Guyana_Chronicle_Epaper_10_24_2019

THURSDAY 24th OCTOBER, 2019

' No.105800

President’s cancer in remission SEE STORY ON PAGE 03

…Cuban specialists satisfied with President’s health

CDC issues

spring-tide advisory

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‘Don’t abuse the sirens’ …Min. Ramjattan urges ranks

…vows sterner action against reckless police drivers 02 PAGE

Former Foreign Affairs Minister rescued from burning house

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Staff members of the Guyana National Newspapers Limited (GNNL) released several balloons on Wednesday as they join the fight against breast cancer (Delano Williams photo) (See story on page 16)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, October 24, 2019

‘Don’t abuse the sirens’ …Min. Ramjattan urges ranks …vows sterner action against reckless police drivers

STERN actions will be taken against rogue cops, who are bent on abusing the use of sirens and continue to engage in the reckless use of the country’s roadways resulting in accidents, some – deadly.

Vice-President and Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan, made the comments on Wednesday when he appeared on Insight – a Voice of Guyana Radio Programme. He said however, that everyone must play their part if the number of accidents on the country’s roadways is to be reduced significantly. Noting that he is still deeply hurt by the Friendship, East Bank Demerara (EBD) accident, which claimed the lives of

five persons on October 15, 2019, the Public Security Minister said that policeman – Ronel Barker, who was driving one of the vehicles involved in the accident, could have demonstrated greater care, caution and consideration.

Barker was on duty at the time. Surveillance footage of the accident, captured motorcar PPP 515 moving at a moderate pace when a police vehicle with flashing lights, slammed head on into it.

On the point of impact, the police vehicle spun several times before coming to a halt in a nearby drain. Only two persons survived the accident.

Though confirming that a Board of Inquiry Report on

the deadly accident has been handed over to President David Granger, Minister Ramjattan did not divulge the contents of the report but said the recommendations will be acted upon as promised by the Head of State. The report, which was compiled by Deputy Commissioner of Police, Paul Williams, with support from Senior Superintendents Calvin Brutus and Linden Isles, addressed the use of sirens by police and other emergency vehicles.

RECKLESSNESS According to Minister Ramjattan, it was “recklessness” that caused the Friendship accident. He said though police officers have

been continuously cautioned about their use of sirens, some, nonetheless, abuse the system.

He recalled that in 2017, after the Guyana Police Force was gifted with a fleet of vehicles from the People’s Republic of China, one of the vehicles was involved in an accident along the Canefield, East Canje, Berbice public road due to reckless driving.

Minister Ramjattan noted that the accident had occurred shortly after he had warned the law enforcement officers, that money would be deducted from their salaries for damage

Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan

drivers.

Minister Ram“The important point is, we jattan, in his dishave to have individual respon- course, said added sibility on the part of drivers, but to that, the Guymore than that, we have to have ana Police Force people in the vehicle, who would w o u l d h a v e t o notice that indeed the driver is employ the use of going too fast, is reckless, and technologies such sometimes they don’t speak out as transponders to against that driver to plead with monitor the use of him, ‘stop that! You are going too its vehicles. He is also calling on the fast’ – that can also help,” –– Minister Ramjattan said. public to report any abuse of the force’s resources. to the vehicles involved in “We also have to have a accidents. He said, however, public that is scrutinising. that since the October 15 Whenever you see them Friendship accident, police (driving recklessly) report men and women have been it…video record it,” Min“changing their bad habits.” ister Ramjattan urged the “A number of them have public, while noting “they changed. I have seen that. (the rogue cops) will be Since that last accident at dealt with.”

Friendship, there have been He disclosed that as a instructions that have gone result of reports filed by out; please do not abuse citizens against rogue cops, your siren just to be master 48 of them have had their of the road. There have been services terminated, and as quite visible developments such, are no longer in the there,” the Public Security police force.

Minister said.

But the Public Security According to him, the Minister admitted that the use of police vehicles and use of road by police officers sirens would be constantly is part of the problem, he monitored to ensure po- said some members of the lice officers are adhering public are guilty of reckto established rules and lessly using the country’s regulations that have been roadways, which have also put in place to promote road resulted in loss of limb, life safety. and damage to property.

In ordering the inquiry “The important point is, into the accident, President we have to have individual Granger had said that steps responsibility on the part will also be taken to ensure of drivers, but more than that regulations and Stand- that, we have to have people ing Operating Procedures in the vehicle, who would are upheld. He said too that notice that indeed the driver emphasis will be placed on is going too fast, is reckless, inspections and the careful and sometimes they don’t selection and training of speak out against that driver

to plead with him, ‘stop that!

You are going too fast’ – that can also help,” Minister Ramjattan said.

He said while the government has a “huge role to play,” the road users have an important role to play as well. “We have to have better infrastructure, our roads should be wider, they should be well painted, signage all across the place, but even in places in Guyana, where there have been that kind of infrastructure, we still notice accidents happening and very fatal ones too, to the extent that the contributing cause or the main cause being recklessness on the part of drivers or total recklessness on the part of pedestrians, so it requires a coordinated effort, and integrated effort on the part of everybody,” the Public Security Minister explained.

According to the Guyana Police Force, the leading causes of traffic mishaps in the country are speeding and driving while under the influence of alcohol. Other major causes are driving while distracted by use of a cellphone, pedestrian inattentiveness, and failure to heed traffic signs and warnings. The police force has not released statistics on vehicular accidents in the country of recent but President Granger had noted that over the last 15 years, more than 2,000 Guyanese have been killed on the roadways. He characterised the problem as a serious epidemic.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, October 24, 2019

President’s cancer in remission …Cuban specialists satisfied with President’s health

PRESIDENT David Granger’s cancer is now in remission, Guyana’s Ambassador to Cuba, Halim Majeed, CCH, disclosed on Wednesday, as he announced the Guyanese leader’s return to Guyana following a scheduled medical evaluation in Cuba.

Cancer remission is when the signs and symptoms of cancer have lessened or are undetectable. In blood-related cancers like leukemia, this means you’ll have a decrease in the number of cancer cells.

For solid tumors, that means that the tumor size has decreased. The decrease must last for at least one month to be considered remission.

In a statement, Ambassador Majeed disclosed that

President Granger returned to Guyana on Tuesday from Cuba having completed a scheduled medical evaluation at the Centro de Investigaciones Medico Quirurgicas (CIMEQ). He had departed these shores on Saturday, October 19, 2019.

“The CIMEQ medical specialists have expressed complete satisfaction with the state of the President’s health and have explained that the President’s ailment is now in remission,” Ambassador Majeed said.

He said in keeping with the strict medical procedures of the Cuban health system, the Head of State is expected to return to Cuba for another scheduled routine medical check in January 2020.

Thereafter, the next evaluation will be in June 2020.

President Granger held discussions with the Cuban Foreign Affairs Vice-Minister, Ana Teresita Gonzalez Fraga in the presence of Ambassador Majeed. The Cuban Minister used the opportunity to discuss some aspects of Guyana-Cuba relations with President Granger.

President Granger has iterated his gratitude to Cuban President, Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez, the Government of Cuba, and the CIMEQ Medical Team which has been responsible for his treatment in Cuba, over the past months. President Granger was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma last year after an intensive

President David Granger

series of tests by specialist doctors at the CIMEQ. In April 2019, he completed his regime of radiotherapy in Cuba without any complication. That was done after he had successfully completed his regime of chemotherapy which formed part of

his medical treatment for Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma.

According to the American Cancer Society, Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (also known as non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, NHL, or sometimes just lymphoma) is a cancer that starts in the white blood cells

called lymphocytes, which are part of the body’s immune system.

President Granger, late last year, had expressed his profound gratitude to his Cabinet members, staff and the rest of the nation for their support, prayers and well wishes for his complete recovery, at a welcome home and prayer ceremony that was hosted at State House on November 21, 2018. “Thank you for your expressions of concern over the last three weeks… Throughout that time, I received greetings from you all and from other well-wishers and, more than the greetings, prayers and I am truly grateful,” he said then.

$83M water quality lab commissioned

By Tamika Garnett

THE Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) Hydrometeorological (Hydromet) Service, on Wednesday, opened the country’s first Water Quality Laboratory in its Brickdam, Georgetown compound.

The $83 million project which included the construction of a 900-square foot three-story building was officially commissioned by Agriculture Minister, Noel Holder on Wednesday afternoon.

The laboratory is seen as a critical step in ensuring the consistent monitoring of the water of Guyana’s surface and ground water resources, for the creation of strategies for improved quality.

Minister Holder under-

scored the importance of monitoring water quality, noting that it was vital to ensure sustainability of the resource as well as to combat the effects of pollution.

It was also important for creation of evidence-based strategies, based on data from research.

“The response to water quality degradation includes research, policies, technologies and the implementing of good practices. Strong data systems are required to understand the issue, its geographical extent and what plans and programmes are required to address these,” Holder noted as he presented remarks at the commissioning ceremony.

The laboratory will function to collect, monitor, analyse, assess and record the

Hydro-chemist, Sharonda Agard (right) demonstrates of some of the testing capabilities of the Hydromet’s Water Quality Laboratory as officials look on. From left are: Chief Hydromet Officer, Dr. Garvin Cummings; MoA Permanent Secretary, Delma Nedd; and Agriculture Minister, Noel Holder (Adrian Narine photo)

Minister of Agriculture, Noel Holder (centre); MoA Permanent Secretary, Delma Nedd (right); and Chief Hydromet Officer, Dr Garvin Cummings (left) with the four hydro-chemists of the Hydromet’s Water Quality Laboratory (Adrian Narine photo)

availability, quality, and use of Guyana’s surface and ground water resources.

This allows for the creation of a comprehensive database on the quality of the country’s water resources.

“Today marks an important milestone for the Hydrometeorological Service with respect to the department fulfilling its mandate with regard to water resources management, and specifically with regard to the monitoring of the quality of the country’s water resources,” Holder said.

The Water and Sewerage Act 2002 confers upon the Hydromet the responsibility to manage and operate

national systems to monitor the availability, quality and use of Guyana’s surface and ground water resources; and assess and record the impact of water use on the quality and quantity of surface and ground water.

Prior to the opening of the laboratory, the Hydromet was carrying out this mandate with bare minimum resources and under questionable standards.

“Today marks the thrust towards establishing a national water quality monitoring network and the establishment of a central repository for all information on the quality of the country’s resources.

Hydromet is essentially the custodian of all of Guyana’s waters. The ownership of the country’s water is vested in the State and the Hydrometerological Service has been given the responsibility to manage this resource for the state,” Holder noted.

To start off, the facility will be staffed by four hydro-chemists, who are all Natural Science graduates.

The building includes separate rooms for chemical analysis, biological analysis and the weighing of samples. The laboratory was so designed to TURN TO PAGE

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday October 24, 2019

Thai king fires officials for ‘extremely evil’ conduct (BBC) Thailand’s King Vajiralongkorn has fired six officials for “extremely evil” conduct, just days after removing his royal consort for “misbehaviour and disloyalty against the monarch”.

The six include a woman, a senior police official and two royal guards.

They were accused of “exploiting their official positions for their own or other

King Vajiralongkorn has exercised his powers in a more direct way than his father

people’s gain”.

On Monday, royal consort Sineenat Wongvajirapakdi was stripped of her rank and titles.

Police lieutenant general Sakolket Chantra of the Royal Household Bureau was named as one of the six people sacked.

“They have severely breached disciplinary conduct for their evil actions by exploiting their official

positions for their own or other people’s gain,” announcements in the Royal Gazette said.

“They also didn’t comply with royal regulations, which has brought severe damage to the royal affairs.”

The dismissals come after many were stunned by the king’s stripping of his consort’s titles just months after she was granted the honours.

Sineenat, 34, was pun-

ished for trying to elevate herself to “the same state as the queen”.

King Vajiralongkorn has exercised his powers in a more direct way than his father.

Thailand’s lese-majeste law forbids any criticism of the monarchy and carries a hefty prison sentence.

Joe Biden apologises for 1998 remark on lynching

(BBC) After decrying President Donald Trump for labelling impeachment a “lynching”, his rival Joe Biden has apologised for once having made similar remarks.

Mr Biden, a top Democratic presidential candidate, said it was “abhorrent” and “despicable” that Mr Trump tweeted the racially loaded term on Tuesday.

But it emerged that in 1998, Mr Biden used the same word to pillory President Bill Clinton’s impeachment.

Lynching refers to historic killings by white mobs mainly against black people.

Mr Trump’s invocation of the racist chapter of US history to describe a constitutionally enshrined political process provoked outrage from both

24 October, 2019 - 01:00hrs ~ 02:30hrs

major parties.

But it was later revealed that several Democratic lawmakers who criticised Mr Trump for the “lynching” comment had used the same word in the 1990s to defend Mr Clinton.

How did this all begin?

The furore began on Tuesday morning when Mr Trump tweeted to criticise the congressional inquiry that may seek to remove him from office.

The impeachment investigation is examining whether the Republican president abused his office by improperly pressuring Ukraine to launch an investigation into former US Vice-President Joe Biden, a leading candidate for the Democratic 2020 presidential nomination.

“Impeachment is not

‘lynching,’ it is part of our Constitution,” Mr Biden tweeted in response to Mr Trump.

“Our country has a dark, shameful history with lynching, and to even think about making this comparison is abhorrent.

It’s despicable.”

It then emerged that in a 1998 CNN interview, Mr Biden said: “Even if the president should be impeached, history is going to question whether or not this was just a partisan lynching or whether or not it was something that in fact met the standard, the very high bar, that was set by the founders as to what constituted an impeachable offense.”

Late on Tuesday, Mr Biden apologised for his past use of the word, but continued to condemn Mr Trump.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday October 24, 2019

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Chile protests: Piñera announces welfare package

(BBC) Chilean President Sebastián Piñera has announced reforms aimed at ending days of violent protests.

He vowed to increase the basic pension by 20% and proposed a law that would see the state cover the costs of expensive medical treatments.

The protests were sparked by a rise in metro prices but grew into something bigger as thousands took to the

streets over austerity and inequality.

Fifteen people have died and more than 5,000 detained.

Speaking from the presidential palace in Santiago, Mr Piñera said he had received a clear message from Chileans.

Mr Piñera said he hoped to turn recent violent protests into an “opportunity” for Chile “to make up for lost time, pick up the pace and take concrete and urgent

steps”.

He vowed to increase the minimum wage as well as introducing a new higher tax bracket. Electricity rates will also be cut under the reform plan.

The protests began in the capital Santiago in the wake of an increase in metro fares. High school pupils and university students called on passengers to evade fares by jumping over the turnstiles.

The rise in metro prices has

since been overturned.

Protests quickly turned into mass demonstrations in several cities as Chileans sought action on rising living costs and low wages.

Chile is one of the most prosperous countries in the region but has high levels of inequality.

Ten cities have been placed in a state of emergency and under a night curfew.

There have been outbreaks of looting and arson.

Many schools and shops remained closed on Tuesday in both Santiago and other cities, and long queues formed at petrol stations.

In Santiago, rioters damaged the city’s metro system with repairs estimated to total at least $200 million (£155 million). The metro is still only partially running due to the damage.

The response of the security forces has been criticised as heavy-handed and

on Tuesday a government spokesman tweeted [in Spanish] that “the armed forces had been involved in four of the 15 deaths” which have occurred since the protests began.

One of those killed was a 22-year-old man who was reportedly hit by a military truck in the southern city of Talcahuano.

Crime, justice in T&T always matter to Britain—diplomat (TRINIDAD GUARDIAN) British High Commissioner to T&T Tim Stew said crime and justice in this country will always matter to Britain because of the fact that many Brit nationals have been murdered in this country.

Stew said 30,000 British nationals visits T&T each year and the resident British population is 45,000 at any one time.

Stew was the guest speaker at the Rotary Club of Portof-Spain’s “lunch with a purpose” meeting at Fitz-

British High Commissioner Tim Stew, left, greets Rotary Club of Maraval president Maria Prince-Assan while Rotary Club of Port-of-Spain interim president Hadyen Gittinge looks on during their monthly luncheon on Tuesday at Fitzblackman Drive, Woodbrook.

blackman Drive, Woodbrook, on Tuesday.

As an observer, Stew said he will continue to collaborate and support this country in discussions to aid in the crime fight.

“I have spent time researching, discussing, building our knowledge not to cast blame but to get to the root of the issue,” Stew said.

Stew said, in understanding what’s going on, he outlined several issues including a serious backlog of serious crime case, old fashioned investigations, “does there

need to be greater sensitivity to certain crimes, example, gender-based crimes or investment in modern training and equipment, quicker delivery of forensic services, more efficient processing of crime cases by the magistrates’ court, or have better incentives for the guilty to plead guilty rather than chance to luck, perhaps need to tackle impunity to stop people from thinking that they can just do what they want without penalty.”

“When you truly probe and analyse the situation you

begin to understand just how interwoven all these things are and how complex it is to tackle sufficiently to turn the corner and start to see serious crimes fall...solutions are really quite complex,” he added.

Stew said not wanting to sound political—he have seen the Attorney General and the Chief Justice putting legislation and other measures in place for that turnaround to begin and hopes that in his fifth year here will be able to see the needed decline in crimes.

Chuck: No paternity leave if men don’t live with mothers (JAMAICA GLEANER) IF Justice Minister Delroy Chuck were to have his way, Jamaican men would only be granted paternity leave if they are married or living with the mother of their children.

The issue of paternity leave has triggered wide-scale public debate over the last few months.

The justice minister has said it could be successfully implemented in Jamaica if a coherent policy is put in place.

“If you want paternity leave, you must be living with the mother for a few months before birth. If it’s your wife, no problem,” Chuck said as he addressed a Ministry of Justice

child diversion sensitisation session in Montego Bay, St James, last Wednesday. “If it’s your girlfriend, then you can’t come and say, ‘It’s my child and, therefore, [I am] entitled to paternity leave’, and you not living with the mother. You would be getting paternity leave to do what? Visit her every day?”

PATERNAL RESPONSIBILITY Chuck said he wants greater emphasis to be placed on paternal responsibility.

“All I am saying is that the fathers in Jamaica need to take responsibility for the children that they [have] fathered. It is

just unfair for the mothers to struggle with these children, and all the fathers believe that they are to do is to send a money. That’s not enough,” he said.

“Most of these children need love and attention, and if those children had love and attention, they wouldn’t be at the corner with the gangs becoming criminals, causing us to have this programme of child diversion, “ the justice minister added.

In July, telecommunications firm FLOW announced a new policy of paid leave for fathers, adoptive and foster parents, and extended time-off for mothers.

The company’s new policy provides 16 weeks of paid leave for birth mothers and eight weeks of paid leave for fathers, adoptive and foster parents, as well as any employee who becomes a surrogate parent.

Cigarette trader Carreras

Ltd also introduced paternity leave and an increase in the time for maternity leave in August, joining a select few corporate companies to do so.

Carerras allows a father

three weeks’ paternity leave per child. It also increased the maternity leave period from the standard 12 weeks to 16 weeks.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday October 24, 2019

Towards a gentler Guyana SINCE mid-2015 when the APNU+AFC coalition was elected to office, Guyana has been transformed into virtually a different country; Guyanese now live in a gentler, more properly governed State. One that is administered according to the rule of law, free of extra-judicial killings, free of State-sponsored violence, oppression, cronyism, nepotism, and State-sanctioned torture.

Free of institutionalised racism. And free of the wellknown anti-democratic practices of the People’s Progressive Party’s (PPP) Regime.

Instead, as the ideal of full democracy is being vigorously pursued by the Da-

vid Granger administration, positive policies have been formulated, sensible public programmes have been initiated, local democracy has been restored, public funds are being used for the benefit of all Guyanese, Indigenous citizens are now being recognised as equal, women are being respected, young people have opportunities to improve themselves, education is now a priority to government, the elderly are being given their due respect, green-spaces are being restored in which children may play, the public health system is being improved, the environment is being preserved, investment is being encouraged, and secure jobs

are being created.

Guyanese across all of our country’s regions are now free from the oppressive yoke of the PPP regime. And, all of this because an honest, trustworthy, genuine man, David Granger, now occupies the Office of the President of Guyana. We have truly come a long way; we must never go back.

Guyanese surely remember with great sadness, sickening regret, and deep shame the dark days of cowboy-confusion under the rule of the PPP regime. We remember the extra-judicial killings of Yohance Douglas, Ronald Waddel, the protesters at Linden, and numerous other Guyanese. We recall the

murder of a sitting PPP government minister, Satyadeow “Sash” Sawh, along with one of his siblings and driver; we must not forget how Ronald Bulkan, Sherlina Nageer and others were physically attacked by police while protesting near the Marriott Hotel. And, of course, the brazen shooting of Courtney Crum-Ewing; one of the many Guyanese who paid the ultimate price. We must never forget those Guyanese who died, either because they spoke up against the cruel PPP regime, or, simply because they happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. Fortunately, those wildwest days are over, and we now live in a kinder, gentler,

more civilised society. We now have a country where we can walk on the street, travel from region to region, and even protest against the government, free from threats, free from danger, free from violence, and free from fear.

Is not freedom a wonderful thing?

Guyana is indeed a blessed land. With our God-given natural resources, beautiful flora, unique fauna, diverse cultures, and beautiful landscapes, our country is uniquely endowed. And now, we have chosen an honest, hard-working, visionary leader who is capable of managing those resources, and leading our people to-

wards better lives through the creation of good jobs, a president who can protect our territory, a man whose only interest is in creating a good life for all. Guyana is surely blessed. As citizens, we should all resolve to protect the gains that we have made. Never again must we become a wildwest country. Never again must we allow anyone to take us backward into the “cowboy days.” We must all resolve to remain on the path towards a gentler, more civilised future.

Love me back to life: Kudos to First Lady Mrs Granger Dear Editor, I CLEARLY remembered when our President was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma in the latter part of 2018. I, like most persons who heard the news, was shocked. I do believe that regardless of the political divide you may be [on], receiving the news that a political leader has cancer fills the body, mind and soul with trepidation.

I could have just imagined what those non-medical persons/supporters were going through. It was for

this reason I tried to explain Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma without the sophisticated superfluous medical jargons.

I watched the President go for his chemotherapy and return with the First Lady, Mrs Sandra Granger, a pillar of support, at his side. If we ever had any doubt of the mental strength of women, Mrs. Granger demonstrated what it means by the term, “through thick and thin.” I know she must have been worried but she knew that the Guyanese people were also worried, so she took on the role of mother of us all who were emotion-

ally hurting, drying our tears while concealing hers. Maternal, stoic but yet gentle.

As I continue to watch, I could see our President developing chemotherapy-induced alopecia. But you know what Mr. Editor, despite losing his hair, our President maintained his sense of humour.

He made light of his hair loss and was even prepared to demonstrate a few Shabba Ranks dance moves. Some may say that what he did was inconsequential. I would argue it was not. Our President making humour of his hair loss and dancing for us was

the kind of psychological therapy we all needed to remind us that there is no need to worry, fighting battles is what he is trained for; everything is going to be all right.

Then today I read the news. I could not believe it.

Our president is in remission. Remission from Non Hodgkin Lymphoma. I could just imagine the joy of our First Lady. They have been married for 49 years. They have known each other for more than 50 years. They are the epitome of two become one in marriage. Stability and longevity--the First Couple.

As I reflect on this journey, like most Guyanese would, the song by Celine Dion comes to mind; “Love me back to life.”

Mr. Editor, I do believe that it is fitting that I share some of the lyrics of the song as I reflect on what Mrs. Granger did; Need a jump start Catatonia I couldn’t feel, I wish that I could disappear The voices inside are so real But you stood by my side Night after night, night after night

You loved me back to life, life From the coma the wait is over You loved me back to life, life From the coma, we’re lovers again tonight Back to life, back to life, Back to life, back to life.

Thank you Mrs.Granger.

You love a country back to life.

Regard Dr. Mark Devonish

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday October 24, 2019

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We are not taking the road deaths and injuries seriously Dear Editor THREE innocent mothers are dead - somebody’s aunt, mother-in-law, cousin or grandmother.

In 2017, there were 100 accidents – 115 deaths. In 2018, 105 accidents and 119 deaths.

In 2019, so far 60 accidents and 50 deaths (estimated). These are conservative figures for our nation as more accidents, injuries occur daily.

We are not taking the road deaths and injuries seriously.

For instance, a man met me on the street, he said, “Madam, a man and he wife was arguing in a car and he ran into the post and he hit me foot”. I told a

youngster who was driving fast that speed kills – he started laughing at me…how ridiculous!!!

As you read this, wakes, funeral arrangements and funerals are occurring daily in Friendship. The cries of the children and families are ringing out in Friendship. Matter of fact, I’m meeting people from other communities who are still mourning their loved ones after 20 years since an accident. We want action and we need it now!!!. NEVER AGAIN!!! Thank you Mr. President for such a speedy Inquiry which is now completed.

Yes, the internal security forces need changes, but externally

on all roads, from coast to coast, dire changes are needed immediately. Some [of] these are lowering the speed limit, electronic speed controllers, fixing the holes in the roads quickly which causes accidents and remove those who are selling on the roads – this is a dangerous hazard to the flow of traffic and accidents. Here’s another big one – I notice a police officer located a couple of corners from the Grove Police Station paying more attention to his phone (he was not talking on it) [than] to the vehicles (i.e sand trucks) whisking past him like birds. Please find the monetary resources and fix all roadways…no more excuses.

For instance, cut the budget for MASH in half and use it for more MPH signage on all roads in the country.

We sincerely thank the signatories (520) of the NEVER AGAIN petition. The petition was delivered to the Office of the President and the Ministers of Public Security and Infrastructure. Citizens are encouraged to turn their silence, weeping, grieving/mourning behind closed doors into positive activism for the good of Guyana and, in particular, for Guyana’s children. Do you realize that this madness on the roads slowly seeps into the young drivers and is seen by your children daily – so what

do you think they will do on the roads – monkey see…monkey do…

What simple things can you do when using the road: 1. Help someone (i.e. a senior citizen or a child) cross the road 2. Refuse to take speeding mini-buses (SAY SOMETHING IF THEY ARE SPEEDING) 3. Push for a change of road laws and its strict enforcement by the Government 4. Push to lower the speed limit everywhere in the country (more signage and more law enforcement) 5. Push for speed bumps on major road ways (I saw this

in the Belize – everyone was driving slow in the Capital) 6. Push for more traffic police on the roads – checking and suspending the licence of illegitimate drivers (i.e. those driving drunk) 7. Push for electronic speed monitors on all roads and recording cameras (for the speeders) at strategic locations.

Regards Denise Murray Friendship Resident

Asking the questions where they should be asked Dear Editor I AM certain that I heard correctly, via the Tuesday evening NCN news telecast, part remarks made on the work of the National Relief Council (NRC), by Mrs. Yvonne Hinds, wife of former Prime Minister Samuel Hinds. From all appearances, she was speaking on the sidelines of a fund raiser, it would seem.

Editor, while it is true that the funding has always been a challenge for this laudatory organization in its work of bringing relief to persons affected by varied disasters, it was her comments that also alluded to plans by the Agency to take its humanitarian [work] to the Hinterland, pointing out that it took the agency six years to acquire a bus for such a purpose that drew attention. Even more interesting were her extended comments that the Amerindians are the ‘poorest of the poor’ and that even though ‘they do not complain, they need many amenities’. I am certain that is what I understood from her comments. My remarks via this letter, therefore, are specifically confined on what she said about the Indigenous peoples. Her statements are an indictment of the former PPP/C regime, of which her husband served as prime minister – the longest in the history of CARICOM. If there were anyone who, in my opinion, had an opportunity to become an advocate for Amerindian socio-economic development, it was Ms. Hinds. But Editor, since we are all aware of the dismal treatment record of Guyana’s Indigenous peoples at the hands of the former PPP/C regime, there will be no repeat, which has been ad nauseam.

Besides, one must readily ask – with all that dough at the then PPP/C regime’s disposal, why

did Mrs. Hinds not petition for a bus, for access to Hinterland community? Was such an important facility not needed then, as is still the case now?

Except that it must emphatically be mentioned that it was because of this criminal abject neglect and abuse of our Indigenous peoples, a fact not lost on President Granger, whilst campaigning as Leader of the Parliamentary Opposition in the run up to the 2015 elections, that would have influenced his government’s socio-economic development programmes which, since 2015, have been changing the lives of our indigenous peoples and their communities, via empowerment and other ground-breaking self-sustaining initiatives; critical social infrastructure that makes for livable and viable communities; and above all, recognising the rights of these well deserving, of having a voice in their daily affairs.

Ironically, in the very telecast in which Mrs. Hinds made her statements, there was a segment in which Amerindians were voicing their needs, during a ministerial outreach to their communities. The latter nails the lie that Indigenous people do not raise concerns/complaints about what affects their daily lives, if one was to accept Mrs. Hinds contention that they do not. The fact that they can do so since 2015, points to the new found confidence/lack of fear that these people now have, unlike during the PPP/C regimes when they were treated like children, cursed, and ordered to ‘shut up’. In fact, they were threatened into silence.

The indigenous peoples are better respected since 2015; genuinely accepted as part of the Guyanese family, and part of the national development process, and with a voice in matters relating to their commu-

nities. Much has been done for our Indigenous communities and their people since 2015; yet there is still much more to be done, as evidenced in the ongoing process of hinterland development, with the gap

between the hinterland and coastal Guyana beginning to narrow. After all, this is about lifting whole communities from a state of nascent living, arming them with the social necessities of acceptable living

standards and empowerment.

However, since Mrs. Hinds may seem to believe that more should be done for her brethren, she should demand of her husband, in his former capacity as prime minister,

what were his specific efforts in the development process of Indigenous peoples and their communities.

Regards Earl Hamilton

8

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, October 24, 2019

St Rose’s High wins pesticides awareness drama competition THE Pesticide and Toxic Chemicals Control Board (PTCCB) in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, on Wednesday held its Third Pesticides Awareness in Secondary School’s drama competition and Long Service Award Ceremony for several current and retired employees of the agricultural sector.

The event was held at the National Cultural Centre, where the Honourable Minister of Agriculture Noel Holder in his feature address expressed immense pleasure with and gratitude to the students and awardees.

“It is a pleasure to be here today to celebrate with the young minds that are Guyana’s future, and to also honour those who would have dedicated years of service to the development of the agricultural sector in Guyana,” said Minister Holder.

Twenty-four officers from the head office of the ministry ; the Hydro-meteorological Service; the Fisheries Department; the Guyana Livestock Development Authority; the National Agricultural And Extension Institute (NAREI); the Guyana Rice Development Board and the Mahaica/ Mahaicony/ Abary/ Agricultural Development Authority along with 10 retirees from the Ministry of Agriculture head office, Hydromet, NAREI and Fisheries Department were acknowledged at the gathering.

“While we recognise the quantity of years you have given to the public service,

across the country and for the past three years the board has made use of drama in the form skits, plays and poetry.

Secondary schools from all 10 administrative regions were selected; the students were tasked with preparing a dramatic skit highlighting the

today, I wish to emphasise the quality of service required in the workplace today on characteristics such as, punctuality, team work, collaborative initiatives, values, communication, resourcefulness, responsibility, professionalism and good work ethic. All of these and more translate into exemplary performance.

Also, on positive attitudes and team-spirit which have and can further propel the sector forward, and will undoubtedly continue to contribute to its future success,” the minister explained.

Minister Holder also expressed pleasure with the students’ dramatic performances and involvement in the Pesticides Awareness programme.

“It also gives me great pleasure to congratulate the 10 schools participating in this year’s Dramatic Presentation of the Pesticides Awareness Programme in

Recipients of long-service awards with Minister Noel Holder

The Honourable Minister of Agriculture, Noel Holder

Students of St Rose’s High School performing their dramatic piece

Secondary Schools, which seeks to raise awareness of the theme for Pesticides Awareness 2019, 'Eat Healthy, Live Healthy, Reduce Pesticides Use’; I believe we are certainly being educated today about the dangers of pesticides. As

the Minister of Agriculture, I have always advocated the importance of our youths being involved in agriculture,” the minister explained.

He added that agriculture plays a vital role in Guyana’s future and the future of the sector lies in the involvement

of young people in agriculture and the development of a passion for it.

In 2008 the PTCCB launched its Pesticides awareness in Secondary Schools initiative; the PTCCB used several methods to relate the message to students

guidelines and rules one must follow when using pesticides, along with the consequences and effects that may follow when the said guidelines are not applied.

The competition was narrowed down to three finalists: Tutorial Academy, Vryman’s Erven Secondary School and St Rose’s High School. At the end of the dramatic presentation, students of St Rose’s High won the competition with their captivating and informative skit; Vryman’s Erven Secondary School placed second and Tutorial Academy placed third.

Safeguard yourselves against water-borne illness ----CMO urges ahead of spring tide ANOTHER spring tide is expected on October 26 and is likely to affect some coastal and low-lying communities. This can pose a risk of water-borne diseases to persons who may come into contact with the water.

Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Shamdeo Persaud, of the Ministry of Public Health, has advised what measures residents, in these areas, can implement to avoid contracting water-borne diseases.

“One of the greatest risks with intermittent flooding like this is usually it pushes all those pests like rats,

snakes and those sorts of creatures to higher ground and some of them invade homes… the issue of leptospirosis is still one that is of concern to public health, so ensuring that you protect all water sources, all your drinking water supplies and food supplies are very critical.”

Dr. Persaud also emphasised that persons must avoid coming into contact with floodwaters. However, if there is need to be in the water, persons must protect themselves at all times. “We usually advise that you wear long boots wherever possible… you wash correctly,

and there are some small measures like applying Vaseline to the legs which help to reduce the penetration. If you have any wounds, treat and clean them and keep them covered.”

Further, persons are being advised to adopt safety measures which will guarantee they have clean water for household purposes. Water treatment such as boiling and adding bleach are reliable measures recommended the public health ministry. Also, water containers must be covered at all times.

The CMO noted that the Guyana Water Incorporated

(GWI) has been doing their part to ensure that their supply of water to residents is not compromised.

“GWI has been working with us to ensure that the water pressure within the distribution network is maintained. Even in the last episodes along Den Amstel and in parts of Region Five, they have upped the chlorine levels in the water that was distributed to maintain a high enough pressure in the distribution network. When the pressure drops, dirty water can be sucked into the line and pumped to your homes.”

There are other ways to prevent water contamination.

One such method is through proper waste and garbage

disposal, especially during this expected springtide period. Persons can ensure that garbage is secured in plastic bags and waterproof receptacles, like drums/barrels, with a thick covering until it can be disposed of later.

Dr. Persaud also advised that the most effective way to ensure that you are protected from water-borne diseases is by ensuring everyone in your household is vaccinated. “For adults, we strongly recommend that they get a Hepatitis B vaccine along with MMR [Measles Mumps Rubella], a Yellow Fever and the Diphtheria Tetanus. These are the four vaccines adults must ensure they are covered with to be protected.”

In areas prone to being affected by projected springtides, the health centres are equipped with the necessary medicine and emergency supplies. Also, these health facilities may serve as relief facilities if there is a need.

During the recent spring tides in late September, Environmental Health Workers visited the affected areas in Region Five and Region Three.

The visit was conducted to render services to residents and to ensure that there were proper sanitation and disposal of waste and other items damaged or lost due to the flooding. (DPI)

9

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, October 24, 2019

CARICOM countries must continue investing in education ---regional education ministers urge THE Caribbean Community (CARICOM) must continue to invest in education for the social and economic development and sore issues which continue to plague the Region’s Education systems ought to be addressed head-on.

These concerns were relayed at the 38th Meeting of the Council for Human and Social Development (COHSOD) on Education hosted at the CARICOM Secretariat on Wednesday.

In attendance were CARICOM Secretary-General, Ambassador Irwin LaRocque; Ministers of Government within the Caribbean including Guyana’s Minister of Education, Dr. Nicolette Henry; Assistant Secretary-General of Human and Social Development, Dr. Douglas Slater; Director of Education at the Ministry of Education in Antigua and Barbuda and Representative of the Chairman of COHSOD, Clare Browne and several senior education officials.

At the two-day meeting, the stakeholders involved will primarily discuss the CARICOM Human Resource Development (HRD) 2030 Strategy and the actions needed at the level of Member States, the CARICOM Secretariat and other institutions, to meet the Region’s full education potential.

In opening remarks, the

Caribbean Community Education Ministers and Senior Education Officials attend the 38th Meeting of the Council for Human and Social Development (COHSOD) on Education (Delano Williams photo)

Secretary-General stated that for continued economic growth and social transformation in CARICOM, there must be strategic investment in people. He noted his satisfaction that, through the meeting, the council will agree on a plan of implementation of the HRD Strategy, examine the barriers to quality education delivery and human capital development and address the need for active leadership in the Region.

LaRoque also underscored that the meeting must deliberate on the importance of quality teaching as shortfalls in this regard influence the success or failure of students.

Expounding on the importance of quality education in the Region, LaRoque noted that the World Bank’s 2018 World Development

Report shows that education continues to be financially beneficial worldwide.

Statistics show that there is a nine per cent increase in hourly earnings for one extra year of schooling. On this note, he urged the education minsters present to continue to make the case to their Cabinets for the prioritisation of financing education and training.

“The reality is, [quality education] cannot be practically realised in the absence of investment to support its implementation… it is an investment with high returns,” the Secretary-General stressed.

Other key issues he pinpointed related to the matters of health in primary and secondary schools and the reoccurring challenge of schoolbased violence. LaRoque

advised that the matters at hand be treated meticulously for the benefit of current and future generations.

“The matters before you require deep interrogation. I am certain that you will have productive discussions over the next two days. I look forward to the conclusions which should ensure that this Community becomes a globally competitive, knowledgeable and skilled society by 2030,” he said, adding: “We must commit to continue investing in our human resource, to contribute to the resilience we need to prosper and grow and become the viable Caribbean Community that we all desire.”

Meanwhile, in brief remarks, Minister Henry stated that quality education aids critical thinking and the Region must not be left behind

Minister of Education, Dr. Nicolette Henry (Delano Williams photo)

CARICOM Secretary -General, Ambassador Irwin LaRocque (Delano Williams photo)

when it comes to utilising all forms of technology to achieve this goal.

She welcomed the ongoing discussions in several jurisdictions on standard testing for Grade Six students and comprehensive sexual education. “Quality education is not only about access to education, but it also requires a reorientation of the education system… quality education encourages the development of critical thinking which fosters the desire and capacity for lifelong learning,” Minister Henry said.

Dr. Henry also Highlighted the importance of safe and enabling environments within the school system and stated that the improvement of education delivery in the Region is a task for all stakeholders involved.

She stated, “I’m of the view that a critical part of our discussions should be

centered on how we can better prepare our students and even parents to be able to contribute to that needed enabling environment.

This not only addresses the importance of parent education programmers, but brings a wider cross section of society in to play as it requires a community based participatory approach that challenges many sections of our community to step up.”

At the COHSOD Meeting, remarks were made by the Director of Education in Antigua and Barbuda on behalf of the island’s Minister of Education, Michael Browne.

The CARICOM HRD 2030 Strategy is a long term regional policy framework endorsed by Heads of Government in 2017 to lead the development of human resources in CARICOM.

Racheal Micheal is 100 not out BETSY Ground centenarian, Racheal Isabella Micheal, smiled widely and her eyes twinkled with excitement after she was told that it was her special day.

Racheal, now a petite woman, is being well-caredfor by her children. When Guyana Chronicle visited on Wednesday, she was dressed in a lime-green lingerie and sat on a sofa at her Lot 25 Betsy Ground home, East Canje, Berbice.

On October 23, 1919, the lone survivor of four children was born to Henry and Ellen Georgina Micheal at the New Amsterdam Hospital, then located at Charles Place, in the Berbice township.

She had a twin sister who lived for only three months.

But Racheal was born to survive. She first attended the now defunct Ghostonehall School before moving to the Number Two Primary School after her headmaster was

transferred there.

Although she could not relate much to her visitors, her daughter and caregiver, Barbara, and grandson Burnadis, were quick to fill in the missing pieces since the story of their beloved relative was told so many times to them that it stuck in their memory.

The transfer of the headmaster of Ghostonehall School created new challenges, as the students had the uphill task of trekking the two-mile journey daily to their new school.

What was sometimes scary was the fact that, in those days, the roads were narrow and were lined with canefields. Persons traversing did not know what to expect as anything could have happened.

Fortunately, nothing ever happened. After leaving school, the now centenarian worked burning bricks to build roads in Stanleytown, New Amsterdam. She also

worked in the "Dute Fields” where rice bags were made.

Unfortunately, “Cousin Racheal" was never married but gave birth to five chil-

dren namely, Ivor, Winslow, Claville, Barbara and Patrick.

As a single parent, she also sought employment as a cleaner at the Rose Hall

Racheal Micheal looking royal at 100

Racheal being cared for by her daughter, Barbara

Primary School but discontinued after she developed an allergic reaction to dust.

However, by then, her offspring were grown into responsible adults, who were gainfully employed and thought that their mother had worked hard enough to retire and spend time instead with her grandchildren.

Her children recalled her guiding and loving hands as she cared for them when they were younger.

"She had an amazing way of telling the time. If the village cows were going to the pasture, and we were still at home, she would hurry us out to go to school, and, by the time the animals return to the village, we better be at home," recounted her daughter, Barbara.

Barbara also said her mother was always peaceful and implored her children to stay together and live in peace, even when she would no longer be around.

Racheal Isabella Micheal is the oldest member of the St. Patrick Anglican Church Mothers’ Union and while she is not involved as she was many years ago, she is remembered by members of the religious group, who will be in attendance at the specially planned birthday celebrations on Saturday.

10

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, October 24, 2019

Former Foreign Affairs Minister rescued from burning house

FORMER Minister of Foreign Affairs, Rashleigh Jackson is recovering from smoke inhalation following a fire at his home at Republic Park on the East Bank of Demerara on Wednesday.

According to reports, around midday on Wednesday, neighbours observed smoke emanating from the back of Jackson’s home at Lot 182, Jackson and Will Avenue, Republic Park.

His grandson, Joshua Jackson, told the Guyana Chronicle that the elder statesman, who is 90 years old, was home alone at the time. He said his grandfather’s neighbour observed smoke emanating from the back of the house and immediately raised an alarm.

He said his grandfather was in the house at the time and efforts were made by responders to rescue him from the inferno. Initially, residents made valiant efforts

PNC/R said that it sympathizes with Jackson. ”We wish Mr. Jackson a

to save the house while members of the Guyana Fire Service responded to the scene and extinguished the blaze.

The elderly man was rushed to the Woodlands Hospital where he was treated for smoke inhalation. The former minister is said to be recovering well.

While there was substantial damage to the back portion of the property, his grandson stated that he is

thankful that his grandfather is alive and that the other parts of the home is intact.

On Wednesday afternoon, members of the Fire Service were still at the home as they investigated the cause of the fire.

Jackson served as Foreign Affairs Minister from 1978 to 1990 under the Peoples’ National Congress.

In a statement issued later on Wednesday, the

03

$83M water quality ...

LANDMARK DEVELOPMENT The opening of the laboratory marks a landmark in the massive advancement that the Hydromet Service has seen since its establishment in 1965, with the mandate to monitor and evaluate the weather and water resources in Guyana.

Chief Hydromet Officer, Dr. Garvin Cummings, recalls the less than favourable conditions at the laboratory prior to 2016 when the Ministry of Finance finally granted funding for the establishment of the vital facility.

“When I joined the Service in 1997 as hydrological technician, water quality testing was done in a small and very unattractive room on the ground floor of our building. We had a small piece of equipment, a manual for its operation, much of which we didn’t quite understand, and a whole lot of reagents.

There was no formal train-

ecutive, Amna Ally visited Jackson’s home following the fire.

Former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Rashleigh Jackson

FROM PAGE

allow for future expansion, should such a need arise.

speedy recovery,” the party said. Minister of Social Protection and PNCR Ex-

ing in anything having to do with water quality testing. We just tested water samples the best way we knew how and in a very haphazard way… just trying to do the job the best way we knew,” he shared.

The poor standards of the previous laboratory discredited the dependability of any data garnered being useful for any substantive scientific analysis, assessment or reporting, or its use in generating policies towards improved water quality.

“It is out of this history of water quality testing at Hydromet that the vision for a better environment, improved expertise and an approved and transparent system for water quality testing was conceived… where our results can be used to inform local, regional, national and even transboundary decision-making in support of sound water resources management,” Dr Cummings said.

Felicia Persaud, one of the four hydro-chemists who will be managing the

facility, emphasised the importance of water quality monitoring.

“Monitoring water quality is an important part of helping us determine whether or not we are making progress in cleaning our water ways. Changes in water quality affect not only economic and social welfare but also the sustainability of vital environmental flow, ecosystems and biodiversity. Scientific discovery and monitoring are critical to ensuring the sustainable health of the water bodies we enjoy.

Long-term observation of contaminants is critical to better understand how changes in land use management are impacting the water quality,” she said.

Also delivering remarks at the ceremony was MoA Permanent Secretary, Delma Nedd, who highlighted the need for structuring of improvement policies based on evidence garnered from research carried out.

She delivered the closing remarks and vote of thanks.

The scene of the fire.

13,000+ transactions so far in GECOM’s claims and objections

THE Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) is reporting that on Tuesday, October 22, a total of 13,310 transactions have been conducted during its Claims and Objections period.

The process, which commenced on October 1, addressed issues relating to new registrations, transfers, changes of address, and retaking of photographs, among others.

GECOM’s Public Relations Officer Yolanda Warde told the Department of Public Information (DPI) that the commission is operating out of 29 offices across the country, along with several other temporary offices. The process has so far been smooth, she reported.

Teams at the various locations are working every day, including holidays and

weekends to meet the deadlines of November 4 for the 'Claims' aspect and 11th for all 'Objections'. The Claims and Objections period will allow persons who will become 18 years old by the end of October this year to be registered. Individuals who have had changes in their particulars, including addresses and names, can also utilise this period.

Hope man dies after fight with cousin A MAN is dead and his cousin in police custody following a fight on Tuesday evening at Unity Mahaica, East Coast Demerara.

Dead is 35-year-old Arvin Dipchand also known as ‘Krishna’, who resides at Hope Low lands, East Coast Demerara. On Wednesday morning, his aunt told the Guyana Chronicle that it was her 27-year-old son who murdered Dipchand, after a fight ensued between the two just a few streets away from where she lives. The suspect has been arrested and is in police custody.

Based on what was related, Dipchand had earlier in the evening seen his ex-wife and her husband in another part of the village and he drove his vehicle and blocked the path of the two. He then exited and

began verbally abusing the spouse of his ex-wife. It took the intervention of a number of motorists to defuse the situation after they cautioned Dipchand about the manner in which he parked the vehicle which was also preventing the free flow of traffic.

During the ordeal, the exwife had reportedly called her brother to come at the location but before he could have arrived, the situation was somewhat different as Dipchand removed his car. The woman and her spouse then drove home and within seconds, Dipchand drove up and began behaving disorderly on the street and at the same time, the brother of his ex-wife showed up. Dipchand’s cousin also showed up and a fight ensued between the two – Dipchand and his cousin.

The Guyana Chronicle was told that it was during that fight, Dipchand was lashed to the head by his cousin with a piece of wood.

After receiving the hit he returned to his car and the cousin armed himself with a hammer and pelted it in the direction of Dipchand’s car. In an effort to avoid the hammer, Dipchand swerved the vehicle and ended up in a ditch. From the ordeal he was knocked unconscious.

Dipchand was taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead. Following the incident, police detained the cousin who also had marks of violence from the fight he and Dipchand had. The matter remains under investigation.

11

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, October 24, 2019

GAWU, GuySuco agree to call off Blairmont strike The Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) and the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuco), on Tuesday, inked an agreement to end the ongoing strike and protest action by the Blairmont Estate factory workers.

The agreement follows a meeting with the two parties and the Department of Labour (DoL) of the Ministry of Social Protection (MoSP) on Wednesday.

The two sides were invited by the DoL to begin con-

ciliation proceedings after the estate workers resumed protest action last Monday. The employees had first begun a picketing exercise outside of the estate’s administrative office last Wednesday. The employees and GAWU are contending that an employee was unfairly promoted above other deserving employees.

“The department, which was represented by Chief Labour, Occupational Safety and Health Officer, Charles Ogle, among others, sought to hear from the union and

the corporation what factors are at the root of the dispute that mushroomed into protest action by the workers,” a statement from the MoSP said.

It added: “The GAWU, through its General Secretary, Seepaul Narine, explained what transpired and the circumstances which forced the workers into protest action. GuySuCo, through its representatives, also explained their version of the matter. Following those explanations, it was

Violence, obesity, major issues in schools CARICOM Secretary-General, Ambassador Irwin LaRocque has reported that the prevalence of school-based violence in the Region is on the rise in primary and secondary schools, while level of children overweight and obese is still much too high.

At the 38th Meeting of the Council for Human and Social Development (COHSOD) on Education hosted at the CARICOM Secretariat on Wednesday, he told Regional representatives that actions must be taken to avoid the negative effects of these challenges on education.

A recent review of CARICOM’s Health and Family Life Education (HFLE) curriculum showed that there is an existing gap in the attention given to issues related to unhealthy eating and inadequate exercise.

As a result, the Secretary General explained that this poses major risk factors for chronic Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs). “In many CARICOM Member States, the level of overweight and obesity is more than 30 per cent in both primary and secondary school populations,” LaRoque relayed.

“In the medium-term, obesity in children represents the greatest threat to the health of future generations.

Every avenue to arrest that trend must be followed, and this must be taken into account as you look at the review of the HFLE curriculum.” He said the same to Minsters of Education and Senior Education Officials from the Region who were also present to examine the barriers to quality education delivery; discuss the implementation of the CARICOM Human Resource Development (HRD) Strategy and address the need for active

CARICOM SecretaryGeneral, Ambassador Irwin LaRocque

leadership in the Region.

When it comes to the matter of obesity amongst school-aged children in Guyana, the Pan- American Health Organisation/World Health Organisation (PAHO/ WHO), in 2007 stated that the obesity rate among school-going adolescents in Guyanese ages 13-15 was 4.1 per cent.

The CARICOM Secretary-General also identified inadequate exercise in the Region as a contributor to the reality.

Meanwhile, on the issue of school-based violence, La Roque said that the same has not been decreasing over the years. He stated that CARICOM heads in the field of education must not take lightly the establishment of safe and healthy school environments, as this will affect the reception of education by children and ultimately their trajectory in life.

“Data on school-based violence in the Caribbean have revealed increasing incidences of violence in both primary and secondary schools. School-based violence has been associated with poor attendance, decline in performance, high dropout levels and decreased academic achievement,” he said “Establishing safe and healthy schools is being advanced as a means to address

violence in schools. Safe schools promote the protection of students from violence, exposure to weapons and threats, theft, bullying, and the sale and use of illegal substances on school grounds.” He said further that poor employment opportunities, crime and violence – which ultimately impact the sustainable development of the Region – can be traced back to low education attainment.

According to the United Nations Development Programme’s (UNDP) 2012 Caribbean Human Development Report on Citizen Security, 80 per cent of prosecuted crimes were committed by youth 19 to 29 years old.

Just in August 2019, some 50 stakeholders in Guyana met at a two-day forum titled ‘National Consultation to Agree on a Crime and Violence Prevention and Mitigation’ to craft an action plan to tackle crime and violence in primary schools.

The programme was funded by the European Union (EU) as a component of the 10th European Development Fund Crime and Violence Prevention and Social Development Project and was the fifth consultation to be held across five Caribbean countries. Consultations were also held in Antigua and Barbuda, Jamaica, Saint Lucia and Suriname.

The Secretary-General said that three complementary strategies are being implemented to address the challenge and the COHSOD meeting will examine these as a means to strengthen the social and life skills among students, their peers and families.

Some of the protesting workers at the Blairmont Sugar Estate on Wednesday

agreed that the dispute would be addressed by the ministry at the conciliation level with the parties.”

Under the terms of ref-

erence (ToR), it was agreed that the parties will deal with the issue through conciliation under the chairmanship of the department, with meet-

ings expected to begin from October 30 at 14:00hrs.

At that meeting, each side is expected to put forth and defend their contentions.

The ToR also stipulates no victimisation by either side.

“The union and the workers are hopeful that the conciliatory proceedings will ensure that justice is meted out and the corporation would respect its own long-standing procedures and practices. The workers have shared the view that their demands are principled and just and all they seek is fair and equitable treatment,” the MoSP statement further noted.

12

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, October 24, 2019

Sleep-In asks High Court to order Gaming Authority to issue casino licence

IN its quest to legally operate its casino here, Sleep-In International Hotel has turned to the court, asking that the Guyana Gaming Authority be ordered to process its applications for a Casino Premises Licence and a Casino Operator’s Licence with all convenient speed.

Sleep-in International Hotel, through its Attorney, Anil Nandlal, filed a Fixed

Date Application (FDA) in the High Court against the Gaming Authority, a statutory body established under the Gambling Prevention Act, Chapter 9:02. The case will come up in before Justice Fidela Corbin, in the High Court, on November 13, 2019 at 14:30 hours.

In the application, SleepIn asked the High Court to issue “an order or Writ of

Mandamus directing the Respondent to process, consider and determine in accordance with law, the applicant’s applications for a Casino Premises Licence and a Casino Operator’s Licence made on or about 5TH April, 2017 with all convenient speed.”

In laying down the grounds on which the application was filed, Nandlall stated that Sleep-In is a lim-

ited liability company duly incorporated under the Laws of Guyana with its registered office and place of business situated at Lot 288-289 Church Street, Georgetown, Guyana.

He said the applicant was incorporated under the laws if Guyana on January 22, 2015 with the intention of establishing a three-star hotel offering luxury accommodation with associated amenities, including 155 rooms, two conference halls, a business centre, a pool, a gym, restaurants and a casino offering slot machines, live gaming machines and live entertainment.

“On the 4th February, 2015, the Applicant company and the Government of Guyana, represented by the Guyana Office for Investment made and entered into a Memorandum of Understanding whereby the Government of Guyana overtook, subject to the approval of the President, to facilitate, according to the laws of Guyana, a casino operator’s licence to the Applicant provided the Applicant constructs a minimum of one hundred and fifty-five (155) rooms at the hotel. Pursuant to, and in accordance with,

the said MOU, the Applicant constructed one hundred and fifty-five (155) rooms, two (2) conference halls, a business centre, a pool, a gym, restaurants and a casino offering slot machines, live gaming machines and live entertainment at the hotel,” Nandlall explained to the court.

He further pointed out that on August 2, 2016, Sleep-In Hotel applied to the Gaming Authority for the issuance of a Casino Operator’s licence and a Casino Premises licence. According to Nandlall, the applicant also paid the application fee for the two licences in the sum of $9M. “On the 3rd November, 2016, that is, three (3) months after the applications were made, the Applicant received a letter from the Respondent informing the company that its applications for a casino premises licence and a casino operator’s licence were refused,” Nandlall detailed.

Sleep-In on April 5, 2017 filed another set of applications for the two licences to be issued by the Gaming Authority. Nandlall told the court that Sleep-In, in reapplying for the licences, specifically addressed the alleged

deficiencies identified by the Gaming Authority in its letter dated November 3, 2016.

The documents which accompanied Sleep-In’s applications included, its audited financial statements for the year 2016 and from the January 1, 2017 to the March 31, 2017; a letter from Trust Company (Guyana) Limited indicating that it loaned Sleep-In $140M to construct the hotel and casino; and a mortgage deed executed between the company and Wide Grace Limited, evidencing that Sleep-In borrowed $735M. Additionally, a loan agreement between the hotel and Global Trading Company Ltd was also made available to the Gaming Authority. Sleep-In also repaid another set of applications fees in the sum of $9M. On August 3, 2017, the authority informed Sleep-In that its applications were under “active consideration” but later requested additional information. Nandlall stated that despite visits to the hotel, and a series of written exchanges, clarifications and submissions, the licences have not been issued to date.

13

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, October 24, 2019

Sites earmarked for Bartica, Lethem solar farms

– GEA, contractors inspect locations

ect Coordinator, Mfon Akpan, explained the goal is to ensure contractors deliver a reliable and efficient system that has a lifetime warranty.

“We also look at Levelised Cost Of Energy (LCOE).

So, if we pay you 'X' amount of dollars to develop this

to be reliable and is going to meet the lifetime warranty that we are looking at.”

The team also visited and accessed the capacity of the power supply grids in both areas. The two projects, which will benefit a total of 20,000 residents, will commence in the first quarter of 2020 and will be commissioned by the first

Field Assistant of the Guyana Lands and Survey Commission, Julian Gonsalves briefing the team in Bartica

THE Guyana Energy Agency (GEA), on Wednesday, led a team comprising potential contractors and representatives from the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) and the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission (GLSC), to inspect the sites earmarked for the construction of the Bartica (Region Seven) and Lethem (Region Nine) solar farms.

The five-megawatt Solar Photovoltaic Power Plant

in Bartica will be located on 7.5 acres of land aback the Dagg Point Village. The one-megawatt solar farm in Lethem will be located on a 5.2 acre of land behind the Lethem Power Company Incorporated.

The site visits were conducted to ensure that there is a proper contractor-prequalification process in place, as this will minimise project risk before the bidding opens on November 26. GEAs Proj-

the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and executed by the Guyana Energy Agency (GEA).

Currently, Bartica (Cuyuni-Mazaruni Region) has an installed capacity of 4.4-megawatts; Mahdia (Potaro-Siparuni Region), 1.2-megawatts and Lethem (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo), 3.06- megawatts.

A pre-bidding conference was held at the Cara Lodge, on Monday, which dealt with the Bartica and Lethem projects. The event attracted some 20 local and international contractors who had the opportunity to clarify

the scope of the project. The tendering process for Mahdia will be done separately.

The projects fall under the government’s Renewable Energy Solution for the Hinterland initiative. It is aligned with the country’s Green State Development Strategy (GSDS) framework to achieve, among other things, the transition to 100 per cent renewable energy in the power sector; affordable, reliable and clean energy services for all; ensure security and quality of energy for business growth and increase energy efficiency. (DPI)

Project Coordinator of the GEA, Mfon Akpan and the team trekking into the area

project, we are going to look at the next twenty years do we gain or are we losing… you must demonstrate that this system that you are going to design and install for us is going to be efficient, is going

quarter of 2021. It is part of a $1.7Billion (US$8.6M) initiative to provide an overall 3.15-megawatt solar-powered mini-grids system to Bartica, Mahdia and Lethem.

The programme is funded by

The area earmarked for the Bartica solar farm

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, October 24, 2019

MNR commissions wardens ‘Bl

Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman, (centre), along with members of the Corps of Wardens

The exterior of the newly constructed Corps of Warden Station, “Black Caiman”

THE Ministry Of Natural Resources on Wednesday commissioned its Crop of Wardens Station, "Black Caiman," in the Dagg Point community, Bartica, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni).

The facility has the capacity to host 16 wardens at any particular time.

The Corps of Wardens, the brainchild of His Excellency President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana David A Granger, is an Environmental and Conservation Law Enforcement unit under the Ministry of Natural resources, which was established to

enhance the nation's monitoring and compliance capacity within the Guyana National Resources sector.

Minister of natural resources, Raphael Trotman, spoke at the commissioning, of “Black Caiman,” the first of three warden stations to be established, saying, "As a ministry, we recognise and are committed to ensuring that the sector is well managed in keeping with laws, and His Excellency President David Granger’s vision, because we love and respect what we have been given and we want to ensure that all Guyanese benefit

Minister Cummings to repres MINISTER of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Karen Cummings, is set to represent Guyana at the 18th Summit of Heads of States and Government of the Non-Aligned Movement Summit in Azerbaijan, Baku from October 25 to 26, 2019.

NAM is the considered the largest political forum – after the United Nations – with a membership of 120 States and an additional 17 observing countries and 10 observing intentional organisations.

A release from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on Wednesday, informed that the Government of Guyana is fully committed in its participation to continue to work to maintain peace and security, and global disarmament as a member of NAM.

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Karen Cummings

NAM was officially established in 1961 in Belgrade

by President Nkrumah, and the presidents of Yugoslavia, India, Indonesia, Ghana and Egypt to govern relations be-

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, October 24, 2019

lack Caiman’ station at Bartica function as law-enforcement officials in the sector. Some of the things the body will be looking into are: unsafe and illegal mining practices; crimes in the forestry sector; illegal exploitation and sale of gold and minerals and other crimes of similar nature.

The wardens are authorised to execute action enabled by the Police Act, Chapter 16.01, such as effecting arrests; additionally, they are permitted to bear

Shots of the interior of the newly constructed Corps of Warden Station, “Black Caiman”

from our forestry resources.

“However, we must ensure that as we harvest those resources that there is efficiency [and] safety and that this is done with care and respect to the environment and to the people who are engaged in and connected to the environment. And this can be achieved, this will be our victory, that the corps can ensure fully that the natural patrimony is preserved and protected.”

Each of the wardens has had extensive training by the Guyana Police Force, the Guyana Defence Force, the

Guyana Forestry Commission, The Guyana Wildlife Management and Conservation Commission, as well as the Protected Areas Commission, the Environmental Protection Agency and several other regulatory bodies.

The members of the corps were trained on how to spot unsafe mining practices, as well as corrective strategies that can be taken against these actions. The training the members of the corps have received enables them to not only function as the other regulatory bodies, but also gives them the legal capacity to

sent Guyana at NAM Summit tween developing and developed nations. In 1970, Guyana joined Ghana and several other developing nations as a Member State of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM).

The Summit’s theme for its general debate has been selected as, “Upholding the Bandung Principles to ensure concerted and adequate response to the challenges of the contemporary world”.

Meanwhile, the Foreign Affairs Ministry stated, “At the NAM Ministerial Meeting held at the recent 74th United Nations General Assembly, Dr. Cummings reiterated Guyana’s commitment to the core principles of the entity, such as the peaceful settlement of disputes, respect for the territorial integrity of States and

non-interference in the internal affairs of States.”

During the upcoming Summit, the Republic of Azerbaijan will officially assume the Chairmanship of the NonAligned Movement succeeding the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. Upon the opening of the 1972 NAM conference, which was held in Guyana for the first time, the late President Arthur Chung, unveiled the NonAligned Monument to honour the founding fathers of NAM. The monument, located on the Avenue of the Republic, Georgetown features a bust of each founding father of NAM, each of which were sculpted in the home-country of each of the founding fathers.

arms. According to Trotman, while the wardens will be able to bear arms, President Granger calls on them to exercise caution in situations that they will encounter during their operations.

Chief Warden (actg), Trevor Blehman, said that the commissioning of the first corps of warden stations at Bartica is a big step towards the corps being able to achieve its primary objective. He explained that Bartica is portal to get into many

of the mining areas, and that having a centre set up there would prove to be beneficial as it relates to accessibility and response time.

Further, he said that the ministry of natural resources has ensured that the corps has the necessary resources to carry out its functions in the varying mining areas. He said that the corps currently possesses several means of transport by land and sea, inclusive of 4x4 pickups, All Terrain Vehicles (ATVs),

motorcycles, and boats.

He further said that he believes the corps would not serve as just another regulatory body, but that it would change and shape the way the mining sector works. It can achieve this by creating a somewhat more stable structure for law enforcement directly in the sector that would be beneficial not only to miners and owners of mining operations, but also to the country as a whole.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, October 24, 2019

GNNL celebrates ‘Pinktober’ with Breast Cancer Awareness Programme

Staff members gathered in hallway of the company for the programme

The Editor-in-Chief, Nigel Williams; the Acting General Manager, Ms. Donna Todd and Medical Director of the Cancer Institute, Dr Sayan Chakraborty

Members of the Editorial Department of GNNL (Photos by Delano Williams) Staff members releasing balloons outside of the compound to honour the lives lost to Breast Cancer and the survivors of the disease

T

HE Guyana Chronicle, in commemoration of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, on Wednesday afternoon, held its second annual ‘Pinktober’ Breast Cancer Awareness Programme to educate its staff on the disease, treatment, and early detection.

The Editor-in-Chief, Mr. Nigel Williams; the Acting General Manager, Ms. Donna Todd and several employees of the company were present at the activity where Medical Director Of The Cancer Institute Guyana, Dr Sayan Chakraborty, delivered the feature address.

“Cancer is a proliferation of cells. [It can be likened, for example] to the tongue twister ‘she sells, sea shells on the shore’.

If we say that at a [normal pace] we won’t make mistakes but, probably, if we say that very fast, we will start making mistakes. Similarly, when the cells in the body start growing fast and even faster, they start making mistakes. This making of mistakes by the cells gets incorporated with the DNA of the cells and hence they become abnormal and lethal to the body,” Dr. Chakraborty explained.

He also noted that breast cancer and cervical cancer are the two leading causes of death among Guyanese women; hence a critical amount of emphasis is placed on the message of awareness.

“Not only me as a doctor but every one of you as media personnel, we have a social duty to spread this message so it percolates to the basic ground level to every woman of Guyana,” Dr. Chakraborty stated at the gathering.

Dr. Chakraborty also highlighted the risks factors, symptoms and treatment of the disease and urged both the male and female employees of the Guyana Chronicle to be screened.

To bring the programme to a close, the staff members of the Guyana Chronicle, who were well decked out in pink, released a number of balloons to honour the many who would have lost their lives to Breast Cancer, the survivors and the brave warriors who are still fighting the disease.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, October 24, 2019

RUSAL, BCGI tussle over six per cent offer

THE Guyana Bauxite and General Workers Union (GBGWU) is maintaining that it will not accept less than an eight per cent pay increase for 2019-2020 even though the Bauxite Company of Guyana Inc (BCGI) is contending that it could only offer six per cent for 2019.

GBGWU General-Secretary, Lincoln Lewis said he sees it being just a matter of time before the process goes to arbitration.

“They are still offering a six per cent and the minimum we can accept is eight per cent for these two years.

What we are looking at is immediately we pay 2019 retroactive to January 1 to alleviate the anxiety at this time, and when we finish that we can discuss now 20092018. They are not prepared to address that area,” Lewis said.

BCGI’s six per cent comes after an initial three per cent from the company was immediately rejected by the union in August.

As the weekly conciliation meetings between the two sides continued, on Tuesday, at the Department of Labour (DoL), things once again ended in a stalemate, lasting just 40 minutes before it ended.

The meeting was chaired

by Chief Labour Officer, Charles Ogle, who is now expected to submit a report on the matter to Social Protection Minister, Amna Ally.

Arbitration is the final step in the collective bargaining process in Guyana.

It sees the final decision on a dispute being settled by an arbiter or arbitration tribunal, and both parties are bound by the decisions of the arbiter, regardless of who which side it favours.

“We are convinced a long time, given the history of this company, that the place we have to go to is arbitration because they never want to agree to anything. They see the issue of workers asking for anything as a hindrance,” Lewis contended.

After almost 10 years of refusing to recognise GBGWU, the BCGI, a subsidiary of Russian company RUSAL, earlier this year agreed to recognise the union and work on a Collective Labour Agreement (CLA), which includes addressing issues of wages and salaries increases.

The union said it is not giving up on the period 2009–2018 and wants the company to address salary increases for that period in addition to the 2019– 2020 period. Lewis said, at Tuesday’s meeting, the union offered the option of dealing with the two periods separately.

GBGWU GeneralSecretary, Lincoln Lewis

“The company has a problem with addressing 2009-2018, so we said look, we can address the issue in two phases. We are saying we are not prepared to give up 2009-2018. We are saying we are prepared to go it this way where we address 2019 and 2020, but that is predicated on the company being willing to discuss 2009-2018,” Lewis said.

Lewis said because the company did not address

salary increases during the period 2009-2018, it is now paying significantly lower than one of Guyana’s other bauxite company, BOSAI, which is owned by a Chinese company.

According to Lewis, the union awaits the CLO’s submission of a report to the minister and hearing what the minister has to say before making their next move.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, October 24, 2019

Guyanese participate in first Caribbean youth forum on drugs

THREE young Guyanese are participating in the first Caribbean Youth Forum on Drug Use Prevention (October 21-25, 2019) in Barbados.

There, the team of youths, active in the field of drug and alcohol prevention, will join representatives from twelve other English-speaking Caribbean member states.

The Youth Forum on Drug Use Prevention is a collaborative initiative hosted by the Executive Secretariat of the Inter-American Drug Abuse Control Commission (ES/CICAD) of the General Secretariat of the Organization of American States (GS/ OAS) and the Colombo Plan Drug Advisory Program, with the support from the

Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) of the United States Department of State.

The main focus of the forum is to promote youth leadership in drug demand reduction by developing youth-led initiatives.

Team Leader, Hamraj Narine, and team members Jahleel Young and Romi-

chelle Brumell are ecstatic and focused on making waves at the forum. Campaigning under the name GuyYAD, meaning Guyanese Youths Against Drugs, their aim, upon return, is to foster an initiative in a vulnerable community that will provide children, between the ages of 11 and 15 years, with safe spaces to play and learn.

Picture of Team Members from Left: Mr. Jahleel Young, Mr. Hamraj Narine (Team Leader) and Ms. Romichelle Brumell

The goal is to teach life skills, through sports and edutainment, in innovative and motivating after-school programs, to reduce crime and drug-use while building strong community val-

ues. The team and its initiative are being strongly supported by the National Anti-Narcotics Agency (NANA) and additional support is anticipated as the project continues.

Drug-trafficking accused remanded MAGISTRATE Faith McGusty on Wednesday October 23, 2019, remanded a 27-year-old man to prison on a drug trafficking charge.

Carlos Christopher of Soesdyke appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court and denied the charge, when it was read to him.

Particulars of the charge stated that, on October 21, 2019, at Lombard Street, he had, in his possession, 198

grams of cannabis for the purpose of trafficking.

“I had it but was not for the purpose of trafficking, I was going to get a phone for it”, Christopher said.

Magistrate McGusty, after listening to Christopher, asked if he was still maintaining the plea of not guilty and he said yes. Magistrate remanded Christopher to prison and adjourned the matter until November 13, 2019.

Venezuelan remanded for illegal ‘ammo’ A 49-year-old Venezuelan man was on Wednesday remanded to prison by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan for possession of illegal ammunition.

Jorge Guerreiro appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court and pleaded not guilty to the charge.

It is alleged that on October 16, 2019, at the Cuyuni River, Essequibo, he had in his possession 16 12-gauge shotgun cartridges without being the holder of a firearm licence.

Police Prosecutor Gordon Mansfield told the court that on the day in question, ranks in the area saw Guerreiro and requested to carry out a search on his person; during the search, an officer found the 16 rounds of ammunition

in a haversack which Guerreiro had on his back. The allegation was put to him and he admitted ownership of the ammunition; he was therefore arrested and later charged.

Attorney-at-Law Ravindra Mohabir who represented Guerreiro in the matter, asked that bail be granted Guerreiro, since his client has no knowledge of the ammunition.

Magistrate McLennan remanded Guerreiro to prison on the grounds that he has no fixed place of abode and adjourned the matter until December 16, 2019. The matter was transferred to the Kamarang Magistrate’s Court.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, October 24, 2019

India High Commission switches to online visa applications APPLYING for a visa to visit India has been made easier for those desirous of visiting the land of the Taj Mahal. This announcement was made by India’s High Commissioner to Guyana, Antigua and Barbuda, St Kitts and Nevis and Caricom, Dr. K J Srinivasa.

Dr. Srinivasa said the High Commission of India will be switching over to online visa application filing for all applicants and all visa types with effect from November 15, 2019.

Manually-filled visa application forms will no longer

be accepted by the mission in Guyana.

Explaining the process, the high commissioner said visitors will need to submit biometric data, comprising fingerprints and a facial image, along with a visa application. Apart from the newly-upgraded biometrics-based visa system, India has improved its visitor processes with an e-Visa (electronic visa) facility which is issued within 24-72 hours of the application, with the visa being received to the applicant’s email ID. Dr. Srinivasa said the

CDC issues spring tide advisory RESIDENTS in low-lying areas are being urged to stay alert and take all necessary precaution, as Guyana will experience unusual high tides over the weekend.

In an advisory issued by the Civil Defence Commission (CDC), it stated that from October 25 to October 30, 2019, the coast will experience unusual high tides which will peak at 3.31 metres.

Date Time/Height of Water Morning Time/Height of Water Afternoon Friday, October 25, 2019 01.10 hours – 2.90 meters 14.12 hours – 3.03 meters Saturday, October 26, 2019 02.05 hours– 3.04 meters 14.54 hours – 3.20 meters Sunday, October 27, 2019 02.55 hours – 3.13 meters 15.33 hours – 3.29 meters Monday, October 28, 2019 03.43 hours – 3.15 meters 16.13 hours – 3.31 meters Tuesday, October 29, 2019 04.29 hours – 3.11 meters 16.52 hours – 3.25 meters Wednesday, October 30, 2019 05.14 hours – 3.01 meters 17.32 hours – 3.12 meters In order to minimise damage to property and prevention of any health hazard, residents living along the coastline in Regions 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 are advised to take the following precautions: • Report any sea defence breaches • Place sandbags where needed.

• Unplug all electrical items.

• Place all important documents in sealed plastic bags or containers and place same in a safe space.

• Elevate all household furniture and appliances.

• Relocate livestock to higher ground.

• Create containerised storage for drinking and cooking water.

• Use purification tablets as prescribed.

• Ensure children and the elderly stay clear of flooded water.

• Visit the nearest health center if you experience any skin irritation or feel sick.

The public is also advised to remain alert and aware of the water levels and weather situation at all times. Floods, damage to sea defence and overtopping should be reported to the Civil Defence Commission on (592) 226-1114, 226-8815, 226-1027 or 225-5847, or their 24 Hours National Emergency Monitoring System (NEMS) on (592) 623-1700 and 600-7500.

new system will facilitate more secured processing of visa applications and avoid the wait on arrival at immigration posts in India. There will be no long wait since the biometrics are already done in the Indian High Commission at the time of issue of the new visa.

“The advantages of biometric systems are that it provides improved security, helps in prevention of fraud cases, easy authentication, data veracity, and privacy,” said the Indian high commis-

Indian High Commissioner to Guyana, Dr. K J Srinivasa

sioner.

Currently, travellers from

more than 160 countries can apply for a Tourist e-Visa,

Business e-Visa or Medical e-Visa, depending on the purpose of their visit to India.

Travelers who use the e-Visa programme apply, pay a fee online and receive their electronic visa online before travelling to India.

Those wishing to apply for an e-visa can apply at https://indianvisaonline. gov.in/evisa/tvoa.html. Further queries can be made through the High Commission’s website at www. hcigeorgetown.org or cons. georgetown@mea.gov.in.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, October 24, 2019

Rice farmers put on high alert as spring tides loom THE Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) has advised all rice farmers along the coastal belt to take the necessary precautionary measures as another series of high tides approaches.

According to the forecast,

high tides will occur from October 25 through November 1, 2019. On Monday, October 28, at 16:13hrs, it is expected that the effects will be most felt with the waters being at the height of 3.31 metres.

General Manager of the

GRDB, Nizam Hassan, told the Department of Public Information (DPI) that the agency has recommended that rice farmers, whose paddy crops are ready to be harvested, should do so immediately; this is due to the possibility of their crops

being destroyed by saltwater inundation.

“One of the things the farmers can immediately do is harvest this paddy. Especially given that there is a possibility that this paddy could be lost with any inundation of the saltwater.”

Hassan also advised farmers with produce 10 to 12 days ahead of the harvesting period to do so before the high tide. “Secondly, if farmers have paddy that is 10 to 12 days before the harvesting period, I am advised by my technical personnel that they should go ahead and harvest that paddy.”

Referring specifically to farmers in low-lying and riverine regions, the general manager suggested that dams surrounding the rice beds should be raised. He

noted that this will possibly prevent the access of water.

“Any inlets into the rice field should be properly sealed from the intrusion of saltwater into the land, and then they can also raise the areas around the rice fields to prevent any of the saltwater from getting into the rice fields.” The GRDB general manager added that farmers can invest in other locations, while emphasising clearly that these areas must not be prone to flooding.

Teenage robbery accused remanded

Venezuelan remanded for armed robbery

MAGISTRATE Faith McGusty on Wednesday October 23, 2019, remanded an 18-year-old conductor to prison on a robbery ‘under arms’ charge.

Kelwin Williams of South Ruimveldt appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court and pleaded guilty, with explanation, to the charge when it was read to him.

Particulars of the charge stated that, on October 20, 2019, at Regent Street, Georgetown, while in the company of another, he robbed Shoba Deomattie of an Apple iPhone valued at $60,000, and $3700 in cash.

“I didn’t rob her I was sitting in the bus and the other boy ask me for the knife and I give he and is he rob she” Williams said.

Police Prosecutor, Seon Blackman objected to bail being granted to Williams and told the court that, on the day in question, Deomattie boarded the bus on Regent Street. Shortly after Williams pulled out a knife from his waist and handed it to a friend who was in the said bus and urged the friend to ‘do yo thing’.

Blackman added that the friend then placed the knife to Deomattie’s neck and told her to hand over everything she had. She complied.

Magistrate McGusty, after listening to the Prosecutor, remanded Williams to prison and adjourned the matter until November 13, 2019.

A 29-year-old Venezuelan man was on Wednesday remanded to prison by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan on a charge of armed robbery.

Wilfredo Jose Castelo appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court and pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to him.

Particulars of the charge stated that, on October 19, 2019, at Thomas Hill, Mabaruma, North West District, Castelo while being armed with a knife, robbed Sharron Cartier.

Police Prosecutor Gordon Mansfield objected to bail for Castelo and told the court that on the day in question Cartier was on her way home when she was approached by Castelo who was armed with a knife.

Castelo placed the knife to Cartier’s throat, threatened to kill her and threw her to the ground.

Mansfield added that Castelo then seized Cartier’s bag which contained an undisclosed sum of money and escaped. The matter was reported to the police, an investigation was conducted and Castelo was arrested.

Castelo was subsequently placed on an identification parade and was positively identified by Cartier; consequently, the Venezuelan was later charged.

Magistrate McLennan, after listening to the prosecutor, remanded Castelo to prison and adjourned the matter until November 18, 2019. The matter was transferred to the Mabaruma Magistrate’s Court.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, October 24, 2019

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, October 24, 2019

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday October 24, 2019

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Allicock among big names expected for Terrence Alli National Open

GUYANA’S Pan American Games representative Keevin ‘Lightning’ Allicock will be amongst the big names expected for next weekend’s Terrence Alli National Open, which is billed for the National Gymnasium.

The Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) aims to send a large team to the Caribbean Boxing Championships this year and will use the November 1-3 event to select the team.

Normally this event is held later in November, but according to GBA president Steve Ninvalle the team will have a lengthy encampment

before travelling for the December 4-9 regional competition, which is scheduled for Trinidad.

Guyana will expect stiff opposition this year since the regional body decided to invite four Latin American nations, including powerhouse Cuba, who have produced several world and Olympic champions.

Venezuela, Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic are also expected to field boxers for the event.

Ninvalle said that next weekend’s competition would see over 50 boxers in action and it will be the first time since February (when

he roughed up his T&T opponent at the Patrick Ford Memorial) that the 20-yearold Caribbean bantamweight champion Allicock would fight at home.

It might take some time again for the ace boxer to fight on local soil, since according to Ninvalle, plans are being worked out to have him travel overseas for specialised training.

In addition to Allicock, Caribbean champions middleweight ‘Dynamite’ Desmond Amsterdam and lightweight Jamal Eastman, known as ‘The Beast from Berbice’ will be on show.

Eastman won the Caribbean

title with a single punch that dropped his Trinidadian opponent last year in Guyana.

An added attraction to next week’s competition is former Caribbean Champion light welterweight Colin ‘Superman’ Lewis who is likely to compete.

The Guyana Defence Force boxers are the reigning champions of the National Open.

Action punches off nightly at 19:00hrs.

Entrance fee is $500 for stands and $1 000 for ringside.

Sourav Ganguly says he will lead BCCI like he captained India

By Sudipto Ganguly MUMBAI, India (Reuters) - Sourav Ganguly will lead the Indian board like he led the national team, the former captain said, as he promised a fair and untainted administration after taking over as president of the world’s richest cricket board yesterday.

One of India’s most successful captains, Ganguly took over the reins from a court-appointed panel which governed the game in the country for nearly three years.

His transition from player to top administrator is seen as a natural progression for a former captain who helped India emerge a damaging match-fixing scandal in 2000.

“Fortunately or unfortunately, there was a similar sort of a situation even when I became captain of India,” Ganguly

told reporters after being elected unopposed as chief of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

“It is a similar sort of situation where things need to be brought back in place and reforms need to be done ... It’s a complete new start.”

Ganguly wore an India blazer from his playing days in his news conference after a BCCI general meeting and said he was happy to lead reforms but was not fond of the word “control”.

“I find myself very fortunate to be in a position where I can make a change. It’s a challenge.

I’ll do it the way I know, with no compromise on credibility, corruption-free and same-for-all in BCCI,” he said.

“That’s the way I led India and that’s the way I’ll take this organisation forward.”

Since early 2017, BCCI was run by administrators

appointed by the Supreme Court after the board’s failure to implement administrative reforms.

The changes were suggested following a spot-fixing scandal during the 2013 Indian Premier League (IPL) Twenty20 competition.

As a captain and as head of the Cricket Association of Bengal, Ganguly has been known for his hands-on approach.

The 47-year-old, however, described Test captain Virat Kohli as “the most important man in Indian cricket” and promised all support to make India the best team in the world.

“He’s the captain of India and he’s the most important man in Indian cricket. We will support him in every possible way he wants to make this team the best in the world,” Ganguly said.

“It’s been a great team to

be honest, the way they have played cricket in the last three-four years. They have been a fantastic side. Yes, they haven’t won a World Cup, but you don’t win a World Cup every time.”

The board under Ganguly will take care of firstclass players and strengthen domestic cricket, added Ganguly, who played 113 Tests and 311 one-day internationals and led India to 21 Test wins.

The board under Ganguly will take care of firstclass players and strengthen domestic cricket, added Ganguly, who played 113 Tests and 311 one-day internationals and led India to 21 Test wins.

Jay Shah, son of India’s Home Minister Amit Shah, was also elected unopposed to the post of BCCI secretary.

British trio confirmed for GMR&SC International Circuit Race THREE British Riders are due in Guyana next month for the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club’s (GMR&SC) International Race meeting.

According to the club, Harry Truelove and Richard Cooper will return following last year’s event with Dan

Linfoot being the third rider, who is set to make his debut.

They will compete in the superbike class and race under the Team Mohamed’s banner.

The 31-year-old called ‘Linny’ is Santander Salt Tag Yamaha rider in the British Super Sport Series

Meanwhile, a sizable ‘posse’ of Trinidadian drivers has indicated interest in the event.

There is also a Barbadian contingent expected to confirm participation later this week.

Tropical Shipping has been confirmed as the first

major sponsor of the event with their job being the major one of transporting the vehicles to Guyana.

According to GMR&SC, more sponsors have indicated an interest in joining the event and their details will be released in the coming days.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday October 24, 2019

BCB/New York Business Group Under -19 T20 tourney

Brilliant Anderson spearheads Rose Hall Town Pepsi to Championship honours ONE day after surrendering their 50 overs title to Albion, Rose Hall Town (RHT) Pepsi Under-19 team bounced back to capture the T20 version of the BCB/New York Under-19 tournament.

Bolstererd by the addition of Kevlon Anderson, Junior Sinclair, Mahendra Gopilall and Jonathan Rampersaud, RHT Pepsi held their nerve to defeat Albion by 18 runs on the back of a majestic 80 from West Indies Under-19 middle-order batsman Kevlon Anderson.

RHT Pepsi won the toss and elected to bat first. They suffered a big loss when national player Junior Sinclair was given out, stumped off Gourav Ramesh for 5 in the first over.

Anderson, batting at the crucial No 3 position, joined Mahendra Gopilall to add 30 for the second wicket before Gopilall was caught off the bowling of Leon Cecil for 11.

Anderson went on to strike seven sweetly-timed bound-

Man-of-the-Final Kevlon Anderson receives his award from a representative of the New York Business Group

aries in his 80 and received vital support from Kevin Sewraj (10), Tyrese Sealey (11) and Nicholas Lawson (9) not out. Gourav Ramesh and Beesham Surujnarine took 3 for 29 and 3 for 27 respectively for Albion as RHT ended on 131 for 7.

Anderson returned with the ball to dismiss pinch-hitter Kevin Umroa without scoring, off the second legal ball of the innings. Jetendra

Outar and Reyad Karim took the score to 46 for 1 in the fourth over as Karim took 25 runs from an over from off-spinner Tyrese Sealey.

Junior Sinclair then dismissed Outar for 9 and fellow off-spinner Jonathan Rampersaud then trapped national Under-17 batsman Sarwan Chaitnarine lbw for 7 as Albion slipped to 54 for 3. Karim struck six boundaries in his top score of 52 but apart from

The winning RHT Pepsi Under-19 team pose with the sponsors.

Antonio February 16 and Surendra Ramcharitar 18, none of the batsmen reached double figures, as Albion were bowled out for 113 off the final ball of the innings.

Kevlon Anderson took 2 for 19 (4 overs), left-arm spinner Jeremy Sandia 3 for 3 (2 overs) and Junior Sinclair 3 for 12. Earlier in the day, Albion defeated Rose Hall Canje in the semifinals while RHT Pepsi defeated Tucber Park by four wickets in the second semi-final.

Kevlon Anderson was named Man-of-the-Final while RHT Pepsi carried home $75 000 and the winners’ trophy. Albion collected the runner-up prize and trophy. President of the Albion CC, Vemen Walters, whose club organised the sponsorship from the businessmen, hailed the tournament as a success and praised the outstanding leadership of BCB president Hilbert Foster A representative of the New York Business Group

expressed satisfaction at the success of the tournament and stated that the group would sponsor both the T20 and 50 overs tournament in 2020 with a bigger package.

Albion on Saturday had dethroned RHT Pepsi at the No. 69 Vikings Ground in the 50 overs version with a comfortable 120-run victory. Antonio February starred with the bat with 74 while off-spinner Beesham Surujnarine took four wickets.

Leonard scores 30 as Clippers handle Lakers in season opener KAWHI Leonard scored 30 points, leading hosts Los Angeles Clippers to a 112-102 victory over Los Angeles Lakers in the season-opener on Tuesday night at the Staples Centre.

Lou Williams added 21 points and Montrezl Harrell delivered 17 points and seven rebounds off the bench for Clippers. They helped the Clippers’ bench outscore Lakers’ reserves 60-19.

Danny Green led Lakers

Kawhi Leonard

with 28 points by hitting 10 of his 14 field-goal attempts, including 7 of 9 on 3-pointers. Anthony Davis scored 25 points and pulled down 10 boards, while LeBron James had 18 points, nine rebounds and eight assists.

A 19-7 run to open the fourth quarter helped Clippers clinch the win and hold off Lakers down the stretch.

Clippers, sparked by an 11-1 run midway the second quarter, led 62-54

at the break behind Leonard’s 20 points on 8-of-11 shooting. Williams added 13 first-half points as the Clippers outscored Lakers 40-29 in the second quarter.

Davis scored 18 points and James had 14 in the first half. Clippers converted 56.1 percent of their shots from the floor compared to 47.4 percent for Lakers. Overall, Clippers outshot Lakers 51.9 percent to 43.5 percent.

In the third, the Clippers

increased the lead to 70-56 after a 3-pointer by Patrick Patterson at 9:56. But Lakers answered with a 10-2 surge to pull to within six after a dunk by James less than three minutes later.

A 15-0 run gave Lakers an 85-82 advantage after a 3-pointer by Green, who scored 18 points in the third. JaMychal Green’s trey tied the score heading into the fourth.

Lakers roared to a 13-2

lead after a bucket by Davis less than four minutes into the game. However, Clippers rallied, cutting the deficit to 25-22 at the end of the quarter.

Lakers point guard Rajon Rondo missed the contest with a sore calf.

The two clubs won’t meet again until Christmas Day. (Field Level Medi)

The Hundred is not a threat to county cricket, says ECB chief LONDON, England (AFP) - England cricket chief Tom Harrison says the controversial Hundred competition will help protect other formats of the game despite fears over its potential impact.

The Hundred, starting in 2020, is a new tournament consisting of eight city-based franchise sides, breaking away from the traditional county system.

Teams will bat for 100 balls each with overs, normally consisting

of six deliveries, lasting for 10 balls with bowlers either bowling five or 10 balls consecutively.

The players’ draft was held at the weekend but opposition to the tournament remains. #StopThe100 trended on Twitter while the draft was taking place and several people were asked to remove “Oppose the 100” T-shirts during an evidence session held by British lawmakers involving England and Wales Cricket Board

ECB chief Tom Harrison

chairman Harrison and other ECB officials.

“The 100 is a really good way of protecting everything that we are serious about,” Harrison said yesterday.

“It’s about protecting Test match cricket, it’s about protecting four-day Championship cricket, it’s about getting kids playing more cricket at school.

“This is engaging at a different level with a completely new community in this country and

that is something we should embrace and celebrate.”

Harrison said the new tournament would try and recreate the atmosphere of the World Cup, which England won for the first time in July.

He added: “The Hundred is an attempt to replicate that and bring it back to our country every year without taking anything away from our precious county environment, to ensure we grow the game of

cricket in this country. That is our job.

“We have seen throughout the Cricket World Cup grounds across the country packed to the rafters, 40 percent of whom were first-time buyers to cricket in this country.

“The vibrancy, the colours, the noise and energy is something that will live with all of us.”

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday October 24, 2019

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SBF Petroleum Jaguars One-Day 50 Overs League

Essequibo, Lower Corentyne in tight race for title

ESSEQUIBO could face stiff competition from Lower Corentyne who trail them by five points as they seek to retain their title come today when the 7th and final round bowls off.

It has been a reasonably competitive tournament this year as a number of new faces have managed to put themselves on the radar, as senior players have also found form this season while players who made their comebacks also managed to wow watchers.

Defending champions Essequibo have 5 wins from six rounds played; most notably their last

but bounced back tremendously to win the penultimate round.

In order to retain their title, Essequibo will need to dispose of their opponents today - East Bank.

The in-form Jonathan Foo, skipper Veerasammy Permaul, Nial Smith and others will need to come big for Lower Corentyne, who are in second place on the points table with a tally

of 20.

Should the Berbice side continue their fiery form the Berbice franchise could sneak-snatch the title if they beat opponents Upper Corentyne - securing bonus points from a possible outright win.

Permaul and his men have managed to secure four wins from the six games played which makes an interesting end to the fi-

nal round should they win.

Also, individual players who have commanded the limelight include; Kevin Sinclair, Kandasammy Surujnarine, Ashmead Nedd, Kemol Savory, Smith, Steven Sankar and Ricardo Adams, Trevon Griffith, Ricardo Adams.

The points standing of the franchises are as follows:

Essequibo all-rounder Ricardo Adams and Lower Corentyne speedster Nial Smith will play big roles for their respective teams.

victory which saw them mow down East Coast for 59 runs after making 283.

After winning rounds one

to four with relative ease, Essequibo lost their first game to the Lower Corentyne side in the 5th round

China’s CCTV shuns NBA season opening games following Hong Kong tweet row BEIJING, China (Reuters) - Chinese state television did not air the National Basketball Association’s (NBA) season opening games, underscoring the damage on the U.S. league’s business in the country following a Houston Rockets executive’s tweet supporting Hong Kong protesters.

China Central Television (CCTV), which holds exclu-

sive TV rights for the NBA, did not air the first regular season game between Toronto Raptors and New Orleans Pelicans on its sports channel yesterday. It also chose to air the World Military Games in Wuhan instead of the second game of the day between Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Clippers.

CCTV has not said outright that it will not show

the league’s regular season games, but the broadcaster’s schedule for the sports channel did not list any NBA games to be aired for the rest of the week.

The state TV station said earlier this month it was reviewing its relationship with the league after Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey tweeted in support of the protests in Hong Kong, a

Chinese-ruled city embroiled in a political crisis due to months of anti-government protests stemming from a controversial extradition bill.

State media, including CCTV, sharply criticised Morey for his quickly deleted tweet, which was labelled the latest example of Western interference in a bid to foment unrest and stir up anti-China sentiment.

Chinese partners have severed or suspended ties with the NBA, a backlash the league Commissioner Adam Silver admitted had already inflicted significant financial losses in a market estimated to be worth more than $4 billion for the league. Tencent (0700.HK), which holds the rights to show NBA games on its digital platforms, was providing live broadcasts for the

two games played yesterday.

The firm did not list any games featuring the Houston Rockets on its schedule of NBA games in the coming days, however, in line with its pledge not to make any Rockets games available after Morey’s tweet.

The NBA, CCTV and Tencent did not immediately respond to Reuters’ request for comment.

Corruption claim deepens Bangladesh cricket crisis after strike DHAKA, Bangladesh (AFP) - A former Bangladesh cricket chief said Tuesday that match-fixing was widespread in the country, deepening a crisis sparked by a strike by top players over wages.

Former Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president Saber Hossain Chowdhury, a British-educated lawyer, businessman and now Member of Parliament, said corruption was deep-rooted at the governing body. “@BCBtigers is only national sporting body in the world that promotes institutionalised #matchfixing, #corruption,” he said on his Twitter account, adding:

Saber Hossain Chowdhury with the Bangladesh Cricket Board logo when he was president of the body in 2000. (AFP Photo)

“Unbelievable!!”

said.

“Flagged this issue

National captain Shakib

many times myself,” he

Al Hasan raised concerns

about corruption in domestic cricket on Monday when announcing that most of the country’s professional players had started a strike to press for better pay and benefits.

The stoppage threatens a Bangladesh tour of India next month.

“We all know the sorry state of our first, second and third division cricket,” Shakib said.

“A lot of the times we know which team will win and which team will lose before the match starts.

The strike comes amid growing criticism of the BCB from cricketers who say the governing body is not sharing

enough of its growing wealth.

Local cricketers want Bangladesh players and coaches to be paid more in line with foreign hires.

They have demanded a 50 percent pay hike for first-class players, the expansion of national pay contracts, increased match fees in domestic games and better benefits for support staff.

Allegations of match-fixing and corruption in Bangladesh cricket are not new, and in 2014 the entire Bangladesh Premier League T20 contest was suspended under a graft cloud.

In another notorious case in 2017, authorities banned

a bowler for 10 years after he delivered a succession of wides and no-balls to concede 92 runs to deliberately lose a match in what his team called a protest against biased umpiring.

That Dhaka League Second Division game raised suspicions after a Lalmatia bowler sent down 13 wides and three no-balls in the first over - all of which raced to the boundary costing his side 80 runs.

Lalmatia had earlier been dismissed for just 88 off 14 overs before opponents Axiom reached 92-0 off just four legal deliveries.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday October 24, 2019

Chung’s Global Enterprise supports Mackeson/Rawle Toney

CHUNG’S Global Enterprise, one of the country’s leading Construction companies, yesterday threw their support behind the November 9-10 Mackeson/Rawle Toney 3X3 Basketball Classic, which will be held at the Burnham Basketball Court, Independence Park, in Georgetown.

The tournament, which will feature some of the top 3X3 teams from across Guyana, will see the winner pocket $300 000, while second- and- third place are set

to receive $100 000 and $50 000 respectively.

Tansy Plowell, assistant to the company’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Cleon Chung, upon making her presentation to organiser Rawle Toney at their 622A Industrial Reserve Mandela Avenue location, said the entity was pleased to be associated with the tournament, given the fact it seeks to resusitate interest into the sport.

Plowell added that Chung’s Global Enterprise is known for

its generosity and were happy to support sports and more so the shortened format of basketball.

Meanwhile, Toney thanked Plowell and Chung’s Global Enterprise, adding, “I’m happy with the support given to the tournament so far and I want to particularly thank Mr Cleon Chung and his company for coming on board.”

“I consider this tournament a ‘give-back’ to basketball, since the sport is badly lacking relevance in Guyana’s local sports

landscape. I believe that the sport is currently left behind and I see this tournament as one of the ways I can help Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation (GABF) and its affiliates to bring fans back to the sport,” Toney said.

FireSide Grill, Guyana Lottery Company’s Let’s Bet Sports, Trophy Stall, Kester Gomes’ STUFF and Ansa McAl Trading are the tournament’s sponsors so far.

Chung’s Global Enterprise’s Tansy Plowell (right), makes a presentation to Rawle Toney, organiser of the Mackeson/Rawle Toney 3X3 Basketball Classic.

Essequibo gunning for 50 overs ‘two-peat’, as League ends today … Skipper hails Keemo Paul’s presence for final match

By Clifton Ross ESSEQUIBO captain Anthony Adams, along with inform opener Kevon Boodie, says the defending champions are well-poised heading into today’s 7th and final round, following a streak of dominance.

The champions have so far won 5 from 6, taking the first four rounds with ease before losing to a strong Lower Corentyne side in round 5. The Essequibians, however, shrugged off that loss to inflict a massive 220-plus-run thrashing upon East Coast on Tuesday.

With the dust settled, Essequibo, with 25 points, seem well on their way to retaining their title, thus making their possible victory a ‘two-peat’;

Essequibo captain Anthony Adams says winning today’s match is crucial for the team’s successful defence of the Jaguars League 50 Overs title

having won the title last year.

Lower Corentyne trail in num-

ber two spot with 20 points but could find it difficult to win should Essequibo win today.

Guyana Chronicle Sport caught up with skipper Adams and the destructive Boodie on the eve of the final round.

Adams, who has been effective with bat and ball throughout the tournament, pointed out that their impeccable run was a huge boost for their confidence, especially with the finals hours away.

“It was big for the team (momentum) because the guys are looking to get into the national team; so making runs and getting wickets are important.

“Winning five games is also big for us. We obviously want to win today and not leave anything to chance so we plan

on winning the last match and retaining the title,” said a confident Adams.

The team’s success could be attributed to their coach Ryan Hercules, who has been playing a big role in the development of the squad; more so, the on-field representation

by Boodie, leading run-scorer Kemol Savory and Joshua Jones who has a 5-for and MVP award. Ronsford Beaton kicked things off with his 5-wicket haul. All-rounder Ricardo Adams bagged 8 wickets in round 6 and has been a steady contributor with the bat, among other factors.

With a half-century and wickets at a consistent pace under his belt, Adams, regarding himself and the holistic performance of the side, said “The energy has been excellent, you have to lead from front with bat as captain but all the senior men were

leading. Young players like Quintin Sampson, Akinie Adams, Joshua Jones and so would have fed off the senior players and how they led by example,” he explained.

After making almost 300 runs in round 6, Essequibo then steamrolled East Coast for 59, gaining momentum ahead of today’s bout and Adams believed that the win was just what they needed to get them ready for the final round.

“Yesterday’s game was a big boost, we had a team goal batting first and we achieved that and we want to do that if we bat first today. We haven’t chased so far in the tournament but I’m confident that the batters can do so. The addition of Keemo Paul is also a big plus,” says Adams.

Meanwhile, the pugnacious opener Boodie, a man of brief words said that he was happy with his form and how his team

have been playing, adding that he would like to see the champs go out today and execute their team goals.

“It’s been a good tournament for me so far. It wasn’t good at the start but I began to get runs in the later part of the tournament. I’ve been working on rotating the strike more and running more, so that helped me a lot, because getting runs in the last game was good. I just want to score in the last match so I can stake a claim for national selection,” said Boodie Meanwhile, the final round bowls off from 09:30hrs today with the defending champions taking on East Bank at the Everest ground; Georgetown versus East Coast at Lusignan; Lower Corentyne clashing with Upper Corentyne at Young Warriors ground and West Berbice battling West Demerara at the Tuschen ground.

ICC T20 World Cup Qualifier

New captain but same result as Bermuda lose again

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (CMC) – Bermuda changed captains but produced another woeful batting display as they slumped to a six-wicket defeat to resurgent Namibia to extend their miserable run in the ICC T20 World Cup Qualifier here yesterday.

Bermuda’s fourth successive defeat came as they limped to 106 for nine after they were sent in at the ICC Academy Ground No 2.

Namibia raced to victory with 41 balls to spare to get back into playoff contention with two wins, despite seamer Kamau Leverock’s three-wicket haul.

The result left Bermuda as the only side in Group A without a point and in need of a miraculous run of results elsewhere, combined

require an enormous swing in their net run rate if they are to force their way into the fourth-place spot.

After dispiriting batting performances against Papua New Guinea and Kenya, Bermuda made a change in captaincy, replacing Dion Stovell with 32-year-old off-spinner Rodney Trott.

Stovell dropped himself after scoring nought, one and four in the three previous games.

Trott took over the captaincy despite Terryn Fray having been previously named as vice-captain, while Derrick Brangman, Malachi Jones and Sinclair Smith – batting at No 11 as a specialist wicketkeeper, a novelty in T20 cricket – were brought in for George O’Brien, Allan Douglas and

Okera Bascome gathers runs through the off-side during his top score of 37 against Namibia yetersday. (Photo courtesy ICC Media)

with wins over Scotland and the Netherlands in their remaining two matches, in order to remain in the hunt for one of six places up for grabs for qualifiers at next year’s T20 World Cup in Australia.

Bermuda, who face Scotland today and group leaders the Netherlands on Saturday, would also

Stovell.

But it made little difference as an all-too-familiar batting collapse resulted in Bermuda slumping to 42 for six at the halfway stage, Sussex all-rounder Delray Rawlins making only six.

Okera Bascome, who made six, four and nought opening the batting in the first three games, dropped to number eight and made a fine 37 from 31 balls, while Brangman made an unbeaten 23, as the pair gave the total an air of respectability.

But Namibia raced to 35 without loss from the opening two overs, seamer Jones going for 11 runs and left-arm spinner Brangman, 24, and despite Leverock snapping up three for 19, his best T20 international figures for a second game in a row,

the southern African side powered home.

Canada top Group B

after winning their third game in a row, upsetting Ireland by 10 runs.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Thursday October 24, 2019) COMPLIMENTS OF THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market & The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD-83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1)

Brian Lara-11,912 runs (130 Tests)

(2)

Rahmat Shah-294 runs (3 Tests) Today’s Quiz:

(1) date?

Who has taken most Test wickets for the WI to

(2) Who has taken most Test wickets for Afghanistan to date?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday October 24, 2019

27

Briton John was priority for Cuba trip, says cycling federation

Briton John has been outstanding this season.

BRITON John was left out of the national team scheduled to travel to Cuba next week although he was the first player selected, according to new information from Guyana Cycling Federation (GCF). The omission of Briton John left many people questioning the selection process.

The national cyclist, who won the annual Kadir Mohamed Memorial Cycling road race two Sundays ago, had been scorching the roadways and circuits this season.

Last week the federation named a seven-member team (five cyclists, a manager and a coach) to compete on the Spanish-speaking Island at the 19th edition of the Caribbean Cycling Championships, scheduled from November 1 to 3.

In a press release this week, GCF opted to clear the air. It said that GCF president Linden Dow-

ridge and Racing Secretary Malcolm Sonaram “revealed that Briton John was the first cyclist to be selected along with Jamual John, Michael Anthony, Curtis Dey, and Paul DeNobrega”.

Nevertheless, a lack of clarity on his participation led the federation to select a replacement.

The release added that according to Sonaram “a correspondence was sent out to the respective parent clubs of the cyclists via email on October 3. However, We Stand United, the club that Briton John belongs to, did not make a response confirming his participation and up to the deadline date for Guyana’s confirmation of participation at the Championships, GCF was not in receipt of any correspondence from the club”.

Selecting a replacement was also fairly done, according to the release.

“The GCF was then forced to select a replacement, which led to

Christopher Griffith being listed.

According to the ranking system of the federation (adopted from Guyana Cycling News’ points table) the next choice should have been Andre ‘Padlock’ Green. However, Green currently has two disciplinary matters pending, thus the inclusion of Griffith on the team.

“Another young talent, Romello Crawford was not included on the team due to his release from the GCF to race with the PSL Club in Trinidad and Tobago from October 1 until the end of November.”

Meanwhile, the cycling fraternity was able to pedal over another speed bump en route to the championships. “…Another hurdle in making up a full team to send to Cuba, was the lack of sponsorship for Jamual John, something which was remedied at the last minute after cycling enthusiasts heard of his plight,” the release noted.

In respect to the funding of the trip, GCF had to rely on sponsorship for the respective cyclists and officials. This is due to the current executives’ inability to access GCF’s bank account - something that is currently being worked on according to the release.

Moving ahead, GCF boss Dowridge has stated that there will be clear criteria for the federation’s team selection process, which will see cyclists being picked through the ranking system and according to the type of events. He also noted that for future trips, GCF would try its best to help fund cyclists as the body is trying to move away from a total dependence on sponsors.

The seven-member team consists of Jamual John, Michael Anthony, Curtis Dey, Paul DeNobrega and Christopher Griffith, along with officials; Marc Sonaram (team manager) and Enzo Matthews (coach).

DC Jammers held the late Andrew Ifill in high esteem

FLASHBACK! Andrew ‘Mr Dunk’ Ifill arrives at the Windjammer International Hotel from the Cheddi Jagan International Airport to prepare for battle against DC Jammers, August 20, 2010.

THE DC Jammers Basketball Organisation, through one of their coaches, Clarence Wallerson, said the late Andrew Ifill will be remembered as one of their fiercest competitor whenever they toured Guyana and they held the Guyanese ‘baller’ in high esteem.

Ifill was found dead in the washroom at his place of employment, Lifestyles Motors, in Trinidad and Tobago, on October 20.

The former national basketball player’s death sent shockwaves through the sport’s fraternity in both the Twin Island

Republic and Guyana, since he was considered by many, one of the best forwards to grace the courts in both countries.

The DC Jammers, a team from the diaspora that is made up of current and former national players, as well as players who are eligible to represent Guyana, would usually visit the Land of Many Waters to engage the country’s National team in Goodwill series.

Fans would pack Cliff Anderson Sports Hall over the years, whenever ‘DC Jammers’ visit, to see Ifill go toe-to-toe with the visitors.

“For many years, he gave

us all we could handle and kept us (the coaches) up at night trying to figure out how to win a game when he was on the court,” Wallerson said in a release to Chronicle Sport.

Wallerson noted that “Andrew (Ifill) was a fierce competitor who matched wits with some of our best professional players, like Antrick and Gordon Klaiber, Glenn Stokes, Dr Lancelot Loncke, Dr Darren Ainsworth, Dexter Martin, Stephen Nurse, Pierre Goddette, Reggie King, and a long list of other DC Jammer competitors.”

The DC Jammers coach is hopeful that Ifill will have a

hero’s ‘send-off’ since he thinks it’s only fitting that a player who devoted his life to basketball and represented Guyana with distinction, be given a proper farewell.

Meanwhile, according to Ifill’s family, his autopsy revealed that the 40-year-old Guyanese, had an embolus – unattached masses (in this case, it was blood) that travel through the blood stream – in his leg.

One medical personnel explained that most times these clots are fragments of bigger clots that are formed in the legs.

These free unattached clots are now travelling in the blood free-

ly and travelling clots can lodge in the brain and cause a stroke, and in the lungs and cause chest pain and shortness of breath.

There are no details at this time with regard to Ifill’s funeral arrangements, but Michael Singh, president of the GABF, said his federation is more than willing and ready to assist in bringing the former basketball player’s body back to Guyana if his family’s plans are to see him return home.

Outright wins for Transport, Police in GCA Noble House Seafoods two-day cricket TRANSPORT Sports Club (TSC) and Police Sports Club (PSC) registered outright wins last weekend when action continued in the Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA) Noble House Seafoods Two-Day Cricket Competition.

At Eve Leary ground, the Lawmen were able to build from the in-form Andrew Lyght Jr, who slammed a magnificent 123 on the opening day to help team to 323-9 from 61.5 overs against the visiting Everest Cricket Club (ECC).

The Police bowlers then delivered, to hand their side an innings and 117-run victory.

Off-spinners Rocky Hutson and Pernell London took 14 of the 20 Everest wickets that fell.

After pegging back Everest at 61-5 off 27 overs after day one,

Hutson would continue to tempt the visiting cricketers with his flighted deliveries to end with figures of 6-24 from 14.1 overs.

London supported with 3-37 from 11 overs as Everest were restricted to 100 all out in 38.1 overs.

When Police enforced the followon, the spinning duo were at it again. Hutson captured 3-10 from 6.3 overs, while London finished with 2-22 from four overs.

Captain of the side Keston Harcourt, who opened the bowling, finished with 3-12, while fellow opening bowler Paul Tyndall nabbed 2-28 from nine overs to restrict Everest to 106 in 34 overs.

Denesh Mangal and Aaron Beharry were the only resistance.

They finished with 34 and 31 runs

respectively.

At the Queen’s College ground, TSC were able to bowl out Bel Air Rubis II for 84 after they lost the toss. By the end of day one, they were ahead at 111-6 off 21 overs.

Devaughn Nandan had scored 69 after belting a whopping nine sixes and two fours in quick time.

On Sunday morning TSC were able to reach 219 (135 lead) before they were bowled out.

Kevin Ross and debutant Nabeel Ali hit 38 and 36 runs respectively towards the end.

Sixteen-year-old Ali, who batted at number 11, finished not out.

Bel Air’s opening bowler Dillon led the attack with 4-32 from 10 overs.

In their second innings Bel Air were restricted for 106 all out in

34.3 overs, which resulted in TSC winning by an innings and 29 runs.

Pacer Mark Baptiste led the attack with 3-30 from 11 overs, while there were two wickets each for Rafael Singh, Kevin Ross and another debutant Ajay Gainda.

Meanwhile GDF also gained firstinnings points over home team MYO. Batting first, GDF made 297 all out in 53.4 overs after Deamon Whitney finished with 84 not out (13x4, 1x6). Support came from Damian Waldron who scored 73 (10x4, 4x6) and Randy Lindore with 49 (10x4).

Niran Bissu led the attack with 5-84 from 13 overs, while Kemraj Ramdeen and Rudolph Singh took two wickets each.

Waldron then spun his way to 5-29 from 13 overs, which

skittled out MYO for 130 all out in 36 overs. Travis Marcellino and Jamal Chisholm supported with two wickets each while Bissu (25) and Avinash Rajkumar (24) finished with the most runs for the home team.

After GDF enforced the followon, MYO were able to reach 1366 in 34 overs, before both captains agreed to call off the encounter with one over remaining in the day’s play.

Ramdeen led from the front with an unbeaten 61 (1x4). Waldron was again in the mix. He and Marcellino finished with three wickets each.

THIS WEEKEND’S FIXTURES GCA cricket continues this weekend with several New

Building Society (NBS) Second Division 40-over matches.

Diplomats will travel to Malteenoes Sports Club ground to take on the host team, while GYO and MYO will battle at the MYO ground.

Third Class will meet GCC at Bourda, ECC will host Sophia and GNIC will challenge Ace Warriors at the QC ground. Also hosting will be Police, when they take on TSC and DCC when they meet Bel Air Rubis II. On Sunday, the competition continues with three matches.

Police will play DCC at Eve Leary ground in a key clash while TSC will host Sophia.

MYO and Diplomats will battle it out at the QC ground.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday October 24, 2019

Allicock among big names expected for Terrence Alli National Open

British trio confirmed for GMR&SC 23 International Circuit Race Sourav Ganguly says he will lead 23 BCCI like he captained India PAGE

Keevin Allicock has not fought at home since February of this year.

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Former Indian cricketer and current BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) president Sourav Ganguly reacts during a press conference at the BCCI headquarters in Mumbai, India, yesterday. (REUTERS/Francis Mascarenhas)

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Dan Linfoot is the third rider who will be a part of Team Mohamed’s Enterprise setup.

China’s CCTV shuns NBA season opening Printed and Published by Guyana National Newspapers Limited, Lama Avenue, Bel Air Park, Georgetown. Telephone 226-3243-9 (General); Editorial: 227-5204, 227-5216. Fax:227-5208

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2019