Guyana_Chronicle_Epaper_01_30_2020

THURSDAY 30th January, 2020

' No.105895

‘We’ll put oil money in your homes’ …President promises cash grants for families with schoolchildren

President David Granger

SEE PAGE 03

-tells residents of Region 2 they will not be left out -says PPP/C stymied progress in the region through local authorities

A section of the massive crowd that turned up to show their support for the APNU+AFC coalition (Carl Croker photo)

‘GECOM is an independent body’ ….Guyana reminds US at UN review forum

PAGE

18 …says commission already committed to free, fair elections

‘Meet our demands RUSAL’ …Bauxite union lays down conditions for reopening of Berbice River 11 PAGE

2

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, January 30, 2020

Radio Essequibo commissioned -government promises five more public radio stations

By Navendra Seoraj THE movement of information remains important, especially for Guyanese to make informed choices, and in recognising this, government has established “Radio Essequibo” at Anna Regina.

This new facility adds to six regional radio stations that have been established across the country since the A Partnership for National Unity and Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) Coalition assumed office in 2015.

“It is painful to go into some places and villages in the hinterland and you are struck by the silence. No radio, no television, no sound at all, some of these communities have no newspapers and telephones,” said President David Granger during the launch of Radio Essequibo, on Wednesday.

He said government’s objective is to ensure that

there is equality from the east to the west of Essequibo. The President said there must be no dividing line in Guyana between the poor and rich, everyone must be equal.

His belief is that everyone must enjoy the same level of service and in that regard, government had implemented regional broadcasting to do just that.

The regional broadcasting programme has reached almost every capital town and it was necessary, considering the size and potential of those regions. President Granger said, in establishing these systems, the coalition administration is upholding its constitutional duty of ensuring citizens enjoy freedom to receive and transmit information.

“Anna Regina is a gem, it has its own banks, stores, schools, fire and police stations and all amenities and it only fitting that we should

launch a major communication system in the town,” said President Granger, adding that the station will add to the celebrations of the town during its 50th Anniversary year.

He said such initiatives are important for regionalisation and adds to efforts such as the decentralisation of the police divisions to each region, and the expansion of the courts. The President believes that such changes will make Guyana a more equal society, where there is no more “bush” or “backdam” but just Guyanese who are entitled to every service.

“We will continue to extend the regional broadcasting services so Guyanese will access these services...it will not only be in the hinterland capital towns, but also in the coastal capital towns,” said President Granger, adding that the initiative will also revive the local culture.

The radio stations will transmit the culture of various communities and villag-

appreciation for the country.

Prime Minister Nagamootoo believes that each

have an even spread,” said Prime Minister Nagamootoo.

President David Granger and other officials of the government unveil the ceremonial plaque to officially commission Radio Essequibo (DPI photos)

President David Granger and Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo, “start the ball” as Radio Essequibo officially goes on air

es across Guyana. Just last year, government started a programme on Indigenous languages in Aishalton.

MAKING THE NATION MORE DIVERSE In touching on the same point, Prime Minister Nagamootoo said the radio stations allow Indigenous communities to share their music, poetry and art forms, and this contributes to making the nation more diverse. “Our radio today is forming part of integrating people and promoting social cohesion among the people of Guyana,” said the prime minister, adding that through Radio Essequibo, persons from Akawini, Moshabo, Wakapow, Buck Hall, Wakenaam, Leguan and other communities will be connected.

The communication system and radio system must be devoted to enriching the minds of every Guyanese and giving an increased sense of

region has a story to tell, and this is evident from the stations which were commissioned before in Mabarum, Mahdia, Bartica, Orealla, Lethem and Aishalton.

“Listen to the broadcast out of these regions, where people call in with things to sell and say where you can get them…sun-dried tomatoes, peanut butter and other local products are coming out of the local market and the radio is a means by which we can create volumes of production because we are creating markets,” he said.

This will also apply to the new station at Anna Regina, said the prime minister, noting that there will also be educational programmes such as the debate series hosted by veteran Broadcaster, Dr. Rovin Deodat. “We have noticed the benefits of the regional system and we hope that in the new term, we could complete five more of these stations to ensure you

Chairman of the Board of Directors of National Communications Network (NCN), Enrico Woolford, said NCN, being the organisation that is coordinating the regional broadcasting effort, has been expanding the country’s public broadcasting service.

He said radio stations have been built out, television stations have been built out and content is moving.

NCN has also been rebranding and reforming radio, television and its online presence.

“NCN has started the process of change…we intend to revitalise this sector in this land because a successful nation is built on the movement of information… we must be informed to make informed decisions,” said Woolford.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday January 30, 2020

‘We’ll put oil money in your homes’

3

…President promises cash grants for families with school children

-tells residents of Reg. 2 that they will not be left out

-says PPP/C stymied progress in the region through local authorities

By Navendra Seoraj AMID a diverse group of Guyanese from all walks of life, President David Granger reinforced the incumbent A Partnership for National Unit + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) Coalition’s commitment to improving the lives of every citizen, through tangible efforts such as disbursement of cash grants from the oil revenues.

In making his case for a second term, President Granger said when the oil sector comes on stream the bounty will be used for the betterment of every Guyanese. Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, Minister of Business, Haimraj Rajkumar and Minister within the Ministry of Communities, Annette Ferguson also addressed the rally. (See stories in Friday’s edition) ExxonMobil and its partners have made 16 oil discoveries thus far in the Stabroek Block, the latest at the Uaru Well located northeast of the producing Liza field discovery.

The Liza Phase One project will produce up to 120,000 barrels of oil per day at peak rates utilising the Liza Destiny FPSO. It is expected to generate over $7B in royalty and profit oil revenues for Guyana over the life of the project. “We will put oil money in your homes and households… we will ensure that every family with a child, in school, gets a cash grant…the money will come to you,” said President Granger, amidst loud cheers of “Granger for President” at the APNU+AFC’s rally at Anna Regina, Essequibo, on Wednesday.

The thousands of APNU+AFC supporters could not contain their elation after hearing about the impending benefits, if the coalition is re-elected at the March 2, 2020 elections.

President Granger reminded Guyanese that the oil revenue is theirs and the coalition will ensure it reaches every citizen. Zooming in on Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), the President said, residents of the region will not be left out of the impending development, noting that the coalition, once re-elected, will ensure that production continues to prosper in the region and not decline.

Considering the agricultural potential of the region, the President Granger said, it is the food basket of Guyana, but “some people” thought it was a “basket case.” “You all should be rich, but somebody is holding you back and that is the PPP...

Pomeroon-Supenaam is a powerhouse but you have leadership problems…people are not prepared to build partnerships and share leadership, they believe they could do it alone,” the President told residents of the region, which has local government authorities such as the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) and Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) which are controlled by the opposition.

DECLINING POPULATION In providing evidence of the downfall in the region under the control of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), the President said, the population in the region dropped immensely because people left and even abandoned productive facilities.

The President was adamant that no matter what the PPP does, they cannot develop the region. To this end he encouraged residents to “cross over to the coalition side” and support the progress.

“We are supporting development... we gave you empowerment by allowing you to elect local government leaders,” said President Granger, as he reminded persons that the coalition government held two Local Government Elections (LGE) after none was conducted for 23 years, under the previous administration.

The President said after just 10 months in government, they were able to hold LGEs and

President David Granger and Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo, greeting supporters at Anna Regina (Carl Croker photo)

Marching on! Persons turned out in their numbers to show their commitment towards the coalition (Carl Croker photo)

Coalition supporters making their way to Damon’s Square, Anna Regina, for the coalition’s rally (Carl Croker photo)

then again in 2018. “It is true that the PPP won the LGEs in this region, but I am unbothered… next time we will win...we fought to empower you and we want to further empower your communities, but you have to do your part and turn out in your numbers come March 2…make a decision and decide that the PPP has to go,” said the President.

He said it is time for Region Two to throw their support behind the coalition because: “there is an internal crisis at the internal level of the PPP and an external crisis that is eating away at them…the crisis is right here and the colour is green and gold!”

The President expressed his faith in the future of the region, noting that the incumbent APNU+AFC coalition is going to win the region and nothing can stop them. The President gave the residents of the region two choices, either to move forward with APNU+AFC or stagnate with the PPP. “You must instal a strong coalition government and once we take control, development will take off…we present opportunity and the promise of a better life… there is much that could be done,” said the President.

He hailed the performance of students of the region. “You are only poor because the PPP leadership is keeping you so… look at this town… it is your 50th Anniversary year and you have everything from banks, stores, a police station, a fire station and now a radio station,” said President Granger, as he cranked up the crowd of APNU+AFC supporters.

Although the PPP controls the local government authorities, the President said, the coalition government gave the region better roads, streets, street lights, better schools and health centres, and even provided subventions to villages and women groups.

Additionally, the coalition has committed to ensuring that every child goes to school and in that light, the President reminded persons that the idea of the Five Bs project was birthed in the Pomeroon.

The President said he had made a promise, prior to 2015, that a boat will be placed in the Pomeroon River so that children can go to school. He delivered on that promise and ensured that through the Five Bs project, a boat was placed in every river.

“The coalition believes in people...we find out about problems and one of those problems was not having the Five Bs…another problem was meals, we gave them that…we also did the presidential grant for hinterland folks and introduced the SLED project,” said the President, noting that the government also set up the National Youth Corp to ensure that children get an opportunity to learn a trade and get jobs.

“That is what we are doing... bringing solutions…every project that they (PPP) scrapped, we restored…we are strengthening communities, not dividing this region…we are not interested in dividing ethnic groups and religious groups,” he said, adding that it is the PPP’s plan to divide the region. He believes division is, however, just making the region poorer. And, it is time for a regional administration that coverts potential into reality. In expressing the coalition’s commitment to development, the President said: “We are a caring administration that goes out and ensures that production flourishes...this is the year you made that decision to retain us and a year to start the Decade of Development.”

He said the PPP is running sacred and is worried as ever because they know that the coalition will be re-elected at the upcoming elections. “You suffered a lot…we weren’t strategising and mobilising, but we have to turn that around and make a difference, the source of your ills is in the PPP/C NDC and RDC… but they are beatable,” said the President.

4

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday, January 30, 2020

Coronavirus: Whole world ‘must take action’, warns WHO (BBC) The “whole world needs to be on alert” to fight the coronavirus, the head of the World Health Organization’s Health Emergencies Programme has said.

Dr Mike Ryan praised China’s response to the deadly outbreak, saying: “The challenge is great but the response has been massive.”

The WHO will meet on Thursday to discuss whether the virus constitutes a global health emergency.

The Chinese city of Wuhan is the epicentre of the outbreak.

But the virus has spread across China and to at least 16 countries globally, including Thailand, France, the US and Australia.

More than 130 people have died in China and close to 6,000 have been infected.

The new coronavirus has spread across China and to at least 16 countries globally

There is no specific cure or vaccine. A number of

people have recovered after treatment, however.

The WHO’s Dr Ryan said an international team of experts was being assembled to go to China and work with experts there to learn more about how the disease is transmitted.

“We are at an important juncture in this event. We

believe these chains of transmission can still be interrupted,” he said.

Scientists in Australia have managed to recreate the new coronavirus outside of China, raising hope that it could be used to develop an early-diagnosis test.

WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, who visited China this week, said most people who contracted the virus were suffering only “milder symptoms”, but about 20% had severe effects such as pneumonia and respiratory failure.

He said that China “needs the world’s solidarity and support,” and that “the world is pulling together to end the outbreak, building on lessons learned from past outbreaks.”

The director-general added that the WHO “deeply regrets” referring to the worldwide risk from the virus as “moderate” in three reports last week instead of “high”.

He described the person-to-person spread of the

illness in Germany, Vietnam and Japan as worrying, and said experts would consider it on Thursday when deciding whether to declare a global emergency.

What’s happening in Wuhan?

The city’s residents are enduring an isolated, frightening time. Most forms of traffic have been banned, and 11 million people are shut up in their homes, trying to minimise the spread of the virus.

Videos have emerged online of neighbours shouting “Wuhan jiayou!” out of their windows - roughly translated to “Stay strong Wuhan!” or “Keep on going Wuhan” The phrase has been trending on Weibo, China’s Twitter-like social media site, with people from around the country posting supportive messages.

“We will get through this.

Wuhan jiayou, the whole country is supporting you,” read one comment on Weibo.

“This is the first day since the lockdown that I’ve had to go out,” a man in his 50s told the AFP news agency on Wednesday, on a mostly-deserted street.

“I have no choice because I need to buy food.”

Wednesday January 29, 2020

07 11 14 16 22 24 10

M

January 24, 2020

01, 05, 08, 10, 18

6, 1, 0

9, 0, 0

02, 05, 10, 14, 16

7

9

12 13 18

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday, January 30, 2020

5

Soca song under scrutiny for domestic violence lyrics

(TRINIDAD GUARDIAN) The statistics of domestic violence killings are rising although the police service and other stakeholders are trying to foster change.

But the thrust to create a cultural change is only proving to be an uphill battle, particularly if some in the society seem unwilling to conform.

The police have been pushing a “See something, say something,” approach but a line in a popular 2020 soca song called “I ain’t see” by Trinidad Ghost, real name Akel Mclean, is being interpreted as promoting the opposite while gathering significant airplay on radio stations, particularly the urban frequencies.

Most of the song deals with issues such as infidelity and other familiar local issues, but, in one line of the song the artiste sings “Meh (sic) neighbour beating he wife, I ain’t see,” and this is a point of contention for Police Commissioner Gary Griffith and others. President of the International Women’s Resource Network (IWRN) Sandrine Rattan said the line in song trivialises domestic violence and has no place in a song. She said radio stations must consider victims of domestic violence “In light of our current circumstances the unedited version does not have a place particularly as families who have lost their loved ones through DV (domestic violence) are hurting badly. We have to deal with that every day? She asked.

Rattan said if people are serious about saving lives and looking for each other, “we must report such incidents as soon as they meet our eyes. eliminating domestic violence from our society is everybody’s business.”

Similar sentiments were expressed by Gary Griffith who said “See something, say something.” He added: “We have taken this negative connotation “meh neighbour beating he wife, I eh see it” normalized it, and now we don’t hear anything wrong when we choose to consume these songs. For many years, gender-based violence was often hidden and it was rarely discussed, we are no longer doing that. It is now coming out of the shadows and it will

Trinidad Ghost, whose real name is Akel Mclean

be discussed openly as we try to eliminate it from our society. By acknowledging this issue, we can start to teach ourselves that this is not normal or okay. This is where change can begin.

Griffith also said: “A neighbour who sees something but says nothing serves no purpose. It does not help.

That information being forwarded can save a life.”

Last week, the Police Service launched the Gender-Based Violence Unit (GBVU) to tackle domestic and gender-based violence.

Psychiatrist and Independent Senator Dr Varma Deyalsingh also weighed in on the song saying people should become ghost reporter by reporting cases of Domestic Violence He told Guardian Media, “We love to gossip about what we see ,but to take responsibility to try and interfere is natural as there is the risk involved where the abuser turns on you or too much confusion involved where you are pulled into the scenario. If we see we need to report. The new Domestic Violence Gender Unit needs to set up anonymous reporting like crime stoppers to get people who observe to call.

“Like Trinidad Ghost we ain’t see may be a safe option but we could report it like a ghost, be a ghost reporter we could save a life, he said,.

He added, “Let us see the unit gets a report that someone has verbally, emotionally and physically abusing his wife. We have to have a level of intervention with a social

worker or community police or even someone from the domestic violence unit can go in and speak to the abused.

The abuser can escalate his behaviour thinking that it was the abused who called. So we may have to reach her other when he’s at work or when she leaves the house for any reason or via some family intervention.”

In 1970 a song called “Severe licking,” which could be considered double entendre, was released by The Baron.

The song described in some detail a physical interaction between a couple while on Charlotte Street in Port of Spain. “I wasn’t there it was Bomber and Cypher who say they see Shorty beating a girl the other day. This big Calypsonian, I was made to understand put a severe licking on the woman.” It said.

Guardian Media reached out to Trinidad Ghost asking if he felt the line in his song could be interpreted as trivializing domestic violence. he asid he is not promoting domestic violence.

He said, “It’s reality some ppl (sic) wud c (sic) their neighbours fighting and they won’t get involved.

Some may call d (sic) police some may ignore. Most ppl tend to mind dey (sic) business nowadays. No one wants to b (sic) a witness or b in drama that’s the Trinidad we live in. I am not promoting domestic violence in any way, I am not encouraging others to not help someone who is being abused.”

6

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday January 30, 2020

Government’s efforts in fighting corruption LAST week it was announced that Guyana had improved its rating to 85 in the latest Transparency International (TI) Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) and is listed as one of several countries which made significant improvements since 2012.

Guyana is now tied with Kuwait and Trinidad and Tobago, according to the report. ”With a score of 40, Guyana is a significant 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, including Guyana, Greece and Estonia. Last year Guyana was ranked at 93 out of the 180 countries which were looked at. The index ranks the 180 countries and territories by their perceived levels of public-sector corruption, according to experts and business people, using 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.

It is public knowledge and as was noted by British High Commissioner Greg Quinn about two years ago at a government training seminar that corruption and money-laundering are like cancers plaguing our society. The envoy further noted, “Too many people still think that they can get away with corruption and with financial abuse. If Guyana is to continue to grow and to use future resources for the betterment of all,

it will be necessary to address both these issues.”

Where previous efforts by countries and international institutions to help Guyana rid itself of these cancers did not produce measurable successes and the APNU+AFC Government is showing willingness to tackle this scourge; it must be supported. As known with cancer, it is a disease that can spread throughout the entire body, eating away and destroying organs, ultimately resulting in death.

Guyanese are conscious that there exist among us those who are fully aware their actions are corrupt. Edifying citizens to recognise corrupt practices -- including the consequences -- will not only see civic involvement in policing the law, but will also serve as a deterrent to engage in the malpractice. The Anti-Corruption Sensitisation Seminar that was embarked on by the Attorney General and Ministry of Legal Affairs, that sets out to educate the public on legislation and bills aimed at tackling corruption was timely. Whereas there is no excuse for not being aware of the laws, in societies such as ours where corruption has become rampant and entrenched, many have grown accustomed to thinking such is the manner in which the system is structured and what ought to be done.

Changing behaviour, especially what has become endemic, requires sustained efforts in recognising and appreciating what is right and supporting efforts to do what is right. There is a political side to corruption which too cannot be ignored.

While the PPP/C Government has earned Guyana the disrepute of being the most corrupt English-speaking Caribbean

country, now in the Opposition it has been accusing the APNU+AFC Government of corruption.

The political aspect aside, the socio-economic consequences wreaked on this country as the result of corruption under the previous administration cannot be accurately quantified. It is reasonable however to surmise that it has to be humongous, given the years it was cuddled in the corridors of power and allowed to run wild. Where this scourge, however small or large, continues to retard and debilitate the growth and development of a people and society, it requires surgical/ meticulous intervention to excise the cancer. It cannot be over-emphasised that Guyana’s obligation as a member of the United Nations is to uphold the Convention against Corruption, which was ratified by the Government on 16th April, 2008.

One of the distinctive features of the previous (PPP) administration was that of alleged corruption. The reality and perception of corruption during the Jagdeo/Ramotar era is unquestionable. With the change of government came a new sense of hope that the days of systemic dishonesty could finally be put behind us, but the task is huge. Government is aware of the magnitude of work to be done. President David Granger is committed to confronting the problem. The President said, “Corruption like a malignant cancer cannot be cured by being ignored.” He was at the time addressing the 2018 Police Officers conference. And, as is the case with all social issues, all citizens have a part to play.

Bryn Pollard was a great legal mind Dear Editor A GREAT legal luminary has passed; one whose voluminous service to the law cannot only be quantified by only his mere years of being part of a noble profession, but whose remarkable contribution to law in so many fields have to be measured by its undisputed quality of a very high standard, etched indelibly in so many regions across the globe.

Simply put, Brynmore T Pollard SC, OR, CCH, can be summed up as one who read the law and interpreted its legal tenets as they should be, in a pure and unadulterated fashion. And one could clearly observe this pristine execution, in his seminal legal contributions, to whatever area they were done, whether in CARICOM,

within the wider Commonwealth, or in Africa, where his constitutional expertise in the crafting of a number of constitutions, stands as a monument to his unerring application of the law.

Many years ago, I met him in the legal section of the University of Guyana library. I approached him, enquiring what makes a lawyer. Very approachable, and with a smile that reflected humility, he responded in his somewhat baritone voice: “One who reads the law, understanding what are its requirements, and not attempting to distort its principles for destructive ends or any other ends, not required.” It was an explanation that has always been etched in my memory and understanding as to how the law should be, ever since, and one which I had constantly remem-

bered and referred to, especially during the rise of the many overnight “constitutional experts” as did occur in the aftermath of the infamous No Confidence Motion of December 2018, the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) ruling, and at the level of the Supreme Court in Guyana.

The late legal eminence must have been greatly taken aback and aghast; recoiling at the daily desecration of the country’s constitution, that were bandied in the politically aligned and vested interest sections of the media, both print and electronic.

It is ironic that the Guyana Bar Association, one of the politically aligned organisations that had been a participant in the twisting of the court’s decisions, has paid tribute to the legal master, describing him as “…a true gentleman in and to the

law….” and that “...the indelible imprint of his service to the law is seen in the Acts, Regulations and other laws of Guyana.”

Of course, the GBA is pinpointedly accurate in its descriptive tribute to this truly great legal mind. Except that it would have learned absolutely nothing from his numerous legal works, and stand as among the greatest of legal hypocrites, anywhere. How could such an association, which helped to fan the flames of social tension, with its attempts at legal deception, now pay tribute to the late honourable gentleman, who would not have subscribed to such subterfuge?

Regards Earl Hamilton

7

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday January 30, 2020

As always, everywhere you find the radical, the iconoclast and the extremist Dear Editor,

TODAY, January 30, marks the 72nd Anniversary of the assassination of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, the revered Mahatma and spiritual leader of India in its march to independence which it achieved from the British earlier, on the 15th of August, 1947.

This letter, dear Editor, I hope will serve as a lesson and guide to all of our young people and even the older folks who may be young at heart. The usefulness is significant because lessons to be drawn from Gandhi’s life and assassination are profound and relevant for us in Guyana today.

These lessons can help our young people to pick up the baton from the Mahatma, the likes of Rev. Martin Luther King (Jnr), Rev. Sung Yun Moon, Sister Theresa, Nelson Mandela and run with this baton to make them morally upright and spiritually pure, so that they can be the leaders of a new and better world, having the tools to navigate through murky and turbulent global oceans.

As a youngster, the news of Gandhi’s assassination was conveyed to us by our then British school teachers against the backdrop that the Great Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Sir Winston Churchill, once described Gandhi as the half-naked chaffier.

Lesson, the need for compromise is always necessary.

Even as Great Britain granted indepen-

dence to India in order to placate the Moslem community, independence was also granted to the predominantly Islamic part of then India, now Pakistan. Gandhi’s preaching was to treat Hindus, Christians, Sheiks and Moslems alike.

He prayed to overcome the divisive prejudices that one group nurtured against the other.

As always, everywhere you find the radical, the iconoclast and the extremist.

These people cannot appreciate that irrespective of the colour of skin, texture of hair, race, religion and beliefs, we are all of God’s children. Lesson, beware of the extremist who everyday can daily tell us what is wrong and is unwilling to sit and talk things through. Next lesson, throughout human history, mankind has had a constant search for a superior being and to explore the mysteries of the universe.

This search has led us down many roads and rivers. The result is, the great diversity of religious experiences and expressions found in every corner of the globe. Next lesson, learn of other religions so that we can be better citizens of Guyana and the world.

So, while Gandhi was walking through the garden on his way to prayer, the extremist, Nathuran Vinayak Godse, a 36-year-old Hindu of the Mahratta tribes in Poona, shot him at point-blank range. When news of his assassination spread, riots erupted in Bombay, and other Indian cities.

Unruly groups attacked offices of the

Hindu Mahasabha, the extreme anti-Moslem organisations to which the assassin belonged.

When Prime Minister Nehru appealed to end the violence, it fell on deaf ears.

Lesson, avoid conditions where there are short fuses.

Next lesson, here and elsewhere, let us urge our young people to learn from the lessons of the past. On Sunday, I was privileged to be present at the 73rd anniversary of India becoming a republic, but even while speeches were being made, there were disturbances in India because of the new recently introduced Citizenship (Amendment) Act 2019, which was passed by the Parliament of India on December 11, 2019.

Under the 2019 Amendment, migrants who had entered India by 31st December 2014, and had suffered “religious persecution or fear of religious persecution” in their country were made eligible for citizenship.

In pockets of this vast sub-continent of India, university students and Moslems contend that the application of these provisions discriminates against them and hence protest.

India’s Commissioner of Police, Mr. O.P. Singh has refuted allegations that unnecessary force is being used against the demonstrators, who are critical of this bid.

Lesson, a recurring feature in human history, irrespective of the time and the place is the pursuit by leaders of policies inconsistent with their own best interests.

History is full of examples. George III, handling of the American colonies, the Trojan Horse, Vietnam and Korean wars.

In spite of previous experiences, why did King Charles XII, Napoleon and Hitler invade Russia in deep winter? These were all disastrous despite the failures by each, knowing that only the Russians could function from birth in the harshness of their winter conditions. In Guyana, we seem to put in place, a constant bashing and trumping by home-grown and external selfclaimed experts about oil and gas. They know not, that they know not, that they know not… causing confusion among the masses.

Gandhi thought the world another lesson that once we identify and are aware of the righteousness of our cause, we must pursue it fearlessly in spite of the soothsayers and ultra-pessimists. On the eve of his ‘Salt March’ almost 90 years ago, Gandhi declared that “I have faith in the righteousness of our cause.”

Finally, I began that this letter is to be dedicated to our young people and so we remember his assassination. I end with these words of Gandhi “If we are to teach real peace in this world, and if we are to carry on a real war, we shall have to begin with the children.” End of quote. This wisdom is relevant today with the problems we face in some schools and communities.

Regards Hamilton Green

The PPP is not desirous of having these hinterland regions developed

Dear Editor

THERE was an interesting article in the Sunday, January 9 edition, captioned, “Region 8 Chairman walks away from the PPP, accuses party of stifling development.” The article further went on to state that he said he didn’t go with it, he went against the instruction of the party (PPP). He said he belongs to the region and he puts the region first.

As a resident who would have spent the entire 65 years of my life living here, have never seen so much development in such a short time. In every sector we are having development, since this government took office. Some massive infrastructural development was done along with development initiatives to create jobs for us.

With that having been said, I cannot agree more with the regional chairman for the bold step he undertook in going against their instructions, ‘that were anti-development’ and put the region first instead of politics. It was also a prudent political decision on his part to walk away from them, as history would show he chose ‘good over evil.’

The accusation of them stifling development is no mistake. It would appear as though this is the modus operandi of the PPP. These sentiments of stifling development were previously echoed by the former regional chairman, from whom Mr Fredericks took over. I can recall on numerous occasions he had cause to accuse them of stymieing development. And on all the occasions he accused them of stymieing development, there was always someone to defend them. I am certain he is feeling vindicated today as their wicked scheme is being unfolded.

This anti-development strategy by the PPP towards the hinterland residents leaves much to be desired as one would wonder, why a political party is against development?

I can recall before this government took office in 2015 the internal Mahdia roads were similar to the roads in a

war zone. During the rainy season the residents had to navigate between the potholes to reach their destinations.

On one occasion when the residents were fed up with the deplorable condition of the roads, they staged a peaceful protest. The response from the then government was most disturbing to say the least. Instead of them utilising the service of a construction company that was 20 miles away, they sent riot police from over 200 miles away with big guns.

In less than two years since taking office, this government was able to construct the inner Mahdia roads and had it not been for encumbrance of the roadways by some residents, it would have been done in a shorter time. This for me is what I would consider a caring government.

During the former chairman’s tenure when the government was not supporting developmental initiatives by the RDC and was stifling development, they had their activists going around the region telling the residents that they voted for APNU and the AFC in the region and they are not doing anything for them.

In the last election in 2015, this government only won one of the hinterland regions, namely Region Seven. All the roads in this region were in a deplorable state; yet, despite this, government only winning one region, massive infrastructural work was done in all the regions. Apart from the roads in Mahdia, Mabaruma, Port Kaituma, Lethem and Bartica, they provide numerous communities with potable water and I can go on and on and list the numerous developments that have taken place in the hinterland since this government took office.

From all indications, it does not appear as though the PPP is desirous of having these hinterland regions developed. When they were in government, no major development was done in these regions; most of the revenues that were received by central government came from these regions from gold, diamond, stones, lumber etc; ironically, very little was spent back in the regions for developmental works.

Apart from them not doing any major developmental works in these regions, they never had any developmental initiative nor supported any that would have enhanced the livelihoods of residents, most of whom happen to be Amerindians. My honest opinion is, they want to keep us poor all the time where we have to depend on handouts from them. I am calling on my fellow hinterland residents to wake up and open their eyes, and vote for a party that is bringing development to their communities.

Regards Adolphus Simom

I had the enormous privilege of working with Bryn Pollard Dear Editor I READ with great sadness of the death of Mr Bryn Pollard. He was, I believe, from my own experience, amongst the finest legal minds and men our country has ever had.

I had the enormous privilege of working with Mr Pollard when I was intimately involved in helping to draft emergency Broadcast Legislation at a time when it was urgently needed. Not since then has the country benefitted from a Broadcasting Act nor an authority nor regulations which come near to meeting the demands of a free, open and democratic society.

Regards Kit Nascimento

8

Liberalisation petition garners massive support

Jared Liddell THE petition #LiberalisationNOW, which was launched by Digicel Guyana, has been receiving massive traction, as it has secured the signatures of over 4000 Guyanese, who declared themselves Fed Up with Poor Telecommunication services. This was disclosed by Digicel Guyana’s Communications Manager, Vidya Sanichara The Guyana Telephone and Telegraph company (GTT) currently holds the monopoly on Guyana’s Telecommunications sector. In July 2016, the government passed the Telecommunication (Amendment) Bill to liberalise the Telecoms sector by ending the monopoly which GTT had enjoyed for over 25 years.

However, liberalisation has been delayed for some time to cater for the ironing out of GTT’s approximately US $44 million in taxes owed to the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) and for other discussions. The government and the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GTT) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on March 06, 2019, signifying the beginning of the process of liberalization.

GTT’s Public Relations and Corporate Communications Manager, Jasmin Harris, in an email response to questions asked by the Guyana Chronicle, said, “We continue to engage in discussion with the government, using the MOU as a framework for a mutual agreement. We are committed and continue to welcome a telecommunications regime that will best serve our customers and all people in Guyana.”

The company declined to make any further statement as to the current progress of the liberalization of the sector and did not present a potential timeframe for completion.

The Guyana Chronicle attempted to contact the Minister of Public Telecommunications for a comment, but those efforts proved futile.

Gregory Dean, CEO of Digicel Guyana, in a press release, welcomed the petition, stating; “The response to the petition clearly shows that Guyanese are sick of being left behind and missing out on the opportunities that come with a digital economy. Guyanese are calling on all our leaders to take the necessary steps to eliminate the monopoly immediately and liberalise our telecom-

munications market so that other companies can roll out the services that Guyanese have waited far too long for.

I encourage everyone to get on board with this movement by signing the petition before February 08 and show that the will of the people cannot be denied.”

He further said; “Guyanese deserve better. Efforts to end the monopoly have been ongoing for over 20 years.

There is no time like the present to end the monopoly.

We need liberalisation now.”

Digicel’s #LiberalisationNOW Change.org petition is racking up new signatures daily, the accompanying campaign video on YouTube has gained over 52,000 views and the campaign Facebook page has 2086 followers with campaign posts having a reach of 654,990 since the start of campaign. Likewise, there are 16,725 engagements on the Facebook page with people actively commenting and sharing posts to show their support for breaking the monopoly and liberalising the telecommunications industry.

Digicel is making the claim that Guyanese people have been exposed to Poor choice of services; Guyanese have been left with an extremely limited choice of

services; Poor broadband coverage - a shameful 90 per cent of Guyanese still have no access to broadband services at home; Poor quality of services - even when they do have access to services, speeds are slow and unreliable; Poor response time - any issues are resolved at a snail’s pace.

According to the Media statement made by Digicel (Guyana) Communications Manager, Vidya Sanichara “the stakes couldn’t be higher. Bringing Guyana’s communications into the 21st century won’t just improve lives; it’s essential to developing the economy - especially now that oil production has begun with the first million barrels recently sold.

As things stand, Guyana’s communication services are nowhere near ready to take full advantage of this development.

The country is a long way from achieving the universal landline coverage it was promised when the monopoly went into effect almost three decades ago. With a commitment to have telephone service in the home of every Guyanese, today less than120,000 subscribers have been provided with what is at best a mediocre service.”

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday January 30, 2020

Sophia murder convict to appeal life sentence

Shivanand Roopnarine and Allisa McPherson

SELF-CONFESSED murder convict Shivanand Roopnarine, who was recently sentenced to life imprisonment is moving to the Court of Appeal to challenge the severity of his sentence.

Roopnarine, 26, of School Street, Grove, East Bank Demerara, was sentenced by Justice Sandil Kissoon at the Demerara High Court earlier this month.

He had opted to plead guilty and confessed that on April 19, 2015, he murdered his 19-year-old girlfriend Allisa McPherson at Sophia, Greater Georgetown.

Justice Kissoon sentenced Roopnarine to life imprisonment with the possibility of parole after serving 20 years.

According to reports, on April 18, 2015, McPherson left her home and went to a party in Sophia with a male friend.

While at the party McPherson was confronted by Roopnarine who accused her of infidelity.

McPherson denied the accusation, subsequent to which Roopnarine took her to the back of the yard, drew a black object from the waist of his pants and stabbed her.

McPherson was discovered in the toilet area with stab wounds and she was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where she was pronounced dead upon arrival.

A post-mortem report revealed that McPherson was stabbed 41 times about her body.

Roopnarine fled the murder scene but was arrested in March 2016 at Mabura, Region 10(Upper Demerara-Upper Berbice).

Roopnarine confessed and told investigators that he had felt betrayed by McPherson. He claimed that during the commission of the crime his client was under the influence of alcohol and now regrets what he did.

Cruel ill-treatment of local, visiting seawall patrons Dear Editor,

a nightclub scene of sorts. Everything is in place for a good time.

FROM the Kingston Bandstand all the way to Except Bins the Kitty roundabout, people can be seen in Where do our lovely citizens and visitors large numbers on a daily basis, happily drinking throw all the packaging that come with all these all sorts of tasty beverages and eating all sorts food items and beverages being consumed at that of delicious fast foods packaged in containers location? What have we, as a society, given them of various colours, shapes and sizes. From to do so? What options have we given them but to Popeyes, KFC, Pizza Hut, and Church’s Chick- throw it over, on and around the seawall? en, to countless items bought right there on the Yes, I agree that our citizens do indeed have a seawall. These include various types of hotdogs, duty to keep our surroundings clean and that they nuts, cotton candy, chicken and chips, ice-cream are partly to blame for the present filthy appearance and much, much more. of our seawalls (and elsewhere) and for how we The seawall is officially “lit.” And this is showcase our filthiness to those visitors who are wonderful news for both locals and future tourists staying at the Marriott and Pegasus who are exalike. The entire stretch is becoming more and pecting to be treated to a land of beauty and nature. more by the week, a very popular breezy place to But I have had enough of citizen-shaming. The chill and relax with family or with friends. Plus government and the private sector have an even more and more food shops are being set up every bigger role to play, as they do in other countries, week, some selling bar-b-qued meats from Guyana in ensuring that our citizens have no valid excuses and Venezuela, while some sell doubles and other for littering. features of local Caribbean cuisine . Beverage comNot least of the numerous valid excuses our panies are also now coming out to host promotional lovely citizens presently have for littering on the events too. They bring with them their elaborate seawall, is the persistent backward deh-bad abstages, barricades, banners, logos and floodlights. sence of basic garbage-disposal options managed They even switch on huge, moving sky beam party lights that resemble bat-signals from the batman either by the state, the city or the private sector comics and movies that pierce the night sky and for the benefit of those visiting the seawall. Basic can be seen from miles away, making the seawall inexpensive facilities like these are what can pre-

vent a lot of damage. At present, all the garbage dumped on the seawall near the kitty roundabout ends up getting washed out by the sea, only to wash up back on the seashore at the Marriott Hotel and elsewhere, as if to say ,“Welcome to Guyana!”.

I have attached a picture of what it looks like and I hope, dear editor, that you can be so patriotic as to print it as well. The absence of simple things such as bins can ruin what would otherwise be a great experience. It is time for the beer companies who are now setting up huge concert-like stages on the seawall to start erecting proper bins emptied on a nightly basis, complete with signage that reads perhaps “drink responsibly,” etc. It is time for KFC and Pizza Hut and similar companies to start advertising their goods and services on the seawall on properly maintained durable outdoor versions of the garbage receptacles they employ and maintain at their respective branches, branded with their companies’ names on them. If the packaging in which you sell your food can be found spread out on the seawall, you have a duty and an opportunity to erect bins there. It is also time for the businesses set up on the seawall to provide adequate disposal options, not just at their shops, but in the general environs. It is time for the government to liaise with all these businesses and the private sector to ensure that Guyanese have proper options when

attempting to dispose of their refuse on the seawall.

This duty is not a one-man one. It is OUR collective duty to keep Guyana clean. Everyone plays a part and every part counts. As it is, we are the laughing stock of the Caribbean when it comes to cleanliness, or the lack thereof. We are hated and detested. Our land is shunned as despicable, rebellious, lawless and immoral. All because we can’t seem to come together and take care of her and make her into a delight. Let’s show everyone we are more disciplined, and more united than this.

And for the record, we have way too many stray animals and vagrants on our streets to think we can throw a few inferior bins across an area, abandon them, and expect they will last.

I have attached a picture of what a proper bin looks like. If possible, please print it with this, my plea of a letter. Our bins must be the kind that a citizen can look at with fascination and be eager to use. They must impress us and be available for us where we need them.

John M. Fraser LL.B. Legal Assistant Legislative Drafting Division Attorney General’s Chambers and Ministry of Legal Affairs Georgetown, Guyana

9

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, January 30, 2020

Gov’t advances discussion on Electronic Government Procurement system THE Ministry of Finance, on Wednesday, intensified discussions on the Guyana Road Map and Action Plan for the implementation of the Electronic Government Procurement (e-GP) system.

At the Finance Ministry’s Main Street, Georgetown Office, Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) Consultant, João de Almeida, gave a detailed overview of the roadmap and action plan to representatives of the Ministry of Finance and the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB).

Ahead of João de Almeida’s presentation, Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan told those present that while the Procurement Act has been in place since 2003, the country lags behind in terms of modernisation of procurement processes and practices, when compared to other CARICOM member states.

The Electronic Government Procurement Roadmap and Action Plan, therefore, is intended to bring Guyana’s procurement regime in line with international best practices.

“There are many benefits expected from the imple-

mentation of an electronic government procurement system. Foremost among these is that it will facilitate easier access to suppliers, contractors and consultants, resulting in reduced administrative cost. Making the country’s procurement operations accessible for public scrutiny will enhance transparency, accountability and efficiency in the procurement process,” Minister Jordan explained.

Referencing to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) 2015 Report-- Making Public Investment More Efficient–- the Finance Minister said, on average, a country loses about 30 per cent of the returns on its public investments due to inefficiencies in its public investment management process.

He said Guyana, cognizant of its inefficiencies, has embarked on an enhanced Public Financial Management Reform, involving an electronic approach to the management of public funds.

“Ladies and gentlemen, Guyana is on the cusp of an economic transformation that will result in significant increases in public spending, and public procurement has a key role to play in the process. President Granger has

Minister of Finance Winston Jordan

NPTAB Chairman, Berkley Wickham

also earmarked the period, 2020- 2029, as the Decade of Development, which will entail significant investment in public sector projects,” Minister Jordan said as he underscored the importance of modernizing the procurement system.

The Finance Minister said the developments in the petroleum sector also increases the role of the country’s procurement system and the need for a more modern and efficient process.

“Just recently, we embarked on the first bidding process for the sale of Guyana’s crude. It is also likely that at the conclusion of the

reform to the Production Sharing Agreement, international oil companies can begin bidding for oil blocks,” he said. The country’s economy, he reported, performed exceptional with an “impressive” 4.1 per cent Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth rate recorded in 2018 with NASDAQ classifying Guyana as the fastest growing economy in the world in June, 2019.

“We are projecting to have attained a growth rate in excess of 4 per cent in 2019. And the International Monetary Fund has projected a growth rate of 86 per cent in 2020. While the IMF’s

Minister Jordan tours E-Networks’ subsea cable landing station -- applauds investment by local consortium to advance Guyana’s digital economy FINANCE Minister, Winston Jordan, on Wednesday, was given a tour of E-Networks’ subsea cable landing station at Kingston, Georgetown. The landing station houses E-Networks’ Xlink cable, a newly-constructed submarine fiber-optic cable that links Guyana to Barbados.

Commenting on the project, Minister Jordan said he was particularly impressed that it was organised and successfully executed by a consortium of local investors. The minister added that he was encouraged by the evident confidence of the investors in assuming such a massive and capital-intensive undertaking that will provide considerable benefits for the development and modernising of the sector.

Finance Minister, Winston Jordan, and Director of E-Networks, Vishok Persaud

This, he noted, aligned with the Coalition Government’s encouragement of the private sector in advancing Guyana’s economic expansion beyond agriculture and

mining.

The finance minister further said that the Xlink project exemplified the ideal investment model for Guyana, one in which local benefits,

local content and Indigenous ownership are guaranteed through the collaboration of Guyanese companies, Guyanese investors and local financial institutions, especially now that the economy is poised for transformation.

Minister Jordan congratulated the Managing Director of E-Networks, Vishok Persaud, for the boldness of the investment, and expressed full support for the Xlink venture. The minister said he was excited about the possibilities it had for universal connectivity and the realisation of the digital economy promised during the Decade of Development, 2020 -2029.

projection is based largely on developments in the oil and gas sector, we envisage a more moderate, non-oil growth. This growth of the economy will precipitate a surge in small and medium scale businesses in Guyana.

Therefore, the implementation of an electronic procurement system is timely, as it will provide opportunities for the development of these businesses by removing obstacles to the acquisition of government contracts,” Minister Jordan reasoned.

NPTAB Chairman, Berkley Wickham, in his remarks, made it known that ‘Digital Transformation’ is on the global agenda, and is intended to achieve sustainable improvements in the quality of services provided by public administrations to their communities.

As such, he said the completion of the road map and action plan sets the stage for the full implementation of the Electronic Government Procurement (e-GP) system.

It was noted the establishment of the e-GP platform forms part of an IDB Technical Cooperation Agreement on the Public Procurement Modernisation and Financial Management Strengthening

in Guyana.

To ensure there is a smooth transition, NPTAB has put an interim system in place to facilitate the training of government officials on the use of the CARICOM Public Procurement Notice Board, which allows for all government procurement activities to be published on a regular basis.

According to Wickham, consultation on the road map and action plan for the implementation of e-GP system commenced in October, 2019. Approximately 20 entities were consulted since then, including the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Public Procurement Commission, the Small Business Council, NPTAB, the National Data Management Authority, Office of the Budget, the Private Sector Commission, the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Public Health, Ministry of Public Infrastructure, the Ministry of Business and the University of Guyana, among others.

CXC Registrar pays courtesy call on Minister of Education

Registrar and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) Dr. Wayne Wesley (right) speaking with Minister of Education

REGISTRAR and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC), Dr. Wayne Wesley, on Wednesday, paid a courtesy call on Minister of Education, Dr. Nicolette Henry, at her Brickdam Office.

The two officials met to discuss CXC’s strategic

thrust, which is the digital transformation of examination development and the delivery of these examinations in Guyana.

According to Wesley, the engagement of major stakeholders to invite feedback from policymakers on the new initiative is critical to the process.

10

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday, January 30, 2020

Gov’t must have best qualified personnel -- when dealing with oil and gas sector, says EPA executive director

By Rabindra Rooplall GOVERNMENT must always have the best qualified persons to address issues of the oil and gas sector since anything less is tantamount to failure.

This is according to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Executive Director, Dr. Vincent Adams, during his address at the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GSMA) Business Luncheon held on Wednesday at the Pegasus Hotel.

“You must have the best qualified persons over the other side or else you will lose your leverage and bargaining power, and they will not respect you. They will want to run roughshod over you and you are going to feel so diminished that you will be afraid and embarrassed to even ask a question when you are in doubt,” the EPA director noted.

He explained that in the oil and gas sector, the EPA has unfettered access to every single facility, although the agency does not have the means or capabilities currently and there is still a dependency on contractors to take staff out to the ships.

“We must have unfettered access to any site on land or any ship at sea at any time, that is standard, they know it, anywhere else they go, they know so and it’s not even a conversation for discussion,” he said.

He explained that the EPA is sending more staff overseas to educate themselves to properly serve the agency. Recently,

HIGHEST LIABILITY COVERAGE Meanwhile, he explained that with the assistance and

people to call and say you know what, I know this person and such things, as a matter of fact, that is going to make things

much simpler boreholes, such as water wells.

RIOT ACT “A valve was opened on the

Executive Director of EPA, Dr. Vincent Adams

two personnel attended a conference in Florida to educate themselves on the environmental DNA. Dr. Adams emphasised that Environmental DNA originates from cellular material shed by organisms via skin and excrement among others into aquatic or terrestrial environments that can be sampled and monitored using new molecular methods.

Further, he said when the EPA Act was written in 1996, there was not even a word such as petroleum, oil or gas, since it appears that the drafters never anticipated the sector.

“Fortunately, it has a very broad mandate, we can interpret and maneuver around it to manage oil and gas; we don’t have any regulations… However, standards, guides and regulations were developed all over the world. We are lucky that we do not have to undergo what those countries had experienced in order to develop those standards,” he said.

Dr. Adams said Guyana will adopt the best international standards in time and the country will develop its own regulations.

President of GSMA, Clinton Williams addressing the business luncheon at the Pegasus Hotel (Adrian Narine Photo)

support, the Bank of Guyana was able to obtain the highest liability coverage in the world, which is US$2.5B. “When I asked the company (Esso Exploration Guyana Production Limited) if we have a spill and it is above $2.5B… I ensured that there was a guarantee in the permit and the parent company (ExxonMobil, Hess) agreed that anything above the $2.5B will be covered, and it goes for every other company that operates out there,” the EPA executive director said.

Additionally, Dr. Adams said he will not allow politics to affect the operations of the EPA. “We are not going to allow

much worst for whoever tries that. That is the culture we are building and it sets the fundamental aspects of the agency,” he said.

Reflecting that there was a recent incident where one of the companies spilled 84 barrels of mud into the ocean, Dr. Adams said he subsequently sent out a team to investigate and what was found was “scary.”

In geotechnical engineering drilling fluid, also called drilling mud, is used to aid the drilling of boreholes into the earth. Often used while drilling oil and natural gas wells and on exploration drilling rigs, drilling fluids are also used for

surface and that mud was going into the ocean, which means you could have had an empty hole, without any pressure, without anything to bring that mud up, and that could have caused an entire disaster and blowout, and I read them the Riot Act and I had the drilling company come into my office and they were telling me about their great safety record, but you won’t want to hear what I told them,” Dr. Adams told the gathering.

He said all companies on and offshore will be held accountable while noting that the EPA has an entire system set up to respond to complaints.

For the oil and gas sector, he said an entire unit is being built and it will consist of 36 highly-specialised persons who are all qualified.

Last year, the EPA, on two occasions, invited expressions of interest to fill various posts.

These recruitment initiatives were intended to boost the agency’s general capacity, as well as to staff the intended Oil and Gas Unit.

But even if the EPA invites expressions of interest from regional professionals, the hiring process will still be delayed as the agency will have no budget to execute this undertaking before March 2, 2020, and likely several months thereafter, given the time it usually takes to prepare, debate, and pass an annual budget.

The University of Guyana (UG) now offers programmes in geological and petroleum engineering as well as a degree in civil with environmental engineering. However, these programmes are relatively new, so while there are some graduates, many of them have been absorbed by the Department of Energy and the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission.

President of GSMA, Clinton Williams, in his address, spoke of the need to protect the environment while underscoring the need to address all aspects of the oil and gas sector.

He said the local manufacturing sector will support the proper conduct of all businesses supporting the protection of the environment.

Man accused of raping child granted bail CHIEF Magistrate Ann McLennan, on Wednesday, January 29, 2020, granted $270,000 bail to a 49-year-old man accused of raping a

child.

Orlando Fraser, of 12 Pike Street, Kitty, appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court and was not required to plead to the charge,

when it was read to him.

Particulars of the charge stated that, on June 10, 2019, at Pike Street Kitty, he raped a twelve-year-old child.

According to infor-

mation, on the day in question, Fraser picked up the child from school and took her to his residence and raped her.

The child reported the incident to her teacher

and the teacher immediately called in the Child Protection Agency.

Fraser was contacted, arrested and later charged.

Magistrate Mc-

Lennan granted Fraser $270,000 bail and adjourned the matter until February 3, 2020, for disclosure of statements.

Orlando Fraser

Three men wanted for rape THREE Linden men are wanted in connection with the offence of rape and the Guyana Police Force, on Wednesday, issued wanted bulletins.

Police said 30-year-old Wayne Orlando Sauers of 36 Stewart Path Christianburg, Wismar, Linden is wanted for allegedly committing the act on May 2019 at Blue Berry Hill, Wismar, Linden.

Tevin Richmond, 26, of South Amelia’s Ward, Lin-

Wanted: Wayne Orlando Sauers

Wanted: Tevin Richmond

Wanted: Kelvin McKenzie

den, is wanted for an alleged rape which occurred in May/ June 2019 at Phase Three Amelia’s Ward, Linden.

Additionally, 53-year-old Kelvin McKenzie of Lot 53 Mackstrad Blue Berry Hill, Wismar, Linden is wanted for an alleged rape which occurred between 28 and 29, September 2019 at Buckton and Blue Lake Wismar, Linden.

Anyone with information that may lead to the arrest

of the suspects are asked to contact the police on telephone numbers 444-3351, 444-2429, 442-0759, 4443512, 444-3297, 444-4222, 226-6978, 225-8196, 2262870, 226-7065, 227-1149, 226-7065, 911 or the nearest police station.

All information will be treated with the strictest confidence.

11

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, January 30, 2020

‘Meet our demands RUSAL’ …Bauxite union lays down conditions for reopening of Berbice River

By Tamica Garnett UNLESS the Russian-owned Bauxite Company of Guyana Incorporated (BCGI) is willing to rehire the 142 laid-off workers; address compensation for two workers that were hospitalized after suffering electric shock while on duty; and address salary negotiations, workers are refusing to unblock the Berbice River, a position supported by several residents of the surrounding communities.

That was the consensus coming out of a meeting on Tuesday at the Landerns Ville community, where representatives of the Guyana Bauxite and General Workers Union (GBGWU) and Regional politicians met with some of the company’s workers and residents of surrounding communities, including Hururu and Mappletown Aroaima.

“Every company have a corporate responsibility to the communities in which it operates. As a corporate citizen, what has RUSAL given to these communities?

Everything you get here you fought for it. And this should be seen as unseen wages and you fought for it,” GBGWU General Secretary, Lincoln Lewis, told the gathering.

In salary negotiations, Lewis restated the Union’s position that there must be parity of pay between salaries RUSAL is offering and what obtains at other bauxite companies in Guyana.

“There are three bauxite companies [in Guyana]: RUSAL in Berbice, BOSAI in linden and First Bauxite, and the lowest paying bauxite company is RUSAL. What we need is to see parity in the job market, that means that if its $200 for a crane operator in BOSAI, pay $200 to a crane operator in RUSAL. They say no, all they will pay is 5 per cent more on the job. We said we can’t accept that,” Lewis informed.

Among those gathered

were several mothers, with their children, eagerly sharing their thoughts, and some frustrations, on the treatment being meted out to them by BCGI, owned by RUSAL, the world’s largest bauxite company.

General Secretary of the GBGWU, Lincoln Lewis, reminded those gathered that whether they worked at the company or not, all of the communities are affected by the company’s actions, and a message needs to be sent that Guyanese must be respected.

“The community and the workers are linked, and

GBGWU General Secretary, Lincoln Lewis, (left) speaking with BCGI workers and community residents

“They must treat us right and that is what they’re not doing. They feel they are superior to us. We are a third world country, so they feel we don’t have the potential to stand up to certain

Lewis maintained that it is not until the demands are addressed that the union would be willing to “look at the possibility of facilitating the removal of the river blockage”.

Workers of the BCGI have blocked a section of the Berbice River so that BCGI listens to their grievances

decisions have to be made,” Lewis conveyed, adding that, “What you do today will inform how this company behaves tomorrow. You were born here, you grow here, you live here. And every time you ask to sell your labour for something, or you ask for an increase, these people take offence. Many people may say that we ought not to fight them, but if the people who were slaves didn’t fight slavery, we would’ve been born as slaves, if indentured servants didn’t fight then, indentureship would’ve still been in place.”

After BCGI posted a notice on the notice board last Wednesday informing workers of the laying off of 142 workers, effective as of January 23, workers subse-

quently blocked the Berbice River, across the Landernsville Landing, preventing the movement of bauxite, by the company, out of Guyana.

The company claimed that the retrenchment was as a result of a fuel shortage which was affecting their operations, however, the Department of Labour ( DoL) is investigating the authenticity of the claim.

Lewis and other Union representatives met with the company last Monday, along with labour officials at the Department of Labour, where the Union laid down their demands, and the company repeated a request for the river to be unblocked.

But the workers are not budging, seeing the blockage as their only leverage.

APNU+AFC Candidate, Jermaine Figuiera, (right), speaking with workers and residents at Landernsville

things. When we get what we are looking for it will be removed,” affirmed Union Vice-President, Garfield Brutus.

The gathering of residents braved sweltering sun to register their consent.

“What we are doing is holding our composure, our peace and try to unite to get things right. We are doing our utmost to hold things together because we are hurting very deeply. We are here holding this fort and maintaining the peace while our families on the other side are disturbed,” expressed Ephraim Velloza, GBGWU Branch President.

“Dealing with RUSAL is like playing cricket with a football,” Lewis commented.

Lewis emphasized to the community the need to present a united front to the company, and whether the storm, particularly in light of the company having informed residents that due to the shortage of fuel, the communities will soon be experiencing power outages.

BCGI provides electricity to the communities of Landernsville, Hururu,Mapple, and Aroaima, the latter of which is a workers’ settlement owned by the company.

However, according to

reports, the company has since sent a barge to uplift fuel that is expected to return

by Thursday. The blockage of the river does not affect the traversing of the barge, as the power plant is said to be located before the blocked area.

“We are not going to retreat from here. What you are doing here is not just for yourself, this is for your children and grandchildren. If we can handle RUSAL how are we to handle Exxon [Mobil] and others?” Lewis queried, further noting that: “The time has come for strong and concerted effort. Some will come to tell you well, we can’t get light because they block off the river, fuel can’t come. But the day you raise it up without getting what you want, its dooms day for this community.”

APNU/AFC Regional Candidate, Jermaine Figuera, also visited and spoke with the residents, and encouraged them to remain strong through the fight for what is right.

“You are not doing RUSAL a favour. RUSAL recognizes that Guyana has a supreme product, which is why they are here. It’s an exchange, we are giving them our labour and they are getting our bauxite, and I believe what you are asking for, your labour is a fair compensation that should be respected. The government’s position is clear. No company will be allowed to disrespect Guyanese and, more so, our laws,” Figuera said, adding that, “With the advent of oil, many investors will come here.

What you are doing here is sending an international message to all and sundry who want to come and invest here, that the rule of law is paramount, and the respect for workers must be adhered to at all cost.”

Man found not guilty of raping six-year-old SEON Bacchus was on Wednesday freed of a rape charge by the Sexual Offences Court of the Demerara High Court, after the jury returned a not-guilty verdict.

Bacchus, 50, was on trial before Justice Jo-Ann Barlow for allegedly engaging in sexual activity with a six-year-old girl on July 27, 2018, at a location on the East Bank of Demerara.

He was represented by attorney Clyde Forde, while the state’s case was presented by prosecutors Teriq Mohammed and Mandel Moore.

The jury returned a unanimous verdict.

Madam Justice Barlow told Bacchus to consider it a second chance and that he must use the opportunity to avoid finding himself in similar situations and before the court.

The judge also advised the prosecutors to continue providing support and counselling to the victim.

It was alleged that during the period mentioned in the charge, the child was left in Bacchus’s care and he committed the act while the child’s mother was out. The child however informed her mother about the incident when she (mother) returned; the mother then reported the matter to the police.

Seon Bacchus

12

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, January 30, 2020

‘At no time did I stop RUSAL having fuel’ –---Statia says GRA continues to issue exemption letters to the company

By Tamica Garnett COMMISSIONER General of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), Godfrey Statia, maintains that the Authority had, at no time, prevented the Bauxite Company of Guyana Incorporated (BCGI), owned by RUSAL, from receiving tax exemptions to import fuel, although there is an ongoing investigation against the company for abuse of tax concessions.

BCGI last week Wednesday, 22 January, informed 142 employees that they were being laid off effective from Thursday, 23 January, citing the reason as “reduced operations” due to “shortage of fuel”. “At no time did we ever allow RUSAL not to have fuel for their operations, at no time whatsoever. Fuel for operations they have been getting exemptions for that, and it is unfair for them to say that they have not been getting exemption for it,” Statia commented in a telephone interview with the Guyana Chronicle on Thursday.

Statia says he has continuously been issuing exemption letters to the company.

“I would assure you that what RUSAL is supposed to get they would’ve already gotten. They have gotten that exemption letter since last

week. As a matter of fact, up to today I signed a couple more exemption letters for them. So I would like the nation to be disabused of that fact, at no time did I stop RUSAL having fuel that they need to do their operations, what I would do is investigate to see whether the fuel they have gotten exemption for if they’re utilising it for its purpose given, or whether it is being sold outside.”

The Ministry of Social Protection (MoSP), in a statement issued on Monday, said that the Labour Department has taken the position that the workers were improperly laid off by the company and should therefore be recalled immediately. BCGI's representative, Vladimir Permyakov, would neither confirm nor deny whether the purported fuel shortage was due to denied documentation from GRA. “We are not in a position to do so. The company is not importing fuel at this period of time. BCGI regularly buys fuel from GuyOil,” Permyakov informed the Guyana Chronicle.

Permyakov said the company experienced “a long pause in processing of our application” which saw the company’s fuel reserves dropping to a critical level. “Since mid-January the

company has been coerced to implement fuel austerity regime within the whole

Anytime we withdraw and exemption letter we would not withdraw it so as to close down your operations, we are going to give you fuel to con-

BCGI's representative, Vladimir Permyakov

enterprise; mining operations were downscaled, then stopped. Nevertheless the company has been paying workers without having a work front at mine, in particular,” he said.

The company is under investigation for the last month over allegations that it was retailing fuel that it was buying on duty free concession; and is said to have dismantled and sold equipment for which it was also granted duty-free concession. Statia explained that: “We have had some problems with RUSAL. In some instances we found that they were not utilising the fuel for the purposes for which it was given. Once we give exemption letters we’re always doing reconciliation to ensure that if you get exempted fuel you use it for the purpose which we give you.

GRA CommissionerGeneral Godfrey Statia

tinue your operation as we continue our reconciliation.”

According to Statia, the GRA has found evidence to support that the company was indeed abusing its duty free concessions, even as the investigations continue. He did not say what measures the tax body will take against the company for its abuse.

“There is evidence of abuse of all concessions all over the country and that is the reason we are stamping down on, it’s not just RUSAL. Exemption letters are based on the utilisation of the fuel. The reason why there was an investigation is because the exempted fuel

was being abused. And the GRA has to recognise and deal with the national interest. It was based on the recognition that some of the fuel was not ending up where it was supposed to, that is the reason why the investigation started,” Statia informed.

Statia maintained that the investigation never hampered RUSAL receiving fuel for operations. “It’s an ongoing investigation. I can’t tell you when the investigation is going to be completed. But in the interest of keeping the company afloat, we have allowed them to utilise the fuel. We would not stop them from operating at all. In the national interest, we have to allow them to operate but in the meantime they are undergoing some investigations,” Statia explained.

According to reports from workers at the company’s mining site, a barge with fuel arrived at the company on Tuesday afternoon. Additionally, at a meeting with the employees’ union and Department of Labour officials on Monday, the company has signalled its intention to recall the laid-off workers but says the action hinges on the employees unblocking the Berbice River which hinders the flow of traffic to and from the company’s mining operations at its Kurubuka Mines.

Following the laying off, some of the employees blocked the river as leverage for the company to properly deal with the employees. However rehiring of the workers is only one of three demands that the employees are requesting be dealt with before they clear the river.

In addition to rehiring the workers, employees are also calling for the company to address compensation for two workers who were hospitalised after suffering electric shocks while on duty last December, as well as for the company to address salary negotiations with the workers’ union, the Guyana Buaxite and General Workers Union (GBGWU).

“The Department [of Labour] is contemplating convening a meeting with the parties to determine the way forward with outstanding negotiations for a new Collective Labour Agreement (CLA) of which wages and salaries is a component.

The department will continue to do everything possible within the confines of the known laws and prudent industrial relations practices to have all differences settled,” the MoSP said in a statement.

Three Bangladeshis jailed for illegal entry

CHIEF Magistrate Ann McLennan, on Wednesday, January 29, 2020, sentenced three Bangladeshi men to three months in prison for entering Guyana illegally.

Shakhawat Khan, 20, a Student; Jacket Chowdhurg, 19, a Student and Siddik Ahmed 27, appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court and pleaded guilty to the charge, when it was read to them through an interpreter.

Particulars of the charge stated that, on January 25, 2020, at Springlands, they entered Guyana by sea, and disembarked without the consent of an immigration officer.

Police prosecutor told

The Bangladeshis

the court that, on the day in question, the three defendants

were in a route 72 bus, when police intercepted the bus

at the Bamia outpost,Soesdyke-Linden Highway.

A search was conducted on the defendants and it was

discovered that there were no entry stamps in their passports.Consequently,they were taken to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Headquarters.

Further investigations were conducted and it was concluded that they had entered the country illegally and were heading to Brazil. They were therefore arrested and charged.

Magistrate McLennan, after listening to the prosecutor, sentenced each of them to three months in prison and ordered that, after serving their sentences, they are to be escorted to the nearest port of exit and deported back to their country.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday, January 30, 2020

Fire damages GPHC Psychiatric Ward

A MALE patient, on Wednesday, reportedly set the Psychiatric Ward of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) on fire, but the blaze was quickly extinguished and all patients evacuated before the Guyana Fire Service arrived on the scene.

According to reports, the fire started just after 9:00hrs on Wednesday in the Psychiatric Ward, housed on the ground floor of the three-storey Medical Block, located at the junction of Thomas and New Market Streets.

Fire Chief Marlon Gentle told Guyana Chronicle that the fire was caused by one of the psychiatric patients at the hospital. The patient reportedly set fire to articles within the ward. When Guyana Chronicle arrived on the scene at around 9:30hrs, thick black smoke was emanating from the ground floor as well as the first floor of the building. Patients, some in shackles, were seen being evacuated from the building.

The first fire tender arrived moments after. In total, five fire tenders responded to the scene of the fire.

GPHC Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Brigadier (Ret’d) George Lewis, told Guyana Chronicle that the hospital’s administration received a report at around 9:15hrs that there was a fire in the female holding area of the Psychiatric Ward. The Guyana Fire Service was summoned and GPHC’s Fire Safety Plan was quickly activated.

“Initial response would have seen members of staff utilising fire extinguishers and other firefighting equipment that we have on site to tackle the fire,” the CEO said, while adding that the activation of the Fire Safety Plan allowed for the speedy evacuation of patients and the dousing of the fire.

According to Brigadier Lewis, at the time of the fire, there were six male patients in the psychiatric holding area. They were immediately evacuated. In total, 48 patients were removed from the Medical Block before the Fire Service arrived on the scene.

He said based on reports from the Fire Service, there were no structural damages to the building, only minor damages to the interior of the ground floor of the building, in particular, its walls and ceiling. Divisional Officer

13

Fire Tenders responding to the fire at the Medical Block, located at the junction of Thomas and New Market Streets.

The investigating team of the Guyana Fire Service in discussion with GPHC staff members

very greatly by those motorists who did not heed to the use of the siren and the mas alarm. An institution as this where we have thousands of patients, we cannot afford to have our progress impeded Some of the patients who were evacuated from the Medical Block

of the Guyana Fire Service, Gregory Wickham, told reporters that the Fire Service received a report of the fire at 9:36hrs and regular Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) were set in motion. A total of five fire tenders responded.

Wickham confirmed that by the time firefighters arrived on the scene, hospital personnel were able to contain the fire.

“I want to at this point, thank the staff of the Georgetown Public Hospital [GPHC] who would have used the training that the Fire Service would have given them over the years, in the use of First Aid Firefighting equipment, that is, fire extinguishers,” the Divisional Fire Officer said.

At the time of interview, the cause of the fire was not determined as the firefighters were still conducting their investigation. However, Wickham and his team had met with the hospital’s CEO once the fire was completely extinguished and the area cleared.

The Divisional Fire Officer, however, expressed concerns that poor judgement on the part of pedestrians and motorists had impeded the timely access to the hospital.

“At this time also, I want to speak to members of the public and motorists, and advice

GPHC Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Brigadier (Ret’d) George Lewis speaking to reporters

Divisional Officer of the Guyana Fire Service, Gregory Wickham

that they should adhere to the siren and mass alarm. Our time to get here was impeded

by those stubborn or reckless motorists. So motorists, please get your act together,” Wickham pleaded.

The incident occurred one day after a fire gutted the popular District Ultra

Lounge at the Giftland Mall. While that fire was also contained, the nightclub suffered approximately $45M in losses.

14

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday January 30, 2020

UN agencies, Rights of Child Commission launch novel initiative to tackle social problems

The head table at the launch of 2020 GenU youth Challenge. From left are: UNDP Resident Representative, Jairo Valverde; UNICEF Country Representative, Sylvie Fouet; and Rights of the Child Commission Youth Ambassador-Guyana, Jeremy Fraser (Tamica Garnett photo)

THE United Nations Children’s Fund in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is calling on innovative young Guyanese, between the ages of 14 and 24, to come up with ‘game-changing’ ideas and solutions for social challenges they face, and submit them with an application to the Generation Unlimited (GenU) Youth Challenge.

From the applications submitted, the five most promising ideas will be selected and awarded US$1000, along with mentoring and support for the implementation of the projects. Additionally the most promising solutions from Guyana will be further submitted to a global contest where winners can further receive up to US$20,000 in funding along with a tailored global incubation programme from GenU partners, to take their ideas to the next level and make a bigger impact for their communities.

In Guyana, the Youth Challenge also benefits from the collaboration of the Rights of the Child through its Youth Ambassadors’ networks, as well as public and private stakeholders.

All of this was explained by representatives of UNICEF, UNDP and Rights of the Child Commission, when the 2020 GenU Youth Challenge was launched on Wednesday morning at the UNICEF Headquarters on Brickdam. At the press conference head table were UNICEF Country Representative, Sylvie Fouet; Rights of the Child COmmission

Youth Ambassador-Guyana, Jeremy Fraser; and UNDP Resident Representative, Jairo Valverde.

They explained that the designed solutions should focus on development in the areas of education, employment and civic engagement. “Anything that you are passionate about, anything that you would want to see change or that you can make an impact on,” Valverde noted, as he pointed that there is no limit to the size and kind of project the young people can submit on.

There is hope that the opportunities afforded by the initiative will particularly be capitalized on by youths from Guyana’s remotest parts.

“From our perspective, every human being has talents and ideas regardless of gender, age, location, or ethnicity. The idea is to support young people, especially those in the hinterland and remote communities in Guyana, as well as those belonging to vulnerable groups, in piloting their ideas and development goals in developing sustainable solutions that can be scaled. As we work with youth and UNICEF, we expect to leverage the outcome from the capacities that have already been developed in Guyana,” Fraser related.

Aside from meeting the age criteria, to enter, persons must be in teams of at least three members, and submit projects that are new ideas and would not have received funding for development at any other time. Teams are also ineligible if they are already a registered company or a community organisation.

“While the results of this challenge will be the selec-

tion of teams for incubation and mentorship, this is not the only output of the projects. Our engagement will allow us for the wider mapping of talents in terms of where young people are in Guyana, what they are doing and what are the types of investments that they need for future cooperation. And specifically for the young people of Guyana, we encourage them to sign up for this because the time is now,” Fraser said.

If selected for local seed funding and mentorship, the teams must commit to implementing the ideas which could last until July 2020. If selected for global funding, the teams must be able to commit to ongoing implementation of the project.

First launched in September 2018 in 16 countries, the GenU Youth Challenge is about helping young people to become co-creators and develop their own innovative solutions to the challenges in their lives.

In 2018, of the over 800 entries, 32 of the brightest solutions progressed from 16 countries to the global stage, where a diverse international panel of young and expert judges selected the top five global winners. The first global winners were teams from Thailand, Macedonia, Zimbabwe, Sudan and Pakistan; and covered areas such as “menstrual health for women”, “bringing education to remote corners”, “speaking out against bullying” and “from detention to decent work”, and “taking young artisans to the global market”. In 2019, the GenU Youth Challenge increased, involving 41 countries.

Teenager accused of murder remanded CHIEF Magistrate Ann McLennan, on Wednesday, January 29, 2020, remanded to prison, a teenager accused of murder.

Leon Patterson of Sophia appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court and was not required to plead to the charge which stated that, on October 5, 2019, at Festival City, North Ruimveldt, George-

town, he murdered Darrel Breedy, during the course of a robbery.

Magistrate McLennan remanded Patterson to prison until February 10, 2020.

Patterson is currently on remand for an armed robbery charge.

Two weeks ago 26-year-old Terrence Pitt, called “Shots”, of Timehri, was also charged for the same murder.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday, January 30, 2020

15

Young Essequibians batting for coalition in March 2 elections THOUSANDS of A Partnership for National Unity and Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) supporters, on Wednesday evening, converged at the Anna Regina Car Park, Damon Square, in show of support for the current government.

Party supporters were seen as early as 15:00 hrs at different spotS waiting to hear their leaders address them.

A few of the party supporters who spoke with Guyana Chronicle all expressed similar sentiments, calling for the government to be given a second chance to further transform and develop Guyana.

Many of the supporters are of the view that the David Granger led-administration is the only government that can lead Guyana and Region Two to prosperity.

Lenessa Harrison, 23, of Good Hope Village, said she is supporting the current government because it has a vision for all Guyanese.

Harrison said the previous government did not deliver on most of their promises and

Twenty-three-year-old Lenessa Harrison and her friend, proud supporters of the current government

although the current government has been in power for only four years, it has enabled development in every sector of the economy.

Natasha Persaud, a resident of Hibernia, said she gave up serving under the People’s Progressive Party and decided to support the current administration because she wants a transparent government.

Persaud said under the previous administration, she was victimised, robbed and cheated and she was happy

Natasha Persaud, a resident from Hibernia Village, Region Two

when the current government won the elections as it gave many persons hope. Persaud said the coalition government has a room for everyone and called on her fellow Essequibians to vote wise on March 2.

Ziona Mc Cherson, who will be voting for the first time, said having listened to most of the parties manifesto, only the Granger-led Administration has the vision to assist young people. She said if the current government is given a chance, then better and brighter days are ahead for Region Two.

Ziona Mc Cherson, a young voter

Deodat Christian

Nichola Joseph from Queenstown

Maria Courtman from Maria’s Lodge

Deodat Christian, a fisherman from Paradise/ Jib village, said he is voting this year for the coalition because of the massive improvements seen in Region Two. He said he was a loyal supporter of the PPP, but many times when he raised concerns with regional officials, it falls on deaf ears. He said last year he supported the coalition Government and he went and lobbied for his street to be upgraded and it was done.

“We want leaders that can deliver promises and fulfil the people’s need,” he said.

Nichola Joseph, from Queenstown village, said she is also supporting the current government because for four years she has seen tremendous improvements in infrastructure in the PomeroonSupenaam region. Today, she said, floods seldom occur.

Maria Courtman, from Maria’s Lodge, said she and her entire family are supporting the current government because the leaders have a vision for Guyana.

Be neutral during elections season -- Guyana Police Association urges ranks

THE executives of the Guyana Police Association, a statutory body which represents ranks from constable to chief inspector, is urging ranks to remain steadfast, resolute and neutral as General and Regional Elections approach.

According to the body, “the association wishes to remind ranks that they are policemen/women and not politicians.”

It added: “We urge our members to strive to reduce the fears of the public and to reflect their priorities in the actions we take. However, in doing so we must continue to be firm in our resolve to fight crime, to reduce the number of traffic accidents and road deaths, last but not least, resolve to upgrade the level of service delivery throughout the Force,” the association said in a press statement.

The association is also concerned about the attitude

of some errant ranks who continue to deviate from the acceptable norms and police standing orders and engage in venalities, inappropriate conduct and other transgressions.

Such behaviour, the association noted, brings the Force into disrepute, which affects the credibility of hard-working policemen/ women.

In providing the highest quality of service, the association noted that ranks must do so without favour or affection, malice or ill will. “Courtesy, politeness, honesty, integrity, dedication, impartiality, dignity and professionalism, must be common attributes of our operational life,” the body noted.

The executives of the Police Association are also urging its members to consolidate on the gains achieved over the years and to fully embrace the modernisation, training and

The Executives of the Guyana Police Association

capacity-building taking place in the Police Force under the guidance of the commissioner of police and

his management team.

The Association commends the hard-working policemen/women who

continue to work beyond the normal call of duty, in a dedicated and professional manner in order to

maintain a high degree of public safety within the country.

16

THIS IS A PAID POLITICAL AD

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday January 30, 2020

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday January 30, 2020

‘GECOM is an independent body’

17

….Guyana reminds US at UN review forum

…says commission already committed to free, fair elections THE Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) is an independent constitutional organ and it has committed to conduct free and fair elections here, come March 2, Dr. J. Ronald Deep Ford, Ambassador of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana to the United Nations Organisations (Geneva) said, as he allayed the concerns of the United States of America.

Ambassador Ford, at the time, was responding to a number of concerns raised after he had presented to the United Nations Universal Periodic Review (UPR) Working Group, Guyana’s Third National Report. The report was presented on Wednesday in Geneva during the 35th Session of Universal Periodic Review (Working Group).

US Representative, Sean Mariano Garcia, in tabling three recommendations, including a call for the strengthening of Guyana’s electoral system, expressed concern over the application of the Constitution. “The United States is concerned about recent actions by Guyana that may undermine democratic principles, including apparent misapplication of the Guyanese Constitution, and certain court rulings,” Gar-

cia said.

In response, Ambassador Ford reminded the UPR Working Group that the Elections Commission is an independent institution protected by the Constitution of Guyana. “The Elections Commission of Guyana… is independent from the State,” he told the high-level global forum.

He said the Guyana Elections Commission has assured the nation and the world at large that it will deliver “free, fair, transparent and credible elections on March 2, 2020.”

Weighing in on the concerns raised by the US, Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams, like Ambassador Ford, said the elections commission is an independent constitutional organ – a fact acknowledged and confirmed by the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) – the country’s highest court.

Referencing to the case – Christopher Ram v Attorney General et al [2019] CCJ 14 (AJ), the Attorney General said the Caribbean Court of Justice confirmed that it is the responsibility of GECOM to conduct General and Regional Elections in Guyana. “…GECOM too

must abide by the provisions of the Constitution,” the CCJ said as it handed down its ruling in mid-June, 2019.

Elections in Guyana were triggered by the passage of a no-confidence motion in the National Assembly on December 21, 2018, however, the validity of the motion was challenged in the courts. In January 2019, the High Court upheld the no-confidence motion but by March 22, 2019, that High Court decision was overturned by the Court of Appeal. It was not until June 18, 2019 that the CCJ affirmed the no-confidence motion.

But in handing down its ruling, the CCJ stated that: “Article 106 of the Constitution invests in the President and the National Assembly (and implicitly in GECOM), responsibilities that impact on the precise timing of the elections which must be held.

It would not therefore be right for the court, by the issuance of coercive orders or detailed directives, to presume to instruct these bodies on how they must act and thereby pre-empt the performance by them of their constitutional responsibilities. It is not, for example, the role of the court to

RUSAL lays off another batch of workers RUSSIAN-owned Bauxite Company of Guyana Incorporated (BCGI), on Wednesday, announced the laying off of another 146 employees effective Thursday, January 30, citing the blockage of the Berbice River by workers as the reason for its action.

Some 142 workers were laid off by the company last week.

After the layoff notice last week, employees of the company blocked the Berbice River, preventing the movement of bauxite, by the company, out of Guyana from its Kurubuka Mines. The union has made a number of demands that they expect to be addressed before any ‘let-up’ can be considered.

“We wish to advise that we are forced to further reduce operations and to lay off employees due to adverse operating circumstances including shipment interruption due to the blockage of the Berbice River,” read the notice signed by the company’s Managing Director, Gennadii Derevyanko.

The notice goes on to note that the employees will be “recalled as soon as the situation returns to normal” and that individual letters would be mailed to the respective employees.

Last week, the laying off of the 142 employees was attributed to the company having to reduce operations due to a “shortage of fuel”. The company is said to have claimed that the fuel was short due to it not being granted tax exemption by the Guyana Revenue Authority.

GRA Commissioner-General, Godfrey Statia, has maintained that the GRA has never withheld tax exemption from the company for importation of fuel for its operations.

Last Monday, the Department of Labour met separately with the company, and its employees’ union – the Guyana Bauxite and General Workers Union. At the meeting, the company representatives said they would be willing to rehire the 142 employees but it depended on the employees unblocking the river.

The union, on the other hand, listed three demands that it says must be addressed before it would be willing to facilitate advising the workers to remove the blockage.

The demands include the rehiring of the 142 workers; the addressing of compensation for two employees who were hospitalised after suffering electric shock while on duty; and the addressing of prolonged negotiations over salary increases for workers.

In a statement issued on Monday, the Ministry of Social Protection (MoSP), under which the Department of Labour falls, established that it has taken “the position that the workers were improperly laid off by the Company and should therefore be recalled immediately”.

The Labour Department also advised the union that it was illegal to block the river and should therefore take steps to unblock it.

The Department also submitted that the laying off of the workers was separate and apart from all other issues, but all would be addressed in phases, with the recall of the workers being of paramount importance.

“In the meantime, the department is contemplating convening a meeting with the parties to determine the way forward with outstanding negotiations for a new Collective Labour Agreement (CLA) of which wages and salaries is a component,” the ministry said in the statement.

The current situation between the company and its employees is reminiscent of what took place last year when the company initially fired 60 workers and subsequently 31 more when the employees commenced strike action over an arbitrarily imposed one per cent salary increase.

The employees had at that time also taken to blocking the river as leverage to have their grievances addressed. In a small victory for the workers, the strike action came to an end with all the workers being reinstated and the company agreeing to recognise the workers’ union-- the Guyana Bauxite and General Workers Union (GBGWU)-- as the legal bargaining body for the employees.

Relations between the company and the union have been uneasy since 2009 when the company arbitrarily fired some 59 workers, who were never rehired and the issue was never resolved.

establish a date on or by which the elections must be held, or to lay down timelines and deadlines that, in principle, are the preserve of political actors guided by constitutional imperatives.”

While the CCJ handed down its ruling in June, 2019, it was not until mid-September, 2019 that GECOM, having been appointed a new Chairman, informed President David Granger that it would be ready to hold General and Regional Elections by the end of February 2020.

On the eve of October 1, 2019, President Granger, in accordance with the advice of GECOM, proclaimed March 2, 2020 as the day on which an election of members of the National Assembly and the election of members of the Regional Democratic Council (RDCs) shall be held.

Since then GECOM has been actively putting systems in place for the conduct of free, fair and credible elections. More than 600,000 Guyanese are expected to go to the polls on Monday, March 2, 2020.

RESIDENCY

Dr. Ronald Deep Ford, Ambassador of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana to United Nations Organisations (Geneva), makes his presentation to the Universal Periodic Review Working Group. Other members of the mission seated next to the ambassador are (Right) Nashanta Benn, Counsellor Permanent Mission of Guyana in Geneva, and Joann Bond, Deputy Chief Parliamentary Counsel, Ministry of Legal Affairs

REQUIREMENT Meanwhile, in addressing the alleged “misapplication of the Constitution, the Attorney General explained that “there was an omission on the 1991 Constitutional Amendment restoring residency in our Constitution which was engendered by the intervention of President Jimmy Carter, together with the removal of overseas voting by the Elections Law (Amendment) Act 1991.”

A recent High Court ruling said residency was not a requirement for persons to be on the National Register of Registrants

– a decision which has been challenged in the Court of Appeal and is awaiting final ruling.

Guyana was among 14 countries that reported on actions taken to improve human rights situations and the implementation of the UPR recommendations posed during their previous reviews. Ambassador Ford was accompanied

by Nashanta Benn, Counsellor Permanent Mission of Guyana in Geneva; and Joann Bond, Deputy Chief Parliamentary Counsel at the Ministry of Legal Affairs. Guyana’s last review was in 2015.

18

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday, January 30, 2020

Man accused of robbery remanded

MAGISTRATE Faith McGusty, on Wednes day, January 29, 2020, remanded a 21-year-old man to prison on a robbery charge.

Joshua Perreira of

Charlestown appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court and denied the charge, when it was read to him.

Particulars of the charge stated that, on January 17,

2020, at Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, while being in the company of another, and armed with a cutlass, he robbed Patricia Abrahams of a phone valued at $65,000, and several gold

rings and cash valued at $331,000.

Police prosecutor objected to bail being granted to Perreira based on the nature of the offence and the penalty attached.

Magistrate McGusty, after listening to the prosecutor, remanded Perreira to prison and adjourned the matter until February 15, 2020.

Days ago, Mark Grave-

sande, 19, of Dairy, West Bank Demerara, was also charged for the same offence and was remanded to prison.

Several reckless drivers for court after snared by CCTV cameras TRAFFIC Chief Linden Isles, on Wednesday, disclosed that several drivers are to appear in court shortly after being caught on cameras breaking the laws as well as some exposed by citizens on social media.

Isles made the disclosure while addressing a road safety forum at the Umana Yana on Wednesday afternoon. He said the drivers were captured by the CCTV cameras at various parts in the city and environs. The development is in addition to the use by the GPF of evidence posted on social media by concerned citizens of errant drivers who are bent on breaking the law.

Noting that the videos on social media are encouraging, he opined that if action is taken, it will eventually result in a reduction of accidents.

He blamed the attitude of some persons who are always late but do not want to wait.

Remarking that “every one death on our roads is one too many”, the traffic chief said officers of the traffic department have been continuously urging the safe use of the roadways. Alluding to

A section of the audience at the road safety forum at the Umana Yana (Photo by Adrian Narine)

statistics, Isles noted that in 2019, there were 108 fatal accidents in which 129 persons lost their lives, compared to 2018 when there were 105 accidents with 119 persons losing their lives. So far for this year there have been eight road fatalities.

Meanwhile, Wednesday’s forum was hosted by

a six-member group of concerned citizens, who, having expressed concern about the reckless use of the country’s roadways, said they were buoyed by the positive feedback they received from members of the public.

Among the other participants in attendance were representatives of the University

of Guyana Minibus Union, the United Minibus Union; male and female minibus drivers operating the Number 42 (Georgetown-Timehri) and Number 31 (Georgetown-West Demerara) routes and other concerned personnel.

The observance of a moment of silence for those

who lost their lives on the roadways and a brief airing of clips of a number of serious vehicular accidents, some fatal, at the start of the forum, were cleverly used to jolt the emotions of the participants and set the tone for the frank expressions that followed.

The need for increased road safety education to benefit all categories of road users, training for motorists, in particular, minibus drivers, enforcement of road safety laws and a review of the existing ones, were among the recommendations.

Rawle Small, in an overview into the initiative by the group, noted that road accidents are caused by a combination of human factors and reminded the audience that driving is a privilege, not a right. He shared that in 2000, there were 329 vehicular accidents which, by the year 2013 had risen to 10, 635, representing an average growth of seven per cent.

This he blamed on the large number of bicycles, pedestrians, and animal-drawn carts using the roads and the number of vehicles, including motor vehicles, that have in-

creased from about 5, 336 in 2000 to 15,694 in 2013.

Small made reference to the community of Grove, East Bank of Demerara, where the roadway is narrow and in addition to a number of businesses dotting both sides, trucks, bicycles, animals and animal-drawn vehicles and pedestrians all compete for space. With drinking and driving by minibus drivers and conductors topping the list of the lawlessness taking place, one male speaker-- a driver-- blamed greed as one of the factors for some of the accidents. He suggested that there be continued presence of “honest” policemen at the minibus parks.

Other participants called for the Guyana Revenue Authority and the Traffic Department to institute a quota system for the number of buses using specific routes; that there should be a review of the penalties, and the legislation be amended so that persons can be penalised without having the lengthy court process.

MoE reports Rohee to gender commission for lewd remarks THE Ministry of Education (MoE) Public Relations Department has written to the Women’s and Gender Equality Commission (WGEC) requesting that it looks into a situation where a politician of the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPPC) allegedly spoke disparagingly about women, at one of the party’s public meetings.

A video recording of the event, which is alleged to have taken place, last Friday, in Industry Village, on the East Coast of Demerara, has

been circulating on social media, having since garnered over 20,000 views on social media platform, Facebook.

The video clip shows PPP Clement Rohee backing the camera and making references to the female genitalia. He also referenced USA President Donald Trump’s infamous recording, where Trump spoke of grabbing women by their genitalia.

In the video, the politician instructed the gathering to create a portmanteau that spells out a vulgar term used to refer to a woman’s pri-

vate part, as several of the attendees, including women, laughed and cheered. At least one attendee is heard in the background commenting “you want all ah we get lock up”.

“This is school time... this is back to school time. I don’t want y’all to actually say what it is but I think you know what I talking about.

Tell me what you get? Do you get something that you could hold on to? I’m talking to the men. The President of the United States… Mr. Trump said grab something,”

Rohee said. The MoE letter, addressed to the WGEC Chief Executive Officer, Diana Swan-Lawrence, calls the video clip “disturbing”.

“Quite disappointingly and very much against any sphere of education in its true sense… the lesson spewed by the Member of Parliament is very disparaging, [and] disrespectful to the women of our country and the world, and [is] reckless to say the least,” the letter reads, further adding that: “All would agree that this is not the type of insolent

campaigning that our nation should accept or be exposed to, especially our nation’s children. In the circumstance, the MoE hereby implores the Gender Commission to sanction appropriately this matter, which is no doubt one of national concern.”

The letter also called on the politician to apologise for his remarks.

“In the meantime the right and educated thing for the Member of Parliament to do is to offer a public apology to the people of Guyana,” the letter ended

saying. Efforts, on Wednesday, to contact the WGEC for a comment on the issue proved futile. PPPC Candidates are becoming famous for disparaging remarks against women during elections season.

It was during the 2015 elections season that then Minister of Health, and member of the party, Bheri Ramsarran, was recorded as threatening to slap and strip women’s right activist, Sherlina Nageer.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday January 30, 2020

Matpal Marine Institute host first Career Forum

By Naomi Parris

“I want to train as many Guyanese sailors as possible over 10 years…my goal is to turn over my vessel to a Guyanese captain” - Captain Henshaw WITH efforts to engage the young minds and general public, the Matpal Marine Institute held its first ever Career Forum to encourage those desirous of having maritime careers to join the institution.

The institution offers courses in Basic Safety Training, Ship Security Awareness, and Basic Training for Oil and Chemical Tanker Operators, Advance Fire Fighting, Medical Fist Aid, Efficient Deck Hand, Fishing Masters Licence and Harbour Licence for Fishermen\ Basic Training and Emergency Awareness for Fishermen.

Delivering the Keynote address at the presentation, on Monday morning, at the Critclow Labour College, Captain Jim Henshaw urged the youths at the gathering to take advantage of the opportunity placed before them.

“The opportunities here are amazing, we need mariners now, we need skilled individuals now …its gender neutral; ladies, its wide open for you, there is lucrative salaries, it’s a very good employment line to get involved with, so this is the right time,” he stated.

He added that the institution offers a cadet programme, where participants can have access to onboard training and earn a salary as they work onboard of a vessel.

Captain Henshaw further noted that he is looking forward to working with the young, brilliant minds of Guyana, since he has been able to work with a few who were driven to succeed and will soon be receiving their licence and will be deployed to sea to start their careers.

“It’s available to you, it all matters [about] what you want, you could get past obstacles,

Ms. Coleen Abrams, Chief Executive Officer of the MatPal Marine Institute

Captain Jim Henshaw, Master-Edison Chouest Offshore, addressing the gathering at the Critchlow Labour College

Participants of the MatPal Marine cadet programme engaging members of the public at the gathering (Photos by DPI)

19

you can make a difference in your life, in your family lives…this career path is absolutely extraordinary at this point in time and I cannot state that enough…I want to train as many Guyanese as I possibly can, and my goal here is to retire in 10 years and what I would to like do; I would like to turn my vessel over to a Guyanese captain,” he stated.

Additionally, Ms. Coleen Abrams, Chief Executive Officer of MatPal Marine, stated that the projections and discovery of oil in Guyana in 2015, urged Matpal Marine Institution to engage its engines to full speed to focus on its portfolio and curriculum to cater for the emerging oil and gas industry.

“When I was called to man, or should I say man the wheel of Matpal Marine in 2005,I had little knowledge of maritime affairs; however, I knew it was either sink or swim and I was determined to swim …the vision and the passion to continue shaping the mind of sea-farers and the prospective sea-farers through training and certification, to become certified to take up jobs within the maritime industry had to stay alive; thus I became one of the few women in maritime,” Ms. Abrams told the gathering.

She noted that the times are evolving, and persons should take advantage of the opportunities placed before them, to better advance themselves and their country.

Matpal Marine Institute is the only one of its kind in Guyana and since being founded in 1999, the institute has successfully trained a substantial number of persons within and outside of the marine industry of Guyana and has earned a reputation for excellence in service.

Additionally, with the emerging oil and gas sector in Guyana, Tullow Oil has also joined with the institution and has donated $3M in equipment to MatPal Marine institute, to ensure that the participants of the programme and courses are well trained and ready to take the marine, oil and gas industry by storm.

Sophia arson-related murders…

Trial of alleged arsonist begins THE trial pertaining to the murder of three ‘C’ Field Sophia residents, who were killed when an arsonist set fire to their home in 2015, commenced on Wednesday at the Demerara High Court.

The trial against Gavin Graham, 53, commenced before Justice Sandil Kissoon.

Graham had pleaded not guilty to the three counts which allege that on January 2, 2015, at Lot 6036 ‘C’ Field, Sophia, Greater Georgetown, he murdered Nizoge Abrams and her boyfriend Shawn White, along with her stepfather Clifford Sampson, by setting their home afire.

Graham is represented by attorney-at-law Ravindra Mohabir, while the state is represented by prosecutors Tiffani Lyken, Tuanna Hardy and Nafeeza Baig.

The trial commenced with the evidence of three police witnesses, followed by Canda-

cy Buelow, who was the sister of Abrams and Sampson’s stepmother.

Buelow told the court that the family lived at Lot 6036 ‘C’ Field, Sophia, which has two houses on the land. She lived in the front house while Adams and her mother lived at the back.

The witness explained that her sister and Graham had shared a relationship for five to six year, and she had warned her about him on numerous occasions.

After the relationship ended, Abrams started to see White.

Buelow told the court that on the day in question she was at home when she heard the dog barking. She said that she made checks and saw nothing.

However, five minutes later she heard a loud explosion and opened her door only to see the back property on fire.

Neighbours assembled a

bucket brigade the witness said, as they tried to contain the fire.

“All I could hear is my sister screaming” Buelow said as she broke down in tears, since Adams was locked inside and the door could not be opened.

However, after breaking the door down, Adams and White ran out of the burning house along with other relatives.

Adams’s night gown was burnt off and persons had to ‘lash’ the fire off of her, according to Buelow.

The witness explained that her mother threw her son and nephew out from a window on the top floor of the burning house and also had to jump to save herself.

However, her father had suffered a stroke and was unable to jump from the top floor.

“I keep shouting daddy jump, daddy jump… he was in

the fire all the time burning” the woman said.

However, the man managed to lean himself over the window from the top floor, thus inflicting injuries to his head when he landed on the ground.

According to Buelow, they had to wrap Sampson in a cloth because his skin was “peeling off” due to the fire.

All the injured persons from the fire were placed in a mini-bus and taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital for treatment.

The witness explained that while the mini-bus was coming out of the street, she heard another loud explosion and saw the burning house flat on the ground.

She recalled seeing her father’s eyes and body completely burnt and also her sister who was burnt from her head to her right side.

Meanwhile, the flesh on White’s chin was stuck to his

Gavin Graham

stomach, due to him being badly burnt by the fire. The three relatives died while receiving treatment at the hospital.

Finally, the witnesses explained that Graham was prohibited from visiting the family home due to her mother having a restraining

order against him.

The trial continues on Thursday, January 30, 2020.

The Guyana Chronicle had reported that Graham was reportedly seen by neighbours at the scene; he was later arrested with minor burns about his arms and other parts of his body.

20

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, January 30, 2020

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, January 30, 2020

21

22

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, January 30, 2020

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, January 30, 2020

23

24

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, January 30, 2020

Thursday, January 30, 2020 - 09:00hrs~10:30hrs

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, January 30, 2020

25

26

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, January 30, 2020

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, January 30, 2020

27

Arab Emirates Racing Tips Meydan 10:30 hrs Ziyaad 11:05 hrs Barney Roy 11:40 hrs Universal Order 12:15 hrs Dubai Legacy 12:50 hrs Yaalail 13:25 hrs All Out Blitz American Racing Tips Aqueduct Race 1 Try’n Smart’n Up Race 2 Quiet Out East Race 3 Mr Fidget Race 4 Overbold Race 5 Ghost Fighter Race 6 Miss Mi Mi Race 7 Peggy Sue Race 8 Imperio D South Africa Racing Tips Vaal 08:10 hrs Green Top 08:50 hrs Bien Venue 09:30 hrs Movie Magic 10:05 hrs At Hand 10:40 hrs Minister Without Irish Racing Tips Limerick 08:55 hrs Dolcino Dici 09:25 hrs Lamarckise 10:00 hrs La Feline 10:35 hrs Frere Fontaine 11:10 hrs Fice O’Clock 11:40 hrs Bajan Excell 12:10 hrs Lotus Hill 12:45 hrs Freedom To Dream English Racing Tips Wincanton 09:10 hrs 09:45 hrs Tea Clipper 10:20 hrs Moving In Style 10:55 hrs Glory And Fortune 11:25 hrs Go Steady 11:55 hrs Virak 12:30 hrs Hurricane Mitch Ffos Las 09:35 hrs Main Fact 10:10 hrs Pileon 10:45 hrs Kateson 11:15 hrs Keep Wondering 11:45 hrs Dusky Hercules 12:20 hrs Jimmy James Chelmsford City 13:00 hrs Age Of Fortune 13:30 hrs Classic Star 14:00 hrs Partridge 14:30 hrs Chitra 15:00 hrs Cuban Spirit 15:30 hrs Makthecat 16:00 hrs Famous Dynasty

28

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, January 30, 2020

Raza’s career-best 7-113 Windies crash out of ICC U-19 puts Zimbabwe in control World Cup after NZ fightback

HARARE, Zimbabwe (Reuters) - Off-spinner Sikandar Raza grabbed career-best figures of 7-113 as Zimbabwe took control of the second and final Test against Sri Lanka at the Harare Sports Club yesterday, but for the

cussion protocols to bring another batsman into the side.

Timycen Maruma has been drafted into the line-up, with his only previous Test against Bangladesh in April 2013.

Sri Lanka had resumed

Sikandar Raza (L) celebrates after the dismissal of Lasith Embuldeniya (AFP photo)

second match running the home side suffered a concussion scare.

Zimbabwe are 62 for one in their second innings at the close of the third day, a lead of 175 with nine wickets remaining, after Raza helped them bowl the visitors out for 293 on a pitch that is offering plenty of assistance to the spinners.

Prince Masvaure (26 not out) and nightwatchman Regis Chakabva (14 not out) will resume on day four, with makeshift opener Craig Ervine (13) the one wicket to fall.

Ervine was pushed to the top of the order after regular opener Kevin Kasuza had to be stretchered off the field when he was hit flush on the helmet while fielding at short leg and was taken to hospital with concussion.

It is the second Test in a row that Kasuza has been concussed fielding in that position and allows Zimbabwe to use the International Cricket Council’s new con-

the third day on 122 for two, but added only 12 runs before Kusal Mendis (22) crashed the ball into the helmet of the helpless Kasuza and was caught at square leg

by Carl Mumba.

Angelo Mathews (64) and Dhananjaya de Silva (42) put on 84 for the sixth wicket, before the latter was caught and bowled by Raza.

The prized wicket of Mathews, who scored an unbeaten double-century in the first Test, was claimed by Mumba as he got a tickle to a ball down the leg-side and was caught by wicketkeeper Chakabva with the score on 244.

All-rounder Raza’s figures beat the 5-99 he managed against the West Indies in Bulawayo in 2017.

Zimbabwe will want to bat quickly on the fourth day to build a sizeable lead as they attempt to square the series, having lost the first Test at the same venue by 10 wickets.

SCOREboard

ZIMBABWE 1st innings 406 SRI LANKA 1st innings o/n 122 for 2 Dimuth Karunaratne lbw Sikandar Raza

44 Oshada Fernando c Regis Chakabva b Donald Tiripano 44 Kusal Mendis c Carl Mumba b Sikandar Raza

22 Angelo Mathews c Regis Chakabva b Carl Mumba 64 Dinesh Chandimal c & b Sikandar Raza

6 Dhananjaya de Silva b Sikandar Raza

42 Niroshan Dickwella lbw Sikandar Raza

1 Suranga Lakmal c Tinotenda Mutombodzi b Sikandar Raza 5 Lasith Embuldeniya c (sub.) b Sikandar Raza

5 Vishwa Fernando c Regis Chakabva b Victor Nyauchi 38 Lahiru Kumara not out

3 EXTRAS: (b-9, lb-10)

19 TOTAL: (all out, 119.5 overs)

293 Fall of wickets: 1-94, 2-104, 3-134, 4-142, 5-226, 6-228, 7-242, 8-244, 9-268.

Bowling: Carl Mumba 18-4-43-1, Sikandar Raza 43-8-113-7, Donald Tiripano 24-12-30-1, Victor Nyauchi 22.5-7-40- 1, Tinotenda Mutombodzi 12-1-48-0.

ZIMBABWE 2nd innings Prince Masvaure not out

26 Craig Ervine c Niroshan Dickwella b Vishwa Fernando 13 Regis Chakabva not out

14 EXTRAS: (lb-9)

9 TOTAL: (one wkt, 20.5 overs)

62 Fall of wickets: 1-32.

Bowling: Suranga Lakmal 7-1-11-0-0, Dhananjaya de Silva 4-217-0, Vishwa Fernando 5-2-9-1, 1.80, Lahiru Kumara 3.5-1-10-0

Sharma’s sixes help India beat New Zealand in third T20 to clinch series

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (Reuters) - Rohit Sharma belted two sixes off the final two deliveries of a Super Over to give India victory in the third Twenty20 international against New Zealand at Seddon Park in Hamilton yesterday and clinch the series with two games to spare.

Sharma finished on 15 not out after he hit two sixes off Tim Southee to lead India to 20-0 after New Zealand scored 17-0 in their over bowled by Jasprit Bumrah, with Kane Williamson scoring 11, while Martin Guptill finished on five.

New Zealand captain Williamson had almost sin-

gle-handedly led his side to a win in the regulation 20 overs when he blasted 95 from 48 balls but was dismissed by Mohammed Shami with three balls remaining and two runs needed for victory.

Shami, however, conceded just one run through a bye on the penultimate ball then bowled Ross Taylor on the final delivery to leave New Zealand on 179-6.

India, who scored 179-5 in their innings, won the first two games of the five-match series in Auckland at the weekend.

Rohit (65) and KL Rahul had given India a blistering start, with Rohit’s

20th Twenty20 half-century being reached inside the first six overs as they put on 77 runs in the first seven.

Rahul was dismissed on the final ball of the ninth over but at 89-1 with 11 overs remaining the tourists were still well placed to score over 200 before New Zealand clamped down in the second half of the innings.

Hamish Bennett, who got clubbed for three sixes and two fours by Rohit in the sixth over, dismissed the Indian opener in the 11th then two balls later got rid of Shivam Dube and the torrent of runs slowed.

The fourth game is in Wellington tomorrow.

BENONI, South Africa (CMC) – West Indies dropped four catches, missed a vital run-out while conceding 38 runs from the last three full overs, as they squandered a winning position to crash to a shock two-wicket defeat to New Zealand, and miss out on a spot in the final four of the ICC Under-19 World Cup here yesterday.

Defending 238 at Willowmoore Park, the Caribbean side reduced the young Kiwis to 153 for eight in the 35th over after left-arm spinner Ashmead Nedd had ripped through the innings with an excellent spell of three for 33 from his 10 overs.

But eventual Man-of-theMatch Kristian Clarke, with an unbeaten 46 and Joey Field, 38 not out, displayed composure and maturity beyond their years in a record, unbroken ninth-wicket stand of 86, to turn the game on its head and propel New Zealand to victory with two balls to spare.

Clarke belted three fours and a six off 42 deliveries while Field faced 58 balls and counted three fours.

With the pressure growing, West Indies’ fielding fell apart and discipline left their bowling, and New Zealand capitalised to whittle down a required asking rate from nearly 11, by taking 14 runs from both the 47th and 48th overs and another 10 from the 49th over.

West Indies missed a big moment off the last ball of the 49th when Field raced back to the striker’s end for a second run but wicketkeeper Leonardo Julien failed to gather the return which would have found the batsman short of his ground.

With a manageable seven runs needed off the last over bowled by seamer Nyeem Young, Clarke scrambled a single off the first ball before Field struck a sweetly-timed straight boundary off the next ball.

Another sharp single left the scores tied and Clarke carved the fourth ball – a full-length delivery – to the cover boundary to break the Windies’ hearts.

New Zealand had earlier gotten 33 from Simon Keene, 32 from wicketkeeper Quinn Sunde while Fergus Lellman struck 29 and opener Rhys Mariu, 26, in a stuttering start to their run chase.

Fast bowlers Joshua James (2-45) and Matthew Forde (2-64) claimed two wickets apiece to help give West Indies the early advantage.

Left-hander Kirk McKenzie had earlier perished

agonisingly short of triple figures for 99 as the previously unbeaten West Indies, opting to bat first, were dismissed in the 48th over.

Kevlon Anderson chipped in with 33 and Antonio Morris, 31, but the Windies declined from a promising 183 for three in the 36th over to lose their last seven wickets for 55 runs in a swift collapse.

Clarke was again at the forefront of New Zealand’s success, snaring four for 25 from 7.5 overs of pace while left-arm spinner Jesse Tashkoff (2-35) and seamer Field (2-52) picked up two wickets apiece.

The Windies’ start was less than enterprising, losing captain Kimani Melius (17) and Julien (4) cheaply to be 32 for two in the 10th over before McKenzie anchored two half-century stands to restore the innings.

First, he added 78 for the third wicket with Anderson who struck four fours off 46 balls, and then posted 73 for the third wicket with Morris who blasted four fours and a six in a 32-ball cameo.

All told, McKenzie blasted 11 fours and three sixes in a 104-ball knock before he was forced to retire hurt with cramp at the end of the 42nd over.

However, the slide had started when Morris fell lbw to Clarke in the 36th over and

in the following over with a single run added, Young holed out to mid-off trying to attack Tashkoff.

Wickets continued to tumble and not even the return of McKenzie at the fall of the ninth wicket could rally the innings, as he played on to the first ball he faced.

West Indies struck early when Ollie White (0) tugged a short one from Forde to mid-wicket in the third over but Lellman and Mariu added 48 for the second wicket to stabilise the innings.

New Zealand stumbled however, losing three wickets for 15 runs as James accounted for both Lellman and Mariu before captain Tashkoff (6) gloved a pull off Young and was caught down the leg-side by Julien at 67 for four in the 16th over.

Keene revived the innings, putting on 51 for the fifth wicket with Sunde before adding a further 30 for the sixth with Beckham Wheeler-Greenall (16).

And New Zealand were finding their groove when Nedd ripped through the innings with three wickets in the space of 28 balls, as the run chase spiraled and the Windies took command.

West Indies then squandered the perfect chance to drive home the advantage when they put down Field on 11 at mid-off in the 43rd over off James.

SCOREboard

WEST INDIES innings K. Melius c Lellman b Hancock 17 L. Julien c Ashok b Field 4 K. Anderson b Keene 33 K. McKenzie b Clarke 99 A. Morris lbw b Clarke 31 N. Young c Lellman b Tashkoff 1 M. Patrick c Ashok b Clarke 1 M. Forde c Ashok b Tashkoff 9 J. James lbw b Clarke 18 A. Nedd lbw b Field 0 J. Seales not out 9 EXTRAS: (b-1, lb-1, w-14) 16 TOTAL: (all out, 47.5 overs) 238 Fall of wickets: 1-9, 2-32, 3-110, 4-183, 5-184, 6-191, 7-205, 8-205, 9-238.

Bowling: Forde 9-0-64-2, Seales 6-1-21-0, James 8-0-45-2, Young 7.4-0-55-1, Nedd 10-0-33-3, Patrick 9-0-18-0.

NEW ZEALAND innings R. Mariu lbw b James 26 O. White c Morris b Forde 0 F. Lellman c Forde b James 29 J. Tashkoff c Julien b Young 6 Q. Sunde lbw b Forde 32 S. Keene c Julien b Nedd 33 B. Wheeler-Greenall b Nedd 16 A. Ashok c & b Nedd 0 J. Field not out 38 K. Clarke not out 46 EXTRAS: (lb-3, w-9, nb-1) 13 TOTAL: (8 wkts, 49.4 overs) 239 Fall of wickets: 1-4, 2-52, 3-66, 4-67, 5-118, 6-148, 7-150, 8-153.

Bowling: Forde 9-0-64-2, Seales 6-1-21-0, James 8-0-45-2, Young 7.4-0-55-1, Nedd 10-0-33-3, Patrick 9-0-18-0.

Result: New Zealand won by two wickets.

Series: New Zealand advance to semi-final.

Man-of-the-Match: Kristian Clarke.

Toss: West Indies.

Umpires: Sam Nogajski, Roland Black; TV – Anil Chaudhary.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, January 30, 2020

Fiedtkou, Spencer cop GCC Most Outstanding Hockey Player awards

… Johnson, Dindyal and Alli-Mohammed outstanding in cricket GEORGETOWN Cricket Club (GCC) presented 49 awards to outstanding individuals who would have excelled in cricket and hockey in 2019 at the GCC Hockey and Cricket Awards Ceremony recently at the club’s pavilion.

With GCC excelling in all formats of cricket, especially at the first and second division levels and by producing national cricketers, the majority of the trophies went to the national sport.

while Abosaide Cadogan was named the Most Promising Female Player and Meshach Sargeant the Most Promising Male Player.

Dominique Degroot, who has been extremely efficient behind the scenes, was named the Most Outstanding Female Contributor on and off the field, while Dwayne Scott received the corresponding award.

Meanwhile, national cricket captain Leon Johnson, his teammate Ronaldo Alli-Mo-

emerging Junior Player in the Club. He also won Best Fielder at the U-19/U-17 levels.

Jodah was also rewarded for his many exploits at the junior level.

The cricket awards are as followed.

FIRST DIVISION Leon Johnson: Best Batsman Stephon Wilson: Best Bowler Ronaldo Mohammed: Best All-Rounder

U-15 Mavendra Dindyal: Best Batsman Johnoton Sooklall: Best Bowler Thaddeus Lovell: Best All-Rounder Zachary Jodah: Best Fielder

U-13 Fyad Mohammed Omari Cummings Yusuf Hack Alex Balgobin Several of the hockey and cricket awardees with their spoils

However, several awards were also presented to outstanding hockey players, including the dominant Marzana Fiedtkou, who was a scoring machine for GCC Tigers at the senior club championships, and at the national level. she was adjudged the Most Valuable female hockey player.

Kevin Spencer, who had scored six goals for GCC against Queen’s Park Cricket Club in the Diamond Mineral Water Hockey Festival Over-35 final late last year, was named Most Valuable Male Hockey Player.

Makeda Harding and Kareem McKenzie copped the best female and male Junior Player-of-the-Year awards,

hamed, West Indies U-15 batsman Mavendra Dindyal and national U-15 skipper Zachary Jodah were recipients of multiple cricket awards.

Johnson won for being the Best Batsman in first division cricket and for being the Most Successful Guyana Senior Captain, while Ali-Mohammed was rewarded for making the Guyana Senior team, and for being the Best All-Rounder in the first division and second division sides.

Dindyal received the most awards. He won prizes for making Guyana U-15, Guyana U-17 and the West Indies U-15 teams and for his batting exploits at club levels in the U-19, U-17, U-15 and as an

er

Bernard Bailey: Best Field-

SECOND DIVISION Winston Forrester: Best Batsman Stephon Wilson: Best Bowler Ronaldo Mohammed: Best All-Rounder Bernard Bailey: Best Fielder U-19/U-17 Mavendra Dindyal: Best Batsman Darrius Andrews: Best Bowler Zachary Jodah: Best All-Rounder Mavendra Dindyal: Best Fielder

Zverev beats Wawrinka to reach Australian Open semis ALEXANDER Zverev is through to a Grand Slam semi-final for the first time, after defeating Stan Wawrinka in four sets at the Australian Open.

The German seventh seed beat the Swiss threetime Grand Slam champion 1-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-2, dropping a set for the first time in Melbourne this year.

Emerging players Seniors Ronaldo Ali-Mohammed Stephon Wilson Juniors Mavendra Dindyal Zachary Jodah Taddeious Lovell Darrius Andrews Arian Persaud Ravildo Philips Krsna Singh Joash Charles Dominic Roberts Jonathan Sookhlall

Promising Junior Wicketkeeper Shaahid Vieira Special Awards Leon Johnson: Most Successful Guyana Senior Captain Ronaldo Ali-Mohammed: Making Guyana Senior Side Zachary Jodah: Making and Captaining Guyana U-15 Team Mavendra Dindyal: Making Guyana U-15, U-17 and WI U-15 Team Thaddeus Lovell: Making Guyana U-15 Team Krsna Singh: Making Guyana U-15-Team Richard Jodah: Invaluable Commitment and Contributions to Cricket Peter Persaud: Invaluable Service to Cricket (youths).

Alexander Zverev won the season-ending ATP Finals in 2018

He lost the first five games in only 16 minutes but bounced back to convert five out of 13 break points.

The 22-year-old will face Dominic Thiem in the last four.

In the other semi-final, 20-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer will face last year’s Australian Open winner Novak Djokovic today.

Wawrinka, who won the Australian Open in 2014, has now been knocked out at the quarter-final stage in three of the past four Grand Slams.

The 34-year-old started strongly against Zverev, racing through the opening set and winning 16 out of 19 points on his serve, even though his first-serve percentage was only 32%.

But Zverev really stepped up in the second, not dropping a point in five service games and breaking once to level at one-set-all.

Sarwan renews BCB U-17 tourney sponsorship ahead of 2020 edition THE Berbice Cricket Board’s (BCB) 3rd edition Ramnaresh Sarwan Under-17 Cricket Tournament gained further momentum as former-Guyana/Windies captain made significant donations ahead of the event.

During the recent launching held at Sarwan’s Fitness 53 Gym, located at Providence, the former West Indies batting star pledged his continued support to the BCB and cricket development by presenting tokens to BCB president Hilbert Foster.

The coaching kit which

is valued at $100 000 will be used by the BCB in its mission to further develop its coaching department. Foster stated that the coaching project will be headed by Level 3 coach Winston Smith, in the upcoming inter-county tournaments.

“You were the first person to call me after my election as president of the BCB in February 2018 and you were the first sponsor to come on board. My presidency has been very successful because of persons like you, who have invested heavily into our cricket. Berbice Cricket would further

be grateful to Ramnaresh Sarwan,” said Foster.

Teams expected to participate in the upcoming event are: Achievers, East Bank Blazers, Paradise, Bush Lot United, Blairmont, Tucber Park, Mt Sinai, Edinburgh, Rose Hall Canje, Albion, Rose Hall Town Bakewell, Port Mourant and No. 73.

The teams would be divided into 4 Zones with the top 2 advancing to the Quarterfinals. Foster stated that the Lewison General Store U-15 tournament has already started and another U-15 tournament is expected to start after the General

29

Former Guyana/West Indies captain Ramnaresh Sarwan presents the sponsorship cheque to BCB president Hilbert Foster

Both players lost their opening service games at the start of the third, before Zverev moved 4-2 up and then served out the set.

The German opened up a 4-0 lead in the fourth as Wawrinka sprayed shots all over the court, possibly feeling the effects of two fiveset matches earlier in the tournament against Andreas Seppi and Daniil Medvedev.

Zverev, who had not gone beyond the fourth round in Melbourne prior to this year, said: “I don’t know what to say. I’ve done well in other tournaments, I’ve won Masters, I’ve won the ATP Finals, but I never could break that barrier in a Grand Slam. I’m happy to be in the semi-finals.”

Addressing the crowd, he added: “You guys cannot imagine what this means to me and I hope it will be the first of many.”

Before the tournament, Zverev pledged to donate the full winner’s prize fund to the Australian bushfire relief appeal if he claimed the title.

When asked whether he intended to keep his promise following victory over Wawrinka, he said: “I hope I can make it happen. I made the people of Australia a promise. I will keep that promise.

“I’m not a money-driven person. My parents always taught me with money you should achieve things that help others and help the people that need the money. For me right now, four million Australian dollars would be nice, very nice - I could buy myself a few cars of something. (BBC Sport)

... donates coaching kit as well elections in March.

Foster reminded clubs that only Berbicians would be allowed to play. Walkovers would be granted halfhour after the scheduled start of play. Clubs who grant walkovers shall be banned from playing at the junior level for the rest of the year.

Captains, who are not present at the venue 15 minutes before the start of play, shall lose their right to the toss. The BCB would select a 30-man squad based on performance in the tournament to participate in several trial matches.

30

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, January 30, 2020

Ogle beat ECCCC by six wickets in T20 final

GSSF, P&P Insurance to open 2020 with 5th annual Steel Challenge Shoot

Ogle won the Neville Ramotar T20 final last Sunday

OGLE Cricket Club eased past the Enmore Community Centre Cricket Club (ECCCC) by six wickets to win the Neville Ramotar T20 final, when the two teams battled last Sunday at the Enmore Community Centre ground.

For the visitors, some of their players were able to excel with both ball and bat. Left-arm spinner Sohan Ragnandan spun his way to a five-wicket haul to help restrict the home side, before former senior national cricketer Azeemul Haniff turned back the clock to stroke a comfortable half-century.

In the low-scoring clash, the home team won the toss and opted to take first strike. Except for a 55-run third-wicket partnership between opener Imran Hassan and Rudolph Singh the batting side crumbled.

Anthony Ifill snared two top order batsmen, including Hassan for a well-played 49 (2x4, 1x6), but it was Ragnan-

dan, who cleaned up the middle and lower order.

Among his wickets was Singh for 32 (1x4, 2x6). In total, the spinner took 5-19 from 3.2 overs, which restricted the home team to 115 all out in 19.2 overs.

Not without some effort, Ogle were able to chase down the target.

Enmore made the early breakthrough, after Khemraj Jaikaran was run-out without scoring (1-1), but then youngster Andrew Samaroo joined Haniff and the pair batted their team past the halfway mark.

The 69-run second-wicket partnership featured good running between the wickets. Samaroo who was stumped off the bowling of Yuvraj Dyal finished with 23 (1x6), while Haniff, whose batting was instrumental for the win, finished with 64 (4x4, 2x6).

Thiem stuns Rafael Nadal in four-set thriller

By Jonathan Jurejko

TOP seed Rafael Nadal was denied a place in the Australian Open semi-finals as Austria’s Dominic Thiem rattled the Spaniard with a powerful display to win a four-set thriller.

Fifth seed Thiem won 7-6(7-3), 7-6(7-4), 4-6,7-6 (8-6) at Melbourne Park.

The 26-year-old, beaten

by Nadal in the past two French Open finals, missed two match points before taking a third to win in four hours and 10 minutes.

He will now face Germany’s Alexander Zverev in tomorrow’s last-four match.

It will be a first semi-final in Melbourne for both men and the winner will face either Serbia’s defending

champion Novak Djokovic or Swiss third seed Roger Federer in Sunday’s final.

Thiem missed the chance to serve out the match at 5-4 in the fourth, becoming jittery with three unforced errors and a double fault as Nadal levelled despite doing little to earn it.

But Thiem regrouped to win the third tie-break of a thrilling contest against the 19-time Grand Slam champion.

“I was holding my serve great and then it came to 5-4,” Thiem said.

“That was a special situation for me, serving against Rafa for a place in the Australian Open semi-finals for the first time.

“It was a mentally tough

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Thursday, January 30, 2020)

COMPLIMENTS OF XTRA ENERGY DRINK – STABROEK

BAZAAR (Tel: 683-9500)

CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD- 83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158)

ANSWERS TO YESTERDAY’S QUIZ:

(1) Brett Lee (AUST vs BANG, Capetown, 2007-08) (2) Rashid Khan (AFG vs IRE, Dehradun, 2018-19)

TODAY’S QUIZ:

(1) Who is the first batsman to hit a Test match hundred?

(2) Who is the first WI to register a Test match century?

ANSWERS IN TOMORROW’S ISSUE

situation but I turned it around again in the tie-breaker.”

Thiem raised both arms in the air when Nadal hit a forehand into the net on the third match point, clutching and shaking his head in what was likely to be a mixture of relief and disbelief.

Thiem has long been touted as one of the younger players ready to finally wrestle the sport’s biggest prizes from the ‘big three’ of Nadal, Djokovic and Federer, but he has not consistently challenged them across all four Grand Slams.

Known as a clay-court specialist, he has naturally gone closest to fulfilling his potential at the French Open.

He has reached the past two finals at Roland Garros, only to be hustled out of the trophy on both occasions by 12-time champion Nadal.

But Thiem has shown he also has the game to be successful on hard courts, notably by winning the prestigious Indian Wells title last year.

He has now finally proved it on one of the biggest stages against a man who had beaten him in their five previous Grand Slam meetings.

Nadal struggled to cope w i t h T h i e m ’s c r u s h i n g groundstrokes, being worn down in the longer rallies and unable to prevent 65 winners

from his opponent.

A shank from Nadal on a third break point, at 1-1 in the fourth swung momentum back in Thiem’s direction, leaving him serving out the match at 5-4.

But he tensed up to give hope to the Spaniard that he could take the contest to a fifth set.

“There were demons in the head,” Thiem said oncourt afterwards, by then now able to laugh. “Everyone has them. I was rushing too much and changing tactics from the rest of the match and that was wrong. It is tough to handle.”

Thiem said he had to “start from zero” and was able to recover to win the tense tie-break - but only after spurning his first two match points.

The first, on his serve, went a-begging when he walloped a forehand into the net.

There was more drama on the second. Nadal watched a looping return land past the baseline, but it was not called out yet Nadal coolly did not offer a shot, instead simply challenging the call in order to win the point.

Thiem was not to be denied at the third attempt, however - a chance which came after another fortunate net-cord worked in his favour. (BBC Sport)

From left, Ms Jaya Panday, Senior Representative of P&P Insurance Brokers and Consultants Ltd, hands over sponsorship funds to GSSF Director, Dr Pravesh Harry

P&P Insurance Brokers and Consultants Limited, in collaboration with the Guyana Sport Shooting Foundation (GSSF), will get 2020 off to a bang following the launching of the 5th annual Steel Challenge Shoot.

The two entities continued their relationship for yet another season as the GSSF seeks to continue its progression from 2019 when the first tournament of the New Year is hosted.

Chairman of the Steel Challenge Shooting Committee, Dr. Pravesh Harry, was present at the brief ceremony held at the insurance firm’s 272-273 Lamaha Street, North Cummingsburg, location.

Dr Harry, in accepting the sponsorship, conveyed thanks to the Executive Director of P&P, Vikash Panday. The Foundation expresses its thanks once again to Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mr Bishwa Panday and P&P Insurance, who unhesitatingly came on board to support the sport shooting fraternity for the fifth year.

Shooters in the upcoming meet will be competing under two divisions; Production and Limited. The match will consist of four stages, with each stage being shot five times.

Times are recorded and the worst one is discarded, leaving the shooters with four recorded times, the total of which will be their score for the stage.

Rising Stars into play-offs with win over Reliance Hustlers

A CLINICAL all-round display ensured that Rising Stars secure a quarter-final spot with a 7-wicket win against Reliance Hustlers last Sunday, at the Imam Bacchus ground in Affiance in the South/Central T20 League.

The final preliminary match was reduced to 12 overs due to rain, with Reliance Hustlers winning the toss and batting on a slow pitch and sluggish outfield. Runs were difficult to accumulate and they must have had second thoughts of taking first strike.

Opener Mark Austin, however, was in sublime touch, striking six fours in his top score of 40. No other batsman reached double figures as the Hustlers ended on 80-9 in their 12 overs.

Off-spinner Otis Roberts grabbed 3-12 from 3 overs and Ravindra Narine took 2-20 from his 3 overs of off-spin as well.

Rising Stars didn’t take long to gain the ascendency as former national Under-19 batsman Latchman Rohit smashed five fours in his robust 25 to lead the charge. Former national Under-15 batsman Mahindra Dindyal with an unbeaten 20 (2x4) was at the end when rain interrupted again for a premature end to the contest with the score on 69-3 in the 9th over.

The Duckworth/Lewis Method was then applied and adjudged Stars the winners. The quarter-finals will be played on Sunday with Bacchus Bulls vs Reliance SC and Rising Stars vs Invaders Masters. Both matches will be played at the Imam Bacchus ground in Affiance.

The other two matches will see Reliance Hustlers vs Aurora Knight Riders and Affiance SC vs Jaguars SC. Both matches will be played at Reliance ground.

Keen competition is anticipated with most of the Region’s top players in action including the veteran Ramesh Narine, Yogeshwar Lall, Narendra Mandolall, Ricardo Adams, Nathan Persaud, Rovindra Parasram, Pavindra Persaud, Latchmikhant Narine and Basil Persaud.

The umpires will be Deva Dass and Wazeer Dhanraj.

The first round of matches will commence at 10:00hrs.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, January 30, 2020

Drubahadur elected Demerara Cricket Board president FORMER president of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Drubahadur was elected president of the Demerara Cricket Board (DCB) following last Saturday’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) held at the Wales Community Centre.

The AGM featured representation from clubs; West Demerara Cricket Association (WDCA), East Bank Demerara Cricket Association (EBDCA) and East Coast Cricket Board (ECCB) while sources confirmed that there was no representation from the Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA); despite an invitation was issued.

With clubs like Upper Demerara Association (UDCA) recently holding their Elec-

tions for 2020 and electing a new president/executive committee in a bid to reignite cricket in Region 10, the newly reformed DCB executive committee will now seek to

Former GCB president Drubahadur now at the helm of Demerara Cricket Board

resuscitate cricket in the Demerara County after years of dormancy.

Other executives elected as part of the new committee are; Rohan Sarjoo (vice-president), Anand Sanasie (2nd vice-president), Anil Persaud (secretary), Sudesh Persaud (assistant secretary), Anand Kalladeen (treasurer), Lancelot Easton (assistant treasurer), Lalta Gainda (Marketing Manager), Manzoor Nadir (Public Relations Officer) and Colin Europe (Chairman of the Competitions Committee).

Guyana has earned credits from Cricket West Indies (CWI) recently for being the frontrunner of cricket development over the last six years with regard to its academy structure and transitioning

speed which has seen a number of players represent the West Indies from the junior all the way to the Test levels.

Drubahadur, one of the country’s senior accountants, was elected GCB president back in 2013 and served as president during the peak of Guyana’s success in the Professional Cricket League (PCL) when Guyana had transformed into the best 4-Day team in the Caribbean.

He resigned from the post in 2017.

Meanwhile Nadir, the current president of Everest Cricket Club (ECC) and executive member of the GCA, along with Sarjoo, Persaud and Europe, will add experience to the committee whose two-year term ends in 2022.

Liverpool beat West Ham 2-0 to open 19-point lead

By Toby Davis

LONDON (Reuters) - Liverpool continued their breathless march to a first English title in 30 years, easing to a 2-0 victory at West Ham United on Wednesday to move 19 points clear at the Premier League summit.

Mohamed Salah fired them ahead from the penalty spot in the first half and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain doubled their advantage early in the second to wrap up a remarkable 23rd win from 24 games this season and stretch their unbeaten league run to 40.

In a fixture postponed from December, when Liverpool were busy winning the Club World Cup, they never looked under much pressure and picked West Ham off at crucial moments, defending manfully when needed and looking a constant menace on the break.

Salah stroked home from the spot in the 35th minute after Divock Origi was chopped down from behind while Oxlade-Chamberlain finished off a lethal counter attack of the sort that has come to characterise Liverpool’s season in the 52nd.

West Ham had glimpses of goal, with Manuel Lanzini fluffing an excellent

opportunity at the start of the second half and Robert Snodgrass drawing a fine stop from Liverpool keeper Alisson, but their plight looks increasingly bleak.

ing spark in the early stages.

Still, Liverpool could have gone ahead in the 24th minute when Andy Robertson lifted a chance over Lukasz Fabianski before Issa Diop got back

Mohamed Salah brace fires Liverpool

While Liverpool have amassed a whopping 70 points, David Moyes’s side sit 17th with 23, outside the relegation zone only on goal difference.

Without Sadio Mane, who was missing due to a muscle injury, the visitors seemed to have lost some of their attack-

to clear. Robertson’s fizzing cross four minutes later then narrowly avoided Origi’s outstretched boot.

The Belgian striker won Liverpool’s penalty when he was sent tumbling by Diop’s challenge from behind, which was followed by the seemingly obligatory and

lengthy VAR check before Salah was allowed to take the kick.

The Egyptian sent Fabianski diving the wrong way, firing low into the net for his 12th league goal of the campaign.

Both teams had chances in a frenetic start to the second half with Lanzini scuffing a good opportunity that was easily saved while Roberto Firmino squirmed free to draw a better stop from Fabianski at the other end.

Yet a feature of Juergen Klopp’s side is their ability to strike with lethal force on the break which they did to double their lead.

A West Ham corner was cleared before Jordan Henderson found Salah. His superb pass picked out Oxlade-Chamberlain who finished with precision on the run to give Liverpool a healthy cushion.

West Ham had chances, with Alisson producing an excellent save to deny Snodgrass and Trent Alexander-Arnold striking the ball forcefully against his own post with an attempted clearance.

The game, however, belonged to Liverpool with Salah hitting the woodwork at the other end before the visitors cruised through to fulltime.

31

Sankar named captain of Georgetown U-15 team … Deonarain is vice-captain

YOUTH batsman Stephon Sankar was named captain of the Georgetown squad ahead of the upcoming Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Inter-Association Under-15 competition.

Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Territorial Developmental Officer (TDO) Colin Stuart confirmed that matches for the tourney will bowl off from Monday, February 3, 2020.

The squad was picked following the end of the U-15 trials held at the Bourda ground a few days ago, where Sankar’s XI battled Gabriel’s XI. Following the match the team was selected with Sankar, one of the stars of the practice game with the bat, named captain and all-rounder Romeo Deonarain appointed his deputy.

The opening round will feature West Demerara versus Georgetown at the Everest Cricket Club (ECC) ground while East Bank Demerara tackle the youths from East Coast Demerara at the Lusignan ground.

In the second round, which bowls off on Wednesday February 5, 2020 East Coast Demerara will play Georgetown at Lusignan. Action then returns to Everest ground where West Demerara square off against East Bank.

In the third and final

round set for Friday February 7, East Bank will play Georgetown at Everest, while East Coast Demerara challenge the West Demerara boys at Lusignan.

All matches are set to bowl off at 09:00hrs daily.

The Georgetown U-15 squad reads: Stephon Sankar (captain), John Persaud, Romeo Deonarain (vice-captain), Riyad Latif, Silo Adams, Gabriel Rookham, Malicai Hopkinson, Ryan Latif, Jayden Dowlin, Temal Ramsamooj, Joshua Walcott, Wavell Allen, Dave Mohabir, Prem Kumar Permaul, Jonathan Vanlange.

Stephon Sankar

Romeo Deonarain

Windies

crash out of ICC U-19 World Cup after NZ fightback PAGE

23

Ashmead Nedd of West Indies celebrates bowling Beckham Wheeler-Greenall of New Zealand during the ICC U19 Cricket World Super League Cup Quarter Final (Photo by Matthew Lewis-ICC/ICC via Getty Images)

Kristian Clarke of New Zealand celebrates hitting the winning runs with Joseph Field of New Zealand uring the ICC U19 Cricket World Super League Cup Quarter Final match (Photo by Matthew Lewis-ICC/ICC via Getty Images)

Kirk McKenzie of West Indies hits the ball towards the boundary, during his innings of 99 at Willowmoore Park. in Benoni, South Africa (Photo by Matthew Lewis-ICC/ICC via Getty Images)

Magnum Mash Cup Futsal Championship action continues tonight WITH several teams aiming to seal their place in the knockout round following two nights of group-stage play, the exciting action in the Magnum Tonic Wine Mashramani Cup Futsal Championship continues this evening with six scheduled matches at the National Gymnasium, Mandela Avenue.

Future Stars will match skills with Spot-7 from 19:00hrs in the opening match, while Alexander Village tackle Mocha from 19:30hrs and Leopold oppose Spartacus from 20:00hrs.

In the fourth encounter, North East La Penitence battle Avocado Ballers from 20:30hrs, while Sparta Boss face Ansa McAl All-Stars from 21:00hrs and Bent Street take aim at Showstoppers from 21:30hrs.

Meanwhile, Back Circle, Future Stars, Rio All-Stars, Sophia and Gold is Money were amongst the wins when the tournament resumed on Tuesday at the same venue.

Back Circle whipped Bad-a-Yard 12-2. Stephon McLean smashed four goals in the second, eighth, 14th and 17th minutes. Hat-tricks were added by Meshach Barratt in the ninth, 12th and 16th and Selwyn Williams in the fifth, 10th

and 19th.

Assisting with goals in the 11th and 13th minutes respectively were Jaleel Hamilton and Dellon Kelly. For the losers, Jermaine Tinch and Wendell Austin scored in the seventh and 20th minute respectively.

Similarly Sophia dismissed Island All-Stars 4-1. Dwayne Lowe recorded a helmet-trick in the seventh, eighth, 15th and 16th minutes. For the losers, Devon Hayman netted in the ninth minute.

On the other hand, Future Stars edged Mocha 3-2.

Kenard Simon bagged a double in the fourth and eighth minutes, while Shane Morris netted in the 14th minute.

For the losers, Amos Ramsay and Kevin Gordon scored in the fifth and 12th minutes.

Likewise Gold is Money battled past Stabroek Ballers 4-3. Randolph Wagner recorded a hat-trick in the fifth, 14th and 16th minutes, while Andrew Murray scored in the 13th minute. For the losers, Kemo Lawrence recorded a hat-trick in the ninth, 10th and 20th minutes. Also, Rio All-Stars edged Melanie 1-0. Jermin Junor scored in the third minute

to seal the win.

According to tournament coordinator and co-Director of San Sports, Esan Griffith, during an official press release, said, “Once again the fans were treated to another drama-filled night of action.

“Several high-profile teams were pushed to their respective limits while an upset result once again occurred.

This bodes well for the event, as there is an element of unpredictability and uncertainty surrounding the outcome of the matches. Once again I would like to thank the fans and players for their continued support in making the tournament an overall success. It is only through this level of unwavering support can the competition continue to improve which each edition.”

Winner of the event will pocket $700 000 and the championship trophy, while the second-place side will collect $400 000 and the respective accolade. On the other hand, the third- and fourth-place units will receive $200 000 and $100 000 respectively and the corresponding trophy.

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

THURSDAY, JANUARY 30, 2020