Guyana_Chronicle_Epaper_10_26_2019

SATURDAY 26th OCTOBER, 2019

' No.105802

‘Stronger than ever’ -- PNCR talks up coalition’s resilience

-- optimistic that AFC’s PM candidate concerns will be dealt with

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Gov't fully embraces transparency in extractive sector -- Trotman says EITI compliance crucial to Guyana’s future PAGE

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Second GIPEX opens Nov. 2

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Mahaicony farmers join efforts to strengthen sea defence

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Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo (right) and Pandit Seeraj perform a symbolic diya puja during Diwali Utsav 2019 at State House.

The prime minister can be seen lighting the lamp with the assistance of Pandit Seeraj (Ministry of the Presidency photo)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, October 26, 2019

Gov’t fully embraces transparency in extractive sector ...Trotman says EITI compliance crucial to Guyana’s future

WHILE governments across the world tend to shy away from the publicity that comes with full transparency in their extractive sectors, the Government of Guyana believes that the positives are greater than the negatives in this regard, and is forging ahead to meet the requirements of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI).

Such was the message of Minister of Natural Resources Raphael Trotman, who delivered remarks at the opening ceremony of the EITI-led Special Capacity Building Workshop on Friday held at the Cara Lodge. The workshop focused primarily on

Minister of Natural Resources Raphael Trotman addressing the opening of the workshop

‘Beneficial Ownership and Systematic Disclosure’ which examines issues with regards

to “politically exposed persons” and practices which can obscure who are the true ben-

eficial owners of a company.

Hosted by the EITI International Secretariat, the workshop was attended by representatives of the GYEITI National Secretariat; multi-stakeholder groups; extractive sector stakeholders; government officials and members of civil society.

In remarks, Trotman said that the government has made “monumental strides” in the past few years, and is proud of its submission of the first EITI Report ahead of the its deadline. The 6,000-page report will pave the way towards positive reformation and transparency in the ex-

to the sector and its management,” Trotman said.

He added that the government is proud of its decision to make all petroleum contracts public, as, heading into 2020 and beyond, transparency in the oil-and- gas economy will be at an even greater demand. He pledged: “The natural resources sector will continue to be an important contributor to our economy, even as we prepare to embrace oil production in a few short months. It is with this foresight that we are keen to ensure that GYEITI is fully functional to respond

been conducted countrywide to help Guyanese understand the report’s contents and its benefits to the extractive sector.

The journey will come with challenges, but Minister Trotman said that the government remains committed to meeting the challenges head-on.

He urged stakeholders in attendance to make the best of the opportunity to better understand the best practices within the EITI. At the workshop, presentations defining Beneficial Ownership (BO); Politically Exposed Persons

Stakeholders and participants at the EITI-brokered capacity building workshop (Photos by Delano Williams)

tractive industry.

“Governments, by nature, tend to be shy about publicity, because these often have implications for national security and stability. In Guyana, we recognise this phenomenon, but still believe that the gains to be made by being transparent far outweigh the negatives that may arise. I speak from personal experience here. The government has committed to making all contracts public, and I believe this speaks to the level of seriousness we attach

to the new experiences that oil production will undoubtedly bring.

Meanwhile, the EITI Multi-Stakeholder Group (MSG) has drafted an Action Plan to implement the recommendations outlined in the report, while an independent administrator will soon be brought onboard to prepare for the country’s second report.

The minister said that since the submission of the report, several outreaches have

(PEP); and advice on the main steps for establishing a BO Register in Guyana were made by EITI Regional Director Dr. Francisco Paris. He fielded questions from the audience on several topics, including the challenges of the voluntary nature of the EITI. Dr. Paris explained that many countries, having ation Act and the Petroleum Regulations No. 5 of 1986.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, October 26, 2019

‘Stronger than ever’ ---PNCR talks up coalition’s resilience

…optimistic that AFC’s PM candidate concerns will be dealt with

By Tamica Garnett CHAIRMAN of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), Volda Lawrence, said the party is very optimistic that the concerns of the Alliance For Change (AFC) over the naming of a Prime Ministerial Candidate, will be ironed out, and the two sides will go forward as a united team to contest the March 2, 2020 elections.

Hosting the party’s weekly press conference, last Friday, at Congress Place, Lawrence noted that to the best of her understanding negotiations between the two sides have not stalled. “We have indicated that the talks continue and that we will come out stronger than ever, we will find compromise and we will come out with an accord that is acceptable on both sides, and we will continue to work together in this coalition,” Lawrence assured, as she fielded questions from media personnel

about the future of coalition between A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the Alliance For Change.

“We are at the accord now, and it has been very tedious, we have had very long nights and days and we have made tremendous steps, so we have absolutely every confidence that this team will be able to complete its work given to us by our leaders and we will be able to come out of it stronger than before.

There is absolutely no doubt on our side.”

With Guyana’s next general and regional elections on the horizon, AFC+APNU is currently in the process of negotiating a revision of the Cummingsburg Accord – the document that brought the two parties together. Both sides named members to be a part of a team that is overseeing the negotiations.

Lawrence is APNU’s lead negotiator.

Executives of the AFC, on Thursday, held a press conference saying the negoti-

PNCR Chairpersons and APNU Lead Negotiator, Volda Lawrence

ation has hit a snag over discussions on the naming of the Prime Ministerial Candidate.

The PNCR is the biggest party of the coalition (APNU) party, which constitutes a number of other political parties that first coalesce to contest the 2011 elections.

In 2015, APNU and the AFC signed the Cummingsburg Accord and the united party won the 2015 elections.

Lawrence said the negotiations are expected to con-

tinue with the team awaiting the return of the AFC lead negotiator, David Patterson, who is currently out of the country. Lawrence said to the best of her knowledge, the AFC never formally corresponded to the APNU side that negotiations had stalled.

“I know that the APNU have not received any correspondence from the AFC indicating that these talks have come to an end. We have no indication from the

AFC that these talks have come to an end, are stalled, or any of those issues that I see pandering about in the media,” Lawrence related.

Lawrence said notwithstanding the current focus and concerns of the issue of the PM candidate, much has been accomplished by the negotiating team. She said given the ongoing negotiations, she was not at liberty to expound on the specifics until negotiations are concluded.

“We have done a tremendous amount of work and within a very short period of time, so this too will be concluded on and we will move on. There are other issues that are part and these are issues that we have to work out, these negotiations are continuing so I am inhibited from saying to you those things that are part or not part,” Lawrence said.

Notwithstanding the current concerns, Lawrence says the overall atmosphere of the negotiations is an am-

icable one.

“Everything has been done collectively. And in such a good atmosphere so I see this seriousness as though there is some fight and so on, but let me say the discourse has been enriching and both sides have been bringing their thoughts, their views and so on to the table and all of those have been taken by both sides in a very amicable way. When we are discussing it’s not only about us, it’s about our country and the continued development. So it’s not a “them” and “we” story.

These are persons who have been mandated by their leadership, to represent them in these talks.

And of course, both of us will go back to our principals from time to time for guidance on matters we would go forward on.”

Second GIPEX opens Nov. 2 THE Guyana International Petroleum Exhibition (GIPEX) organised by UKbased Valiant Business Media in collaboration with the Department of Energy, Ministry of the Presidency, and with support from Guyana Office for Investment, will be held from November 20 to 22 at Guyana Marriott Hotel.

At a press briefing on Friday at the Marriot Hotel, CEO of Valiant Guyana, Shariq AbdulHai, explained that GIPEX remains the largest oil and gas conference and exhibition in the South American country.

He explained that the

event serves to place spotlight on the rapidly-growing investment opportunities and avenues for partnerships that exist, which are crucial to the growth and development of the local industry.

The CEO said GIPEX is 100 per cent funded by Valiant Business Media by way of support and sponsorship from companies in the oil and gas industry, as is standard with the staging of such events.

AbdulHai noted that there will be subsidised group rates for participation in the exhibition which also gives a representative of each company’s delegate, access to the

CEO of Valiant Guyana, Shariq AbdulHai and Energy Department Head, Dr. Mark Bynoe

conference.

He said a team of 100 per cent Guyanese-owned companies continue to be engaged for the provision of services for GIPEX.

These services, he said, include event planning, equipment rental, communications and marketing, branding and décor, multi-media services, accommodation,

logistics and security.

With the participation of more than 600 delegates and well over 175 companies in 2018, GIPEX 2019 is poised to attract and engage the biggest players in the oil and gas industry as the country moves closer to first oil.

“We remain committed to working with all stakeholders in the development of the emerging oil and gas industry and the positive impact this would have on the economy and country as a whole,” he noted.

Energy Department Head, Dr. Mark Bynoe said the event will have accommodation for national, re-

Gov’t fully embraces transparency in... realised the challenges in this regard, have started to enact laws to make participation mandatory. This is so, as, while becoming a signatory of the EITI is voluntary, once implementation be-

gins, the country is required to achieve compliance with the EITI requirements with the participation of all companies and government agencies making or receiving payments.

At the EITI Global Conference held in Paris in June 2019, Guyana was appointed as a member of the EITI International Contract Transparency Committee.

The EITI International Secretariat has noted that Guyana’s Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Act 2009 (AML/CFT) also takes interest in ben-

gional and international partners.

He said ExxonMobil remains a strategic partner of the event, as they were last year.

“We have the full backing of a number of international entities… as Guyana we can be proud as the event brings opportunities not only to the oil and gas sector, but also to the hospitality and tourism sector, to the logistic and transportation sector and to many other myriad sectors of the economy,” Bynoe said.

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eficial ownership and politically-exposed persons. Other areas within Guyana’s laws which complement the work of the EITI are the Integrity Commission, the Access to Inform

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday October 26, 2019

More Russian military police arrive in Syria under peace deal with Turkey MOSCOW/ANKARA (Reuters) - Russia sent about 300 more military police and more than 20 armored vehicles to Syria on Friday under an accord between Ankara and Moscow that has halted Turkey’s military incursion into northeast Syria.

The deal, sealed on Tuesday by Presidents Tayyip Erdogan and Vladimir Putin, requires that Russian military police and Syrian border guards remove all Kurdish YPG militia from within 30 km (19 miles) of the Turkish border by next Tuesday. The military police, from the southern Russian region of Chechnya, will help with the withdrawal of Kurdish forces and their weapons to 30 km of the Syrian-Turkish border, Interfax news agency reported the defense ministry as saying.

Ankara regards the YPG as a terrorist group aligned with Kurdish militants who have waged an insurgency in southeast Turkey since 1984. Turkey launched its offensive against the YPG on Oct. 9 after President Donald Trump ordered U.S. forces out of northeast Syria. Ankara halted its assault under a U.S.-brokered ceasefire that called for a YPG withdrawal from the border area. The Putin-Erdogan deal built on and widened that agreement.

“The deployment of our forces and hardware as well as the forces and hardware of the Syrian border guards is currently taking place in the delineated zones,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.

He repeated a warning that if Kurdish YPG forces did not withdraw from the border region they would be crushed by

Turkey’s armed forces. Under the terms of the deal, from next Tuesday Russian and Turkish forces will start to patrol a narrower, 10-km strip of land on the Syrian side of the border where U.S. troops had been deployed for years alongside their former Kurdish allies.

The arrival of the Russian police marks a shift in the regional balance of power less than three weeks after Trump began pulling U.S. forces out of northeast Syria. It has also highlighted a growing security relationship between Russia, a close ally of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and now the dominant power inside Syria, and NATO member Turkey.

UNEASE But despite deep Western unease over Ankara’s actions, diplomats attending a NATO meeting in Brussels told Reu-

ters the alliance had resolved to maintain military support for Turkey due to its geopolitical importance. Turkey’s NATO allies fear its operation will cause a fresh humanitarian crisis in Syria and could allow Islamic State prisoners held by the YPG to escape and regroup.

U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper, in Brussels for a meeting of NATO ministers on Friday, said the United States would maintain a reduced military presence in Syria to prevent Islamic State from seizing its oil fields and revenues. Washington will keep “some mechanized forces” in Deir al-Zor, Syria’s oil region east of the Euphrates, Esper said.

There were no reports of fresh clashes in northeast Syria on Friday, a day after the YPG-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) accused Tur-

key of targeting three villages there despite the truce, forcing thousands of civilians to flee.

Turkey’s Defence Ministry has not commented directly on the SDF report but said five of its military personnel had been wounded in an attack by the YPG militia around the border town of Ras al Ain, near where the three villages are located.

Ankara says it takes every precaution to protect Kurdish and other civilians in areas where it targets the YPG fighters. Turkish Justice Minister Abdulhamit Gul urged Washington on Friday to detain and extradite SDF commander Mazloum Kobani when he enters the United States.

U.S. senators have asked the State Department to swiftly issue a visa to Kobani, whose SDF was a key American ally against Islamic State in Syria.

Ankara says Kobani was a senior leader of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), designated a terrorist group by Turkey and its Western allies.

Diplomats will gather in Geneva next week for the first meeting of Syria’s Constitutional Committee, whose aim is to map a political way forward for the country after more than eight years of fighting in which hundreds of thousands have died and around half of the pre-war population of 22 million have been displaced. Commenting on that meeting, Kremlin spokesman Peskov said: “It is already an important step on the long road toward a political settlement... The road will be long and very difficult, but we hope this first event will happen.”

Obama on Rep. Cummings: ‘Nothing weak about looking out for others’ BALTIMORE (Reuters) - Democratic leaders past and present remembered the late Elijah Cummings on Friday in eulogies that drew an implicit contrast between the civil rights activist and

President Donald Trump, in whose impeachment inquiry the lawmaker played a leading role.

“There’s nothing weak about looking out for others.

You’re not a sucker to have

integrity and to treat others with respect,” said former President Barack Obama.

Hillary Clinton, who lost to Trump in 2016, praised Cummings as someone who “stood against corrupt leadership.” Former president Bill Clinton and 2020 Democratic presidential hopefuls Joe Biden, Elizabeth Warren and Kamala Harris were also among the thousands who attended the

service at Baltimore’s New Psalmist Baptist Church.

Trump did not attend, instead giving a speech at the historically black Benedict College in South Carolina. A son of sharecroppers, Cummings served for 22 years in the U.S. House of Representatives before his death on Oct. 17. He was an ardent civil rights voice who decades ago endured violence from white mobs when

he and other African-Americans sought to integrate a public swimming pool.

The 13-term congressman was credited with helping calm tensions in Baltimore in 2015 when violence erupted following the death of an African-American man in police custody. He was a high-profile antagonist of Trump, who reacted to a weekend of deadly violence during a “Unite the Right” rally in Virginia saying there were “very fine people” on both sides of the demonstrations.

The funeral was held in Cummings’ hometown, which Trump vilified earlier this year as “disgusting, rat and rodent-infested.” Cummings responded at the time by saying Trump should visit his majority-black congressional district. “I want him to see all of the wonderful things that are happening.”

U.S. race relations are

sure to be a contentious topic during the 2020 presidential election season in which Democrats aim to unseat Trump.

They hope to win over the votes of African-Americans who could play an important role in determining the outcome, along with growing Hispanic communities throughout the United States.

As chairman of the Oversight and Reform Committee when the Democrats took control of the House in 2018, Cummings before his death led a series of investigations of Trump’s administration and business dealings. He had been a central figure in Democrats’ ongoing impeachment inquiry on the president’s dealings with Ukraine. Republicans in Congress have said they enjoyed a close friendship with him even though they were frequently at odds.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday October 26, 2019

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DOMINICA Opposition supporters stage peaceful protest even as police describe the action as illegitimate

ROSEAU, Dominica, Oct 25, CMC – Opposition supporters took to the streets here on Friday defying a police ban on illegal demonstrations as they demanded the resignation of Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit and the Chairman of the Electoral Commission over electoral reform in Dominica.

Opposition Leader Lennox Linton said he had delivered a letter to the Office of President Charles Savarin asking him to secure “the resignation of Roosevelt Skerrit as prime minister or the alternative his removal from office on the grounds of gross mis-conduct in the Office of the Prime Minister that has

severely injured the national interest of the Commonwealth of Dominica”.

Linton said while he had not been granted an audience with the head of state “I left the correspondence with his security at the front gate of the President’s residence”. Asked whether he had given any ultimatum to President Savarin, Linton replied “not in this letter, we are asking him to act with haste. We did not specify any date”. The opposition had also delivered a letter and petition to the Electoral Commission addressed to the chairman, Gerald Burton, calling for his resignation Earlier, Police Commis-

sioner, Daniel Carbon, had said that the main opposition United Workers Party (UWP) did not have any authority to stage a protest march in the capital on Friday and warned people against breaking the laws of the island. “It is my understanding that the United Workers Party is planning to have a procession, a march, a demonstration or a protest action…Friday, 25th October 2019. According to what I have been observing the people are to gather at the Pottersvile Savannah (on the outskirts of the capital).

“I want to inform the general public that I have not received a request from the United Workers Party to have

their activity. By law, any body or any organisation wishing to have a march, protest action, a demonstration or a procession should write to the Chief of Police three days prior to holding that activity.” Carbon said he has not received such a request and that the activity of the UWP “is unlawful.”

But Linton said he was pleased with the turnout by supporters “notwithstanding the scare tactics …by members of the Police Force on behalf of the (ruling) Dominica Labour Party.

“This turn out means that people in Dominica have effectively broke the fear barrier, they are not scared of the antics

of the police. They recognise the rights they have under a democracy which are entrenched in the Constitution, the supreme law of the Commonwealth of Dominica. ‘They recognise that this is a democracy they need to get involved in protecting and maintaining and that this what this turn out this afternoon is all about,” Linton said.

Police had erected barriers on the road leading to the residence of the President as well as the Electoral Commission and attorney Gideon Richards, who is representing a number opposition politicians in matters before the courts described the turn out as “remarkable”.

He said the demonstra-

tors were “peacefully obeying the police whom we love,” adding he was certain that “not all police officers were pleased with what’s going on.

“Our peaceful presence is the best way to fight them,” the former police officer turned attorney, said. The opposition said they want electoral reform to be undertaken before the next general election that Skerrit told a public meeting of his DLP last would take place “within the next 100 days”. The DLP controls 15 of the 21 seats in the Parliament.

CDB President wants continuous review of economic policies BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, Oct 25, CMC – President of the Barbados-based Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), Dr Warren Smith, is urging the authorities here to continuously review policies and make necessary changes in order to keep abreast with global competition when it comes to the international business and financial services sector.

Smith said also it was critical that lawmakers move more speedily to take advantage of the untapped potential of the sector. “The international business and financial services sector is still highly attractive to multinational investments.

However, with other developing countries also striving to access an increased share of foreign inflows, Barbados must

continuously review its policy interventions in order to keep pace with the global marketplace,” Smith told the opening of the Barbados International Business Association’s (BIBAs) annual conference, which is being held under the theme “Harnessing Global Opportunities. He told the delegates that the international business sector had “unrealized potential”, adding that in the current global environment markets were constantly transforming and creating new obstacles and opportunities. He said it was therefore critical that “we move with alacrity in order to circumvent the obstacles and take advantage of these opportunities “Our region should embrace a regional approach that supports regulatory convergence and the adoption of

common principles among CARICOM countries,” Smith said, noting that the region’s international business sector was small compared to the rest of the world.

“In Barbados the international business and financial services sector is a major source of foreign exchange, ranking second only to tourism and directly injects the equivalent of nine per cent of GDP (gross domestic product) into the domestic economy through the payment of taxes and operational expenditures, based on 2016 data,” he said.

However, the CDB president said that a growing attractiveness of economies to multinational corporations came at a price, including increased visibility and greater scrutiny and intensified pressure to improve

the structure of international taxation. “Against this background and to ensure continued development of its international business and financial services sector, Barbados will also need to address pertinent issues regarding competitiveness and regulation,” said Smith, insisting on continuous policy review. He said improving the ease of doing business and embracing new technology, were critical steps toward attracting more investors, growing the competitiveness of the sector and the economy. Smith acknowledged that several steps have already been taken, but insisted “much more needs to be done.

“Barbados has taken some notable steps to reduce its taxes and these should have a positive impact on its competitiveness.

“Other areas requiring priority attention for improvement include the incorporation of companies, issuing of licenses, construction and work permits and tax clearance certificates”.

Smith said he is of the view that for the most part, the role of the public sector is to provide the appropri-

ate policy framework, the institutions, the regulatory frameworks that facilitate growth and development. “It is the private sector however, that is the engine of growth, to provide the jobs and to earn the foreign exchange that we need through exports,” said Smith.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday October 26, 2019

The message of Diwali DIWALI, the brightest and one of the most unifying days of the year will be observed on Sunday and it is incumbent upon all to strive to let the light of knowledge overcome the darkness of ignorance.

The glorious Festival of Lights was brought to Guyana by the descendants of East Indians who came to these shores more than 170 years ago. Diwali has always been a colourful celebration, but, over the years, it has evolved in grandeur and splendour, and is today more colourful than at any time before, thanks to the leaders of the Hindu community.

In Guyana, the story of Diwali mostly revolves around the Divine Mother Lakshmi, the Goddess of Wealth, but this is not the only version. There are several others. From all accounts, this ancient Indian festival was first celebrated at harvesttime, and marks the marriage of the Goddess, Lakshmi, to Lord Vishnu, the Protector

and Preserver of the Universe.

In Bengal, India, the occasion is dedicated to the worship of Kali, the Goddess of Strength, and Lord Ganesha, the embodiment of wisdom. And these are not all the variations.

In Jainism, Diwali is a celebration of Lord Mahavira attaining eternal bliss. The Sikhs also celebrate Diwali. A version of the story that most Guyanese can relate to, or know, is that of the grand return of Lord Rama, who was maliciously exiled in the forest for 14 years.

His return was celebrated in the city of Ayodhya, the capital of the Kingdom Rama, with great pomp and flair, with many beating drums and dancing.

The streets of the magnificent city were also illuminated with lamps. In all of the various versions of the celebrations, a number of themes stand out, and prominent among them are the celebration of light over darkness and right over wrong (the return of Lord Rama from

exile), and the celebration of peace, love and togetherness.

In Guyana, DIWALI is part of the national holiday calendar; it is one of the most colourful holidays in Guyana. It is a time when fairy lights brighten homes all over the country, diyas are lit in thousands of yards and passageways and on bridges, and, on Diwali eve, scores of colourfully-lit and imaginatively decorated floats participate in motorcades in each county.

The television and radio carry special Diwali programmes, and Diwali music is heard everywhere. Diwali celebrants deliver boxes of exotic Indian sweetmeats to their friends and associates, and the colourfully-decorated temples are always full with worshippers. **Citizens of all religions now participate in Diwali celebrations. For example, the overwhelming majority of the thousands who line the streets to enjoy the spectacle of the Di-

wali motorcades are non-Hindus and non-Hindus would even attend Diwali services at the mandirs with their Hindu friends. All, irrespective of religious affiliation, participate with gusto in the Diwali curries and sweetmeats at the homes of their friends and neighbours.

Guyanese tend to equate the messages of all religious holidays as being similar. They all teach that good will triumph over evil, that charity should be given to the poor and distressed, that mankind must cultivate a moral, ethical and spiritual life, and love one’s neighbour as one’s self. But despite the essence of all religions being the same, they do differ in their theology and metaphysics.

Hinduism’s metaphor and icons have survived from primeaeval times and, as such, differ from those of more modern religions. Its icons, analogous to all religions, are intended to convey ethical and spiritual messages. The icons

associated with Diwali are Mother Lakshmi and Lord Rama.

Very ancient festivals and holy days often have a confluence of many myths and legends meeting in them. In Diwali, there is the story of Lord Rama who was banished to the forests for fourteen years and on his final return to his kingdom of Ayodhya, the citizens were so overjoyed at the return of their perfect king that they lit up the streets, their yards and their homes with millions of diyas.

Diwali is also associated with Lakshmi, which Hinduism teaches is that aspect of God which represents enlightenment and economic success and wealth. Hinduism teaches that God is infinite and that Man and his mind are finite. Accordingly, man with his finite mind cannot realise the infinity of God. The only way in which Man could realise God is through the various aspects with which

the finite mind could connect.

The lights of Diwali represent the light of enlightenment eliminating the darkness of ignorance. Lakshmi also represents wealth and economic success and this is indicated in her icon by the steady stream of gold coins flowing from her open palm. The religion teaches that those who desire wealth and economic success will invoke and worship Mother Lakshmi at Diwali.

In addition to its spiritual and material messages, Diwali also teaches the cultivation of charity, friendliness to all, and regarding one’s fellow Man as one’s brother. Since Independence, Guyana has been regarding itself and indeed evolving as a plural society, wherein all its various cultural strands would make their contribution towards enriching Guyanese culture.

Over the last several years, Diwali has been making such a contribution.

Players behind new parties are opportunists OPPORTUNISTS take advantage of any situation that occurs in order to gain money or power. Opportunists could care less about the morality of their actions. Political opportunists are only concerned with furthering their own interests and not that of the people or country. These new "pop up" political parties are the euphemism of political opportunism, as everyone wants to cash-in, especially with Guyana's new oil- andgas industry.

This new industry provides a promising future for all Guyanese, and will provide much-needed development for this once impoverished resource-rich nation.

We have seen political opportunism at its peak for 23 years, where the PPPC’s focus was on the enrichment of Jagdeo’s chosen few. Jagdeo’s chosen few were empowered politically, financially and some allegedly through facilitated nefarious means. They were able to influence the direction of the country, even though their interests were the total opposite of the majority of Guyanese and the country as a whole.

Mr. Editor, it was under the leadership and collective support of the vision of His Excellency David Granger of the APNU+AFC administration

that this country made a 180 degree turn, and was placed back on the right course to achieving a prosperous Guyana for the betterment of all Guyanese.

The rebirth of real democracy and freedom of expression under the David Granger-led administration has excited many, and apparently misdirected others. The new political parties are formed in an unrestrained pursuit of selfishness for power and influence. As wild bushes, they spring up without a well manured soil, no solid foundation or political ideology, and they are destined to fail and will not make any roadways in this political landscape, simply because they are motivated by self-interest. Their rhetoric is nothing new, and they present nothing fresh; no new ideas or initiatives.

These political opportunists will not attract the movers and shakers; influencers and leaders in our society. One such example is A New United Guyana (ANUG) which wasted an entire trip to Linden to launch its Linden Office to an audience of less than ten people, including the presidential candidate, Ralph Ramkarran. ANUG must know that Lindeners have long memories, and will not be hoodwinked and bamboozled by no conversation he starts; we will not fall victims to emp-

ty promises and sugar-coated speeches. Where was ANUG or Ralph Ramkarran when Lindeners were being shot for peacefully protesting new electricity costs? When budget cuts for Region Ten were being passed while he sat in the chair as Speaker of the House for his PPP party and did nothing.

Why did ANUG even waste their trip? No amount of babble will shift this rock of support, Linden/Region Ten for David Granger.

The head of the citizen’s initiative, who was a former PPP president’s protégé has been known to criticise everything that the government has done. I often wondered if he was unaware of the various salary increases received by public servants that they never received under the PPP party he voted for and supported. Is he aware of the 62% increase in the old age pension; the fact that gold smuggling and the drug trade has been curtailed; that roads and bridges were being repaired and built non-stop; that people are now getting caught with cocaine and being found guilty, something that never happened during the PPP administration; that all types of crimes are being solved; our improvement on the Corruption Perception Index; the governments care for schoolchildren;

the 5 Bs initiative (by providing books, bags, bicycles, buses, boats and breakfast); the First Lady’s unquenchable passion for training students in STEM, robotics, skilled training for teenage mothers, single mother and the now unprecedented freedom of speech that we have experienced from May 2015 to present, just to name a few.

In retrospect, this political opportunist did see all of the progress, but, of course, he had his own selfish agenda, which has nothing to do with elevating the Guyanese people.

So, just like Bharrat Jagdeo, he complained about everything under the sun, with less fanfair and flow.

While people are free to form their own political parties and associate with whomever they wish, they lose credibility with the populace, as their motives are clearly dishonourable, and the people will not be fooled. The Guyanese people have never seen or experienced any goodness of philanthropy from these men after all of these years. Where was the initiative?

Why only now it’s fitting to avail yourself and party to serve Guyana? Is it only regional and national elections that can tickle your fancy? We had two local government elections; why weren’t you available then? I guess the time is now oil.

The people can attest that myself and other APNU+AFC politicians have risked our lives for the freedom of speech and prosperity that exists today, and for all of the progress and accountability that we are now experiencing. Attorney-at-Law and PNCR member James Bond and his wife has worked tirelessly with youths from Tiger Bay and other areas of Georgetown that the PPPC had abandoned. Christopher Jones, the Director of Sports, who currently stands out as a sports icon of our time and has done a tremendous job of transforming our local sports industry, can be seen regularly cleaning drains and sweeping the roads in the Tucville community. As the country's representative of the NGO, Caring For Others, I have sought out youths, women, men, the elderly and kids from all parts of Region Ten, and have consistently presented them with new shoes, bags, clothing, computers, toys, and many others things. I don’t get paid for this, but the people have seen my love for them.

Ms. Simona Broomes, the People's Champion, from Day One, has sought out abused and trafficked women, forgotten youths, DJs, bikers and youths from every corner and ghetto of Guyana who the PPPC forgot. Mr. Sydney Allicock, Ms.

Valerie Garido-Lowe and Ms. Dawn Hastings have worked tirelessly among our Amerindian brothers and sisters.

Joseph Harmon has made personal contributions to countless schools, community centres, and neighbourhoods across this country. Note that these are just a few examples.

All those aspirants and socalled leaders of these "pop up" parties, can you please tell us what you did for the Guyanese people, and more specifically, the youths in the past four years? Leaders are people that we can emulate, and have led beyond rhetoric. Their actions inform the masses about the content of their character and truest intentions.

The misdirected desire for money, perceived power and position will cause people who lack integrity to act like the man who said ‘Yes, yes, yes’ on December 21, 2018, while betraying the Guyanese people. President David Granger's character, integrity, vision, clean hands, and his best intentions for all of Guyana makes him and his new team best suited and equipped to continue leading Guyana.

Regards, Jermaine Figueira Member of Parliament

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday October 26, 2019

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Trucks on the road Dear Editor

Allow me express my serious concern. A few years ago, there was a rule that trucks could not be on the road during wee hours of morning, i.e. between 07:00 to 09:00 hours.

What has happened to that rule now? It is terribly wrong

for trucks to be rushing during that hour of the day while school children and people rushing to work. Number of times, I have observed unruly truck taking up whole road or speeding on the road. It seems like they are in more hurry than everyone else. It is a nightmare to watch children waiting to cross the road and a monster truck speeds.

Could the minister in charge take immediate action and

stop the trucks within the wee hours. This is my humble plead to ministers and police department.

Kevin Ram.

Here’s hoping oil will give Avinash Persaud the break he deserves Dear Editor, The Guyana Open Golf Championship returns to the Lusignan Golf Club this weekend for what is expected to be two days of highly competitive golfing.

As in previous years, there will be competitors from Suriname, Canada, USA, various parts of

the Caribbean and elsewhere.

Thanks to the sterling efforts of Club President Aleem Hussain who has spearheaded a slew of sponsors, the course is in excellent condition and the membership is considerably expanded as opposed to previous years. The fraternity owes him a debt of gratitude.

The overwhelming favourite is the reigning champion Avinash Persaud who is seeking his sixth consecutive title and tenth overall (having won it in 2006, 09, 10, 12 and 14-18).

He did not contest in 2007 and 08 and came second in 2011 (to the recently departed Papo Haniff) and in 2013 (to Avinda

Kishore, his younger brother).

The only sporting discipline that Guyana has produced world-class performers is cricket. Discerning observers are of the view that Avinash possesses the skill and temperament to compete at the highest international levels but the undeveloped state of the sport locally

has denied him critical exposure and the likelihood of support.

It is hoped that Guyana’s new status as an oil-producing country will help to open doors of support to him and other local talent.

The public is welcome to witness the competition at any time during the two days

(free of charge) and can be assured that the closing stages on Sunday from approximately 3:00 pm will be full of excitement and keen rivalry.

Yours faithfully, Ronald Bulkan

Difference of opinion is healthy in any coalition Dear Editor, As a young lad, I was brought up on a good diet of Caribbean cliche, which to a day like today, I find intellectually stimulating.

In the very bone breaking cold of winter, the warmth of these Caribbean cliches reminds me of whence I came and to an extent, luminously guide my daily life and interactions. One of those cliches is, “Teeth and tongue will always clash.” This quote is so simple but yet so sophisticatedly erudite. I

think today, it is relevant in this apparent difference of opinion between APNU and AFC. A difference of opinion, I say with zeal and incomparable confidence that I am not worried about.

Managing a coalition of parties is no easy task. Managing a coalition with five political parties is nigh impossible. The evidence can be easily found, to support my postulation by undertaking a review of the Political Science literature. The cause for difference of opinion is multi-factorial.

One of the main aetiology is that each

member of the coalition will have their own opinion and election promises to their constituent. That is healthy. That should be encouraged. That should be valued. That should be respected.

If ever there is a coalition of political parties, where there is never a demonstrable difference in opinions, where everything is mirth and hilariously rapturous, then that coalition is a dictatorship which is incompatible with any democracy. Case in point PPP-C. In the very expiratory breath, I must hasten to add, that as a people we

must vigorously wash ourselves of that contagious disease, political insularity.

We are not APNU. We are not AFC. We are APNU-AFC, the only true diverse political party in Guyana. The only party that is best suited, and this is no empty intoxicated boast of mine, to lead a multi-racial Guyana.

Difference in opinions we will have but like brothers who disagree during the night, after a good nocturnal rest, the new day will birth a renewed passion of remaining inseparable brothers. They, with

rested eyes and rested brains, will view yesterday’s disagreement as a minor sibling glitch; a storm in a teacup. This, I am sure, will be the story of AFC and APNU. The fact is that no matter how many times the teeth bite the tongue, they will stay together, forever in one mouth.

Long live the APNU-AFC. Long live democracy in APNU-AFC. Long live democracy in Guyana.

Regards Dr. Mark Devonish MBBS MSc Med

Tribute to the Late Jimmy Hamilton Dear Editor

always the same healthy looking, smiling person and friend I grew to Dear Editor, I read with sadness the know and respect passing of my friend and colleague At that time, the early seventies of over forty-five (45) years, the the Jaycees at Linden was the leading late Jimmy Hamilton. “Jimmy” Organisation for social activities and as his colleagues and friends knew Jimmy’ s name was often mentioned him was an iconic and trail blazing at every level of Society. His dark architect of Mashramani and made significant contributions to other as- hair, handsome features and slim pects of Guyana’s cultural heritage. body enhanced his popularity in that Like other well-known citizens Community.

He is known as the founder of past and present in this Republic, Jimmy could hold his own in conversation Mashramani but there were other on any topic under the sun, with or facets to Jimmy that few knew – inwithout the fabled ‘drinks’. He smoked cluding his love for cricket which he and drank with abandon and yet was would often speak about and his cour-

age, he once told me of being strapped to the under carriage of a Plane which flew over an area in Linden while he photographed the terrain. I found this courageous feat to be incredible, which could have been fatal had a single pebble hit him as the Aircraft landed.

Later in life I had the honour of working with Jimmy to help build the National Front Alliance (NFA) of which he was a founder member until his passing. He was one of our chief negotiators in unity discussions with elven (11) other small Parties, which was eventually reduced to four (4) and then two (2). Nevertheless, Jimmy

Rashleigh Jackson - a true patriot Dear Editor As a citizen and well-wisher, I am indeed happy that Guyana’s former Permanent Representative to the United Nations, and former foreign minister, Mr. Rashleigh Jackson, escaped serious physical injury from the recent fire at his home.

Those of a matured age, will remember this distinguished former diplomat, and internationally renowned statesman,

Sir Shridath Ramphal, also a former foreign minister who went on to become Secretary General of the Commonwealth, as having laid the foundation for Guyana’s post-independence diplomatic corps that included many a distinguished diplomat who were renowned for the role they played at the United Nations, and in other critical areas of international affairs.

Indeed, Guyana’s was a respected voice at international

fora. Our representatives were simply savvy, and it had been due to the building blocks laid down primarily by Jackson when he joined what was then the Department of External Affairs in pre-Independence Guyana; saw it transitioned to a ministry at Independence, becoming its permanent secretary in the process. Indeed, this son of the soil has been well-`deserving of the Order of Roraima, awarded to him in 1991.

stood by his commitment to continue to strive for unity both at the Community and National levels. He along with Lawrence Farley insisted on the need for a weekly paper to get our message across. ‘Vision and Voices’ resulted with weekly inputs from Jimmy and others.

When others dithered in joining with the PNC/R Rainbow Coalition, he was very vocal in the need to put Guyana first.

Resulting in the birth of PNCR One Guyana. We did not always share the same political and philosophical space but he never retreat-

It cannot be any ordinary diplomat that would have been president of the UN Security Council in 1975 and 1976, in addition to serving as foreign minister from 1978 -1990.

His high point of diplomacy should have been ascending to the Presidency of the General Assembly in 1992. Instead, his nomination was not supported by the then newly elected president of Guyana, Dr. Cheddi Jagan, who said that Jackson had been part of an ‘undemocratic government’. It was a bitter blow to one of the doyens and highly regarded of the UNbased corps of diplomatic repre-

ed from his stated positions once the facts were available to support his position. His eloquent expositions were always appreciated. With his passing I hope that his contributions and life will be recorded as among the salt of the earth and I hope that in due course, some memorial, formal or informal, will be established in his name. I extend my solidarity on his passing to his extant family and friends, in Guyana and the diaspora.

Regards Keith Scott Leader of NFA Party

sentatives; and did carry a clear hint of discrimination, since there was another diplomat who, during the Burnham government had been accredited to some key European capitals, had not been withdrawn.

But patriot and statesman that he is, Jackson answered the call of the very PPP/C government when the country was confronted by the Suriname – Guyana crises, when the Suriname navy chased the CGX vessels from the Corentyne waters. Not only had Jackson served as a member of the Guyana delegation in talks between the CARICOM member states,

but also served as advisor and consultant to successive PPP/C administrations, as he may still be with regards APNU+AFC coalition.

Such is the measure of the man, who was able to demonstrate to the vindictive PPP/C regime that duty and its call, had been above the narrow mindedness, parochial, pettiness, and spite that it had displayed against him, a proven patriot. We must all wish him well.

Regards Earl Hamilton

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday October 26, 2019

Diwali Scenes at State House

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, October 26, 2019

Cheese on bread! ― Barbados Food and Rum festival gets underway

Guyana’s very own songstress, Timeka Marshall taking a bite during the opening event at Oistin (Dwayne Carter photo)

From left: Chef, Craig Harding; Chief, Creig Greenidge and Chef, Tom Aikens showcasing their cooking talent during the first event of the Barbados Food and Rum Festival (Dwayne Carter photo)

Fire blazing! Local chefs getting right down to business on Thursday (Dwayne Carter photo)

By Navendra Seoraj in Barbados CHEESE on bread!

This time it wasn’t just a slang, it was used in its literal sense because the home of the Flying Fish, Barbados, is celebrating its tenth, annual Food and Rum Festival and all the “foodies” are coming out.

If persons are looking for a blast of flavours that will tantilise their taste buds or a glass of some of the finest rum that will give them the right feeling, then the Barbados Food and Rum Festival is the place to be. The festival started on October 24 and will end on October 27.

A drive or walk through some of the parishes in Barbados, during the festival, would leave your mouth watering because of the smell of food at every restaurant, mini food shop or even a house.

This year, the locals intend on spicing things up a bit because it is the tenth consecutive year that the

Fresh from the factory! Persons enjoying Barbados’ finest, Mountgay rum

festival is being held. And there was definitely spice when the festival kicked off with the first event at Pat’s Place, Oistin Bay Garden, on Thursday evening.

Foreigners and locals could not hide their satisfaction after tasting and indulging in some of the best local cuisine such as flying fish, tuna, mahi-mahi, macaroni pie and breadfruit or after taking a sip of Barbados’ best and finest rum, Mountgay rum or drinking a cold banks beer.

The Guyana Chronicle spoke with some of the foreigners, who said, they were impressed by the ex-

plosion of flavours in every bite that they took.

“From the time you enter Pat’s Place you could see the fire blazing from the grill but the first thing that hits you even before you step out of your vehicle, is the aroma from various dishes that are being prepared on spot,” said one of the tourists.

To enhance the atmosphere and add to the aroma were international chefs, Craig Harding from Canada and Tom Aikens from the United Kingdom (UK).

The international experts joined the local cooking star, Craig Greenidge, on

stage to prepare a fantastic dish for the large audience of visitors and locals.

An average passerby would believe it was a soca concert, but it was just good food and good background music.

The energetic and creative vibe is similar at almost every other food outlet, bar or even the ordinary rum shop; there is always something there to lure passersby in.

Some of the visitors said they travel to the island every year just for the festival because it is not just nutritionally enriching, it showcases the culture and

creativity of the Barbadian (Bajan) people.

The jolly and welcoming nature of the Bajan people is passed on in their delicious and sumptuous food, which dances with flavour like it’s moving to the sweet beat of a calypso song.

If the food doesn’t dance in your mouth, then you are sure to “buss” a few moves when you take a sip of the world’s oldest rum and Barbados’ most treasured possession, the Mountgay rum, which has been around since 1703.

Barbados boasts that Mountgay rum is aged to perfection and is arguably one of the best rums around.

Although the country is big on rum, if you are not a fan of it, you could grab a banks beer, a deputy beer or any other lager that is available. For those who do not consume alcohol, there are always freshly made juices, ranging from mauby to orange, pineapple and much more.

Organisers of the festival, the Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. (BTMI) promised that there will be no short supply of any

local item.

The BTMI said since the advent of the festival, there has been growth in the “foodie culture” in Barbados and the festival is fitting to display the local talent. Barbados has been called the culinary capital of the Caribbean.

And the country is using the opportunity to prove that it is indeed the culinary capital, through the festival. Among some of the exciting events remaining in the list of activities are the Food Truck Mash-up on Saturday and the Epicure, a night of elegance, on Sunday.

The BTMI said the festival has given birth to a series of events, or better yet – culinary and beverage experiences – designed to tantalise the taste buds while offering a variety of other colourful and flavourful experiences to stimulate the other senses as well.

The tourism agency encouraged persons to experience a sophisticated, high-quality and upscale celebration of gastronomic art, featuring acclaimed international & local chefs, wine experts and mixologists.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, October 26, 2019

Dr Henry attends World Green Economy Summit 2019 EDUCATION Minister, Dr. Nicolette Henry has returned from Dubai, United Arab Emirates where she attended and was a speaker at the World Green Economy Summit 2019 and the Global Ministerial Conference on Green Economy.

The summit, held under the theme ‘Innovative Technologies for a Sustainable Economy’ brought together many prominent speakers from across the globe, in addition to dignitaries and representatives from government organisations, academics, experts and the media.

The 6th World Green

Green Economy Organization through the series of regional high-level events aimed at mainstreaming the green economy notion in policies and practice.

Minister Henry’s intervention focused on human resource at the National-Level, Capacity Development and Green Skills for Green Action and Sustainable Development.

At the summit’s conclusion, Minister Henry was among a list of three ministers who were duly awarded for their contribution to the 2019 World Green Economy Summit.

Education Minister, Dr. Nicolette Henry eceiving her award (DPI photo)

demanding ethically sourced and environmentally friendly goods. As governments enforce energy and resource efficiency policies, sustainable business practices will have a competitive advantage in the years to come, and with most consumers willing to pay more for sustainable products as several surveys have shown, a green economy is the only viable way forward.

The continued debate around the green economy is crucial to determining what kind of actions governments, businesses, and communities should take to achieve the SDGs by 2030. WGES

2019.

WGES is organised by the Dubai Electricity & Water Authority and World Green Economy Organisation and is held under the patronage of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President Prime Minister of UAE and The Ruler of Dubai, in cooperation with Dubai Supreme Council of Energy and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

The Summit also highlighted the importance of

The participants in the World Green Economy Summit 2019 and the Global Ministerial Conference on Green Economy (DPI photo)

Economy Summit, (WGES), was held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai.

Minister Henry was one of a group of five (5) High-Level panellists, representing each region where she epitomised Latin America and the Caribbean.

Each panellist spoke on the regional trends and demands from the countries and regions in advancing the green economy. In this context, they addressed how they can build on the global outreach of the World

According to the Emirate News Agency, Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority, DEWA, and Chairman of WGES honoured Fatma Zouhra Zerouati, Minister of Environment and Renewable Energy, Algeria; Dr. Nicolette Odella Henry, Minister of Education, Guyana; Jonathan Young, Chairperson, Economic Development, Science and Innovation Committee, Parliament, New Zealand and Karol Galek, Chair of Commission on Technological Development and Innovation National Council, Slovak

Republic. Moreover, WGEO Executive Training Certificates were also distributed.

The World Green Economy Summit (WGES) is one of the largest and most anticipated forums on the green economy, bringing together thousands of decision-makers from the public and private sectors from around the world.

Held in Dubai, the annual event serves as a strategic meeting point to establish dialogue, activate partnerships and exchange experiences.

Now in its sixth year, WGES invited policymakers, government officials, international business leaders

and world-renowned experts to discuss strategies that can advance sustainability and promote green investments.

More than 9,500 companies have joined UN Global Compact, the world’s largest corporate sustainability initiative, voluntarily pledging to adopt sustainable and socially responsible policies and to report on their implementation. This is up from 8,000 companies in 2018.

As the figures show, sustainability is garnering more attention than at any point in history. With the decline of natural resources and the rise in social responsibility, consumers are increasingly

used the forum to drive such dialogue amongst industry stakeholders, encouraged international partnerships and showcased innovative solutions that could be applied across different markets.

Led by a diverse lineup of high-profile speakers, WGES 2019 explored three key themes: Towards Sustainable Development, International Cooperation Towards a Green Economy System and Adoption of Green Innovative Solutions.

The sixth edition took place at the Dubai International Convention & Exhibition Centre on October 20-21st,

international cooperation in addressing global challenges and promoting sustainable development worldwide. The establishment of the Regional Cooperation Centre, RCC, for Middle East and North Africa, as well as hosting of Regional Ministerial Conferences

by World Green Economy Organisation, WGEO, on Green Economy to enhance cooperation between the countries of the world is a testament of global efforts to march towards a sustainable future. (DPI)

Rice farmer admits to killing teen THE decomposed body of 14-year-old Christopher Basdeo, who was reported missing days ago, was found in a shallow grave Friday at a property at Lust-En-Rust, West Bank Demerara. A rice farmer has since confessed to killing him.

The 42-year-old rice farmer of La Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerara carried the police to the location Friday and identified the spot where he

buried the body in a 7X2 grave site covered with sand.

Divisional Commander, Senior Superintendent, Linden Lord, explained that the suspect told police that he and the teenager were drinking Banko wine on October 17 at La Parfaite Harmonie when they had an argument over money.

The argument led to a fight and the suspect said he lashed Basdeo to the head with a piece of wood and left him bleeding

on the ground and went home.

The commander further revealed that the suspect told the police that he returned to the location later in the night and buried Basdeo’s body in the sand.

Police found what appeared to be a fractured skull on the body. The body was later positively identified by the teen’s father.

The teenager, who also resided at La Parfaite Harmonie,

Dead: Christopher Basdeo

was reported missing by his family over week ago.

The grieving mother, Deb-

bie Basdeo, is calling on the Guyana Police Force to investigate her son’s death thoroughly and place the guilty person behind bars.

Last month, a 14-year-old girl, also of La Parfaite Harmonie, had disappeared after she was last seen by her mother in the vicinity of the Vreed-enHoop Junction.

According to the woman, the teen had just left school, and as such, she journeyed to

the Vreed-en-Hoop Junction to pick her up. The woman relayed that the missing teen called her on her cellphone and told her that she was going to cross the road at the junction to purchase something to drink.

After parking, the woman exited her vehicle and walked back to the spot where she last saw her daughter but to her dismay, the young woman had disappeared.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday October 26, 2019

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IICA’s observes 44th Anniversary in Guyana -Commended for local support in Agri sector

also celebrating 77 years in existence. He pointed out that IICA has made significant advances in the way the agriculture sector works in Guyana and that it is committed to continue facilitating those lending a hand to ensure the sector’s continued growth and development.

“Our new medium term plan 2018-2022, will be focusing on bio economy and production development, territorial development and family farming and we’re IICA’s Representation of Urban Agriculture highlighting ‘Urban Farming’ this year”.

Garnett explained that IICA will be assisting farmers in the implementation of proper farming practices, “In collaboration with the New Guyana Marketing Cooperation, we will be focusing on crop production exercise, because unforMinister of Agriculture, Noel Holder and IICA represen- tunately many tative to Guyana, Wilmot Garnett, in the ceremonial of our farmers do cake cutting to celebrate the 44th year of the IICA being not do simple book keeping, so we will operational in Guyana. be working with a number of our “OUR government’s vision In Addition, he applauded the for agriculture is a holistic IICA collaboration with Na- partners, as well as the Guyana approach to reduce unem- tional Agricultural Research School of Agriculture (GSA), ployment, poverty alleviation, and promote economic development. We are indeed fortunate to have international and regional agricultural institutions such as IICA, that work closely with the Ministry of Agriculture in fulfilling the agriculture sector’s mandate,” Minister of Agriculture, Noel Holder said.

Minister Hold- Representatives from the Women’s Agro-Processors er was speaking at Development Network showcasing some of their the Celebration of products at the 44th anniversary celebration of the IICA. the Inter- American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture’s and Extension Institute (NA- and the New Guyana Market(IICA) 44th year of operation REI), to provide technical sup- ing Corporation to ensure that in Guyana on Thursday, at its port to monitoring and evalua- we can assist these farmers in Guyana office on Brickdam, tion. Commending IICA on its the proper farming practices, Georgetown. He highlighted development and investment what that entails and how it that the Organization has been towards Agro Processing in would benefit them,” Garnett a significant player in restruc- the sector, while explaining said.

He further related that turing and shaping the way that this not only helps the the sector operates within the persons in the sector in job IICA will continue its work in country. creation for themselves, but the areas of international trade He further said that the that they could in turn create and regional integration; climate change natural resources Ministry of Agriculture an- jobs for other persons. ticipates the continued assisIICA’s representative to management of production tance of the IICA for devel- Guyana, Wilmot Garnett, re- risk; agricultural health and oping policies and regulatory lated that in addition to cel- safety and food quality; gender frameworks as well as for ebrating its 44th anniversary and youth and innovation and establishing and implementing since being operational in technology.

IICAs also held its aceffective systems in the sector. Guyana, the organization is

countability seminar on Thursday, the seminar coincides with the ministry’s monthlong celebration of agriculture advancement in Guyana.

At Thursday’s event, local producers, farming

bodies and the New Guyana Marketing Corporation (GMC) had the opportunity to exhibit their products to visiting dignitaries and special guests which included school children from various

schools in the city.

Agriculture Month is being held under the theme “Sustainable Agriculture for ensuring Food Security and a Green Economy.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, October 26, 2019

Enmore North enjoys better roads, electricity, water pressure - after decades of neglect

THE residents of Enmore North, on the East Coast of Demerara, are enjoying better roads, electricity supply and improved water pressure after making representation at a recent ministerial outreach in the community.

A resident of the community for close to 40 years, Deleriage Jacobs said, “Today, I am happy about the state of the road, because I could tell you, one night I

was returning from church in a taxi and the car went into a hole and I get a jerk and I felt it in my abdomen,” Jacobs explained that the main road which received a major facelift was filled with large potholes but today [residents] enjoy a smoother ride.

The development follows a recent ministerial outreach in the community hosted by Minister of Communities, Hon. Ronald Bulkan and Minister within the Ministry

of Public Infrastructure, Hon. Jaipaul Sharma.

“I raised the concerns of the many residents here in Enmore North and sought the minister’s intervention to have our roads rehabilitated because, for decades, nothing was done on this main road.

So, that Ministerial outreach was fruitful and we are now comfortable walking on a smooth surface,” explained Marcia Gordon, one of the leaders of the community.

Satisfied residents

As for Rene Gordon, he no longer has to worry about his appliances being damaged due to fluctuation in the power supply following upgrades to the community’s electricity system. “Since I have lived here for 38 years, the electricity was very low, 195 from 220 what it’s supposed to be. I had a lot of electrical appliances that were damaged. Since the electricity was upgraded to

The rehabilitated road

220, it does not fluctuate, and I am very happy about that.”

Claude Smith is also living more comfortably as he now receives potable water when he turns on the tap in his home. This is unprecedented for Smith and others who grew up in the community.

Smith explained that the increased water pressure by the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) “is helping

us with our daily activities.

Sometimes persons had to go from yard to yard, to fetch water. Now they are receiving water, making it easier to wash wares and clothes because they are getting more pressure in the pipes.”

Enmore North is one of the scores of communities that have benefitted from development upgrades after the various ministerial outreaches. (DPI)

Several homeless after Essequibo fire A HOUSE at Spring Garden/Good Hope, Region Two went up in flames on Friday evening, after the occupants left for West Coast Demerara, to attend the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha motorcade, at the Ocean View Mandir.

Residents who gathered at the scene told Guyana Chronicle that the family, on Friday, boarded a ferry to join the floats at Parika. On seeing the fire, they quickly alerted the Anna Regina Fire Station as they try to put out the blaze.

"Everything went up in flames; it looking like something was left on," a resident

The house on fire at Spring Garden

said as firefighters battled the blaze.

Silochanie Singh, who is the owner of the house, said residents informed

her about the fire and she was heading home from the motorcade. She lived in the house with her three children.

Teen drowns at Puruni

A 17-year-old boy drowned on Friday while swimming in a pool at Puruni, in the Cuyuni/ Mazaruni.

Dead is Keion Paul called ‘Boyce.’

Reports are that around

16:00 hours, on Friday, the teen and two other persons went to swim at the old mining pit, and, while there, the lad went under the water. According to reports, the teen’s friends could not reach him in time. A

search party was immediately launched for his body.

The teen lived with his parents on their mining operation in the area.

Investigations into the incident are on-going.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, October 26, 2019

Guyana Power and Light’s 20th Anniversary ON Friday, the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) held its 20th Anniversary celebrations. As part of the anniversary, the GPL donated approximately one million dollars to the different charities and developmental organizations in areas of health, education and sports around Guyana.

Public Relations Officer of GPL, Shevion Sears, said that GPL continues to explore the opportunities to make meaningful contributions to society, and such commitment was registered, approximately ten years ago, to provide yearly financial support to the Guyana Cancer Institute, in observance of Cancer awareness month.

Founder of the Step-byStep Foundation which runs the sole Autism School in Guyana, Suraiya Ismail, stated that, the non-profit foundation needs financial help to support the day-to-day

operation of the School.

She added that the timeliness of the donation will assist in recruiting teachers as the school requires additional teachers to cater to the learning needs of the students.

Representative form the Silver Shark Aquatic Swim Club stated that, the donation will go towards sporting activities for the club and expressed thanks to GPL for the contribution.

Berbice Chamber of Commerce representative said “donations are always needed to progress its mandate to the business community”.

In observance of GPL’s 19th Anniversary last year, the company furnished the Girl’s Dormitory at the Ptolemy Reid Rehabilitation Centre.

The Lethem Town Week Organising Committee is also a beneficiary of GPL’s benevolence.

Gov’t officials destroy expired goods in Region Two THE Government Analyst- Food and Drugs Department, in collaboration with the Public Health Department and the Anna Regina Town Council in Region Two, on Thursday, seized a quantity of expired goods from several retail outlets.

During the exercise, thousands of dollars in goods, including baby foods, were seized from supermarkets, shops, stalls and wholesalers within the township.

Some of the expired items seized were on sale while the labels for others were tampered with.

The confiscated items included juices, milk, mixed vegetables, peanut butter, jello, tomato paste, corn beef and biscuits. Consumers are asked to check their labels when purchasing items at the supermarkets. Expired items pose serious health risks to users. The team will continue the campaign throughout the month at various locations.

SEBI students touted to be practical leaders by GTT CEO

GTT, CEO Justin Nedd interacts with SEBI Students at the University of Guyana

Government officials disposing the expired items

Items that were seized on Thursday

CHIEF Executive Officer at GTT, Justin Nedd, encouraged students of the School of Entrepreneurship and Business Innovation (SEBI) to exercise practical leadership styles as they prepare for the world of business.

He was, at the time, giving a guest lecture to close to 90 second-year Business Communication students at the University of Guyana, Turkeyen Campus, the company said in a release.

Lecturer of the Business Communication class, Professor Leyland Lucas, explained that the guest lecture was necessary to give the students a realistic perspective of leadership styles, which form part of the students’ course outline.

Nedd surrounded his presentation on the operating landscape of Latin America and the Caribbean perspective, while highlighting challenges many regions face in the business world.

“Leadership is more than what is in front of you; it is the entire horizon,” Nedd said.

He encouraged the students to not only study context within Guyana, but to measure and compare with other countries in Latin America and the Caribbean.

“While leadership has become technologically oriented and can support leadership styles, it should not be the substitute for leadership in the workplace. However, the information can be used to make a difference,” Nedd said.

The GTT CEO further encouraged the business communication students to focus on becoming problem solving leaders. “It is great to achieve a 4.0 GPA but if you cannot solve a problem using the knowledge from the theory you would have learnt, it will not make a difference.”

The session was informative and interactive with the majority of students in attendance seeking clarification and adding comments of their own on what was discussed.

After the presentation, the students were treated with GTT Pinktober t-shirts and encouraged to attend the walk/run on Saturday 26th October, 2019. The GTT Pinktober team will be on campus conducting sales and free SIM upgrades to GTT’s 4G LTE network for the remainder of the week.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, October 26, 2019

Mahaicony farmers join efforts to strengthen sea defence –– along the Dantzig to Fairfield foreshore

Several Mahaicony farmers have joined the efforts to strengthen the sea defences along the Dantzig to Fairfield foreshore.

The Ministry of Public Infrastructure initiated emergency works following a breach of the sea defence during the last spring tide.

One of these farmers, Neil Machado, lives along the access road that leads to the Dantzig foreshore. He owns 22.5 acres of rice lands and recently lost 13 acres to the spring tides that ended on October 2. Reflecting on last high tides, Machado said, “it is very devastating what happened, but I like progress that has been happening.”

“I was fortunate also, in that Kevin Samad [Chief River and Sea Defence Officer within the Public Infrastructure Ministry Infrastructure] also employed

me. They used my tractor to pump water from this canal into the Bellamy,” the farmer told the Department of Public Information (DPI).

The canal that Machado referenced runs directly adjacent to the access road right up to the Bellamy canal. A coffer has since been built at the intersection where Bellamy meets the access road canal to prevent water from reaching into residential areas. As the Bellamy Canal is being drained, the farmer has joined efforts to pump water off the land. Machado stated that he has partnered with the Mahaica/Mahaicony/Abary - Agricultural Development Authority (MMA/ADA) to have the water pumped from the Bellamy Canal, that runs parallel to the foreshore where emergency works are taking place, into the adjacent Atlantic Ocean. Com-

On-going sea defence work

menting on the rapid pace of the emergency works, Neil noted, “a lot of people, they are very confident […] you can see that everybody’s spirits are lifted.”

Meanwhile, 78-year-old

Sasenarine Mahadeo, who owns nearly 70acres of rice land, says he has been involved in rice cultivation since the tender age of 9 years. Because of his reduced mobility that accompanies

his age, he has employed workers to assist with the rice lands. The farmer said many of his neighbours’ rice lands, inclusive of his, have been impoldered to reduce flooding in the residential areas.

As such, Sasenarine said he is not worried about the upcoming spring tides but that he will do the necessary preparations that are required.

The forecasted spring tides will last until Wednesday, October 30. Government has contracted BK International, and A&S General Contractors Incorporated to implement emergency works along the Mahaicony foreshore that will continue during and after the spring tides. Advisories from the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Ministry of Public Health, the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) and other ministries as well as agencies were sent out to alert citizens of the necessary precautions to be taken along the coastal belt in Regions 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6. (DPI)

Gov’t to resolve challenges facing Ithaca farmers

VALERIE Adams-Yearwood, Minister within the Ministry of Agriculture with responsibility for Rural Affairs, during the week, assured residents of the small farming community of Ithaca in Region Five (Mahaica/Berbice) that all the concerns that they have about their Rural Agricultural Infrastructure Development (RAID) Project will be quickly resolved.

The assurance was given during a meet the community meeting held by the minister on Monday last. The main issues raised were the need for timely access to the machinery assigned to the Ithaca RAID project so as to expedite cleaning of pasture lands, replenishing of vegetation in the pasture, planting of grass there and cleaning of canals and outfall drains, and rehabilitation of dams that had become impassable due to the rains.

Members of the society said that as they understood it, three machines were acquired for the co-op but these were being taken away intermittently by the National Drainage and Irrigation

Minister within the Ministry of Agriculture, Valerie Yearwood (centre) flanked by Ms. Delma Nedd, Permanent Secretary Ministry of Agriculture; Mr. George Jervis, head of the ASDU, and Secretary of the Society, Pierre Williams (far right) during the meeting

Farmers of Ithaca paying keen attention to the positions being taken at the meeting

Members of the co-op take to their feet in favour of "keeping the co-op intact" and not offering individual leases to any member

Authority (NDIA) and the co-op was not benefitting from their use. The minister assured that she will meet with the Agricultural Support Development Unit of (ASDU) of the Ministry of Agriculture which is overseeing the project and officials of the Ithaca Co-op society within the next 10 days to resolve the issues.

Meanwhile, during the meeting residents rebuffed claims that their members were willing to apply for individual leases on the co-op land. “We remain firm in our desire to remain members of the co-operative. We will not allow anyone to lure us into an eventual disintegration of the co-operative,” Secretary Pierre Williams said.

During the meeting, Head of the ASDU, Mr. George Jervis, admitted that members of the ASDU had been encouraging some members of the co-operative society to apply for individual leases. He however denied that this was intended to break up the co-operative.

He said that in his view, a TURN TO PAGE

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, October 26, 2019

Royston King to launch 'Re-imaging Georgetown' FORMER Town Clerk at the Mayor and City Council (M&CC), Royston King, will launch his book titled, “Re-imaging Georgetown” in January 2020.

Having worked for more than 30 years at council at various levels across different departments, King had the opportunity to interact with several mayors and other government and corporate officials.

The thoughts and ideas he garnered from citizens on how to improve the conditions in the city are included in the book which he described as both an intellectual and practical narrative that transcends politics to focus on the dynamics of the socio, cultural, environmental and economic aspects of Georgetown.

“The contents of the book were forged out of a clear and profound understanding and an acute awareness of the urgent need not only to modernise the city but to lift it to a plateau of environmental integrity and good economic fortunes,” King told reporters recently.

He added: “My experience at council has defined everything that has happened since and has shaped my attitude and forced my view of the city into the crucible of a modern national capital.”

The book considers the “sorry” fact that after 176 years, Georgetown continues to face challenges with basic issues such as sanitation, solid waste management, water, drainage and irrigation, roads, energy, appropriate information technologies,

traffic management and architectural integrity, and further discusses the financial woes of the city.

King said the book is set to ignite a national conversation by all stakeholders on practical solutions to address negative entrenched attitudes by some citizens that continue to hurt the environment. Also, it calls attention to appropriate and necessary actions that can put Georgetown on a trajectory of aggressive growth

The cover of King’s new book titled ‘Re-imaging Georgetown’

Gov’t to resolve challenges ...

FROM PAGE

pplication for individual leases would not necessarily lead to disintegration of the co-op, but would merely expedite the clarification of land ownership required by the CARICOM Development Fund which is funding the

RAID project at Ithaca.

Chairman of the Society, Mr. Desmond Weekes, however, assured the minister that the required surveys for the ownership had been completed and a plan was being prepared for

14

urgent submission to the Mahaica Mahaicony Abary Agricultural Development Authority (MMA/ADA) for approval and validation of their ownership of the land.

Former Town Clerk, Royston King

and development, including redesigning space and utilising technologies to make Georgetown smart, particularly in the areas of energy, engineering, transportation and information.

With Guyana’s oil and gas boom, the book looks at the role of the city to enforce compliance to certain bylaws and regulations to protect its natural environment.

“Considering the city as the commercial hub of the nation, the book examines

approaches that can be used by city authorities to boost investors’ confidence and encourage and facilitate new, green innovations, initiatives and investments that can benefit residents of local communities and the city as a whole,” King informed, adding, “‘Re-imaging Georgetown’ discusses the opportunities for direct foreign investment, through linkages with other cities in this global village.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, October 26, 2019

Teens accused of robbery remanded

THREE unemployed teens were, on Friday October 25, 2019, remanded to prison by Senior Magistrate Leron Daly for robbery with violence.

Shawn Inniss, Harrcarlaus Harris and Daniel McArthur, all 18 years old, appeared at the Georgetown

Magistrates' Court and pleaded not guilty to the robbery charge.

Particulars of the charge stated that, on October 17, 2019, at Camp Street, Georgetown, they robbed Elton Mookho of two cellphones valued at $298,000, and before or immediately

after, they used personal violence towards the victim. Police Prosecutor Sanj Singh objected to bail being granted to the trio and told the court that they were positively identified by Mookho.

The trio also stabbed Mookho in the back.

Magistrate Daly, after

Daniel MacArthur (left), Shawn Innis, Harrcarlaus Harris (right)

listening to Singh, remanded the teens to prison and adjourned the matter until November 29, 2019.

On Friday, McArthur was slapped with a separate charge which stated that, on October 11, 2019, at North Road, he robbed Juliet

Wills of a handbag valued at $5,000, $2,000 cash and a mobile phone valued at $65,000.

McArthur pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Magistrate Daly remanded McArthur to prison on that charge and adjourned

the matter until November 29, 2019.

The teens sparked outrage on social media after surveillance footage caught one of the members of the gang casually snatching a man's phone at the Stabroek Market.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, October 26, 2019

GPF focuses on crime prevention

RANKS from the Guyana Police Force (GPF), over the last few weeks, arrested over 100 persons for various crimes, as the force seeks to “stamp out” criminal activities in and around the Stabroek Market Area.

Ranks within Region 4(A) -Agricola/Cummings Lodge under the command of a Senior Superintendent have been maintaining a ‘sustained’ presence in and around the Stabroek Market Area.

So far, more than 100 persons were arrested and questioned in connection with several crimes; a number of them were also charged with several offences.

Two unlicensed firearms, ammunition and narcotics were found during the ongoing police operations which involve more than sixty ranks.

In the aftermath of a recent viral video on social media that depicted a youngster snatching a cell phone from someone in the vicinity of Stabroek Market, Georgetown, the 18-year-old suspect was arrested and charged with larceny from the person and also jointly charged with two others for robbery with violence. The teens were, on Friday, October 25, 2019, remanded to prison.

Additionally, the teens are also wanted for questioning in relation to several robberies committed recently outside of the Providence Stadium during the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) matches.

In a statement from the police headquarters, the Force said that all information and intelligence that can assist with successful operations will be welcome, as the Force values the public trust greatly.

“In the best interest of society the GPF aims to stop problems before they occur by reducing the opportunities for crime and by deterring people away from becoming involved in anti-social and criminal behaviour, and welcomes all digital content in assisting with prosecution and prevention” the Force said.

However, the police headquarters explained that many youths often do not realise how much of a negative impact a criminal record can have, as it can close down opportunities and push them towards a life in which criminality ends up being the only option.

The GPF’s approach is to get into the communities early, work with young people and guide them in another direction as can be seen in the Force’s social crime prevention programs and, as such, public support is needed to receive the information required for preventing and solving issues surrounding crime.

On the other hand, through social control, the public has the opportunity to contribute directly to improving the social environment while the GPF serves as a catalyst.

Guyanese busted with cocaine at JFK A GUYANESE man was busted with 2.27 kilogrammes of cocaine at the John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York last Saturday.

According to reports, Deskean Garin Reid, 37, travelled to Trinidad from Guyana on October 13, two days after he was issued with a new passport by immigration authorities here.

The man allegedly picked-up the narcotics in the twin-island republic and travelled onward to New York where he was busted.

Reports are that Reid was under the radar of local authorities, and as such, the Trinidadian authorities were alerted about his movements.

The plan was to have him arrested in the US.

Arrested: Deskean Garin Reid

The numerous successful operations, seizures and arrests with convictions during the this year are testimonies to the fact that public trust in law enforcement agencies is being repaired and rebuilt, according to Public Security Minister, Khemraj Ramjattan.

Stabroek Market Area

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, October 26, 2019

Amcham, GTA sign pact to advance tourism, business development

THE American Chamber of Commerce of Guyana (AmCham Guyana) and the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA), on Friday, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for collaboration in the area of the advancement of tourism business development.

At the signing ceremony, President of Amcham Guyana, Zulfikar Ally, noted that the purpose of the MOU is to help AmCham Guyana and GTA to improve the enabling environment for tourism enterprise development.

A release from the Chambers added that the joint efforts would work to

MoU Signing between AmCham Guyana Inc. and Guyana Tourism Authority for supporting Commerce and Sustainable Tourism Development.

“increase the preservation, protection and promotion of sustainable tourism in order to maximize socio-economic and conservation benefits for all Guyanese, while at the same time fostering investment opportunities for American businesses and collaboration with Guyanese owned and operated tourism businesses.”

To ensure this becomes a reality, AmCham Guyana will promote tourism opportunities to its audience, through the use of marketing collateral and messaging provided by the GTA. Meanwhile, both parties will seek to identify opportunities for the GTA to secure support for sustainable development projects that are aligned through its members corporate social responsibility initiatives. “AmCham welcomes this partnership.

Not only are we welcoming the Guyana Tourism Authority, but also the potential to work with the entire tourism industry and its supporting

sectors,” Zulfikar said at the signing.

“This MOU is just the first step in helping to expand our network to maximize our positive impact as a community to our members and Guyana as a whole.”

Meanwhile, GTA Director, Brian Mullis indicated: “We are extremely excited to be signing the MOU with AmCham Guyana. At the GTA we know that multi-stakeholder partnerships play a key role in continuing to develop sustainable tourism in Guyana.” He assured that AmCham Guyana and GTA will work together to identify and prioritize policy recommendations and secure input and support from key stakeholders.

“The CSR commitments made by these companies, collectively have the potential to generate a substantive and positive impact on Guyana, and also align with our goals for tourism in the country,” he said.

Man sentenced for assaulting and threatening witness

Man guilty of ‘break and enter and larceny’ fined

ON Friday October 25, 2019, Senior Magistrate Leron Daly, sentenced a man to six weeks’ imprisonment for assaulting and threatening a woman.

Carlton Bourne appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates' Court and pleaded guilty to the two charges when they were read to him.

Particulars of the first charge stated that, on October 15, 2019, at the Georgetown Magistrates' Court, Bourne unlawfully assaulted Sherryann Persaud.

The second charge stated that, on the same day and at the same place, Bourne used threatening language toward the said Sherryann Persaud.

Christopher Morris told the court that Bourne who is a prisoner was in court six before Magistrate Bess awaiting trial. Persaud was standing next to Bourne, and, as the orderly ‘raised’ the court, Bourne spat on Persaud and threatened to kill her.

The court also heard that Persaud was a victim in one of the robbery charges against Bourne.

Magistrate Daly, after listening to the information provided, sentenced Bourne to serve six weeks in prison.

SENIOR Magistrate Leron Daly, on Friday October 25, 2019, ordered a 32-year-old man to pay $60,000 fine or serve six months’ imprisonment on break and enter and larceny charge.

Gregory Ellis appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court and pleaded guilty to the charge when it was read to him.

Particular of the charge stated that, between October 19, 2019 and October 20, 2019, he broke and entered the business place of Gregory Camacho and stole seven cases of fruit juice valued at $25,000.

Police prosecutor Christopher Morris told the court that, on October 20, 2019, around 00:11 hours Camacho secured his business place and left. Hours after, Camacho received a call which caused him to return to his business premises When he arrived he saw his business place was broken. A search was conducted and Ellis was found coming out of a trench with the juice.

The matter was reported and Ellis was arrested and charged.

Magistrate Daly ordered Ellis to pay $60,000 fine or serve six months in prison.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, October 26, 2019

EITI to target politicians in Beneficial Ownership awareness THE Guyana Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (GYEITI) has adjusted its timeline to cater for the sensitisation of parliamentarians and heads of government organisations on Beneficial Ownership (BO), to within 60 days after the scheduled March 2, 2020 elections.

According to the BO Roadmap of GYEITI, approved by the Multi Stakeholder Group (MSG), one of its planned events is organised round table meetings for Parliamentarians as part of the Natural Resources Sub-Committee and heads of government organisations, to have open discussion on BO and its importance to the extractive sector.

BO, within the goal of the EITI Standard 2016, discloses and makes transparent who controls and receives the proceeds from licences to extract a country’s natural resources.

The roadmap has highlighted that the strengthening of the legal framework in key areas which ensure that information on beneficial owners are publicly accessible in registries, is critical to the success of Guyana’s extractive industries. The oil and gas sector in Guyana is most recent to come alongside the country’s long-established extraction of non-renewables such as gold, bauxite and other precious minerals.

The EITI has stated that companies which have obtained rights to these resources are often unknown having

been hidden by a “chain of unaccountable corporate entities”.

“This problem also affects other sectors and often helps to feed corruption and tax evasion. People who live in resource-rich countries are at particular risk of losing out as extractive assets are too often misallocated for corrupt reasons… by 2020, all EITI countries have to ensure that companies that apply for or hold a participating interest in an oil, gas or mining licence or contract in their country, disclose their beneficial owners,” the EITI has cautioned.

This information will enable law enforcement, civil society and others to hold accountable anyone guilty of the misuse of anonymous companies. Added to this, Politically Exposed Persons (PEPs) or public officials also have the responsibility of being transparent about their ownership in these companies.

According to the EITI Standard, January 1, 2020 had been named as the date for all EITI implementing countries to disclose their ultimate beneficial ownership for inclusion in the EITI report but the EITI Board has allowed for flexibility to 2021. The 2019 Standard now requires disclosure of contracts signed after January 1, 2021. National GYEITI Coordinator, Dr. Rudy Jadoopat, reminded the newspaper the EITI Multi Stakeholder Group (MSG) will have to take into consid-

Man sentenced for inflicting bodily harm SENIOR Magistrate Leron Daly on Friday October 25, 2019, sentenced a man to three years’ imprisonment for inflicting bodily harm.

Paul Johnson appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court and pleaded guilty to the charge when it was read to him.

Particulars of the charge stated that, on September 20, 2019, at Durban Backlands, he inflicted grievous bodily harm on Chandraka Thakaran.

Police Prosecutor Sanj Singh told the court that Johnson and Thakaran were known to each since they both worked at the same construction site.

He added that, on the day in question, around 14:30 hours, at the construction site, they had a misunderstanding and Johnson went

Paul Johnson

away. He later returned, armed with a cutlass, and dealt Thakaran several chops about his body and made good his escape.

The matter was reported and Johnson was arrested and later charged.

Magistrate Daly, after listening to the prosecutor, sentenced Johnson to three years’ imprisonment.

National GYEITI Coordinator, Dr. Rudy Jadoopat

eration all the peculiarities with regards to the timeline adjustment.

The MSG Board is comprised of 12 members and 12 alternates representing government, civil society and companies, which operate in the extractive industry. Dr. Jadoopat noted that the flexibility of the timeframe will allow for countries like Guyana to make an extra effort

to place themselves in order.

He also expressed confidence that Guyana will be able to meet the requirements of the EITI. “We have to start showing that we’re making efforts to establish that Beneficial Ownership Register – all the names of all the entities operating in the extractive sector, detail as to who owns the compa-

nies, who are the beneficial owners and the politically exposed persons,” he said, at the sidelines of an EITI Special Capacity Building Workshop at the Cara Lodge on Friday. “I am very optimistic as always and I think we can do it, there’s nothing that can prevent us from getting it done.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, October 26, 2019

Special schools receive timely donations locally. She is now six years old.

Mohamed said it is their intention to make this initiative an annual one.

Lavern Patterson, Special Needs Teacher at St. Barnabas Special School, told this publication that the donation shows her that there are people around who still care. When she started teaching in 1985, she did not yet know why she was

Headteacher at Ptolemy Reid, Anand Mangru

FIVE special needs schools benefitted from a donation on Friday, from the Precious Angels Foundation which was launched mainly to raise awareness about Rett Syndrome.

The foundation, led by Hadiyyah Mohamed, is just two months old and the donation is a spin-off from the very first activity that it had organised. Last October 13, a Rett Syndrome awareness walk and fun fest was hosted, and the funds that were raised were donated to the

Founder of Precious Angels Foundation, Hadiyyah Mohamed

various schools.

At a simple ceremony on Friday at Mohamed’s Enterprise on Lombard Street, Mohammed told the Guyana Chronicle that the foundation managed to raise about $2M and that it was divided among the five schools, namely, the Ptolemy Reid Rehabilitation Centre, M.E.T. Pride Academy, Diamond Special Needs School, Gifted Hands School, and St. Barnabas Special School.

in the profession. But when she started teaching at ‘St. Barnabas,’ she realised that she wanted to do something to help children with challenging circumstances.

“At our school it’s not physical challenges but it’s much more remedial – learning to read. It has made me grow, made me love children more; made me able to identify some disabilities and to work along with them,” she

expressed.

Anand Mangru, head teacher at ‘Ptolemy Reid’, said he felt very motivated and inspired by the donation he received for the school. “It shows people are looking on and seeing what we are doing and want to help us. Life becomes easier and our burdens get lighter when people help us. That keeps us going,” he said.

Special Needs Teacher at St. Barnabas Special School, Lavern Patterson

Mohamed said she and her family were inspired to raise awareness of the illness because her niece, Amani Mohamed, was diagnosed with it at just age two. “There are children in Guyana who has this disability but cannot be diagnosed and treated because of our lack of lab facilities, trained personnel, etc.” she offered.

While little Amani goes for her annual checkup in Trinidad, she would receive various forms of therapy

Some of the persons who attended the donation ceremony on Friday (Adrian Narine photo)

Regularisation on the horizon for Vigilance squatters’ settlement carried out, much developmental work could not have been done due to the community not being regularised. “We will have to look at all of these things and take into careful consideration what you have

said. There may be some short-term decisions which we can make, which will bring immediate relief, but ultimately, it is the long term we will have to look at, how best these communities can be regularised.”

Minister of Public Service, Hon. Tabitha Sarabo-Halley said much more has to be done to ensure that the resources provided for in the national benefit, reach the community. (DPI)

Vigilance residents at the meeting

THE government has committed to working with the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) of Region Four and the Buxton/Foulis Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) to ascertain how and when a squatting community in Vigilance on the East Coast of Demerara (ECD) could be regularised.

A community meeting

attended by Minister of Public Service, Hon. Tabitha Sarabo-Halley and Director-General of the Ministry of the Presidency, Joseph Harmon, heard the calls from the residents in the community. According to inhabitants, their living conditions have been far from manageable due to the community not being regularised.

Director-General Har-

mon noted that an analysis of the area was needed to have the area regularised. “We will definitely have to have a survey, it might have been done already, but I think the people who are here, the overseers, engineers, regional chairs are officials and will be able to shed some light but we have to regularise.”

He said while some amount of work has been

Minister of Public Service, Hon. Tabitha Sarabo-Halley and Director-General of the Ministry of the Presidency, Joseph Harmon, engage residents of the community on Thursday

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, October 26, 2019

CCJ dismisses application to quash manslaughter conviction of Guyanese

IN a judgment released on Friday, October 25, 2019, the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) dismissed the application for special leave in the Appellate Jurisdiction matter of Mark Fraser v The State [2019] CCJ 17 (AJ), having found no potentially serious miscarriage of justice to have occurred.

In a release, the CCJ ex-

plained that, on 14 November 2007, Mark Fraser was found guilty of gross negligence manslaughter and sentenced to four years’ imprisonment.

After filing an appeal against his conviction, and obtaining bail on December 17, 2007, Mr. Fraser never returned to prison. His appeal was then fixed for hearing almost 10 years later, but that hearing

was further delayed as the record of appeal was not made available to his attorneys until October 4, 2017.

While Mr. Fraser’s appeal against his conviction was dismissed by the Guyana Court of Appeal, the Court agreed that the delay in proceedings breached his Article 144(1) right to a fair hearing within reasonable time and stayed

any further imprisonment. Mr. Fraser then applied to the CCJ for special leave to appeal the decision of the Court of Appeal refusing to set aside his conviction.

In dismissing his application for special leave, the CCJ found the approach of the Court of Appeal, in hearing the constitutional delay challenge and the substantive

appeal together to be wise and prudent, as it allowed the Court of Appeal to properly consider what might be a just and effective remedy for the breach of Mr. Fraser’s Article 144(1) right. The Court indicated that it did not find any flaws in the Court of Appeal’s conclusion that the conviction was sound, and that there were no special or exceptional circumstances

established to justify cancelling the conviction. There was therefore no proper basis upon which to grant special leave to Fraser and his application was dismissed.

The Court was comprised of the Hon. Mr. Justice Saunders, President of the Court, and Hon. Messrs.

Justice Wit, Anderson, Barrow and Jamadar.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, October 26, 2019

Let the light prevail

--says prime minister at annual Diwali function at State House PRIME Minister Moses Nagamootoo on Friday evening called on all Guyanese to let the light of Diwali cast away negative attitudes like hatred, prejudices and ethnic preferences.

Mr. Nagamootoo, who is performing the duties of President, gave the charge at the annual Diwali Utsav at State House.

“We must do so reflecting on the significance of Diwali, which is the symbol

of prosperity, progress, the banishment of ignorance and evil, and the triumph of good. Diwali is something we must celebrate that we in Guyana can enjoy the freedom of a country,” he told the State House gathering, which included government ministers, Hindu leaders and students.

The cultural programme featured presentations from the Cummings Lodge Hare Krishna Temple; the In-

ternational Society for Krishna Consciousness; the St. Joseph High School Hindu Group; and Kenrick Cheeks and students of the Saraswati Vidya Niketan, among other contributors.

At the conclusion of the programme, a priest joined the prime minister in lighting the symbolic diya to usher in the holy festival.

Deepavali, or Diwali, is the biggest and the brightest of all Hin-

du festivals. It is the Festival of Lights: Deep means "light" and avali "a row" to become "a Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo row of lights." Diwa- addressing the Diwali function at li is marked by four State House on Friday evening days of celebration, (Photo by Carl Croker) which literally illuminates the country with its brilliance, and dazzles people with its joy.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, October 26, 2019

Guyanese to be charged Labourer kills sailor at Parika Ferry Stelling for drug trafficking A 23-year-old Guyanese is facing drug trafficking charges after excreting over 25 pellets of cocaine from his stomach.

The man was identified as Kester Anfrany Johnson.

Reports indicate that security officials at the John F Kennedy Airport, in New York, noticed that Johnson was acting nervously and suspiciously after arriving on a Caribbean Airlines flight out from Guyana.

He was pulled over, and, under questioning, provided airport officials with inconsistent travel plans.

His baggage was subjected to inspection and he became increasingly nervous,

Arrested: Kester Anfrany Johnson

causing officials to suspect something was amiss.

It is alleged that Johnson failed to properly answer questions asked of him as well as to provide the contact information, including the address of the relative he

intended to stay at.

Law enforcement officers noticed that the young man made three trips to the US over the past year and his ticket was either purchased just days before travel or on the same day of travel.

Based on his responses and general demeanour, he was subjected to an x-ray which revealed foreign objects in his stomach.

He was taken into custody and subsequently excreted 25 pellets, which were later revealed to be cocaine.

It is suspected that he has more in his body and authorities there are monitoring him.

Vinolay thief fined SENIOR MAGISTRATE Leron Daly, on Friday October 25, 2019, ordered a man to pay $30,000 fine or serve six weeks’ imprisonment for stealing.

Edward Rollins appeared at the Georgetown Magis-

trates’ Court and pleaded guilty to the charge when it was read to him.

Particulars of the charge stated that, on October 19, 2019, at Bent Street and Louisa Row, he stole a vinolay valued at $30,000, property

of Ester Crawford.

“I take the thing and go and sell it” Rollins stated.

Magistrate Daly ordered that Rollins pay a fine of $30,000 or serve six weeks in prison.

A 28- year-old labourer was arrested, after allegedly killing a sailor of the Transport and Harbours Department, at the Parika Ferry Stelling, on Thursday evening.

Dead is Shurlon Errol Cutting, 48, of Lot 2529 Layou Street, North Ruimveldt.

Police said the altercation occurred at approximately 18:30 hours at Parika.

The 28-year-old labourer in custody is from lthaca Village, West Bank Berbice and police said he is assisting with the investigation.

Enquires disclosed that Cutting, who was a sailor at Transport and Harbours

Dead: Shurlon Errol Cutting

Department, told the suspect to remove from the Stelling.

As a result, an argument ensued and Cutting armed himself with a piece of wood and reportedly lashed the suspect.

In retaliation, the suspect reportedly took out a pair of scissors and stabbed the sailor under his left armpit area and he fell to the ground.

He was picked up and escorted to the Leonora Cottage Hospital where he was admitted and later died, while receiving treatment.

Police said the suspect was arrested, at Parika Stelling, with the murder weapon.

He was also treated for his injuries about his left abdomen and left knee at the Leonora Cottage Hospital and was later discharged into police custody as investigations continue.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, October 26, 2019

Douglas Luiz called up to Brazil as Neymar left out

Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain driving the (44) Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team Mercedes W10 on track during practice for the F1 Grand Prix of Mexico at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez on October 25, 2019 in Mexico City, Mexico.

(Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images)

Luiz did not play a senior game for Manchester City due to work permit issues

Hamilton sets Mexico practice pace (REUTERS) - LEWIS Hamilton set the pace yesterday in first practice for a Mexican Grand Prix that could bring him a sixth Formula One title.

The Mercedes driver lapped Mexico City’s high-altitude Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, with a fastest lap of one minute 17.327 seconds, 0.119 secs quicker than Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc who was the best of the rest.

The Monegasque appeared to be keeping his powder dry, however, and lapping on slower medium tyres than Hamilton’s fresh softs.

Valtteri Bottas, Hamilton’s Finnish team mate and winner in Japan on October 13, was only fifth on the timesheets and 0.678 off the pace of the leading Mercedes.

He described the morning track conditions, after a damp but drying start following overnight rain, as “slippery but drivable”.

Hamilton will clinch the title with three rounds to spare tomorrow if he scores 14 points more than sole rival Bottas which would be the case if yesterday’s first practice positions were repeated in the race.

Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, winner in Mexico for the past two seasons, was third fastest with team mate Alexander Albon fourth in another strong performance by the

British-born Thai rookie.

The session was halted with half-an-hour remaining when Racing Point’s Lance Stroll smacked his car into the tyre wall.

There was little real damage and the Canadian was able to return to the track before the end of the session, with the top three setting their fastest times after the red-flag interruption.

Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel was sixth fastest and McLaren’s Carlos Sainz seventh.

Ferrari arrived in Mexico as many people’s favourites, having racked up five poles in a row, with Red Bull also seen as contenders for another win.

Mercedes have been playing down their chances at a race that has been a struggle in the last two years, even if Hamilton secured the title in both of them.

Last year’s tyre problems meant neither Hamilton nor Bottas finished on the podium.

“We’re going to go into this weekend knowing that Ferrari are massively quick usually on the straights and obviously straights are a powerful element of this circuit,” Hamilton told reporters on Thursday.

“So I don’t know when we’ll be getting another pole unless it rains, which can change everything.”

GSW lose to touring Clippers

(BBC) - ASTON Villa’s uncapped midfielder Douglas Luiz earned a call-up to the Brazil squad for matches next month but injured forward Neymar was not risked.

Luiz, 21, joined Villa from Manchester City in July and has featured in eight games this term, scoring twice.

Neymar injured a hamstring in Brazil’s 1-1 draw with Nigeria on October 13 and is expected to be out for four weeks.

Brazil face Argentina in Saudi Arabia on November 15 and head to Abu Dhabi to play South Korea four days later.

Brazil coach Tite has called on Real Madrid’s uncapped 18-year-old forward Rodrygo, who scored after 93 seconds on his debut as a substitute for Real against Osasuna.

Roma goalkeeper Daniel Fuzato and 20-year-old Real Betis defender Emerson were also included in the Brazil squad for the first time.

Tite did not select any home-based players to avoid conflicts with teams playing the final rounds of the Brazilian league, with eight of the squad drawn from the Premier League.

Goalkeepers: Alisson (Liverpool), Ederson (Manchester City), Daniel Fuzato (Roma) Defenders: Danilo (Juventus), Emerson (Real Betis), Alex Sandro (Juventus), Renan Lodi (Atletico Madrid), Thiago Silva (PSG), Marquinhos (PSG), Eder Militao (Real Madrid), Felipe (Atletico Madrid) Midfielders: Casemiro (Real Madrid), Arthur (Barcelona), Fabinho (Liverpool), Douglas Luiz (Aston Villa), Philippe Coutinho (Bayern Munich), Lucas Paqueta (AC Milan), Willian (Chelsea) Forwards: David Neres (Ajax), Roberto Firmino (Liverpool), Richarlison (Everton), Gabriel Jesus (Manchester City), Rodrygo (Real Madrid).

(BBC) THE Golden State Warriors (GSW) lost to LA Clippers in their first regular-season game at their new £1B arena.

The Clippers surged to a 141-122 victory in San Francisco, with Lou Williams scoring 22 points.

Stephen Curry was the game’s leading scorer with 23 points but Warriors, who lost two-time NBA champion Kevin Durant in July, struggled.

It is the first time Warriors have played a regular-season game in San Francisco since 1971.

Elsewhere, Vince Carter became the first NBA player to play in 22 seasons when he appeared for the Atlanta Hawks.

The 42-year-old is the last active player drafted in the 1990s.

The Hawks registered a 117-100 victory over Detroit Pistons.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Saturday, October 26, 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)

Blake Griffin #32 of LA Clippers goes to the basket against Golden State Warriors on October 30, 2017 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California

(1) (2)

ANSWERS TO YESTERDAY’S QUIZ: 400*-Brian Lara (vs ENG, ARG, 2004) 102-Rahmat Shah (vs BANG, Chatogram, 2019)

(1)

(2)

TODAY’S QUIZ: What are the best bowling figures by a WI player in a single Test innings to date?

What are the best innings bowling figures by an Afghan player in Tests to date?

ANSWERS IN TOMORROW’S ISSUE

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, October 26, 2019

ECCB/Elizabeth Styles competition continues tomorrow

THE next round of the East Coast Cricket Board (ECCB) Elizabeth Styles competition continues tomorrow.

Better-Hope Raptors will clash with Mon Repos Cricket Club (CC) (B) at Better Hope Community Centre, while at Buxton Community Centre ground, the hosts’ B team will play Golden Grove CC (B).

At Enterprise Community Centre ground, Enterprise ‘Busta’ CC (B) will host Lusignan Seafoods CC while at Golden Grove CC ground the hosts ‘A’ team will clash Enterprise ‘Busta’ CC (A).

In the latest round of matches, there were several upsets.

At Golden Grove Cricket ground, Golden Grove CC (B) hammered Mon Repos CC (B) to win by 127 runs.

Golden Grove CC won the toss and elected to bat, blasting 246 for 6 after the match was reduced to 30 overs.

3x6), all assisted the scoreline.

Bowling for Mon Repos CC B, M. Samaroo’s 3 for 32, along with Ravindra Samaroo

Rawley Fredericks

Rohan Mangal

Stephen Mangar topscored with 47 runs (4x4).

Claudius Fraser 36 runs (5x4, 1x6), Shavin Rutherford 34 runs (4x4, 1x6) and Mortimer King with a quick-fire 34 runs (3x4,

3 for 20 were the lead figures.

Mon Repos CC were bowled out in the 20th over for 119 with Raghoo Ragnauth hitting 33 runs (6x4) and Vickash Jaikarran making 29 runs (2x4, 2x6).

Bowling for Golden Grove CC, Claudius Fraser ended with 2 22 and Orin Gardner 3-20.

At Better Hope Community Centre, Mon Repos CC (A) defeated Better-Hope (B) (BHCCB) in what could be described as a stunner, since BHCCB are former champions.

Mon Repos CC A won the toss and batted first as the match was reduced to 35 overs.

Manjrekar Bhola carefully stroked 42 (4x4, 1x6) while Roopnarine Singh made 24 (2x4, 1x6) as Mon Repos CC A were bowled out in the 30th over for 123.

Ravi Singh bowling leftarm spin captured 5-17 and Jayadev Mana 3-7 with some good off breaks.

Batting second, BHCCB were bundled out for 116 in the 19th over with the unplayable right-arm

leg-spinner Navindra Kishun upsetting the host with figures of 6-19.

At Buxton Community Centre, Buxton ‘Carl Hooper’ CC A cruised to victory over Low-Land Sports Club (LSC).

Buxton CC A won the toss and invited LSC to bat in super cricket conditions.

LSC batting, with the match reduced to 35 overs, amassed 172 in 29.3 overs with Z. Khan blasting 45 (10x4).

Playing important roles were Andre Barry 32 (4x4, 1x6) and S. Dumainauth 23 (4x4, 1x6).

Bowling for BCCA were Rawle Fredericks 3-12 and Owen Andrews 3-36.

Buxton CC A replied with express speed arriving at 173 for 4 in the 17th over thanks to Anthony McFarlane 76 (5x4, 6x6), Owen Andrews 56 (9x4, 1x6) and

Cylus Gibbons 20 (4x4).

Bowling for LSC, D. Rooplall bagged 3-35 and S. Dumainauth 1-36.

At Enterprise Community Centre, Enterprise ‘Busta’ Sports Club (A) (ESCA) made light work with Clonbrook Cricket Club (CCC) in a match reduced to 35 overs.

ESCA won the toss and elected to bat scoring 211 for 9 thanks to Rohan Mangal who stroked a brilliant 62 (7x4) with captain Parmanand Dindyal supporting him with a well-played 36 (3x4).

Bowling for CCC, R. Small bowled well with figures of 3x31.

I n r e p l y, C C C w e r e bowled out in the 32nd over for 150. Small, this time with the bat, contributed 42 (5x4).

Bowling for ESCA, Chatterpaul Singh 4-32.

British F4 Champion Maloney for Leicester City...

Radical Caribbean Cup Guyana leg BRITISH F4 champion Zane Maloney has been confirmed for the Radical Caribbean Cup 2019 final leg in Guyana.

A release from the organisers confirmed this, saying, “Fresh from becoming the first driver to win both the British F4 Championship outright and the Rookie Cup, 16-year-old Zane Maloney will join father Sean and uncles Mark and Stuart on the grid in Guyana for the first time.”

At Bushy Park, Barbados in September, Zane became the 38th driver to race in the SR3 Cup. The teenager claimed a debut pole position and hat-trick of victories driving father Sean’s SR3. For next month’s final, he will drive former racer David Simpson’s car, which he tested at Bushy Park on his return from the UK last week, before the cars left Barbados for Guyana, courtesy of Tropical Shipping.

While Myers has yet t o w i n , the

Double Jamaican Modified Production 2 Champion’s strength has been consistency. Six 16 -year-old Zane Maloney will join podium finishes, secfather Sean and uncles Mark and ond three times and Stuart on the grid in Guyana for third three times have the first time.

racked up the points race after race, giving him a solid chance of chasing the title in his rookie year.

His fellow countryman Horatio Brown joined the SR3 Cup with only limited competition experience but has acquitted himself well in the far more experienced company, with the best result of fifth in his nine races.

Guyana’s lone representative thus far will be Kristian Jeffrey, a race-winner on his home track in last year’s SR3 Cup finale and second in the other two races. He will be keen to repeat that form after a disappointing September weekend in Barbados, when he returned to the series for the first time this year.

Mechanical issues left the former Winter Champion with the best result of fifth during the Williams Industries International, despite which his ‘hit rate’ remains among the best, with seven wins in his 20 appearances, along with a further seven podium finishes, two pole positions and two fastest laps.

THE FULL ENTRY LIST BELOW: Entry list for round 4: 16: Stuart Maloney - BAR (Bushy Park Barbados Radical SR3 RS) 17: Kristian Boodoosingh – T&T (CR Boodoosingh & Sons Ltd/Fast Parts/Torco Race Fuels/Richtune/Garage 61/ TechPoint Tuning Radical SR3 RS) 22: Sean Maloney – BAR (Bushy Park Barbados Radical SR3 RS) 31: Zane Maloney – BAR (Suzuki/Bushy Park Barbados/Rock Hard Cement/Sol Radical SR3 RS) 69: Horatio Brown – JAM (Fast Parts/Torco Race Fuels/ Richtune/Garage 61/Techpoint Tuning Radical SR3 RS) 86: Mark Maloney – BAR (Rock Hard Cement/Bushy Park Barbados Radical SR3 RS) 162: William Myers – JAM (KFC Radical SR3 RS) 261: Kristian Jeffrey – GUY (Torginol Paints Radical SR3 RS) 888 Luke Bhola – T&T (Bholas Marketing/Fast Parts/ Torco Race Fuels/Richtune/Garage 61/TechPoint Tuning Radical SR3 RS)

FROM PAGE 34

The victory sees Brendan Rodgers' side climb into second place, leapfrogging Manchester City and moving five points behind leaders Liverpool.

The result, which matches Manchester United's 9-0 win against Ipswich in 1995, was only confirmed in stoppage time thanks to Jamie Vardy's penalty.

Both Vardy and Ayoze Perez scored hat-tricks, with the visitors aided by Ryan Bertrand's red card for a reckless challenge on Perez in the build-up to Ben Chilwell's opener.

That opened the floodgates for Leicester, who turned on the style just two days before the first anniversary of the helicopter crash that killed the club's former chairman Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha and four other people.

Youri Tielemans also scored his third goal of the campaign and James Maddison added a superb free-kick on a miserable evening for Southampton, who drop into the bottom three.

ON A LANDMARK NIGHT, LEICESTER ALSO: ● recorded the biggest ever victory by an away side in an English top-flight league match in the 131-year history of the Football League ● inflicted Southampton's biggest ever defeat as an English league side in all competitions in their history ● became only the second team in Premier League history to establish a five-goal lead in the first half of an away game in the competition, after Manchester City against Burnley in April 2010 (also 5-0) ● became only the second side in Premier League history to have two players score a hat-trick in the same game (Perez and Vardy), after Arsenal in May 2003 - also against Southampton.

Lethal Leicester serve notice of intent Leicester may have played a game more than Liverpool but this emphatic result means that they have now scored more goals than the league leaders and are just four behind Manchester City.

And the omens look good for Rodgers' side who have now collected one point more from the opening 10 games of the current season than at the same stage of their title-winning campaign in 2015-16.

With trips to Crystal Palace and Brighton on the horizon either side of hosting Arsenal, Leicester have every chance to kick on from their strong start, but given the strength and form of Liverpool and Manchester City, a title challenge appears unlikely.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, October 26, 2019

Deo praises smooth road to 2019 Guyana Golf Open … Ex 2-time champ keen on playing well this year

By Clifton Ross WITH Golf’s major event of the year, the Guyana Open, soon approaching, seasoned ladies pro Joaan Deo says the road to the Cup has been good for the local fraternity.

Deo, one of Guyana’s ace golfers and a former Women’s champ said that the sport has endured another fantastic year with regard to the amount of preparation and work the players have been putting in, ahead of the 2019 Open.

Speaking with this newspaper this week during an exclusive interview, Deo outlined that the year has been similar to 2018 when Lusignan Golf Club (LGC), the governing body of the sport in Guyana, made overwhelming strides to host almost 60 sponsored tournaments.

The official launch was held last week at the Marriott Hotel, where Deo, along with others from LGC and spon-

sors, unveiled the trophies and game insight into the 2-day golf extravaganza.

“We’ve had a pretty packed golf year with tournaments almost every week and I can safely say that it’s the year with the most tournaments we’ve had, leading up to the Guyana Open,” Deo pointed out.

Golf has grown tremendously over the past 18 months with a number of new sponsors jumping on board to host weekly in-house club tournaments, while LGC’s membership tally has significantly increased due to the breath of fresh air which the club had been given.

The Lusignan ground has been in peak condition since the ending of 2017 which saw the Greens and Fairways being catered to by the club’s expert grounds-men with help from the Executives of (MACORP) Machinery Corporation Guyana, who lent a number of machinery equipment to the cause of

rehabilitating and preserving the entire course.

Regarding the current state of the course, Deo lauded the efforts of the ground staff who, she said, are relentless in their efforts to keep the venue at its best possible state. “The guys are working on the ground and the team has been pushing a lot to keep the course in tip-top shape through the entire year,” she stated.

Additionally, this year will see more new faces both on the field and off, as newbie sponsors are tipped to be a part of the Open.

“We’ve had a lot of companies on board with us this year, from small businesses to international ones”.

Deo continued, “I think Golf is pretty much on the map given the amount of exposure we had and most of our golfers have been playing frequently so I also think most of our locals with be in good shape heading into the Open.”

Shifting gears to a more

personal note, Deo who won the Women’s Open title twice in her career; said that she will be participating in this year’s competition and plans to strengthen a few areas of play ahead of the Cup. Deo was furthermore excited over the possibility of more female participants in this year’s event. “I will be participating in the Open and we are expecting more female players as well, so hopefully we will have a bigger field”.

“As for my game, I’m keen on staying on the fairways so I’m working on keeping the ball straight because once I’m on the fairways I won’t be giving away unnecessary shots,” concluded the expert golfer.

Meanwhile, the 2019 Guyana Open Golf tees off today at the Lusignan Golf Course and concludes tomorrow, October 27, with a number of local and overseas golfers vying for the coveted titles.

Leicester City equalled the 24-year-oldrecord for the biggest ever Premier League victory as 10-man Southampton were dismantled at a rainswept St Mary's

Jamie Vardy's hat-trick sees him become the Premier League's top scorer, moving above Sergio Aguero and Tammy Abraham. (BBC)

TURN TO PAGE 33

All to play for as COURTS semis get underway today

THE finalists of the 2019 edition of the COURTS Pee Wee Football tournament will be decided today at the Ministry of Education ground, Carifesta Avenue.

In the first semi-final, Genesis will play North Georgetown and Tucville will face St Agnes in the other semi-final.

Both games begin at 15:30hrs.

The tournament will crown new champions after defending champions St Pius were knocked out last weekend.

St Pius will be in action today, however, when they play West Ruimveldt in the 5-8 place playoff. Timehri will come up against Soesdyke in the same classification.

From 13:50hrs Marian Academy tackle Redeemer in the 9-12 playoff as will Mae’s against St Ambrose.

St Stephen’s and Craig get the ball rolling from 13:00hrs in the 13-16 playoff along with Uitvlugt versus Enterprise.

Ifill’s body to return home next week

THE body of the late Andrew ‘Mr Dunk’ Ifill will return to Guyana next week, according to Michael Singh, president of the Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation (GABF), after which, funeral arrangements for the stand-out former National player will be made public.

According to Singh, the date of the arrival will be conveyed once all details are finalised by his parents who are in Trinidad at the moment.

Ifill, 40, succumbed at his place of employment in Trinidad and Tobago last weekend, with his death sending shockwaves through the basketball fraternity in

the Twin Republic and Guyana.

Tomorrow, at the Maloney Indoor Sports Arena, the Basketball Federation of Trinidad and Tobago will host a memorial game in Ifill’s honour, since, according to the Federation, the Guyanese ‘baller’ was loved and respected on the island, and was considered by many fans as one of the best in the game.

Current and former T&T National players will converge on the Maloney facility from 17:00hrs to bid farewell to Ifill.

Singh also pointed out that locally, GABF will host a similar event, but all details will be made public after the return of his body to Guyana.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, October 26, 2019

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GUYOIL/Tradewind Tankers football tournament commences tomorrow

Lucozade, ICool join the party School, Cummings Lodge Secondary, Marian Academy, Lodge Secondary, Queen’s College and Charlestown Secondary.

The winners of the tournament, along with runners-up, will qualify for the end-of-year goodwill tournament that will include a school team from Trinidad & Tobago (T&T), a hinterland team and an all-star team.

The winners will also pocket $200 000 towards a project of their school’s choice with second place getting $100 000, third $50 000 and fourth place $25 000.

From left, Ansa McAl’s Treiston Joseph, Mark Alleyne & Jacklyn Boodie of Petra, Fharis Mohamed (Ansa McAl) and Troy Mendonca (Petra) doing yesterday’s presentation ceremony

THE 2019 edition of the GUYOIL/Tradewind Tankers football tournament will commence tomorrow at the Ministry of Education ground.

In the first round of the tournament St John’s College will play St Stanislaus College from 16:30hrs with Charlestown facing Queen’s College from 18:00hrs.

Matches continue on Monday with Cummings Lodge Secondary battling President’s College at 13:00hrs, Lodge Secondary challenging Marian Academy at 14:30hrs and at 16:00hrs Annandale meeting Bishops’ High.

Meanwhile Ansa McAl, through the LUCOZADE brand, has joined the tournament.

On Thursday, Brand coordinator at Ansa McAl, Fharis Mohamed, revealed that the company will also be on board with the Icool Water brand.

Troy Mendonca, co-Director of the Petra Organisation, the organising body of the tournament, expressed gratitude to the company for helping to facilitate the 10-team competition.

The 2019 edition will encompass Annandale, St Stanislaus College, St John’s College, President’s College, Berbice High

WIFBSC C/Ships - Individuals

T&T’s Varma Rambarran creates history as the new king of the range TRINIDAD and Tobago’s Varma Rambarran dethroned Guyanese Ransford Goodluck to become the new West Indies Fullbore Shooting Council Individual champion, following three days of intense marksmanship at the Tucker Valley Rifle Range, Chaguaramas.

In claiming the title, he outshot competitors from Barbados, Antigua & Barbuda, Bermuda, England and Canada as well as his homeland and Guyana.

Dr Rambarran only dropped a single point over the three days, creating a new WIFBSC record.

Some 69 shooters shot at the 300, 500 and 600 yards ranges on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday and when the last shot was fired and scored were tallied (electronic targets being used for the first time at these c/ships) Rambarran had a 100% performance in tallying 404 out of a possible 405 points in the X Class.

Back in second place was Canada’s Bruce MacDonald on 393 points followed by Antigua and Barbuda’s Anderson Perry on 392. Guyanese Lennox Braithwaite (392) and Ransford

Goodluck (392) ended sixth and seventh respectively overall but they were third and fourth for the Caribbean behind Rambarran and Perry. The Vs count for the shooters were not readily available.

Meanwhile, given the fact that the Tucker Valley Rifle Range, Chaguaramas does not have a Long Range (900 and 1 000 yards), there will be two Short Range matches, one today and the official WIFBSC Match, tomorrow.

Guyana will remain Long Range champions while they would be going all out to reclaim the Short Range championship which is held by Barbados and is the most coveted trophy among the Caribbean marksmen and women.

Vice-captain Dylan Fields and Sherwin Felicien were expected to join captain Mahendra Persaud and the rest of the Guyanese shooters yesterday in the Twin Island Republic, they did not participate in the Individual championship.

Note: The English and Canadian shooters are not in the reckoning for the Caribbean places.

Foo, Beaton in Guyana Jaguars team for Colonial Medical Super 50 competition JONATHAN Foo and Ransford Beaton were among the names released yesterday by the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) for the 2019 Colonial Medical Super 50 competition.

The Jaguars will be playing in the Group ‘B’. The tournament begins on November 7 at Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Trinidad.

The full squad reads: Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Chandrapaul Hemraj, Leon Johnson (captain), Christopher

Barnwell, Raymon Reifer, Anthony Bramble, Gudakesh Motie, Veerasammy Permaul, Clinton Pestano, Ronsford Beaton, Nial Smith, Jonathan Foo, Kemol Savory and Ramaal Lewis, The team’s head coach is Esaun Crandon with Shivnarine Chanderpaul as the assistant coach and Neil Barry – physiotherapist/strength & conditioner.

The board also stated that Romario Shepherd may return to the squad after West Indies ODI duties.

Deo praises smooth road to 2019 Guyana Golf Open Page

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Guyanese golf ace Joaan Deo

WIFBSC C/Ships - Individuals

T&T’s Varma Rambarran creates history as the new king of the range Page

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… Ex 2-time champ keen on playing well this year New King of the Caribbean Range, T&T’s Varma Rambarran

Foo, Beaton in Guyana Jaguars team for Colonial Medical Super 50 competition

All to play for as COURTS semis get underway today

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Jonathon Foo has been named a part of the Guyana Jaguars for the 2019 Colonial Medical Super 50 competition Printed and Published by Guyana National Newspapers Limi ted, Lama Avenue, Bel Air Park, Georgetown. Telephone 2 2 6- 3243-9 (General); Editorial: 2 2 7- 5204, 2 2 7- 5216. Fax:2 2 7- 5208

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The semifinals of the 2019 COURTS Pee Wee tournament will take place today at the Ministry of Education ground SATURDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2019