Guyana_Chronicle_E-paper_09_27_2019

FRIDAY 27th SEPTEMBER, 2019

' No.105773

MARCH 2 IS IT ---President reassures nation elections will be held on March 2, regardless

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---says PPP refusal to return to Parliament will not affect conduct of polls CPA, police hunt child abusers in Facebook video 09 PAGE

Qatar Airways coming 09 PAGE

‌GCAA signs pact with airline to operate here

GRA unveils tax breaks for tourism sector 11 PAGE

Gov't commissions $250M family care centre Two of the buildings that make up the new state-owned Children and Family Care Centre (Delano Williams photo)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, September 27, 2019

CPCE gets $50M science lab upgrade

…as President iterates gov’t support for STEM MODERN science equipment, procured over a period of three years with funding from the Government of China, was, on Thursday, officially handed over to the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE) by China’s Ambassador to

Guyana, Cui Jianchun, in the presence of President David Granger.

Minister of Education, Dr. Nicolette Henry; the Chief Education Officer (CEO), Marcel Hutson; and Principal of CPCE, Viola Rowe, were among the officials who

participated in the simple, but significant event. The equipment, already in full use, would allow for enhanced and advanced experiments at the CPCE as teachers undergo training there.

In his address, President Granger said cognisant of the

A teacher in training conducting an experiment. Observing are: (R-L) CPCE Principal, Viola Rowe; President David Granger; Chinese Ambassador, Cui Jianchun; Minister of Education, Dr. Nicolette Henry, and Chief Education Officer, Marcel Hutson

shortages of laboratory equipment and reagents, he solicited the support of Ambassador Jianchun in October 2017 to re-equip and renovate the science laboratories at CPCE. “I was extremely unhappy with the state of the college’s science laboratories which had only two microscopes for 36 students. I reached out to the ambassador for assistance to help to remedy this unacceptable state of affairs,” President Granger explained.

Within weeks of that October meeting, the People’s Republic of China signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Ministry of Education, paving the way for the disbursement of US$231,800 or approximately GYD$50M for the renovation and upgrade of the laboratories at the college. President Granger said it is important for teachers to be trained in environments that would allow them to effectively master new pedagogies, techniques and technologies. Stating clearly that there is no place for an untrained teacher in the country’s future education sector, he said trained teachers are central to achieving an education system that produces graduates equipped with the knowledge, skills, attitudes and values for personal and national development.

As it fosters growth within the Education Sector, government, the President said, is placing tremendous emphasis on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) in alignment with its vision of transforming Guyana into a “green state”.

The provision of funds for the procurement of the science equipment represents the second promise kept, in the field of education, by the Chinese Embassy here since the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) Government took office in 2015. In October, 2016, the government, with the support

Some of the science equipment on display in the Physics and Chemistry Labs

of the Chinese Embassy under the stewardship of Ambassador Zhang Limin, launched the One Laptop per Teacher Initiative. Since then, approximately 9,000 teachers were presented with laptops to aid in their practice.

“The OLPT Initiative re-asserts the importance of education to the nation; acknowledges the role of information in education and the value of our teachers in the delivery of that information to our students and augments other investment in teacher training; and initiated the process modernising ICT development, starting with educators – the brain of our public education system,” President Granger explained.

It was noted that China’s support for education is evident in the assistance offered under the Agreement on Economic and Technical Cooperation between the Government of Guyana and the Government of China for Grant Aid, which will be used for the development of the Bertram Collins College of the Public Service. It was under this agreement that the science laboratories at CPCE were upgraded.

He told Ambassador Jianchun that Guyana anticipates continued international cooperation in education as it rolls out its Decade of Development in 2020. The Decade, he explained, will accord the highest importance to education, and will allow for, at some stage, the constitutional

provision of free education from nursery to university.

“The ‘Decade’ will ensure a school in every village so that children do not have to travel long distances to attend school. The Decade will result in the provision of a first-class education for our children,” President Granger detailed.

Ambassador Jianchun said the contribution of US$231,800 in science equipment to CPCE is in keeping with a commitment made more than two years ago to President Granger, his government and people of Guyana.

He explained that upon his arrival in January, 2017, President Granger, during their initial deliberations, identified education as a critical foundation for the development of the country. Ambassador Jianchun said the Chinese Embassy was pleased to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Education for the disbursement of US$231, 800, in three tranches, for the procurement of science equipment for CPCE’s Laboratory. “From 2017 to 2019, we managed to complete all three disbursements and were glad to learn that until early this month, all the deliveries were also fulfilled. I have confidence that the procured equipment will make an important contribution to the development of CPCE's Science Department,” the Chinese Ambassador said.

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MARCH 2 IS IT

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, September 27, 2019

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…President reassures nation elections will be held on March 2, regardless ---says PPP refusal to return to Parliament will not affect conduct of polls

By Svetlana Marshall AMID speculations that he merely disclosed the earliest date by which elections could be held, President David Granger, on Thursday, confirmed that General and Regional Elections will be held on Monday March 2, 2020.

In his address to the nation on Wednesday, the Head of State said based on discussions with the Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Justice (Ret’d) Claudette Singh and his Cabinet, the earliest possible date for the conduct of elections would be March 2, 2019. Moments later, former Attorney General and People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Executive Member, Anil Nandlall, said the President fell short of proclaiming a date for elections, and merely informed the nation of the earliest possible date.

But President Granger, on the sideline of an event at the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE) on Thursday,

removed all doubts. “Elections will be held on the 2nd March, that was the advice I received,” he told reporters.

The President explained that he did not use “more definitive terms” on the basis that both the Government and the Opposition would be required, under the Constitution, to return to the National Assembly for an extension of the timeline for elections.

Article 106 (7) mandates that elections be held within three months of a No-Confidence Motion, or within an extended period approved by two-thirds of the National Assembly.

As a consequence, the government will return to the National Assembly when it reconvenes in October to ask for an extension. But President Granger made it clear that failure by the Opposition to endorse such a motion will not affect the conduct of the General and Regional Elections. “If the Opposition doesn’t go to parliament, we will abide by what I said last night, elections will be held on the 2nd March; that is as de-

been given by the Chairman of the Commission,” he said.

President David Granger speaking to reporters at CPCE’s Turkeyen Campus on Thursday (Delano Williams’ photo)

finitive as I can get,” President Granger said.

The President noted that he was guarded in his remarks, so as to allow for GECOM to publicise its work schedule. “It is not my duty or my intention to micromanage the process or to say things which the Commission could implement,” he posited.

Nonetheless, President

Granger said he is satisfied with the assurance given particularly for the production or extraction of a credible list of electors. “I am satisfied that the Commission is confident that the extended claims and objections period would allow all of the electors to indicate whether there are any claims and objections. I am satisfied, that is the assurance I have

CPCE gets $50M science ...

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He said that with over 47 years of profound friendship, China stands committed to strengthening its relationship with Guyana through various programmes and projects in the area of education and other critical sectors.

“China will continue its assistance and support within its capacity for Guyana’s development and stands ready to work with Guyana to upgrade our relations to a new level,” Ambassador Jianchun reassured Guyanese.

Within the next five to 10 years, the oil and gas sector will be the driving force for the development in the country, the Chinese Ambassador predicted, while noting that in the not so distant future, China and Guyana, will also be in a position to take their relations to a higher level.

Meanwhile, Minister of Education, Dr. Nicolette Henry said the equipment, consumables and reagents will enhance the science capabilities of CPCE to more effectively discharge its mandate.

“Education is indeed the key for the development of a country. In China, it is often said, when the youth are educated, then the country is educated. When the youth are strong then the country is strong. If we are to extrapolate that and look around the world, we see those countries that are strong and respected, are strong in education, those that are advanced, are advanced in education,”

President David Granger in discussion with Science Lecturer, Reshana LaRose, on the benefits of the science equipment. Observing are CPCE Principal, Viola Rowe; Ambassador Cui Jianchun; Minister of Education, Dr. Nicolette Henry, and Chief Education Officer, Marcel Hutson.

Dr. Henry said.

Here in Guyana, as other parts of the world, more focus is being placed Science. She said as a result, educational institutions are mandated to upgrade for the betterment of human resources, skills, capacity building and emerging industries.

“People learn best through involvement as learning is not passive in nature.

Certainly we cannot limit learning to words alone; our teachers and school learners are the most important school

based drivers of student outcomes. Seminal research conducted in many settings showed that high performing teachers can improve students’ performance by more than 50 per cent over a three year period. These studies also show that an outstanding principal that is focused on instructional and not only administrative leadership can raise student outcomes by 20 per cent over the same period.

Therefore, opportunities that build the capacity of our teachers and leaders in education in most valued,” the education

35 DAYS FOR C&O Last Tuesday, GECOM took a decision to commence Claims and Objections from October 1, 2019 for a period of 35 days. It will also solicit help from the US and Commonwealth for the provision of advisers for the elections, so as to allow for free, fair and credible elections. It is expected that GECOM will be fully prepared for elections by the end of February, 2020, in keeping with the advice given to President Granger by its Chairman, Justice Singh.

Leader of the Opposition, Bharrat Jagdeo, on Thursday, said though he is not entirely satisfied with the February 2020 timeframe given by GECOM or the March 2 elections date proclaimed by the President, his party-- the People’s Progressive Party-- is prepared to work with those timelines.

Early elections in Guyana were triggered when, on December 21, 2018, the Par-

liamentary Opposition – the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) – secured a one-seat majority in the House to defeat the government on a Motion of No-Confidence.

Now recalled Member of Parliament, Charrandass Persaud, had used his vote in the House to support the Motion, thereby giving the Opposition an edge over the government in the 65 Member National Assembly.

The No-Confidence Motion was upheld by the High Court on January 31, 2019 but on March 22, 2019, the Court of Appeal, by a 2-1 majority, invalidated the motion on the basis that an absolute majority was not acquired although the Opposition had secured an extra vote to defeat the government. It was not until June 18, 2019 that the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) – Guyana’s final appellate court – validated the No- Confidence Motion.

minister reasoned.

At the CPCE, she said, the added equipment will allow both lecturers and students to have an improved experience. This experience will be later shared in classrooms when science teachers, upon their completion at CPCE, are deployed to schools across the country.

Principal of CPCE, Viola Rowe; and Science Lecturer, Reshana LaRose, who provided President Granger and Ambassador Jianchun with a tour of the Biology,

Chemistry and Physics Laboratories, said the teachers in training are now able to effectively conduct experiments, now that the labs are well equipped for advanced learning.

The upgrade of the laboratories at CPCE comes at a time when the government is repositioning the education sector advancements in new and developing sectors.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, September 27, 2019

White House tried to cover up Trump call details

SENIOR White House officials tried to “lock down” all details of a phone call between Donald Trump and the Ukrainian president, according to a whistleblower complaint against the US president.

In the call, Mr Trump pushed Volodymyr Zelensky to investigate his leading domestic political rival, Joe Biden.

The newly released complaint says the call transcript was not stored in the usual computer system.

Instead it was stored in a separate system used for classified information.

Nancy Pelosi, the most senior Democrat, announced on Tuesday that the party was pushing ahead with a formal impeachment inquiry against the Republican president.

She accused Mr Trump of seeking foreign help in the hope of smearing Mr Biden - who is seeking the Democratic nomination for the 2020 presidential election - and of using military aid to Ukraine as a bargaining tool.

Mr Trump acknowledged that he personally blocked nearly $400m in military aid to Ukraine days before he spoke to Mr Zelensky, but denied that it was to pressure the Ukrainian leader into investigating Mr Biden.

The release of the whistleblower complaint came as US

Friday, September 27, 03:30hrs - 14:30 hrs

lawmakers on the House of Representatives intelligence committee began to question President Trump’s top intelligence official on the issue. Acting National Intelligence Director Joseph Maguire had initially refused to share the complaint with Congress.

But under questioning by the House committee on Thursday, Mr Maguire said he believed the whistleblower had acted in “good faith” and “did the right thing”.

President Trump has dismissed the impeachment proceedings as a “hoax” and “another witch-hunt”.

Speaking to reporters at the White House on Thursday after the release of the whistleblower’s report and the congressional hearing, he said the impeachment process “shouldn’t be allowed”.

“What... Democrats are doing to this country is a disgrace and it shouldn’t be allowed,” he said. “There should be a way of stopping it, maybe legally through the courts.”

Recordings of Mr Trump’s comments to staff at the US mission in New York on Wednesday have emerged in which Mr Trump says that whoever gave the whistleblower information is “almost a spy”.

In an apparent reference to the execution of spies by the US in the past, he adds: “You know what we used to do in the old days when we were smart? Right? The spies and treason, we used to handle it a little differently than we do now...”

WHAT DOES THE COMPLAINT SAY? The whistleblower’s complaint accuses Mr Trump of “using the power of his office to solicit interference from a foreign country in the US 2020 election”.

The now unclassified document characterises the president’s conduct as a “serious or flagrant problem, abuse, or violation of law”.

The alleged violation concerns President Trump asking his Ukrainian counterpart on 25 July to investigate unfounded allegations against Mr Biden.

The whistleblower says in the complaint that they had learned from several sources that senior White House officials had intervened to “lock down” all records of the call, particularly an official word-for-word transcript.

“This set of actions underscored to me that White House officials understood the gravity of what had transpired in the call,” the whistleblower wrote in the complaint.

The whistleblower says details of the call were stored in a “stand-alone computer system reserved for codeword-level intelligence information, such as covert action”.

The whistleblower adds that officials said it was “’not the first time’ under this administration that a presidential transcript was placed into this codeword-level system solely for the purpose of protecting politically sensitive - rather than national security sensitive - information”.

The complaint makes clear that the whistleblower was “not a direct witness” to most of the events described, but found their colleagues’ accounts to be credible “because, in almost all cases, multiple officials recounted fact patterns that were consistent with one another”.

WHAT’S HAPPENED IN CONGRESS? The House intelligence committee chairman Adam Schiff, a Democrat, opened the hearing by accusing President Trump of a “classic organised crime shakedown”.

But the leading Republican on the committee, Devin Nunes, a Trump supporter, said: “I want to congratulate the Democrats on their latest informational warfare operation against the president and their extraordinary ability to once again enlist the mainstream media in their campaign.”

Mr Schiff asked Mr Maguire why he had sought advice from the White House before deciding to release the whistleblower’s report.

“It just seemed prudent to check,” Mr Maguire responded, saying he had sought the advice of White House counsel to determine if the report included information protected by presidential executive privilege.

He added: “I believe everything in this matter is totally unprecedented.”

During further questioning by Mr Schiff, Mr Maguire said he believed the whistleblower had acted in “good faith”.

He continued: “I think the whistleblower did the right thing. I think he followed the law every step of the way.”

(BBC)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, September 27, 2019

India announces US$14M grant for CARICOM countries … extends US$150M line of credit for renewable energy, climate change projects

THE Government of India will make available a US$14M grant for developmental projects in the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), and another US$150M in Line of Credit for solar, renewable energy, and climate change related projects, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced during a meeting with CARICOM leaders.

He also announced the setting up of the Regional

Centre for Excellence in Information Technology in Georgetown, Guyana and the Regional Vocational Training Centre in Belize by upgrading the existing India-funded centers in courses, training and deputation of Indian experts based on the needs and requirements of the CARICOM countries.

Guyana’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Dr. Karen Cummings was among the 14 CARICOM Leaders who

India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi and CARICOM leaders

India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi greeting Guyana’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Karen Cummings

met with India’s Prime Minister Modi on the margins of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York.

The September 25 meeting, represented the first-ever meeting with PM Modi and the CARICOM Leaders in a regional format, and according to the Indian High Commission, highlighted the steadily intensifying and deepening relations between India and partner countries of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).

“PM Modi reiterated India’s firm commitment to strengthen its political, economic and cultural engagement with CARICOM.

He recalled the presence of more than a million strong Indian diaspora as a vibrant and enduring link of friendship with the Caribbean,” the Indian High Commission reported.

Prime Minister of St Lucia and Chairman of CARICOM co-chaired the meeting which was attended by Heads and Ministers from the Governments of Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica, Jamaica, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, Suriname, the Bahamas, Belize, Grenada, Haiti and Guyana.

During the meeting,

the leaders discussed the importance of strengthening the political and institutional dialogue processes, boosting economic cooperation, increasing trade and investment and fostering greater and more robust people-to-people relations. “PM Modi also laid emphasis on partnering with CARICOM countries in capacity building, development assistance and cooperation in disaster management and resilience,” the Commission disclosed.

The Indian Prime Minister also invited CARICOM countries to join the International Solar Alli-

ance, for which Guyana is already apart, and the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure.

He also used the platform to expressed condolences to the Bahamas for the destruction and lives loss as a result of Hurricane Dorian. India provided financial support in the amount of US$1M. The CARICOM leaders welcomed the support being offered by the Indian Government.

They took a decision to set up a Joint Task Force to expeditiously look into possible areas of cooperation and identify the way forward.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, September 27, 2019

Return to the National Assembly

NOW that President David Granger has identified March 2, 2019 as the earliest possible date for elections to be held, it is now incumbent on the Opposition to return to Parliament to facilitate the extension of the life of government in an effort to hold credible elections.

The Constitution at Article 106 (7) states, “Notwithstanding its defeat, the Government shall remain in office and shall hold an election within three months, or such longer period as the National Assembly shall by resolution supported by not less than two-thirds of the votes of all the elected members of the National Assembly determine, and shall resign after the President takes the oath of office following the election”. President Granger, in his address to the nation last evening, stressed that the extension of a period beyond three months for the holding of an election is related to the Elections Commission’s readiness to hold the elections. He stated emphatically

that the Government of Guyana must, as a consequence, return to the National Assembly to request an extension and announced that the National Assembly will reconvene on 10th October, 2019.

He said, too, that as President, he is required to both dissolve Parliament as provided for in the Constitution at Article 70 (2) and the ten Regional Democratic Councils as provided for in the Constitution at Article 73 (2). The Constitution at Article 61 states: “An election of members of the National Assembly under Article 60 (2) shall be held on such day within three months after every dissolution of Parliament as the President shall appoint by proclamation.”

Additionally, in keeping with the CCJ’s recommendation to heed the constitutional requirement of speedy elections, the Guyana Elections Commission had also done its part by reducing its original timeline for the House-to-house registration from eighteen months to three months. In so doing,

it struck a balance between principle and practicality as recommended by the court.

Although the March 2nd timeline would result in elections being held later than the constitutional requirement, it is covered by Article 6-7 which makes allowance for an extension if so required. This is the practicality that the court recommended, and the framers of the constitution envisaged.

The CCJ in its ruling, obviously cognizant of the zero-sum attitude inherent in Guyana’s politics, recommended that the principal actors be guided by cooperation and consensus. After much back and forth, this was heeded by the two leaders in the naming of the GECOM chair.

The President, as he did in the case of the appointment of the GECOM chairman, has shown a willingness to compromise. It is time the opposition leader follow suit. We fear that the PPP’s non-cooperation would not achieve the outcome of holding the elections in the shortest possible time. This

These people threaten the future of Guyana THE hypocrites are out in full force; and so are the liars of every immoral shade.

Now they are joined by even newer dishonest conscripts, for a fee of future rewards from the imminent oil and gas flow. And the competition has become fiercer, in terms of who will out do the other for daily fabrications; fake news, lies and distortions of all sorts.

The main corps comprise the monsters who have been helped out from their banishment from the swamp, to where they were consigned for a while, by their land-based cohorts, generously returning a favour in return for all the material loot to which they had helped themselves.

Off the scene for a while, they have now all converged, aided by the heavily vested interest and hypocritical media, and some news sites, all salivating on the future promise of wealth from the coming of oil and gas. This prospect has resurrected the greatest collective of local hypocrites and dishonest citizens, subversives of varying types, whose various roles, when

converged, are of one intention – to foment social crises, as exemplified a short while ago.

It is plainly a right-wing conspiracy; reactionary, and supported by big money, a fact of which I had since 2017, pointed out in a letter, but which was not published, for fear I believe,that it may have offended a certain sector. It was not a dishonest observation; which proof has been gradually evolving for all to see. Led by the private media with a phalanx of varied professionals – all since following the political opposition’s lead in demonizing an administration for no real credible reason, except as part of the larger goal of grabbing power.

Editor, the Facebook with its incendiary and sordid racism, is a growing tragedy for a nation that have had the experiences of this more than dangerous iniquity, made even more extreme because of its continuing use as a tool to keep political support in line. From its dark corridors, the intention is clear. How can a country with so much to gain, continue with this political detritus,

which can only result in national grief? Is it not time that those, its risky practitioners, think about the degradation which they continuously off load on the country which they claim to love; and caution their party leaders for this portent of grave selfharm, which is fostered for narrow selfish ends? One wonders about the motive, the mind set of opposition politicians whose agenda of power at any cost, is premised on an appeal to race. It is the nation’s largest source of danger to the peace.

Like the effortless lies and other fraudulent pronouncements that are the constant forte, from the known quarters, inclusive of those who have since sold their consciences – they cannot lay claim to love country, while promoting divisions; Not when they never proved that fact, during the twenty-three years of governance; their governance policy of marginalization became the order of the day.

They again threaten Guyana.

Regards Carla Mendonca

can be best achieved through cooperation and consensus.

It is against this background that we urge the PPP to do the right thing by agreeing to an extension of the life of the government in keeping with the requirements of Article 6-7. The party should return to the National Assembly to facilitate this process. By holding on to its stated position of not returning to the Assembly and refusing to recognise the government after September 18, the PPP is not covering itself in glory. At crucial moments like these, responsible and mature leadership is required. The PPP must be mindful that its actions is in breach of Article 6-7 and has the potential of exacerbating unnecessary tensions in the society.

We have come a long way as a nation and Guyana deserves better.

History would look kindly on Mr. Jagdeo and the PPP if the choose country over narrow partisan considerations. The nation and the world are watching.

Change is also needed in international cooperation around how our oceans are protected Dear Editor, URGENT action is needed if we are to keep our planet – and our oceans – safe and habitable.

This requires more ambitious targets to reduce carbon emissions and shift our energy system away from polluting fossil fuels towards one hundred per cent renewable energy. Change is also needed in international cooperation around how our oceans are protected.

It is hoped that early next year UN member states will agree a strong global ocean treaty that could pave the way for the creation of marine sanctuaries, placing at least 30% of oceans off limits to human activities such as commercial fishing and oil and gas exploration.

This is a crucial step towards building the resilience of marine ecosystems and securing a sustainable future for those whose livelihoods depend on our oceans.

Government should be a vocal champion for ocean conservation.

Now is the time for all nations to turn political will into decisive action and lead the way on forging a global ocean treaty.

Regards Rooplall Dudhnath

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, September 27, 2019

Gov’t commissions $250M family care centre

By Lisa Hamilton

A FIRST-OF-ITS-KIND $250M Children and Family Care Centre was commissioned by President David Granger, on Thursday. The centre will serve as a temporary sanctuary for at-risk children and families.

The centre is located in Plum Park, Sophia, Georgetown, and can house up to 80 individuals at a time and will be accessible 24/7. It is made up of seven building which include dormitory facilities for boys and girls; living quarters for up to eight families; kitchen; dining room; administration building and training facilities.

The setting-up of the centre will see families being accommodated for up to three months and more, if needs be, while social work intervention and other assistance will be made available to aid transition.

Addressing the gathering, Director of the Childcare and Protection Agency, Ann Greene, reminded that is was the July 2016 fire at the drop-in-centre, in which two children died, that caused the government and its agencies to increase efforts towards a safer facility for vulnerable persons. “This accommo-

(L-R) President David Granger; Minister of Social Protection, Amna Ally; Minster of Public Health, Volda Lawrence and Childcare and Protection Agency Director, Ann Greene unveil the plaque in the courtyard of the centre (Delano Williams photo) dation is to be available is pleased to see the proj- ents will be encouraged to to families who come to ect become a reality and work, attend a job training the attention of the child relieved to know that the programme, seek housing protection services, fami- centre will now serve as a and attend social services lies with children who are first-stop for children and appointments. assessed as being in serious families who are at risk. “I She encouraged Guyvulnerable situations, most- remember standing on this anese to do away with the ly due to lack of adequate very soil, filled with only culture of silence when it accommodation,” Greene mud and bushes and have comes to child abuse and explained. the technical engineers de- likewise urged agencies She added that the child clare to me what the build- affiliated with the minisprotection system being ing would eventually look try to work to ensure that developed will result in like. But, to finally see the all children are protected; the reduction of children vision come to fruition, is that children in rural arneeding out-of-home care indeed heartening,” she eas receive equal access and other efforts are be- said. to care and that children ing made to network supAlly also noted that all with disabilities have port from religious organ- children living at the cen- their rights respected. isations and local groups. tre are expected to attend Also delivering remarks, school or to be enrolled STRENGTHENING Minister Ally said that she in a day care while parLEGISLATIVE

FRAMEWORK Meanwhile, in his feature address, President David Granger said that every generation has a duty towards the care and protection of children as a child must be given all the tools he or she needs to live a normal life.

It is on this score he said, that the Government of Guyana has worked over the past years to strengthen legislative framework for childcare and protection.

Such efforts include six child advocacy centres for victims of child sexual abuse; Early Childhood Development centres at Ithaca and Anna Regina; Children’s Court to ensure a more rehabilitative and restorative system of juvenile justice; and Sexual Offences courts in Berbice, Demerara and Essequibo.

At the same time, the government is pursuing policies to support regulations for improved management of childcare facilities; a reintegration policy for teen mothers; policy to address children without adequate parental care; policy to prevent child labour and policy to encourage good parenting practices.

“Every child belongs in the home. I would like to see more children who are in institutions reunited

with their families. Children and parents should only be separated only for the child’s protection,” the President said. “I congratulate the Ministry of Social Protection on this initiative. It is yet another demonstration that government is moving in the right direction.”

Following the ceremony, the President, along with other officials, unveiled the plaque at the new building and took a tour of the buildings many facilities. The commissioning of the Children and Family Care Centre coincides with Guyana’s celebration of Child Protection Week which is being guided by the theme: “Promoting Social Change to Stop the violation of Children.”

Joining the President at the commissioning ceremony were Speaker of the National Assembly, Dr. Barton Scotland; Ministers of Social Protection, Amna Ally and Keith Scott; Minister of Health, Volda Lawrence; Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson; Mayor of Georgetown, Ubraj Narine; Deputy Mayor, Alfred Mentore; members of the diplomatic corps and children from the nearby Sophia Care Centre.

GRA improving archaic and inefficient procedures Dear Editor, THE Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) would like to express its gratitude to Mr. Louis Holder for bringing to the attention of the Commissioner General the current procedures in place as they relate to the payment of taxes, the submission of returns, and the requirements related to different businesses, and the treatment of incorrect and incomplete returns.

Writing in the Sun-

day edition of the Stabroek News of September 22nd, 2019, Mr. Holder bemoaned some of the “Archaic and inefficient procedures at Government agencies’, and expressed his dissatisfaction thereto.

The GRA, in its thrust of improving efficiency, constantly reviews its SOP’s and would gladly welcome such constructive criticisms and suggestions from the general public.

All taxpayers are stakeholders, and upon review of the system, I endorse Mr. Holder’s comments

that the procedure can be more efficient, thereby allowing for less effort and time spent at the GRA by the taxpaying public.

The GRA has signed a contract with DataTorque to replace the archaic TRIPS system and such duplicity will thereafter be something of the past.

In the meanwhile, in order to avoid the hassle of queueing, payments can be made via Mobile Money and returns can be e-Filed via its website, www.gra.gov.gy, with a lodgment receipt printed

thereafter. E-filing will also reduce errors since the incomplete or incorrect returns would not be accepted.

The Authority again thanks Mr. Holder and extends an invitation to him to visit/write the Authority and make any such suggestions that can be utilised in improving the service relationship with the taxpaying public.

Regards Guyana Revenue Authority

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, September 27, 2019

Over 2,000 children affected by abuse – Ann Greene FROM January to August, 2019 there have been 2,532 reported cases of child abuse with a total of 2,380 children affected.

This figure was reported on Thursday by Director of the Childcare and Protection Agency (CPA), Ann Greene, at the commissioning of Guyana’s first Children and Family Care Centre.

Greene stated that, of this number, CPA was forced to find alternative care for some 102 children.

Meanwhile, there are over 600 children in children’s homes and orphanages and a total of 175 children a part of the Foster and Kinship Care Programme. The CPA, along with the Ministry of Social Protection, is working feverishly to ensure that the public is made more aware of the plight of children who suffer abuse and the ways in which they can prevent this.

Parents who come into contact with

the agency are also being exposed to special parenting programmes to build their capacity on improved child care.

Yet, Greene stated, “Children still continue to be placed in positions to need out-of-home care…the policy is that children are only removed from their families and placed in institutional care as a last resort, since institutional care, although a life saver for many children, has shown to cause a range of problems for children.”

As such, she stressed that once children are placed into institutions, every effort must be made to get them out before they become institutionalised. “Institutional care should be for a shortest possible time.

Currently, efforts are being made to return children from institutions to their biological families – where this is possible – with support for their continued wellbeing,” she said.

MNR welcomes Norway’s release of US$50M for REDD+ THE Ministry of Natural Resources has expressed its gratitude following the announcement that Norway will be disbursing final payments of some US$50M to the Guyana REDD+ Investment Fund as agreed in 2009.

The agreement was formally reached on the margins of the United Nations (UN) Climate Summit in New York on Wednesday between Minister of State, Dawn Hastings-Williams and Norway’s Minister for Climate and Environment Ola Elvestuen.

In accordance with bilateral agreements between two countries, the two ministers agreed that Guyana has met its commitments, and that therefore Norway would disburse all final payments, totaling approximately US$50M, which is equivalent to the remainder of the pledge made in 2009.

In a release issued on Thursday, the Ministry of Natural Resources stated: “The Ministry of Natural Resources and the Guyana Forestry Commission are pleased with the continuing progress made between the Governments of Guyana and Norway and applauds the efforts of all stakeholders who have managed to ensure that Guyana's forests are being preserved and developed sustainably for generations to come.”

The disbursement of the monies will be made to the Guyana REDD+ Investment Fund (GRIF), which is being administered by the World Bank.

Minister Elvestuen reportedly emphasised at the just-concluded UN meet that Norway is most impressed with the continued low deforestation rates in Guyana over many years, and with the substantive progress that has been made on forest governance.

Asking an ‘illegal’ president to do the impossible Dear Editor, AN indomitable English Law Lord named Reid said: “The law can sometimes be an ass, but it cannot be so asinine as that.” By way of analogy, I commend such clarion truth to veteran politician Gail Texeira, MP, and all other PPP/C agitators who preach to their gullible supporters the damn lie that the APNU/AFC Government is now “illegal”, and by extension, the Presidency of David Arthur Granger. And yet, by a somewhat Texeiran illogicality or absurdity, this same President, who they preach is “illegal”, is being critised, and asked (indeed demanded) by those very preachers of illegality, to appoint a date for General and Regional Elections. Can legality come out of illegality?

Editor, it seems obvious to us, on the other side of the argument, that our constitutional law could not be such an ass as to suppose that it permits, and requires an “illegal” President to dissolve and appoint! It seems to us on this side of the argument that in law, and fact any dissolution of Parliament

by President Granger and appointment, is conclusive evidence of the constitutionality of his Presidency.

Were it otherwise, then in lawyer’s language- ex nihilo nihil fit (out of nothing can come nothing) and reductio ad absurdum (an argument reduced to absurdity). But, what a blinkered misrepresentation of the constitutional truth is happening. Put with brutal frankness, the truth, the whole truth, is this: If this government was “illegal”, the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), having been invited by the

Opposition’s battery of lawyers at the No-Confidence Appeals, to so find/declare, would have told us so, when it delivered its “consequential orders” ruling on July 12 (some four months after March 21). The CCJ did not; it could not. It declined that invitation. So, what Constitution is the PPP/C agitators preaching their sermon of illegality from; and the Guyana Bar Association, in its latest diatribic press release, referring to? Not the 1980 Constitution. The PPP/C agitators are preaching voodoo constitutionalism.

Editor, I digress briefly.

From “kangalans in the Parliament” (the memorable phrase of Professor Ken Danns), we witnessed on Thursday 19 a disgusting demonstration of kangalans inside/outside the Pegasus. But on the positive side, in the face of such naked hooliganism under guise of a right to protest, we witnessed at the other extreme, and were reminded of, the Grangerian statesmanship of a President (Obama-like). I hope the ABC emissaries have taken notice.

One more digression: I would argue, telescopically, that the first item on a reelected APNU/AFC government legislative agenda must be the alteration (perhaps even the abrogation) of the No-Confidence Article 106 (6) and (7), imprudently inserted into the Constitution in 2000 on the recommendation of constitutional quacks. Look how much mayhem, political asininity and brutish betrayal it has caused. There will, with the lure of oil money, be other Charandasses lurking. We retain Articles 106 (6) and (7) in their present form at the Nation’s peril.

I return to the asininity of the PPP/C illegality argument. I anticipate that my learned friend Anil

Nandlall, with his accustomed defiance (at his own peril of pious argumentation) of the biblical injunction in the Book of Matthew (Ch. 6 V. 24) that no man can serve two masters (in his case Jagdeoite politics; and the jealous Law) would seek to present some argument about some doctrine of necessity validating and making legal President Granger (who they say is “illegal”)’s dissolution of Parliament and appointment of a date for GREs, legal. Readers, the doctrine of necessity has no place, or relevance, in this matter.

The Granger-headed government and his presidency is, and remains (in spite of its self-imposed interim status) as valid, legal, effectual and constitutional as it became on Saturday May 15, 2015. No Court; not the High Court; not the CCJ, has ruled it is illegal. Protests (in whatever form) does not make what the courts have refused to declare illegal, illegal and extra-judicially, no interpretation of the PPP/C or GBA is authoritative; much less compliable. This you might think is so elementary. Politics 100. If President Granger is “illegal” and is not the President, then who, in law, is. For every country must have a government, and our supreme law, the Constitution, requires and mandates that that Government be headed by a President (see the deepest entrenched and, pro tanto, amongst the eleven most valuable, articles 89, 99). I have searched our Constitution for an answer. Inter alia, what I have found enforces and strengthens our arguments; as it rubbishes the Texeiran talk about “illegal”. Relevantly, article 177 (6) of our Constitution (entrenched at the second deepest level) which when given a purposive generous

interpretation provides as to the conclusivity (at any point in the 5 years term) of the validity of the Presidency reads thus: “… an instrument executed under the hand of the Chairman of the Elections Commission… shall be CONCLUSIVE EVIDENCE that the person so named was so elected and no question as to the validity of the elections AS THE PRESIDENT… shall be enquired into by any Court”. And we know that when after the dubious GRE in 1997 of Janet Jagan, the PNC executive member, Aubrey Norton sought to have her Presidency quashed, Chief Justice Bernard (as she was then) ruled, rightly in my respectful view) that the court had no jurisdiction to do so as article 177 (6) was “aimed at insulating and shielding the person elected to the office of President from inquiry by the Courts” (see Application by Aubrey Norton for Writs of Certiorari and prohibition, 1033/97-unreported). By such constitutional shield, as I have argued above, the Granger Presidency is as good and valid as it became on May 15, 2015. Norton was good law for the PPP/C in 1998. It remains good law now (article 106 (6) and (7) cannot undermine or subvert article 177 (6), entrenched in our Constitution at the second deepest level.

The legality of President Granger’s Presidency is unassailable (because of space constraint readers are referred to my letter published in March 2019 in both the GC and KN under caption “If the APNU/ AFC Government will be ‘illegal’ who then will be he legal Government” (Tuesday, March 19); “The no confidence motion Frankenstein cannot be permitted to devour our Constitution” (Thursday, March

21). I have no reason to disavow anything I wrote in that letter. Indeed, the CCJ has vindicated me. To my learned friends in the GBA, as regards their diatribe and criticism of the President’s sensible approach of being guided by GECOM’s intimation/advice of its readiness to conduct credible GRE, I say to them: given the postponement power of Gecom under article 162 (2) which begins with the words “NOTWITHSTANDING anything to the contrary in this Constitution…” can it be constitutionally sensible for the President not to be guided

by GECOM’s readiness?. The Law cannot be so asinine.

I end with this: Political sensationalism blinds us to logic and common sense. Illegality cannot be cherry picked. Illegality is not severable. In our constitutional architecture and scheme an opposition exists only when, and if, there is a government and Parliament (see article 51). If there is no President, there is no Parliament, and by a logical step in the argument, no opposition because if there is no President there is no National Assembly, as there can be no National Assembly if there is no President, who is, a constituent part of Parliament; the other constituent part being the National Assembly. If the President is “illegal”, then, so is the Parliament and Leader of the Opposition and all the Opposition MPs, incurably tainted with such illegality. So, which is it Texeira, MP- illegal or legal?

Regards, Maxwell E. Edwards

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, September 27, 2019

Disappointed Jagdeo accepts March 2 –– says PPP will reduce street protest

By Navendra Seoraj OPPOSITION Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo, has said the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) will work towards the March 2, 2020 date which President David Granger said is the earliest possible time for the holding of General and Regional Elections.

“We are disappointed, but we have to work towards that date,” said Jagdeo during a press briefing at his Church Street Office, on Thursday.

The opposition leader said although the party has its doubts about the date being definitive, he is ready to work towards that date.

“We are happy that we are moving forward and the PPP will start aggressively to campaign and protect the country from being polarised,” said Jagdeo.

Prior to the announcement of a possible date for elections, the opposition had threatened to conduct protest actions daily but Jagdeo said the PPP will reduce street protests since there is progress in the selection of a date.

Although the PPP plans to work towards the date for elections, Jagdeo maintained that the party will not return to the National Assembly to extend the life of the government.

President Granger has said the elections will go ahead with or without the extension of the life of his government.

Article 106 (7) of the Constitution states, “Notwithstanding its defeat, the Government shall remain in office and shall hold an election within three months, or such longer period as the National Assembly shall by resolution supported by not less than two-thirds of the votes of all the elected members of the National Assembly determine, and shall resign after the President takes the oath of office following the election”.

As such, the President said the extension of a period

Leader of the Opposition, Bharrat Jagdeo beyond three months for the holding of an election is related to the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM)’s readiness to hold the elections.

“The return to parliament

GCAA signs agreement with Qatar –– paves way for Qatar Airways to operate here

QATAR and Guyana, this week, signed onto an air services agreement which can see popular carrier, Qatar Airways, operating here in the near future.

Guyana signed the air service agreement with the state of Qatar on Tuesday, September 24, 2019. According to a press statement from the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), the agreement is aimed at promoting and facilitating airlines of Guyana and Qatar to operate any number of services between both countries as well as beyond to any third country, with no restrictions on capacity, frequency, aircraft type and routing.

This agreement will create new opportunities for air carriers, enable greater movement of people and goods between the two countries, and benefit the economies and businesses.

The agreement was signed by President of Qatar Civil Aviation Authority, Abdulla Nasser Turki Al Subaey and Director General of the GCAA, Col. (Ret’d) Egbert Fields. The signing of the agreement was done on the sidelines of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO)’s 40th General Assembly in Montreal, Canada.

Witnessing the signing were Qatar’s Minister of Transport and Communications, Jassim bin Saif Al Sulaiti, Chairman of the GCAA Board of Directors, Lt. Col. (Ret’d) Lawrence London and other members of both delegations.

The agreement complements the more than 50 air

Director General of GCAA, Col. (Ret’d) Egbert Fields and President of Qatar Civil Aviation Authority, Abdulla Nasser Turki Al Subaey signing the agreement as Qatar’s Minister of Transport and Communications, Jassim bin Saif Al Sulaiti and Chairman of the GCAA Board of Directors, Lt. Col. (Ret’d) Lawrence London look on services agreements Guyana has established with other ICAO states for the development of the air link among states. It is a further step in the realisation of a strong and reliable gulf carrier operating flights to Georgetown.

Qatar Airways, which is headquartered in Qatar, is one of the world’s largest airline, operating a hub-andspoke network, linking over 172 international destinations across the world, using a fleet of more than 250 aircraft.

The cargo arm of the airline-Qatar Airways Cargo-- is the world’s third largest international cargo carrier.

In the coming months, a delegation from Qatar will be visiting Guyana to explore

business opportunities in the aviation sector, establish a presence in Guyana and to strengthen the Caribbean and Latin America network.

Qatar has already expressed an interest in entering Guyana’s oil market.

It was reported that Qatar Petroleum, a state-owned public corporation responsible for the oil and gas industry in Qatar, entered into an agreement with Total for a share of exploration and production rights in two blocks offshore Guyana.

Under the agreement signed on Monday, Qatar Petroleum will hold 40 per cent of Total’s existing 25 per cent participating interest

in the Orinduik block and 40 per cent of Total’s existing 25 per cent participating interest in the neighbouring Kanuku block.

Guyana has attracted attention from several global air carriers in recent years and as the country’s petroleum industry evolves, a number of international companies have expressed an interest in investing in the economy.

American carrier, JetBlue, had announced that it will be operating daily flights between Guyana and New York from April 2020. Early this year, US carrier, American Airlines had also started operating in Guyana.

is wholly unnecessary since the government is in caretaker mode and its only authority should be to do everything necessary for elections,” said Jagdeo.

It was reported that Guyanese will likely head to the polls on Monday, March 2, 2020. President David Granger, in an address to the nation on Wednesday evening stated: “I am pleased to announce that… the earliest possible date for the holding of General and Regional Elections will be on Monday, March 2, 2020.”

The announcement followed extensive discussions with the Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Justice (Ret’d) Claudette Singh and the Cabinet. It also comes

approximately one week after Justice Singh advised the Head of State that the Elections Secretariat will have all systems in place to facilitate free, fair and credible elections by the end of February 2020.

“I engaged the Elections Commission from February 2019 repeatedly. I insisted that credible elections be held at the earliest possible time.

Credible elections are essential to representative democracy,” said President Granger.

He told the nation that it could now look to the Elections Commission to conduct credible elections within the timeframe prescribed. Guyana, President Granger said, is on the right path to preserve its precious parliamentary democracy.

CPA, police hunt child abusers in Facebook video THE Childcare and Protection Agency (CPA) is working along with the Guyana Police Force (GPF) to locate the guardians of a child who was seen in a video on social media being held down and beaten with a piece of wood.

Earlier in the week, the video took social media by storm as many persons were disturbed by its contents and the fact that it was captured and shared on social media in the first place. The video shows a teenaged girl being held facedown by a man while her female guardian beat her on her rear end with a thick piece of wood. Even as the young girl kicked and cried for the beatings to stop, a female voice in the background could be heard encouraging the woman to administer more beating.

Many persons on social media were not in favour of the actions taken by the guardian and expressed that there is a difference between disciplining a child and child abuse. “We’re working now with the police,” CPA Director, Ann Greene told the media on Thursday.

“We want to find the first person who posted it because we have to find them and we have to be certain that it really happened in Guyana. The last time somebody sent me something and we tried looking, we found out that it wasn’t in Guyana, it was all the way in Africa.

But, we heard [the video] and it sounded like if it was here, so we’re looking to find them because, if we find them, that child will be removed and they will be in the lock-ups because that’s serious violation of a child’s rights.”

She stated that for the past few days she has received countless calls from concerned individuals who wished to bring the CPA’s attention to the video. Summing up her thoughts on the act, Greene said that she could not bear to watch the video at some points.

“Why did they have to put her through that? That’s assault of the highest level!” the CPA Director said, lamenting that it is often times those closest to children who hurt them.

She now calls on individuals with information on the persons seen in the video to contact the CPA and their information shared will remain anonymous.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, September 27, 2019

Mental illness is not insanity –– experts urge collective effort to tackle suicide

By Rabindra Rooplall

THE first seven months of this year has seen the occurrence of some 68 deaths by suicide and the Ministry of Public Health statistics suggests that the prevalence of mental health problems among adults and adolescents is about the same, at 15 per cent.

The ministry has recorded a total 184 deaths by suicide in 2017 and 141 in 2018, according to Mental Health Director, Dr. Util Richmond-Thomas.

“Through this alliance, we hope to decrease the numbers of mental health issues seen in the child and adolescent population,” she said, emphasising that mental health and suicide prevention is everyone’s business and all must play their part.

Often family and friends are the ones who first recognise the warning signs of suicide, and Dr. Richmond-Thomas said they have important roles to play in seeing their loved ones get help and support for recovery.

This is very important, notably in the case of Kavita Persaud. Persaud suffers from traumatic events which resulted in her ex-husband killing himself and almost destroying her with their three-year-old daughter on September 10, 2019.

She recalled it was one of the worst experiences in her life.

Coincidentally, World Suicide Prevention Day was also observed on September, 10, 2019 under the theme “Working Together To Prevent Suicide”.

The 35-year-old mother related to this publication that her ex-husband locked them inside their Martyr’s Ville, Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara house and choked and forced her and their daughter to drink a substance.

Kavita’s ex-husband, 57-year-old Balkaran Persaud, who was a taxi driver, subse-

Mental Health Director Dr. Util Richmond-Thomas Dr Richmond-Thomas is an advocate for social worker at every primary healthcare facility to help persons in crisis situations.

“I would like to also advocate for at least two psychologists for every hospital,” she told the Guyana Chronicle and noted that the religious community also play an important role in suicide prevention. Usually, at the first sign of adversity, persons often seek the help of religious leaders before considering the healthcare system.

In 2017, she said the Pan American Health Organisation in collaboration with the Ministry of Public Health and Loma Linda Universiity California, trained religious leaders from the Seventh-Day Adventist Church in problem management.

“This is a proven psychological tool to help persons in distress. We would like to extend this training to other denominations so that we can list the religious leaders as our resource persons,” she said.

The director also welcomed support from the non-governmental organisations and the private sector.

“They have kept knocking at the door and voicing their need to be part of the solution in healthcare. Their contributions have been valuable in helping to carry the load of the ministries and bridging the gap between the communities and the government,” she said.

The mental health director explained that while there have been 68 deaths by suicide in the first seven months of the year, data from far-flung regions take months to get to be officially recorded in Georgetown.

For the corresponding period, there were 91 deaths in 2018 and 114 in 2017.

TRAINING In July of 2019, she said the Mental Health Unit began training teachers to recognise the early signs of mental health issues in children and adolescents and to collaborate with the Public Health Ministry to do early referrals and to support those affected.

grab she and put she down to get the front door open,” the traumatised woman recalled.

Kavita said she fought Balkaran to get the door open for the neighbours to help her. Kavita had ended the relationship with Balkaran after eight years of marriage because he was reportedly abusive.

“After he does curse me every day, I decide to move with meh one daughter and leave the little one with him and go and rent a place and live,” Kavita said.

Kavita had left the three-year-old girl with her father but would go to the man’s house every day to get her dressed for school.

Balkaran had two children from a previous relationship while Kavita also has two others from another relationship.

COLLECTIVE EFFORT According to Dr. Richmond-Thomas, relatives, friends, colleagues and the public in general have a responsibility to keep themselves informed about the many mental health issues, what they can do to prevent them, and how they can support those afflicted.

“They also need to keep the conversation going to bring mental illness out of the shadows of stigma and discrimination to take its rightful place as just another illness, just like diabetes, just like hypertension,” the mental health director noted.

Adding that the Mental Health Unit has enjoyed the support of many from the time of its formation in May of 2016, Dr. Richmond-Thomas said suicide prevention cuts across all sectors, underscoring the work done in Baramita, Region One in providing alternatives to alcohol use, especially in the area of sport.

She noted in that the use of alcohol has caused some deaths by suicide while persons were under the influence.

The director explained that minimising access to means of suicide is a very important intervention for suicide prevention.

She explained that adversities in life are face by all, but the majority of persons have coping mechanisms which give resilience.

Psychologist and UG lecturer, Wil Campbell quently died as a result of suicide.

On the morning of the incident, Balkaran sent a taxi to pick up Kavita to drop her by his house under the pretext that she had to prepare their three-year-old daughter for school.

But when Kavita got there, the man locked them inside and threatened to kill them and take his life.

“When I go now he pay the taxi and I go in the yard and I ain’t know he padlock the gate; the back door lock and he lock the front door and he shove me down and say, ‘this is the end of me, you and this child, you not gonna be here to punish and look she and I not gonna deh to punish’,” Kavita reflected.

She said the man choked her several times during which she lost consciousness. When she started to spit blood, she begged him to take her to the hospital but he refused.

It was when the little girl asked for something to drink that Kavita used the opportunity steal a call from Balkaran’s cellphone to a neighbour and alert them about what was happening.

“By the time them come over now, he grab me and choke me and then he start to push the thing in meh mouth and I say, this is poison, lose me! And then I bite he finger, when I bite he finger now he grab meh baby and me see he hand deh in she mouth and I

cial support issues, housing, unemployment and discrimination, to name a few. These are stressors which can push one into mental illness. Psychologists, through their various techniques help to bring about the mental and behavioral changes needed to ensure that persons can enjoy a sense of well-being with oneself, can cope with the normal stresses of life, be productive and fruitful and contribute to society,” the mental health director shared.

Psychologist and University of Guyana (UG) lecturer, Wil Campbell, said suicide and suicidality, like most psychosocial issues, is extremely complex.

“Most normal persons at some point or the other have, at least casually, thought of death as an escape from some undesirable circumstance (I’d rather die than have to deal with this or that!),” Campbell said.

But only a fraction of persons actually give this particular option serious thought, the psychologist said, noting that many studies conducted among survivors of suicide attempts show that most suicidal persons did not want to die.

“They just felt it was their best (or only) option at the time,” the psychologist said.

He added, “there is a wide array of factors that could lead a person to this point. They include impaired mental functioning due to drug (alcohol, prescription or illegal) use or mental illness; poor emotion management and impulse control skills, poor problem-solving skills, extreme stress or emotional trauma, a desire to exact revenge on someone, intense feeling of shame, embarrassment or hopelessness, or untreated behavioural or mood disorders such as conduct disorders, anxiety and depression.”

The UG lecturer explained that the most effective intervention for a suicidal person depends on the root cause of the suicidality. For some, medication or talk therapy administered by a trainer professional is most effective.

SUPPORT For most persons, even those who require professional help, he said a good, responsive and supportive support circle is extremely helpful.

“A burden that many depressed or suicidal people carry, is the feeling like they are a burden to their family and friends. Constant reassurance and demonstrations to the contrary gives them the assurance that someone cares enough to listen.

For many, that simple assurance could be the difference between life and death,” he said.

According to the National Suicide Prevention Plan 2015-2020, published in See page 11

Senior Psychologist, Mental Health Unit, Balogun Osunbiyi However, adversities, over a prolonged period of time, from which there is no perceived escape, cause biochemical changes in the body which precipitates various mental illnesses, especially depression and in the worst cases, self-harm/suicide.

“Our social workers use their skill and knowledge to help their vulnerable clients address, manage and resolve serious social problems. These include drug dependency, physical and emotional abuse, poverty, so-

Kavita Persaud

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, September 27, 2019

Mental health ...

From page 10

December 2014, Guyana ranked at the top worldwide with an estimated suicide rate of 44.2 per 100,000 population.

The plan indicated that suicide was the leading cause of death among persons aged 25 to 44 years. The most affected age group was 20-49 years (50 per cent) but individuals 13-19 years (16.6 per cent) and 50 years (1.6 per cent) were in high proportion.

Local statistics revealed that males died by suicide more frequently, with a proportion of 4:1.

The highest suicide rate, according to the strategy document was in Region Two which was 52 per 100,000 people followed by Region Six with 50 to 100,000, and Region Three 37 per every 100,000.

Fast forward to present. The Ministry of Public Health recorded a total 184 deaths by suicide in 2017 and 141 in 2018. Using the 2012 population census, the crude rate of deaths by suicide is 24.63 per 100,000 population in 2017 and 18.88 per 100,000 in 2018 in a total population of 746,995 persons.

In 2017, the most deaths occurred in the 20-24 year age group followed by the 15-19 year age group followed those with the 40-44-years age group.

However, the highest rate according to specific population occurred in the 60-64-year age group.

Like 2017, in 2018, the most deaths occurred in the 20-24 years age group, followed by 15-19 years age group. However, in 2018, the third highest by numbers was the 35-39 years age group. Yet again, the highest rate according to specific population was the 60-64 year age group.

In 2017, 69 per cent of the deaths were male. In 2018, this figure jumped to 83 per cent.

“We are very active in ensuring that patients who are admitted to the regional hospitals with self-harm see a psychiatrist, followed by a social worker and a psychologist. We keep in contact with those persons until they are no longer suicidal and link them with the relevant services to address their stressors. Survivors of suicides are assessed for ongoing risks and linked with all necessary services which are indicated. These may be include psychiatric consultation, alcohol and substance abuse treatment, counselling or therapy or financial or other assistance from the Ministry of Social Protection, employment linkages among others,” Dr. Richmond-Thomas explained.

More than 300 healthcare workers (including doctors) have been trained to treat the most common mental health disorders, which includes depression and self-harm/suicide.

Dr. Richmond-Thomas also said health education activities at schools, job sites and health centres have been robust in tackling depression, a major risk factor for suicide.

Senior Psychologist at the Mental Health Unit, Balogun Osunbiyi said the unit focuses considerable human and material resources to educate and provide services for persons in the area of mental health, particularly in tackling issues of drug misuse and its negative effects.

Osunbiyi asserted that mental health illnesses are often misconstrued by society’s preconceived notions of it. According to him, a mere five per cent of the patients that he sees are for insanity while others are persons who are just overwhelmed and would need someone to open up to.

The Mental Health Unit also has a programme that deals with self-harm which can be recognised as a major contributing factor for the reduction of Guyana’s suicide rate, which is currently at 24.6 per cent.

The suicide hotline numbers are [592] – 223-0001, 223-0009 and 623-4444. The toll free number [6004444] and 623-4444 are also active Whatsapp numbers that persons in need of counselling can access.

11

Tax exemption guide to enhance tourism sector

IN order to encourage investment in the tourism sector, the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) in collaboration with the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA), Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG) and the Guyana Office for Investment (GO-Invest) has published a comprehensive Tax Exemption Guide for the tourism sector.

The guide, which is in the form of a 23-page booklet, is defined in a structured manner, clear cut guidelines on what these tax concessions are, the level of tax concessions available to various categories of tourism stakeholders and how they can be accessed.

These categories include accommodation – hotels, guesthouses and inns; lodges and resorts, along with tour operators and tour guides.

According to the GRA, for greater clarity, the categories are further broken into new hotels, guest houses and inns, new lodges or resorts, expansion of hotels, guest houses and inns and expansion of lodges and resorts that will all benefit from tax exemptions.

Deputy Director of the World Customs Organisation, Brenda Mundia (centre) with Commissioner General, Godfrey Statia and other senior GRA representatives In relation to tours, in- Nine and 10 for the transport Ministry of Business, GRA, formation is provided for of persons for incorporated and tourism private sector tour operators in the small, entities; motor buses with 12 reflects a shared commitment medium and large categories, or more seats, not exceeding to create a positive, progresincluding tourist guides. four years old and used exclu- sive, and coherent policy and These tourism establish- sively for the transportation of regulatory environment that ments and operators/guides tourists anywhere in Guyana, fosters increased investment must be licensed by the GTA that may be eligible for tax and sustainable development to be able to benefit from exemptions. in our growing tourism sector. these tourism exemptions.

In an invited comment, Given the dynamic naA section of the guide Minister of Business, Haim- ture of the tax regime, the places emphasis on motor raj Rajkumar remarked, “We booklet will be subject to vehicles such as those that are are working more closely review based on legislashown to the satisfaction of with stakeholders to ensure tive/parliamentary changes. the commissioner-general to that tourism policy supports Both the GRA and GTA will be used exclusively overland ‘green’ growth and low car- be uploading electronic copin the tourism industry in bon tourism development.” ies of the booklet on their Regions One, Seven, Eight, The collaboration between the websites shortly.

20-year-old injustice to two government employees corrected ON Thursday September 26, 2019, the Ministry of Social Protection remedied a twenty-year-old injustice inflicted on two government employees.

Derrick Cummings, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of telecommunications; Francis Carryl, Industrial Relations Consultant and the Assistant Chief Labour Officer, Karen Vansluytman-Corbin, addressed the press conference which was held at the Colgrain House on Camp Street.

Two senior managers, in 1998, were dismissed under questionable circumstances and, rather than seeking reparation through the courts, the employees appealed internally to His Excellency President David Granger who referred the matter to the Ministry of Telecommunications which sought the involvement of the Ministry of Social Protection.

In March 2016, a complaint was filed which was followed by an investigation

(L-R) Industrial Relations Consultant, Francis Carryl; Assistant Chief Labour Officer, Karen Vanslaytman-Corbin, and Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Public Telecommunications, Derrick Cummings that required the Ministry enjoyed within the parameDerrick Cummings also to conduct interviews with ters of ‘A Good Life’,” Mr. noted that the Ministry made current and retired employ- Carryl explained. sure no stones were left ees and examine historical The Ministry of Social unturned, as it worked tirerecords thoroughly. The said Protection concluded that a lessly to ensure that the eminvestigation was completed grave injustice had been in- ployees were compensated. in August of 2019. flicted on the two employees He added that the Ministry “Social Protection wish- and therefore submitted and will continue to work hard es to emphasize that no maintained that it should to ensure that persons who matter how long it takes, not be allowed to remain would have suffered injusit will always ensure that un-addressed. This course tices are compensated. injustices inflicted on any of action was also endorsed Miss Corbin also enand every class of workers by the Attorney General dorsed that the ministry whether in the Private or Chambers. will continue to ensure Public Sector are reversed Hence that course of ac- that injustices inflicted on so that workers’ rights and tion led to the compensation workers are corrected, no dignity can be restored, and of the ex-employees. matter how long it takes.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, September 27, 2019

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, September 27, 2019

City Council closes Sussex Street to vehicular traffic

THE Mayor and City Council (M&CC) has taken a decision to close off Sussex Street to vehicular traffic as of last Monday to facilitate repairs by the Ministry of Public Infrastructure.

The government, through the ministry, has decided to step in and assist the City Council with the road which has been in a deplorable state for

to do a temporary fix first is because it was not catered for in MoPI’s budget,” he informed, adding, “It is noteworthy that this road is an indispensable artery to both Constituencies 10 and 11.

The fact of the matter is that at a minimum, Sussex Street needs revetment to both sides of its drainage and recapping on the road surface from

There are huge potholes in the road

Councillor David Allicock interacting with kids in Constituency 10 recently the longest while. There are huge potholes and no road shoulders, which pose a serious threat to motorists and even pedestrians.

But plans are afoot to do two fixes; first, a temporary fix that will see the road accommodating only certain vehicles, and second, a permanent fix.

The road was closed from Vlissengen Road to St. Stephen’s Street.

“We’re delighted to say that the Ministry of Public Infrastructure has co-opted that project for us. The temporary fix will look to put up some level of barriers so that some heavy duty trucks cannot pass. So it will be a two phase operation,” Constituency Councillor, David Allicock explained.

Speaking with Guyana Chronicle on the sidelines of the most recent statutory meeting at City Hall, Allicock said he is unable to provide a start date at the moment, but noted that the repairs will commence “pretty soon”.

“The reason we have

time before, god forbids, something happens,” he said.

Councillor Heston Bostwick, too, had said he felt the revetment of the Sussex and St. Stephen’s Streets canals is of utmost importance at this time. “This, I feel, is priority. The roads have no shoulders and they pose a serious hazard. I would be very grateful for it to be done for the sake of the residents and for the health of the community,” Bostwick expressed.

The road has no road shoulders at the moment end to end. This street is heavily and continuously utilised by residents on foot, competing with vehicular traffic. As such, a pedestrian sidewalk on the southern side should be given active consideration.”

In a previous interview, Allicock had said the road was in very bad shape. “The fact that the road has now merged with the canal and there are no shoulders as a result of that, has yielded a very dangerous effort for motorists and pedestrians because they are all competing for the same space, and it is only a matter of

He explained how the canal from the cemetery to the Sussex Street canal is just a few yards apart. “Now that you’re experiencing erosion to some parts, you might very well find that the water from the cemetery would be mixing, and that’s what we don’t want because that can lead to cholera and all sorts of things.”

The councillor said he is also hoping that the koker, which once existed at the corner of Sussex and St. Stephen’s Streets, will be reconstructed Meanwhile, desilting works are currently ongoing in all of the drains

in Charlestown, which is one of the wards of Constituency 10 (Albouystown/Charles town).

The Sussex Street road was closed from St. Stephen’s Street to Vlissengen Road

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, September 27, 2019

Exxon hosts safety workshop for contractors

COMPANIES that provide onshore services to support the operations of ExxonMobil Guyana on Thursday benefitted from a workshop that focussed on life-saving actions, learning from inci-

dents, field leadership and workforce engagement.

Staged at the Pegasus Hotel in Kingston, the workshop was attended by more than 70 representatives from Schlumberger, Halliburton,

GYSBI, Cyril’s Taxi Service, John Fernandes Limited, TigerTanks and Nalco, among others.

ExxonMobil Guyana Country Manager, Rod Henson, told participants that

safety will never be compromised for any business objective.

“The most important objective is that nobody gets hurt and this is what we strive for. We truly believe that

ExxonMobil Guyana officials with participants of the workshop

every incident is preventable and no business objective is more important than that,” he added.

Henson urged the contractors to take as much time as necessary to deliver products and services safely. “We have a moral obligation to protect our employees and our contractors,” he posited.

Safety is a core value at all of ExxonMobil operations

and facilities. As such, the company continually engages its contractors to ensure alignment.

Thursday’s workshop followed a similar workshop held several weeks ago with offshore contractors such as SBM Offshore; Saipem; TechnipFMC, Stena, Noble, Bristow, G-Boats, Seacor and Bourbon.

Guyanese author stars on Amazon GO for Glory, a book written by Guyanese author, Kezqweyah Yisrael, has achieved the Number One Bestseller status, amassing over 3,000 downloads within the first day of launch on Amazon.

Speaking to the Guyana Chronicle, Yisrael related that he saw a need for persons to be exposed to the knowledge on how they could go about improving their performance in their educational, personal and professional lives.

“The book was written for persons who are committed to high performance in their life. I look at the culture that we have in Guyana and the Caribbean and tried to help to solve the problem I see here. What I see is a lack of commitment to excellence, excellent customer service, excellent performance on the job, and excellent performance in the sports, cultural and artistic arena.”

“So to help address that problem, to help persons to raise their level of performance, I came up with the idea to do the book, to bring that level of awareness, to let persons know how simple it is to achieve excellence once they are committed to doing so,” said Yisrael.

Yisrael further went on to explain that his team decided to make the book free for the first day of it being online, as a way of giving as many persons the opportunity to have a copy of the book and get a chance to receive all of its contents.

He said they wanted to bridge the gap between persons not knowing what they would get when they purchase a book and them having the ability to know what they will receive in the book, and to allow persons to be able to have the knowledge for free. Yisrael stated that the Go for Glory by Guyanese then book is currently Author, Kezqweyah Yisrael being sold for $2.99 USD. “The first day we allowed the book to be for free, so that persons can get a taste of it, you know in our culture, we have guinep, taste and buy? Well that was our idea, we wanted persons to get a chance to test and taste our product. Generally authors and writers have the privilege of getting people to buy something that they didn’t even test. And since today people have not been putting out [content] that would be less than up to standard, because it has become so easy to put out content. what has happened is that there is distrust in the market place. So we wanted to use this opportunity to gain and build trust. Also allowing the book to be free it enabled the book to gain traction, so many persons were talking about it and telling other people to read it, download it, and so now that we attach a cost to it that is still affordable, persons are still buying it, downloading it, and telling others about it,” the author said.

Yisrael further went on to state that the book has achieved a wider level of success than he had anticipated, stating that it has been downloaded over 3,000 times in Europe, India, Australia, France, Spain, Mexico and Iran.

When asked, Yisrael related that he plans to have the book available not only in electronic form but hard copy as well.

The latter version he intends to release sometime in October.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, September 27, 2019

Big investments to transform tourism sector

TOURISM is the second largest export sector in Guyana, and has contributed to 22,000 jobs in Guyana in 2018, says Minister of Business Haimraj Rajkumar.

Making the disclosure last Saturday while a guest on the programme ‘INSIGHT’ on VYBZ 100.1 FM, Minister Rajkumar said: “I believe that tourism is in a trajectory, and we have been improving. We have a target of 500,000 visitors coming to Guyana’s shores by 2025.”

He said that with the expected increase of visitors here by 2025, plans are in the pipeline to expand visitor accommodation in areas on both the coastland and hinter-

land. And, noting that while Guyana is well known for its rich flora and fauna, there is much more to be done when marketing it to the rest of the world, hence the proposed establishment of a Hospitality Institute.

“The Ministry of Business is also working to establish a Hospitality Institute in the future,” Minister Rajkumar said, adding: “This Institute will serve to extensively train hotel owners and their staff, as well as staff at every port of entry, and even the small man plying their trade.

“We aim to prepare our people to welcome visitors, and at the same time properly display Guyana’s products and services.”

Also in the pipeline, Min-

Minister of Business Haimraj Rajkumar ister Rajkumar announced, is the provision of tour companies with unique opportunities to maximise the na-

tional efforts being taken to appraise and bolster the industry.

And while on the subject of benefits, the minister pointed to those to be derived from the emerging oil-andgas sector, “thereby making tourism a new frontier for Guyana’s development”.

Based on an analysis of the Visitor Expenditure and Motivation (VEMS) survey conducted by the Bureau of Statistics, the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) estimates that travel and tourism injected approximately $62.6B directly into Guyana’s economy last year.

Editor’s Note: Export refers to money going from a foreign consumer to domestic business. (DPI)

GRA replacing archaic systems THE Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) as part of its thrust to improve efficiency has been replacing its archaic systems.

According to a press statement from GRA, the authority signed a contract with Data Torque to replace the archaic Total Revenue Integrated Processing System (TRIPS) so duplicity will be something of the past.

In order to avoid the has-

sle of queuing, the authority has established systems to allow persons to make payments via Mobile Money and returns can be e-Filed via its website, www.gra.gov.gy, with a lodgment receipt printed thereafter. E-filing will also reduce errors since the incomplete or incorrect returns would not be accepted.

GRA’s systems were recently questioned by Louis Holder in a letter published in

Stabroek News titled “archaic and inefficient procedures at government agencies.”

Holder highlighted the current procedures in place for the payment of taxes, the submission of returns, and the requirements related to different businesses, and the treatment of incorrect and incomplete returns.

“The GRA in its thrust of improving efficiency constantly reviews its SOP’s and

would gladly welcome such constructive criticisms and suggestions from the general public.”

“All taxpayers are stakeholders, and upon review of the system, [we] endorse Mr. Holder’s comments that the procedure can be more efficient, thereby allowing for less effort and time spent at the GRA by the taxpaying public,” said GRA.

Man fined for assaulting and threatening his mother TERRY Clement of D’Urban Street, Lodge, appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court before Magistrate Faith McGusty on Wednesday and pleaded guilty admitted to two charges.

Particulars of the first

charge stated that, on September 22, 2019, at D’Urban Street, Lodge, he unlawfully assaulted Norma Jack.

The second charge stated that, on the same day and at the same place, he used threatening language

towards the said person.

“I was upset I ask she fa money and she in want give me and I pick up the rolling pin to bar from her because she was going to knock me, I pick up the rolling pin by accident, but I love ma mother and would do any-

thing for her,” Clement said.

Magistrate McGusty after listening to both Jacks’ and Clement’s explanations fined Clement $20,000 on the assault charge and $10,000 on the threatening language charge.

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Boat builder died from multiple injuries, autopsy finds

AN autopsy conducted on 55-year-old, Bridnand Rup, called “Briggy” of Dredge Creek, Upper Pomeroon, Region Two, has revealed he died as a result of multiple injuries sustained in an accident on Wednesday.

The autopsy was conducted on Thursday by Government Pathologist, Dr. Nehaul Singh, at the Suddie Mortuary.

The driver was released on station bail after serving his 72 hours in police custody. The 55-year-old boat builder tragically lost his life on September 24, 2019, on the Somerset and Berks Deceased: Public Road. He was reBridnand Rup turning from Suddie Public Hospital where he went to visit his newborn grandson.

Police has said that minibus BPP 2790 was proceeding east along the southern carriageway when the driver of motorcycle CJ 3626 was proceeding in the opposite direction. The motorist allegedly lost control and collided with the minibus. He was then taken to the Charity Oscar Joseph where he was pronounced dead on arrival. A breathalyser test was conducted on the minibus driver but there was no trace of alcohol in his system.

The deceased was a father of three children.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, September 27, 2019

GWI boosting human resource capacity

GUYANA Water Incorporated (GWI) continues to invest in building its human resource capacity in order to boost the company’s overall capacity to provide safe, adequate and affordable water countrywide.

In this regard, two staff members recently returned from England, United Kingdom, where they pursued a one-year Master’s Degree programme at the University of Cranfield.

Amanda Ramgobind, an engineer attached to the Design of Infrastructure Department within GWI, pursued a Master in Water and Wastewater Engineering, which saw her being exposed to both theory and practice in areas such as Wastewater Treatment and technology for the removal of contaminants to make water drinkable.

She also prepared a thesis focused on characterising water from the University’s Campus which saw her collecting samples, testing the water and recommending how it can be utilised as well as the best

GWI’s Head of Field Services, Sunildatt Barran technology to do so.

According to Ramgobind, the programme allowed her to better understand wastewater and its uses as well as the application of relevant treatment technologies. She hopes to apply her knowledge to convert the Tucville Sewerage station to a Wastewater treatment plant.

She has 11 years of experience working with GWI and expressed gratitude to management for affording her the opportunity to further her studies.

Ramgobind also holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering.

GWI’s Georgetown Manager, Curtis Niles Jawaharlall Ramjug, Head of Field Services (Ag) pursued a Master in Water and Sanitation for Development and covered areas such as Sanitation Technology and Water Resource Management.

He prepared a thesis on Groundwater Recharge in Rajasthan, India, and was also exposed to laboratory activities and field visits.

Ramjug also has 11 years of experience working with GWI and holds a Diploma in Electrical Engineering, a Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering and a Master’s Degree in Business

Management.

According to him, the programme has improved his level of competencies and by extension his knowledge will help to boost the capabilities of the water utility. He said that he is grateful for the opportunity and feels more motivated, even as he lauded the company for investing in its most valuable resources, its human resources.

Meanwhile, two other managers will be afforded the opportunity to further their studies in keeping with their job profile.

Curtis Niles, Regional Manager for Georgetown, Region Four, will be going off to Cranfield University in the United Kingdom from October 2019 – October 2020 to pursue his Master of Science in Water and Wastewater Engineering. This course of study, he said, will focus on the processing of water, which is one of the fundamental aspects of his current role at the company.

Niles, who has been Georgetown’s manager for the past 11 years, holds a Bachelors of Science Degree in Electrical Engineering. He also has diplomas in Technology and Mechanical Engineering.

Following exposure during on-the-job trainings, Niles noted that he developed an interest for a greater understanding and knowledge in his field

GWI Engineer, Amanda Ramgobind and Head of Field Services (Ag), Jawaharlall Ramjug of work. He expressed his gratitude to Managing Director of GWI, Dr. Richard Van West-Charles and management for allowing him the chance to pursue his master’s, which he vowed to use to better serve GWI and Guyana at large.

GWI’s Head of Field Services, Sunildatt Barran, on the other hand, will be heading to the UNESCO Institute of Higher Education (IHE) to pursue a Master of Science in Water Supply and Engineering from October 2019- April 2021, in the Netherlands.

Barran, who holds a Bachelors of Science in Mechanical Engineering and has 13 years’ experience under his belt at

GWI, says this opportunity would place him in a position that helps to improve the efficiency of the utility and by the extension, cater to the needs of its customers.

He noted that since assuming office, the managing director has been adamant in the push for higher learning after recognising the vacuum that existed in technical knowledge. Ever since, efforts have been made to strengthen the company through investment in its human resource capacity.

Barran said he is excited for this new venture, as he too thanked Dr. Van West-Charles and management for the opportunity.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, September 27, 2019

Guyana committed to rid world of nuclear weapons –– says Dr. Cummings at UN high-level meet

“THERE can be no development without peace, and the existence and potential use of nuclear weapons are a threat to international peace and security and therefore to development,” Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Karen Cummings said, as she addressed a high-level plenary meeting at the United Nations, held to commemorate and promote the International Day for Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons.

Guyana, she said, is firmly committed to a world free of nuclear weapons and will continue to champion cause for the elimination of nuclear weapons. “Guyana has always taken a progressive approach to the elimination of nuclear weapons and is a State party to all of the major international legal instruments that together comprise the nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation regime. We have long advocated for a holistic approach to addressing matters of peace and security, fully recognising the intrinsic link between peace,

security and development,” she pointed out.

Just recently, the CARICOM representatives journeyed to Guyana for a regional meeting to discuss the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW).

Minister Cummings said the meeting took place at a time of heightened risks for the deliberate or accidental detonation of nuclear weapons, the highest since the Cold War. “The effects of nuclear fallout cannot be constrained by national borders and will cause severe damage and widespread destruction to States far beyond any target area, one of the most vulnerable being the Caribbean Region which, under the Treaty of Tlatelolco, is a nuclear weapon-free zone,” she explained. .

“Given the world’s fragile eco-system and our changing climate and the risks to human health and well-being, socio-economic development, trade and the global social order, we cannot afford for our

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Karen Cummings, delivering remarks at the high-level Plenary Meeting to Commemorate and Promote the International Day for Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons planet to be used as a nuclear cess that resulted in the adop- prohibitions contained in Arplayground,” she added. tion in 2017 of the TPNW ticle One of the TPNW, which The International Com- – the first legally-binding aims to transform the regional mittee of the Red Cross international instrument for norm of the Caribbean against (ICRC) has underscored that the prohibition of nuclear the possession of nuclear no adequate humanitarian weapons. weapons into a global norm,” response would be possible “We possess no nuclear she said. in the aftermath of a nuclear weapons nor do we claim to She noted too that the attack. be protected from them by elimination of nuclear weapGuyana, she said, will the nuclear weapons of an ons would support progress continue its active engage- ally. This is consistent with toward the achievement of ment in the negotiating pro- our full compliance with the the 2030 Agenda and its Sus-

tainable Development Goals.

The US$2 trillion in current expenditure on nuclear weapons by nuclear weapon States reduces funding for development and for the achievement of the SDGs, the minister explained.

As a small developing country, Guyana remains concerned about this diversion of economic resources to the maintenance of nuclear weapons and modernisation of nuclear weapon stockpiles and their delivery systems, she said. These resources could be better invested in the economic and social development of our peoples, Dr. Cummings told the world leaders.

Maintenance of nuclear weapons is inconsistent with the principles and purposes of the Charter, which calls upon Member States to promote international peace and security, she emphasised. For its part, Guyana, she reiterated, recommits to being an active and committed partner in the global effort to realise a nuclear-weapon-free world.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday September 27, 2019

to ignite National Park!

TOMMY

Lee

THE long awaited Revelation Sound Clash is finally here. All roads lead to the national Park tomorrow night, to experience this Jamaica vs Guyana clash of all times.

Much excitement for is building up here as Supreme Promotions out of Jamaica is bringing to Guyana some of the biggest names in the game to challenge Guyana’s best.

Pink

Panther Di General and Fire Links out of Jamaica will take on Guyana’s King of clashes, DJ Magnum from Notorious Sounds, and DJ Garwin from Slingerz Family.

In an interview with ‘The Buzz’ Pink Panther and Magnum had expressed how fearless they are of the challenge that lies before them.

Pink Panther said that he started out clashing since 1989 with Black Cat Sound System in Jamaica, and after winning five consecutive world clashes, he was given the name ‘Di General’.

IT’S time for the weekend again people, and it’s time to keep you in the loop with what’s ‘buzzing’ in and around Guyana. The biggest event of the week will no doubt be the highly anticipated Soca and Wine over at Lusignan.

Many are also looking forward to seeing Jamaica artiste Tommy Lee perform in Guyana, and they’ll have two opportunities as he’s scheduled for two separate shows.

Today Club Privilege presents “Under Vibes” featuring live Tommy Lee Sparta all going down inside the Club. Ticket:

- Revelation Sound Clash on tomorrow

In fact, Pink Panther has won a total of nine sound clashes, and holds the record for the most wins in the history of sound clashes.

He credits his many wins

that he has his own style, and is very creative in sound clashes.

After travelling and winning in countries like England, Canada and New York, Di General said that he is not afraid of the challenge that awaits in Guyana, but is excited

to

to the fact

come for the very first time.

Given that this is a long-awaited opportunity, and his first time in Guyana, he said that the

people can expect a proper show, because he will be bringing his ‘A’ game.

Meanwhile, Guyana’s champion, DJ Magnum talked about always wanting the opportunity to challenge ‘these dinosaurs’.

He said he has no fear at all going up against these veterans coming to his turf, as the coming of social media has made the clash world an even playing field.

Aside from the clashing of the different sound systems and artistes from the two countries, Tommy Lee is set to be the main act for the evening, in addition to several other exciting ones.

This event comes as the introduction of ‘Sting’, to Guyana, and, if successful, will be an annual event.

‘Sting’ is a popular Dancehall show in Jamaica, created by Isaiah Laing over 30 years ago. Some of the biggest names have played and performed at the famous Boxing Day show, and Dancehall icons such as Ninja Man, Buju Banton, Bounty Killa,

$3000 (Regular), $10,000 (VIP) 704 Bar presents DJ Fridays with DJ Fifty each and every Friday. Enjoy Red Stripe bucket specials, great atmosphere, great service and the best in music Araunama Chocolate Company of Guyana presents “Araunama Chocolate and Wine Tasting” at the Courtyard Mall. Enjoy samples of several artisanal, 100% Guyanese dark chocolate products, as well as local and international wine. Additional chocolate and wine will also be available for purchase. Hot chocolate

available for non-wine drinkers. Admission: $2000 Moray House Trust presents “Edgar Mittelholzer’s ‘Sylvia’: readings and commentary”. Sylvia, set in 1930s/1940s Georgetown, is a novel about a young girl.

Enjoy readings from the novel and a look at just some of what Mittelholzer was trying to do.

Admission: $500 (advance ticket), $1000 (At the door) Tomorrow

The Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs presents “The 10th Edition Indigenous Heritage Pageant” at the National Cultural Centre.

Head out and see which of the 10 competing delegates will be the new queen. Show starts at 8pm. Tickets: $2,500, $2,000 and $1,500 per person.

Bartica look out “The Best of Nothing to Laugh About” is coming your way.

The producers have picked the very best skits from Nothing to Laugh About and the hottest

Vybz Kartel and Mavado were made on Sting’s stage.

After a hiatus of a few years, ‘Sting’ is said to be returning this year in Jamaica on

December 26.

However, Guyana’s introduction will go off first.

In fact, just like the open stage that is given at ‘Sting’ to provide a stage for new acts to be discovered, that same opportunity will be extended to Guyana’s local acts.

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

Laing told ‘The Buzz’ that the entire show, which will be held at the National Park, will be videotaped and rebroadcast on various international platforms, and the Dancehall culture in Guyana will be revamped and recognised worldwide.

comedians in the industry for one night of side splitting laughter at the Bartica Community Centre. So head out to enjoy a “fit and proppa” show.

Guyana Carnival presents “Soca and Wine” returning to the Lusignan Golf Course. The décor, the ambiance, the music and the fashion, it’s all back.

Supreme Promotions Ltd presents “Soundclash: Guyana vs Jamaica” at the National Park. See performances by Guyana’s Jory, Lil Million, and Negus, alongside Jamaica’s Tommy Lee Sparta. Music

by Selector Face, Andre and Damion. Admission: $3000 (Regular), $10,000 (VIP)

District Ultra Lounge presents “Soca and Bollywood Sundays” featuring Selector Andy, WR Reaz, Selector Chino. Ladies free before 9pm. Bacardi drink specials all night.

Club Privilege presents “Soca In Heels”. Music by DJ Charlie, DJ Anand and DJ Marvelous. Drinks special and hookah specials all night long.

Admission: $2000 Sunday

M a r v e l o u s Entertainment presents Marvelous Sundayz at its new location 592 Spot and Night Club (John and Norton Street). Ladies free all night. Music by Stereo Sonic, Fusion and Boom DJs.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday September 27, 2019

Jelena DaSilva sets eyes on

19

Miss Indigenous Heritage 2019 18-year-old Jelena DaSilva from Karrau Creek, Cuyuni Mazaruni (Region Seven) is on a quest to make her region proud, by copping the Miss Indigenous Heritage 2019 title.

The young woman told ‘The Buzz Magazine’ that she challenged herself to represent her village in the regional pageant. She said that she exceeded her own expectations and made her village proud by winning the pageant.

Now DaSilva automatically became Region Seven’s representative in the Miss Indigenous Heritage pageant slated for September 28th at the National Cultural Center, and she has high hopes of making her region proud.

The young queen said she faced a lot of challenges in the preparation process for the pageant, but she however is being comforted by the support she is receiving from the regional administration, and Cianna Williams who has been working hard ro ensure that she is well prepared for the

national pageant.

“I entered this pageant for experience and to showcase my indigenous culture and

Miss Indigenous Heritage Region Seven, Jelena DaSilva

to be a role model to persons, for them to know that you can do it, anybody can do it, you have the potential,

Miss Indigenous Heritage Region Seven, Jelena DaSilva

you just have to believe in yourself,” DaSilva said.

This year the pageant platforms are being aligned with the fact that this is the international year of indigenous languages.

DaSilva said the platform she chose is “Connecting generations through indigenous languages”.

“It is through language that we communicate with the world, define our identity, and express our history and culture. Indigenous language keeps us connected to cultural knowledge and strengths, and important cultural elements has to be passed on from generations to generations,” she said is the reason she chose her platform.

10 indigenous young women representing each administrative region, will compete for the coveted title on September 29, 2019.

Nine to vie for inaugural Miss Skeldon Heritage Resort Pageant 2019 Nine young beauties are vying for the inaugural title Miss Skeldon Heritage Resort. The pageant will be staged at the Skeldon Heritage Resort (formerly known as the GUYSUCO sugar estate) on October 5, 2019.

This event will see the young ladies competing in four categories; the intelligence, talent, resort wear, and evening wear as they compete for the coveted crown and several attractive prizes. The theme of the pageant is ‘Diversity’ and this theme was fuelled by the fact that the contestants competing are from diverse backgrounds and races.

The delegates who hail from communities in and around Skeldon have all expressed confidence of doing well, and sparks are set to fly among two sisters who are competing head to head in

the pageant.

at Muchies Fast Food Outlet.

Coordinator of the pageant, Linden Murray who is the brainchild behind the initiative said that it was over a year ago that he conceptualised the pageant and felt confident that if executed the response would be very good. He disclosed that when a call was made for contestants they were very heartened by the response they received. He said that some of them were unable to go further owing to the limited sponsorship opportunities in the area.

Competing as well is 15 year old India Laljit who is currently a student at Skeldon Line Path Secondary School, Lalita Laljit who is the younger sister of Indira , and 19 year old Natoya Rawlins who is considered among the contestants as one of the two veterans owing to the fact that she has contested in six pageants already and won three of those. Atasha Pantlitz is a 19 year-old and is the other veteran who like Rawlins has competed in six pageants as well. Despite only winning two crowns she is very confident of taking home the inaugural crown.

He said that after being entrusted with the management of the resort he decided to use the pageant as a marquee event for the resort.

The contestants include Chovesha Tahal a 22 year old television hostess and marketing agent at Channel

Delegates vying for the Miss Skeldon Heritage Resort pageant.

19 TV station, 15 year old Renee France hailing from the Amerindian community

of Siparuta, and Ishieka Nowrang, 18 years old and currently works as a cashier

19 year old Latisha Boyce who is eagerly awaiting competition night to showcase her stuff is currently pursuing studies in her quest to become a

Human Resources Officer, That aside, in the lineup also is 16 year old Felicia Reece, a fifth form student at Sheldon Line Path Secondary where she will be writing seven subjects at next year’s CSEC exams.

Meanwhile, the young ladies are being taken through their paces by popular pageant trainer Simeon Burnett who is also a television host of the popular Channel 19 programme in Berbice, Music Mix. Tickets for the pageant are already on sale at a cost of $1000, while music for the event would be provided by Uprising Sound Systems. It was disclosed that a number of popular artistes and performers will also grace the stage and Berbicians near and far, are guaranteed an exciting experience, come pageant night.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday September 27, 2019

Miss World delegate Aliya Wong

Former Miss Talented Teen Guyana, and current Miss World Guyana 2020 delegate, Aliya Wong, as part of her Beauty With a Purpose Project, last Saturday launched her non-governmental organisation (NGO) ‘Youth Development Foundation’ at the Sleepin International Hotel and Casino.

launches Youth focused NGO

The Foundation will focus on youth development through mentorship and sports.

The 18 year old shares that the launch was all the more significant to her as she celebrated it on her 18 birthday. The former West Demerara Secondary student said she was inspired to start up the Foundation given her own personal experience of how sports has helped her in developing as an all rounded person.

Over the years, Wong, who is most well known for her exploits and achievements in karate, has also been involved in volleyball, basketball, cricket, football, track & field and table tennis.

“The creation of this foundation stems from a personal level. I am a living testimony of what positive mentorship and

Miss World Guyana 2020 Delegate, Aliya Wong

sports does for a youth. If it wasn’t for those two aspects I wouldn’t have been the accomplished youth that I am today,” Wong shared when she sat down with The Buzz.

“As I saw the detrimental ills of society plaguing my community and country at large, I asked myself why, what and who. Why is this happening? What can I do?

And who can I approach to get help with this issue. I wanted to see a change and decide that I’ll be the change I want to see, hence, this foundation.”

Wong says she is cognizant of the fact that she cannot do it along, so the launch is only the beginning of a dream she hopes to see grow into something meaningful and highly impactful.

So far Wong has already gathered a small team that will work in the background to make it all come together.

Her support system includes award winning makeup artiste Renee Chester of Bromeliad.rnc, Jasmine Payne

of Jam PR services, designer Quinton Pearson of House of Pearson, and The Imperial House, former franchise holder of the Miss Talented Teen Guyana Pageant.

But more help is needed. Wong, who Aliya Wong displaying some of the medals she has won in Karate is currently studying for a Degree in (photo credit: Aliya Wong) Marketing at the University of Guyana, says she’ll be reaching out to as many And it’s not just about the Pageant, stakeholders as possible to get on board and be involved.

Wong is looking forward to continuing her work with the foundation even after her “These people are working hand in hand for they believe in the vision time with the Miss World Guyana Pageant of this foundation. We are working on ends. having more team members of course, I’ll be calling on all Ministries, teachers, “This foundation will be on going communities for us to work together on even after The Miss World Guyana making this dream become a reality,” Pageant,” Wong affirmed, adding that: Wong said.

“The foundation will continue to aim “There is a year of activities to promote positive youth development already planned and being worked through a pro-social approach to engage on. In executing these activities we are reaching out to organizations, youths within their communities, schools ministries, businesses and schools. and homes.”

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday September 27, 2019

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Mosa Telford cops Godfrey Chin Prize

for- AtHeritage Journalism GCA’s awards in New York

Telford was awarded for her work with Merundoi Inc.

Mosa Mathifa Telford.

THE Godfrey Chin Prize for Heritage Journalism from the Guyana Cultural Association of New York came as a surprise to Mosa Mathifa Telford, but it also served to remind her that she should continue to be diligent in the pursuit of her goals. The 36-year-old, born and raised at Buxton, Buxton, East Coast Demerara, attended Friendship nursery and primary schools, and North Georgetown Secondary.

She always wanted to be a writer. Since 2006, she began working as a freelance writer;

Telford was awarded the Godfrey Chin Prize for Heritage Journalism from the GCA.

a scriptwriter at Merundoi Inc. and columnist at Stabroek News. “Writing came naturally to me and I would not know what to do with myself if I could not. I like the freedom to do several things concurrently and working from home,” she told the Buzz a few days ago.

The award in New York was due to her work with Merundoi Inc. “Of course, I am honoured to have received it. Came as a surprise actually. And another reminder to keep pursuing my goals by staying focused and putting in the work.” Telford intends to continue working

in film, television and theatre.

She is also working on her first novel and doing research for her next play. Meanwhile, approximately 5,000 persons, including First Lady Sandra Granger, attended the 2019 edition of the Guyana Folk Festival in Brooklyn, New York, during August 25 to September 1. The annual folk festival season features such signature events as: Caribbean summer workshops, an awards ceremony, ‘Kwe Kwe’ night, literary hang and symposium, and a family fun day. A number of Guyanese who have

Judgement Productions, which he said is reaping good reviews. It adds to his threeyear catalogue, including songs like My Dream, Go Fah and What is it, featuring his brother Skorcha.

“My music is catchy and people love my lyrics; some people even seh dem think me woulda out there already cause dem seh my voice sounds like something they would hear on the radio,” he said. “There are different elements to the business though, like promotion, which is something we are working on.”

Raised in August Town, St Andrew, Reemus K, given name Raheem Collins, received his moniker from his dad, though he said he has never questioned what the name means.

With music in his blood, he recalled making beats from desks and chairs while attending Excelsior High School, and spent days honing his craft at his dad’s Judgement Yard studios.

While he admits to feeling some pressure to live up to his father’s musical accomplishments, he said his method of charting his own path is rooted in trying his best, and keeping a positive outlook.

“I would love to be one of Jamaica’s best musicians one day,” he said. “I continue to improve my skills and learn all I can, and I’m really involved in all of my projects. I love editing videos, I like to edit some of my videos too, and I even record myself sometimes and mix my own music sometimes.”

Sizzla’s son, Reemus K, readies debut EP Like his father Sizzla Kalonji, rising singer Reemus K wears many hats. At just 23, he runs his own record label, Korrection Music, and has been involved in music production since his teenage years.

He is also currently enrolled in the University of The West Indies’ Community Film Project (of which his dad is a graduate) and even specialises in computer repairs.

With the world as his oyster, Reemus K is choosing to nurture his music career, and is curating his debut EP, Mental Meditation.

“It will have positive songs weh people can relate to, music weh motivate dem from doing the wrong, ‘boosting songs’ so to speak, with just straight positivity,” he told THE STAR. “I’m going to be producing most of the songs and I’m looking to release it next year.”

His latest release, How We Roll, is a party-themed single produced by Speedy

contributed positively to the arts and to the development of the country were awarded.

First organised by the Guyana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) in the early 1980s, the festival has been held over the past 19 years, with the goal of showcasing the

nature and scope of Guyana’s folk heritage. As of the year 2000, though, the Guyana Folk Festival in Brooklyn has been organised by the Guyana Cultural Association of New York, Inc. (GCA). The GCA is a volunteer-run, not-for-profit organisation committed to promoting Guyanese culture.

Their mission is to document, showcase and celebrate the

multiple roots of Guyana’s cultural heritage.

Through the annual festival and the programmes of the Guyana Arts and Cultural Centre, the GCA preserves cultural heritage, and makes it available to inspire future generations of Guyanese at home and abroad.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, September 27, 2019

Archibald leaps ...

FROM BACKPAGE

marquee championship, but this time around, Hutson said those medal hopes lie on the shoulders of 25-year-old Prince, whose personal best of one minute, 45.58 seconds (1:45.58), at the time when it was clocked (May 17), was one of the top times in the world this year.

“Athletes like Quamel are what people around the world shop for. He’s a 1:45 seconds 800m athlete and with the right athletes and competition around him, especially at this stage, you can never tell what could happen because he has the ability and potential to run faster,” Hutson told Chronicle Sport

in an exclusive interview.

France’s Pierre-Ambroise Bosse is the 800 metres world champion, having won the event at the last championship with a time of 1:44.67. Prince will face off with Bosse on Saturday, September 28.

Meanwhile, in the case of Abrams, Hutson said the 22-year-old US-based athlete is working hard to show that she has been warranting her place on Guyana’s Track and Field team at several high-profile events including the Olympic Games.

Abrams, who clocked a personal best 51.13 seconds in June of this year, will be on the track in Qatar on Monday, September 30.

In the case of Archibald, the country’s National Record Holder in the long jump (8.12 metres), the AAG president

believes that the Lindener, who is now based in Jamaica, competing for the University of the West Indies, is also in a point-proving mood, especially after a horrid performance in Peru last month.

“I think Archibald will want to also show people that his performance in Peru was simply due to his not adapting to the weather. He jumps over eight metres, which is a big deal at this level. He qualified because of his position in the world at a certain time this year and I think that should tell people of his how good he really is,” said Hutson.

Archibald will be in ‘Group A’ in today’s qualifiers. Of 27 athletes, Archibald’s 8.12 metres jump this year is better than only Australia’s Henry Smith (8.06 metres).

FROM BACKPAGE

FIFA says Salah ...

“Whatever they do to try to change my love for Egypt, they will not succeed.”

Egyptian Football Association (EFA) president Amr El-Ganainy said. “I talked with Salah, explained to him it was an administrative mistake.”

In 2018, Salah came third in the men’s award and also took the Puskas award for goal of the season.

Each nation has three voters - the national team coach, the national team captain and a media representative - who each selects top three players in the world.

The EFA said Gharib and Elmohamady picked Salah as their first choice.

The media representative Hany Danial’s choices were Sadio Mane followed by Cristiano Ronaldo and Salah.

Salah threatened to quit the national team last year following a row over his

image rights.

NICARAGUA CONTROVERSY Nicaragua captain Juan Barrera called into question the authenticity of his country’s votes in the awards as he said he did not submit any votes.

FIFA’s records show that Barrera voted for Lionel Messi as best player and Liverpool’s Jurgen Klopp as best manager.

“I did not vote in the awards #TheBest2019 any information about my vote is false,” 30-year-old midfielder Barrera tweeted.

FIFA said it has asked the Nicaraguan Football Federation to investigate the matter after receiving “votes signed by the player”.

The Nicaraguan federation has been approached for comment. (BBC Sport)

USA retain No.1 FIBA world ranking (REUTERS) - USA Basketball team remain No. 1 in the FIBA world men’s rankings despite a shocking seventh-place finish at this month’s World Cup in China.

World Cup gold medallists Spain remained at No. 2 with Australia jumping eight spots to No. 3, World Cup silver medallists Argentina climbing one spot to No. 4 and bronze medallists France dropping two spots to No. 5.

The U.S. team have held the top spot since winning the 2010 world championship.

The FIBA rankings incorporate results from the past eight years, a stretch that includes two Olympic gold medals (2012, 2016) and a World Cup title (2014) for the Americans.

Rounding out the FIBA top 10 are Serbia, Greece, Lithuania, Russia and the Czech Republic.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday September 27, 2019

27

England run in seven tries to down United States 45-7

By Peter Rutherford

KOBE, Japan (Reuters) England’s squad players got the job done with a solid 45-7 bonus point victory over the United States at the Rugby World Cup yesterday against a determined Eagles side.

With a four-day turnaround after their opening Pool C victory over Tonga, coach Eddie Jones rang the changes with 10 new picks but was rewarded with seven tries in humid conditions at a packed Kobe Misaki Stadium.

Skipper George Ford, Billy Vunipola and Luke CowanDickie scored before the break, with winger Joe Cokanasiga grabbing a brace and Ruaridh McConnochie and Lewis Ludlam also crossing in the second half.

United States flanker John Quill was sent off in the 70th minute for a shoulder-charge to the head of Owen Farrell but the Americans never gave up and replacement Bryce Campbell finally got them on the scoreboard at the final gong.

“It’s a good win again,” said player-of-the-match Ford. “We had to work for it again, the

Blaine Scully of the U.S. in action in Kobe, Japan. ( REUTERS/Annegret Hilse) USA were a really physical, passionate team so we had to earn that win and I thought we did that very well.”

U.S. coach Gary Gold, however, was disappointed.

“You can’t be missing nearly 40 tackles in a game and still hope to be in the game,” he added. “It was a pretty awful

performance by us tonight.”

ENGLAND MAUL England had come in for some criticism after their untidy 35-3 win over Tonga, on Sunday, but they showed right from the kickoff that they were in determined mood.

U.S. fullback Will Hooley had

said ahead of the game that, while England had good players, they were not from Mount Olympus, though he may feel he was hit by Zeus himself in the opening seconds after being smashed backwards by centre Piers Francis. That opening tackle looked borderline high but went unpunished.

After waiting until the 24th minute to score on Sunday, England were quicker off the mark in Kobe, scrumhalf Willi Heinz finding Ford running a beautiful line and the number 10 went through to score under the posts after five minutes.

England then opted to kick for touch when awarded a penalty just outside the U.S. 22 and were rewarded when Tom Curry claimed the lineout and Vunipola smashed over from the back of a driving maul.

England’s third try arrived in similar circumstances, the United States powerless to stop a rampaging maul before Cowan-Dickie touched down.

The stadium’s retractable roof was closed for the match, meaning that while the players had to deal with stifling humidity the fans were able to create a boisterous atmosphere.

Chants of “USA! USA!” competed with renditions of England’s rugby anthem “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot” while the entire crowd joined together at halftime to belt out the John Denver classic, “Take me home, country roads”.

The red shirts of England were quickly into their stride after the break and claimed the bonus

point try in the 48th minute when a rampaging Jonathan Joseph was stopped just short but Cokanasiga was on hand to score.

A raft of substitutions followed, with Ben Youngs coming on to win his 91st cap and join Jonny Wilkinson and prop Dan Cole, who had started the match, for third on the all-time England men’s appearances list.

England winger McConnochie was having a quiet night but the Olympic rugby sevens silver medallist showed his sense of timing just before the hour mark, taking a pass at full pelt and bundling over for his first international try in the 15-aside game.

England’s seventh score came with four minutes left when replacement prop Ellis Genge barrelled his way through a host tired U.S. tacklers before Cokanasiga finished off.

England, not contented, greedily went for another score after the final ‘gong’ had sounded but instead it was the United States who got the score, replacement Bryce Campbell going over after an untidy, frenzied passage of play.

Facebook wins ICC’s digital content rights for subcontinent MUMBAI, India (Reuters) Facebook will have exclusive digital content rights for International Cricket Council (ICC) events in the Indian subcontinent till 2023, the world governing body of the sport said yesterday.

The deal will include the next two men’s World Twenty20 events in 2020 and 2022, the 50-over World Cup in 2023 and the World Test

Championship final in 2023.

The social media giant will carry a range of digital content across four years including match recaps, in-play key moments and other match and feature content on its various platforms.

“We are delighted to welcome Facebook to the global cricket family for this multi-year, multimarket partnership which is a first for our sport,” ICC

CEO Manu Sawhney said in a statement.

“The combination of one of the world’s most watched sports with one of the world’s largest platforms is exciting for the future of our game.

The record-breaking growth in digital consumption at this summer’s ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup demonstrated the continued power of cricket to

connect and engage more deeply with diverse audiences around the world.”

The ICC last month said the men’s 50-over World Cup in England witnessed 4.6 billion video views across its digital and social media platform with the hosts going on to win the tournament after a nail-biting final.

Cricket is the most popular game

in the densely populated Indian subcontinent and presents a huge market for Facebook, which began venturing into sports streaming in 2017 by broadcasting weekly Major League Baseball games.

Facebook counts India as its largest market by users and last year announced a deal with Spain’s top flight soccer league which will allow viewers in the Indian subcontinent to watch

every game for free on the social network for three years.

“With Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, the ICC has an exceptional opportunity to leverage our family of apps to serve current sports fans as well as bring in an entirely new generation of fans,” said Ajit Mohan, the VP and Managing Director of Facebook India.

Italy secure bonus-point 48-7 win over Canada ITALY scored seven tries as they secured a bonus-point World Cup Pool B victory against Canada in Fukuoka.

Forwards Braam Steyn and Dean Budd crossed for tries early in the first half as Italy led from the start.

Sebastian Negri, Mattia Bellini, Federico Zani and Matteo Minozzi added tries in the second half and Italy were also awarded a penalty try.

Italy top the group, after their biggest World Cup win but they have yet to play South Africa or New Zealand.

Italy head coach Conor O’Shea demanded his players “execute” their chances before kick-off, and they opened up a 17-point lead at the break as they exploited Canada’s shaky defence.

The North American side, who had lost their previous six matches against the Azzurri, had their chances to gain a foothold in the game but Matt Heaton spurned their best opportunity as he dropped the ball with the tryline at his mercy.

That was the first of multiple handling errors as Canada struggled to finish their openings while Italy, with the powerful Jake Polledri to the fore, maintained a clinical edge.

Andrew Coe did score a brilliant

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Italy’s Gloucester flanker Jake Polledri made more carries (16) and beat more defenders (14) than any other player on the pitch. consolation try as he beat Italy full-back Minozzi to cross in the corner - but it was the impressive Minozzi who had the final say.

Aside from that missed tackle the Italy fullback, who will join Wasps after the World Cup, was brilliant in defence and attack and he

scored the Azzurri’s seventh try to cap off a fine performance.

Canada face defending champions New Zealand next, on Wednesday, October 2 (11:15hrs BST), while Italy face the Springboks next on October 4, (10:45hrs).

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, September 27, 2019

Essex win County Championship on dramatic final day at Taunton ESSEX were crowned county champions, while Somerset missed out again, as their title-decider concluded in a dramatic draw at Taunton.

Somerset had to win, but rain on all four days left them needing to take 20 Essex wickets on the final day to clinch their first Championship title.

Jack Leach’s 5-32 helped dismiss Essex for 141 in their first innings and the hosts forfeited their second innings.

That left 63 to win for Essex, who managed to see out the last hour.

As Essex’s first innings did not finish until 16:15 BST, Somerset were left with little choice but to bowl again with no time to set a bigger target.

Somerset have now finished second in Division One in three of the past four seasons, while Essex have won the title in two of the past three years.

With more than 200 overs lost to the inclement conditions over the first three

days, Essex knew at stumps on Wednesday that, barring a calamitous collapse, the title was theirs.

Despite Somerset director of cricket Andy Hurry insisting his side “would not wave the white flag”, another 90-minute delay on the fourth morning seemed to have wiped out any remote chance of forcing a victory.

When play eventually got under way at 12:00hrs, Somerset bowled their three spinners from the off, with most fielders surrounding the bat.

Essex were content to block, aided by a couple more rain showers, with Alastair Cook nudging his way to 53 off 148 balls.

The former England captain’s dismissal by Leach sparked a flurry of quick wickets as Essex went from 102-1 to 141 all out either side of tea.

However, with just over an hour left to pick up another 10 Essex wickets, openers Cook and Nick Browne snuffed out most of the spin

Qatar reforms falling short of promises, says Amnesty LONDON, England (Reuters) - World Cup 2022 host Qatar has made improvements in labour rights for its two million foreign workers, but reforms have not lived up to promises made, Amnesty International told Reuters in an interview.

The tiny Gulf state has come under fire for what rights groups describe as poor labour conditions. Doha has responded by enacting a broad reform programme in which it has scrapped exit permits for most workers, established a minimum wage and launched dispute committees to hear worker grievances.

“There has been some small improvement but generally we’ve found there’s been a real lack of progress and workers are paying the price,” said Amnesty International’s Deputy Director of Global Issues, Stephen Cockburn.

In a report last week Amnesty documented the cases of about 2 000 workers unable to recover unpaid wages, despite the dispute committees and a fund established to pay them back, with many forced to return home unpaid.

“We do believe that bodies like FIFA sponsors and others and national football associations all have a role in highlighting these issues, in speaking out and to try and encourage and pressure the Qatar authorities to do what it said it would do,” Cockburn said.

Qatar said in a statement responding to Amnesty’s report that it was working to make sure its reforms are “far-reaching and effective” and that “any issues or delays with our systems will be addressed comprehensively”.

threat second time around.

With the game drifting to a draw, Somerset legend Marcus Trescothick came

Ryan ten Doeschate told BBC Test Match Special.

“We knew it was prodigiously turning and needed some

Essex only lost one match all summer, compared to Somerset’s three.

In the past five seasons,

Essex have won the County Championship eight times.

on as a substitute fielder for one final time before his retirement, but the 43-year-old could only watch Essex bat out the game.

“We knew it was going to be a dogfight with the state of the wicket,” Essex captain

calm heads at the end there.

“I wasn’t nervous, but you never know when the wicket is spinning like that.”

WHAT MADE THE DIFFERENCE? THREE DEFEATS TO ONE

no champions have lost more than once, while Middlesex and Essex went unbeaten in their victorious campaigns in 2016 and 2017.

Essex also beat Somerset at Chelmsford in June - the second victory in a six-game

winning streak either side of the T20 Blast.

A UNIQUE DOUBLE Essex have lifted their eighth County Championship trophy just five days after winning a maiden T20 Blast title, and become the first county to win both in the same season.

In his post-match interview at Finals Day, Harmer said people still thought of Essex as a “small club” and did not take them seriously.

But they now move above Warwickshire as the fifth most successful club in the County Championship’s 129year history. Only Yorkshire, Surrey, Middlesex and Lancashire have won more titles.

“We’ve played out of our skin for nine games, and you still come to the last game of the season and you need to play well to win,” ten Doeschate added.

“It’s very rewarding.

The team’s come a long way in the last five or six years.” (BBC Sport)

Karachi braces for its first taste of ODI cricket in a decade today IT has been ten years since Karachi saw its last ODI. In that time, three World Cups have been staged, a generation has grown up, and the one-day game has been through a revolution.

Sure, this is only a tender sapling of a tour, containing only limited-overs fixtures, with 10 Sri Lanka players having refused to travel. But we are at the start of the longest trip an international side has made to Pakistan since 2009, and PCB hopes that top-flight cricket will really set about putting its roots down in the country this time.

Could a home Test series be on the horizon?

It is difficult to put into words how much the resumption of a regular schedule could mean to Pakistan.

Whole cities coming alive for matches, packed stadiums gasping at withering spells of fast bowling and spin-bowling wizardry, while tense battles play out in storeyed venues.

Forget Pakistan; cricket

Pakistan skipper Sarfaraz Ahmed urged the cricket fans to come out in large numbers today

needs this. It would also be fitting, of course, if Misbahul-Haq, who shepherded Pakistan so masterfully through their nomad years, gets this chance to shape the team’s long-ached-for return home.

But perhaps we are getting ahead of ourselves. Sri Lanka have sent a substantially weakened team, owing to 10 players’ continued doubts over the security situation.

Against a side missing the likes of Kusal Perera, Angelo

Mathews and designated captain Dimuth Karunaratne, the hosts start as strong favourites. What’s more important than the runs or wickets, though, is that the tour is on.

And that it goes well.

The old coach is gone, as are selectors and support staff, but Sarfaraz Ahmed is still around as captain, despite Pakistan’s failure to make it to the World Cup semi-finals. But will it be the same old Sarfaraz? Will he still bat in the lower middle

order? Will he employ the same tactics? How much will Misbah, in his powerful new avatar, change the way Sarfaraz approaches his job?

And after a modest World Cup personally, can Sarfaraz lift himself into good form again?

Sri Lanka’s top order is among the most brittle in ODIs at the best of times, and it is the batting that has been most weakened by the withdrawals.

Their captain for this series, Lahiru Thirimanne, struggles to make the firstchoice XI, for example.

Nevertheless, Thirimanne is the most experienced batsman on tour, and if Sri Lanka are to make competitive totals here, he will probably be required to play the sorts of long, measured innings he specialises in at his best. (ESPN Cricinfo)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, September 27, 2019

Hawaiian Sensation end inaugural OMSCC season in blaze of glory

By Frederick Halley TORONTO, Canada -- Hawaiian Sensation (HS) ended their inaugural Ontario Masters Softball Cricket Clubs (OMSCC) season in a blaze of glory, capturing the Division Two title in emphatic fashion on Sunday at Littles ground here, their opponents All Stars conceding the game when they were 60 for two in the seventh over in pursuit of a mammoth 262 for victory in their allotted 20 overs.

Having won nine of their 10 regular season games and topping their division with 54 points, HS were well positioned to record another comprehensive victory when All Stars skipper Kenny Girdharry led his players off, alleging that the opposition bowlers were pelting.

The officiating umpires subsequently awarded the game to HS. Earlier, HS batsmen had run riot on the All Stars attack, reaching 261 for three in 20 overs, the highest score ever recorded in a final in the 20-year history of the league.

Led by a scintillating opening stand of 114 in 10 overs by Zaheer ‘Terry’ Baksh and Imtiaz Badshaw, the tone was set for a mauling by the top order who saw a further 147 being scored in the remaining 10 overs for the lost of just two wickets.

Looking well set for a deserved century, Baksh was left high and dry on 93 when the innings ended. He hit four fours and cleared

the boundary on seven occasions on the relatively small ground.

Badshaw, who went caught and bowled by Marcel Arokium off the last ball of the 10th over, slammed two fours and six sixes.

Baksh also shared a second-wicket stand of exactly 100 with his captain, former Guyana wicketkeeper batsman Azib Ali Hanif, whose 38 was spiced with four fours and two sixes while Abdool Azeez helped himself to a quick-fire 32 with five towering sixes, sharing an unbeaten fourth-wicket stand of 43 with

Baksh.

Arokium finished with one for 17, Wayne Barrett one for 26 and Girdharry one for 43. Iqbal Rahaman took both wickets to fall when All Stars batted, conceding 12 runs in the process.

Baksh was voted the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the game, and, apart from receiving a trophy for his effort, he was also the recipient of a cash incentive.

In a high-scoring semi-final the previous day, played at Woburn ground, Azib Ali Hanif had the unique distinction of blasting

Mercedes underdogs for rest of year, says Hamilton SOCHI, Russia (Reuters) Mercedes will be underdogs for the rest of the Formula One season despite leading the drivers’ and constructors’ standings by a comfortable margin, according to five-time world champion Lewis Hamilton.

The Briton leads team mate Valtteri Bottas by 65 points, ahead of Sunday’s Russian Grand Prix while Mercedes enjoy a 133-point advantage over closest rivals Ferrari.

Ferrari have won the last three races, however, and also racked up three pole positions in a row. Hamilton and Bottas failed to finish on the podium at the previous round in Singapore.

Mercedes have won every Russian Grand Prix since the first in 2014.

“I don’t think we are going to be favourites at any of the next six races but that doesn’t mean we can’t win,” Hamilton told reporters in Sochi yesterday.

“We know how fast Ferrari have been on the straights, in the past three races, we have been stuck behind and not able to get by,” added the

Lewis Hamilton leads team mate Valtteri Bottas by 65 points ahead of Sunday’s Russian Grand Prix.

champion, who won in Russia last year.

“At the moment I would say these last three races, we’ve probably not extracted 100% on the weekend and that’s what we need to get back to - extracting the maximum.

“I can squeeze more out of the car, more out of myself. I haven’t done a perfect lap yet this season. Remaining as the leaders is not an easy task so it is understandable that we will have dips.”

Hamilton has won eight of the 15 races but none since

the August break, the point at which in the past he has moved up a gear and reeled off a string of wins.

His overall lead is barely threatened by Ferrari or Red Bull, with Charles Leclerc and Max Verstappen level on points in third place but 96 adrift of the Briton.

Verstappen has won twice for Red Bull this season while Leclerc has done the same for Ferrari, who won in Singapore with Sebastian Vettel leading the team first one-two finish since 2008.

Mercedes have done the title double for the past five seasons and are favourites for an unprecedented six in a row, even if winning races has become harder.

The real concern for the champions is that Ferrari’s form carries over into 2020 and the Italians become the team to beat over the course of a year.

Mercedes have not been beaten for four races in a row since the V6 turbo hybrid era started in 2014.

six sixes in an over bowled by Sheldon Burnett of Cougars, another OMSCC record. He also received a cash incentive.

Apart from copping the winners’ trophy, each member of the winning team was recipient of medals.

An elated skipper Haniff praised the efforts of co-owners Iqbal Rahaman and Harri Sukhu for putting the team together.

And in a fine gesture, he also presented the winning trophy to Sukhu. The team was managed by Irshaud Osman with the

president being ‘Doctor’ Amit Bacchus.

OMSCC president Azeem Khan acknowledged that it wasn’t the kind of atmosphere his executives had bargained for since both the division one and two finals experienced problems.

He nevertheless congratulated Hawaiian Sensation for their brilliant showing in their first season and expressed thanks to the several sponsors who contributed to the success of the tournaments.

Sammy frustrated by Jamaica’s Briana Williams ‘tough lessons’ for escapes doping ban - Jamaica’s World Under-20 title-chasing St Lucia (REUTERS) double sprint gold medallist Briana Wil-

ST Lucia Zouks skipper Darren Sammy has expressed frustration with the team’s reading of its own home field conditions, following a loss to the table-topping Amazon Warriors in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) on Wednesday night.

For the playoff-chasing team, the loss came on the back of a win against St Kitts and Nevis Patriots.

Defending 161 against the Warriors, however, Zouks were unable to repeat the type of performance that was typified by energetic efficiency.

“As a team we have just not executed our plans. Especially when you are playing at home where you know the conditions, we are getting a lesson from the opposition about how to play on the wicket and it should be the other way around,” Sammy said.

“We have two games left and they are must-wins. We have Jamaica next and we are going to come back stronger.”

Having played eight games so far, Zouks are in fourth spot on five points, ahead of the Barbados Tridents on four and the last place Jamaica Tallawahs who also have four. The Tridents have, however, played two games less to date.

liams has escaped a doping ban for using the banned Diuretic Hydrochlorothiazide, the Independent Anti-Doping Disciplinary Panel (IADP) ruled yesterday.

Williams, 17, was provisionally named in the Jamaica team for the 100 metres and 4x100 metres relay at the World Championships in Doha which start today.

The IADP ruled that she will be “reprimanded with no period of ineligibility”. Williams returned the positive test at the Jamaican trials in June and had faced the possibility of a fouryear ban.

“The IADP finds that the athlete has established no significant fault or negligence as she was given tablets by her guardian and had no intention to cheat in her In-Competition sprint event on June 21, 2019,” the IADP said in a statement.

“The IADP recommends that the athlete undergoes another education programme on Anti-Doping in Sports Rules.”

Williams’ coach Ato Boldon said he was relieved that she had been exonerated and confirmed that she was due to fly in to Doha.

“I’m satisfied that the panel came to the right decision based on the evidence and based on what the IAAF rules and the WADA code is,” Boldon told Reuters.

“I wouldn’t want what Briana has endured at her age to happen to my worst enemy,” the former Olympic and World Championship medallist added.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, September 27, 2019

BCB 80th Anniversary Celebration 1939-2019

BCB honours Grimmond, Gajnabi on West Indies debut SINCE 1948, when John Trim of the Port Mourant Cricket Club (PMCC) became the first Berbician to play Test cricket, Berbice has produced numerous players who have represented the Caribbean at the Under-15, Under-19, A Team, B Team, ODI, 20/20, Test and Female levels.

The rich tradition continued during September 2019, where Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club (RHTY&SC) MS duo of Sheneta Grimmond and Shabika Gajnabi made their International Debut against Australia at the One Day and 20/20 levels.

The Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) surprised the duo during its 80th anniversary celebration by honouring them for being the sixth and seventh Berbician female players to play International cricket.

Nineteen-year- old Gajnabi has been playing for close to a decade after learning the game at a very young age, with her brother at the Chesney ground, which is located in front of her home. She later joined the only female cricket team in Guyana at the RHTY&SC and developed her skills under

the guidance of senior players Shemaine Campbelle and Erva Giddings.

Gajnabi bowls right-hand medium pace and is a solid middle-order batsman. She has captained Berbice and Guyana at the Under-19 level.

Grimmond, who bowls off-spin and is a hard-hitting batter played for her school, Central Corentyne Secondary, before joining RHTY&SC. Like Gajnabi, she learnt her playing with her male counterparts at RHTY&SC and benefitted from the vast experience of Campbelle and Giddings.

BCB president Hilbert Foster congratulated the pair on making their international debut, noting that the entire county was very proud of them.

Foster, who is also the Secretary/CEO of the RHTY&SC, stated that the county’s investment in female cricket was a huge success. Candacy Atkins was the first female to play for the West Indies while Shemaine Campbelle, Tremayne Smartt, Erva Giddings, Subrina Munroe, Gajnabi and Giddings have followed in her footsteps.

GT Panthers, Fruta U-20 seal latest wins in Limacol football GT Panthers and Fruta U-20 are the latest two teams to register wins in the 2019 Limacol football tournament following matches on Wednesday evening.

In the opening game, Panthers picked up their win through a needling effort by Vincent Thomas in the 13th minute and never looked back.

In the other game, Fruta U-20 mauled Buxton Stars 8-1.

Lead by Nicholas McArthur in the 35th, 46th and 87th, the U-20 side were all over their East Coast opponents.

Ryan Hackette (29th, 49th), Wayne Barker (73rd, 74th) and Dihara Thomas (84th) were names on the

score sheet as Jamali Major (63rd) recorded Buxton’s only goal in the game.

In the latest standings, Santos U-20 side lead the Group A with three wins from three games and goal difference of 7 while second-place Timehri Panthers have played two games and won one, losing the other for a total of three points and a negative-one goal difference.

Black Pearl and Camptown FC have one point with a goal difference of negative-three but the former have one match left while the latter have played all the matches in the round.

In the Group B, Fruta U-20 lead the way with nine points

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after three wins from three games and a goal difference of 14 while second-place of the group belongs to Buxton Stars, who have one win, one draw and one loss for a total of four points and a negative-six goal difference.

GFC sit third with three points with one win and two losses from the maximum number of games and a goal difference of -2 while Northern Rangers have a negative-six goal difference and one point from three games with two losses and a draw.

Group C has leaders Riddim Squad from two games with six wins and a goal difference of six while second-place GT Panthers have the same number of points from three games (two wins and a loss) and a negative-one goal difference.

Beacon have one point and a negative goal difference after one win and one draw from their two games while Pouderoyen have one point from their three games (one win) and a negative-four goal difference.

In Group D, Pele lead the way with two wins and a draw on seven points with a goal difference of seven while Mahaica Determinators sit second just one point behind, with two wins and a loss and one goal difference.

In third, Dynamics Football Club have four points after one win, one loss and one draw with a negative-one goal difference while Police B end the tournament winless and with a goal difference of negative-seven.

Matches continue today with the last of the third-round matches featuring Timehri Panthers playing against Black Pearl from 19:00hrs and Riddim Squad playing Beacon from 21:00hrs.

Meanwhile, on Sunday, the first quarter-final will take place and will see Santos U-20 take on Buxton Stars and Pele play GT Panthers.

Former BCB president Malcolm Peters (centre) with Sheneta Grimmond at left and Shakiba Gajnabi

Foster urged the players to remain focussed, humble and to work harder every day to further improve their skills.

He warned them that sometimes making the team was easy but keeping your place in the team was more difficult as performance was what counts.

He committed the BCB to assisting every female cricketer in fulfilling her

full potential on and off the cricket field.

Earlier in the proceedings, the BCB had handed over cricket gear to two Under-13 female players, Tricia Hardat and Darshie Subramanie.

The debutants received a framed certificate, trophies, medals, souvenir anniversary cups and prizes.

Aussies look for new selector as Chappell retires

Greg Chappell struck 7 110 Test runs at 53.86. (Getty)

AUSTRALIA’S search for a new national selector is underway after Cricket Australia confirmed national talent manager Greg Chappell will conclude his tenure at the end of this month.

A connection with Australia’s cricket team stretching back half a century has ended with the former Test captain retiring on September 30.

Chappell, who played 87 Tests from 1970 to 1984 and posted 24 hundreds, had been Cricket Australia’s national talent manager for the past nine years as well as a national selector.

One-Test former wicketkeeper Graham Manou will take over an expanded role of national talent and pathway manager as CA look for a replacement national selector, to be named at a later date.

Chappell, 71, also played 74 one-day internationals for Australia - often alongside brothers Ian and Trevor.

He held three separate television commentary stints, while he also coached India

from 2005 to 2007.

Cricket Australia chief executive Kevin Roberts lauded Chappell’s contribution to the game.

“Greg has had a profound and positive impact on cricket for generations,” Roberts said.

“Greg was one of the finest players in the history of International cricket. Additionally, as a captain, coach, selector and mentor, Greg has been a true pioneer and innovator.

“His passion and commitment to the game are clear to anyone who has interacted with him and Australian cricket is all the stronger for his involvement.”

Chappell has worked closely with Australia’s junior talent and was team manager of the Cricket Australia XI in its short inclusion in the domestic 50-over competition.

Along with his work in cricket, Chappell has raised more than $400 000 through his charity, the Greg Chappell Foundation, which aims to help homeless youth in Australia.

The current men’s selection panel consists of Chappell, chair Trevor Hohns and coach Justin Langer.

CA chief executive Kevin Roberts indicated earlier this month that while the make-up of the selection committee was unlikely to undergo radical change, he expects the next iteration to reflect the ever-growing influence of the T20 game.

With six T20s to be played against Sri Lanka and Pakistan, and Australia to host the ICC Men’s World T20 tournament from October next year, the shortest format is expected to now command a sharper selection focus.

“Certainly we need to take into account the sorts of experience that are required,” Roberts said recently.

“If you look at the shape of the panel now, one of the things we’d like to have more of in the future is more experience in T20 games.

31

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, September 27, 2019

Duminy and Walsh help Tridents destroy TKR at Kensington Oval A truly sensational display of sustained hitting from JP Duminy and a ridiculously good bowling effort from Hayden Walsh Jr allowed Barbados Tridents to finally end their eightmatch losing home run in the Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) in fine style with a 63-run defeat of defending champions Trinbago Knight Riders(TKR).

Duminy scored the fastest ever Hero CPL half-century before Walsh Jr took three wickets in four balls on his way to the first five-wicket haul of the season as the Knight Riders came up well short in their pursuit of the Tridents’ 192/5.

The Tridents had been given a solid platform by openers Johnson Charles and Jonathan Carter, both men passing 50 in a first-wicket stand worth 110.

But they took almost 14 overs getting those runs and, when both openers and then Alex Hales all fell in quick succession, the Tridents innings appeared to be falling away.

Duminy had other ideas, blasting his way to 65 from just 20 balls – his 50 coming up in a Hero CPL record of just 15 – to propel his team to a winning total Perhaps the most astonishing element of Duminy’s innings is that he had only 3 to his name after the first five balls he faced.

From that moment he faced 15 further deliveries.

The 15th dismissed him. The second was bunted down the ground for a scampered two.

The final balls of the 18th and 19th overs were deliberately knocked away for singles to retain the strike.

The other 11 were sent to or over the boundary. There weren’t many mishits in there. Short balls, full balls, slower balls. All got the same treatment. The seven sixes all cleared the boundary with something to spare.

Ali Khan’s third over went for 24 – his three-over spell cost him 51 in all; James Neesham’s only over cost 25. In all, 76 came from the last five overs of the innings as the innings was brought dramatically back to life after the disappointment

of the three quick wickets.

Carter’s half-century, his first in the Hero CPL, will certainly not live as long in the memory as Duminy’s but having been promoted up the order he did the job asked of him in providing a base from which his team-mates could launch with his 46-ball 51.

Charles was more fluent in his 58 from 39, striking the ball crisply and collecting eight fours.

But ultimately this was an innings about one man, even if he was only actually batting for around a quarter of it.

And he wasn’t finished.

The Knight Riders had made a lightning start to their chase of 193 for victory despite losing openers Lendl Simmons and Sunil Narine to Harry Gurney and Jason Holder respectively.

Colin Munro had flown to 23 from 12 when a rare miscue sent the ball high into the sky but over the backpedaling Holder at midoff.

While everyone else watched to see whether Holder could get back for a catch, Duminy screeched fully 40 yards around the boundary edge before diving and coming up with the ball to complete a stunning catch.

Walsh Jr then started his own contribution to the Tridents’ success as he bowled Denesh Ramdin for 11 from 14 balls.

Pollard, Neesham and Seekkuge all fell in his second over to leave the Knight Riders reeling at 83/7 and out of the contest, while Walsh Jr had the amazing figures of 2-0-4-4.

Darren Bravo took a four and a six off the leg-spinner to slightly dent those figures, but Walsh Jr was not to be denied for long. He teased Bravo into a miscue outside off stump to secure his fifth wicket and spark wild celebrations around the Kensington Oval.

For all Walsh Jr’s brilliance, it was still fitting that the final word should go to Duminy and sure enough he finished off a remarkable night’s work by dismissing Khary Pierre and Ali Khan to wrap up a thumping win that lifts the Tridents above

St Lucia Zouks into the final playoff spot.

The Knight Riders remain in second place despite having now gone three matches without a victory after winning their first four. (CPL. Leg-spinner Hayden Walsh (Jnr) celebrates the first five-wicket haul of the season

Guyana’s Emanuel Archibald will be in action today at the IAAF World Championships.

Archibald leaps into action today at IAAF World Athletics Championship … Hutson confident of team doing Guyana proud

By Rawle Toney

QUAMEL Prince, Aliyah Abrams and Emmanuel Archibald, according to AAG president Aubrey Hutson, are all set to compete at this year’s IAAF World Athletics Championships, which will start today in Doha, Qatar, at the Khalifa International Stadium.

The biennial championship, which will run this time around from September 27 to October 6, will see Prince compete in the 800 metres, while Abrams and Archibald will do action in the women’s 400 metres and men’s long jump respectively.

“I’m very confident in these athletes; actually very optimistic that they can pull it off,” stressed the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) boss, who is currently in Qatar, where he attended the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) congress and played a part in Sebastian Coe being re-elected as president and Ximena Restrepo being voted in as the Federation’s first female vice-president.

Guyana have never won a medal at the IAAF’s TURN TO PAGE

Quamel Prince

Aliyah Abrams

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Jamaica’s 29 FIFA says Salah Briana Williams escapes doping ban votes void because of PAGE

Briana Williams of Jamaica crosses the finish line.

(Lehtikuva/Kalle Parkkinen via REUTERS)

capital letters

TWO votes for Mohamed Salah in the Best FIFA’s men’s player award were not counted because signatures were in capital letters, says FIFA. The Egyptian Football Association (EFA) said acting Egypt coach Shawky Gharib and captain Ahmed Elmohamady voted for Liverpool forward Salah.

FIFA said: “The signatures on the voting forms were in capital letters and thus seemed not valid.”

The forms also lacked a mandatory signature by the EFA general secretary.

Barcelona’s Lionel Messi won the award on Monday ahead of Juventus forward Cristiano Ronaldo and Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk.

Football’s world governing body FIFA said voting was supervised and monitored by independent observer PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) Switzerland.

It said it contacted the EFA twice on August 19 to submit properly signed voting forms but did not receive a response in time for the votes to be counted.

FIFA also said the Egyptian FA had “undergone a few structural changes” after the voting period opened.

Since the awards ceremony Salah has removed ‘Egypt’ from his Twitter profile, which now reads: “Footballer for Liverpool FC.” He also posted a tweet which translates as: TURN TO PAGE

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Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah has had several arguments with the Egypt Football Association.

Duminy and Walsh help Tridents destroy TKR at Kensington Oval

SEE STORY ON PAGE 31

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FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2019