MONDAY 9th SEPTEMBER, 2019
' No.105755
Gov't moves to amend GPL licence
... to cater for company purchasing power SEE STORY ON PAGE 11 ...citizens invited to make representation or objections
‘Consumer Affairs’ sees spike in complaints against minibus operators 03 PAGE
--but Code of Conduct slowly being enforced
Hundreds turn out to witness ground-breaking ceremony for 1823 Memorial 02 PAGE
Guyana strengthens business ties with UK
- Aberdeen Chamber of Commerce, GCCI sign MoU
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7-year-old burn victim dies PAGE
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Minister of Social Cohesion, Dr. George Norton (left) and President of the Ghana Day Organisation, Sister Penda Guyan turn the sod at Parade Ground on Sunday where the 1823 Memorial will be placed. In the background are Deputy Mayor Alfred Mentore (left) and Mayor of Georgetown, Ubraj Narine (Samuel Maughn photo).
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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday September 9, 2019
Hundreds turn out to witness ground-breaking ceremony for 1823 Memorial By Lisa Hamilton MEMBERS of the African community in Guyana are overjoyed that the sod has officially been turned for the erection of an 1823 memorial in memory of those who lost their lives during the 1823 Demerara Rebellion. The monument will be erected at Parade Ground, which is located between Middle and Waterloo Streets, Georgetown and holds rich history of the aftermath of a peaceful rebellion for freedom. Members of the government, the diplomatic corps, dignitaries and several Afro-groups gathered at the
location on Sunday for an appreciation and sod-turning ceremony. Groups represented included the International Decade for People of African Decent Assembly-Guyana (IDPADA-G); the Ghana Day Organisation; the Guyana United Apostolic Mystical Council (GUAMC); the 1823 Coalition of the Parade Ground Monument; the Pan African Movement –Guyana Branch; the Guyana Reparations Committee; the African Cultural and Development Association (ACDA) and the United Nations Association of Guyana. Others in attendance were Minister of Social Cohesion, Dr George Norton; Minister
within the Ministry of Social Protection, Keith Scott; Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Jaipaul Sharma; Minister of Public Telecommunications, Cathy Hughes; Minister of Business, Haimraj Rajkumar; Speaker of the National Assembly, Dr Barton Scotland; Mayor of Georgetown, Ubraj Narine and former Mayor of Georgetown, Hamilton Green. SACRED GROUND On August 18, 1823, a two-day uprising of over 10,000 enslaved Africans, led by those of the highest status amongst them, took place in the Crown Colony of Demerara-Essequibo.
Members of the government, the diplomatic corps, dignitaries and several Afro-groups gathered at the event (Samuel Maughn photo)
This image depicts the punishment of slaves convicted of participating in the major 1823 slave revolt in Demerara, British Guiana. 1) upper left, Quamina on plantation Success; 2) upper right, Lindor on La Bonne Intention; 3), lower left, Paul at Friendship, and two heads at the middle-walk of Plantation New Orange Nassau; 4), lower right, Telemachus and Jemmy, on Bachelor's Adventure. (British Library photo)
The enslaved Africans were fuelled mainly by poor treatment and the deliberate withholding of information by the planters on England’s orders that immediate and effective measures be taken for the abolition of slavery throughout the British colonies. The rebellion was deemed largely non-violent
as the enslaved Africans tied up the whites, relieving them of their weapons and ammunition. It was chiefly instigated by Jack Gladstone, a slave at the Success plantation; his father, Quamina Gladstone and other senior members of their church group, the Bethel Chapel of the London Missionary Society.
However, on August 20, 1823, the Africans were defeated by the colonial cavalry and over 200 were killed. Following the rebellion, the government sentenced another 45 men to death and 27 were executed. Many heads were placed on spikes and dead bodies TURN TO PAGE
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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday September 9, 2019
‘Consumer Affairs’ sees spike in complaints against minibus operators --but Code of Conduct slowly being enforced
By Tamica Garnett THE Consumer Affairs Division has seen an increase in complaints against errant minibus operators since the launch of the Minibus Code of Conduct in February. This is according to the Consumer Affairs Division’s Education Officer, Kushana Archer. “Passengers are much more vocal now in terms of filing complaints, sending photos identifying errant drivers and conductors,” Archer told the Guyana Chronicle, while explaining that com-
muters are more cognisant of their rights, and the roles and responsibilities of minibus operators. Archer noted that with the help of commuters, the Consumer Affairs Division could effectively implement the Minibus Code of Conduct. She therefore called on commuters to demand quality service, and if those demands are not met, report the errant minibus operators to the division. The Minibus Code of Conduct came out of collaboration between the United
Minibus Union (UMU) and the Ministry of Business’ Division of Consumer Affairs. It also involves the input of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) Traffic Department and the Road Safety Council. It speaks to a number of guidelines, and reiterates a number of laws governing minibuses operators across the country. Discussion on the Code began last year after the UMU successfully negotiated with the Ministry of Business for a raise of minibus fares across the country.
BRING RELIEF The Code is aimed at bringing some amount of alleviation to the terrible situation that many commuters face in utilising public transportation. The minibuses, despite being operated as public transportation, are privately owned and many commuters find themselves exploited by the situation. Speeding and overloading of minibuses, loud music, and harassment by conductors and touts are among the frequent complaints filed by commuters, and the Code is expected
to address them. It also requires minibus drivers and conductors to wear uniforms, and sets the foundation for the ‘tout system’ to be abolished. Several of the drivers have agreed to wear uniforms. “I’m 100 per cent supporting it, because it’s a public transportation, and you must be tidy, and your conduct up to date. Some of them got on a small pants; it tear up. No, you can’t do that! You got to get your things in order; is people we transporting, so I would be supporting that,” Junior Semple, a Route 40 (Kitty/ Campbellville) driver told this newspaper.
Early this year, the Guyana Police Force carried out a campaign clamping down on touts who solicit passengers for the minibuses, often while harassing them. However, the campaign was not sustained, and many of the touts have since returned to the streets. But Semple said that with the increased police presence on the parks, the ‘bus culture’ is gradually changing. “I see some improvement, because police have been functioning in front of here 24/7, and I’m grateful for that. But we need a bigger park, because sometimes we don’t TURN TO PAGE
Hundreds turn out to witness ...
IPADA-G, Chief Executive Officer, Olive Sampson (Samuel Maughn photo)
were publicly displayed at the very Parade Ground which originally stretched from New Market Street to Quamina Street. It served as a means to discourage other enslaved Africans from rebelling against their masters. Meanwhile, Quamina, who is thought to have been the actual leader of the rebellion, was declared a national hero after Guyana gained independence. Streets have been named and monuments have been erected in his honour in Guyana’s capital city, Georgetown. President of the Ghana Day Organisation, Sister Penda Guyan and others believe that placement of the monument at the ground acknowledges the right of those who brutally lost their lives to have their wandering spirits be laid to rest, knowing that the whole truth of the rebellion will be told. Addressing the attendees, Minster Norton stated that while there is already an 1823 Monument located opposite the Guyana Defence Force's (GDF) Headquarters, Presi-
The libation being performed at the Parade Ground (Samuel Maughn photo)
dent David Granger found it necessary to support the calls of historians and others for the Parade Ground location to bear indication of its history. “The erection of a monument at this fitting location will honour the sufferings of our African foreparents, as it reminds us that the freedom we experience today came at an incalculable price,” Dr. Norton said. “All Guyanese are the beneficiaries of the men, women and children who resisted with arms and with other actions. We must therefore value their memory and use our time wisely and constructively. I believe that young Guyanese --- particularly those of African descent --- must see these dreadful aspects of our country’s history as a motivation to strive for greatness,” he added. BROKEN PROMISE Plans for the erection of the memorial have been in the pipeline for many years, former City Mayor Hamilton Green and Sister Guyan said. Speaking with report-
ers on the sidelines, Sister Guyan recounted: “On this very ground, on August 1, 2000, the then President of this country, Mr. Jagdeo, turned the sod here with Ms. Gail Teixeira --- who at the time [was] the Minister of Home Affairs --- and they buried coins vowing with they would be a monument put here. However, when we were ready, we were told that they were looking for a site to put the monument and we couldn’t understand this… [but it] was all to give this here to a particular entity to put a three-storey car park.” Sister Guyan also recalled that when it was time for construction of the 1823 Memorial, now placed opposite the GDF headquarters, African groups were told that the ground ---which can hold the monument many times over-- was not large enough for it. Sister Guyan is also a member of the 1823 Coalition of the Parade Ground Monument, a group which had protested for the relocation of the monument since the non-realisation of the promise.
During the programme, Green referred to the retraction of the promise by the former administration as “an insult to every Guyanese.” Nonetheless, on behalf of IPADA-G, Chief Executive Officer Olive Sampson expressed gratitude to President David Granger and his administration for their kept promise to bring about a change which reflects the selfless efforts of Guyana’s African ancestors. “Every Guyanese passing here must remember what it took for us to achieve the freedoms that we have today. Also, in recognising and remembering that, they must know that freedom is very precious and that it can be easily taken away, so we have
to be vigilant and part of that vigilance is honouring and knowing the past,” she stated. Meanwhile, Chairman of the Guyana Reparations Committee, Dr. Eric Phillips, told the Guyana Chronicle that later in the year he will be visiting London in a bid to retrieve three letters Quamina wrote to the London Missionary Society which are not within Guyana’s history books. Quamina was a deacon of the Missionary Society, which has since acknowledged that it was complicit in the crime of slavery, and as such, now aims to take a resolution to its board to contribute $10M pounds as reparation. Dr Phillips hopes that
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some of this money, should it be acquired, might be used to build a Quamina House which would house the Guyana Reparation Committee and artifacts of the 1823 Rebellion. The ceremony on Sunday also featured the performance of a libation in honour of President David Granger and the country’s African ancestors, drumming and a poem from Kibwe Copeland. The poem featured the words: “This ground holds history; this ground holds bloodshed; this ground holds tears; this ground is scared; this ground holds a story to remember and a sacrifice never, never to forget."
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, September 9, 2019
Afghan peace deal: Taliban says US has most to lose from cancelled talks (BBC) The Taliban says Americans have the most to lose from cancelling peace negotiations that sought to end the 18-year war in Afghanistan. In a statement, the group claimed all was going well until the last moment. US President Donald Trump fired off a series of tweets on Saturday night, calling off the secret meeting at his Camp David retreat the following day. He said his decision came after the Taliban admitted being behind a recent attack that killed a US soldier.
What had been planned? In an unexpected move, Mr Trump had arranged to meet with senior Taliban leaders and Afghan President Ashraf Ghani at the Maryland retreat. The meetings were likely to have been kept separate, as the Taliban refuses to talk directly with the Afghan government, insisting they are American puppets. In 2001, the US invaded Afghanistan and overthrew the Taliban government because the militants had given safe haven to the al-Qaeda network to plan the attacks on the US on 11 September. On Fox News on Sunday, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo defended the intention to host the Taliban on US soil, days ahead of the attacks’ anniversary. He said Camp David was chosen because it has held difficult peace negotiations in the past. “It’s almost always the case that you don’t get to negotiate with good guys,” he added. How far had things come? Nine rounds of talks had already taken place between the US and Taliban representatives in Doha,
the capital of the Gulf state of Qatar. On Monday, the top US negotiator announced a peace deal “in principle”. As part of the proposed deal, the US would withdraw 5,400 troops within 20 weeks, in return for Taliban guarantees that Afghanistan would never again be used as a base for terrorism. The US currently has about 14,000 troops in Afghanistan. What else did the Afghan parties say? In the statement, Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid also accused the US of lacking maturity and experience, after pulling out of talks over one incident. He also said that the Taliban and the Afghan government had agreed to talks on 23 September. The Afghan government has not confirmed this. In a news conference in Kabul, a spokesperson for President Ghani simply repeated a long-standing wish for direct negotiation with the group. “We strongly believe in a process that can be
led and owned by Afghan government and Afghan people,” said Sediq Sediqqi. What sparked the cancellation? On Thursday, a Kabul car bombing carried out by the Taliban killed 12 people, including a US soldier. A Romanian soldier serving with the Nato-led mission was also killed. But the Taliban had never agreed to end their violent campaign against Afghan and foreign forces while the peace talks were taking place. Sixteen US troops have been killed this year. A recent escalation of violence had deepened fears that a looming US-Taliban agreement would not end the daily fighting in Afghanistan and its toll on civilians. Yet Kabul residents on Sunday questioned why the death of one US soldier should scupper prospects for peace. “So, the Afghans who have been losing their sweet lives during all these years, is their blood worthless?” asked one grocery shop owner who spoke to the BBC’s Pashto language service.
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Bahamas: No quarantine, cholera or epidemic (NATIONNEWS) The Bahamian Ministry of Health and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) have sought to reassure the public that none of the islands in the territory are under quarantine. In a statement, the Ministry and PAHO said floods can potentially increase the transmission of water-borne and communicable diseases. “Nevertheless, there have not been any detected cholera cases at the moment, nor any increased number of infectious diseases due to the hurricane.” The Ministry of Health and PAHO recommends that the population in the affected areas drink and use safe water and also continue to practice good hygiene such as hand washing to prevent water-borne diseases. “After a disaster the priority is to care for the survivors. Contrary to common belief, there is no evidence that corpses pose a significant risk of disease “epidemics”. This is because most agents e.g., virus and bacteria do not survive long in the human body after death.” The Ministry of Health is monitoring the health situation closely and will keep the public updated.
Meanwhile, The Bahamas Civil Aviation Authority (BCAA) has issued a Notice to Air Men (NOTAM) to improve the management of the airspace to prevent accidents, stating that the saturated airspace was creating a volatile situation. The Aviation Authority said the notice means airspace is restricted over Grand Bahama and the Abacos. “Only aircraft providing emergency and humanitarian relief authorized by Civil Aviation are able to fly in the restricted airspace. Over 200 private planes have already been authorized by BCAA. The Aviation authority also stated that no flights are currently authorized to charge fees for evacuations. “Civil Aviation is aware of reports of commercial activity and will be revoking the flight authorizations of aircraft found to be charging fees.” The organisation said that staff is on the ground to monitor and identify aircraft suspected of breaching the conditions of their authorization. “This includes flights that are found to be bringing sightseers instead of relief support.
An aerial photo shows the aftermath of the Hurricane Dorian damage over an unspecified location in the Bahamas
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, September 9, 2019
Arson reports at Rose Hall Estate
IF we are to be guided by a recent report, “Burning of canes could hamper investment in Rose Hall Estate – Officer in Charge”, published on September 05, 2019 in the Guyana Chronicle, it means that arson is being committed against the State; an act that is premeditated and perpetrated with a certain goal: To subvert government’s efforts at rebuilding the broken sugar industry, thus repositioning this still vital industry for a re-entry into modern sugar production. In fact, offering the closed sugar estates for sale is a major consideration that is still on the table, but awaiting the conclusion of national elections as a surety for the potential buyers to continue their negotiations. The fact that these acts taking place for the past twelve months points to a planned orchestration directed against State assets. Absolutely reckless in describing such acts is an understatement. They are wholly subversive, criminal in nature, and definably acts of sabotage that can do no more than harm government’s efforts
at seeking to ensure the survivability of an industry which, in the long-term can only redound to the benefit of the communities and citizens within the particular locale and beyond. Although this editorial focuses on arson in the sugar industry, there has also been similar acts with regards to connectivity, such as a community bridge at Canal No 2, where a number of farmers who use the bridge to transport produce and access their farms were affected, and vandalism on the Providence and Diamond overpasses on the East Bank Demerara. Transportation in and out of Lethem had been severely hampered as a result of the destruction by fire of the Yupukari Number Two Bridge. Surely, it is not understandable how the burning of a vital community connectivity such as a bridge that is vital to the movement of citizens, or the wrecking of an overpass, all costing millions of taxpayers hard-earned dollars, for the safety of pedestrians, can ever benefit the political aims of those who are its planners, much less those who are the
actual perpetrators. Guyana has a well-chronicled history of arson directed against the sugar industry that was rampant during the 1970s, and directed against the then Burnham government. Undeniably, it was part of the then political opposition’s plan of action, which took place at a time when the price of sugar on the international market fetched a very high price. It was such actions that took a toll on the revenues, and others such as constant strikes, among other unmerited, unproductive and selfish acts which gradually brought the once powerful economic entity of sugar to its eventual demise before the ‘Coalition’ came to office in 2015. For those who are behind such serious acts, designed to cripple both social and economic infrastructure that are vital to the daily lives of citizens, and the national well-being in the process, must be aware that their acts are treacherous, wicked and criminal in nature; immoral as well, because they are acting against the best interests of
the State, and conspiratorial, because they are acting in consort with persons to commit acts of sabotage against the State. Further, their acts, unconscionable and without merit, cannot and will not be of benefit to those who they claim to represent; or to themselves, since they are acting against the best interests of their community and country, and are therefore guilty of serious crimes against the State. There is a reminder for those who are involved in such wanton acts of destruction, that it has been similar actions, although committed in the past, that would have gradually accrued, with the passage of time, to the mountainous debt that finally caused the collapse of the sugar industry, concomitantly causing hardship in the lives of so many. For those who are now continuing such a spiteful and vile act as prime movers, resurrected from both a dark and decrepit political page, are again guilty of willful acts of destruction to a major industry.
Unfortunate Situation at Green Acres Primary Dear Editor, NOW that the chaos of the new school week is over, I can finally and evidently address the deprived standards at the Green Acres Primary School. It was just an unfortunate September school reopening for my child, in which I was extremely disappointed in the classroom space in which my child was placed to spend the Grade 2 school year. The reason for my upsurge anger was that I could not understand how person(s) with prestigious standings and knowledge would find the said recluse classroom acceptable for learning. The room was hot with poor ventilation. It was stuffy, dark and not vibrant and I would categorize it as the ‘outcast’ Grade 2 class when compared to the others. Anyone who wants to
challenge me on this can feel free to do so by all means, because it is quite evident. Go to Green Acres Primary and visit all the Grade 2 classes, scrutinize each classroom carefully and I know you would be able to identify the outcast classroom. Then ask yourself if the classroom is suitable for learning. At the cost of $53,000 per term, it does not meet the standards for exceptional learning and no child should endure that day-in, day out. Ms. Marilyn Green and teachers of Green Acres Primary, let your conscience be your guide. If that situation worked before then it is an embarrassment knowing that paying-parents would have even accepted such mediocre standards from a private school. Most persons are paying for a service, not begging. I trust that Guyanese can start speaking out
and standing up for better customer service. Guyanese have this special way of complaining among themselves but allow the people who are actually responsible for fixing the issue, to get away with it. I know that many would agree with me. To all the parents who had the same issues with the ‘outcast’ classroom and was too scared to speak out, let me know if the situation changed now that the first school week is over. Here’s a word on customer service Ms. Green. When you have an angry customer (and you would have a few), it’s not your place to be pompous, but simply listen and analyze your customer’s complaint. Disgracefully, your response was only a clear indication of the meager customer service and you actually do not care about those customers who
are not your friends or your family. It is very disturbing that you would choose to tell me to leave the school with my child because I was upset. I would have already invested in textbooks and other items for the school term and you never took that into consideration. That should have been the last resort solution after knowing that you would have tried your best to find a solution to the problem. You can find some tips here to help you: https://www. mindtools.com/pages/article/ unhappy-customers.htm. Think back to when you first started Green Acres and compare it today, you’ve allowed greed to take you over. You should know that with every bad highlight, it is your ‘brand’, your legacy, your name, for the past 25yrs being brought to the forefront. I do not need to personally know you, or attend
your church for my child to sit in a so-called ‘special’ classes. I do not need to beg a teacher for favour to give my child the time of the day. Neither do I need to bring gifts and fancy presents for my child to have special attention. I am paying and abiding by the rules of the school and that would suffice for proper service. According to the school’s motto, every child should be given the fair opportunity to “Grow in grace and wisdom”. Finally, I would always tell persons anywhere I go that I’ve enjoyed the Play Group and Nursery (and even made recommendations), but those standards were not passed on to the Primary School. I did not choose Green Acres just for academics and it being a private school. I chose it because of the location (close proximity to work), the se-
curity, the aftercare program since I work [well] beyond 4:30pm (some things we don’t always get at a public school). I also chose it for what the school would have stood for before it allowed voracity to take it over. I know that the reason many parents opt for a private school is that their child would have a comfortable space and receive the attention they require to excel. The parents at Green Acres Primary are free to challenge me on this but only when they would have looked at the situation holistically and would have refrained their mind from any biases. “When the atmosphere encourages learning, the learning is inevitable” – Elizabeth Foss Regards Disappointed Parent
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, September 9, 2019
‘E’ Division records 20% reduction in all categories of crimes – Superintendent Ashram appointed as Commander
SUPERINTENDENT of Police and former Traffic Chief, Ramesh Ashram, was appointed Commander of ‘E’ Division (Upper Demerara-Berbice) last Wednesday. His predecessor, Superintendent Linden Lord is now Commander of ‘D’ Division (West Demerara). Ashram served as Deputy
Commander of ‘E’ Division from February, 2019 to September 3, 2019. Now that he is commanding the Division, his focus is to keep the crime rate down in Region 10. “My plan for the Division is to continue as my predecessors, to fight crime since at present we are enjoying a 20 per cent reduction in all crimes...As the new Commander, I will
continue with the education programme as it relates to traffic, crime, enforcement, mass patrols, roads blocks, stop and search, raids and eradication of marijuana fields,” Superintendent Ashram told Guyana Chronicle in a recent interview. The mobile police outpost at Bamia, which allows for a 24hrs patrol by ranks, was
his brainchild. This patrol makes ingress and egress of criminal elements into Linden difficult. According to Commander Ashram, the outpost at Bamia has contributed significantly to the 20 per cent reduction in crime. He will be taking a more preventative approach to crime fighting through social programmes to develop
Let’s all be reasonable and act with integrity Dear Editor, THE insistence of the Coalition Government for the data from the un-scrutinized house-to-house registration to be merged with the National Register of Registrants Data Base (NRRDB) – which has been updated through several cycles of continuous registration and used as the basis for the last several elections, including the 2015 General and Regional Elections that led to the APNU+AFC Coalition taking office – must be rejected as a perpetuation of delay tactics. Any merger with the NRRDB is worrisome for several reasons. Firstly, the merger of the data with the existing National Register of Registrants will contaminate the database and it may take months to address any such con-
tamination. Secondly, the data gathered is suspect since the gathering of said information was not scrutinized. Thirdly, the form used in the house-to-house registration was not the statutory form required for such a purpose. There can be no more delays, since Guyana is already over five months past the constitutional deadline for Elections. Additionally, Editor, the comments by the Director General of the Ministry of the Presidency, Joseph Harmon, as quoted by News Room in an article on September 6, 2019, headlined ‘No ‘credible, practical’ alternative to merger of House-to-House data – Harmon’, are misleading at best. While Mr. Harmon insists that opponents of the merger have provided no “credible, practical and efficient alternative” he selectively forgets that the time-tested option of Claims
and Objections is available. This proposal we have been making which will capture new registrants and sanitize the list of those who are deceased among other things. There is no reason why extraneous matters should be allowed to cloud the situation at hand. A Preliminary List of Electors should be extracted from the National Register of Registrants Data Base and a Claims and Objections exercise should commence almost immediately to allow Guyana to move toward an election and end the uncertainty plaguing all sections of society. Let’s all be reasonable and act with integrity. Sincerely, Bishop Juan Edghill, PPP/C Parliamentarian
Another example of deception by GAWU Dear Editor, READING the exchanges between GAWU’S Seepaul Narine and the GTUC’S Lincoln Lewis on matters pertaining to the sugar industry, once again exposes the same old dishonest attempts by the PPP/C and its shameless mouthpieces in deflecting blame, accepting both administrative and moral responsibility, and covering up for the biggest industrial debacle in our time. For me, as I have repeated ad nauseam, the issue of the collapse of this once economic contributor, and the Bharat Jagdeo and Donald Ramotar PPP/C- former regimes in its decline and eventual death that would have affected the livelihoods of so many, remains the most vexed issue, for the scale of the obnoxious lies that have been deployed towards absolving itself from being accountable. Editor, for Narine to attempt to weave a claim that sought to absolve the
workers having to seek the legal avenue against the government, because it was led by Bharat Jagdeo, while laying it on GAWU, could not have been obscener as it is patently dishonest. It is another sickening example of shielding and defending the maximum leaders of the party from defending their stewardship on matters pertaining to GuySuCo. What a tangle web he is trying to weaved, to deceive supporters of the party, and the nation in general. It goes without any form of debate that any case workers’ legal action for severance that originates from employment with a state entity, is one brought against the State. Thus Narine is demonstrating in the most misleading and deceptive ways how to defend the indefensible. One would have read the outspoken trade union leader, Lewis’s appeal to his colleague union leader, for a joining together to work for the best interests of the nation’s workers. Of course, it is the ideal of trade unionism as it is about
common ideals – advancing the interests of their workers, especially as this auspicious imminence of oil and gas industry beckons. One should not doubt Lewis’s sincerity as a tireless representative and fighter for workers’ rights in Guyana, irrespective of political affiliation or ethnicity. He has an established track record, with the results as evidence. However, given the PPP/C historic record of patent partisanship, as exemplified by its throwing of the RUSAL workers under the bus some years ago; and GAWU’s silence as Jagdeo sent the Linden township into a depressed state, by closing Linmine, such a challenge would seem to be beyond Narine and GAWU’s answer to the higher ideal of the workers’ greater good. They are too steeped in ethnic partisanship, which should have no place in trade unionism. Regards Earl Hamilton
a rapport with stakeholders and residents. These include school programmes, community outreaches and youth programmes. These programmes will be done in collaboration with regional officials, the Community Policing Group and Rural Constables. “This is to see the Division free of crime and traffic lawlessness, to ensure that persons can go about their business without being afraid,” Commander Ashram said. Making his job easier is the spanking new state-of -the-art Mackenzie Police Station that was commissioned last October. The spacious, well equipped and comfortable police station, he said, is conducive for crime fighting and ranks are performing their duties more effectively. “I am encouraging the residents to feel free to come in, call me on any matter relating to crime or any social matter, feel free; I have an open door policy. You can
Commander of ‘E’ Division, Superintendent Ramesh Ashram come and see me at any time. You have information about any illegal activity, you get onto me, I will get the police to respond and deal with same,” he assured residents. Superintendent Ashram hails from the Bush Lot, East Berbice-Corentyne. He enlisted in the Guyana Police Force in September, 1986 and has experienced rapid elevation in rank. He served in various departments including traffic and the tactical services in Divisions A, B and C. Prior to being posted to ‘E’ Division in February, 2019 as Deputy Commander, he served as Traffic Chief.
Monday, september 09, 2019 -- 02:00 hrs to 14:30hrs
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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday September 9, 2019
PUC chair says body garnered $28M in credit to utility customers THE Public Utilities Commission (PUC), the watchdog regulator for public utilities in Guyana, has through its intervention on behalf of consumers received credits from utility companies totalling $28,001,071.39, for the period December 31, 2018 to August 31, 2019. The Guyana Power and Light (GPL) with an amount of $25,616,260.00 was responsible for crediting the largest amount back to consumers. The Guyana Telephone and Telegraph (GTT) credited its customers some $2,043,433.39 while for the Guyana Water Inc. (GWI) it was $341, 378.00. For the same period, the PUC received 474 complaints, of which 179 were against the GPL; 230 against the GTT; 62 against GWI and three against Digicel, said the Commission’s Chairperson, Ms Dela Britton, an attorney-at-law and the first female to head the entity since it was established in 1990. During a one-on-one with the Guyana Chronicle on Fri-
day, the PUC chair said that the credits are not necessary matters that have been filed in August or between December and August, as they might have been filed prior, but that they were received as a result of the PUC’s interventions. She further explained that when consumers call or enquire, they assume that the credits are cash payments made to them; however, the credits are instead placed on the actual bill and accounts of the complainant by whichever utility the complaint was made against. According to her, resolution of complaints by the watch-dog body is an ongoing process and not a quick fix, noting that the commission has embarked on an aggressive campaign to sensitise the general public of its services, even as it seeks to decentralise and take those services to the people. The PUC monitors and sets rates for each of the utilities--with the exception of GPL--which is unique in the regulatory space. The GPL rates are set by the Govern-
ment of Guyana (GoG), by virtue of the licence and the standards that were approved several years ago. However, what the PUC does in respect to the GPL, is to monitor and investigate their standards and the quality of their standards, Britton pointed out. With respect to the other utilities, the PUC sets rates, facilitates interconnection and access, investigates complaints and reviews and approves development and expansion programmes. Britton said that the PUC is a unique body in that its broad functions are regulatory, investigatory, enforcement and advisory. With regard to the advisory aspect, it was explained that while the PUC is an independent body, it is also adviser to Minister of Public Telecommunication, Cathy Hughes, its line minister. Additionally, even though it is independent and not subject to the control of any authority-- government or otherwise--it is a multi-sector agency that also renders
Ms Dela Britton, Chairperson of the Public Utilities Commission (PUC)
advice on policy and other issues to the Minister of Communities Ronald Bulkan and Minister of Public Infrastructure David Patterson, as needed, Britton said. She explained that a consumer with a grievance with, for instance, GPL in respect to a meter, must first approach and have dialogue with the service provider, request a reference number, and if not satisfied with the outcome of the matter, visit the PUC office. The consum-
er must, however, ensure that they have a reference number and other accompanying documents, including an ID card, in his/her possession. It was further explained that the complainant can either visit the PUC office on New Garden Street in person, or lodge a complaint over the telephone or by email. The PUC will then forward the complaint to the respective utility company, which has an obligation to respond within a certain number of days. Should the complaint or grievance not be addressed by the utility company to the level of satisfaction of the consumer, the utility companies in some instances, when found wanting, or in breach of the PUC’s standards or in breach of the orders that were given by the PUC, are made to compensate the consumer. In an effort to effectively serve consumers countrywide, the PUC has embarked on an aggressive campaign utilising the electronic and print media, and is also taking its services to the people by hosting and participating
in outreaches. Meanwhile, decentralisation of the services of the PUC is ongoing, with an office already servicing consumers in the Berbice/Corentyne area and another to open its doors in the Linden, next month. The PUC will in late October conduct at outreach in Vreed-en-Hoop, West Coast Demerara. The attorney pointed out that every employee of the office is trained as a complaints officer, because the PUC wants to offer a service whereby persons are satisfied, whether contact is made by telephone, e-mail or a physical visit. Britton, who prior to becoming the chair served as a commissioner, says she is “an eternal optimist and very passionate and enthusiastic” about her work and the efforts being made to serve the populace. “The PUC is trying ambitiously to go as far as they need to go, and the areas where there is no coverage we will be taking service to the people,” she remarked.
Indigenous art exhibition honours George Simon This year’s Heritage Art Exhibition pays homage to the work of well-known Indigenous artist and archaeologist, George Simon. The Moving Circle of Artists (MCA) Retrospective Exhibition (1998-2019) opened at the National Art Gallery, Castellani House on September 7 and spotlights the role Simon played in transforming Indigenous art in Guyana. Simon was born in Pakuri Village (formerly St. Cuthbert’s Mission) in 1947. When he was 12, he and his adoptive father moved to Essex, England. In 1978, he graduated from the Univer-
sity of Portsmouth with an honours degree in art. He returned to Guyana in the same year and since they have been a powerful catalytic force in Guyanese art. On his return to Guyana, Simon took up a position as lecturer in art, archaeology and anthropology, and coordinator of the Amerindian Research Unit at the University of Guyana. The show also focuses on the “Six Lokono Artists” whose pioneering work led to a new movement of Indigenous art in Guyana. In the 1980s, Six Indigenous artists banded together to promote, exhibit and market their art.
Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Sydney Allicock and Minister with Ministry of Indigenous People’s Affairs Valerie Garrido-Lowe read about the artifacts on display.
Led by Simon, the other five – Foster Simon, Oswald Hussein, Roland Taylor, Telford Taylor and Lynus Klenkian -became known for what is today called ‘Lokono art’. From towering totem poles to tiny sculptures, they intricately crafted representations of plant and wildlife and indigenous symbols. Minister of Social Cohesion, Dr. George Norton said that it would be near-impossible to speak of Indigenous art without mentioning the work put in by Simon and the Lokono artists. “When one thinks about visual art from Guyana, the art from the Indigenous art-
ists stands out as distinct and prominent as it proposed a Guyanese aesthetic. These artists lean on their intimate knowledge of animal life, landscape to celebrate their culture as they share a unique perspective,” he noted. Delivering the feature address, Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Sydney Allicock noted that Simon’s journey has helped to promote the Indigenous people of this country. He commended the young artists participating in this year’s show and encouraged them to continue in the same vein as Simon, TURN TO PAGE
‘Consumer Affairs’ sees spike ... have space to fit ourselves,” he posited. But while Semple sees the police as the solution, over at the Route 41 (South Ruimveldt) Bus Park, Gary Adams, who has been driving for approximately one year now, believes the police are not doing enough. “They come out today, tomorrow they don’t. Something needs to be maintained throughout; that’s the only way order will be restored,” Adams said. He, too, complained of limited space on the bus park for the buses in operation. According to him, the situation has further been compounded by the presence of vendors on the park. MOST IN AGREEMENT
Many bus drivers are in agreement with much of what is contained in the Code; however, some believe that enough is not being done to hold consultations with the drivers, and for a systematic implementation of the Code. “I think they need more consultations with the drivers and the conductors. They got to have consultations; and meaningful ones, or else it can’t work,” said Clem Providence, a driver on the Route 47 (East/West) Bus Park. Providence said while he heard of the Code, he has never seen it. Nonetheless, he agrees that minibus operators must adopt a new culture of doing business. “As a minibus driver, I always say, people are getting a far from satisfactory service, and I think the gov-
ernment should have encouraged 30-seater buses instead of these buses. With these buses, no system you can’t get, because they are so much. How you gon’ implement a system with 5000 minibuses. It’s very hard in the country because you don’t have any system,” said. Some drivers, however, are more informed. “I have a copy of it; I did not go through it thoroughly, but I read some of it. I am in agreement with it; I agree with it 100 per cent, so I try to keep within the requirements,” noted Adams, the Route 41 driver. The Ministry of Business said the UMU is the only recognised bargaining agent for the minibuses, and therefore advises the drivers to join the union in order to be covered.
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UMU President, Eon Andrews told the Guyana Chronicle that some steps are being taken to enforce the Code, but admitted that enforcement is a challenge. “There are still a lot of things that need to be cleared up. There are still some police that are falling short. Some [minibus] operators waiting to see what will happen before they actually step out. What the Ministry is embarking on is to have outreach in the different regions, schools and other organisations educating persons. They’re now putting that together. Most of the other things it’s going to take some time,” Andrews told this newspaper.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday September 9, 2019
27 surgeries done as outreach wraps up at Mabaruma Regional Hospital
THE Department of Public Information (DPI) is reporting that a team of surgical specialists from the Georgetown Public Hospital, the Ministry of Public Health and other health facilities in Regions 2, 6 and 10, jointly conducted a two-day surgical outreach at the Mabaruma Regional Hospital. According to a release from the DPI, several patients and their families who benefitted from the exercise commended the efficiency of the surgical team and shared their relief of not having to travel elsewhere to have their surgeries done. It said the Regional Democratic Council assisted in transporting patients living outside of Mabaruma to the regional hospital. The surgeries were done with no cost to the patients or their families. Raymond Romascindo, a pensioner from the Moruca Sub-Region, who has worked in the mining sector for more than forty years, was there to do a hydrocelectomy (hydrocele removal). Romascindo said “I never took it seriously but this year it came down [got worse] and I knew I would have to take a surgery. They [the doctor] had me on a clinic, so now I am very happy to have the surgery.” The former miner who is now into small-scale farming and chicken rearing, was supported by his wife, Joan Romascindo, who said that this surgery would “save many people living in the interior.” Lindy Austin, mother of twoyear-old Mitchell Domingo, was busy comforting her baby boy who was already prepped to also undergo hydrocelectomy. She said that based on the doctor’s assessment, her son might have been born with hydrocele. “I feel relieved; I just wanted it to be done.” Debra James, a Guyana-Ven-
(removal of gall stones), tubal ligation (tying of fallopian tubes), dilatation and curettage (dilation of cervix and removal of uterus lining), cervical biopsies and a Cesarean Section It has been a while since a surgical outreach was held in Mabaruma and the Public Health Ministry has noted the high cost incurred to transport a patient or patients for surgery to Georgetown. In addition to that, money will have to be spent to transport the patients back to their home after they are cleared for travel by their doctor. Each patient must have a guardian accompanying them who needs to be housed as they support the patient. According to Director of Regional and Clinical Services, Dr. Kay Shako, the surgical outreach is
Minister of Public Health, Hon. Volda Lawrence, visiting patients who were prepped for surgery
A surgical procedure in progress
ezuela resident, was already in surgery and her daughter, Jocelyn Lugo, said within the last two years her mother has been trying to have the surgery done. She added that they had money for her to travel
but after being seen by a local doctor, she was put on the list for this surgery. Other surgical operations that were carried out by the team include Hernia repairs, Cholecystectomy
part of an overall objective to have the main operating theatre at the Mabaruma Regional Hospital functioning regularly, where surgeries can be done as cases are diagnosed.
Indigenous art exhibition honours ...
uncovering new aspects of Indigenous art. He also pointed to the fact that they can bring the Indigenous knowledge of living compatibly with the environment
to their art and this way help in promoting the message of developing a green state. “We need this type of information to be shared with others… over the
years, we have artists who have used the materials from the forest that are friendly to sustainable living; friendly to the ecosystem; friendly to where life exists,” he
added. Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Valerie Garrido-Lowe said Indigenous Heritage month provides persons with
an opportunity to have a glimpse in the rich culture and philosophy of the Indigenous peoples. “Our Indigenous people have created a civilisation of their
“We asked our doctors here to enlist patients that need surgeries because we don’t want our patients travelling to Georgetown or for us to be conducting medevacs all the time… We are going to have the theatre here [at Mabaruma Regional Hospital] operating regularly to ensure patients have their required surgery.” Meanwhile, specialist doctors will continue to visit the region to conduct follow-up reviews on those persons operated on during this outreach. Emergency cases, requiring immediate intervention, will have to be transported to Georgetown until the hospital has the adequate support staff to effectively roll out surgeries. Having the surgeries done in the regional hospital also provides doctors and nurses working there to be exposed to these surgeries which will aid in the decision-making process as they consider specialising. Speaking with the Minister of Public Health, Hon. Volda Lawrence, who checked in on patients in recovery and those preparing to undergo surgery, it was understood that another part of the overall objective is to create a partnership between General Medical Officers and senior consulting surgeons and other specialists in specific areas of interest. “We believe that if we bring out our specialists into these far-flung areas-- our doctors and nurses-- the whole team here will now have the opportunity to work along with them so they can gain experience. We are also looking for partnerships or mentorships, so to speak, so those specialists can identify doctor here who they can continue to work with,” the Public Health Minister explained. (DPI)
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own, pyramids, tools, wide array of sculptures, ceramic, all exquisite … these skills were not taught to us in schools, but it is passed down from centuries of artistic techniques
that are part of our DNA as Indigenous people,” she added. This year’s exhibition which is opened to the public will run until September 28. (DPI)
Accident leaves motorcyclist with horrific injuries A MAN may now lose his arm following a motorbike accident on Sunday around 17:00hrs at the intersection of Louisa Row and Norton Street which saw him colliding with a truck. Eye-witnesses say that the rider of the bike, CJ 6144, was speeding along Norton Street when he collided into the rear of a Bakewell truck which had almost cleared crossing Norton
Street along Louisa Row. An individual who witnessed the accident told the newspaper that all that was left of the man’s arm was bone and that a car quickly took him to the hospital. Meanwhile, driver of the truck GWW 6092, Shameer Khan said that although he is regretful of what occurred, he was in the right. “I coming over; I done
clear the corner and the man mek one speed. I was done till over here [over into Louisa Row] and blam! I tried to pull away the truck after I see he coming but it still happen,” said Khan, who has been driving for the Bakewell company for some eight years. “I stopped the truck and I come out and I tried to assist him. I feel messed up. If there was anything else that I could
Accident leaves motorcyclist with horrific injuries
do I would, but I can’t help it because I cleared already and I don’t know where this man came from speeding. Even if he brakes, he would have reached the truck.” The bike, driven by the man, who is said to be in his forties, is commonly known as a ‘scrambler’. Police were on the scene gathering information on the accident.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, September 9, 2019
If you work with children, read this
WORKING with children is a big responsibility, almost the same as being a parent. Children spend the best part of their conscious day in your care and just like parents you are meant to teach, guide and support them to the best of your ability. Children don’t care whether you are having a good day or a bad day or whether your husband, partner or teenager is stressing you out at home. All they care about is the communication, the interaction and the interest you portray to them while doing your job Everyone who works with children has the responsibility of guiding their behaviour in a positive, supportive way. This may be easier with younger children when the care worker is dealing with small issues that can be easily addressed, such as sharing, pushing or hitting another child. Older children may need guidance too, but it can be more difficult and time consuming to support older children --- especially when they are influenced by their family members and home environment. Working with a particular child, who has problems, or who needs extra help may seem like an uphill battle; however, this is the time when you must be patient, stay calm and not give up.
Children rely on adults, whether they are cognisant of this fact or not. They need adults to give them an extra push in the right direction; they need adults to take the time to talk to them and to guide them towards their true potential. It is an adult’s ‘duty of care’ to be able to do these things along with all the other elements that make up their job description. While the caring for and teaching of children may be far from a ‘walk in the park,’ it does have its own rewards. Children always remember those who made a positive input into their lives and when it comes to nation-building, once you have something positive to offer, you too can be an educator. Sometimes it may seem as if there are not enough hours in a day to take on all the little things that need attention or need to be put right. In addition, contending with less than cooperative parents can be a deterrent from going the extra mile. But bear in mind that children do not ask to be born into any given circumstance and they simply comply with whatever they are given. If you are able to instill one positive attribute in a child’s life per day you have done plenty; remembering of course, that you do not always see the fruits of your labour immediately or receive
Ogle building goes up in flames AN abandoned building at Ogle Airstrip Road on the East Coast of Demerara went up in flames at around 21:30hrs on Sunday. It is unclear how the wooden two-storey structure caught afire. However, residents, in the area, upon seeing the flames, summoned the Guyana Fire Service. Though arriving within minutes, firefighters were unable to save the building. The Fire Service Operations Officer (ag)
Andrew Holder told Guyana Chronicle that while the fire fighters managed to contain the blaze, access to water had proven to be a challenge. The firefighters responded to the scene of the fire with two fire tenders. The Guyana Prison Service fire tender was also summoned to the scene. Holder told this newspaper that the origin of the fire is unknown. An investigation has been launched.
The wooden building engulfed in flames
overnight results. Sometimes it takes a little time for the penny to drop, especially with behavioural change. When you work with children from time to time it is good to do some introspection. None of us are perfect and above board, there is always some room for improvement. When care workers or Teachers say demeaning things to a child such as, ‘You does proper fret me’ or ‘You’s a disgusting child – what I gan do with you?’ it does not help. Some children are told enough derogatory things at home without care workers jumping on the bandwagon and being insensitive during the day. Some people who work with children fail to recognise the special role they play in a child’s development and therefore, his/her life. You may hear them say things like, ‘Me ain’t like he…that child is a cross’ or ‘Me spirit ain’t tek that child at all.’ Care workers or teachers who feel this way are failing the child in their care because of their personal hang-ups. Whatever a child does wrong can be corrected and whatever attribute a child lacks can be nurtured; children are a work in progress and each child has potential. When possible, it is best to concentrate
on turning negatives into positives: instead of saying ‘Don’t run in the corridor’ you could say, ‘Take your time and walk’ and instead of shouting at a child, talk to the child. There is a big difference between ‘talking at’ and ‘talking to’ a person: the latter shows tolerance and respect. Children watch everything their care worker or teacher may do, so set a good example; they are aware of how you cope with frustration and anger. They see your interaction with others and know whether you are pleasant and polite or whether you are rude and short-tempered. Always be aware that some children may not be growing up in the best circumstances and every day they are being exposed to, or coping with undesirable events over which they have no control. Most adults have the intelligence, the experience and the opportunity to assist children; even more so those who work with them. Working with children is a big responsibility. If you are concerned about the welfare of a child, call the CPA hotline on 227 0979 or write to us at childcaregy@gmail.com A MESSAGE FROM THE CHILDCARE AND PROTECTION AGENCY, MINISTRY OF SOCIAL PROTECTION
Construction sector, economy growing MINISTER of Finance Winston Jordan called the Guyana Oil Company’s establishment of a new lube bond and office facility a positive development and another indication of the strides that the Guyana economy is making, particularly in the construction sector, while projecting that growth overall for 2019 will be 4.5 percent. He was speaking at the commissioning of the facility at Providence, East Bank Demerara, on Friday. He said that a good measure of the health of the economy is activity in the construction sector, as it means people are seeing the wisdom of building permanent structures. “Any economist
would tell you that a good barometer of how well an economy is doing is the growth in construction… If people are constructing, they are showing faith in the future. They would have made their own assessment and come to the conclusion that it is worthwhile putting down a permanent structure,” the minister said. The minister said that as a result, at the half year, the construction sector had grown by 8.2 percent, following 8.1 percent growth at the corresponding period last year. “And, buoyed by this growth, we have projected the sector to grow by 11 percent by the end of the year. Overall, we project the economy to grow
Minister of Finance Winston Jordan by 4.5 percent in real terms, the fifth consecutive year of growth under the coalition government; it would represent another year of solid, broad-based growth, and give credence to the NASDAQ prediction of Guyana having one of the fastest growing economies in the world,” the minister said.
GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday September 9, 2019
Gov't moves to amend GPL licence
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... to cater for company purchasing power ...citizens invited to make representation or objections
WITH the Guyana Power and Light Inc (GPL) seeking partnerships to remedy its shortfalls in power generation, the government through the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, is moving to amend a section of GPL’s licence to allow the purchasing of power from external sources. In local newspapers on Sunday, a notice signed by Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson, stated that GPL’s licence restricts the company from purchasing power from any person other than an Independent Power Producer (IPP) which produces power from renewable energy sources. The IPP also does not include businesses whose main business is not the
generation of power and which supply no more than 10 megawatts (MW). Currently, GPL is in the process of finalising a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with MCG Investments Inc. [Giftland Mall] to enhance its generating and reserve capacity and meet the needs of its customers. While the legal and regulatory modalities are being completed, GPL’s board has given authorisation for the receipt of Expressions of Interest (EoI) from other potential power providers with immediately available generation capacity. Another such potential supplier is Banks DIH. The company faces many challenges due to the shortfall in power generation in the Demerara-Ber-
Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson
bice Interconnected System (DBIS). Due to a defective transformer at the Onverwagt, Berbice Substation, GPL is unable to export 6.9MW of power to the DBIS. Additionally, a 5.5MW generator at the Canefield Power Plant
is scheduled for maintenance, while a 4MW generator at the Garden-of-Eden Power Station is unavailable as GPL is currently awaiting replacement parts. To compound the situation, on September 3, one of GPL’s poles with two transformers
was uprooted by contactors on the Sheriff/Mandela Road expansion project. In the notice, Minister Patterson expressed that the government and GPL are serious about working toward the reduction of blackouts, as well as the supply of efficient power to Guyanese. “There is much public interest (home-owners and private businesses) to supply their excess generation capacity to GPL’s grid. The government and GPL are desirous of facilitating distributed generation in a manner that is consistent with GPL’s generation and expansion plans, and with the country’s Green State Development Strategy (GSDS) which recommends the opportunity for consumers, small and large-scale
businesses to supply their excess generation to public suppliers,” Patterson stated. With this consideration, the minister has proposed the amendment of Section 15 of GPL’s licence in keeping with Section 13 of the Electricity Sector Reform Act, 1999. It should allow the company to purchase the excess generation capacity of its consumers, self-generators and other businesses where feasible and consistent with the company’s generation requirements for connection to its grid. The general public has been given no later than October 6, 2019, to make representations or objections to the Minister of Public Infrastructure at his Kingston, Georgetown office.
Guyana strengthens business ties with UK GUYANA has strengthened its business relationship with the United Kingdom (UK) as the country records its successful participation in the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) Offshore Europe Conference and Exhibition held in Aberdeen, Scotland, this month. The event, which stretched from September 3-6, enabled businesses and country representatives to engage directly with technical experts in innovative technology from over 1,000 suppliers on the international market. Among the Guyana delegation were public and private-sector executives such as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Guyana Office for Investment (GO-Invest) Owen Verwey; Executive Director of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Dr Vincent Adams; Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) President, Nicholas Boyer; Guyana's High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Frederick Hamley Case; British High Commissioner to Guyana, Gregg Quinn and others. The event was attended by over 15 Guyanese businesses, and was facilitated by the GCCI and the British High Commission. At an Aberdeen-Guyana Gateway Networking event
on September 4, Ambassador Case told the gathering that Guyana is at a critical point of its development and relies on cities such as Aberdeen for good guidance. He stated that the new friendship between Guyana and Aberdeen has made possible the signing of a two-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce and GCCI. The MOU will allow the two countries to support each other at various levels of business growth and prosperity. “It can now be seen that the relations between Guyana and Scotland is not just about diplomatic or government bilateral connection, but a relationship fully endorsed by the private sector of our two cities and countries,” he said. “As we move forward as an oil-producing nation in 2020, it is hoped that we can advance this relationship and similar events like this in Georgetown as well. The Aberdeen-Georgetown relationship is developing into an important mechanism for both our economies and we will continue to build on this foundation and explore more business collaboration for the benefits of both countries.” Plans for development At the event, the Guy-
Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) President, Nicholas Boyer (left) and Chief Executive of the Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce, Russell Borthwick sign the two-year MOU.
Guyana’s economy and its impending boom. The fund aims to identify future Guyanese economic cornerstones; market the fund to investors through an authorised broker and see investors capitalise on the investment vehicle. The involved parties could also work to establish a source or fund manager; have the fund manager direct investments by the fund and eventually invest the fund’s capital to earn a return for investors. Dr Lei Wang said that
[From left] Executive Director of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Dr Vincent Adams; Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Guyana Office for Investment (GO-Invest), Owen Verwey; and British High Commissioner to Guyana, Gregg Quinn standing behind Baker Hughes
ana Onshore Fund – a concept moved by Peter Hambro Limited (PHL) and Dr.
Lei Wang (LW) – was also pitched as an in-demand investment vehicle targeting
cornerstone investors have indicated a willingness to
be a part of the Guyana Onshore Fund to the tune of US $100M. There are no direct investments in hydrocarbons but potential allocation targets include port facilities and cranes; fuel and bunkering; marine services; engineering and maintenance; wet and dry docks; healthcare; catering services; commercial office space and warehouses and storage. The purpose of the presentation at the networking event was not an invitation or solicitation for investment, but a means of describing a concept under discussion. Should it materialise, the prime movers will engage the services of authorised persons to see that all regulatory conditions are met. Last November a mission from Guyana, which included public and private sector stakeholders, visited Aberdeen. Discussions coming out of the visit were focused mainly on education, trading and skills development. The effort was reciprocated when Lord Provost, Mayor of Aberdeen, Barney Crockett and Scotland’s Energy Industry Council visited Guyana in March.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday September 9, 2019
Promise delivered! –– Min. Adams-Yearwood donates bicycles to deserving students
MINISTER within the Ministry of Agriculture, with responsibility for Rural Affairs, Valerie Adams-Yearwood returned to the village of Sandvoort in Berbice, to fulfill a commitment made just over a week ago. During her initial visit to the community, a resident, Lynette Haywood, informed her that four students who had done the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) had performed well. Haywood sought the minister’s assis-
Minister within the Ministry of Agriculture, with responsibility for Rural Affairs, Valerie Adams-Yearwood addressing the small gathering at the handing over ceremony
The bicycles that were donated to Sandvoort’s NGSA top performers
tance in acquiring bicycles for those students. On Friday, September 6, Minister Adams-Yearwood returned with the bicycles as promised. According to Minister Adams-Yearwood, after the request was made, she wasted no time in trying to source the bikes. She reached out to businessman Peter Lewis, who, without hesitation, agreed to donate the bicycles. “I sent him a message, asking if he and any other businessman in New Amsterdam would be willing to donate four bicycles. In no time, I received his response saying he would make the donation,” she detailed. In addition to fulfilling her commitment to having the bicycles donated to the children, the minister also fulfilled another commitment to have Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) Fredrick Flatts meet with the residents of Sandvoort and Jabba to address their drainage and irrigation concerns. Minister Adams-Yearwood had committed to having an excavator dispatched to Sandvoort to assist the small farming community. This was done during last week, and the farmers were pleasantly surprised by the swiftness with which their concerns were being handled. The NDIA CEO and his team of engineers assessed the drainage and irrigation systems within the communities. This is but the latest in several commitments made by Minister Adams-Yearwood that have been delivered in a very timely manner.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday September 9, 2019
Speightland gets 7-year-old burn victim dies permit to utilise waterfront land SEVEN-year-old Shaniya Persaud, who was severely burnt, has died, Saving Hands Emergency Aid (SHEA) Foundation announced on Sunday night. “Shaniya fought a long and difficult battle, but her fragile body could no longer continue. Her heart stopped twice today and her doctors tried desperately to resuscitate her, sadly when it stopped the third time, Heaven gained an angel,” SHEA said in a Facebook post. It added: “At this most difficult time SHEA would like to extend heartfelt con-
Minister of State, Hon. Dawn Hastings-Williams handing over the land permit to President of the Speightland Logging and Agriculture Cooperative, Kevon Lorrimer
RESIDENTS of Speightland, located in Mackenzie, Linden (Region 10), on Sunday received a oneyear permit to utilise a plot of land near the waterfront. The recreational area is managed by the Speightland Logging and Agriculture Cooperative Society. The permit was handed over to the President of the Speightland Logging and Agriculture Cooperative, Kevon Lorrimer by Minister of State, Dawn Hastings-Williams during the village’s 2019 Heritage Day activity. Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Sydney Allicock, was also at the event. According to Lorrimer, the residents tried to access the land for more than 23 years. He said two persons, who do not reside in the community, were claiming ownership of the land after the residents had occupied it. “I remember several times being placed in police custody because I was fighting for this playfield… under the previous administration, we made several attempts to attain ownership of the land and it was turned down and it has been more than 23 years and finally, today, we are now happy to receive this permit,” Lorrimer said. Lorrimer said it is the intention of the village to erect a pavilion and a community centre for the youths on the plot of land. Minister Hastings-Williams explained that the permit will be valid for 12 months after which it can be renewed. In the interim, talks will be ongoing with the National Industrial and Commercial Investments
Limited (NICIL) to provide a 20-year lease to the community for the land. Minister Hastings-Williams said that the permit delivers on a promise made to the residents when the then Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, visited the community and residents requested to utilise the land to develop a community playground. “We [the government] believe in making things possible. We believe in ensuring that the wishes of the people are granted. That is the reason you put us in government; to serve you,” Minister Hastings-Williams told the residents. In his remarks, Minister Allicock charged the residents to work together for the development of their community, and use the month’s celebration to reflect on how far they have come as a people. “We have a nation to build and we can only do that if we are united…We cannot afford to be divided at this time. Guyana is too precious. Guyana has so much that every single Guyanese can benefit,” Minister Allicock said. During the culture presentation, the Speightland young culture group performed several dances. The Surama and Rupertee culture groups from Region Nine also performed dances and song in their Makushi languages. Residents also participated in cricket and football games. (DPI)
Seven-year-old Shaniya Persaud
dolences to Shaniya’s family;
we are grieving with you.” More than 90 per cent of Persaud’s body was burnt while she was trapped in her home in Mon Repos, which went up in flames on August 5, 2019. Persaud miraculously survived the fire by walking out of the house as it was burning. It was reported that she was covered in flames, but neighbours quickly went to her rescue. The child was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC). Little Shaniya was later flown to the US for further
treatment. The Saving Hands Emergency Aid (SHEA) Foundation and the Rotary Club of Demerara had took on the case to assist Persaud with getting treatment for the third degree burns which she sustained. SHEA had secured treatment for Persaud at the Shriners Hospital in Galveston, Texas. Doctors at the hospital, after trying everything possible, were left with no choice but to amputate one of her legs, a few fingers, and a section of her ear.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, September 9, 2019
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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday September 9, 2019
Water catchments helping sustain agriculture in Reg. 9
IN an effort to provide relief to farmers during the dry season, the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) is executing a water catchment project in several villages in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo), an initiative that is being praised by farmers there.
very important because, in the dry season, our cows have to go far to look for water. So,
ian foods are very popular and consumed in Lethem and other parts of Guyana. In this
NAREI Farm Manager Joseph Gonsalves
Quarrie Senior Councillor Phillip Baretto
To date, several North Rupununi villages have benefited from the water catchment project. Among those villages are Wowetta, Rupertee, Annai, Massara and Toka. Currently, the NDIA has a team in Quarrie, a village in Central Rupununi, and will be moving next to St. Ignatius and Shulinab. Regional Agricultural Officer Dr. Darren Halley told the Guyana Chronicle that the South-Central and Deep-South villages will be targeted next. He explained that the water catchment project is as a result of a research done in 2015, after a year-long dry spell. Realising that the farmers suffered tremendously during that period, a decision was made to embark on the water catchment project. The project received an overwhelming response from farmers and village councils, and according to Dr. Halley, all of the villages will benefit from this initiative, once their councils endorse it. Depending on the topography of the village, a natural catchment, in which water is sourced from the springs and creeks, is developed. If there is no other water source, a rain catchment is developed. Funding for these catchments is being made available through the Ministry of Agriculture. The Central Rupununi village of Nappi also benefited from a catchment project funded by the Ministry of Natural Resources. Phillip Baretto, a senior councillor within the village of Quarrie, said his people are thankful for the water catchment, as it is significant to their livelihood. “The water catchment is
The water catchment at Quarrie
with this water catchment, our cows will remain close, so we can monitor them. And the farmers, too, don't have to go and look for water, so that has been a very great help to our community,” Councillor Baretto explained. The water catchment is also serving the village's upcoming tourism sector, as the sky’s blue colour is reflected in the water, thus giving the catchment a scenic, beach-like appearance. With this new provision, which has allowed for an increase in farming activities in the villages in which they are located, the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) has also ramped up its plant nursery production and seedling distribution to farmers in the region. NAREI operates its plant nursery in St. Ignatius, and farm manager Joseph Gonsalves said farmers are now able to plant cash crops and fruit trees, in addition to the staple, cassava. The demand presently, he said, is for citrus, particularly grapefruit and the rough lemon. He is also encouraging farmers to utilise the moringa plant, since it possesses multiple uses. It can be used as a medicinal plant, and can be eaten raw, or cooked as a stew. One problem cited by Gonsalves is the lack of market for these farmers. It was explained that the Rupununi does not have the population to take off the produce coming out of the villages, and local crops are not allowed to enter Brazil, even though Brazil-
regard, Gonsalves said that the completion of the Linden to Lethem Road is highly anticipated, as it will also boost the agricultural sector in Region Nine. Farmers will then be in a better position to source markets outside of the Rupununi, since trading between villages is also very difficult in the rainy season, since villages are often cut off from each other. Gonsalves believes that a Lethem to Aishalton road linking villages from the Central Rupununi to the Deep-South is also important. The villagers, however, have displayed ingenuity in bringing a solution to the matter. Rather than relying on markets for raw crops, they have begun to process them, and these agro-processing initiatives are gaining momentum, with products now reaching international standard of packaging and labeling. “In each village,” Dr. Halley said, “we have some amount of agro-processing going on: The Wowetta Farine Factory; Moco Moco Farine Factory. Parashara has the women's group; St. Ignatius they do peanut butter, cashew nut butter and a variety of products, amongst others.” With more villages catching on to the idea, the Guyana Marketing Corporation has commenced training with these agro processors in the area of packaging and labeling for products processed from meat, vegetables, fruits and staples.
The plant nursery at St. Ignatius, which supplies all villages with seedlings
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, September 9, 2019
GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, September 9, 2019
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, September 9, 2019
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, September 9, 2019
Pooran, Rutherford blast Amazon ... From back page
about to upstage his partner. Having made 25 from the first 22 balls he faced, Pooran plundered a scarcely believable 36 from the last eight. Five of those deliveries disappeared into the stands, including two enormous hits over midwicket back-to-back off Primus. Raymon Reif-
er’s final over was marmalised, with three sixes in four balls over long-on, long-off and extra-cover. The middle of those three brought up Pooran’s 50, and what an innings it was. In all, 72 runs came from the last four overs of the innings – 45 of them from the last two. As can happen, the momentum from the end of the Warriors’ batting effort carried into their bowling effort. Having impressed when opening the batting, Hemraj was also handed the new ball with instant results as the Tridents’ star signing Alex Hales was bowled first ball playing back when he ought to have been forward. The ever-impressive Shadab Khan took care of Johnson Charles and Boucher before Malik brought himself into the attack and promptly enticed Jonathan Carter to drag on. Worse was to come for the Tridents in the next over as an attempted second run to Keemo Paul’s bullet arm in the deep saw skipper Jason Holder caught inches short of his ground for just 4. JP Duminy scrapped his way to 20 before dragging an awkward-looking pull shot into his stumps to hand Paul a first wicket of the night to leave the
Tridents in tatters at 75/6. Ashley Nurse restored some respectability with some lusty blows of his own, launching his very first ball straight back over Chris Green’s head for a Hero Maximum and adding a further two sixes and three fours in his 40 from 25 balls, but it was little more than damage limitation. Pooran was again to the fore in Nurse’s downfall, flying to his left to take a superb leg-side catch as Nurse lap-swept Romario Shepherd, who then bowled Raymon Reifer round his legs first ball. Josh Lalor survived the hat-trick ball – just about, having decided to run down the wicket and try to blast it – but the game was long gone. Shepherd finished things off with minimal fuss in his next over, having Primus well held low down by Hetmyer at longon and then rearranging Sandeep Lamichhane’s stumps to finish with exceptional figures of 4/13 from just 2.4 overs. Upcoming Fixtures: Tuesday 10 September – St Kitts & Nevis Patriots v Jamaica Tallawahs (11pm), Warner Park; Wednesday 11 September – St Kitts & Nevis Patriots v Barbados Tridents (11pm), Warner Park. (CPL)
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, September 9, 2019
Rashid torments Bangladesh again as Afghanistan close in on victory RASHID Khan tormented Bangladesh once again as Afghanistan closed in on victory on a rain-affected day four of the one-off Test in Chattogram. Captain Rashid claimed a first-innings five-for and took another three wickets on Sunday before stumps was called with Bangladesh on 136-6, still requiring another 262 runs.
However, with inclement weather limiting the action and more forecast, Afghanistan will hope to get things wrapped up as quickly as possible on the final day. Afghanistan opted against an overnight declaration and, after a start delayed by rain, were finally bowled out for 260, Afsar Zazai left stranded
two shy of a maiden Test half-century. An early lunch was taken due to another downpour with Bangladesh on 30 without loss, and in the second over after the resumption Liton Das (9) was pinned by debutant Zahir Khan (2-36). Zahir accounted for Mosaddek Hossain (12) before Rashid (3-46) trapped
Mushfiqur Rahim (23) and Mominul Haque (3) as the hosts were reduced to 102-4 by tea. Shadman Islam (41) fell to Mohammad Nabi (1-38) before Mahmudullah (7) was taken by Ibrahim Zadran at forward short leg off Rashid, though rain denied Afghanistan the chance to make further in-roads.
Scoreboard
AFGHANISTAN 1st innings 342 Bangladesh 1st innings 205 Afghanistan 2nd innings Ihsanullah lbw Shakib Al Hasan 4 Ibrahim Zadran c Mominul Haque b Nayeem Hasan 87 Rahmat Shah c&b Shakib Al Hasan 0 Hashmatullah Shahidi c Soumya Sarkar b Nayeem Hasan 12 Asghar Afghan c Shakib Al Hasan b Taijul Islam 50 Afsar Zazai Not Out 48 Mohammad Nabi c Mominul Haque b Mehedi Hasan 8 Rashid Khan b Taijul Islam 24 Qais Ahmad lbw Shakib Al Hasan 14 Yamin Ahmadzai Run Out Liton Das 9 Zahir Khan c Mominul Haque b Mehedi Hasan 0 Extras 4b 0lb 0nb 0pen 0w 4 Total (90.1 overs) 260 all out Fall of Wickets : 1-4 Janat, 2-4 Zurmatai, 3-28 Shahidi, 4-136 Afghan, 5-171 Zadran, 6-180 Nabi, 7-210 Khan, 8-235 Kamawal, 9-260 Ahmadzai, 10-260 Khan Bowling : Shakib Al Hasan 19 - 3 - 58 - 3, Mehedi Hasan 12.1 - 3 - 35 - 2, Taijul Islam 28 - 6 - 86 - 2, Nayeem Hasan 17 - 2 - 61 - 2, Mominul Haque 10 - 6 -13 - 0, Mosaddek Hossain 4 - 1 - 3 - 0. BANGLADESH 2nd innings Liton Das lbw Zahir Khan 9 Shadman Islam lbw Mohammad Nabi 41 Mosaddek Hossain c Asghar Afghan b Zahir Khan 12 Mushfiqur Rahim lbw Rashid Khan 23 Mominul Haque lbw Rashid Khan 3 Shakib Al Hasan Not Out 39 Mahmudullah c Ibrahim Zadran b Rashid Khan 7 Soumya Sarkar Not Out 0 Extras 0b 2lb 0nb 0pen 0w 2 Total (44.2 overs) 136-6 Fall of Wickets : 1-30 Das, 2-52 Saikat, 3-78 Rahim, 4-82 Haque, 5-106 Anik, 6-125 Mahmudullah To Bat : Miraz, Islam, Hasan Bowling : Yamin Ahmadzai 4 - 1- 0- 14 - 0, Mohammad Nabi 17.2 - 4 - 38 - 1, Rashid Khan 13 - 0 - 46 - 3, Zahir Khan 10 - 0 - 36 - 2.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, September 9, 2019
Australia retain Ashes after Old Trafford triumph By Simon Evans
MANCHESTER, England (Reuters) - Australia retained the Ashes after beating England by 185 runs at Old Trafford on Sunday to take a 2-1 lead in the series with just one Test remaining. England, who resumed on 18-2, were bowled out for 197 on the final day with Australia seamer Pat Cummins taking four for 43. Australia’s victory, with 81 balls remaining, was a convincing one but England’s spirit cannot be criticised as they fought until the final hour in their attempt to save the test and keep the series alive. The tourists lead 2-1 going into this week’s final test at The Oval where they hope to become the first Australian team to win an Ashes series in England since 2001. Steve Smith, whose magnificent double century and then second innings 82 were the key factors in this win and whose batting throughout the series has ensured the Ashes remain in Australian hands, was delighted. “It feels amazing to know the urn is coming home. I’ve been here a few times when things haven’t gone our way. This was always one to tick off my bucket list. It’s extremely satisfying,” he said. The main early resistance from England came from Joe Denly who made 53 from 123 balls and Jos Buttler, who lasted 111 balls for his 34. England’s hopes of an unlikely escape-act rose when Jack Leach and Craig Overton batted for over an hour giving the crowd belief over a second ‘miracle’ after the comeback win at Headingley. But part-time leg spinner Marnus Labuschagne finally removed Leach, with a ball that turned sharply in the rough and was gloved to Matthew Wade at short leg. Overton batted with sense, stoicism and a strong technique, but he was trapped lbw by Josh Hazlewood to set off the Australian celebrations. “I didn’t think it would be this emotional,” said Australia captain
The urn returns! Aussie cricketers celebrate (Getty Images) Tim Paine. “The amount of work that’s gone in to retain the Ashes has been enormous and I’m really proud of this group and how we bounced back from Headingley,” he added. England captain Joe Root told the BBC: “I’m bitterly disappointed. I thought the way we fought today, the character we showed, every single one of them can be proud of that today. “To come so close to taking it to The Oval is hard to take. We’ve still got to look forward and make sure we level the series.” TURNING POINT England will look back on the second day of this Test as the turning point when they simply could find no way to remove Smith and Australia’s 497-8 declared gave them an advantage that they were unable to seriously challenge. The final day was never going to be a run-chase of Headingley vintage, given the target of 383, with England’s task simply to survive until the close. That challenge was made all the more difficult after they lost Jason Roy and Ben Stokes before lunch. Roy was well set before the impressive Cummins bowled him for 31 with a beautiful delivery that cut back off the seam to leave England at 66-3. The crowd rose to welcome Stokes,
the hero of England’s last day triumph at Headingley, but there was to be no repeat performance from the all-rounder. Another fine delivery from Cummins clipped the inside edge of Stokes’s bat and was well taken by wicketkeeper Paine, the England batsman not waiting for the umpire’s verdict as he walked off. Denly had been the pick of England’s batsmen before he was outdone by sharp turn and bounce from spinner Nathan Lyon, the ball striking his glove and being snaffled up by Labuschagne at short leg. Jonny Bairstow (25) was lbw to Mitchell Starc before Overton came in to join Buttler, in what was probably England’s last realistic chance of a big partnership. But Buttler misjudged a delivery from Hazlewood which he left only to see it cut back sharply and clatter into his off-stump. Australia keep the Ashes, which they won on home turf last year and it is the first time they have retained the urn since the end of their long period of domination in 2002. There is though plenty left to play for when the teams meet again at The Oval on Thursday — England could level the series while Australia will be desperate to ensure they go home as winners.
Scoreboard AUSTRALIA 1st innings 497 for 8 declared England 1st innings Rory Burns c Steven Smith b Josh Hazlewood 81 Joe Denly c Matthew Wade b Pat Cummins 4 Craig Overton c Steven Smith b Josh Hazlewood 5 Joe Root lbw Josh Hazlewood 71 Jason Roy b Josh Hazlewood 22 Ben Stokes c Steven Smith b Mitchell Starc 26 Jonny Bairstow b Mitchell Starc 17 Jos Buttler b Pat Cummins 41 Jofra Archer c Tim Paine b Pat Cummins 1 Stuart Broad b Mitchell Starc 5 Jack Leach Not Out 4 Extras 4b 11lb 4nb 0pen 5w 24 Total (107.0 overs) 301 all out Fall of Wickets : 1-10 Denly, 2-25 Overton, 3-166 Burns, 4-175 Root, 5-196 Roy, 6-228 Bairstow, 7-243 Stokes, 8-256 Archer, 9-283 Broad, 10-301 Buttler Bowling: M. Starc 22 - 7 - 80 - 3, J. Hazlewood 25 - 6 - 57 - 4 (1nb), P. Cummins 24 - 6 - 60 - 3 (1w 3nb), N.Lyon 36 - 4 - 89 - 0 . AUSTRALIA 2nd innings David Warner lbw Stuart Broad 0 Marcus Harris lbw Stuart Broad 6 Marnus Labuschagne lbw Jofra Archer 11 Steven Smith c Ben Stokes b Jack Leach 82 Travis Head b Jofra Archer 12 Matthew Wade c Jonny Bairstow b Jofra Archer 34 Tim Paine Not Out 23 Mitchell Starc Not Out 3 Extras 5b 2lb 1nb 0pen 7w 15 Total (42.5 overs) 186 decl Fall of Wickets : 1-0 Warner, 2-16 Harris, 3-24 Labuschagne, 4-44 Head, 5-149 Smith, 6-158 Wade Did Not Bat : Cummins, Hazlewood, Lyon Bowling : S. Broad 14 - 4 - 54 - 2 (1w),J. Archer 14 - 2 - 45 - 3 (1nb), C. Overton 5.5 - 1 - 22 - 0 ( 2w) J.Leach 9 - 0 - 58 - 1. ENGLAND 2nd innings Rory Burns c Travis Head b Pat Cummins 0 Joe Denly c Marnus Labuschagne b Nathan Lyon 53 Joe Root b Pat Cummins 0 Jason Roy b Pat Cummins 31 Ben Stokes c Tim Paine b Pat Cummins 1 Jonny Bairstow lbw Mitchell Starc 25 Jos Buttler b Josh Hazlewood 34 Craig Overton lbw Josh Hazlewood 21 Jofra Archer lbw Nathan Lyon 1 Jack Leach c Matthew Wade b Marnus Labuschagne 12 Stuart Broad Not Out 0 Extras 9b 8lb 2nb 0pen 0w 19 Total (91.3 overs) 197 all out Fall of Wickets : 1-0 Burns, 2-0 Root, 3-66 Roy, 4-74 Stokes, 5-93 Denly, 6-138 Bairstow, 7-172 Buttler, 8-173 Archer, 9-196 Leach, 10-197 Overton Bowling: P. Cummins 24 - 9 - 43 4 (2nb), J. Hazlewood 17.3 - 5 - 31 - 2, N. Lyon 29 - 12 - 51 - 2, M. Starc 16 - 2 - 46 1, Marnus Labuschagne 4 - 1 - 9 - 1,
Penalty save sees Liberia through in World Cup qualifier By Mark Gleeson JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - Liberia needed a last-gasp penalty save, Ethiopia an own goal, Tanzania shootout penalties and Equatorial Guinea a late strike to all win their World Cup first round ties on Sunday and advance to the group phase of the qualifiers for Qatar 2022. The quartet are the first nations through from the opening knockout round, which pits the 28 bottom-ranked countries on the continent in two-legged knockout ties. A last-gasp penalty save by teenage
goalkeeper Ashley Williams ensured Liberia, coached by Englishman Peter Butler, advanced 3-2 on aggregate over neighbours Sierra Leone, despite losing 1-0 in Freetown. Sierra Leone reduced the aggregate deficit through Kei Kamara after 55 minutes of Sunday’s second leg and would have won the tie on the away goal rule if they had scored the penalty in stoppage time at the end of the match. But captain Umaru Bangura’s kick was easily stopped by 18-year-old Williams to ensure Liberia’s progress. Ethiopia drew 1-1 away against
Lesotho in Maseru where home captain Nkau Lerotholi’s own goal early in the second half provided the visitors with the vital away goal in a 1-1 aggregate draw. Tanzania made heavy weather of their tie against Burundi after drawing 1-1 away in the first leg last Wednesday. They were ahead in Sunday’s return leg in Dar-es-Salaam through Belgian-based Mbwana Samatta but gave up an equaliser to Fiston Abdul Razak on the stroke of halftime. The match then went into extra time before Burundi missed all their kicks in the post-match penalty
shootout, which Tanzania won 3-0. Equatorial Guinea captain Emilio Nsue, formerly of Middlesbrough and Birmingham City, scored the 72nd minute winner in his side’s 1-0 win at home to South Sudan in Malabo. The 2-1 aggregate victory proved a lot tougher than expected for Equatorial Guinea, who had beaten the same team 4-0 when they last hosted them three years ago. The remaining 10 first round qualifying ties will be settled today. The winners advance to the group phase where 40 countries will be divided into 10 groups.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, September 9, 2019
Johnson’s unbeaten double century lifts GCC to big win over UG –– Alimohamed grabs five wickets in second innings LEON Johnson was a class above the rest over the weekend as he lifted home team, the Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC), to an emphatic innings and 254-run victory over a disappointing University of Guyana side in the 2019 GISE Star Party Rental and Trophy Stall First Division Two Day clash at the Bourda ground. The national skipper, who ended the opening day (Saturday) on 154 not out, continued his majestic strokeplay on Sunday morning to push the home team to 405-8 before they declared. In the process, he registered
Leon Johnson’s innings was superb a double-century. His 200 unbeaten runs came off 153 balls and included 12 fours
and eight sixes. Johnson’s innings was not just an aggressive,
boundary-laden performance. It was clinical: a mixture of delicate strokes, controlled aggression and smart shot selection. When the dust had settled, UG, who were slaughtered for 47 in their first innings, were given an insurmountable total to overhaul. By lunch, they were already struggling at 40-2, with the openers back in the pavilion. The second session proved relatively fruitful for the home side as six wickets fell, including that of Omesh Danram, who topped scored with 29 and Linden Austin who scored 20. The home
Ronaldo Alimohamed finished with match figures of 8-20 from 17.4 overs.
team could not, however, end the game before the break as UG’s tail wagged momentarily. After tea, Alimohamed proved decisive to pick up his fourth and fifth wickets of the innings in quick successions. He knocked Devon Paul’s off stump out of the ground, before he delivered a ball that kept low and trapped Y. Favourite LBW later in the over. In the second innings, the pacer finished with 5-13 from 11.4 overs, taking match figures of 8-20 from 17.4 overs. UG were able to get to three figures (104-all out in 46.3 overs), but the clash was always one-sided.
Mootoo, Nanan spin DCC to emphatic victory over Diplomats NATIONAL- U19 cricketer, Daniel Mootoo and his 15-year-old schoolmate, Inderjit Nanan, spun their way to a combined 15 wickets to dismantle the Diplomats Sports Club twice in one day, which sealed an innings and 159-run victory for the Demerara
DCC’s Inderjit Nanan spun his way to 6-18.
on Saturday, which left the side at a commanding 389-4 declared; Diplomats showed some fight at 61-1 from 18 overs by the close of play. On Sunday, that fight disappeared as left arm spinner Mootoo extracted movement and bounce from the pitch, which bewildered the visiting batsmen. It was not until his eighth over (third for the day) that the 16-year-old was able to get his first dismissal—then they came quickly. Daniel Mootoo grabbed a career high 8-34 in the first innings. Cricket Club (DCC) at home, yesterday, in the GCA- organised Noble House Seafoods second-division two-day cricket competition. After Raymond Perez (192) and Sachin Singh (115) had blasted centuries for DCC in their first innings
CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Monday September 09, 2019) COMPLIMENTS OF THE TROPHY STALLBourda Market & The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD- 83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) (1) (2)
Answers to yesterday’s quiz: Johan Botha Omar Khan
Today’s Quiz:
(1) What was the result of the Warriors first match in CPL 2019? (2) Who was declared Man of the Match?
Answers in tomorrow’s issue
In four overs, he had sent back five batsmen by decimating the Diplomats’ middle order. In total, the Chase Academy student finished with a career-high 8-34 from 17.2 overs, which left Diplomats on 127 all out in 43.2 overs. D i p l o m a t s’ s k i p p e r, Rickford Mohamed and top order batsman, Martima King, scored over half of their team’s runs. Mohamed led the attack with 55 (4X4s, 6X4s), while King supported
with 23 (3X4s). With a lead of 262, DCC decided to make their opponents follow on, which saw them batting again yesterday morning. Although Mootoo opened the bowling, he could not replicate his previous results; instead, it was his Chase Academy schoolmate, Nanan, who did the damage. Nanan took wickets throughout his innings, including two in his 12th over
to end the game. In total, he finished with 6-18 from 11.2 overs, and his first five-wicket haul at club level. King again looked good in the middle. His 37 (4X4s and 2X6s) had, however, just delayed the inevitable as the side succumbed for 103 all out in 40.4 overs. Mootoo, who grabbed a wicket in the second innings, finished with match figures of 9-54 from 29.2 overs.
Perry’s ton powers Aussies to emphatic ODI series win
A superb century from star allrounder Ellyse Perry has helped Australia women seal a 151-run victory and wrap up the one-day international series over the West Indies with a game still to play in Antigua. A dramatic first innings at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium had it all; a last-minute change of captain for the Australians, a hectic cap presentation ceremony for a debutant, an innings retirement due to the stifling heat, the joint-fastest ODI fifty by an Australian woman and of course, Perry’s second ODI hundred. It was Perry’s brilliant unbeaten 112 from 118 deliveries that laid the foundation for Australia’s total of 2-308, their second consecutive total above 300. The superhuman allrounder then defied all notions of fatigue to take the new ball, picking up the wicket of Windies opener Stacy Ann King in her second over. Set a monumental target, the hosts never looked particularly hurried in their pursuit after losing two early wickets, instead frustrating the Australian attack to finish on 8-157 at the end of 50 overs.
It was Perry’s brilliant unbeaten 112 from 118 deliveries that laid the foundation for Australia’s total of 2-308, their second consecutive total above 300. The superhuman allrounder then defied all notions of fatigue to take the new ball, picking up the wicket of Windies opener Stacy Ann King in her second over. Set a monumental target, the hosts never looked particularly hurried in their pursuit after losing two early wickets, instead frustrating the Australian attack to finish on 8-157 at the end of 50 overs. Australia had planned to field an unchanged XI for the second of three ODIs, before captain Meg Lanning was ruled out just moments before the coin toss due to back spasms. Vice-captain Rachael Haynes was forced to sprint from the ground mid-warm-up to change into her Australian uniform for the toss, where she called correctly and elected to bat. At the same time, Australian coach Matthew Mott hurried over to uncapped allrounder Erin Burns, shaking her hand with the news she’d be making a long-awaited debut.
A cap presentation quickly followed as Burns received ODI cap No.141 from Sydney Sixers teammate Perry. Haynes (13) and Healy then put on 56 for the first wicket, with in-form Healy the aggressor as she brought up a half-century from just 33 deliveries – including taking 18 from one Chinelle Henry over. Her hopes of back-to-back one-day tons were thwarted when Henry had her revenge, Healy miscuing an attempted lofted drive to depart for 58. Perry made the most of her promotion to No.3 in Lanning’s absence, never looking like being removed from the crease once she’d arrived. Her half-century was more sedate than Healy’s, coming off 66 deliveries, but in sweltering conditions she was unflappable as she expertly worked the ball around Sir Vivian Richards Stadium. At the other end it was a different story for Beth Mooney. The Queenslander never looked comfortable in the harsh conditions, sitting on her haunches between balls as the heat began to get the better of her.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, September 9, 2019
Nadal beats Medvedev to win 19th Grand Slam title RAFAEL Nadal won his 19th Grand Slam title after holding off Russian Daniil Medvedev’s exhilarating fightback in a gripping US Open final. Spain’s Nadal, 33, won 7-5 6-3 5-7 4-6 6-4 against the fifth seed in New York. Nadal, seeded second, was cruising at two sets and a break up, only for Medvedev to force a decider. But Nadal stopped his momentum to eventually clinch a thrilling victory in four hours and 51 minutes. Nadal’s victory moves him within one of Swiss rival Roger Federer’s all-time leading tally of Grand Slam victories. After taking his third match point, Nadal collapsed to the court in celebration, covering his face
as contemplated another famous victory which epitomised all of his fighting spirit. Medvedev, 23, trudged around the net to warmly congratulate his opponent, who looked on the verge of tears as he covered his face with his sweat-soaked vest while taking rapturous acclaim. Those lucky enough to be watching among a near 24,000 capacity crowd were regularly left openmouthed at what they witnessed, with the majority jumping to their feet and celebrating wildly after every point, helping create an electric atmosphere on a noisy Arthur Ashe Stadium. Medvedev had been booed by the crowd ear-
Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates with the championship trophy during the trophy presentation ceremony after winning his Men’s Singles final match against Daniil Medvedev of Russia on Sunday. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
Simmons, Ramdin keep TKR unbeaten PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, (CMC) – Lendl Simmons and Denesh Ramdin lashed half-centuries as Trinbago Knight Riders maintained their winning streak in the Caribbean Premier League with a comfortable seven-wicket win over St Lucia Zouks here Sunday. Asked to chase an uncomplicated 168
Lendl Simmons hits out during his half-century for TKR at Queen’s Park Oval on Sunday. at Queen’s Park Oval, TKR marched to their target in the 18th over, to win their third on the trot and sit on top the standings on six points. Simmons made a fiery 63 off 39 balls at the top of the order while Ramdin hit an unbeaten 50 from 38 deliveries to see his side home alongside captain Kieron Pollard who finished 26 not out. West Indies opener John Campbell had earlier top scored with 43 off 42 deliveries as Zouks, choosing to bat first, rallied to 167 for five off their 20 overs.
Opener Rahkeem Cornwall blasted 33 off just 12 balls while Andre Fletcher and Najibullah Zadran struck 26 apiece. The loss was the second straight for the Zouks following their opening defeat to Guyana Amazon Warriors last Thursday in Georgetown. Zouks had a whirlwind start compliments of Cornwall, who struck five fours and two sixes to energise a 42-run opening stand off 22 deliveries with Fletcher. Off-spinner Sunil Narine broke the stand when he had Cornwall lbw missing a sweep but Fletcher, who counted two fours and a six in a patient 32-ball knock, added a further 30 for the second with Campbell. Fletcher holed out in the deep in the 10th over but the 46-run, third wicket stand that followed between Campbell and Zadran was a slow one and Zouks were stalling at 118 for three in the 16th over when the partnership ended. Captain Sammy then belted two sixes in scoring 16 from 13 balls, in a 39-run fourth wicket with Campbell, to help the innings along. The target was never going to be enough to really challenge TKR even though they found themselves 34 for two in the fifth over after losing Sunil Narine (7) and Tion Webster (2) cheaply. Simmons then tore into the Zouks bowling, counting five fours and five sixes as he added 72 for the third wicket with Ramdin whose knock included five fours and a six. With victory in sight, Simmons was stumped off left-arm spinner Kavem Hodge and Ramdin formalised the result in an unbroken 62-run, fourth wicket partnership with Pollard, who punched two sixes and a four in a quickfire knock.
lier in the tournament, yet heard his name loudly chanted by many as he threatened to complete an extraordinary comeback. Ultimately it was too late as he was unable to become the first man outside Nadal, Federer and Serbia’s world number one Novak Djokovic to claim one of the sport’s biggest prizes since Stan Wawrinka’s victory here in 2016. Nadal, Federer and Djokovic have won the past 12 Grand Slams after the Spaniard lifted the trophy in New York for a fourth time. Now Nadal has the chance to draw level with 38-year-old Federer, who was nine titles better off than his long-time rival in 2007, at the Australian
Open in January. Emotional Nadal outlasts latest young challenger Despite Nadal, Federer and Djokovic being in their 30s, nobody has been able to break their stranglehold on the men’s game and Medvedev was the latest to fall short after a heroic effort. That has allowed the illustrious trio to pile on the Grand Slam victories over the past three years, livening up the race to be crowned the greatest of all time, which Federer once seemed certain to win. Nadal, who also won his 12th French Open title earlier this year, is now within one of Federer’s tally for the first time. (BBC Sport)
Corporate Guyana roars with ‘Golden Jaguars’
(L-R) CIDI’s Vanessa Adamson-Carr (Marketing Director) and Randy Goodett (Operations Director) after making a presentation to GFF’s Keeran Williams. CARIBBEAN International Distributors Inc. (CIDI) under their Blue Life Water brand, Extra Beer and Extra Energy Drink, Grill Kings, the National Communications Network and Tourism Guyana have all come on board in various forms and committed to the success of Guyana’s first home game in the CONCACAF Nations League tonight against the ‘Reggae Boyz’. Marketing Director of CIDI, Vanessa Adamson-Carr, noted that her company is pleased to support the Golden Jaguars “in their quest for glory as they compete in the Concacaf Nations League. CIDI will stand in support of our national team and the Blue Life Brand will support this team
100% in their endeavours.” Fresh off a 1 – 0 win in their first match of this campaign against Aruba yesterday in Curacao, the Golden Jaguars will be hoping to capitalize on another three points with the home advantage before facing Antigua and Barbuda in Antigua on October 11. However, the Reggae Boyz will be no easy opponent having won their first match against Antigua by a 6 – 0 margin and leading the group. The match against the Reggae Boyz is scheduled for 19:00hrs with a $2,000 admission fee. Tickets will be available at the gate and gates will be opened from 17:00hrs.
Pooran, Rutherford blast Amazon Warriors to third CPL win
AN extraordinary unbroken fifth-wicket partnership of 78 from just 29 balls between Nicholas Pooran and Sherfane Rutherford set Guyana Amazon Warriors on their way to a third straight Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) victory at the expense of Barbados Tridents. This thumping 47-run victory means that last year’s runners-up have, like the team that beat them to the 2018 title Trinbago Knight Riders, gone three from three during the first home stint of their season. For much of the Warriors innings, though, such a result looked far from certain. Chandrapaul Hemraj was the only one of the top
Nicholas Pooran hits out during his unbeaten 61 from 30 balls.
four to get to grips with tricky batting conditions, dominating the early scoring to such an extent that when the Warriors had 31/1 on the board after the PowerPlay Hemraj had accounted for 27 of them. When he fell for a well-compiled 63 from 55 balls, blending watchful defence and accumulation with six fours and three Hero Maximums, the innings looked in danger of falling away at 102/4 one ball into the 16th over. Brandon King had top-edged a pull shot to give Leniko Boucher an easy catch behind the wicket for just 1. Saturday night’s hero Shimron Hetmyer had gone cheaply too, superbly caught goalkeeper style by sub-fielder Hayden Walsh Jr at point for 9 off the bowling of Roshon Primus, who also accounted for Warriors captain Shoaib Malik for 4 when an attempt to run the ball down to thirdman succeeded only in steering the ball in to Boucher’s gloves. But almost from the moment Rutherford and Pooran got together after Hemraj’s departure the game changed. Rutherford was the first to cut loose, smashing the fifth ball he faced clean out of Providence Stadium off Aussie paceman Josh Lalor. Back-to-back Hero Maximums followed for the 20-year-old off Holder in the next over before his best shot of the night off Primus. It was a low full-toss that Rutherford somehow managed to hit hard and flat over the fence at point with astonishing wristwork. It was truly special stuff, taking Rutherford at that stage to 30 from 11 balls, but remarkably former Trident Pooran was See page 19
Underdogs at home!
Golden Jaguars focused on getting a ‘W’ against Jamaica tonight By Rawle Toney AFTER edging Aruba 1 – 0 on Friday last, the Golden Jaguars will host Jamaica tonight at the National Track and Field Centre, in their first home game in the CONCACAF Nations League. The game, which kicks off from 7:00pm, will see Guyana facing the Reggae Boyz for the first time since their infamous defeat, when the Jamaicans came from 2 – 0 down at half time to thump Guyana 4 – 2 in a game that saw the Golden Jaguars missing out on a Gold Cup spot, while Jamaica went on to reach the final of CONCACAF’s pinnacle event. Though both sides started their Nations League campaign on a winning note, Jamaica sits on top of Group C in League B with a ‘+5’ superior goal difference, having won 6 – 0 against Antigua and Barbuda. “I do feel going into this game we are the underdog,” team Captain Samuel Cox told reporters yesterday at the pre-match press conference. The UK-based defender, however, stated that “we just had a really good results and performance away against Aruba (where) the boys applied them-
everything we can to get the results.” Despite accepting that Guyana might have their backs against the wall facing a well-rounded Jamaica side that will feature Bundesliga star Leon Baily, Assistant Coach Charles ‘Lilly’ Pollard pointed out that the Golden Jaguars still hold an “equal chance” of coming out on top or securing a draw. According to Pollard, “the ball is round and the team we have now is a blend of experience and some new guys, a good balance of overseas and local (players) and we have some young guys. I think it will be a competitive game and as I stated, our chances are equal.” Speaking specially to the result, Pollard said given the fact that both teams started the group stage by picking up three points, “a draw wouldn’t be a bad result in this game.”
French Ligue 2 forward Terrel Ondaan will be a key piece for Guyana against Jamaica tonight selves really well and that gives us the confidence going into the game at Leonora. It’s 90 minutes of football we’re going to give
MANAGING EXPECTATIONS Much has changed since Guyana qualified for the CONCACAF Gold Cup and made their first appearance at a major CONCACAF tournament. Guyana is now playing under newly-appointed coach, Brazilian Márcio Máximo, who made some adjustments to the team represent-
ing the ‘592’ in the USA this year. Cox is of the view that while he welcomes the fans wanting to hold the team to high expectations, it should be clear that the team is going through a transition at the moment and that it’s only right that those beliefs be managed. “This is an entirely different squad composition; it’s a good blend of local and overseas players and we have to manage expectations of players and fans alike because it’s a transition period from the summer where [we] had Coach (Michael) Johnson and now we have Coach (Márcio) Máximo in charge where there’s a different team dynamic. He’s had just about a week work with the boys…it’s going to take time and we know we’re coming up a really strong side in Jamaica, but on any given day we can beat anybody,” Cox said. Guyana will bank on the experience of Cox, Neil Danns, Sheldon Holder, Matthew Briggs, Keanu Marsh-Brown and Goalkeeper Akel Clarke. Terrel Ondaan, who plays with Grenoble Foot 38 in the French Ligue 2 league, will have a major role to play ‘up front’ for Guyana, with the 25-year-old forward holding the Golden Jaguars’ best chances, along
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Leon Bailey is Jamaica’s biggest star and can be trouble for Guyana with Holder and Danns to give the home side a chance against a tough Jamaican defence. For Jamaica, apart from Bailey, their side will feature defender Adrian Mariappa who plays in the English Premier League with Watford FC, Fulham FC’s Bobby Reid and MLS side Philadelphia Union’s goalkeeper Andre Blake. MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2019