Guyana_Chronicle_Epaper_07_04_2019

THURSDAY 4th July, 2019

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No.105688

President, Opposition Leader meet today PAGE

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Ministers fan out on ECD …BV residents assured of gov’t support to develop their community

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No bonus from Frontera …Dr Bynoe corrects Stabroek News false report

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'Goldfields' suspends operations as workers strike 21

CV Nunes, Graham’s Hall students top at NGSA PAGE

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Minister of Education Dr. Nicolette Henry shares a light moment with this year’s top NGSA students, Venisha Lall and Dave Chowtie (Adrian Narine photos)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, July 4, 2019

President, Opposition Leader meet today TODAY, President David Granger and Leader of the Opposition, Bharrat Jagdeo, will meet to discuss the appointment of a new Chairman for the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM).

The high-level meeting will take place at the Ministry of the Presidency at 15:00hrs.

It comes 16 days after the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) ruled that the appointment of Justice (Ret’d) James Patterson as Chairman of GECOM on October 19, 2017 was unconstitutional. Justice Patterson has since demitted office.

According to a letter addressed to the Opposition’s Spokesperson Gail Teixeira on Wednesday July 3, 2019 by the Director General of the Ministry of the Presidency Joseph Harmon, the date and time of the much-anticipated meeting were proposed by the President. The letter was made public by the Ministry of the Presidency on Wednesday evening.

It is anticipated that during this high-level meeting, both the President and Opposition Leader would nominate persons to be placed on the list for consideration in the determination of the next Chairman of the Guyana Elections Com-

mission.

In delivering the landmark judgment on June 18, 2019, President of the CCJ, Justice Adrian Saunders said the President and the Leader of the Opposition ought to have met prior to the submis-

Leader would have allowed for consensus and submission of a list of six persons who would have reached the eligibility requirements.

Paragraph 26 of the ruling states: “The Court decided that the most sensible approach

in good faith and perhaps even meet to discuss, eligible candidates for the position of Chairman before a list is formally submitted. The aim of these discussions must be to agree (to) the names of six persons who fit the stated eligibility

File Photo: President David Granger and Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo meeting ahead of a high profile meeting

sion of the list and consulted on names. It was explained that consultation between the President and the Opposition

to operationalise the Article was for the Leader of the Opposition and the President to communicate with each other

requirements and who are not unacceptable to the President.”

In a correspondence on June 28, 2019 to Teixeira, the

Government said, based on its interpretation of the ruling, both the President and Opposition Leader should provide names of persons for the top post- a position the Opposition Leader said he is comfortable with.

Government’s position on the matter was stated by Harmon, in that correspondence to Teixeira. The President, since the ruling, has made it known that his Government will respect the decision of the CCJ, and as such, remains committed to meeting with the Opposition Leader to discuss the important constitutional requirement.

Article 161(2) states that the Commission’s Chairman “shall be a person who holds or who has held office as a judge of a court having unlimited jurisdiction in civil and criminal matters in some part of the Commonwealth or a court having jurisdiction in appeals from any such court or who is qualified to be appointed as any such judge, or any other fit and proper person, to be appointed by the President from a list of six persons, not unacceptable to the President, submitted by the Leader of the Opposition after meaningful consultation with the non-governmental

political parties represented in the National Assembly.”

On October 19, 2017, President Granger, after rejecting a total of three lists of nominees for the position by the Opposition Leader, activated the proviso in Article 161 (2) and appointed Justice Patterson Chairman of the Elections Commission.

“Provided that if the Leader of the Opposition fails to submit a list as provided for, the President shall appoint a person who holds or has held office as a judge of a court having unlimited jurisdiction in civil and criminal matters in some part of the Commonwealth or a court having jurisdiction in appeals from any such court or who is qualified to be appointed as any such judge,” a section of Article 161(2) states, placing in the hands of the President, the power to appoint a Chairman of GECOM outside of the list provided by the Opposition Leader, once that list is unacceptable.

But the CCJ President, in his ruling, said the use of the double negative sent a clear message on how the President ought to have viewed the nominees or list provided.

Improvement in mathematics recorded in every region MINISTER of Education, Nicollette Henry has announced that some 42 percent of the 14,300 students who wrote the April 17 – 18 examinations scored 50% or more in Mathematics, a marked increase from the 38.3 percent pass rate that was recorded in 2018.

The percentage also represents a significant 28.15 percent increase since 2016 when the pass percentage stood at 13.85. Aside from Region 8, the most significant increases in Mathematics were seen in Region 3 which saw a 10% increase moving from a 41.3% pass to a 51.7% pass rate, while Region 2 saw a 6.1 percent increase moving from 32.2 percent last year to 38.3 percent this year.

The significant increases in the performances in Mathematics come following the ministry’s implementation of an Emergency Mathematics Intervention Plan beginning in 2016, which saw a heightened focus on the subject area.

However, the question was raised as to whether the focus on Mathematics was at the expense of other subject

areas. Though Mathematics recorded a significant increase in passes this year, English Language, Social Studies and Science all saw dips in their pass percentages when compared to last year.

In response, the minister reminded that notwithstanding the fall for the varying subject areas, the students are still performing at a significantly improved level compared to where things stood just a few years ago. “Over the past five-year period there is a positive trend with the candidates who traditionally would have scored below 25 percent decreasing, in fact in English, Mathematics and Science we have observed significant progress and we now see that majority of our students are able to gain more than 45 percent pass. Of course there’s still a long way to go, but it’s a start,” the minister said.

This year more than half of the candidates passed English, with 57.4 percent scoring 50 percent or more in the subject. In 2018 the past rate for this subject stood at

60.6 percent.

In Science there was a 42.4 percent pass rate as compared to 2018 when the rate was 46.8 percent. In 2016 the rate was as low as 27.55 percent.

Chief Education Officer (CEO), Marcel Hutson, said that even as the ministry looks to do all it can to address challenges in student performances, other stakeholders also have roles to play to help the process. “It is very clear to us as a ministry that no single entity has all the solutions that are critical in moving an education system forward. We need a coming together of the minds and resources for a collective impact. This year we’ve seen some good signs suggesting we are moving in the right direction. As a ministry we recognise that to grow our organisation we need to grow our people and there is no way around that. We will forever seek to develop programmes to develop our stakeholders,” Hutson noted.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday July 4, 2019

Graham’s Hall, CV Nunes top at NGSA …public school back at helm after seven years

Minister of Education , Dr Nicolette Henry (sitting third from left), Chief Education Officer, Marcel Hutson (sitting third from right) and other Ministry of Education officials, pose with some of this year’s top performers at the NGSA (Adrian Narine photos)

By Tamica Garnett AFTER six years of private school students securing the top spot at the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA), this year’s top performers at the annual examinations were shared by two public school students, Dave Chowtie and Venisha Lall of Graham’s Hall Primary School and C V Nunes Primary School, respectively.

It was Graham’s Hall Primary that had provided the top student back in 2012, the last time a public school student ruled the list. Some 14,300 students sat assessment which was held on the 17 – 18 April, and saw the students tested in Mathematics, English, Social Studies and Science.

Performance results provided by the Ministry of Education (MoE) record 166 students accounting for the top one per cent of performers at the examinations, of which 49, almost 30 per cent, were public school students. A whopping 89 of the students gained the top ten scores recorded.

With a highest possible score of 536, Chowtie and Lall each attained 532, being two of only three public school students who made it into the top nine positions.

Umashankar Singh of Novar Primary School attained 528 to share the ninth position with eight other students.

They were all awarded places at Queen’s College.

Chowtie, therefore, prevailed as the top performer of the Georgetown District, while Lall is Region Two’s highest scorer, and Singh leads for Region Five. Other public schools featuring students in the top one per cent included Leonora, Meten Meer Zorg and Wales Primary in Region Three; St Gabriel’s, Winfer Gardens, St Margaret’s, Stella Maris and North Georgetown Primary in Georgetown; Company Road Primary and Enmore-Hope Primary in Region Four; Cotton Tree and Rosignol Primary in Region Five; Cropper Primary and Cumberland Primary in Region Six; and Regma Primary and One Mile Primary in Region 10.

Several of the country’s top performers, including Chowtie and Lall, were present at the National Centre for Educational and Resource Development (NCERD) Boardroom, Kingston, on Wednesday morning as Minister of Education, Dr. Nicollette Henry, announced the results of this year’s NGSA. Henry said this new development of public school

students returning to the helm of the list came as no surprise to her, as the ministry has been doing much over the past few years to improve on development of the curriculum and teaching techniques in the public primary schools.

“We have noticed a lot more competition between public and private for top positions, and I am pleased,” the minister expressed moments after revealing the results.

“When you have a robust programme you expect a certain level of performance. I actually expected more based on what we put in, but I am pleased that people took their job seriously and they were able to deliver and I look forward to better and greater things.”

This year, the trend of female pupils leading in the top one per cent continued, with girls accounting for 94 of the 166 students. However, the percentage of boys in the top one per cent saw a slight increase, whereas boys made up 40.2% last year, this year they accounted for 43.4% of that top one per cent.

For performances in the other regions, Shemmol Chan of Santa Rosa Primary was the top performer in Region One with 496; in Region Three, Ruth Larson from Academy of Excellence lead the Region’s list after attain-

ing 530; Success Elementary’s Sarita Somai with 529 is the highest scorer in Region Four, Cropper Primary’s Chitra Ramdihal heads Region Six with 520; Sumehra Jardine from St John the Baptist Primary lead Region 7 with 512; Celestia Masir from Madhia Primary had 503 and lead performances in Region 8; at the top of Region 9’s list is Alana Lewis from Hiowa Primary, who had 515, and Region 10 is led by Jasmine Simpson of One Mile Primary who has 523.

Several private schools also continued to excel, with many of the popular ones maintaining quite a number of students in the top one per cent. These include Academy of Excellence, with two students among the four students that shared third place on the list.

Marian Academy, Mae’s Under 12, Success Elementary, the New Guyana School, Genesis Early Childhood, Green Acres Primary, Valmiki Vidyalaya, and Dharmic Rama Krishna were a few of the private schools with multiple students in the top one per cent.

The NGSA is used to determine which secondary school students would be offered a place. Each secondary school is assigned a minimum score a student must at-

tain to be granted placement.

The minimum scores for the country’s top six schools are 519 for Queen’s College; 513 for Bishop’s High; 508 for St Stanislaus College; 504 for St Rose’s High; 500 for St Joseph High; and 480 for President’s College.

This year, at least one student from each of the 11 districts attained marks to be offered a place at one of the top six schools. “This is a good sign and indicator that the reduction in disparities in education delivery is beginning to show fruits. A lot more must be done for the trend to be sustained. More competition between public and private for top positions; top two positions to public school candidates. We have also noticed, over the past five year period, a positive trend with [the] number of candidates scoring below 25 per cent decreasing.”

DO NOT DESPAIR But even as the country began celebrating the achievements of the top performers on Wednesday, Chief Education Officer (CEO), Marcel Hutson, pleaded with those students who did not do so well or secure spots at the nation’s top secondary schools to not despair, and be reminded that NGSA is not the end of

the road. He encouraged the parents to see it as a stepping stone and not a final evaluation for their children.

“I wish to encourage those parents who think that their children may not have done well, not to discourage or despise them. I have seen that time and time again where it leaves the children feeling a sense of underachievement or not having any worth,” Hutson cautioned “So, it is important, as parents, that we do not see these exams as the end total of a child’s life. It is Winston Churchhill that said success is never final, failure is never fatal, it is courage that matters, so we need to encourage our children regardless of how they may have performed in your sight. All of us have our strength and weaknesses which stand to remind us that we need one another and we need to work as a team to ensure each child fulfils their potential in the area of their giftedness.

Each and every child has a gift and it is important that we recognise and nurture that gift.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE THURSDAY July 4, 2019

China to Britain: Keep your 'colonial' hands off Hong Kong BEIJING/LONDON (Reuters) - China told Britain to keep its hands off Hong Kong on Wednesday while London called for Beijing to honor the agreements made when the city was handed over in 1997, escalating a diplomatic spat over the former British colony.

Beijing denounced British Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt as “shameless” and said it had made a diplomatic

complaint to London after he warned of consequences if China neglected its commitments to guarantee basic freedoms. “In the minds of some people, they regard Hong Kong as still under British rule. They forget ... that Hong Kong has now returned to the embrace of the Motherland,” China’s ambassador to London, Liu Xiaoming, said.

“I tell them: hands off Hong Kong and show respect.

This colonial mindset is still haunting the minds of some officials or politicians,” Liu told reporters. The growing war of words between China and Britain follows mass protests in Hong Kong against a now suspended bill that would allow extradition to mainland China. Hundreds of protesters in the former British colony besieged and broke into the legislature on Monday after a demonstration marking the anniversary of return to Chinese rule.

China called the violence an “undisguised challenge” to the “one country, two systems” model under which

Hong Kong has been ruled for 22 years. On Tuesday, Hunt warned of consequences if China did not abide by the Sino-British Joint Declaration in 1984 on the terms of the return of Hong Kong, which allows freedoms not enjoyed in mainland China, including the right to protest.

Advertisement “We can make it clear we stand behind the people of Hong Kong in defense of the freedoms that we negotiated for them when we agreed to the handover in 1997 and we can remind everyone that we expect all countries to honor their international obligations,” Hunt told Reuters.

Hunt is one of two contenders vying to replace Theresa May as British prime minister and his rival Boris Johnson told Reuters on Wednesday that he

Thursday, July 4, 2019 - 05:00 hrs - 6:30hrs

also backed the people of Hong Kong “every inch of the way”. The comments clearly irked Beijing. China’s London envoy scolded Britain and said meddling in Hong Kong would cause a “problem in the relationship” between them.

“The UK government chose to stand on the wrong side: it has made inappropriate remarks not only to interfere in internal affairs of Hong Kong but also to back up the violent law-breakers,” Liu said.

‘SHAMELESS’ Earlier, Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang chided Hunt, saying that only after Hong Kong’s return to China did its people get an “unprecedented” guarantee about democracy and freedom.

“To say that the freedoms of Hong Kong residents is something Britain strived for is simply shameless,” he told a news briefing. “I would like to ask Mr. Hunt, during the British colonial era in Hong Kong, was there any democracy to speak of? Hong Kongers didn’t even have the right to protest.”

China had lodged “stern representations” with Britain both in Beijing and London about Hunt’s remarks, he added.

Britain said it had summoned Liu to the foreign office following his “unacceptable” comments, a government source said. “Message to Chinese govt: good relations between countries are based on mutual respect and honoring the legally binding agreements between them,” Hunt said on Twitter after Liu’s media briefing. “That is the best way to preserve the great relationship between the UK and China.”

RESETTING TIES The turbulence in Hong Kong was triggered by an extradition bill opponents say will undermine Hong Kong’s much-cherished rule of law and give Beijing powers to prosecute activists in mainland

courts, which are controlled by the Communist Party. Hong Kong’s Beijing-backed leader Carrie Lam had strongly promoted the bill, but suspended it on June 15 in the face of public protests against it. Critics have called on her to officially kill the bill, but she has resisted.

Britain and China had been seeking to reset ties after a row over the disputed South China Sea last year, with Chinese Vice Premier Hu Chunhua visiting London last month to oversee the start of a link between its stock exchange and that of Shanghai. Confrontation and lawlessness in Hong Kong could damage its reputation as an international business hub and seriously hurt its economy, China’s top newspaper, the People’s Daily, said in an editorial.

“It will not only serve no purpose, but will also severely hinder economic and social development,” the ruling Communist Party’s official paper said, denouncing what it called artificially created division and opposition.

China has blamed Western countries, particularly the United States and Britain, for offering succor to the protests. In an editorial, the official China Daily, an English-language newspaper Beijing often uses to send its message to the world, condemned “outside agitations”.

“What has also been notable is the hypocrisy of some Western governments - the United States and United Kingdom most prominently - which have called for a stop to the violence, as if they have had nothing to do with it,” the paper said. “But, looking back at the whole protest saga, they have been deeply involved in fuelling it since its inception.”

Wednesday July 3, 2019

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GUYANA CHRONICLE THURSDAY July 4, 2019

Antigua PM advocates need for Caribbean bank to deal with corresponding banking CASTRIES, St. Lucia, Jul 3, CMC – Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne Wednesday called for the establishment of a Caribbean bank that would allow the region to counteract the position of international banks regarding corresponding banking.

Caribbean countries have been arguing that the threat by banks in developed countries to withdraw correspondent banking services would exclude the region from the global finance and trading system with grave consequences for maintenance of financial stability, economic growth, remittance flows and poverty alleviation.

Browne, who is leading the region’s response to the issue, told the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC) that the region has been making “slow progress” on dealing with the matter. “But at the same time there’s still a problem. The corresponding banks continue to take this policy of risk and return, so as far as they are concerned the banks in the OECS (Organistion of Eastern Caribbean States) in particular are too small and they are

in essence looking to bank larger banks within the region which then forces us to consolidate to have bigger banks.

There may even be the need for us to have a Caribbean bank, that is a bank that is owned by various indigenous banks in the Caribbean and one that could have branches in the US diaspora, UK diaspora (and) Canadian diaspora in order to provide services to the Caribbean in the diaspora.”

He said such an initiative would allow for the provision of corresponding banking in the region, especially the smaller ones. “My understanding is that there is an informal threshold about a billions US dollars, so that generally speaking, banks that have less than a billion US dollars would almost be not bankable for corresponding banking”. The Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister, who is here to attend the 40th meeting of Caribbean Community (CARICOM) leaders, said the irony of the entire situation is that “most of our banks, have less than one billion US in assets. “It has been a very difficult proposi-

tion for us. However we have decided to raise the ante and to increase our advocacy because corresponding banking in essence is a public global good so I cannot be looked upon exclusively from the standpoint of risk and return because in essence if we were to do that then you would be literally de-bank certain regions and certain countries”.

Browne said the region would continue to bring greater awareness to the various stakeholders including regulators in the United States, Europe and Canada to some extent “so that they could understand it is not just about risk and return but it is really about a fundamental right. “Every single human being should have the right to move money and to receive money. If you can’t move money and you can’t receive that money then it means that you can’t purchase goods and you can’t get paid for the services that you provide”.

In-coming CARICOM chairman and host Prime Minister Allen Chastanet, said he welcomed the idea of establishing a single Caribbean bank, adding “we have also come to

the conclusion we now need to reduce that risk”.

He said a former governor of the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB) had indicated a solution would be to have all of the indigenous banks in the region to form one bank. He said whilst this may be a difficult proposition “what we have been talking about is to form one compliance authority,” adding “that’s the change. “The world did not understand what compliance was before, it’s the fastest growing industry in the whole world in terms of compliance because as you ask one question it compels you to ask many more questions. “In my humble opinion, what has happened is that we have become so intimidated by the loss of corresponding banking that our own compliance agencies have become excessive and in some times it is now reducing the size of the amount of money coming down in and out of our region. “So by creating one compliance department that is properly manned and the indigenous banks would pay for those services on a use basis that

may be a way to solve the problem …and I think Prime Minister Browne is 100 per cent right if in fact that is not moving fast enough”.

He said another way of looking at the problem of corresponding banking is to follow the Mexico model and work with the country “and use their banks to assist us”, Prime Minister Browne said he believes the region should also consider getting together and purchase Scotiabank operations in the region.

“I thought that was an excellent opportunity for the OECS counties in particular to come together and purchase the branches,” he said noting that it would have required at least 98 million US dollars for the nine branches “with perhaps about three billion UIS dollars in assets. “I thought that was an excellent opportunity for the region which would have helped us to have one major bank that would have branches in the diaspora to provide banking services to Caribbean people in the diaspora,” Browne said.

Last November, the Trinidad-based Republic Fi-

nancial Holdings Limited (RFHL) announced that it was seeking to acquire Scotiabank operations in several Caribbean countries. Antigua and Barbuda and Guyana had initially expressed reservations about the proposed acquisition, with St. John’s indicating that it would not be issuing a vesting order to facilitate the move. The RFHL statement said that the banks being acquired are located in Guyana, St. Maarten, Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

It said that the purchase price is US$123 million, which represents US$25 million consideration for total shareholding of Scotiabank Anguilla Limited; and a premium of US$98 million over net asset value for operations in the remaining eight countries. Antigua and Barbuda has said that it wants assurances that local banks will be given priority to purchase Scotiabank’s operations on the island and that local persons’ investments and savings will be protected.

GRENADA MIGRATION--Police dismiss reports of 'influx of Venezuelans'

GRENADA-MIGRATIONPolice dismiss reports of “influx of Venezuelans” ST. GEORGE’S, Grenada, Jul. 3, CMC – Assistant Commissioner of Police Jessmon Prince has dismissed reports of an influx of Venezuelan refugees.

The top law enforcement officer, in a press conference held earlier this week said this is despite an announcement from the US that it’s Naval Hospital Ship “Comfort” will be offering its

services to the island during a five months humanitarian mission that will take it to countries “overwhelmed”

by Venezuelans refugees.

“Comfort” began its journey last month and during its deployment, the ship will make stops in Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Grenada, Haiti, Jamaica, Panama, Saint Lucia, St. Kitts and Nevis, and Trinidad and Tobago.

It is scheduled to be in Grenada in September.

“We do not have a situation of any influx of Venezuelans we have people who come here normally like on vacation spend their time and go back, if they are here illegally, they will be arrested, charged and we deported them. We have not had anybody coming here under any refugee status from Venezuela,” Prince said when questioned about the current state of Venezuelans arriving at the island’s ports of entry.

Data from the Grenada Tour-

ism Authority revealed that in 2017 and 2018 , over 400 Venezuelans arrived in the country.

When comparing the first five months of 2018 and 2019, it shows a reduction in arrivals, between January to May 2018, 216 Venezuelans arrived here while for January to May 2019 the amount went down to 103.

Prince used the occasion to confirm that Venezuelans like other nationals have had to be deported for violation

of immigration laws such as overstaying without permission from an Immigration Officer. “We have had to deport Venezuelans all the time, they have been coming here time immemorial and we have not seen any difference in what we have,” he said.

Venezuela’s Ambassador in Grenada Jorge Alfonzo Guerrero Veloz has also confirmed that his embassy has not received any information from Government or any agency in

Grenada that the island has had requests from Venezuelans seeking asylum or refugee status in accordance with international convention. “From our knowledge, the island Grenada is not overwhelmed by Venezuelan refugees, no economic refugees are here,” Jorge said.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE THURSDAY July 4, 2019

'Co-ops 4 Decent Work'

NAVIGATING Guyana’s misinformation minefield in the quest to arrive at truth oftentimes requires going to the original source.

When Guyana achieved republican status in 1970, it was renamed the Cooperative Republic of Guyana.

That over the years “cooperative” was axed from official documents and the intent behind the name became distorted, curiosity surrounds this aspect of the nation’s identity. Few can deny, in this nation’s politics, the achievement or project of a government which was not initiated by the political party of choice. Thus, it can prove difficult to give credit where it’s due; to continue the work, or seek to improve it. Thankfully, on assuming office, the President David Granger-led administration has reinstated Cooperative to this country’s name and has insisted that it be used in all official communication and become part of our identity.

Guyana still has some

distance to go where it can be recognised and appreciated that irrespective of the group in government, the work done by any government is funded by the people and therefore aborting sound projects or denying the initiators their credit makes no sense. It has proven difficult for this newspaper to source the reason behind the axing of “cooperative” in official documents, though it is pinpointed it began after the 1992 General and Regional Elections. Also known is that the country is identified in international records and by international institutions as the Cooperative Republic of Guyana.

According to President Forbes Burnham, the renaming was a purposeful act.

In the Sophia Declaration (1974), he advised that the People’s National Congress administration named “Guyana a Co-operative Republic to highlight the fact that the Co-operative will be the principal institution for giving the masses the control of our

economy, to emphasise the fact that we aim at making the Co-operative sectors the dominant sector and that the Co-operative is and will be the mechanism for making the small man a real man.”

From 1970 to present, the world has gone through various shades of economic ideologies and foci. Guyana moved from a primary socialist-oriented economy to that of market driven, as other economies around the world have also transitioned or placed emphasis on different aspects of their economy over time. While in the late 1980s, the private sector was expected to be the engine of growth, resulting in the state reducing its marketing focus, the cooperative sector has also been an economic model with responsibility for promoting growth. In this tri-sectoral economy where the State reduced its market focus, this should not prevent the other two sectors from blossoming. The advantage of the cooperative sector is that it is small-man orient-

ed, requiring a minimum of seven members, and easy to establish.

It is known that the traditional employment and economic opportunities are not keeping pace with the number of school leavers and job seekers. Where opportunities are either restricted or unknown, creativity is stifled. There is no doubt that Guyanese are innovative and creative, but where such do not find expression through economic means, it creates hopelessness and dependency, neither of which is good for growth and development.

On Wednesday, we reported on a story where the Ituni Small Loggers and Chainsaw Association has upgraded from a Friendly Society to a Co-operative Society. The conversion from Ituni Small Loggers and Chainsaw Association to Ituni Loggers Co-operative Society Limited took place over the weekend with assistance from the ministry’s Department of Co-operatives.

At the time, the association,

as it was then, was holding its Annual General Meeting.

During that meeting, Head of the Co-operative Department, Perlina Gifth, told the residents that the conversion to a Co-operative society will allow for a better management structure. Gifth noted that each member now had the opportunity to become a shareholder, and to be employed under the Decent Work Country Programme.

“The Friendly Society is for organisations with intention of charity, benevolence and clubs. All logging associations operate for economic gain, therefore, as a Co-operative society, you will be legally earning the income you are currently earning.

The goal of the society is to contribute to the development of a logger and the logging sector within the Ituni community and Guyana,” Gifth explained.

It is noteworthy also that the Ituni cooperative has been formed at a time when the Co-operatives Department, in collaboration with the

Guyana National Co-operative Union, is currently celebrating Co-operatives Week under the theme, “Coops 4 Decent Work: The future of Work in Focus.”

To date, the Co-operatives Department has supported the revitalisation of 170 Coops and registered 68 new ones since 2016. With all this being said, if there is the much-needed return in focus on the small man being given the opportunity to create wealth through such endeavours, it would be worthwhile elevating the cooperative department-- presently housed in the Ministry of Social Protection--in structure, visibility, and knowledge-sharing. Our history has proven beyond any doubt that Guyanese are not deprived of sound ideas but that of the avenues and opportunities to realise them. The cooperative sector is still worthwhile as an engine of growth and there is opportunity for upward mobility for citizens should it be allowed to run at full throttle.

Mangal’s misinformation campaign now being carried without checks by media Dear Editor, I READ Stabroek News’ coverage of Mr. Jan Mangal’s comments regarding Frontera’s US$33M signing bonus with great interest.

Being a close follower of news in the oil-and- gas industry, I was not aware that a signing bonus of this magnitude had been paid to the government for this ‘farm in’, as the article implied.

So, I decided to Google and discovered that Guyana did not receive a single cent from this deal, since it was

a transaction between the companies.

Mr. Mangal’s intentional misrepresentation of facts and comparisons helps no one. Instead, I fear it will help to breed more distrust and greater misunderstanding.

For that reason, I now ask Mr. Mangal to clarify a few of his statements for the public.

1) Mr. Mangal claims that “there was already 1.4 billion barrels of oil confirmed” at the time of the 2016 PSA and signing bonus. A quick check Online shows that

estimates were actually 800 million barrels confirmed, with the possibility of up to 1.4 billion. Is this what Mr. Mangal meant?

2) Can Mr. Mangal explain for those of us who know little about the industry what the impact of oil prices may have been on the agreement? Recall that global oil prices had plummeted in February of 2016 and caused concerns about the future of oil. Is it possible that this could have factored in to the government’s decisions at the time?

3) Mr. Mangal explains that we have forfeited “billions” in taxes. Can he explain where that figure comes from and perhaps provide a number that is a bit less vague?

4) Mr. Mangal points to a $1 billion signing bonus that ExxonMobil paid to Brazil. I must assume he is referring to the Campos block auction in late 2017. If that is the case, can Mr. Mangal confirm that Brazil actually received $1 billion from ExxonMobil alone? I can find no evidence that this figure is accurate,

or that ExxonMobil was the only company involved.

5) Finally, Mr. Mangal says that the Campos block was basically unproven, with no confirmed oil. Yet it is my understanding that the Campos was an established basin, with confirmed and potentially prolific potential.

To compare Stabroek to this mature basin is misleading.

Can Mr. Mangal clarify this?

I expect Mr. Mangal will accuse me of proposing these questions because I have some hidden agenda.

Let me address this eventu-

ality now: I ask these questions because if Guyana is to go to the bargaining table, we must have accurate information. We must understand our resource potential in context, and we must use that knowledge as the foundation for honest debate and discussions.

Regards, Clement Smith

GUYANA CHRONICLE THURSDAY July 4, 2019

‘To succeed we must all be involved’

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-says new CARICOM Chairman

…calls for timeline to strengthen, reform secretariat

By Navendra Seoraj in St Lucia AS Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) member states prepare to meet over the next two days, new Chairman of CARICOM, Prime Minister of Saint Lucia, Allen Chastanet, has reminded them that in order to succeed every stakeholder must be involved.

Heads of Government will be engaged in caucus and plenary during the 40th Regular Meeting of CARICOM Heads of Government in Saint Lucia.

From climate change concerns to fighting for tax justice and fiscal sovereignty, CARICOM has had to let the world know that it is here and will be heard, said Chastanet during his remarks at the opening ceremony of the meeting at the Royalton Hotel on Wednesday.

He said those and other

issues require CARICOM and Small Island Developing States to make some bold choices to secure mere existence.

“We must be all in...the meeting is taking place in a critical time in the life of the region...a time when we could show the strength in our united front on key international issues, a time when we can inspire the people of the region and remind them of the necessity of CARICOM,” said Chastanet, adding that it is also a time to reflect on each other’s individual successes and collective achievements.

He believes that CARICOM is at a stage where some “serious introspection” is required on their part. “Our individual size requires us to act as one yet we only talk, holding on to our individual sovereignty...our survival and obligations to our citizens require that we take the necessary action,” said the

Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis, Timothy Harris

Chairman of CARICOM and Prime Minister of St. Lucia, Allen Chastanet

chairman of CARICOM. To achieve this, he said the community must set a timeline to complete the reform and strengthening of its secretariat.

This will, however, not happen if CARICOM is dependent on a chairperson who is only in the seat for six months. “We need to seek professional assistance and appoint a select committee to over-

see this critically important transition,” Chastanet suggested, adding that a strong secretariat is necessary if the community is to strengthen its regional approach.

In addition, part of the process includes ensuring that the budget of the secretariat reflects the mandate, which they set out.

While reforming the secretariat should be high on

the agenda, Chastanet said the impact of major global shocks, recession and natural disasters have left the region scarred, weakened and vulnerable.

More urgently, the community is losing competiveness to other regions due to the high cost of inefficiency of national governance and because the community is not maximising the opportunities in areas such as the creative industries, sports, tourism and the blue economy.

These difficult times, he said, require CARICOM to follow the footsteps of its forefathers and to also take bold, innovative and courageous steps.

“We must remember and recognise the genius in our region that resulted in the establishment of UWI, CDB, OECS, and so forth, said Chastanet.

He said it is clear that the community has lost momentum but, he is optimistic that it will

regain the confidence of the Caribbean people. Outgoing Chairman of CARICOM, Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis, Timothy Harris also said it has been recognised that CARICOM has not been perfect but, has been improving. “Yes there has been progress but it has been incremental while challenges have exponentially increased,” he said. The inherent vulnerabilities compounded by the growing existential threats do not allow CARICOM the luxury of time. “If we are to survive we must accelerate our processes of common action, if we are to thrive we must be transformational and not incremental,” said Harris, adding that the region must leap frog and not just keep up.

Ramotar explains why he prorogued Parliament Dear Editor, MR. Eusi Kwayana, in a letter published in the ‘Stabroek News’ of June 22, 2019, stated that the PPP/C government of 2011 to 2015 prorogued the National Assembly ‘without explanation’. This is incorrect.

By way of background, let me note that the ‘No-Confidence’ Motion of 2014 was moved by the smaller party in the National Assembly at the time, the AFC. In a public statement, I said that I was proroguing the Parliament

to give time for discussions.

At that time, I thought that we could have found some grounds to keep moving forward. My expectations were based on the fact that the APNU, the larger of the two Opposition Parties, did not move the motion. That suggested to me that they may not have agreed with the move.

I invited the then Leader of the Opposition to a meeting and sought to find agreement on issues. In the search for common ground,

we spoke of the need for Local Government Elections.

Mr. Granger was all for that.

I agreed that we should have it. For me, it was not difficult to agree on that, since that was one of the things I had planned to do. Unfortunately, I had a one-seat minority in the National Assembly, and the Opposition was doing its best to sabotage all government’s efforts.

The opposition to the Amaila Falls Hydro Project, the opposition to the Anti-Money Laundering Bill,

the voting against many budget proposals, for example, against the whole Capital Budget for the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs, the cut in the budget to pay contract workers, to name just a few. I told Mr. Granger that to move ahead with preparations for holding Local Government Elections would require him not to support the No-Confidence Motion, or to use his influence to get the motion withdrawn. He was not prepared to do so. He said to me that he had given his

word to the AFC to support their motion.

It was clear, therefore, that we could not find common ground. So, when the prorogation period came to an end, instead of renewing it, which I could have legally done, I decided to call the elections and seek a new mandate from the people.

Mr. Kwayana is wrong in implying that what I did was similar to what this regime is doing. It is as different as cheese is to chalk. I respected, defended and upheld

the Constitution at all times during my stint in the Presidency.

Unfortunately, we can’t say the same for this regime. Casting blame on both sides will not solve anything, Mr. Kwayana.

You should call a spade, a spade.

Regards, Donald Ramotar Former President

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GUYANA CHRONICLE THURSDAY July 4, 2019

Irfaan Ali ‘Pradoville’ land sales case now set for August

By Clestine Juan MAGISTERIAL proceedings pertaining to charges against People’s Progressive Party (PPP) presidential candidate, Irfaan Ali, have been deferred until August, 2019.

Ali is facing some 19 charges for allegedly conspiring to defraud the state of some $174M in ‘Pradoville’ land sales.

The matter was called before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday; however, the matter had to be adjourned pending a High Court hearing of the civil proceedings filed

by Ali to challenge the 19 charges.

Ali brought the matter to the High Court after he was charged with 19 counts of fraud in November, 2019.

The chief magistrate adjourned the matter to August 26, 2019, pending the outcome of the High Court proceedings which is due at the end of July,2019 by Justice Franklyn Holder.

The charges read that between 2010 and 2015, Ali conspired with persons unknown to defraud the Government of Guyana when he acted recklessly in presenting the value of 19 plots of state land situated at Plantation

Sparendaam and Goedverwagting, East Coast Demerara, and sold the said lands at a grossly undervalued price without first obtaining a valuation to determine the true value of the lands.

Ali is accused of defrauding the state of over $174M after selling the lands at an undervalued prices. The former minister of housing is accused of selling the lands to former President Bharrat Jagdeo; former Cabinet Secretary Dr. Roger Luncheon; and former ministers Priya Manickchand, Dr. Jennifer Westford, Robert Persaud and Clement Rohee; Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Shalimar Ali-Hack, and former army head Gary Best and Fortune Developers Inc., Guyana.

He also sold lands at the locations to former General Manager of the Guyana Gold Board and daughter of former President Donald Ramotar, Lisa Ramotar; former President of the Private Sector Commission, Ramesh Dookhoo; the son of former Labour Minister Dr Nanda Gopaul, Dr Ghansham Singh; former Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) Chief Executive Officer Rajendra Singh; former president of the Caribbean Development Bank, Compton Bourne; Andrew Bishop, former Chief

Executive Officer of the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission; former Chief Executive Officer of the Guyana Water Inc (GWI) Shaik Baksh, Safraaz Khan and George Hallaq.

Ali is being represented by attorneys-at-law Anil Nandlall, Priya Manickchand, Jaya Manickchand, Sase Gunraj, and David Kissoon. Special Organised Crime Unit Prosecutor Patrice Henry is representing the state.

The controversial ‘Pradoville Two’ issue came to the fore when the coalition government commenced several investigations into suspicious financial transactions of state officials that bordered or amounted to corrupt practices and/or abuse of office. It was found that several persons close to the last government had received prime seafront lands belonging to the state at extraordinarily low cost.

It was reported that the ‘Pradoville’ recipients, the majority of whom held very high positions within private or state organisations, received and later built posh or luxury homes on the properties after paying as little as $114 per square foot; citizens, on the other hand, were being made to pay as much as $500 per square foot for ordinary land.

PPP presidential candidate Irfaan Ali

The ‘Pradoville’ arrangement was made during the PPP’s term of office, 20102015. Ali was the Housing Minister during that period.

Jagdeo’s property is easily the largest plot of land with the biggest mansion, equipped with a pool and other amenities.

The ‘Pradoville Two’ matter became even more controversial when it was related that taxpayers’ money was used to develop the land and remove a transmitter belonging to the National Communications Network at a cost of around $100M to develop the scheme for the prominent persons going to

live there.

There was even greater controversy surrounding the seafront properties, since there was no advertising of the state lands and it appeared that all the recipients who got property were handpicked by the then government.

In September 2010, parcels of land each measuring 0.3030 of an acre were sold to Robert Persaud, Shaik Baksh, Clement Rohee, Lisa Ramotar, Dr. Compton Bourne and Priya Manickchand for GUY$1.5M. Jagdeo purchased two acres for 9.8M and Jennifer Westford bought 0.3186 of an acre for GUY$1.

5; Ghansham Singh paid GUY$1,502,000 for 0.3005 of an acre; Andrew Bishop, Roger Luncheon, Rajendra Singh, Safraz Khan, and Ramesh Dookhoo each purchased 0.3005 of an acre for GUY$1.5M. George Hallaq and Nada Hallaq each paid GUY$5 million for 0.8422 of an acre, and Future Developers International (Guyana) Inc., whose sole director is Dr. Rajendra Singh, purchased 0.5534 of an acre for GUY$3 million.

The Director of Public Prosecutions Shalimar Hack paid GUY$1.4M for 0.2767 of an acre, and former Chief of Staff of the Guyana De-

fence Force Gary Best, paid GUY$1.5M for 0.3005 an acre.

In 2018 former Finance Minister under the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) administration Dr. Ashni Singh; and former National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Winston Brassington were charged with five counts of misconduct in public office, contrary to public law.

The charges related to the selling of state-owned land to Queens Atlantic, National Hardware Guyana Limited, Scady Business Corporation and Multi-Cinemas Guyana Inc. One of the forensic audit reports on the operations of NICIL suggests that under the PPP administration, NICIL engaged in malpractices and had made poor decisions on behalf of the people of Guyana.

The audit, which was conducted by former Auditor General Anand Goolsarran had recommended criminal and/or disciplinary action against all those responsible for the interception of state revenues totalling $26.858B, in violation of the constitution. Goolsarran had said that several laws were broken.

Grant citizenship to those good Cubans Dear Editor, ACCORDING the Guyana Citizenship Act (Chapter 14:01, Second Schedule, Paragraph 1): “The qualifications for naturalisation of an alien who applies therefor are that he resided in Guyana throughout the period of twelve months immediately preceding

the date of the application; that during the seven years immediately preceding the said period of twelve months he has resided in Guyana for periods amounting in the aggregate to not less than five years; that he is of good character; and that he intends in the event of a certificate being granted to him to

reside in Guyana.”

In Paragraph 2, the same Guyana Citizenship Act states: “The minister may, if in the special circumstances of any particular case he thinks fit (...) allow such shorter periods of residence as he may determine to be reckoned in lieu of the periods mentioned in Paragraph 1 (a) and (b).”

Elections in Guyana are around the corner.

Each party has the right to do everything in order to win voters, as long as those actions are not illegal or harm someone.

Information provided by https://www.caribbeannewsnow.com/ (Surge in Cubans and Haitians trafficking through Guyana) shows that a total

of 17,615 Cubans appear to have not left Guyana in the period 2013-April 2018. Most of these Cubans are doctors, nurses, lawyers, teachers, engineers, technicians, et cetera. Most of them hold a BA certificate or a Diploma. They are professionals who are escaping from the tight economic situation in their coun-

try. Why not grant Guyana citizenship to those good Cubans who do so much for this wonderful land of many waters?

Regards, Pablo Diaz Diamond, East Bank Demerara

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GUYANA CHRONICLE THURSDAY July 4, 2019

‘The path to success is hard work, dedication’

…top NGSA pupils say

By Vishani Ragobeer A total of 14, 300 candidates from across all 10 administrative regions and 11 educational districts of Guyana wrote the 2019 National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA), with 166 candidates making up the top one percent.

The Guyana Chronicle caught up with some of the pupils from this cohort of top academic performers.

Shrirish Persaud of the Academy of Excellence, in Region Three, copped the third place position alongside Ethan Bianchini from Marian Academy, Ruth Larson from the Academy of Excellence and Shivani Challu from the Mae's Under 12 School. They all gained 530 marks.

“I was expecting to get Queen's College but I didn't really know that I would be in the top 10. I feel very happy and very excited about my achievements,” Persaud related. For him, NGSA was a bit challenging, since he had enough homework to keep him occupied in the evenings and nights and then he took it upon himself to rise early in the mornings to study. But for him, this is just another stepping stone on his journey towards becoming an aeronautical engineer.

With the good results in the bag, he will be spending his August vacation abroad, and is eagerly anticipating his next few years at Queen’s College.

Bianchini also shared that it was a lot of studying and revising the work done in school, but for him it was prayers that gave him the extra edge. He was happy and shocked, simultaneously, when he heard he came third in the country but shared his belief that once you work hard and believe in yourself, nothing is impossible. “And prayers help to calm your nerves,” he said too.

Bianchini will spend the next few years pursuing his secondary education with the hope of one day becoming an attorney-at-law. And the reason for this career choice, according to him, is that he is just intrigued and fascinated by all of the debates that are ongoing in Guyana about dual citizenship and the no-confidence motion.

Then there’s Challu, who highlighted: “I was very shocked, I couldn't believe it but I know I worked very hard and it was possible.” For

her, academic success was made possible only through the massive support she received from her parents, older siblings. In fact, Challu shared: “They always pushed me to do my best and they helped me when I had to stay up late and wake up early in the mornings.” Challu hopes that one day- after many years of further studies of course- she can become a cardiologist.

Sarita Somai from the Success Elementary School gained 529, earning her the seventh place position in the country. Like many of her fellow top performers, she did not imagine that she would be one of the top performers. Nevertheless, she said, “I expected that I would have done well with the amount of work I did and with the amount of help I got from my friends, teachers and parents.”

Ajala Maharaj from Marian Academy shared that seventh place position with Somai, and indicated that she was “kind of shocked” when she found out about her position. For her, NGSA was all about doing her best while still making her family, friends, teachers and principal proud.

But she also stressed: “It wasn't all about the books and studies, I had time to play with my friends.” Nine students shared the ninth place position, earning the fourth highest set of marks528 marks to be preciseoverall.

Jaaya Shiwraj from the Academy of Excellence was one of those nine persons and she was so excited when she found out how well she had done. “It was my heart’s desire (to be a top performer),” Jaaya related. “We would have practice work every afternoon and I would push through late hours in the nights and wake up early in the mornings.”

But for her, extra lessons were not necessary. Instead she tried to discipline herself and work, as much as possible, on her own. “When I grow up I want to be a lawyer...I want to help others and help so that the [crime] rate could go down,” she said too.

Aditya Sharma, also from the Academy of Excellence, also placed ninth. While he said that he does feel good about his achievements, coming in the ‘top 10’ for the country did come as a huge surprise for him since he did

not believe that he would do this well. In fact, Sharma shared that he thought that he would've gotten the Bishop's High or St. Stanislaus College instead, since he was not the top performer back at this school. He is not sure what to expect from high school as yet, but he is definitely fixated on becoming a scientist one day.

Maaseiah Salikaram, another Success Elementary student, elatedly said that she was thrilled that all of her hard work paid off. She related that it is her aim to one day become a gynaecologist, because she wants to help women.

Akaia Griffith also from the Success Elementary School, said that she did not expect to place ninth in the country, or even do that well, but she affirmed that she worked hard in preparation for the NGSA. Stepping a bit outside of the norm and into a field that is becoming increasingly relevant in the 21st century, Griffith highlighted that she would like to pursue a profession in robotics.

Marlene Crandon, the lone student from the Josel Educational Institute that made the top 10 highlighted: “I prepared by studying. I had to put aside a lot of time for studying and I didn't play too much.” She credited her success to her siblings, teachers and mother- who were all very supportive as she prepared for the NGSA. Simran Arya Edmond 522 of Mae’s Under 12 Primary said she invested her time and energies in studying during her exams period and was very optimistic about gaining Queen’s College.

Quoting American poet and educator, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow the young Edmond said “The heights by great men reached and kept were not attained by sudden flight, but they, while their companions slept, were toiling upward in the night.”

She said during her tireless night studying, her parents ensured that the television and electronic gadgets were out of the picture and the focus was on her studies.

The young lady said her favorite subjects are Science and Mathematics. Focusing on her future and field in education, the young Edmond said that she is aspiring to be either a medical doctor or a lawyer, following the footsteps of her father,

Shrirish Persaud of the Academy of Excellence

Ethan Bianchini from the Marian Academy

Shivani Challu from the Mae's Under 12 School

Sarita Somai from the Success Elementary School

Jaaya Shiwraj from the Academy of Excellence

Aditya Sharma from the Academy of Excellence

Maaseiah Salikaram a Success Elementary student

Akaia Griffith from the Success Elementary School

Ajala Maharaj from the Marian Academy

Marlene Crandon from the Josel Educational Institute

Simran Arya Edmond

Tomon Wilson, from the New Guyana Primary school

attorney-at-Law, Joel Persid-Edmond and mother, former Magistrate Geeta Chandan-Edmond.

She advised other students studying for NGSA next year that it is not about the score in the tests but doing things to the best of their abilities, “winners never quit and quitters never win.”

“Achieving your goals is something that you must dedicate all your energies into before it becomes a reality.

All your goals may or may not add up to your dream,

but it is all about input,” she said. The young Edmond thanked God and her parents for giving her the opportunity to ensure her success.

And Tomon Wilson, from the New Guyana Primary school, gained 521 and also earned himself a spot at Queen’s College.

The young man shared that he was “very excited” about his results, and just as excited to be attending that school. He said that the higher level of education and the exposure to differ-

ent subjects is something that he is very enthusiastic about. “I had to work long and hard but even though I was working hard at some point I stopped to take a short break so I did not stress,” Wilson related. And with Math as his favourite subject, it made studying all the more enjoyable for him. Wilson also aims to one day become a neurologist, because he believes this is a field of science and medicine that he loves and would be able to help lots of people in.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday July 4, 2019

Deborah Leitch tops Enterprise School …Min. Broomes says children need greater community support

By Vishani Ragobeer YOUNG Deborah Leitch is this year’s top achiever of the Enterprise Primary School, after successfully sitting the 2019 National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) and securing a spot at St. Stanislaus College.

Just hours after the results for the 2019 NGSA were announced, Minister of Youth Affairs within the Ministry of the Presidency, Simona Broomes, decided to visit the Enterprise Primary School, located in her D’Urban Backlands community. In more recent times, the minister has been trying to foster a working relationship with the school, in an attempt to improve the quality of education delivered there.

“When I first came here, even the teachers were telling me that they worked so hard and they’re happy for the support, because a lot of the parents don’t come to the school and a lot of children are from Sophia and other communities that persons look at as depressed communities,” Minister Broomes highlighted while on her visit. “Some children come to school without food, they have the feeding programme. I met with the headteacher and they really poured out their hearts.”

And as a result of that, the minister decided that she would give back to her community by working along with the youth and teachers at the school.

Over the past few months she has visited the school, giving them motivational talks, helping to beautify the school and she was even there the morning before this year’s NGSA-- in April-- encouraging the children to hold their faith and do

Minister Broomes shares a photo with the Grade Six pupils of Enterprise Primary School

their best.

Moreover, she told the children that if any of them copped a spot at one of the three top schools -- either Queen’s College, Bishop’s High or St. Stanislaus College -- would receive a gift. This was another way she tried motivating the children to perform at their best.

And young Leitch was determined to put her best foot forward and come out on top, while securing a position at a senior secondary school.

“I was not expecting it, to be honest,” Leitch shared, but said importantly: “If you work hard and put your mind to it you can get what you want.”

Her mother Sharmane Arthur was too overcome with pride to even speak properly. The woman related that she was just too happy that what she instilled in her daughter has come to fruition. “I never write Common Entrance and them things, the first sister wrote [the NGSA] and now she wrote and got Saint’s,” the woman said, adding: “I told her, whatever

Deborah Leitch, the top achiever of Enterprise Primary, receiving her gift from Minister of Youth Affairs within the Ministry of the Presidency, Simona Broomes [Adrian Narine photos]

you put in that is what is going to come out and I thank God.” Speaking with this newspaper, Deborah, who wants to be a professional chef one day, noted that her success would not be possible without the hard

work done by her teachers too.

“I worked with my Headteacher and she did lessons, she stayed when she was supposed to go and she even came on Sundays, when she was supposed to go to church, and

January-May visitor arrivals at 122,967

BETWEEN the months of January and May 2019, a total of 122,967 visitors came to these shores, the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) has announced.

According to a release from the body, the figure represents a 9.2% increase in comparison to the same period in 2018, during which the country received 112,578 visitors.

The GTA said that visitors from the Caribbean accounted for 49.4%, while those from the United States and Canada accounted for 31.1% and 7.1% respectively.

In January this year, this publication reported that, in its effort

to continue the development of the local tourism product, the GTA embarked on developing the map and plan through the engagement of stakeholders, building partnerships, increasing tourism investment and improving resource efficiencies.

Director of the GTA, Brian Mullis, said at the time that the aims are to strengthen the capacities of leaders in the travel and tourism sector and move toward a demand-based approach to guide tourism product and infrastructure development.

At the time, Mullis said he believed that the greater the investment in travel and

GTA President Brian Mullis

tourism-related product development, infrastructure, and local capacity, the greater the tourism sector can contribute to the economic transformation which prioritises a ‘Green’ State agenda.

she taught us,” Deborah said, while expressing her profound gratitude. Acting Headteacher and Grade Six Teacher, Allison Blenman, related that it has been almost a decade since the school was able to produce a student to secure a place in one of the ‘top schools’.

“With Minister Broomes, we have collaborated and we are thinking about giving some extra classes during the afternoons from maybe three to five o’ clock,” the Headteacher said. She also encouraged the parents to come out and play a greater role in their children’s education by working hand in hand with the teachers of the school.

Minister Broomes herself noted that before heading into the new school year, she and the teachers will determine some “strategic ways” of supporting the students, since the Enterprise Primary must perform at the same level as any other school in Guyana. As part of the minister’s visit, the young girl was awarded a tablet

that was gifted to the minister by the owner Star Computers, as she went there purchase the tablet. This act of gratitude was one that Minister Broomes said is so critical in supporting all of Guyana’s children.

“I want to encourage persons in communities, you don’t have to be a minister, you have elder persons in your communities --- your pastors, your community leaders--- how could you support and try to inspire [the youth],” she said. According to her, not everything should be left in the hands of the government. Rather, she opined that each community must support the children, their families and the teachers. “I think if we all look at it in this way, then Guyana’s future would be really bright.

We’re depending on our young people, Guyana needs our young people,” she stated firmly.

Teen remanded for alleged drug-trafficking RANDY Smith was on Wednesday remanded to prison by Principal Magistrate Faith McGusty at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court on a drug-trafficking charge.

Smith, a 17-year-old fish-cleaner, appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court and pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Particulars of the charge state that on June 30, 2019, at D’Urban Street, Georgetown, Smith had 266 grammes of cannabis in his possession for the purpose of trafficking.

According to Police Prosecutor Ceon Blackman, on the day in question, a police officer on patrol in the D’Urban Street area saw Smith on a

bicycle acting in a suspicious manner. As a result, the officer decided to stop him and search a bag which he (Smith) had in his possession; the search yielded the narcotic.

The teen told the court that he does not have any relatives living in Georgetown and on the day in question, he got a call from his brother to collect a bag from someone on D’Urban Street. “I had no knowledge of what was inside,” Smith told the court.

Blackman objected to Smith being granted his pre-trial liberty, citing the prevalence of the offence.

The magistrate ruled in the prosecution’s favour and remanded Smith to prison until July 24.2019.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE THURSDAY July 4, 2019

GuyTIE 2020 launched …business minister urges commercial sector to maintain high standards

…says export strategy in the making THE 2020 Guyana Trade and Investment Exhibition (GuyTIE) was launched with a call from the Minister of Business, Haimraj Rajkumar, for the commercial sector to maintain high standards in the provision of goods and services. The challenge comes as the Government crafts an export strategy.

GuyTIE 2020 will be held from February 13-15, 2020 at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre under the theme ‘Made Locally, Trading Globally.’ The biennial event, the second of its kind, is organised by the Ministry of Business, in collaboration with the Guyana Office for Investment (GO-Invest), Caribbean Export Development Agency (Caribbean Export) and Private Sector Associations.

On Wednesday, during the launching ceremony at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, the Minister of Business challenged the production and services industries to provide products and services that are of high quality and on par with global standards.

“If we are to benefit from this new sector (oil and gas), we have got to ensure that we are prepared, not only to serve the sector but to benefit from opportunities that will arise as a result of increased demand and increased government spending in the economy.

This calls for international certification of the highest level for quality standards and health and safety,” the Business Minister said.

Noting that a concerted effort is needed to ensure that local producers are able to competitively access international markets, the Business Minister said Government is already taking decisive actions. “I am happy to report that there is a project currently underway that will seek to address an export strategy for Guyana. This strategy is expected in another six to eight months,” Minister Rajkumar disclosed.

He noted, however, while GuyTIE focuses on creating opportunities for export-ready businesses, it is up to the participating entities to commit to the entire process that would allow them to build capacity while simultaneously

marketing the goods and services. It was explained that GuyTIE includes various training and capacity building initiatives that will help exhibitors to maximise the benefits from participating in the trade expo.

“There must first be an acknowledgement that currently we are not where we should be and there is always something to learn.

Continuous improvement is what will lend itself to innovative products being delivered to the market and business staying on top of the game,” Minister Rajkumar posited. He, therefore, called on exhibitors to capitalise on the trade and investment platform, and build their capacity.

Caribbean Export’s Competitiveness and Export Promotion Manager, Damie Sinanan said while GuyExpo has linked businesses with consumers, it held little value in terms of exportation, and business to business ventures. Reflecting on the inaugural event in 2018, Sinanan said it was very successful, and has set the foundation for GuyTIE to become a world class trade fair.

Anand Harrilall, Trade Commissioner at the High Commission of Canada, said the High Commission and the Trade Facilitation Office of Canada partnered with the Business Ministry in 2018 to help prepare and promote export-ready firms for international markets, including Canada. “Through our engagement we saw GuyTIE 2018 playing a pivotal role in helping businesses understand export markets; as well as connecting with other players of the industry which fosters the process of learning,” the Trade Commissioner said.

According to him, GuyTIE provides a unique forum for businesses to network with other local and international industry players, in addition to providing an opportunity to grow the customer base of companies.

“Each visitor can be a prospective customer, through an unparalleled opportunity for face-to-face interactions. This escalates the potential for lead generation, something advertising and marketing approaches fail to deliver,” Harrilall explained.

It is the intention of the Canadian High Commission to work with Guyanese firms, through the Ministry of Business, ahead of GuyTIE 2020, to improve their capabilities to do international business.

As the country experiences a new development paradigm, Harrilall said significant transformation in the commercial sector is required. Responsible conduct, efficiency, liberation and comprehensive investment frameworks are among qualities that would build investors’ confidence, he posited.

“The IMF reported economic growth rate of 4.1 per cent in 2018 for Guyana and projects this to reach 4.4 per cent in 2019. NASDAQ posits, Guyana is the fastest growing economy globally with an expected growth rate of 33 per cent and 22.9 per cent in 2020 and 2021 respectively. This is largely driven by the construction and services sectors, and oil production commencing in 2020,” the Trade Commissioner detailed.

Noting that Guyanese businesses will be operating in an increasingly complex environment, he said there would be need to bolster confidence through innovation and cooperation to take risks and address challenges.

“Only with bold innovations and reforms can Guyanese companies survive this new development paradigm.

There is therefore an urgent need for concerted efforts on the part of Government and the private sector to promote innovation and foster new growth drivers.

We need to leverage the opportunities associated with technological disruptions such as digital economy, artificial intelligence and nanotechnology to diversify economic interests, revamp antiquated industries to be more competitive in a modern economy and forging new forms and models of business, and foster new industries,” the Trade Commissioner explained.

Chief Executive Officer of Go-INVEST, Owen Verwey; Chairman of the Private Sector Commission, Captain Gerry Gouveia and Coordinator of GuyTIE, Tameca Sukdeo-Singh were among the officials that were present at the launch-

ing of GuyTIE 2020. GuyTIE is intended to promote packaged local investment opportunities for foreign

direct investment and local investment. It is expected to have between 50 and 100 local exhibitors and

approximately 50 foreign exhibitors from the region and further afield.

Minister of Business, Haimraj Rajkumar, greeting PSC Chairman, Captain Gerry Gouveia, shortly after the launch of GuyTIE 2020 at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre. Looking on, from left, are: GuyTIE Coordinator, Tameca Sukdeo-Singh; Chief Executive Officer of Go-INVEST, Owen Verwey; and Caribbean Export’s Damie Sinanan (Photo by Delano Williams)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday July 4, 2019

Massy Group enhances Colombia Health Centre MASSY Group, Land of Plenty, Essequibo Coast branch recently enhanced the surroundings of the Colombia Health Centre in keeping with their corporate social responsibilities.

According to director of the group, Christpen Bobb-Semple, the company renovated the fence, painted and donated a signboard to

the centre. A number of detergents were also handed over to the workers at the centre.

Speaking to the media, BobbSemple said Massy Group is happy to partner with the centre in creating a friendlier environment. He also thanked the hard working staff of the branch for their efforts in painting and cleaning the surroundings of Staff members standing in front of Colombia Health Centre

Staff members along with the medical staff at the centre during the handover ceremony

Staff member erecting a signboard at the Colombia Health Centre

the health centre. Fruits trees were also planted.

When asked why the Colombia Health Centre was selected, Bobb-Semple said the

company is located within the same district as the centre, and as such, that was taken into consideration. Last year, the company reached

out to Reliance Nursery Annex and the previous years to Lima Sands Nursery.

Medex attached to the Colombia Nursery Winifred Dover extended gratitude to the company for the timely intervention. She said medical professionals attached to the health centre feel much more comfortable now that their environment benefited from the enhancement project.

Dover said approximately 200 residents within Affiance to Land of Plenty area will directly benefit from the medical services of the health centre.

“We are very happy and satisfied with the work, we want to sincerely thank Massy Group for their loyalty and commitment,” Medex said.

North Sophia resident gets six months for wounding PRINCIPAL Magistrate Faith McGusty on Wednesday sentenced Raphael Burnette to six months imprisonmen for wounding his fellow North Sophia villager.

Burnette, 26, appeared before the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court and ad-

mitted that on June 25, 2019, at North Sophia, Georgetown, he wounded Rene Summerset so as to cause him actual bodily harm.

Burnette told the court that the victim is known to him, since they live in the same village. On the day in question, Summerset was

standing in front of him and he became annoyed. While armed with a knife blade, Burnette stabbed Summerset to the left side of his back.

The magistrate considered Burnette’s early guilty plea before passing sentence.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, July 4, 2019

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Ministers fan out on ECD RESIDENTS of Beterverwagting/Triumph welcomed Ministers of the Government into their community on Wednesday to talk about their needs, the government’s achievements and its plans for the future.

Meeting the residents were Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams; Minister of Public Telecommunications, Cathy Hughes and Minister

‘first oil’, Guyana has been transforming at a rapid rate.

Giving an example, she stated that there are more airlines flying in to Guyana than four years ago with people who are eager and willing to invest.

Hughes urged the residents to ensure that they put themselves in a position to benefit and to ensure that, come 2020, a “responsible government” is in place to manage Guyana’s oil wealth. The trait of a re-

…BV residents assured of gov’t support to develop their community

the opportunity to speak about her Ministry and the 174 Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) Hubs which have been set up countrywide, including the visited

that with an incredible amount of wealth heading to Guyana, the key question is not whether Guyana will be rich but who is best suited to manage these resources. When the co-

between the two Administrations and questioning the audience “who will you give the oil wealth to distribute”, the scores in attendance shouted “Granger!” To ensure that all are counted in the coming elections, Williams also stressed the importance of the revision of the now-expired Voters List ---which the Opposition hopes to utilise in the elections---by house-to-house registration.

residents that they can look forward to improvements in their communities as it is not the government’s intention to leave a single community behind, in present and future management. However, he explained that the community’s NDC is funded by taxation which is often times inefficient --- a problem not specific to the community but countrywide.

At the same time,

Residents of Beterverwagting/Triumph come out to meet Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams (Delano Williams photo)

Minister of Public Telecommunications, Cathy Hughes, meets with residents of Beterverwagting/Triumph (Delano Williams photo)

Scores of individuals gather at the Beterverwagting/Triumph Secondary School to meet with the Ministers (Delano Williams photo)

Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman, addresses residents in the presence of other Ministers of Government and Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) members (Delano Williams photo)

of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman. Before assembling at the Beterverwagting/ Triumph Secondary School, Ministers Hughes and Williams participated in a walkabout in the community where they met villagers and invited them to attend the meeting to voice their concerns.

Addressing the audience at the school, Minister Trotman set the stage by stating that he and his colleagues were there to listen to the interests of the people as well as to present themselves as the better option for the Governance of Guyana. He thanked them for their patience shown in the current political situation and urged them not to become confused or “buckled” by the “noise” of those opposing.

Meanwhile, Minsiter Hughes pointed the residents to the fact that, even before

sponsible government, she explained, is one which has the best interest of its people at heart, much like the coalition government which, since 2015, set out on a mission to bring about a “good life” for all Guyanese.

While all of the government’s plans to assist communities have not been realised, she stated that positive reports on Guyana’s economy and its projected growth from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and NASDAQ set the record straight that the country is improving. “We have brought standards back to lives and communities and in government. And guess what? We aren’t where we want to get yet because, as I walk around your community, I see that there are lots of things to be done,” Hughes acknowledged.

However, she also took

community and surrounding communities. She told parents, some of whom were unaware, that at these hubs all the text books needed for school children are available which can save them from having to purchase same.

She also noted the recent collaboration between the government and Machinery Corporation of Guyana Limited (MACORP) which will see the ICT Hubs being utilized for training individuals for the use of heavy duty machinery within the next two months.

“We need young men and women that are trained to drive those excavators and heavy-duty machinery [needed in the oil and gas and mining industry]. The training costs you nothing,” Hughes said to the applause of the audience.

Minister Williams stated

alition government took over, he reminded that Guyana was well-known as a “pariah state”, a “narco-state” and eventually black listed by the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF) in 2013.

“So, what we have been doing comrades, under President Granger and this government, is that we have been cleaning this economy. We have been cleaning the economy of ‘dirty’ money, that’s what they [the People’s Progressive Party] were running on. They weren’t running on any legitimate business,” he said. He urged the residents to “wake up” and to realise that the political battle at hand is all with the intention to stop the Opposition getting its hands on the coming oil wealth.

After proving yet another comparison of management

He garnered much the same level of support from the crowd. Following the brief presentations, members of the audience were given the opportunity to voice their concerns. During the exercise, it was realised that many issues were tied to the work of the Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) and the feeling of residents that more ought to be done.

One resident, Charles Todd, stated that while the works of the government are visible countrywide, he longs to see more being done in general by the NDC. Another resident, Mr. Fortune, stated that the Council and the Region must begin to do more to improve the road networks and the number of streetlights in the community.

Regarding the state of the roads, Minister Williams told

Hughes urged residents to visit the NDC and to attend monthly statutory meetings to ensure that their concerns regarding community development are heard. She also encouraged them to visit only with the interest of working in collaboration with the Council for improvement. Similarly, Chairman of the Beterverwagting/Triumph NDC, Jimmaul Bagot, encouraged residents to take on a collaborative approach in their requests of the Council and was also able to speak to some of the issues raised by residents. Other concerns which came related to National Insurance Scheme (NIS) issues; the need for house lots and the call for something “tangible” to be placed in the 2020 budget for senior citizens.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday July 4, 2019

Top Essequibo NGSA students elated -- Suddie and C V Nunes Primary record outstanding performances

Venisha Devi Lall of C V Nunes Primary

VENISHA Devi Lall, the daughter of Radika Lall, a worker attached to the Anna Regina Town Council, has emerged as the joint national top student when the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) results were announced on Wednesday.

She joined Dave Chowtie of Graham’s Hall Primary who scored 532 marks at the examinations. Lall, a former student at CV Nunes Primary School, Essequibo Coast, Region Two, is also a dancer at the Swarswattie Dance Academy.

The young lady, who was ecstatic at her performance, is one of several students who did exceedingly well and made Region Two proud at the exams.

Bomeka Singh of Huis T’Dieren Primary School, an aspiring lawyer, scored 522 marks at the exams. She credited her success to late night studies and the support of her parents Sunil and Deepa Singh.

Singh, the eldest daughter of her parents, was always a top student at her school.

Pradesh Dwarka of C V Nunes Primary, who also scored 522 marks, said he could not have done well

Bomeka Singh of Huist Dieren Primary

Pradesh Dwarka of C V Nunes Primary

Gevesha Harpaul of C V Nunes Primary

Adaeze Butters of Suddie Primary School Aviana Naraine of Suddie Primary

without the support of his mother, Shazeena Dwarka.

Dwarka told Guyana Chronicle that he was excited and relieved when he heard the good news. The young man wants to become a software engineer and looks forward to continuing his education at the Anan Regina Multilateral School (ARMS).

His classmate, Gevasha Harpaul, who happened to celebrate her birthday on the day of the results, said she could not have asked for a better birthday wish.

She would like to become a paediatrician and will also

Chelsea Ruplall of Suddie Primary

Reshena Singh of Taymonth Manor Primary School

be attending the Anna Regina Multilateral School in the new school year. She is grateful for the support of her

parents Mobena and Vishnu Harpaul and her teachers at the C V Nunes Primary for her success. Harpaul obtained

520 marks at the examinations.

Meanwhile, Aviana Naraine, Adaeze Butters, Radranauth Sankar and Chelesa Ruplall, all made Suddie Primary School proud.

Naraine wants to become a teacher while Butters wants to enter the field of business and Ruplall the sciences.

Yoshoda Beepat of Aurora Primary School, who scored 516 marks, also wants to become a teacher. She thanked the Almighty for his blessings and her parents for their overwhelming support throughout her studies.

Lone top performer from Taymouth Manor Primary, Reshena Singh, who scored 513 marks, told Guyana Chronicle that she wants to become a doctor. She, too, profusely thanked her parents and teachers for their support.

Headmistress of C V Nunes Primary, Binda Wattie Ketwaru, said she is satisfied with the school’s performance at this year’s examinations and congratulated all the students who sat the examinations, especially the top students.

She extended special congratulations to Venisha Devi Lall for making her school and region proud. Ketwaru said she knew Lall would have done well since she was always a top performer. She also thanked her teachers for their dedication to their job.

Region Two Regional Education Officer, Nicola Matthews, also congratulated the pupils, as well as their teachers, for their remarkable performance, and told them how proud she was that the region had produced one of the country’s top achievers.

Couple was shot to head at Eteringbang–– autopsies AUTOPSIES done on a businessman and his reputed wife, who were found dead Friday last at Eteringbang in the Cuyuni-Mazaruni region, revealed that the cause of death was gunshot injuries to the head from contact range.

Reports indicate that the investigations are being treated as a murder/suicide.

Dead are Munishwar Ramkellawan called ‘Harry’, a 36-year-old businessman of Eteringbang Landing, Cuyuni River, and his reputed wife, Marianny Martinez, 26, a Venezuelan. Police said the incident occurred between 03:00 hours and 17:15 hours on Friday at Eteringbang Landing.

Investigations revealed that the couple were in a common- law relationship and operated a fuel business from the premises where they lived on Eteringbang Landing.

A gun, with matching rounds, which was recovered from the scene.

According to eyewitnesses, about 15:00 hrs on Thursday, the couple was seen imbibing at their residence; they continued the activity into the wee hours of Friday morning when they were seen engaged in a heated argument. They later reportedly entered their premises and sometime thereafter, two gunshots were heard. Police said around 17:50 hrs on Friday, an employee of the couple discovered their bodies on their bed. Ramkellawan’s body bore a single suspected gunshot wound to the right side of his head whilst Martinez’s bore a single gunshot to the left side of her head. A 9mm Taurus pistol, along with eight live rounds, was found on the bed between the two bodies and two spent shells were found in the room.

Police investigations are ongoing.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, July 4, 2019

15

Future president and doctor …NGSA top two Venisha Lall, Dave Chowtie

Dave Chowtie, flanked by his parents Komal and Neela Chowtie and teachers from the Graham’s Hall Primary School

By Vishani Ragobeer WHEN the results for this year’s National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) was announced on Wednesday, two young children: Venisha Lall and Dave Chowtie emerged, equally, as the top performers out of a pool of 14, 300 candidates.

Both students succeeded after months of intense preparations geared at helping them secure the best academic performance possible. And now that this objective has been achieved, they each intend going on to do even greater things. “I want to be the future President of Guyana to help the poor people,” the bubbly Essequibo girl, Venisha Lall, said.

Lall, a student of the CV Nunes Primary School in Re-

gion Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), secured 532 marks out of a possible 536. When she received the news, naturally she was excited but not too surprised, since she wanted to be a top student for a number of reasons. The first reason was that she wanted to do it for herself, her parents and her teachers. She also shared that her intention was to be in the ‘Top 10,’ so that Minister of Education, Dr Nicolette Henry would visit Essequibo.

And according to her mother, Radica Lall, they all wanted to show that the “public schools” can come out on top too. Lall’s father Muneshwar Lall also said, “I feel excited to know that my daughter topped the country.

Essequibo children normally don’t top the country and I am very happy about this.”

In preparation for the assessment, the young girl recounted that she spent less time on her cellphone and on the television. And the girl, who is also a prolific dancer, decided to dance less and study just a bit more in the months leading up to the April examinations. “She has always been doing excellently in school. She has never dropped below, I think, 97 per cent. She’s always active in everything, every extra-curricular activity and everything she’s just there,” her mother highlighted.

Radica even indicated that her involvement in dancing helped to “loosen” her up a bit.

The young girl’s professional aspiration is to become an economist, but the greater goal is to become the President of the Cooperative Republic of

Venisha Lall, along with her parents Radica and Muneshwar Lall

Guyana, with a special interest in helping to eradicate poverty.

Then there’s Venisha’s counterpart, Dave Chowtie.

The Graham’s Hall Primary School boy garnered 532 and shares the top position with the Essequibo girl. “I feel overjoyed. I didn’t expect this,” Dave told the Guyana Chronicle. “It was hard studying, working past papers over and over again.” The young boy related that in preparing for his examinations, he had a strong support system; his parents were there with him every step of the way, along with his teachers. And his mother Neela Chowtie, well, you could say that she was probably even more shocked than he was. While he was always a stellar performer at his school, emerging as one of the two top performers of a

batch of 14,300 students was definitely a whole different ball game for Neela.

“It was a lot of hard work and I think that it has paid off,” she said, adding: “We have to continue working with him and guiding him in whatever he wants to do.” Even his teacher, Edna Daniels--- who taught him in Grades 2, 5 and then in Grade 6--- knew that he would have done well, but just not this well. Beyond his personal success, she too underscored that his performance was a “victory” for the school, putting the public school into the limelight once again. And it is with this momentum, and the teaching practice the teachers at the school employ, that they intend on maintaining this prowess.

For the young man, it is a classic case of ‘all work and

no play makes Jack a dull boy’.

“Every child has to have some recreation,” he said pointedly, explaining that he went to the movies quite often, took swimming lessons and even played his video games quite often. He quipped that he was able to play his video games, but had to sacrifice looking at television for a few months in preparation for the assessment. Looking ahead, Dave told the Guyana Chronicle that he wants to study medicine one day, since he was inspired by TV shows and movies that helped to inculcate just how great a role doctors play in everyday life. But he’ll take the next few years at Queen’s College to decide just what kind of doctor he wants to be.

UN to help improve access to development financing for Caricom

By Navendra Seoraj in St Lucia

SMALL Island Developing States (SIDs) face a range of economic constraints and increasing costs of climate-related events, issues which the United Nations (UN) aims to address by improving access to development financing for the Caribbean region.

“These are challenges you know only too well, and we join your call, and will take the steps we can, to improve access to development financing as a priority,” said Secretary General (SG) of the UN, Antonio Guterres during his remarks at the opening ceremony of the 40th Regular Meeting of CARICOM Heads of Government at the Royalton Hotel, St. Lucia, on Wednesday.

The SIDs’ heavy dependence on imports, particularly of energy and food, makes them highly vulnerable to price fluctuations and other external shocks. And the very high levels of national debt constrain the Caribbean’s ability to effectively address high and persistent levels of poverty and inequality.

These challenges, Guterres said, are further com-

plicated by the difficulties SIDS face in mobilising development finance on affordable and appropriate terms. “I agree with you that eligibility for Official Development Assistance and other forms of concessional financing should include vulnerability criteria, in addition to Gross National Income per capita,” said the UN SG. He said the UN has assisted too many technocractic discussions about vulnerability and what it means but, having visited several Small Island Developing States in the Pacific and the Caribbean the UN SG never found one that was not a clear case of vulnerability.

In that regard, he agreed that the speed and predictability of climate financing, especially for least developed countries and SIDS, should be improved. And the prevalent use of debt instruments in climate finance needs review.

For middle-income countries that are particularly vulnerable, the multilateral development banks and development finance institutions have key roles to play in providing more long-term, low-cost debt financing.

“But the time has also come

for the international community to consider, seriously, how best to address the rising problems of over-indebtedness of middle-income countries,” said Guterres, adding that the indebtedness slows the SIDs’ progress toward sustainable development and makes them even more vulnerable to external shocks.

resilience building initiative.

He expressed total support of the UN and his personal support to any initiative aimed at creating the conditions to allow for adequate financing for building resilience and for recovering from the devastation of climate accidents. “There is one thing for me that is absolutely clear. There is

UN SG, Antonio Guterres and CARICOM SG, Irwin LaRocque (right)

Guterres, as such supported the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC)’s proposal to convert debt to investment in resilience through the debt for climate adaptation swap and

no way the countries of the Caribbean can recover from a devastating hurricane or systematically build resilience in relation to climate problems doing that based on the unsustainable growth of their debt. This is a com-

mon responsibility that the international community needs to recognise,” said the UN SG. He is determined to change that by bringing more resources and strengthening UN support to SIDs. In order to achieve this and address other global challenges, Guterres believes that countries must reaffirm commitment to multilateralism and the UN Charter.

Guterres said he has embarked on a far-reaching set of reforms to ensure that the UN development system is fit and ready to help countries to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals in the next decade.

In September, the UN will convene five Summits, all of direct significance to the Caribbean which include the High-Level Political Forum review of the 2030 Agenda; the Finance Summit to take stock of where we are in implementing the Addis Ababa Action Plan on financing for sustainable development; the mid-term review of the SAMOA Pathway for Small Island Developing States; the high-level meeting on Universal Health Coverage; and the Climate Action Summit.

These five events offer a

strategic opportunity for the region’s voices to be heard by the global community. “I encourage you to use these opportunities to amplify your story, present ambitious and concrete country plans to address the priority action areas that are the focus of these five Summits and press for more meaningful support for sustainable development in the Caribbean,” said Guterres.

CARICOM Secretary General, Irwin LaRocque, in his remarks, said Guterres has shown an abiding interest in the welfare of the region. He recalled Guterres’ visit to affected countries following the passage of hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017 and his ready acceptance of the invitation to personally participate in the CARICOM/ UN high level pledging conference which was hosted by the UN. Further, LaRocque said the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has been working with the CARICOM secretariat and the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency to craft a proposal to build capacity in the region to realise its goal of climate and disaster resilience.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday July 4, 2019

Multi-stakeholder team addressing flash flooding in Georgetown

CDC’s Salim October discussing the agency’s plan of action with Minister Jaipaul Sharma, Mayor Ubraj Narine and other officials

Assessing the flood situation in Albouystown are (from left), Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Jaipaul Sharma; Mayor of Georgetown, Ubraj Narine; Councillor of Constituency 10, Heston Bostwick; and M&CC Councillor, Denroy Tudor

A resident shows the damage to his furniture due to the excessive rainfall

Garbage found in some alleyways

By Lisa Hamilton TEAMS from the Civil Defence Commission (CDC), Ministry of Public Infrastructure and the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) have been deployed to help address flooding in some parts of Georgetown which followed after intense rainfall over the past 48 hours.

In central Georgetown, the rains began intermittently on Tuesday but picked up later in the evening into Wednesday morning. According to the CDC, low-lying areas in Georgetown and the lower East Coast were the most affected.

Making up the team which was mobilised on Wednesday morning was

Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Jaipaul Sharma; Mayor of Georgetown, Ubraj Narine; Civil Defence Commission (CDC) Senior Response Officer, Salim October and other members of the Mayor and City Council (MCC).

While visiting the Albouystown location, October told the media that two CDC teams have been deployed to assess the situation in the aforementioned areas.

“So far, on this side [in Albouystown], we’ve observed that while there are about 18 pumps currently being deployed by the City Council, it has still not resulted in complete draining of water off of community lands as well as residential lands,” he stated.

Georgetown Mayor Ubraj Narine engaging with Albouystown residents on Wednesday

As such, in some homes, water some 2-4 inches has seeped in and should excess rainfall persists within the next 48 hours, then these levels are likely to rise, October said. Some residents saw damages to their furniture and electrical appliances. “In our direct response, we will provide cleaning hampers because health and hygiene is our primary concern to ensure that they’re able to clean as best as they can,” October said.

“We will mobilise sand to create sand bags to present a man-made barrier so that water cannot return within those households.”

He said that the CDC will continue its assessment and engagement in other areas

such as La Penitence, NorthEast La Penitence, South Ruimveldt, Meadow Brook Gardens and areas outside central Georgetown.

Meanwhile, Minister Sharma stated that poor garbage disposal, which contributes to poor drainage, stood out. He observed that even if the flood waters in Georgetown recede soon, low-lying areas like Albouystown will still be challenged. “We’re out here to visit the residents and take any reports and any suggestions,” Sharma said.

“We’re seeing the effect…in the way garbage is disposed of; we’re seeing a lot of plastic bottles, plastic bags and things of that nature. We’re seeing that the drains are clogged with weed

Having fun while manoeuvring in the flood waters yesterday (Carl Croker photos)

and these are things that I’ve learnt that the Mayor and City Council will focus on in terms of having a maintenance programme that will prevent this, especially in affected areas.”

The Minister stated that the only permanent fix to the issue would be to build higher roads but this is a “very costly exercise” which is why stakeholders and residents must pool efforts towards maintaining proper drainage systems.

Meanwhile, Mayor Narine agreed that to revamp the drainage system in Georgetown, this would cost over G$2B. Also pointing out the issue of improper garbage disposal, he stated: “The fact that at the pumps and the

sluices there are piles of garbage [such as] old chairs, old cloths, plastic bags, plastic bottles and all these things piled up there causes a heavy effect on the pumps when pumping the water. But, we’re in Albouystown and we’re visiting a few areas and we’ll try our best to get things done.”

He said that the M&CC will also be taking a “key look” into the manholes in Albouystown and other locations in the city to ensure that they are covered to prevent accidents or injuries.

Speaking too, Deputy Mayor Alfred Mentore told the media that the Council will be looking into the TURN TO PAGE 17 ►

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday July 4, 2019

Best friends tied for top spot in Region Seven SUMEHRA Jardine and Alyann Adolphus, both of Bartica, tied with 512 marks at this year’s National Grade Six Assessment, both sharing the top spot for Cuyuni-Mazaruni (Region Seven).

Jardine is from St. John the Baptist Primary School and Adolphus from High Achievers Institute of Learning. When Guyana Chronicle spoke to the children, they both were elated. Adolphus said that she is very proud of herself because she worked really hard for the top spot.

"My performance was what I expected because I worked very hard for it. I must thank God for his help because I prayed and asked God to help me do well in these exams. My mother as well worked very hard with me, my teachers and my entire family," little Adolphus said.

Her mother, Stacy McCubbin, said that the entire family is extremely proud. She noted that from since Grade one, her daughter was a 90's achiever and worked independently to ensure all her work was completed.

Meanwhile, Dr Jillian Jardine, mother of Sumehra, expressed similar sentiments.

She said that Sumehra has always been very disciplined from Grade One, and was doing exceedingly well right through her school years.

However, although much was expected of Sumehra,

Dr. Jardine said that she outdid their expectations.

Sumehra said that when she heard her results on the radio, she was in shock.

She said that she was not expecting to top her school, and further, her region. “I feel really excited and I’m going to work very hard to continue doing well at my new school,” she said.

The two girls attended the same nursery school and were best friends, but they were separated when their parents decided to send them to different primary schools.

They, however, will be reunited at Saints Stanislaus College, come September.

Both girls expressed much excitement for the new journey that lies ahead, and they both are aspiring doctors.

Following closely behind the girls, Alex Mohabir from St. Anthony’s Primary scored 504 and secured a spot at St. Rose’s High.

His teacher told this newspaper that she always admired his dedication and commitment towards his work and his desire to always strive to achieve the best. “Whatever challenges he was faced with during the period of study, even the passing of his dear grandmother, whom he was close to, he still didn't lose focus on the main goal at hand. That experience proved his resilience which also inspired me as a teach-

Multi-stakeholder ...

FROM PAGE 16

management of sluices to determine the method used to open and close in relation to high tide and low tide.

He noted that having visited locations like Denmark and Sweden, the Council is looking to implement some of their techniques to manage and prevent flooding.

Meanwhile, Acting Town Clerk, Sharon Harry-Munroe, assured that following the assessments in collaboration with the government and the CDC, involved stakeholders will be able to identify areas in need of additional pumps.

She said that citizens must also be discouraged from disposing their garbage in a “callous manner” to enable the drainage system to do its work.

“To the persons who are flooded, we’re here to help them,” she nonetheless assured.

Councillor of Constituency 10, which comprises the Albouystown and Charlestown communities, Heston Bostwick, also assured residents who gathered, by stating: “Bear with us. We are working around the clock to ensure that relief will come to you in terms of having this

flooding become a [thing] of the past.”

He noted that there are 13 alleyways in the communities with concrete drains but the fact that the roadways are still flooded points to the issue of blockages.

Yet, he informed them that desilting and clearing of the drains will soon commence and these activities can simultaneously provide job opportunities for the unemployed in the area.

Meanwhile, October, on behalf of the CDC, has urged residents to take special care of themselves, their household items and children.

“We expect continued rainfall over the next 24-48 hours and, as such, while the City Council has deployed a number of pumps around the city, we still anticipate that flood waters can rise. So, with that in mind, residents have to remain cognizant of this reality by putting furniture and other valuable items high to ensure that further damage is not caused to property. Also, persons with small children need to monitor their children to ensure that they don’t venture into flood waters.

Sumehra Jardine and Alyann Adolphus at their Nursery school graduation

er. Alex would always ensure that he is present at school

Top Student of Region Seven, Sumehra Jardine

and all extra classes in the afternoon and on Saturdays

Top Student of Region Seven, Alyann Adolphus

to master past examination papers,” Miss Andrea said.

Also in the top ten for the region was Kevin Browne of Jawalla Primary who scored 485, Reagan Edwards of 72 Miles Primary-- 484; Simeon Sears, St John the Baptist Primary- – 481; Nasiya Hastings, Kako Primary-- 479; Malachi Mahadeo, Cianna Ketwaroo and Angelena Johnson of St John the Baptist Primary, scored 477,474 and 473, respectively.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE THURSDAY July 4, 2019

Novar Primary claims three top spots in Region Five NOVAR Primary School of Mahaicony in Region Five (Mahaica/Berbice) produced three of the top ten performers in Region Five at the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA), the results of which were released on Wednesday.

Cotton Tree followed with two of the top ten and Rosignol Primary, Mortice Primary, Sapodilla School of Excellence, Belladrum Primary and Zealand Primary shared the remaining honours of one each.

Umashankar Singh of Novar Primary was the top performer with a score of 528. He also placed fourth overall at the national level. Singh thanked God, his parents and his teachers for helping him to achieve the impressive results. He said he intends to qualify himself to be a University lecturer.

Toreka Persaud of Zealand Primary School, Mahaicony, is the second highest achiever in Region Five. The young lady scored 524 marks.

She said that she was happy about her results.

She has not decided on a particular career as yet but is looking forward to secondary school (Queens College) and the University of Guyana and farther afield.

Ms Sameera Sattaur of Cotton Tree Primary won the third spot with a score of 523 marks and is slated for Queens College. She said that mathematics is her favourite subject and she will work equally hard at secondary school and after that for qualifications at the tertiary level.

Other pupils in the top ten for Region Five were Shaquan Fullerton of Rosignol Primary School with 521 marks at # 4; Shanon Persaud of Mortice Primary with 514 marks at # 5; Maria Pertabsingh of Cotton Tree Primary with 507 marks at # 6; Jagdeshwar Ramnarace of Novar Primary with 505 marks at # 7 and Tasiyelle Paul of Sapodilla School of Excellence with 504 marks at # 8.

Clevelon Gordon of Belladrum Primary School and Avinash Rupnarine of Novar Primary tied for the 9th position with 504 marks each.

Umashankar Singh

Toreka Persaud

Sameera Sattaur

Avinash Rupnarine

Clevelon Gordon

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GUYANA CHRONICLE THURSDAY July 4, 2019

High Court dismisses Balwant Singh injunction bid …$10M lawsuit remains

HIGH Court Judge Fidela Corbin-Lincoln on Wednesday rejected the application for an injunction filed by Balwant Singh Hospital (BSH) against social media activist Melissa Atwell, also called “Melly Mel.” The injunction was intended to stop Atwell from continuing to share anonymous posts from BSH patients on her (Atwell’s) Facebook page;the posts reportedly contained damning allegations against the hospital.

The BSH had approached

the court for an injunction to stop Atwell from posting further stories against them and removed the ones already online, since it was resulting in financial loss to the institution.

Atwell was represented

by Attorneys Sanjeev Datadin, Ganesh Hira, Donavon Rangiah and Anessa Chow.

BSH was represented by Devindra Kissoon of London House Chambers.

On Wednesday, the judge after hearing submission from both sides ruled against granting the injunction, since the defence was unable to

prove that the posts issued

by Atwell was either true or untrue.

However, the BSH $10M lawsuit against Atwell remains and a date is yet to be set for hearing at the High Court. Meanwhile, Atwell in her court document stated that she could prove that the posts are true in substance and fact.

Based on the complaint made by the hospital, Atwell was arrested by the police and detained for in excess for 12 hours.

"My personal computer is still in the custody of the Guyana Police Force. I was detained and threatened that I will not be placed on bail,"

Atwell stated in her document.

Also, Atwell threatened to take legal action against the Guyana Police Force and BSH for her arrest, false imprisonment and harassment.

"The complaints I have received are all sent to me as messages and I have communicated with each person for confirmation of details. The persons are not connected to each other in any way, but it is inescapable that their stories all have a common thread," the document reads.

“I have done nothing illegal. I have shared the stories verbatim as I have received it.”

Atwell’s attorneys are

Social media activist Melissa Atwell, called 'Melly Mel'

arguing for the injunction not to be granted. She is currently out on $200,000 station bail and the High Court proceedings continue Wednesday afternoon.

Initially, Atwell had claimed that the hospital had threatened her with a $100M lawsuit for damages. However, the claims disclosed to the court $5M in respect of the Facebook posts; aggravated and exemplary damages in an amount to be determined during trial, but no less than $5M. Also, special damages to be proved during trial but no less than $100,000. ????

Oswald yields to temptation, gets two years OSWALD Cumberbatch, 23, of Laing Avenue, West Ruimveldt, was Wednesday sentenced to two years jail for robbery with violence after pleading guilty to the charge.

Cumberbatch appeared before Principal Magistrate Faith McGusty at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court and told the court that he was led into temptation.

Cumberbatch confessed that on July 2, 2019, at Croal Street, Georgetown, while using personal violence, he robbed Al-Ansar Abdool of a

cellphone valued at $120,000 along with a case worth $ 2,000.

According to Prosecutor Ceon Blackman, about 08:00hrs on the day in question, Abdool was walking along the Route 40 mini-bus park on Croal Street. It was then that he was confronted

by Cumberbatch, who reportedly held onto him and threw him to the ground.

Cumberbatch then relieved Abdool of the afore-mentioned articles and attempted to escape. However, Abdool gave chase, apprehended

Cumberbatch and held him until the police arrived. A police search of Cumberbatch’s person resulted in Abdool’s phone being found in his attacker’s pocket.

“I know that I’m wrong, please have lil sympathy on ya son," Cumberbatch begged the magistrate. He explained that two weeks ago he lost his job at the fisheries and was now unemployed.

“Tomorrow is my daughter birthday, she turning one," the defendant further explained that he carried out the robbery, because he needed

the money and came out “looking fuh it.”

Prosecutor Blackman, however, reminded the Magistrate that Cumberbatch had several other alternatives, but chose the easy way out by committing a felony.

“He needs to seek another employment, he cannot go about attacking citizens!

Robbery is an offence and

not an employment,” Blackman told the court as he urged the magistrate to sentence Cumberbatch to send a strong message to others who might be similarly inclined.

“It was temptation,” Cumberbatch pleaded with the magistrate, as he reminded her about his daughter.

“Lead me not into temptation,” the magistrate firmly

reminded him about the verse in the bible.

Magistrate McGusty sentenced him to two years imprisonment and urged him to use his time behind bars to learn a trade, so that when he comes out of prison he would be able to get a good job.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday July 4, 2019

Two tie for top position in Region Six

-- Cropper Primary produces four of region’s top 10 students

By Nafeeza Yahya Chitra Ramdihal, 11, and Pawan Ketwaroo, 12, tied for the top position in Region Six at the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA), 2019.

Both Ramdihal of Cropper Primary and Ketwaroo of Cumberland Primary scored 520 marks and obtained a place at Queen’s College. They told Guyana Chronicle that they studied hard and even sacrificed doing the things they love so that they could focus on the bigger goal.

When this newspaper visited Cropper Primary, Ramdihal was overjoyed.

She and other Grade Four students were surrounded by their teachers as they shared the good news with each other. Ramdihal, an aspiring lawyer, was in her class when she received the news from her teacher and could not stop smiling.

The young lady said with the exception of Social Studies, the other three subjects were relatively easy. She thanked God, her parents and teachers, who all encouraged and supported her during her primary school journey.

Her parents, Gangama Jabode, a housewife and Yugendra Ramdihal, a cane harvester, were overjoyed when they learnt of their daughter’s success.

Her mother, after learning of the news, rode to the school to congratulate and hug her daughter.

She described Chitra as a quiet but hard working child.

“I am proud of her. She has always been doing well and we just support her and offer whatever is needed when it is needed,” the proud mother said.

Now that Chitra has topped the region, she is hoping that her family can take her on a vacation.

Over in Cumberland Village, Pawan Ketwaroo, 12, called “Vicky” had just returned home for lunch as he sat with his proud parents discussing his achievements.

He told this publication that the examinations were challenging but he was always confident of doing well.

The young man noted in the time leading up to the examinations, he forego watching television and playing cricket to spend more time studying Science and Social Studies.

Ketwaroo, who hopes to become a medical doctor, said he was surprised after he learnt that he did not only top his school but also the region.

MOVED TO TEARS His parents Babita Ramdeen, 42, a housewife and his father, Alan Kumar Ketwaroo, a former employee of the Rose Hall Estate were both moved to tears after they learnt their only child has topped the region.

Babita said her son worked extremely hard and most of the time prefers to study on his own. She stays with him as he revised his work done at school.

Ketwaroo’s dad told Guyana Chronicle that prior to his son’s examination, he had several challenges to overcome, including facing redundancy from the Rose Hall Estate but he tried not to let it affect his home and his son.

He explained that the money he received from the estate, along with his savings, he put it towards building a comfortable home for his family.

“Now I have to look at the future of my son so I can continue to give him what he need so he can become a doctor. I always encouraged him and even try to limit his time on the tablet and TV. Today, he has made us very

proud. He is so quiet and humble and he made us very happy.”

Meanwhile, Babita is encouraging other parents to invest in their children, spend quality time with them and always encourage them to be a better version of themselves.

She checks her son’s books each day after school and she saw improvements each term.

Pawan Ketwaroo of Cumberland Primary

Jaeden Conway

WANT TO BECOME PRESIDENT Among the top 10 in the region was Gabriella Henry of Cropper Primary, who obtained 517 marks. Henry, who wants to become a lawyer or doctor, told Guyana Chronicle that she hopes to become the President of Guyana one day. Brianna Isaacs of All Saints Primary also did well. She scored 516 marks.

An aspiring pediatrician, Isaacs credits her success to her parents, God and her teachers. Marissa Siriram also of Cropper followed with 514 marks. Marissa hopes to become a doctor and pledges to continue to study and work hard to achieve the profession of dream.

Vikash Nadesan also of Cropper Primary gained 513 marks and hopes to become a businessman like his father, who operates a tent and chair rental business.

The young man is en-

Brianna Isaacs

Pawan Ketwaroo and his proud parents

Vikash Nadesan of Cropper Primary

couraging students to take their studies seriously and to start studying as early as Grade One. Jaeden Conway of School of the Nations in New Amsterdam also scored 513 marks. He wants to become a veterinary surgeon.

Over at Port Mourant Primary on the Corentyne, an aspiring cardiologist topped the school with 513 marks. Hemesh Bhigroog, 11, of Rose Hall Town was ecstatic to learn he secured a place among the top 10.

Like Nadesan, he is en-

Hemesh Bhigroog

Bhawanie Yabindranauth of Skeldon Primary

Gabriella Henry

Marissa Siriram

couraging other students to take their studies seriously, beginning at the early grades in primary school.

“To do well, you have to study, but what rain can’t full, dew can’t full, so if you are not studying from Grades One to Five but you are going to study now, then you are just pressuring yourself, so you should start early,” he advised.

Asked about his views on the examinations, Bhigroog said, “Math, English and Social Studies were in

my comfort zone but science was a bit tough but not difficult because nothing can be difficult in life.” He and other top students in the region secured a place at Bishops’ High School.

Bhawanie Yabindranauth of Skeldon Primary and Aedan Sanmoogan of Cumberland Primary who attained 512 and 511 respectively, were awarded a place at St. Stanislaus College.

21

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday July 4, 2019

Region One communities benefitting from improved sanitation …as GWI collaborates with UNICEF THE Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) says it is working along with the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) to improve access to safe drinking water, adequate sanitation and good hygiene practices in several Region One communities.

What commenced as the Migrant Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Improvement Programme, has now been expanded to see both the Venezuelan migrants and local communities gaining access to improved facilities and conditions through innovative and sustainable solutions, GWI said in a release on Wednesday. The prevailing economic crisis in Venezuela has resulted in an influx of migrants to Region One, leaving many vulnerable and placing strains on the local population in which they integrate. The majority of persons within the

migrant population are women and children who occupy make-shift accommodation and have no access to basic amenities.

The WASH Programme is designed to ensure all have access to safe drinking-water, curbing open-defecation and ensuring facilities and awareness exist to encourage good hygiene practices. This is pivotal for the safeguarding of the health and well-being of the migrants as well as protecting the environment.

The company’s collaboration with UNICEF under this programme has thus far seen some 129 migrants at Khan’s Hill benefitting from a newly-installed rainwater harvesting system, Jerrycan water filters and safe drinking-water storage containers.

Additionally, a total of 138 local residents of the Khan’s Hill community benefitted from equal interven-

tions. Open-defecation was terminated across both the migrant and local populations with the construction of nine (9) Ventilated Improved Pit (VIP) Latrines, with special provisions for child use. The VIP latrines were also designed with features to enable hand washing with soap, as part of the hygiene promoting aspects of the project.

GWI’s Managing Director, Dr. Richard Van-West

nity and the residents are very pleased.

Priscilla Francis, a resident for some 18 years, expressed similar sentiments. “I so very glad about this what going on right now. So much years we in Region One in Khan’s Hill, we never get all this help and I so very glad for all those things we seeing from GWI and UNICEF. For 23 years we never see all these things what happening right

GWI's Managing Director, Dr. Richard Van-West Charles inspects one of the handwashing stations at Khan’s Hill during a recent visit

The Rainwater Harvesting system which was installed in Khans Hill

The Sanitary block which was constructed at the Mabaruma Post office

Sisters chopped by brother at Moruca AN argument between several siblings at Waramuri Mission in the Moruca sub-region went awry when a young man launched a brutal attack on his sisters with a cutlass.

While details are sketchy, a resident of Waramuri told this publication that the injured women have been identified as Cynthia and Beverly Cozier, who are in their 20s. A child was also injured during the attack.

The incident occurred sometime after 14:00hrs at the siblings’ home at the village of Mariabo which lies along a creek at Waramuri. Residents of Moruca reported that the two women were chopped about their bodies, including their hands and neck; one of the women sustained wounds to her head. They were taken to Santa Rosa for treatment at the district hospital in that community. Around 16:00hrs, the injured women were ferried by boat to Charity and immediately rushed to the Suddie Hospital on the Essequibo Coast where they are receiving medical attention.

Police are investigating the incident.

Charles recently visited the community, where residents expressed gratitude for the facilities which have improved their day-to-day lives significantly. Khan’s Hill Toshao, Ernest Santiago, who has been residing in the community for some 20 years, said this is the first time he has seen such an improvement in the commu-

now in we community,” she noted.

The intervention will significantly reduce the burden of water-collection through precarious terrain to unprotected ponds, which is often borne by women and children.

Additionally, the Jerrycan water filter and water storage containers will provide an

improved quality of drinking-water to both migrants and local residents.

Currently, the project team is undertaking adequacy assessments of the completed WASH interventions to ensure that there are universal benefits while examining means to strengthen and sustain access to WASH for the Khan’s Hill community. Dr. Van-West Charles has promised that the company will continue to provide support to the residents of Khan’s Hill as part of GWI’s mission to ensure all communities across Guyana have access to safe drinking water, sanitation and hygiene.

In close collaboration with UNICEF, efforts are also underway to improve access to drinking-water, sanitation and hygiene in Imbertero, Smith

Creek, White Water, Kamwatta, Morawhanna and Yarakita communities of Region One. Continuing its work in the region, GWI has also facilitated the construction of a sanitary block complete with water trestle at the Mabaruma Post Office to provide some relief to pensioners and other users of the post office during long waiting periods. Prior to this, these persons had no sanitary facilities. The Region One Administration lauded the willingness and commitment of GWI to respond to a need that will not only see an improvement in the comfort and convenience to the elderly, but also to their dignity.

'Goldfields' suspends operations as workers strike …evacuate non-essential staff from site GUYANA Goldfields, on Wednesday, announced that it had suspended operations at its Aurora Mine, owing to industrial unrest by workers.

In a release, the Canadian mining company said a portion of the workforce employed by the company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, AGM Inc. (“AGM”), has blocked delivery of ore to the mill. “As a safety precaution, the company has decided to temporarily suspend operations until a resolution is reached with the striking workers, and is in the pro-

cess of evacuating all non-essential personnel from site, including the striking workers.”

The company said it believes the stoppage was the result of a misunderstanding concerning the management and relationship between AGM and certain open pit mining contractors. “AGM has been examining options to improve mining performance in order to ensure Aurora’s long-term future. No decisions have been made concerning any possible changes to the mining operation at this time,” the company said. “The

company is actively working along with its employees and adhering to applicable laws and regulations and is facilitating communication with the relevant Governmental labour authorities to understand and address employees’ concerns and to resolve the matter as quickly as possible. The company is making arrangements to have the strikers meet with representatives of the Ministry of Labour to mediate the dispute.”

Work on the underground exploration decline remains unaffected.

Guyana Goldfields Inc. is a Canadian-based mid-tier gold producer primarily focused on the exploration, development and operation of gold deposits in Guyana, South America.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE THURSDAY July 4, 2019

No bonus from Frontera …Dr Bynoe corrects Stabroek News false report

Director of the Department of Energy, Dr. Mark Bynoe

DIRECTOR of the Department of Energy, Dr. Mark Bynoe has refuted statements in the media that Guyana was recipient of revenue from the Frontera-CGX business-to-business arrangement for exploration offshore Guyana.

His statement on Wednesday comes following false reports in the Stabroek News’ Tuesday edition. The article titled ‘Frontera’s US$33M signing bonus for portion of unproven oil exploration blocks exposes Exxon’s pittance payment -Jan Mangal’.

In 2018, Frontera Energy Corporation acquired a 33.33 per cent share in CGX Energy’s license for exploration in the Corentyne and Demerara offshore blocks. Frontera bought these shares in exchange for a $7B (US$33.3M) signing bonus payable to CGX. Frontera had agreed to pay one-third of the applicable costs plus an additional 8.333 per cent of CGX’s direct drilling costs for the initial exploratory commitment wells in the two blocks.

The article in question compared the US$33.3M paid to CGX by Frontera for the acquisition of shares with a US$18M signing bonus paid to the government of Guyana by ExxonMobil in 2016 for the Stabroek Production Sharing Agreement (PSA).

It suggested that the ExxonMobil PSA signing bonus was inadequate when com-

pared to the Frontera-CGX payment for shares in blocks where no discoveries have been made.

Speaking with OilNOW, Bynoe addressed the statement in the media. “Please note that the statement attributed to the Stabroek News is a mistake as no signing bonus was received by the Cooperative Republic of Guyana. Frontera farmed into the CGX blocks in the Corentyne and Demerara Blocks and paid the agreed sum for acquiring the requisite equity under a rights-offering agreement.

This arrangement is consistent with previous farming-in completed, for example, by Total S.A. into the Orinduik Block,” the article quoted him as saying.

On Tuesday, it was also confirmed by Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan, that no signing bonus was ever received by the government for the Frontera-CGX farm-in. Dr. Bynoe further urged citizens to “peruse the various agreements that were released by the Government of Guyana to reduce these and other misguided statements.” He referenced several PSAs which published by the Ministry of Natural Resources, including the CGX Energy contract, which outline terms and conditions of the agreement Guyana has with companies operating offshore.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, July 4, 2019

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, July 4, 2019

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, July 4, 2019

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, July 4, 2019

American Racing Tips Belmont Race 1 Pagliacci Race 2 Exult Race 3 Planet Trailblazer Race 4 Untamed Domain Race 5 Night Code Race 6 Blahnik Race 7 National Honor Race 8 Fog Of War Race 9 Peggy Sue South Africa Racing Tips Vaal 08:30 hrs Jolly Joshepine 09:05 hrs Jive Express 09:40 hrs Condor Gulch 10:15 hrs Florida Quays 10:55 hrs Mercer Girl English Racing Tips Haydock 09:00 hrs Battle Of Wills 09:30 hrs Buhturi 10:00 hrs Path Of Thunder 10:30 hrs Ramesses 11:00 hrs Dal Horrisgle 11:30 hrs Arletta Star 12:00 hrs Dapper Man Perth 09:10 hrs Mega Double 09:40 hrs Emirat De Catana 10:10 hrs Witness In Court 10:40 hrs Wot A Shot 11:10 hrs Viens Chercher 11:40 hrs Chanceiton 12:10 hrs Skeaping Epsom Downs 13:05 hrs Be Perfect 13:40 hrs Mrs Dukesbury 14:15 hrs Little Boy Blue 14:35 hrs Majestic Mac 15:20 hrs Hermocrates 15:50 hrs Allegiant Irish Racing Tips Tipperary 12:05 hrs Cayenne Pepper 12:35 hrs Designation 13:10 hrs Muntahez 13:45 hrs Strive For Glory 14:20 hrs Band Of Outlaws 14:50 hrs Fanahans Well 15:25 hrs Tungsten Kid 15:55 hrs Watching Brief

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, July 4, 2019

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Netherlands reach first World Cup final with extra-time rocket

By Christian Radnedge

LYON, France (Reuters) - A long-range strike from Jackie Groenen sent European Champions the Netherlands into their first women’s World Cup final as they edged Sweden 1-0 after extra time in their semifinal yesterday.

The 24-year-old midfielder scored in the 99th minute when she collected a deflected pass outside the box and struck it expertly into the bottom right corner of the goal to put the Dutch into Sunday’s

final against holders the United States.

The game marked the first time a women’s World Cup semi-final had gone to extra time and it proved a tight contest between the two sides, who last met in the quarter-finals of Euro 2017 when the Dutch won 2-0 before going on to win the competition.

The match build-up had focussed on the talented Netherlands forwards such as alltime top scorer Vivianne Miedema (60 goals) and the pacey attack of 2016 Olympic silver

Morgan hails ‘outstanding’ Bairstow after England reach last four

EOIN Morgan hailed the “outstanding” Jonny Bairstow after his second successive century under pressure against New Zealand sent England on their way to the Cricket World Cup semifinals.

Bairstow scored a brilliant hundred to set up a win over India on Sunday after taking a swipe at the critics who had piled into the hosts following defeats against Sri Lanka and Australia.

The opening batsman delivered again at The Riverside, striking 106 off 99 balls and laying the foundations for a crushing 119-run victory with Jason Roy (60) at the top of the order.

New Zealand could muster only 186 all out in reply to England’s 305-8, Mark Wood taking 3-34 on his home ground and running out key man Kane Williamson backing up, getting his finger tips to a Ross Taylor drive.

England will face Australia or India in the last four at Edgbaston next Thursday and captain Morgan was full of praise for another hugely important knock from manof-the-match Bairstow.

Morgan said at the post-

match presentation: “I thought we were outstanding today. It started again with the two boys at the top of the order laying a good solid platform, playing in the manner that they do. Jonny going on to get a hundred was again match-winning today, it really was outstanding.

“The wicket changed after, I think, the 25th over; it just started to slow up and become difficult to score quite freely.

Every one of our batsman who came in after found that.

“With so many on the board at that stage it was encouraging, but it was a matter of getting as close to 300 as possible, if not more, to be competitive.

“All pitches have gone inevitably slower and lower through the tournament throughout every game that has been played; it has been a theme of the tournament. If that continues, we will continue to bat first.

“Hopefully we can produce that positive, aggressive energy in the semi-final.”

New Zealand are all-but assured of fourth place, with Pakistan highly unlikely to qualify even with a thumping win over Bangladesh at Lord’s tomorrow.

Jimenez goal sends Mexico past Haiti and into Gold Cup final PHOENIX, Arizona – Raul Jimenez converted a penalty kick in extra time to earn Mexico a 1-0 win over Haiti in their 2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup semifinal on Tuesday night at State Farm Stadium in Phoenix, Arizona.

Mexico had the majority of possession and chances in the first half, with the best scoring opportunity coming in the 35th minute via a Jimenez header that forced Haiti GK’s Jhony Placide into a flying save.

The Haiti defence was stiff in its resistance and by the hour mark the two teams were still locked in a scoreless duel.

On 66 minutes, a curling free kick from Andres Guardado looked goalbound, but Placide again made a huge save. Hai-

ti looked to strike on the counterattack, but was turned away by a similarly resolute Mexico back line.

The whistle blew on regular time, so things headed to extra time where Jimenez was fouled in the area and converted the penalty to earn Mexico a 1-0 lead in the 93rd minute.

Haiti threw everything at the Mexican defence in hopes of an equaliser and were also kept in the game by some heroics from Placide.

Mikael Cantave had one last crack at a goal for Les Grenadiers, but his effort struck the crossbar with just minutes remaining, allowing Mexico to punch its ticket to Sunday’s Final.

The other semifinal between U.S. and Jamaica was played last night.

(CONCACAF.com)

medallists Sweden, featuring Stina Blackstenius who had scored the winner against Germany in the previous round.

However, it was the goalkeepers who found themselves the busiest players throughout the regulation 90 minutes.

Sweden were the brighter side in the first half but could not find a way past Netherlands stopper Sari van Veenendaal.

The captain routinely tipped over dangerous in-

swinging corners and instinctively saved with her foot a close-range toe poke from Lina Hurtig shortly before halftime.

The match opened up a bit more in the second half. Sweden defender Nilla Fischer hit the post 10 minutes after the restart and Miedema had her header tipped on to the bar by the fingertips of Hedvig Lindahl.

The 36-year-old keeper, who most recently played

for Chelsea in England, was equal to the threat of a Dutch side, who grew in confidence, particularly with the introduction of Shanice van den Sanden who flew down the right wing.

Lindahl tipped over a fierce strike from the pinkhaired van den Sanden in second-half stoppage time.

However, her resistance was finally broken by an excellent quick-fire strike from Groenen in the first period of extra

time.

The midfielder, who will feature for Manchester United in England’s top flight next season, chose the perfect time to register her first shot on target and first goal of the tournament.

Despite playing in only their second World Cup, the Netherlands keep their incredible journey going with a final date against the record three-time world champions on Sunday.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, July 4, 2019

Djokovic through after Opelka knocks out Wawrinka Stan Wawrinka is a two-time quarter-finalist at Wimbledon

TOP seed Novak Djokovic cruised into the Wimbledon third round after three-time Grand Slam champion Stan Wawrinka lost to American Reilly Opelka.

Serbia’s Djokovic, 32, needed just one hour 33 minutes to beat American Denis Kudla 6-3, 6-2, 6-2.

Ex-world number three Wawrinka had the upper hand against 2015 Boys’ ju-

nior champion Opelka after three sets.

But 6ft 11in Opelka fought back with ferocious serving to edge a threehour match 7-5, 3-6, 4-6, 6-4, 8-6.

Djokovic is the defending champion at SW19 and once again considered the man to beat as he chases a fifth title at the All England Club.

The 15-time Grand Slam

winner was never threatened against Kudla, producing another efficient performance on Centre Court against the world number 111.

Djokovic, who has added former champion Goran Ivanisevic to his team for the tournament, played a high level throughout as he moved well and relentlessly tested Kudla.

Opelka is the joint-tall-

est-ever ATP-ranked player, along with Ivo Karlovic.

His 142mph (228kph) serve against Wawrinka was the fastest of the Championship so far.

Opelka, 21, will face Canadian Milos Raonic in the third round.

The 2016 finalist, who is seeded 15th, defeated Dutchman Robin Haase 7-6(7-1), 7-5. 7-6(7-4).

Russian Karen Khacha-

nov got through a tricky test against Queen’s champion Feliciano Lopez.

The 10th seed came from a set down to win 4-6, 6-4, 7-5, 6-4 and make it through to the third round for the third year in a row.

Fellow Russian Daniil Medvedev, the 11th seed, defeated Australian Alexei Popyrin 6-7(6-8), 6-1. 6-4, 6-4. (BBC Sport)

Anderson injury a scare for England ahead of Ashes

(REUTERS) - England seamer James Anderson

is under an injury cloud ahead of next month’s Ash-

es series against Australia after he was forced off

James Anderson

a County Championship match with a calf injury on Tuesday.

The 36-year-old, who has more wickets than any other fast bowler in Test cricket with 575, pulled up on his run-up and was then forced to leave the field on day three of Lancashire’s match against Durham.

While an injury to England’s pace spearhead would be a major concern for England leading into the Ashes, Lancashire assistant coach Mark Chilton said the issue did not seem serious.

“Jimmy has been seated with an ice pack on but he seems fine and reasonably

SEVENTH seed Simona Halep survived a scare to beat fellow Romanian Mihaela Buzarnescu 6-3, 4-6, 6-2 and book a spot in the third round at Wimbledon.

play two-time semi-finalist Victoria Azarenka.

The Belarus player defeated Ajla Tomljanovic 6-2, 6-0, earlier yesterday.

Elsewhere, Eastbourne

jovial,” he added.

“With any bowler, if they feel something abnormal we would much rather they came off and get assessed rather than take it a step too far.

“He has been very well managed with regard to his bowling loads and his overs and I think that has been managed expertly right throughout the season.”

While England’s oneday international squad have been in World Cup action, Anderson has had an extended spell with Lancashire in preparation for the Ashes, which begins at Edgbaston on August 1.

Halep battles into Wimbledon third round

Simona Halep

The former world number one dominated early on but her form dropped dramatically in the second set as world number 53 Buzarnescu broke serve in the ninth game en route to levelling the match.

They broke each other in the third before Halep broke twice more to win.

The 27-year-old will next

champion and third seed Karolina Pliskova, who has yet to venture beyond the fourth round, saw off Puerto Rico’s Monica Puig 6-0, 6-4 to reach round three.

Russian Margarita Gasparyan’s hopes of claiming the scalp of seeded Elina Svitolina came to an abrupt end when she landed awkwardly

after serving.

The world number 62 was a set up and had outplayed the Ukrainian before the incident at 5-5 in the second set that resulted in the tearful player retiring with the score 5-7, 6-5.

Eighth seed Svitolina will now play Maria Sakkari in the third round.

Gasparyan - a rising star before her career was halted by a knee injury - had dominated her opponent for much of the match, hitting 42 winners compared to Svitolina’s 15.

Having won the first set, the Russian had chances to break the Ukrainian in the 10th game of the next set before the unfortunate incident in the following game.

Gasparyan at first appeared to have cramp as she lay on the court in pain and in tears. She received treatment and continued to serve but winced as she bent down to meet Svitolina’s low returns and was eventually broken.

The Russian signalled that she could not continue upon receiving more medical attention and left court three in tears and to a standing ovation.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, July 4, 2019

Pooran - a future Windies talisman: Lloyd LONDON, England (CMC) – Legendary former captain Clive Lloyd believes Nicholas Pooran possesses the “raw ingredients” upon which West Indies can build their oneday side, in the wake of their latest World Cup fiasco.

The 23-year-old left-hander stroked a scintillating 118 off 103 balls to notch his maiden international hundred as West Indies crashed to their sixth defeat of the World Cup with a 23-run loss to Sri Lanka at Chester-le-Street.

West Indies were still in with a chance at the death but Pooran’s dismissal at the start of the 48th over sealed the Caribbean side’s demise.

“It’s been a tournament of ‘what ifs’ for my team and their defeat to Sri Lanka was another example. Nicholas Pooran was outstanding in the run-chase but lost his wicket at just the wrong time,” Lloyd wrote in his ICC tournament column.

“He has done very well in this tournament and is someone we can really build around going forward.

He has a lot of things to learn but the raw ingredients are there for him to go on and become a fine player for the West Indies over the next few years.

Legendary former captain, Clive Lloyd (right), chats with Nicholas Pooran (centre) and Shimron Hetmyer during a recent event at the World Cup. “Hopefully a couple (players) can produce against Afghanistan but it will not be easy,” the 74-year-old Lloyd cautioned.

“They have given a very good account of themselves in stages and if they put a whole performance together, it will be a good game.”

“I think what he has shown he’s learned is that you have to mix aggression with caution. It is no

good making 70 and then holing out at deep mid-off. You have got to play smart cricket.

“When you hit it in the air, you have to find a space where there isn’t anyone. Hit in the ground and you are still there.”

Pooran arrived at the World Cup with a single One-Day International under his belt but has played all of his side’s eight matches, to top the aggregates with 309 runs at an average of 51.

Instructively, no other West Indies batsman has passed 250 runs in a campaign which has gone sideways ever since their opening win over Pakistan a month ago at Trent Bridge.

Pooran’s hundred has been just one of two in the tournament for West Indies – Carlos Brathwaite scored the other against New Zealand in Manchester last week – but Lloyd believes this has not been a reflection of the quality in the batting group.

“When you look at it, we have the talent with the bat.

It’s far from doom and gloom. Sure, we have to learn from the mistakes and rectify them but I am very optimistic,” said Lloyd, who led West Indies to historic World Cup triumphs in 1975 and 1979.

“We have had two centurions at the tournament and it really could, and should, have been four or five.”

West Indies lie ninth in the 10-nation standings on three points with one game remaining against minnows Afghanistan at Leeds today.

Interestingly, the Windies have lost three of their five ODI meetings with Afghanistan, including their last two at the World Cup qualifiers in Zimbabwe last year.

And Lloyd warned that a victory over the Asians would not be straightforward.

Nicholas Pooran

Jesus inspires Brazil to first Copa America final since 2007

BRAZIL moved into their first Copa America final since kick comfortably saved by Alisson in the 66th minute.

2007 with a 2-0 win over Argentina in Belo Horizonte on Instead, Brazil struck on the counterattack to double their Tuesday night. lead thanks to some excellent work from Jesus.

Gabriel Jesus starred for Tite’s men, scoring the opener Jesus led a break with a brilliant run from inside his before setting up Roberto Firmino’s sealer in the semi-final at own half before composing himself to square for Firmino the Estadio Mineirao. to tap in and make it 2-0.

Led by Lionel Messi, Argentina had their chances, hitting the That was the decisive blow as Brazil, who had already woodwork twice through the star forward and Sergio Aguero. sat back after their opener, held firm to progress to the final.

But their chances were dashed by Firmino’s 71st-minute goal What does it mean? Belo Horizonte ghosts have been as eight-time champions Brazil reached the decider. brushed aside.

In what was a frantic start, Leandro Paredes went close At the scene of their 7-1 mauling at the hands of Germany for Argentina, his powerful effort from range going just over. in the 2014 World Cup semi-finals, Brazil found a way – and Jesus had looked bright early and he opened the scoring got some luck. Argentina hit the woodwork twice, but Brazil for Brazil in the 19th minute. did enough to reach their first Copa America final since 2007.

Dani Alves did brilliantly to release Firmino down the Brazil continue Argentina dominance thanks to Jesus right side of the area, the forward crossing for Jesus to Brazil have never lost a competitive game at convert from close range. home to Argentina and that record was maintained, As Brazil appeared content to sit back after their thanks largely to Jesus. The Manchester City foropener, Argentina went close to an equaliser on the ward was exceptional throughout, scoring once and half-hour mark. assisting the other while causing constant problems.

Messi’s well-weighted set-piece from a central area was met by Aguero, whose MESSI’S WAIT GOES ON header bounced back off the crossbar.

Now 32, Messi’s wait for a first Philippe Coutinho had a great senior title with Argentina continues. chance to double Brazil’s lead The star struggled to find top form in the 56th minute, the attacker at the Copa America, although blazing over after being set up he looked threatening against following a wonderful turn by Jesus.

Brazil.

And, just a minute later, Argentina hit the woodwork Brazil will face either again; Messi’s volley from the left side of the area bouncChile or Peru in the final on ing off the post after a blocked Lautaro Martinez shot fell Sunday, while Argentina to the star. meet the loser of that Argentina continued to dominate as they Gabriel Jesus starred for clash in the third-place looked for an equaliser, Messi’s 20-yard free- Tite’s men, scoring the opener playoff a day earlier.

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Pay dispute resurfaces as U.S. women prepare for World Cup final (REUTERS) - With United States preparing to play in the women’s World Cup final the team’s fight for pay equity resurfaced yesterday with the Democratic Women’s Caucus demanding answers from U.S. Soccer chief Carlos Cordeiro.

The U.S. national team’s dispute with the U.S. Soccer Federation over pay parity has simmered in the background of the month-long tournament which will reach a climax on Sunday in Lyon when the U.S., coming off a tense 2-1 semi-final win over England, will face the Netherlands or Sweden.

Players have said repeatedly their lawsuit against U.S. Soccer has not been a distraction but the dispute was frontand-centre again as the Democratic Women’s Caucus sent Cordeiro a letter expressing its “deep concern regarding inequities in pay, publicity and investment in the U.S. Women’s National Team (USWNT)”.

The United States players warm up during a Team USA training session in preparation for the FIFA Women’s World Cup France 2019 at Lyon Training Center

(Mandatory Credit: Michael Chow-USA TODAY Sports)

The letter added; “Members are also demanding answers from the Federation as to how it will remedy these injustices”.

All 28 members of the defending World Cup champions’ squad were named as plaintiffs in a lawsuit against U.S. Soccer filed in March.

The players say they have been consistently paid less money than their male counterparts even though their performance has been superior to the men’s team.

The lawsuit also outlines years of institutionalised gender discrimination, claiming travel conditions, medical personnel, promotion of games and training are less favourable for female players than for their male counterparts.

A Wall Street Journal report last month said that U.S. Soccer had agreed to participate in mediation following the conclusion of the tournament.

In their letter, the Members requested information about the U.S. Soccer Federation’s plans to address institutionalised gender discrimination within the Federation and justifications for differences in compensation, marketing, and promotion which have implications for its compliance with the Amateur Sports Act of 1978.

The letter noted that the three-time world champions received $1.725M for winning the 2015 World Cup while the U.S. men’s team earned $5.37M for losing in the round of 16 in 2014.

The Democratic Women’s Caucus, a Political Action Committee, also pointed out that the U.S. women’s team generated more revenue for the federation from 2016 to 2018, bringing in $50.8M compared to $49.9M by the men’s squad.

The women’s World Cup in France has attracted record crowds and television ratings and unprecedented global media coverage.

“The inequities that these women champions have faced as members of the USWNT are indefensible,” the Members wrote. “The U.S. Soccer Federation should work to correct course and close the wage gap so that the only thing women athletes are fighting for is the world title or a gold medal.

“Instead, the message sent to women and girls is that their skills and accomplishments are of lesser value.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, July 4, 2019

Bairstow scores ton as England crush New Zealand to storm into semis

DURHAM, England (Reuters) - England stormed into the Cricket World Cup semi-finals for the first time since 1992 after Jonny Bairstow’s second consecutive century helped secure a comprehensive 119-run victory over New Zealand yesterday.

Bairstow smashed 106 to lift England to 305-8 in their final group game at the Riverside Ground, though the total could easily have been bigger but for a middle-order collapse.

New Zealand wobbled early in their chase, losing both openers cheaply, before a couple of run-outs effectively derailed them and they were all out for 186 in 45 overs.

England will face either holders Australia or twice champions India in the semi-finals at Edgbaston.

“We knew these two games were must-win to give ourselves the best opportunity of reaching the semi-final,” Bairstow said after collecting the man-ofthe-match award.

“We knew the performances in the last couple of games weren’t up to scratch.

To play the way we have and hopefully keep it going into the semis is pleasing.

“We have got a couple days off. People will be sore after two gruelling games.

Then we meet up and go again.”

New Zealand could not qualify yesterday but, given their superior run rate, Pakistan would need a freak result against Bangladesh tomorrow to leapfrog the Black Caps.

hamstring, Bairstow and Roy looked unstoppable, scoring freely to bring up England’s 100 in the 15th over.

Jimmy Neesham ended the 123-run partnership in the 19th over when Roy, having made a run-a-ball 60, was caught at short cover.

Bairstow needed 95 balls

England cricketers celebrate another New Zealand dismissal at Durham

After England captain Eoin Morgan won the toss, Bairstow and Jason Roy threatened to replicate their Edgbaston heroics where the openers added 160 to set up a campaign-reviving victory over India.

Against a New Zealand attack missing Lockie Ferguson, who is nursing a tight

to bring up his 100 as he and Joe Root kept the scoreboard ticking over.

PITCH SLOWING Trent Boult returned to dismiss Root for 24 and England suddenly began losing wickets regularly with the pitch showing signs of slowing down.

Bairstow chopped a Matt Henry delivery onto his stumps and Jos Buttler miscued Boult to Kane Williamson at mid-off.

Ben Stokes struggled to get going and managed only 11 off 27 balls. Morgan made 42 before Mitchell Santner took a stunning catch off Henry to dismiss the England captain.

New Zealand were rocked early in their chase, losing both openers by the sixth over with a meagre 14 runs on the board.

The onus was on Williamson (27) and Ross Taylor (28) to put the chase back on track but two run-ours, one fortuitous and another ill-judged, led to the dismissals of New Zealand’s two senior batsmen.

Taylor’s drive brushed Mark Wood’s fingers before hitting the stumps at the non-striker’s end with Williamson out of his ground and Taylor ran himself out going for a risky second.

Tom Latham made a fighting 57 but it was too late to affect the result.

“Not ideal to have three defeats, the recipe is simple but not easy,” Williamson said.

“The margins on the scoreboard have looked big but for us it is important we

look at it for what it is. We definitely need to be better moving forward.

“England did get the

best of the conditions but they were the better team.

They outplayed us in all facets.”

SCORECARD

ENGLAND innings J. Roy c Santner b Neesham 60 J. Bairstow b Henry 106 J. Root c Latham b Boult 24 J. Buttler c Williamson b Boult 11 E. Morgan c Santner b Henry 42 B. Stokes c Henry b Santner 11 C. Woakes c Williamson b Neesham 4 L. Plunkett not out 15 A. Rashid b Southee 16 J. Archer not out 1 Extras: (b 4, lb 4, w 7) 15 Total: (8 wickets, 50 overs) 305 Fall of wickets: 1-123, 2-194, 3-206 4-214, 5-248, 6-259, 7-272, 8-301.

Bowling: M. Santner 10-0-65-1, T. Boult 10-0-56-2, T. Southee 9-0-70-1, M. Henry 10-0-54-2, C. de Grandhomme 1-0-11-0, J. Neesham 10-1-41-2.

NEW ZEALAND innings M. Guptill c Buttler b Archer 8 H. Nicholls lbw b Woakes 0 K. Williamson run-out 27 L. Taylor run-out 28 T. Latham c Buttler b Plunkett 57 J. Neesham b Wood 19 C. de Grandhomme c Root b Stokes 3 M. Santner lbw b Wood 12 T. Southee not out 7 M. Henry b Wood 7 T. Boult stp. Buttler b Rashid 4 Extras: (b-2, lb-6, w-6) 14 Total: (all out, 45 overs) 186 Fall of wickets: 1-2, 2-14, 3-61, 4-69, 5-123, 6-128, 7-164, 8-166, 9-181.

Bowling: C. Woakes 8-0-44-1, J. Archer 7-1-17-1, L. Plunkett 8-0-28-1, M. Wood 9-0-34-3, J. Root 3-0-15-0, A. Rashid 5-0-301, B. Stokes 5-0-10-1.

Ninth edition of Malta Supreme 11-race Cycling Meet set for Saturday THE ninth Annual Malta Supreme 11-race Cycling Meet will pit the crème de la crème of Guyana’s cyclists against one another, as cycling action returns

to the inner circuit of the National Park on Saturday morning from 09:30hrs in the various categories.

The defending champion is Warren ‘Forty’ McKay

who clinched victory last year in the Feature 35-Lap Schoolboys and Invitational race in a time of one hour, 13 minutes and 12 seconds.

Christopher ‘Chicken

Action will return to the Inner Circuit of the National Park on Saturday with the ninth Annual Malta Supreme 11-race Cycling Meet

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Thursday, July 04, 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: (1) India’s Kapil Dev (1983) (2) Bermuda & Namibia TODAY’S QUIZ: (1) Who is the first player to thrice win Man of the Match awards in World Cup 2019?

(2) Who kept wickets for the WI in the 1992 World Cup?

ANSWERS IN TOMORROW’S ISSUE

Legs’ Griffith had finished second with Romello Crawford claiming third place.

Meanwhile, Jaheim Henry (BMX 9-12 and 12-14), Ian Jackson (Veteran Over50), David Hicks (12-14 Boys and Girls/Juveniles), Mario King (Mountain Bike) and Jessica Mohabir (BMX 6-9) are the other winners from last year.

An official from Malta Supreme will be on hand to assist with the presentation of trophies and prizes.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, July 4, 2019

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NYSCL upstage Regal Masters to take 2019 Legends Cup

By Frederick Halley

AFTER suffering a 22-run defeat in the preliminary round encounter, played on the opening day, New York Softball Cricket League (NYSCL) rebounded to defeat pre-tournament favourites Regal Masters by five wickets on the final day of the 2019 Legends Cup, played at Baisley Pond Park, Queens New York, last Sunday.

from the consistent Erapalli Sahadeo and a fine four-wicket haul from Navin Narine, NYSCL proved the superior team in what turned out to be a highly competitive affair, reaching their target of 131 with 11 balls to spare, losing five wickets in the process.

The right-handed Sahadeo, who started the tournament in a blaze of glory with an unbeaten 87 against Canadian Legends,

swung the game NYSCL’s way. He added 47 for the second wicket with Rishi Singh whose contribution was 22 and an unbroken 65 for the sixth wicket with Nandalall Doodnauth who was undefeated on 26 (three fours) much to the delight of the partisan supporters.

At 60 for two at the halfway stage, the game was evenly poised with the bumper Sunday afternoon crowd mostly rooting for the home team.

NYSCL players celebrate winning the Legends Cup. President Eric Ferrier is second from extreme right. (Pictures, courtesy of John Ramsingh)

The win by the New Yorkers, in the NYSCL organised tournament, allowed them to stop the Guyana-based Regal Masters from retaining championship honours and also saw them cart off the Eagle, symbol of supremacy among the Over-45-year-old players plus the US$2500 first prize in the 20-over clash.

Led by a responsible undefeated even half-century

was again in subline form, entering the fray in the second over of the innings, following the dismissal of opener Karamchand Panday (four), superbly caught by wicketkeeper Eric Thomas off the bowling of Throy Kippins and he was there at the end when victory was achieved.

Sahadeo, who struck two fours and three sixes, featured in two vital partnerships which

They were, however, silenced to a certain extent in the first over after the break when veteran Ramesh Deonarine sent back Faizal Ulla (five) and skipper Ravi Sahadeo with consecutive deliveries, both being bowled “neck and crop”.

Abdul Hafeez averted the hat-trick but lost his leg stump to Laurie Singh in the following over, as Regal staged a grand fightback. It

was, however, the last wicket to fall as Sahadeo and Doodnauth took centre stage in their rescue act.

Usually known for his accuracy, David Harper endured a nightmare 17th over, which cost 23 runs, followed by 11 in the 18th bowled by Mahendranauth Parasnauth put paid to any hopes Regal Masters had of taking back the Eagle to Guyana for a second consecutive year. Deonarine ended three for 17.

Earlier, after winning the toss and taking first strike, Regal Masters were given a steady start by openers Uniss Yusuf and Eon Abel who added 42 runs before disaster struck in the fifth over with the introduction of Navin Narine. Yusuf (15) was the first to go, bowled, attempting a sweep while Throy Kippins (0) went caught at backward square, also sweeping.

With the dependable Ramesh Deonarine (one), Harper (two) and Mohendra Arjune (two) going in quick succession, Regal Masters slumped to a disappointing 66 for five after 11 overs with Abel still battling.

Abel eventually was dismissed in the 12th over for 36 which included three fours before Eric Thomas and Lloyd Ruplall joined forces to add 55 for the sixth wicket - the best partnership of the innings.

Attempting to up the ante in the final over, Thomas was bowled for a top-score of 38, decorated with a solitary four and four sixes, with

Ruplall unbeaten on 19, as Regal Masters ended on 130 for seven, a total that eventually proved inadequate.

ters also defeated SVC Corriverton and Canadian Legends in preliminary rounds action.

Erapalli Sahadeo was

MVP Erapalli Sahadeo poses with his trophy after receiving it from a sponsor

The semi-finals saw Regal Masters thrash their Guyanese counterparts Fisherman by a massive 159 runs with Deonarine (92) and Yusuf (78) being the main contributors as the winners piled up 228 for seven in their allotted 20 overs. Fisherman, who were competing in their first overseas tournament, were routed for a paltry 69. Apart from whipping NYSCL, Regal Mas-

adjudged man-of-thematch in the final and the tournament MVP while Bhim George of Corriverton SVC was the lone centurion. Regal Masters’ Laurie Singh topped the bowling with 12 wickets while NYSCL’s Navin Narine recorded the best bowling figures (four for 10), all being rewarded for their efforts.

Youth teams under intense training ahead of upcoming CONCACAF tournaments TRAINING for the various National youth teams will be intensified in the coming

weeks as the countdown to their participation in key Caribbean Football Union (CFU)

and CONCACAF youth tournaments in the July-September window draws closer.

Mohamed confident of winning Under-17 title

By Rajiv Bisnauth MANAGER of the national Under-17 team, Nazeer Mohamed, believes that his team can earn Guyana’s first regional title when they compete in the upcoming 50-Over regional championship from July 4 to 15, in Trinidad and Tobago.

That championship title is the only one that has eluded Guyana, but Mohamed said the team is strong in each department, and at the same time, there are a number of match-winners. He also thinks these players have the best chance of winning the title.

“Definitely the team is a good one. We have most of the core players who have done well in the Inter-county tournaments, so we have a good chance this year.

I think coach Bailey (Orin) has done a good job preparing the youngsters during the four-day encampment period,” Mohamed

said yesterday during an interview.

The closest the Guyanese have come to winning the Under-17 title was in 2016 when Guyana placed

Nazeer Mohamed

second after their final game against the host nation, Trinidad and Tobago, was rained out.

The 14-man squad, along with the coach and

manager, is expected to depart Guyana today.

While the final touring-man party has not been announced, it is expected that the same players encamped will represent Guyana.

Those players are: Matthew Nandu, Sarwan Chitnarine, Marvan Prashad, Mavendra Dindyal, Niran Bissu, Zeynul Ramsammy, Andre Seepersaud, Sheldon Charles, Azizi Christiani, Chandrapaul Ramraj, Jagdesh Dowlatram, Chaitram Balgobin, Avinash Rajkumar and Ajay Gainda.

Barbados are the defending champions while Guyana finished third in 2018.

Guyana will open their challenge against Trinidad and Tobago at Couva, Leeward Islands will play Jamaica at Brian Lara Stadium and defending champions Barbados will match skills with Windward Islands at Gilbert Park.

Guyana is scheduled to participate in six youth tournaments; CONCACAF Women’s Under-20 Qualifiers (July 13-21) to be held in Guyana; preliminary Round of Men’s Under-23 Olympic Qualifier (home & away match) on July 17-21; CFU Girls’ Under-14 from August 1-12 (Group 5) to be held in the Dominican Republic; CONCACAF Under-15 Boys’ Championship from August 4-12 to be held at the IMG Academy, CONCACAF Under-17 Women’s Championship on August 21-25 and the Caribbean Football Union Boys’ Under-14 scheduled for September.

Preparations, which began in May, saw teams engaged in a weekly schedule of training at the GFF National Training Centre, Providence.

“The preparation is taking the form of two weekly sessions for all the youth teams, utilising weekdays from 16:00hrs to 18:00hrs and weekends, when available, for an additional two hours,” said Bryan Joseph, GFF’s Youth Development Officer.

“We have been implementing or applying the new strategy relative to how we prepare national teams so we’re not doing short, compressed preparation anymore.

We’re doing preparation over a longer period. While sessions do not increase, what increases is the period of time that we are actually spending in preparing the groups,” Joseph added.

scouting activities and those identified by the various Technical Development Officers (TDOs). Detailed lists of provisional squads will soon be available.

For the CONCACAF

U-15 boys going through a fitness regimen in preparation for the upcoming tournament

Commenting on the composition of the technical squad, Joseph said this is being led by the Technical Department; “We haven’t yet been able to confirm the staff for the various groups even though respective individuals have been identified and have been working with the various groups. There is some overlapping taking place but as we get closer to tournament date and encampment, we’ll finalise the respective staff.”

Players are taken from the various Academy Training Centres (ATCs) as well as from

Women’s Under-20 Qualifiers, Guyana have been placed in Group A along with Bermuda, Antigua and Barbuda, Suriname and St Lucia. Matches are scheduled for the National Track and Field Centre, Leonora (Guyana) and Warner Park, St Kitts & Nevis.

The match schedule for Guyana is as follows: July 13 – Guyana vs Bermuda - 18:00hrs July 19 – St. Lucia vs Guyana - 18:00hrs July 21 – Guyana vs Suriname - 16:00hrs.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, July 4, 2019

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Jimenez goal sends Mexico past Haiti and into Gold Cup final Page

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Mexico’s Raul Jimenez (#9) who scored the winning goal in overtime battles for the ball against Haiti’s Steeven Saba in the CONCACAF Gold Cup Semifinals on Tuesday, at State Farm Stadium in Phoenix, Arizona

Netherlands reach first World Cup final with extra-time rocket

Morgan hails ‘outstanding’ Bairstow after England reach last four Page

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England’s Jonny Bairstow gestures to the fans as he walks off after losing his wicket (Action Images via Reuters/Lee Smith)

Page

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Players of the Netherlands celebrate winning the match at Groupama Stadium, Lyon, France (REUTERS/Bernadett Szabo)

Mohamed confident of winning Under-17 title Printed and Published by Guyana National Newspapers Limi ted, Lama Avenue, Bel Air Park, Georgetown. Telephone 2 2 6- 3243-9 (General); Editorial: 2 2 7- 5204, 2 2 7- 5216. Fax:2 2 7- 5208

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THURSDAY, JULY 4, 2019