Guyana_Chronicle_EPaper_03_06_2019

MONDAY 3rd JUNE, 2019

No.105657

GDF being re-tooled – President debunks claims of interference in the military – on path to fix years of neglect under PPP

Guyanese in New York soak up spirit of patriotism – at annual Independence celebration

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Less dust, fewer respiratory problems – Lethem residents praise roadwork being done in township 11

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Help for parents of Agricola accident victim PAGE

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Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo and Mrs Sita Nagamootoo; Guyana Ambassador to the United Nations, Michael Ten-Pow and Guyana Consul General in New York, Barbara Atherly lead the Independence parade in New York on Sunday

Bandit caught in closet

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, June 3, 2019

Therapist warns of spike in mental health cases – if law against drug possession becomes too lax

By Svetlana Marshall DRUG Treatment Specialist, Philip Drayton has advised that the removal of mandatory jail time for possession of small amounts of marijuana can result in a spike in mental health issues in Guyana due to drug abuse.

This being the case, he is urging the government not to amend the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Control) Act; an advice that would not sit well with the Rastafarian Community, which has been advocating for the opposite.

Drayton, Chairman of LIFE REFORM, a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) geared at tackling drug abuse in Guyana, was among specialists addressing factors influencing mental health disorders during a recent workshop at Fort Wellington, organised by SAVE Guyana in collaboration with the Public Health Ministry’s Region Five Department of Health.

While the proposed Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Control) (Amendment) Bill is not intended to decriminalise the possession of marijuana but rather end custodial penalties for small amounts, Drayton said such a move may reduce the number of persons being incarcerated, but may also deepen the issue of drug abuse in the country, and simultaneously increase the number of persons experiencing mental disorders.

In the absence of imprisonment, a person charged with possession of a small

quantity of marijuana may be asked to pay a fine, do community service and or undergo rehabilitation, if the legislation amended, the Drayton reasoned, while noting that those options may eliminate the burden on correctional institutions.

COULD WORSEN But, he said, the issue of drug abuse would not be addressed. The situation, he warned, could worsen, creating greater problems for the public health sector.

“Rehabilitation might not be successful, simply because someone cannot force rehabilitation on an individual. The user must come to self-awareness that change is needed in order to become a productive, responsible and reliable member of society, and not because a magistrate recommends it, or because family, friends or loved ones desire it,” he said, adding: “If this is not addressed, the user will have a reservation to use simply because he or she is in the pre-contemplation stage (denial), where they don’t see the need for transformation.”

He emphasised that removing custodial sentencing will not address the abuse of drug in the country. “We are still not addressing the problem on a much more fundamental basis,” he posited. Instead of amending the legislation, Drayton said, the government should consider more ways in which it can stop persons from using drugs, including marijuana.

That way, he said, they would not have cause to face the courts for possession of

sure opportunity,” Drayton detailed.

Drug Treatment Specialist, Philip Drayton

illegal substances.

“We need to tackle this situation by implementing a 0.5 level of attention (awareness) so persons can have facts-based information, coping, life and refusal skills, so that they can conduct life in a more cognitive way,” Drayton said.

He told participants that the situation of substance abuse in Guyana is already a major issue, and it should not be compounded.

Local statistics, Drayton said, show that the country’s most vulnerable group for use of illegal substances and abuse of drugs and alcohol are young people, with many of them having first contact when they are between the ages of 10 and 14 years. To an extent, the Drug

Treatment Specialist blamed parents for exposing their children to alcohol from an early age, and in some cases marijuana, without considering the consequences.

With substance misuse more common among males than females, statistics show that the most widely used and misused substances in society are alcohol, marijuana, tobacco, pills and ‘crack’ or cocaine.

“Users of alcohol and tobacco are three times more likely than non-users to have an opportunity to try marijuana, and users of alcohol and tobacco are seven times more likely to use marijuana, with a marijuana exposure opportunity. Users of marijuana are 15 times more likely to use cocaine with cocaine expo-

STAGES OF MISUSE It was explained that there are seven stages of misuse: Exposure, experimentation, recreation, regular use, abuse, compulsion and dependence. In the case of regular use, the expert said, the individual seeks out the drug, but the use is more frequent until it becomes part of his or her lifestyle.

According to Drayton, 70 per cent of society is at this stage.

A drug is abused, he said, when the individual keeps using it despite the negative consequences of its use. He went on to explain that it is at this stage that persons begin to sever their relationships with family and friends.

With compulsion, he said, the person experiences cravings that become very difficult to manage and control, slowly becoming an unproductive member of society. Their sleeping pattern also changes, and if not addressed it could take decades to break.

“At the last stage: Dependence, the frequency of use increases. The individual continues despite the difficulties with functioning in everyday life, loses control of the drug use, and the drug becomes the main focus of life,” the therapist explained as he advocated for persons to stop misusing drugs or using illicit substances.

BE WATCHDOGS He urged the social, welfare, police and education officers present to be watchdogs in their communities,

noting that the situation in some schools calls for urgent attention.

“Mood and mind-altering substances are creating chaos in our educational institutions; marijuana and its different strains (local, poppy, jammie, sour diesel, OG kush, Blue Dream etc.) used in its different forms (edible etc.) are causing a tremendous drop in attention span among our youths, making them incapable of functioning as a productive member in school and society at large. Not forgetting ecstasy, Molly, crack/cocaine, alcohol and tobacco. What is commonly used is called “Leen”...which is a mixture of “codeine and cocoa cola” and “tussadryl with sprite” and is causing youths to experience laceration across the chest, respiratory organ failures and irregular heartbeats.

Our youths are in danger, and they don’t understand the real dangers of addiction,” Drayton explained as he painted a vivid picture of the situation.

Generally, abuse or misuse of drugs affects the central nervous system. “One’s biochemistry is affected by individual characteristics such as health status, weight and genetics, including a predisposition towards chemical misuse,” he explained.

Psychologically, it affects feelings, emotions, and one’s subjective experience in the world.

Warning of the consequences, Drayton called on those present to discourage the misuse of drugs, and use of illicit drugs in schools and in society as a whole.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, June 3, 2019

GDF being re-tooled – President debunks claims of interference in the military – on path to fix years of neglect under PPP

DEBUNKING claims of interference, President David Granger said his government has set about re-tooling the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) since assuming office as the force had suffered from years of organisational and other neglect.

The Ministry of the Presidency on Sunday in a statement clarified the role of the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces in the affairs of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) in response to a recent letter in the Kaietuer News.

The letter to the editor, dated June 2, 2019 and headlined, ‘Too much presidential meddling in the daily affairs of the GDF’ reportedly written by an unnamed

‘concerned junior officer’, suggested that since taking office in May 2015, President Granger has been acting outside of his remit as commander-in-chief.

“The Ministry of the Presidency wishes to make it pellucid, that the Head of Government, since Independence had been Chairman of the Defence Board and Minister of Defence; his duties are detailed in the Defence Act, Chapter 15:01 of the Laws of Guyana,” the MoTP statement read.

The ministry observed that over the years, there has been organisational neglect which caused the destruction of the National Cadet Corps and the near extinction of the GDF Reserve Force (Guyana Peo-

ple’s Militia).

Additionally, the statement said it is a known fact that defence operations and training had been neglected during the former administration in the years 1992-2015.

“Since taking office, there have been regular annual exercises such as Exercise Greenheart and Exercise Ironweed which were restarted under this administration,” the Ministry of the Presidency said.

According to the statement, it should be noted that the President in his private capacity, before entering office, compiled a book: ‘Values and Standards of the Guyana Defence Force’ in the wake of the murder of persons in the Essequibo River by members of the

President David Granger

Coast Guard.

“Needless to say, since 2015, there have been a plethora of changes in the GDF, including improve-

ments to the Basic Recruitment Course. Officers are now being trained in equitation to enable them to conduct horseback patrols.

“The GDF has been able to acquire engineer’s equipment from the People’s Republic of China, which are being used to build roads; maritime patrols not limited to Operation Ocean Guard aimed at continuous aerial and maritime surveillance of the coastline; and territorial waters have increased and have led to the suppression of piracy,” the statement continued.

Also, the ministry mentioned that operational deployment along the country’s western border has been strengthened under Operation Armadillo, which was

launched to respond to threats posed by criminal gangs along the borders and to protect the country’s frontline villages. This operation has resulted in a reduction in reports of assaults by foreign ‘Sindicato’ gangs and has since reinforced border security.

“It should be noted that all of the changes have been made on the direction of the GDF Board and is a full direction of the chief-of-staff to improve the efficiency of the force. Had there not been changes to the GDF, it would be deemed a dereliction of the President’s duty not to correct the bad practices which have damaged the reputation of the force,” the Ministry of the Presidency said.

GNNL reaches out to vendors THE Guyana National Newspapers Limited (GNNL) on Sunday hosted a vendor’s retreat at the Clerical and Commercial Workers Union (CCWU) in recognition of the key role they play in getting the newspaper to readers.

The short programme saw in attendance several vendors from Georgetown and neighbouring communities, as well as management and staff of GNNL. General Manager (ag), Donna Todd told the attendees that the activity was part of a rebranding process of the State’s newspaper.

Part of this process, she said, involves garnering vendors’ input. “We have to have your views, because you are our face when you go to the clients. So you would be able to tell us what are some of the issues that the readers would like to see in our newspapers, so that we can try our best to have the articles or the topics discussed by our reporters,” Todd said.

GNNL Board Chair Geeta Chandan-Edmond told the vendors that they are the heart of the company as she underscored the importance of hearing from them.

“You know like how the heart is considered one of the main organs of the body,”

Management and staff of the Guyana National Newspaper Limited (GNNL) with vendors at the vendors’ retreat

she said, “we consider you, the vendors, the heart of our company; we cannot function without you. It is imperative that we meet; that we gather to listen to your views; your concerns; your suggestions and your recommendations. This company belongs to all of us,” Chandan-Edmond said.

She thanked the vendors

profusely for their dedicated efforts and huge contribution over the years.

She said that had it not been for their unshakeable support, the Guyana Chronicle would have suffered, since it falls under ‘State media’, and persons would have treated it with much skepticism.

Noting that State media

is often thwarted for partisan interest, the Chairman said, “But I can say, and I say this convincingly, that that is a thing of the past. As of today, or rather, since 2015, the Guyana Chronicle of today is not only a vehicle for quality journalism, but for vigorous, unrestricted debate, on issues affecting the Guyanese society.

“Over the years, our newspaper has demonstrated exemplary journalism.

We have swept the PAHO health journalism awards, as well as the Guyana Press Association Awards.”

After the chair’s presentation, the vendors were given the opportunity to give their input. At which point a discussion ensued on how

the production and marketing aspect of the newspaper could improve in an increasingly competitive market.

Following the discussions, the vendors expressed gratitude to GNNL management for the opportunity to share their input on the development and improvement of the newspaper.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, June 3, 2019

Germany’s Merkel vows to carry on despite coalition setback

(BBC) German Chancellor Angela Merkel says her coalition government will continue despite the surprise resignation of the leader of its junior partner, the Social Democratic Party (SPD).

Mrs Merkel said she respected the “far-reaching” decision by Andrea Nahles.

Ms Nahles resigned after her centre-left party came third, behind Mrs Merkel’s

Christian Democrats (CDU) and the Greens, in the European elections.

She had been criticised by the SPD’s left for remaining in the coalition.

Ms Nahles became SPD leader in April 2018, replacing Martin Schulz who also resigned following the party’s poor performance in elections. She was expected to run for the position again and her resignation took

Monday, June 3, 2019

analysts by surprise.

The coalition between the CDU and the SPD is due to last until federal elections in 2021, but correspondents say Ms Nahles’s resignation could lead to the SPD leaving, triggering a snap poll.

What did Angela Merkel say?

“Andrea Nahles has made a far-reaching decision both for herself personally as well as for the Social Democratic Party of Germany,” Mrs Merkel told reporters on Sunday.

“I would like to say on

Angela Merkel said she respected Andrea Nahles’s decision to step down

behalf of the government, we will continue the government’s work with all seriousness. We will above all do it with a great sense of responsibility.”

Ms Nahles said she would stand down as party leader on Monday and as head of its parliamentary group on Tuesday.

In a statement by the SPD on Sunday she said: “The discussions within the parliamentary faction and feedback from within the party have shown me that I no longer have the necessary support to carry out my duties.”

She had earlier announced that the leadership contest would take place on Tuesday.

In last week’s European Union parliamentary elections, her party hit an alltime low, getting less than 16% of the vote.

And on Saturday, an opinion poll showed that support for the SPD was the lowest it had ever been, at just 12%. At the same time, the Greens were shown to have overtaken the CDU as Germany’s most popular

04:30hrs.-06:00hrs.

14:30hrs.-16:00hrs.

party for the first time.

Where does this leave the coalition?

If the SPD were to leave the coalition, the fall of the government would be likely to trigger fresh elections.

But the left wing of the SPD has been urging the party to pull out since it entered into government last year. They say that compromising with conservatives has been costing them support.

The SPD’s Olaf Scholz, who is also Germany’s vice-chancellor, told the Tagesspiegel newspaper that he has ruled out entering another such coalition.

“Three grand coalitions in a row would not do democracy in Germany any good,” he said in the interview before Ms Nahles announced her resignation.

On Sunday, Mrs Merkel’s successor as CDU leader, Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer, warned the SPD not to endanger the coalition.

“I assume the SPD will undergo a succession in short order without hindrance to the functioning of the grand coalition,” she said.

“In the CDU we believe that this is not the time to play politics. We want to serve our country with good governing policies.”

The latest crisis come days after Mrs Merkel dismissed reports of a rift with Mrs Kramp-Karrenbauer.

Two unidentified officials quoted in a Bloomberg article had said Mrs Merkel believed her successor was not up to the job. But the German chancellor dismissed the claims as nonsense.

Saturday 1, June 2019

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4, 13, 15, 23, 24

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, June 3, 2019

Guyanese in New York soak up spirit of patriotism – at annual Independence celebration

By Vanessa Braithwaite in New York AS the Golden Arrowhead flew high and decorated the skies at the Preston Court Brooklyn, New York, scores of Guyanese living in the New York Tri-State area fanned the flames of patriotism at a grand flag-raising ceremony on Sunday.

The occasion, which was preceded by a parade, was held to celebrate Guyana’s 53rd Independence Anniversary. The atmosphere was permeated with expressions of solidarity and loyalty to country by members of the Diaspora who donned national colours.

Gracing the event held annually were Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo and his wife Sita, along with members of the diplomatic corps, including Guyana’s Ambassador to the United Nations, Michael Ten Pow and Consul-General to New York City, Barbara Atherly.

The prime minister, who represented President David Granger, performed the duty of grand marshal of the parade and the military procession.

The parade, which saw a sizeable crowd joining the contingent of Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Officers, who performed ceremonial honours, commenced around 12:00hrs at Church and Utica Avenues and concluded Preston Court.

There, many Guyanese waited to witness the flag-raising ceremony, which

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo addresses the gathering as his wife, Sita, and others look on

was followed by a unity concert. Guyanese stood to attention and recited the National Anthem before witnessing the hoisting of the national flag.

In his feature address, Prime Minister Nagamootoo reminded the audience that there is need for all Guyanese to live in unity, irrespective of ethnicity, as Guyana is a country with one nationality.

“Guyana is a place of many ethnicities, but one nationality. And today, we are flying one flag; the Guyana flag. The Golden Arrowhead; the flag of our Motherland,” the prime minister said, adding: “So when we celebrate the independence of our country, we must realise that our foreparents made sacrifices; they paid the supreme price for winning this freedom. So it does not matter where you are, you are a

Guyanese; you are a patriot, and you would celebrate the occasion such as this every year.”

The Diaspora was urged not to forget their great land, Guyana, the Motherland.

With Guyana at the cusp of becoming a very wealthy nation, the prime minister urged all Guyanese to equally contribute to its becoming a model of unity and prosperity.

The audience was also urged to remain confident in the coalition government under the Presidency of David Granger; to take the country safely into the new paradise that is awaiting.

ON THE RIGHT TRACK “We do not have to look back anymore. Guyana is on the right track; we are moving forward, and this is the only leap we must do right now. That is to move our country forward; make sure

that it is secure. Make sure that it is strong, and I can guarantee you that with the continuation of the GrangerNagamootoo Coalition Gov-

The Independence celebrations featured a very traditional Guyanese flavour

ernment and the APNU-AFC Coalition, Guyana is secure,” Prime Minister Nagamootoo

said.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, June 3, 2019

Respecting each other

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OT only is Guyana a plural society – we pride ourselves on our plurality. Our history, our constitution, our culture could not reflect more plurality for a people of less than a million, at the risk of falling into the sea, so closely do we cling to the coast.

In a plural society, we accept and celebrate diversity, rule by majority and protect minorities. To do so, we default to the ‘commons’ – common principles, commonsense, a common conscience, common concerns and common courtesies.

Human rights are arguably the most common principles of a plural society. In the face of different, often divergent, sometimes opposing views on everything that matters and much that does not, human rights principles ground us.

They remind us of the most fundamental ‘common’ – our humanity.

Scientists tell us that genetically, human beings are somewhere between 99.0% and 99.9% identical. This scientific assertion is no surprise to anyone who has spent some time with a ‘stranger’. How quickly we discover that we have the same hopes and dreams, the same fears and frustrations. We

basically are born, grow up, grow old and die, and along the way, we take the same materials and create myriad recipes and styles and melodies.

Unfortunately, we also make war to make peace, often because we are not content to dream our own dreams but wish to dictate to others, and while we revel in the variety of flowers, (attempt to) protect ‘our’ bio-diversity and cherish tourism as a past-time and a source of income, we are scared, if not resentful, of the ‘other’. The result of such fears and resentments is the violation of the very rights each of us holds so dear, and the ensuing quotidian deprivations, discrimination and discord which we seem to have accepted as a matter of course.

The idea and ideal of our collective pursuit of human rights challenge our civil, political, economic and social status quo. Pursuit of human rights suggests and asserts that as a human race, we can and must do ‘better’. That our fear and resentment of other ways of being are not merely irrational, but harmful to ourselves in the long-run, and that finding mutually tenable ways of expressing and addressing such fear

and resentment, even transforming these into acceptance and respect, is likely to yield individual and collective benefits far beyond what we currently enjoy.

Acceptance and respect for the ‘other’ must never, however, be misconstrued as an invitation to ‘say what I want, do as you please’. The three fundamentals of any viable plural society – the rule of law, peace and security, and decent work – are born of and engender respect for human rights.

So, what are human rights? Simply put, they are civil, political, economic, social, cultural and group entitlements each of us holds because we are human, regardless of geography or demographic markers. Because these rights are indivisible and interdependent, their realisation is interrelated. But perhaps the most fascinating and enduring attribute of human rights is that at one and the same time, each of us is always both a rights-holder and a duty-bearer; for states are made up of people, and government in viable states are for, by and of the people.

In the pursuit of my rights, therefore, I must respect the rights of the ‘other’.

An article that is immersed in political sewage Dear Editor,

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OTHING that reads from the pages of Guyana Times ever qualifies as truth, much less fact; and its May 30 obscene Eyewitness column titled, “Fleecing Guyana… on sugar workers sweat,” again qualifies for this media description. This latest piece of abomination is the now familiar dishonest refrain that has typified this paper’s now numerous attempts to again blame the coalition government for the demise of GuySuCo. Reading this putridity reminds one of the rabid anti-semitic newspaper Der Sturmer, owned and published by the offensive Julius Streicher, of middle- ranking status in the Third Reich, Nazi Germany, during World War 11. His paper and its numerous articles that aided and abetted the Nazi programme against the Jews, as it falsified and contrived in the darkest recesses of its editorial pit, to advance a media mindset that constantly appealed to a depraved mind. Its language mirrored a thought pattern that defies description.

Such is the framework within which Guyana Times and the referenced article above must be placed. It is the kind of media house, a veritable cesspool of miasma that will accuse a government that on its first day in office was presented with the reality of a collapsed sugar industry, hopelessly mired in a huge multi-billion debt. Such a national tragedy did not occur overnight, as this liar of a filthy journal would want the sugar workers and its readership to believe.

Just why the coalition would want to punish an entire workforce, because of political party affiliation? After all, these poor sugar workers were the victims of a reckless political scheming plan by a political party which claimed to be working class.

It is only an unconscionable collective such as the PPP/C which would have done just that, and did not even offer a line of solution, despite being invited by President David Granger administration to participate in a national effort at resuscitating this once proud economic giant, the fall of which this former party administration precipitated.

It need not be repeated that the current government sustained the industry with further billions of taxpayers’ money. And even though there had to be eventual terminations, all the latter had been paid, and offered post-sugar life opportunities, for further livelihoods. And quite contrary to the attempt by the Guyana Times article to portray surrounding communities as suffering,

all of them have been offered socio-economic initiatives to offset the impact of changes to the industry that just could not have continued to gobble up funding when its production costs were four times the price for sugar on the international market.

It became imperative that closures had to take place, similar to those that had taken place under the PPP/C regime. How deceptive and unfair it would have been for taxpayers, to continue to fund a failed industry, just for the sake of ensuring its political support. One wonders what kind of economics such is described.

In seeking in the same article to further make fun of the NICIL/SPU raising of the $30B syndicated bond, is a case of damn if you don’t, and damn if you do. And to refer to Bharat Jagdeo’s questioning the period of five years as being insufficient to repay both interest and capital, is to conveniently ignore what a loan with very strict disbursement conditions is intended to do – sustained by a development/work plan for the continuing operation of Albion, Blairmont and Uitvlugt Estates. In fact, Jagdeo has no moral authority to pronounce on an industry which he and colleagues had left on a life support, when they were voted out of office in 2015.

As a reminder, it is about the re-positioning of the industry in a modern manner, necessitated by the realities of an entity that can no longer be managed by Jagdeo’s jumbie economics. Sugar Moreover, the continuity of over 10000 currently employed sugar workers, and sustenance for their families are being assured.

It has never been the intention of the coalition government to close an industry, that is an embodiment of Guyana’s political-socio- cultural – economic history, as those who have been responsible for its debacle have been peddling in the devious columns of the Guyana Times. The fact of the loan is testimony to this determination.

Editor, it is a waste of good time and mental energy to be repeating so often, the story of a tragic instance in Guyana’s industrial history since it has been well ventilated. But it must be asked of the Guyana Times, just how did it arrive at its attempt at misleading, by stating that the coalition doomed over 7,000 workers and depressing the surrounding communities to “nasty, brutish and short lives”? This reporting trickery, clothed in all the known dark sophistries, is intended to convey the misinformed impression that this figure represents the entire workforce of the sugar industry. Utter lies, since a little over 10,000 workers have been retained, Neither was there a “condign” lesson to folk, dubbed

incorrigible supporters of their arch enemy, the PPP. This is absolutely racist in suggestion, inherent of a situation that presented government an opportunity to settle scores.

Regards, Earl Hamilton

New LGBTQ rights project, “EQUAL” celebrates Pride in Guyana Dear Editor,

E

MPOWER Queers Using Artistic Learning (EQUAL Guyana) is a new non-governmental human rights project promoting equality for all through the engagement, education and empowerment of gender and sexual minorities in Guyana.

Despite being newly formed, LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer) rights project, EQUAL Guyana celebrated Pride in Guyana with support from COC Netherlands and was responsible for a contingent of almost 50 persons in the Guyana Pride Parade, held on June 1.

EQUAL Guyana reiterates that LGBTQ rights in Guyana are not limited and is not a monopolised sector and as such, all contributing partners should be recognised for their efforts.

EQUAL Guyana congratulates the LGBTQ community and allies for the strength, courage, resilience and diversity displayed during the Pride Parade and calls on the wider public, including the Government of Guyana and the religious sector, to recognise that LGBTQ rights are human rights and that consenting adults should be allowed to express themselves and live authentic lives without fear of stigma and discrimination.

Guyana is notably one of the most progressive countries in relation to laws and policies in the Caribbean and this should be reflected in the way persons are treated on a day-to-day basis, but this can only be achieved by eliminating the ignorance that

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, June 3, 2019

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The proposed evaluation process for UG vice-chancellor Dear Editor,

3. Council on 7th March 2019 decided to create an Ad-Hoc Committee with similar membership to the Interview Committee AM grateful for the opportunity provided by the letter written for Vice-Chancellor (used in the 2016 search process). The nomiby Vice-Chancellor Professor Ivelaw Griffith, and published nees and representative of various groups on Council were largely in the Guyana Chronicle on Thursday, 30th May, 2019, to the same and the Committee eventually comprised of nine perclarify a number of matters that are of great interest to members sons. A major departure from the Committee of 2016 was that the of the University of Guyana community and the wider public.

Pro-Chancellor recused himself citing perceived conflict of interest The Vice-Chancellor’s public communication revealed infor- and appointed an external nominee as Chair. This was done initially mation previously not known to either the University community without discussion with or the consent of the Council and had to be or the Council. The Pro-Chancellor Major-General (ret’d) Joseph later ratified by the Council.

Singh, according to the letter, appears to have discussed and agreed 4. During its deliberations, the Committee highlighted a number to an entire evaluation process with the subject of the evaluation of things, including the fact that the Vice-Chancellor’s contract before bringing it to the body that was supposed to be considering mentioned an annex that should have been completed and attached the matter. The timeline given in the Vice-Chancellor’s letter reveals three months after the commencement of the contract. That Annex that the entire process, including the potential panel, was discussed would have contained conditions on which the merit bonus could and agreed with him (a draft evaluation instrument was apparently be awarded. However, it would appear that the Annex was never prepared!) before the Pro-Chancellor first raised the matter at the completed. Additionally, there was no reference to an end of contract Council meeting of 7th March 2019. evaluation or renewal of the contract. The Committee was therefore The Vice-Chancellor also appears to be in possession of docu- left to determine a way forward. In doing so with serious time conments that he should not have access to, since they are confidential straints, the Committee referred to the University’s Act and Statutes; Committee documents concerning his evaluation. Both matters raise documentation from the search and interview process in 2015-16; interesting ethical and governance issues. the commitments made by Professor Griffith during and after that I note too, that the Council was only made aware that the process; and the evaluation processes for similar appointments at Vice-Chancellor had concerns about the Performance Evaluation institutions such as the University of the West Indies. In the end, the Committee (PEC) when the Vice-Chancellor sent his letter asking criteria were primarily based on what the Vice-Chancellor himself for payment in lieu of leave on 2nd May 2019. He alluded in that had outlined in speech entitled ‘Values and Vision to Dream and Do: letter to another letter of 18th March 2019 sent to the Pro-Chancellor. Opportunity and Innovation to Aid Guyana’s Development’ made in Members of Council asked to see that letter, and the Pro-Chancellor 2016, very soon after he assumed office. refused to provide it, citing confidentiality. This is, in fact, stated 5. At the next meeting of Council on 15th April 2019, the Comin the first point of the PEC’s report to Council (dated 15th May mittee presented its report which proposed criteria on which the 2019) – that the Vice-Chancellor had referred to possible bias, and Vice-Chancellor could be evaluated. It recommended that given the the PEC was therefore concerned about the potential for litigation limitations faced, including the availability of financial resources and by the Vice-Chancellor. The PEC also noted that it had not been time, Council should utilize a Committee structured almost precisely given the letter. as that used to develop the criteria and process and refer to it as the Since the Vice-Chancellor has chosen to discuss publicly the Performance Evaluation Committee. Note that a similar committee Council’s proposed evaluation process, I am now able to share some would have recommended Professor Griffith for hire. The Council additional details, from my vantage point as a member of Council decided on a nine-member Committee made up entirely of Council and a member of two sub-committees that were part of the attempted Members. evaluation process. These details will help to contexualise and clarify 6. This Committee first met on Friday 26th April 2019. Aware some of the information given by Professor Griffith. that it had to complete its work by the hard deadline of 23rd May 1. The need for an evaluation of the Vice-Chancellor’s tenure 2019, we agreed to a timeline including having a draft instrument was recognized at the point of hire. The then Chancellor and Council by Monday 29th April 2019, circulating it for final comments by however failed to make the provisions for this, and at the Council’s Tuesday 30th April 2019, recirculating a corrected draft for approval Annual Business Meeting held on 8th November 2018 a firm decision of the Committee by Thursday 2nd May 2019 and sending out the was taken to ensure it was done before the end of his contract. approved instrument to evaluating persons/groups by Friday 3rd 2. Notwithstanding that determination, and despite two further May 2019. The intention was to have a draft evaluation report reminders from the University Unions in November 2018 and in ready by the week beginning Monday 20th May 2019 so that the January 2019, the Pro-Chancellor did not bring the matter to Council Vice-Chancellor would have the opportunity to respond to it before until 7th March 2019. It was at this meeting that the issue of the the final document was sent to full Council. However, this plan evaluation process was first discussed in detail. However, Council, broke down when two things occurred: Committee ignorant at the time of the content of the Vice-Chancellor’s contract, Members not involved directly in the drafting of the instrument had concerns about how evaluations and other related things were failed to react to the draft within the agreed timeline; and, the interarticulated in it. It is perhaps important to note that there had been nal arrangements for identifying representatives of certain groups of requests for the contract to be shared when Council sat to discuss staff were not made. Consequently, after some agitation from one merit bonuses for the Vice-Chancellor – but these requests had been Committee member, the Committee met on Thursday 9th May 2019 ignored. and conceded that it could not complete the process as envisaged for

I

multiple reasons including the two above.

The desirable goal of an evaluation, from my perspective, is an objective assessment of the Vice Chancellor’s tenure that provides evidence-based conclusions about his performance. Such an assessment should provide for all relevant stakeholders in the University community to share their views. The process outlined above, though far from ideal, was an attempt to secure such input. My standpoint is of course informed by the Unions’ perspective, since I am their nominee on Council.

In conclusion, I call on the Pro-Chancellor to comment in public about the Vice-Chancellor’s letter. I feel strongly that it falls to him, as the leader of Council, to defend the body against the Vice-Chancellor’s accusations of bias and also to defend the decisions taken by Council. He is well aware of all the concerns that were expressed during the process, and he, of course, can verify the accuracy of what is contained in the Vice-Chancellor’s letter, and can state if he disagrees with what I have outlined here.

Yours faithfully, Jewel Thomas (Dr) Council Member

New LGBTQ rights ... FROM PAGE 6

exists through grassroot education and public campaigns, all of which EQUAL has set out to complete before the end of 2019 Pride for EQUAL Guyana is all about making your mark and standing up to say, ‘We are still here, no matter what trials we face, and we will continue to live authentically and contribute to Guyana like any other citizen’; and EQUAL believes that its membership and pride contingent of almost 50 persons truly celebrated with pride in their veins throughout the pride festival.

The pride parade just represents one day of liberation and freedom, but that does not compensate the fact that many LGBTQ persons still face severe discrimination in various sectors in Guyana, including in employment. Pride is seasonal for many people who only celebrate the LGBTQ community once a year, but homophobia is a daily epidemic. In this regard, EQUAL encourages the fair and just treatment of all persons on a day-to-day basis, instead of just in one season or around one specific date. This positive change that needs to occur can only be achieved if there is unison between every single person in Guyana as every person play a major role in influencing cohesive, effective change.

EQUAL Guyana assures the public that this new organisation is here to offer a new, bright, honest and trustworthy approach to human rights, where real people form the core of the projects so that the real, average persons on the street can truly benefit from the short- and long-term impacts of positive change.

Regards, Anil Persaud

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, June 3, 2019

JHI, MOGI say they’re ‘above board’ - commit to working with SARA investigators JHI Associates Inc. (JHI) and Mid Atlantic Oil & Gas Inc. (MOGI) have distanced themselves from being involved in illegitimacy in relation to the awarding of the Canje Block offshore Guyana.

In a joint press release on June 1, 2019, the companies also defended their experience in offshore petroleum exploration following word of an ongoing investigation in this regard by the local State Assets Recovery Agency (SARA).

SARA is currently conducting an investigation into how exploration rights were awarded to the Stabroek, Kaieteur, Canje and Orinduik blocks.

While neither Exxon nor Tullow, which operate in the blocks, have been singled out as targets, questions have been raised about awards being made to companies labelled as “inexperienced” in deep-water operations.

Furthermore, the Kaieteur and Canje Blocks were given out by the former People’s Progressive Party (PPP)’s Donald Ramotar-led Administration shortly before the 2015 General and Regional Elections.

Responding to recent reports in the media on the topic, JHI and MOGI have stated that the awarding of the Canje block, which took place on March 4, 2015 was completed using the standard Guyana Model Production Agreement.

“The Liza-1 well on the adjacent Stabroek Block was very high-risk, and did not begin drilling until after the Canje Block licence was signed. Prior to this, there

were no discoveries anywhere offshore Guyana. JHI and MOGI followed all applicable laws and regulations in their application for the licence for the Canje Block,” the release said.

In the Canje Block, ExxonMobil holds 35 per cent; Total 35 per cent; JHI 17.5 per cent; and Mid-Atlantic Oil & Gas 12.5 per cent.

While the companies stated at the date of the release that neither had received requests for information or notification of a pending investigation from SARA, they are not opposed to discussions on the matter.

“Both companies welcome the opportunity to discuss this matter with duly

authorised agencies of the Government of Guyana at any time. JHI and MOGI value our reputations as good corporate citizens, and are committed to operating all aspects of our businesses in an open, cooperative and transparent manner,” the release stated, adding: “We recognise the importance of this resource to the people of Guyana, and take our responsibility to explore for oil and gas offshore Guyana very seriously.”

‘FRAUDULENT’ Speaking to the media recently, Oil and Gas Consultant, Dr. Jan Mangal had referred to the awarding of the Canje and Kaieteur Blocks as “fraudulent” as he questioned the track record of the companies involved.

“The award of these two blocks has all the signs of corrupt awards,” he said.

“Deep-water oil blocks should never be awarded to unknown companies or individuals who have no assets or track record of producing oil in deep-water.”

“The former Minister, Robert Persaud, in effect hired contractors [such as] Mid-Atlantic, Ratio, JHI, Cataleye, etcetera who had zero assets or capacity to produce oil in the blocks. This type of fraud robs countries like Guyana of billions of USD and is seen time and again in West Africa,” Dr

Mangal said.

He stands among numerous other persons who have questioned the awarding of the blocks, as well as the timing thereof by the former PPP administration.

With the heightened scrutiny being placed on the decisions, Ramotar has since denied having knowledge of the presence of oil in Guyana before the awarding of the blocks.

The release from the two companies has indicated that the founders of JHI and MOGI, John Cullen and Dr. Edris K. Dookie respectively, each have over 20 years’ experience exploring for oil offshore Guyana.

WORKED IN GUYANA The document also states that Dookie and Cullen are the original co-founders of CGX Energy, and that they have worked in Guyana, having drilled several offshore wells and assisted with the Suriname maritime boundary dispute.

“For the Canje Block licence application, Cullen and Dookie brought a technical team with over 130 years of offshore petroleum exploration experience, and significant financial capabilities,

based on prior successes in raising hundreds of millions US dollars for oil-and-gas exploration projects in Guyana and elsewhere,” the companies stated, adding: “JHI’s and MOGI’s qualifications certainly met the Guyana Government’s requirement that licence applicants must demonstrate technical expertise and financial capabilities.”

Dr Mangal, nonetheless, has opined that the President should rescind the awards of the Kaieteur and Canje blocks as is his right to do, irrespective of the outcome of SARA’s investigation.

“I hope they can rescind these two awards so these blocks can be auctioned off properly so Guyana can earn 100s of millions or even billions of US dollars in signing bonus. The objective is to return the assets to the State, and to ensure that the companies involved cannot take part in any future auctions of these two blocks,” he stated.

Meanwhile, SARA’s head, Dr. Clive Thomas has indicated that the agency is still in an “investigatory stage,” but that there is currently enough evidence for SARA to want to continue its investigation.

FROM PAGE 5

Guyanese in New York...

According to Ambassador to Ten Pow, 2019 is a very important year for Guyana, as it is on the brink of economic independence, with first oil just around the corner.

“It marks a turning point for Guyana as a nation... We are now on the brink of economic independence... We are on the path of transformation to being an economically successful country,” he said.

Consul-General Barbara Atherly also urged Guyanese to respect the freedom of Guyana’s Independence and motto, One People, One

Nation and One Destiny.

Chairman of the Guyana Independence Celebration, Rickford Burke emphasised the importance of unity, and urged Guyanese at the ceremony to continue to have confidence in the Coalition Government.

Their messages were favourably received by the crowd who waved their flags and cheered the respective speakers. Medical student, Kenisha Washington, who hails from Bagotville, on the West Bank Demerara, attended the event with her friends. She said it evoked in her a spirit of

patriotism.

Shemeka Barrow, a Linden resident, who attended the event with her daughter, expressed similar sentiments.

“It’s a good vibe being here, meeting up with friends, seeing old faces, being in an atmosphere of Guyanese accent, Guyanese music and food. It’s like giving you energy to go on for months until you are able to go home,” she said.

Soon after the flag-raising event, a Unity Concert followed, which saw performances from several local artistes.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, June 3, 2019

UG students ‘bless up’ Hauraruni Girls’ Home A GROUP of University of Guyana (UG) students have helped to revamp the Hauraruni Girls’ Home with the aim of providing a better living experience for its inhabitants.

“The aim of the project was to create a sustainable environment for educational development for children,” group member Matthew Moriah said at the closing ceremony of the project.

As a prerequisite of one of the students’ courses, they were tasked with doing a community project.

“Initially, we just wanted to do a library, but when we

did the site visit, we thought that there was so much more that needed to be done, and if we could do anything about it, we would,” Moriah explained.

Repairs were done to the computer room, where the network cables were revamped and computer desks constructed. The library was relocated and revamped; the building’s exterior was painted; and the group changed the batteries for the solar panels and erected a signboard at the junction of the access road and the Soesdyke-Linden Highway.

To do all of this, the

UG student repainting the Home

Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman; Regional Representative of Region Seven, Kamal Persaud; Representative of the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples Affairs, Mirian Ming; and Pastor Deoram Timram with some members of the group of UG students who undertook the project at the Hauraruni Girls’ Home (Delano Williams photos)

group needed a total of $1.5M, which was raised primarily through donations from various government ministries and local organisations.

“In doing what we did, we realised that even though we did a lot for the children of the Home, we’ve done a lot for ourselves,” another group member, Kameel Bacchus said.

To bolster the improved computer network, it was noted that the children would further benefit from Internet access. And it is hoped that government or private sector

bodies would reach out to the Home.

The facility currently has in its care 22 children, aged five to 16 years old. It was established in 1982 by the late Reverend Philip Mohabir, Founder of the Full Gospel Fellowship of Churches in Guyana.

Caregiver at the Home, Pastor Deoram Timran expressed his delight that the group chose the village and the Home to execute their project.

He noted that the improvements that have been made will go a long way in

helping the children living there have a better living and learning experience.

Also present at the closing ceremony was Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman and his wife, both of whom also contributed to the success of the project.

“I have been touched by what I have seen, and I would like to thank the students of the University of Guyana for choosing this place to make it their project,” the Minister stated.

Representing Vice-President and Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs,

Sydney Allicok was Miriam Ming, who also made brief remarks.

“This undertaking was an applaudable one,” she said.

“You have poured your hard work into this project and it is remarkable.”

According to her, it is these acts of kindness that will create “a ripple effect” of good deeds that will leave a lasting impact on society.

Speaking directly to the children present, she urged them to similarly leave “positive marks” on society, since they are part of the future.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, June 3, 2019

Sex talk for pre-schoolers ONE of the first introductions to body parts for babies is usually when parents teach them the parts of their face. They point to the nose and say ‘nose’, and the eyes, and so on. Usually, around six months when

baby’s limbs are more mobile, they tend to do their own exploration, and it is not unusual for a baby to grab their feet, ears or genitals. For baby boys especially, the penis is an easy-to-reach interesting

feature.

Around 12-18 months, toddlers develop some control over their bladder and bowel functions, which is when potty training is introduced. Children are initially fascinated by whatever they manage to put in the potty, and slowly they gain independence. They learn to clean themselves; to wash their hands, and, in time, they graduate to using the adult toilet.

During this transition period, it is useful to teach children subtle messages about the appropriate and inappropriate touching of their private parts. From birth to toddler stage and sometimes beyond, children may be cared for by a range of different people who are responsible for taking care of their personal hygiene, but once they have reached a stage of independence, it is definitely time to brief them.

Children expose their private parts quite innocently when they are young, so they need delicate guidelines. Nothing too harsh or disturbing; but just enough age- appropriate information for them to be discreet

and have enough awareness to question anything they deem inappropriate, or to report any behaviour that may have made them feel uncomfortable. When parents interact with their children (passing on relevant information) while they are young, it then becomes easier to guide them as they grow. Children need guidance in every aspect of their lives; even their sexuality and whatever additional information parents may require can now be sourced through the Internet.

Childcare Protection Officers (CPA) are also on hand to give advice and guidance.

If children are not given general information by adults pertaining to their conduct, sexual or otherwise, they will not possess the ability to discern unacceptable behaviour.

Therefore, sexual regulations should be taught in the home.

Here are some simple information that parents can share with their children.

1) These are your private parts; they are called ‘private’ because they should be kept private: They belong to you.

2) You alone should wash them and keep them clean.

3) No one else is allowed to touch them; not daddy, mummy, uncle, sister. Not even your best friend. Here, parents may need to define ‘touch’ as in fondle, stroke or deliberate contact.

4) If anyone (adult or child) asks to see your private parts, tell them ‘No!’ loudly and firmly, and always report the incident to your teacher and your parents.

5) If someone wants to show you their private parts, or asks you to touch their private parts, say ‘No!’ And always run away and tell.

This type of information can be disseminated to children in a variety of ways, e.g., using words they are familiar with, or by making up a story about a child who behaves in the correct manner when found in a similar predicament. Parents should also ask their children questions to ensure that they have an understanding of what they have learnt. Parents can introduce this aspect of child protection in a natural way; it is the first step in empowering their child against sexual abuse.

Child sexual abuse can occur among family mem-

bers; the perpetrator is not always a stranger. Older brothers, sisters, uncles, step-fathers, fathers and trusted family- friends can certainly make the list of potential offenders. Incest is also a form of child sexual abuse.

Siblings fondling each other and indulging in sexual foreplay or intercourse can take place when children have not been given the necessary and correct guidelines about inappropriate touching and/or when to report it to an adult should it occur.

As you read these words, there is, without a doubt, several unknown sex offenders lurking about who are cleverly disguised. We may not know who they are, or when they might strike; and it is for that reason that we must do everything within our means to protect our children.

If you are concerned about the welfare of a child, call the Childcare and Protection Hotline on 227 0979 , or write to us at childcaregy@ gmail.com A MESSAGE FROM THE CHILDCARE AND PROTECTION AGENCY, MINISTRY OF SOCIAL PROTECTION

Gov’t reaches out to bereaved parents – of child crushed to death at Agricola

THE government has pledged to help the family of seven-year-old Ciara Benjamin, who tragically lost her life on Saturday afternoon after being crushed by a truck while standing on the median in the vicinity of Agricola on the East Bank Demerara (EBD) highway.

Minister within the Ministry of the Presidency with responsibility for Youth Affairs, Simona Broomes on Sunday morning paid the child’s bereaved parents a visit at their residence in South Ruimveldt.

“Just as we celebrate with our people, we have to be there in the time of grief as well,” Minister Broomes declared.

Ciara was the only child for her parents, Chrisann Thegg and Orlando Benja-

Minister within the Ministry of the Presidency, with responsibility for Youth Affairs, Simona Broomes with the grieving parents of young Ciara Benjamin at their South Ruiveldt home on Sunday (DPI/ Kawise Wishart photo)

min. She had gone to spend the day with family members in Agricola on Saturday,

when, while attempting to cross the busy highway, she was crushed by a passing

sand truck.

Minister Broomes noted that the incident is just a truly unfortunate one, and there is absolutely nothing that can be done to replace the life of the little girl or even provide some comfort to the family at this time.

She, however, highlighted that she’d spoken with Minister of Social Protection Amna Ally, who has pledged help to the family on behalf on the government.

“Government will take care of all the expenses at the parlour,” she told little Ciara’s parents. “It’s a sad situation,” she said. “She’s a pretty baby; only seven years old. Regrettably, we cannot replace a life, but at this time, government is just reaching out to this young family in this their time of grief.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, June 3, 2019

Less dust, fewer respiratory problems – Lethem residents praise roadwork being done in township

Ongoing road works in Lethem (Denel Hilken photo)

By Lisa Hamilton RESIDENTS of Lethem are overjoyed at works by the Ministry of Public Infrastructure in the town which will reduce high levels of respiratory ailments and discomfort attributable to dust.

One week ago, the ministry announced that construction and rehabilitation of the road network in the town by contractor JR Ranch Inc., would commence on May 27, 2019, following asphalt testing. With the new road expected, residents are also looking forward to a new level of transportation comfort and less wear and tear on their vehicles.

“We suffered a lot with the dust before the present stage of the road. You’re talking about excessive dust.

You’re living in dust, you’re sleeping in dust, you’re eating in dust. It made life very hard on a daily and momentary basis,” a resident living along the roadway, Jason Foo, told this newspaper.

He said the former situation caused persons living closest to the roadway, like himself, to welcome the rainy season, even though it meant that the dust would turn into slush.

“We look forward to the completion of [the road works] because it eliminates the issue of dust and makes life much more pleasant.

It will benefit myself and family and everyone who travels on the road, including our Brazilian counterparts,” Foo said.

Toshao of Nappi village, Guy Fredericks

Passing along the roadway as construction works took place, was Toshao of Nappy village, Guy Fredericks.

“The condition of the road has been very bad for many years,” he began, adding: “There is dust and sogginess [when it rains] but people complain more about the dust than the sogginess.

The dust affects people when they inhale it and especially the people to the west of the road.”

The toshao said that prior to the improvements, persons travelling from Nappy to Lethem had to deal with the challenging road networks only to be met with worse conditions upon arrival in Central Lethem.

“Works were done be-

Dianne Domingo (Denel Hilken photo)

fore, but it was not the kind of road that we wanted but, now, this is the solution to the whole problem. Everybody has been complaining about the dust in Lethem and this is the answer. This is a solid road,” Fredericks said.

He continued: “It’s excellent work. Everybody should be happy; they should be speaking out and commending the government for such a wonderful job. People shouldn’t be afraid to speak out on developments like these, because it’s for the benefit of the people.”

MUST BE CAUTIOUS At the same time, the toshao said that while vehicles will now be able to drive much more smoothly on the roadway, drivers must nonetheless be cautious of their

speed levels.

He also expressed a desire to see all roads in Lethem paved and told this newspaper of other ongoing projects in nearby villages, which will also improve road networks.

“In Nappi, there is a road that has been halted because of the rains which will benefit the municipality because part of the road is within the boundaries of the municipality. It extends into Nappi and it’s going into Yupukari right back into north. That is the road we’re looking forward to commence as soon as dry season comes in to give us better access to Lethem,” he said.

Another resident passing by the roadway, Dianne Domingo, told of her experience of the challenges faced prior to the recent construction.

“There was a lot of mud,

Resident Jason Foo

potholes before and now it is developed and it is much better than before.

Before there was too much dust and when the rain falls there’s a lot of mud and you can’t get to walk properly and pass through. I appreciate the new road,” she said. She called for similar works to be conducted on the Tabatinga road and for walkways to be placed on the roads in the future.

Meanwhile, other pedestrians like Rawle Abrams chose to address the quality of the road works which he rated highly.

“We were not getting any good roads and, as I’m standing here today, I’m admiring a new company that got the contract to give us something that’s worth the money that they’re getting. I am very happy with the quality of the

road so far and I pray to God that they continue doing what they’re doing,” he said.

Restaurant owner John Adams, who has been living in Lethem for six years now, told the Guyana Chronicle that the previous condition of the road made it difficult for businesses such food and retail. They were affected by the constant presence of dust.

“The dust made people get sickness because when you breathe in the dust it’s not good for your body. It affected my customers because with a lot of dust people can’t eat,” he said.

The ministry has stated that the government is pleased to continuously construct and rehabilitate the road networks within the hinterland to provide faster and smoother linkage to the coastal regions.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, June 3, 2019

‘Nations’ in move to boost capacity in oil & gas sector NATIONS Schools Inc has partnered with Mexican-based company, CBM Exploration and Production Engineering (CBMex), to boost human resources capacity in Guyana’s emerging oil and gas sector.

According to CBMex Talent Development Director, Miguel Alberto, Guyana is facing some challenges in transitioning her people from agriculture to an oil and gas economy.

As such, Alberto said CBMex felt that the opportunity extended by Nation’s Principal, Dr Brian O’ Toole, had to be taken.

He explained that the company comprises a group of practitioners with expertise in the oil industry and international experience supporting Mexico’s oil sector.

CBMex put special em-

phasis on exploration and production processes and provides specialised technical assistance consultancy services.

The training courses at Nations, he said, will commence very soon.

“We have some basic courses, and we were discussing to offer a course to start with, for not necessarily technical people, but for all audience, in order to have them understand what is the business of the oil and the chain value and aspects related to the oil business.

This is important for every member of the community; they need to know about it.

So we have prepared a programme and we are going to be starting very soon,” he told Guyana Chronicle.

He added: “We also have some other specific pieces of training programmes, short and long courses;

Nations Principal, Dr Brian O’Toole shakes hand with CBMex Talent Development Director, Miguel Alberto, after signing the partnership agreement

more related to the reservoir management, installations and more. The oil sector is broad but we are more like

a technical company that offers consultancy; with our expertise, offer designs and deliver these types of

programmes. The idea is to offer those depending on the needs of the people here.”

Alberto explained that in the courses being offered, an approach called ‘learning by doing’ will be used.

“So we offer mentorship, using cases of study coming from the real world, not just theoretically. And we also compliment it with practicals, so that when they complete the courses, they can be assets in the oil and gas industry with these hands-on training,” the talent development director said.

With Guyana’s economy largely based on agriculture, the coming of the oil and gas sector on stream would result in diversified businesses that require well-trained employees.

Dr O’Tooles told Guyana Chronicle that Nations will facilitate the training while CBMex representa-

tives will be teaching the courses. The certificates, he said, will be issued by CBMex, an internationally recognised company.

“CBMex works all over Latin America. One of the major thrusts they have is in training, so they run a whole set of training courses in all kinds of areas, including oil and gas. The idea is that we will partner with them, they will run the course, we’ll do the logistics, and we’ll get the people. And the prices are very realistic,” O’Toole said.

“The first course is going to be an introduction to the oil business and that will commence soon. We are trying to get Guyanese into the market early, so we are putting our efforts into these courses because we want the locals to benefit from what is coming,” he added.

Technical institutes must develop skills to harness oil wealth – with ‘first-oil’ expected in 2020, says oil and gas expert

By Lisa Hamilton GUYANA is being advised to either strengthen existing skills training institutes or establish a large-scale national technical institute to prepare its people to benefit from an expected increase of job opportunities in the service sector.

With 2020 earmarked as ‘first-oil’ for Guyana and with substantial growth expected for the economy within the next five years, many experts have long projected significant growth in the service sectors.

There are currently several technical and skills training institutes dotted across Guyana, but what Local Content Consultant on Oil and Gas and Mining, Rene Roger Tissot recommended surpasses what now exists.

The economist, also an energy analyst, has worked for years in Africa, Latin America, the Middle East and Canada.

He spoke with the Guyana Chronicle on the topic while attending the 15th annual Institute of the Americas’ pre-La Jolla conference workshop hosted in San Diego, last week.

“What Guyana absolutely needs, like any developing country, is a national technical institute. Not for oil,” Tissot said, but “for everything.”

He stated that other countries on the continent have done the same, such as Colombia, preparing themselves to benefit from a similar projected job increase in the sector.

“The idea is to develop the skills because

oil itself is not wealth. What Guyana needs to do right now is to think about how they are going to transform oil wealth --- which will be received in financial wealth or money-- into another form of wealth. That other form of wealth is human capital or investiture, but human capital is perhaps the most important right now,” he advised.

Tissot said that instead of creating various tailored and small programmes or even small institutes across the country, a sizable institution is needed to cater for all forms of jobs across the service sector.

Jobs in the service sector can fall in the category of information sector services, securities and other investment services, professional, warehousing and truck transportation services, health care and social assistance services, arts and entertainment, technical and scientific services, waste management services and recreation services.

ACCESSIBLE AND AFFORDABLE The consultant told this publication that, preferably, such a multi-service training institution should be managed by the government, while ensuing that it is accessible and affordable for all members of the public.

It would also target persons unable to, or uninterested in attending university, exposing them to a viable skill which can guarantee financial income.

“Barmen in hotels, massage therapists, hair dressers, whatever makes sense. If you build that, then what you’re doing is transforming the oil wealth into the capacity of

Local Content Consultant, Rene Roger Tissot

your workforce to work in whatever sector there is,” Tissot explained.

“The reality is, oil business is not going to generate that many jobs. That’s something that needs to be very clearly understood, especially [regarding] offshore oil which does not generate that many jobs,” he said.

This resolve is what caused the expert to also recommend that Guyana ensure that

its National Development Plan – perhaps one which stretches to 2040—includes the country’s plans for skills training, based on the expected economic activities.

“It’s now you need to develop that,” he said, adding: “Right now, you need to think about what type of post-oil economy you want to develop and the most important thing is to develop technical skills, because that’s what is going to be in most demand.”

Tissot said it is regrettable that in some developing oil-rich countries, these skills-related jobs have been snatched away by non-nationals who meet the need.

He reasoned that even if the government is of the opinion that provisions are already in place to cater for such large-scale training, efforts should still be geared towards making such systems stronger, and as soon as possible.

He recommended that, as revenues flow, the financial capabilities of such an institution/ institutions be fortified through the more readily available finances.

“If you train your people, not only will they have skills to get a job, but also they will have the skills to perhaps start their own businesses. It’s not going to be a solution for every problem, but it’s going to be a necessary first step. If you don’t have the skills for your people to be able to work on any type of activity, the development is much more complicated and it doesn’t matter how much money you receive from oil,” the consultant said.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, June 3, 2019

Diversity an asset, not a liability - President Granger tells Eccles Assembly of God congregation

President David Granger addresses the congregation (Ministry of the Presidency photo)

THE church has a role to advance the promotion of social cohesion in Guyana’s multi-cultural society said President David Granger at the 60th-anniversary dedication service of the Eccles Assembly of God Church on Saturday.

The Head of State attended the function where he also reminded the congregation that the cultural diversity character is an asset, not a liability.

“We are blessed to belong to a country with such diversity,” said President Granger as he noted that social cohesion enhances cooperation among citizens, civil society, institutions and the State.

Through the weaving of the various social, economic and political strands in the

Guyana society into a cohesive whole, differences, he said, can be recognised but respected.

A release to the media also indicated that the President acknowledged social cohesion as a state which encourages greater equality across the boundaries of class, gender, geography and ethnicity; ensures that every group, no matter how small, enjoys a sense of belonging; creates a moral community that is safe and that offers opportunities for uplifting everyone.

“Social cohesion is consistent with the ideal of the Christian vision of promoting harmonious relations in society. Our diversity is evident everywhere -- in our schools, in our offices and factories and in this congre-

Members of the audience at the Eccles Assembly of God Church (Ministry of the Presidency photo)

gation. It is evident in any community where churches, mosques and temples are established side-by-side,” he said.

In congratulating the Eccles Assembly of God Church on the 60th anniversary of its formal establishment, the President commended the body for its religious stewardship to the East Bank Community.

He reminded that the church can continue to promote social cohesion by providing spiritual and material relief to those in need.

It can also do so by mending the emotional wounds caused by violence; protecting the vulnerable from malice and injustice; by advancing class and ethnic harmony; promoting

non-confrontational ways of settling differences and by becoming a peacemaker.

“The Eccles Assembly of God Church has been an instrument of social cohesion from the time of its existence.

The Church’s members and leaders embrace persons regardless of their class or ethnicity. This Church through its community engagement – its school-feeding programme, its senior citizens’ and widows’ outreach and its children’s education support – is perpetuating to Jesus’s mission to the infirm, the needy and the poor. The ‘Assembly’ is helping to create a gentler Guyana,” President Granger asserted.

Speaking to the Assembly’s vision “…to establish the rulership of the Kingdom

of God throughout this country and beyond through the faithful proclamation of the gospel in every stratum of human existence”, President Granger stated that it is the Church’s obligation to realise this vision by promoting harmony among all men and women.

He urged the Church, through its ministry, to continue to contribute towards the shaping of a society where differences are respected, the weak are assisted and where everyone, regardless of class or ethnicity, feels a sense of belonging.

“The virtues of compassion, love and mercy are the means through which we can experience the Kingdom of God. It is written in the Holy Bible (to the Galatians 3:

28) that the apostle Paul laid down a model of cohesion for the early Church. He writes: “…There is neither Jew nor Greek; there is neither bond nor free; for ye are all one in Christ Jesus,” said the Head of State.

He also reminded that the Christian faith makes no distinction in terms of class or ethnicity.

Upon his arrival, President Granger was greeted

by Bishop Dr. John Oswald Smith, CCH, General Bishop of the Assemblies of God in Guyana and Bishop Michael Perreira, Senior Pastor of the Eccles Assembly of God. The re-modelled church has a membership of 815 persons and can accommodate approximately 1700 persons.

Committee to oversee transparent sale of GuySuCo lands THE government has established a States Land Sales Committee which will ensure transparency in the sale of Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) estates land pending privatisation.

The sale of lands is expected to commence very soon, according to Director- General of the Ministry of the Presidency, Joseph Harmon.

“Under the guidance of His Excellency, the President, we’ve had to establish a States Land Sales Committee that will ensure that there is transparency in the disposing of these assets because, in our modern history, this will

be the largest transfer of assets by the State to the private sector,” Harmon said.

“So, it is important that we ensure all of the processes are transparent; that they’re open and, therefore, there can’t be claims that this person got something at one price and the other person got something at another price,” he said.

In recent years, the government has moved to downsize the sugar industry to make GuySuCo, which had amassed billions in debt, more efficient.

Some estates and factories were amalgamated and others were divested.

Earlier in the year, a report on GuySuCo estates was handed over to the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited’s (NICIL) Steering Committee.

The documents were compiled by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), the consultant firm hired

by NICIL’s Special Purpose Unit (SPU) to oversee the privatisation of the Rose Hall, Enmore and Skeldon estates.

PwC also commenced the process of valuation of GuySuCo assets in January 2019 which it has since completed.

Harmon noted that the process has been an extensive but careful one.

“It took quite a while because they [the assets] were not individually or separately transported,” he explained, adding: “There had to be an exceptional amount of time taken to have surveys done and then to put valuation on the individual assets [which are] the lands, the buildings and the equipment that are on these estates.”

Earlier this year, cash-strapped GuySuCo had to lay off some 4,000 workers in order to keep the sugar industry viable.

Since the government’s announcement of its plans to privatise the estates, several investors have shown interest.

Harmon stated that these in-

vestors are in the process of being re-contacted for a continuation in the plans for investment.

“While this [valuation] was going on, you had interest by several companies and because it took a little while, some of those interests would have waned and so we have now to re-establish contact with some of the parties who had expressed an interest in the first place. So that is going on and I can say to you that that is a very active issue right now,” he stated.

The director-general also said that the sale of lands that are not going to remain a part of the new GuySuCo will commence soon.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, June 3, 2019

Guyanese in New York thoroughly entertained at Unity Concert

By Vanessa Braithwaite in New York THE former Brooklyn Art Centre, at Preston Court, Brooklyn, New York, was transformed into a Guyanese party arena as scores turned up to get a taste of a Unity Concert held in observance of Guyana’s 53rd Independence Anniversary.

It was a real Guyanese celebration as authentic Guyanese music was played and performed by a contingent of artistes who travelled to New York.

The scorching Guyanese fever permeated the atmosphere as the artiste took to the stage to perform their hits. Setting the bar high with the first performance was renowned Guyanese artiste, Eddie Neblett with his tune, ‘Love and Unity’.

Neblett kept the theme of the concert alive and demonstrated the need for Guyanese either home or in the diaspora, to shun disparity, racism, political differences and to embrace love and unity.

He was followed by an African Deejay, who kept the crowd equally hyped and on fire with his African, soca and Guyanese se-

lections. His catchy tunes sparked a dance off on stage with a Guyanese comedian. The performance had the crowd rolling with laughter.

The second performer who reignited the patriotic spirit of the crowd with his calypso ‘Guyana is a Paradise,’ was the Mighty Believer.

Jory, Mr Malcolm ‘Wickedee’ Ferreira, Adrian Dutchin and Stephen Ramphall, among others, also performed.

Guyanese from every nook and cranny in the tri-state area of New York City came out in their numbers to witness the performances.

The crowd continued to increase late in the afternoon and the hyped and upbeat performances of the artistes kept the gathering thoroughly entertained.

Guyanese cuisine was also available and Guyanese were also given a chance to represent their respective regions. Region Four took away this prize, since they had the largest representation.

The unity concert gave the gathering an opportunity to enjoy a much-needed afternoon of local entertainment after the formalities of the ceremony.

A section of the gathering at Preston Court

Bandit caught in closet

By Jeune Bailey Van Keric JOSHUA Butts, 23, was nabbed by residents of Edinburg Village, East Bank Berbice on Saturday night just after 21:00hrs after he was found hiding in a closet, at his neighbour’s home, obliquely to where he took up residence a few weeks ago.

The suspect allegedly gained entry into the home by walking up the front stairs, into the patio before climbing through a bedroom window where the room was ransacked.

Celene Patior, a tenant who lives on the lower-flat of the two-storied concrete house, was home alone at the time watching a television programme and texting.

While enjoying her quietude, she heard movements in the upper-flat of the house. She thought it was very strange to be hearing the sounds, since her landlady who lives upstairs, was away from home.

After confirming that the homeowner was indeed away from her home, Patior contacted her fiancé while the landlady telephoned other nearby neighbours, informing them that a suspected thief was in her home.

As furniture was being pulled around the house by the intruder, neighbours surrounded the house while

Joshua Butts, formerly of Lot 45 Stanleytown, New Amsterdam, Berbice was caught and bound by Edinburg residents Saturday night

efforts were made to contact the police at Sister’s Police Station.

But help was not forthcoming from the police station as persons were told “no vehicle available”. Several calls were made to the Central Police Station in New Amsterdam but the callers were told ‘contact cannot be made with the patrol,’ the landlady related.

As a result, she gave

neighbours permission to enter her home and after searching diligently, they found the suspect in a closet.

Immediately, they began to beat him but stopped after a driver urged them to hand him over to the police, which they did.

The injured man was taken to the New Amsterdam Hospital where he remains under police guard in the Male Surgical Ward.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, June 3, 2019

UG participates in Undergraduate World Congress quality of research done at UG and for the chance to network for possible collaboration with other universities for future medical research at the University of Guyana. The students were accompanied by Pamela Rose, Assistant Director, Undergraduate Research.

Rose also made a research presentation titled, “Implementing an Undergraduate Research Office: Insights from undergraduates”.

In giving her praise to the students, she expressed, “Seven UG students being part of a global community of undergraduate researchers from 35 countries, six continents, 92 universities and 100 academic disciplines is both a rewarding and The delegation that attended the World Congress in Germany

SIX students and one faculty member represented the University of Guyana (UG) in Europe at the Second World Congress on Undergraduate Research held in Oldenburg, Germany, from May 23-25.

The Undergraduate World Congress presents an opportunity for global dialogue across many different fields of inquiry.

Students from universities around the world congregated at this seminal event to share their research, discuss global issues, and create international research partnerships. They were also afforded the chance to enjoy and explore the northwest of Germany.

The Undergraduate World Congress is a product of the Council for Undergraduate Research, of which UG is a member.

This organisation is comprised of individual, institutional, and affiliate members from around the world, whose mission is to promote high-quality and collaborative undergraduate research, scholarly, and creative activity opportunities for faculty and students.

The UG students had their abstracts selected from a pool of over 8,000 abstracts for the World Congress.

The student representatives were: Shikema Dey and Nerissa Persaud, two second year Associate Degree in English majors from the Faculty of Education and Humanities, whose research focused on the Discussion of Suicide in Guyana: The

insiders’ perspectives (documentary); Shemain Robinson, graduate from the Faculty of Social Sciences, research was on The Challenges faced by orphanage direct care workers; Jomesha Stewart, graduate from the Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry, researched the Tolerance of two grafted tomato plants to diseases; Jason Jaikisson, graduate from the Faculty of Health Sciences, research focused on Estimating organ dose for a standard chest x-ray at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation; Benita Davis, graduate from the Faculty of Earth and Environmental Sciences, focused on an examination of physicochemical water quality parameters in the vicinity of the Kaieteur National Park; and Kwesi Elliot, graduate from the Faculty of Natural Sciences, who focused his research on The use of keywords dynamics as a means of user authentication.

WATERSHED MOMENT Commenting on the university’s participation in the World Congress on Undergraduate Research, Vice-Chancellor (acting), Professor Michael Scott said, “This is a truly watershed moment in the University of Guyana’s 55-year history. The entire UG community is elated and justly proud of this global recognition of our undergraduate research scholarship.”

He further congratulated the researchers (four females and two males), head of

the delegation – Assistant Director Undergraduate Research, who accompanied them and also their research supervisors, for a job well done.

He also encouraged the team to “keep going forward and upward to greater accomplishments.”

The students who attended the World Congress in Germany were extremely grateful for the opportunity to present their research and to represent the University of Guyana.

HONOUR “It was an honour to have research that has piqued the interest of individuals on the team of the WorldCUR 2019. I am grateful and quite ecstatic about being given the opportunity to share my research with scholars from various countries of the world,” Jomesha Stewart noted.

By the same token, Benita Davis, highlighted that, “the aim of the World Congress for Undergraduate Research is to bring together the world’s best undergraduate research that addresses the major challenges the global community is facing today. Therefore, it was an honour and a privilege to represent the University of Guyana on the global stage.”

Jason Jaikissoon called attention to the fact that, “Guyana is now one of five South American countries to participate in the event, with more than 117 international universities”.

He is pleased that he was able to demonstrate the

a productive experience.

The exposure to research excellence, creative inquiry and networking opportunities has inspired them and increased their self-confidence. If we are to encourage innovative inquiry, our students need more of this type of exposure.”

The Office for Undergraduate Research mission is to promote and facilitate the engagement of students in research and other creative activities; to demystify research and increase knowledge about its nature and methodologies.

Additionally the office is to obtain competitive advantages to pursue opportunities in the workforce and for postgraduate or professional study.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, June 3, 2019

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, June 3, 2019

Ruthless Bangladesh clobber South Africa

(ESPNCricinfo) - These teams seem to bring out extremes in one another.

In previous World Cups, that has meant one-sided games, in which one side completely dominated the other - as South Africa did with a 10-wicket thumping in their first encounter in Bloemfontein in 2003.

Four years later, it was Bangladesh’s turn to bring the pain as an array of left-arm spinners sent South Africa spiralling to a 67-run defeat at Providence.

The pendulum swung back when Bangladesh wilted to 78 all out under lights in Mirpur in 2011. And now it’s swung once more, Bangladesh excelling to soar to a 21-run win.

That result would make this officially the closest South Africa-Bangladesh match in ODI history, but on a day when South Africa were outplayed in all departments, that wasn’t saying much.

This was Bangladesh’s second ever World Cup win over South Africa and, hinting at the momentum they have behind them, their fifth win in their last five completed ODIs. South Africa’s fast bowlers huffed and they puffed, but they couldn’t blow Bangladesh’s house down.

In fact, it was quite the opposite, as Bangladesh’s batsmen studded their innings Manhattan with skyscrapers.

Along the way, Bangladesh’s achievements, collective and individual, were both many and noteworthy. Shakib Al Hasan became the first Bangladeshi - and fastest cricketer - to the double of 250 wickets and 5,000 runs in ODIs, getting there quicker than the likes of Shahid Afridi and Jacques Kallis. Bangladesh reached 330 for 6, their highest total in ODIs, smashing their previous best against South Africa by 52 runs.

That they soared so high was thanks mainly to a 142-run stand between Shakib and Mushfiqur Rahim, which is also Bangladesh’s highest in World Cups.

Together they built on the solid early efforts of Soumya Sarkar, who took on the short ball with gumption, showing echoes of his early outings against the South Africans at home way back in 2015, when he ramped and hooked his way to 205 runs in three innings to help his team to a 2-1 series win.

Today, he got his team off to an excellent start with a fluid 60-run opening stand with Tamim Iqbal. South Africa clearly had a plan with the ball, and Faf du Plessis said as much at the toss, telegraphing his intentions by saying: “We’re playing the extra seamer today so we want to try and attack Bangladesh with some extra pace.”

But once Bangladesh showed they were happy to take

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the short ball on, South Africa floundered for a back-up.

There was much fanfare about the potential in South Africa’s bowling attack before this tournament.

Kagiso Rabada, Dale Steyn, Lungi Ngidi and Imran Tahir are all match-winners in their own right, and having all four in the same line-up was South Africa’s Plan A. But Steyn is yet to recover from the shoulder flare-up that cut short his IPL jaunt, Ngidi limped off with a tweaked hamstring after bowling four wicketless overs in which he leaked seven boundaries, and Rabada endured one of his rare off days, conceding 0 for 57 in his ten overs.

Worse still, South Africa had one of their worst days in recent memory in the field.

The trouble started as early as the fifth over, when a regulation edge flew right between du Plessis and Aiden Markram in the slips, gifting Sarkar a second life.

Then, as the partnership between Shakib and Mushfiqur grew, South African shoulders sagged and their energy in the field flatlined.

Misfields aplenty - and most egregious of all, Chris Morris’ amateurish effort at short fine leg when Mushfiqur swept a ball from Tahir almost straight to him in the 20th over - eased the pressure whenever it started to build.

Shakib was first to his fifty, getting there in the 26th over, Mushfiqur following him to the mark three overs later.

Neither could kick on to three figures, but Mahmudullah ensured their efforts were not wasted, and Bangladesh’s innings crescendoed as 54 runs came from the final four overs.

Bangladesh carried that momentum into the field, and there was a distinctly nervy feel to the start of South Africa’s chase. Nerves turned to all-out jitters when de Kock was needlessly run out in the 10th over.

Thereafter, it was Bangladesh’s best-laid plans that worked out. A trap was set for du Plessis, mid-off being brought up to tempt him into hitting against the spin, and he duly jumped into it - and out of his crease, running past a Mehidy offbreak to be bowled for 62.

South Africa’s hopes seemed to depart with him. Mustafizur got rid of David Miller via a leading edge to point, and Rassie van der Dussen played a decidedly flustered hoick across the line to be bowled by Mohammad Saifuddin for 45.

Thereafter, South Africa never looked up for it. All Bangladesh had to do was hold their nerve, and they did just that, opening their World Cup campaign with a win.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, June 3, 2019

Joshua vows to "get the belts back" Ruiz thrashing

(BBC) - ANTHONY Joshua vowed to “get the belts back” after calling his sensational heavyweight world-title defeat by Andy Ruiz Jr. a “minor setback”.

Joshua, 29, was floored four times as Ruiz defied underdog status to win in seven rounds and deliver a true shock to the sport at Madison Square Garden.

He said: “It’s a test of character. I’ll see what is next and move on.”

Promoter Eddie Hearn said a rematch is a “must win” because Joshua’s options will be “nothing after that”.

A rematch clause was part of the contract and Hearn said he expected it to take place “in England in November or December”. Ruiz himself says he will take the contest at any time.

After scoring a third-round knockdown, he was floored twice before the end of the round and put down twice more in the seventh before the bout was waved off.

Sitting alongside Joshua at a post-fight news conference, Hearn said his fighter will want the repeat fixture more with “every day that passes”.

Joshua quietly responded: “I think that’s right”.

He added: “Winning is everything. I am not going to sit here and say ‘losing is fine’. Not in my book. But if you do happen to lose, adjust and bounce back. But I do not condone losing in any form. This is war, battle,

so what’s next?”

Joshua, who lost the IBF, WBA and WBO world titles, was asked about potential fights with WBC world champion Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury.

“I still want to compete with those men but a rematch with Andy Ruiz Jr is where we are at,” he said.

“I’m still a champ and I will rectify it to get the belts back.”

Anthony Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn confirmed there was a rematch clause in the contract of the fight between the Briton and Andy Ruiz Jr Hearn said Joshua got “sloppy” and expects the defeat to “devastate” his fighter, adding Ruiz had pulled off “one of those big upsets in heavyweight history”.

Much had been made of Joshua competing in the US for the first time, with hopes high he could land an eye-catching win that would build his profile in the country.

He was priced at 1-25 with bookmakers, with many pundits expecting Ruiz to struggle to make it past the opening few rounds.

“It was a new environment and that is a factor but he should be beating Andy Ruiz,” added Hearn.

“AJ must win that rematch in the UK because there is nothing after that.”

Marian Academy shut down Bladen Hall in National School Basketball Festival MARIAN Academy restricted Bladen Hall from scoring a single bucket when action continued on Saturday in the YBG National School Basketball Festival-- Georgetown and East Coast Regionals at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.

In the Under-14 division, Marian Academy did it at both ends of the court with Demetrius DeAbreu powering his way to 14 rebounds, six points and six steals, while Trevor Rose had a good two-way game with nine points and eight boards to lead the Georgetown School to a whopping 22-0 victory.

Youth Basketball Guyana cluster also dominated their game when they tackled Tutorial High School. Led

by Jaden Mohan, Kallani Howard and Javon Hodge, they eventual winner stormed to a 19-point win (24-5).

Mohan finished with six points and four steals, Howard

with five points and Javon Hodge with four points.

M. Barton grabbed six rebounds to go with three points for Tutorial.

In a keenly contested battle, Saint Stanislaus College edged St. Roses High School after a double-double from Daniel Bailey (11 points, 16 rebounds and five steals).

Brandon McKoy added eight points and Shalom Ault six points and six rebounds. Calex Bernard with eight points and Chris Perez with six points and six rebounds were the main scorers for St. Roses.

In the U-18 competition, Plaisance Secondary gained a walkover victory over Queen’s College.

The Georgetown/East Coast Demerara Regionals will continue on June 7th and 8th. Edward B. Beharry & Company Ltd, NSC, Banks DIH LTD and Exxon Mobil are the tournament sponsors.

NAMILCO takes 50th Anniversary celebration to Essequibo

FRESH off their exploits in Berbice and Linden, the National Milling Company

(NAMILCO) will take its celebrations to Essequibo.

As part of its 50 th An-

niversary celebrations, it will host a t20 cricket tournament on June 30th at the

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Monday June 03, 2019)

COMPLIMENTS OF THE TROPHY STALL- Bourda Market & The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD- 83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158)

Answers to Friday’s quiz: (a) ENG defeated SA by 104 runs (b) Ben Stokes (ENG) Today’s Quiz: (1) How many teams are participating in the current World Cup? (2) How many teams were involved in the last World Cup?

ANSWERS IN TOMORROW’S ISSUE

Managing Director of NAMILCO, Bert Sukhai

Imam Bacchus Ground, Affiance.

The Thunderbolt Flour Power side will take on an Imam Bacchus side with the winner taking home $50,000, a trophy and medals while the losing side will also get medals.

There is also football scheduled for the day when the two top teams in Essequibo tackle each other with the winner carting off $50,000 dollars.

The company will also donate exercise books to the community.

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Neymar denies Rape accusation

Brazillian football star, Neymar

(BBC) - BRAZILIAN football star, Neymar, has denied an accusation that he raped a woman in Paris.

According to a police report filed in São Paulo, the woman alleges that the attack took place in a hotel in the French capital, where Neymar plays for Paris St-Germain (PSG).

Neymar sought to prove his innocence by posting what he says is an exchange of Whatsapp messages between the pair.

He is now in Brazil training with the national team for the Copa América.

WHAT ARE THE ALLEGATIONS? According to police documents, the woman - who has not been named - got to know Neymar on Instagram and he suggested they meet in Paris.

He provided her with an air ticket from Brazil to France and a reservation at a luxury hotel in Paris.

When Neymar came to the hotel on 15 May, he was “apparently drunk”, the woman alleges.

After conversation and embraces, “at some point, Neymar became aggressive, and through violence, engaged in sexual intercourse against the will of the victim”, the police document states.

The woman returned to Brazil two days later, without reporting the alleged incident to French police, because she was “emotionally shaken and afraid to register the facts in another country”, the document continues.

WHAT DOES NEYMAR SAY? In a statement released after the accusations became public, the footballer’s management condemned “the unjust accusations and, above all, the exposure in the press of an extremely negative situation”.

The statement said Neymar had been the “victim of an attempted extortion” and “evidence of attempted extortion and non-rape will be submitted to the police authorities”.

Neymar directly addressed the allegations in a seven-minute video on his Instagram page.

The unmarried footballer posted the video alongside the caption (in Portuguese): “Due to extortion, I’m being forced to expose my life and my family..”

Speaking in Portuguese, the footballer said: “I’m very upset but from now on I’ll expose or tell all about what happened with that girl. It was an intimate thing but I have to open myself up to prove that nothing exceptional happened.

“What happened that day was a relationship between a man and a woman, within four walls, like with any couple. And the next day nothing much happened. We kept exchanging messages. She asked me for a souvenir for [her child].”

During the video, the 27-year-old shows what he claims to be a long series of WhatsApp messages with the woman, including photographs of her in her underwear.

He says he had to make them public to “prove that nothing really happened”.

Neymar’s father, Neymar dos Santos, also dismissed the allegations, telling Band TV in Brazil on Saturday that “it is clear that it was a trap”.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, June 3, 2019

“It feels good to be back” - Briggs

By Rawle Toney FOR 28-year-old defender Matthew Briggs, being named in Guyana’s 23-man squad for the CONCACAF Gold Cup is a ‘dream come true’ -- a series of thoughts and imagination that started since he first tasted International football for the Golden Jaguars in March of 2015.

Biggs played an instrumental role in Guyana’s 2 - 0 win over Grenada at the Guyana National Stadium on March 28, 2015, however, FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee overturned the result in favour of the men from the ‘Spice Isle’, claiming that the former Fulham FC English Premier League defender was ineligible to play for Guyana.

According to the FIFA Disciplinary Committee, who met and deliberated over the matter before handing down the sanction, the GFF was liable for the violation of article 5 of the regulations governing the application of the Statutes as well as article 55 paragraph 2 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code for having fielded the player, Matthew Briggs, without him holding Guyanese nationality.

FIFA further noted that the match is declared a lost by forfeit by Guyana (3-0), citing the FIFA Disciplinary Code.

In addition, the Federation is ordered to pay a fine to the amount of 4,000 Swiss Francs.

The GFF was also ordered to take all appropriate measures in order to guarantee that the FIFA regulations are strictly complied with.

The Golden Jaguars had initially won the match 2 – 0, thanks to a double from Pernell Schultz in the 18th and 38th minutes.

Fast forward to over four years later, Biggs, who also played with Watford, Colchester and Millwall, told Chronicle Sport in an exclusive interview, “I’ve had a rough few years but to come through the other side…I’ve had a great season with Maldon and Tiptree and to now be called up for Guyana to play in the gold cup, it’s a dream come true.”

Over the years, while waiting for the Guyana Football

Federation (GFF) flagship programme, the senior men’s national team went through the highs and lows of International football. Briggs noted that he was “watching the boys playing and keeping track of their progress and was gutted, I couldn’t be a part of it. And I want to say first of all ‘thank you’ to the boys for getting Guyana to the Gold Cup and I am proud of every single one of them.”

“This is the best team I think Guyana has ever had and I think we will surprise a lot of people at the Gold Cup. I believe we have a team strong enough to get out of the group stage most definitely,” Briggs said.

Briggs and company will meet up from June 1 in Bermuda where they will come up against fellow Gold Cup debutants, Bermuda, in an international friendly on June 6.

Golden Jaguars will then travel to Costa Rica to continue their camp over the period June 9-13 and while there, they will play another international friendly, this time against Caribbean powerhouse, Haiti, on June 11.

From Costa Rica, the team will travel to their base in St Paul, Minnesota, USA, for their opening game of the CONCACAF Gold Cup 2019 on June 18 against defending champions, USA. The Golden Jaguars were drawn in Group D of the 16-team tournament, with the USA, Panama, and Trinidad and Tobago.

Following their opening game against the USA on June 18, the side will travel to Cleveland, Ohio to take on Panama on June 22 at the First Energy Stadium, then play their final group game against Caribbean Football Union (CFU) rivals, Trinidad and Tobago, on June 26 at the Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas.

Golden Jaguars team: Matthew Briggs, Terell Ondaan, Jordan Dover, Liam Gordon, Quillan Roberts, Sam Cox, Neil Danns, , Emery Welshman, Keanu Marsh-Brown, Ronayne Marsh-Brown, Callum Harriott, Anthony Jeffery, Pernell Shultz, Warren Creavalle, Elliot Bonds, Terrence Vancooten, Kevin Layne, Stephen Duke-McKenna, Sheldon Holder, Daniel Wilson, Akel Clarke and Alex Murray.

West Coast Warriors looking for third consecutive win in Commonwealth League WEST Coast Warriors will seek their third consecutive win when they battle Bronx team, Little Giants, today at Flushing Meadows in Queens, New York, in the Commonwealth 30-over Cricket League.

With their back-to-back wins, Warriors, made up of local and US-based Guyanese players, currently sit in second place with four points, just behind Columbia West, who have six points after three wins in four games.

Little Giants sit in the 11th spot after having won their lone game.

Twenty-four teams are competing in the round-robin event.

Last Sunday, Warriors defeated Dashmesh Cricket Club at Flushing Meadows.

The eventual winners were asked to bowl first after they lost the toss.

Three bowlers captured two wickets each, including Zeeburg Sports Club’s Yutesh Avi Dhanpaul, who spun his way to 2-24 from his six overs. Chanderpaul Persaud supported with 2-44

from his six overs, while Anil Sookdeo undermined the tail with 2-11 towards the end.

Mooney Singh with 44 and D. Singh with 23 had led the Brooklyn-based cricket club with the bat.

In their turn at the middle, Warriors, not without

some difficulty, reached 1448 in 26.4 overs.

Former Leonora resident, Rajendra Khan, stroked a half-century to lead the charge.

The US-based Guyanese struck two sixes and five fours in a top score of 57.

He received support from

Balbinder Shivpersaud, who scored 22, C. Jaisingh 14 and Medha Dhanpaul who finished unbeaten with 12 runs to ensure a Warriors’ win.

Sanjay Pallet, along with Palm Court Restaurant and Golden Arrow, is sponsoring the Warriors team.

The West Coast Warriors currently sit at number one on the league table

RHTY&SC continues to invest heavily in the education sector

Assistant secretary/CEO, Simon Naidu, hands over a donation to Govindan Sahadeo

SINCE its formation in 1990, the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club has placed special emphasis on the importance of education by investing heavily to assist students to fulfil their educational goals.

To this end, the club assisted one drop-out youth and 12 students of the Rose Hall Town Nursery School.

The club’s assistant secretary/CEO, Simon Naidu, stated that the main agenda for Guyana’s leading youth and sports organisation in 2019 is the promotion of its highly successful ‘Say No/Say Yes’ Campaign which targets all youths in Berbice.

The 10 cricket teams recently donated financially to 18-year-old Govindan Sahadeo of Port Mourant to assist him to fulfil his dream of writing several subjects at the CSEC Level.

Sahadeo was forced to leave school due to the illhealth of his father; he had to work and take care of his younger siblings. Today, he wants to complete his education with the objective to join the medical profession.

Naidu, in handing over the $20,000 cheque, praised the employee of the Port Mourant hospital for having the courage to complete his education and stated that the RHTY&SC was willing to assist in the future. Sahadeo expressed gratitude to the club.

The teams also handed over $50,000 worth of educational materials to the management of the Rose Hall Town Nursery School.

The much-needed items would be donated to 12 students of the school based on discipline, attitude and the financial income of their parents.

Additionally, RHTY&SC and the teams donated over $100,000 worth of trophies, medals and prizes to several schools across Berbice on requests for upcoming graduation and fund-raising events.

Naidu stated that the club would continue to invest in youths and disclosed that a major sponsorship would soon be unveiled for the Say No/Say Yes Campaign.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, June 3, 2019

Guyana Rush Saints male and female win semi-final opener in Rupununi FA Champions League

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Corona Futsal Tournament…

Tiger Bay and Back Circle shoot to final

TIGER Bay’s Deon Alfred is among the contenders for the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the fourth annual Corona futsal tournament.

He smashed seven goals against Future Stars in his team’s semifinal win on Saturday night at the National Gymnasium.

The MVP of the event will ride away with a Hero Honda 150cc Motorcycle that has been sponsored by the official distributors of the brand-- Rose Ramde-

Street after they had already conceded four.

With those results, Tiger Bay will clash with Back Circle for the championship title this Saturday at the host venue, the National Gymnasium, which is located on Mandela Avenue and Princes Street.

The winner will pocket $500,000; the runners up $250,000 and the winner of the third-place playoff will pocket $125,000.

Guyana Rush Saints have a 1-0 advantage against Flash FC. (Photo credit: Sabrina Albert)

GUYANA Rush Saints male and female teams romped to victories when semi-final action kicked off in the Rupununi Football Association (RFA) Champions League on Saturday.

At the Parishara Sports Ground in Parishara Village, the Saints male team whipped the Kanuku Harpies 3-0, while at the Saints Sports Ground, the female Saints needled Flash Football Club 1-0.

MALE BATTLE Julius Phillips fired in the opener in the fourth minute of play, before Roy Andrew mistakenly scored an own goal in the 18th minute.

It was not until the dying moments of regulation (90th) that

John Miguel made it 3-0.

In the female clash, a strike from Nina Cabral separated the two teams after 90 minutes of action.

Cabral fired in the goal in the 54th minute of play after the side capitalised on a corner kick.

Although they lost, Flash FC females played a good game. Both teams had chances to score.

The first leg of the other semi-final were scheduled for Sunday. Paiwomak Warriors females were expected to clash with Strikers FC and Paiwomak Warriors males were scheduled to battle the Titans FC. The teams will have their return leg on June 8 and 9 with the winners advancing to the final, which will be played on June 15.

Bartica Zone Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ set for June 14-16

Action in last year’s Bartica Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ Play-offs

BARTICIANS will witness enthralling action across three nights when the Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ tournament kicks off from June 14 to 16 at the Bartica Community Centre Basketball Court.

The play-offs will see the winning team advancing to the National Play-offs which will be contested in Georgetown in August.

Sponsored by Banks DIH Ltd through their Guinness Brand in association with Colours Boutique, this will be the third instalment of the Bartica leg.

Teams interested in participating can contact Alden

Marslowe or Ryan Andries. Closing date for registration is Saturday (June 8).

All players must be eighteen years or older.

Over the last two years, Rivers View and Disconnection Crew have represented Bartica at the National Finals.

Winners of the tournament will pocket $500,000 and a trophy, while the runners-up will receive $250,000 and the corresponding accolade.

Meanwhile, third and fourth placed teams will pocket $200,000 and $100,000 respectively.

Part of the action

hol Auto Sales, located on North Road.

Tiger Bay defeated Future Stars 8-5. Keoma Gravesande scored the eighth goal for the victors in the 39th minute before Alfred plundered successful strikes in the 9th, 12th, 18th, 19th, 24th, 27th and 38th minutes.

William Europe scored a hat-trick in a losing cause while his teammate, Jamal Cozier, found the back of the net twice during the 13goal thriller that had fans on their feet throughout the contest.

In the feature match, which kicked off at midnight, fans saw Back Circle upsetting Bent Street with a comfortable 4-1 victory.

Trayon Bobb and Quasan MacAulay each fired home a brace of goals for Back Circle while Sheldon Profitt netted a consolation goal in the 33rd minute for Bent

SEE FULL SCORES BELOW: Game 1 Tiger Bay 8 – 5 Future Stars Goal Scorers ♦ Tiger Bay ♦ Deon Alfred 9th, 12th, 18th, 19th,24th,27th & 38 min ♦ Keoma Gravesande 39th min Future Stars ♦ Jamal Cozier 11th & 19th min ♦ William Europe 10th, 16th & 22nd min Game 2 Back Circle 4 – 1 Bent Street Goal Scorers ♦ Back Circle ♦ Trayon Bobb 19th & 33rd min ♦ Quasan Mc Allay 13th & 24th min ♦ Bent Street ♦ Sheldon Profitt 33rd min

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JUNE 01: Andy Ruiz Jr celebrates his seventh round TKO against Anthony Joshua in their IBF/WBA/WBO heavyweight title fight at Madison Square Garden on June 01, 2019 in New York City (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

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JUNE 01: Andy Ruiz Jr punches Anthony Joshua during their IBF/WBA/ WBO heavyweight title fight at Madison Square Garden on June 01, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

Joshua vows to "get the belts back"

after Ruiz thrashing Page

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clobber South Africa

Matthew Briggs in Bermuda where he will play against against the host on June 6 in a Friendly International

“It feels good to be back” - Briggs

Ruthless Bangladesh

Faf Du Plessis is bowled by Mehidy Hasan as Mushfiqur Rahim looks on © Getty Images

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MONDAY, JUNE 3, 2019