Guyana_Chronicle_Epaper_07_19_2019

FRIDAY 19th July, 2019

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No.105703

GECOM set for house-to-house registration 38 small businesses get $$$ to start up

…key meeting planned with secretariat today SEE STORY ON PAGE 03 ►

…CCJ had refused to set timelines for holding of polls, method to compile OLE

The Liza Destiny, ExxonMobil’s first oil vessel draped with the Golden Arrowhead, has departed Singapore for Guyana

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Amerindian Land Titling project moving ahead …$165M earmarked for remaining identified areas for titling PAGE

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Police stations to go digital -- 30 officers to be trained in initial pilot project

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First oil vessel sails for Guyana

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, July 19, 2019

Hope for Berbice youths

…as 15 tap cash grants under Citizen Security Strengthening Programme FIFTEEN youths from various communities along the Corentyne Coast, in Region Six, were given an opportunity to develop their entrepreneurial skills as they benefitted from cash grants through the Citizen Security Strengthening Programme (CSSP) facilitated by Entrepreneurial Skills Training, of the Small Business Bureau.

The disbursement of the grants was done on Thursday morning at the Humanitarian Building, Babu Jaan. The Programme targets youths between the ages of 16-25 from communities affected by a high rate of crime.

Those selected completed a 12-week entrepreneurial training and based on their proposed business plan, those eligible received US$1500 to start or expand their businesses.

Speaking to the media, Project Coordinator-Entre-

Beneficiaries of the grants at the handing-over exercise held at Babu Jaan, Port Mourant

preneurial Skills Training, SBB Portia Dodson-Sami, explained that the SBB was contracted by the Citizens Security Strengthening Pro-

gramme to train 200 youths across the country in entrepreneurship, specifically youths from Communities in Regions 3,4,5,6 and 10,

with a vision to increase their human and social capacity through skill training and other initiatives.

“The attention is to de-

crease crime by targeting persons from communities with high levels of crime, so youths are selected from communities…at the end of that training, they have to prepare a business plan and based on the business plan – the grant is for persons to start up their business so they can become gainfully employed”.

Dodson-Sami related that this is the first batch of persons to benefit and a second batch is currently being trained in New Amsterdam.

A similar exercise was done simultaneously in Region 4, where grants were given to twenty-one young budding entrepreneurs. In total, approximately $11M in grants was distributed in Regions 4 and 6 on Thursday.

Amy Ramjit, 24, of Hampshire Village, was among the beneficiary. The self-employed young lady, who is a hairstylist and

cake decorator, said the project has made a powerful impact on her life. She said because of the training and grant received, she can now operate her business in a professional manner and at the same time enhance her skills. “It’s a huge impact for me because, before this programme, I could not have able to afford it financially, but thanks for the opportunity given; was a huge weight lifted off my shoulder. I learnt how to operate a business. After being a part of the programme, I can say I have learned of ways to improve those areas. I have a source of income which I can sustain myself and set an example to persons in my community, showing that I can persevere and challenge myself to be whatever I want to be, and with the right of amount of support anything is possible”.

Reg. 9 youths get free training from MACORP -will be awarded internationally recognised technician’s certificate on completion MACHINERY Corporation of Guyana (MACORP) is offering its world accredited online training programme, ‘Technicians for the Caribbean’ free of cost to Region 9 residents, especially the youths.

Villagers of Annai were introduced to the programme

by MACORP Training Director, Miguel Oviedo at the Bina Hill Institute. He was part of a team comprising Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Hon. Sydney Allicock, Member of Parliament (MP), Hon. Mervyn Williams and Guyana’s High Commissioner to India, David Pollard, who recently visited the area.

Upon completion of the course, successful participants will be selected to participate in an in-house training session at MACORP on the East Bank of Demerara. These students will be instructed and certified while gaining experience.

Minister Allicock explained that the aim is to partner with companies, such as MACORP, to provide training to Indigenous youths. He said it is part of the government’s effort to ensure youths in the hinterland benefit from the same opportunities as those on the coast.

The minister, in urging the youths to make full use of the opportunity, noted that “the intention is that when the road [Linden to Lethem] becomes a reality, there will be skilled individuals to operate heavy-duty machinery.

There are several Caterpillar machinery along the roadway that are not working, and we need operators and we need them now and even more in the future.”

Oviedo also explained that the Caterpillar machinery training course can be

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, July 19, 2019

GECOM set for house-to-house registration …key meeting planned with secretariat today A MEETING to be held with the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Secretariat today should confirm whether the electoral body will go ahead with its planned house-tohouse registration which has been gazetted to start on Saturday.

There are new developments as a publication in the Official Gazette dated June 11, 2019 shows that an order was documented for the registration exercise to commence on July 20 and end on October 20, 2019.

This is a period of approximately three months which received the signature of former GECOM Chair, Justice (Rtd.) James Patterson.

The order, cited as the National Registration (Residents) Order 2019, stated: “Persons to whom this Order applies shall, in accordance with Section 6 of the Act, be registered under the process of house-to-house registration with reference to October 31, 2019 and the registration shall begin on July 20, 2019 and end on October 20, 2019.”

It stated that this applies to all persons qualified to be electors and all who, on the qualifying date of October 31, 2019, shall have attained the age of 14 years old.

At a press conference on Thursday, Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo, fumed over the content of the order stating that the recent ruling of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) trumps the National Registration (Residents) Order. Speaking with the newspaper on the same day, GECOM’s Public Relations Officer (PRO), Yolanda Ward, confirmed the legitimacy of the order but refrained from delving into

legal matters.

She stated that a meeting to be held with the secretariat today will result in her firm confirmation on the matter.

“I am not the legal mind and I don’t want to go out with any kind of statement to be publicly quoted and then I have to go with a retraction.

I prefer to speak particularly to the media from a premise of accuracy and a definitive position…I think I would be in better position to say anything on house-to-house registration by tomorrow [today],” Ward told this newspaper. “I’ll have meetings tomorrow and I’ll have to see what the outcomes of those meetings are before I can say anything.”

NO AUTHORITY TO SET TIMELINE On June 18, 2019 the court upheld the no-confidence vote against the government and quashed the appointment of Patterson as Chairman of the Commission. However, on July 12, 2019, the court gave Consequential Orders that it had no authority to set a timeline or date for the holding of elections in Guyana.

It stated that only the President, the National Assembly and GECOM can set out a timeline for such. The opposition leader had also submitted to the court that it was not necessary for the Elections Commission to proceed with house-to-house registration and asked that the commission be ordered to use the Official List of Electors (OLE) in existence in March 2019. However, by virtue of the previous decision, the CCJ also rejected the line of argument.

Chief Elections Officer, Keith Lowenfield

GECOM IS INDEPENDENT The leader of the opposition and the President are now in the process of finalising a list of six eligible individuals, from which the President will choose a new Chair. Before Patterson voluntarily left office, his last instruction to the commission was for the commencement of preparations towards the conduct of house-tohouse registration. This was decided in February 2019 by the seven-member commission by way of vote.

In March, the Guyana Chronicle reported on the training of Assistant Registration Officers (AROs) and enumerators with the actual process of house-to-house expected to begin in June, 2019. Later, experiencing procurement challenges, this commencement date was pushed back.

These and more occurred during the ‘tug and pull’ period when the Appellate Court nullified the no-confidence vote after the High Court upheld it causing the

matters to be taken to the CCJ. Meanwhile, Patterson’s signature was attached to the National Registration (Residents) Order over a week before the CCJ’s initial ruling. Speaking with this newspaper, Attorney General, Basil Williams, stated that the CCJ has left all matters regarding the determination of the means in which elections are to be conducted and the timeframe, to GECOM, the President and the Constitution. “He [Jagdeo] went to the court asking for several orders and the court refused him. One of the orders is that GECOM must hold elections by a certain time and the President must announce a date. All that have been wiped out,” Williams stated. “The CCJ said they’re not interfering with GECOM by giving them timelines and deadlines; they are Constitutional actors and they must know what they have to do and they must do so with integrity.”

CREDIBLE LIST NEEDED There has been much contention over the now-expired OLE as the government

and many Guyanese want the thousands of dead and non-resident persons off the list and those now eligible on. They believe that with Guyana’s known history of accusations of rigged elections and calls for the recounting of votes, it is only fitting that the country heads into what has been dubbed “the mother of all elections” with the most credible list.

Asked whether GECOM requires a chairman before it can commence house-tohouse registration, one commissioner told the newspaper: “No, because the instructions for that were given before the chairman departed.

But, they need a chairperson to give any new instruction to the administration. I do not know that there has been any change.”

TRAINEES GEARING UP Meanwhile, several individuals, who were trained by the commission to participate in the house-to-house registration exercise, told the Guyana Chronicle on Thursday that they have been asked to attend a special meeting on Friday. “They didn’t state that it would be starting ac-

Reg. 9 Youths get free training ... accessed through any internet-connected device throughout the year, enabling persons to acquire a technician’s certificate that is internationally recognised.

Oviedo added as part of MACORP’s cooperate social responsibility, it has renewed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the University of Guyana (UG) to provide free training to students at the institution.(DPI)

MACORP Training Director Miguel Oviedo speaking to the residents of Annai, Region 9

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tually but they just called us yesterday and said there’s a meeting on Friday. They didn’t say whether it’s going to start,” one individual in Kwakwani, Region 10 stated.

Ward confirmed that individuals were indeed being called but this is to determine their preparedness to conduct the registration exercise.

“I know that Registration Officers have been contacting persons. Basically, it’s to find out their availability because it’s been a while between the gap from when we had the house-tohouse training to now. So, the intended purpose is to find out their readiness and so on to have staff in place,” Ward said. Earlier in the year, she notified the newspaper that those trained are expected to amount to some 1,800 teams and over 4,000 employees. Already, some 200 cluster offices country-wide have been identified which should serve as meeting bases for the verification of information gathered. The registration exercise would create a new OLE with the previous list having been expired since April 30, 2019.

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Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Hon. Sydney Allicock, addressing the residents of Annai, Region 9

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday July 19, 2019

38 to start small businesses with SBB grants

By Vishani Ragobeer

THIRTY-EIGHT persons are now able to start their own small businesses after they would have received business training and grants valued at US$1,500 each from the Small Business Bureau (SBB).

SBB Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Dr. Lowell Porter, told the Guyana Chronicle that the 38 participants were the first batch of Guyanese who would have benefitted from the bureau’s Citizens Security Strengthening Programme (CSSP).

The participants, who received weeks of training in small business management; techniques in marketing and sales; business challenges; inter alia, have presented business plans to the SBB as part of the programme.

As part of the CSSP, these plans were tested and subse-

quently approved, allowing the participants to receive financing to kick-start their businesses.

Dr. Porter related that the SBB has found that businesses fail because people are not equipped to efficiently and effectively manage them.

“We believe that if you train them in the right way, we will be seeing more successful, creative and innovative stuff coming out there and the bottomline is that we want to make sure that businesses survive,” he said.

The CEO noted that some of the participants were at-risk youth and women and what the SBB aimed to do was provide an avenue for those persons to find an “alternative livelihood”.

Moving forward, he said the participants are encouraged to become clients of the SBB so that they would be able to benefit from the myriad services offered. Here, he explained that if they encounter challenges in

managing their business, those persons could be helped.

“We do a lot of ‘hand-holding’, coaching and mentoring, just to help persons move along,” he said, adding: “If there is great synergy between businesses out there and the SBB, where they work together, there will be more successful entrepreneurs.”

One participant of the programme was 19-year-old Daniel Gouveia. The young man told this newspaper that he hopes to start up a fashion designing business, using the training and the grant he received from the SBB. “I’ve had a rough past but my dream is to make people happy and I think designing clothes would be able to make people happy,” the young man said, noting that “The training helped me to be motivated and strong to reach my goals.”

The US$1,500 grant, which is approximately $312,000, will be used by the young man to purchase the materials needed to start designing. Once he has done that, he will use what he has learnt through the weeks of

A section of the participants who benefitted from the Small Business Bureau’s (SBB) Citizens Security Strengthening Programme (CSSP) (Delano Williams photo)

training to then market those products and earn an income for himself.

Rafeena Ali, on the other hand, will be using the grant to start up her poultry business, an avenue she believes she will be successful in.

“Thing that I never really knew about business I learnt here and so I think it is a very good thing that is being done,” Ali said.

Friday 19 July, 2019 - 05:00hrs ~ 06:30hrs

Daniel Gouveia, 19

Shanna Hughes

Ali’s sentiments were echoed by hairstylist, Shanna Hughes, who will be seeking to expand her business through the grant received and using the knowledge garnered from the training.

For her, the most beneficial part of the programme was that she was able to garner ‘one-on-one’ assistance that was tailored specifically to her ‘B’ Field Sophia business.

Rafeena Ali

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday July 19, 2019

Lucky Dollar celebrates 11th anniversary with promotional giveaways & community support AS the Lucky Dollar chain of stores celebrates its eleventh Anniversary with weekly deals, the furniture and appliances store is encouraging the public to take advantage of their exciting offers.

During the month of July, customers can save up to $30,000 on Smart Televisions, Dining sets and Entertainment centres; over $20,000 on Beds and Living Room sets, among other items.

Pamela Humphrey, Manager of the Lucky Dollar chain of stores, stated that the 11 years have been a successful journey for the company and so Lucky Dollar saw it fitting to give back to Guyanese through deals, providing sponsorships and donations.

“Lucky dollar is a community store, because of our customers we are alive, so we recognise those we have shopping with us; we are doing so well and we are grateful.

There are also persons in our community that needs the help and the support to do better and that’s why we are giving back to our community in some small way,” Humphrey explained.

She added that all products of Lucky Dollar are new and have a warranty attached to them.

“You should choose Lucky Dollar for many reasons, it’s an affordable store, we just don’t only sell you products, we give you great value for your money, we take care of you by offering warranty, we do assembling for furniture products for free, for other products you can have an installation package, we do free delivery and your credit approval is within 24 hours. Credit at lucky dollar is not just for the employed.

If you are self-employed, you can always have credit at lucky dollar, so we cater for everyone in the community,” Humphrey pointed out.

Up until Saturday, July 21, 2019, customers will be given 15 per cent off hire- purchase contracts, 12 months and over; and five per cent off cash purchases. Clients are also being offered 90 days full payment to get the item purchased at its cash price. Offers are valid while stocks last; however, the promotion ends July 31, 2019.

To become a Lucky Dollar customer, all that is needed is a National ID or passport, proof of address (last utility bill), proof of income and a job letter.

On Thursday, Lucky

In addition, Lucky Dollar also donated a refrigerator to the Soup Kitchen on the West Bank of Demerara, which feeds over 220 under-privileged children on a daily basis.

Lucky Dollar has stores at locations on Regent Street, Georgetown; Mon Repos, East Coast, Demerara; Grove, East Bank Demerara; and the Vreed-en-Hoop junction, West Coast Demerara.

Lucky Dollar is always looking for ways to improve its services offered and encourages feedback about its products and services. You can do so by visiting any of the four Lucky Dollar branches or call 225-5886.

Lucky Dollar’s staffs and Thursday’s winners smile for the camera

Dollar, a sister company to Courts, Guyana, also handed over four smart televisions to winners of its June-promotion titled “Shop 49,999 and over and get a chance to win one 40-inch Smart TLC television.” The winners were Zaman Ramdeo, Seerana Bownawuth, Shanta Seebaran and Savitri Panchan.

Pamela Humphrey, Manager of the Luck Dollar, presents Jacqueline Lowe, Coordinator of the Soup kitchen on the West Coast of Demerara, with a refrigerator

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday July 19, 2019

Building hinterland infrastructure ON August 28, 2015, President David Granger, in his address to the National Toshao’s Council meeting at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, emphasised the importance of hinterland development. The Head of State noted that the hinterland comprised three-quarters of Guyana’s territory.

As such, there can be no national progress in the absence of hinterland development. His Excellency noted, too, that for too long the hinterland had been neglected [under the PPP regime]. President Granger said that “The hinterland must not any lon-

ger be regarded as ‘bush’ but as part of ‘One Nation.” One example of the administration keeping its word with regard to hinterland development is the ongoing work being done in the Potaro-Siparuni region.

Potaro-Siparuni’s capital town of Mahdia was established in 1884 by freed slaves as a gold and diamond mining area. Since then, the population of the community has grown steadily as Brazilians, Dominicans, St Lucians and others have made Mahdia their home. Unfortunately — as is typical of the PPP—in spite of the growth of the settlement, it was totally neglected, as were other

hinterland towns. It was only after the APNU+AFC coalition was elected in 2015 that hinterland communities such as Mahdia began to receive the governmental attention that they deserved, and to which they are entitled. For one thing, the APNU+AFC administration declared Mahdia a town on October 25, 2018, making it the fourth capital town established by government.

As government continues to focus on hinterland development, the residents of all hinterland regions, including those of the Potato-Siparuni region, continue to benefit from numerous visionary

programmes and creative initiatives.

For example, since the establishment of Mahdia in 1884, the roadways have been comprised of laterite, a muddy material that was washed away every time there was rainfall. However, after only three years in office, the APNU+AFC administration has, to date, paved some 80 per cent of Mahdia’s roads with reinforced concrete designed to last for at least 30 years. And the work continues unabated. A sum of some $107 million has been allocated to extend the Mahdia Road by more than 500 metres, which would bring

the paved roadway closer to the airstrip. Government has said that it intends to pave the entire town in a phased and organised way so as to ensure high-quality work.

Other aspects of the region’s infrastructure are also being addressed; $27 million has been assigned to extend the Mahdia Primary School. The students of the Chinapow Primary School will soon benefit from a $33 million expansion. A road linking Mahdia with Paramakatoi will be built at a cost of $70 million, thereby making it easier for residents to transport goods and access services. Additionally, four

high- quality concrete bridges are being constructed in the North Pakaraimas; those too, at a total cost of some $98 million, will do much to improve the quality of life of residents of the various villages.

The work being carried out in the Potaro-Siparuni region is but one example of infrastructural development projects being done throughout the country.

Such initiatives will have the direct effect of connecting communities, establishing the conditions for economic development, and creating secure jobs for all Guyanese.

West Demerara Chamber of Commerce urges political maturity in current situation Dear Editor, The Region Three (Essequibo Islands/West Demerara) Chamber of Commerce and Industry (R3CCI) is urging all stakeholders to abide by the final Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) ruling as Guyanese expect maturity and leadership from its leaders, to develop Guyana within the confines of the rule of law.

The rule of law is one of the most important underlying principles of a democratic society and as Guyanese contemplate the post no-confidence motion, the R3CCI encourages all to seize this opportunity to demonstrate maturity as a nation with the hosting of peaceful, free, fair and transparent elections. We urge the government and opposition to continue to engage

in meaningful dialogue and be reminded that the constitution is paramount. We also note that the international community will be judging all stakeholders in Guyana based on our maturity and application of the law in upholding the CCJ’s decisions. Guyana’s development can only occur when the democratic values cherished by all are embraced as the country is blessed with

vast natural resources and a rich cultural heritage.

This lone English speaking country within South America has a real opportunity to be one of the most exciting economies in the Region, if not the world, but that can only be realised with adherence to the rule of law.

We note that the Coalition Government and the opposition agreed to resume

Do refugees and football players have any voting rights in Guyana?

Dear Editor, I AM totally ignorant of the Constitution of Guyana and anything pertaining to the Commonwealth of Nations laws or whatever it is referred to with regard to who has voting rights.

Feel free to educate me and I was schooled that the refugees currently in Guyana in large numbers have absolutely no voting rights. I have about six and counting close relatives who are of mixed

race and some Indigenous Peoples who were born to Guyanese parents residing in Venezuela and currently stationed in the North West District, Region One. If there is a registration process, can they at least register to obtain a Guyana identification card and passports respectively?

Guyana currently has its National Football Team members who were born in a foreign land to Guyanese

parents, carry Guyanese passports respectively and lives abroad. Does it apply to them as the same to the refugees that they don't have any voting rights in Guyana? If both parties in question have no voting rights, it simply means no political party will benefit.

Regards Trevor Pemberton

negotiations for a list of nominees for the chair of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) and agreed to continue to meet, hopefully with the country’s best interest at the forefront of all discussions. Guyana’s final court, the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), issued definitive orders on 12 July 2019. The CCJ ruled that the December 21 no-confi-

dence motion was properly passed with 33 votes in the 65-seat National Assembly.

It also ruled that the appointment of the Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission breached the Constitution.

Regards Halim Khan President, Region 3 Chamber Of Commerce and Industry

I am not the Lincoln Lewis of the Channel 65 ribbon advertisement Dear Editor, I AM not the Lincoln Lewis of the Channel 65 ribbon advertisement. It has been brought to my attention Channel 65 has been running a frequent ribbon advertisement alleging that “Lincoln Lewis joins calls for interim president to name date for elections.” There might be another Lincoln Lewis around whose public opinion has such

advertisement value. However, this Lincoln Lewis, General Secretary, Guyana Trades Union Congress, and public commentator is not the person whose sentiment is being expressed in that advertisement.

Regards Lincoln Lewis General Secretary Guyana Trades Union Congress

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday July 19, 2019

OP-ED New and innovative development through infrastructure

By Mervyn Williams GUYANA, a simple yet complex State, is reliant on inclusive and sustainable measures for the designing of infrastructural works all across the society. Linking hinterland and coastland is crucial in all of this. Government aims to ensure that all the people of this beautiful country are able to enjoy an equal share of the national pie. We are well on the path to achieving this objective, having laid the foundation over the last four years or so.

Careful development of plans for: road infrastructure, drainage and irrigation, building schools, health centres, other similar structures, ground and foundation works, communications networks (including ICT) or any other infrastructural development, will always be critical to the attainment of such an ambitious objective. These are not just the building blocks for the establishment/ development of sustainable villages, towns and cities.

They are the building blocks of our society as a whole; rather they are blocks for the reconstruction of a society which was destroyed over a period of two decades. Such plans are people-centered as indeed they should be.

Farmers must have access to market whether by quality all weather roads or a well-functioning ocean going vessel which can dock at a safe and modern wharf facility. An entrepreneur interested in launching an agro-processing business must have access to affordable and reliable electricity supply. For ICT to serve our freshly-trained minds returning to develop the hinterland there must be the energy to drive their operations. These plans target clean energy from renewable sources.

Guyana’s hinterland regions have for too long been overlooked and critically underdeveloped, economically and socially. These plans are designed to meet headlong and overcome the many and varied challenges which run deep.

QUALITY OF LIFE The objective observer, particularly the direct beneficiary of hinterland infrastructure development in Guyana will see a fundamental shift in Government’s approach to treating with hinterland development and by extension, in addressing the improvement of the

Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Valerie Garrido-Lowe, handing over some farming tools to residents of Hururu during a recent visit to that Region 10 village

quality of life of indigenous peoples post May 2015. We are witness to a plethora of development initiatives aimed at connecting villages with markets, better ICT infrastructure and deeper understanding of the issues faced by our hinterland communities.

So much has been the progress in only four years that we are seeing new agricultural businesses, business models and partnerships emerging. Innovation and scalability in the hinterland agricultural sector have been underpinned by recent investment into infrastructure. This is enabling new products as well as access to new, high growth international markets. The APNU+AFC government of Guyana assumed office in May 2015 with a clear economic plan.

This plan establishes the right environment for the creation of jobs and ensures the sustainability of these jobs. This material fact has fundamentally changed the playing field for hinterland communities in Guyana.

I am close to a number of initiatives which have yielded many positives in hinterland economic development. I am also involved in attempts to foster Village/ Private sector cooperation which hold potential for even further development. The Macushi women of the North Rupununi have successfully developed the “Rupununi Essence” brand. It is a brand developed in a joint effort involving the Institute of Applied Science and Technology (IAST) and the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Af-

fairs (MoIPA). These industrious women now produce and market a personal care product from organic forest produce. They are well on their way to major success in this new business venture.

The farmers of Paramakatoi also in collaboration with the same two partners have established the “Sun Dried Tomato” brand. They now produce and market tomato salad dressing from organically grown tomatoes in the mountain.

The pineapple farmers of Whyaka Mainstay have embarked on a mission to explore the possibilities of re-entering large scale organic pineapple cultivation for export in collaboration with a private company. This very company has extended its hand to farmers in Region One to partner in the cultivation of organic ginger and turmeric.

These ventures are products of the hard work of a visionary government and has yielded real opportunities for self-employment, the establishment of businesses and the creation of real jobs.

The beneficiaries have stories to tell. For those in the making there is high expectation from those who will benefit.

Meanwhile, the Hinterland Employment and Youth Service (HEYS) has provided training for some four thousand (4.000) young hinterland residents. Two thousand of these young people have moved on to establish their own small businesses. This translates into two thousand self-employed persons or five hundred direct jobs per year over four years. These

businesses also employ additional persons as necessary.

This HEYS programme is the brainchild of President David Granger and is but one of ten points which he has presented for the development of Guyana’s hinterland.

These initiatives are only being made possible with the roll out of an infrastructure programme across the hinterland. The scale of what is required is enormous, but after nearly three decades, we are seeing the changes we have always hoped for, the direction that is needed to economically empower hinterland communities and the radical improvement of basic services like education and healthcare.

Housing in the hinterland The plan is that no community is left unattended to by the coalition government.

Four short years can never be enough to accomplish all the goals set out. However, the government has invested $43B in expanding and rehabilitating our road network across the country; provided housing lots for 4,000 hardworking families; and expanded our telecommunication network, in particular, across the hinterland regions.

They say that the proof of the pudding is in the eating.

There is evidence all over to satisfy us Guyanese people that four years of work produced by the APNU+AFC government is evident and tangible, that is has given us a new direction as a nation and that we are on the way to a better future.

The $488M refurbished MV Kimbia is providing a new lease of life to Region

One farmers who now have potential to access international markets. This Government has maintained more than 350 km (217 miles) of major access roads and bridges to remote indigenous communities in the hinterland of Guyana, ensuring better access to markets and connecting people to other people and places.

Improving access for Amerindian and mining communities in Region One, with the construction of a $13.5M timber bridge at Papaya linking helping residents of Baramita, Matthews Ridge, Arakaka, Port Kaituma and Fives Star.

A new reinforced concrete bridge at Barabina ($13.4M), and the construction of a road into this community

Ministerial Adviser and Member of Parliament, Mervyn Williams

brought significant relief to residents who for years had to travel their road by boat to get home. A newly-constructed concrete roadway now connects Mabaruma airstrip to the Kumaka water front now serves satisfied residents. Concrete roadway also now connects the Port Kaituma community with its airstrip and water front.

A visit to Moruca would reveal a newly- constructed high span concrete bridge ($119 M) across the Moruca river and the road from Kumaka to Kwebanna under construction.

Mahdia and Region Eight received $1B in investment for its internal road network. This included major TURN TO PAGE 8 ►

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday July 19, 2019

OP-ED New and innovative development ...

FROM PAGE 07

rehabilitation of the road from Mahdia to Historic Bridge - opening farmlands and allowing access to light vehicles for the first time in decades. At the same time 57 airstrips have been upgraded, with five of these being transformed into aviation hubs.

We have empowered people at the level of local government by creating new urban municipalities to give regions and local government a greater say over development. This is really about giving people more say over the development of their local area. At the moment there are 10 municipalities. These are: Anna Regina, Bartica, Corriverton, Georgetown, Lethem, Linden, Mabaruma, Mahdia, New Amsterdam and Rose Hall. Since these have all now been raised to the status of regional capital towns, they are now able to promote business, drive economic development and give leadership to their respective regions. They are now also

geared to deliver all of the basic public goods and services available on the coast.

BUSINESS AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP With the coalition government of the APNU+AFC in office there has been the establishment of many business registration hubs, a sign of the Government’s commitment to creating jobs.

These are located in Regions One, Five, Six, Eight, Nine and Ten, where they serve to make life easier for residents to start companies. While these hubs help to stimulate local economies, they have been creating much needed jobs for young people, women and men.

The launch of the Lethem (Region Nine) and Belvedere (Region Six) Industrial Development Projects will assist companies’ growth, by providing business space, training as well as advisory services in marketing, legal and finance.

We continue to grow our

energy network to ensure that all people have access to electricity by 2025. As part of a US$17.8M grant from Japan, 7,000 LED street lamps are being installed along major roads and highways and a further 2,000 in communities across Guyana. Sixty-five Solar Powered LED Street Lights were installed and these included in Agatash and Bartica, among others.

Additionally, 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.

Additionally, the 3.5MW Dagg Point Agatash Station ($800M) will soon open to supply Bartica with 24/7 and reliable power. It will replace the old, unreliable and polluting power station currently situated in the middle of the town.

Mabaruma will also experience electricity from the installation of hybrid 400

Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Sydney Allicock and Ministerial Adviser, Mervyn William along with other officials visiting one of the sites

KW solar farm and diesel generator to help supply the region’s capital with electricity. The solar power station is estimated to provide power for three-quarters of the community and the remaining quarter will be powered by fossil fuel or diesel. At the same time Anna Regina would benefit from a 5MW new $1.81B fuel oil power plant to ensure residents in Essequibo receive continuous electricity.

SOLAR-POWERED Hosororo in Region One is also about to receive electricity from a new hydropower plant that is being built there to provide electricity to the people of Mabaruma.

The US$165,000 ($34.4M) project received US$91,000 ($18.9M) in financing from the Government of Guyana and US$74,067 in financing from GiZ, the German international development agency.

The community of Moruca, Region One is not to be left out, even as they are being provided with a new 250 kVA generation system to ensure that they have access to power even during power shortages. The National Data Management Authority (NDMA) set up 98 ICT Hubs in communities and villages in Regions Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, Nine and Ten. The hubs are all equipped with computers donated by Government, and they provide nearly 200,000 citizens with access to the Internet.

In 2017, 10 new hubs were commissioned in Berbice and 9 in Linden.

The US$3.1M ($647M) Hinterland Housing Programme is helping 12 communities in Regions One and Nine improve their living conditions with housing subsidies. In 2016, $40M was disbursed in 42 subsidies for

5 communities. More than 100 more hinterland households benefit from subsidised housing, while at the same time the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) offered a cut to the cost of house lots by 25%.

Mabaruma also benefited from the construction of a green park with landscaped gardens, paths and solar lighting at a cost of $16M. Bartica was also given the first boardwalk in Guyana.

The $40M project saw the construction of 5 multi-purpose shops, solar lighting system, guard rails, seating, and a picnic area.

Lethem saw the construction of $21M Declaration Park. The facility has a solar light system, seating accommodation (benches and gazebos), and landscaped gardens. Simultaneously, sport grounds were handed over to communities such as Aranaputa Valley, Region Nine and MATARKAI Sub Region, Region One, among many others.

CREATING OPPORTUNITIES Under the APNU+AFC Government, Guyana is finally moving in the right direction. In four short years, we have dramatically improved our infrastructure and this is creating opportunities for people. Although progress has been made, real change is neither quick to come nor easy to establish.

There is still a lot more to do. President Granger and his Coalition team know the importance of expanding and upgrading our infrastructure, because they know that world class jobs will only come with world class infrastructure.

Without roads and bridges, reliable water and electricity supply, we are unable to create the conditions to

grow businesses and create jobs. As part of President Granger’s vision for the country, we are looking to create the economy of the future. That’s why we are building our digital network to ensure we can create well-paid and highly skilled employment in the service sector.

It is about creating a good quality of life with affordable and secure housing so you can raise and protect your family. We have moved on a long way from the dark days of the PPP, who forgot our hinterlands, abandoned our indigenous people, and did nothing to bring long term and sustainable development to hinterland communities.

For 23 years these communities were neglected and our infrastructure crumbled.

President Granger’s Coalition team knows that skilled and well-paid jobs - especially for our young people - will come from better infrastructure. We are already reaping the benefits with growing production centres in the hinterland regions, value-added processing and new product lines. Better infrastructure will strengthen tourism, provide better connectivity, keep families together and ensure that people have access to better opportunities.

We have made a start, but there is so much more that needs to be done. I invite all of Guyana to join with the APNU+AFC as we continue this developmental journey over the next five years.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, July 19, 2019

Belize Bank eyes Guyana -interest piqued by the imminent production of oil & promotion of Guyana as the potential fastest growing economy in the world The Belize Bank Limited is interested in establishing operations in Guyana. This was highlighted by the bank’s Executive Chairman, Lyndon Guiseppi when he paid a courtesy call on the Hon. Moses Nagamootoo, Prime Minister of Guyana.

The Executive Chairman was accompanied by Phillip

Osborne, Company Secretary of Caribbean Investment Holdings Limited, of which Guiseppi is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

Osborne disclosed that their interest was sparked by the imminent production of oil and the promotion of Guyana as the potential fastest growing economy in the world. He add-

ed that their banking portfolio in Belize and other Caribbean states concentrates on agricultural sector investment.

While acknowledging the investor’s confidence in Guyana, the Prime Minister encouraged them to pursue their interest with the relevant authorities. (DPI)

Lyndon Guiseppi, CEO of Caribbean Investment Holdings Limited, Prime Minister, Hon. Moses Nagamootoo and Phillip Osborne, Company Secretary of Caribbean Investment Holdings Limited.

Liza Destiny sets sail for Guyana

The Liza Destiny FPSO

THE first oil production vessel to be placed in Guyana, Liza Destiny, has set sail from Singapore and is expected to arrive in Guyana in September.

The Liza Destiny FPSO is

designed to produce 120,000 barrels of oil per day with 1.6 million-barrel storage capacity.

According to a release from ExxonMobil, during normal operations, at least

80 persons will be living and working onboard the vessel.

Meanwhile, 24 operations and maintenance technicians, currently being trained in Canada, will return in 2020 to support work on the Liza

Destiny.

On June 22, 2019, Guyana’s First Lady, Sandra Granger, commissioned the vessel at a ceremony at the Keppel Shipyard in Singapore.

She hailed the name of the Floating, Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel as fitting, as Guyana is on the brink of achieving its ‘destiny’ of an improvement in the lives of all Guyanese.

“It is my hope that this ship will bring to us – the people of Guyana, not only physical prosperity, but greater cohesion, greater development, and of course the sustainability of our country, and its people and culture,” the First Lady said.

Meanwhile, ExxonMobil Guyana Country Manager, Rod Henson said, according to the release, the company has more than 1,000 Guyanese working for the project here, and the team is continuing to do an incredible job.

“Their work includes everything from completions of the initial wells for production to laying pipelines and infrastructure on the sea floor to eventually connect

up to the Liza Destiny for production. We’re proud of the work being done each and every day, and want to thank everyone involved for their focus on safety and keeping the protection of the environment top of mind in all that they do,” he said.

This FPSO is a significant component of the Liza Phase One development which involves four undersea drill centres with 17 production wells.

The Liza Destiny FPSO was transformed from the oil tanker, ‘Tina’, a VLCC (Very Large Crude Carrier) built by Hyundai Heavy Industries in South Korea. The contract for its conversion was awarded to SBM Offshore in July 2017.

SBM Offshore has also been awarded contracts to construct, install, lease and operate the Liza Unity FPSO which almost doubles the capacity of the Liza Destiny FPSO.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday July 19, 2019

Police stations to go digital -- 30 officers to be trained in initial pilot project

By Rabindra Rooplall A PILOT project on two police stations will soon see the transition of paper-based reporting to a digital format where real-time data on incidents reported can produce more standardised and accurate crime data.

This was disclosed at the official launch of the Police Records Management Information System (PRMIS) on Thursday at the Guyana Police Force (GPF) Training Centre, Camp Road, Georgetown.

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID), in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the GPF, launched the automated PRMIS system.

A two-day training exercise will follow the PRMIS launch where 30 officers from the pilot station and other critical GPF units are expected to benefit from hands-on familiarisation with the new application, a crucial element to a successful pilot.

According to Public Security Minister, Khemraj Ramjattan, the launch marked the official handover of computer hardware and software to the GPF to support the implementation of key activities under USAID’s CariSECURE project.

He said the system is being piloted at the Fort Wellington and Alberttown Police Stations.

According to Ramjattan, the police will gain vital intelligence on crime hot spots along with ‘persons

From left: US Deputy Chief of Mission, Mark Cullinane; Public Security Minister, Khemraj Ramjattan; UNDP Resident Representative, Luca Renda; and Commissioner of Police, Leslie James at the official handing-over of the two computer systems that will be assigned to the two police stations (Samuel Maughn photo)

of interest’, including their traits and crime footprint.

Shortly, he said citizens can expect improved efficiency as the system eliminates the need for multiple crime incidence reports.

According to the minister, victims and witnesses will have the capacity to provide more detailed accounts to support investigators with closing cases quickly and efficiently.

Further, he said the system will also allow other agencies in the justice system to share crime data among themselves by opening up communication channels.

Additionally, Ramjattan noted that government will

assess the system’s use in the pilot police stations to inform its rollout to all police stations in the future.

Once Guyana is fully under the digital system, he said better targeting of hotspots and complete country profiles can be rapidly created to inform responses.

The public security minister noted that the information can also be shared across the region to address trans-national crimes and allow for broad learning from Guyana’s neighbours.

CRIME REDUCTION UNDP resident representative, Luca Renda, said the primary objective is aimed at crime reduction

in the reliability and use of data while promoting the use of information management systems.

He said a similar initiative is being implemented in Central America since Latin America and the Caribbean remains the most violent regions in the world.

“Effectively addressing crime requires an integrated approach that enlists the collaboration of many government entities and agencies, but the police are at the forefront of this endeavour,” the UNDP representative said.

He explained that it is critical for the police to be equipped with all the tools required to be effective in

the fight against crime, including modern information technology.

US Deputy Chief of Mission, Mark Cullinane, said criminals become savvier worldwide and thanks to information technology, it becomes more imperative for law enforcement officials to make more clever use of technology to optimise their work.

He said access to real-time and disaggregates crime data is essential, and as such, data will equip police with the ability to conduct crime hot spot mapping, victim and offender profiling and intelligence gathering.

The Deputy Chief of

Mission said PRMIS will advance the GPF into 21st century policing, which shifts the police away from paper-based crime recording, resulting in greater efficiency through customized and digitised reporting processes.

Cullinane said as important as the installation, its maintenance is equally important and the Guyana government, the regional security system and CARICOM Impacts plan to jointly share the responsibility.

“We look forward to hearing about the outcomes of the new system in Alberttown and Fort Wellington Police Stations and the expansion across all police stations in the near future.

I am confident that these systems will be effective in more national policies and approaches to violence and crime in a more safer and prosperous Guyana,” the deputy chief of mission said.

CariSECURE will be implemented in 10 Southern and Eastern Caribbean countries, with specific emphasis on Guyana, Saint Kitts and Nevis and Saint Lucia.

It is expected that by 2020, target countries will be using evidence-based decision-making to develop and approve policies and programmes supported with national budgetary allocations, which effectively target youth crime and violence risk factors, thereby contributing to a reduction of youth involvement in crime and violence.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday July 19, 2019

Man wanted for murder of gay sex worker THE Guyana Police Force has issued wanted bulletins for 38-year-old businessman, Kanand Ojha, for questioning in relation to the murder of Noel Luther on July 22, 2015, at Carmichael and Quamina Streets.

Noel Luther, who was a gay sex worker, was gunned down while transacting late night “business”.

According to police, Kanand Ojha’s last known address has been given as Meadow Bank, East Bank Demerara.

It is believed that on the night of July 22, Kanand Ojha, who is a businessman, acquired the services of the sex worker but refused to pay for the “job” after.

He reportedly got into a heated argument with the sex worker about the cost attached to the services and

left the scene only to return with his friend, Ron Forde, who was later arrested and sentenced to 20 years for the murder in 2017.

The businessman was identified based on a video recording of the argument between himself and the sex worker. That phone recording was done by another sex worker who was close by.

Ron ‘Andel’ Forde, a fisherman from Lot 31 Rahaman’s Park, East Bank Demerara, was originally indicted for the murder of the transgender sex worker, Noel Luthers called “Nephi.”

Forde pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter.

According to reports, Noel, a resident of ZZ Durban Street, Wortmanville, was shot once to his chest during a con-

frontation with two men.

The men were believed to be Forde and his friend, Kanand Ojha.

On the night of the shooting, Ojha reportedly left the Guyana National Stadium and went in the vicinity of the St George’s Cathedral, where he paid a sex worker, reported to be Noel, $5000 to perform a sex act.

During the act, he was reportedly relieved of his personal belongings. After the act was completed, he left in his motor car, but subsequently realised that his phone and cash were missing.

It is alleged that Ojha collected Forde and went back to the location where they confronted Noel, who denied doing business with the man. This resulted in an argument.

At that time, Ojha’s friend, Forde, reportedly

Wanted: Kanand Ojha

pulled out the gun and pulled the trigger, shooting the sex worker to his chest.

Noel fell on the road and the two men fled the scene in the vehicle.

Days after Nephi was gunned down, the police issued a wanted bulletin for Forde and Ojha in connection with the killing.

Jailed: Ron ‘Andel’ Forde

However, Ojha, of Lot 2, First Street, Meadow Bank, (EBD) was never captured.

Police investigators are asking anyone who may have information about the whereabouts of

Dead: Noel Luthers

Ojha to contact the nearest police station or call 226-6978, 225-8196, 2262870, 226-7065, 227-1149, 226-7065 or 911.

West Coast Berbice woman found motionless in bathroom

FORTY-five-year-old Radica Motilall of Bath Settlement, West Coast Berbice, was discovered lifeless in her bathroom just after 14:45hrs on Thursday afternoon by a neighbour who had gone

to check on her.

Motilall lived with her married son, Toolsie and his wife Nikitta, but at the time of the discovery, the couple was not at home.

As customary, neighbour Neezam Bhikram

went next door to visit as the woman was experiencing mental health challenges.

His calls to Radicka went unanswered. It was unusual of her not to respond. As a result, he ven-

tured into the house and after checking through all the rooms, he discovered her in the toilet area, in a seemingly suspended position.

The police were notified and the unresponsive Motilall was taken to the Fort Wellington Hospital where a medical practi-

tioner confirmed her death.

Police have launched an investigation into the matter.

12

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday July 19, 2019

Maryann Daby freed of attempted murder charge MONTHS after 26-year-old Maryann Daby was charged for attempting to murder a police officer, she was cleared from the offence by Senior Magistrate Leron Daly, due to insufficient evidence.

The Magistrate ruled in favour of a no-case submission made by attorney-at-law, Mark Waldron, who contended that police Prosecutor Richard Harris did not make out a sufficient case, during the Preliminary Inquiry (PI).

Waldron had made a nocase submission on the grounds

that, the victim, Kissoon, did not identify Daby as the shooter, and that the gun she was alleged to have used was not tendered in court.

It was alleged that, on May 13, 2018, at Albert Street, Thomas Lands, Daby discharged a firearm at Police Constable, Christopher Kissoon, with intent to commit murder.

The two other charges with which she was slapped alleged that, on the same day, she had in her possession a .32 pistol and six matching rounds of

Freed: Maryann Daby

ammunition for which she was not licensed to carry.

The Magistrate based her ruling on the grounds that the victim Christopher Kissoon, along with a key witness, Constable John Holder and Superintendent of Police Gary McAllister did not give credible evidence during the PI. Kissoon did not identify Daby as his shooter in court; neither was any surveillance footage tendered, purporting to show that there was a shooting on the day in question.

Meanwhile, Constable John Holder who testified during the PI was not consistent with his statements. There was much deviation.

Holder, under oath, admitted that he did not see Daby discharge the firearm; nor did he see her aim same at Kissoon.

Also, he had no knowledge of what caused an explosion.

He had initially told investigators that he was present when he saw Daby pulling out a firearm from her purse and firing in the air and also placing same to the forehead of Kissoon.

As it related to the evidence of McAllister, he testified in court and brought an evidence bag with a .32 pistol with six matching rounds, which was allegedly taken from Daby.

However, in another court hearing, when McAllister brought the evidence bag to court again, he showed the

court a .32 pistol with four matching rounds along with two .22 spent shells. Due to this variation, the firearm and ammunition were not tendered in court.

The Magistrate, in closing, explained that it was due to the inconsistencies that she discharged the attempted murder matter against Daby.

Police Prosecutor, Richard Harris, requested that the two firearm matters be transferred to the Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan since it would be prejudicial for the matters to be tried in the same court.

Magistrate Daly acknowledged the prosecutor's application and adjourned the matter until July 30, 2019, for a report.

Daby, 26, the Finance Manager of United Commodities, was out on $750,000 High Court bail during the PI. The incident reportedly occurred in the compound of the Guyana Motor Racing & Sports Club (GMR&SC) at Thomas Lands.

According to the police, on the day in question, Constable Kissoon had cause to approach Daby after she was seen firing shots in the air, and as he drew near, she placed the gun to his forehead and promptly pulled the trigger. Fortunately for him, the gun was empty.

Man accused of selling ecstasy to return to court on July 22 THE trial of a 26-year-old Alberttown businessman, who is accused of selling the date-rape drug, ecstasy, to an under-aged boy and of having drugs in his possession, continued on Thursday, July 18, 2019, before Senior Magistrate Leron Daly at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.

Darrel John, who is currently out on $170,000 bail for the two charges was represented by attorney-at-law, George Thomas. The state was represented by Customs Anti-Narcotic Unit (CANU) prosecutor, Narissa Leander.

Particulars of the first charge stated that John, between December 1, 2017, and January 31, 2018, at Middle Road, La Penitence, Georgetown, sold ecstasy to an under-aged child.

It was also alleged that, on February 12, 2018, at Lot 141 Alberttown, John had two grams of ecstasy in his possession.

According to reports, the child was held with the drug, and, when the matter was reported, a raid was conducted at John’s home and ecstasy was found in his bedroom.

On Thursday, the Magistrate explained that she would be relying on the evidence of a drug analyst who testified

Darrel John

during the trial.

John’s attorney had contended that ecstasy is made up of methylenedioxymethamphetamine and not an amphetamine which is illegal under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act of Guyana.

However, the analyst revealed that ecstasy is made up of several compounds including amphetamine.

Magistrate Daly adjourned the matter until July 22, 2019, for the prosecutor to report to the court how much amphetamine was in the two grams of ecstasy John allegedly had in his possession.

13

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, July 19, 2019

Confessed killer sentenced to 30 years in prison SEON Singh called ‘Paul’, was, on Thursday, July 18, 2019, sentenced to serve 30 years behind bars after he confessed to the 2012 gruesome killing of his reputed wife, whom he stabbed 10 times.

The sentencing was handed down by Justice James Bovell-Drakes at the Demerara High Court for the offence of manslaughter.

Singh was initially charged with murder, but threw himself at the mercy of the court and pleaded guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter.

Singh admitted to killing his reputed wife, Indranie Sugrim, also known as ‘Indra’ on November 25, 2012, at Lot 502 Ninth Field, Cum-

mings Lodge, East Coast Demerara.

He was represented by attorney-at-law, Maxwell McKay, while the state was represented by Sarah Martin and Tiffani Lyken.

Sugrim’s mother, in a probation report, read in court on Thursday, explained that Singh was always jealous of her daughter and would frequently abuse her.

Due to the abuse, the mother explained that she had pleaded with both parties to separate but Singh would threaten her daughter.

Singh explained that he was haunted by the memories of his reputed wife and was sorry for his actions.

“There is an old saying that when you think about

Guyanese want cheaper local tourism travels A SURVEY conducted by the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) shows that many Guyanese believe that increasing marketing and reducing the cost of travel will increase domestic tourism.

The Resident Survey on Tourism was conducted online via the GTA’s social media platforms and through a field exercise at the City Mall and Giftland Mall in Georgetown from May 20 -June 25, 2019.

It aims to capture information from Guyanese on their perception of the tourism sector; their level of awareness and understanding of the benefits of the sector; and how the sector, they believe, can improve.

A total sample of 410 participants was collected from which the GTA highlighted the primary outcomes on Thursday.

In the survey, 19 per cent of respondents believed that decreasing fares can improve the tourism sector; 18 per cent indicated that the GTA should increase marketing efforts; 15 per cent want to see more awareness on tourism; while 12 per cent called for increased hospitality.

Of the total, 67 per cent of the participants were from Region Four (Demerara Mahaica) and 64 per cent of the total were females, ages 25-49.

However, there were other respondents from all 10 administrative regions even as the second-highest respondents came from Region Three (Essequibo IslandsWest Demerara) followed

by Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni).

More than 50 per cent of Guyanese who participated in the survey felt that the tourism sector is in its initial stages of development but expressed confidence in the sector’s ability to continu-

ously promote the preservation of Guyana’s pristine landscapes, exotic wildlife and cultural heritage.

According to the GTA, 40 per cent of respondents indicated that they have visited tourism establishments such as resorts, lodges, landmarks and natural attractions within the last six months.

The perception is that the quality of service in these locations is higher than expected with 56 per cent of the participants rating the quality of tourism services received as either good or excellent.

The GTA has concluded that there is also a strong national pride among Guyanese regarding their natural heritage as 56 per cent of respondents acknowledged the same.

“230 respondents… acknowledged that Guyana’s tourism sector and, by extension, national pride in Guyana is reflected in our pristine, untouched rainforests, protected areas and natural attractions. Further, respondents suggested that Guyanese locals should place more emphasis on being hospitable, becoming more aware of the tourism sector and keeping the city and its environs clean to improve the tourism sector,” the report stated.

The GTA also stated that respondents indicated “firstbase knowledge” of the roles and responsibilities of the tourism agencies such as the GTA, the Department of Tourism and the Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG).

The Tourism Authority, the second-largest export sector in Guyana, will now be better guided on how best to raise awareness, increase the economic impact of the sector and maximise the local economic benefits to residents.

Seon Singh called ‘Paul’

things, you dream them” the convicted killer revealed to the court as he explained that he would dream about seeing her again.

The man noted that while on remand for his crimes he endured the 2016 and 2017 fire at Camp Street Prison.

Justice Bovell-Drakes,

while reviewing the evidence of the case explained that the victim was stabbed 10 times and said to Singh “The number of injuries you inflicted to your partner made me cringe."

“This is someone you love, someone you admire and at that moment you lost it!" The judge stressed.

The confessed killer was sentenced to 30 years imprisonment, which the Judge advised him to use the time to turn over a new leaf.

According to reports, on November 25, 2012, Singh allegedly entered the home of Sugrim with a knife and began to assault her, resulting

in her death. Reports are that persons in the area, including Sugrim’s sister, heard her screams for help but failed to go to her rescue.

Sugrim’s sister had told the Guyana Chronicle that prior to her sister’s death, the couple was seeing each other for the past five years and those five years were marred with arguments and fights.

She had said that Singh was always abusive to her sister and pointed out that it was because of his behavior, that her sister would usually keep her gate chained and locked.

14

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, July 19, 2019

DEMLIFE celebrates 26 years with special offers on insurance packages DEMERARA Fire and General Insurance Company officially launched its three months of promotional activities on Thursday, as the company celebrates 26 years of existence.

The promotion, which started July 1, 2019 will end on September 30, 2019 and will give members of the public the opportunity to become customers of the company, while receiving discounts.

Customers will also be given the opportunity to win a trip to Trinidad and Tobago, one Samsung cellular

phone or an Amazon Fire Tablet. The winners will be announced at the end of September, 2019.

For persons looking to switch from another insurance company to Demerara Fire and General Insurance Company, discounts will be given on whatever they currently pay to their insurance companies.

At a press conference, Clarence Perry, Executive Manager for Demerara Mutual Life Assurance Society Limited, indicated that the business landscape in Guyana is rapidly changing with

From Left to Right: Asha Ojha, Manager of Guyana Fire and General Insurance Company, and Clarence Perry, Executive Manager for Demerara Mutual Life Assurance Society Limited (Hughe Mclean photo)

the emergence of the oil and gas sector, and as such, Guyana Fire and General Insurance Company would like to be in the position to take advantage of the opportunities, while providing service to the business community.

Perry noted that the company offers very competitive products with significant benefits attached such as, road side services, female, loyalty and baby-on-board discounts.

He added, “We also have benefits such as road rescue and vehicle replacements where if your vehicle is down the company would provide you with a vehicle so that you don’t have to suffer the consequences of not having a vehicle to use. We also have fleet discounts, you have two or more vehicles with us, we have any other line of business you have with the Demerara Fire or Life, and you get a discount for that also.”

Manager of Guyana Fire and General Insurance Company, Asha Ojha, stated that

the registration process is very simple, and clients will receive their claims as long the requirements are satisfied.

“We are a customer-driven company, so in that light, we place great emphasis on customer satisfaction, so we tailor our products to be highly competitive and we try to meet every costumer to their individual need. So we do not just fit you into a box, we would be with you one-on-one and try to provide you with exactly what you expect your insurance to do for you,” Ojha explained.

In addition, the insurance company will be reintroducing its liability insurance package, which will be under marine and aviation, and personal accident reliability insurance. Under liability the company provides product, employer, fidelity, group, personal accidents liability, among other insurance policies.

Region Two officials reach out to trench cleaners

Trench cleaners at the Fisher Primary School meeting

OFFICIALS of the Region Two administration have recently reached out to trench cleaners/contractors over the weekend to listen to their concerns.

During the meetings, the trench cleaners, who are contractors to the region, raised issues concerning bank payments which will be in effect from July 2019.

It was mentioned that cleaning will be done on 1st of each month, followed by an inspection team then, once the cleanings are approved, submissions will be made for timely payments.

Regional Executive Officer (REO) Dennis Jaikaran will also be visiting the trenches monthly to ensure they are properly cleared.

The contractors also made recommendations for a specific payment date each

month which will rectify the issue of delayed payments.

Trench cleaners were satisfied with the way the regional executive officer and the team dealt with matters and thanked the officers for reaching out.

The REO, during the meetings with residents, were accompanied by Regional Engineer, Kawan Suchit; Senior Superintendent of Works, Saywack Persaud; security officers, overseers and rangers.

Meetings were held at the Huis’t Dieren Primary School; the Suddie Primary School; the Fisher Primary School; the Taymouth Manor Primary School; the RDC Boardroom, Anna Regina; The 8th May Primary School; and the Charity Secondary School.

15

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, July 19, 2019

Guyana open to establishing new partnerships – Foreign Minister Cummings MINISTER of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Karen Cummings, on Wednesday in Colombia, emphasised that in light of the economic transformation underway in Guyana, opportunities were opening up for new and expanded partnerships with countries in the Latin American Region.

Dr. Cummings was addressing the 54th Meeting of the Common Market Council and Summit of Heads of State of MERCOSUR [Southern Common Market] and Associated States held in Santa Fé on Tuesday 16 and Wednesday, 17 July.

In a release, the ministry said Dr. Cummings pledged her country’s commitment to broaden and deepen relations with MERCOSUR and other countries in the Region. “Guyana is cur-

rently engaged in reviewing relevant instruments with a view to possible accession to strengthen capacities and norms in respective areas,” Dr. Cummings stated, further emphasising that the State was “committed to regional integration and to fostering co-operation between the continent and the Caribbean Community [CARICOM].”

Furthermore, Minister Cummings underscored the importance Guyana attached to preserving South America as a “zone of peace” and called for a peaceful solution to the crisis in neighbouring Venezuela. Expressing deep concern for the plight of the Venezuelan people, she stressed her country will to help shoulder the responsibility for the humanitarian response.

The summit marked the

Two accused committed to stand trial for rape TWO men were, on Thursday, July 18, 2019, each committed to stand trial at the High Court, on separate charges of rape.

Principal Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus, at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court, committed Reon Joseph, 20 of Wren Avenue, South Ruimveldt, Georgetown and Dorian Fredericks of North Ruimveldt, Georgetown to stand trial at the next sitting of the Demerara Assizes.

Joseph was on trial for allegedly raping an 11-yearold school girl during the month of December 2017. It is alleged that he engaged

in sexual penetration with the teen by luring her to his Wren Avenue home.

He was granted $300,000 bail during his trial and will remain out on bail until his next court day Meanwhile Fredericks was on trial for engaging in sexual penetration with an 18-year-old girl, without her consent, in October 2016.

The court heard that Fredericks and the victim were known to each other and, on the day in question, he broke into her home.

It is alleged that Fredericks assaulted the teen and raped her. He was remanded to prison.

Schoolboy succumbs to injuries from accident ALMOST two weeks after he was hit by a motor car as he was cycling along the Fyrish Public, Corentyne, schoolboy Omalley Jonas succumbed to his injuries at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation where he was a patient.

Government pathologist, Dr Nehaul Singh, who conducted a post-mortem examination on Thursday, gave the cause of his death as multiple injuries consistent with a motor vehicular accident.

The body of the 12-year-old has since been handed over to his father, Lester Jonas, for burial.

On July 5 last, at approximately 09:30hrs, the Lower Corentyne Secondary School student had left his Courtland Village home and was riding a bicycle along the main thoroughfare when the accident, involving motor hire car HC 9414, occurred.

The injured preteen was picked up and rushed to the New Amsterdam Hospital where he was treated, prior to being transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation where he died.

The driver of the motor vehicle is expected to be charged shortly.

conclusion of Argentina's pro tempore presidency of MERCOSUR, a major highlight of which was the Framework Agreement concluded between the regional body and the European Union on 28 June this year after some 20 years of negotiations. Brazil has now assumed the position for the second semester of 2019.

The Foreign Minister led Guyana’s delegation to the summit, which includ-

Foreign Affairs Minister of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana, the Honourable Karen Cummings (front row left) with counterparts of MERCOSUR and Associate Member States in Santa Fé

ed Ambassador to Brazil, concurrent to Argentina, His Excellency George Talbot, and Senior Foreign

Service Officer, Vernon Robinson. MERCOSUR was established in 1991 by the Treaty of Asunción

signed by Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay.

Guyana became an Associate Member in July 2013.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, July 19, 2019

Help on the way for Nile-Cozier farmers

FARMERS living within the Nile-Cozier, Neighborhood Democratic Council (NDC), Pomeroon River, Region Two, are breathing a sigh of relief. The Region Two Administration will be making recommendations to central government for a high-level dam at the western end of the farmlands.

During high tides and heavy rainfall, farmers experience tremendous flooding, and as such, had requested that the regional executive officer visit the area.

According to NDC Chairman, Narad Persaud, farmers in the area had invested extra dollars to build dams in an

effort to prevent flooding.

He, therefore, suggested a high-level dam be built to protect their crops.

“We have all crops here, farmers are planting avocado, banana, plantain, watermelon, pumpkin, coconut and other crops; this is their living,” Persaud said.

Meanwhile, Regional Executive Officer Denis Jaikarran said he and his team visited the Nile-Cozier area to assess the needs of the farmers. He said the farmers are asking for a high-level dam to be built to protect their crops from the Akawini Savannah water during the rainy season.

The regional team at Nile-Cozier

The section of the Nile Cozier area

He added that the farmers are located on the western bank of the Lower Pomeroon River. As such, the Regional Administration has the intention of approaching the central government to provide funding to build the dam in phases.

Regional Engineer, Kawan Suchit, after listening to the farmers, said the high- level dam will be the ideal remedy for the area to cushion flooding.

Farmers in the area have crops at various stages of growth.

Energy-efficient lights for 500 vulnerable households THE Guyana Energy Agency (GEA) has commenced the demonstration of energy-efficient lights that will benefit 500 vulnerable households.

The programme falls under the second phase of the Latin America and the Caribbean Energy Efficiency Programme (PALCEE) supported by the Austrian Development Cooperation and the Latin American Energy Organisation (OLADE).

According to Shevon Wood, head of the Energy and Energy Statistics Division of the GEA, the project, is in accordance with the objectives of the ‘Green State Development Strategy’ and the National Energy Policy.

These, among other things, seek to increase enduse energy conservation and efficiency in the residential sector, curtail greenhouse gas emissions from the energy sector and minimise foreign exchange cost of energy to the national economy.

The activity, she explained, commenced in May 2019 and will conclude in December 2019. It entails distribution of a total of 2,000 energy-efficient LED lights in the residential sector.

The GEA official also said this is set to target specifically, the distribution and installation at low-income areas and to beneficiaries from a vulnerable social group to demonstrate derived socio-economic and environmental benefits.

Wood explained that the criterion that was established to identify the recipient households were that “… the beneficiary must be a pensioner or disabled person who receives public assis-

tance from the government.”

She further explained that, “… the Ministry of Social Protection was consulted and a population list was provided from which a sample was drawn from each of the 10 Administrative Regions.

“From the data obtained and based on the number of lights provided under the PALCEE project, a quota of four lights per household was set for distribution which amounted to a total of 500 beneficiaries.”

To ensure a 100 per cent installation of the lights and that they are used for their intended purpose, the GEA has undertaken to install the lights through house-tohouse visits.

Guyana is one of the beneficiary countries under the second phase of the Latin America and the Caribbean Energy Efficiency Programme (PALCEE), supported by the Austrian Development Cooperation and the Latin American Energy Organisation (OLADE).

The general objective of this project is to enhance local capacity to improve energy efficiency in Guyana, by strengthening the institutions responsible for guiding and directing the energy efficiency programmes nationwide, including laws and regulations.

In addition, the project aims to achieve sustainable energy savings, prioritise investment needs in the energy sector, improve the country’s finances, and reduce carbon dioxide emissions. The implementation of the energy-efficient light distribution demonstration project is the third and final activity of the programme.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday July 19, 2019

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, July 19, 2019

Amerindian Land Titling project moving ahead

---$165M earmarked for remaining identified areas for titling THE life of the Amerindian Land Titling (ALT) project has been extended to 2021.

This was announced by Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Hon. Sydney Allicock, during his presentation at the North Rupununi District Development Board (NRDDB) meeting at Bina Hill, Annai, Region Nine.

Minister Allicock said Yupukari (Central Rupununi) is among two villages that are currently en-

Some of the village leaders at the meeting

Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Hon. Sydney Allicock addressing the village leaders.

gaging the Cabinet and the other villages will be targeted soon. The ALT project began in 2013 when the then government signed a $2.2Billion (US$11M) document for the implementation of the Amerindian Land Titling and Demarcation project, which concluded in 2016. At the end of this process, many of the communities selected were not

process of Free Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) must be followed when embarking on the demarcation of lands.

This allows the community to be fully involved in the process.

“You live here, you know your area and if this was properly followed, we would have gone a far way with this project. However,

One of the village leaders raising a concern

yet titled. According to the minister, the project was a very ‘ambitious’ one, where it was expected that within three years, over 60 villages would have been titled and demarcated. He added that the process of land titling is “tedious”, and it was impossible to finish the process in such a short period.

Minister Allicock explained that in 2017, the government sought to extend the project and a further $165Million was earmarked for the advancing of the remaining identified areas for land titling.

Speaking on the challenges incurred during that process, the minister explained, “…for example in Region Seven, there are seven villages who refused being demarcated because of a court case. That was 2016; we are in the year 2019 and they are still not done. So, we have asked those seven villages to give up their space to seven other communities. However, to date, nothing has been done.

So, these are some of the challenges we face.”

He reminded that the

we intend to go through the process to ensure it is done properly to ensure you, the residents, are satisfied.”

Minister Allicock further emphasised the need for residents to craft their Village Improvement Plan (VIP) which must include land use management – areas for farming, water catchment, public service, commercial and residential area and, more importantly, the protection of the natural environment.

The ALT project seeks to achieve three primary goals: completion of land title issues and demarcation process for all Indigenous villages that submitted requests; increased use of existing and alternative mechanisms to resolve land titling disputes and thirdly, a communication strategy including a handbook describing the process of titling, demarcation and socio-economic impact of secured land tenure.(DPI)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, July 19, 2019

Teaching standards important – CARICOM official for accountability

CARICOM officials at the consultation on Wednesday

STANDARDS for the teaching profession were important as they held both governments and practitioners accountable, CARICOM Assistant Secretary-General, Human and Social Development, Dr. Douglas Slater, said Wednesday.

Dr. Slater was at the time addressing the opening of a two-day Regional Consultation on Developing Standards for the Teaching Profession in Latin America and the Caribbean Region.

The event is being held at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre in Georgetown, Guyana. Educators, educator trainees, Ministers of Government, representatives of the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) and other stakeholders attended the opening.

Describing the forum as

timely, Dr. Slater said the consultation also acknowledged the challenges being faced in education and sustainable development.

According to him, the standards held governments accountable and responsible for their educational investments and also held practitioners accountable for the time students invested in the classroom and the time parents were required to invest in schools to support the success of learners.

“The standards should be constructed as the lens that educational stakeholders, parents and students use to make sense of and monitor the outcomes of education as a social investment,” he stated.

Minister of Education, Science and Technology of Antigua and Barbuda, Michael S. Browne, who also

spoke at the opening, focused on three areas which he said were crucial to developing standards for the teaching profession.

The areas were context, content and continuous assessment. In relation to context, he said the purpose of what was being taught and to whom was vital, while continuous assessment would inform educators about why they had been teaching.

Natalio Wheatley, Minister of Education, Culture, Youth Affairs, Fisheries and Agriculture of the British Virgin Islands, said it was important to set a high threshold for those wishing to enter the profession.

He said the British Virgin Islands had considered issuing licences to teachers and that this would be one way of evaluating teachers and would not be used as a puni-

tive measure but as a means of offering help to them.

Chief Education Officer, Ministry of Education Guyana, Dr. Marcel Hutson, spoke on behalf of Guyana’s Minister of Education.

He was of the opinion that establishing standards for the teaching profession was timely and stated that it was needed for the transformation of the education sector.

Director of the UNESCO Office in Kingston, Ms. Katherine Grigsby, in her remarks, said CARICOM had an important role in streamlining teaching standards.

She said the framework that would be developed during

the Consultation was expected to be inspirational rather than instructive.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Planning and International Engagement of the University of Guyana, Dr. Barbara Reynolds, made the keynote address. She gave a PowerPoint presentation in which she highlighted that psychology was an important component of teaching.

She urged participants to think about equipping teachers with standards that would help them to groom students to be what they wanted to become, how to learn and how to live with each other.

This is the second in

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a series of consultations which is being held in each of the five UNESCO regions. The first regional consultation workshop covered the African Region and took place in Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) on March 18-19, 2019. Following each regional consultation workshop, a group of international experts meet to review and discuss the input generated from the stakeholder discussions.

Members of the audience at the opening of the Regional Consultations on Developing Standards for the Teaching Profession in Latin America and the Caribbean Region on Wednesday

Special Audit into UG finances on pause

By Vishani Ragobeer THE Special Audit into the finances of the University of Guyana (UG) that was long requested by the workers’ unions of the university has been put on pause and the unions are unclear as to what exactly prompted this pause.

Speaking to Guyana Chronicle on Thursday, Auditor-General Deodat Sharma related that the special audit, requested by the Education Ministry’s Permanent Secretary into UG’s finances, was put on hold since the request was later withdrawn.

Sharma explained that the Audit Office, which is responsible for auditing public accounts, entities and projects assigned by the Audit Act, is mandated to audit the financial statements of UG. In addition to this audit, a special audit was requested.

Earlier this year, the Ministry of Education notified the Vice-Chancellor’s office of the unions’ request for a forensic audit into the university’s spending. This request came after the unions had staged peaceful picketing exercises for weeks against what they deemed the ‘misappropriation’ of UG funds.

Auditor-General, Deodat Sharma

“The audit will be on the whole financial statement for UG, whereas the special audit

would only be on a portion or a special item,” Sharma explained. He further related that an independent chartered accountant was hired to conduct the special audit, in light of those concerns raised by the unions.

With the ministry withdrawing the request, he indicated that this special inspection was now at a standstill until it is determined who will pay the independent accountants.

President of the University of Guyana Senior Staff Association (UGSSA) and union representative on the UG council, Dr. Jewel Thom-

as, said she was recently made aware that the audit had not “gone forward” as the unions thought it would have.

She indicated that she was made aware of this during the past three council meetings but also related that she was unclear as to what exactly prompted this pause.

“Unfortunately, the Council meetings that were held in June, we did have enough space to discuss the matter of the audit because we were dealing with a couple of fairly urgent matters including the University's draft budget that will be out forward,” she said.

The woman, however, affirmed that once the Council meets again, which is likely to be held sometime in August ahead of the new academic term, the reason for the pause would be discussed.

While the unions await that information, she made known that the unions have no intention of forgetting about this issue at hand.

“From the unions' side, we are not letting it go, we are definitely going to pursue it,” Dr. Thomas said.

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Isaiah Laing

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, July 19, 2019

Isaiah Laing brings ‘Revelation’ Sound Clash to Guyana on August 31

Tommy Lee

―Panther, Fire Links to face Slingerz, Notorious Sound ―Tommy Lee Sparta on the cards

Magnum

T

HIS section of the newspaper is called ‘The Buzz’ for a very good reason, as it’s where the most exciting news in Guyana is first announced.

What we can tell you is that what will be ‘buzzing’ from now to probably the end of the year, is the talk about the ‘Revelation’ sound clash that will be setting foot in Guyana on August 31.

Of recent times, sound clashes in Guyana have had great reception. The market for Reggae and Dancehall music is definitely here, but however, needs greater oppor-

Pink Panther FIRE LINKS

tunities to propel.

Realising that need, popular Jamaican promoter, Isaiah Laing has selected Guyana as the next demographic to share a taste of the Dancehall experience that he has created in his home country.

Laing is the Chairman of Supreme Promotions, and is also owner of the popular stage show in Jamaica, ‘STING’.

‘Sting’ was first staged over 30 years ago, and some of the biggest names have played and performed at the famous Boxing Day show.

Additionally, Dancehall icons

such as Ninja Man, Buju, Bounty Killer, Vybz Kartel and Mavado, were made on Sting’s stage.

This experience is coming to Guyana’s soil on August 31, 2019, at a venue that will be announced at a later date.

This stage, however, will take the format of a clash between the best out of the two countries (Jamaica and Guyana).

G u y a n a ’s o w n c l a s h champion, DJ Magnum from Notorious Sound, along with Slingerz Sound will look to out-do the legendary Fire Links and ‘Di General Pink Panther’. The challenge is

also open to any Guyanese female DJ to clash with Jamaica’s female DJ, Sashae.

While you think this might be a night of clashing, it gets even better. Dancehall artiste, ‘Tommy Lee’, the Sparta Boss, will also be taking over the stage.

The night is said to give an experience of a lifetime, as Supreme Promotions set out to revive and preserve the life of Reggae and Dancehall music. Guyanese patrons are asked to prepare for the great revelation, and prepare to have the time of their lives.

Laing told ‘The Buzz’ that

the entire show will be videotaped and rebroadcast on various international platforms.

It gets even better! Just like the open stage that is given at ‘Sting’ to provide a stage for new acts to be discovered, that same opportunity will be extended to our local acts.

Artistes will be given the opportunity to take the stage, and the top three acts will be selected to travel to Jamaica to perform at the return of the Sting show, on December 26, 2019.

More exciting news to be announced. Stay tuned to ‘The Buzz’.

‘Mommy Baby…’ for NCC this weekend AFTER rave reviews and a sold-out show in Linden, “Mommy Baby, Daddy Maybe”, the satirical tale of a baby’s disputed paternity, is coming to the National Cultural Centre here in the city this weekend as in in tomorrow and Sunday.

The comedy stars Lois Moseley, as the pregnant protagonist, ‘Joanna’, a waitress who is unsure whether the father of her baby is her womanizer boyfriend, “Ray Ray”, played

by Randy Gonsalves; or if the “Baby Daddy” is the charming “Tyrone”, played

by Randy Johnson.

Joanna’s cantankerous grandmother is none other than Guyana’s famous bigbutt, loud-mouth “Granny Ivelaw”, played by the ev-

‘Granny Ivelaw’, played by the man himself, Ivelaw Campbell

er-popular Ivelaw Campbell, the actor. According to the storyline, ‘Granny Ivelaw’ has just returned from overseas and taken over the situation. And with ‘Granny Ivelaw’ in de tekups, we know there’s sure to be some big laughs in this one.

“This hilarious satire,” a statement from the producer says, “is beautifully handled by Lois Moseley.

She is wedged between Randy Johnson and Randy Gonsalves, two multi-talented young men, while into the melee is thrown a cantankerous grandmother overcome by her self-righteousness as she turns everything on its head. Granny Ivelaw plays her iconic character to the hilt.”

The play has an overall

cast of some 16 comedians, and promises to be filled with “over-the-top comedy beyond the fullest”.

The play is written and directed by Michael James, and produced in collaboration with Godfrey Naughton. James explains that the play addresses a number of issues other than paternity dipute, with a number of sub-plots.

These sub-plots include an undersized, egotistic pimp with a fake accent, and a preacher who can’t attract anybody to his church, and becomes progressively more desperate in his laughable quest to fill dem pews.

“The genesis behind the storyline originated from social issues that we face, and one of the issues

Lois Moseley as the protagonist, ‘Joanna’

that we face is the challenge where you have men minding children that are not theirs or are not taking responsibility for children that are theirs. So it surrounds that,” James says.

In the play, he says, both ‘Ray Ray’ and ‘Tyrone’ are eager to be the father of Joanna’s baby, while ‘Granny Ivelaw’ favourite hobby horse is that the baby is Ray Ray’s if it’s ugly, and Tyrone’s if it’s good looking when it is born.

She’s very supportive of Joanna, and wants the best for her, notwithstanding her smart mouth and quick wit.

Tickets for the play cost is $2000, $1500 and $1000, and are available at Andrews Supermarket, Nigel’s Supermarket and NCC Box Office.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, July 19, 2019

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Gabriella Chapman’s on a noble mission ―to imbue ‘body positivity’ in other young women like herself

By Vishani Ragobeer “THE body is but a mere molecular structure that contains who we are.”

You could say that that single sentence underlies the ‘Body Positive’ movement of 23-yearold Gabriella Chapman.

Just recently, ‘Gabby’ turned some heads in the local Online community when she dropped what some would call ‘fire’ photos. At first glance, 10 young girls clad in their swimsuits would be enough to capture the average person’s attention for a second, or even third look. But the message underpinning these photos is what really held the attention, as these photos were intended to promote body positivity, regardless of shape, size or colour.

“My whole body-positivity focus started when I first started out in pageants,” Gabriella said.

“One of the things that I feared about pageantry was the swimsuit segment, because I wasn’t comfortable with my body.”

Back when she started out in the pageantry world, Gabby said, she endured a lot of body shaming. She knew that this was something that so many other

young girls faced as well. And while she would have learnt to overcome the negativity thrown her way, she came to realise that she could use her own lived experiences to empower others.

“Now I want to use my platform to show that you shouldn’t be deemed as less deserving of something because of your exterior,” Gabby explained.

And her platform is multitiered. On her own, Gabby created a Girl’s Group, which is known as the Girl Build Girl Foundation. Here, she strives to empower young girls and, well… have them build each other up. In other words, you could say she’s a pageant veteran who’s tried to leave her mark on few local pageants, and is now seeking to make her mark in the 2020 Miss World Guyana pageant.

Now, the photoshoot sought to integrate both of these things.

“It was a photoshoot to promote body positivity, which is also part of my ‘Beauty With a Purpose’ project for the Miss World Guyana 2020 pageant,” Gabby explained.

SPEAKS TO CONFIDENCE For her, empowerment comes in many forms, and as part of her

project, she wanted to advance the body-positive movement.

Now, naturally, the swimsuit aspect of the shoot might make you think of it as another ‘sexy shoot’, but for Gabby, the swimsuit speaks to confidence in your body.

She noted, “Being able to showcase yourself in a swimsuit speaks to comfort in your body, and I thought that was the best way I could portray that message.”

This focus on body positivity is only a smaller part of her wider empowerment project, however.

The young woman also intends to ‘up the ante’ by fostering a social media campaign, where other young girls can share their own body-positivity stories for others to read and perhaps develop a common sense of solace as they strive to accept themselves.

Additionally, Gabriella aims to work with the young girls in her girl’s group, since she has found that there are dozens of young girls struggling with their body image. It is her inten-

Medas to launch fifth album, “Ready”

C

HRISTIANS across Guyana are in for three days of moving events if they’re looking to be a part of the “One Mega Weekend – Youth Summit”, which includes praise worship, motivational talks, an album launch, and a gospel concert all wrapped up in one, courtesy of a collaboration between local gospel artiste Samuel Medas and the Kaneville Full Gospel.

The event began on Thursday night at the Love and Faith World Outreach Ministry in Sophia with a youth conference titled the “Ready Youth Empowerment Conference”, which continues tonight with a “Praise and Worship Experience” at the

same location, before it all culminates tomorrow night with the launching of Medas’ fifth studio album, “Ready”, at a mega gospel concert at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.

The concert is expected to see performances from a number of regional artistes, including the hottest thing in gospel music this side of the hemisphere, ‘Positive’ out of Trinidad.

“We just decided to collaborate and it turned into this one big thing. I have all of these renowned artiste from Trinidad coming in the country including Jaron Nurse, Mark Isaacs and Positive along with locals like Rochelle Benn, Lion Cub, DC, Carl Damon,” Medas

explained in an interview with The Buzz.

Patrons get the whole three-day experience for the one-time payment of $2500.

The experience is so pumped up, even First Lady Sandra Granger is ensuring she’s not left out. But she’s also participating, as she was one of the speakers at last night’s youth conference. Also speaking at the conference was Jaron Nurse.

“Jaron, who is a Gospel artiste, is also speaking tonight, because he is a very prolific speaker, and has a testimony of someone coming from a really dark place in Trinidad to being one of the biggest Gospel singers in Trinidad,” Medas noted.

tion to host sessions with those young girls to cultivate that sense of self-acceptance and love in themselves.

This is going to be part of her series of empowerment movements, and to keep up with these, or even to join hands with her, you can follow her on social media: Gabriella (her Facebook page) and at gabriellaismyname_ (her Instagram handle).

“I know we can’t change society, but I’m trying to have persons change the way we let society affect us, and, hopefully, in the process, society could also feel the need to stop the body-shaming and the bashing,” Chapman said.

Gabriella and her group of girls sharing their Body Positive message

23-year-old Miss World Guyana 2020 delegate, Gabriella Chapman

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YES, guys ‘n’ gals! Another weekend is here upon us already, and as usual, we take it as our cue to keep you posted on what’s ‘buzzing’ in and around the country entertainment-wise.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, July 19, 2019

‘The Tenants’ premieres Monday night ― at Caribbean Cinemas

TODAY

■ And we begin the weekend with Set 4 Life Entertainment’s ‘Escape Fridays’ at District Ultra Lounge this and every Friday, where you can always count on some beastly cold Heineken specials, and some good ol’ music, courtesy Guyana’s top DJs. As usual, it’s ladies FREE before midnite!

■ Our next stop is the Pegasus poolside’s , Ignite Bar and Grill where every Friday and Saturday it’s fun, food, and entertainment galore!

TOMORROW

■ Well hey there, hookah lovers! Pulse Entertainment’s got your “Hookah Obsession” covered down at the Palm Court. So, take your pick of your favourite flavour and blow off some steam after a long week, while partying to the best Soca hits. Music by DJ Ryan, and DJ Hutson. And remember, it’s buy one hookah, and get a refill absolutely FREE! ■ Whaddya know, District Ultra Lounge’s in the news again with its “Chill V 2.0” featuring Kidd Frost of Trinidad LIVE! Music by DJ Country Boy. There’s also Johnny Walker specials, ALL NIGHT! ■ And just in case you’re in the mood to change the tempo a bit, how about the Vintage Lounge where “Brazilian and Latin Saturdays” is on the cards, with authentic Brazilian foods and drink specials. Music’s by DJ Tranquilo Santos. Doors open nice ‘n’ early! From 17:00hrs sharp!

■ Know some of you like to sing your little heads off other than in the bathroom. Then Aracari’s the place for you, where, come rain or shine, there’s Karaoke and Dance this and every Saturday, with Reyaz Rafeek and de boys dem!

■ And, lest we forget, Aura Sky Lounge’s Seductive Saturdays is on this weekend! Doors open at 20:00 sharp!

Writer-Director Richard B. Mahase

‘THE Tenants…Rent’s Due’, a film made by Guyanese in accordance with international standards, is set to premier Monday night at the Caribbean Cinemas, at the Giftland Mall.

Popular Guyanese-American entrepreneur and philanthropist, George Subraj (now deceased), along with Mahase, who is a longstanding member of the local entertainment industry, began talks of producing a Guyanese film in an American setting since back in 2015.

Now, four years later, Mahase and the George Subraj Family Foundation couldn’t be happier that the movie, which fulfils their beloved George’s vision, has come to fruition.

from all across the world endure while seeking to rent an apartment in New York.

The movie boasts an all-American cast, who all hail from various countries the world over; like Japan, Russia, and Argentina, and came together in this apartment building.

Mahase is relieved that the film has finally made it to Guyana, after being stalled for about 18 months.

“This film was a passion project of my father for several years. To see

SUNDAY

■ And to start wrapping things up for the weekend is Marvelous Entertainment’s relaunch of Marvelous Sundayz at its new location, 592 Spot and Night Club at John and Norton Streets. It’s Ladies free all night long, with music by Stereo Sonic, Fusion and Boom DJs! ■ Then there’s G-Money, in association with Leprechaun Entertainment’s Summer Sundays at Club Privilege, on downtown Main Street. Free entry for the first 50 ladies.

Throw-back music and finger foods in effect. Music by One Drop from NY, DJ Denzil, Selector Dexter and a special guest DJ and one-man band.

■ And, bringing the curtains down on a weekend-load of action is District Ultra Lounge’s “Soca Bollywood”, with music by Selector Andy, WR Reaz, and Selector Chino. Ladies FREE before 21:00hrs, and Bacardi specials all night long!

■ So, too, is Vintage Wine Bar, Restaurant and Lounge’s “Dinner with a 70s and 80s twist”

The launch is an invitation-only event, and several members of the Government and Opposition have been invited, writer and director Richard B. Mahase told ‘The Buzz’ on Wednesday.

The film, a 111-minute-long drama by the George Subraj Foundation and Red Lock Media, was officially introduced to the Guyanese populace last month, with daily showings commencing on Thursday at Caribbean Cinemas. The film will show four times daily for one week.

A scene from ‘The Tenants’

Mahase says the film was made by Guyanese to the United States’ level of production.

Known for leading many medical missions here, Subraj, as a New York resident, developed a huge rental enterprise before he died. The film is, therefore, about his experience in the industry in Queens, New York, long considered an expansive ‘melting pot’ of sorts in the USA. As such, the movie reflects the business that Mr. Subraj ran, and the struggles people

his dream come to life… a dream that encompasses his life experiences as a Guyanese-American from the area of Bel Air, is truly awe inspiring,” Subraj’s daughter, Jasmine, had told the press at the launch back in June.

She said that her father’s hard work, determination, and giving personality has left a mark on, and continues to drive their family to continue his work and legacy, both professionally and in their charitable pursuits.

Alexandria Johnson and Brent White

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, July 19, 2019

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Personality of The Week...

Talking about "THE power of music" with Mars Noel

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E’VE all heard success stories, where persons would have confessed that music was their ‘go to’, to get over situations in their life. Some stories more heartbreaking than some.

This week’s personality opened up and shared his life-changing story with ‘The Buzz’, on how Hip Hop music saved his life.

Paul Busby was born here in Guyana, and spent the first five years of his life with his mom and two older sisters. The single-parent family survived a big house fire on Charlotte Street, lost their home, and later moved to Hadfield Street.

Busby recalled that at the time, he had no idea who his father was, until he was five, when his father showed up suddenly at his school and took him away from his mother.

He would later that same year get lucky and migrate to the US with his dad, but his dad would again do the disappearing act and leave him with a strange family, who had also raised his elder brother on his father’s side.

At that tender age, Busby said, he passed through the some of the toughest times, as unbeknownst to him, the family with whom his father left him had a history of abuse.

Missing his mother every day, the only thing that kept him going at times was the thought of seeing her again and reuniting with her.

Busby said that after he couldn’t take the abuse any longer, he ended up moving in with his father and step-mother, thinking that that would have been a better environment for him. Turned out he was wrong, as he was made to suffer even more abuse.

“My stepmom was a Jamaican, and I believe her culture is that you beat till you bleed,” he recalled.

“During one of the situations, I was beaten till I was bleeding through the head.

I had to go to the hospital, but she didn’t take me. She put me out the house and said to go by my friend. All this at the age of eight. And the reason I was beaten was because I had stayed out a little late, playing with my friends.”

Thankfully, because of the bloodied state he was in, Busby said his little friends called the police, and he was taken to the hospital.

And, due to the system with abused children in the US, he was taken away from his father and placed into foster care.

He said he passed through group homes, foster care, and later a religious family who took him in for a year.

During this time, he said he endured so much pain, including the death of his mother and his two siblings.

“The death of my mother crushed me, for most of my life,” Busby said.

After passing through homes, he said that his father regained custody of him, but

history of rebellious behaviour, there is always room for change and a new and fresh start.

But realising the need for change, and finding that converter to change your life is what was lacking, but Busby found it in music.

“A lot of times when I would listen to music, I would just get overwhelmed and start crying. But I listened, because that’s the type of life that I was going through. I believe it became a comforting thing for me; the music. I would hear different harmonies and melodies and be able to put it

by this time, he was already hell bent on rebelling and letting out his anger in more ways than one.

“At several stages of my life, I was kicked out of the house, onto the streets, moved to different States.

I’ve ended up in prisons, learning and trying to actually understand myself, because I didn’t know myself. I didn’t know why I was really doing what I was doing. I was rebelling against something, but I didn’t know how to control that,” he said.

together; it would help me out,” he told ‘The Buzz’.

And it was while he was in prison that he realised his ability to rap.

“Music allowed me to channel all the things I was going through. Any facility I was in, I had a few battles, and I never lost. And at that point in time, I realised that I was putting everything into music. Doing crimes and making mistakes, I channeled all of that into my music, and I was more focused on doing music than I was on doing bad things. So then everyone started calling me ‘Rapper boy’,” Busby said.

Realising his talent later led to the creation of ‘Mars

A NEW START Even though Busby would have probably been labeled notorious, given his

Noel’, Busby’s alias.

“Mars Noel is like a super hero; a Marvel hero.

Mars being a Roman God, and Mars being a planet.

Noel being something biblical, and Noel also being in music. It’s like something that came and saved me.

Like there is Clarke Kent, and then there is Superman.

Mars Noel is more like an alter ego,” he said.

Now Mars Noel is all over his past life, and has returned to Guyana, working with local record label, Vizion Sounds, to push his music and share his story with the youths, through his music. He is looking to make a global mark, because he

believes that his story, if told through his music, can serve as inspiration to others.

Guyana, he said, has been suffering as a whole, for many years, “but we have to continue to survive.”

“But despair makes good music; like when you’re going through pain and suffering, because you’re utilising what you are going through and you’re putting it into a medium whereby everyone can understand, ‘cause everyone go through suffering;

everyone hurts and goes through despair. So you are not alone,” Mars Noel said.

He would like to encourage other artistes to keep pushing and keep putting their all into what they do, and help lobby for a better Guyana.

“Music can help break barriers and help to curb societal ills,” he said. You can find Mars Noel’s music on any digital platform by typing in ‘Mars Noel’ or Mars Noel Music.

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Lady Jags hunting three points against table-leaders St Lucia tonight

By Rawle Toney

THE ‘Lady Jags’ will go hunting tonight for three points when they face table-leaders St Lucia from 20:30hrs in a game that many fans are anxious to witness, as the CONCACAF U-20 Women’s Championship Qualifiers continue at the National Track and Field Centre.

Suriname will face Antigua and Barbuda from 18:00hrs in a clash between two teams who are so far yet to secure a

win, and should set the perfect tone for what is expected to be Group A’s biggest clash – Guyana vs St Lucia.

The Dr Ivan Joseph-coached women had a few days to rest after taking back-to-back wins against Bermuda and Antigua, both victories coming by a 2-0 scoreline.

After their win against the Antiguans, Dr Joseph said the three days’ rest would give the girls a chance to relax away from the game, while taking one day to prepare for tonight’s

game against St Lucia, who he said have been “quite the scorer”.

“They (St Lucia) 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,” the Canadian-based coach said.

St Lucia chalked up another impressive win on Wednesday evening, beating Antigua and Barbuda 3-1, thanks to a hat-trick from the tournament’s leading scorer Krysan St Louis. His goals which came in the

14th, 20th and 72nd minutes, took her tally to five in three outings.

Team captain Brianne Desa has been sensational for Guyana at the back, leading her charges to a clean sheet so far in the tournament, but Guyana’s head coach was adamant that with St Lucia showing that scoring goals is not a difficult task, it will certainly put the Lady Jags’ defence to the test.

Contrary to how well the team looked on the pitch, Dr Joseph made it clear that the

game against Bermuda was the side’s first time playing together, since the team had no time to prepare because they came from different parts of the world; mostly Guyana, USA and Canada.

The coach who holds a PhD in Sport Psychology believes that his side have what it takes to top Group A, but with St Lucia standing in their way, he said the game between the two sides tonight will test Guyana’s readiness to play at the next level of the tournament.

Tiandi Smith, Audrey Narine and Jenea Knight are so far showing that they can be problems for defenders in the region, while Kiana Khedoo is so far having an exceptional showing in the midfield.

Meanwhile, Bermuda chalked up their first win in the tournament, with a dismantling display against Suriname on their way to a 6-1 win.

The win puts them third, behind leaders St Lucia (nine points) and Guyana (six points).

GMR&SC National Race of Champions Round 2

Seebarran, Vieira are MOTUL brand ambassadors

WORLD renowned lubricant MOTUL has joined forces with two local racers ahead of the second round of the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club’s Race of Champions.

The company signed Matthew Vieira and Raymond Seebarran as brand ambassadors ahead of the event set for Sunday at the South Dakota Circuit, Timehri.

During a brief ceremony yesterday at the GT Motorsports Office, both racers collected their sponsorship

cheques from GT Motorsports’ Marketing Consultant Jennifer Cipriani.

“It is our first major sponsorship in Guyana under the MOTUL brand. We’re pretty excited about this. We have lots in store for MOTUL and the brand coming up later in the year, but this is just the beginning of what we expect to be a great partnership,” she said.

SUPERBIKE CHAMPION AIMING FOR DEFENCE Following his dominance

on the local circuit last year, Matthew Vieira returns, looking to defend his champion rider title under the MOTUL brand.

Vieira was elated to join the fray as one of the brand’s first ambassadors, saying, “It is an honour to represent this world renowned brand in Guyana.”

While there have been several competitors aiming for the young Vieira’s crown, he is unfazed by the battle that lies ahead.

“I’m coming hard too,

Reigning golf champion Avinash Persaud wary of the challenges

By Rajiv Bisnauth

A NUMBER of golfers will converge on the Lusignan Golf Club (LGC) this weekend vying for top prizes at the Lusignan Open Golf tournament.

Among them will be reigning male champion Avinash Persaud, who signalled his intention to regain his title when the two-day tournament concludes on Sunday at the Lusignan golf course, East Coast Demerara.

The familiarity with the Lusignan golf course could seem a factor that could

American Racing Tips Saratoga Race 1 Bourbon Mission Race 2 Carrizo Race 3 Paradiso Race 4 Sir Ballantine Race 5 Mrs Danvers Race 6 Quality Choice Race 7 Lemonist Race 8 Seven Trumpets Race 9 Blowout Canadian Racing Tips Woodbine Race 1 Top Hat Trick Race 2 Sweet Little Man Race 3 Cash Advance Race 4 Curlin Grey South Africa Racing Tips

facilitate repeat success for the 28-year-old, but the task will not be an easy one.

Undoubtedly, one of the best golfers locally, Persaud, who is suffering from a slight shoulder injury, is fully aware of the challenges he is expected to face.

Despite the challenges he anticipates, Persaud remains optimistic. He pointed out during the exclusive interview that the venue is his home turf, adding that once he does the basics and plays within his game limits, success will come his way.

“Definitely it will be a challenge for me because the game has become more competitive over the years but having said that, my standard is different from the rest of players and once I play my standard I have nothing to worry about,” he concluded.

The LGC is anticipating a large turnout of competitors on the nine-hole course, with keen rivalry in the Championship Flight (0-9 handicap), B Flight (10-18), C Flight (19-28) and Ladies Flight.

Tee-off time is 08:00hrs each day. Admission is free.

Fairview 08:15 hrs Benevolence 08:55 hrs Silvery Heights 09:35 hrs Coyote Creek 10:10 hrs Raven Girl 10:45 hrs Le Grande Rouge

09:40 hrs JM Jackson 10:15 HRS The Night Watch 10:50 hrs Calculation 11:20 hrs Mubtasimah 11:50 hrs Tabarrak 12:25 hrs Grey Spirit

Irish Racing Tips Killarney 08:55 hrs Tennesse Waltz 09:25 hrs Marchons Ensemble 09:55 hrs Wentwood 10:30 hrs Shoulda Lied 11:05 hrs Ellaat 11:35 hrs Gardens Of Babylon 12:10 hrs Max Dynamite

Hamilton 13:00 hrs Iconic Code 13:35 hrs Byline 14:05 hrs Holmeswood 14:40 hrs Laugh A Minute 15:10 hrs Persian Moon 15:45 hrs King And Queen 16:15 hrs Twentysixthstreet Pontefract 13:25 hrs Tomfre 14:30 hrs Dapper Man 15:00 hrs Tadaawol 15:35 hrs Lady Scatterley 16:05 hrs Beryl The Petal

English Racing Tips Haydock 09:10 hrs Dreamweaver

and I hope you guys are ready for a big brawl on Sunday. I have got to defend my title as Superbike champion and I’m no pushover.

SEEBARRAN AIMING TO STAY AHEAD With a lead atop the sports tuner class, Raymond Seebarran was the other competitor who will brandish the MOUTL livery on Sunday.

He is upbeat about his

chances in the group, thanking the company for assisting him through this endeavour.

“This is always important because motor-racing all around the world is a very expensive sport, so when you get that support and that backing you get to focus a lot more on your racing, your strategies and your output.”

Normally at the helm of an EP 91 Starlet, the former

karting champion has prodded his chances further in the lead by promising good performances from the Balram Auto Mechanics-built Toyota AE91 Corolla.

MOTUL has also taken up the mantle to host its own time attack series that will form part of the race programme for Sunday’s event. Admission is $1 000 for adults and $500 for children. Races start at 09:00hrs.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, July 19, 2019

Albion cricket academy a huge success PRESIDENT of the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB), Hilbert Foster, urged the 43 graduates of the Albion Community Centre Cricket Club’s annual cricket academy, last Saturday, to uphold the high tradition of the prestigious club.

The club, which was founded over 60 years ago, has a very high reputation of producing top class players for Berbice, Guyana and West Indies.

Foster spoke at length of the importance of education and pleaded with the attentive cricketers to stay in school, to obtain an educational background,

since in today’s modern world, all sportsmen and sportswomen are expected to deal with the media, sponsors, agents and the general public.

“National talent would only take you so far while an educational background would open doors of opportunities off the field,’ he stated.

Foster also urged them to develop a culture of hard work, discipline and dedication, respect for the elderly and a love of making a positive difference in the lives of those less fortunate.

He pledged the full support of his administration for the development

President of BCB, Hilbert Foster, hands over special prize at the conclusion of the Albion Cricket Academy

of the game at the junior level and announced that in 2019, the BCB would host tournaments at the Under-13, U-15, U-17, U-19, U-21 and U-23 levels. Numerous developmental programmes are also being organized, including the Dr Tulsi Dyal Singh Coaching Programme and Annual Cricket Academy.

Foster hailed the outstanding leadership of the Albion Cricket Club.

Meanwhile, Foster handed over trophies, medals, cricket balls, educational materials, scorebooks to the Albion Club. Additionally, the BCB boss

handed out three special prizes to three players of the academy. Young Berbice player Damian Cecil, whom Foster described as a future West Indies player, received a pair of batting pads. Most Disciplined Player N. Shiwpersaud received two special prizes, while Most Promising Player Tameshwar Mohamed carried home an educational package and a bicycle.

The Albion Cricket Club has produced five Test cricketers in Sew Shivnarine, Narsingh Deonarine, Sewnarine Chattergoon, Devendra Bishoo and Veerasammy Permaul.

Women’s Test cricket

Aussies in control as Perry eyes a century THE first day of women’s Test cricket in two years concluded with the series pendulum still firmly in favour of Australia, who clocked up 265 runs for the loss of only three wickets.

Earlier in the day, Alyssa Healy and Meg Lanning had both hit maiden Test half-centuries.

It would be hard to argue that England’s bowlers did not throw everything bar the

Ellyse Perry will resume day two on 84, as the tourists made a commanding start to the Test match in Taunton

England have to win this Test if they are to stand any chance of regaining the Ashes but already, after 100 overs of attritional cricket and with rain likely to interrupt play across the second and third days, a draw looks the most likely result.

England were yet again undone by a patient effort from Ellyse Perry, who finished unbeaten on 84 after a century-partnership with Rachael Haynes for the fourth wicket, in an innings that has already sparked comparisons to her 213 not out on the last occasion of this kind, at North Sydney in 2017.

kitchen sink at their opponents, in pursuit of the early match advantage.

Katherine Brunt, returning to international duty having missed the third ODI with a swollen ankle, reached 75mph in an opening spell reminiscent of her golden years; Sophie Ecclestone bravely bowled on through considerable pain after bruising her shoulder early in the morning session while diving for a catch. Test debutant 21-yearold Kirstie Gordon, playing in her first competitive multi-day match, shouldered a load of 20 overs.

In fact, all made break-

throughs but none of the three could quite make the decisive impact which the series situation demanded.

“One hundred overs in the field is something we’re not used to, and we’ve stuck at it really well,” the England vice-captain, Anya Shrubsole, said. “It was attritional Test cricket, that’s for sure. We hung in there really well, and never let the run rate get away from us, but they batted with a lot of discipline and made it hard.”

Australia – whose captain Lanning had insisted on the eve of the Test we’re on the hunt for a win but for whom a draw will suffice to retain the Ashes trophy – were clearly in no hurry.

An aggressive declaration late in the evening session might have been on the cards had Perry and Haynes forced the pace. Instead, resuming after tea on 203 for three, they plodded along merrily, content to add only 62 runs across the evening session.

Indeed Haynes, who brought up a 145-ball half-century just before stumps, had earlier remained with her tally on 41 so long that the 2,000-strong Taunton crowd might well have suspected the electronic scoreboard had malfunctioned. (Yahoo Sport)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, July 19, 2019

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Helmets?

Aussie legend Chappell outraged by protection idea for bowlers

AUSTRALIAN cricketing legend Ian Chappell says giving fast bowlers helmets won’t address concerns over any injury by balls inadvertently hit back at them.

Development of a helmet for fast bowlers has been commissioned by Cricket Australia, after a number of incidents involving bowlers being struck.

It is hoped prototypes of the helmet will be ready by this summer.

Chappell, though, believes giving bowlers the option of a helmet is the wrong way to tackle the problem.

Instead, the former Test captain is arguing that modern bats are the real reason bowlers have been injured.

“In baseball they know at what speed the ball leaves the bat. That technology could

also be applied to cricket,” Chappell said in an interview for Wide World of Sports.

they haven’t got enough time to react if the ball comes straight back at

Warren Barnes of Otago bowls during the Twenty20 Supersmash match between Otago and Canterbury on December 26, 2017 in Alexandra, New Zealand.

(Photo by Dianne Manson/Getty Images) “If you know at what them.

“I think they’ve got to use speed the ball is leaving the bat, you know how much that technology to change the time the bowler has to react. bats, to give the bowlers, and “The tests would tell the umpires, time to protect you that at the moment themselves, rather than trying

New Zealand players make sombre homecoming after World Cup blow

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (Reuters) - A group of rueful New Zealand players touched down on home soil yesterday, still coming to terms with the gut-wrenching defeat to England in the World Cup final.

off Ben Stokes’s bat in the 50th over that raced to the boundary and helped send the final into a Super Over before England claimed the win on the total boundaries scored.

“It’s natural to nitpick, to wonder about all those

New Zealand’s Trent Boult, shown in a file photo, is one of a small number of players to return home after they lost the World Cup final to England. (Action Images via

Reuters/Andrew Boyers) Pace bowler Trent Boult little things and how it was among six Black Caps could have been a totally players making a low-key different game,” he told homecoming at Auckland reporters at the airport. airport, soaking up commis“I’ve been living that erations from a few fans and last over in my mind a lot well-wishers.

- somehow I got hit for six The left-armer was still along the ground which has haunted by the deflection never happened before.

“To see the scores level (after the Super Over) and still lose, yeah, that was a pretty unique situation.”

E n g l a n d ’s m a i d e n World Cup title denied New Zealand their first but the class shown by Black Caps captain Kane Williamson and his players in defeat generated global acclaim.

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said she wanted to put on a home-coming celebration for the team but their different schedules and commitments have put the idea on ice for the time being.

Boult said he was overwhelmed by the messages of support from the public.

“We’ve just been on a plane 15 hours and there were a lot of Kiwis saying ‘we felt for you’,” he said.

“I didn’t really know what to say. Obviously, we’re all hurting and we’re sorry for letting everyone down.

“I just want to get home, walk my dog along the beach and try to forget about it but it’s gonna be a hard one to swallow for the next couple of years.”

to put helmets on bowlers.”

Chappell also went on to argue that helmets would likely be an unpopular solution among bowlers.

He drew some comparison to baseball, where pitchers are permitted to wear helmets but rarely do, due to the design of said helmets not protecting the most vulnerable areas.

Add in the fact that cricketers take a run-up before bowling a ball, and that the weight of the helmet might affect the bowler’s pace and accuracy, and Chappell was well and truly off the idea.

“I would have thought if you’re running in with a helmet on for 25 overs a day, it’s going to take a bit of getting used to, and the amount of sweating would be a problem,” Chappell said.

“In the end I’m wondering what impact it would have on a pace bowler?

Would it slow him down?

“They’re coming at it from the wrong end, they’ve got to sort the bats out rather than find helmets for bowlers.

“I doubt it will happen.”(Yahoo Sports)

Sixth Grenville Felix Memorial Cycle meet set for Sunday in Berbice

Jamual John was last year’s winner of the Grenville Felix Memorial Cycling Road Race in Berbice

THE sixth Annual Grenville Felix Memorial Cycling Road Race is set for Sunday (July 21). The race is being organised by Flying Ace Cycling Club (FACC) and is sponsored by the Felix family, in memory of the late engineer who passed away six years ago.

The event is scheduled to begin from the Felix residence at Canefield, East Canje before proceeding to the No.51 Police Station, Corentyne. The cyclists will then turn back to finish at the place of origin.

The event will be open to cyclists across Guyana and all the top riders are expected to compete for the lucrative prizes on offer.

The first 10 finishers will receive prizes along with the first three juveniles, while the top veteran and 12-14-year-old cyclists will also be rewarded.

Jamaul John of Team Coco’s inscribed his name on the Lien Trophy last year in a time of two hours 15 minutes 11.49 seconds (2hrs 15mins 11.49s) The Grenville Felix Memorial Trophy is a lien trophy and will be given to the first person whose name gets on it three times.

Felix, who was one of Guyana’s mature engineers at the time of his passing, worked with Bookers and Guyana Sugar Corporation in Guyana.

Bayliss to coach IPL’s Sunrisers Hyderabad after Ashes (REUTERS) - Sunrisers Hyderabad have hired England’s World Cup-winning coach Trevor Bayliss ahead of the 2020 season, the Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise said yesterday.

Bayliss, 56, whose national team contract ends in September, had been linked with multiple IPL franchises by the Indian media since overseeing England’s successful 2019 World Cup campaign.

“Trevor Bayliss ... has been appointed head coach of Sunrisers Hyderabad,” the IPL team said in a statement.

“Trevor has already won two IPL trophies with KKR (Kolkata Knight Riders)

England head coach Trevor Bayliss will coach Sunrisers Hyderbad after the Ashes series

and has also won the Big Bash League and Champions League with Sydney Sixers.

“He’s a proven winner and we feel that his successful track record will be ideal in taking Sunrisers Hyderabad forward.”

Bayliss replaces Australian compatriot Tom Moody, who guided Hyderabad to the IPL title in 2016 and led the team to five playoff appearances in seven seasons.

Bayliss’ will take charge of England for the last time as they look to reclaim the Ashes on home soil against Australia, with the first Test starting on August 1 at Edgbaston.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, July 19, 2019

G/T Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ makes return to Berlin tomorrow

THE Berlin tarmac located in the vicinity of High and Drysdale Streets, Georgetown, will officially make its long anticipated return to action in the Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ Georgetown Championship.

The venue which was utilised in the inaugural edition of the tournament in 2009, will stage the second group night matches tomorrow. Eight matches will be hosted at the venue.

According to tournament coordinator Three Peat Promotions, “There have been calls from the communities via elders and players for the venue to make a grand return to action and we have acquiesced to their requests following discussions with tournament sponsor Banks DIH Limited.

The Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ phenomenon is an event rooted in the community culture and Berlin is a part of that fabric

that has made the tournament what it is today.”

The release further

said, “We are pleased to be returning to a venue that was part of the inaugural

The Georgetown Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ Championship will make a long anticipated return to the Berlin venue at High and Drysdale Streets tomorrow night

edition, as the tournament will always be synonymous with and identified by its community origins, which is an attribute that should never be changed.

We envision a mammoth crowd to descend on the venue especially from the surrounding environs as it is a historic night.”

The round-robin stage will conclude on July 26.

The top two finishers from each section will advance to the quarterfinal and subsequent semi-final rounds.

Winner of the event will collect $500 000 and the championship trophy, with the second-, thirdand fourth-place finishers copping $300 000, $200 000 and $100 000 respectively and the corresponding trophy.

They will also automatically seal a place in the National Championship in August.

To date Beacons (Bartica Champions), Melanie-B (East Coast Demer-

Battle for golf supremacy this weekend THE Lusignan Golf Club (LGC) will be the place to be this weekend as players and spectators prepare for the first major two-day event of the year, one in which all the top players in the country will compete for bragging rights.

This year, the Ministry of Business - Department of Tourism, headed by Director General Donald Sinclair, came on as the main sponsor for the event.

Sinclair was extremely happy to be a part of the tournament stating, “With the sport of golf rising to national importance in the country, interest has grown in the game and we now have excellent golfers who are able to perform creditably on the world stage”.

Meanwhile, president of

the LGC, Aleem Hussain, stated that this year promises to be a magnificent showdown as many international golfers will challenge the local players for the title of best golfers in Guyana.

“This tournament will showcase the tremendous talent we have and prepare our players for the Suriname Open in a few weeks,” he stated.

There will be a battle because defending champion Avinash Persaud who will have to fight off Munaf Arjune, Chandra Lakeraj, Richard Haniff, Mike Mangal, Patrick Prasad, Kassim ‘Suga’ Khan, Kevin and Sando Dindanauth and Hussain to retain his title.

In the other Men’s flights, there will be fierce competition as the huge expected field

will jostle for the winners’ circle with top players such as Troy Cadogan, Guillermo Escarraga, Miguel Oviedo, Angel Amaris, Mario Acuna, Jordi Pinol, Jeremy Fernandes, George Bulkan, Ivan Gavira, Mauro Gamargo-Ramiro, Aasrodeen Shaw, Carlos Carbo, Clifford Reis, Ian Gouveia,

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Friday, July 19, 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)

(1) (2)

Answers to yesterday’s quiz:

Rohit Sharma-5 centuries 31 centuries

Today’s Quiz:

(1) Who hit most sixes in ICC World Cup 2019?

(2) Which bowler conceded most runs in a single innings?

ANSWERS IN TOMORROW’S ISSUE

Christine Sukhram

Imtiaz Subhan, Lekhnarine Shivraj, Mahindra ‘Rommel” Bhagwandin, Ayube Subhan, Mahindranauth Tewari, Maxim Mangra, Parmanand ‘Max’

Persaud, Pur Persaud, Pope Emanuel London, Rabindranauth Persaud, Robert Hanoman, Maurice Solomon, William Walker, Brian Hackett, Jax Harry, Brian Glasford, Roy Cummings, Pandit Haresh Tiwari, Robin Tiwari, Paton George, Eon Blue, Kalyan Tiwari, Mike Guyadin, Lloyd Fungafat, Colin Ming, Carlos Adams, Rohan Albert, Hardeo ‘Curry’ Ganpat, Pastor Ragnauth,, David Harry, Mark Lashley, and Gavin Todd along with approximately 12 other local and international golfers expected to participate, along with past presidents Hilbert Shields, Jerome Khan and Oncar Ramroop.

Nine-time Guyana Open Women’s Champion Christine Sukhram will make her first 2019 appearance in an effort to show that she is still the top female golfer in the country while former Guyana Open women’s champions Shanella Webster and Dr Joaan Deo, along with Anasha Ally, Errin Mitchell, Kari Emhling and Eureka Giddings will do their best to wrest top honours from the field.

Christine, who has dominated the women’s field for many years will be tested this year but feels that her talent and ability will withstand the competition.

For more information please contact the club at 220-5660 or visit their Facebook page - lusignangolfclub.

ara winners), Brothers United (West Demerara/ East Bank Demerara winners), Trafalgar (Berbice champions) and High Rollers (Linden champions) are the teams to have secured automatic berths to the national championship.

FRIDAY (TODAY) NATIONAL CULTURAL CENTRE: (1) North East vs Rising Stars (2) Charlotte St vs Albouystown-B (3) LA Ballers vs Broad Street (4) Leopold Street vs Albouystown-A (5) Tiger Bay vs Future Stars (6) Gold is Money vs John Street (7) Back Circle vs Sophia (8) Sparta Boss vs Alexander Village Tomorrow (July 20) Berlin tarmac (1) LA Ballers vs John

Street - 19:00hrs (2) Tiger Bay vs Albouystown-A - 19:30hrs (3) Alexander Village vs Albouystown-B - 20:00hrs (4) Back Circle vs Rising Stars - 20:30hrs (5) Leopold Street vs Future Stars - 21:00hrs (6) North East vs Sophia - 21:30hrs (7) Sparta Boss vs Charlotte St - 22:00hrs (8)Gold is Money vs Broad Street - 22:30hrs Friday (July 26) National Cultural Centre (1) Alexander Village vs Charlotte St - 19:00hrs (2) Broad Street vs John Street - 19:30hrs (3) Albouystown-A vs Future Stars - 20:00hrs (4) Sophia vs Rising Stars - 20:30hrs (5) LA Ballers vs Gold is Money - 21:00hrs (6) Leopold Street vs Tiger Bay - 21:30hrs (7) North East vs Back Circle - 22:00hrs (8) Sparta Boss vs Albouystown - B-22:30hrs

Grove Hi Tech, Mocha Champs and Agricola Red Triangle are latest winners

IN the latest round of matches of the East Bank Football Association leg of the GFF/NAMILCO Thunderbolt Flour Power U-17 League, Grove Hi Tech, Mocha Champs and Agricola Red Triangle were victorious.

Playing at the GFF Training Facility, Providence, East Bank Demerara, Grove, on account of a double each from Devon Padmore (4th, 33rd), Rasheed Evans (7th, 34th) and Samuel Garnett in the 11th and 16th minutes romped to a comfortable 7-1 win over Diamond United Football Club.

The other goal for Grove was scored by Solomon Ward in the 68th minute while Diamond United’s consolation goal came off the boot of Carlos Wilkie in the 45th minute.

Mocha Champs got past Friendship All Stars 4-1.

Goals from Genesis Lewis in the 33rd minute, Yohance Porter in the 39th minute, Tyreece Prowell (45th) and Anthony McRae in the 58th minute secured Mocha’s win.

Friendship pulled one back through Stephon Harry in the 56th minute.

Agricola defeated Soesdyke Falcons 7-0, led by a brace each from Demanie Corte (18th, 27th), Floyd Boyce (33rd, 57th) and Brion Lambert in the 40th and 62nd minutes. Ryan Roberts converted the other goal in the 60th minute.

No matches would be played this weekend.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, July 19, 2019

35

R&D Engineering Inc. supports Jefford Classic X R&D Engineering Inc. on Wednesday handed over its support for the upcoming Jefford Track and Field Classic X, scheduled for Sunday, August 11 at the Mackenzie Sports Club (MSC) ground, Linden.

Founder of the Classic, Edison Jefford, thanked the construction company for its support, indicating that the gesture will sponsor the Masters Male 60m and one other event.

Jefford said that the cash incentives will go directly to the athletes as opposed to the clubs.

According to Jefford, securing the athletes’ cash prizes was a top priority of his and he is heartened by the support to ensure that the athletes are rewarded properly after they compete at the meet in Linden. He said that athletes will collect their incentives immediately at the prize-giving ceremony after their respective events.

A total of $2M will be handed out directly to the athletes in Linden. Each event

carries a total purse of $80 000 with the winner carrying home $40 000, second place $25 000 and third place $15 000. Jefford indicated that he has already

secured the athletes’ cash prizes and medals.

Managing Director of R&D Engineering, Reginald Roach, said that his company

A FOUR-day Cricket West Indies (CWI) Level One coaching programme commenced yesterday at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence, where over two dozen cricketers, coaches, administrators and enthusiasts will look to qualify themselves with the CWI Level One certificate.

Colin Stuart

Senior Supervisor at R&D Engineering, Marvin Duke (left), hands over the sponsorship to Edison Jefford yesterday at the company’s North Road office

Inaugural Summer Super Cup football continues tonight with double-header

THE Divine Entertainment inaugural Summer Super Cup invitational football championship continues tonight with a double-header on what is the third playing night.

Milerock, who on Wednesday lost to Botofago 2-1, will face Silver Shattas in a must-win situation in a Group D clash from 19.00hrs. .

In the second game which is a Group C affair, Amelia’s Ward Panthers, who drew their opening encounter 1-1, are now hoping to secure a win as they face Blueberry Hill from 21.00hrs at the Mackenzie Sports Club (MSC) ground.

Both matches are important as the 12-team, four-group format has only accommodation for the top clubs to advance for semi-fi-

will continue to be associated with Jefford and is proud to offer him support for a venture he came to him with many years ago.

CWI Level 1 coaching programme commences

nal play .

Thus it is important that Milerock assert themselves in this final Group D game in the round-robin format if they want to stand any chance of advancing.

Shattas, on the other hand, are seeking a win that will make them stand a good chance when they then face Botofago, who would have started out on a winning note on Wednesday night, when they were led to that win through goals by Tyrese Davidson in the 8th minute and Jamal Haynes in the 15th minute of play.

The consolation goal for Milerock was scored by Colwyn Davidson in the 74th minute.

On Wednesday night also Haynes and Lewis Winners Connection and

Capital FC played to a 1-1 draw in a Group C game.

Cedric Hunte nailed in the first goal of the game in the 21st minute for Winners Connection, who could not hold that advantage, as in the 86th minute Capital FC pulled even through Emmanuel Atkins.

Amelia’s Ward Panthers, playing in Group B where the other team, Net Rockers, are hopeful that they win tonight in their second game that will conclude their round-robin campaign. They and Net Rockers played to a 1-1 stalemate in their opening game.

They now face Blueberry Hill who would also be looking to win against Panthers thereby strengthening their hopes of advancing with a win.

(Joe Chapman)

The programme is to be conducted by the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Territorial Developmental Officer Colin Stuart and Kumar Rampat of Trinidad and Tobago.

Stuart, a former West Indies fast bowler, stated that the Level One coaches are expected to target clubs, so that the recommended information can be handed

down to the players which will help them to further enhance their abilities.

“One of the objectives is to create an environment that would help players to consistently perform to the best of their ability in different circumstances and achieve their goals,” he said.

Those earmarked for the Level One are: Anil Persaud, Jitlal Jowharilall, Anthony D’Andrade, Ravishwar Latif, Dhanpaul, Vishual Singh, Jermaine Neblett, Andrew Williams, Ameer Rahaman, Marvin Fitzalbert, Fitzroy Culley, Darnell Douglas, Debra Daniels, Romario Shepherd, Heathcliff Peters, Colin Bynoe, Kavita Yadram, Leon Johnson, Steven Jacobs, Veerasammy Permaul, Akshaya Persaud, Antony Adams, Assad Fudadin, Gregory Crandon, Kwasi Maltay, Kenroy Joseph, Keyron Fraser, Subrina Munroe, Clive Grimmond, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Ryan Hercules, Travis Dowlin, Darien Best, Kumar Bishundial, Yeuraj Khemraj, Rayburn Gonsalves, Nadir Baksh and David Baird.

Time right for Gayle to walk away, insists Roberts WEST Indies fast-bowling great Andy Roberts has hailed star batsman Chris Gayle as one of the game’s ‘great players’ but is convinced the time is right to walk away.

The 39-year-old Gayle had initially revealed plans to retire from international cricket following the ICC World Cup but seemed to have a change of heart just ahead of the tournament. The batsman instead targetted the regional team’s home series against India as possibly his final matches for the West Indies.

The batsman did not, however, have an outstanding World Cup, scoring a total of 242 runs in nine matches as the team limped to a ninth-place finish. Roberts, however, does not believe the player’s form merits immediate selection to the squad for the series.

“I watched Chris in the One Day series in the Caribbean (against England), I watched Chris in the

World Cup and I am yet to see Chris Gayle play a cover drive on the ground in any of the innings he has played, off the front foot.

ground and I don’t think youngsters can learn from that,” Roberts told the Antigua Observer.

“Chris has been one of our great players and I

West Indies veteran opener Chris Gayle

“He takes his time early and I don’t know the reason because I’ve seen in the early stage he gets a lot of balls to hit, but he’s just playing himself in and then after that he just tries to hit everything out of the

make no bones in saying that, but the time has come that we have to let the greatness speak for itself instead of trying to go on to achieve what he didn’t do, because most West Indians were hoping that he would do.”

Lady Jags hunting three points against table-leaders St Lucia tonight Page

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Lady Jags will go hunting tonight against St Lucia as the two undefeated teams face-off in the CONCACAF U-20 Women’s Championship Qualifiers. (Samuel Maughn photos)

Reigning golf champion Avinash Persaud wary of the 31 challenges

St Lucia’s Krysan St Louis (#7) in action during her hat-trick performance against Antigua and Barbuda.

She is Group A’s leading goalscorer with five goals

GMR&SC National Race of Champions Round 2

Seebarran, Vieira are MOTUL brand ambassadors 31 Page

Page

Avinash Persaud

ICC suspends Zimbabwe Cricket over government interference (REUTERS) - Zimbabwe were suspended from the International Cricket Council (ICC) on Thursday, with the world governing body saying the country’s cricket administration was not free from government interference.

The ICC Board unanimously decided to freeze funding to national governing body Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) and ban the southern African country’s teams from international events.

“We do not take the decision to suspend a Member lightly, but we must keep our sport free from political interference,” ICC chairman Shashank Manohar said in a statement here.

“What has happened in Zimbabwe is a serious breach of the ICC Constitution and we cannot allow it to continue unchecked.”

Zimbabwe’s Sports and Recreation Commission (SRC) suspended ZC last month, putting the national cricket board on a collision course with the ICC. Zimbabwe failed to qualify for the recent 50-overs World Cup, having struggled to schedule matches against the major teams in international cricket as their financial position worsened.

The country first became a full ICC member in 1992 and enjoyed an impressive run at the 1999 World Cup, narrowly missing out on a semi-final spot.

GT Motorsports’ Marketing Consultant Jennifer Cipriani is flanked by MOTUL’s new brand ambassador Superbike champion (left) Matthew Vieira and Raymond Seebarran. (Stephan Sookram photo)

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FRIDAY, JULY 19, 2019