Guyana_Chronicle_Epaper_06_10_2019

MONDAY 10th June, 2019

No.105664

President of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and President David Granger greet each other while in Cuba earlier this year (Ministry of the Presidency photograph)

Ghanaian President visits Guyana

–– visit expected to 03 deepen relations between the two nations PAGE

Sugar raked 50 complete Pressure on in US$27.1M Youth Leadership Persaud 08 in 2018 12 Programme 09 PAGE

PAGE

PAGE

–– former PPP/C minister tries to play down SARA probe

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, June 10, 2019

Sophia residents get tools to improve drainage situation MINISTER of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson, on Saturday distributed a number of tools to residents of Block ‘R’ North Sophia Georgetown on Saturday to help with their drainage problems.

The minister told residents that the items represent just a start in the ministry’s effort to alleviate the flooding and assist with drainage in the community.

Patterson said distribution of the tools is in response to a commitment he made to residents at a previous meeting. At that meeting, he said the residents had agreed to work together doing self-help to clean the drains and parapets of the community once they were provided with the tools.

“As promised we have provided the tools for you to do self-help work,” the minister told the residents.

The tools received were 40 cutlasses, 28 shovels, 48 Buckets, 400 garbage bags, 12 Wheel Borrows, 32 rakes, 28 hoes, 20 forks and 28 Spades. Additionally the minister assured residents that government is working feverishly to address street lights and road repairs in the area. In explaining the drainage situation in the area, the minister said the area is low and the ministry is in the process of finding a way to drain the area since the trenches on the opposite ends of the community are higher.

Residents also took the opportunity to raise a number of other burning issues that

have been affecting them over the years.

One of the issues

raised was the regularisation of the area. The minister advised residents

to form a delegation and visit the Department of Housing.

Minister David Patterson engaging some of the residents

A section of the area to be cleaned

Some of the tools that were distributed

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, June 10, 2019

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Ghanaian President visits Guyana – visit expected to deepen relations between the two nations President Akufo-Addo is 75 years old; he was born on March 29, 1944, and took up office in January 2017 after obtaining 53.85 per cent of the total valid votes cast in Ghana’s national elections.

He is married to Rebecca, daughter of the Speaker of the Parliament of the Third Republic of Ghana, the late Justice J.H Griffiths-Randolph.

Together, they have five children, with five grandchildren and are both devout Church-going Christians.

President of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo

TODAY, Guyana welcomes the State visit of President of the Republic of Ghana, His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, who will remain in the jurisdiction until Wednesday, June 12.

The visit by President Akufo-Addo, who will be accompanied by a delegation, is expected to deepen and strengthen cordial relations with Guyana.

“We are confident that this visit will result in practical measures aimed at enhancing relations and cooperation between our two

states, particularly in the fields of agriculture, culture, energy, environment, investment, petroleum production, private sector cooperation, tourism and transportation,” Guyana’s President, David Granger had said.

The two presidents are expected to visit specific locations in the country linked to the contribution of Africa, such as the 1763 Monument and the Non-Aligned Monument.

At the locations, they will be treated to a military parade.

Like President Granger,

GHANAIAN VISIONARY He has been hailed as the ‘Ghanaian Visionary’ with the dream of seeing his people grow to be more confident in a nation which is prosperous, strong and home to a thriving democracy.

Guyana and Ghana have shared cordial relationships since May 14, 1979.

The country garners its revenue from petroleum, silver, gold, timber and bauxite and, like Guyana, has a geographical makeup of tropical forests and savannahs and a poly-ethnic, multi-religious society.

Currently, Guyana and Ghana are involved in a bilateral Air Services Agreement signed in 2018 between then Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Annette Ferguson and Ghana’s Minister of Aviation, Joseph Kofi Adda.

The Non-Align Movement is located at the entrance facing Avenue of the Republic and borders Church Street to its north and North Road to its south

The 1763 Monument, Square of the Revolution, Georgetown (Samuel Maughn photo)

The agreement is aimed at promoting air transport connectivity and future collaboration in numerous areas such as oil and gas.

Just last month, a delegation from Ghana, headed by the Deputy Minister of Energy of Ghana, Dr. Mohammed Amin Adam, met with Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo and other representatives of various state agencies.

Meanwhile, Guyana and Ghana continue to invest in their long-standing diplomatic relationship through the offices of the high commissioners.

On May 29, President David Granger accredited the new Ghanaian High Commissioner to Guyana, Professor Abene Pokua Adompim Busia.

The Ministry of the Presidency has noted that Guyana’s Independence movement was greatly influenced by the first President of Ghana, Kwame Nkrumah.

GOOD RELATIONS Guyana’s political leaders-- former Presidents Dr. Cheddi Jagan and Forbes Burnham-- have maintained good relations with Ghana and have both travelled to participate in festivities.

One of the sites President Akufo-Addo will visit while in Guyana is the Non-

Aligned Monument.

In 1970, Guyana, Ghana and several other developing nations joined the NonAligned Movement (NAM) which was established by President Nkrumah and the presidents of India, Indonesia, Yugoslavia and Egypt.

At the opening of the 1972 NAM conference held in Guyana for the first time, Guyana’s first President, Arthur Chung, unveiled the Non-Aligned Monument in honour of the founding fathers of NAM. The Non- Aligned Monument, situated at the entrance facing Avenue of the Republic and borders Church Street to its north and North Road to its south, will be visited by President Granger and President Akufo-Addon today.

There are busts sculpted to the likeness of the founders of the Non-Aligned Movement, three of bronze and one of plastic and were sculpted in the countries from which the founder-leaders originated.

According to the Ministry of the Presidency, President Granger and many Guyanese historians have documented the contributions of Africans in Guyana, specifically highlighting the contributions of the Maroon people who originated from the Asante group who lived in modern-day

Ghana.

Maroons were a part of the slave revolts in 17631764 in Berbice and 1823 in Demerara.

They deserted the plantations in such large numbers that their absence brought financial losses to white owners and eventually created their own villages and communities.

President Akufo-Addo and President Granger are also expected to visit the 1763 Monument site at the Square of the Revolution, south of the Botanical Gardens in Georgetown. They will also visit the Umana Yana and Banks DIH, among other places.

Ghana is located on the western coast of Africa and has a population of over 28 million people.

It gained Independence on March 6, 1957, from the United Kingdom and became a Republic on July 1, 1960.

“The Government and people of Guyana welcome President Akufo-Addo to this great nation. We are honoured to have you. May this State visit be a most encouraging and ambitious indicator of the next 40 years of relations between our two countries.

Welcome!” the Ministry of the Presidency said in a message.

Trump hails new immigration deal reached with Mexico

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, June 10, 2019

Moldova crisis: Snap elections called by interim president

WASHINGTON (Reu ters) - U.S. President Donald Trump on Saturday predicted Mexico would strongly enforce a new deal under which it agreed to expand a controversial asylum programme and boost security on its southern border to stem Central American migrants trying to reach the United States.

The deal, announced on Friday after three days of negotiations in Washington, averted Trump’s threatened imposition of 5% import tariffs on all Mexican goods starting on Monday.

“Mexico will try very hard, and if they do that, this will be a very successful agreement between the United States and Mexico,” Trump wrote in a

tweet on Saturday morning.

The Trump administration believes the deal will “fix the immigration issue,” Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said on Saturday in a Reuters interview on the sidelines of a G20 finance meeting in Fukuoka, Japan. Mnuchin warned, however, that Trump retained the authority to impose tariffs if Mexico failed to enforce the new agreement.

Trump also tweeted on Saturday that Mexico would immediately begin buying “large quantities”

Sunday, June 9, 2019 - 09:30 hrs

day. “This is a historic curb the flow of migrants, night!” Schumer wrote including deploying milon Twitter. “Now that the itarised National Guard problem is solved, I’m forces on its southern borsure we won’t be hearing der beginning on Monday.

U.S. border offiany more about it in the cers detained more than future.”

Under the deal, Mexico 132,000 people crossing agreed to the immedi- from Mexico in May, the ate expansion along the highest level since 2006. entire border of a pro- Trump threatened to keep gramme under which the raising import duties on United States returns asy- Mexican goods up to 25% lum-seeking migrants to unless Mexico acted to Mexico to await adju- stem what he has called an dication of their cases. “invasion.”

U.S. business groups The programme, commonly known as ‘Remain and some of Trump’s Rein Mexico’, has been op- publican allies warned erating since January in that a trade fight with the border cities of Tijua- Mexico would hurt the na, Mexicali and Ciudad U.S. economy and lobbied the administration to back Juarez. **The American Civil down.

Protests have been staged in front of Moldova’s parliament in recent days The deal announced on Liberties Union and other Moldova’s pro-Russian Moldova? maninclude Vladimira Fridayrichest did not rights groups are pursu- dova’s President Igor Dodon has ingElections Moldova in - later that filed aMexlegal U.S. demand a legal inchallenge to Plahotniuc been stripped of his duties, February resulted in stale- challenge which was backed the program, which has ico accept a “safe third escalating a political crisis mate, with no clear winner by the Constitutional Court. r y ” d e sMr i g nDodon ation returned between to Mexico stemming from inconclu- emerging rivalmore pro- c o uInn tresponse, that would have forced thanand 10,390 people,parties. most- described sive general elections.

EU pro-Russian this as desperit tosteps permanently in Americans.

The move came after ly Central On Sunday, the Consti- ate to usurp take power. his party agreed a coalition tutional Courtalso in the capital EuropeanAmerican Union has most Central Mexico agreed to And the cabinet with a pro-European Chisinau relieved Mr Dodon support for the asylum seekers. take stronger measures to expressed of agricultural goods from U.S. farmers, who have been hit hard by his trade war with China and risked a new blow from Mexican retaliation if Trump had imposed tariffs.

It was not immediately clear whether Mexico made such a pledge. There was no mention of expanded Mexican purchases of U.S. agricultural products in the joint U.S.-Mexican declaration outlining the immigration deal.

Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer reacted with sarcasm about the agreement late on Fri-

Union block, welcomed by the EU. Outgoing PM Pavel Filip’s party challenged the deal and the Constitutional Court intervened to appoint him as interim president. Mr Filip then announced the dissolution of parliament and new elections. Parliament, however, has refused to accept his order, saying the country’s state institutions had been seized.

There are now fears that the prolonged political crisis could lead to violent clashes on the streets. Moldova, a former Soviet republic, lies between the EU member state Romania and Ukraine and is one of Europe’s poorest countries.

What’s happening in

of his duties because of his refusal to dissolve parliament. This came a day after the pro-EU Acum political bloc and Mr Dodon’s Socialists struck an unlikely deal and formed a compromise government.

In parliament, lawmakers also declared that Moldova’s state and legal institutions “have been seized” by influential oligarchs, calling for the resignation of several top officials.

But their opponents say the formation of the new government took place a day after a constitutional deadline for this expired - a claim both Acum and the Socialists dispute.

Mr Filip’s Democratic Party - which is led by Mol-

new coalition government.

“The European Union stands ready to work with the democratically legitimate government,” a statement issued on Sunday said.

IS THIS POLITICAL TUG-OF-WAR UNUSUAL? No. In Moldova, a parliamentary republic, the rival political camps frequently clash with one another.

Therefore the country - where the electorate is split between EU- and Russia-sympathisers - has witnessed several such crises in recent years.

They usually end up in holding snap elections, but results are often inconclusive. (BBC)

Saturday June 8, 2019

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, June 10, 2019

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Beware the AFC detractors –Prime Minister warns party supporters

PRIME Minister Moses Nagamootoo, running once again for the prime ministerial candidacy of the Alliance For Change (AFC), has warned supporters to beware of those trying to create division among party members.

The prime minister said the preservation of unity remains one of the top priorities of the party.

On Sunday, in his ‘My Turn’ Column, Nagamootoo spoke to the heightened public conversations in anticipation of the AFC’s biennial conference to be held this week.

At the conference, AFC delegates will determine the party’s general strategy and elect new leaders, including the prime ministerial candidate to serve in the next General and Regional Elections.

Vying for the top position along with Nagamootoo is Minister of Public Security and AFC Chairman Khemraj Ramjattan.

In his column, Nagamootoo said that while it is normal for moments prior to the conference to be filled with “intense lobbying and inner-party campaigns”, differences expressed will not result in the party’s demise.

In fact, he stated, that the way in which party leaders can deal with differences expressed at the conference, yet move forward collectively towards the greater good will allow for the AFC’s image

to shine. “… the enemies of the party expect to see blood on the floor of the conference. Like the fabled but terrifying witch-doctors, they have been concocting a toxic devil’s brew of division and personality clashes amongst AFC leaders. They have been preparing the ‘wake’ for the party’s death. None of that has happened in the past, and I doubt that the prophets of doom would succeed in sowing the seeds of division at the upcoming event,” Nagamootoo said.

Cutting to the chase and to the elephant in the room, the prime minister acknowledged that members of the Opposition and the media have begun to paint an image of contention between himself and Ramjattan.

But, he contended, “This image unwittingly is being projected by the fickle detractors who have been advertising the conference as a battle for pre-eminence between the party’s super-weights. In a wicked, racist obsession over the AFC’s actual strength and electoral appeal, they have singled out the foremost Indo-Guyanese as chief contenders, setting one up against the other, in a manufactured frenzy over power.

It wouldn’t work!”

AVOID FACTIONALISM Going down memory lane to some of the most

notable splits within large parties such as the split in the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) in 1955, he said that the AFC must follow suit.

“I expect open dissent on major issues. Dissent is the lifeblood of any democratic political movement. What should be avoided are factionalism and division. The AFC, though vibrant, is still young and small. Like a tiny canoe, it has to learn how to navigate the big waves. It has to learn from our own contemporary political history, which is full of examples where dissent and dogmatism had resulted in major divisions,” Nagamootoo said.

“The AFC cannot walk along this polluted putrid path. It must reach for the mountain top of selfless leadership and unity in its ranks,” he added.

At the conference, Nagamootoo stated that it is likely that the AFC will re-examine its decision to run independently at last November’s Local Government Elections (LGE).

The AFC has been criticised by its rivals for receiving low votes in comparison to the larger parties, namely the PPP and the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) at the 2018 LGEs. “While it mustered the requisite vote to validate its role as an authentic Third Force, the Coalition’s overall performance was dismal,” he observed.

T&T: No room for Venezuelan children Thousands of Venezuelans have flocked to TT seeking a better life not just for them, but also for their young children. And while adults are being given a chance to work here legally for one year, a chance for their children to receive an education seems in limbo.

The Prime Minister, on Thursday, said Government could not prevent Catholic schools from educating the children of Venezuelan migrants while the Catholic Church carried out its pastoral work.

But Dr Keith Rowley may have meant the church and not the schools as foreign children cannot be enrolled in

local schools without proper documents.

While it may be all well and good for classes to be taught by non-governmental organisations as is the case by the La Romaine Migrant Support group which set up classes for the children at St Benedict’s RC Church parish hall, with the blessings of Msgr Christian Pereira, it is not enough.

It may have been to this event the PM was speaking.

There are hundreds of migrant children and their parents have already been pleading for them to get an education, but there are rules to be followed.

According to the Educa-

tion Act, for a non-national child to be registered in a school in TT, they must have all the relevant documentation from the Immigration Division.

Second vice-president of the TT Unified Teachers’ Association Kyrla Robertson-Thomas said all foreigners had to go through immigration because there was a particular document that they must get.

She could not say exactly what the documents entailed, but Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi said these would be protocols established by the Immigration Division with foreign states.

(TRINIDAD NEWSDAY)

Nagamootoo stated that a review could be taken on the impact of the decision on the Coalition and the national interest.

With the Coalition entering its fifth year in office, Nagamootoo stated that it is also expected that an honest review of its performance will take place.

He said that while the Coalition’s success far outweighs its shortcomings, mistakes, its weaknesses and deficiencies in certain good-governance practices will be examined.

Delegates will have the opportunity to openly declare their confidence in the Coalition and its leadership, especially so since discussions on the betrayal of former AFC Member of Parliament (PM) Charrandas Persaud will also arise.

The AFC was formed by leaders Khemraj Ramjattan; Raphael Trotman and the late Sheila Holder.

It remains a key partner in the Coalition Government, contributing to the one-seat majority held in the National Assembly.

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, June 10, 2019

Guyana welcomes Ghana’s President Nana Akufo Addo

YES, many of us of a mature age should recall the visits of many of the African continent’s leaders, especially during the mid-70s and early 80s. Guyana became host to several such visits from some of Africa’s most prominent and noted leaders: Dr Kenneth Kaunda of Zambia in 1975; Botswana’s Sir Seretse Khama; Zimbabwe’s former president Robert Mugabe; His Majesty King Sobhuza of Swaziland; Nigeria’s General Yakuba Gowon; Tanzania’s Dr Julius Nyerere. There was also President Tolbert of Liberia who visited; President Ahmed Sekou Toure of Guinea, as far a memory can recall. And who could forget the diminutive Mozambican President Samora Machel and leader of his guerilla movement, FRELIMO that battled Portuguese colonialism and racist apartheid South Africa. His rallying cry of ALUTA CONTINUA, at the end of his civic welcome address, became a by-word for many Guyanese.

It was instructive that those visits were made at the height of the African Liberation struggle against the brutal apartheid regime of then racist South Africa, which fought against the last vestiges of European colonialism. Guyana, led by the Forbes Burnham government, was at the time an influential member of the United Nations, because of its

quality diplomatic representation and principled support of the many progressive causes at that time, adopted an implacable stand as it supported the just cause at all international fora, which called for the freedom of African colonies under the yoke of oppressive racism and colonial rule. Dr Cheddi Jagan, then leader of the political opposition, also showed solidarity with the continent’s struggle with his many vocal condemnations of what he used to describe as “imperialism.”

There are many Ghanaian cultural norms that have influenced Afro-Guyanese traditions, that have to do with kinship to the Akan people, and Guyanese in general.

Undoubtedly, a Ghana Day celebration as a result of that country’s attainment of Independence in 1957, is one of the enduring cultural practices that have symbolised these ties. Celebrated yearly by Afro-Guyanese, especially in the Albouystown/Charlestown wards with street parades, inclusive of the masquerade bands; hundreds used to line the streets waving the red, yellow and green flag of Ghana with the black star in the middle.

It is a tradition that has only in recent years been revived; with this year’s celebrations, exhibiting very colourful and magnificent traditional wear, attracting a much larger representation from especially the Region Five communities. Thanks to the efforts of

especially the members of the Ghana Day Association Committee and others, whose efforts made possible this year’s procession along the East Coast of Demerara. And this includes the generous donations made by many private individuals and commercial businesses. Ghana Day 202, promises to be even bigger and better.

But one cannot write about Ghana, or even complete any commentary without mentioning its greatest leader and founding father, Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah. For to speak of Ghana, is to speak of its greatest leader.

Perhaps, very few of this current generation of Guyanese in general would be aware of such an African leader, in addition to the role of this political icon in the birth of independence for Ghana, which name he changed from the Gold Coast. He definitely has been Africa’s most influential leader and Pan-Africanist who greatly influenced the continent’s march to political independence.

Undoubtedly, Nkrumah was ahead of his time, as he advocated a United States of Africa and a continental army, and other ideas for the advancement of his continent. It is instructive to note that these ideas were no different to those that have given birth to the precursor of the European Union, the European Common Market; and NATO, the

military arm of the current Western alliance.

His ties with many of the then socialist bloc states made him the object of suspicion of both the United States and many of his continent’s fellow leaders, who saw him as being politically ambitious for continental Africa’s leadership. No doubt, he was removed, it was reported, via a CIA- backed coup in 1966. So greatly admired highly regarded was he by neighbouring Guinea’s president, Ahmed Sekou Toure, that he welcomed him (Nkrumah) in exile, and appointed him a co-president. He died in 1972, with his remains returned to Ghana years later to a hero’s burial.

In 2000, he was fittingly acclaimed by the BBC as a “Hero of Independence’’ and an “International symbol of freedoms as the leader of the first black country to shake off the chains of colonial rule.’’ Such was the stature of this African leader.

It is good to be visited by a respected leader of an outstanding African country that today continues to be a prime example of socio-political stability; economic prosperity, with a projected growth rate of 7.3% for 2019; and peaceful executive transitions via free and transparent elections. We have no doubt that among the discussions, will be those who will centre on deepening bilateral relations.

Nothing in my professional career to be ashamed of

Dear Editor:

REFERENCE is made to Frederick Kissoon’s letter, headlined, “UG unions have a moral obligation to debunk Lewis’s statement on my involvement” (SN 7th June 2019). It was with great surprise Freddie’s response was void of his promise, in his letter of June 4, that “When the facts are given to readers, Lewis’ betrayal of priceless trade union principles will be on show.” I challenged him on June 6 to put in the public domain what he knows about my performance, but he has failed

to do so. Clearly, much ado about nothing. Those whom he has misled to believe his lies as facts would obviously be disappointed the academic could not provide the evidence.

This is to let Freddie be aware that I have nothing in my professional career to be ashamed of, for the principles I advocate inform my decision-making. In my professional life it is about permanent interest, not permanent friends. This permanent interest is driven by long-held conventions and time-honoured principles.

This is why I sometimes experience problems with

those who don’t understand my allegiance. And even if someone were to say negative things about me, it would not be surprising, because in this world everyone will never be pleased, regardless of your best efforts. What is most important is that you have given your best effort for the common good.

As a trade unionist, I seek opportunities for negotiation as a means of conflict resolution. But also being a trade unionist has prepared me well to struggle not only against injustice, but also to have an eye for those who seek to disrupt institutions,

organisations and society with no good reason other than to be the “top dog,” for the common good never drives them, only their self-serving interests.

The present industrial situation at the University of Guyana is one of unease and Kissoon is playing a role in it, whether directly or indirectly, through the media. Today I am not surprised where he now makes reference to a document delivered by me at a meeting held on Tuesday June 4 between the University of Guyana unions and the Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC). The said document

proposed a number of positions to be considered, added to and a final agreement reached on a joint statement for the public.

Notedly, the document proposed that, “The parties have agreed from henceforth that they commit themselves to make no public statement that can prejudice future negotiations which can realise improved conditions and benefits for workers, the delivery of effective education for the citizenry, and confidence in the University of Guyana.” It is not surprising that the captain of chaos sees “perversity” in what is intended to be a

work in progress to bring about understanding and a way forward.

Obviously, this academic cannot appreciate the spirit and the intent behind a call for an agreement to take the conflict out of the public domain, which as evident over the last few days allows for creating a more acrimonious environment that does not serve any of the actors well.

There are those amongst us who seek to benefit and take advantage of the environment being created, and Freddie is one such person, as evident in his nasty little TURN TO PAGE 7

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, June 10, 2019

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My first allegiance is to the poor Dear Editor,

I WRITE today not about politics; I write today not about medical science; I write today not about spirituality. Those are important issues that we as a people not only need to talk about, but also to act on.

I write today about poverty. That painful word and experience that many of our leaders have never experienced. I did, I was fortunate to escape it physically, but mentally I’m still there. I am there mentally because I see my brothers and sisters still experiencing it. I wish I were in a financial position to alleviate it. The finances may not be there, but I have something more powerful -- THE PEN. Today I wish to reflect on my past to provide an insight into poverty from personal experiences. On occasions I would go into this reflective mode; when I’m in this mindset, I put my thoughts into words. As I sit here in my office I reflect on my unique background for someone in my position. Society dealt me a one-way ticket to prison or to suffer at the hands of a trigger-happy police officer with an AK47. Many of my friends suffered that fate and I am still at a loss as to how I escaped it-- just about.

My father was a brilliant man, graduating from Christ Church Secondary school with six GCEs. The world at his feet, the world his oyster. Proceeding to A-levels and possibly university, an option like his brothers and sisters.

He chose quick riches over hard work, in the process becoming a career criminal -- a bandit.

Abandon us he did, spending most of his adult life in prison in Suriname and Guyana.

My mother, I love her. She is my heroine, but she was not perfect. She made many mistakes in terms of choice of men. At age 30, she had five children with three different fathers who all abandoned her. She died on her 31st birthday with her sixth. What would it had taken for her to realise that these black men were useless? All they ever rewarded her for her loyalty were children and physical and mental abuse. Many times we witnessed it, scared stiff.

Our house was very old-- very, very old.

One day, the foundations overburdened and in a state of disrepair, gave away; the house collapsed. Too poor to rebuild, a dilapidated and shattered house, like the minds of the poor, suffering kids, was our dwelling. No electricity, no potable water. An outside latrine, looked down upon with scorn by the rich

and privileged.

I don’t know what drove me. Surrounded by abuse and chaos and battling a secret mental illness, I studied for my CXC, A-Levels and my medical degree, utilising the neighbour’s shop light at odd hours in the nights and early mornings to study,the times when only police and bandits roam the streets. The police never protected me -- the bandits did -- wanting to see this ghetto youth make it.

I chronicled my thoughts and experiences in my secret diary which I discarded once all the pages were utilised. Tears had stained them. That was cathartic. The misunderstood misunderstood.

Why am I here today? Why wasn’t I one of those statistics? I See the world differently from most. An outlier. Fearless. Outspoken.

Blunt. No respecter of status. Today many would say I’ve made it. I don’t think I have.

My life, my story, my experiences were for a reason. Everyday that purpose is becoming clearer. To be that small voice for the misunderstood-- assuming they survive police brutality.

My plea to those in the corridors of power is to provide those in poverty a way out. You can’t tie their arms and expect them to swim

Nothing in my professional...

FROM PAGE 6

pieces on the issue.

This academic has no integrity. He is using the media to divide the trade union movement and University of Guyana all for his own purpose. Now, having been exposed, he wants to engage in puppetry with the unions, calling on them to lend validity to claim that lacks same. And he does this openly in the eyes of the public. If he can so publicly attempt to manipulate the unions on

his behalf to prove his point, one is not left to wonder what this mischief-maker will not engage in behind the scene.

His professed claim that he cares about the state of the university is all hype to justify using the media to execute his perverted acts. Were he genuinely concerned, and as an academic, he could have at least risen to the level of the Guyana Consumers Association’s piece (KN 2nd June, 2019). But

he has no such interest in that level of hard work and analyses. And he who has no moral authority to speak about society’s morality, having played a significant role in the degeneracy, wants to give the impression there is sincerity in his crocodile tears that “Guyana is certainly going through a moral crisis.”

As a public figure, there exists no aversion being held to a higher standard and having to account for my performance

against the tides of economic deprivation.

As you have your chauffeur-driven SUV, living in your mansions in “Pradoville,” the impoverished children are asking the question. You’ve tied my hands; what am I going to be? What have I done so bad? What is my destiny? You blindfolded my eyes -- how am I supposed to see? You demand we climb our way out of poverty when you haven’t provided us a ladder. Provide that social GPS to direct them out of poverty. I will repeat.

I don’t know what drove me, but I pray the day would come when no child has to go to school hungry. I pray for that day because I experienced it.

Sorry for being so negative. I’ve physically left the ghetto, but the ghetto has not left me. I will continue doing the little I can do to keep reminding the government I support that my first allegiance is with the poor and impoverished, regardless of race.

Regards, Dr Mark Devonish MBBS MSc MRCP(UK) FRCP (Edin) Consultant Acute Medicine Nottingham University Hospital UK based on the rules of my organisation, the principles of trade unionism, acceptable societal norms, the Constitution and Laws of Guyana. And though I recognise that even with putting my best foot forward and giving of my best efforts, same will not please everyone, I will not sit silently and let anyone destroy what I have worked hard to build, adhere to nor my reputation. Freddie shall not escape being held to account by me.

Regards Lincoln Lewis.

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Pressure on Persaud PRESSURE mounts on former People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Minister of Natural Resources Robert Persaud to answer for the awarding of key oil blocks under his watch as he took to social media on Sunday to distance himself from the ongoing investigations.

Persaud, in defending himself as above board, attempted to smear the investigations being conducted by the local State Assets Recovery Agency (SARA) as an “election propaganda campaign.”

Since May month-end, news broke of the investigation into the awarding of oil blocks offshore Guyana to “junior” companies. Several exploration companies are to be probed and former PPP officials involved have been closely watching things unfold.

On the other end, members of the Guyanese public, though non-specialists in the oil and gas sector, have been questioning whether they have indeed been shortchanged.

Former PPP President

Donald Ramotar has claimed that he had no knowledge that Guyana had oil before awarding the blocks, just before the 2015 General and Regional Elections to exploration companies criticised as having little knowledge in deep-water exploration.

The awarding of the Canje and Kaieteur Blocks, now raising many eyebrows, are in ultra-deep water, which means they are deeper than where Exxon has found oil.

On Sunday, like JHI Associates Inc. (JHI) and Mid Atlantic Oil & Gas Inc. (MOGI) holding17.5 per cent and 12.5 per cent respectively in the Canje Block, Persaud stated that the awarding processes was “transparent” and “in full conformity with all relevant laws and regulations.”

Yet, part of SARA’s investigation will determine whether the above- mentioned companies, along with Ratio Guyana, are in breach of their Petroleum Prospecting Licence (PPL) agreement.

According to the Petroleum Agreement signed by Ramotar on April, 28 2015

and seen by this newspaper, Ratio’s PPL expired on April 28, 2019.

Investigations will reveal whether Ratio Guyana, which holds 25 per cent share in the Kaieteur Block, and other companies being probed met the necessary prospecting operations in the contracted area over the four-year period.

SARA is investigating other contradictions in the information being presented by the former players as one of the companies involved was registered only in May 2015, the same month as the General Elections which put the opposition out of government.

As many questions pile up, Persaud’s remarks were the most recent to come from the opposition which has sought to deride the investigation as politically motivated. “…I will not be dragged into what is patently an elections propaganda campaign issue by a politically controlled state agency and being promoted by sections of the media and so-called oil and gas ‘experts’ and ‘ad-

visers’,” the former minister of natural resources stated.

“The PPP/C’s achievements and unwavering determination in laying the foundations for Guyana to be an oil-producing nation has been both stellar and transparent, as well as in full conformity with all relevant laws and regulations.”

Yet, international news agencies such as Bloomberg and others have individually noted that “rights to drill the area were awarded during the final days of Ramotar’s term” and “nine days after the Kaieteur lease was signed, the government announced that Exxon had struck oil in a well called Liza-1”.

Meanwhile, certain members of the public and the opposition have been calling for independent investigators to pursue the matter, as they fear a mixing of political influences with the eventual findings.

However, through this newspaper, an informed source reminded that despite the evidence SARA may or may not uncover, it is the courts which ultimately

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, June 10, 2019

- former PPP/C minister tries to play down SARA probe decide what becomes of entities involved in fraud.

This, the source stated, eliminates the slant being peddled in some parts of the media that the Assets Recovery Agency can prosecute whom they please for personal reasons.

“Everything we do has to go to a judge,” the source said. “The private sector has tried to confuse the public about what we do. We do not arrest anyone. We’re not a criminal group. We take the evidence and we take it to a court as we did with the eight cases on Pradoville that are in front of the court. We cannot judge; so it’s been a big lie that we can go and infringe on people’s constitutional rights.”

Once again, identical to JHI and Mid-Atlantic, Persaud stated on Sunday that he has not yet been contacted

by SARA or any other entity regarding the issue of oil blocks awards. The source stated that this is simply because the agency is not yet ready to do so, but such will be the case soon enough.

Persaud disclosed, too, that he has been in contact

Former People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Minister of Natural Resources, Robert Persaud

with Head of the Department of Energy Dr Mark Bynoe and makes himself available for clarification on policy decisions taken under his former portfolio.

As regards the probe, SARA is likely to seek external help to bolster its investigation.

Sources indicate that it has a well qualified pool of individuals and organisations from which to choose.

Making the mind, body and spirit healthy –Yoga Day to focus on benefits of the art form

By Vishani Ragobeer THE practise of yoga has grown more popular internationally, and the Indian High Commission is encouraging more Guyanese to attend local classes, as they would be able to benefit from improved holistic health.

Yoga is an ancient physical, mental and spiritual practice that originated in India. The word ‘yoga’ is derived from Sanskrit and means to join or to unite, symbolising the union of body and consciousness.

“Yoga is a universal practice; it is not related to religion, caste or creed, and so anybody who is breathing and is alive can join a yoga session. Some consider yoga as a mere exercise; however, yoga is more than that. It is the integration of the mind, body and spirit into one harmonious whole. It strives for attaining inner peace and union with the environment by means of quietening the constant chatter of the mind,

creating a healthy body and being at peace with who you are and the world around you. Achieving this harmony is at the core of yoga,” Yoga Instructor at the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre (SVCC), Agnela Patil said.

She was speaking at a curtain-raiser for the 5th International Day of Yoga (IDY) held at the SVCC on Friday.

Former President, Donald Ramotar, who practises yoga at the SVCC, said the art form is “a stress reliever”.

“Yoga is an important aspect to help us deal with these problems,” he said.

According to a Harvard Medical School publication on the physical benefits of yoga, “Yoga promotes physical health in multiple different ways.”

The study highlights that the improvement to physical health could be attributed to yoga postures which help in stress management, promote flexibility and reduce joint

Yoga Instructor at the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre (SVCC), Agnela Patil (standing), leading the yoga session on Friday (A Delano Williams photo)

pains.

Yoga is practised through eight-fold paths mentioned in the Pantanjali Yoga Sutras as Ashtanga Yoga, i.e. eight limbs of yoga.

The eight limbs, as explained by the Seattle Yoga group are: Yama, which

involves the attitudes toward the environment; Niyama, the attitudes toward oneself; Asana, the physical postures and stretches done; Pranayama, the restraint or expansion of the breath practised; Pratyahara, the withdrawal of the senses; Dharana,

the concentration required; Dhyana, meditation; and finally, Samadhi, a spiritual connection which involves a meditative consciousness.

The yoga session on Friday, which saw in attendance former President Donald Ramotar and Indi-

an High Commissioner to Guyana, Venkatachalam Mahalingam, was based on the Common Yoga Protocol (CYP). The CYP is a specified sequence of yogasanas or yoga postures and meditation. It has been designed for people of different age groups, varied walks of life and widely acknowledged as ideal for beginners in yoga practice. It is also perfect for mass yoga demonstrations.

On December 11, 2014, the United Nations proclaimed June 21 International Day of Yoga by resolution 69/131, and that day is observed as ‘International Yoga Day’ annually.

“The International Day of Yoga aims to raise awareness worldwide of the many benefits of practising yoga,” the UN noted, adding that the practice has been growing in popularity worldwide.

International Day of Yoga in Guyana will be observed on June 16 at Everest Cricket Club and on June 23 in Berbice at the Indian Arrival Monument.

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50 complete Youth Leadership Programme – climate change, public-speaking, mental health among focus areas

By Ayana George FIFTY youths from eight regions on Sunday graduated from a two-week Youth Leadership Training Programme at the Madewini Training Centre.

The module two leadership programme prepared the participants for decisionmaking, problem-solving, financial management, psy-

chology, good leadership, mental health and other areas.

Participants were given the opportunity to participate in a mock parliament, debating the challenges of climate change in Guyana.

In an interview with the Department of Public Information (DPI), Senior Administrative Manager for Youth Empowerment, De-

partment of Social Cohesion, Culture, Youth and Sport, Fayonne Marshall, said the programme began in 2015.

“When we started, it was more of a consultation with the various regions with the aim to establish new youth organisations with the main focus to groom persons for leadership. However, the actual programme started in 2016, after realising that

President of the Master Class Institute and Social Rank Media, Rosh Khan presents a certificate to one of the graduants (DPI)

Graduate, O’Neil Belle giving his views on how the Youth Leadership programme impacted his life (DPI)

Some of the graduates at the graduation held at the Madewini Training Centre (DPI)

persons who were in existing youth organisations did not possess the requisite leadership skills,” she informed.

Marshall emphasised that persons who completed module one and displayed leadership potential in 2016, were given the opportunity to visit the UN Conference in the US, as youth ambassadors in 2017.

“This is our 18th pro-

gramme and... youths who would have graduated were given the opportunity to practice their leadership skills through managing another of our existing programme under the Department of Social Cohesion which is the Night School,” Marshall disclosed.

Master Class Institute and Social Rank Media, President Rosh Khan gave his views on the importance of youth empowerment.

“What is most important for youths in Guyana is that they understand leadership and apply leadership. It is important for the youths of Guyana to possess leadership qualities to prepare them

for the future, country, region and their communities,” Khan noted.

Graduate, O’Neil Belle also shared his views on the programme. “[It] was very informal and quite practical; before, many of us were not outspoken but we leave here today, motivated enough to partake in public-speaking and, most importantly, build our self-esteem to effectively apply our leadership skills.”

Module three of the Youth Leadership Programme is expected to commence soon with a packed schedule of practical exercises for the youths. (DPI)

Onderneeming ‘Ganja’ found in rice bag – two arrested woman shot, injured during robbery MEENAWATTIE Fernandez, 38, a housewife of Onderneeming, on the Essequibo Coast, is warded at the Suddie Public Hospital after she was shot in the left foot by armed bandits on Friday.

The incident reportedly occurred at around 19:30 hours. According to Fernandez, she and her husband were robbed at gunpoint by two masked men armed with handguns.

Meenawattie related that the robbery happened just after she and her husband returned home from church.

“We were about to enter our home when we were confronted and held at gunpoint by the two men. They were dressed in camouflage. The man with the gun took us in the house, and the other one was standing outside in the yard,” Meenawattie said.

She said it was the one with the gun who demanded that they cough up $1M after discharging a round in the house, possibly to scare her and her hubby.

But her husband had other plans, as he somehow managed to jump through a window, which caused the incensed gunman to discharge another round, this time at Meenawattie, hitting her left in the instep before they both made good their escape with her purse which just had G$2,000 in it.

The injurd Meenawattie was subsequently rushed to the Suddie Public Hospital where she was admitted as a patient. The police, having been informed of the robbery, visited the scene, where they recovered four 9mm spent shells.

The police are continuing their investigations.

TWO men were taken into police custody on Saturday after they were found with over 90 grams of cannabis stashed in a rice bag in the kitchen area of a shop at Buck Hall, Essequibo River.

Reports indicate that the men, aged 23 and 25, of Buck Hall, and North Ruimveldt, Georgetown respectively, were in a shop when police observed them operating

suspiciously and decided to search the shop.

After the search was done, the police found almost 80 small Ziploc bags of cannabis in a rice bag in the kitchen area.

One of the men confessed to owning the cannabis while the other was taken into custody, pending investigations.

The men were escorted to the Sans Souci Police Station pending charges.

Some of the bags of ‘ganja’ seized from the men

Prisoners who made Facebook post arrested A NUMBER of cellphones were seized and five prisoners were arrested after they reportedly posted a picture of themselves on facebook on Sunday.

Director of Prisons, Gladwin Samuels, said prison authorities acted swiftly after the facebook post was brought to their attention.

The five prisoners arrested are expected to be charged.

The facebook post made by the prisoners

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, June 10, 2019

SEPARATION THERE is a definite balance in the universe which then transcends into the home, when a child is being raised by two parents, and each parent is playing a meaningful role in the child’s life. When parents are working in unison towards the same goals, they can afford to agree to disagree; they can have their ups and downs and even get mad at each other, but the understanding of what constitutes a family and their roles as parents, supersedes any disharmony that may arise.

Unfortunately, statistics prove that more couples are separating than staying together nowadays, but even when couples do part there

is no need for children to be traumatised by the separation. Caring adults would do everything in their power to lessen the impact that it is bound to have on their children, to the extent where one parent is even prepared to be the bigger person and keep the peace; that is, if the other is acting irresponsibly and portraying a careless, negative attitude.

In times of separation, at least one parent needs to be rational and thoughtful towards the needs of the children, taking into account that there is usually a lot of emotional pain involved when couples separate.

Thinking sensibly and empathising with their children are possibly the last things

that parents have on their minds.

Even though children may not show it and they may seem well adjusted after a separation, they could be hiding or learning to come to terms with a sense of loss or anxiety. It is difficult for parents to help their children through this trying time if they have not learnt to deal with their own feelings. For instance, when children hear their mother say derogatory things about their father or vice versa, it makes the healing process for children harder and longer. Adult feelings and issues should be discussed with a trustworthy friend or even a professional counsellor if necessary; it is unfair for children to feel the

brunt of their parents’ anger or misgivings.

When parents separate, children need to express how they feel, even if they are not aware that they need this all-important outlet. Parents are the best people for them to talk to, therefore a setting where questions can be asked and answered openly should be initiated. This will go a long way in helping children to understand that their thoughts and feelings are respected and considered during these unfortunate set of circumstances.

Where possible, it is useful and good practice to stay on positive terms with an ex-husband, ex-wife or partner for the sake of the children. Where decisions need to be made, parents should make them together.

Children need to be reassured that they will always be loved and protected by both parents, even though the living arrangements may

have changed.

Although break-ups can be painful in the early stages, in the long run they can work out better for everyone involved. Adults who stay in unhealthy relationships can impact their whole family negatively. Children will believe that the constant conflicts and belligerence portrayed by their parents are ‘normal,’ when in fact it is totally contrary to how people should live. In addition, the longer a disagreeable situation is allowed to fester, the more chance there is that stress levels will rise and the onset of fatigue, depression or other illnesses may follow.

When children feel secure they tend to strive better, because they have the confidence to explore, develop, learn and grow.

But when one parent exists where there used to be two, doubt and uncertainty step into their lives. As a result of

Hope wind farm to boost GPL grid THE Guyana Power and Light Incorporated (GPL Inc.)’s power grid is set to be boosted by 2020, with the construction of a wind farm at the village of Hope, on the East Coast of Demerara (ECD).

At a stakeholder meeting hosted on Friday by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), participants were briefed on the impact of the ground-breaking project. Leading the discussions was Project General Manager for Hope Energy Development (HED), Dr. John Sydow.

“We are looking at four wind turbines at Hope Beach. That will supply about seven per cent of all of GPL’s megawatt hours they are distributing,” Dr Sydow said.

“With 40 machines, you would satisfy about 60 per cent of all of GPL’s needs without requiring

any energy storage,” he told stakeholders at the meeting.

After detailed presentations on the impacts of the project on the community, Dr Sydow assured his audience that the proposed wind farm project is in compliance with local and international noise-level regulations.

“The residents sleeping at nights will not notice the wind farm noise, because it is already less than the noise that is already there,” Dr. Sydow explained.

“The noise that is there, we measured it. The crickets, frogs, winds in the palm trees that they have around their houses, and the general noise that you always have in a community, it’s not that noisy,” he added.

These impact tests were conducted at the Hope Secondary School, located some 420 me-

Hope Energy Development Project’s General Manager, Dr. John Sydow

tres from the proposed project site. One of the concerns raised by participants during the open discussion session was whether the wind farm would result in mangrove degradation along the shoreline. In response, Dr. Sy-

Stakeholders at the EPA-led public discussion on the development of the Hope Wind Farm (DPI photos)

dow firmly noted, “We are only going to look at the areas covered by grass; we don’t want to chop down any mangroves, and we shouldn’t have to. And if we do, it would only be temporary to lay some equipment down, and that’s the very fringe where you have very short trees. They’re almost six feet in height.”

Other concerns raised by stakeholders were the impact of the wind farm on bird species, erosion of land along the canal where the project is set to begin, and the involvement of the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission (GLSC) in both the mapping and leasing of the proposed project site. Dr. Sydow committed to working with the GLSC, and gave every assurance that an environmental impact assessment will be done to ensure the protection of wildlife. The Hope Wind Farm Project initially began in 2001, but was halted due to GPL’s lack of infrastructure needed at the time. The project is capable of supplying 7,000 homes with clean electricity, leading to fuel savings of 14.5 million litres per year. Additionally, 30 to 40 construction jobs are expected to be created, and $1B yearly will be saved in fuel imports.

This project will allow the Coalition Government to continue to work towards upholding the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal Seven, which seeks to “Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all”. (DPI)

these unexpressed emotions, the chid might behave out of character. Parents should keep a look out for any strange behaviour and nip it in the bud. Bad behaviour from children should not be condoned or excused, even in difficult situations.

Separation takes a lot of getting used to and adjusting might take longer for some children than it will for others; however, with sensible, chosen words, a little empathy, and love and understanding from adults, it need not leave a scar on the hearts or in the minds of 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

Mason hacked to death by neighbour

A 43-year-old mason, Andrew Drakes, called “Beach Clothes” was hacked to death by his neighbour on Saturday afternoon.

According to the police, Drakes was sitting on a bench in front of his yard at Lot 7 Pump Station Street, East Bank Essequibo (EBE) when he was attacked by his 20-year-old neighbour.

“The suspect saw the man sitting on a bench in front of his yard, and he armed himself with a cutlass and inflicted multiple wounds about the victim’s body and fled the scene,” the police said.

An off-duty female Detective Corporal, who was passing at the time of the incident, stopped to offer whatever assistance she could render, and with the help of residents, pursued, disarmed and apprehended the suspect.

Drakes was taken to the Leonora Cottage Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival. His body is currently at Ezekiel’s Funeral Home awaiting a post-mortem examination.

Police said an injury was seen at the back of the suspect’s head, which he claimed he sustained while being apprehended. The suspect has since received medical attention, and is cooperating with investigators.

Police enquiries so far have found that Drakes had reportedly sexually assaulted the suspect the day before the incident. Investigations into the matter are ongoing.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, June 10, 2019

Home invasion victims need – says psychologist professional counselling Wil Campbell

By Rabindra Rooplall THE psychological impact of home invasions leaves victims with emotional trauma for years of their lives and is very often difficult to overcome without counselling, Psychologist and University of Guyana (UG) lecturer Wil Campbell has said.

He offered this view in light of the recent attempted robbery at Lodge, Georgetown, in which three bandits were killed in a shootout with police.

The bandits, who were on the police’s radar, were identified as Junior Nurse, Shawn Browne Jr and Leslie Griffith.

“For some people, this can go on for a lifetime, a lot of people suffer from post-traumatic stress, sometimes to the point where it becomes a disorder,” he said.

The psychologist explained that the post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition triggered by a terrifying event, by either experiencing or witnessing it.

Symptoms, he noted, may include flashbacks, nightmares, insomnia and severe anxiety, as well as uncontrollable thoughts about the event.

Post-traumatic stress can be accompanied by depression that can sometimes be fatal, he noted.

“These things actually re-wire your brain so that you are unable to think logically; you can even become paranoid with a feeling that everyone is against you, especially when the victim is reminded of a confrontation due to external circumstances,” he explained.

He said some persons may even suffer from obsessive compulsive disorders, which forces them to become obsessed with being safe.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is an anxiety disorder in which people have recurring, unwanted thoughts, ideas or sensations (obsessions) that make them feel driven to do something repetitively (compulsions).

AFFECT INTERACTIONS This repetitive behaviour can significantly interfere with a person’s daily activities and social interactions.

According to Campell, not everyone could easily get past this stage of life and would

Street robbery where the bandits were killed, the psychologist said the bullet holes on the building should be repaired as quickly as possible to avoid visual reminders of the bad experience.

Another way to overcome such difficulty, he said, is to become involved in a community watch group which helps the person to feel safer.

The victim can also install security cameras, grills, stronger locks, safety windows or “anything that you can actually do to prevent a reoccurrence, gives you a sense of empowerment and being able to do something about what happened.”

Delving deeper into the topic, the psychologist said home invasions are traumatic for many reasons.

“When someone invades your home, there is the fear that you could lose your life, you lose your possessions and that fear doesn’t always go away immediately, even when the danger has passed,” he explained.

He added: “You also feel violated since for most people, home is their private space where they feel the safest and when that space is invaded by force, then that whole sense of safety and security diminishes and is destroyed.”

Campbell said anger also arises if the victim or a member of their family is hurt during a robbery or their property is destroyed.

An injured Neville Leslie at home require professional counselling.

Processing the trauma and putting it into the right perspective and challenging irrational thoughts, fears and anxiety that may be pervasive in the victims’ minds, will call for therapy, the psychologist said.

Where children are witnesses to robberies, he said all reminders of what occurred should be removed from their surroundings.

“For example, we often advise people that were awakened by an intruder in their bedroom, and in their mind they can still see that persons standing at the mirror, what that person could do is rearrange the room, so that the mirror is no longer in that place,” he said.

Adding that in the case of the Norton

EMOTIONAL AGONY The feeling of helplessness, powerlessness and not being able to prevent such an act from occurring causes victims emotional agony.

“If during a home invasion someone is killed or your possessions are taken, you have to deal with a sense of loss; the fact that something dear to you have [sic] been taken without your permission and in spite of your efforts or lack of it to defend yourself or family causes a sense of loss,” he said.

The university lecturer explained that for victims, it is vital to remember that being burgled is not their fault.

Nonetheless, he said people are all too quick to try and ‘get over it’, but it is important to work through the bad experience at a suitable pace.

Counselling and cognitive behavioural

Psychologist and UG lecturer, Wil Campbell therapy are just some of the ways to provide support in managing the emotional impact of crime.

Neville Leslie, of Lot 46 Norton and Victor Streets, who was the victim of the recent attack, said his five-year-old son was removed from his home and is now living by a relative because of fear.

Leslie told the Guyana Chronicle that his son is receiving professional counselling that is being paid for privately.

“Imagine when I talk to my son, he told me, ‘daddy you must buy a gun,’ because of what happened and I had to tell him ‘no son’, that is not the way. He even said he now wants to become a police to protect people,” Leslie said.

He continued: “During his counselling session, he even draw the bandit with the gun in his hand on paper to show the counselor; he even told me he doesn’t want to return home and see me limping around like this.”

Leslie injured his left foot when he jumped out of a window after placing his son in the arms of a policeman during his escape from the bandits.

The Guyana Police Force (GPF) will this week patch up the bullet holes on his home and fix other damage caused during the shootout with the bandits.

Sugar raked in US$27.1M in 2018

THE local sugar industry reportedly raked in US$27.1 million in 2018, some 44.1 per cent less than it did in 2017.

According to the Bank of Guyana in its Annual Report, its 54th to date, this out-turn was attributed to a 28.0 per cent decline in the volume of sugar exported and a decline in the average export price.

Sugar prices averaged around US$0.27 per kilogram.

The average export price for sugar declined by 22.4 per cent, or US$100.8, to US$348.4 per metric tonne,

compared to the US$449.2 per metric tonne it was being sold at in 2017.

Exports to the European Union (EU) under the ACP/ EU Sugar Protocol was 47.9 per cent compared to the 57.2 per cent recorded in 2017.

There was, however, an increase of about 6 percentage points in exports to the CARICOM region, with the exported amount moving from 23.7 per cent in 2017 to 29.3 per cent last year.

The volume of sugar exported amounted to 77,796 metric tonnes, some 30,191

metric tonnes less than the level exported in 2017.

Overall sugar output decreased by 23.8 per cent, and represented 90.6 per cent of the targeted amount of 115,447 tonnes for 2018. Output was lower in both the first half and latter half of 2018 by 30.6 per cent at 34,451 tonnes and 20.0 per cent at 70,191 tonnes respectively.

This out-turn was due to structural reforms at the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo), unfavourable weather conditions, and a lower supply of quality canes.

But despite the foregoing odds, Guyana’s sugar industry is being restructured so that it can be revived, and as President David Granger assured workers at the Albion Sugar Estate in Berbice during a recent visit, the sector is going to recover from the difficulties it is facing.

Reports are that the president also made a commitment to engage with the unions representing sugar workers in order to chart a course forward for the industry’s development.

“Our sugar industry is

going to recover from the difficulties it is facing,” President Granger said. “This sugar industry is not on the point of death… I am not here to bury the sugar industry; I am here to find out what your problems are. I have come to fix things. We are in the process of restructuring this industry to respond to changes, which have taken place both externally and internally. It is being restructured so that it can be revived; so that we can make this industry not just sustainable but profitable. We are

not here to merely survive; we are here to thrive! We are here to guarantee employees’ livelihoods. We are here to guarantee sugar’s position in the national economy. We are here to safeguard the rural economy,” he told sugar workers at the Albion Estate on Friday.

He said that a Corporate Restructuring Plan (CRP) was initiated following these processes of which he spoke, and that a part of the plan is to produce 147,000 metric tonnes of sugar in the shortest time possible.

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GPSU greatest strides made under PNC ... union president says

all arbitrarily withdrawn from the membership of the GPSU. SENTIMENTS EVAPORATED With the death of then

GPSU President, Patrick Yarde

AN analysis of the available evidence has shown that the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) made some of its greatest strides under the Burnham-led People’s National Congress (PNC) Government.

This is according to GPSU President Patrick Yarde in a message commemorating the Union’s 96th Anniversary on Saturday.

Yarde said that under the leadership of Burnham, all the International Labour Organisation (ILO) conventions which protected trade union rights and workers’ rights were ratified. The local Constitution, he said, was also amended to make all collective agreements legally binding.

The National Insurance Scheme (NIS) was established; pensions were entrenched as a constitutional right; and several Collective Labour Agreements were entered into with the Government.

Among those agreements at reference were the Avoidance and Settlement of Disputes Agreement; the check-off of union dues and Agency Fees Agreement; the Secondment to the GPSU Agreement; Trade Union Leave for attending meetings and Leave for Trade Union education; Land for housing in Lamaha Gardens, and land for the GPSU Sports Complex.

There was also a commitment to move forward to address other necessary social issues in the employees interest.

“With the change of government in 1992,” Yarde said, “there were expectations that labour rights would be further enhanced, since the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) boasted of having

working-class credentials.

This was not the case.”

He said the Trade Union Recognition Act of 1997, which the union thought would have enhanced trade union rights, was used repeatedly in collusion with elements of the Trade Union Recognition and Certification Board and other Unions such as the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU), The National Association of Agricultural, Commercial and Industrial Employees (NAACIE), and, eventually, the Guyana Labour Union (GLU), to undermine the GPSU. Polls were held at the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) and MMA/ADA for only part of the workforce to remove the GPSU as the recognised representative, despite the union being the representative for all the employees.

Additionally, polls were twice conducted, unsuccessfully, at the Anna Regina Town Council to remove the GPSU as the majority union. The Trade Union Recognition and Certification Act was also amended to negatively impact on trade union rights, the veteran trade unionist said.

The process of appeals to the High Court, he said, was frustrating, and the situation remained inconclusive.

“Complaints to the ILO were resisted by the PPP/C regime, and were also inconclusive. Employees of the fire and prison services were arbitrarily removed from the GPSU’s membership, and the court case which was filed has not been heard to date,” he said.

Also, the professional staff of Queen’s College, Bishops’ High School and the multilateral schools across the country were

leader of the PPP/C Dr. Cheddi Jagan, the existing working-class sentiments of the PPP/C evaporated.

“The assault on the GPSU magnified, and became more ruthless. Indus-

trial unrest prevailed, premised on their disregard for ILO conventions, breaches of collective labour agreements, abuse of workers’ rights, flouting of High Court Orders etc…

“Also, part of the land of the GPSU Sports Complex Ground at Thomas Lands was seized, to lease to a friend of Bharrat Jagdeo.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, June 10, 2019

Financial guru releases ‘Manager’s Toolkit’ FINANCIAL intelligence adviser, Gary Thompson, has recently published a new book titled “Manager’s Toolkit” which contains essential guidelines he believes will help new businesses thrive and grow.

As a business consultant heading the firm Global Branding and Marketing, Thompson revealed that he has conducted in-depth research which shows that over 70 per cent of businesses that get started failed within the

first five years of start-up.

“We decided to dig a little deep into the reasons why those businesses are failing across the world. We have seen that some businesses that have good brands and provide excellent services are not able to pinnacle the way they would want to,” he told this publication on a visit to the Guyana Chronicle a few days ago.

The research has shown that some businesses do not understand their target audi-

ences and fail to effectively inform such audiences of the products and services they have available.

“As a business consultant, I think it’s your role to do research,” Thompson said, adding that the solutions found in his new book were thought of following diligent interaction between his firm and several businesses.

“I have been interfacing with small businesses and big businesses over the last 20 years. Because of study,

research, interaction, and listening to their concerns, we have come up with some of the solutions,” he explained about the new 96-page book, which will be available in bookstores shortly and on amazon.com.

Thompson said his business puts tremendous emphasis on adding value and fixing problems beyond simply looking at cash flow. “Our mission right now is what we can do to help businesses to grow. We can do a major

book launch and get sales, but right now we are engaging the specific beneficiaries (businesses) and our mission going forward is not just to sell a book.”

The intention, he added, is to work with businesses to ensure that they internalise the information contained in the book. “One of the pitfalls we see is that people hardly read, and when they do read, the full internalization is not there. We ensure that we’re there to mentor them

if they are having difficulty applying the information,” he explained. In fact, part of the humanitarian work Thompson said he does is to conduct a number of training programmes for free.

He pointed out how his business was able to teach over a hundred university students how to raise investment capital, as well as train hundreds of small business owners in branding and marketing and financial intelligence.

GPSU greatest strides...

FROM PAGE 13

He was eventually jailed in the USA for criminal activities. Many members were harassed and shot by the police as they exercised their right to protest peacefully, and some were put before the courts for no justifiable reason,” Yarde lamented.

He said all of that changed after the release of the results for the National and General Elections in 2015. “The APNU/AFC Coalition was elected. For most, it was like a breath of fresh air after a very long period of depression, suppression and executive lawlessness. There were expectations that we would be able to reclaim the Sports Complex land, and an agreement has been entered into to restore the facilities to its former glory for members to use,” Yarde said.

The Union has also received funding to participate in activities that are of value to members for their awareness and enlightenment, and to keep them up-to-date and in contact with their brothers and sisters nationally, regionally and internationally.

But despite the many positives, he said, there are still many concerns which have to be addressed by the current government.

Yarde said some of those concerns include: The inadequacy of remuneration to public sector workers; the ridiculous allowance being paid to officers has not been reviewed in excess of 20 years; the outstanding de-bunching exercise and the re-introduction of the payment of in-scale increments; the alleviation of contract employment in established public service positions; health insurance for public service workers and more.

He said there is a tendency to impose rather than negotiate conditions of ser-

vice, the continued practice of denying workers merited benefits, obstruction to workers trade union right and due process.

“For us, it is most disturbing that after all the sacrifices, effort and suffering we have endured in the interest of good governance and for our members to be entitled to fair treatment, this has not materialized. It is also appalling that promises that were repeated to us are not being fulfilled. We have been very patient and restrained but it is now obvious to us what we are up against,” said Yarde.

MOVE FORWARD Despite the odds, looking ahead, the union must move on with confidence and peace, faith in their abilities to demand fair treatment, respect and value for their contributions. Yarde said invaluable resources of our country have been uncovered and the benefits are very near to materialising.

“There have been lots of speculations as to how these influx of wealth would be utilised. From our experience we should take nothing for granted, however, at the same time, we must be open minded and objective and act in the interest of all law abiding citizens and the future generations.

“With respect to our union we must strive for unity in our work places and communities. We must place emphasis on being self-reliant and self-sufficient. We must entrench and enhance the independence of our organisation, the GPSU,” said Yarde.

He encouraged public servants to be involved and stay relevant and responsive in order to take whatever action is necessary in the union’s interest.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, June 10, 2019

UN envoy backs growing calls for ‘unity’ –– urges development of ‘soft skills’ in face of untold wealth ahead GUYANESE were urged to cultivate the spirit of unity as there is an exciting future ahead.

The encouragement came from Guyana’s Ambassador to the United Nations Michael Ten-Pow, who expressed his personal excitement at what’s in store for Guyana in the near future, in terms of people and infrastructural development. He was alluding to the significant benefits that will be derived from oil revenues, and suggested that the only way all that wealth can do us any good as a country, is if we the people grasp it as a united front.

“We know we have an exciting future ahead of us; let us look forward together in unity,” he said. “We have the prize ahead Guyana’s Ambassador of us; it’s within our to the United Nations, grasp, and the only Michael Ten-Pow thing that can make us not reach to where we are going is disunity; polarisation and fragmentation that we need to fight against,” he urged.

Ambassador Ten-Pow spoke about the prospect of linking the hinterland with the coast through infrastructural connections, as in that way, every citizen, irrespective of where they reside, will benefit from equal opportunities. “I know that in a few years, there would be no hinterland and coastland in Guyana, because we would be all connected with a network of road and railways so this concept of I’m from the hinterland, will not apply anymore,” he posited.

Ten Pow alluded to the 15 sustainable development goals that were adopted by the United Nations in 2015, but specifically spoke on human development. So, while infrastructural development is welcome, human development should also be prioritised. He urged, especially the youths, to develop themselves to also benefit from the oil industry and other dependent industries. He urged them to shun the rhetoric that youths are leaders of tomorrow.

“When you think of youths... they are leaders today, but there are many areas in which you need to take responsibility... You have to mobilise;, address the problems that you know are all around you.”

One important way youths should take responsibility is by being educated, as the lack of education signals social ills such as poverty, increase in crime, high unemployment ratio. Ten-Pow described it as a vicious cycle that can have significant impacts on the future of our country, if not addressed now. Not only should youths focus on academics and technical education, but soft skills should not be neglected.

“Soft skills; the ability to communicate. Team work; creativity, imagination, interaction with people.

These are some of the things we tend to neglect, so I urge you to focus on some of these things in a very holistic way,” he said.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, June 10, 2019

Nadal snags twelfth French open title (REUTERS) - DEFYING the years and one of the fiercest onslaughts he has ever faced at Roland Garros, Rafael Nadal won his 12th French Open crown on Sunday, leaving Dominic Thiem crushed and a packed Parisian stadium shaking their heads in wonder.

The first set had been one for the ages, the second ran it close, but after three hours and one minute all that mattered was that Nadal was once again in familiar pose, flat on his back on the clay, a 6-3 5-7 6-1 6-1 winner to clinch his 18th Grand Slam triumph in total.

Of them all, this was one of his most satisfying.

“Lots of issues with my knee recently... with my foot... too many issues the last few months which makes this last few weeks very, very special,” Nadal smiled to reporters, the large silver trophy at his side. “Physically and mentally I had been down.”

WHO COULD HAVE NOTICED? Rarely, if ever, has any opponent played so well against Nadal on the Philippe Chatrier centre court as Thiem did on Sunday.

Rarely, if ever, has Thiem, the best of the young guns, struck the ball so firmly, or played with such purpose and aggression.

But it was not enough. Not nearly enough. Not even before Thiem ultimately ran out of steam.

The 33-year-old Nadal, who becomes the first player to win the same Grand Slam title 12 times, going past Margaret Court’s 11 Australian Opens, now sits two major titles behind his great foe and men’s Grand Slam title record holder, 37-year-old Roger Federer.

“It’s incredible,” Nadal told the crowd. “For me it was a dream to play here in 2005 and I could not imagine I would be back here in 2019. It’s a very special moment for me.”

Afterwards he would not be drawn on his Grand Slam title chase with Federer. “Your neighbour has a nicer house than you... or a bigger TV, or better garden... I don’t see life like this,” he laughed.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Monday June 10, 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 YESTERDAY’S QUIZ: (a) East Africa (1975); Namibia (2003); Bermuda (2007) (b) 1992 (9 teams) Today’s Quiz: (1) How many teams have appeared in every World Cup tournament to date?

(2) Who were South Africa’s opponents when they played a World Cup match for the first time?

ANSWERS IN TOMORROW’S ISSUE

American Racing Tips Delware Park Race 1 Unlimited Upside Race 2 Just Flashy Race 3 Not Necessarily Race 4 Capturemenow Race 5 Monkey Mind Race 6 Miss Gray Race 7 Pretty Good Year Race 8 Tapitontheside South Africa Racing Tips Flamingo Park 08:30 hrs Northern Storm 09:05 hrs Blue Diamond Road 09:40 hrs Mac De Lago 10:10 hrs Burgundy Rose 10:40 hrs Snow Path English Racing Tips Stratford

09:15 hrs Santani 09:45 hrs Billy Hicks 10:15 hrs Groundunderrepair 10:45 hrs Khairagash 11:15 hrs Scotsbrook 11:45 hrs Global Tour Windsor 12:45 hrs Angel Alexander 13:15 hrs Swinley 13:45 hrs Far Above 14:15 hrs Blue De Vega 14:45 hrs Get Back Get Back 15:15 hrs Qarasu 15:45 hrs Remembering You Pontefract 13:05 hrs Calippo 13:25 hrs Sassie 14:05 hrs Kinks 14:35 hrs Claire Underwood 15:05 hrs Black Salt 15:35 hrs Tricky Dicky 16:05 hrs Roys Dream Irish Racing Tips Roscommon 12:25 hrs Royal Court 12:55 hrs Glow Worm 13:25 hrs Harry Speed 13:55 hrs Tio Esteban 14:25 hrs Lancastria 14:55 hrs Bercasa 15:25 hrs Olympic Honour 15:55 hrs Greenpanda

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, June 10, 2019

Dhawan helps India smash Australia

(ESPNCRICINFO) THERE was a masterclass in batting at The Oval. Shikhar Dhawan overcame a weakness to score 117. Steven Smith showed none as he made 69. Hardik Pandya was pure unfettered power.

David Warner fought demons. And Virat Kohli, as always, was method over madness.

That the Oval pitch offered nothing to the bowlers dulled the contest a little bit, but India showed immense awareness with the way they paced their innings and for that alone they deserved victory.

There was no inkling at the start of the day that Australia would concede 352 - a new low for them in the World Cup. Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins understood that there wasn’t any help for them and so were quick to pull their lengths back and keep a tight line around the off stump, and occasionally resorted to cross-seamers, bouncers and yorkers to surprise the batsmen.

For the first seven overs, Dhawan and Rohit Sharma sauntered along at 3.14 per over. Then came Nathan Coulter-Nile. And three boundaries in six balls. India’s victory is owed entirely to their batsmen recognising moments like these. They

were like the muscle car revving up in front of the stop light.

Dhawan, especially. He had a big bulls-eye on him.

A weakness against left-arm pace. And he’d have to deal with one of the best exponents of it in recent times. He’d been lbw to Trent Boult and Mustafizur Rahman in the

his bottom hand off his bat every time he was forced to drive. The physio’s magic spray helped but to play through pain for nearly three hours - he didn’t come out to field in the second innings - was a monumental effort. And it came with a fitting reward. A sixth century in ICC tournaments.

Shikhar Dhawan raises a 17th ODI ton © Getty Images

warm-up games because of his front foot going too far across, but here a simple change - batting on leg stump, and even occasionally outside - helped him stay beside the ball and survive Starc’s menace.

There were other obstacles in his way. Namely Cummins. The right-arm quick hurt Dhawan’s left thumb with a bouncer and the batsman kept yanking

Of all batsmen from anywhere, only Sourav Ganguly and Sachin Tendulkar have more.

India did a great many good things in this game. They identified Australia’s fifth bowler (Marcus Stoinis) and their lead spinner (Adam Zampa) as weaknesses and carted them for 112 runs in 13 overs.

A lot of that was Hardik’s doing. The score read 220 for

Portugal take inaugural Nations cup

Portugal became the first European nation to host and win a final of a major competition since France at the 1998 World Cup

(BBC) - HOST Portugal claimed their second trophy in three years by beating the Netherlands to win the inaugural Nations League.

Fernando Santos’ side triumphed at the 2016 European Championship and Goncalo Guedes’ sec-

ond-half strike gave them a narrow victory in Porto.

The Valencia winger smashed in from the edge of the area following Bernardo Silva’s clever cutback, though Dutch goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen will be disappointed he did not keep the effort out.

The Dutch looked to get back into the game but Memphis Depay’s powerful header was well saved by Wolves number one Rui Patricio and ex-Middlesbrough midfielder Marten de Roon lashed over.

England finished third in the tournament

2 when he walked out in the 37th over and the fifth ball he faced went to the boundary.

Later, he hit a straight drive so hard that the bowler CoulterNile just ducked. It came back to him in the air and cricketers are supposed to catch those but human beings tend not to want their heads knocked off by a piece of leather.

ESPNcriinfo’s Forecaster had India reaching 332 at the halfway stage of their innings. Hardik’s 48 off 27 balls straight up lol-ed at data analytics.

Amid all this, Kohli scored 82 off 77 balls, his 50th ODI fifty. It was actually a bit of a scratchy innings. His most eye-catching moment was actually when he went up to the Indian fans in the crowd and told them off for calling Smith a “cheater”.

The former Australia captain wasn’t around when they won the ODI series in India three months ago and kickstarted a 10-match winning streak, and he was in the mood to make up for lost time. His footwork, especially against spin, was both instinctive and precise. And even when he found himself in a tangle, like when Chahal surprised him with a dipping yorker or Hardik with an lbw-written-all-over-it low full toss - his hands somehow placed the bat at exactly the place it needed to be. after a victory on penalties over Switzerland in Guimaraes.

The game was billed on the clash of the two influential captains - Portugal forward Cristiano Ronaldo and Netherlands centre-back Virgil van Dijk.

Both players claimed silverware at club level last season, Ronaldo winning the Serie A title with Juventus, while Van Dijk contributed to ending Liverpool’s seven year wait for a trophy by triumphing in the Champions League.

Ronaldo, 34, scored a sublime hat-trick in the semi-final victory over Switzerland but was unable to add to his 88 international goals, seeing a thumping, goalbound drive blocked by the towering Van Dijk.

The closest he came to netting was when he skipped past two defenders from the left, but stuck a shot straight at Barcelona’s Cillessen. He also smashed a free-kick wide late on.

Former Southampton and Celtic player Van Dijk was his solid, assured self at the back but could do nothing about the winning goal, though Cillessen was unable to keep out Guedes’ strike having got a hand on the effort.

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Brazil down Jamaica 3-0

Allyson Swaby #17 of Jamaica clears the ball before Beatriz #16 of Brazil in the second half during the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup France group C match between Brazil and Jamaica at Stade des Alpes on June 09, 2019 in Grenoble, France (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

(REUTERS) - BRAZIL’S Cristiane became the oldest player to score a hat-trick in the women’s World Cup as the former finalists sealed a superb 3-0 victory over debutants, Jamaica, on Sunday to kick off their campaign in convincing fashion.

At 34 years and 25 days, Cristiane eclipsed the record of American Carli Lloyd who was 32 years and 355 days when she scored three times in a 5-2 win over Japan in the 2015 final.

Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo holds the men’s record, having scored three goals in a 3-3 draw with Spain in the 2018 World Cup in Russia at 33 years and 130 days.

Victory at Stade des Alpes in Grenoble meant Vadao’s Brazil maintained their perfect record in World Cup openers and also snapped a run of nine straight defeats in the lead-up to the tournament since a 2-1 win over Japan last July.

Cristiane, starting in place of fellow forward Marta who was ruled out of the game with a thigh problem, gave Brazil the lead in the 15th minute by meeting Barcelona midfielder Andressa’s cross from the left with a header past Sydney Schneider.

The South Americans continued to create chances and could have doubled their lead after earning a penalty for handball by Jamaica defender Allyson Swaby, but Schneider saved Andressa’s tame effort on goal seven minutes before the break.

Cristiane tucked in her second goal from a tight angle following the restart as Andressa provided the assist again, before she completed her hat-trick with a powerful freekick that rattled the underside of the crossbar and landed in.

It was the first hat-trick for Brazil in the women’s World Cup since Sissi and Pretinha scored three goals each in a 7-1 thrashing of Mexico in 1999.

Brazil, who are aiming to surpass their best-ever finish in 2007 when they were beaten by Germany in the title clash, take on Australia in Montpellier in their next Group C contest on Thursday. Jamaica play Italy in Reims on Friday.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, June 10, 2019

Guyana Jaguars will contest the UDECOTT T20 final

By Brij Parasnath GUYANA Jaguars advanced to the final of the inaugural UDECOTT T10 final when the finished second in the round robin stage of the four-team tournament being staged at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy.

The Guyana Jaguars were scheduled to clash with the powerful North-Tobago outfit that registered a hard-fought 12-run victory over the Guyanese in their second match of the tournament.

The North-Tobago team topped the standings with five points following an impressive four-wicket win over the South-Central team in the third match of the four encounters contested on Saturday.

Their first match against Windwards was abandoned and they collected one point for the no-result fixture.

Guyana Jaguars had crushed the South-Central in their opening round encounter on Friday and bounced back into contention for top honours when they overpowered the Windwards by 41 runs to secure the second finalist berth.

Tiger Bay are Corona Fustal Champions Tiger Bay emerged champions of the Corona Beer Fustal tournament when the dust settled on Saturday evening at the National Gymnasium.

Playing against Back Circle, the side edged their rivals in a thrilling see-saw encounter in front of a capacity crowd.

The tournament’s eventual Most Valuable Player [MVP] Deon Alfred, sealed the title for his side compliments of a first-half hat-trick in the sixth, seventh and 19th minute each.

Adding a goal in the 11th minute was Josiah Charles. For the loser, Golden Jaguar international Trayon Bobb amassed a double in the 15th and 24th minutes, while Stephon McLean scored in the 34th minute.

With the win, Tiger Bay walked away with $500,000 and the championship trophy. Alfred, for his showing throughout the event, walked away with a Hero Motorcycle.

On the other hand, Back Circle pocketed $250,000 and the corresponding accolade. Also, Future Stars defeated Bent Street 8-4 in the third-place play-off. William Europe recorded a hat-trick in the fifth, ninth and 40th minutes.

He was assisted by doubles from Keron Solomon in the 19th and 26th minutes and Jamal Cozier in the 34th and 38th minutes. Adding a goal in the 26th minute was Rondell Bowman.

For the loser, Sheldon Profit bagged a brace in the 24th and th 36 minutes while Clive Nobrega and Adrian Aaron scored in the 16th and 17th minutes, respectively.

Future Stars defeated Bent Street 6-3. Due to the outcome, Future Stars walked away with $125,000 and a trophy, while Bent Street pocketed $75,000 and a trophy.

In their clash against Windwards, Guyana Jaguars romped to victory through the batting brilliance of Everest Cricket Club player, Chandrapaul Hemraj, and Demerara Cricket Club player Trevon Griffith, followed by solid support from Albion Sports Club’s spin-twins, Devendra Bishoo and Gudakesh Motie.

Left-handers Hemraj and Griffith plundered the Windwards bowlers, posting 97 runs for the first wicket partnership with the former top scoring with 68 off 25 deliveries for the “Man of Match” award.

Hemraj rattled up 38 runs off 18 deliveries.

But the rest of the batting failed to capitalize, losing quick wickets to end at 122/8 off 10 overs.

Bishoo, West Indies Test and ODIs leg-spinner, combined with Gudakesh Motie to destroy Windwards top order and left them reeling at 18 for 5.

It was a massive blow dealt by Bishoo, who finished his two-over spell with three wickets for nine runs while Motie claimed two for seven off his two overs.

But the other bowlers were unable to make further inroads and allowed Ryan John (30 not out) and Jamal James (26 not

out) to feature in an unbroken 63-run sixth wicket stand that pushed the Windwards total to 81 for 5 in their allotted 10 overs.

In the match against the North-Tobago team, Guyana Jaguars could only muster 80 for 8 in their 10 overs in reply to the Kieron Pollard-led home team’s 92 for 6 wickets.

West Indies ODI player Chandrapaul Hemraj made a valuable 36 that contained three sixes and two fours off 17 deliveries while Romario Shepherd was undefeated on 19 (1x6 and 1x4 off 16 balls) when Guyana’s innings closed at 80 for 8, thirteen runs short of the victory target.

Former WI all-rounder, Rayad Emrit, was the chief destroyer and finished with four wickets for seven runs off his two overs and earned the “Man of Match” award while WI T20 player, Sunil Narine (2-0-6-2) and left-arm spinner, Akeal Hosein (2-0-14-2) shared the other wickets.

Narine had top-scored for the North-Tobago team with 23 and got useful scores from Mario Belcon (21), Tion Webster (15) and Hosein (10). Keemo Paul (2-0-12-2), Veerasammy Permaul (2-0-23-1), Clinton Pestano (2-0-231) and Shepherd (2-0-10-2) were the wicket-takers.

Rain has final say in round four of WBCA Intermediate Cricket RAIN robbed the Achievers Youth and Sports Club of a comprehensive victory over Bath Sports Club on the second day of the West Berbice Cricket Association (WBCA) Anil Lalsa Construction Company-sponsored Two-Day Intermediate Cricket Competition at the Bush Lot ground on Saturday.

The Achievers needed only three wickets to secure a comprehensive victory, but the inclement weather forced the cancellation of the clash.

The inclement weather has also temporarily halted the competition, which was expected to continue yesterday.

Bath had won the toss one week ago when the round started, but were restricted to 90 in 33.2 overs after former national U-19 cricketer, Kevin Sinclair, spun his way to 6-30 and fellow off-spinner, Andrew Dutchin, took 3-28.

…beat Windwards by 41 runs

Kevin Sinclair finished with a match haul of 10-45 and 103 runs

Sinclair then stroked his way to his second consecutive century in the competition. He hit 103 (9x4s, 4x6s), while Dutchin struck his second back-to-back half-century. His 51 not out had helped to push the score to 250-4 before the Achievers declared.

In their second time at the crease, Bath Sports Club had reached 74-7 before play ended. It meant that Achievers needed just three wickets with an innings in hand and 86 runs ahead.

In the second innings, Sinclair took 4-15 and pacer Christopher Bissoon 2-22.

England crush West Indies women to clinch series

CMC – WEST Indies women were once again thoroughly outplayed by England as they went down in the second One Day International by 121 runs under the Duckworth Lewis system here Sunday.

After winning the toss and electing to bat, the home side scored 233 for seven after rain reduced the match to a 41 over contest.

The Windies’ batters never threatened after being reduced to 42 for five early on, before another shower placed the match further out of their grasp.

Set a new target of 208 in 28 overs, the visitors finished

on 87 for six.

The result gave England an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series, following their massive 208run victory in the first ODI on Thursday.

The win also earned England two points in the International Cricket Council’s Women’s Championship and took them to the verge of qualification for the 2021 World Cup in New Zealand.

Tammy Beaumont who topscored with 61, and fellow opener Amy Jones who made 18, posted their second consecutive half-century opening stand, adding 59 runs for the first wicket.

Once Jones lost her wicket to Chinelle Henry, Beaumont found another capable partner in Sarah Taylor (23), adding a further 51 runs.

And even when Afy Fletcher dismissed Taylor and Beaumont with consecutive deliveries to leave the score 110 for three, England still remained in control.

Natalie Sciver scored 35 at better than a run-a-ball and Anya Shrubsole blasted an unbeaten 32 from just 16 balls, with two boundaries and two sixes, as part of a solid batting effort from the hosts.

Fletcher was the Windies’ best bowler, taking 3-48 from her eight overs.

England’s bowlers then produced a sensational performance in the field as the West Indies got off to a horrible start in their run chase, losing three wickets in quick succession.

Shrubsole accounted for the wickets of openers Britney Cooper (6) and Hayley Matthews (17) before Kate Cross had Kycia Knight out for a five-ball duck to reduce the visitors to 23 for three in the eighth over.

Cross then had Windies’ captain Stafanie Taylor out for six and Laura Marsha added to their woes when she clean bowled Chedean Nation for 9, as the Windies fell into further

Anya Shrubsole plays into the onside © Getty Images

trouble at 42 for five.

Another shower resulted in the match being shortened to 28 overs, but the West Indies’ batters made no attempt to chase the target.

Shemaine Campbelle was

the top-scorer with a pedestrian 29 from 49 balls, while Kyshona Knight was left unbeaten on 14 from 32 balls.

Cross finished with the superb figures of 2-4 from four overs, while Shrubsole took 2-12 from five overs.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, June 10, 2019

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Classy John tops field to win 4th Annual Albert Rose Memorial Road Race

By Michelangelo Jacobus

TEAM Cocos’ wheelsman, Jamual John, oozed class as he produced a display of strength and guile to ride away with the overall winner’s title at the fourth Annual Albert Rose Memorial Cycling Road Race in Linden yesterday.

In a field of Guyana’s top cyclists which included the likes of last year’s winner, Paul De Nobrega, Michael Anthony and National Road Race champion, Curtis Dey, John made it two consecutive wins since returning to Guyana’s circuit following a lengthy stint in the USA. Speaking to Chronicle Sport, John revealed that he felt good throughout the race and his game plan worked out down to the smallest detail during the

feature three lap 90-mile Seniors’ race.

Following an early breakaway from the peloton, John was accompanied by Dey, De Nobrega, Anthony, Ajay Gopilall and Walter Grant-Stuart; that pack would maintain the lead for the majority of the race.

In a twist this year, the route began from the Linden/Georgetown Bus Park on Republic Avenue in Linden, proceeded to Silver Hill on the Linden/ Soesdyke Highway and back to the point of origin to complete a lap.

During the second lap, John broke away with Grant-Stuart and Dey in tow to establish his lead; here is where he took control of the race but on the third and final lap, a late surge by De Nobrega, Anthony and Gopilall

made things interesting.

However, John would come up with the goods to

power his way across the finish line in an exciting six-way sprint to claim

Jamual John produced a classy performance to cop the 4th Annual Albert Rose 90-mile Road Race in Linden (File Photo)

the title in three hours 39 minutes 23 seconds.

For his effort, John pocketed the winner’s purse of $52,000 along with three sprint prizes. He was followed by Dey who had to settle for second while Grant-Stuart was third.

De Nobrega, Anthony and Gopilall closed out the winners’ bracket finishing fourth, fifth and sixth in that order. Dey claimed two sprint prizes while Grant-Stuart, De Nobrega and Anthony claimed one apiece.

In the Junior category, Gopilall took top honours while Warren ‘40’ McKay copped first place in the Veterans U-45 race with Paul Cho Wee Nam and Stephen Fernandes finishing second and third respectively.

Ian Jackson ruled

the roost in the Veterans Over-45 race by beating Andrew Spencer to the finish line while Junior Niles settled for third place.

On the distaff side, Clivecia Spencer rode away with the first place prize ahead of Moreisa Gilbert.

After a lengthy absence, Jonathan Ramsuchit announced his return to the sport with a first- place finish in the Juveniles event with Mark Lewis Jr. and Elisha Rutherford coming in second and third place.

The event, which has become a yearly fixture in memory of the late Albert Rose, was sponsored by the Rose family along with Clear Waters, Jermaine & Family Grocery Store and James & Sons Supermarket.

Bishops’ High and St. Rose’s High advance to West Indies confident of semis in NSBF Georgetown/East Coast Regionals win against South Africa BISHOPS’ High School and St. Rose’s High School advanced to the U-14 semi-finals of the youth basketball Guyana National School Basketball Festival (NSBF) Georgetown/East Coast Regionals on Saturday at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.

Bishops made light work of Bladen Hall with a whopping 47- 02 win, while St. Rose’s High School eased past Tutorial High by a 35-13 margin.

Bishops’ High were led

by A. Matthias, who finished with a game- high 15 points to go with nine rebounds and five steals, while J. Payne added eight points and six steals.

In the other clash, Chris Perez just missed a double-double as he finished with nine points and 10 rebounds. He also had three steals. Perez’s scoring partner was Carmelo Man-

San-Hing, who scored nine points and made five steals.

Martin Edwards led Tutorial with six points and five rebounds.

In the U-18 division, Saint Stanislaus College got past Tutorial High School 40-29 after Mustapha Kadir scored 10 points, five steals and three rebounds and Omario Ganeshdin added eight points and six rebounds.

Peter Thompson led Tutorial with nine points and five boards.

In another U-18 clash, a game-high 23 points, which included seven threes, 10 rebounds and two steals from Shamar Hercules, failed to save Plaisance Secondary School from going down to Marian Academy 34-53.

Akili Haynes and Josiah Daniels scored 17 points each to lead the Georgetown

school. Haynes also pulled down 11 rebounds and made two steals, while Daniels finished with seven rebounds and three steals.

In the other U-18 clash of the day, Chase Academy got past Queen’s College by a score of 55-45.

Lugard Mohan led QC with a game-high 27 points and seven rebounds, while Shakell Bobb-Semple added 10 points and nine rebounds.

Chase Academy were led

by Stephan Deleon (16 points and five rebounds), Jamal Nicholas (12 points and 12 rebounds) and Omari Kewley (11 points and nine boards) The tournament, which is sponsored by Edward B. Beharry & Company Ltd, The National Sports Commission, Banks DIH LTD and Exxon Mobil, continues on Friday at the same venue.

Action in the Chase Academy vs. Queen’s College clash

CMC – WHILE the West Indies won’t be underestimating South Africa in their World Cup encounter on Monday, assistant coach Roddy Estwick says the regional side is confident it can come out victorious.

The two sides will meet in a crucial matchup, with South Africa having lost their first three games, while the Windies are coming off a heartbreaking loss to Australia.

While Estwick believes the Proteas will come out firing in a “must win” game for them, he is still backing his side to pick up the valuable two points.

“We are obviously confident, but we have to respect South Africa as well. They are a good side. They have lost three games. We know they have got world-class players so we can’t underestimate their ability and we have to go out and play hard and smart cricket and stick to our game plans.

“We have to target 100 overs. At the end of the 100 overs, we have got to make sure that we are on the winning side. We just can’t single out one part of the game. Once you do that and that part of the game has any resistance, then your game plan falls

down. We have a plan for 100 overs and we have to go and execute,” Estwick maintained.

“There are areas that we can still improve. We are looking to do better and we can still improve. We can cut down the extras in one or two areas. We have missed a few chances as well, so these are areas we can back up on.

We are more focused on ourselves and if we can execute our skills well, then it will take care of the process.”

The assistant coach said the Windies’ bowling unit had been impressive thus far.

He said the fact the Windies had dismissed their opponents for less than 300 in both games in what has been a high scoring tournament, showed their quality.

“Before the start of the tournament, everybody was saying that teams are going to make 360, 380, some teams will make 400, some teams will make 500.

We bowled both teams out for under 300 runs, so we are very happy with the way the bowlers have executed (their plans).

What we must do is play the one percenters a bit better and I’m sure if we did that in the last game, we would have won the game.

It’s nothing to do with the bowlers. We are all in it together. We are not going to single out the bowlers and say the bowlers did a poor job, or the batsmen did a poor job, it is a team. If you are looking for excuses in the cricket game, you can find it wherever you look,” Estwick maintained.

Estwick said while both Andre Russell and Chris Gayle had picked up “some nicks” they would both be available for Monday’s game.

SQUADS: WEST INDIES – Jason Holder (captain), Fabian Allen, Carlos Brathwaite, Darren Bravo, Sheldon Cottrell, Shannon Gabriel, Chris Gayle, Shimron Hetmyer, Shai Hope, Evin Lewis, Ashley Nurse, Nicholas Pooran, Kemar Roach, Andre Russell, Oshane Thomas.

SOUTH AFRICA – Faf du Plessis (captain), Aiden Markram, Quinton de Kock, Hashim Amla, Rassie van der Dussen, David Miller, Andile Phehlukwayo, JP Duminy, Dwaine Pretorius, Dale Steyn, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Imran Tahir, Tabraiz Shamsi.

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Tiger Bay are Corona Fustal Champions

Champions! Tiger Bay are champions of the Corona Fustal tournament

Miracle Optical confirms Classy John tops field to West Indies confident of win 4th Annual Albert Rose win against South Africa sponsorship for Drag racing Memorial Road Race Page

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Roddy Estwick is confident the West Indies can defeat South Africa

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Some of the winners pose for a photo opportunity at the 4th Annual Albert Rose Memorial Road Race

Nadal snags twelfth French open title

Rafael Nadal of Spain holds the trophy for the 12th time during the trophy ceremony after beating Dominic Thiem of Austria in the men’s final during day 15 of the 2019 French Open at Roland Garros stadium on June 9, 2019 in Paris, France (Photo by Jean Catuffe/Getty Images)

Romeo Singh (left) of Miracle optical hands over his company’s sponsorship MIRACLE optical is the latest company to join the upcoming second round of the National Drag Racing Championship The company signalled its intention to participate in the event last week with sponsorship handed over recently.

Romeo Singh of Miracle optical contended that the company is more than happy to be on board with the event.

Giving a brief comment, Executive Committee member Motilal Deodass welcomed back the company, saying “They are undoubtedly a huge part of racing locally.”

“We have always enjoyed a great partnership with them and this time it’s no different.”

They partnered with us last year for the Ignite race meet and they are major sponsors of the Street Tuner class in the circuit event Admission to the June 23rd event stands at $500 for kids and $1000 for adults with action beginning at 10:00.

Other sponsors include Platinum Car Show, Supreme Bets, R. Kissoon Contracting Services, Deryck Jaisingh Trucking Service and Machinery Rentals, Del Ice Co., Mohamed’s Enterprise, B.M. SOAT Auto Sales, Prem’s Electrical, E-Networks, Motor Trend, Nexus Machine Shop, Power Line, Jumbo Jet Auto Sales, Wind Jammer Hotel, Cyril’s Taxi, A&R Jiwanram Printery, Blue Spring Water, Choke Gas Station, Special Auto, First Class Auto Spares and Sales, GT Tuners, West Coast Customs Washbay and Imran Autoworks.

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MONDAY, JUNE 10, 2019