Guyana_Chronicle_Epaper_08_14_2019

WEDNESDAY 14th August, 2019

' No.105729

Economy upbeat at half year PAGE

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…growth rate pegged at 4.5%; to meet double digits from next year

Chicken shortage soon over --Poultry Assoc. 02 PAGE

Guyana records 77 per cent pass rate at CSEC SEE PAGE 17

Guyana 12th in oil reserves league

With an increased sense of security and reassurance, particularly in areas where the crime rate is high, persons are praising the implementation of the CCTV (closed-circuit television) cameras in Georgetown (Adrian Narine photo)

SEE PAGE 03

…dubbed newest ‘petrostate’, potentially richest by Bloomberg

Stakeholders

praise installation of CCTV cameras SEE PAGE 15

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, August 14, 2019

Chicken shortage soon over –Poultry Assoc.

By Jared Liddell

THE Guyana Poultry Producers Association is optimistic that the current chicken shortage will soon come to an end.

The Association says that based upon the hatching and growth period of chickens, the country is on track to seeing the regularisation of chicken production by mid-August.

It said Tuesday in a press statement that because Suriname’s import duty on chicken was at one time only five per cent, large quantities of chicken were being smuggled into Guyana after being legally imported into Suriname from America and Brazil.

This smuggling, the organisation said, is what contributed to a surplus of chicken on the local market, since the local poultry producers, unable to estimate the amount of smuggled chicken entering the country, continued producing as per normal.

According to the Association, many of the rearers, upon learning of the smuggling, decided to cut back on their production out of fear that if trends continued, their chicken were going to exceed their expected lifespan.

The chicken glut lasted from the end of May 2018 to March 2019. But in June 2019, the Suriname authorities increased their duty on imported chicken from five per cent to 40 per cent, which negatively affected the chicken smuggling business.

Proprietor of Padrak Poultry and Plucking Centre, Ricky Sawh, when asked for an update on the chicken rearing business, told the Guyana Chronicle that besides rearing his own chicken, he also outsources from a few other farms. He, however, said that of late, he along with several other chicken rearers have begun to resume producing at a close to normal rate.

As he went on to explain, not all of the farms have been producing, since they would have noticed that the hatchlings

have not been growing to their expected size.

The estimated weight for a chicken at six weeks is around five pounds, but those currently being reared only weigh about three pounds and a little over.

Chicken producer and proprietor of D. Arjune and Sons just Tuesday transported over a 1000 chickens to his farm, and he spoke on the situation, stating that from the current trends, chicken production is well on the way to returning to normalcy by the end of August.

Asked about size, he explained that growth rate is largely affected by weather patterns, and that the excessive heat we in Guyana have been experiencing of late has been a major contributing factor to the chickens not growing to their expected sizes. But he is not bothered by this; he is positive that once the heat level reduces, the chickens will grow at its normal rate.

The size of chicken on the market these days

Ricky Sawh, proprietor of PADRAK Poultry and Plucking Centre (Photos by Adrian Narine)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, August 14, 2019

Guyana 12th in oil reserves league …dubbed newest ‘petrostate’, potentially richest by Bloomberg

GUYANA is on the verge of becoming the world’s newest petrostate and potentially the richest, Bloomberg said in an article on Tuesday.

“In 2015, Exxon Mobil Corp. made what one of its executives described as a ‘fairytale’ discovery in the vast Stabroek exploration block off the Guyanese coast. Since then, it’s found so much oil that by the mid2020s Guyana, with a population of about 778,000, will probably produce more crude per citizen than any other country,” Kevin Crowley wrote in his article ‘The World’s Newest Petrostate Isn’t Ready for a Tsunami of Cash.’

Alluding to the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), Bloomberg noted that Guyana’s reserves would make it OPEC’s 12th-largest member after Angola. At the time of the compilation of the report, US oil giant ExxonMobil had projected that there were 5.5 billion barrels of oil equivalent resource in the Stabroek Block based on the finds to date. However, that figure has been upgraded to 6 billion barrels. Based on 2018 statistics, Venezuela has the largest barrels of oil reserves with 302.8B followed by Saudi Arabia with 267.0 barrels and Iran with 155.6 barrels.

Bloomberg noted that at Exxon’s Investor Day meeting at the New York Stock Exchange last March, Guyana took center stage. “It’s not hard to see why. Senior Vice President Neil Chapman—the exec who’d once described the Stabroek find as a “fairytale”—pointed to a chart featuring estimates

from Wood Mackenzie Ltd., an Edinburgh-based energy consulting firm. It showed that Exxon’s Guyana wells will be the most profitable of all new deep-water projects by major oil companies,” it observed.

Company would produce approximate 120,000 barrels of oil per day and gradually increase that amount to 750,000 per day by 2025.

The Government anticipates that it would rake in approximately US$300M in

recoverable resources. The company is now preparing to drill its second well – Joe - also in the Orinduik Block while the non-operated Carapa-1 well is also expected to be drilled later this year on the adjacent Kanuku Block

22.9 per cent in 2020 and 2021 respectively. This is according to the NASDAQ Stock Market, which is an American stock exchange.

It is the second-largest stock exchange in the world by market capitalisation, behind

View of the Guyana Shore Base from one of the supply ships which sends materials to the offshore drilling site (Photographer: Natalie Keyssar for Bloomberg Markets)

In preparation of oil production in 2020, the floating production storage and offloading vessel – FPSO Liza Destiny – is making its way to Guyana. It is due to arrive on September 18. The FPSO will be used by ExxonMobil for the production and processing of hydrocarbons, and the storage of oil.

It is expected that the Oil

2020 alone and by 2025, a whopping US$5B. ExxonMobil is gearing up for product at a time when Tullow Guyana B.V – a subsidiary of UK-based oil company Tullow Oil plc, has found oil offshore Guyana at its Jethro-1 well in the Orinduik Block. That find is projected to be more than 100 million barrels of

Guyana’s reserves would make it OPEC’s 12th-largest member

test the Cretaceous oil play.

With Exxon’s successes, Tullow Guyana remains very optimistic about its prospects.

According to the Director of the Department of Energy Dr. Mark Bynoe, the successful discoveries to date offer significant potential for the diversification of the country’s hydrocarbon production base. He said his department will continue to work assiduously and conscientiously to extract optimum value from these resources for all Guyanese.

Guyana’s economy, with a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of $3.63 billion, a growth rate of 4.1 per cent in 2018 and 4.6 per cent in 2019, is expected to further grow by 33.5 per cent and

only the New York Stock Exchange located in the same city.

NASDAQ said, with a per-capita income of $5,194, Guyana is a middle-income country and is covered by dense forest. It is home to fertile agricultural lands and abundant natural resources. Gold, bauxite, sugar, rice, timber and shrimp are among its leading exports.

Back in 2000, the U.S. Geological Survey identified the Guyana-Suriname Basin as the second highest resource potential among unexplored oil basins in the world. ExxonMobil (U.S.), Esso (U.S.), Hess, Repsol (Spain), Anadarko (U.S.), Total (France), Tullow Oil (UK), and CGX Energy (Canada) have been a part

of exploration and drilling activities over the years.

ExxonMobil Guyana has made 13 discoveries since 2015 and plans to begin producing up to 120,000 barrels of oil per day from the Liza Phase One development in early 2020. Guyana is projected to be among the world’s largest per-capita oil producers by 2025.

Early this year, the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) projected a 4.6 per cent growth rate for Guyana this year even as it updated its growth projections on economic activity for this year for the Region’s countries. In the updated projections, ECLAC slightly lowers its estimate for the regional average to 1.3 per cent compared with the 1.7 per cent foreseen in December 2018, when the institution released its annual report ‘Preliminary Overview of the Economies of Latin America and the Caribbean 2018’.

Recently, in an interview with this newspaper, Finance Minister, Winston Jordan, said that, despite the political fallout following the no-confidence motion, there has been no disruption to the economy which grew by 4.1 per cent last year.

Describing the nation’s economic performance as “solid”, Minister Jordan said the sectors responsible for the “better than expected performance” were sugar, livestock, forestry, gold, diamonds and the wholesale and retail trades. The private sector has been saying that due to “uncertainties” economic activities have slowed. It (the private sector) however, has not produced actual data and method used to arrive at the claims.

Last year ’s growth came on the heels of a less than three per cent GDP growth rate in 2017 and bettered the 3.4 per cent growth which was initially projected in November of 2018. The latter was based on figures at hand and projections, explained the minister.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, August 14, 2019

Canada’s Trudeau calls for action ―as gun violence spikes in Toronto

TORONTO (Reuters) Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Tuesday that a recent spate of gun violence, in the country’s biggest city, Toronto

requires a “common sense firearms policy” and called for action.

With the number of shooting incidents rising rapidly in Toronto this summer,

Trudeau met with the city’s mayor, John Tory as provincial, municipal and federal governments in Canada scrambled to respond to the outbreak of violence.

Toronto has seen an increase in gun violence in 2019 so far, with 267 shootings resulting in 20 deaths and 132 injuries, according the police. That compares to 248 shootings, 30 deaths and 109 injuries in the same period of 2018. Seventeen people were shot over the holiday weekend last week.

Toronto’s gun violence has been blamed on illegal guns and gang violence.

While deaths by shootouts in Canada is negligible compared to the United States, gun control is rapidly shaping up to become a significant issue in the upcoming Canadian federal election in

October.

Trudeau stopped short of promising a handgun ban, as the cities of Toronto and Montreal have publicly asked for.

“Recent shootings have underscored the need for commonsense firearms policy,” Trudeau said at a press conference after the meeting with Tory. “We need action.

But Mayor Tory and I agree that we can’t simply arrest our way out of this problem.”

On Monday, the federal and Toronto municipal governments pledged Cdn$1.5M ($1.13 million) each in new funding to the Toronto Police Service to help combat gun

violence.

The Ontario provincial government re-announced a previous funding commitment made in 2018, and said they would authorize Cdn$1.5M ($1.13 million) of it “to be used to put boots on the ground where they are needed,” a press release from Premier Doug Ford’s office on Monday said.

Trudeau said that the problem needed a holistic solution, including more safe community spaces for young people, but blamed the Ford government for blocking applications to those grants.

“That’s not acceptable,” Trudeau said.

Clashes at Hong Kong airport after flights halted ―as political crisis deepens

HONG KONG (Reuters) Police and protesters clashed at Hong Kong’s international airport on Tuesday after flights were disrupted for a second day as the political crisis in the former British colony deepened.

In Washington, U.S. President Donald Trump said the Chinese government was moving troops to the border with Hong Kong and he urged calm.

Trump said the situation in Hong Kong was tricky, but he hoped it would work out for everybody, including China, and “for liberty” without anyone getting hurt or killed.

Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam warned that Hong Kong risked being “smashed to pieces”.

Demonstrators who have been protesting for the past nine weeks against Beijing’s growing influence in the special administrative region targeted the international airport for a second day on Tuesday.

Thousands of black-clad protesters jammed the terminal chanting, singing and waving banners.

Scuffles broke out in the evening after an injured man

was held by a group of protesters. Some claimed he was an undercover mainland Chinese agent, and initially refused to let him leave.

Medics, however, bundled him onto a stretcher and forced their way through jeering throngs to an ambulance.

Several police vehicles were blocked by protesters, and riot police moved in amid chaotic scenes, using pepper spray to keep people back. A policeman pulled out a gun at one point.

Protesters also barricaded some passageways in the airport with luggage trolleys, metal barriers and other objects.

Others clambered onto checkin counters as the protesters appeared to control part of the airport for a short while. At least two protesters were taken away by police.

Another mainland Chinese man was held and tied down by protesters at the airport after they thought he was posing as a reporter. The editor-in-chief of the State-run Global Times newspaper, Hu Xijin, tweeted that the man was a journalist with the paper. He was later taken away by ambulance.

The situation calmed down after a few hours without the violence worsening, and the crowds thinned out. Local media reported that an injunction had been issued by a local court to clear the airport of protesters.

The action followed an unprecedented shutdown of the airport on Monday. Hong Kong’s Airport Authority said operations had been “seriously disrupted” on Tuesday, and departing passengers had been unable to reach immigration counters.

The weeks of protests began as opposition to a now-suspended bill that would have allowed suspects to be extradited to mainland China, and have swelled into wider calls for democracy.

Demonstrators say they are fighting the erosion of the “one country, two systems” arrangement that enshrined some autonomy for Hong Kong since China took it back from Britain in 1997.

The increasingly violent clashes between police and protesters have roiled the Asian financial hub. Hong Kong’s stock market fell to a seven-month low on Tuesday.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, August 14, 2019

Rowley fires McDonald as deputy PNM leader PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC –Less than 24 hours after he fired her as public administration minister, Prime Minister and political leader of the ruling People’s National Movement (PNM) has removed Marlene McDonald as the party’s deputy leader.

“As The Political Leader of the People’s National Movement, I have today revoked the appointment of Ms. Marlene McDonald as Deputy Political Leader of the PNM,’ Rowley said in a one-paragraph post on his Facebook page.

On Monday, McDonald,

who was unable to attend a magistrate’s court hearing because of illness, has been

granted two million dollars (One TT dollar=US$0.16 cents) bail after being

Marlene McDonald

charged with four other people on several offences of conspiracy to defraud the government.

McDonald’s husband, Michael Carew is among those charged. He had been given bail in the sum of TT$500,000. They are all due to return to court on September 9.

The magistrate read a total of 49 charges, with the offences ranging from conspiracy to defraud the government, and money laundering, dating back to several years ago when McDonald was part of a former PNM administration. The crimes are alleged to have

taken place between November 8, 2007 and August 11, 2017.

McDonald, 61, faces seven charges, including two for conspiracy to defraud the State. She is also is charged with misbehaviour in public office.

Her removal from the Cabinet is the third time since the PNM came to power in 2015 that McDonald has been sacked from the Cabinet.

She was sacked as Minister of Housing and Urban Development on 17 March, 2016 while being the subject of an Integrity Commission investigation into her role in

T&T prison officers on alert PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC – National Security Minister Stuart Young said Tuesday that national security law enforcement and intelligence agencies were on high alert after threatening messages had been posted on social media calling for the killing of “any two (prison) officers”.

In a statement, Young said that he wanted to give “full assurance that the safety and security of prison officers remains a top priority for the Ministry of National Security”.

He said he wanted to “strongly” denounce the “circulation of threatening messages being made against prison officers”, and was assuring the nation “that all National Security law enforcement and intelligence agencies are

on high alert and are working cohesively to support the safety of prison officers”.

Commissioner of Prisons, Gerard Wilson, has urged prison officers to exercise caution and vigilance, especially when off-duty, noting also that security agencies were now on high alert, and directives have been put in place.

Wilson said security would also be provided to officers who live in what are deemed ‘high risk’ areas.

“This advisory comes after several threats began circulating via the WhatsApp medium, indicating a plot to ‘kill any two officers,’” he said in a statement.

Earlier this week, Sherry Ann Watson, the 51-year-old ex-wife of a prison officer, was shot outside her home in Arima, east of here. Police have not yet indicated a motive

State payments to the Calabash Foundation, which is headed by Carew.

On July 2, 2017 McDonald, an attorney, was fired again after she turned up for her swearing-in ceremony as Minister of Public Utilities, just two days earlier, with alleged gangster, Cedric Burke.

McDonald was first elected to the House of Representatives as the Member for Port-of-Spain South on 5 November, 2007, at which time she was appointed Minister of Community Development, Culture and Gender Affairs.

―after social media threat to ‘kill any two’

for the killing.

Last October, prison officer Darren Francis was shot as he was about to enter his vehicle, and in the past 28 years, 28 prison officers have been killed, including David Boodram, shot during mid-afternoon traffic not far from the prisons in the capital.

In his statement, Young thanked prison officers for “pledging their support to the State, and for their dedication to duty at the nation’s prisons, despite the current challenges”.

He has vowed “to continue working together with the Trinidad and Tobago Prison Service to provide officers with a greater sense of security while performing their duties”.

Regional sugar producers calling for an even playing field

―want governments support for white sugar BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC – The Sugar Association of the Caribbean (SAC) is urging Caribbean Community (CARICOM) governments to strengthen the regional market for Caribbean white sugar by enforcing the Common External Tariff (CET) on imported white sugar.

In a statement posted on its website, the SAC said it may surprise Caribbean consumers to know that currently, the lemonade or cola that they drink is nearly always made with sugar shipped from Guatemala, Brazil, Colombia or Mexico rather than locally produced sugar in the Caribbean.

It said the reasons for this are historical, and a result of longstanding preferential trade agreements with the EU that provided regional producers with a guaranteed high market price for raw cane sugar.

But the SAC said that these preferential arrangements came to an end in October 2017, leading to an increase in European production of beet sugar, and leaving Caribbean producers to sell their sugar at world-market prices; a situation not faced by any other sugar producer worldwide.

“SAC is campaigning for a change in the trade rules for CARICOM governments to adopt as soon as possible the same approach as every other sugar-producing region on the planet, thereby creating the right market conditions for a sustainable and successful future for the Caribbean sugar industry.”

The SAC said the solution it is putting forward to CARICOM and regional governments is to strengthen the regional market for Caribbean white sugar by enforcing the Common External Tariff on imported white sugar.

“This would allow investment in production to proceed

and allow regional producers to focus on supplying the needs of their natural customers – manufacturers of products like lemonade and cola in the region who are the most significant buyers of white sugar.”

The SAC said that around the world, sugar producers supply their local markets first, noting that governments encourage this by placing tariffs on imported sugar from overseas.

“Local producers then sell any excess sugar that they can’t sell locally on the world market. Because sugar on the world market is “excess”, the price varies hugely depending on global demand and supply. “ The SAC, a a trade association supporting the interests of sugar producers within CARICOM, warned that without “any barriers to this cheap world market sugar entering the market, it becomes uneconomic to invest in regional production of the higher value sugars – at present, the most expensive to produce highly refined sugars are often available in CARICOM even more cheaply than unrefined raw sugar.

“Selling Caribbean sugar on the world market year-onyear for CARICOM producers is simply not an option, with a highly volatile commodity price and volumes of sugar being sold on the world market being sold even below the production cost of the lowest-cost producers such as Brazil,” said the SAC, which represents four national sugar industries with competing sugar mills and production across Jamaica, Guyana, Belize and Barbados.

It said CARICOM manufacturers are faced with huge uncertainty over the price they will pay for world-market sugar.

“Some years, it has been well over double the price.

The world market is not reliable for either producers or buyers,” it added.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, August 14, 2019

Government unwavering in its support for credible national elections

T

HERE are those who look upon government as being an institution of pomp and ceremony. But government is more than the latter perception, since it is also about the endowment and exercise of power and authority.

But these key attributes, which are inherent in such an institution as a means of getting its functions done, also have a responsibility which is owed to the citizens from whose mandate they are derived for its exercise on their behalf. In other words, though power and authority, in themselves, reside in the daily functions of government, they are derived from the people who expect that they be deployed to advance their interests, and that of the State in which they live, benefitting from its results. It is most natural for citizens to expect of any government, that the latter uses its power and authority for the protection and upholding of their democratic rights.

Among the most critical aspect of any government, in the exercise of its power and authority to govern, is to guarantee that such are used to foster and consolidate the democratic process, which means the rights of the people, ensuring that such are always upheld. But this can only be done in a democratic society, and by a like-minded government that

understands the imperatives of its sacred duty of governance, and the honest use of its power and authority inherent of such a process.

This explains the democratic policy of governance of the David Granger administration since its ascension to office, and its unwavering determination in safeguarding these rights of citizens as enshrined in the Constitution.

It further illuminates its current position in supporting and defending an electoral machinery that is untainted and able to manage and prepare for national and regional elections that must have as its electoral epicenter ‘a clean voters’ list which can only be properly derived from the legally and compulsory exercise of house-to-house registration.

There is no truly democratic society with a similar government that ignores this most significant process of undisputed national elections, the results of which results can be able to withstand scrutiny. The latter can only be a boon and a blessing to democracy.

For those who must be reminded, the annals of modern-day history is chronicled with many examples of seriously disputed national elections that have taken place as a result of corrupted or tainted voter’s lists. In every jurisdic-

tion where such would have occurred, there has been very serious social stresses, ranging from massive street protests to extreme antagonisms. No society that believes in the sanctum of democratic principles and all that such principles entail, including a free and fair electoral process in which their vote must be honest, will countenance such a disrespect to its rights. And no government, either, that has steadfastly defended the democratic process, will commit such an electoral heresy as allowing national elections from a National Electoral Register that is padded/ tainted/corrupted.

Further, in every democratic State, even where there is an independent constitutional electoral body, in our case, GECOM, the incumbent government is obligated, both morally and legally, to support its endeavour for an electoral procedure that emanates from an unchallenged list, compliments, of course, of a national registration process. And this is exactly what the A Partnership for National Unity+Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) government has continued to do, all within the laws of Guyana. Therefore, how can it be wrong to support house-to-house registration, which is a legitimate expectation of the people.

Jagdeo is a threat to peace, stability and good governance Dear Editor,

THE following response addresses the charge made against me by the PPP/C in a press release issued over the weekend pointing out the fact that the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) did not give a deadline or specific date for elections is misleading.

As I respond, I am cognisant that I do not possess the wherewithal of the PPP to guaranteed coverage in the media, and I rather suspect the importance of this conversation will not be resolved over one or two statements, but will be followed by a barrage of attacks, which I am prepared to address. I trust equal access will be granted.

The PPP/C requested of the CCJ that an order be made for elections to be held by September 18 2019 (see Stabroek News, July 11, 2019 ‘‘Jagdeo asks CCJ to order elections be held by September 18). The Court never granted the request (see Stabroek News, July 13, 2019 “CCJ dubs gov’t ‘caretaker’ but elections date a no-go”).

In fact, on the matter of election, the CCJ expressly said, “Article 106 of the Constitution invested the President and the National Assembly (and implicitly in GECOM), responsibilities that impact on the precise timing of the elections, which must be held. It would not, therefore, be right for the Court, by issuance of coercive orders or detailed directives, to presume to instruct these bodies on how they must act, and thereby preempt the performance of their constitutional responsibilities.”

Refer to item [7] here- http://www.ccj.org/wp-content/ uploads/2019/07/2019-CCJ-14-AJ.pdf The failure of the PPP/C to get the CCJ to grant their requested date for election saw them doubling over to deceive society, local and international stakeholders by giving the impression that September 18 is a directive of the Court. In this regard, it is evident from media coverage that the PPP has a cadre of surrogates to drive this deception as they individually and collectively engage in bullying tactics that seek to bring the judiciary and our legal system into disrepute as well as further divide this nation.

Readers must note none of the quotations cited from the CCJ ruling supports their call that the election should be held by September 18. They have no evidence to bear, and are merely engaging in a PR stunt to mislead. Since the CCJ ruling, Christopher Ram has approached the High Court for a Fixed Date Application that election be held by September 18. This in effect means they are now pursuing a ruling in a lower court that the highest court did not grant. Only the less objective and discerning amongst us will be fooled.

This society awaits the ruling of acting Chief Justice Roxane George-Wiltshire S.C, that September 18 is the date for the election. Until then, it is dishonest to say to the world that the CCJ, or for that matter the judiciary has so ruled, and any results that do not find favour with either parties involved will likely see further pursuit of justice right up to the CCJ. In summary, the PPP/C went to Guyana’s court of last resort, the CCJ, to have an election by September 18. That

Court did not grant the request, so there is now one being heard in the lower court, i.e. the High Court, to have the dateline granted. One notes that much of what we are currently experiencing is as a result of the inability of both sides to come together in mutual respect and embrace the laws that bind them, even as they put aside the political games. Had this been done, the role and functioning of GECOM would be accepted as vital to any elections being held, and therefore these issues could have been resolved in the National Assembly.

On the Rule of Law, the propaganda truism of telling a lie often enough makes it the truth will not tolerated. This present crisis we face must be resolved in a lawful and orderly manner, for it has serious implications for the security and safety.

Meanwhile, lest it be forgotten, the Bharrat Jagdeo-led PPP/C has no moral authority. They also lack credibility in the eyes of anyone with a modicum of decency and belief in the rule of law. They seek to cast aspersions to discredit anyone who speaks truth to power. They are of a special mould that creates much concern and mayhem in the world at various periods of our history.

They are a threat to peace, stability and good governance, the rule of law and unity. Guyanese have every reason to be concerned, if not fearful, of this current era.

Regards, Lincoln Lewis

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, August 14, 2019

OP-ED Comparing performance of two leaders of Guyana

By Rawle Lucas

E

ven though the Guyana economy continued to grow each year after elections in 2015, much criticism has been heaped on the Granger administration about its performance.

Very quickly those who opposed the new government tried leading the people of Guyana to believe that the sky was falling and doomsday was upon the country.

One should indeed wonder about how well a new leader would handle the responsibilities of office when he or she takes up the position for the first time. In a company, a new leader might have an opportunity for onboarding and integration, a grace period for settling into the job. In government, expectations of performance are almost immediate with new and old demands coming to the new leader from all over. People tend to use the first 100 days in political office as the grace period. Even with all the coaching that a new leader of a company might get, she or he would still need time to familiarise herself or himself with the culture and systems of the entity.

Governments must do that too. However, it is during this period of entry and settling that things could go wrong in a company. It is a reason that auditors pay close attention to activities during transition periods when undertaking an audit of an organiza-

tion. They believe that if management survives this period of vulnerability, it can manage an organization successfully into the future.

Traits of leaders Borrowing from the practice of the audit profession, it was thought that

ing leaders or leadership.

However, this writer feels that the performance of the economy is perhaps one of the most objective ways to compare the effectiveness of leaders of a country. Much of the criticism directed at the Granger administration has been coming from the Leader of the Opposition

Rawle Lucas

one could compare the early years of the Jagdeo administration with the early years of the Granger administration to get a sense of the effectiveness of each leader and determine what could be expected from the new leader in the future. The period of vulnerability of a politician goes beyond 100 days or even one year.

It continues through the election cycle. Countries assess their leaders in various ways. People look at various characteristics or traits such as vision, focus, integrity, humility or courage to assess leaders. Most people care also about the economic impact on their lives and they look to their leaders to make things better for them. In fact, most experts would contend that there was no perfect way or instrument for assess-

as one would expect. The performance of the economy would give an idea of how readily and quickly Jagdeo and Granger took control of things when the reins of government fell into their respective hands.

Measure of performance The performance measure that one would normally use is the growth rate of the gross domestic product or GDP of the country.

Many people criticize the use of GDP as a measure of performance because they see it as a defective construct. The construction of the GDP tends to exclude work performed in the home. The GDP figure also relies on estimates and imputations about goods and services that are not sold. However, the GDP

figure is what is used all over the world to measure economic performance. As an objective estimate of performance, the GDP metric removes the emotion and personal bias that can enter an evaluation of a leader’s performance. GDP can therefore be a legitimate metric to measure the performance of leaders of a country. It is their policies and decisions that influence the behaviour of the economy and its ability to grow.

On that score, one has a basis for contrasting the performance of the economy in two different of two different leaders in different time periods. The Table below offers the people of Guyana a perspective of what happened to the economy of the country in the first four years of 2001 to 2004 that the Jagdeo administration was in power and the four years from 2015 to 2018 that the Granger administration has been in power.

Former President Jagdeo was first elected to office in 2001. In an effort to find out how the economy performed under both the elected Leader of the Opposition and the new President, this writer reviewed the annual reports of the Bank of Guyana for the periods that correspond to their respective leaderships.

The annual report of the Bank of Guyana presents in summary form the way that the various sectors and key industries of the economy performed during the reporting period. This article will not be delving into that data.

It merely wishes to point out

the valuable education that one could get from reading the reports of the Bank of Guyana.

That document reports on the production of goods and services in the four sectors of the economy, namely agriculture, manufacturing, mining and services. It also talks about the money supply and credit provided by the banking system; it talks about the public debt and the foreign exchange activities of the country. Other useful data such as inflation rates and the external trade of the country are also contained in the report. All the factors above come together to determine the real output or real GDP of the country. It also provided the GDP data itself that was needed for the comparison.

In the case of the former President, the period of measurement was from 2001 to 2004. In the case of the current President, it was from 2015 to 2018. In the first four years of the Jagdeo administration, the performance of the economy was dismal. The highest growth rate of the economy was 1.9 percent. In the case of Granger, the highest growth rate was 4.1 percent.

Granger’s best performance was more than two times better than that of Jagdeo.

Under the Leader of the Opposition, the economy grew on three occasions and contracted on one occasion.

The economy never contracted under Granger. The slowest growth rate under Granger was better than the best rate of Jagdeo. Persons

might be curious about what happened to the economy in 1999 and 2000. Former President Jagdeo took office in August 1999. Thus, his first full year in office was 2000. In that year, the economy contracted 1.4 percent.

Former President Jagdeo came straight to the job of President from the job of Finance Minister.

That experience apparently did not prove sufficient for him to take on the task of Head of State or manager of the economy. One can see therefore that even with a period in which it could practice and try and get things right, the Jagdeo administration did not manage the Guyana economy very well. In contrast, Granger was able to take what he was given and maintain positive growth rates of the economy throughout the period of assessment.

Despite an overall dismal performance for five years of handling the economy, the people of Guyana did not discriminate against Jagdeo and gave him a second chance at managing the economy.

It is clear that the noise from the Leader of the Opposition since 2015 has drowned out the sound of the good performance by the Granger administration. With by far a better record than Jagdeo as a manager of the economy, the people of Guyana should not discriminate against Granger being returned to office to continue rebuilding and expanding the economy.

The harassment of Baha’ is Dear Editor,

T

HE Revolutionary Court in Bushehr, southern Iran, has sentenced seven members of the Baha’i religious minority to a total of 21 years in jail on the charges of “propagating against the political system.

The state security forces have arbitrarily arrested the seven Baha’is for their faith in February 2018. Their houses were searched and their belongings were confiscated. They were subsequently released on bail before their trial.

The verdict against the Bahais, Minoo Riazati, Ehteram Sheikhi, Asadollah Jaberi, Pooneh Nasheri, Emad Jaberi, Farideh Jaberi and Farrokhlagha Faramarzi has been issued on May 6 after a very brief summary trial. In another development, a Baha’i woman from Semnan, Yalda Firouzian, was arrested on May 1, 2019 by security forces and

transferred to an unknown location. Before her arbitrary arrest, her house was thoroughly ransacked, and her personal belongings and electronic device were confiscated.

On May 1, 2019, civil and women’s rights activist, Mojgan Keshavarz was transferred to the notorious Qarchak prison in Varamin. She is now confined in Ward 7. Ms. Keshavarz was beaten at home in front of her nine-year-old daughter and arrested by security forces. Iran considers its Baha’is to be heretics with no religion. Rights groups say authorities routinely arrest members of Iran’s estimated 300,000-strong Baha’i minority for expressing or practising their beliefs.

International human rights watchdogs, as well as the United Nations have criticised the Islamic Republic for harassing and jailing Baha’is for their belief.

A January 24 report by the London-based rights group,

Amnesty International, says Iran continued a “systematic persecution” of Baha’is last year. It cited the Baha’i International Community organisation as saying Iran “arbitrarily” detained at least 95 Baha’is in 2018.

Iran has repeatedly charged detained Baha’is with national security-related offences without disclosing evidence. The Baha’is in Iran are deprived of university education and the right to work with the government, and their businesses are shut down by the Iranian regime. A large group of Baha’i students who had passed the college entrance exam in 2018 were not admitted to university, and were deprived of continuing their education just because of their faith.

Regards, Rooplall Dudhnath

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, August 14, 2019

Setting the record straight on Dr. Cheddi Jagan and Jagdeo Dear Editor,

understanding of Dr. Jagan by reading his books, pickUYANESE can ing up a copy of his ‘West ill afford to dis- on Trial’ a few months ago. regard the risks Nowhere near completing it; associated with having now navigating the chapter Mr. Bharrat Jagdeo and where the British sent their the PPP back in office ships to Guyana. From the at the upcoming general little that I’ve covered, howand regional elections. ever, I’ve picked up a lot on It is incumbent upon us Dr. Jagan, which I’d like to as a people to under- share with the voting public. stand these risks, from One of the more notable the potential of reinstall- things about Dr. Jagan was ing extrajudicial justice that he was born of Indian alongside our courts, to re- parents (themselves born in institutionalising corrup- India) who came to Guyana tion within the corridors of in 1901 on the same vessel government, to the gross as infants with their parents. mismanagement of our Dr. Jagan’s dad was about natural resources, to wel- two years old, and his mom fare losses that will accrue was around 18 months. due to his retrograde eco- Mom and dad were married nomic policies, because early, as was the tradition such an outcome is not one then, but mom only started that can be easily reversed living with dad at around the in the near future. age of 16 years. Dr. Jagan We are of the opinion was born at Port Mourant on also that great benefits could March 22, 1918. Dr. Jagan’s be derived from being able dad joined his father on the to distinguish between plantation early, and went the PPP’s founder-lead- on to become the ‘driver’ er, Dr. Cheddi Jagan, and (foreman) of a gang. As a Mr. Jagdeo, since this is child, someone had suggestcritical in appreciating the ed that Dr. Jagan showed difference in outcomes of promise, and that he should a PPP government under continue with his education. the leadership of either of As a result, Dr. Jagan was these two individuals. I sent to Queen’s College in myself have sought a better Georgetown. After finishing

G

there, he went to America to study dentistry, and met the love of his life, Janet Rosenburg. She returned with him to Guyana, and together they started his practice.

Most striking about Dr. Jagan was that he carried the memories of his childhood and hard labour endured by his father and mom, who virtually grew up in indentureship, with him, and this seemed to crystalise in his mind, due to his education and exposure in America.

He returned to Guyana, and even though he was able to start his business, he remained restless and searched for avenues in public life in Georgetown, through which he could start tackling what he remembered as the harsh and brutal treatment of his parents by plantation life. Dr. Jagan moved around the various social and political groups, and was active in a number of unions, if I remember well.

Dr. Jagan recognised that he could gain traction representing workers’ rights in this manner, but was a virtual novice in politics at the time, as he himself admitted. His time with the unions exposed more and

more how workers were taken advantage of at the time. He sincerely wanted to make an impact here, and sought to gain publicity by starting the Political Affairs Committee in 1946, and began publishing his ideas and opinions in the PAC Bulletin, and subsequently the Thunder, the newspaper of the People’s Progressive Party, which was formed in Jan 1, 1950.

Dr. Jagan covered a lot of territory, moving up the East Coast and into some of the plantations. He recognised that the exploitative conditions of the plantations received the blessings of the colonial government, and hoped to address workers’ concerns more effectively through political representation in the legislature. Burnham’s membership within the PPP added significant political weight to the party, as it gradually and ultimately received national support of workers at the time. The colonial government of the time recognised this, and sought to sow division within the party by observing, through one of its commissions, something to the effect that the PPP was being dominated by Indians. This

was the spark that eventually led to the split in the PPP, with Burnham initially setting up and naming his party the People’s Progressive Party also, but subsequently relenting in favour of the People’s National Congress.

Dr. Jagan’s initial involvement in trade unionism and starting up the PPP had little or no financial gain or reward for him.

Personally, he had undertaken to assist his siblings, about ten of them, I think, they were, and sent quite a few of them abroad to study. Although Janet did not find favour with Dr. Jagan’s mom initially, she ultimately relented, and praised him for choosing her. Dr. Jagan’s political work was purely selfless in nature. He was genuinely committed to improving the welfare of all workers, although I personally think that he empathised deeply with the lot of sugar workers, in light of the trials he lived to see his parents and brothers and sisters endure at the hands of plantation owners. I think that Dr. Jagan really saw himself in all sugar workers, and all Guyanese as a matter of fact, that given the opportu-

nity, they could all go on to achieve great things in life.

He shared a special bond of family, brotherhood, with sugar workers, and his belief in their capabilities maintained his commitment to improving their lot for the remainder of his life.

Dr. Jagan’s obvious passion and devotion to Guyana’s workers is a stark contrast to Mr. Jagdeo’s own record, particularly in the sugar industry where workers were released from Diamond and LBI without severance, even as he accumulated massive amounts of unexplained wealth. Rice farmers also lost hundreds of millions of dollars to misappropriation involving PPP executives under Jagdeo’s leadership. I close by observing that traditional supporters of the PPP hold the future of Guyana in their hands.

They can catapult forward into the future, or send us back into the corruption and lawlessness of government under Jagdeo.

Regards, Craig Sylvester, Democratic National Congress

Pan Am Games with sports coverages are good for tourism Dear Editor,

D

URING the just-concluded Pan Am Games 2019 in Peru, I stumbled upon production coverages of quite a few events coming out of Lima, and I thought for a second that perhaps Guyana was given some special treatment by the organisers. Little did I know that Team Guyana

actually provided their own private production coverage crew, which I thought was remarkable.

Over the years, I have said that this avenue, ‘Sports Tourism”, is an ideal one to consider, and I am happy to know that Guyana is finally seeing things much clearer. From a Tourism perspective, it’s a brilliant way forward, via sports, to have the

Golden Arrowhead highlighted, and a useful marketing tool to educate the world over that Guyana is alive and kicking.

I am clueless as to who the person/s are with regards to this decision, but I applaud and give credit to those responsible, and hope they continue with this venture at the bigger international events. The Doha World Championships is just around the

corner, and the Tokyo Olympic Games 2020 is fast approaching, and perhaps Sports Guyana can collaborate with Tourism Guyana and the government of the day and make every effort to have the production crew grace their presence and continue with this venture.

Production coverages of this magnitude don’t come cheap, and we all need to pool our resourc-

es, time, effort, energies etc. and keep moving forwards towards progress.

On the flip side of the coin, I understand that Team Guyana might not have been so fortunate again to make it to the podium of any event, but we must embrace their performance at this high-level regional meet, and hope they use it as a booster towards the bigger meets, which

are near, and those are even harder battles that await them. I was elated that Guyana made the finals of the women’s 400m, and it was a breath of fresh air viewing the little icon of the Golden Arrowhead colours among the other flags next to the participating athlete’s name.

Regards, Trevor Pemberton

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, August 14, 2019

MoTP, PAC sign €4.8M GPAS III Agreement

The Protected Areas Commission (PAC) and the Ministry of the Presidency (MoTP), on August 7, 2019 signed a Project Financing Agreement for the implementation of the Guyana Protected Areas System Phase III (GPAS III).

The 4.8 million Euros project focuses on supporting the development of infrastructure in three protected areas in Guyana; community resource use (including livelihood related projects) and capacity building for effective management of the protected areas.

Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of the Presidency, Ms. Abena Moore (left) and Commissioner of the Protected Areas Commission, Mrs. Denise Fraser (right), signing the agreement for the implementation of the Guyana Protected Areas System, Phase III (GPAS III), in the Boardroom of the Ministry of the Presidency, Shiv Chanderpaul Drive, Georgetown

Commissioner of the Protected Areas Commission, Mrs. Denise Fraser, and Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of the Presidency, Ms. Abena Moore, signed the agreement on behalf of the respective agencies, to formalize the channelling of the project funds to the PAC for the implementation of the project, which is a requirement under the project agreement, signed with the donor, KfW Entwicklungsbank (German Development Bank).

The National Protected Areas System (NAPS)

can now look forward to improved infrastructure through the protected areas in the form of a new Guest House at the Kaieteur National Park; Ranger stations and outposts at the Shell Beach Protected Area, Kanuku Mountains Protected Area and the Kaieteur National Park along with offices at Lethem and in Briama-Waini (Region One).

Administrative Di rector, Protected Areas Commission, Mrs. Denise Bentinck and Technical Officer, Ministry of the Presidency Ms. Natasha

Ramdas witnessed the signing. Guyana has already benefited from technical and financial support for the development of the NPAS under two phases of the project, which are expected to be completed by 2022. With the continued support and cooperation between the KfW, the MoTP and the PAC, Guyana will move closer towards the Commission’s vision of a world class protected areas system that protects nature and improves lives. (Ministry of the Presidency)

27 agencies get training in collection of environmental data

Representatives of the 27 agencies, who took part in the recently concluded three-day capacity building workshop on environmental data and statistics collection

The Ministry of the Presidency’s Department of Environment, in collaboration with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Coordinating Office of the Green State Development Strategy (GSDS) recently held a technical capacity building workshop for 35 participants from 27 agencies.

The workshop, which was held from August 6-8, was themed, ‘Enhancing Environmental Statistics for Measurement and Evaluation’.

Speaking in the context of the GSDS: Vision 2040, Director of the Department of the Environment, Ms. Ndibi Schwiers, emphasied the importance of “good quality, verifiable statistics to Guyana’s ability to meet its international commitments to the climate, biodiversity and other environmental agreements and

conventions, and to facilitate evidence-based decision-making.”

Meanwhile, Resident Coordinator of the United Nations (UN) System in Guyana, Ms. Mikiko Tanaka, reiterated the UN’s support to the country in its implementation of the Green State Development Strategy: Vision 2040 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). “The UN System will support Guyana’s renewed efforts to strengthen its data systems, through assistance in the development of a robust monitoring and evaluation framework for the Strategy and in the use of technologies for analysis of ‘big’ data, driving change in the culture of data management,” Ms. Tanaka said.

Additionally, Ms. Donna Levi, who represented the Ministry of Finance, reminded participants of Guyana’s commitment

to the SDGs, as demonstrated by the country’s recent submission of its first Voluntary National Report on the SDGs to the High-Level Political Forum at the UN Secretariat in New York.

“Guyana’s priority is education (SDG 4), and achieving our educational goals will require accurate data for demonstrating progress,” Ms. Levi said.

The Workshop outlined the elements of a statistical roadmap for Guyana, based on a robust foundation of data collection, in accordance with international procedures. It is part of capacity building activities under a project implemented by UNEP titled “Towards coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of the Sustainable Development Goals”. It was held at the Roraima Duke Lodge.

(Ministry of the Presidency)

Police seeking masterminds behind 2011 murder THE Guyana Police F o rc e ’s ( G P F ) M a j o r Crimes Unit has its eyes on the masterminds behind the 2011 murder of Clementine Fiedtkou-Parris at her Lot 42 Robb Street, Georgetown home on the night of June 30.

Two men entered her yard and asked to see her.

When the elderly woman

Dead: Clementine Fiedtkou-Parris

went to her door, a gunman riddled her with bullets before fleeing in a car with his accomplice.

The execution was said to be part of a conspiracy for money and was reportedly linked to a property dispute.

Four men were initially charged, and, during the trial, a caution statement provided by one of the accused

had outlined that there was a plot by someone to murder the elderly woman.

The gunmen were allegedly paid almost $2M to end the woman’s life. In September 2015, the accused were all found guilty, and Justice Navindra Singh sentenced each of them to 81 years in prison.

Following sentencing,

the convicted men all maintained that they were innocent.

Attorneys-at-law George Thomas and Moti Singh subsequently indicated to the court their intention to appeal the convictions.

Convicted are Orwin Hinds of Mocha, East Bank Demerara; Kevin October of Agricola; Cleon Hinds; and

Roy Jacobs of Evans Street, Charlestown Reports indicate that the convicted prisoners in order to mitigate their time in prison have agreed to reveal the names of those involved in the murder plot along with evidence to concretise their story as investigations continue.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, August 14, 2019

Economy upbeat at half year …growth rate pegged at 4.5%; to meet double digits from next year

WITH a vibrant oil and gas industry on the horizon, Guyana’s economy will start growing by double digits from next year.

This was according to a top source, who said that Guyana’s economy will be thriving on the success of various sectors and the advent of petroleum. The country’s potential and acceleration was also proven when the Nasdaq Stock Exchange had reported that Guyana has the fastest growing economy in the world.

The New York-based stock market, the second largest in the world, made note of Guyana’s projected growth rate of 16.3 per cent during the four-year period 2018-2021 in its report.

It said that with a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) size of $3.63 billion (2018 Rank: 160), a growth rate of 4.1 per cent in 2018 and 4.6 per cent in 2019, Guyana’s economy is expected to grow by 33.5 per cent and 22.9 per cent in 2020 and 2021 respectively.

Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan is expected to add more flare to the projections, with real facts on the performance of the economy for the first half of the year today. The minister, at a press conference today, is expected to announce that the country

registered economic growth of over four per cent and that the private sector has accessed billions in financial capital, among other things.

The minister already let some of the cat out of the bag, noting that the country recorded economic growth of four per cent for the first half of the year. He made the announcement during an interview on the National Communication’s Network’s ‘Insight’ Programme on the Voice of Guyana, on Saturday.

“At the half year we have grown four per cent yearon-year, which is basically measuring the first half of the year to the same period last year,” said Jordan, adding

that it is significant from the current standpoint. He made the comment to clear the air on doubts which were created by “certain people.” In that regard, Jordan said the A Partnership for National Unity and Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) government has kept the economy growing from day one.

Meanwhile, Economist Rawle Lucas has endorsed Minister Jordan’s point, noting that it is clear that the noise from the Leader of the Opposition, Bharat Jagdeo has drowned out the sound of the good performance by the President David Granger-led administration, since 2015.

“With by far a better record than Jagdeo as a manager of

the economy, the people of Guyana should not discriminate against Granger being returned to office to continue rebuilding and expanding the economy,” said Lucas in a letter. The economist drew facts from the Bank of Guyana, to measure the performance of Jagdeo as President of Guyana from 2001 to 2004 and President Granger’s performance from 2015 to now.

GRANGER VS JAGDEO According to Lucas, in the first four years of the Jagdeo administration, the performance of the economy was dismal. The highest growth rate of the economy was 1.9 per cent. In the case

The table compares the economy of the country in the first four years of 2001 to 2004 that the Jagdeo administration was in power and the four years from 2015 to 2018 that the Granger administration has been in power

Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan

of President Granger, the highest growth rate was 4.1 per cent.

Granger’s best performance was more than two times better than that of Jagdeo. Under the leader of the opposition, the economy grew on three occasions and contracted on one occasion.

The economy never contracted under President Granger.

“The slowest growth rate under Granger was better than the best rate of Jagdeo.

Persons might be curious about what happened to the economy in 1999 and 2000.

Former President Jagdeo took

office in August 1999. Thus, his first full year in office was 2000. In that year, the economy contracted 1.4 per cent.

Despite an overall dismal performance for five years of handling the economy, the people of Guyana did not discriminate against Jagdeo and gave him a second chance at managing the economy,” said Lucas.

On the other hand, even though the Guyana economy continued to grow each year after elections in 2015, much criticism has been heaped on TURN TO PAGE 12 ►

Over $B owed to MMA/ADA -authority mulling legal action against farmers

FARMERS owe the Mahaica/Mahaicony/Abary Agriculture Development Authority (MMA\ADA) in excess of $1 billion in drainage and irrigation fees.

“One of the biggest challenges which we face, is that farmers are not paying their rates in a timely manner,” said General Manager of the MMA/ADA, Aubrey Charles in an invited comment, on Tuesday.

This, he said, is causing a big strain on the authority, in the sense that the entity is unable to maintain all the drains, canals and structures because of the limited resources which they have at their disposal.

“Every opportunity I have, I try to appeal to farm-

ers to pay their drainage and irrigation charges…a group of farmers came in this morning (Tuesday) and pointed out the deterioration of some sections of the road network,” said Charles.

He informed the farmers that the maintenance of all the drainage and irrigation systems and the roads costs about $14 million per month.

He said it is almost impossible to meet that target because farmers are way behind on their payments.

Despite the late payments, the authority is trying its best to repair the road network, particularly because of the troubles it presents to the rice farmers in the region.

“In Region Five rice farmers account for in excess

General Manager of the MMA/ADA, Aubrey Charles

of 45 per cent of the national paddy or rice produced and if farmers do not get their rice to the mills, it will have a chain effect on the national economy,” said Charles.

He said the ongoing efforts are proof that the MMA

is trying its best to make the road accessible, but on the other hand, the authority is appealing to farmers to pay their charges so that more work can be done.

Once the dues are paid in a timely manner, the MMA/ ADA could provide an efficient drainage and irrigation system, and develop a network of roads that farmers can traverse without hindrance. Although the authority is calling on farmers to pay their outstanding dues, they are not ruling out the option of legal action.

Charles said legal action is the authority’s last resort, but the authority is in the process of fine tuning a list of persons who would possibly be taken to court.

“We have been appealing to farmers. We have wrote them letters, but we have a list which we are fine tuning and those persons whose name appear on that list would be taken to court so that we could have money to run the system,” said the general manager.

The MMA is responsible for all drainage and irrigation work, and administration of all state lands in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice).

Region Five is the only region where the Guyana Lands and Survey Commission does not have responsibility for the management and administration of state lands.

Charles said the construction of the drainage

and irrigation work in the region also falls under the MMA. The authority has intention is to develop the entire area in three phases, with phase one being between the Berbice and Abary rivers; phase two, the Abary and Mahaicony; and the final phase between the Mahaicony and Mahaica Rivers. Only one phase has been completed, but some amount of work was carried out in the other two blocks. In phases one and two, the authority did some amount of work in keeping with the macro plan for those two areas.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, August 14, 2019

Legal Affairs finance chief in pickle

11

…allegedly refuses to pay fees for law students studying in TT …PS writes PSC requesting disciplinary actions THE Ministry of Legal Affairs’ Principal Assistant Secretary (Finance), Simone Allen has failed to pay the 25 per cent economic costs for more than 50 Guyanese students attending the Hugh Wooding Law School in Trinidad and Tobago, citing a lack of approval.

But in response to this major infraction, the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary (ag) Tamika Barkoye has requested that disciplinary action be taken against Allen.

In a Memorandum dispatched to the Public Service Commission (PSC) on August 9, 2019, the Permanent Secretary explained that since 2016, the Government of Guyana granted approval for the payment of 25 per cent of the economic costs for Guyanese students at the Hugh Wooding Law School; however, Allen, without reasonable cause, failed to abide by this decision.

“As a result of the failure of the Principal Assistant Secretary (Finance) to effectively monitor and control the expenditure accounts, a burden was placed on the students (approximately 50 students) to bear that cost. The actions of the aforementioned officer are tantamount to offences of negligence and failure to discharge the duties of post,” the Permanent Secretary said in her letter to the PSC. It was only during a meeting of the Finance Department on August 8, 2019 that it was revealed that the 25 per

cent economic costs was not paid for the academic year 2018-2019 for the Guyanese students attending the Hugh Wooding Law School. The Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams, who was present at the meeting along with the Deputy Permanent Secretary, Principal Assistant Secretary (General) and the Principal Assistant Secretary (Finance), has since expressed his lack of confidence in Allen.

“In light of the foregoing, the Honourable Attorney

The Permanent Secretary, therefore, sought the PSC’s approval to send Allen on administrative leave to facilitate the investigation. That decision is pending.

Allen’s failure to facilitate the payment of 25 per cent of the economic costs comes at a time when the Guyanese students continue to face challenges attending the Hugh Wooding Law School.

Guyanese law students are required to pay approximately $98,000TT or GUY$3M per year in tuition fees to at-

dens and to provide another avenue for legal education, the Attorney General, since taking office, has proposed

Justice) and funded by the Canadian Government, underscored the need for Guyana to have its own law school.

Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams

The Ministry of Legal Affairs

General has expressed his no confidence in Ms. Simone Allen’s ability to execute the duties and functions of the office of the Principal Assistant Secretary (Finance) and has recommended that Ms Allen be sent on Administrative leave to facilitate an investigation,” Barkoye told the PSC.

tend the Hugh Wooding Law School.

Added to that, only the country’s top 25 law students are permitted entry into the Hugh Wooding Law School by an agreement established by the Council of Legal Education.

To ease the financial bur-

the establishment of the JOF Haynes Law School but that has been met with stumbling blocks. The Council of Legal Education (CLE) has indicated that the feasibility study submitted on the school is not in compliance with the treaty that established the CLE. In 2018, it said the CLE does not provide for third parties, and the modeled proposed by the Guyanese Government was by way of a Public Private Partnership with Law School of the Americas (LCA) and the University College of the Caribbean (UCC).

However, the February 2018 Final Report on the Survey of Legal Education in CARICOM Member States, which was conducted by the Improved Access to Justice in the Caribbean (IMPACT

In that report, it was recommended that law schools should be established as part of Utech in Jamaica, UG in Guyana and possibly in Antigua and Barbuda.

According to the report, the establishment of additional regional law schools in the three jurisdictions under the CLE would provide an easy mechanism for addressing the unsatisfied demand for access to practice law by the many persons who are holders of non-University of the West Indies (UWI) LLB degrees.

The Attorney General, in support of his vision of have a law school here, had reminded the CLE that there are legal provisions that allow for the establishment of additional law schools to complement the Hugh Wooding

Law School and the Norman Manley Law School.

“By virtue of Article 1 Paragraph 3 (B) of the Agreement establishing the CLE, it is inter alia empowered to establish, equip and maintain Law Schools, one in Jamaica, one in Trinidad and Tobago and in such other territories as the Council may from time to time determine, for the purpose of providing postgraduate professional legal training,” Minister Williams had pointed out.

He said with Guyana on the verge of becoming a major oil and gas producing nation, it is even more important now than ever that a law school be established here.

“We obviously have to be able to train lawyers in this area. We have to get ownership of the industry, of the sector. We have gas also, and we also have a green state strategy dealing with the environment, and these are all new areas that we have to train lawyers,” the Minister had explained.

On the basis that approval was granted for the school to be established, the Attorney General in 2017 announced the launch of the project for establishment of the JOF Haynes Law School – a move which was welcomed by both practice and aspiring lawyers but the project has been stalled since September 2018 while students continue to face the financial burden.

GPSU back as representatives of MMA/ADA workers THE Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) and the Mahaica, Mahaicony, Abary Agriculture Development Authority (MMA/ ADA) signed a recognition agreement, paving the way for the union to represent workers of the authority.

“The GPSU is proud to be signing this recognition agreement with the MMA and as history will have it, this is not the first agreement because the union was once the bargaining unit for workers of the MMA,” said First Vice-President of the GPSU, Dawn Gardener during the signing

ceremony on Tuesday.

The agreement, which was signed by representatives of the GPSU, MMA/ ADA and Chief Labour Officer (CLO), Charles Ogle, gives the union bargaining rights for the workers of the authority. Gardener believes that the agreement is possible because workers of the MMA recognised the strength and ability of the union.

Going forward, the union intends on signing another collective agreement which should be finished before the end of the year.

“GPSU is willing and

happy to work with the management of the MMA, to move MMA forward… we are there for development and here we are which can testify this is our intention, the development of the MMA,” said Gardener.

General Manager of the MMA/ADA, Aubrey Charles said the signing closed another chapter in the journey as it relates to workers’ rights and what the union stands for.

“We appreciate that because it helps in the development of workers, it has made workers more aware of their rights over the past two years,” said

Charles, adding that the GPSU acquired the right to represent workers after a poll was held.

Workers would have made an assessment of which union they prefer to represent them and the GPSU came out victorious.

With the GPSU now in place, Charles said there are some issues which have to be ironed out, but he believes that it would be sorted out within the next few years. Ogle was pleased that the union and the authority were able to come to an agreement without the intervention

First Vice-President of the GPSU, Dawn Gardener and General Manager of the MMA/ADA, Aubrey Charles with the agreement

of the department of labour.

He said workers of the authority will now look forward to

the benefits that will be part of the upcoming collective labour agreement.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, August 14, 2019

Youth Parliament opens today THE first sitting of the fifth annual Youth Parliament commences today, with secondary school students using the opportunity to have their voices heard on a number of matters of national importance.

Over the past five days, the children benefited from the guidance and training of youth mentors, who aided in assisting them in doing research on motions they were assigned to debate.

The motions the secondary school students will debate today are banning of single use plastics, copyright law, discipline in school and curbing substance abuse.

Parliament Office's Public Relations Officer, Yannick December, told Guyana Chronicle that, from the preparations thus far, he anticipates an exciting debate.

December said the youths were exposed to various workshops on parliamentary etiquette and decorum as well as an advisory session with the Speaker of the National

Assembly.

Additionally, they have had one-on-one sessions with past parliamentarians such as James Bond and Christopher Jones, who helped to train them in debating and argumentative techniques.

The youths also benefitted from a session with the Cacique Toast Masters Club on the art of public speaking.

“Because we do believe that it is very important for persons to understand what it takes to be a public speaker….

In addition to its sensitisation role, this activity will boost the students’ morale and develop and hone their debating and leadership skills. And this is in keeping with the Youth Parliament’s motto, ‘Our generation, Our voice. Inspire, Encourage’ … We want to be able to mould participants in the right way, and what you’re witnessing is the grand rehearsal. The children are really excited, and they are up late every night trying to get their work done,” December said.

He also noted that thus far,

“This is an initiative that should serve as an eye-opener for the National Assembly, to have them understand that the youths have an opinion too.

We’re hoping that whatever comes out of the sitting could shed some light on how the youths are thinking and the

directions to which they are looking to go,” December said.

The university students will have their opportunity on Thursday, and will be debating the use of sovereign wealth fund, migration policy, youth participation in governance, and amendment of Article 155

Parliament Office's Public Relations Officer, Yannick December

they see the vision of Youth Parliament being brought to life.

“We see students who appeared to be introverts, expressing themselves a lot more now, and that was what we wanted… The mentors helped them with research, and from that research, they will be expressing their position to the motion,” December explained.

But the ultimate goal, he pointed out, is to have the youths’ perspective heard.

The secondary school batch going through their paces

Economy upbeat at ... the Granger administration about its performance.

Very quickly those who opposed the new government tried leading the people of Guyana to believe that the sky was falling and doomsday was upon the country, said Lucas.

The economist, however, believes that the Jagdeo administration did not manage the Guyana economy very well. In contrast, he contended that the President Granger was able to take what he was given and maintain positive growth rates of

1 (A) of the Constitution of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana December noted that they are expecting fireworks at Thursday’s debate, as the university students are a lot more expressive and argumentative.

the economy throughout the period of assessment.

Guyana is on the verge of growing again and the latest estimate is for growth to be 4.5 per cent at the end of the year, but Minister Jordan believes that people can do “mischief” to derail the growth.

With the possibility of growth being derailed, Jordan said government will do all in its power to ensure that growth is held in check.

As efforts to keep things in order continue, the minister pointed out

that revenues are continuing to be buoyant.

“This is allowing us to spend in a number of areas…there have been wells in communities, roads, houses and lights where people never had…quite a lot is going on and it is reflective of the fact that we can do these things because our revenue profile has gone up sharply.

“More people are on the tax roll…the opposition tried to beat us on our head about giving amnesty, but it was able to bring us some-

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where of $10 billion in arrears… they are all on the tax roll now,” said Minister Jordan.

In addition to being able to increase revenues, the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) had confirmed that Guyana’s public debt continues to be the lowest in the Caribbean.

ECLAC, in its 2019 Economic Survey of Latin America and the Caribbean, says that the Caribbean country with the lowest level

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of public debt is Guyana, with a public debt of 41.7 per cent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The report, when compared to that of 2018, shows that there was a 5.2 per cent decrease in the country’s public debt. In 2018, it was reported that public debt was 46.9 per cent of the country’s GDP. Going forward in 2019, ECLAC has projected that interest payments on public debt are expected to fall in Guyana and Barbados.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, August 14, 2019

Ambassador Insanally promotes investment in Guyana

Ambassador of Guyana to the United States, Dr. Riyad Insanally,(fifth from left in front row) and representatives of diplomatic missions, United States Government agencies and the private sector.

Ambassador of Guyana to the United States, Dr. Riyad Insanally

THE discovery of vast oil and gas reserves offshore Guyana creates a window of opportunities for investors, Ambassador of Guyana to the United States, Dr. Riyad Insanally said as he delivered the keynote address at a private networking luncheon in Washington DC. During the event, which was organised by the Washington Inter-Governmental Professional Group and attended by representatives of diplomatic missions, United States Government agencies and the private sector, Ambassador Insanally said Guyana is open to partnerships and investment.

He noted that there are opportunities for investment in areas such as downstream industrial activity, renewable energy, infrastructural development, information and communications technolo-

gies, transportation services and ecotourism.

Ambassador Insanally said the time was ripe for greater United States and international public and private sector interest in supporting Guyana’s transformation.

His remarks were framed around the theme, “Guyana on the Cusp of Change”. Ambassador Insanally also used the opportunity to update attendees on Guyana’s legal and diplomatic response to the Guyana/Venezuela controversy, emphasising that Guyana placed its faith in diplomacy and the rule of international law. The Washington Inter-Governmental Professional Group, LLC, is an organization that supports Washington DC-based professionals in maximizing their networking capabilities with Embassies and other agencies.

Farmer accused of murder remanded

A fifty-year-old, South Rupununi farmer appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan, on Tuesday August 13, 2019, and was remanded to prison.

Munroe Lawrence, of Karaudanawa Village, made his appearance at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court and was not required to plead to the murder charge.

Particulars of the charge stated that, between August 5 and August 6, 2019, at Karaudanawa Village, Lawrence murdered Pius Ernest.

Police Prosecutor Gordon Mansfield told the court that, on the day in question, Lawrence had received information that his wife was involved in an intimate relationship with Ernest. Law-

rence became suspicious and armed himself with an arrow and bow and followed his wife to Ernest’s home.

Lawrence then fired an arrow which struck Ernest to his chest causing serious injuries. Ernest was rushed to the hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.

The matter was reported, and Lawrence was arrested.

In a caution statement, Lawrence admitted to the offence while in custody. Mansfield asked the court for more time to prepare for the trial.

Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan remanded Lawrence to prison, and transferred the matter to the Lethem Magistrates’ Court for August 26, 2019.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, August 14, 2019

Interview: U.S. financial industry veteran optimistic about U.S.-China relations CHICAGO, Aug. 11 (Xinhua) -- "I am basically an optimist," Leo Melamed, chairman emeritus of global markets company CME Group, told Xinhua in a recent interview about his view of the U.S.-China relationship.

Noting that the two biggest economies are influential on the direction of other economies in the world, Melamed said he "look(s) at the arguments and discussions between our two nations in the light of optimism."

"There are issues and some of them are difficult to overcome. But I remain an optimist that in the long run we will overcome them," he stressed.

Melamed said there are many areas in which China and the United States can cooperate, and the first one is environment.

"The Chinese and many Americans feel that we should be doing more to preserve the nature of this planet Earth and overcome some of the erosions that

Leo Melamed, chairman emeritus of global markets company CME Group, receives an interview with Xinhua in Chicago, the United States, on July 23, 2019. "I am basically an optimist," Leo Melamed, chairman emeritus of global markets company CME Group, told Xinhua in a recent interview about his view of the U.S.-China relationship. (Xinhua/Wang Ping)

are occurring ... because it's in every nation's benefit," he said.

"It is the duty of major nations like us to take that message and carry it and do something together," he added.

Health, Melamed said, is another area for cooperation,

as China has made advancement in medical research fields in recent years.

"These are things that both nations can work together. It's for the benefit of the entire planet," he said.

As for the ongoing trade disputes between the two countries, Melamed said the

United States has its own set of problems.

"Our population should understand that what China has given us is a higher standard of living. We could not have bought so many iPhones and computers and everything else at the price," he explained.

Melamed is widely acclaimed as a pioneer of financial futures. Under his leadership as chairman of the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME), the CME created the International Monetary Market (IMM) in 1972, the world's first financial futures exchange, and launched cur-

rency futures.

In the following years, Melamed led the CME and IMM in creating a number of financial instruments, and spearheaded the creation and introduction of Globex, the world's first electronic trading system.

Melamed played an important role in advancing China's use of futures markets and application of various financial instruments, including electronic ones.

The financial industry veteran first went to China in the early 1980s. Afterwards, he visited it twice or three times a year.

"China's been (through) a miraculous transformation in matter of three, four decades," he said, adding "that's an incredible achievement."

"Never before in history have we seen this kind of transformation," he noted.

College graduates dream big in small villages YINCHUAN, (Xinhua) -- When many of his peers were busy pursuing their dreams in big cities, Yang Ke gave up high-paying jobs and headed to the countryside in northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region to serve local residents last year.

"Going back to serve the villagers is a mature decision for me," said Yang, 29, a graduate with a master's degree in public policy at the Tianjin-based Nankai University, one of the top universities in China. "Education has changed me, and I want to change the countryside."

Yang was born and raised in a poor village in Ningxia. Before graduation, Yang worked as an intern at an Internet company, and worked to establish his own startup, but he said he always wanted to give back to the rural areas.

"I spent one month in a community in the southwestern Tibet Autonomous Region as part of my college project, and I felt very comfortable being with villagers, so I made up my mind to return to the countryside."

President Xi Jinping has underscored the importance of carrying on the spirit of arduous struggle by the Chinese youth, and demanded they always maintain their fine tra-

dition of forging ahead.

Instead of taking opportunities in big cities, some Chinese college graduates like Yang choose to serve the countryside through a national programme of selecting excellent college graduates to rural areas for a short term to hone their skills and cultivate young talents.

The graduates work at the grassroots level to accumulate experience for some time, before being selected to different job positions at various levels.

In Ningxia, for instance, 652 college graduates were selected to work in the region's countryside from 2013 to 2018, according to official data.

"They are young but open-minded and can bring vitality to the countryside, where local officials are traditionally older, less educated and are even unable to use a computer," said He Yuankai, an official who previously worked in Ningxia's Qingtongxia City.

FIGHTING POVERTY VIA BETTER EDUCATION President Xi has urged Chinese youth of the new era to hone their abilities.

"In recent years, many young people with ambitions and respon-

sibilities have chosen to work diligently and devote themselves to the western region, contributing to local economic and social development and ethnic unity," Xi wrote in a letter that was made public in 2014.

For the selected graduates, the countryside has undoubtedly proven to be an excellent place to enhance their abilities.

To better unleash their potential, the selected graduates are put to villages and assigned tasks of poverty alleviation. Yang's battlefield is in Tongxin Village, about 30 kilometers away from Qingtongxia City, which still has many villagers living under the poverty line.

After arriving in the village in December, Yang conducted doorto-door surveys about people's conditions, and found out that rural children lacked proper education resources.

"Education is a critical strategy to reduce poverty, but also a way for village kids to change their fate," Yang said. Therefore, he set up a tutorial class, teaching more than 40 village students math, physics, and English in his office, free of charge, during their winter vacation.

As he was busy with village affairs in the day and teaching classes at night, Yang often had

to eat supper after 21:00hrs. every day, or even later. Due to a lack of facilities, students often had to bring their own stools to class.

For this summer vacation, Yang decided to expand his teaching team and applied for support from his college. He later expanded the team to 12 teachers, and received subsidies from local authorities. The class was settled in the local primary school. Within just one week, it attracted more than 120 students from the village and its vicinity.

Yang acts as a security guard in the school and also a part-time teacher. In class, he designed a special lesson called "Dream Your College" for the students.

"I can feel their strong sense of inferiority caused by poverty or by a lack of knowledge," said Yang. "So I ask the students to picture their college life, and I also encourage them to learn for a better future with my own story."

VALUABLE LIFE LESSON As long as the young people are brave enough to shoulder responsibilities and fight hardships and risks, socialism with Chinese characteristics will be full of vitality, potential and hope, President Xi has said.

For Yang, even though teaching

gives him a sense of satisfaction, poor living conditions in the countryside do cause embarrassment for him, particularly in the hot summer, when there is no way to take showers in the village.

"I do feel puzzled sometimes when seeing my classmates surf by the seaside on social media, while I can't even take a shower," said Yang. "But the villagers are so lovely because they give you a thumbsup in support of what you do."

Like Yang, Hu Binbin, 27, a graduate of the prestigious Peking University with a master's degree in administration management, was also assigned to work in Qingtongxia City. After two years of work, she has become head of a township women's federation.

She always tells local housewives to be confident and self-sufficient, and uses all her resources to raise money for poor families.

"I can't remember how many times I was asked why I chose to come back to the countryside, but I want to help rural people, and I believe the young generation can realize their value even in rural areas," she said.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, August 14, 2019

Stakeholders praise installation of CCTV cameras

By Rabindra Rooplall WITH an increased sense of security and reassurance, particularly in areas where the crime rate is high, persons are praising the implementation of the CCTV (closed-circuit television) cameras in Georgetown.

Over 100 surveillance cameras have been strategically placed across the city as part of the Safe City System which was recently activated.

The Safe City System is a component of the US$36M National Broadband Project, which was funded by the China Exim (Export-Import) bank and implemented through the services of Huawei.

Private Sector Commission (PSC) Chairman, Captain Gerry Gouveia, has applauded the move by the Public Security Ministry and stakeholders for installing the CCTV surveillance system.

He noted that the video feed will contribute to assisting law enforcement in their efforts to solve crimes while

also acting as a deterrent.

Gouveia said the PSC will be meeting Minister Khemraj Ramjattan soon to find out how the cameras would benefit the business community in cases of robberies and other incidents.

Andrew Singh, a minibus driver for the past 27 years, said he is very pleased that the CCTV cameras are in operation since traffic lawlessness is innumerable.

“The commissioner should really review the cameras situated on Stabroek Market and he would see some of the things being done and persons should be fined, because if they don’t get serious about it then the cameras are not being fully used,” he said.

He said the drinking and driving culture, untidy appearance, tinted minibuses and a number of traffic violations occur on a daily basis.

“Since the cameras are out here things remain the same, so I guess a campaign has to be started in order for things to be done.”

According to Singh, rob-

Chairman of the PSC Captain Gerry Gouveia

One of the Safe City CCTV Systems installed on South Road, Georgetown.

Market vendor, Stacy Bradshaw

Businesswoman, Kota Thornhill

One of the Safe City CCTV Systems installed on Hadfield Street, Georgetown

Minibus driver, Andrew Singh

beries are still occurring.

“I just heard a girl stopped the bicycle police and told them that she just got robbed and someone gone with her phone,” he said.

However, he praised the setting up of the CCTV cameras, noting that the relevant authorities must take actions against persons who break the laws.

Market vendor, Stacy Bradshaw also praised the initiative, saying she feels safer now.

“I have been a vendor for the past 10 years and I have seen all kinds of things; this is a very good effort by the government and I would like to see more done by the government,” she said.

Businesswoman Kota Thornhill said the CCTV cameras can be considered a public good since she has been operating in the Stabroek Market area for the past 15 years.

“This will benefit everyone on the market, especially tourist, who will feel more secure when they are walking around; this will give the authorities a lot of information on what is taking place on the market so they can make things better,” Thornhill said.

She said the CCTV cameras are comforting and persons will depend on its footage when illegalities occur.

“I have been doing business for 34 years and it’s a

good initiative since security is very important to develop businesses,” she said.

Taxi drivers plying their trade at Stabroek Market are delighted about the placement of the cameras in the City.

Several drivers agreed that should something untoward occur, citizens will be relying on the authorities to extract information from the CCTV system to solve the crime.

“I hope they are monitoring these things and all are active, because people on the park behaving is like dummy cameras they set up here, people still doing whatever they feel like, I want them to start getting things done and charging people,” one taxi driver said.

Minister Ramjattan is excited at the possibilities the new system and pilot project offers. He said the pilot project in Georgetown will be launched countrywide.

“This is just going to be one of the best developments for our country in relation to matters of security and to see the capacities and capabilities being built in, to ensure that we can literally track vehicles, track suspects to the extent of knowing where they are, at what time they would have been there. This technology will enhance the capacities of the police to do their work,” Minister Ramjattan said.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, August 14, 2019

Minister Trotman introduces residents to constituency councillor MINISTER of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman, visited City Hall on Tuesday in an effort to introduce a number of residents of Constituency Three to Councillor Dimitri Ali. Trotman said he met the residents on a previous occasion and heard them lament the state of their environment in Campbellville. The resi-

dents related how they had never met their constituency councillor.

Speaking briefly at the Council’s statutory meeting, Trotman said he was there to intervene because he felt the people must know their councillor.

The People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Councillor exited the statutory meeting

and went outside to speak with the residents, who related to him that among the problems being experienced were flooding, no drainage, no street lighting, and even snakes in the streets when it rained.

“I said Council meeting is a public place; I used to be a councillor. That is what local democracy is about and

Minister Trotman (at left) with Mayor Ubraj Narine (at centre) and PPP Councillor, Bishram Kuppen

PPP Councillor Dimitri Ali making a note of some of the concerns of residents in his constituency

today is a demonstration.

Being a councillor myself, I know what the atmosphere is like. The intention today was not to be confrontational but to be conciliatory. They were a bit intimidated about coming here to meet with someone they didn’t know, so I said I will come and

help with the introduction,” Trotman told reporters.

Other PPP councillor Bishram Kuppen offered that a project proposal was done and a list of works has been submitted. However, he noted that the money for such projects has not yet been released.

GTT deploys 3G site to replace fallen cell site tower at Diamond

Flashback: The destroyed tower rested across the road (Adrian Narine photo)

THE Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GTT) has installed a 3G site at Diamond, East Bank Demerara to provide services following the collapse of its cell site tower in July.

According to GTT, the new 3G site will ensure that all services are fully restored in the affected area.

On July 26 GTT cell site tower in Diamond collapsed across the East Bank Demerara Highway, causing a reduction in mobile coverage in the area. According to

reports the tower collapsed around 03:00hrs during bad weather.

The company said that investigations are still ongoing, but the result of field tests will determine whether there will be a replacement of the collapsed tower. The 3G site is functioning efficiently to service all customers in the area. Cell towers typically include transmitters, receivers, control electronics and additional electronic power sources for backup.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, August 14, 2019

Guyana records 77 per cent pass rate at CSEC THE Ministry of Education (MoE) will be announcing the results for local students who sat the Caribbean Examinations Council’s (CXC) May/June CSEC and CAPE examinations this year.

This announcement will be made on Wednesday, August 14, at 16:30 hours at National Centre for Educational Resource Development (NCERD). CXC, as per normal, has made students’ results available online through their online portal. However, the body has introduced a periodic system of releasing the results.

Students, who wrote the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations, will be able to access their results on August 15, throughout the day. Meanwhile, Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) students have been able to access their results on Tuesday, August 13.

Students in Guyana and

Barbados will be able to access their results from 11:15 hours to 14:15 hours on the respective days.

Students in Antigua and Barbuda, Anguilla, Belize, British Virgin Islands (BVI), Cayman Islands, Dominica, Grenada, Montserrat, Saba, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Turks and Caicos Islands and St. Maarten will access from 09:00 hours to 11:00 hours.

Finally, students in Jamaica will be able to access their results from 14:30 hours to 17:30 hours and those in Trinidad and Tobago from 17:45 hours to 20:45 hours.

Information obtained by this newspaper has shown that six subjects, so far, have obtained noteworthy regional pass rates at the CSEC examinations. CSEC pass rates are determined by persons who acquired between Grades One to Three in the subject.

Physical Education recorded a 98 per cent pass across the region; Electron-

Youth in Natural Resources Apprenticeship Programme make strides THE Ministry of Natural Resources, Youth in Natural Resources Apprenticeship Programme 2019 was recently launched and the 29 participants are engaged in community development projects, many of which have been conducted in mining communities across Region Ten. Some of these were Bosai Mines Linden, Kwakwani, Calcuni Mission and Wiruni, both located up the Berbice river. While the primary reason for touring these communities was to expose and educate them on the various forms of mining - bauxite, gold, rare earth, sand, petroleum and forestry - the youths also made social contributions to these communities.

At Kwakwani, Calcuni Mission and Wiruni, the participants donated garbage bins, farming tools and fruit trees to the Toshaos and other community leaders. At Wiruni they installed leatherette over the windows, which was a promise delivered by Minister Raphael Trotman, after the teachers complained about the rain blowing into the school and damaging furniture and floor.

In Kwakwani, the youths commenced work on the Kwakwani Workers Club which has been the hallmark for entertainment and theatre shows in the community, but

has been in a deplorable state for some years. The youths made several donations to the Wisburg Secondary School in Linden. Those included a sewing machine, solar lights for the ball field, seedlings, and sporting equipment. The school’s pigpen was also expanded to boost agriculture.

At Coomacka, the team presented residents with a combo swing set, inclusive of a seesaw and slide. The play area is expected to be further developed with the installation of benches. During the handing over, Ministry of Natural Resources, Regional Coordinator, Devin Sears said, “While YNR III affords travel of apprentices across our beautiful country, there is a bigger picture being painted, it is about touching lives, making an impact, creating change; and with these donations, it only reflects a very small portion, a pixel of what the APNU+AFC Government has in store for you the resident and Guyana in its entirety.”

The 2019 Youth in Natural Resources Programmes, will conclude on August 30, 2019. The programme which is the brain child of Minister Trotman forms part of the Ministry’s corporate social responsibility progamme and is the brainchild of Minister Trotman.

ic Document Preparation and Management (EDPM), 95 per cent; Theatre Arts, 94 per cent; Chemistry, 68 per cent; Social Studies, 65 per cent; and Integrated Science, 62 per cent.

On the downside, General Mathematics recorded a 46 per cent pass rate. Comparatively, the pass rate for Mathematics was 49 per cent across the region in 2018, with Guyana recording a 43.39 per cent pass rate in this subject. In 2017, Guyana recorded a 39.23 per cent pass rate in Mathematics.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, August 14, 2019

Chief Justice to rule on the authority of the order to conduct house-to-house registration COME August 23, 2019, Chief Justice Roxane George-Wiltshire is expected to make her ruling in the legal proceeding filed by the Liberty and Justice Party

Leader, Lenox Shuman, challenging the authority of the order to conduct houseto-house registration issued by former Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commis-

sion, Justice (Ret’d) James Patterson.

Representing Shuman is attorney-at-law Sanjeev Datadin while the state is represented by Attorney Gen-

eral Basil Williams, Solicitor General, Nigel Hawke and Attorney-at-Law Roysdale Forde.

On Tuesday, August 13, 2019, at the Demerara High Court, submissions were made from both sides of the table and a date was set for decision in the matter.

Shuman is of the view that the appointment of the GECOM Chairman having been found to be void by the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), effectively makes any order made under his hands void.

Former Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission, Justice (Ret’d) James Patterson

tary Zulfikar Mustapha filed legal proceedings contending that Patterson’s appointment was illegal.

The challenge by Mustapha was eventually heard by the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) and determined on June 18, 2019, with consequential orders made on July 12, 2019.

The CCJ declared the unilateral appointment of Patterson to be void and it was whilst the appeal was pending to the superior court, the GECOM chairman purported to make and pub-

Liberty and Justice Party Leader, Lenox Shuman and his attorney Sanjeev Datadin

The Party Leader moved to the court and filed an application for an order of certiorari quashing the decision of the then chairman of GECOM made on June 11, 2019, to call for the house-to-house registration as unlawful, null, void, irrational, unreasonable, ultra vires, contrary to the rules of

natural justice, made in bad faith and made without lawful authority.

On October 19, 2017, Justice James Patterson was unilaterally appointed to the Chairman of GECOM. However, following his appointment, People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Executive Secre-

lish the National Registration (Residents) order 2019 (NRRO 2019) The NRRO 2019 had the effect of directing that house-to-house registration took place for the purpose of identifying qualified electors to produce an Official List of Electors.

Robbery accused ordered to have psychiatric evaluation A man, who robbed three enumerators attached to the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM)’s house-to-house registration exercise, at Covent Garden, East Bank Demerara, has been ordered to have a psychiatric evaluation.

Tremel Alexander appeared before Magistrate Sunil Scarce at the Providence Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, August 7, 2019.

The Magistrate ordered that the accused be sent for a mental evaluation.

Alexander, was remanded to prison and will return to court on September 2, 2019.

According to reports, on August 4, 2019, a team of three enumerators was robbed at Covent Garden while conducting house to house registration.

The robber snatched a briefcase which contained a printer, camera and fingerprint pads. The matter was reported to the police and Alexander was arrested.

The robbery happened just days after GECOM called on the Guyana Police Force to protect workers of the commission who were being attacked by residents of various communities.

The commission in a press statement said it had engaged the police force to provide surveillance in communities and to assist with security of its field staff.

Over the last few days, a number of enumerators were attacked and injured by dogs which were intentionally loosed by their owners.

“They received dog bites which were instigated by

residents who are allegedly not in agreement with the registration exercise,” said GECOM. It was also reported that some persons are using threatening language, instilling fear and providing misinformation that the staff will not be paid for their service.

The commission therefore urged citizens to immediately desist from such “unlawful and obscene” acts, as they will be arrested and prosecuted. Additionally, the commission reminded citizens that registration is a legal requirement and persons have a responsibility to ensure that they are registered.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, August 14, 2019

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First Lady urges Reg. 7 youth to use ICT as tool for development First Lady, Mrs. Sandra Granger (seated centre); Toshao of Kamarang, Mr. Clifford Melville (seated second from right), Regional Officials, facilitators and participants of the Information and Communication Technology Workshop, which was launched earlier today at Kamarang, Cuyuni-Mazaruni (Region 7)

First Lady, Mrs. Sandra Granger, greets one of the participants of the Information and Communication Technology Workshop, as she enters the compound of the Education Boardroom at Kamarang, Cuyuni-Mazaruni (Region 7)

FIRST Lady, Mrs. Sandra Granger, on Tuesday, encouraged 40 young people of Cuyuni-Mazaruni (Region Seven), to take Information and Communication Technology (ICT) seriously and to utilise it as a tool for developing the region.

Mrs. Granger made these statements in her address at the opening of her ICT workshop, held in the Education Boardroom at Kamarang.

“You have to prepare yourself as the young people who will inherit this country to be always learning… I want you to recognise also, how serious we are about this programme… It is a time for you to learn and also to build networks among yourselves so that you can plan how you are going to move forward and you can move forward and hopefully gain some money,” the First Lady said.

Mrs. Granger cautioned the participants that although there is much excitement and anticipation about the oil and gas sector, there are several other avenues for earning.

“Everybody is excited about oil and gas, but I want you to remember, not everybody [should] be going into the oil and gas industry, people who are working in the industry have to be fed, they will need services, so you could focus on agriculture… How do

you set up the systems where you could move your produce from farm to airstrip, to Georgetown or wherever it is?” Mrs. Granger said.

Former Vice-Chairman of Cuyuni-Mazaruni (Region Seven), Ms. Norma Thomas, speaking on behalf of the Regional Chairman, Mr. Gordon Bradford, commended the First Lady for holding the ICT workshop in the region.

“Thank you so much, let’s continue this way… We want such leaders that are action people, like the First Lady, who has put everything in place,” she said. Participant, Ms. Barbalee John, a teacher at the Kamarang Primary school, said she is thankful for the knowledge that she will get from the training.

“I think it is helpful… I can teach the children how to use a computer… [and help] with typing and so, to do records…these days people want computerised work and I think in that way I can help,” she said.

Senior Technical Officer of the Board of Industrial Training, Mr. Rondell Jordon; Regional Vice-Chairperson, Ms. Olinda Kyrenhoff- Griffith; Toshao of Kamarang, Mr. Clifford Melville and Vice-Toshao, Mr. McNeil Reid also attended the ceremony. (Ministry of the Presidency)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, August 14, 2019

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, August 14, 2019

Bosai in move to install new kiln, drier …to provide employment opportunities for Lindeners BOSAI Minerals Group Guyana (BMGG), has commenced preparatory work for the installation of a new #15 kiln and a #16 rotary drier, which will see approximately 150 to 200 Lindeners being employed. A senior officer at the company related that preparatory works, which include the construction of the foundation for the kiln and the piling of the necessary material needed

for the project, is ongoing. The officer related that the entire project is expected to be completed within two years and employment will jump to maximum 800.

Bosai now has 600 employees.

Earlier in the year General Manager of BMGG, Eric Yu, indicated to Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman, that the #16 drier will also have auxiliary facilities. BMGG decided to invest in the Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman, and a South African delegation led by Deputy Minister of Mineral Resources of South Africa, Godfrey Oliphant were given a tour of the Montgomery Mines in Linden

assets because of satisfactory increase in demand for bauxite and the need to meet these demands in a timely manner, since the old kiln #13, often requires heavy maintenance.

The new kilns are expected to push calcined bauxite production and chemical bauxite production, for export purposes.

The kiln #15 is an investment of about $US 20 M and will produce 170, 000 metre–tonne–second (mts) of refractory ‘A’ Grade Super Calcine Bauxite (RASC), per year. The #16 drier and its auxiliary facilities is expected to cost the company $US 3M and will produce 150, 000 mts of Sized Chemical Grade Bauxite (scgb), per year. “With these major expansions, additional long term employment will be provided for the residents of the community and our Guyanese nation,” Yu had said.

This is not deemed a risky investment, even as the oil and gas industry seems to be taking the spotlight, because in 2016, a survey showed, that bauxite mining had the lifespan of at

least 100 more years. Tests were carried out in the reserves of Region Ten, which showed that there are 200 million tonnes of bauxite located at block 37, 18 million tonnes at Bamia, 40 million tonnes at East Montgomery and an unproven amount at Tiger Jump. With the current production of less than one million tonnes per year, the calculation with the above-mentioned tonnes in the reserves, makes a remaining 100 years of mining accurate.

The company will also be installing a dust collector on the new kiln #15, in an effort to safeguard the environment from pollutants. In 2011, the company invested $U.S 8 million on dust collectors for two kilns, which resulted in a significant decrease in the permeation of dust into the atmosphere.

In 2018, Bosai raked in $US 3B with productions of the various bauxites reaching over 100, 000 tonnes. Some of its main markets were in Europe and North America.

BMGG, is one of the main bauxite providers in the world.

Mason accused of murder remanded

CHIEF Magistrate Ann McLennan, on Tuesday August 13, 2019, remanded a forty-eight-year-old mason to prison.

Kwayana Fernandes, of Cemetery Road Mocha, appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court and was not required to plead to the charge which stated that, on August 6, 2019, at Cemetery Road Mocha Arcadia, he murdered Dwayne Lynch.

Police Prosecutor asked the court for more time to prepare for trial, due to insufficient evidence.

Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan remanded Fernandes to prison and adjourned the matter to August 27, 2019.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, August 14, 2019

City Council owes NIS in excess of $218M THE Mayor and City Council (M&CC) owes the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) more than $218M for workers’ remittances, acting Town Clerk Sherry Jerrick announced on Tuesday.

The Local Government Commission (LGC) has written to the M&CC informing that NIS wrote to the body regarding the failure of local government agencies to honour their obligations.

According to Jerrick, while the municipality has been keeping up with current payments, NIS is asking that the council makes a payment schedule for the years outstanding.

NIS reminded that the non-payment may result in the disenfranchisement of payment of benefits that were entitled to council employees. “It is a statutory requirement for you to pay on behalf of your employees,” NIS said.

NIS cautioned that through such non-payment, the state of debt continues to increase. The LGC has therefore instructed that the council submit to the NIS a payment schedule of the mentioned outstanding remittances to enable computation of the real debt and actualise its settlement.

The commission also

asked to be provided with monthly status updates regarding NIS payments.

A number of businesses and individuals are in default of their NIS contributions.

Some of the companies listed as outstanding include Camex Limited; Courtney Benn Contracting Service Limited; Fly Jamaica Airways Limited; New Thriving Chinese Restaurant; Strategic Action Security Services; Brian Chase and Ingrid Chase Mining and Trucking Service; Hopkinson Mining Security Services Inc.; Kwakwani Utilities Inc.; Camex Security Services Inc.; Shivraj Investments Limited; Universal Group of Companies Inc.; Guyana Football Federation; Awad N. Boodhoo General Store; Atlas Security Service Inc.; Amazon Security and Investigation Services and Sentinel Security Inc. Director on the NIS Board, Mervyn Williams, told the Guyana Chronicle last month that the decision to make the names public came from the level of the board and is intended to alert the employers of the importance of making timely payments.

According to the National Insurance and Social Security Act, Chapter 36:01, the NIS system was established to provide pecuniary

Stalls at ‘Russel Square’ vandalised, chain link fence missing THREE stalls have been broken into over the past weekend at the ‘Russel Square’ outside of the Stabroek Market in Georgetown, and acting Town Clerk, Sherry Jerrick, reported on Tuesday that the City Constabulary has no security plan in place for that area.

Speaking at the statutory meeting at City Hall, Jerrick informed that the incidents occurred between last Saturday night and Sunday morning.

She said she tried to find out from Chief Constable Andrew Foo what security plan is in place, and he responded that there was none.

Asked to respond, Foo told councillors that that area would require about six additional officers and round the clock coverage.

“The Chief Constable has responded with no solution to the problem. I don’t know what’s really happening with the City Police Department.

It’s sad what those people at Russel Square have to go through,” Mayor Ubraj Narine offered.

Officers from the Engineers Department could not

say definitively what happened to the chain link fence that was constructed around the entire area.

Councillor Patricia Chase-Green rose to say that those engineers who cannot give an account for the fence should be made to pay for it, since money was expended by the council to construct it.

A decision was taken for an investigation to be launched into the removal of the perimeter fence around the said area.

Engineer Rasheed Kellman offered that the fence was vandalised by stallholders and social rejects.

In August 2018, the council had declared the Stabroek Market wharf unfit for human habitation and later invited vendors to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which among other things, would require them to construct their own stalls in accordance with certain specifications.

Following these plans, a portion of the wharf was gutted by fire in November 2018, which further contributed to the deterioration of the facility.

payments by way of old age benefit, invalidity benefit, survivor’s benefit, sickness benefit, maternity benefit and

funeral benefit.

It also serves to substitute for compensation under the Workmen’s Com-

pensation Ordinance, a system of insurance against injury or death caused by accident arising out of and

in the course of employment or resulting from disease due to the nature of employment.

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Bennett is Mr Guyana … Campbell defends Mr Physique title, Fung wins Ms Bikini

By Faizool Deo MARLON Bennett has been known as ‘Bolo’ for most of his career and early Monday night the veteran bodybuilder was called ‘Pops’ by several persons in the crowd at the Guyana Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation (GBBFF) Senior National Championships. But by the end of the event he had a new name - one he had craved for a long time: Mr Guyana.

The top local bodybuilding tournament at the National Cultural Centre saw Bennett upstage his younger opponents - Caerus Cipriani and Carlos Petterson Grifith - to take the overall title.

Also triumphing were Emerson Campbell, who continued his dominance in the Mr Physique category and Rosanna Fung, who defeated a chiselled Angela Barroncas (Singh) in the Ms

Bikini battle.

The Fitness Express-sponsored event was seen as the dawn of the post-Kerwin Clarke era.

The four-time champion had decided to focus on international competitions and to give other local bodybuilders a chance to vie for the coveted title. And they did battle for it.

Leading the charge was 42-year-old Bennett, who stormed his way to the Masters title, the Under-154 pounds title and then after a fierce battle, the overall title.

Bennett, who trains at Fitness 53, said that the win was motivation for him and he hopes it can be a motivation for other ageing athletes in the sport. He added that he was confident of an overall victory when he heard that Clarke was not competing because he was the only competition.”

The seasoned body-

builder credits his focus and consistency for his run in the sport, which has spanned approximately two decades.

“I love the sport; you have to love something to go after it over and over.”

Although Bennett was the only multiple winner, all of the finalists had to win their divisions to advance.

Cipriani, who finished second overall, had defeated Floyd Fabian Roza in the two-man battle of the Under-176 division, while overall third-place finisher Petterson Grifith retained his heavyweight title after getting past Rhon Loncke (who finished with two second-place trophies) and Alex Hamilton. Also in the mix was 26-year-old Derran Harris, who finished fourth overall with a promising package.

Harris, who won the Novices bodybuilding competition this year, finished ahead of Tejpaul Gwend-

sammy in the Under-143 pounds category.

Meanwhile Lifetime Gym’s Leon Benjamin, who finished fifth, was able to get past Henry Bassy from Buddy’s Gym and Julian Alleyne from Fitness 53, to take the U-164 title.

In the Masters category, Bennett had gotten past Loncke and Donald Lindie, while in the Under-154 pounds he got the better of Jermaine Bacchus and Darius Ramsammy.

MR PHYSIQUE Although there were clear separations in the bodybuilding divisions, the same cannot be said for the Mr Physique. That battle was intense and the four Space Gym competitors delivered crowd-pleasing performances.

In the end, Campbell proved his superiority to retain his title. Tariq Dakhil upstaged former champion

Yannick Grimes to finish second, while reigning Mr Novices Physique Delroy Phillips finished fourth.

In the two-woman Ms Bikini competition, Fung worked the judges and audience from her first step on the stage. She brought out a sassy side, which, along with her figure, helped to fend off her equally impressive Space Gym mate Barroncas.

Meanwhile, president of the GBBFF, Keavon Bess, who acted as MC for the evening, promised the contestants that next year’s competition would be bigger and that the federation is looking to increase the prizes.

He said it might include a motorcycle or a motorcar.

Along with Fitness Express, Space Gym, Fast Graphics, Stage of Champions, Digital Technology and Ellies Trading all contributed towards the success of the event.

First female referee to officiate Super Cup ready for spotlight ISTANBUL, Turkey (Reuters) - Stephanie Frappart said she will prove female officials are as competent as their male counterparts when she becomes the first woman to referee a major UEFA men’s final in the Super Cup between Liverpool and Chelsea today.

Frappart, 35, will be assisted by her French compatriot Manuela Nicolosi and Ireland’s Michelle O’Neill.

The trio have worked together at bigger matches – they were in charge

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o f t h i s y e a r ’s Wo m en’s World Cup final in France - but there is no doubt they will be under intense focus at Istanbul’s Vodafone Park.

Asked if she was afraid of being “double criticised” for any mistakes made, Frappart said it was time for female referees to show they are as good as the men.

“We have to prove ourselves technically and physically that we are the same as the men. We are not afraid about (wrong decisions). We are ready,”

she told a news conference.

Frappart, who in April became the first female referee in France’s Ligue 1, also dismissed the idea that it was more difficult to officiate in a men’s game.

“I think there is not a lot of difference because football is the same. It’s the same rules so I will do the same as the women’s game,” she added.

Chelsea manager Frank Lampard said he was pleased to be part of a moment in history.

“I think the game has come a long way in many ways, in terms of the women’s World Cup which we all watched this summer, in terms of how much respect the game’s getting, how many people are watching it and the interest in the game,” he said.

“I think we were very slow everywhere on this and now we are trying to make strides and there’s still a long way to go but in terms of tomorrow I think it’s a huge moment.

“It’s a historical moment that is one more step

in the right direction.”

The Super Cup is an annual match played between the winners of the Champions League and the Europa League. Liverpool beat Tottenham Hotspur in the Champions League final last season while Chelsea defeated Arsenal in the Europa League final.

Fourth official and Turkish referee Cuneyt Cakir supported the trio, saying: “They are brave, they have courage, they don’t hesitate to give unpopular decisions - you will see tomorrow.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, August 14, 2019

South Africa name three uncapped players for Test tour of India

By Nick Said

CAPE TOWN, South Africa (Reuters) - South Africa have named three uncapped players in their Test squad for the three-match tour of India in early October as they begin life without retired veterans Dale Steyn and Hashim Amla.

Fast bowler Anrich Nortje, wicketkeeper/batsman Rudi Second and spin bowling all-rounder Senuran Muthusamy have been included in the 15-man selection that will be captained by Faf du Plessis.

It will be led by interim team director Enoch Nkwe, filling the role after the decision not to renew the contract of West Indian coach Ottis Gibson.

“All three newcomers to the Test side have more than earned their spurs

through impressive performances in last season’s Four-Day Franchise competition,” Cricket South Africa Acting Director of Cricket Corrie van Zyl said.

“We feel we have covered all the options for the conditions we are likely to encounter on the sub-continent with (spinners) Muthusamy and Dane Piedt, who was far and away the leading wicket-tak-

Spin bowling all-rounder Senuran Muthusamy

er in our Four-Day competition, providing the back-up to Keshav Maharaj,” he added in a media release. van Zyl also announced a squad for the Twenty20 Internationals before the Test series, with du Plessis not included in that group and Quinton de Kock set to captain.

“The T20 Series gives us the last chance to have a look at our leadership and batting options, as the next edition of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup is now little more than a year away, which is why we have gone with an inexperienced leadership group,” van Zyl said.

“I would like to stress that Faf du Plessis remains an important part of our plans for white-ball cricket.”

South Africa will start the tour with the limited overs

matches, the first of which is in Dharamsala on September 15.

Championship.

Test squad: Faf du Plessis (Titans, capt.), Temba

Fast bowler Andrich Nortje

That will be followed

by Tests in Visakhapatnam (October 2-6), Ranchi (October 10-14) and Pune (Oct. ober19-23), which are the first for South Africa in the newly-formed ICC Test

Bavuma (Highveld Lions, vice-capt.), Theunis de Bruyn (Titans), Quinton de Kock (Titans), Dean Elgar (Titans), Zubayr Hamza (Cape Cobras), Keshav Maharaj (Dolphins), Aiden

Markram (Titans), Senuran Muthusamy (Dolphins), Lungi Ngidi (Titans), Anrich Nortje (Warriors), Vernon Philander (Cape Cobras), Dane Piedt (Cape Cobras), Kagiso Rabada (Highveld Lions), Rudi Second (Warriors).

Tw e n t y 2 0 s q u a d : Quinton de Kock (Titans, capt.), Rassie van der Dussen (Highveld Lions, vicecapt.), Temba Bavuma (Highveld Lions), Junior Dala (Titans), Bjorn Fortuin (Highveld Lions), Beuran Hendricks (Highveld Lions), Reeza Hendricks (Highveld Lions), David Miller (Dolphins), Anrich Nortje (Warriors), Andile Phehlukwayo (Dolphins), Dwaine Pretorius (Highveld Lions), Kagiso Rabada (Highveld Lions), Tabraiz Shamsi (Titans), Jon-Jon Smuts (Warriors).

Moeen to take short break after Test omission MOEEN Ali is to take a ‘short break’ from cricket after being dropped by England for this week’s second Ashes Test against Australia at Lord’s.

After being part of England’s World Cup-winning squad Worcestershire all-rounder Moeen struggled in Tests against Ireland and Australia.

He scored only 13 runs in four innings in those two matches, and took four wickets at a cost of 186 runs.

Somerset spinner Jack Leach is set to take his place in the second Test.

Since first being called up by England in 2014, Moeen has invariably made himself available to play for Worcestershire, but firstteam coach Alex Gidman says they now have to be supportive.

“Literally no-one has been in the position that Mo has,” said Gidman.

“Being part of a World Cup-winning squad in England - no one else has achieved that then unfortunately was left out of the

Test squad.

“Mo has been in and out of that team and no-one else knows what that feels like,” he told BBC Hereford & Worcester.

Moeen Ali scored four runs and took 3-172 in the first Ashes Test at Edgbaston

“We’ll be ready for Mo when he wants to play again and we’ll have discussions with both him and the ECB and support him and be here for him, so that he can push as hard as he can to get his England spot back.”

Moeen has played in 60 Tests, 101 one-day internationals and 25 T20 games

since making his England debut in a one-day international during England’s winter tour of the Caribbean in February 2014.

“Mo is spending a little time away from the middle recharging his batteries and putting in some quality practice time which he feels he needs, and we completely respect,” added Gidman.

“He has had an intense schedule of international cricket involving the World Cup and the start of the Ashes.

“Mo loves playing for Worcestershire and he gives a lift to everyone in the dressing room when he comes back and plays for us.”

Moeen’s one T20 Blast appearance this season, in the away win over Nottinghamshire, came just four days after he had been on the Lord’s turf helping to celebrate England’s World Cup win, although he did not play in the match. “We saw at Trent Bridge what he gives to us and we look forward to when he returns soon,” said Gidman.

(BBC Sport)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, August 14, 2019

Eighteen karatekas successful at grading examination

Karate students engage in the applications of number one kata (Heian Shodan)

THE International Karate Daigaku (IKD) Guyana held a grading exercise for 18 students last Sunday at the Albion Shotokan Karate Dojo, Albion Corentyne Berbice..

The grading exercise was conducted by Master Amir Khouri 7th Dan black belt of the International Karate Daiģaku (IKD) assisted by Mr Hazrat Ali of the Albion Shotokan Karate Dojo 5th Dan Black belt. Notably this grading examination is the first for Berbice in 2019 Eighteen students (6-28

years old) took the grading examination under the highly ranked Master Amir Khouri 7th Dan Black Belt. They were all very successful except for a few that had skipped their rank and jumped right to the next rank.

These are the individuals that skipped: Arianna Brijemal, Mariah Hansraj, Sandeep Singh (10 kyu white belt to 8 kyu yellow belt), Adrian Brijemal (10 kyu white belt to 7B orange belt), Andrew Narine (10 kyu white belt to 6B green belt), Suri P. Kassim (8 kyu yellow belt to 6B green belt), Kaleb

Kassim (8 kyu yellow belt to 7 kyu orange belt), Amira Rupai, Chris Hicks (7 kyu orange belt to 5B blue belt), Ronald Arjune (7 kyu orange belt to 6 kyu green belt), Jasmine Ramdass (6 kyu green belt to 5 kyu blue belt), Jasmine Sahira Ali (6B kyu green belt to 5B kyu blue belt), Basdeo Bissessar (6 kyu green belt to 4B purple belt), Rahman Yakub, Joshua Rampersaud (5 kyu blue belt to 4 kyu purple belt), Anuvani Gunplay (4 kyu purple belt to 3 kyu brown belt), Bhaskar Jaipersaud (2 kyu brown belt to 1yu

Successful karatekas share a moment with Master Amir Khouri 7th Dan black belt of the International Karate Daiģaku (IKD) (centre back row)

brown belt).

Mr Hazrat Ali of the Albion Shotokan Karate Dojo and 5th Dan Black belt, emphasised the importance of such examinations. “Two things:

this will promote karate in Berbice and this gives the kids an opportunity to go or move on to the next level or rank.”

In addition, Andrew Na-

Rems canter to win in Caribbean Sensation/Lall 10/10 final TORONTO, Canada – Rems started their quest for a clean sweep of the Division One titles in magnificent fashion, cantering to an easy 35-run victory over GT Bannas when the two teams clashed last Saturday in the Ontario Softball Cricket League (OSCL) Caribbean Sensation/ Nirad Lall-sponsored 10/10 final at the Ashtonbnee Number one ground, Scarborough, Toronto.

While Rems were celebrating their triumph, Enmore defied the odds by upstaging the previously unbeaten Carr Tec, recording an emphatic 27-run victory to capture the Division Two championship on the adjoining ground in what promised to be an enthralling affair but petered out lamely.

The Division One consolation final saw Rebels make light work

of Caribbean Sensation/Better Hope, whipping them by 29 runs while Wakenaam turned back the challenge of Ramblers to claim the Division 2 crown for the second consecutive year, winning by seven wickets.

Set a challenging 83 for victory, after Rems had reached a respectable 82 for six in their allotted 10 overs, GT Bannas could muster only 47 for eight in their turn at the crease, as the opposition bowlers kept a tight rein on proceedings.

Rems’ victory was engineered by fine batting from opener Surujpaul Deosaran with a top score of 29 which included a four and a six. Nathan Persaud (three for 24) and skipper Trevon Garraway (two for 10) off their respective two overs were GT Bannas’ best bowlers.

The victorious Rems team following their win

Yoodhanlall Suklall bowled beautifully to claim two for one from his two overs while Deosaran took one for four, Pradeep ‘Polo’ Singh one for nine and Anil Mahadeo one for 12.

Led by a brilliant third-wicket partnership of 77 by Abdool Azeez (41 not out) and 32 from former Guyana youth player Steve Ramdass, Enmore closed their 10 overs at 93 for three after they were rocked back in the first over at seven for two.

Terry Mathura had sent back openers Imtiaz Badshaw (one) and captain Shiv Persaud (six) but surprisingly didn’t bowl his other over despite the flourishing third-wicket stand.

By the time the partnership ended in the eighth over, Ramdass had counted two fours and two

sixes in his innings while the undefeated Baksh hit a four and three sixes. Mathura claimed two for nine and Shazam Baksh one for 16.

The much-vaunted Carr Tec side were left high and dry on 56 for seven when their 10 overs expired. Ramdass returned to grab three for 13 while Zaheer Mohamed (two for 14) and Zakeer Mohamed (one for 12) were also among the wickets.

In the Division One consolation final, another former Guyana Under-19 player, Troy Gonsalves, spanked an undefeated 53 as Rebels reached 82 for five, taking first strike at the Ashtonbee Reservoir number two ground.

Gonsalves’ knock contained three fours and a similar number of sixes as Gavin Singh (one for 11) and Sunil Ramkissoon (one

… Enmore take Division Two title

for 14) were the best bowlers for Caribbean Sensation/Better Hope, who were skittled out for 53. Eon Katchay (three for four), Gavin Glasgow (two for nine) and Gonsalves (one for nine) did the damage for the eventual winners.

The Division Two consolation final saw Wakenaam thrashing Ramblers by seven wickets in a lopsided affair. Batting first, Ramblers scratched to 53 all out in 8.5 overs with only opener Rofel Boodhu showing any resistance with 28 (one four and three sixes). Skipper Sha Mahabir led from the front with three for 12 while Ryan Beepat took three for 14.

Wakenaam rushed to 56 for three in 6.3 overs, with former Guyana and West Indies Under-19 player Hemnarine Chattergoon hitting four fours and

Division Two champions Enmore.

rine (10kyu white belt to 6B green belt) and Basdeo Bissesar (6 kyu green belt to 4B purple belt) were singled out for their efforts. (Colin Bynoe (Jnr)

three sixes in 33.

The respective MVPs were Surujpaul Deosaran (Rems), Nathan Persaud (GT Bannas), Abdool Azeez (Enmore), Shazam Baksh (Carr Tec), Troy Gonsalves (Rems), Richard Narine (Caribbean Sensation/Better Hope), Sha Mahabir (Wakenaam) and Rofel Boodhu (Ramblers).

OSCL president Albert Ramcharran, in his address at the presentation ceremony, complimented sponsors Harri Sukhu of Caribbean Sensation and businessman Nirad lall on their wonderful gesture and also congratulated the various participating teams. He reminded those present that the league’s annual presentation, dinner and dance is set for November 16.

(Frederick Halley)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, August 14, 2019

Root promises ‘really good show’ in second Australia Test

CAPTAIN Joe Root has promised his England side will “put in a really good show” as they attempt to level the Ashes series in the second Test at Lord’s, starting today.

England find themselves behind in a home series against Australia. for the first time in 14 years after a thumping 251-run defeat at Edgbaston last week.

“Generally, we’re a side that when we have our backs to the wall we come out scrapping hard,” Root told BBC Sport. “I expect the same this time around.”

Defeat at Lord’s will almost certainly end England’s hopes of regaining the Ashes - only once in the history of Test cricket has a team come from 0-2 to win a five-match series.

But despite England losing six of their past seven Tests against Australia, Root is drawing confidence from the fact they have not lost consecutive home Tests against anyone for 11 years.

“We’re in English conditions and we really back ourselves to perform, to come back strongly after last week,” said the Yorkshire batsman.

England Test captain Joe Root

“We have done that time and time again when we have been defeated, especially at home. I’m expecting a big response from the boys.

“Last week will have hurt everyone and everyone will be desperate to win this week. I expect nothing less.”

With uncertainty over the weather in London days one, three and four are currently shaping up to be wet - Root declined to name his final XI yesterday.

Pace bowler Jofra Archer seems certain to make his Test debut in place of the injured James Anderson, leaving batsman Joe Denly, all-rounder Sam Curran and left-arm spinner Jack Leach vying for two places.

If Denly is left out, that would mean another rejig of the batting order, while the omission of Leach would leave England with five pace bowlers but no frontline spinner.

“We’ve picked a 12 and we’re sticking with that 12 until we have more information,” said Root.

“There’s a bit of weather around and we’ll see what the pitch looks like as well.

We’ve seen it change quite drastically the last few times we’ve been here. It’s important that we give ourselves as many options as possible.”

While England can point to their strong home form, Australia have enjoyed plenty of success at Lord’s, losing only three times at the home of cricket since 1896.

However, captain Tim Paine said history would count for little over the next five days.

“It’s irrelevant,” Paine told ABC. “We had the flipside of it in the first Test, with England having a fortress at Edgbaston.

“At the end of the day, it’s a cricket ground with a cricket pitch in the middle.

It doesn’t matter what other teams have done here, because the other teams are not us.”

Australia have whittled down their touring squad to 12 for the match at Lord’s, with pace bowler James Pattinson rested after playing at Edgbaston. Fellow pacemen Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc are vying to come into the final XI. (BBC Sport)

Six candidates shortlisted for Team India’s head coach post THE next head coach of the senior India men’s team is expected to be chosen on Friday from a shortlist of six: the incumbent Ravi Shastri, as well as Tom Moody, Mike Hesson, Phil Simmons, Lalchand Rajput and Robin Singh.

The BCCI’s Cricket Advisory Committee, headed

by Kapil Dev, will convene in Mumbai to conduct the interviews before making their decision.

Hesson will be present in Mumbai for the interview, along with Rajput and Robin, team manager and fielding coach during India’s 2007 World T20 win, while Moody and Simmons are likely to join the committee members over video conference.

Besides Kapil, the CAC comprises Anshuman Gaekwad, the former India opener and coach, and Shantha Rangaswamy, the former India women’s team captain.

Confirming the updates, a senior BCCI official was quoted as saying by Press Trust of India, “These six will give presentation for head coach before CAC. It has been learnt that these six have been short-listed for interview with the CAC.” While the names of Moody, who has rich coaching pedigree in international cricket (Sri Lanka) as well as in the franchise circuit (Kings XI Punjab and Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL, for example), and Hesson, formerly head coach with New Zealand and Kings XI, have been doing the rounds, Simmons is seen as a late entrant.

The former West Indies opener was until June the

head coach of Afghanistan.

In the past, he has also had stints with West Indies, with whom he won the World T20 title in 2016, and, most notably, Ireland. Hesson, meanwhile, served as head coach of New Zealand for six years, the highlights being their memorable run to the 2015 World Cup final and a home Test series win over England in 2018.

us have a great camaraderie, everyone in the team shares mutual respect (with him).

And we have done really well together as a group,” Kohli had said at the time. “Yeah, we will definitely be very happy if he is continuing as a coach, but as I said it is upon the CAC to seek my advice or opinion if they want.

Right now, I haven’t been contacted at all. And I don’t

Meanwhile, Bangar’s position as batting coach will be challenged by the candidatures of Pravin Amre, Vikram Rathour and J Arun Kumar.

All three have been associated with coaching at the domestic and IPL levels.

Amre is currently the batting consultant of the USA national team and Delhi Capitals, while Rathour, who served as member of the selection committee until 2016, and Arun are with Himachal Pradesh and Puducherry.

The support staff is likely to be picked by MSK Prasad, the men’s selection committee chairman.

(ESPN Cricinfo)

MCC offers soft signal for Test umpire shake-up The Influential World Cricket committee says (having) more elite umpires is the answer rather than using current top officials in home series.

THE Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) insists neutral Test umpiring is still the best way forward for cricket despite calls to the contrary from former Australian skipper Ricky Ponting.

Ponting, who sits on the MCC’s influential World Cricket committee, told cricket.com.au after the opening day of the Ashes Test was dominated by a number of woeful decisions that the use of DRS should see the best umpires officiate in the biggest series regardless of their nationality.

Last week’s Test at Edgbaston saw rookie West Indian umpire Joel Wilson and Pakistan’s Aleem Dar have 10 decisions between them overturned by DRS. Wilson, in only his 13th Test, equalled the record for reversals when eight out his decisions were successfully appealed by the players.

Wilson will be third umpire for the second Ashes Test at Lord’s starting Wednesday night, while Aleem Dar will again have an on-field position, joined by New Zealander Chris Gaffaney. Wilson is due to return to the field for the third match at Headingley.

However, after a meeting at Lord’s on Monday between MCC chairman Mike Gatting, assistant secretary John Stephenson and panel members Shane Warne and Kumar Sangakkara, it was agreed that increasing the numbers of elite level umpires across the world was the best way forward.

Seven of the 12 elite level panellists are from Australia and England meaning they are ineligible to stand in the Ashes and Stephenson believes that lop-sided membership needs to be addressed.

“It was obviously a bit of a focus after the last match,” said Stephenson.

“Ricky Ponting mentioned the prospect of bringing back non-neutral umpires and it is something being discussed by the ICC Cricket Committee as well.

“But the feeling is neutrality still works.

“Unfortunately, there is quite an imbalance with ICC elite-level umpiring panel where you have certain umpires adjudicating in certain series.

“But we think it’s time for the base to be broadened and to train up more umpires to get to the elite level.

“Overall we think neutrality does work. But with DRS and technology, maybe, it’s something we need to look at in the future.

“In one-day cricket we have one non-neutral umpire standing and in Twenty20 we have it as well. Maybe further down the line it can be a thing.” (Cricket.com.au)

Teenager Gauff, former champ Stosur get U.S. Open wildcards

From left to right: Mike Hesson, Lalchand Rajput, Robin Singh, Ravi Shastri, Phil Simmons and Tom Moody

He has also been linked with the Bangladesh men’s team, who are without a coach since letting go of Steve Rhodes after the World Cup. There have been suggestions from the BCCI that Shastri is most likely to continue, something that has the backing of India captain Virat Kohli, who publicly expressed his support for Shastri at a press conference before flying out for the tour of the USA and the Caribbean late last month.

“With Ravi bhai, all of

know what is going to happen with the process.”

Shastri and the rest of his support staff - Sanjay Bangar (batting coach), B Arun (bowling coach) and R Sridhar (fielding coach) - are automatic entrants into the process. All of them are on an extended 45day contract that will come to an end following the two-Test series in the Caribbean.

While Arun has been favoured, like Shastri, to retain his job, Sridhar could be up against Jonty Rhodes for the fielding coach’s position.

(REUTERS) - American teenager Cori ‘Coco’ Gauff and former champion Samantha Stosur were among players to be given wildcards into the main draw of the U.S. Open starting later this month, organisers said yesterday.

Gauff, 15, stunned players and fans alike when she made her debut in the main draw of a Grand Slam at this year’s Wimbledon, reaching the fourth round where she was beaten by eventual champion Simona Halep.

Gauff, the youngest finalist in the Girls’ singles event at the U.S. Open in 2017 aged 13, is one of five teenagers given wildcards at Flushing Meadows.

Americans Caty McNally, Whitney Osuigwe and Katie Volynets (all 17) and France’s 16-year-old Di-

ane Parry, who became the youngest player this decade to win a main-draw match in the French Open in May, also received them.

Australia’s Stosur, U.S. Open champion in 2011, will

Cori Gauff of the U.S. in action during her fourthround match against Romania’s Simona Halep at Wimbledon. (REUTERS/

Andrew Couldridge)

be making her 15th appearance in the main draw. The 35-year-old, who last reached a Grand Slam singles semi-final in 2016 at Roland Garros, was also a doubles champion in New York in 2005.

“Parry and Stosur earn their entry via the USTA’s reciprocal wildcard arrangement with the French Tennis Federation and Tennis Australia,” organisers said in a statement.

American Jack Sock headlines the Men’s singles wildcards.

The 26-year-old, who was sidelined for six months after sustaining a thumb injury at the Australian Open, is looking to maintain his streak of playing in every U.S. Open main draw since 2010.

The U.S. Open begins on August 26.

39

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, August 14, 2019

DCC Junior Summer Camp bowls off … Digicel powering 2019 edition

Dr Vincent Adams delivering his charge to the participants of DCC’s Junior Summer Camp as others at head table look on. (Adrian Narine photos)

ONE of Guyana’s oldest and premier cricket clubs, Demerara Cricket Club (DCC), bowled off its Junior Summer Camp 2019 yesterday.

The camp, which will last for two weeks, was launched at the club’s pavilion. At the opening ceremony, the youths heard from former national cricketer Dr Vincent Adams, who urged them to embrace the nurturing nature of the camp and to find the right balance between sports and academics.

He shared his journey of making the national senior team as a teenager and could have forged a career with the West Indies but his career came to a premature halt following an accident.

Dr Adams then had difficulties maintaining his spot on the national team but found his place in academics.

He stated; “Athletics is so important; it is not only about cricket but also what happens as a player. What you do besides cricket! My experience has taught me not

A section of the young participants at the DCC Junior Summer Camp

only that cricket gave me the discipline to be successful in life but it also provided me with lots of opportunities and it opened doors that would not have otherwise been open.

Dr Adams noted; “When I was 19, I made it to the Guyana national team. I played one season and got into an automobile accident the very next year. I thought my life had disappeared because my only ambition had been to play cricket for the West Indies.”

However, on the advice of former Guyana and West Indies batsman Basil Butcher, Dr Adams joined the University of Guyana and found his place in life as a doctor. To this end, Dr Adams implored the youngsters and their parents to find the right balance.

Also on hand was Digicel’s Communications Manager, Vidya Sanichara, who delivered the company’s contribution to the president of the club, Roger Harper. The telecommunications giant’s financial contribution will ensure the

success of the 2019 edition of the camp which runs until August 23.

The camp will be facilitated by an experienced team of coaches, led by technical director Mark Harper along with Travis Dowlin, Gavin Nedd, Reon King, Clyde Butts and Roger Harper.

The 2019 edition of the camp will be held under the theme: “Creating the passion and nurturing the talent” and will seek to impart the fundamentals of the game to youngsters between 7 and 17 years old.

The programme will include classroom sessions, lectures by a variety of expert presenters, cricket and fitness drills, games simulations, side games and matches.

A number of present-day cricketers including Keemo Paul, Sherfane Rutherford, Tevin Imlach, Ashmead Nedd, Sachin Singh and Qumar Torrington have all passed through the club’s summer camp.

Windies target execution for series-levelling win … Tropical wave threatens

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC) – West Indies will focus on their execution of plans as they go in search of a series-levelling win against power-house India but the passage of a strong tropical wave could ruin the crucial final One-Day International at Queen’s Park Oval here today.

Weather authorities yesterday forecast strong winds, heavy showers and thunderstorms between 10:00hrs today and tomorrow afternoon – along with the possibility of flash flooding – putting in danger the contest set to bowl off at 09:30hrs (Eastern Caribbean time).

The three-match series has been dogged by rain which forced a reduction of overs during the West Indies run chase in last Sunday’s second ODI, as the hosts fell to a 59-run defeat under Duckworth Lewis Stern.

And heavy rain in Guyana last week also led to the abandonment of the opener at the National Stadium after just 13 overs.

Once the rain stays away, however, West Indies will target massive improvement in an attempt to break a wretched run that has seen them win just six of 21 ODIs this year.

And all-rounder Carlos Brathwaite believes the hosts are not far away from pulling

together the complete performance and putting a win under their belts.

“I don’t think we’re doing that badly or as badly as the results show,” Brathwaite told media here yesterday ahead of the game.

Fast bowler Oshane Thomas prepares to send down a delivery during training ahead of today’s final ODI against India.

(Photo courtesy CWI media) “I think we’re just missing a few key points or moments which could turn one or two losses into wins, and which would make us look a little better, give us a little momentum and then you can push to start to win series more consistently.”

He added: “I don’t think it’s (a lack of) belief per se because if you ask the guys in the dressing room if they believe we can win, I think they

do believe we can win; but the know-how and the execution of that belief is where we have been lacking, especially in key moments.

“But I don’t think it is a lack of belief, I don’t think it is a lack of passion and in most cases not even a lack of skill but we just haven’t been executing what we wanted to execute in key moments of the game and it has hampered us for the majority of the World Cup and then in this last game.”

West Indies squandered the ideal opportunity to take the series lead, after being asked to chase a revised total of 270 off 46 overs.

They were cruising on 148 for three in the 28th over before suffering a dramatic middle and lower collapse and losing their last seven wickets for 62 runs.

Despite the defeat, Brathwaite said confidence was high they could steal a share of the series, but the batting needed to improve considerably. “(The mood) is good. Obviously we drew the last series against England at home as well and then going into the last game (on Wednesday), I think it is just for us to get the batting right in both parts,” he pointed out.

“If we could divide the batting in half – we either get good starts, and then throw it

away at the back end, or we don’t get good starts and then run it close because of a rearguard effort.

“I think the batting has been much improved from

the T20 (series) especially from the overall batting performance in the World Cup as well but we didn’t close it off (in the last game).

“So it’s for the batting to

get us into a position similar to the second game more often than not - hopefully that happens tomorrow as well - and for the lower half to close out the game.”

Guyana’s badminton team to take part in CAREBACO in Barbados GUYANA’S top badminton players will be taking part in the Caribbean International Badminton Championships (CAREBACO) to be held at the Garfield Sobers Sports Complex in Barbados from August 15 to 25.

Last year when the championships were held in Suriname, Guyanese players won 13

medals (5 gold, 2 silver and 6 bronze).

The team will be aiming to repeat and even improve on that feat this year, as they have been in intense training twice daily over the past few weeks.

The team consists of the Ramdhani siblings, Priyanna and Narayan, Tyrese Jeffrey,

Guyana’s badminton team with coach/manager Gokarn Ramdhani (centre)

Akili Haynes and Jonathan Mangra. They will be competing in the U-19 Juniors International and the Open International.

At last year’s CAREBACO, Priyanna was the female U-19 champion and Open runner-up while Narayan won an Open bronze medal.

The team is being accompanied by manager/coach Gokarn Ramdhani.

The 17 countries taking part are: Guyana, Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, Suriname, Jamaica, Panama, Canada, USA, Finland, Italy, Poland, Iceland, Luxembourg, Slovakia, England, Mongolia and Germany.

CAREBACO is an Olympic qualifier so players from around the world will be participating to get higher world ranking points.

The GBA, through a release to the media, expressed thanks to NSC and Director of Sport Christopher Jones, Demerara Bank, Nevell Osman, SOL a​ nd Ayanna Watson, GAICO​and Komal Singh, DaSilva’s Optical and the GOA.

Bennett is

Mr Guyana Page

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The Reign of Bennett: Mr Guyana, Marlon Bennett (middle), is flanked by former champion Kerwin Clarke (left) and president of the GBBFF, Keavon Bess. (Photos by Faizool Deo)

‌ Campbell defends Mr Physique title, Fung wins Ms Bikini

Emerson Campbell (left) defended his Mr Physique trophy ahead of Tariq Dakhil

First female referee to officiate Super Cup ready for spotlight

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Referee Stephanie Frappart during the match, Amiens SC v RC Strasbourg (REUTERS/Pascal Rossignol)

Rosanna Fung (right) defeated Angela Barroncas in the Ms Bikini competition

Windies target execution for series-levelling win 39

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Oshane Thomas

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 14, 2019