Guyana_Chronicle_Epaper_07_17_2019

WEDNESDAY 17th July, 2019

Four names cleared No.105701

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… as President, Opposition Leader continue talks on new GECOM chair … discussions on President’s nominees, other candidates expected today

PPP issues more threats to GECOM 15 PAGE

… commissioners condemn action as ‘cockeyed intimidation’

President David Granger at a press conference on Tuesday

Better quality roads, 11 faster finish PAGE

… Guyana banks on modern asphalt plant

…citizens to cash in with sale of recyclable materials

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, July 17, 2019

CARICOM social security schemes urged to modernise

THE 30th Meeting of the Heads of CARICOM Social Security Organisations opened on Tuesday at the Guyana Marriott, with a call from Minister of Education, Dr. Nicolette Henry, for Social Security Schemes to remain relevant by modernising their operations to increase their efficiencies.

Minister Henry delivered the keynote address on behalf of President David Granger, in the presence of CARICOM Secretary General, Ambassador Irwin La Rocque; General Manager of the National Insurance Scheme (NIS), Holly Greaves, and NIS Board Chairman, John Seeram. Director of the Inter-American Centre for Social Security Studies, Reginald Thomas; and Finance Secretary of the Ministry Finance, Michael Joseph, were among the other officials present, while Secretary-General of the International Social Security Association, Marcelo Caetano, joined virtually.

This meeting here in Georgetown is happening at a time when Social Security schemes in the Region are being asked to modernise and reform their focus, increase operational efficiency and remain relevant. And so I want to keep my remarks in the context of these three important pillars for the sustainability of Social Security systems in the Region.

Minister Henry said while most territories are focusing on their programme’s long-term financing gaps, it’s important to incorporate into those plans technologies that would boost the efficiencies of their operations, thereby allowing them to remain relevant.

“Let me advise that in modernising the system we also have to take into account the evolving social, economic, and demographic circumstances, such as the issues of high unemployment in some of the member states. Increased life expectancy is also a variable in this equation, along with measured wage growth. These trends have certainly undermined the support that social security offers for caregivers, widows, and the elderly,” Dr. Henry explained. It was noted that modernising social security requires strong leadership and a commitment on the part of policymakers.

She said improving the schemes operational efficiencies is a task much lower than a hanging fruit, noting that such a move can improve schemes’ effectiveness in service provision. “It is no secret that Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has become increasingly useful for the delivery of services around the world. As technology advances and more efficient communications solutions are introduced to the labour force, institutions have to find ways and means to increase their productivity and increase clients and, employees satisfaction,” Dr. Henry explained.

Here in Guyana, she said the NIS, the host of the conference, has made several technological advancements in the delivery of its service. NIS now has electronic schedule submission – which allows employers to submit their information electronically, online checking of contribution record and digital access to information by employers on contribution payment history, projected pension calculator and live chat. There are also e-Appointments and electronic services to third parties.

Minister of Education, Dr. Nicolette Henry

CARICOM Secretary-General, Ambassador Irwin La Rocque

Director of the Inter-American Centre for Social Security Studies, Reginald Thomas

Such steps, she emphasised, are necessary to remain relevant in the age of technology.

“In concluding, I have to say that while social security gaps obviously remain in the Region, there is definitely a strong rationale for all stakeholders to step up to the challenge and close the gaps. Investing in sustainable social security strategies is good for our people, our planet, our prosperity and our survival as a Region,” the Education Minister told the officials present.

The CARICOM Secretary-General, in his address, said there is no doubt about social security’s fundamental value in maintaining a significant degree of stability within the society.

Ambassador La Rocque noted that there are significant challenges that ought to be addressed to ensure the sustainability of Social Security Schemes to allow for the sustainability of social security funding. He said too, that while persons are living longer, they are not eating healthier, noting that the prevalence of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs)

has had an effect on social security systems. The meeting, he posited, creates a platform for the Heads of the Social Security Organisations to develop solutions to address the challenges currently being faced by Social Security Schemes.

The Director of the Inter-American Centre for Social Security Studies, said the conference was being held at a time when there are there are new forms of work resulting in many changes in the labour market.

Like Ambassador La Rocque, Thomas said the conference is being held at a time when the population across the Region is living longer, but is failing to eat healthier. “We are meeting at a time when fertility is declining. Gone are the days when women would have five and seven children, and the participation rate of women in the labour force is a reality,” Thomas said as he painted a vivid picture of the regional situation. Due to these changes and developments, there is a greater demand for social security and social protection, and as the Education Minister implored, Thomas said it is important to be proactive and responsive in addressing the rising demands. Social Security Organisations, he emphasised become more relevant.

NIS Board Chairman used the platform to renew calls for the establishment of a Regional Secretariat, noting that it has now become a necessity. “It is long overdue and intensive planning should be done early in establishing this entity.

National insurance is a multimillion dollar business turnover, hence the need for this secretariat,” Seeram explained.

When established, he said the secretariat should have a Research and Development Unit for the formation of best practices in the administration of Social Security Services.

Seeram also made a pitch for increased training. During the conference which will continue throughout the week, discussions will be based on the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and matters related to social security administration in the Region.

The CARICOM Agreement on Social Security was signed here in Georgetown, on 1 March 1996.

Four names cleared

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, July 17, 2019

… as President, Opposition Leader continue talks on new GECOM chair … discussions on President’s nominees, other candidates expected today

By Svetlana Marshall FOUR persons, who were nominated by the Leader of the Opposition for the position of chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), have found favour with President David Granger. The four nominees are expected to be included on a list which will be submitted formally, to the President, for his consideration.

However, the process of nominating persons for the post is not completed, as two more names are required to make up the list of six names not unacceptable to the President – a requirement of the Constitution.

This was the result of a high-level meeting between President Granger and the Leader of the Opposition, Bharrat Jagdeo, at the Ministry of the Presidency on Tuesday.

In that meeting, the President was accompanied

by Director General of the Ministry of the Presidency, Joseph Harmon, while the opposition leader was accompanied by People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Member of Parliament, Irfaan Ali. In a joint statement following the meeting, the leaders said, “It was agreed ? that from the list of five names shortlisted by the working group, four were found not unacceptable to the President; and as part of the hammering-out process, the two names suggested by the President and others as may be necessary, will be discussed further.” The President’s nominees are Attorney-at-Law, Kesaundra Alves, and Justice (Ret’d), Claudette La Bennett.

In a press conference that immediately followed

the meeting, President Granger, in the company of the Director General, said he was pleased to report that he and the opposition leader had a “fruitful” meeting.

July 11, 2019, the working group had shortlisted five names from the 11 resubmitted by the opposition leader, while the president’s eight nominees were placed up for

the greatest public importance that the President and the leader of the opposition should, as soon as possible, embark upon and conclude the process of appointing a new GECOM

be brought to an end very quickly and on that basis I agreed to meet with the leader of the opposition,” President Granger said on Tuesday.

He noted that it was not

President David Granger and Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo, meeting at the Ministry of the Presidency on Tuesday on the appointment of the Chairman of GECOM. Director General of the Ministry of the Presidency and PPP/C Member of Parliament, Irfaan Ali, were also part of the meeting. The meeting continues today, as the leaders expedite the process of appointing a new chairman.

The President explained that after the July 4, 2019 meeting between him and the opposition leader, they had agreed to the formation of a working group to “hammer out” the nominees proposed by both sides.

The group comprised of Vice-President and Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan, and the Director General of the Ministry of the Presidency, Joseph Harmon, on the government side, and Members of Parliament, Gail Teixeira, Anil Nandlall and Bishop Juan Edghill on the opposition side. Ahead of the first meeting of the working group, the opposition leader resubmitted 11 names from his list of 18 that was previously rejected by President Granger, while eight names were proposed by the President on the day of the meeting.

During the third and final meeting on Thursday

consideration. The working group had hoped to conclude the process of identifying six names not unacceptable to the President but the parties could not have found common ground and agreed to send the matter back to the two leaders.

On July 12, in response to its June 18, 2019 decision that the process that resulted in the unilateral appointment by the President of a Chairman of GECOM was flawed, the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) said the need to issue consequential orders and directions have been rendered largely unnecessary because the GECOM Chairman voluntarily resigned his office subsequent to the decision. However, it urged the President and the opposition leader to expedite the process of appointing a new chairman, in light of a pending election.

“It is now a matter of

Chairman. This imperative is now of the utmost urgency in light of our decision in the no-confidence motion cases that the motion was validly passed thereby triggering the need for fresh general elections,” President of the CCJ, Justice Adrian Saunders said.

In the court’s earlier ruling, it had urged the two leaders to arrive at a consensus before the list of six nominees is formally submitted to the President by the leader of the opposition, in accordance with the Constitution of Guyana. In keeping with a commitment to expedite the process, the President further shortlisted his eight nominees to two. “…the Government of Guyana has agreed broadly to accept the ruling and to expedite the process on the selection of the chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission, and we feel that this process can

possible for the meeting to be held on Monday, and as such, they agreed to meet on Tuesday, July 16.

“We have reached a broad agreement; we have not completed the process,” he told reporters in the press room of the Ministry of the Presidency.

He noted that the high-level meeting will continue today, Wednesday July 17, and it is expected that even more progress will be made.

“We feel that this process could be brought to an end very quickly. We expect that we will make progress on crafting a list.

I must note that the power and the authority of the Leader of the Opposition under the Constitution to submit a list of six names not unacceptable to the President has not been impaired, it has not been varied.

Equally, when the President receives that list, he will make

a choice,” President Granger explained. He noted that the CCJ has indicated that there should be a “hammering out” process in the arrival of the six names ahead of the formal submission.

PROCESS MOVING FORWARD Fielding questions from reporters, the President emphasised that the process is being advanced.

“The process will move forward tomorrow, in that there will be a smaller team. We will not use the same working group; it will be a smaller team, which will continue the process of engagement.

We have not disengaged,” he told reporters.

He said it is expected that at the end of the process, the opposition would be able to submit a list of six nominees that are not unacceptable to the President. At this stage, the parties have agreed not to disclose the names of nominees shortlisted, or disclose the reasons for rejecting the seven other nominees proposed by the opposition leader. However, the President assured reporters that the working group did a satisfactory job. “They did their work and we are satisfied. As far as we are concerned, it was a satisfactory process,” the Head of State said.

Article 161 (2) of the Constitution, mandates the opposition leader, after meaningful consultation with the non-governmental political parties represented in the National Assembly, to submit a list of six persons, to the President for the selection of a Chairman of GECOM, however, the list must not be unacceptable to the President.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, July 17, 2019

Peru ex-president arrested in US

Peru’s former President Alejandro Toledo has been arrested in the US, the Peruvian authorities say.

The chief prosecutor’s office said his arrest was in connection with an extradition request issued in March

last year.

Mr Toledo is accused of taking $20m in bribes from the Brazilian construction company, Odebrecht, during his time in office between 2001 and 2006.

He denies all the charges

and says they are politically-motivated.

Mr Toledo has been working as a visiting professor at Stanford University, near San Francisco.

Odebrecht is at the centre of a multi-national corruption scandal. The company admitted, as part of a plea deal with the US justice department, to paying nearly $800m (£640m) in bribes to governments across Latin

America.

That time spans the presidencies of Mr Toledo and his two successors in office, Alan Garcia and Ollanta Humala.

Both denied any wrongdoing following the revelations, but Mr Garcia subsequently committed suicide.

Peruvian media reported that Odebrecht’s former executive director in Peru, Jorge Barata, had accused Mr Toledo of receiving $20m

Alejandro Toledo was the president of Peru from 2001 to 2006

in bribes in exchange for granting the firm a contract to build stretches of a highway linking Peru and Brazil.

Mr Barata is reportedly co-operating with prosecutors in his native Brazil and in Peru as part of a plea

bargain.

Mr Toledo has strongly rejected the allegations, saying: “Let Mr Barata say when, how, where and to which bank he sent me $20m. I won’t stand for this!” (BBC)

Saturday 13, July 2019

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, July 17, 2019

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Woman elected president of EU Commission GERMANY’S Ursula von der Leyen has been narrowly elected president of the EU Commission following a secret ballot among MEPs. The centre-right defence minister will replace Commission President JeanClaude Juncker on 1 November.

She secured the backing of more than half of the members of the European parliament on Tuesday evening.

The commission drafts EU laws, enforces EU rules and has the power to impose fines on member states if necessary.

“The trust you placed in me is confidence you placed in Europe,” Mrs von der Leyen, who is the first woman to be elected president of the European Commission, said in a speech immediately after the vote.

“Your confidence in a united and strong Europe, from east to west, from south

to north.”

“It is a big responsibility and my work starts now,” she added. “Let us work together constructively.”

She was confirmed by a margin of 383 votes to 327.

She needed the backing of 374 out of 747 MEPs to win.

A total of 751 MEPs were elected in May, but four were absent for Tuesday’s vote.

Born in Brussels, Mrs von der Leyen has seven children and trained as a gynaecologist before entering politics.

The 60-year-old defence minister has been criticised in Germany over the armed forces’ persistent equipment shortages and what some consider to be her aloof management style.

She has promised to push for the EU to play a bigger role in social welfare, to tackle poverty, and has stressed that she would stand up for women’s rights.

In a speech in the European parliament earlier on

New President of EU Commission, Ursula von der Leyen

Tuesday, Mrs von der Leyen made some other significant

pledges.

These are: she would

push to give the European Parliament “the right of initiative” - meaning the Commission would have to legislate on MEPs’ resolutions; currently only the Commission can draft laws; on irregular migration to the EU, she said she would boost the EU’s border force Frontex to 10,000 staff by 2024, but said “we need to preserve the right to asylum through humanitarian corridors”; and offered an EU “reinsurance scheme” to bolster national insurance schemes for the unemployed.

Figures from across the bloc have been quick to congratulate Mrs von der Leyen on her election victory.

“This job is a huge responsibility and a challenge.

I am sure you will make a great president,” outgoing Commission head JeanClaude Juncker wrote on Twitter. German Chancellor Angela Merkel paid tribute to her outgoing defence minister, who she described as a

“committed and convincing European”.

“Even if I lose a long-standing minister today, I win a new partner in Brussels,” she said in a statement.

“I am therefore looking forward to good co-operation.”

“About time we get a woman in that important position,” Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Lofven said in a tweet. “Time to continue work on the crucial issues: jobs, climate change, migration and security in Europe.”

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez offered his congratulations and said: “Europe has to move forward. In this we have to work together, addressing the changes that the common project needs.”

Belgium’s leader - and incoming head of the European Council - Charles Michel said: “I wish to congratulate [Mrs von der Leyen]. Let’s work together in the interest of all Europeans.” (BBC)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, July 17, 2019

Equal opportunity for all

MONDAY’S commissioning of a dormitory which caters to tertiary students of the hinterland pursuing studies on the coastland is a significant developmental step, as it adds to the administration’s pursuit of ensuring equal opportunity for all.

As our newspaper reported on Tuesday, the multimillion-dollar state-of-the-art facility was built to accommodate 120 students from the hinterland, who are pursuing tertiary education in various fields at institutions in Georgetown. In his address, President David Granger said the establishment of the Tertiary Students’ Dormitory was in keeping with the 10-Point Plan of Action for Hinterland Development, which he had laid out at the 2015 Conference of the National Toshaos’ Council.

The Head of State explained that the ‘Plan of Action’ is aimed at reducing the inequality between residents of the hinterland and the rest of country by eradicating poverty, promoting employment and economic prosperity, and by enhancing access to public services. “The Plan of Action has guided Government’s actions to empower hinterland residents through education, employment, economic enterprises, energy, infrastructure, land rights, poverty-reduction, public services and cultural development,” he noted.

The commissioning of the dorm is part of the overall policy of this administration in its quest to develop the hinterland. The establishment of the towns of Bartica, Lethem, Mabaruma, and Mahdia in Regions Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni); Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo); One (Barima-Waini); and Eight (Potaro-Siparuni), respectively, after only three years of being given the privilege of serving Guyanese, is one of the ‘Coalition’ administration’s most important achievements, and one of Guyana’s boldest steps towards the admirable goal of full democratic governance. That tangible and progressive

step towards decentralised government is one of the APNU+AFC government’s most significant actions, aimed at equalising the standard of living, countrywide, through hinterland development.

Unfortunately, the more than two decades of a flawed policy of political patronage under the heavy fist of consecutive PPP administrations had dangerously divided Guyana into two zones. President Granger has referred to this division as the “east-west divide”. That political, social, and economic divide, His Excellency explained, separates the living conditions of residents of lands west of Fort Island on the Essequibo River from those of Guyanese to the east. That divide has hindered national development and community advancement through the inhibition of social cohesion. The ‘Coalition’ has declared its commitment to a reversal of the PPP’s ideology of division, and backed up that commitment with actions such as the creation of the Ministry of Social Cohesion.

With 76 per cent of Guyana’s landmass being in the hinterland, President Granger said, national development depends on hinterland development. The neglect of the hinterland by the PPP government has resulted in the stagnant and backward country that the ‘Coalition inherited. Government has repeatedly declared its intention to reverse this inequitable state of affairs, and promote countrywide progress by pursuing a sustainable hinterland development strategy. And the actions of the government give credence to that commitment.

It is evident that economic growth is heavily dependent on the sustainable use of our hinterland resources. Mineral and forest resources account for the major part of Guyana’s export earnings. It is clear that the government is implementing policies and administrative arrangements to maximise earnings from mining activities in a sustain-

able manner. Regarding surface resources, the president has said that adding value to Guyana’s forestry products will create new jobs; he has committed the government to move in this direction of sustainable growth, which must necessarily include environmentally-sound best-practices. Guyana’s signing of the Paris Agreement on the morning of January 12, 2015, is evidence of the government’s actions towards making that commitment a reality.

No less important than overall national growth is the improvement of the standard of living of the 113,000 Guyanese who inhabit Guyana’s interior; in fact, the two are inextricably linked. For too long Guyana’s hinterland residents have endured a substandard existence. The majority of those Guyanese are the Akawaios, Arawaks, Arecunas, Caribs, Macushis, Patamonas, Wai-Wais, Wapichanas and Waraua: Guyana’s Indigenous Peoples. Government has declared a commitment to ensuring that all Guyanese enjoy a decent standard of living, including hinterland residents. The president said, “Your government undertakes to empower Guyana’s First Peoples to be able to sustainably provide for themselves, while ending the dependency syndrome that had characterised life in the past.”

President Granger elaborated by noting that, “Technical and agricultural institutes will be established in each hinterland region, so as to endow hinterland youth with the skills needed for them to prosper. Currently, although there may be some good jobs available, they are given to persons brought from the coast, because local residents lack the skills necessary to fill them. Instead, most [hinterland-based Guyanese] must take low-paying menial jobs. The administration is putting an end to this disparity. Our hinterland-based brothers and sisters must have the same opportunity to succeed in life as coastal

dwellers.”

The president emphasised that he views development as human development; in other words, improvement in the standard of living of citizens across Guyana. His Excellency said, “The government recognises the need for permanent institutions, jobs, farm-to-market roads, well equipped and staffed schools, airstrips, safe communities, food security, decent infrastructure and efficient services.

The establishment of the new towns is one of the first steps in the administration’s quest to equalise standards of living across Guyana’s regions.”

As the administrative centres of the various regions, it makes sense to elevate the status of the areas to towns as the government has done in four regions to date. The administration has declared that it will now invest in improving infrastructure and service-delivery to those communities and regions. Bartica, for example, needs a better stelling and proper waste disposal; Lethem requires improved water and electricity services; Mabaruma’s market must be improved, and all-weather roads must be constructed, as is being done in Mahdia. The administration has said that it will address those and other issues which have already been identified.

The task of creating better lives for all Guyanese and equalising living standards for all citizens will not be an easy one, and government must not be daunted by the magnitude of the undertaking. Instead, the administration must be applauded for remaining resolute to the commitment to improving lives. After all, government is here to serve all the people, and although Guyanese certainly know that all goals cannot be achieved overnight, government deserves to be saluted for making such bold advances, and steadfastly standing by the determination to make life better for all Guyanese.

APNU+AFC has restored civil liberties Dear Editor,

PLEASE permit me space to bring to your attention something that bothered me while I was listening to the rebroadcast of a programme on Freedom Radio on July 15, 2019. The programme was hosted by Mr. Manzoor Nadir, who was ending the calls of Guyanese who had different views or were not calling to support the PPP/C.

Guyanese, how can we give the PPP/C another chance in office to lead Guyana, and they are still repeating the same old attitudes of disrespecting people who have a different point of view by stopping us from expressing how we feel about the PPP/C or anything of concern to us.

According to the Universal Declaration on Human Rights: Article 19 “Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression;

this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference, and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.”

If I was thinking about giving the PPP/C a next chance in government, my mind just changed from doing that. How can we go back under this PPP/C, who jailed Mark Benschop, Oliver Hinckson, Bruce and Carol Ann

Munroe and Junior Wharton on trumped-up treason and sedition charges? They want to continue preventing Guyanese from expressing themselves! In my opinion, the PPP/C has not made any significant changes in the way they operate, and they are still coming around Guyanese with the same old oppressive attitudes.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, July 17, 2019

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That’s rich, coming from Charles Ramson Jr. – A wannabe academic and Russell alum

In response to Charles Ramson Jr’s attack on President Granger Dear Editor, I AM not a biblical person, but I am tempted to quote the scriptures, John 8:7 which states, “Who is without sin can cast the first stone.” This is in response to Charles Ramson Jr who, in a letter published in Stabroek News on July 15, 2019, titled, “CCJ finding that President Granger breached the Constitution is quite significant”.

Mr. Editor, I usually quote the author verbatim to dismantle his/ her argument, but in this case, these words are such garbage that they would cause environmental and intellectual pollution if recycled. In essence, this self-appointed oil-and-gas consultant and academic is suggesting that Mr. David Granger is not a fit and proper man to be President of Guyana.

We all know that Charles Ramson Jr was misleading Guyana that he is an oil- and-gas consultant and academic, and that he studied at Russell Group Universities (top universities) in the UK. I literally proved he was lying.

Anyway, let me ask this gentleman with damaged credibility the following questions: 1: Was Mrs. Janet Jagan fit and proper to be President when she threw the court documents over her shoulder at her Presidential swearing-in ceremony?

2: Is Irfaan Ali fit and proper to be President with 19 criminal charges against him, and credible concerns about academic fraud?

3: Was Bharrat Jagdeo fit and proper to be President when, under his reign, the Phantom Squad unlawfully murdered hundreds of Guyanese, as revealed by Court documents in America? Also under his reign, the Americans labelled Guyana a narco-state.

4: Also, Charles, when you had aspirations of becoming President, in your “fear no man” statement, you admitted that there were serious allegations of corruption during the PPP’s 23-year reign.

Do you still hold those views?

Are they fit and proper to run this country?

Anyway, back to Charles Ramson Jr. I warned him to be quiet, because I had built up a dossier on him. He wishes to be throwing stones, so let me put this to him and see if he now has the testicular fortitude to engage me.

On August 19, 2018, Charles Ramson Jr. was reported in the Kaieteur News to have received a full scholarship for a five-day Executive Course on Oil, Gas and Mining Governance at the University of Oxford Blavatnik School of Government.

I have to come to distrust anything coming from Charles, since I found him to be misleading the Guyanese public that he is an Oiland-Gas consultant and

APNU+AFC has...

FROM PAGE 6

Editor, Guyanese are not prepared to face the hardships and limited freedom of speech again by any PPP/C administration. This APNU/AFC government has never stopped Guyanese from expressing their views, or from picketing. So far, they have always allowed Guyanese citizens to express their democratic rights.

This country has moved in the right direction with regards to civil liberties, which were nonexistent, or severely curtailed, under the PPP/C government. The nation is no longer fearful of expressing dissenting views in the dailies, in the streets, or on social media. It is my belief, as a young man, that by being governed by the APNU/AFC, we will continue to experience an upward mobility in all spheres of our national life. Let us vote for peace and liberty in Guyana.

Regards, Ceion Rollox

academic. As a result, I did my research on this course.

I will quote the course brochure, verbatim, with regards to the prospective participants’ profile.

PARTICIPANTS PROFILE “This course is open to policy leaders in the public and private sectors, alongside those in senior research and non-profit roles, who are committed to better governance in natural resources, and in a position to influence the governance of these sectors. Participants should have at least twelve years’ experience, and be in a senior leadership position or advisory role.”

Prospective participants include•Ministers, chiefs of staff, heads of extractives state-owned enterprises, commissioners, heads of agencies, departments and other public bodies involved in the management of oil, gas and mining and the revenues they generate as well as their deputies and advisers •Executives, directors, chiefs and heads at oil and gas and mining companies, at headquarters or country office levels, as well as their deputies and advisers •Leaders from management consulting firms providing advice

to governments in resource-rich countries in extractive sector policy design and implementation or public financial management •Vice-presidents, deputy managing directors, and heads of departments at multilateral agencies such as the IMF and World Bank; and •Chief executives, directors and senior fellows at think tanks and non-partisan bodies.”

Clearly, this course was designed for high flyers. The crème de la crème of the Oil-and- Gas world; The kind of people like Dr. Jan Mangal et al. Which one of the prescribed qualifications does Charles have? Answer: Absolutely none! The total cost of the course is £8000, excluding transportation.

That works out to be $ 2.24M. Again, I will quote from the brochure, verbatim, with regards to scholarships.

“A limited number of scholarships covering the full cost of tuition and travel are available to public sector applicants from select resource-rich countries: Colombia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ghana, Guinea, Indonesia, Mexico, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nigeria, Tanzania, Tunisia and Uganda.”

You may have noticed that Guyana is not a part of those listed countries for full scholarship. So, how did Charles secure one? Don’t

tell me he is now masquerading as Mexican. Again, I will quote the course brochure, verbatim, with regards to partial scholarship. “In addition, the Blavatnik School will offer a limited number of partial bursaries on a competitive basis to applicants. Applicants must cover their own travel and incidental costs. A bursary application must be completed by the closing date to be eligible for these awards.

We strongly encourage female applicants to apply, with a number of bursary and scholarship opportunities currently available to help support current and rising female leaders in the natural resource sector.”

Again. How can Charles earn a partial bursary when he lacks the minimum entry requirements for the course with a preference for female applicants? I humbly request that Charles explain to the Guyanese public what he did. I will end the way I began. Who without sins can cast the first stone. Charles, I have lots of stones for you.

Finally. Happy birthday, Mr. President! Trust you live to see many more!

Regards, Dr. Mark Devonish MBBS MSc MRCP(UK) FRCP(Edin) Consultant Acute Medicine Nottingham University Hospital

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, July 17, 2019

Peter Wickham’s What should concern the PPP trio is the need misguided comments for a GECOM Chairman to be appointed – on Guyana’s purported voters list

Dear Editor, REGIONAL political scientist and pollster, Peter Wickham, was quoted by Demerara Waves on July 14, 2019 as saying that Guyana’s APNU+AFC coalition government should go to the polls with the current voters list which was used in 2015 when it won the election.

Evidently, Peter does not have a sufficiency of knowledge and information to make an informed judgement on the legality and acceptability of the purported voters list.

Thus, his pronouncements are misguided for the following reasons 1: There is currently no lawful voters list. The list to which you and Guyana’s Opposition party, the PPP, have been referring does not exist. It expired on April 30, 2019, by dint of law or legislative fiat.

2: The law mandates that such voters list be compiled by house-to-house registration of all citizens who are 18 years and over, within an eligible date set out by law. The claims and objections period is not for registration; it is mandated by statute to make corrections to the list that has been compiled through house-to-house registration. However, during this period, persons who were absent from their homes during the registration process may present themselves to the designated district office to be registered.

3: Elections Commission officials have acknowledged that the names of thousands of persons who have died remain on the expired list; possibly over 100,000.

4: Possibly over 15,000 young people who turned 18 since the last elections in 2015, and are now eligible to vote, are not on the list. The National Registration Act mandates the government to register the citizens; it doesn’t place the burden on the citizen to go find the relevant office and register, or lose their franchise. You should know by now that the Opposition is resisting house-to-house registration because it wishes to suppress the youth vote, which comprises 56% of the electorate. Young people will vote against the PPP en bloc.

5: The expired list contains the names of thousands of persons who have moved abroad, and are no longer eligible to vote, unless they return to Guyana, establish residency and register. The list also contains thousands of errors in relation to persons who have relocated within Guyana, or have married and changed their names.

6: The aforementioned demonstrates a list that is unlawful, deeply flawed and bloated, and consequently, unacceptable for credible elections. If the Elections Commission attempts to proceed to elections with said list, it will be enjoined by the court from doing so, and will encounter significant rebellion from the population.

7: Finally, Guyanese are the experts on our voters list and our elections. We should be allowed to make our own decisions in this regard. As a political scientist, Peter would know best that one cannot make judgements on a matter without first being proficient on the relevant facts. I, therefore, find his comments appealingly misguided and unenlightened. I hasten to suggest that he becomes more engaged, and acquire considerably more facts to make objective and informed commentary on our politics.

Regards, Rickford Burke President Caribbean Guyana Institute for Democracy (CGID)

Dear Editor It would be remiss of us, the three government nominated Commissioners of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), not to comment on the missive of Shadick, Gunraj and Benn, the selfproclaimed partisan GECOM Commissioners of the PPP/C, which calls upon GECOM to “immediately start preparations for elections”.

In the first instance,

they know that the Secretariat was given a directive to do all in its powers to acquire materials and to undertake non-statutory activities in preparation for elections, albeit the date was still to be determined; and that statutory activities could only be undertaken if a date for elections has been determined and/or the relevant directive given to the Chief Elections Officer. They also know that GECOM requested supplementary funding for the early conduct of elections

and that the National Assembly acquiesced to that request although the PPP/C absented itself from that sitting of the Assembly. So what are they calling for, apart from attempting to intimidate the Secretariat into action for which it has not been given a directive?

What should be of concern is the need for a Chairman of the Commission to be appointed, for it is then and only then that the Secretariat can be given the relevant directives, some of which will

be determined by the date on which the elections are proclaimed to be held.

All that has been pointed-out above is in keeping with the Rule of Law, rather than the cockeyed attempt to intimidate the Chief Elections Officer into action without the requisite basis or authority.

Yours truly Vincent Alexander Charles Corbin Desmond Trotman GECOM Commissioners

Do education officials recognise the importance of lower schools – to the building of social cohesion?

Dear Editor, OUR schools are likely the greatest social cohesion-building force in Guyana. They are likely more potent than other significant forces such as residential proximity (how close together people of different groups live) and shared beliefs (for example, a common religion). It, therefore, caught my attention,

when attending recently the passing-out ceremony at the BV-Quamina Primary School, that there were only a few Indo-Guyanese pupils in the graduating Grade 6 class. Looking at the names on the class list, I counted five or six pupils of East Indian parentage out of a class of 45.

I compared these numbers to my own passing-out class in the mid-1970s at the old

BV Primary School, and, from memory and class photos, confirmed that Indo-Guyanese pupils were back then in the majority. Most of them lived in Triumph, immediately east of BV. I have no idea of the enrolment catchment area for the now BV-Quamina Primary School. In the early 2000s, the school was established through a merger of the old BV Primary School, and the

Quamina Primary School, the latter having an almost 100% Afro-Guyanese student population. While the merging of the two schools may explain a decline in Indian pupils, in relative terms, it would not explain their decline in absolute terms. Adding to the puzzle, there is no primary school in Triumph to pull Indo-Guyanese children away from the BV school.

TURN TO PAGE 9

We need our own kitchen, on our own land Dear Editor,

IN the year 2000, SIMAP (The Social Impact Amelioration Progrmme) decided to build a school at Saxacalli, since the old school building was unfit. Because the proposed building had to be built on the Scotch Presbyterian Mission, the Council was told by SIMAP that if the land was not legally owned by the State, they would not build. Representation was duly made to the Scotch Presbytery, and we were given the assurance that the Presbytery would donate one acre of land to the cause.

At a meeting with residents at the Presbyterian Church in that very year, Reverend Sampson, the visiting Minister, assured us that an acre of land would be donated. At the same meeting, the Regional Education Officer for Region Three, Mr. Bhiro (now deceased), assured us that within two weeks, a surveyor would be sent to survey the land. Sadly, this never happened.

We, the residents, laboured to clear the site, which was big bush, including a giant Kumaka tree. Although the land was not surveyed, SIMAP went ahead and built.

The school compound can-

not be fenced. SIMAP had brought fencing materials, but because the land was not surveyed, they eventually took the materials away.

Recently, we were invited by the Ministry of Education to join the School Feeding Programme. We raised the necessary finance to build the kitchen, but Reverend Sampson says that we must first seek permission from the Presbytery before we can build.

Editor, this is totally unacceptable. We cannot continue to build for the State on other people’s land, because the Presbytery will want to control the buildings, as they are

doing with the Community Centre. In 1972, the PNC Government decided to build a Centre at Saxacalli. The Presbytery gave permission, but the land was never legally given. At this point in time, although the Presbytery uses the Community Centre for whatever purpose they need it, they never ask permission of the Council. Sadly, the Presbytery denied the Seventh Day Adventists from using the Centre. So, who owns the community centre?

In the year 2006, the Ministry of Health decided to build a Health Post on the TURN TO PAGE 9

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, July 17, 2019

OP-ED

By Margaret Burke

NEVER have we seen economic and developmental activity taking place on the scale we are seeing today in the hinterland of Guyana. When the government came to power in 2015, it faced many challenges when it came to the interior: Restricted access to quality education, poor supply of reliable electricity, and a lack of job opportunities.

Its success in developing critical infrastructure across the hinterland in the past four years has been remarkable. It is not only the progress that has been made, but the presence of a clear and demonstrable plan for development that bodes well for the people living in the hinterland. For the first time in almost three decades, Guyana is now seeing both the political and developmental will to address the disparities that exist across the country, and a push towards true unity, a view that all Guyanese should have equal access to services and resources.

The importance of this cannot be overstated; attention is being paid to addressing the structural issues that have restricted economic and social development across huge swathes of the country. The country cannot seriously provide job creation, business growth, and better public services until government has taken steps to address the challenges around infrastructure.

On Monday, President Granger celebrated his birthday by opening a new Hinterland Student Dormitory at Liliendaal, on the East Coast Demerara. This $186M state-of-the-art facility will give approximately 180 students in 16 apartments accommodation to study in the nation’s capital.

Many are currently pursuing higher education at the University of Guyana (UG), the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE), the Government Technical Institute (GTI), the Guyana School of Agriculture (GSA), The Carnegie School of Home Economics, the E.R Burrowes School of Art and the Guyana Industrial Training Centre (GITC), among others institutions. For decades, hinterland students attending tertiary institutions were being housed at the Indigenous residence on Princes Street, or at the Secondary Student Dormitory at Liliendaal. However, with more and more young people benefitting from hinterland scholarships, the need for accommodation became even greater.

The coalition government of the APNU+AFC has stated very clearly that job

Development in Guyana’s hinterland

creation is first and foremost on its agenda.

Education remains the best means of helping prepare our young people for employment, and a better quality of life. Investment in critical teaching facilities will assist in bridging the gap between the Hinterland and the Coastland.

The 2019 Budget’s expenditure was detailed to ensure that there is full support for education and training, and that no community within the hinterland escapes this blueprint. It is for this reason that the Hinterland Employment and Youth Service (HEYS) programme received a government intervention worth $176.1M. This programme allows for hinterland youth to launch their micro-enterprises into vibrant economic activities. Another $89.4M was set aside to support the education and training of hinterland people. As part of that programme, 33,908 students attending schools within the interior are being provided with uniforms and transportation. This act will serve to alleviate some of the hardships, thereby bridging the education gap between the hinterland and coastland. The Hinterland ‘Green’ Enterprise Development Centre at Bina Hill is being constructed at a cost of $200M, and, when completed, will accommodate and train 120 youths annually. These young people will not come from the hinterland alone, but also from across the country. In addition, just recently, the President, in an interview with young Bishops High School (BHS) student, Shania Madramuthu expressed the view that instead of just five top schools, there will, in time, be 10 top schools, one for every administrative region in Guyana. He said that he would like to see children not having to come away from their respective regions and being separated from their families, just to get a better quality of education.

President Granger also stated that the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) should not be used as a way of labeling children as ‘bright’ and ‘dull’.

Calling it a stigma, he noted that the government is working on changing this situation, one in which there is “…the basis of equality; a more egalitarian society.” He added that there should be no distinction between the coastland and hinterland; between rich and poor; among ethnic groups; or between genders. He urged that all these be erased.

He noted that the hinterland, as well as rural communities, have also seen much use of 5Bs Initiative, along with the construction of new and renovated schools, generally improving the environment of over 100 schools across the country.

FROM PAGE 8

We need our... mission, and we went through the same useless charades, with the same frustrating results. When the Ministry proposed fencing the Health Post, Reverend Sampson sent a message to the Community Health Worker, telling her that if they should put down one fence post, he personally would pull it down.

Mr. Editor, successive governments have fallen down on their duty, and so we find ourselves in this mess. The ministries in-

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volved need to solve this problem now. Although I profess not to be a legal pundit, I am certain that the Presbytery can use Mission lands as collateral at any bank to obtain a loan.

In such a case, where will these buildings be? In hock.

We need our kitchen now, on our own land; we don’t want it to go into hock!

Regards, E. C. Lobert Resident of Saxacalli

The hinterland was neglected under the previous government, with little effort to make these communities economically self-sufficient. Since 2015, there have been real efforts to help grow businesses and increase employment. Business registration hubs have been established in Regions One, Five, Six, Eight, Nine and Ten to make it easier to start companies. The government is also working towards the launch of the Lethem, Region Nine and Belvedere, Region Six Industrial Development Projects that are designed to help companies grow in these areas, through the provision of business space, training, as well as advisory services in marketing, and legal and finance matters.

The government has also looked to help develop small community-based enterprise schemes. These range from the establishment of a $10M agro-processing facility in Maruranau, at Bina Hill, in Region Nine, to support fruit farms at Paruima (in Region Seven), Santa Cruz (in Region One) and a Lapidary at Monkey Mountain (in Region Nine), with the government providing between $3-5M in funding to help them increase their output.

Also, as part of the Hinterland Development programme, there is focus on diversifying the local economies away from agriculture, with the allocation of some $1B in funding for projects in 154 hinterland communities and villages. These projects, which are now underway, include village business enterprise, village infrastructure, agricultural production and processing, manufacturing, tourism and transportation. Products such as the recently-launched SAK purple potato drink, Rupununi Essence, Pakaraima Flavours, Sundried Tomato Ketchup and Salad Dressing are merely some items now on the market. Many of the young people from the HEYS project are now utilising their skills in these projects.

Guyana has always been touted as the ‘bread basket’ of the Caribbean, and can also fulfil needs globally. However, in the past, many of these hinterland farmers struggled to get their produce to market due to poor transport systems, particularly during the rainy season. Under this government, there has been increased maintenance of 350km (217 miles) of major access roads and bridges in remote Indigenous communities, whether it be the Linden-Lethem highway, so essential to access to the interior; smaller roads in places such as Amokokopai-Phillipai (Region Nine) and St. Deny’s-Tapakuma (Region Two); or the construction of a $13.5M timber bridge at

Papaya (Region One).

Greater electrification of the interior is vital for economic development. Initiatives like the Power Utility Programme has already benefitted Port Kaituma, Moco Moco, Lethem and St. Ignatius, with installation, extension and upgrade of the power distribution networks in these communities. Construction of a 400kW solar energy farm, and a 20kW hydropower plant at Hosororo Hill will also help supply electricity to hinterland towns such as Mabaruma.

A $101M electrification programme was added to the developmental plans in the hinterland, a programme which seeks to aid in the continuation and extension of electricity to Orealla, Kwakwanu, Siparuta and Waramouri among other communities. **Across Guyana, more than 100,000 people have had access to clean drinking water for the first time. The Hinterland has received particular attention, where there is a continued effort to increase the number of water wells, with additional sites helping 200 Indigenous communities.

The government has also embarked on a $100M Hinterland Sustainable Housing Programme, which is realising the construction of 115 subsidised housing units and 45 roof and water catchment system subsidies in Regions One and Nine. Four radio stations at the cost of $150M were made available to hinterland residents recently. These will allow for the disseminating of faster and more reliable information-sharing in the respective native languages. These four radio stations are in addition to stations already there, such as Radio Mabaruma, Radio Lethem, and Radio Paiwomak.

All of these improvements to basic infrastructure will ensure a better quality of life for these hinterland communities. Without a reliable electricity supply or good quality roads, there is no chance of providing the jobs that will ensure these communities can provide for themselves. This government came to power with a plan that continues to deliver for all Guyanese, particularly those in the interior, who experienced two decades of neglect under the previous administration.

Much has been done since 2015; this government has dramatically improved the lives and lot of hinterland areas in a short space of time. There is still much more to be done, but, judging by the government’s track record, we can be sure that President Granger and his team will continue to deliver for these communities and the rest of Guyana.

Do education officials...

FROM PAGE 8

**Whatever the explanation, there seems to be a marked increase in segregation by race at the BV primary school, judging by the racial breakdown of its 2019 graduating class (13% of Indo-Guyanese students), especially when viewed against the background that the 2012 national census puts the Indo-Guyanese population in Triumph at 46.5%.

If this case serves as a representative sample, then, on a national scale, several questions arise for the Min-

istry of Education and the several regional education departments.

First, do education officials in these agencies recognise the importance of lower schools as paces for the fostering of inter-racial contact and building social cohesion? While it’s true that the higher up our school system one goes, the more racially mixed are the schools, promoting healthy inter-racial relations is proven to best start when children are very young.

Second, how are school zones and districts drawn up, bearing in mind that Guyanese still live in racial enclaves? BV and LBI, for example, are respectively about 70% Black and Indian.

Is nearness to home the main factor? Is th mixing of student populations considered?

Third, are there deliberate teaching strategies to promote inter-racial cooperation and understanding among kids? Teaching strategies could include, for example, cooperative learning, where

pupils are placed in mixed groups and given small assignments to work on collectively. Or could also include the light-handed supervision of children’s play time by teachers to foster more interaction across our social divides (by gender, race, religion, etc).

Building and maintaining social cohesion in Guyana requires strategies at such fundamental levels.

Regards, Name provided

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Mother appeals to Kwakwani teen to return home A KWAKWANI mother of two is pleading with her 16-year-old daughter to return home.

The teenager, Tattiana Beaton, went missing from her Aroaima home two weeks ago and has not been seen since by her family.

It was reported, that the teen went to visit her grandmother in Aroaima and later left to return home but never did. After days of not seeing her, her mother made a report at the Kwakwani Police Station.

“I need my daughter to come home to me, she has been gone for weeks” said the mother.

Reports came back saying that the teen was seen in Ituni, a nearby community; but fled when she was approached. To date, no other information was provided to have the teen return to her family.

The mother is pleading with anyone who has any information on the whereabouts of her daughter to make contact with the family on: 699-4549, 696-7871 or 440-2222, or make contact with the nearest police station.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, July 17, 2019

UNAID bemoans drying up of funds to fight HIV/AIDS

… says resources fallen by nearly US$1B THE Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) is calling on countries globally to reinvigorate the urgency towards collective 2020 HIV targets as global gains have slowed, and available resources for HIV have fallen by nearly US$1B. In a release on Tuesday, the UNAIDS indicated that while impressive advances have been made in some countries, there have been “troubling failures” in others. These failures include rises in new HIV infections and AIDS-related deaths, which have been documented in the UNAIDS’ Global AIDS Update, ‘Communities at the Centre’.

The report shows that key populations and their sexual partners now account for more than 54 per cent of new HIV infections globally. It states that in 2018, key populations -- including people who inject drugs; gay men and other men who have sex with men; transgender people; sex workers and prisoners -- accounted for around 95 per cent of new HIV infections in eastern Europe and central Asia, and in the Middle East and North Africa.

However, the report also shows that less than 50 per cent of key populations were

reached with combination HIV prevention services in more than half of the countries that reported. “We urgently need increased political leadership to end AIDS,” UNAIDS Executive Director, Gunilla Carlsson said, adding: “This starts with investing adequately and smartly, and by looking at what’s making some countries so successful.

Ending AIDS is possible if we focus on people; not diseases, create road maps for the people and locations being left behind, and take a human rights-based approach to reaching people most affected by HIV.” OTHER DATA Other data in the report indicate that globally, around 1.7M people became newly infected with HIV in 2018, a 16 per cent decline since 2010, driven primarily by steady progress across most of eastern and southern Africa.

However, there is still a long way to go in eastern and southern Africa, the region most affected by HIV, while there have been worrying increases in new HIV infections in eastern Europe and central Asia, at 29 per cent; in the Middle East and North

Africa at 10 per cent; and in Latin America at 7 per cent.

The report shows, too, that the gap between resource needs and resource availability is widening, as donors have been disbursing less, and domestic investments did not grow fast enough to compensate for inflation.

Meanwhile, Some 79 per cent of people living with HIV knew their HIV status in 2018; 78 per cent who knew their status were accessing treatment, and 86 per cent of people living with HIV who were accessing treatment were virally suppressed, keeping them alive and well, and preventing transmission of the virus.

As such, AIDS-related deaths continue to decline, as access to treatment continues to expand, and more progress is made in improving the delivery of HIV/tuberculosis services. Around 82 per cent of pregnant women living with HIV now have access to antiretroviral medicines, an increase of more than 90 per cent since 2010, which has resulted in a 41 per cent reduction in new HIV infections among children.

The estimated 940,000 children aged 0–14 years living with HIV globally on antiretroviral therapy in 2018

is almost double the number on treatment in 2010, but this still falls short of the 2018 target of 1.6 million.

LARGE DISPARITIES Although large disparities still exist between young women and young men, there has been success in reducing new HIV infections among young women.

Globally, new HIV infections among young women aged 15–24 years were reduced by 25 per cent between 2010 and 2018, compared to a 10 per cent reduction among older women aged 25 years and older.

According to ‘Communities at the Centre’, gains have been made against HIV-related stigma and discrimination in many countries, but discriminatory attitudes towards people living with HIV remain extremely high.

Since 2010, AIDS-related deaths have fallen by 33 per cent to 770 000 in 2018. Just this week in Guyana, the Alpha and Omega Community Health Associates Incorporated was granted G$37. 8M to fight HIV/AIDS as part of the government’s response to strengthen the national response.

Meanwhile, late last

UNAIDS Executive Director, Gunilla Carlsson year, the Ministry of Public Health, through the National AIDS Programme Secretariat (NAPS) stated that Guyana is closer today to meeting its UNAIDS 90–90–90 target.

It reported that 86 per cent of all people living with HIV in Guyana now know their status; that 74 per cent of those diagnosed are receiving sustained antiretroviral therapy (ART); while 65 per cent of those on ART have achieved viral suppression.

Even so, the UNAIDS urges countries to “live up to the commitment made in the 2016 United Nations Political Declaration on Ending AIDS,” and to invest in building the capacity of civil society organisations to deliver non-discriminatory, human rights-based, people-centred HIV prevention and treatment services in the communities most affected

by HIV.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, July 17, 2019

Better quality roads, faster finish … Guyana banks on modern asphalt plant

… citizens to cash in with sale of recyclable materials

By Lisa Hamilton GUYANA is months away from being home to the most modern asphalt plant in the Caribbean Region, which will enable it to build roads at a better quality, while utilising recyclable materials like plastic and rubber.

The modern plant is expected to be completed by September and is already being hailed as the equipment designed to meet Guyana’s post 2020 road infrastructure goals. It will also provide a source of income to Guyanese wishing to turn in their

the media that when the present government took over in 2015, it started the process of improving the existing asphalting infrastructure through the use of a mobile asphalt plant. While additional materials were acquired in 2016, the Ministry realised that the amount of road works needed in Guyana far outweigh the capabilities of the current facilities.

“It quickly became very apparent that the volume of work that we were doing countrywide, we had outlived our usual supply. Even though it’s adequate [and] it’s working now, we could do

“They will benefit from better quality roads. We will now be able to produce a lot of asphalt because the demand for infrastructure development post 2020 is going to be very, very high.

In [almost] every community the problem is roads so we’re now saying ‘we have the capacity to produce asphalt of the highest quality that will suffice those demands’.”

The DHBC General Manager estimates that by early 2020, personnel will be trained in mix designs to incorporate rubber and plastic which can be used along with bitumen thereby creating a new industry for many Guyanese to See page 12

Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson (right) and DHBC’s Rawlston Adams speaking with the media about the new plant (Photos by Adrian Narine) plastic containers or old tyres for their use in road building.

On Tuesday, Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson; Demerara Harbour Bridge Corporation (DHBC) General Manager, Rawlston Adams, and Permanent Secretary at the ministry, Kenneth Jordan, visited Demerara Shipping Wharf for a follow up inspection of some of the equipment which arrived. Guyana’s current asphalt plant has a major issue whereby it does not meet the country’s standard for dust emissions. Many complaints have been received as a result but to fix this would be very costly.

Proving a solution to the issues altogether, the new 27 meters high asphalt plant will have zero dust emission and can produce approximately 160 tons of asphalt per hour which is four times faster than the current asphalt plant.

Minister Patterson told

much better,” Patterson said.

As such, since 2017 efforts have been geared towards acquiring a new asphalt plant which would revolutionise the quality of roads in Guyana. “When established, [the asphalt plant] will be the biggest for the country,” Patterson said. “We can actually do more work at a cheaper cost.”

In explaining why the plant is being referred to as ‘modern’, Adams revealed that it was built in Germany this year with added specifications requested by the government of Guyana.

For example, the plant’s dryer drum, where all the raw material enters for a drying process, has intentionally been made thicker than the one now utilised in the current plant which will prevent wear and tear.

Asked how the average Guyanese will benefit from the plant, Adams stated:

Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson; DHBC General Manager, Rawlston Adams; and MoPI Permanent Secretary, Kenneth Jordan, walking along a piece of the equipment that will form part of the plant

12

Better quality roads ...

From page 11

profit from.

“The car tyres that are being thrown away you can take that, chip it and use that as part of the materials.

This is why we’re saying this plant is a modern plant and it is the most modern plant that you will find in the Caribbean,” Adams began.

“People will no longer be throwing away their plastic containers; somebody will be there picking it up, cleaning it, chipping it and they’ll be able to come and sell it to us once we have those things in place.”

A total of 34 pieces of equipment will make up the plant and most of it is galvanised to cater for the high moister area at the Garden of Eden where the operation will take place.

A careful tendering process is ongoing to finalise a contractor for the building of the plant’s foundation while the company from which the asphalt plant was purchased is responsible for installation.

“The intention is for us

to have all the engineers who will be working on this plant be part of the installation process so that they will be au fait and aware of all the components and how it fits together. So, it’s not that the supplier will come and work independently and they’ll come and set up this plant and go, part of the requirement is training,” the DHBC General Manager explained.

The total installation peri-

od will take six weeks while, after the first six months of operation, local operators will be sent to Germany for further training. If operators in Guyana encounter a challenge with the plant, they can contact the supplier in Germany who can easily diagnose and adjust the electronic settings of the plant through the internet.

The computerised system calculates the right type,

texture and size of materials needed for construction and this enables contractors to know and maintain a consistent level in the quality of road being built.

The government has several ongoing road projects which will run into 2020 and several more planned as Guyana seeks to improve its infrastructure countrywide.

The officials inspect the dryer drum (Adrian Narine photo)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, July 17, 2019

Woman shot by jealous estranged lover

By Vishani Ragobeer FAITH Thompson, 20, was shot by her estranged lover, Daniel Hinckson, 24, who later shot himself at around 10:30hrs on Tuesday morning.

According to reports, Faith and Daniel have been living together for seven years and during this time, Daniel was reportedly abusive to her.

On July 8, this year, the young woman approached the Wales Magistrate’s Court and took out a restraining order against her

Faith Thompson

estranged lover.

However, on Tuesday, at around 10:30hrs, the young man visited the young woman at her Lot 39 Norton Street home, where she lives with her uncle and grandmother.

Resident of the bottom flat of the house, Barbara Robinson, related that Daniel approached the house and was threatening Faith with a piece of wood as he demanded entry into the house to see her.

While Faith was makDead: Daniel Hinckson ing excuses, Robinson said it appeared as though Daniel climbed upstairs and through a front window to get into the house. Soon after, two shots were fired and Faith ran outside frantically, bleeding from the neck.

“She ran out on the road and she screamed for Justin (Faith’s uncle) to take her to the hospital,” Robinson

The scene of the shooting said. Eyewitnesses told the Guyana Chronicle that after the shots were fired, the young woman ran out to the road with only pants on, before her uncle took her away to the hospital.

Reports indicate that she has been receiving treatment at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) and is said to be in stable condition.

Hinckson, who is a mechanic of Lot 2444 Parfaite Harmony, West Bank Demerara, was discovered motionless in the house with a handgun in his right hand.

He shot himself in his head, and was pronounced dead when taken to the GPHC. His body is at the Lyken’s funeral home awaiting a post-mortem examination as police continue their investigations in the matter.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, July 17, 2019

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Poor attempt to tarnish my name …Eric Phillips clears air on connection with ABR STATE Assets Recovery Agency (SARA) Executive, Eric Phillips has stated that the recent attempt by Leader of the Opposition, Bharrat Jagdeo and the Kaieteur News to paint the ongoing oil blocks investigation as compromised has failed for a lack of merit.

Just recently, the newspaper in question broke the news that Phillips was one of the beneficial owners of the company African Business Roundtable Oil and Gas Exploration (ABR O&G) which applied for oil blocks in 2016.

This caused speculations as Phillips is part of SARA’s team probing the awarding of oil blocks offshore Guyana to “junior” companies by the former People’s Progressive Party (PPP) just before it demitted office in 2015.

However, Phillips, on Monday stated that he was not a member of SARA when the application was made by ABR O&G; that he joined SARA in May 2017 and that fact that the newspaper even made the weak connection is suspicious.

Nonetheless, when the newspaper broke the news the claims were quickly picked up by the Jagdeo-led PPP which rallied efforts to label the investigation as compromised. “Yes, I was a member of the ABR group that applied but was not the lead person involved in the application and had very little to do with it since December 2016. My appointment with SARA was May 2017 and so I can only deduce that Kaieteur News was purposefully creating the ‘perception’ of ‘conflict’ when there is no substance to the claim,” Phillips said in a statement to the media.

He added: “At the time of my commission to be part of the team investigating the corrupt awarding of the two blocks, I was no longer an active member of the ABR. Hence the only conflict of interest is at the level of perception not in substance.”

In comparison, he stated that Jagdeo’s “using age-old political trickery” will not take away from the fact that the oil blocks give away under the former Administration over just a 6-week period was worth “hundreds of billions of dollars”. He criticised the Opposition Party for calling on the current government to go into a “caretaker” mode which sees them awarding no contracts when they did worse than the opposite in years past.

“Note that these blocks were awarded secretly when

there was no parliamentary oversight because parliament had been prorogued since November 10, 2014, with elections held on May11, 2015. Of course the ‘duplicitous’ PPP former administration has been arguing since December 21, 2018 that no major decisions of this type should be made during a period close to an election,” the SARA Executive highlighted.

Meanwhile, he slammed the Kaieteur News for “reckless disengagement of fact-checking” in singling him out as being involved in some form of conflict interest with no true evidence that points to such. Phillips questioned whether the newspaper created a “magnificent media masquerade” over the matter in attempt to protect those who have stakes in oil blocks.

He also questioned the reason behind linkages made to him being the Director of a fishing company, a pharmaceutical company and a logistics company to ABR’s application for the oil block prior to the ongoing investigation.

“Surely the Kaieteur News would know that Dr. Clive Thomas [SARA’s Head] would have never entrusted me with such an investigation if I was the owner of an oil block. By the way, none of the companies I am on as a Director --- be it the logistics company or the fishing company etcetera--- are the recipients of any grants or assistance from the government of Guyana,” Phillips cleared the air.

Meanwhile, he pointed out that the previous 10 oil blocks were awarded by the PPP to “non-African Guyanese” with Director of the Mid-Atlantic Oil and Gas Inc., Edris Dookie receiving up to 6 blocks.

The SARA Executive indicated that this includes one each in 2012 and 2013 while Dookie was at CGX Inc. and in 2015 when he was secretly given the Canje block just prior to the elections. Providing a comparison, Phillips stated that the members of ABR comprised of “established African Guyanese businessmen and businesswomen” who applied for the two remaining oil blocks, a fishing license and more.

“An application was made in October 2016 by a group of individuals whom all belong to the African Business Roundtable whose main goal was to ensure that the historical and continual economic genocide of African Guyanese which took place under the

PPP is addressed,” Phillips stated.

“Under the former PPP regime, these African Guyanese entrepreneurs had long been denied equal access in every sector of the Guyanese economy due to systematic, institutionalized racial marginalization and discrimination.”

LAND Added to this, Jagdeo also claimed recently that the Guyana Lands and Survey Commission (GLSC) indiscriminately disbursed some 20, 000 acres of leased land to persons close to the current administration.

He named Phillips amongst several others. He stated that the SARA Executive has 1000 acres in the Essequibo River and another 1000 acres in the Demerara

River although GLSC Head, Trevor Benn described the issuances as applications pending since the days of the PPP. Phillips again questioned the motive of the Kaieteur News to zero in on his legitimate acquisition of land when other pressing matters of corruption by the PPP are being swept beneath the carpet.

Some of these he claimed were an Indian Company which received 1M acres land and a Brazilian miner fingered in the Panama Papers who received a lease and 18 licenses for 2.2M acres of land.

He questioned the presence of the newspaper when the PPP government gave another Indian company, Blue Wave Inc., 60,000 hectares of land at G$2500 per hectare for 199 years and 900,000 acres of mining lands to mainly one family. He also list-

ed the $20B found “passing through” the bank account of former Permanent Secretary of Office of the President under the PPP, Omar Shariff and land freely given out by the Mahaica-Mahaicony- Abary (MMA) to some 289 East Indians prior to 2015.

“Why is there such a magnificent masquerade of racism when I, Eric Phillips, legitimately, with a bankable business plan, and an overseas investor, apply for agricultural land?” he asked. The SARA Executive claimed that African Guyanese who died to build Guyana have been done an injustice by the PPP being robbed for years of the opportunity to benefit from the nation’s wealth “Is Jagdeo and the PPP out rightly saying that African Guyanese are not supposed to be investors or to own businesses or to own

State Assets Recovery Agency (SARA) Executive, Eric Phillips

oil blocks or banks or mining concessions, or agricultural lands…just like they claimed that we were not qualified to hold Ambassadorial posts?”

Phillips questioned.

“Jagdeo is a man that oversaw the ethnic cleansing of over 400 African Guyanese citizens and a man that gave away our sovereignty to drug lords, gold smugglers and killers; a man that wanted to give away our land to Venezuela and therefore our oil and is bent on creating a race war in Guyana.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, July 17, 2019

Mother gets 20 years for killing son

By Clestine Juan

SONYA King, age 31, was Tuesday sentenced to serve 20 years imprisonment for killing her eight-year-old son Emmanuel King at their West Bank Demerara home in 2016.

King, who was initially charged with murder, appeared before Justice Navindra Singh at the Demerara High Court and pleaded guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter.

King is accused of killing her son Emmanuel on Sunday, February 21, 2016, at the family’s La Parfaite

Harmonie, Onderneeming, West Bank Demerara home.

On Tuesday, King during her address to the court said she was sorry and asked to be given a second chance.

When Justice Singh questioned King as to her reason for taking her son’s life, the woman replied, “It hurting me… I don’t know what really happen to me.”

Justice Singh, who seemed a little baffled by the woman’s response, told her, “You can say sorry all you want, this is your son!”

King was represented by attorney-at-law Mark Conway, while the state was rep-

Little Emmanuel King resented by prosecutors Teriq Mohamed, Tuanna Hardy, and Sarah Martin.

Conway, during his ad-

Sonya King dress to the court, explained that his client is currently under psychiatric care and attends sewing classes while

on remand.

Justice Singh nevertheless sentenced King to serve 20 years imprisonment.

According to reports, the child lived with his mother and step-father, Robert at Parfaite Harmonie, Onderneeming, West Bank Demerara.

It is alleged that King and Emmanuel were in bed at their home when the woman placed a bed sheet over the child’s face and suffocated him.

The woman had confessed to the police and said ” Ah just hold him down, meh son was kicking up with his

foot. Ah hold down the sheet there until he stop moving and then I go and call Robert and tell he I kill Emmanuel.”

According to results from the post-mortem, Emmanuel died as a result of suffocation.

The Guyana Chronicle had reported that when King was arrested in 2017, she told the police that her son succumbed after falling from a tree earlier that day.

But she later gave a formal statement to investigators at Den Amstel Police Station, reportedly confessing to suffocating the child.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, July 17, 2019

PPP issues more threats to GECOM … commissioners condemn action as ‘cockeyed intimidation’

REPRESENTATIVES of the Opposition have been called out for a “cockeyed attempt” to intimidate the Chief Elections Officer (CEO) of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Keith Lowenfield, into commencing unauthorised election preparation activities.

This is even as President David Granger and Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo are still in the process of finalising a list of six eligible individuals from which the President will choose a new GECOM Chairman.

or frustration of the letter and spirit of the Orders and judgements of the CCJ may expose you to contempt of Court proceedings.”

Nandlall made reference to the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) June 18 decisions and its July 12 orders, the latter which indicated that while Cabinet must resign, the Government and President remain in place until new elections are held. Utilising the CCJ’s observance that a two-thirds majority in the National Assembly has not yet resolved to extend the stipulated three-month period

eyed attempt to intimidate the Chief Elections Officer”.

The Commissioners pointed out that, apart from preparation works already undertaken, it is only the Commission’s Chairman who can direct the GECOM Secretariat on further actions to be taken.

They stated that the “selfproclaimed partisan” Commissioners are well aware that the GECOM Secretariat has long now been given the directive to do “all in its powers” to acquire materials and undertake “non-statutory activities” in preparation for

Government-nominated Commissioners Vincent Alexander, Charles Corbin and Desmond Trotman Even with these matters being common knowledge, Attorney-at-Law and Opposition Member of Parliament (MP) Anil Nandlall, in a letter dated July 16, 2019, wrote to Lowenfield on behalf of Jagdeo demanding that the CEO commence elections preparations. “In compliance with the extraordinarily clear language of the CCJ, I hereby request that you immediately commence preparations for the holding of General and Regional Elections on a date no later than 18th day of September 2019,” Nandlall stated.

“You must be aware that GECOM was made a party to the aforementioned legal proceedings by the CCJ so as to make the Orders of the Court directly binding on GECOM and, as the Chief Elections Officer, you are inextricably so bound. Therefore, any actions or omissions on your part which may be interpreted to be in violation

for the holding of new elections in such cases, Nandlall pressed that elections ought to be held by September 18, 2019. That is exactly 63 days from today [June 17, 2019].

Nandlall’s letter mirrors a previous missive sent out by the three Opposition-nominated Commissioners on the Commission which called for Lowenfield to take the same action. Commissioners Sase Gunraj, Bibi Shadick and Robeson Benn, in a letter dated July 13, 2019, called on GECOM and Lowenfield to “immediately start preparations for elections” stating that non-adherence to this would “attract appropriate sanctions”.

Cockeyed threats However, in response on July 16, Government-nominated Commissioners Vincent Alexander, Charles Corbin and Desmond Trotman referred to the demands sent out by the Opposition representatives as a “cock-

elections.

This, they noted, is following the December 21 no-confidence vote; prior to the last gathering at the CCJ and while a date for the new elections are yet to be named. The Commissioners stated that Gunraj, Shadick and Benn are well aware that statutory activities can only be undertaken if an election date has been determined and/or the relevant directive given to the CEO. “They also know that GECOM requested supplementary funding for the early conduct of elections and that the National Assembly acquiesced to that request although the PPP/C absented itself from that sitting of the Assembly. So what are they calling for, apart from attempting to intimidate the Secretariat into action for which it has not been given a directive?” the Government-nominated Commissioners questioned.

Indeed, $3.4B was approved in the National Assembly in May 2019 for GECOM to conduct General and Regional elections, in keeping with a commitment from President David Granger to make provision for the same even while the no-confidence case was before the courts.

“Irrespective of the ruling of the CCJ, these monies will be made available to the Elections Commission for them to start the process of elections preparation,” Finance Minister, Winston Jordan had stated.

He noted that when the

President David Granger and Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo during a previous engagement supplementary provision is added to the approximately $5.3B already received by GECOM, it shows that, for 2019, it was given approximately $8.8B in total, to facilitate General and Regional Elections which were constitutionally due in 2020.

The Commissioners stated that what ought to be given preference at this time

is not the pretense ignorance of the law but adherence to it.

“What should be of concern is the need for a Chairman of the Commission to be appointed, for it is then and only then that the Secretariat can be given the relevant directives, some of which will be See page 16

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, July 17, 2019

PPP issues more threats ...

From page 15 determined by the date on which the elections are proclaimed to be held. All that has been pointed out above is in keeping with the Rule of Law, rather than the cockeyed attempt to intimidate the Chief Elections Officer into action without the requisite basis or authority,” they stated.

Furthermore, Alexander said that the threat of the Opposition-nominated Commissioners of “appropriate sanctions” is baseless as a previous attempt to lay the same against Government-nominated Commissioners was thrown out the court.

On March 15, 2019, pri-

vate criminal charges filed against the Commissioners

by Attorney Sanjiv Datadin on behalf of Marcel Gaskin were dismissed by Chief Magistrate Ann Mc Lennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.

In the present situation, Alexander stated that the CCJ did not speak directly to Lowenfield but to the Commission which cannot fully function without a Chairman.

“The CEO, who they’re targeting, has to get instructions from the Commission.

The last instruction he had was to do house-to-house [registration]; the Commission has not given him new instructions. The court didn’t speak directly to him so he cannot, because the

court said ‘follow the Constitution’ change what he is doing on his own. He has to wait for the Commission to give him the necessary guidance; no Chairman, no Commission,” Alexander said.

The post of GECOM Chair became vacant when the CCJ ruled on June 18, 2019 that the process used to appoint the former Chairman was “flawed”.

The President then accepted the former Chair’s resignation and has since met with the Opposition Leader to discuss the new selection and has instructed his representatives to engage representatives of the Opposition Leader in the same regard.

However, the urgings

Opposition-nominated Commissioners Sase Gunraj, Bibi Shadick and Robeson Benn of the CCJ for the involved parties to act in “good faith” during the process, according to Director General at the Ministry of the Presidency, Joseph Harmon, seems to have meant little to the Opposition Leader.

Harmon is one of the President’s representatives in the matter and, last Friday, during a press briefing, stated that at the recent meeting of the representatives the “greatest displays of bad faith” were displayed.

He stated that while the President has given his commitment to engaging in these meetings and has entrusted his representatives with the powers to make decisions on behalf of him, the Opposition appears to be motivated by an obstructive agenda.

Thus far, while the President has shortlisted four names presented by Jagdeo for the post his representatives came with no intentions to discuss the eight names submitted by the President.

They remained obstinate on this position at the last meeting and, guided by the Opposition Leader, put forward that that matter be left up to Jagdeo and the President.

In an address to the nation on July 12, 2019, President Granger stated: “Representatives of both the Government and the Opposition have met three times this week. However, that good faith has not been reciprocated by the Leader of the Opposition.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, July 17, 2019

Santa Cruz residents taught improved planting techniques

By Alva Soloman

RESIDENTS of Santa Cruz, Moruca sub-district have been taught improved planting techniques as they venture into value-added agriculture production.

They learnt the valuable skills during an interaction with a team from the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs led by junior minister, Valerie Garrido-Lowe, on Saturday.

Garrido-Lowe said the aim

veterinarian, Dr. Leroy Santiago, who was also a member of the team, shared improved planting techniques with farmers.

Speaking passionately about the village’s agriculture pursuits, Dr. Santiago, who grew up in the village of Imbotero, Region One, provided valuable insights into planting methods.

“You cut down a field and you burn the soil, why do you burn it? Because its

Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Valerie Garrido-Lowe, interacts with residents of Santa Cruz is to ensure Santa Cruz is fully prepared to become the most industrious Fruit Juice, Jelly and Marmalade producing village in Guyana.

“Our friends who are looking for business opportunities, they will want to bring fancy fruit juice and fancy plantain chips in fancy packs and open business right here, but guess what, would it belong to us?

And do you want that? So that is why we have to utilise our land and start looking at agriculture as a business. We have to start thinking that we can get rich off of agriculture”, Garrido-Lowe said.

With the expected benefits to be derived from the imminent oil sector, Minister Garrido-Lowe assured that “we will have enough people to eat what you plant and that is taking advantage of the situation, since agriculture is one of the fastest growing sectors in the world.”

Guyanese agronomist and

tradition, our ancestors tell us we must do that … you have about 12-14 inches of leaves that have fallen for hundreds of years - compost, another two feet of organic matter and when you burn that you get Potash (K20). So you plant the first crop you get a good crop. What you did, you kill the soil and then we want to know what happened to the rest of the crop,” he said.

Dr. Santiago also shared techniques for pest control which were welcomed by the villagers.

Member of Parliament, Raynard Ward, who is also an agriculturist by profession, also took the opportunity to interact with residents.

“As long as we the government is here; I am here, I’ll try to ensure that agriculture is put alongside the oil industry because the revenues coming in from oil can help to develop our agriculture sector. Please ensure that you, as a commu-

A section of the gathering at the meeting

nity, put your voices together with your community leaders.

Let’s not forget that agriculture is important and we need to keep it going,” he said.

Twelve farmers were selected and will be planting one-acre land (each) of several varieties of fruits.

Among the plantlets to be planted and fruit processed, packaged and marketed are cherry, orange, tangerine, lime, guava, pear, soursop, pa-

paw, golden apple, pineapple and banana.

It is estimated that fruits will be ready to be harvested between 18 months to three years by which time a factory will be established and be fully operable.

Production will be done in keeping with international standards and Minister Garrido-Lowe has underscored government’s commitment to continue providing the

support needed to ensure the project is sustained, villagers are gainfully employed, physical and infrastructural development realised and the goal of ensuring food security is achieved.

The Fruit Farm will complement Kwebanna’s Cassava Processing Facility and the Santa Rosa Ground Coffee Project, both in the Moruca sub-district and the Smith Creek Fish and Crab Pro-

cessing Facility in the Mabaruma Sub-district, all viable economic projects piloted by Minister Garrido-Lowe.

This will ultimately lead to poverty reduction which is on the front burner of the David Granger-led Coalition Government.

Santa Cruz is home to more than 400 hundred residents who are involved in farming and fishing as their main economic activities.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, July 17, 2019

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, July 17, 2019

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AU official hails China-Africa peace, security forum to drive Africa’s stability Smail Chergui, AU Commissioner for Peace and Security

ADDIS ABABA, July 15 (Xinhua) -- The African Union (AU) on Monday hailed the first China-Africa Peace and Security Forum being held in Beijing, capital of China as a positive impetus to Africa’s stability.

The statement was made by Smail Chergui, AU Commissioner for Peace and Security, as he emphasized the vital importance of the forum to drive China-Africa cooperation in peace-building efforts across the African continent. “This meeting is happening at a time when Africa is experiencing growing insecurity and striving to end all conflicts on the continent to ensure a peaceful and stable Africa,” the AU commissioner said in a statement.

“Premised around the hallmarks of the great Sino-Africa partnership, this forum provides a platform for us to discuss a comprehensive framework to solidify and continue to enhance China’s support to peace and security on the continent,” the statement read. The AU commissioner also reiterated his “profound gratitude to the government of China for organising this very first China-Africa Peace and Security Forum.”

Noting the AU’s previous efforts in preventing and mitigating threats to stability on the continent, Chergui stressed

Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) meets with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa in Osaka, Japan, June 28, 2019. (Xinhua/Pang Xinglei)

that the 55-member pan African bloc “has prevented elections-related and other forms of violence from erupting, brokered peace between states and opposition groups, and contributed to long-term stabilization and peace-building through the deployment of Peace Support Operations.” Chergui, however, said that Africa has “continued to face challenges relating to the timeliness to generate all the required resources and capabilities that the Africa Peace and Security Architecture Framework outlines.”

“This is why we appreciate the strategic and reliable partnership between the African Union and the People’s Republic of China in supporting efforts to enhance AU Peace Support Operations capabilities,” the AU commissioner stressed.

According to the AU, the Chinese government has “provided continuous support to AMISOM since 2011, through the donation of equipment, and funding support of approximately 1.2 million US Dollars annually.”

China has also provided support to the African Standby Force through the provision of equipment that forms part of strategic stock for the African Standby Force, to the tune of 100 million U.S. dollars, according to the AU. Representatives of the Chinese military as well as nearly 100 representatives from 50 African countries and the AU, including 15 defense ministers and chiefs of staff, are attending the first China-Africa Peace and Security Forum, held by China’s Ministry of National Defense. The attendees will discuss the initiative of building a China-Africa community with a shared future that was raised at the 2018 Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, and focus on topics including China-Africa cooperation in peace and security, and regional maritime security.

Speaking on behalf of African representatives, Hamed Bakayoko, defense minister of Cote d’Ivoire, said he hopes the forum will help strengthen China-Africa cooperation in peace and security, so that the two sides will jointly safeguard peace in Africa and the world. The representatives from Africa will visit China’s army, navy and air force troops as well as Shanghai during the forum, which runs until Saturday.

AIIB’s membership expansion to 100 reflects int’l community’s confidence: president LUXEMBOURG, July 15 (Xinhua) -- The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) on Saturday further expanded its membership to 100, reflecting the international community’s confidence in the multilateral institution, the bank’s head has said.

Lauding the achievements made in the past three years, AIIB President Jin Liqun recently told Xinhua that the AIIB has established a fundamental operating system and nurtured its own enterprise culture, adding that it also managed to expand the scale of loans and obtain the status of United Nations permanent observer.

These achievements stemmed from the concerted efforts of all

AIIB members and close cooperation with other banking institutions and the private sector, including the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, he said. The AIIB members have various needs, and a relatively large difference in their appeals exists between the developing countries and the developed, Jin said.

“We have limited funds, so it’s hard to solve all the problems overnight.”

Though not all of their expectations can be fulfilled in the short term, the institution will continue its efforts to expand the camp of borrowers and promote infrastructure construction and sustainable development, the president said.

“It won’t be easy to fulfill everyone’s expectations, but I have full confidence in realizing the goals,” he added.

Moreover, the international bank holds the development principle of “quality first” instead of blindly pursuing unbridled growth, Jin noted. The bank must take three factors into consideration when assessing investment projects: financial sustainability, ecological sustainability and whether the investment can improve living standard, he explained.

“We offer loans to our members in order to help them develop their economies, but not trap them into a debt crisis,” Jin said.

The multilateral focuses on

sustainable development, and the unswerving support of major AIIB shareholder China for the Paris Agreement on climate change is great encouragement for the institution, he said.

From its practice, people can tell that China is a responsible country, which strives “not just for its own benefits, but also for the world’s development,” Jin said.

Jin made the remarks after the fourth annual meeting of the AIIB’s Board of Governors was concluded in Luxembourg on Saturday. During the meeting, the AIIB expanded its membership to 100 with the approval of the African newcomers of Benin, Djibouti and Rwanda.

The China-initiated multilateral

AIIB President Jin Liqun

financial institution began operation in January 2016 with 57 founding members, with an agenda focused on supporting sustainable development through infrastructure and other productive sectors in Asia and beyond.

So far, the AIIB has approved 46 projects worth 8.5 billion U.S. dollars for 18 members and includes building highways and power plants.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, July 17, 2019

Multi-million-dollar grant to reduce HIV prevalence, mortality

Collette Adams, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Public Health; Hon. Volda Lawrence, Minister of Public Health; Avia Lindie, Representative of Alpha & Omega Community Developers Inc; Dr. Morris Edwards, Director of the Health Sector Development Unit (HSDU) Ministry of Public Health and Maria Niles, Coordinator, Guyana Global Fund Country Coordinating Mechanism

ALPHA and Omega Community Health Associates Incorporated has been granted a sum of $37. 8 Million (US$189,181) to play its part in HIV/AIDS reduction in Guyana.

This is part of the government’s response to strengthen a national response to HIV/ AIDS. Essentially, the goal is to reduce HIV-associated mortality, increase the mean survival time of people living with AIDS, reduce HIV seroprevalence in the antenatal population and among female commercial sex workers and men who have sex with men, in Regions Two, Five and Six, by providing them with a defined HIV-prevention package of services.

Alpha and Omega Community Health

Associates Incorporated is the sub-recipients of the implementation of the Global Fund Country Coordinating Mechanism to which the Ministry of Public Health is the principal recipient. The Global Fund Country Coordinating Mechanism provides grants to aid in the fight against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.

The approved grant will cover the period from July 15, 2019, to December 31, 2020. Alpha and Omega Community Health Associates Incorporated was formed in 2014 to fill the gap that existed for NGOs that had experience with managing donor funding and project management in Guyana and the Caribbean. (DPI)

Collette Adams, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Public Health and Avia Lindie, Representative of Alpha & Omega Community Developers Inc after the signing of the grant agreement

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, July 17, 2019

More farmers using shaded cultivation to combat climate change

By Navendra Seoraj FARMERS from across the country have been turning to shaded cultivation as part of their efforts to combat climate change and practice climate-smart agriculture.

With changing weather patterns and unpredictable weather conditions, farmers have been forced to innovate in order to maintain their

droughts and have periods of intense rainfall… in other words, what falls in three days can fall in half hour and that’s terrible,” he said.

As the global phenomenon intensifies, Dr. Homenauth said the institute intends on working with farmers and promoting climate-smart agriculture in local farming communities.

Aside from shade houses, part of the effort includes

NAREI: NAREI Director, Dr. Odhu Homenauth yields and productivity.

One of those innovations is shade-house farming, which according to Director of National Agricultural Research and Extension institute (NAREI), Dr. Odhu Homenauth, has taken off all across the country.

“A lot of women folk are involved in this activity… it has contributed significantly to farmers and you can produce year-round and you get better yields,” said Dr. Homenauth during an exclusive interview with the Guyana Chronicle on Monday.

As touted by many institutions, particularly the Office for Climate Change, farmers need to adopt a more “climate-smart” approach to agriculture, especially now that the changes in weather patterns have become unusual because of global warming.

Dr. Homenauth said climate-smart agriculture is basically a practice which farmers utilise to adapt to the changing weather patterns.

“We will have extended

promoting agro-processing, which features significantly in the hinterland areas.

Dr. Homenauth said there is also a need to establish banks or areas where there is irrigation, because once there is irrigation, farmers can maintain their planting materials, instead of waiting for a period of drought or rain to end.

Farmers can also invest in nurseries so that they can have seedlings available when they are ready to cultivate.

Specialists say that climate-smart agriculture is a business model that increases agricultural output, while maintaining, or lowering, amounts of inputs, such as land, water or fertiliser.

It also increases total productivity, while reducing environmental impacts and building resilience to threats to production induced by the effects of climate change.

In 2015, the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) announced the approval of US$5M for a

Climate-Smart Agriculture Fund (CSAF) for the Caribbean and Latin America to encourage private sector companies in the Region to invest in projects that increase farmers’ incomes while addressing climate change.

A typical shade house

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CH&PA to use four-tier housing policy as new guide

THE Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) will be using the four-tier housing policy, which was outlined by President David Granger, as a new guide.

According to a press statement from CH&PA, minister with responsibility for Housing, Annette Fergu-

son, in outlining her vision, said honesty will be the agency’s new watchword while efficiency will be the road map to effectiveness.

Minister Ferguson said the President’s policy gives life to the agency’s work and will guide the programmes and policies to be rolled out in the near future.

The President’s guiding policy for housing rests on four pillars, namely: Re-orientation, Resources, Regularisation and Regionalisation.

Re-orientation refers to giving priority to the housing needs of the most vulnerable, low-income public servants desirous of becom-

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, July 17, 2019

ing first-time home-owners.

Resources, emphasises holistic community development and will go beyond the provision of house lots and housing units. It will cater to the needs of residents including education, electricity, fire protection services, health, worship, human safety, recreation, Minister with responsibility for Housing, Annette Ferguson roads, sanitation, street lights and water.

Under regularisation, there are three types of undesirable housing: shanties, slums and squatter settlements.

Squatters who reside on reserves need to be relocated and resettled and affected persons must be provided with the option of acquiring government housing.

“Our children must grow up in communities.

Every child, every family, should have a roof over his head,” said CH&PA. Meanwhile, as part of regionalisation, government’s new housing programme will create greater equality (equality of access) across Guyana so that the people living east of the Essequibo will enjoy similar conditions to those living west of the Essequibo.

Also, neither the rural areas nor the hinterland areas will be neglected. In keeping with these pillars, Minister Ferguson said this will be the framework within which every arm of the CH&PA will operate to ensure effectiveness and efficiency.

Immediate focus within the coming weeks will be to work closely with the Guyana Lands and Survey Commission and other entities to secure lands for allocations, restoring public trust in the allocation system and meeting deadlines.

PROPER STEWARDS “We have been entrusted with public funds and we must be proper stewards of these funds that we have received,” Minister Ferguson stressed.

In an effort to ensure timely delivery of services, the minister noted that meticulous planning is critical, but this must not be done at the perils of inferior work.

“Above that, the public is depending on us to provide them with a quality product and quality product begins with quality decisions. Decisions are made by people; I expect that we will take this into consideration. The public expects nothing short of quality and because we are using public funds, we are accountable to the public,” said Ferguson.

As the new head of the agency, the minister said there will be no room for corruption since it is no secret that government agencies have been plagued by this scourge.

“Corruption hurts families; life is based on trust, we trust our nurses, we have to trust our doctors, we have to trust our aeronautical engineers and it’s no different with us as public servants, people must be able to trust us,” she said.

Meanwhile, as the agency continues to work to serve all Guyanese, equally important is boosting the staff morale and building capacity.

Ferguson said emphasis will be placed on creating an environment for continuous learning, which will ultimately improve the quality of services and level of professionalism.

In addition, during a recent interaction with staff of the agency, the minister assured that her primary concern would be on the quality of services provided as she is in no way concerned about gender, race, religious persuasion, sexual orientation, or their political affiliation.

As the agency moves forward in keeping with its mandate, the minister said she is committed to working with the board members, management and staff and all other sister agencies to create cohesive, empowered and sustainable communities.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, July 17, 2019

Guyana joins exciting world of e-Agriculture

23

–– with launch of innovative farmers app at NAREI Reg. 5 office

By Clifford Stanley GUYANA on Monday joined the exciting world of e-Agriculture, in which information and communication technologies (ICT) can be utilised for blending tradition with technology to transform the country into again becoming the breadbasket of the Caribbean, and even further afield.

The observation about the transformative benefits to be derived from ICT was made by Minister of Public Communications Ms. Cathy Hughes when she launched the FarmersMarket.GY app, a software which will be used as a trading platform for buyers and sellers of fresh fruits and vegetables here in Guyana and in regional and international markets.

Minister Hughes said that the government saw the use of ICT in transforming the agricultural sector as of paramount importance, and as such her ministry committed to funding the development of the App by local software company, Innovative Systems Inc. (INNOSYS).

The venue for the launch of the App was the Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) office of the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) at Onverwagt, West Coast Berbice, where among officials present were Mr. Floyd Levi, Head of the National Data Management Agency (NDMA); Mr. Brian Sears, NAREI’s Deputy Head; Mr. Lance Hinds, Director of Industry and Innovation and ICT Adviser to the Minister of Public Communications; Mr. Richard Langford, CEO of Innovative Systems; and Business Analyst, Ms. Tamika Inglis.

Among those in the audience were senior NDMA officials, staffers of NAREI and other agricultural agencies, and farmers from within Region Five.

Minister Hughes disclosed that the collaborators in the development of the app included the Indus-

try and Innovation Unit at her Ministry; NAREI; and the New Guyana Marketing Corporation (NGMC).

During an address to launch the App, Minister Hughes noted that agriculture and food production is big business, and the app is in keeping with the latest trends of using technology to increase production and productivity for food and nutritional security and prosperity of farmers worldwide.

She noted that trends in the use of technology for modernising agriculture include the use of robots to water plants, and drones to seed and monitor hundreds of acres of crops.

“This App is indeed a milestone; an awesome milestone for those in the agricultural sector, and I hope it will be fully utilized, so that its benefits can lead to greater prosperity for farmers, agro-processors, and all those who make a living from food production,” Minister Hughes said.

NAREI’s Mr. Brian Sears said his agency is fascinated by the possibilities of the FarmersGY App. “The App is a trading platform for fresh fruit and vegetables, but it can develop to be a market place for other commodities, such as livestock, poultry, and dairy products; and for technology transfer for services of labour where and when services are required,” Sears said, adding: “For ensuring production of food without fertilizer and pesticides; It is indeed a direct link for farmers with the market, so that they can be able to provide that market with the quantity and quality required.”

NDMA’s Mr. Levi noted that the transactions which can be done with either Debit Credit cards or Mobile Money will be insured, as once it can be proven that a customer was not at fault in the loss of personal funds during such negotiations, then that person will be given a refund by the relevant banking institution.

He also assured those

present that the NDMA is continuously developing its capabilities for ensuring safe financial transactions Online, and even identifying those hackers who may target and attack such transactions

so they can siphon off the money.

The launch also included a demonstration by INNOSYS staffers, Princess Joseph and Tamala Trotman.

They, as well as Minister

Hughes and her staffers told the audience that they can and will provide training to all interested persons who want to learn how to use the software.

INNOSYS boss, Mr.

Langford described the software as a work in progress, and said that feedback will be utilised to improve on its usefulness as a dynamic tool of e-Agriculture in Guyana.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, July 17, 2019

Teens who confessed to murder jailed for manslaughter

THREE teens, who confessed to the murder of 75-year-old retired University of Guyana Professor, Pairadeau`Perry’ Mars, were on Tuesday, July 16, 2019, jailed by Justice Navindra Singh at the Demerara High Court.

The mastermind, Nikisha Dover, Orin McRae, both 19, and 18-year-old Naomi Adams were a part of a five-member teen-gang who were initially charged with murder. The three teens opted to plead to the lesser count of

Nikisha Dover

Orin McRae

Naomi Adams

Pairadeau`Perry’ Mars manslaughter.

The teens confessed that, on May 12, 2016, they unlawfully killed Mars at his Lot 395, Bissessar Avenue, Prashad Nagar home, during a robbery.

Dover and McRae were each sentenced to 12 years in jail and Adams was sentenced to 10 years in jail.

Justice Singh ordered that the prison authorities deduct the time the teens spent on remand from their sentence.

Attorneys-at-law Mohamed Ali and Adrian Thompson represented Dover and McRae, while Adams was represented by attorney Mark Conway. The state was represented by prosecutors Tuanna Hardy, Teriq Mohamed, and Sarah Martin.

Currently on remand awaiting commencement for trial into Mars murder are Timothy Paul Chance and Andre Benjamin.

Mars was killed by a gang of teens who reportedly beat and bound him in his home. The professor was found in his home by his wife with his hands and feet duct-taped and with injuries to his head.

The house was ransacked, and several articles and cash were missing. He was pronounced dead on arrival at a private hospital.

The five accused at that time were between the ages of 15 and 18 and reportedly confessed to the murder/ robbery while in police custody.

According to reports, the teens were known to Professor Mars and were arrested after neighbours observed the group leaving the retired professor’s residence with suitcases and entering a car.

Less than 24 hours after committing the crime, the teens were arrested by the police and a large sum of cash, a laptop computer, phone, iPod and PlayStation that were taken from Mars’s home were recovered.

A post-mortem performed on Mars had revealed that death was due to manual strangulation, compounded

by multiple fractures to the head and face.

On Tuesday, Prosecutor Hardy, during her address to the court, asked the judge to impose a sentence on the three teens which will reflect the nature and gravity of the offence.

Hardy told the court the Dover was the mastermind behind the whole crime since she had lived next door to Professor Mars while growing up and had knowledge about his home layout.

Meanwhile, as Dover watched as her co-accused ransacked the home, McRae stole Mars’ PlayStation and Adams took away his cell phone.

In a plea of mitigation, Dover’s attorney, Mohamed Ali, told the court that the teen is a High School dropout and was charged for the indictment when she was 17 years old.

According to the attorney, Dover was attending anger management classes in prison and was trying to better herself so that she could be reformed.

Prosecutor Hardy, however, told the court that Dover dropped out of school and ran away from her home and was living with a boy in Sophia. However, Dover, the prosecutor said is involved in another gang while in prison.

“I just want to say that I’m sorry for everything,” Dover said with tears rolling down her cheeks as she addressed the Judge before sentencing.

“People is look at you as a bad woman” the teen added as she explained that she would like to complete her secondary education and study hard to work in childcare to stand out from the ‘bad woman’ label.

McRae’s attorney, Adrian Thompson, in mitigation, told the court that his client made a foolish decision due to peer pressure and his incarceration showed him that crime was not the way.

However, Prosecutor Hardy told the court that McRae made a conscious decision to be a part of the group and was known for being involved in gangs and fights, especially while behind bars.

Additionally, Hardy informed the court that McRae had injured one of his co-accused during the Magisterial Proceeding of the matter. In court, McRae apologised to the Mars family for the hurt his actions had caused.

Meanwhile, Adams’ attorney, Mark Conway, told the court that his client lost See page 25

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, July 17, 2019

‘You don’t need a fancy school to get top marks’

25

… so says Region Eight top NGSA student ELEVEN-year-old Celestia Masir from the Mahdia Primary School has topped the Potaro/Siparuni Region in the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) attaining 503 marks.

In a recent radio interview with Radio Mahdia Masir stated that while she expected to excel she had no idea she would top the Region.

She attributed her success

to her studies, everyday lessons and the help and support from her grandparents and mother.

While she was offered to attend the St. Joseph High School in Georgetown, she was also sent an invitation letter to attend the President’s College and decided to go there instead. Masir is looking forward to making new friends, attaining a higher ed-

ucation and learning to cook.

“You don’t need this fancy school to get top marks.

It’s your determination to study. Everyone thinks Mahdia is a low School, that no one does well [but] once you have the type of help, the push you need [and] the materials you will do well like myself,” she encouraged other students.

The top ten students of

Teens who confessed ...

From page 24

her mother when she was 12 years old and was raised by her elderly grandmother.

At age 15, Adams was charged with the indictment of murder and, during her time on remand, she was attending church services and also anger management classes.

Prosecutor Hardy told the court that Adams was frequently absent from school and did not get to finish her Secondary School education.

“I know it’s hard to lose someone you love” Adams cried out as she apologised to the deceased family.

Justice Singh after listening to the teens and the prosecutor said “This is a very sad case. Here I have in front of me three persons who are still children… It’s disturbing how they got into this situation.”

Singh urged the teens to further their education and to use the time behind bars to study and complete their CSEC examination.

Region 8 are Celestia Masir (Mahdia Primary) 503; Ravindra Dalchan (Monkey Mountain Primary) 481; Rachael Pais (Kopinang Primary) 466; Nalas Thomas (Paramakatoi Primary) 464; Naziya Cheong (Monkey Mountain Primary) 462; Jazon Ramos (Monkey Mountain Primary) 462; NevinMc Lean (School of Excellence) 461; Eliza King (Maikwak Primary) 457; Abner Gomes (Kato Primary) 456 and Vera Domingo (Micobie Primary) 453.

NGSA’s Top Student for Potaro/Siparuni, Celestia Masir

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, July 17, 2019

Australian XI in command Lady Jags impress in 2-0 win against England Lions over Antigua and Barbuda INJURY scares to a pair of Ashes aspirants overshadowed a tight contest in Canterbury where the Australian XI hold a commanding lead after three days against the England Lions.

Australian batter Matt Wade (elbow) and English quick Jamie Porter (back spasms) did not see out yesterday as the visitors finished on 6-223 at stumps, a lead of 353 runs.

The right-armer will be monitored and it’s uncertain how much either player will feature on the final day.

Regardless of the severity of each injury, the timing is unfortunate.

England are set to name their Test side to face Ireland and their Ashes training squad this afternoon, local time, in Canterbury, with several World Cup stars expected to be rested

Matthew Wade was left doubled over after the blow // Getty Wade was hit flush on his or nursing injuries. right elbow by a Lewis Gregory The 25-player Australian short ball in the 41st over the Aus- squad will convene in Southtralian XI’s second innings. He ampton tomorrow for next batted on but retired hurt at tea and week’s intra-squad clash after was sent for an X-ray that cleared which the 16-player Ashes squad him of any serious damage. will be picked.

“Matthew will be reassessed Around the injury misforin the morning but it’s unlikely tunes, the tourists edged their he’ll bat again in this innings. way into a dominant position on However, we’re very hopeful day three. he’ll recover in good time for the Having lost 6-17 in 47 balls Australia - Australia A game next on Monday morning, the Aussies week,” the Australian team’s Dr gave the English a taste of their John Orchard said. own medicine in the first session While Wade’s mishap was a yesterday. brutal external blow, Porter’s was Including the wicket in the more innocuous as he left the field final over of day two, the hosts shortly after the midway point in lost 5-35 as Chris Tremain (4-70), the day suffering back spasms. Jackson Bird (3-51) and Jon Holland (2-56) cleaned up the Lions tail in less than 14 overs to bowl them out for 267.

Queenslander Michael Neser did not bowl after tea on day two, due to a slight left ankle niggle but was seen bowling before the day’s play and is expected to be able to bowl to roll his arm over in the second innings.

Opening batter Joe Burns was an early casualty in the Australian XI’s second innings, caught at

third slip off the bowling of Porter for nine.

Harris and Kurtis Patterson were slow and steady after lunch as the Lions seamers attacked the stumps before Porter – the pick of the home side’s bowlers – limped off the playing surface after fielding a ball at fine leg.

With a seamer down, Leach stepped up to first remove Harris three balls after the left-hander posted a watchful half-century in two-and-a-half hours, and then Patterson, whose edge ballooned to Ollie Robinson at first slip to depart for 38.

Patterson’s wicket brought Wade to the crease and three balls into his innings he was struck by Gregory, ducking into a bouncer that thudded into his right elbow.

After flexing, contracting and squeezing his hands and elbow, Wade batted on for the remaining 17 balls until tea.

But it was decided at the break for Wade to retire as a precaution, so out went Marsh and Head for the final session of the day holding a 247-run lead.

However, Head returned to the pavilion 10 balls later when he picked out Sam Northeast at backward point to give Gregory his first wicket of the innings.

Marsh was patient against the spin of Leach, happy to block the left-armer until he overpitched and was crunched back over his head for six, Marsh and Paine put on 55 together before the all-rounder was trapped first ball after drinks, out for 26, to the delight of Robinson, who let out a thunderous roar when the umpire raised his index finger.

Leach picked up his third wicket when he held onto a skied catch off his own bowling to dismiss Paine for 38 from 68 balls, as the lead edged towards 350 in the closing stages of the day.

The Australians’ mentality all tour has been about winning, so perhaps another hour of batting is on the final day before a declaration and chance to get one over an English side before the Ashes begins.

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By Rawle Toney

TWO matches, two wins and a clean sheet is the story so far for ‘Lady Jags’ in the CONCACAF U-20 Women’s U-20 Championships Qualifiers.

Last Sunday Guyana dominated Antigua and Barbuda in every third of the pitch to secure a 2-0 win and moved to the top of the table (on goal difference) ahead of St Lucia, who also won their second game in as many matches, with a 2-1 upset over Bermuda.

Head coach Dr Ivan Joseph opted for an unchanged 11 from his previous win (2-0) against Bermuda; a move he said was necessary since the intention was to “give us more chemistry and cohesion”.

Having not seen Antigua and Barbuda play, Dr Joseph also reasoned that having an unchanged starting team was important, adding, “We didn’t know anything about what they did. We just wanted to do the things that we needed to do to become a better football team to defend well, to be organised and to execute our attacking set

plays.”

From the start, Lady Jags made it clear to the Antiguan ladies that it was going to be a long night. Tiandi Smith, Audrey Narine and Jenea Knight were thorns in the visitors’ feet upfront, while Kiana Khedoo was exceptional in distributing the ball from the midfield and captain Brianne Desa and her troops in the back held off any challenge they faced.

After a few missed chances, Guyana broke the deadlock in the 24th minute, when Smith, playing onto a ball from Khedoo, found herself one-on-one with an advancing Antiguan goalkeeper.

Smith was brought down and the referee immediately pointed to the penalty spot.

However, the goalkeeper was injured and was replaced by Alexandria Jackson.

Desa, the team’s captain, stepped up and calmly converted, much to the delight of the vocal fans.

The half ended 1-0, but had Guyana scored at least half of their chances, they would have been up by at least four goals.

While the first half of the game had much to offer, the second half saw Guyana basically playing against themselves, as Antigua decided to sit back deep to avoid a lopsided defeat.

However, Khedoo’s impressive evening paid off in the 60th minute when she ran onto the ball just outside the ‘18’ and curled her shot to the top left of the goal. It was a beautiful strike, timed perfectly and hard.

She celebrated as soon as it left her feet.

Up next for Lady Jags is a clash against St Lucia, on Friday, which could possibly determine the winners.

Both sides are undefeated and Johnson, talking to Chronicle Sport following his side’s impressive 2-0 win over Antigua, said, “We have three days’ rest, so we need to get them away from football ... we have two days to prepare for St Lucia, who have been quite the scorers.

“They get a lot of goals in, they’re fast, and they’re strong, so our job is to heal our injuries, look at the St Lucia tape and decide what the game plan is.”

Trophy Stall joins GMR&SC National Race of Champions TROPHY Stall is the latest entity to join the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club’s (GMR&SC) Race of Champions Round 2.

The company yesterday handed over a quantity of trophies to be awarded to the champion drivers in the various categories after this weekend’s event.

Proprietor Ramesh Sunich made the donation to GMR&SC’s Office Executive Cheryl Gonsalves.

In receipt of the trophies, GMR&SC president Rameez Mohamed expressed the club’s

happiness at having the support of Trophy Stall once again.

“Trophy Stall has been a longstanding sponsor of motorsport. All of our trophies including those for our international race meet have been supplied by Trophy Stall.”

“We are really happy with the way things are shaping up from our committee’s perspective. Before this weekend we are going to wash the track because it is a bit sandy in certain parts.”

He urged competitors to get registered early to avoid the last-minute rush.

Meanwhile, in addition to

the regular races, there is also expected to be the introduction of the Motul-sponsored time attack series.

The sponsors for the event include: Hallmark Store, Jaigobin Hotel, Transpacific motor spares, Bikers Bar, Ready Mix, ISG, Sankars Auto Works, Special Auto, Tropical Shipping, CEMCO, China Harbour, Del Ice Company, Ramchand’s Wreckers, Handin-Hand, Choke Gas Station, Miracle Optical, KGM, Sheriff Security, Motor Trend, Ray Auto Sales, Rent-a-Tent and Jumbo Jet Auto Sales.

Guyana sweep U-15, U-17 class at Junior CASA GUYANA swept the Under-15 and U-17 classes when the 2019 Caribbean Area Squash Association (CASA) championships concluded in Trinidad and Tobago yesterday.

At the U-15 level, Guyana cleaned house with the rest of the Caribbean, both Nicholas Verwey and Micheal Alphonso making it to the final.

Their paths were contrasting as Verwey had a five-set rattle (9-11, 8-11, 11-7, 13-11, 11-6) against Cayman Islands Jace Jervis while Alphonso hammered out Barbados’ Aiden Parris (12-10, 11-8, 11-5).in the eventual final, Alphonso stood tall with an 11-9, 11-9 11-6 win over his fellow Guyanese.

On the Girls end, Kristen Gomes was made to work for her win against Barbados’ Sumairaa Suleman. She went down in the first two sets 4-11, 5-11, but dug deep to produce a comeback in the final three (11-8, 11-4, 11-8) much to the pleasure of the small but vocal crowd. In her earlier semi-final, she overcame Jamaica’s

Savannah Thompson 11-0, 11-6, 11-5.

The result was the same at the U-17 level with an all-Guyanese game between Abosaide Cadogan and Madison Fernandes. They both were able to make it to finals pretty easy, Cadogan steering clear of the hosts’ Chloe Walcott (11-5, 11-3,11-7) while Fernandes beat Bermuda’s Abigail Brewer 12-10, 11-7, 11-6).

In the final, however, it was Cadogan who won in straight sets 11-7, 13-11, 11-4.

In the male final, it was all Shomari Wiltshire who held through to his form with an 11-3, 11-8, 5-11, 11-2 win over Darien Benn of Barbados.

Wiltshire had the first two sets in the bag but Benn came back strong in set three. Wiltshire was able to close him off early in the fourth set for the win.

In the semi-final, Wiltshire got the better of Bermuda’s Matthew Elliot 11-4, 11-2, 11-1 while Guyana’s Samuel

Ince-Carvalhal was beaten by Benn 11-6, 7-11, 14-12, 11-9.

Ince Carvalhal won the thirdplace playoff by trouncing Elliot (11-9, 11-8, 11-8). Gianni Carpenter finished seventh.

Guyana had no U-19 boys with Makeda Harding finishing 7th in the Girls U-19.

In the Girls U-13, Beau Fernandes finished 5th with Safirah Sumner 9th while at the Boys level, Morhyan Baksh lost a hard final to Seth Thong (11-9, 6-11, 11-5, 2-11, 13-11).

Baksh’s semi-final (11-8, 11-5, 11-4) win came against St Vincent’s Jaydon Williams. Louis DaSilva also finished fourth in this category after losing to Williams in the third place game (11-8, 11-9, 2-11, 11-5) In the Girls U-11 Barbados’ Phoebe Gittens won the round-robin fixture with three points ahead of Guyana’s Tiana Gomes and Christiana Fernandes while in the Boys division Grant Fernandes finished fifth with an 11-8, 11-4, 8-11, 10-12, 11-2 win over Zeviah Abrahams.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, July 17, 2019

33

Senegal, Algeria to meet again in Africa Cup of Nations final THE final matchup for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations was decided on Sunday, as Senegal defeated Tunisia and Algeria edged Nigeria in the semi-finals.

Senegal is seeking its first Cup of Nations title, 17 years after their only previous appearance in the final. Algeria hasn’t been in the final since they won their only title in 1990. Senegal and Algeria will battle for the title on Friday in a repeat of a group stage clash Algeria won 1-0.

A bizarre own goal in extra time handed Senegal a 1-0 victory over Tunisia in the drama-filled first of Sunday’s Africa Cup of Nations semi-finals.

A horrific mistake by goalkeeper Moez Hassen in the 100th minute saw the ball bounce off the head of defender Dylan Bronn and into the net for the only goal of a game in which both teams had second-half penalties saved.

Hassen came flying off his goal-line to try to cut off a freekick from the right flank but completely missed the ball which then hit the unfortunate Bronn on the head.

Both teams had a chance to settle the result in the second half at the 30 June Stadium but squandered spot kicks.

Tunisia felt aggrieved after referee Bamlak Tessema changed a decision to award them another penalty after consulting the Video Assistant Referee with seven minutes

left of extra time.

Senegal captain Cheikhou Kouyate headed clear a freekick on to the arm of team mate Idrissa Gana Gueye in the Senegal box but, after consulting VAR, the referee decided Gana Gueye’s arm was not moving and changed his mind.

to the end of balls through the middle. The first he hit over and a heavy first touch on the second allowed Senegal goalkeeper Alfred Gomis to come off his line and smother the ball.

In the 73rd minute a stinging effort from Ferjani Sassi was blocked by Senegal center

a golden chance with 15 minutes left to play.

Three minutes later Ismaila Sarr was tripped in the Tunisia penalty area by Yassine Meriah.

After Mane had missed two earlier in the tournament, Henri Saivet took over penalty duties, hammering a strong

back Kalidou Koulibaly, turning his back as he slid into the path of the shot which struck him on his elbow.

The referee awarded a controversial penalty and also booked the Napoli center back, now suspended for the final.

But Sassi hesitated as he stepped up to take the kick and hit a tame effort right into Gomis’s hands, throwing away

shot to the corner only to be denied by a left-handed save from Hassen.

For Algeria, Riyad Mahrez rifled in a stoppage-time freekick to earn the team a dramatic 2-1 victory over three-time champions Nigeria.

Algeria led through a firsthalf own goal by William Troost-Ekong before Nigeria equalized with an Odion Ighalo penalty awarded after a VAR

Senegal celebrates after 1-0 win over Tunisia in the Africa Cup of Nations semi-final (AA Photo)

The first half was dominated by Senegal, with Youssouf Sabaly hitting the post and Sadio Mane rounding Hassen but stumbling as he tried to convert from a difficult angle and missing the target.

After the break there were two good chances for Tunisia center forward Taha Yasine Khennissi as he broke free of the center backs and got on

review.

However, as extra time looked necessary, Mahrez blasted in from 20 yards with the last kick of the match to send the Desert Foxes through to their first final since lifting the trophy for the only time in 1990.

An injury to Youcef Atal, who fractured his collarbone during the quarter-final win over Ivory Coast on penalties, forced Djamel Belmadi to start Mehdi Zeffane at right-back, while Nigeria fielded the same team that overcame South Africa here.

Algeria supporters filled most of the lower tier at one end of the ground, dwarfing a small section of Nigeria fans, but there were large swathes of empty seats at the 75,000-capacity Cairo International Stadium.

Leading scorers in the tournament and considered the most impressive side, Algeria quickly asserted themselves as Ramy Bensebaini headed narrowly over before a wicked Youcef Belaili cross nearly lead to a goal for Baghdad Bounedjah.

Hesitant defending from Kenneth Omeruo just outside his own area then allowed Bounedjah to nip in, but the AlSadd striker could only shoot tamely at Daniel Akpeyi.

Seemingly having moved on from the penalty miss that reduced him to tears in the last round, Bounedjah was consis-

tently proving a nuisance to a nervy Nigeria backline with Jamilu Collins relieved to see a toed clearance land on the roof of the net.

Nigeria countered intermittently as Ighalo dragged wide after Mahrez was caught in possession, but the Manchester City winger promptly atoned as Algeria made the breakthrough on 40 minutes.

After gathering the ball on the right Mahrez danced past Collins before sending over a cross that flicked off the left-back and struck a helpless Troost-Ekong in the midriff before tricking over the line.

Super Eagles boss Gernot Rohr has praised his side’s resilience, particularly the way they bounced back from a shock loss to Madagascar to eliminate defending champions Cameroon, and Nigeria again hit back with the aid of VAR. Gambian referee Bakary Gassama initially dismissed Nigerian penalty appeals when a Peter Etebo shot struck the arm of Aissa Mandi but reserved that decision, with Ighalo sending Rais Mbohli the wrong way from the spot for his competition-best fourth goal.

Sofiane Feghouli blazed over late on and extra time beckoned after Ismael Bennacer rattled the bar in stoppage time, but Mahrez won it at the death with a thunderous strike into the top corner.

Cameroon sack Seedor, Kluivert after Nations Cup failure

Amir Khan says Pacquiao fight to take place in Saudi Arabia

Cameroon coach Clarence Seedorf reacts at Alexandria Stadium, Alexandria, Egypt - (REUTERS/Suhaib Salem)

AMIR Khan says he has agreed a deal to fight Manny Pacquiao in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on November 8.

Khan, 32, scored a stoppage win over Australia’s Billy Dib in Saudi Arabia on Friday and immediately talked up the prospect of facing Pacquiao.

“Signed off and done, to get Manny Pacquiao is amazing,” Khan said.

But later yesterday, Pacquiao’s publicist Fred Sternberg shared a tweet suggesting the deal was far from agreed.

He told Middle East newspaper The National: “Manny has not signed a contract for that fight.”

A proposed fight between the two fell through in 2017 and Pacquiao, 40, is scheduled to fight American Keith Thurman in Las Vegas on Saturday.

Khan emphasised Pacquiao has “signed” for the fight, though he was uncertain

YAOUNDE (Reuters) Cameroon have sacked Dutch coach Clarence Seedorf after their disappointing performance at the Africa Cup of Nations, with his departure coming after the country’s sports minister had demanded his exit.

Seedorf’s assistant, former Netherlands striker Patrick Kluivert, has also been axed after the defending champions were dumped out in the last 16 after losing 3-2 to Nigeria earlier this month.

The Indomitable Lions won just one of their four matches at the tournament in Egypt, which led to calls from the country’s sports minister, Narcisse Mouelle Kombi, for the pair to be released from their contracts.

He got his wish within hours y e s t e rday as Came r oon’s foot-

ball federation announced it had terminated the fouryear deal Seedorf had signed in August 2018.

The body said in a statement that it had brought an end to the respective contracts of Seedorf and Kluivert “following the premature exit of Cameroon’s men’s flagship squad”.

Former AC Milan and Netherlands midfielder Seedorf was in charge for 12 matches, but won only four against Malawi, Comoros Islands, Zambia and Guinea-Bissau.

The job was his first in international football after previous brief spells in charge of AC Milan and Deportivo La Coruna in Spain.

Cameroon will host the next Nations Cup finals in June 2021, but must take part in the 2022 Wo r l d C u p qualifiers that are likely to start later this year.

how things may play out if Thurman were to pursue any rematch with Pacquiao in the event he loses his WBA super-welterweight title on Saturday.

publicly announce any meeting with Khan and has instead used his social media channels to focus on Saturday’s fight with Thurman - who is undefeated in

Amir Khan (left) has pursued a bout with Manny Pacquiao for several years

“I hope it is he but we will have to look at back-up plans,” Khan added. “I’ve always wanted to fight him.

It’s the biggest fight out there for me.”

Khan has long wanted the chance to face Pacquiao, one of the sport’s most decorated fighters.

The Filipino is yet to

29 outings.

Khan earned a reported £7M in beating Dib in Saudi Arabia over the weekend and said criticism of his move to fight in the Middle East stems from “jealousy”, adding fighters “would be stupid not to” take advantage of fighting there.

Since returning to the

sport after almost two years out of the ring in April of 2018, Khan has scored three wins and lost a controversial world-title shot against Terence Crawford when he was pulled out by his corner after a low blow.

The Bolton fighter was forced to answer questions on whether he quit in the bout but he returned to the ring to beat Dib and now believes he will again feature in an eye-catching contest against former sparring partner Pacquiao.

“When I sparred him he was at his peak,” said Khan.

“I got good rounds with him and did really well. I have probably sparred between 200 and 300 rounds with him.

He has slowed down a bit.”

Pacquiao holds a record of 61 wins, seven defeats and two draws in a 24-year professional career while Khan has 34 wins and five defeats to his name.

(BBC Sport)

34

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, July 17, 2019

Business School register first win at Sir Garfield Sobers International Schools Cricket … Queen’s College suffer first loss in rain-affected day THE Business School and Queen’s College (QC) suffered mixed fortunes on a rain-affected Monday to bowl off the second week of the Sir Garfield Sobers International Schools Cricket Tournament, in St Michael, Barbados.

QC, who were unbeaten in the opening week, went down by four wickets to Trinidad school, Fatima College, while Business School, led by an all-around effort from Ushardeva Balgobin, were able to register a 10-wicket win over the Queen’s Park Club.

man Balgobin exploded in the innings, as he scored a six to start his runs flow and a six to end it. In total, he had five sixes and two fours in a top score of 46 not out. Montel, who was more watchful at the crease, added 22 unbeaten runs.

TOUGH BATTLE QC batted first against Fatima College, in a clash reduced to 22 overs because

FIRST WIN At Lears, the clash was originally lessened to 30 overs, before the inclement weather further reduced the match.

Queen’s Park Club batted first and reached 119-8 off 23 overs. Right-arm leg-spinner Balgobin spun his way to 2-17 while fast bowlers Joel Gilkes (2-17), Romel Zamal (2-19) and Christopher Harry (2-30) also got wickets.

Giovanni Ramdenny led the Trinidadian team with a top score of 38.

Before Business School batted, the game was further reduced to 15 overs, and the target to 79, openers Balgobin and Jamal Montel were able to reach the total in seven overs.

The Everest CC and Zeeburg Sports Club bats-

of rain, but found it hard to get on top of the bowling.

Both openers Navindra Persaud and Brandon Jaikaran, who had propelled Guyana’s top school to their best opening partnership (227) last Thursday, were dismissed cheaply.

Skipper Persaud finished with seven runs while his cousin Jaikaran added eight.

Of the lot, only two batsmen finished in double figures (Ronaldo McGarrell with 12

and Malachi Griffith with 15 not out), before QC ended their innings on 88-7.

In reply, Fatima College, not without some difficulty, reached 89-6 in the penultimate over of their innings.

Off-spinner Amos Sarwan led QC’s bowling attack. He took 3-18 from five overs, while fellow spinners Persaud, Idris Allen, and Bhedesh Persaud supported with a wicket each.

Ushardeva Balgobin (left) and Jamal Montel batted Business School to their first win in the tournament

the greatest of all-time, Boris Becker has said.

Wo r l d n u m b e r o n e Djokovic outlasted Roger Federer to claim a fifth Wimbledon title in the longest singles final in the tournament’s 133-year history on Sunday, leaving

him four slams behind the Swiss and two adrift of Rafael Nadal.

“Novak is not quite happy yet. He’s one of the greatest of all-time but he wants to be the greatest of

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Wednesday, July 17, 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) Rohit Sharma-648 runs (IND) (2) Mitchell Starc-27 wickets (AUST) (1) (2)

Incumbent Ravi Shastri and his team given automatic entry

(REUTERS) - India’s cricket board (BCCI) yesterday invited applications for the position of head coach and support staff for the men’s side, with incumbent Ravi Shastri and his team given automatic entry in the recruitment process.

The contract of the current coaching staff is set to expire after the tour of the West Indies starting August 3, where India play three T20 internationals, three ODIs and two Tests.

In a statement, BCCI said it was inviting applications for the positions of head coach, batting coach, bowling coach, fielding coach, physiotherapist, strength and conditioning coach as well as an administrative manager.

Former India all-rounder Shastri was appointed in 2017 and succeeded former captain Anil Kumble, who stepped down after falling out with skipper Virat Kohli despite a successful run while in charge of the team.

Under Shastri’s guidance, India won a maiden Test series in Australia earlier this year and are ranked number one in the world in the format.

They also reached the semi-finals of the 50-over World Cup where they were beaten by eventual runners-up New Zealand.

Australian newspapers lose appeal in defamation payout awarded to Gayle

Djokovic will not ease up in quest to be greatest: Becker (REUTERS) - Novak Djokovic has already established himself as one of the best ever to play the game but the Serb, who clinched his 16th Grand Slam at Wimbledon on Sunday, will not be satisfied until he is considered

BCCI invites applications for men’s head coach

TODAY’S QUIZ:

Who struck the highest individual score in ICC World Cup 2019?

Who had the best bowling figures in a single game?

ANSWERS IN TOMORROW’S ISSUE

LONDON, Britain Serbia’s Novak Djokovic during a press conference, after winning the men’s singles final (Joe Toth/Pool

via REUTERS)

all-time,” German Becker, who coached Djokovic from 2013-2016, told the BBC. “Honestly I think he can overtake them, but I wouldn’t like to say that for sure. The race is on.”

Becker, who won six Grand Slam singles titles including three at Wimbledon, expected the ‘Big Three’ to continue to dominate men’s tennis.

“This endless talk of who will be the most successful will continue as long as all three of them are playing,” the 51-yearold added.

“I don’t see the end of the road for any of the three. All of them will win more Grand Slams.”

THREE Australian newspapers have lost an appeal against a defamation payout that was awarded to West Indies cricketer Chris Gayle.

Articles published in the Sydney Morning Herald, The Age and the Canberra Times reported claims that Gayle had exposed himself to a female massage therapist in Sydney in 2015.

Chris Gayle was awarded a defamation payout in Sydney last year

Gayle said the stories were not true and successfully sued for defamation. A court has rejected both the appeal and a bid by Gayle for a larger payout.

The 39-year-old batsman was awarded A$300 000 (£170 000; $210 000) by the Supreme Court of New South Wales last year.

During the trial, massage therapist Leanne Russell alleged that Gay-

le had partially exposed himself to her in a dressing room, leaving her “very upset”.

She had contacted Fairfax Media - then the owner of the three newspapers after being angered when Gayle told a journalist “don’t blush, baby” in a 2016 television interview, the court heard.

Gayle argued Ms Russell’s allegation was fabricated. A jury sided with him, ruling that the newspapers had failed to establish a defence of truth.

In challenging the ruling, the newspapers argued they should have received a new trial because Gayle’s lawyer had launched a “full-throttled attack” on Ms Russell’s credibility during his closing address.

The New South Wales Court of Appeal agreed that this had been unfair to Ms Russell. It ruled, however, that the jury had been given sufficient instructions to reach a fair verdict.

The court also dismissed a counter-appeal

by Gayle that his payout was inadequate.

Gayle is among the world’s highest-profile cricketers and recently reversed his plans to retire from one-day internationals. (BBC)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, July 17, 2019

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Pandey, Pandya condemn Windies A to series defeat

NORTH SOUND, Antigua (CMC) – West Indies A were once again left to ponder another horrendous batting collapse as India A took an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match one-day series with an emphatic 148-run victory here yesterday.

Chasing a difficult target of 296 at the Vivian Richards Cricket Ground, the hosts folded meekly for 147 in the 35th over, in a now familiar display of recklessness and indifference.

All-rounder Keemo Paul, batting at number 10, blasted a 16-ball 34 with two fours and four sixes with the game already gone while Sunil Ambris chipped in with 30 to be the only top order batsmen to show any semblance of enterprise.

He and left-hander John Campbell (21) put on 51 off 57 balls for the first wicket but once they were separated, West Indies A stunningly lost their last nine wickets for 82 runs.

Left-arm spinner Krunal Pandya proved their tormentor, claiming five for 25 while Hanuma Vihari picked up two for 23 with his off-spin.

Captain Manish Pandey had earlier exhibited the temperament and focus, which was lacking by the Windies

batsmen, as he stroked a classy 100 to help fire India A to 295 for six off their 50 overs.

Nineteen-year-old opener Shubman Gill hit 77 – his second straight half-century – while Vihari supported with 29 and wicketkeeper Ishan Kishan, 24.

as West Indies A struggled to contain the visitors’ batsmen.

First, Gill anchored a 109-run stand for the second wicket with Shreyas Iyer whose 47 came from 69 deliveries and included four fours.

Gill, who faced 81 balls and struck eight fours and

India A Captain Manish Pandey struck a classy century

Off-spinner Rahkeem Cornwall claimed 2-37 and fast bowler Romario Shepherd 2-51.

Opting to bat, India A lost 21-year-old opener Anmolpreet Singh without scoring in the third over with the score on 13, sending a short ball from Shepherd to Campbell at second slip.

However, two century stands then put India A on top

a six, fell to a catch at the wicket off Cornwall in the 25th over and Iyer followed 23 balls later, but Pandey and Vihari added 110 for the fourth wicket to overturn West Indies A’s advantage.

Pandey faced 87 balls and smashed six fours and five sixes while Vihari struck three fours in his 39-ball stay at the crease.

Asked to chase their

highest total of the series, West Indies A managed a solid start as Ambris and Campbell overcame anxious moments to stage a half-century stand.

But Campbell ran out of patience and tugged seamer Navdeep Saini to mid-wicket in the 10th over and Ambris followed in the 14th over after hitting three fours in a 32-ball knock, trapped on the crease by one from seamer Avesh Khan that nipped back.

Raymon Reifer (19) and captain Roston Chase (15) put on 24 for the third wicket but were part of a spectacular slide which saw West Indies A lose seven wickets for 28 runs.

Chase tried to cut one too close to him and played on to Pandya in the 22nd over. Reifer holed out to long on off the same bowler in the 26th over at 102 for four and two balls later with one run added, left-hander Jonathan Carter sliced Pandya to point to depart for four.

Devon Thomas was picked up at leg slip off off-spinner Washington Sundar for one and Rovman Powell’s ugly swipe in the 30th over characterised West Indies A’s approach, as the senior team all-rounder skied to Iyer at point off Pandya.

SCORECARD INDIA A S Gill c wkp Thomas b Cornwall 77 Anmolpreet Singh c Campbell b Shepherd 0 S Iyer c Powell b Cornwall 47 *M Pandey lbw b Shepherd 100 H Vihari c Ambris b Reifer 29 +I Kishan b Paul 24 K Pandya not out 2 W Sundar not out 3 Extras: (l0b, w12, nb1) 13 TOTAL: (6 wkts, 50 overs) 295 Did not bat: Deepak Chahar, Avesh Khan, Navdeep Saini.

Fall of wickets: 1-13, 2-122, 3-137, 4-247, 5-286, 6-292.

Bowling: Shepherd 10-1-51-2, Jordan 5-0-37-0, Paul 10-0-53-1, Reifer 9-0-62-1, Cornwall 10-0-37-2, Chase 3-0-32-0, Powell 3-0-23-0.

WEST INDIES A J Campbell c Iyer b Navdeep Saini 21 S Ambris lbw b Avesh Khan 30 R Reifer c Gill b Krunal Pandya 19 *R Chase b Krunal Pandya 15 J Carter c Sundar b Krunal Pandya 4 +D Thomas c Vihari b Sundar 1 R Powell c Iyer b Krunal Pandya 1 R Cornwall c wkp Kishan b Vihari 5 R Shepherd c Vihari b Krunal Pandya 4 K Paul c Navdeep Saini b Vihari 34 A Jordan not out 0 Extras: (b4, lb6, w3) 13 TOTAL: (all out, 34.2 overs) 147 Fall of wickets: 1-51, 2-65, 3-89, 4-102, 5-103, 6-103, 7-109, 8-109, 9-117, 10-147.

Bowling: Deepak Chahar 5-0-15-0, Navdeep Saini 5-0-33-1, Sundar 10-0-27-1, Avesh Khan 5-0-14-1, Krunal Pandya 7-025-0, Vihari 2.2-0-23-2.

Sharing World Cup trophy should be World Cup success can spur considered - NZ coach Gary Stead England to Ashes glory: Root

CRICKET chiefs should consider allowing teams to share the World Cup if a final is tied again, says New Zealand coach Gary Stead.

England beat the Black Caps in a dramatic final at Lord’s by virtue of scoring more boundaries - after the teams’ 50-over scores were tied and also level after a super over.

“I’m sure when they were writing the rules they never expected a World Cup final like that,” Stead said.

“I’m sure it’ll be reviewed.”

On sharing the trophy, he added: “Perhaps when you play over a seven-week period and you can’t be separated on the final day then that is something that should be considered.”

Both sides scored 241 in their 50 overs on Sunday and were level on 15.when they batted for an extra over.

England were crowned men’s world champions for the first time because they had scored more boundary fours and sixes - 26 to New Zealand’s 17 in the match.

“It’s a very, very hollow feeling that you can play

100 overs and score the same amount of runs and still lose the game - but that’s the technicalities of sport,” Stead added.

hit Ben Stokes’ bat as he dived to complete a second run and went for four - but laws appear to say that was one too many.

New Zealand coach Gary Stead

“It’s unfortunate it comes down to one ball right at the end of the tournament when we’ve been here for seven weeks playing some really good cricket. It will be raw for a long time.”

New Zealand were also unfortunate England appeared to be awarded one extra run in the final over of their innings.

England were given six runs when a fielder’s throw

“I didn’t actually know that,” said Stead when asked about the law.

“The umpires are there to rule and they’re human as well - and, like players, sometimes errors are made.

“It’s just the human aspect of sport and probably why we all care about it so much as well. We can’t change that now. It will go down in history as one that got away from us.” (BBC Sport)

(REUTERS) - England’s Cricket World Cup triumph can be the perfect launch pad to complete a memorable double by winning the Ashes series against Australia this year, Test skipper Joe Root has said.

Hosts England ended a 44-year wait to win the World Cup as they beat New Zealand side on boundary count after a tied Super Over in a dramatic final on Sunday.

Shifting focus to the five-match Ashes series, which begins on August 1, the 28-yearold said England were full of confidence as they bid to reclaim the urn having already achieved one of their targets.

“It’s what we set out to do two or three years ago and we’re halfway there,” Root told reporters.

“This will give the guys confidence and we’ve talked about taking that forward into a series like that.”

England beat Australia in the World Cup semi-finals at Edgbaston, the venue for the first Ashes Test, and Root said they were looking forward to getting back there.

“The way we played against Australia in that semi-final ... the guys who were involved relished it and will want a bit more: the feeling of euphoria we felt at that ground,” Root added.

“To potentially be able to experience all that again is very exciting. Ashes cricket always has a different edge to it so that in itself will get everyone going.

“The atmosphere, the way it builds up and the way the guys get excited about it, it’s like no other series in Test cricket.”

However, England must ensure their ODI success does not affect preparations, all-rounder Ben Stokes said.

“Everyone here deserves to feel like a champion because we’ve just won it, but when it comes to the Ashes it’s going to be heads on again because it has to be,” Stokes said.

“Whether you’re winning or losing, you’ve just got to wipe the slate clean.”

England warm up for the series with their first ever Test against Ireland, a fourEngland’s Joe Root with the trophy during the celebrations day contest, starting on July on Monday (Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Boyers) 24.

Lady Jags strike force - Brianne Desa (left) and Kiana Khedoo

Kiana Khedoo (#10) had an impressive game and capped her performance with a beautiful goal in the 60th minute to help Guyana defeat Antigua and Barbuda 2-0.

(Samuel Maughn photo)

Lady Jags impress in 2-0 win over Antigua and Barbuda Page

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Trophy Stall joins GMR&SC National Race of Champions Page

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Ramesh Sunich of Trophy Stall (right) hands over his company’s sponsorship to GMR&SC’s Cheryl Gonsalves

Guyana sweep U-15, U-17 class at Junior CASA Page

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The Guyana Squash team to the 2019 Junior CASA 2019

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WEDNESDAY, JULY 17, 2019