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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, January 24, 2020

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FRIDAY 24th January, 2020

' No.105889

‘Big gains for Guyana’

…Transparency International says Guyana has made significant improvement in fight against corruption SEE STORY ON PAGE 03

…Guyana jumps up to 85th on global ranking

The Council for Technical, Vocational Education and Training (TVET) has partnered with General Equipment Guyana Ltd. (GENEQUIP) to provide competency-based training to Guyanese. The two-week training is aimed at Guyanese with interest in TVET, particularly those enrolled at post-secondary education institutions. Training Coordinator at GENEQUIP, Barry Henry, explained the end goal is to train anyone who has an interest in TVET skills with competence to earn their Caribbean Vocational Certificate (CVQ). In this Department of Public Information photograph, some of the students undergo training

Linden schoolgirl critical after stabbed in brawl

‘Uphold our right to vote’ 08 PAGE

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…citizens affected by mix-up in addresses urge swift resolution to crisis

Jagdeo dismisses Ali's position on review of Exxon contract 10 PAGE

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, January 24, 2020

RUSAL workers block river …union declares ‘enough is enough’ …Labour Department to look into issue of fuel shortage

LAID-OFF workers of the Russian-owned Bauxite Company of Guyana Incorporated (BCGI) have once again blocked the Berbice river, preventing the movement of bauxite (from the company) out of Guyana. The union has made a number of demands that they expect to be addressed before any ‘let-up’ can be considered.

This was communicated to the Department of Labour (DoL) when the union and the company met on Thursday, following the firing of some 142 workers by the company. RUSAL claimed that the firing of the staff was as a result of a fuel shortage which was affecting their operations. At the meeting on Thursday the Labour Department promised to investigate claims of fuel shortage by the Russian company. Executives of BCGI, a subsidiary of RUSAL, the largest bauxite company in the world, met with representatives from the

Union and the Chief Labour Officer, Charles Ogle, at the

while an email sent to the company’s provided email

GBGWU President, Lincoln Lewis

DoL Offices on Brickdam on Thursday. Employees, since Thursday morning, have blocked the river which the company uses to transport its product. The company is threatening action against the employees. However, the employees’ Union – Guyana Bauxite and General Workers Union (GBGWU)- says it stands firm with the employees.

According to reports, the company is claiming that it has not received prerequisite from the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) clearing the company’s duty-free importation of fuel, which led to the shortage. “They say that they have a fuel problem. We have to get to the bottom of this to know what is what, in terms of the reality of it or not. I will get a proper briefing from my staff in the morning,” Minister of Labour, Keith Scott, informed the Guyana Chronicle on Thursday afternoon, after the meeting.

The fuel situation comes two months after reports first began, in another section of the media, that the company was retailing fuel that it was buying on duty free concession; subsequently GRA is said have begun to investigate the situation. The company is also said to have dismantled and sold equipment that it was also granted duty free concession on.

Calls to Commissioner General of GRA, Godfrey Statia, on Thursday, for a comment on the issue, proved futile. Calls to the BCGI also went unanswered,

“They say they have had expert advice to put the no-

Minister with responsibility for Labour, Keith Scott

address was not responded to up to press time. The Union, however, stated that it was not buying the excuse by the company. The Union said that when questioned for evidence on its position, the company’s answers were not adding up. “What they are doing is to use the fuel situation, which has not stand the test of scrutiny to justify the sending home of 142 people.

They are saying they did not receive any letter from GRA permitting them to import fuel at duty free price. They then retracted from that point and seem to be saying the letter may be there but they have not picked it up. Having been caught in this deception the management has changed its tune,” GB&GWU President, Lincoln Lewis asserted.

Lewis added that “It is an excuse the management is using and we must ask for what purpose and who are the intellectual authors and likely beneficiaries behind this move, for evidently the management must know their conduct will be stoutly questioned. Workers have had enough and the blocking of the Berbice River which started this morning is testimony to this.”

Lewis is also not pleased with the manner in which the company went about informing employees of the ‘layoff’ without notice. Under Guyana’s laws, companies are required to give employees between two weeks’ to one month’s notice in cases of a layoff, which is limited to lasting no longer than six weeks.

tice up on the board, and not give notice to the labor department or union. When backed up about these things they were not prepared to deal with the law in itself.

They are insisting that what they did was right. We have taken the position that the layoff is illegal and has to be corrected. The whole thing has to be withdrawn and rescinded,” Lewis established.

On Wednesday, BCGI informed the employees of the layoff, effective from Thursday, via notices signed by the company’s Managing Director, Genadii Derevyankho, and placed on the company’s notice boards at the company’s Kurubuka Mines and Aroiama Settlement Community.

Subsequently a meeting was called by the DoL on Thursday to address the situation. The meeting marks a recommencement of discussions between the two sides, which were in the process of conciliation on a salary agreement. The conciliation meetings first began in August, 2019 and were held regularly but have not been held for some time now. Earlier last month, the company was once again in the limelight when two employees of the company were hospitalised after suffering electric shock while on duty. Employees were not pleased with the poor attention the situation was given by the company’s management, which did not summon the company’s ambulance for the injured employees.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, January 24, 2020

Big gains for Guyana on anti-corruption index …jumps up to 85th on global ranking THE APNU+AFC administration’s fight against corruption is bearing fruit as Guyana has improved its rating to 85 in the latest Transparency International (TI) Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI).

Guyana is also listed as one of

Last year Guyana was ranked at 93 out of the 180 countries which were looked at and according to the new rating, the country is now tied with Kuwait and Trinidad and Tobago, according to the report. “With a score of 40, Guyana is a significant

tion and these include the passage of legislation in the National Assembly during the ninth parliament.

The list includes the crucial Anti-Money Laundering/Countering the Financing of Terrorism (Amendment) (AML/CFT) Bill which went

several countries which made significant improvements since 2012, according to the 2019 report which was released on Thursday.

The index, which ranks the 180 countries and territories by their perceived levels of public sector corruption according to experts and business people, uses a scale of zero to 100, where zero is highly corrupt and 100 is very clean.

The index is based on analysis of 13 surveys and expert assessments to measure public sector corruption.

improver on the CPI since 2012.

While there is still much work to do, the government is demonstrating political will to hold former politicians accountable for the misuse of state resources,” the report said.

According to the report, in the last eight years, only 22 countries significantly improved their CPI scores, and the list includes Guyana, Greece and Estonia.

Since assuming office, the David Granger-led administration has taken several concrete steps to fight corrup-

through all three stages of the parliamentary process before it was passed by parliamentarians.

The Ministry of Legal Affairs then took on a lengthy process to ensure Guyana complies with Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF) through a series of outreaches and sensitisation seminars, as it sought to raise awareness and build capacity.

Under the stewardship of Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams, Guyana

RUSAL workers block ...

That incident has been investigated by the Occupational Health and Safety Department.

Lewis said the matter relating to the electrocution incident was among the list of demands the Union needed to see ironed out before it was willing to advise any of the employees to remove the rope from the river.

“We will only facilitate any opening of the river where our members be involved on the condition that the issue of wages and salaries

be settled now, by arbitration or whatever; the whole [lay off] has to be withdrawn and rescinded; ……….the two guys hit by electrical power must be compensated,” Lewis established. Last year February, the company laid off 60 workers who took strike action against an arbitrarily-enforced one per cent salary increase. The strike action ended in March, with a small victory for the Union, with the company reinstating all fired employees, and finally agreeing to recognise the Union,

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something it had fought for over the years. However, notwithstanding that agreement, the Union has been having difficulties engaging with the company to have a new Collective Labour Agreement (CLA) signed.

Relations between the Union and the company have been frayed since 2009, when the company dismissed 57 employees, in a situation that was never resolved.

recorded significant progress in addressing the deficiencies within its AML/CFT regime.

This eventually resulted in the country being removed from the CFATF Blacklist and most recently, the European Commission’s Money-Laundering Blacklist.

Among the other significant pieces of legislation passed under the coalition was the State Assets Recovery Act, the Protected Disclosures Act, and the National Payments Systems Act in 2018 to bolster its legislative response.

The appointment of members for function on the Integrity Commission, thereby making that body functional, was also another bold move targeting corruption.

The Integrity Commission Act was assented to on September 24, 1997 but the body’s functionality was never approved by the Peoples Progressive Party (PPP) administration.

The Act provides for the establishment of the Integrity Commission and make provisions for the purpose of securing the integrity of persons in public life.

Last April, the United States government lauded Guyana in its efforts to counter money-laundering. In the same breath, the US authorities said that more investigations and successful prosecutions were needed.

“Guyana amended its AML/ CFT law and the Guyana Gold Board legislation, and estab-

lished the National Coordination Committee to be responsible for overall AML policy. The National Coordination Committee will develop a national AML action plan,” it reported while noting too that the National Payments Systems Act establishes payment and oversight mechanisms.

It was noted by the U.S State Department, that the country is actively building capacity among the key players in the fight to reduce and ultimately eradicate money laundering.

Last year, the United Nations praised Guyana on its efforts to eradicate corruption.

Last October, a delegation from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Secretariat in Vienna, was on a country visit for the review of Guyana’s ‘United Nations Convention against Corruption Draft Report’.

A release from the Legal Affairs Ministry noted that Tanja Santucci, one of the UNODC officials, said that she was impressed with the volume of legislation that the Attorney General’s Chambers was able to pass in a short time and commended the attorney-general in this regard.

The UNODC official also noted that she was particularly impressed with the efforts taken by the attorney-general to ensure Guyana was removed from the backlist by the Financial Action Task Force.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, January 24, 2020

Appellate Court affirms High Court ruling on technocratic ministers

By Svetlana Marshall THE Court of Appeal, on Thursday, upheld the 2016 decision of the High Court that it was unlawful for Minister of Citizenship, Winston Felix and Minister of Labour, Keith Scott to sit in the National Assembly as technocrats – non-elected members.

The ruling was handed down by a panel of three judges – Justices of Appeal Dawn Gregory and Rishi Persaud and High Court Judge, Justice Franklin Holder. Chancellor of the Judiciary (ag), Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards had recused herself from the case in 2019.

On February 19, 2016, Justice Ian Chang had ruled that the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) ministers could not sit in

the National Assembly as non-elected members on the grounds that they were both elected as part of the Coalition’s List of National Candidates but did not form part of the list of 33 for the occupation of seats in the National Assembly.

Chang, in his ruling, had also noted that, despite the appointment to executive positions of Felix and Scott

by President David Granger following the 2015 General and Regional Elections, such top positions do not entitle the two gentlemen to hold seats or sit as technocratic ministers in the National Assembly.

On Thursday, in handing down the ruling of the Appellate Court, Justice Gregory said while the Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams, challenged the High Court’s decision on the substantive

matter, and the jurisdiction of the High Court to hear the matter, his arguments focused primarily on the issue of jurisdiction. Through the Solicitor General Nigel Hawke, the Attorney General had argued that the High Court had no jurisdiction to hear the matter because it should have been brought by way of an Elections Petition and not a Notice of Motion. .

“The arguments were directed only to the issue of the jurisdiction of the High Court to entertain the Constitutional motion, given the nature of the order sought,” Justice Gregory said.

UPHELD Based on the focus of the arguments put before the court by the Attorney General, the Appellate Judge upheld the decision of Justice Chang. “… In light of the broad substantive issues which were raised in the grounds of appeal but which were not argued, I would uphold the findings of the Chief Justice on those substantive issues as contained in his judgment,” Justice Gregory ruled.

In addressing the issue of jurisdiction, the Appellate Judge alluded to Articles 64 and 163 of the Constitution.

Friday, January 24, 2020 - 5:00 hrs to 6:30hrs

Article 64 states: “All questions as to membership of the National Assembly shall be determined by the High Court in accordance with the provisions of Article 163.”

Meanwhile, Article 163 outlines the circumstances under which the High Court shall have exclusive jurisdiction over, such as any question “regarding the qualification of any person to be elected as a member of the National Assembly” or the filling of a vacant seat in the Assembly.

It was noted that Validity of Elections Act provides for an Elections Petition to be brought before the High Court to treat with the categories of issues highlighted in Article 163.

“The challenge to their appointment is not a challenge to qualification of membership as specifically provided for in Article 155 (1) of the Constitution,” Justice Gregory said while adding that the challenge does not concern the validity of the conduct of an election or its results that may have been affected by any unlawful act. According to her, there was no need for an Elections Petition because the issue did not fall within the categories outlined in Articles 163 and 155.

Justice Holder put forward similar arguments in handing down his ruling while Justice Persaud endorsed the sentiments expressed by both judges and upheld Justice Chang’s decision.

The ruling has its origin in an objection by the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) on the appointments of Felix and Scott. The party, through a challenge filed

by PPP member Desmond

Morian, had contended that, “Articles 103 (3) and 105 of the constitution of Guyana and laws pronouncing on the eligibility of appointment of technocratic ministers, do not confer technocratic status on these persons already sworn in by President David Granger as ministers.”

Morian was represented

by Anil Nandlall and associates. Nandlall was not present on Thursday.

Case against “Fine Crime” dismissed LINDEN Flavius, 31, called “Fine Crime”, was, on Thursday, January 23, 2020, freed from two armed robbery charges, six months after he was charged.

Flavius, of Agricola East Bank Demerara, was on trial at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court before Magistrate Annette Singh.

The matter was dismissed due to insufficient evidence.

Particulars of the charge stated that, on July 10, 2019, at Georgetown, Flavius, while being in the company of others, and armed with guns, robbed Ramsarran Ramsook of a cellphone valued at $78,000, along with $140,000 in cash.

It is further alleged that, on the same day, and at the same place, Flavius,

while being in the company of others, and armed with guns, robbed Allen Shawn of a bag containing clothes valued at $22,000, along with $11,000 in cash.

Flavius denied both charges.

Flavius and Ernest James, 25, were recently charged jointly with attempted murder of a taxi driver.

However, they were not required to plead to the indictable charge.

Particulars of the charge stated that, on July 11, 2019, at John Fernandes Squatting Area, with intent to commit murder, the duo wounded Derek Benson.

Flavius and James are currently on remand for the offence.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, January 24, 2020

‘Breaking down the barriers for PWDs’ … GECOM, groups still working to hammer out solutions for ease of voting

THE Guyana Election Commission (GECOM) and the Guyana Council of Organisations for Persons with Disabilities (GCOPWD) are currently in discussion to find a way for persons with disabilities to vote for themselves with ease come March 2.

Over the years, there have been many factors hindering persons with disabilities from exercising their right to vote in Guyana’s political electoral system. According to Commissioner on the Guyana Council of Organisations for Persons with Disabilities, Ganesh Singh, the barriers include inaccessible polling stations; inability to vote privately and independently; inaccessible voter education and linked materials, and the absence of appropriate assistance from poll workers, among others.

“Visually-impaired persons can vote but would need to be accompanied…

We don’t have a problem with that but it takes away the independence and at the same time, we might tell them to put it to party A and they might put it to party B, because they want to vote for party B,” Singh explained.

He added, “we are trying to move away from having to depend on people to vote.”

In attempt to break these barriers, the Guyana Council of Organisations for Persons with Disabilities have made several recommendations to GECOM. These recommendations include that polling stations should be ground level and buildings must be equipped with permanent or portable ramps; curbside voting should be facilitated in instances where the polling

Ganesh Singh, Commissioner on the Guyana Council of Organisations for Persons with Disabilities

station is unavoidably inaccessible to someone with a physical disability, and a system that will allow the use of ballot paper guide templates or tactile ballot papers should be implemented which will allow for blind and visually impaired persons to cast their

Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Guyana Elections Commission, Yolanda Ward

votes independently.

Additionally, the recommendations embrace that GECOM should ensure that all public electoral sensitization materials and productions are accessible to persons with disabilities with the use of sign language insets in

Linden schoolgirl stabbed in brawl

A 15-year-old student attached to a Linden secondary school is battling for her life at the Linden Hospital Complex after she was stabbed by her classmate during a fight. The incident was video-recorded and went viral on social media.

It showed another student approaching the girl from behind and plunging a long knife in her back in the presence of students and adults.

According to the police, the victim was stabbed by the sister of the other girl who was involved in the fight. The video showed the girl standing and watching on. She then took out a knife from her bag and stabbed the victim to the left side of her lower back.

The fight took place in proximity to the school in Amelia's Ward. The victim was rushed to the hospital in a taxi by public-spirited per-

sons after blood was gushing out of her back, with the Rambo knife still stuck in the wound.

At that time, she seemed to have been losing consciousness.

The girl was rushed into the theatre for surgery and was there up to when this report was filed. Doctors were able to retrieve the knife and it was reported that no organ of the girl was damaged.

Police made checks at the home of the perpetrator to have her taken into custody and to assist with investigation, but no one was at home.

Investigations are ongoing.

This incident followed another violent one at another school in Linden, which occurred on Wednesday, when a student was chopped. A few weeks ago, another student from the same secondary school stabbed a classmate and was arrested.

The Rambo knife used in the stabbing

video productions, and audio instructions for persons who are blind, among others.

Furthermore, poll workers should be educated on how they should interact with persons with disabilities on elections day.

Meanwhile, Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Guyana Elections Commission, Yolanda Ward, told Guyana Chronicle that GECOM would need to update its legislation in order to accommodate some of the recommendations made by the Guyana Council of Organisations for Persons with Disabilities.

She also noted that another limitation is the absence of demographic information on persons living with disabilities in Guyana, who are eligible electors.

“We don’t have that kind of information. If we have that kind of information, maybe it would be a consideration of the Commission [GECOM] to be able to put some other kind of system in place,” Ward noted. Nevertheless, the PRO pointed out that she has not received any definitive position from GECOM

on the recommendations.

However, when decisions are made, they will be communicated to the public.

She added that in the past, GECOM had made public electoral sensitization materials and productions accessible to persons with disabilities with the use of sign language insets in video productions, and audio instructions for persons who are blind. The PRO also explained that the cardboard template method was also introduced in the past; however, it was not effective due to the late introduction, which resulted in workers not being adequately trained to use the template.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, January 24, 2020

Guyanese have always sought unification to address their affairs INSPITE of the presence of fractured forces and diversity, which continue to influence both not-so-positive and positive relations, there exists evidence of a consistently strong undercut to forge a national character out of oneness.

This undercut has presented itself in various forms, and in this year, designated “National Renaissance”, attention is being paid to the political aspect of this relationship. When President David Granger, in addressing the opening of the Alliance For Change (AFC) headquarters back in January 2016, said coalition politics is here to stay, his statement was grounded in historical fact, and was woven into the nation’s tapestry. On January 1st, 1950, the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), Guyana’s first massbased party, was established on coalition relationship of groups and influential persons. It had the aim of improving the wellbeing of

citizens and the working class, and self-government/independence was seen as a pivotal factor in pursuit of this agenda.

The original PPP included the Women’s Political and Economic Organisation; the Political Affairs Committee; ‘remnants’ of the British Guiana Labour Party, and notables like Dr. Cheddi Jagan, Forbes Burnham, Eusi Kwayana of the African Society for Cultural Relations with Independent Africa (ASCRIA), Rory Westmaas, and Martin Carter (national poet) among others. This was a coalition of diverse demographics, such as race, class; urban, rural and hinterland dwellers; and professions -- a pattern that continues into the present.

After the split between Messrs.

Burnham and Jagan, Mr. Burnham, on 5th October 1957, established the People’s National Congress (PNC), which comprised factions which had left the PPP and persons from the United Democratic Party,

besides other influential persons, such as Mr. Llewellyn John, member of the League of Coloured People. At the 1964 elections, which were contested by the PPP, PNC, and The United Force (TUF) headed

by Mr. Peter D’Aguiar, the PNC and TUF joined forces to defeat the PPP, and thereafter formed the Government. It should be said that though there were differences in strategy by the varied political forces, their desire, and that of the union of Guyanese, for self-government remained intact.

In and outside of holding constitutional office, there have been coalitions. One such is the Working People’s Alliance (WPA), which comprises an alliance of the Movement Against Oppression, ASCRIA and RATOON. In the mid-1980s, the opposition PPP, along with others, formed the Patriotic Coalition for Democracy (PCD). While varying accounts as to what led to the group’s disintegration exist,

suffice it to say that the alliance fell apart. Another force -- Guyanese United for Action, Reform and Democracy (GUARD) -- was formed with similar agenda, and this amalgam included influential persons such as Messrs. Yesu Persaud and Samuel Hinds. Mr. Hinds became associated with the created CIVIC arm of the PPP, which contested elections as the PPP/C in 1992 and henceforth.

The PNC, in 1997, formed a similar alliance, called the REFORM, and contested the elections as a single force (PNCR). In 2006, there was an unorthodox coalition of sitting Members of Parliament when Messrs. Raphael Trotman (PNCR), Khemraj Ramjattan (PPP/C), and Mrs. Sheila Holder (WPA), who had quit their respective parties, formed the AFC and contested the elections. Then there have been pre-elections coalitions to contest, as in the instance of the

Guyana Action Party (GAP) and Rise Organise And Rebuild (ROAR); the WPA/GAP; PNCROne Guyana Platform in (PNCR1G) in 2006; A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), which included the PNCR, WPA, GAP, Justice for All Party, et al for the 2011 elections; and in 2015, the APNU+AFC. For the upcoming General and Regional Elections, there continue to be alliances- the most established APNU+AFC and the recently unofficial coalition of three of the smaller parties that have agreed to merge their lists.

While the editorial makes no pretense to certainty that it captured all the various forms of political coalition, groups and individuals involved, it holds true to the evidence that Guyanese have always sought unification to address their affairs.

I will not be silenced --for exposing PPP and cohorts in GAWU Dear Editor, MY attention was drawn to a letter by Mr. Seepaul Narine, using the appellation "General Secretary GAWU", which appeared in the media on January 23 instant.

Being a PPP party candidate, it is easy to see how Mr. Narine has allowed his political bias to cloud his interpretation of what I said at a huge coalition mini-rally in my home village, Whim.

Context is important. I told my villagers, (many of whom including my family members, worked in the sugar estate) that the PPP (Jagdeo) regime knew that the sugar industry was dying. By 2013, sugar production had fallen to 200,000 tonnes (FAO report).

The decline set in after the guaranteed price for sugar in the European market was discontinued. The sugar

industry in Guyana and other Caribbean countries were "not restructured to improve competitiveness" (ECLAC Report 5th May, 2008-Impact of Changes in the EU Import Regimes for Sugar, Banana and Rice). In anticipation of this crisis Guyana had retained Booker Tate on a management contract for services which included preparation of plans for "rehabilitation and rationalization" of the sugar industry.

It was noted in the National Development Strategy that while repairs and upgrades were done, —the sugar mills in Guyana are not only old, by obsolete".

The ECLAC Report cited above, had warned that the EU price cut would have a harmful impact on the sugar industry as it was not restructured "to improve competitiveness". Later, it was reported that the cost of production of sugar was three

times the world market price (Kaieteur News 2/7/17), and it was generally the situation that we were producing sugar at just under 50 cents per pound, and selling for 16 cents per pound.

It was in that context that then President Jagdeo grabbed and estimated $50 Billion allegedly to modernise the Skeldon factory, saying that without Skeldon “sugar is dead”. The EU was also pumping monies into Guyana under its sugar programme ‘to improve competitiveness or to diversify out of sugar’. The EU disbursed between 2007 - 2013 a whopping $34.8 billion, but PPP regime is yet to say how much of those funds had been used to modernise operations in the sugar industry.

Besides, Guysuco had chalked up debt of some $8 billion.

These facts are known to Mr. Narine who knows that

the Jagdeo – Ramotar PPP regimes had bankrupted the sugar industry and had placed the livelihood of 17,000 sugar workers and other families in jeopardy. When GAWU protested against management incompetence and the “square pegs in round holes”, it was served with notice of de-recognition in 2010. It was then that I made a public statement “light a candle for sugar workers” for which the Jagdeo Stalinist cabal threatened to expel me from the PPP. Sugar workers are dear to me. Over many years I had fought for the recognition of the union of their choice. I will not be silenced for exposing the PPP and cohorts in GAWU for betraying sugar workers.

Since taking office in 2015 our coalition government made all reasonable efforts to ensure that the sugar industry does not collapse.

We gave some $38 billion in bailout money to pay sugar workers, which amounted to

one billion per month. Our coalition took the decision to close non-profitable estates thereby saving the jobs of 10,000 sugar workers. Those workers who were affected by the closure were given almost $ billion in redundancy payments and some of them opted alternative work.

Our government has rescued the sugar industry and even though production remains low, Albion, Blaimont and Uivtlught factories are grinding sugar from cane some five cultivation areas.

The sugar industry is not dead as Jagdeo had expected, through the Skeldon factor became a white elephant.

However, re-opening of the closed sugar factories is not the answer to job –creation in the sugar belt.

Even the Stabroek News (23\1\20) conceded this in its editorial in which dubbed as ‘pipe dream’ the suggestion to re-open those estates. It stated the obvious that ‘slashing, the red into which sugar had

dipped had been necessary for a long time’. When the Coalition returns to office after March 2 elections, it will continue to support the sugar industry and to ensure diversification that would enlist involvement of sugar workers. Sugar workers will be given plots of land on the estates to pursue farming, aquaculture and rearing of livestock, and will receive assistance to make them productive partners in Guyana’s development.

In the meantime it is heartening to know that the discredited and corrupt PPP is running scared of me, as I hit the campaign trail in the sugar belt! Sugar workers must know the truth!

Yours sincerely, Moses Verasammy Nagamootoo Prime Minister of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, January 24, 2020

The PSC missive is a ‘photocopy’ of the PPP statement attacking Min. Lawrence Dear Editor, I NOTE the alacrity with which the Private Sector Commission has called for a Code of Conduct to be subscribed to by all contesting political parties.

This call, it appears, is in the wake of an alleged Statement made by the Chairman of the People’s National Congress, Hon. Volda Lawrence, allegedly calling upon members to protect Ballot Boxes.

Of course, this expressed concern with vitriolic rhetoric from the Public Sector Commission is a ‘photocopy’ of Statements made by the People’s Progressive Party/C attacking Ms. Lawrence. Of course, both

groups, like ‘Yam and Sam,’ have chosen to take Ms. Lawrence’s alleged statement out of context, but that’s another matter.

In the political history of our country, the Private Sector Commission must note that it was the PPP that first issued a clarion call to storm Polling Stations, snatch and follow Ballot Boxes. So violent was this PPP initiative that they still celebrate what they refer to as the ‘Ballot Box Martyrs.’

We must not forget.

For brevity, **I say the following, if the Private Sector Commission leadership wishes, as they ought to, secure some level of credibility, they should comment on

Statements clearly intended to excite and inflame citizens made by several PPP/C top brass, at Kitty, Corentyne and East Coast Demerara while on the campaign trail.

Not to mention false statements accusing a Coalition Minister and a Senior Afro-Guyanese Official of grabbing large plots of land.

Complete falsehood.

I need not go into details.

We should expect the Private Sector Commission with equal zeal make public statements and suggestions on the above, since these are all related to the matter of their great concern, which is Elections 2020. Because of the above factors, we should persuade the PSC to over-

More momentum in the CARICOM request for reparations

Dear Editor,

COLONIALISM Reparation encourages the members of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) to have more momentum in the request for reparations for the genocide of the native people and the slavery despite refusals and boycotts by the colonizers.

In recent years pressure has increased on the Member States of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) to drop the request for reparations for the genocide of the native people and the slavery with refusals and boycotts by the colonisers (France, United Kingdom, United States, etc.), but despite this there have been many initiatives.

On February 21, 2018 in Kingston, Jamaica, the President of the "CARICOM Reparations Commission" Hilary Beckles denounced the scandalous news that the British Government has finished repaying, only in 2015, a loan of 20 million of pounds at the time (about 76 billion of pounds today) to compensate the slavers (and not the slaves!) following the abolition of slavery in 1834.

On May 10, 2018 in Caracas, Venezuela, the President of Venezuela Nicolas Maduro presided over the World Day for the Rights of Peoples of African Descent, entitled Reparations: From Resistance to Action by ini-

tiating a systematic reflection on the theme of reparations.

On September 27, 2018, in New York during the General Debate of the 73rd session of the United Nations General Assembly, the Prime Minister of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Ralph Gonsalves said that [...] our shared history of struggle against colonial oppression and exploitation informs [...] our continuing pursuit of reparatory justice for the victims of native genocide and slavery [...].

On June 10, 2019 in Kingston, Jamaica, the Vice-President of the "CARICOM Reparations Commission" Verene Shepherd announced the expansion of the list of countries to be targeted for reparations to Sweden, Switzerland, Russia, Norway, Hanse Towns (Germany, Poland, the Netherlands, etc.), Brandenburg (Germany) and the Duchy of Courland (Latvia).

On September 27, 2019 in New York during the General Debate of the 74th session of the United Nations General Assembly the Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda Gaston Browne said that [...] underdevelopment and financial vulnerability were created by centuries of exploitation in slavery and bound-labour for which no compensation was made.

Relevant European nations should provide reparations to

compensate for their development on the backs of our people [...].

On October 10, 2019 in Bolans, Antigua and Barbuda, during the symposium on Western Banking, Colonialism and Reparations organized by the CARICOM the Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda Gaston Browne proposed a 1% global annual tax against the 1% richest people to cope with the pockets of poverty in the former colonizers countries and with reparations in the former colonized countries.

On October 23, 2019 in Dakar, Senegal, during the African Regional Meeting on the International Decade for People of African Descent organized by the United Nations the Ambassador of Barbados to CARICOM, David Comissiong, contextualized and summarized the request for reparations for the genocide of the native people and the slavery launched in 2013.

Colonialism Reparation encourages the members of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) to have more momentum in the request for reparations for the genocide of the native people and the slavery despite refusals and boycotts by the colonizers (France, United Kingdom, United States, etc.).

Regards

come this apparent political myopia and seek balance and therefore, credibility. I have publicly and privately expressed my admiration for a few, I repeat, a few leaders of the Private Sector Commission for their business acumen.

Others, don’t even contribute to sports and cultural organizations run by the poor and lowly. The Private Sector Commission should be both coy and careful so as not to remind us of the generous transactions some of their members benefitted from the largest of the PPP Administration, when they made public statements parallel to those made by the PPP on the same matter. No one need to

question the need for a ‘Code of Conduct,’ but what is a far greater importance, is that our women and men in leadership position in the political arena are morally erect and have a sense of decency.

Human history is replete with conventions, code of conduct and agreements that when honoured in the breach, have led to turmoil, wars, and stress. For Elections 2020, we need Leaders with integrity, unwilling to falsify and not to be as the old folks say modern day ‘tricky and trawny.’ I have offered some friends of the Private Sector Commission their availability of my experience and advice, pro-bona, but are they interested?

I end with the words of Samuel Koranteng-Pipim, a Ghanaian Scholar, who came to the attention when the West African Country, Gold Coast, Ghana, was marching bravely to disengage the monster of the Colonial Master. In Guyana today, the remnants of the Colonial Master philosophy seem to be alive and well.

Our young people must slay this monster. Pipim said “Those who read are those who lead; But those who write keep the leaders right.

For silence is the crime by cowards of every time.”

Regards, Hamilton Green

This action must be condemned

Dear Editor,

THE Online news site (NewsRoom) report that the foreign-owned and operated bauxite company has laid off workers through a process that is disrespectful, and smacks

of a disdain for industrial and labour best practices.

Regardless of the reason for the decision, how can workers be notified of their employment status through a public notice, it is alleged?

To compound the insult, there is no commu-

nication on monies and other benefits accrued to the laid off workers. This is high-handedness and must be condemned.

Regards, Shamshun Mohamed

8

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, January 24, 2020

‘Uphold our right to vote’ …citizens affected by mix-up in addresses urge swift resolution to crisis …GECOM restates commitment to fix problem, insists exercise lawful

By Svetlana Marshall GUYANESE, who made changes to their addresses during the 2019 House-toHouse Registration, said they are depending on the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to uphold their sovereign right to vote, and have those changes reflected on the Revised List of Electors (RLE) in accordance with the Laws of Guyana.

The call comes at a time when the Opposition – the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) - is insisting that no changes should be made to the RLE; but on Thursday, GECOM, under the chairmanship of Justice (Ret’d) Claudette Singh, reassured the nation that all omissions on the RLE will be corrected. Such correction, it said, is legal and within the statutory period.

In a terse statement, GECOM said that while the Opposition is pointing fingers at the Commission with false accusations of “deliberate ploy to create confusion and mayhem,” it is cognizant that the Opposition’s sole intention is to disenfranchise thousands of eligible electors who would have participated in the House-to-House Registration Exercise.

“This will not happen,” GECOM made clear.

In an article published in the Guyana Times under the headline ‘No provision in law for GECOM changes to RLE…91,000 changes “dangerous”; could lead to “mayhem,”’ Executive Member

ty-one days after he had certified lists, the Commissioner is satisfied that any entry or omission in any list as revised pursuant to regulation 35 is incorrect through inadvertence in the course of

House Registration exercise, is in accordance with the law and does not fall outside of the statutory period.

“GECOM has a duty to ensure that the information of all Electors is accurately re-

that there are free and fair elections come March 2.

Denise LaFleur, 34, who hails from Region Six but now lives in Region Four, said she would be unable to travel to Region Six on

Chairman of GECOM Justice (Ret’d) Claudette Singh

Patricia Anthony

Denise LaFleur

Akeisha Marshall

such revision, he shall make or cause to be made the requisite correction to that list and such copy thereof as is open for inspection at any registration office and the Commissioner shall give to the person to whom such correction relates notice thereof, which may be sent by registered post to his last known address.”

Based on the legal provision outlined in Regulation 37, GECOM said it is confident that its decision to update the addresses of those registrants, who effected changes during the House-to-

flected on the Official List of Electors to avoid confusion.

If that process is not done, Electors would be required to travel to their old addresses to vote. As such, those persons would be displaced and disenfranchised which could result in low voter turnout and questionable election results,” the Elections Commission explained.

In light of the allegations peddled by Nandlall, GECOM urged the electorate to be extremely vigilant of attempts to create confusion, mischief and derail the level of public confidence in GECOM to conduct free, fair, transparent and credible elections.

It assured the nation that it is working in the best interest of the electors, and will produce a credible Official List of Electors for the conduct of General and Regional Elections 2020.

Twenty-nine-year-old Akeisha Marshall is among the 91,000 Guyanese who would have made changes to their addresses during the 2019 House-to-House Registration. Marshall, who initially resided in Georgetown and now lives on the East Coast of Demerara, told Guyana Chronicle that should GECOM fail to update her address she would, undoubtedly, be disenfranchised.

“If they don’t change my address, I would not be able to vote. I wouldn’t be able to vote, and it is not fair at all because I re-registered during a legitimate process,” Marshall told this newspaper. Iterating that it is her democratic right to vote, the 29-year-old said GECOM should, in accordance with the Laws of Guyana, put all systems in place to ensure

Elections Day to vote; hence it is important for GECOM to change her address. Like Marshall, she had changed her address during the registration exercise in 2019. “I cannot travel back to Region Six to vote because of my working schedule. I would like to vote but it would be difficult for me to travel all that distance, so I’m hoping that they could change it before elections,” LaFleur told this newspaper.

Russian-trained Economist, Patricia Anthony, is also among the thousands of Guyanese who had registered in the 2019 House-toHouse Registration and effect changes to their address. In the case of Anthony, like many others, her old address remains on the RLE much to her surprise and dissatisfaction.

“Being abroad engaged in studies for quite a few years… I was adamant to make my vote count. Hence I did everything on my part to ensure that I was on the list,” Anthony shared.

The 30-year-old economist explained that during the House-to-House Registration exercise, which ended in August, 2019, she changed her address. Originally from Linden, Region 10, Anthony now works and lives in Georgetown, Region Four.

“Having sorted that out and getting registered, I thought I was on point to getting my finger inked come March 2020. One can only imagine my shock after checking the published list only to find my old information being generated. Had I not checked the list and turned up on Election Day at my district to vote, to be told that I’m not on the list there,

of the PPP/C, Anil Nandlall alleged that GECOM’s decision to amend the RLE to reflect changes to addresses made during the 2019 Houseto-House Registration Exercise was illegal.

But in rubbishing the allegations, GECOM alluded to the fact that Regulation 37 of the National Registration (Residents) Regulations Act, Chapter 19:08 provides for the Commissioner of National Registration to make corrections to the RLE. Regulation 37 states: “If within the period of twen-

would’ve been an ultimate disappointment,” Anthony told this newspaper. Anthony is insistent that GECOM, in accordance with the laws, must update her address.

Based on reports coming out of GECOM, at the time of the extraction of the Preliminary List of Electors (PLE) from the National Register of Registrant Database (NRRDB), data from the House-to-House Registration exercise was not included due to the simple fact that they were sent abroad to be cross-matched for duplicates.

Subsequently, GECOM added the more than 16,000 new registrants, from the House-to-House Registration exercise, to the NRRDB and by extension the Revised List of Electors; however, evidence suggests that the NRRDB was not entirely updated to reflect changes made by some of the ‘old’ registrants, who had reregistered in 2019.

In an effort to ensure that persons like Anthony, Marshall and LaFleur are not disenfranchised, the Commissioner of National Registration, Keith Lowenfield is updating the NRRDB, and, by extension the Revised List of Electors to reflect the data (particularly the new addresses) provided during the 2019-House-to-House Registration exercise, in accordance with Regulations 35 and 37 of the National Registration (Residents) Regulations.

The Revised List of Electors has been posted for public scrutiny and electors are urged to check and verify their information at locations in their respective areas or on the GECOM’s website.

“If there has been any advertence on the part of GECOM, electors are advised to immediately visit the GECOM Registration Office to have the information updated accordingly,” GECOM Public Relations Officer, Yolanda Ward urged in a recent statement.

While noting that free, fair and transparent processes in the production of a credible list is the hallmark of credible elections, Ward assured the nation that GECOM will ensure that the name of every registered eligible elector is properly accounted for on the Official List of Electors.

9

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, January 24, 2020

Critchlow Labour College targets disadvantaged women, youth -- strengthening micro-entrepreneurship training programme

THE Critchlow Labour College, in collaboration with the Mitsubishi Corporation, has launched its strengthening micro-entrepreneurship training programme for disadvantaged women and youth in Region Four.

Principal of Critchlow Labour College, Ivor B. English, in his address at the launch held in the college’s boardroom on Thursday, noted that the programme is geared towards educating women and youths to

we believe that women can play an important role just as equal as men in developing our communities and by extension developing our society… each person deserves an opportunity, therefore, this course will seek to empower the women that we have identified to create behavioural change, to engage in financial management as well as having an understanding of business management,” he stated.

English further stated that the college is pleased to help

President of Mitsubishi Corporation Caribbean branch, Yohei Sasagawaaz

youths of the region.

“As a global corporation, we emphasise our sustainability through business, at the same time we aim to promote sustainability through a variety of contributions, including social responsibility programmes … our goal is to enhance the skills and increase productivity and future income of about 50 undeserved women and youths in the formal sector of region four,” Sasagawaaz said.

The programme, which is divided into two courses,

with aims of providing them with access to business development services.

In addition, the project focuses on strengthening the capacity of local stakeholders to provide assistance to youths in starting and growing their micro-enterprises, and supporting rigorous learning about the effectiveness of comprehensive self-employment. The project will benefit youth professionals and emerging single mothers who have a

From left, Assistant Secretary of the Guyana Trades Union Congress, Eslyn Harris; Christian Cappuccio, representative of Mitsubishi Corporation; Yohei Sasagawaaz, President of Mitsubishi Corporation Caribbean branch and Principal of Critchlow Labour College, Mr. Ivor B. English, among participants of the training programme

increase their skills, productivity and promote empowerment through education.

“We believe in empowering people and one of the best ways by which you can empower individuals is to give them an appropriate education. The focus is on disadvantage women and youths;

persons develop job readiness skills to ensure persons who pass through the institution are equipped to function in their respective areas in whatever endeavour they would have chosen.

Additionally, President of Mitsubishi Corporation Caribbean branch, Yohei

Sasagawaaz, in brief remarks, said Mitsubishi is pleased to have worked along with Critchlow Labour College to successfully develop yet another project which will aid in the development of Guyana and her people.

He added that the programme is intended to promote the country’s development through capac-

ity-building. The goal is to enhance the skills and increase productivity and the future income for the disadvantaged women and

will be held over a six-month period. It seeks to deliver a training course to disadvantaged young men and women

business idea. It is expected to provide them with a foundation to build their own business.

10

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, January 24, 2020

Jagdeo dismisses Ali's position on review of Exxon contract

IN a classic case of him not being his ‘own man’, PPP General Secretary, Bharrat Jagdeo, on Thursday, dismissed the views of its Presidential Candidate, Irfaan Ali, and declared that the party will be sticking to its plan to review the ExxonMobil contract, if it is elected at the upcoming General and Regional Elections.

Jagdeo’s remarks contradicted what was said by Ali according to a recent report from Reuters. Ali had told the news agency that ExxonMobil’s oil contract with Guyana would not be renegotiated if the opposition wins the March 2 election, and he would, instead, administer the deal better, after reviewing the terms. “We have made it clear from the beginning and the position is in the public, every contract has to be reviewed,” said Jagdeo, during a press briefing at his Church Street Office, on Thursday.

Jagdeo’s blunt dismissal of Ali’s views comes at a time when Guyanese have insisted that Ali is a ‘puppet’ and that any Irfaan Ali-led

government would be controlled by Jagdeo. Although Ali has claimed that he will be steering his ship, persons still have their reservations about a government led by him. In a not so subtle show of authority, Jagdeo said: “there are contracts signed after ExxonMobil that got better terms than even the Exxon one, so every production contract going forward will be renegotiated.”

Despite saying this, the opposition leader said Ali’s remarks are not inconsistent with the PPP/C’s position.

Similar to Ali, Jagdeo said with the current ExxonMobil contract, without renegotiations, Guyana could get more from better contract administration through several areas.

According to the Reuters report, while the PPP/C has criticised President David Granger’s 2016 deal with ExxonMobil, Ali called the company, a “pioneer.” “The PPP’s platform pledged to immediately engage the oil and gas companies in better contract administration/re-negotiation,” said Reuters.

“Exxon is a different

case…Exxon was a pioneering investment…but those that came after that time they were not pioneering, so they have to be examined in total-

tract’. He said that the signing of the agreement with ExxonMobil was made in the interest of attracting investors to Guyana.

Leader of the Opposition, Bharrat Jagdeo, and Presidential Candidate of the PPP/C, Irfaan Ali

ity,” Ali said during the interview. In 2018, the Guyana Chronicle had reported Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman as saying that all terms of the ExxonMobil Petroleum Agreement will be up for review in four years. The minister defended the much-criticised contract, maintaining that there is no such thing as a ‘perfect con-

Trotman had said that up until 2015, for many years, there had been no discoveries of oil in Guyana and the country is still not completely ‘de-risked’, realities which must be taken into consideration.

He noted that what is more important is for the country to shift its focus to more pre-eminent concerns

such as how best to utilise the volume of money it will be receiving to safeguard a better life for its citizens. “I think now the more important question is what do we do with what we are going to earn and how do we prepare for future generations in terms of healthcare, roads, bridges, the opening up of the country,” Trotman stated.

The minister said that in the future, the government will have improved opportunities to negotiate different terms for any new contracts due to the country’s changing realities.

Minister Trotman had indicated that after some years of experience in oil production, there may be a number of things the government will want to address when the ExxonMobil contract is up for review. Guyana’s first million barrels of light crude from the Stabroek Block set sail to the United States on Monday. The crude began the voyage in the crude oil tanker, the Yannis P, and is bound for the U.S. Gulf Coast in Galveston, Texas.

The Liza crude, a light-

sweet grade, was taken from the Liza Destiny Floating, Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel which has a production capacity of up to 120,000 barrels of oil per day and an overall storage volume of 1.6 million barrels. It has been projected that the oil revenues from this venture alone will realise approximately US$300M in this first year and more than triple that figure over the next five years. The Stabroek Block is 6.6 million acres (26,800 square kilometers). ExxonMobil affiliate, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited, is the operator and holds 45 per cent interest in the Stabroek Block.

Hess Guyana Exploration Limited holds 30 per cent interest and CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of CNOOC Limited, holds 25 per cent interest.

EU deploys elections observer mission to Guyana IN response to an invitation

by President of Guyana David Granger, the European Union has decided to deploy an EU Election Observation Mission to observe the General and Regional elections scheduled for March 2, 2020.

In a release, the EU commission here said Josep Borrell, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the Euro-

pean Commission, has appointed Urmas Paet, Member of the European Parliament as Chief Observer.

High Representative/ Vice-President Josep Borrell said: “The European Union values its partnership with Guyana. The deployment of this Election Observation Mission confirms our commitment to support Guyana’s democratic processes. I am confident that the mission will contribute to ensure that the election is inclu-

sive, credible and transparent. All citizens of the country have their say in Guyana’s future,” the EU delegation here, said in the release.

The Chief Observer, Urmas Paet, said: “I believe it is crucial for the European Union to accompany these elections in Guyana. I am confident that our observation mission will provide an important contribution as we wish to support transparent and inclusive elections and strengthen the institutions

in Guyana. I would also like to encourage the people of Guyana to exercise their democratic right to vote.”

The Election Observation Mission core team of 8 EU election analysts will arrive in Georgetown on 24 January and will stay in the country until the completion of the electoral process. In February, the core team will be joined by 14 long-term observers who will be deployed

across the country, and later on for the election week by an additional 20 short-term observers.

Shortly after the Elections Day on March 2, 2020, the mission will issue a preliminary statement and hold a press conference in Georgetown. A final report, including recommendations for future electoral processes, will be presented at a later stage, after the finalisation of the electoral process.

Private sector supports jubilee Mash celebrations PRIVATE entities are throwing their support behind the Department of Social Cohesion, Culture, Youth and Sport as it prepares to host Guyana’s 50th Republic anniversary and Mashramani celebrations.

During a media briefing on Wednesday, Permanent Secretary Melissa Tucker announced that the department has garnered the support of several private companies to ensure this “momentous milestone” is properly observed.

“We have entered into agreements specifically with Hits and Jams that will be responsible for a mega concert;

the University of Guyana who will be responsible for the Republic Lectures and Symposium; Plus One holds responsibility for the gospel concert while Signal Productions is responsible for the Legends concert and Dream Team for jazz concert,” she explained.

Existing partners, Banks DIH and Ansa McAL, who have supported the country’s Mashramani activities, will continue their efforts this year.

Caribbean Airlines, who came on board two years ago, will offer a five per cent discount promotion on their North America and Caribbean airline destinations, start-

Andrew Tyndall, Mashramani Coordinator

ing January 22 and ending February 18.

Department of Social Cohesion, Permanent Secretary, Melissa TuckerAndrew Tyndall, Mashramani Coordinator.

According to Tucker, “Our calendar of events would not be possible without the contribution of our sponsors and partners… while the department would be able to offset the budget, it is an important platform for corporate Guyana to get on board and support those activities.”

Mash Coordinator Andrew Tyndall highlighted that several pop-up concerts featuring both Chutney and Soca contestants have been held in Regions One, Two, Four, Five, Six, Seven and 10. These have garnered huge support and given the artistes much-need publicity allowing them to increase

their fan base.

Tyndall reminded that persons can go to the department’s 2020 Golden Jubilee’s Facebook page for the calendar of activities.

The next event will be the Chutney Explosion and Curry Fest on January 25 at the Leonora Track and Field Centre. The occasion will feature a car and bike show, a duck curry competition, which will be followed by a concert spotlighting KI & the Triveni Band and local contestants of the Chutney competition.

(DPI)

11

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, January 24, 2020

Shuman denies being dumped by GECOM …says was given ultimatum to submit proof of relinquishment of Canadian citizenship

LEADER and Presidential Candidate of the Liberty and Justice Party has sought to dispute reports that he was dumped from the elections candidate list due to his dual citizenship, saying instead he was asked by the Guyana Elections Commission to provide proof of his claims that he had relinquished his Canadian citizenship.

In a release on Thursday, Shuman referred to reports in sections of the news media that GECOM had taken him off the list of Presidential Candidates for the upcoming March 2nd elections.

This information, Shuman said, is “grossly incorrect.” “The Liberty and Justice Party would like to inform the press that we received a letter from the Chairperson of the Guyana Elections Commission, Justice Claudette Singh SC, on Wednesday 22nd January 2020. The letter requested confirmation of Mr. Shuman’s citizen status to further guide any future decision on the possibility of removing Mr. Shuman as a candidate from the Party’s list. The LJP will comply with the letter’s January 31 deadline for submission of this information,”

Shuman said in his release.

“The Liberty and Justice Party wishes to thank the GECOM Chair and staff for their continued professional interaction with the LJP.” Shuman said in this election cycle, many false stories will be published without due diligence to mislead the voting public. “This week’s media content is an attempt by the larger parties to discredit and diminish support for the smaller parties. The LJP reiterates our position as outlined at our party launch, that the LJP will always adhere to its Constitution and the Laws of Guyana. Other agents will try to make you think this is not the case. This is the pure definition of election propaganda. The LJP urge the public and our supporters to be aware and dismiss fake news…”

This newspaper reported, on Wednesday, that GECOM had taken the decision to remove Shuman; presidential candidate of the URP, Dr. Vishnu Bandhu and presidential candidate of the PRP, Dr Valerie Leung. “The lists were gazetted but the commission’s decision was that Dr. Bandhu, Mr. Shuman and Mrs. Leung, their names have to be taken off those lists

because when they put their names there, they were all

who have made false declarations in respect of their du-

Presidential Candidate of LJP, Lennox Shuman

dual citizens,” Commissioner Bibi Shadick told media operatives following Tuesday’s statutory meeting of the electoral body.

She explained that while the lists were gazetted, corrections will be made to reflect the decision. The same was confirmed by Commissioner Robeson Benn who said that the police have now been notified about the matter. “The police were written or should have been written with respect to these persons

al-citizen status. Mr. Bandhu of the URP did send to the commission, through its secretariat, information saying that he had renounced his United States citizenship but, unfortunately, that information came to the commission after Nomination Day, so it is not valid for the purposes of the elections as far as we understand,” Benn said, adding: “We have notified the police and it’s for them to take what action they deem as appropriate in the circumstance.”

New Amsterdam green space project takes shape THE Esplanade Park green space initiative project at New Amsterdam is taking shape.

The project falls under the Ministry of Natural Resources’ (MNR) Green Spaces Initiative and according to the ministry, the park has been benefiting from the contributions of the Ministry since 2018.The MNR said it is pleased to be able to continue works towards its beautification.

More recently, the MNR has dealt with the redevelopment of the children’s corner, landscaping, planting of fruit trees, erection of a washroom facility, and extension of fencing. In the coming weeks, chairs and additional garbage receptacles will be placed, the fence will be completed, and a signboard will be erected.

The Ministry, through the Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman, in 2018, handed over garbage receptacles, playpark equipment and trees, and further

The washroom facility which was erected by the Ministry of Natural Resources at the Esplanade Park

commit $3M towards the park’s restoration.

Ever since, the MNR has continued to place its efforts and lend assistance to the Mayor and Town Council who hold overall responsibility of the park.

It was noted that, to date, the MNR has supported over fifteen communities through the Green Spaces Initiative.

“Support has been given through the provision of bins, streetlights, seedlings and fruit trees, and garden and cleaning tools, promoting the overall green agenda of the APNU+AFC Government.

One significant achievement in this regard is the restoration of the Cashew Grove Park in Lethem. This park has received significant con-

tributions from the MNR and has been officially opened for public use,” the MNR said.

The MNR said it continues to promote the responsible use of green spaces across the country, and as such will continue making significant contributions towards maintenance and development, ensuring all Guyanese benefit.

The Statutory Declaration form signed by Dr. Bandhu and Dr. Leung for presidential candidates first confirmed that they are 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) is, by virtue of his or her own act, under any acknowledgement of allegiance, obedience or adherence to a foreign power or state.”

The statutory form also requested that they “solemnly and sincerely declare” that they are citizens of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana; citizens of Guyana by birth or parentage; residents of Guyana on the date of nomination for election; continuously residing in Guyana for a period of seven years immediately before Election Day and qualified to be elected as a Member of the National Assembly. 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 misdemeanour and shall be liable to imprisonment for one year.”

While Dr. Bandhu is contending that he relinquished his foreign status as of January 16, 2020, Commissioner Vincent Alexander said on Tuesday that the same does not count, as he had signed the Statutory Declaration form on Nominations Day, January 10, 2020. “The situation is that if someone had not made a proper, correct and authentic declaration and at the time of the date for that declaration is in default, then that person is not eligible to be on the list.

That’s the principle,” Commissioner Alexander said.

“That application requires a declaration. I would assume that at the time of that declaration you have to be in compliance and the fact of the matter is that all of the evidence show that when signing the declaration, Dr. Bandhu was not in compliance.”

PAHO briefs Guyana today on coronavirus THE local Pan American Health Organisation/ World Health Organisation (PAHO/WHO) will, today, brief the Guyanese public on the deadly coronavirus. Cases were recently confirmed in the United States of America.

Key personnel from the country office are communicating with counterparts in Washington DC in the USA, to garner updated information to reliably inform the public of how they can safeguard themselves against this virus.

According to reports, the coronavirus originated in Wuhan, China, in 2019, and to date, 17 persons in that city have succumbed to the virus. It is now considered contagious as many others have been infected and the city is on lock-down. Unconfirmed reports state that the virus may stem from snakes.

The United States con-

firmed its first case of the coronavirus last week and has scaled up monitoring and screening efforts at five of its airports mainly in New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago and Atlanta. Others are expected to come on board soon. Since the outbreak, health officials in the US have recommended that meat and eggs must be cooked thoroughly.

Common signs and symptoms include fever, cough and trouble breathing.

However, the incubation period of the virus is as long as one week so cases can be missed, therefore, persons are asked to be alert.

The WHO is advising that it is wise to avoid close contact with anyone showing symptoms of respiratory illness, such as coughing and sneezing or any of the other symptoms.

Severe cases can lead to pneumonia, kidney failure and even death. (DPI)

12

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, January 24, 2020

Stakeholders consulted ahead of planned upgrade of Parika Stelling

PERSONS, who will be directly affected by the upgrade of the Parika Stelling, were consulted by officials attached to the Central Transport and Planning Unit (CTPU) of the Ministry of Public Infrastructure.

According to a press statement from the ministry, the first, in a series of consultations, were held with residents, minibus operators, water taxi operators, vendors and other persons, on Tuesday.

The topics discussed were related to the planned upgrade of the Parika Stelling to a modern facility, befitting of Guyana’s new age of development. The consultation session was conducted at the Parika Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC),

where stakeholders were updated on various aspects of the planning and construction phases of the project.

The Ministry’s Chief Transport Planning Officer, Patrick Thompson, said, Parika serves as the main transport hub to Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), Bartica, the islands of the Essequibo River and other areas of the country. The transformation of the stelling is timely and will support the major transport activities and commercial transactions that take place at Parika every day.

Over time, the Parika Stelling has become noticeably deteriorated and congested, giving rise to safety and other environmental concerns, which the project will seek to address in a most

holistic way and in line with the developmental plan for the local transport sector. A resident of Parika, Ahmad Salim, said he welcomes the upgrade because he has been living in that community for the past 25 years and saw no major progress in this regard.

One vendor, who did not state her name, inquired about where the Vendors would be placed during the construction of the Stelling. She was told that access to the stelling, through the Parika Market, will be incorporated into the design of the project so that vendors can benefit from the patronage of the persons accessing the water taxis and ferries. Another vendor, Andrew (only name given), said he was especially concerned about the project’s fruition,

Speedboat operations at the Parika Ferry Stelling

since, for the past 30 years, he has been a vendor and only promises have been made for upgrades.

President of the United Minibus Union, Eon Andrews, was also at the meeting and he said the union is committed to making the project work, especially since it will have an impact on the minibus park at Parika.

In May 2018, Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson, had announced that the Parika Stelling will be equipped with modernised features as part of an upgrade.

Patterson had said a US$15M loan was secured from the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) to cater for the upgrade.

“We will rehabilitate the Parika Stelling completely, with similar features to that of the Bartica Stelling. It will have commercial space, a shed so that persons can go there and sell their produce, persons can also open a restaurant or two. It just wouldn’t have the opening that the Bartica Stelling has,” Minister Patterson explained.

Residents of Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), particularly those who utilise the stelling on a regular basis, have expressed elation and anticipation for the upgrade of the facility, which they hope will result in economic transformation.

“The current stelling is serving its purpose but not to the level we expect, especially because of the increase in traffic…there was definitely a need for a bigger stelling which will cater for the increased traffic which will arise from the budding oil and gas sector.

“We are the gateway to the Essequibo and from the

Essequibo to Georgetown… everybody will travel through more conveniently…businesses will explore the possibilities of opening branches

the-art stelling, which will cater for more than just transiting boats and vehicles.

He said government’s

Chief Transport Planning Officer, Patrick Thompson responding to questions from residents

and there will be better access,” said Regional Information Officer of Region Three, Ganesh Mahipaul in a recent

intention was not only to improve transportation for passengers and vehicular

Persons voicing their concerns at the public consultation

report. The modern facility will encourage persons to travel more, since there will be better accommodation for vehicles, boats and even commuters, said Mahipaul. The new facility will also aid the region in the area of tourism because it will be a state-of-

traffic but also to create recreational spaces for relaxation and interaction. With the improved facility and services, Mahipaul believes that the region will become the most important economic hub in the country.

13

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, January 24, 2020

Porter crushed to death in Sophia

By Elvin Croker

A YOUNG man lost his

life on Thursday, while working as a porter on the trailer of a truck that

belongs to the Ministry of Public Infrastructure Special Projects Unit.

The incident occurred just around 17:00hrs in the vicinity of C Field, South Sophia, Georgetown.

Dead is Sheldon Chance, 36, of 103 C Meadowbrook Gardens.

When Guyana Chronicle visited the scene, the mangled body of the porter was seen on the road, covered under a sheet.

An eyewitness, Gary Gibson, said he was standing at the side of the road when he observed the now dead man perched on the highest point of the truck.

He said the man got distracted by someone who was “hailing him up” and did not

see a phone wire which was in the path of the moving truck.

This encounter, Gibson explained, caused the now dead man to lose balance since the wire caught his neck.

He then fell onto the floor of the trailer where his legs got caught in the fast moving rear wheels of the truck, ‘sucking’ his entire body under it.

“De wire hook he neck, he fall and den the wheel run over he three time,” Gibson said, adding that: “By de time I could a run fo tell de driver stop, de wheel de done run ovea he.”

Relatives of the deceased being consoled by friends

Four remanded for murder of Strathspey pensioner FOUR men were, on Thursday, remanded to prison for the murder of a 72-year-old pensioner, who was badly beaten during a recent invasion of his Strathspey, East Coast Demerara (ECD) home.

The men were not required to plead to the indictable charge when they appeared before Magistrate Fabayo Azore at the Vigilance Magistrate’s Court.

Those remanded are Mahendranauth Persaud, 22, a construction worker of Lot 38 Strathspey, ECD; Sankar Permaul, 25, a businessman of Lot 491 Block 8, Mon Repos,

ECD; Navin Deochand, 24, a labourer of Lot 109 Pump Road, Strathspey, ECD and Kublall Persaud, 25, a businessman of Lot 104 Strathspey, ECD. They were remanded to prison and the matter will be called again on March 16, 2020. It is alleged that on January 20, 2020, they murdered Ramsahoye Deochand.

He was beaten at home on Sunday night and succumbed to his injuries in the wee hours of Monday morning at the Georgetown Public Hospital.

Ramsahoye received injuries to the head and about the

body; it is alleged that he was beaten with a mop stick and a music amplifier in the head.

The pensioner had suffered a stroke, leaving the entire right side of his body paralysed.

An autopsy conducted by State Pathologist, Dr. Nehaul Singh, on Wednesday, gave the cause of death as blunt force trauma to the head and multiple injuries.

The pensioner had lived in the community for over 20 years with his family and worked as a police constable at the La Bonne Intention Sugar Estate.

The wheels Sheldon Chance slipped and fell on

Gibson said Chance was pushing up wires across the road that would hinder the free movement of the truck.

Family members cried uncontrollably on arrival at the scene, while a crowd ‘ballooned’, eager to get a glimpse of the dead man.

His brother, Shawn Chance, said the last time he heard from his brother was around 09:00 hrs on Thursday morning. At the time of his demise, the porter was working on the road construction project being undertaken in Sophia.

Shawn described his brother as a willing and hardworking person.

His family laid to rest their grandmother a week ago.

The body of Chance was taken to the Lyken Funeral Home and police have since launched an investigation into the matter.

14

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, January 24, 2020

$39.5M NDIA office commissioned at Cotton Field

By Indrawattie Natram AGRICULTURE Minister Noel Holder, on Thursday, commissioned a state-ofthe-art National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) building at Cotton Field, Region Two. The building, which was constructed at the cost of G$39.5 million, is fully equipped to operationalise and execute the NDIA’s work plan for the benefit of farmers and residents in the Pomeroon-Supenaam region.

Delivering the feature address at the commissioning ceremony held at Cotton Field, Minister Noel Holder said the new building will foster ample opportunity for coordination, collaboration, and camaraderie on the issues of drainage and irrigation and agriculture in the region.

He, therefore, expressed gratitude to the NDIA team for their time and expertise in developing the structure

nomic and social well-being of the Guyanese people and to give its assurance to con-

drainage and irrigation services countrywide; hence, the enhanced competitiveness

said the commissioning of the office is in keeping with the mandate of the National

A student from Anna Regina Multilateral Secondary School (ARMS) cut the ceremonial ribbon to officially open the NDIA office at Cotton Field

tinue to implement aggressive plans and civil works to undertake investments, maintenance, and future planning in the drainage and irrigation,” Minister Holder told the gathering.

DECENTRALISATION Minister Holder said the NDIA's main focus is to improve and upgrade the

Eight, Nine and 10.

He also informed the gathering of some of NDIA’s ongoing projects in the Pomeroon-Supenaam region, notably the rehabilitation of the Hampton Court and Devonshire Castle pump stations and the empoldering of the Pomeroon communities.

Minister of Business, Haimraj Rajkumar, who also spoke at the commissioning, said the Government of Guyana will continue to look into the interest of rice farmers.

He said the new office will provide services to Region Two farmers.

He also mentioned that since the APNU/AFC Government took office in 2015, there has been improvement in infrastructure in the agriculture sector. Today, there are more pumps and pump stations across Guyana.

Regional Executive Officer, Denis Jaikarran, said the establishment of the office is to enhance and propel the growth and operations

he newly-commissioned NDIA building at Cotton Field, Region Two

A section of the gathering at the commissioning ceremony

and urged them to continue to effectively coordinate all the relevant resources for its maintenance and sustainable functioning.

“It is my honour to commission this office at Cotton Field, Region Two. The Government of Guyana, through the Ministry of Agriculture, remains committed to floodrisk management for the eco-

emphasised. Similar offices are in Regions Three, Five and Six with the NDIA head

and productivity of the various sectors.

He further explained that decentralisation is a key part of NDIA’s strategy to increase its impact.

“Decentralising offices must be able to respond with flexibility and a D&I operational event by ensuring adequate and proportional levels of support,” Holder further

office at LBI in Region Four.

The minister explained that while the NDIA has been operating in Region Two for years, the ministry has decided to build a permanent office at Cotton Field to expand its services within the region.

Giving an overview of the project, Chief Executive Officer, Fredricks Flatts,

Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) to expand its operations countrywide to better serve the fast-growing agricultural sector.

Flatts said the building has six offices, along with a boardroom, and was constructed by Sukhai’s Contracting Service. He said it is the desire of NDIA to open similar offices in Regions

of NDIA services in Region Two. He said the regional administration will continue to work with the NDIA in delivering quality drainage and irrigation services to the people of Essequibo.

Many farmers say they are satisfied with the works being done in the region by the NDIA.

Rape accused to face a new trial RAPE accused, Carlyle Williams, will have to undergo a new trial, after a 12-member jury remained hung in its verdict, even after further deliberations, on Thursday, January 23, 2020.

Williams, a 59-year-old of Blueberry Hill, Wismar, Linden, was on trial before Justice Jo-Ann Barlow at the Sexual Offences Court of the High Court, Georgetown, accused of raping

an 11-year-old girl, twice, in 2017.

He is accused of raping the teen on October 14, 2017, at his Blueberry Hill home and again on October 15, 2017.

Williams had pleaded not guilty to the two charges and was on trial.

The defendant was represented

by Attorney Ravindra Mohabir while the State was represented by prosecutors Teriq Mohammed and Mandel

Carlyle Williams being escorted by the police

Moore.

The jury, after more than two hours of deliberation, was unable to reach a verdict in the two indictments.

Williams will be retried at the next practical sitting of the Demerara Assizes and will remain on bail.

The Guyana Chronicle was made to understand the victim is known to Williams.

It is alleged that, on October 14,

2017, Williams was in the victim’s bed reading her a bedtime story, when he raped her. The next day, it is alleged that, while the teen was in her room, he went in and raped her a second time.

The child told her mother and the matter was then reported to the police. An investigation was launched and Williams was arrested.

15

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, January 24, 2020

‘Carnegie’ reopens Hibiscus Restaurant

THE Carnegie School of Home Economics (CSHE), which aims to be the leading institution providing quality training in home

tronage of the public to allow the students the opportunity to practice skills demanded by the programme.

Educating the attendees

President of the Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG), Mitra Ramkumar

Myrna Lee, Principal of Carnegie School of Home Economics cutting the ribbon to commemorate the auspicious occasion

economics and hospitality in Guyana, formally reopened its Hibiscus Training Restaurant on Thursday.

Giving the opening remarks of the ceremony was Myrna Lee, Principal of Carnegie School of Home Economics who stated the school understands the direct connection between tourism, hospitality and travel, and as such, Catering and Hospitality is the school’s flagship programme.

With the school’s vision to being seen as a place of world class service in the preparation of employment, Lee said that at the school, students are taught to treat all costumers with warm hospitality and let them feel valued to the point of meeting their needs.

She added, “at CSHE, we train students to personalize hospitality service for four main reasons: to understand the need of the customer and find out what works best for each costumers; to be loyal to customers and engage them using their medium or mode of communication; to find out what the customer cares about and willing to pay for, and to learn and lead in the hospitality industry through gaining insights of the best, affordable customer service we could use to pamper those we serve.”

According to Lee, the Hibiscus training restaurant is one of the main units where professionals from industries and facilitators collaborate to guide students in delivering the best services to customers.

Lee indicated that the Board of Governors and Staff of the CSHE are requesting the support and pa-

about what is trending in the hospitality industry was President of the Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG), Mitra Ramkumar.

With Guyana being an oil producing nation, Ramkumar said, he believes that oil and tourism “meshes well,” since the oil is bringing even more persons from around the world into Guyana.

He added that Guyanese must come to grips that everyone cannot work on the oil rigs, however, persons can benefit from the petroleum sector while working in other sectors, since there are a lot of spinoff activities that can be linked to the tourism and hospitality industry.

“We are also going to see increased restaurants, tour operators, hotels being established in Guyana and so what we need to do is prepare ourselves to benefit from this sector that I believe should be the new frontier industry for Guyana.”

According to Ramkumar, The Tourism and hospitality Association of Guyana is working with CSHE in developing a database of persons that would have studied at the school. The database will then be used to attach graduated students to facilities in the tourism and hospitality industry.

The restaurant which is located in the CSHE building will be opened between 12:00 hours to 14:30 hours from Tuesday to Friday, up until April 2020.

Updates on menus, catering and other services can be found on the school’s Facebook page.

Inside of the Hibiscus Training Restaurant

16

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, January 24, 2020

Coronavirus risk low in Caribbean …CAPHA head urges stepped-up preparation

Executive Director of the Caribbean Public Health Agency CARPHA Dr. Joy St John says the risk of Novel Coronavirus in the Caribbean is “Low” but preparation is needed.

The Pan American Health Organisation/World Health Organisation (PAHO/WHO) country office here will today brief the Guyanese public on the deadly coronavirus.

Cases were recently confirmed in the United States of America. Key personnel from the country office are communicating with counterparts in Washington DC in the USA, to garner updated information to reliably inform the public of how they can safeguard themselves against this virus.

As at 9th January 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported that a 2019 novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) was identified by Chinese authorities.

The virus was first identified in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. There have been more than 300 cases reported globally, as at 21st

January. However, late on 22nd January, the Chinese National Health Committee reported more than 571 confirmed cases of patients with pneumonia, and 17 fatalities caused by the 2019-nCoV. Imported cases have been reported by other countries including Thailand, Republic of Korea and the United States of America. Meanwhile, Dr St. John said presently, there have been no confirmed cases or reports of the 2019-nCoV in the Caribbean region and based on current information, the immediate health risk from this virus to the general public remains low. She said CARPHA is monitoring developments and working closely with its international health partners to respond to this health threat and provide timely advice and support to the preparedness activities of Caribbean Member States,” she said.

Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East

DR. Joy St. John, Executive Director of CARPHA

Respiratory Syndrome and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV).

Common signs of infection include respiratory symptoms, fever, cough, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties. In more severe cases, infection can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory

syndrome, kidney failure and even death.

This 2019-nCoV virus is a new strain of coronavirus that has not been previously identified in humans. “CARPHA is aware that this is an early stage of the outbreak and is awaiting clarity on the characterization of the

Coalition gears up for massive rally at Golden Grove today TODAY, thousands of persons are expected to converge at the Golden Glove Community Centre Ground for the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) Coalition 2020 Elections’ Rally, during which, President David Granger is expected to give an electrifying speech, highlighting future developments as the country embarks on a ‘Decade of Development’.

President Granger, the APNU+AFC Presidential Candidate, will be accompanied by Attorney-General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams; Minister of Public Health, Volda Lawrence; Minister of Public Service, Tabitha Sarabo-Halley, and other government, regional and local officials.

The rally commences at 17:00hrs and will feature some of the country’s leading entertainers.

During his recent appearance on Guyana Chronicle’s online programme ‘Vantage Point,’ the attorney-general, who is also the APNU+AFC campaign manager for the

East Coast of Demerara (ECD) corridor, said during the rally, those present will be given an insight into the future developments of the country, and an assessment of the achievements made since the APNU+AFC Coalition took office in May 2015.

Under the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration, Guyana experienced a horrendous crime wave, which spanned from 2002 to 2008, and the persons living along the ECD corridor bore the brunt of the situation.

“The East Coast was a killing field and hundreds of youths, young lads lost their lives,” Minister Williams said as he reflected on those “dark days” often described

by President Granger as the period of the “Troubles”.

A part from crime, the attorney-general said the residents along that corridor faced a myriad of land-related issues and issues relative to agriculture and co-op societies. “In terms of land, for example, lots of persons had made applications for land and those applications nev-

er saw the light of day and when we came into office, they then sought to get us to revive their applications and we were able to treat with many as far as we could within the rules,” he explained.

He said today, the ECD corridor is on the rise with crime on the decrease, resulting in an increase in commercial activities. Improved infrastructure can be seen along the ECD corridor, he added.

Akeasha Boodie, a communication’s officer who form part of the APNU+AFC ECD campaign committee, told the Guyana Chronicle that the ECD corridor is now a safer place. “In communities like Buxton that were painted badly, in those areas, you can walk at any time of the night without fear. So I would say there is a huge difference now,” she pointed out.

Boodie, who was upbeat about today’s rally, said youths are eager to participate in the development of the communities and towns, and the country as a whole.

In the political realm, she

said the APNU+AFC has been drawing the support of young people.

To those persons who are indecisive, Boodie warned that the election of the wrong political party to government can cost the coast. “My charge to youths is that you must come out and vote. This decision is very vital to your country, what happens to future generations, so on March 2, I am encouraging you to go out and put your ‘X’ next to the APNU+AFC,” she encouraged.

The voting population on the ECD corridor is approximately 101,000 voters.

During the Decade of Development, President Granger intends to transform Guyana into a Digital State, a ‘Green’ State, a Petroleum State and an Education Nation. Major emphasis, the President has said, will be placed on education.

behaviour of the virus, including severity of the infection, and the level of transmissibility. Therefore, out of an abundance of caution, CARPHA is recommending that Member States be proactive and vigilant. They must reinforce surveillance measures at points of entry, communication strategies which emphasize good hand hygiene, and measures targeted at reducing the importation of this new virus to our shores,” stated Dr. St John.

On 23 January, news out of China indicates that travel in and out of the Wuhan City has been restricted by Chinese officials in an effort to curtail further spread of the disease. Currently, there are no restrictions on international travel and no special precautions travellers need to take when travelling to the Caribbean since there have been no reported cases of 2019-nCoV in the Caribbean.

Travellers are thus advised to stay informed about the 2019-nCoV situation in any countries to which they are travelling and practice

general infection control measures, such as frequent hand washing with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. As with any other novel and imported disease, 2019-nCoV is causing heightened concern in the Region. CARPHA, she said is also committed to supporting its Member States in refining existing influenza preparedness plans, refreshing training of health care works in universal precautions and the use of necessary personal protective equipment (PPE), and implementing measures to protect the most vulnerable in our populations from developing the disease.

In the event that there is a suspected imported case of 2019-nCoV in the Region, CARPHA has already made arrangements with partner public health agencies for testing within the next three weeks, while we await delivery of necessary supplies.

NA stallholder stabbed by robbers A New Amsterdam stallholder was stabbed during a robbery at Cumberland Pharmacy, East Canje, just after 08:00hrs on Thursday morning.

Asraz Ali, 57, called “Uncle Boy” was rushed to the New Amsterdam Hospital where he is now a patient.

The entire scene was captured on a security surveillance camera, which revealed that Ali had just left the adjoining shop with a bag containing an undisThe suspect captured on closed sum of cash and security surveillance camera a plucked chicken.

Ali was awaiting transportation to New Amsterdam when a male, who was posing as a customer, walked by and grabbed his bag.

Ali put up a resistance and in the process was stabbed in the right side by his attacker who fled the scene.

Police are investigating the incident.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday January 24, 2020

Hall AOmaiah star in the making --eyeing both Junior Calypso and Junior Soca Monarch titles OMAIAH Aaliyah Hall, an 18-year-old Communications student at the University of Guyana is making well her way in the music industry, with hopes of becoming a rising star in Guyana. Hall is competing in both the Junior Calypso and Soca Monarch competitions.

In an interview with ‘The Buzz’, the young woman said that she has always been passionate about the arts, especially music.

“I love how you can relate an entire story through a song and tell someone how you feel through singing, because the feeling goes deeper... My inspiration for singing and just being in the arts is really to express myself. I am way more confident in this element,” Hall said.

Sharing a brief history on how her love for music developed, she said, “Singing was always expected, because my dad is a musician, and many people in my family sing, but I really found love for singing in primary school at Success Elementary, when Sir Success had me do a solo. I was nervous and shaking, but I got up on that stage, and after that first note, I just let go and fell in love. Business-wise, I do aspire to go into the field of public relations, but it really is my dream to be one of Guyana’s very best artistes, daring to be different with soulful music that gets you deep in your feelings.”

The young woman said she entered both competitions because she wanted to challenge herself.

“I do really want to explore my limits and reach higher

heights. And to be real, I love competing; it allows me to push harder and be stronger,” she said passionately.

Her songs have been booming through the airwaves, and are fast becoming the people’s favourite.

The calypso song is entitled, “Tell Me How Come”, and according to Hall, “It’s a raw, bold political statement.

This song is asking the questions that I need to be answered.

This year, being my first year voting, I had to do some major research, and what I found was shocking. So the song speaks to what I found out, and the questions that I want to be answered.”

“Proud of who I Am” is the name of her entry in the Junior Soca Monarch competition. Explaining what it’s all about, she said, “Well, we are celebrating our Golden Jubilee as a Republic nation, and I know that we are proud. This song showcases that proudness no matter what people may say or do, ‘cause people will always talk, we should be proud.”

“I’m confident, because I know that no one else can be Omaiah, and I dare to be as dramatic and different as I can be. So, with the assistance, I’m going to go give 110 per cent. And as a first-timer going up, I feel the need to work harder, because I don’t want it to just be that girl that went up. I want to leave my mark on that stage after years has passed. I am really hoping to contribute to Guyana’s golden year, and really start building a great name for myself as a young artiste,” Hall said.

‘No Tricreturns ks, No Busi n ess’ to NCC

THE much raved about theatre classic “No Tricks No Business, written and directed by Godfrey Naughton, and first premiered in 2008 is set to return to the National Cultural Centre today and tomorrow, with Sonia Yarde reprising her role as the play’s lead.

Described as a “masterpiece” in reviews from when it was first run from 2008 - 2009, the play examined and added satire to a number of topical social and economic issues prevailing during that era.

“It will make patrons laugh, think, then laugh even louder. It became a massive hit because we spoke of what was happening in

the country at the time. We put so many things in the one package it was a powerhouse package for some people. It summarises and it’s funny, but it makes you think deeply when you look around,” related Naughton.

A producer and actor of over 40 years, Naughton believes that the play comes at a time in Guyana when the search for good moral foundation for relationships between friends, family and business associates is as elusive as at no other time in our history.

Issues explored in the play included situations in the country’s health sector, housing sector and

SEE PAGE 20

Omaiah Aaliyah Hall

g n i k a t o Jum ’ t I e l p m ‘Tra h c r a n o to Soca M

r a e y s i h t

18

‘TRAMPLE It’ is the name of Jumo’s first video and song for 2020 that he will be marching right into the Soca Monarch competition with, confident as ever that he will win in the com-

petition again.

In an interview with the Buzz recently, Jumo Fitzpatrick Primo, well known as ‘Mr. Rubber Waist’, said he will be vying for the title this year, along with 20

other artistes. The semi-finals will kick off in Linden on February 8, and the performers will then make their way down to Georgetown for the finals at D’Urban Park on February 16.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday January 24, 2020

But it’s not just about the competition this time around for Jumo, as he wants to use his music to educate persons. In the past, he won the competition three times.

His new song tells his fans how they can be successful at overcoming obstacles. “Many times we go through a lot of fightdown with fake friends and people who hate you for no reason, or just because you’re successful and not everyone is strong enough to fight back. I’m not saying fight back physically, but fight with prayers; fight spiritually. So this is what the song is about.”

Commenting further, he said the song is also about unity and making good choices. “It’s all about unity; strength. It says you can’t talk about love if you don’t have love inside of you. It says to hate is a choice; we all have a choice, where we can do well for each other. ‘Trample It’ is about overcoming and burying everything that is negative,” Jumo expressed.

The song was launched on social media recently, and Jumo wants whoever is interested in obtaining it to contact him via his many social media platforms.

“You can get me on all social media. Contact me if you need the song for your ‘Mash’ band, radio, etc.”

‘Trample It’ was produced by Timon Fraser from Linden, and mixed by Experts Studio.

Meanwhile, Jumo said he has gotten into business now, as he has found that entertainment and business go hand-in- hand. As such, he will soon be launching a new initiative at his Club 592 on Norton Street called ‘2 to 2’, which will see special arrangements in place for those who want to visit the venue from 2pm to 2am daily.

The 38-year-old Soca artiste opened Club 592 last year at Lot 23 John and Norton Streets, Werk-en-Rust, Georgetown, and opened from Wednesday to Sunday. However, with the launch of 2 to 2, the facility will be opened seven days a week.

The club, once known as the ‘Weddy-Weddy Night Club’ and ‘Passa-Passa,’ has both indoor and outdoor facilities.

“Back in the days, people used to come from work and have an after work lime. Not everyone wants an outdoor setting, so we created an indoor setting with music, karaoke; we want to bring back those days. So if you don’t go out late at nights, you can come early and still get the same vibe that you would get in the club.”

Jumo Primo, aka Mr. Rubber waist

Jumo’s new song, ‘Trample It’ deals with successfully overcoming obstacles

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday January 24, 2020

Rupee & KI to heat up Youth Village this weekend

BARBADIAN Soca singer Rupee and Trinidadian Chutney Soca singer KI are scheduled to headline the Saturday international concert that will bring the curtains down on the twoday Republic Golden Jubilee Youth Village that starts today at the D’Urban Park.

Opening for the pair will be Guyana’s “Miss Winey, Winey” Timeka Marshall, and reigning Soca Monarch Brandon Harding, while DJ Energy is going to be handling the turntable to provide the mixes, and “Mr. Wickedee”, Malcolm Ferreira, will act as host.

Prior to the concert, at 19:00hrs to be exact, renowned local fitness trainer Noshavyah King is going to help you get in shape a little with her “Zumba Party” that’s scheduled to run about an hour-and-a-half. There’s also a “Talent Fiesta”, where some 24 acts of young and upcoming Guyanese performers are scheduled to showcase.

On Friday, when the event opens, there’s going to be a fashion display and performances by the Calibro Band.

And let’s not forget that all of this is absolutely free, being a part of Guyana’s momentous 50th Republic Anniversary celebrations, organised by the Ministry of Social Cohesion.

Notwithstanding all the entertaining stuff, t h e

event will be its grand exhibition, where young persons can find a lot of useful information, particularly as it pertains to business and employment.

The exhibition will run on both days, and is aimed at showcasing the work of young people and includes booths from several government ministries, NGOs and private businesses.

“The focus is on education, training and providing young people with information on entrepreneurship, how they can access grants and so forth,” shared Youth Village Coordinator, Adeti DeJesus.

“There are a number of activities that will be held throughout the event. We’re going to have a part with speeches talking about Guyana’s

history leading up to the 50th [Republic] Anniversary, and we will have someone speak on leadership and young people’s role in transforming Guyana,” DeJesus said.

them and so forth,” she related.

The concert is being held in collaboration with King Leo Promotions.

“When we understood the 2020 vision of the Youth Village, we were v e r y

happy to be a part of it. I’m

dress i s scheduled to be delivered

by Minister of Social Cohesion Dr. George Norton, while Director of Youth Leslyn Boyce is also set to speak.

DeJesus noted that the focus of the “Talent Fiesta” and “Fashion Display” was placed on making the platform one for developing young Guyanese, and not so much those who veterans in the industry.

“The fashion display is to provide an opportunity for young persons who are not necessarily established and well known; it’s to give young persons who are up and coming the opportunity to display some of their pieces from their collections. Just like the “Talent Fiesta” is to give young people who have talent, whether it’s dancing, singing, spoken word or so forth, an opportunity to display their talent, so other young persons could be motivated to do the same, or promoters can see

“King Leo Promotions is a fam-

Trinidad Chutney Soca singer, KI

Barbadian Soca singer, Rupee

pretty sure he’s going to bring a lot of vibes. We’re proud to be a part of the celebrations and the youth village,” noted company representative Jonathan Beepat.

Guyana’s “Miss Winey Winey” Timeka Marshall

Guyana’s Reigning Soca Monarch Brandon Harding

event is way more than just entertainment, as it’s providing a vibing environment to package a lot of education and useful information for young people.

The main focus of the

On Friday, a “Reflection of Guyana’s History Leading Up to the 50th Republic Anniversary” remarks are scheduled to be made by Director of Public Communications Imran Khan; while “Leadership and Youth’s Role in Transforming Guyana” remarks will be made by Ronald Austin Jr. The feature ad-

ily-owned promotions group. With a team of business-oriented members.

Each of us has our professional lives but our passion for Guyanese culture is our driving force for being involved in entertainment and the creative arts industry.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday January 24, 2020

‘No Tricks, No Business’ FROM PAGE 17

extrajudicial killings.

“It was during that time that a lot of the housing projects, people just got lands to build anything, it was a time of disorganization in the housing sector. It was also a period when there were lots of phantom killing; women dying in child’s birth at the hospital, and the situation of the hospitals of persons overstaying because their family just refuses to take them. The hospital became a place to die, and also at the same time with all the phantom killing lots of people died, so much so the body touting racket, of people touting for funeral parlours, became rampant. So we decided to put those situations on trial.”

Sitting down with The Buzz, Naughton shared that a group of artistes decided to do a remake of the play in honour of Guyana celebrating it’s Golden Jubilee Republic Anniversary.

“We decided to do a festival of plays that were landmark play, things that really affected our history over the period. ‘No Tricks No business’ is a play that deeply affected us,” he said.

No Tricks, No Business is themed “Greed Getting the Better of Need”. In Guyana today one’s business acumen, lots of times, is judged by total or near lack of scruples.”

Naughton will also be acting in the play, also a return feature. Also returning is Michael Ignatius, but he will be playing a different role from the one in 2008. Naughton noted that the play was tweaked somewhat to bring some of the dormant 2008 characters to life.

Other actors in the play include Opara Samuel, Donna Sargeant, Janela Adolphus and Kevin Kellman.

In the play, Yarde plays a nurse who refused a chance to live and work in England and now feels that Guyana owes her a living.

This develops in her a rationale for vindicating unethical behaviour, which sees her becoming part of the body-touting racket at a city hospital. But it all comes with a terrible price. The family she is doing it for is almost destroyed.

The play is a lesson on how dire situations can transcend ethnicity, and good, clean Guyanese humour is the vehicle used to carry this weighty drama. Each of the main characters’ stories is skillfully linked to produce one poignant snapshot of life at present in Guyana, while each character represents a stratum of society.

TICKETS FOR THE SHOW ARE $2500, $1500, AND $800.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday January 24, 2020

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday January 24, 2020

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday January 24, 2020

Destructive Holder puts Pride on top despite batting failure

…Sixteen wickets tumble on day one KINGSTON, Jamaica, (CMC) – Fast bowler Chemar Holder stunned Jamaica Scorpions with a devastating five-wicket haul to turn the page on a sub-par Barbados Pride batting display, and put the visitors in control of their third round contest at Sabina Park here Thursday.

On a day when 16 wickets tumbled, Pride folded cheaply for 219 in their first innings despite contrasting half-centuries from opener Shayne Moseley (64) and lower order batsman Kyle Mayers (53).

Fast bowler Marquino Mindley spearheaded his side’s attack, snatching four for 31 while West Indies white-ball all-rounder Rovman Powell claimed three for 65 with his medium pace.

In reply, Scorpions were

taken apart by a hostile seven-over spell from Holder, who finished with five for 21, as they tumbled to 53 for six at the close – 166 runs adrift of their target.

Captain and Test opener John Campbell has so top-scored with 25 but no other Scorpions batsman managed to make it out of single digits.

There was little indication of the pending carnage when the left-handed Campbell clobbered two fours and a six in putting on 26 for the first wicket with Oraine Williams (3).

But once Williams wafted at a wide one from Holder in the sixth over and edged a catch behind, Scorpions’ innings collapsed as six wickets went down for 27 runs.

West Indies batsman Brandon King dragged on a drive at Holder and lost

his middle stump for three before Jermaine Blackwood (1) turned a delivery from the same bowler into short leg’s lap.

Holder then produced perhaps the delivery of the day when he got one to lift and leave Campbell, for Jonathan Carter at third slip to complete the catch at 39 for four.

Test seamer Kemar Roach then bowled Nkrumah Bonner through the gate without scoring before Holder completed his five-wicket haul – his third in first class cricket – off the day’s final ball when he got Powell to drive loosely to cover.

Earlier, Pride looked on course for a competitive total when they reached 166 for four but lost their last six wickets for 53 runs.

Moseley, who faced 127

Fast bowler Chemar Holder … snatched a lethal five-wicket haul.

balls and struck six fours and a six, put on 52 for the first wicket with captain Kraigg Brathwaite (25) before adding a further 47 for the third wicket with Carter (11).

When Moseley followed 27 balls later with just 15

runs added, Pride were wobbling on 118 for four. However, the left-handed Mayers led the fightback in a counter-attacking knock, posting 48 for the fifth wicket with Test wicketkeeper Shane Dowrich (14) and 30 for the sixth with Ashley Nurse

(17).

Mayers, with a hundred and a half-century in his four previous innings, faced 61 balls and struck eight fours and a six before he was sixth out – holing out to deep backward point off Powell.

Bermuda’s newest football outfit to focus on developing young players HAMILTON, Bermuda (CMC) – Bermuda’s newest football outfit, FC Bascome, will focus on developing the island’s young players, one of the owners said after the team were officially welcomed as a new member of America’s United Soccer League (USL) Two. The league announced in a press release on Wednesday that the local team, jointly owned by head coach Andrew Bascome and businessman Henrick Schroder, will compete in the Mid Atlantic Division during the upcoming season.

“We’re thrilled to be a part of the incredible work being done to form a professional soccer pathway in Bermuda,” Joel Nash, the USL League Two vice-president, said.

“The island has always produced talented players, and we’re

FC Bascome joint owner is head coach Andrew Bascome.

confident that competing in League

Two will give those players the

chance to shine.”

FC Bascome are the first Bermudian team to compete in USL since the Bermuda Hogges in 2013.

Bascome, 57. a former Bermuda player and national team coach, said his team’s primary goal is to develop the local football community and believes that the league can help players advance their careers.

“With an age focus of 17 to 23, playing in League Two can become an essential platform for Bermudans to transition to the next stage of their football careers,” Bascome said.

“Our primary goal is to develop the local football community, but we recognise that we can also provide an entertainment outlet for Bermuda and Bermuda football fans alike.”

League Two also provides

growth opportunities for its coaches, executives and communities.

“What fuels our passion for the sport is our understanding that football matters,” Schroder, chief financial officer with a Bermuda-based private equity company, said. “It connects people and it matters in many aspects of our lives in Bermuda and as global citizens.”

The Hogges pulled out of the USL League Two, formerly the Premier Development League (PDL), a week before the start of the 2013 season owing to financial difficulties, bringing the shutters down on their six years as a USL franchise.

The Hogges was owned by businessman Paul Scope, who formed the franchise with the help of former professional players Shaun Goater and Kyle Lightbourne in 2006.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday January 24, 2020

BCB/STAG Beers Sri 50 Overs Cricket final Lakmal bowls Lanka to victory over Zimbabwe Three early wickets for Suranga Lakmal set the tone as Zimbabwe suffered a 10-wicket defeat to Sri Lanka.

HARARE, Zimbabwe (Reuters) - Fast bowler Suranga Lakmal claimed four scalps to help dismiss Zimbabwe cheaply as Sri Lanka wrapped up a 10-wicket victory on the final day of the first Test at the Harare Sports Club yesterday.

Resuming on 30 without loss, Zimbabwe were bowled out for

SCOREBOARD

ZIMBABWE 1st innings 358 SRI LANKA 1st innings 575 for 9 declared ZIMBABWE 2nd innings o/n 30-0 Prince Masvaure c Niroshan Dickwella b Suranga Lakmal 17 Brian Mudzinganyama lbw Suranga Lakmal 16 Craig Ervine c Dimuth Karunaratne b Suranga Lakmal 7 Brendan Taylor c Kusal Mendis b Suranga Lakmal 38 Sean Williams c Niroshan Dickwella b Kasun Rajitha 39 Sikandar Raza stp. Niroshan Dickwella b Lasith Embuldeniya 17 Regis Chakabva b Lasith Embuldeniya 26 Donald Tiripano lbw Lahiru Kumara 6 Kyle Jarvis b Lahiru Kumara 1 Ainsley Ndlovu b Lahiru Kumara 0 Victor Nyauchi not out 0 Extras: (b-2, nb-1) 3 Total: (all out, 92.0 overs) 170 Fall of wickets: 1-33, 2-36, 3-41, 4-120, 5-120, 6-148, 7-159, 8-163, 9-165.

Bowling: Suranga Lakmal 20-8-27-4 (nb-1), Kasun Rajitha 14-6-23-1, Dhananjaya de Silva 11-6-12-0, Lahiru Kumara 21-8-32-3, Lasith Embuldeniya 26-8-74-2.

SRI LANKA 2nd innings Oshada Fernando not out 4 Dimuth Karunaratne not out 10 Extras: 0 Total: (no wkt, 3.0 overs) 14 Bowling: Donald Tiripano 2-0-8-0, Victor Nyauchi 1-06-0.

170 in their second innings, leaving Sri Lanka to knock off 14 runs for the win.

Lakmal took 4-27 in 20 overs as he ripped through the top order with Zimbabwe losing three quick wickets for the addition of just eight runs in the morning session.

He had Prince Masvaure (17) caught by wicketkeeper Niroshan Dickwella in his first over, while Brian Mudzinganyama (16) was dismissed lbw in his second.

First innings top-scorer Craig Ervine (7) was the victim in his third over, caught by captain Dimuth Karunaratne at short leg.

Following that setback, the hosts moved the score to 120 before Lakmal claimed the prized wicket of Brendan Taylor (38), who showed no movement of the feet as he picked out Kusal Mendis at mid-on.

Zimbabwe tried to bat time after that, but when Lahiru Kumara (3-32) ripped through their lower order with the second new ball, their fate was sealed.

Sri Lanka amassed 515 for nine declared in their first innings, with Angelo Mathews unbeaten on 200.

Zimbabwe won the toss and elected to bat first, scoring 358.

The second Test will start on Monday at the same venue. Zimbabwe returned to Test cricket for the first time since their tour of Bangladesh in 2018.

They were briefly suspended by the International Cricket Council (ICC) last year because of government interference.

Nadal, Thiem, Medvedev move into third round WORLD number one Rafael Nadal reached the third round of the Australian Open tennis with a straightset win over Argentina’s Federico Delbonis.

Nadal, bidding for a record-equalling 20th Grand Slam title, swept aside 76th-ranked Delbonis 6-3, 7-6(7-4), 6-1.

The Spaniard will face compatriot and 27th seed Pablo Carreno Busta next.

There were battling five-set wins for seeds Dominic Thiem and Karen Khachanov on the fourth day in Melbourne, and an entertaining victory for Nick Kyrgios.

Nadal has not won the Australian Open since 2009 but he has entered this

year’s first Grand Slam as the top seed.

While he was made to work against Delbonis during the second set, the Spaniard had his chances to wrap up the match quicker, converting just three of 20 break points.

Nadal also kissed a ballgirl on the cheek and gave her a headband after he accidentally struck her during a rally.

“I was so scared for her - the ball was quick and straight on to her,” Nadal said.

“She’s a super brave girl.”

THIEM, KHACHANOV BATTLE THROUGH Russian 16th seed Khachanov fought for four hours 36 minutes to overcome Sweden’s Mikael Ymer.

Khachanov collapsed to the floor - and then struggled to stand with cramp - after sealing a 6-2, 2-6, 6-4, 3-6, 7-6(10-8) victory over his 78thranked opponent.

He will face Kyrgios next after the Australian’s victory over Gilles Simon.

Fifth seed Thiem came through a five-set thriller of his own against Australian wildcard Alex Bolt.

Two-time French Open finalist Thiem overcame world number 140 Bolt 6-2, 5-7, 6-7(5-7), 6-1, 6-2.

Thiem, one of the fittest players on tour, ultimately outlasted his opponent in three hours 26 minutes to set up a meeting with American Taylor Fritz.

“The crowd was very fair. Of course they were for Alex, he’s an 11:25 hrs Barnay 11:55 hrs Supreme Escape

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Aussie, that’s completely obvious,” Thiem said.

“But it’s nice to play in front of a full crowd that’s against you than an empty one.”

Fourth seed Daniil Medvedev reached the third round with a straightset win over Spanish qualifier Pedro Martinez.

The 23-year-old, beaten in September’s US Open final, had a nosebleed in the second set but won 7-5, 6-1, 6-3 on Margaret Court Arena.

Germany’s seventh seed Alexander Zverev, who has yet to go beyond the fourth round in Australia, beat Belarusian Egor Gerasimov 7-6(7-5), 6-4, 7-5.

Qualifier Ernests Gulbis of Latvia reached the Melbourne third round for the first time in his career with a straight-set win over Aljaz Bedene.

Gulbis, a former world number 10 who has fallen to 256 in the rankings, won 7-5, 6-3, 6-2 and will face French 10th seed Gael Monfils next.

Monfils fought back to beat 40-year-old Croatian Ivo Karlovic 4-6, 7-6(10-8), 6-4, 7-5.

American John Isner claimed an unusually swift win, taking just 85 minutes to beat Chilean qualifier Alejandro Tabilo 6-4, 6-3, 6-3.

Big-serving Isner, who has played in the longest two matches in professional tennis history, hit 32 aces.

Kevin Anderson, who played Isner in the record-breaking Wimbledon semi-final in 2018, was beaten 4-6, 6-7(5-7), 7-6(7-4), 6-2, 6-2 by Fritz. (BBC Sport)

Bramble, Barnwell, Chanderpaul keep...

By Clifton Ross

ANTHONY Bramble, Chris Barnwell and Tagenarine Chanderpaul stroked half-centuries as the Guyana Jaguars ended day one on 263 for six against the Trinidad and Tobago Red Force and in a promising position, yesterday, at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence.

Barnwell clobbered 10 fours in his 58 off 104 balls while Bramble made amends for his failures in the previous rounds, ending on 63 not out off just 49 balls.

Meanwhile, it was another Ironman knock from the opener Tagenarine Chanderpaul who grafted 68 from 251 balls with 9 fours before he departed.

The gritty opener followed up fifties in Barbados and Antigua, with another innings which spanned 338 minutes. At stumps, the defending champs were 2636 with Bramble eyeing what could be a brisk century when he resumes today with partner Devendra Bishoo who is 10 not out.

Red Force spinner Bryan Charles was the pick of the Red Force bowlers with 4-62 from 23 overs, providing the big breakthroughs when his team needed it.

After winning the toss and electing to bat, Jaguars opener Chandrapaul Hemraj cracked six fours and a solitary six during his 36 off 41-ball stay at the crease before he had his stumps disturbed by the cunning spin of Charles.

When Hemraj departed, Guyana were 37-1 with Chanderpaul yet to find his gears. Captain Leon Johnson (20) found the ropes on three occasions, but as the former Test batsman seemed to be finding his rhythm, left-arm spinner Akeal Hosein (1-65) served up a beauty which trapped the Jaguars lbw; minutes before the lunch break.

When play resumed at 69-2, Chanderpaul on 13 and Vishaul Singh, yet to come off the mark, then sought to get things going for the afternoon session.

Fresh off a half-century in the last game, Singh failed to replicate from the last match and succumbed to a catch at gully for 4, to give Charles his second scalp.

Tagenarine continued to grind the bowlers and found the occasional boundary as he was joined by Barnwell. The emergence of Barnwell saw the pair upp the scoring as they shared a half-century stand with both players eyeing fifties as the tea interval loomed.

Barnwell reached his milestone off 98 balls, batting for roughly 120 minutes with eight fours, motoring past Chanderpaul but departed shortly after, trapped lbw by skipper Darren Bravo’s (1-17) medium-pace, ending the 86-run partnership for the fifth wicket.

Bramble announced his presence at the crease with a four and six off Hosein and quickly raced into the 30s. Chanderpaul reached his third fifty of the season after some 295 minutes in the middle, facing 219 balls with just six fours as the Jags held down the final session of the day.

After 37 balls, Bramble raced to his half-century with 2 sixes and 8 fours, one of which was smashed through backward-point to bring up his milestone, as the Jags took their score well past the 200-run mark.

The Jags suffered a bit of heartache before play ended when Chanderpaul was caught by Red Force wicketkeeper Joshua DaSilva off Charles.

The spinner then grabbed his fourth wicket when all-rounder Kevin Sinclair lobbed a simple catch back at him to depart for a 3-ball duck, as Bishoo and Bramble remained firm when play ended.

Action continues at 09:30hrs today.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday January 24, 2020

Smith seeks clarity on Faf du Plessis’ future following ODI captaincy change GRAEME Smith, South Africa’s director of cricket, says that Quinton de Kock’s appointment as ODI captain is the first step in a succession plan aimed towards a successful challenge for the 2023 World Cup, as he confirmed that Faf du Plessis will not be reinstated as leader should he return to the team for the series against Australia in February.

Speaking at a press conference in Johannesburg, Smith added that the selectors would review du Plessis’ remaining roles as Test and T20 captain at the conclusion of the England tour, but stressed the need for a “robust” discussion about his long-term future in the team. du Plessis, 35, hinted at the end of last week’s innings defeat in Port Elizabeth that the fourth Test at the Wanderers, starting today, could be his last on home soil.

He has been short of runs in the past few months - his second-innings 36 was his highest score in six innings against England, in which time he has been averaging 18.83.

And though du Plessis has earmarked South Africa’s Test tour of the West Indies in July as his farewell series, Smith is cautious about committing to the incumbent captain, both for that trip and for the T20 World Cup that takes place in Australia in November.

“We see Faf playing a role as a player but from a leadership perspective, we felt the need to move on,” Smith said of the decision to hand over the ODI reins to de Kock. “Faf doesn’t see himself being around in 2023. Leadership has been an issue of late in South African cricket and

Graeme Smith and Faf du Plessis talk to each other at a press conference (Getty Images)

we have made the decision to give Quinny an opportunity.

“We feel tactically he is good, there are areas of his leadership that we all know we need to grow and develop but he is the right guy at this stage to take the one-day side forward. de Kock himself has said he plans to take a “street-smart” approach to his new role, and should it prove a success in the coming weeks against England and Australia, the role could yet be his for the T20 World Cup too.

“With the World Cup around the corner, we need to go forward,” said Smith. “At the moment Faf is in that position but I need to sit with him post this Test series. He has got a bit of time because he is being rested from the oneday series so we will have some time to have a robust discussion on his future.

“He is the South African Test captain. The next Test match we play after this series will be in the Caribbean - there is an extensive amount of time. I need to understand how he sees his future in the game.”

Smith admitted that while his appointment prior to the England tour had helped to deflect some of the political issues away from du Plessis, he had still had to deal with more off-field issues than most international captains, not least given the absence of Temba Bavuma and the impact that has had on South Africa’s transformation targets.

“For far too long, he has had too much to deal with and too many things to talk about, and I really wanted that not to happen in this series,” said Smith.

“At times it has. Post these series, he and I can really sit down and work on how he sees his future and both of us

can put our cards on the table.”

In terms of du Plessis’ future in ODI cricket, Smith insisted that the loss of the captaincy did not necessarily mean the end of a white-ball career that began in January 2011, and that his extensive experience could still be important in a new-look squad.

“His record in one-day cricket and T20 cricket is outstanding,” Smith said. “It will be silly of us not to have him involved. We’ve put a very young team on the table. Talented, yes, but we are up against the world champions. It could be a very daunting series for our guys, so we need to balance how we expose the youngsters with some senior players.”

At the age of 27, de Kock ought to be entering his prime, but Smith acknowledged that as a young leader he will need support on and off the field to grow into his new role.

“As CSA we are not going to throw him to the wolves,” said Smith. “He has had a bit of a taste of the leadership in India. We feel he is the right guy to go forward. We have got to support him and make sure he develops into an outstanding leader.”

The T20 World Cup could also feature a return to South Africa colours for AB de Villiers, whose belated decision to make himself available for last year’s 50-over World Cup came too late for the selectors to include him.

However, even at the age of 36, de Villiers remains one of the pre-eminent T20 batsmen in the world, and Smith said he was open to the prospect of his return. (ESPN Cricinfo)

Harvey’s 63 helps Australia prevail over England AUSTRALIA continued to enjoy the edge over England at the ICC Under-19 World Cup. Two years after Lloyd Pope’s astonishing 8 for 35 in Queenstown bowled Australia into the semi-final, Mackenzie Harvey struck a vital half-century in a chase of 253 to win a thriller by two wickets.

This meant Australia and West Indies, the table toppers, are through to the quarter-finals from Group B. Ben Charlesworth top-scored with 82 for England, but found little support from the other batsmen. England were handily placed at 141 for 2 going into the last 20 overs, but managed to add just 112 more.

That they eventually scraped past the 250-mark was due to Dan Mousely’s unbeaten 51.

In reply, Australia stuttered too, after Harvey’s dismissal for 65. From 153 for 2, they were reduced to 163 for 5 in 33 overs.

The asking rate had touched six an over, with left-arm spinner Lewis Goldsworthy picking up vital wickets in the middle.

Tanvir Sangha, the leg-spinner, chipped in with 21

Mackenzie Harvey hits out during his innings of 63. (ICC via Getty Images

to eat into the target, before Connor Sully and Todd Murphy’s unbeaten 47-run stand for the ninth wicket carried Australia home. (ESPN Cricinfo

ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup CEO Andrea Nelson .

Six New Zealand cities to host 2021 Women’s World Cup THE venues for the 2021 ICC Women’s World Cup in New Zealand have been revealed, with the final of the prestigious ODI tournament to be held under lights at Christchurch’s Hagley Oval.

The tournament will kick off with an opening weekend at Auckland’s Eden Park, while matches will also be played in Wellington, Hamilton, Tauranga and Dunedin.

The semi-finals will be held at Tauranga’s Bay Oval and Hamilton’s Seddon Park, while newly Rafael Nadal hasinthe the Australian stalled lights at Hagley Oval reached will ensure decider Open final five times can be held as a day-night blockbuster. butCup wonwill onlyfeature once, in In all, the 2021 ODI World 31 2009 matches between February 6 and March 7 next year.

Australia captain Meg Lanning would no doubt relish a return to Bay Oval, a venue where she has struck three of her 13 ODI centuries.

Australia last toured New Zealand in early 2017, a campaign that saw them play at Bay Oval and Eden Park’s outer oval, while they also played three ODIs at the Tauranga venue in 2016 alongside two T20Is at Wellington’s Basin Reserve.

The remaining venues will largely present an unknown to the Australians, if scheduled to play there. Ellyse Perry is the only current squad member to have played at Seddon Park, while none of the current group has played at Dunedin’s University Oval or Eden Park proper.

The complete draw will be revealed in March.

While Australia’s thoughts are currently firmly on the upcoming T20 World Cup, to be played on home soil from February 21 and culminating in the final at the MCG on March 8, the 2021 ODI World Cup is another tournament they will be desperate to succeed in after a disappointing campaign in the UK in 2017.

After heading into that event as red-hot favourites, they were bundled out of the tournament in a shock semi-final loss to India, while hosts England went on to win the final at Lord’s.

“Our goal was to ensure all 31 matches will be played at the best venues, encompassing a geographic spread that ensured as many Kiwi sports fans as possible get to engage with the tournament,” ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup CEO Andrea Nelson said.

“It was great to see the enthusiasm from so many cities bidding for a chance to welcome the best players in the world to their backyard.”

Currently, only Australia, New Zealand and defending champions England have qualified for the eight-team tournament.

New Zealand qualify as hosts, while Australia and England’s strong performances across the current edition of the ICC Women’s ODI Championship – a three-year, round-robin competition to determine the four teams who automatically qualify alongside the host nation – have secured their spots.

Two of Pakistan, South Africa, India, West Indies and Sri Lanka will join them following the final round of the Championship, while the remaining two spots will be decided at the World Cup qualifiers in Sri Lanka later this year.

26

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday January 24, 2020

Rose Hall NAMILCO, Albion battle in Busta final this Sunday ANCIENT County arch rivals, Rose Hall Town NAMILCO Thunderbolt Flour and Albion will lock horns yet again, this time to decide the champions of the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB)/Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club (RHTYSC) Busta Champions of Champions 2019 cricket tournament.

Sunday’s 50-Overs final set for the Port Mourant cricket ground will bowl off at 11:00hrs weather permitting. Albion will be seeking their first-ever Busta title win while Rose Hall Town are gunning for their 13th victory since the tournament started way back in 2004.

The two teams last Sunday played in the final of the BCB/Ivan Madray 20/20 Memorial tournament and RHT NA-

MILCO Thunderbolt Flour emerged as champions after edging Albion by 5 runs at the No.69 Vikings ground.

Both teams will be without the services of a few main players, some of whom are on national duties or suffering injuries. Albion will be led by Kandasammy Surujnarine, supported by the likes of Adrian Sukhwa, Sharaz Ramcharran, Jonathan Foo, David Latchaya, Rajiv Ivan, Sarwan Chaitnarine, Reyad Karim and Jetendra Outar.

Rose Hall Town NAMILCO Thunderbolt Flour will be without the services of newly-blooded Jaguars all-rounder Kevin Sinclair, Kevlon Anderson and Clinton Pestano. The batting department will feature veterans Delbert Hicks, Royston Crandon, Khemraj Mahadeo and Jason Sinclair along

The RHT NAMILCO Thunderbolt Flour team will be chasing another Busta title this coming Sunday.

with skipper Eon Hooper.

The winning team and runners-up will pocket $100 000 and $50 000 respectively

along with trophies. Man-of-the-Final would also receive a monetary prize and trophy.

Senior National Men’s squad shortlisted for Pan American Challenge FOLLOWING a weekend of open try-outs, where players were asked to complete a series of physical tests and game situations, Guyana Hockey Board (GHB) has shortlisted 26 local men to begin preparations for the Pan American Challenge, scheduled for June 27 July 5, in Lima, Peru.

The tournament is the qualifier for the final two spots in the Pan American Cup, scheduled for 2021 in Trinidad and Tobago.

The squad includes 10

senior players and 16 members of the national Under-21 squad, who are also preparing for the Junior Pan American Championships in Santiago, Chile in November of this year.

Commenting on the selection process, national coach Robert Fernandes stated, “Looking at the turnout at the tryouts it seems like we will be going through a transitional phase this year.

Our last international

tournament was the CAC Games in August 2018, so some of our most experienced national players have since transitioned to other priorities in their lives and didn’t tryout last weekend.”

He added, “That means that there is a large crop of new faces in this year’s squad. Although their lack of experience will be a challenge, they have displayed an infectious enthusiasm which has brought a new energy to the entire process. They are very talented, intelligent and all

Flashback to the national men’s team, who placed 4th at the CAC Games in Colombia 2018.

seem willing to work hard and those are some of the main ingredients we need to produce a quality national team.”

The 26 local players shortlisted are Dominic Alleyne, Jamarj Assanah,

Rayon Branford, Sherwyn Caesar, Hilmar Chester, Hilton Chester, Edmond Chinian, Paul D’Andrade, Shakeem Fausette, Robert France, Shomere Garnett, Tahrea Garnett, Tivesarid Garnett, Jael Gaskin, Mi-

chael Hing, Troy Hodge, Randy Hope, Kareem McKenzie, Tariq Nelson, John Phang, Mark Sargeant, Meshach Sargeant, Medroy Scotland, Theodore Thierens, David Williams and Samuel Woodroffe.

Bangladesh cricketers arrive in Pakistan amidst tight security LAHORE (Pakistan) (AFP) - Bangladesh’s cricket team arrived in Pakistan late Wednesday for a three-match Twenty20 series on a tour only finalised after wrangling over security concerns.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) had initially refused to play Tests in the country, saying they were only willing to take part in Twenty20s after Dhaka granted permission just for a short tour, their first since 2008.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Friday January 24, 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) 2016 (2) India Today’s Quiz: (1) What was the result of the WI first game

in the ICC Under 19 World Cup 2020?

(2) Who was voted Man of the Match?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue Answers in tomorrow’s issue

But two days later, a meeting between Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Ehsan Mani and BCB president Nazmul Hassan, with mediation by International Cricket Council (ICC) chairman Shashank Manohar in Dubai, led to a agreement for a tour in three phases.

Bangladesh will play three Twenty20 internationals -- all in Lahore on Friday, Saturday and Monday before returning home.

They will come back twice for two Tests -- in Rawalpindi from February 7-12 and then in Karachi from April 3-9.

This is Bangladesh’s first tour to Pakistan in 12 years, having last played a five-match one-day series and Asia Cup -- both in 2008.

The team, led by all-rounder Mahmudullah Riyadh, was whisked off to a hotel in central Lahore under heavy security.

Some 10,000 policemen and para-military personnel will guard the team from hotel to the Gaddafi stadium for the three matches and practice sessions.

Former captain and senior batsman Mushfiqur Rahim withdrew from the tour over security fears.

Pakistan have gradually hosted international cricket after visits were suspended in 2009 following attacks on the Sri Lankan team bus in Lahore, which left eight people dead and several visiting players injured.

Security personnel patrol during a training session of the Pakistan team at Gaddafi Stadium (AFP Photo/Arif ALI) Pakistan were forced to play home matches in the neutral venue of the United Arab Emirates.

Pakistan gradually hosted various limited over series between 2015-19 before Sri Lanka played two Tests in December last year, the first in the country for ten years.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday January 24, 2020

Unbeaten Windies crush Nigeria to book ICC U-19 quarter-final spot KIMBERLEY, South Africa (CMC) – Captain Kimani Melius and Matthew Patrick struck half-centuries as West Indies crushed hapless Nigeria by 246 runs to storm into the quarter-finals of the ICC Under-19 World Cup with an unbeaten record here yesterday.

Already with wins against powerhouses Australia and England under their belts, the 2016 champions flexed their muscles with both bat and ball, to top Group B with six points and install themselves as one of the favourites for the title.

Choosing to bat first, Patrick top-scored with 68 from 70 balls, batting at number six, while opener Melius struck 65 from 81 deliveries, to power the Caribbean side to 303 for eight, off their 50 overs.

Number eight Joshua James rallied the lower order with an explosive 30-ball 43 while Kevlon Anderson got a start with 25 off 27 balls in the top order but failed to carry on.

Faced with a virtually impossible run chase, the African side capitulated meekly for 57 off 21.4 overs as fast bowler Jayden Seales wiped out the top order with a superb spell of four for 19 from six incisive overs.

Left-arm spinner Ashmead Nedd then sustained that pressure with three for 11 while Patrick completed an excellent all-round performance by picking up two

Guinness

for 16 with his off-breaks to earn Man-of-the-Match honours.

West Indies were given a solid, if not spectacular start by Melius and Leonardo Julien who put on 70 for the first wicket, before Melius added a further 65 for the second wicket with Anderson.

Left-hander Julien batted slowly, striking just three fours in a 47-ball knock before missing a drive at a full-length delivery from seamer Abdulrahman Jimoh (2-56) and having his stumps shattered in the 17th over.

Melius looked in good touch, punching nine fours and a couple of sixes but it was his dismissal which sparked somewhat of a Windies slide as five wickets tumbled for 64 runs.

In need of momentum at 199 for six in the 39th over, West Indies were rescued by Patrick and James who put on a rollicking 90 from 63 deliveries for the seventh wicket.

Patrick belted half-dozen fours and two sixes while James blasted a couple of fours and three sixes before perishing in the final over.

Seales then wasted little time getting stuck into the Nigeria top order when he bowled Sulaimon Runsewe without scoring with the second ball of the innings, and then sent back his opening partner Elijah Olaleye, also without scoring, bowled in the third over with five runs on the board.

Number three Chukwuemeka

s’ t e e r t S e h t f ‘Greatest o

e n o Z n e d n i L f f o s k kic t h g i n to

Fast bowler Jayden Seales grabbed four for 19.

Left-arm spinner Ashmead Nedd bagged three for 11.

By Mark Gleeson

SCOREBOARD WEST INDIES U-19s K- Melius c Okpe b Aho 65 L. Julien b Jimoh 18 K. Anderson lbw b Aho 25 K. McKenzie stp. Ikaige b Runsewe 15 A. Morris b Okpe 17 M. Patrick c Aho b Abolarin 68 N. Young c Olaleye b Okpe 2 J. James c Abolarin b Jimoh 43 A. Nedd not out 3 J. Seales not out 1 Extras: (b-10, lb-6, w-26, nb-4) 46 Total: (8 wkts, 50 overs) 303 Fall of wickets: 1-70, 2-135, 3-142, 4-163, 5-191, 6-199, 7-289, 8-300.

Bowling: Abolarin 6-0-411, Aho 10-0-53-2, Jimoh 9-0-56-2, Isesele 4-0-16-0, Okpe 10-0-66-2, Runsewe 10-0-42-1, Danladi 1-0-13-0.

Mba (5) and Isaac Danladi (7) staged the best stand of the innings when they put on 18 for the third wicket but once Seales removed both Mba and Boniface Oche (0) in the space of three balls in the

NIGERIA U-19s S. Runsewe b Seales 0 E. Olaleye b Seales 0 C. Mba c Nedd b Seales 5 I. Danladi lbw b Nedd 7 B. Oche lbw b Seales 0 S. Okpe run out 10 M. Ikaige lbw b Nedd 2 A. Jimoh c James b Patrick 17 P. Aho b Patrick 0 A. Isesele lbw b Nedd 2 A. Abolarin not out 0 Extras: (b-4, lb-1, w-9) 14 Total: (all out, 21.4 overs) 57 Fall of wickets: 1-0, 2-5, 3-23, 4-23, 5-29, 6-35, 7-50, 8-53, 9-56.

Bowling: Seales 6-0-19-4, Simmonds 5-1-6-0, Nedd 5.4-3-11-3, Patrick 5-0-16-2.

Points: West Indies U-19s 2, NIgeria 0.

Man-of-the-Match: Matthew Patrick. ninth over, the innings resumed its decline.

Jimoh top-scored with 17 but was one of the last four wickets to fall for seven runs in the space of 27 deliveries.

Action in last year’s edition of the Guinness Greatest of the Streets Linden zone

AMID much anticipation and expectation, the 2020 season of the Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ Championship will commence this evening with Linden Zone at the Silver City tarmac.

Eight elimination matches will be staged, with the opening match pitting Retrieve Unknown against Quiet Storm from 19:00hrs.

This will be followed by former champion Dave & Celina’s AllStars battling Amazings from 19:30hrs, while Wisroc will oppose Presidential from 20:00hrs, and Assassa Ballers will engage defending champions High Rollers from 20:30hrs.

In the fifth clash, Coomacka lock horns with NK Ballers from 21:00hrs while former winner Amelia’s Ward Russians take aim at Capital Storm from 21:30hrs. In the final two matches, Swag Entertainment battle Barsenal from 22:00hrs and Silver Bullets match skills with Haynes Hitters from 22:30hrs.

According to a release from the tournament coordinators, the zone will last for the duration of four nights and will be played using

Root hopes for captaincy highlight with series victory JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - England’s Joe Root said that completing a series victory over South Africa in their backyard would be a captaincy highlight, especially after the number of challenges the visitors have had to face over the past few weeks.

“It would be (a big deal) because of the various things that we have had to manage on this tour,” Root said on the eve of the final test starting at The Wanderers on Friday.

“We have had a couple of injuries, senior players who have had to fly home, a lot of illness to deal with and we have had to adapt to a lot of different conditions with what is a young group of players. That’s all been very pleasing.”

England began the tour in mid-December with 10 players as well as support staff suffering from a mystery virus. Further setbacks followed after batsman Rory Burns and fast bowler James Anderson returned home injured.

They lost the first test but rebounded with wins in Cape Town and Port Elizabeth to take a 2-1 series lead.

“It’s a sign we are doing the right things, both in practice and preparation as well as on the field,” added the 29-year-old, who has been England captain since 2017.

England captain Joe Root

“If we can harness that, take it forward and keep improving as a group, then I do think the sky’s the limit for this team. We are very much at the start of something here.

“We are not perfect but we must keep up that attitude, keep driving it forward if we want to get to No. 1 in the world,” Root said England had not yet finalised their line-up for the test with Jofra Archer waiting to make a comeback after an elbow injury ruled him out of the last two tests.

Mark Wood, who played in Port Elizabeth, must also prove his fitness to play back-to-back matches after a long injury lay off while Chris Woakes is another option.

“It would be nice to see how Archer and Wood pair together, how that looks,” said Root.

“A relentless barrage of pace would be exciting, especially on this surface.”

There is also a decision to be made about retaining off spinner Dom Bess, who claimed a five-wicket haul in the first innings in Port Elizabeth, for a pitch traditionally seamer-friendly.

“We have a nice selection headache,” the England skipper added.

Royals clash with Raiders tonight for LABA/ YBG Under-19 title

a knockout format, adding that “all 16 teams will play on the first night”.

The winning eight teams will advance to the quarterfinals which will be held the following night. The losing eight teams will enter the Plate Exhibition Round on the quarterfinal night. The winning teams from the quarterfinals will then advance to the semi-finals, while the four losing quarterfinalists will also enter the Plate round.”

“The winning teams from the semi-final round will progress to the championship round, with the losers facing off in the Playoff round. The final of the Plate Round will also occur on that evening,” the release stated.

The other playing nights for the tournament are January 26 (quarterfinal round, February 7 (semi-final round) and February 8 (final). The Berbice Zonal tournament is scheduled to commence after the conclusion of the Linden tournament.

VICTORY Valley Royals and Retrieve Raiders will tonight square off for the Linden Amateur Basketball Association (LABA)-organised Youth Basketball Guyana (YBG) Under-19 championship honours at the Mackenzie Sports Club hard court.

The final was to be played last Saturday but because of unforeseen circumstances was not played..

To reach the final, the unbeaten Victory Valley Royals defeated Kings 78-43 and Retrieve Raiders overcame Amelia’s Ward Jets 57-50 in the other semifinal action.

The Raiders led 18-15 at the end of the first quarter in their semifinal clash but the scores were locked at 27 when the first half ended.

The third quarter did not separate the two as the scores were locked 46-46 when the third quarter elapsed, but the Raiders were able to record a 57-50 final score when the game ended.

PCL Regional 4-Day Tournament Round 3

Bramble, Barnwell, Chanderpaul keep Jaguars firm on 263 -6 on opening day PAGE

24

Tagenarine Chanderpaul looks on as Chris Barnwell drives down the ground during their 86-run partnership for the fifth wicket. (Adrian Narine photo)

Windies U-19 success due to Youth investment, claims CWI boss Skerritt CRICKET West Indies president, Ricky Skerritt, has insisted the strong showing of the U-19 team at the ongoing ICC U-19 World Cup is due to a policy of deliberate investment in Youth cricket.

The U-19 Windies, who won the title in 2016, are off to a strong start at the current edition of the tournament after notching wins over Australia, England, and Nigeria. The team’s latest win, a dominant 246run win over their African

opponents, ensured that the Windies were top of Group B. According to the CWI president, the team’s strong showing, which has taken many by surprise, is no accident.

“This administration promised that we would invest more seriously and in a more focussed and strategic way on our Youth cricket and this Under-19 team are an example of what we set about to do immediately – to give them the best pos-

Windies Under-19 all-rrounder Nyeem Young

Twenty-four teams to battle in 3rd

Annual Magnum ‘Mash’ Cup

… Tournament to kick off tomorrow

FLASHBACK! Sparta Boss celebrating their 2019 Magnum Mash Cup title, following their dramatic penalty shootout win over Back Circle.

sible preparation going into this World Cup,” Skerritt said recently.

“They have achieved already way beyond the expectations of most people. They beat Australia, they beat England. We are going to hope and pray that they continue on the path of improvement and perform at their best and whatever the end result of this World Cup is for them, they would have made the Caribbean people extremely proud.”

TWENTY-FOUR Futsal teams will compete in this year’s Magnum Mash Cup, which will kick off tomorrow at the National Gymnasium and conclude on February 22.

Seven hundred thousand dollars ($700 000) will be awarded to the winning of tournament, which is in its third year, while $400 000 will go to the team finishing second. Third- and fourth-place teams will go home with $200 000 and $100 000 respectively.

Group-A will bring together Back Circle, Sparta Boss, Ansa McAl All-Stars and Bad-A-Yard; Group B comprises Rio All-Stars, Leopold Street, Spartacus and Melanie, while Group C features Future Stars, Alex Village, Spot-7 and Mocha.

In Group D, Bent Street will do battle with Showstoppers, North East La Penitence and Avocado Ballers meet, and in Group E, Sophia will face-off with Broad

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Street, Kingston challenge Island All-Stars.

Gold is Money, Albouystown, Stabroek Ballers and Belfield were drawn in Group F Following opening day’s action, matches will be played on Tuesday January 28, Thursday January 30, Saturday February 1, Tuesday February 4, Thursday February 6 (Round-of-16), Saturday February 8 (Quarterfinals), Saturday February 15 (Semi-Finals) and Saturday February 22, 2020 (Final).

According to the organisers, the event will be coordinated in accordance with the established International Football Federation (FIFA) and Guyana Football Federation (GFF) rules.

Last year, Sparta Boss edged Back Circle in a dramatic penalty shootout to be crowned Champions.

(Rawle Toney) FRIDAY, JANUARY 24, 2020