,

the woman finds time to do embroidery and garment construction, which ensure an additional income for the family.

When the HEYS programme was introduced in 2016 by the APNU+AFC Coalition Government, Rodrigues was among more than 3,000 persons between the ages of sixteen and thirty-five years (16-35) to get the opportunities to be trained in several vocational skills while also receiving formal training in core areas.

Many of the participants operate successful businesses in all ten administrative regions.

In Karawab alone, 20 young people benefitted from the initiative.

Like Nadeza, many more life-changing testimonies can be seen and heard nationally, which have positively influenced the target group- the youth- as the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs and the Government, continue to deliver their mandate to the indigenous people, through well-planned and executed programmes and initiatives.

To date, Government has successfully concluded two cohorts, with plans in place for the execution of a third in 2020, which targets another four thousand youth. This will bring the number of young people exposed to this life-changing initiative to more than 5,000.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 14, 2020

Over 300 treated as Humanitarian Mission hosts Medical Outreach

Held under the theme “Give Yourself a Healthy Lifestyle”, over 300 residents of Region, 6 East Berbice Corentyne benefitted from a range of medical services as the Humanitarian Mission Guyana Inc. (HGMI) held a medical outreach at the Mission’s Headquarters, in Ankerville Port Mourant on Sunday.

Speaking with the Guyana Chronicle, President of the HMGI Suresh Sugrim said the support was overwhelming and is grateful to many donors both locally and from the diaspora who made the event possible.

A total of two hundred food hampers containing mainly healthy items were also donated to senior citizens that participated in the outreach. “We realize that they are many challenges in Berbice and many parts of Guy-

A mother and her child are seen by Dr.Vineshri Khirodhar

Dr.Walter Singh listens attentively to a patient

ana of people not eating healthy and by not eating healthy or having a healthy lifestyle they are many complications. Under the banner of Give yourself a healthy lifestyle, the beneficiaries were educated on what

to eat, when to eat and how to manage their diabetes and other medical ailments” There were seven doctors from across Guyana that specialized in various disciplines including an Ear, Nose and

Attempted murder accused remanded MAGISTRATE Sherdel Isaac-Marcus, on Monday, January 13, 2020, remanded a 29-year-old man to prison on an attempted murder charge.

Godwin Giddings of Mocha appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court and was not required to plead to the charge, when it was read to him.

Particulars of the charge stated that,

on January 8, 2020, at Seaman Landing, Essequibo, he wounded Hendrick Jones, with intent to commit murder.

Magistrate Sherdel Isaac-Marcus remanded Giddings to prison until January 17, 2020. The matter was transferred to the Bartica Magistrates’ Court.

Throat, Pediatrics, cardiology,Diabetic and Foot Care as well as general practitioners backed by a team of nurses that saw patients from as early as 07:00hrs well into the midafternoon.

Foot and Diabetes Spe-

cialist Dr. Kumar Sukraj noted majority of the patients seen had blood glucose of an alarmingly high level and attributed it to improper diet and unhealthy eating habits. “10% of care lies with the health care providers

while 90% of care lies with the patients, no proper diet structure were evident from patients I saw, surprisingly even diabetic patients and those with hypertension”.

He stressed that it’s important that diabetic patients manage their diet, exercise and other factors in order to control it, in doing so they would be able to live a healthier and better life.

Patients received medications for their diagnosis as well as referrals to the Ministry of Health for cases that required follow up and additional tests. All services and medications were given free of cost that saw a wide cross section of residents and children taking full advantage of the services with many asking when the next event will be held.

Robbery accused remanded

MAGISTRATE Sherdel Isaac-Marcus, on Monday, January 13, 2020, remanded, to prison, two men accused of robbery.

Jose Bristol, 27, a phone technician of Bar Street, Kitty, and Jamal Brathwaite, 24, appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court and denied the charge, when it was read to them.

Particulars of the charge stated that, on December 29, 2019, at Campbell Avenue, Georgetown, while in the company of another, they robbed Michel Cox of a motorcycle valued at $434,000, an IPhone valued at $255,000, a bag valued at $3000 and $9,500 cash, and, at the time of the robbery, or immediately after, they used personal violence.

Police prosecutor told the court that Cox was at OMG, when three men approached him, ‘stuck him up’ and robbed him.

The prosecutor also stated that there was a video on social media showing exactly what happened.

Magistrate Sherdel Isaac-Marcus remanded the men to prison and adjourned the matter until February 3, 2020.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 14, 2020

Medex: simple title, huge responsibility

–A brief look at the importance of the ‘Medex’ in Guyana FOR over 40 years, the medex programme has been contributing significantly to ensuring public healthcare is delivered optimally in Guyana.

These health professionals are governed by the Medex Act of 1978 which was set up after the founder of an international Medex Programme, Dick Smith, approached the Government of Guyana. He offered to facilitate the training of local

with the majority stationed in the hinterland regions due to the nature of the service they provide. They are trained to deliver services at health centres in communities by taking on some of the responsibilities of doctors.

Speaking to DPI, Chief Medex of the Ministry of Public Health, Lolita Rebeiro, disclosed that she has served in the health sector for 20 years. Starting as a Registered Nurse in 2000,

The group of students who are undergoing training to be registered Medexes come 2022

mid-level health care practitioners to service the citizens living in remote areas of the country and the programme was born.

To date, 75 registered medexes are working in the public healthcare system

she then worked as a medex from 2006 onwards. She was appointed Chief Medex in January 2016.

Hailing from Moruca (Barima-Waini), Rebeiro noted the importance of her role especially going to the

Legal aid assisted over 2000 persons in 2019 FOR last year, 2,287 persons from January to September sought assistance from the Guyana Legal Aid Clinic (GLAC), according to statistics.

Of the amount heard across the GLAC’s offices in Regions Two, Four, Five and Six; 1,063 accounted for divorce.

In 2018, January to December, 2, 958 persons received legal aid. Of this, 1,156 of them were interviewed for divorce matters, of which 794 received representation.

The Guyana Legal Aid Clinic predominantly dealt with civil matters including divorce, domestic violence, Deed Polls and Affidavit, property disputes, injunction, tenant, bigamy, personal injury/ death claims, division of property, custody and access, trespass, employment, among others.

Criminal matters included: narcotics, assault, threatening language, rape, carnal knowledge, murder, manslaughter,

robbery, theft, disorderly behaviour and firearm possession.

In cases where persons did not qualify for legal aid, they were referred to the private bar.

Guyana Legal Aid Clinic (formerly Georgetown Legal Aid Clinic) is a non-governmen tal, non-profit making, non-partisan organisation that provides legal aid to persons who cannot afford to employ the services of a member of the private bar.

GLDA opened its doors in March 1994 and receives an annual subvention from the government for the provisions of attorneys-at-law, rent-free space amongst others. It also receives donations from other bodies.

The GLAC has four offices: King and Charlotte Streets, Georgetown, Region 4; Anna Regina Essequibo, Region 2; Fort Wellington, West Coast Berbice, Region Five; and Vryman’s Erven, New Amsterdam, Region Six.

far-flung communities on medical outreaches. “Medexes are mid-level managers. At present, they are responsible for the maternal and child health aspect of health care in their respective regions or sub-districts.

In some areas, they are also responsible for chronic Non-Communicable Disease clinics especially where there is no doctor.”

According to Rebeiro, of the 75 registered me-

dexes, 56 work in the clinical setting throughout the 10 administrative regions while 15 are in teaching, administrative or supervisory positions. The Chief Medex said there is a need for at least 73 more medexes in the public health system to provide adequate health coverage. She explained that currently, 34 are already undergoing a four-year-training programme, which will guar-

Chief Medex, Ministry of Public Health, Lolita Rebeiro

antee them each an Associates of Sciences Degree

upon successful completion in 2022. (DPI)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 14, 2020

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 14, 2020

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Friendship receives 592 Inter-Village Football spoils CORPORATE giant, Ansa McAl, officially presented the prize monies for the top four finishers yesterday for the recently-concluded 592 Beer Community Cup Football Festival.

The presentation was held at the company’s Beterverwagting (BV) headquarters. Friendship secured the top prize of $500,000 and the championship trophy, after defeating Golden Grove 1-0 on January 1st.

Golden Grove walked away with $200,000 and a trophy. Third place finisher, BV, pocketed $150,000 and a trophy, while fourth place unit, Paradise, copped $100,000 and the respective accolade. On the individual side, teammates Dillon Wright and Shawn Adonis of Friendship, were adjudged as the event’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) and Best Goalkeeper respectively.

Tournament coordinator, Eon Havercome, during brief remarks, stated that the tournament was an overhead success, noting that the finale was bigger than expected, which indicated that football within the East Coast Demerara region is still vibrant.

He added that the genesis

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of the tournament was to provide the avenue for players to showcase their abilities, adding that without the support of the teams, communities and sponsors, the event would not have translated into a successful venture.

Meanwhile, 592 Brand Manager Seweon McGarrell declared that he is proud and pleased with the overall quality of the tournament, adding that the company is committed to the staging of the event for the foreseeable future. He further thanked the respective participants for their contribution in making the tournament a success.

Okeemie Edwards, captain of the victorious Friendship unit said, “It was a great tournament which was very competitive. It is a very good start to the 592 Brand on the East Coast of Demerara and we hope that the tournament continues for years and gets bigger and better.”

Triston Freeman, Brand Manager of Rush Energy Drink, stated the brand is committed to supporting the development of sports especially football at the community and street levels.

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‘We need him to settle down and bat’

…Windies skipper Kieron Pollard explains Hetmyer omission

WINDIES skipper Kieron Pollard seemed to make good on his promise to take ‘tough decisions’ after being dissatisfied with the team’s performance in the second ODI against Ireland.

Top-order batsman Shimron Hetmyer was dropped from the team’s line-up for the third One Day International (ODI) against Ireland, on the back of what has been general frustration with the looseness of his stroke play in the first two matches of the series.

On Sunday, however, the skipper seemed to make it clear the move was just a temporary one with Hetmyer expected to return to the team’s line-up later this week. In the two ODI games played, Hetmyer made 14 runs and was caught on both occasions after questionable shots.

“We spoke about working hard and the discipline and what is required for the team. He is a very important player for us and it is a discussion that we had.

We need him to settle down and bat the way that we know he can bat.

In India he did it very well for us,” Pollard said following the match.

“These things happen, it just goes to show the dynamics of the team we have, Sunil coming in and getting that opportunity as well. We want guys to be very, very hungry because there are other guys knocking on the door so we can’t relax and take anything for granted,” he added.

“At the end of the day, all is well that ends well. He is a jovial guy. He has helped out throughout the day and we look forward to him making runs in the T20 series.” (Sportsmax)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday, January 14, 2020

Mark Wood could return in third Test

Mark Wood can provide the X Factor England need to beat South Africa in the third Test in Port Elizabeth, says assistant coach Paul Collingwood.

James Anderson has been ruled out with a broken rib and Jofra Archer missed the second Test with an elbow injury.

That leaves a potentially sizeable hole in the England attack with the series poised at 1-1.

“Mark’s ready to come in and do a job,” said Collingwood.

“You need those types of bowlers, especially on surfaces at Port Elizabeth where you might need a touch of X Factor; a 90mph-plus bowl-

Mark Wood has played just one Test since May 2018, but took career-best figures of 5-41 in that match against West Indies in February 2019

er that can get the batsmen jumping around.

“Mark’s certainly the kind of guy who can do that, along with Jofra.”

Wood, 30, has not

played Test cricket for England since February 2019, when he produced career-best figures of 5-41 to clinch a 232-run victory against West Indies in St

Lucia.

He went on to play an integral part in England’s World Cup victory, but has not bowled in a competitive match since picking up a side strain in the final.

Collingwood acknowledges the lack of match practice is far from ideal, but says he has seen enough from his former Durham team-mate in the nets to believe he is ready to re-enter the Test arena.

“Ideally, you would like to have him playing cricket somewhere but with the international schedule the way it is that’s just not a viable option,” he said.

“So from a coach’s point of view you have got to

make sure they have got the overs under their belt and their workloads up.

He looks really good in the nets.”

England will recall at least one, possibly two, bowlers for Thursday’s third Test with Wood, Archer, Chris Woakes and Craig Overton all in contention, depending on whether they retain spinner Dom Bess in the starting XI. They will return to a team which bowled out South Africa twice to level the series in their last outing in Cape Town.

“Cape Town was exceptional,” said Collingwood.

“I thought our first-innings bowling performance was

one of the best I have seen for many years and that’s kind of the blueprint for the future with the Kookaburra ball.”

England will be led by Joe Root in the third Test of four, after the captain recovered from illness which saw him miss training earlier in the week.

“It’s good to see him back,” added Collingwood.

“He’s got a smile on his face and we’ve just got to make sure he doesn’t pass it on to anyone else.

“He shouldn’t now, so all good on that front.”(BBC Sport)

Ponting, Clarke and Warne to play in bushfire fundraiser RICKY Ponting and Shane Warne will captain opposing teams in a charity match to raise money for the bushfire relief fund in Australia.

The match will be one of three played on 8 February, as well as Australia women’s Twenty20 game against India and the T20 Big Bash League final.

All match profits and funds from the day will go to the bushfire appeal.

The bushfire crisis has been ongoing in Australia

tin Langer, former captain Michael Clarke, Brett Lee, Adam Gilchrist and ex-Australia Women’s player Alex Blackwell.

Ten million hectares of land have been destroyed across the country and millions of animals have been killed in the fires.

Justin Langer(left), Ricky Ponting and Shane Warne were part of Australia’s most successful Test side

since September and at least 27 people have died.

Others playing include Australia head coach Jus-

Former Australia captain Ponting, 45, scored 13,328 runs in 168 Tests while leg-spinner Warne, 50, took 708 wickets in 145 Tests.

Warne previously

auctioned off his ‘baggy green’ cap which raised

one million Australian dollars, while a number of cricketers have donated money for hitting sixes in the Big Bash.

A number of tennis greats will also appear in an exhibition match on 15 January, five days before the Australian Open begins, while current players are donating money for aces they serve.

“People the world over have seen the overwhelming images of hundreds of thou-

sands of hectares burnt, precious lives lost, hundreds of properties destroyed and the devastating loss of wildlife as a result of the fires,” Cricket Australia chief executive Kevin Roberts said.

“These images have reinforced the need to get behind organisations that are responding to the requirements of people who have lost loved ones, their homes, and their livelihoods.” (BBC Sport)

Rohit, Shami back in India’s T20 squad for NZ tour (REUTERS - Indian selectors on Sunday recalled explosive batsman Rohit Sharma to their Twenty20 squad for the five-match series on their tour of New Zealand starting on Jan. 24.

Vice-captain Rohit, rested for the home series against Sri Lanka, comes into the 16-member squad in place of wicketkeeper-batsman Sanju Samson, the Board of Control for Cricket in India

(BCCI) said in a statement.

Rishabh Pant will don the gloves in the monthlong tour in which the visitors will also play three one-day internationals (ODIs) and two test matches.

Pace bowler Mohammed Shami also makes a comeback after being rested for the Sri Lanka series, which India won 2-0, but all-rounder Hardik Pandya was not

included as he continues his recovery after having lower back surgery in October.

“Vijay Shankar has been included in the India ‘A’ squad for New Zealand since Pandya’s rehabilitation process is taking longer than expected,” the BCCI added.

India will host Australia in three ODIs this month before departing for New Zealand.

T20 squad: Virat Kohli (captain), Rohit Sharma, Lokesh Rahul, Shikhar Dhawan, Shreyas Iyer, Manish Pandey, Rishabh Pant (wicketkeeper), Shivam Dube, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Washington Sundar, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Navdeep Saini, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur.

India opener Rohit Sharma

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday, January 14, 2020

25

Judges adjourn Diack trial for athletics doping cover-up PARIS (Reuters) - French judges on Monday adjourned the trial of Lamine Diack, the disgraced former head of athletics’ governing body IAAF who faces charges of corruption and money laundering linked to a Russian doping scandal.

Less than an hour after the hearing began, the trial was halted for procedural reasons and postponed until an unknown date.

The trial’s opening came five years after prosecutors began their investigation into Diack, from Senegal, who now lives under house arrest in Paris. Investigators have described a web of corruption that was rife in world athletics, including bribes and extortion to cover up positive drug tests.

Former President of International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) Lamine Diack arrives for his trial at the Paris courthouse, France, January 13, 2020. REUTERS/Benoit Tessier

Diack, 86, has denied wrongdoing. His lawyers said the accusations were baseless.

“He is someone who dedi-

cated almost his entire life to the public and to sport,” Diack lawyer Simon Ndiaye told Reuters.

Diack’s co-accused include his son, Papa Massata, who

worked as a marketing consultant for the IAAF, now known as World Athletics. Senegal has refused to extradite Papa Massata and he is being tried in absentia.

The trial had been expected to last two weeks.

But prosecutors sought the adjournment after receiving several “rather voluminous” documents on Monday from the Senegalese judiciary.

They include the transcript from a November interrogation of Papa Massata and bank documents.

Money laundering alone carries a jail term of up to 10 years in France.

Diack, who led the IAAF from 1999-2015, was one of the most influential men in athletics. His arrest plunged the sport’s governing body into an

unprecedented crisis.

Prosecutors began their investigation after the IAAF’s ethics commission and the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) uncovered evidence a Russian marathon runner paid 600,000 euros ($683,000) to cover up a positive drug test, allowing her to compete in the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Prosecutors highlighted what they described as the “extremely complacent” attitude of the IAAF toward the Russian athletics federation.

Diack acknowledges discussions with the Russians, but denies sanctions were waived in return for personal benefit, his lawyer said.

In a separate case, French prosecutors are investigating alleged bribes related to the Olympics and World

Athletics Championships.

They suspect Tokyo’s bidding committee bribed the Diacks in 2013 to secure votes, which the committee has denied.

Under scrutiny is the role of Dentsu Inc, Japan’s largest advertising agency, and its Swiss-based business partner, Athletics Management & Services AG (AMS).

For nearly two decades, Dentsu has partnered with the IAAF to market media and sponsorship rights across most of the world, while delegating some regions and responsibilities to AMS. In 2014, Dentsu and the IAAF extended their rights agreement through 2029.

Sebastian Coe, Diack’s successor, has undertaken to rebuild trust in athletics and introduced changes to the sport’s governance.

AB de Villiers ready to ramp up the action in BBL debut AB de Villiers has fired the first shot of his hotly anticipated KFC BBL campaign, declaring he’s arrived in Brisbane “in some of the best form of my career”.

De Villiers arrived in Brisbane on Sunday night and met his Brisbane Heat teammates at training yesterday before making his BBL debut in this afternoon’s clash with the Adelaide Strikers at the Gabba.

The 35-year-old says he’s been keenly watching the Brisbane Heat games from South Africa and the former Protea cannot wait to get stuck in having smashed four half-centuries in his past six knocks.

De Villiers hit 325 runs at a strike rate of 152.58 for the Tshwane Spartans in the Mzansi Super League, and has hit four half-centuries in his past six innings, describing it as “a few good knocks”.

“I felt in some of the best form of my career. Hopefully we’ll see more of that in this tournament,” de Villiers said in Brisbane today.

“I know what’s required of me to make a play for the team.

AB de Villiers(left)and Brisbane Heat skipper Chris Lynn

There’s been some standout performances from the Heat this season and I think the team is in a really good place.

“Tom Banton did a fantastic job, hopefully I’ll do a similar job but in the middle order.”

Exactly where de Villiers lines up for the Heat is to be determined, but he’s likely to come in at No.4 behind Chris Lynn, with the Heat potentially elevating Ben Cutting to open alongside Max Bryant following the exit of Banton.

De Villiers was lured to Brisbane by Lynn after they bonded at the IPL while playing on opposite teams, and the South African is excited to bat with the six-hitting sensation for the first time.

“It could be interesting, I

don’t know what to expect,” de Villiers said of batting with the Heat skipper.

“We know each other from chatting at IPL but it’s an interesting dynamic with two players at the crease, it either works or it doesn’t.

“I’ve got a feeling it’s going to work and be very nice to watch.

“Hopefully I’ll do most of the watching at the non-striker’s end.”

The Heat begin their sixgame run to the BBL finals with de Villiers sitting in fifth spot with a 4-4 record from eight games, having lost their last start against the Perth Scorchers.

De Villiers says he’s comfortable with the expectation on his shoulders as he prepares for his maiden innings.

“I always (feel pressure).

Wherever I play around world, either a club game or the World Cup semi-finals, I feel the same kind of pressure, the pressure I put on myself to perform at the best of my ability,” de Villiers said.

“This is no different, but

I’ve done it so many times. It doesn’t guarantee success but I know what to expect.

“The butterflies I’m getting in my stomach is a good sign.

“All I can do is go out and enjoy myself and hopefully have an impact on the game with the batting.

“Then there’s the fielding and all the off-field stuff as well.

“I’ve got a big role to play as an individual not just as a cricketer and I’m looking forward to the challenge.”

Meanwhile, Afghan spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman will also make his BBL|09 debut in Tuesday’s clash as he replaces Zahir Khan. Mujeeb took 15 wickets in 12 games in the Bangladesh T20 competition, conceding just five runs per over.

The two international imports are the only changes to the Heat side that lost to Perth in their last match, while the Adelaide Strikers have named an unchanged squad for the clash. (Cricket. com.au)

Badminton world number one Kento Momota injured in crash that killed driver BADMINTON’s world number one Kento Momota has been injured in a fatal crash in Malaysia.

Japan’s Momota, 25, was travelling in a van with three members of his support team when it collided with a truck.

The driver of the van was killed but it is understood noone else suffered serious injury.

Malaysia’s health minister

Dzulkefly Ahmad said Momota was being treated in hospital for cuts to his face and a broken nose.

The collision happened on Sunday, just hours after world champion Momota beat Viktor Axelsen to win the Malaysia Masters, the first tournament of the Badminton World Federation (BWF) 2020 World Tour

season.

According to statements from the local police and fire departments, the hired van was en route to Kuala Lumpur international airport when it “rammed into the rear of a 30-tonne truck”.

Dzulkefly said the four passengers in the van - Momota, his physiotherapist, his assistant coach and a BWF official

- were in a stable condition in Putrajaya Hospital.

“Based on investigations and CT scans, there are no major injuries... they are now stable and will be given continued treatment and remain under observation for now,” he said.(BBC Sport)

Kento Momota has won two World Championships, two Asian Championships and one All England title

26

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday, January 14, 2020

Spectator who racially abused Archer banned for two years inquiries, police have spoken to a 28-yearold Auckland man who subsequently admitted responsibility for the abuse,” said NZC in a statement on Monday.

“He was issued with a verbal warning for using insulting language.

(REUTERS) - New Zealand Cricket (NZC) has banned a spectator from attending international and domestic games in the country for two years after he admitted racially abusing England fast bowler Jofra Archer.

NZC filed a complaint with the police after failing to “conclusively identify” a spectator who, as Archer explained on social media, had racially abused him during play on the final day of the first Test at the Bay Oval in November.

“As a result of their

England fast bowler Jofra Archer

“NZC have since contacted the man and have also written to him, advising of his ban from all international and domestic fixtures in New Zealand until 2022.”

If the man attends a fixture and breaches his ban,

he will be removed from the venue and may face further legal action.

“We’d again like to extend our apologies to Jofra and the England team management for such an unsavoury incident and reiterate once more that this type of behaviour is completely unacceptable,” said NZC spokesperson Anthony Crummy.

“We want to thank the NZ Police for their efforts in identifying the person responsible, and for making it clear that this type of behaviour

will not be minimised.”

He added that NZC would continue to treat offensive language and behaviour seriously, with anti-racist messages to be posted on signs around the grounds, on the big screen, as well as being delivered by announcers at matches.

Also, spectators at all New Zealand venues will be encouraged to use NZC’s text alert system to notify ground security of any anti-social behaviour, including racist taunts and abuse.

Spinners lift Lusignan to big win in U-15 battle against Enmore NERAN Bani and Alex Datterdeen combined for nine wickets to lift the Lusignan Sports Club to a 103-run victory against Enmore Community Centre Cricket Club (ECCC) when action in the Bel Air Rubis Under-15, 30over competition continued on Saturday.

Playing at home, Lusig-

nan won the toss and opted to take first strike. Although a few of their batsmen had starts, none of them were able to take their innings to the next level.

Nicholas Shiopersad scored 22, while Randy Ramsaywack finished with 18 not out and Pradesh Khemraj (15) to lift their team to 126-9

in their allotted 30 overs.

The pair of H. Harripersaud, who took 4-10 from six overs and S. Gangaram, who took 2-8 from six overs, damaged the home team’s batting.

Needing to score at just over 4.2 runs per over to secure victory, the visitors were pegged back by the spin twin.

Bani’s left-arm spin was almost unplayable, as he took 5-8 from his six overs.

Datterdeen used his off spin bowling well, which saw him finishing with 4-15 from 5.2 overs, which left Enmore all out on 23.

Neran Bani (right) and Alex Datterdeen destroyed Enmore CCCC with their spin bowling.

Morris, Young star as Windies clip Canada in warm-up SOWETO, South Africa, Jan 13, CMC – Antonio Morris and Nyeem Young smashed whirlwind half-centuries to power West Indies Under-19s to a three-wicket victory over Canada Under-19s in their first official warm-up match in preparation for the ICC Youth World Cup here Monday.

Tottering on 89 for five

in the 22nd over in pursuit of a challenging 272 for victory at Braamfischer Oval, the Caribbean side rallied brilliantly through Morris who struck an unbeaten 96 off 93 balls and Young who hit 70 off 55 deliveries, as they overhauled their target with 19 balls to spare.

Morris belted half-dozen fours and three sixes while Young was equally

devastating with six fours and four sixes, the pair posting an amazing 123 for the sixth wicket in quick time to rescue a run chase in peril.

Matthew Forde then weighed in at the end with a brisk unbeaten 23 off 21 balls with a four and a six to make victory certain.

Young had earlier made his presence felt with his pace

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Tuesday January 14, 2020) COMPLIMENTS OF THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market & The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD-83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1)

Adelaide (vs AUST, 1960-61)

(2)

Robert Christiani (vs ENG, Barbados, 1948) Today’s Quiz:

(1)

When did Gordon Greenidge fashion twin tons in a Test?

(2)

What were Clive Loyd’s scores in his first Test as captain?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

Fast bowler Nyeem Young … claimed four wickets.

taking four for 70 as Canada did well to get up to 271 for nine off their 50 overs, after opting to bat first.

Akhil Kumar top-scored with a polished 59 off 76 deliveries and Ayush Verma struck 42 not out, while Benjamin Calitz (38) and Randhir Sandhu (32) both got starts.

Fast bowler Jayden Seales (2-36) and left-arm spinner Ashmead Nedd (2-38) supported with two wickets apiece.

Sandhu struck seven fours in a breezy 35-ball knock as he helped add 53 for the first wicket with Mihir Patel (14).

When both fell to leave Canada on 74 for two in the 16th over, Kumar and Calitz put on an invaluable 93 for the third wicket to revive the innings.

Kumar faced 76 balls and counted five fours and two sixes while Calitz belted two fours and a six off 58 deliveries.

Nedd knocked over both

in successive overs but Verma, with two fours and three sixes in a cameo 38-ball innings, helped put on 42 for the seventh wicket with Raqib Shamsudeen (19) to rally the innings.

In reply, West Indies were rocked early when captain Kimani Melius fell to the fifth ball of the innings without a run on the board and Leonardo Julien followed in the third over with no addition to the score.

Mbeki Joseph, with 44 off 66 balls, led the fightback by posting 37 for the third wicket with Kevlon Anderson (14) and a further 30 for the fifth with Morris, before Young arrived to help change the game.

West Indies face Scotland in their next warm-up game tomorrow.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday, January 14, 2020

27

Northern Rangers, GFC complete Turbo semi-finals lineup NORTHERN Rangers FC and Georgetown Football Club are the last two teams through to the semi-final of the ongoing Turbo Knock Out football tournament’s semi-final stage.

The final two quarter- final games were completed on Sunday evening at the Ministry of Education ground on Carifesta Avenue on Sunday evening.

Both sides had contrasting paths to the next round with the first game of the evening pitting the Rangers against Riddim Squad.

The game went through regular time without a goal

Part of Sunday night’s Turbo Football quarter-finals (Samuel Maughn photo)

being scored, despite both sides having their fair share of tries.

Even at the end of extra time, a winner could not be de-

termined and, as such, penalties were used to decide who would

move onto the next round.

In the end, it was the Rangers who triumphed 2-0.

The second game was a gritty battle between Santos U-20 and GFC. Initially, Santos U-20 had the lead through a Marcus Wilson-strike in the 19th minute, a passage of play when they enjoyed the majority of the ball possession.

However, when GFC got into their groove, Deo Alfred was the man who netted the equalizer in the 32nd minute.

Try as they might, neither side could secure the decider in the first half, so when they

came out in the second half, things were even more tense.

In the remaining 45 minutes, no decider was found and they went through into Extra time.

8/ It looked as though the game would head to a penalty shootout, much like the earlier encounter, but Paul Fields, in the 108th minute ensured GFC had the win.

The semi-finals are billed for Sunday at the Ministry of Educaiton ground with Pouderoyen taking on Fruta Conquerors and Northern Rangers playing GFC.

Volcanoes stun Pride, Jaguars crush Hurricanes, Scorpions salvage draw ST JOHN’S, Antigua, (CMC) – Half-centuries from debutant Desron Maloney and captain Kavem Hodge underpinned a clinical Windward Islands Volcanoes run chase as they stunned Barbados Pride by three wickets on a tense final day of the first round clash here Sunday.

Beginning their pursuit of 269 for victory at the start of the day at Arnos Vale Stadium, Volcanoes were propelled by a top score of 83 from Maloney while Hodge composed a responsible 60.

They were backed up by former captain and Test batsman Kirk Edwards who made 35 while Keron Cottoy struck an invaluable unbeaten 28 batting at number seven and Alick Athanaze chipped in with 28.

Volcanoes suffered a massive blow in the morning’s sixth over when their marquee

Left-hander Paul Palmer … struck his second first class century

batsman, left-hander Devon Smith, fell cheaply for eight with the score on 19.

However, the hosts then batted well in partnerships to snuff out the Pride challenge as only Test left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican (3-68) posed

any real threat.

Maloney struck 12 fours in an innings spanning 197 deliveries and nearly four hours as he put on 109 for the second wicket with Hodge.

Together, they took Volcanoes to lunch at 91 one for one

before Hodge perished in the second session after facing 99 balls in exactly two hours and striking seven fours, bowled by part-time seamer Jonathan Carter.

Maloney added a further 63 with Edwards before going caught at the wicket off off-spinner Ashley Nurse but Edwards put on 25 for the fourth wicket with Athanaze to keep the run chase alive.

The only real stumble came when Edwards and Athanaze fell four runs and nine balls apart to leave Volcanoes on 220 for five but Cottoy remained unruffled to see his side home.

At the Vivian Richards Cricket Stadium in Antigua, five-time reigning champions Guyana Jaguars wasted little time in stamping their superiority when they crushed Leeward Islands Hurricanes by

10 wickets.

They bundled the hosts out for 254 after they resumed on 214 for six, with left-arm spinner Veerasammy Permaul (3-55) and left-arm seamer Raymon Reifer (3-55) finishing with three wickets apiece.

Debutant Nial Smith, who claimed six wickets in the first innings, finished with two for 41.

Captain Jahmar Hamilton finished on 37 not out but was the only one to show any resistance as Hurricanes lost their last four wickets for 40 runs.

Jaguars then easily overhauled the paltry 25 runs required for victory.

At the Brian Lara Stadium in Trinidad, Paul Palmer struck an excellent unbeaten hundred to salvage a draw for Jamaica Scorpions.

Resuming on 86 for one,

Scorpions batted the entire day to finish on 300 for eight with the left-hander carving out 116 – his second first class hundred but first in three years.

He faced 216 balls in 4-¾ hours and counted 10 fours to follow up his first innings half-century. The knock was also his second hundred in as many matches following his 105 for Combined Campuses and Colleges in the Super50 Cup last November.

Importantly, he put on 131 for the third wicket with Jermaine Blackwood whose 78 came from 192 balls in exactly four hours and included nine fours.

Left-arm spinner Akeal Hosein followed up his first innings four-wicket haul with three for 65

Austin voted senior cricketer of the year at Reliance Hustlers Awards ceremony ESSEQUIBO Franchise selectee, Mark Austin, stole the spotlight as he was adjudged the senior cricketer of the year when the Reliance Hustlers Sports Club held their second annual awards ceremony on Saturday last at the residence of Trevis Simon in Reliance.

The colourful and equally impressive presentation saw the attendance of ECB Secretary, Autto Christiani and former Essequibo senior inter-county players, Ramesh Narine, Latchmikhant Narine and Elroy Stephney, among other special invitees.

During his brief remarks, Christiani implored the awardees to remain committed on improving every aspect of their game and to cooperate in achieving the goals of the club which he described as being one of the more organised and

Senior Cricketer of the Year, Mark Austin, displays his trophies.

Awardees of Reliance Hustlers Sports Club at their second Awards Ceremony.

progressive body within the county.

Captain and Chairman of the Reliance Grounds Committee, Trevis Simon, give an overview of the Club’s performance in 2019 which he described as a successful one, both on and off

the field, including the transformation of the Reliance ground.

Meanwhile, former Essequibo senior inter-county captain, Elroy Stephney, during his remarks, challenged the awardees to maintain a high level of discipline and fitness

which, he affirmed, is the key towards attaining consistent and desirable results.

He also advised them to seek guidance from former players in an effort to build on their strengths and improve their chances of national selec-

tion. Twenty-three members each received a trophy, compliments of Suraj Rajah Contracting Service. Special awards then followed with Mark Austin also being adjudged the Best Senior Batsman of the Year.

The other awardees were best bowler-- Trevis Simon; best bowling performance-Pavindra Persaud; best batting performance-- Narendra Man-

dolall; best fielder-- Rovindra Parasram; most entertaining player-- Rovindra Parasram; most improved player-Sedeshwar Shivambar; senior emerging player --Alex Tyrell; junior cricketer of the year-Abdul Nadir; junior emerging player-- Shazif Hannif.

The Captain’s award was presented to a long-serving member and supporter, Lokesh Lall, for his commitment and dedication, while other executives from the Committee also received special tokens for their service. Among the sponsors for the lavish and well-attended occasion were Ammrata Enterprise, Factory Price, Najab Trading, Pream Mega Sounds, Bombay Fasion, Rakesh Liquor Store, Riff’s Natural Juice, Buju’s Pools’ Hall, Bahadur’s Accounting Firm, Elroy Stephney and Latchmikhant Narine.

28

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday, January 14, 2020

Friendship receives 592 InterVillage Football spoils 23 PAGE

Okeemie Edwards of Friendship collecting the championship trophy from 592 Beer Brand Manager in the presence of several teammates at the official presentation ceremony

…Windies skipper Kieron Pollard explains Hetmyer omission

‘We need him to settle down and bat’ 23 PAGE

Windies batsman Shimron Hetmyer.

Guyana to open Women’s U-20 World Cup qualifier against Nicaragua on Feb 23 ..CONCACAF announced changes to championship

GUYANA will open their CONCACAF U-20 Women’s Championship campaign against Nicaragua on February 23, at the Estadio Olímpico Félix Sánchez in the Dominican Republic, as the confederation announced some major changes yesterday.

The Guyanese women are placed in Group D alongside Mexico and Puerto Rico.

Following confirmation from FIFA that Costa Rica and Panama will co-host the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, in August of 2020, and that Concacaf has been awarded one additional slot (four in total), the Confederation announced changes to its World Cup Qualifying tournament, to be hosted in the Dominican Republic between Feb 22 - Mar 8, 2020.

The CONCACAF Council has determined that Costa Rica and Panama, as host countries of the World Cup, will automatically qualify for the World Cup and will no longer participate in the 2020 Concacaf Women’s Under-20 Championship. The two remaining slots in the World Cup will be determined via the 2020 Concacaf Women’s Under-20

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

It’s a celebration! Guyana’s U-20 team celebrating their 2 - 0 win over Bermuda in the CONCACAF U-20 Championships Qualifiers at the National Track and Field Centre.

Championship.

For the group stage of the 2020 CONCACAF Women’s Under-20 Championship, to be played at the Felix Sanchez Stadium and Panamericano Stadium, in Santo Domingo and San Cristobal, respectively, Guyana (top ranked team in qualifying Group A) and Saint Kitts and Nevis (top ranked team in qualifying Group B) will be replacing Costa Rica and Panama for the group stage of the final championship.

In Group C, the United States, Honduras, Dominican Republic and Cuba will go head-to-head, while Group E is set with Canada, Jamaica, Gua-

temala and El Salvador. Group F comprise Haiti, Trinidad and Tobago, Saint Kitts and Nevis and Cayman Islands.

For the Round-of-16, Bermuda (third-place finisher in qualifying Group A) and Barbados (third-place finisher in qualifying group B) will occupy the positions vacated by Guyana and Saint Kitts and Nevis.

All knockout round matches (round of 16, quarter-final, semi-final and final) will be played in a single match elimination format, with the finalists qualifying for the FIFA Women’s U-20 World Cup 2020.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 14, 2020