Guyana_Chronicle_Epaper_10_31_2019

THURSDAY 31st October, 2019

' No.105807

PRESIDENT TO MEET RAMJATTAN TODAY

…as APNU, AFC work to hammer out differences on revised Cummingsburg Accord

First oil for December

SEE STORY ON PAGE 03

…Min. Jordan says revenues will be 'parked' until after elections …says government had 'ramped up' preparations in anticipation of early start

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GECOM chair justifies action regarding ID cards …says decision lawful, in keeping with due process 09 PAGE

Pirates charged with murder of fishermen

…wanted bulletins issued for two others

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President David Granger on Wednesday swore in Minister of Public Security, Mr. Khemraj Ramjattan, to perform the duties of Prime Minister. Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo is currently overseas. In this photo, President Granger presents Mr. Ramjattan with his Instrument of Appointment

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, October 31, 2019

First oil for December …Min Jordan says revenues will be 'parked' until after elections …says government had 'ramped up' preparations in anticipation of early start

By Lisa Hamilton First oil in Guyana can begin as soon as December, ahead of the previous March 2020 timeline and Finance Minister, Winston Jordan has stated that efforts will be made to speed up local preparations for the shipment of crude.

The announcement of this earlier timeline was made on Wednesday by HESS Corporation, a partner of ExxonMobil which holds a 30 per cent interest in the Stabroek Block. In a report on Wednesday of the Company’s Third Quarter of 2019, HESS Chief Executive Officer (CEO), John Hess said: “In September, we announced our 14th discovery in the Stabroek Block at Tripletail, offshore Guyana and are now targeting December for first oil from the Liza-1 development.”

Meanwhile, Minister Jordan told this newspaper that the revenues to come from this production will be stored in an account and parked until after March 2,2020 when a new government is elected. Back in July 2019, Director of the Department of Energy, Dr. Mark Bynoe, had informed the public that the country will be selling its own share of exported crude from oil production at Liza Phase 1.

Crude is natural mineral oil not yet processed or refined, which is stored aboard a Floating Production, Storage And Offloading (FPSO) vessel and then transferred to tankers and pipelines heading ashore. Dr. Bynoe had also stated that the Department is aware of the risk associated with not getting this right which is why industry-standard documents based on the Association of International

to the buyer at the exit point of the FPSO and the buyer is responsible for shipping said crude. The crude will be sold in million-barrel cargoes… and there will be crude cargo liftings every eight to 10 days; thus, it requires an efficient and smoothly run

very well begin ahead of first quarter 2020 and made its plans with this in mind.

“We had an inkling that the first oil could be in December and therefore we were working under that assumption and trying to ramp up our activities. So, it doesn’t

While he stated that the government is excited about first oil, he reminded that monies from this production are not going to be flowing in Guyana in 2019 but not until certain processes are out the way.

He noted that Exxon

Finance Minister, Winston Jordan

Petroleum Negotiators Crude Liftment Agreement is being applied.

“All sales of crude oil from the FPSO where Guyana’s interests are concerned or Guyana’s entitlement will be via Free On Board. This means that the crude is sold

The Liza Destiny FPSO

process. I am happy to report that the department has been working with its sister agencies and the operator to ensure that such a process is put in place so we can ensure that it is running as efficiently as possible from day one,” Dr. Bynoe said.

Minister Jordan relayed that, unlike members of the public, the government had fore knowledge that oil production in Guyana could

come as a surprise to us who were working underground,” he said.

“I can’t say that we have every duck lined up but I think knowing that we knew that first oil could be earlier than first quarter, we were trying to work with the World Bank and other donors who were helping us to try to put in place as much as possible the critical elements,” the Finance Minister said.

Mobil, HESS and its third partner CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited, will first have to be paid their share before revenues come to the government. “Even though we’re supposed to get ‘x’ per cent of this shipment, we have to have a whole shipment. It has to accumulate to a whole shipment [prior to accumulation of revenue]…for that to happen our shipment might be maybe January or February so that monies can come in to the account; the first shipment that will belong to us,” he explained.

Meanwhile, the Liza Destiny, Guyana’s first FPSO set to operate at Liza Phase 1 Development had arrived in the Stabroek Block some three weeks ahead of schedule. The vessel is twice the length of the Providence Stadium; half the width of the Georgetown Cricket Ground; has the depth of the Kingston Lighthouse and the capacity to store some 1.6 million barrels of oil.

Apart from HESS, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL) holds TURN TO PAGE

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, October 31, 2019

PRESIDENT TO MEET RAMJATTAN TODAY …as APNU, AFC work to hammer out differences on revised Cummingsburg Accord

By Svetlana Marshall PRESIDENT David Granger and Leader of the Alliance For Change, Khemraj Ramjattan, will meet today as the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and AFC work to hammer out differences relating to the revision of the Cummingsburg Accord.

The last meeting, held on Wednesday, October 23, 2019, ended on a ‘sour note,’ at least for the AFC. A day after the meeting, the AFC reported that the negotiation had been stalled over the naming of the Prime Ministerial Candidate. According to its Executive Member, Dominic Gaskin, the matter of naming the Prime Ministerial Candidate was repeatedly deferred without any plausible explanation from the APNU. But APNU lead negotiator, Volda Lawrence, in refuting claims that the negotiation is on ‘hold,’ told Guyana Chronicle that the negotiation will resume once David Patterson, who was on travel duties, returns to the country.

Patterson returned to Guyana over the weekend.

Patterson, who is also the party’s General Secretary told the Guyana Chronicle that the AFC’s position remains the same – it must identify the Prime Ministerial Candidate in keeping with the fundamental tenets of the Cummingsburg Accord, which was signed by both the AFC and APNU on February 14, 2015. Weighing on the matter, President David

Minister of Public Security, Mr. Khemraj Ramjattan takes the oath of office before President David Granger Wednesday morning.

Granger said the APNU and the AFC should focus on principles and policies first before treating with personalities.

Last week Chairman of the AFC, Raphael Trotman warned that the electorate could respond negatively to a divided coalition, and that it was important for the AFC and its coalition partner to find common ground as they renegotiate the 2015 Cummingsburg Accord ahead of the 2020 General and Regional Elections. “Ultimately the Executive will make that determination whether or not the AFC goes alone or

First oil for ...

◄ From page 02

45 per cent interest and CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited, a 25 per cent interest in the Stabroek Block.

It is estimated that there is over six billion barrels of oil equivalent in the Block while the involved partners continue to see “multibillion barrels of additional exploration potential”. HESS noted that Exxon’s and its partners’ 14th discovery was announced on the Stabroek Block at the Tripletail-1 exploration well located approximately 3 miles northeast of the Longtail discovery. The Tripletail discovery adds to the 6 billion barrels of oil equivalent. The Liza Phase 1 project will produce up to 120,000 barrels of oil per day at peak rates utilizing the Liza Destiny FPSO.

It is expected to generate over $7B in royalty and profit oil revenues for Guyana over the life of the project.

The Noble Bob Douglas drillship is currently completing development drilling operations for the Liza Phase 1 development.

At the same time, the Stena Carron drillship is completing a well test at the Longtail-1 discovery and, upon completion will next drill the Hammerhead-3 well. The drillship is also expected to drill a second well at the Ranger discovery this year. The Noble Don Taylor drillship has been contracted by Esso Exploration for exploration in the Stabroek Block “early October 2019 to early October 2020.”

whether or not it goes as a coalition,” Trotman said but made it clear that a coalition is the better option. “I don’t see a better alternative to the coalition, quite frankly. So I think compromise has to be found on both sides, and we will find a solution to this, and I am confident about that,” Trotman said.

He said the AFC saw “value” in the coalition in 2015, and today, the ethos and value remain the same.

The AFC Chairman said despite the disagreements between the two sides, he believes that the matter will be resolved in time. “I believe

that in every engagement of this nature you will have moments of disagreement but I believe that ultimately both parties wish, as I said earlier, and desire a coalition. So the pause for me does give us an occasion to seriously reflect on where we were four or five years ago, and of course to look ahead as to where we want to go and bearing in mind the people’s expectation of us,” Trotman said.

He emphasised that in negotiation, there must be compromise. Referencing to the 2018 Local Government Elections, Trotman said based on the results, it was

clear that the people were dissatisfied that the APNU and the AFC had contested those elections independently. He warned to enter the General and Regional Elections as independent parties could be detrimental to both sides. “We are likely to see a reaction that is not in our best interest if we are separate and apart,” he posited.

Focus on principles Meanwhile, President Granger, in an interview with Gordon Moseley last week, maintained that the focus of the negotiations right now should be on principles and policies. He said that all of

the parties within the coalition agreed to a three-stage process of negotiation. “The first stage is the discussion and agreement on core principles,” he said, “and we’ve passed that stage successfully; both the APNU and the AFC have agreed on core principles. The second stage is the revision of the Cummingsburg Accord, and I’ve stated repeatedly that this is not the time to speak about personalities; it’s the time to speak about principles and policies.”

During the third stage, President Granger said, the “Coalition” will establish its manifesto for the coming elections. Once these principles and policies are agreed upon, he said, the identification of personalities will fall into place. He also noted that there have been no formal discussions on the matter of personalities, apart from the uncontested re-selection of himself as the Presidential Candidate for the 2020 elections. “All other matters are still being discussed, and it would be premature to raise these issues at this stage,” he said.

Patterson said his party’s focus has always been on principles and policies, although maintaining that the AFC has the right to nominate the Prime Ministerial Candidate. Last June, the AFC, upon electing Khemraj Ramjattan as its Leader, nominated him for the position ahead of the 2020 General and Regional Elections.

Pirates charged with murder of fishermen …wanted bulletins issued for two others

By Nafeeza Yahya TWO men were, on Tuesday, charged with the murder of the four fishermen, which recently occurred on the high seas. One of the suspects is a relative one of the dead fishermen who was beaten, chopped, tied and thrown overboard between October 5 and 13, 2019.

Those charged are 22-year-old Suresh Sundat called ‘Chu Chu Bai’ and 30-year-old Narine Dhanrajh called ‘Buckman’, both from Belvedere village, East Ber-

bice Corentyne. They appeared before Magistrate Peter Hugh at the No. 51 Magistrate’s Court and were remanded to prison for the capital offence until November 7, 2019.

Meanwhile police, on Wednesday, issued wanted bulletins for O’Brian Fraser and Anonth Boodrage in relation to the Piracy/Murder committed on Lamar Petrie, Vishnu Seeram,

Kawal Kisoon and Marvin Tamesar on the Corentyne River. Anyone with information that may lead to the arrest of Fraser and Anonth Boodrage is asked to contact the police.

Back in court, Sundat and Dhanrajh stood in the courtroom in a state of shock as the charge of murder under the Hijacking and Piracy Act of Guyana was read to them by the magistrate.

The facts of the case stated that between October 5 and 13, the men murdered Vishnu Seeram called TURN TO PAGE

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday October 31, 2019

UK parties gear up for December election battle

Boris Johnson and Jeremy Corbyn have clashed over the NHS, Brexit and leadership at the last Prime Minister’s Questions before the general election.

The Labour leader said voters had a “once in a generation” chance to save the NHS, which was in “greater danger” than at any time in its history.

He said voters had the chance to back “real change” and an end to austerity.

But the PM warned of “economic catastrophe” and “political disaster” if Labour

got into power.

Political parties are readying themselves for a general election campaign after MPs voted for a 12 December poll.

The legislation approved by MPs on Tuesday has begun its passage through the House of Lords, where it is not expected to be opposed.

And the electoral authorities have set a deadline of the end of Tuesday 26 November for people to register to vote.

The cut-off point to apply for

The Lib Dems say they will fight their most ambitious election campaign ever (BBC photo)

postal votes is the same day, but at 17:00 GMT. In their final encounter in Parliament before the election, the two leaders exchanged barbs over their political values and disputed their parties’ respective records on the NHS. The Labour leader accused the PM - who he has challenged to a one-on-one TV debate - of running down the health ser-

vice, saying cuts to funding had contributed to rising waiting times for cancer treatment and operations.

He said a Labour government would reverse what he said was the growing privatisation of the NHS, saying it existed to “make people better, not make the wealthy few richer”.

“The choice at this election cannot be clearer,” he said.

31 October, 2019 05:00hrs ~ 06:30hrs

“People have the choice to vote for real change after years of Conservative and Lib Dem cuts, privatisation and tax handouts for the richest.”

Mr Johnson said he agreed voters faced a “stark choice” between a government spending “unrivalled” sums on the NHS and a Labour party that would “wreck the economy”.

Dismissing the Labour leader as an “Islingtonian protester” rather than a real leader, he said Mr Corbyn’s “flip-flopping” over Brexit would lead to more years of “toxic, tedious, torpor”.

While 2020 would be a “wonderful year” under a Tory government, he said electing Jeremy Corbyn would result in further referendums on Europe and Scottish independence.

“That is the future. Drift and dither under the Labour Party or taking the country forward to a brighter future under the Conservatives. That is the choice the country faces.”

The election comes after the EU extended the UK’s exit deadline to 31 January 2020 although Brexit can happen earlier if a deal is agreed by MPs. Speaking outside Parliament, Lib Dem leader Jo Swinson said her party was “on the up” and had a larger war chest at its disposal than ever before going into an election.

“Make no mistake, I stand ready to take on Boris Johnson and Jeremy Corbyn as a candidate to be prime minister,” she said.

“We have a bold vision to stop Brexit and build a better, brighter future for the country.”

For the Scottish National Party, Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said an election was an opportunity for the country to hold another independence referendum.

“A win for the SNP will be an unequivocal and irresistible demand for Scotland’s right to choose our own future,” she said.

But the Scottish Conservatives claimed voting for their party would keep Scotland in the UK. Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage welcomed the election, tweeting the deadlock had been

“broken” and “Brexit now has a chance to succeed”.

Meanwhile, an attempt by Boris Johnson to unite his party by re-admitting 10 Tory Brexit rebels has been hit by a row over the party’s refusal to give the whip back to Amber Rudd the former home secretary who has said she is standing down as an MP. The smaller parties are already talking about striking deals with each other, which could see candidates standing aside in areas where their Remain-supporting rivals have a better chance of winning.

Ms Swinson said there were a “small number of seats” where “arrangements” could be struck with other parties to give an anti-Brexit candidate the best chance of winning.

Green Party co-leader Jonathan Bartley told BBC Breakfast it was “no secret” that the Greens were “talking to the Lib Dems and Plaid” but “nothing has been finalised”.

He said the ideas was to get “a big block of MPs in Parliament who want a people’s vote, want to remain in the EU because they think it’s best for the UK to do that”.

Plaid leader Adam Price said his party was “open to working with others to secure our European future”.

Details of which candidates are standing and where will be published at 17:00 GMT on 14 November - as will information about the location of polling stations.

The party leaders are also facing questions about whether they would form a coalition, if the election resulted in another hung Parliament.

Asked if she would join forces with Labour or the Conservatives, Jo Swinson said: “I can’t be clearer - neither Boris Johnson nor Jeremy Corbyn is fit to be prime minister.”

Labour’s John McDonnell told BBC Breakfast: “There will be no deals, no coalition. We will go in as a majority government. If we don’t win an overall majority, we will have a minority government.” (BBC)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday October 31, 2019

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Chile cancels global climate summit amid unrest Chile has pulled out of hosting two major international summits, including a UN climate change conference, as anti-government protests continue.

President Sebastián Piñera said the decision had caused him “pain” but his government needed “to prioritise re-establishing public order”.

The COP25 climate summit was scheduled for 2 to 13 December, while the Apec trade forum was next month.

The UN said it was now looking at alternative venues.

World leaders were to gather at this year’s Conference of the Parties (COP) to discuss the implementation of the Paris Accord - a landmark international climate agreement, first signed at COP21 in December 2015.

This is the first time a country has pulled out of hosting the conference at such short notice.

Chile’s decision comes amid global climate protests, including a week of strikes led by environmental activist Greta Thunberg last month.

And as the news was

However, the White House confirmed that although a new location was yet to be found, the US still expected to sign an initial trade agreement with China next month.

“We look forward to fi-

looting, as well as violent clashes between the security forces and protesters.

They have shown little sign of abating despite Mr Piñera announcing measures to ease Chileans’ discontent with high levels of inequality

People continued to demonstrate near La Moneda presidential palace in Santiago on Wednesday (BBC photo)

announced, a US-based organisation also separately revealed that tens of millions more people than previously thought were at risk of coastal flooding from climate-driven sea-level rise within the next century.

In a statement, the UN’s climate change executive secretary, Patricia Espinosa, said: “Earlier today, I was informed of the decision by the government of Chile not to host COP25 in view of the difficult situation that the country is undergoing.

We are currently exploring

alternative hosting options.”

It was also hoped the Asia Pacific Economic Co-operation (Apec) forum - due to be held in Santiago from 15 to 17 November - would help ease tensions between the US and China.

US officials said President Donald Trump had been planning to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping at Apec, to discuss a possible trade deal.

The two nations have been locked in an escalating trade war for some 18 months.

More than a million people are believed to have attended a rally in the capital last weekend (BBC photo)

nalising Phase One of the historic trade deal with China within the same time frame,” the White House said in a statement.

At least 20 people have been killed since the mass protests in Chile began.

While many protests were peaceful, there were also deadly incidents of arson and

and other grievances.

More than 7,000 people have been arrested and the response by Mr Piñera’s government to the protests has come in for heavy criticism.

He declared a state of emergency and night-time curfews in many of Chile’s major cities, but the measures only seemed to further

incense protesters.

A rally on Saturday is estimated to have drawn more than a million people to the streets of Santiago, in what organisers said was the largest demonstration since democracy was restored in Chile in 1990.

COP25 was originally supposed to be hosted by Brazil.

But in November last year, just two months after being announced as the summit’s host nation, then President-elect Jair Bolsonaro pulled out.

The far-right leader said this was due to the change of government and budget restrictions, according to local media. However, he had recently chosen a foreign minister who claimed “climate alarmism” was just a plot by “cultural Marxists”.

A month later, Chile was selected to host the climate conference instead.

Costa Rica, the other frontrunner, withdrew because of the costs involved in hosting. (BBC)

Colombia dissident rebels kill indigenous chief An indigenous leader, Cristina Bautista, and four volunteer community guards have been killed in south-west Colombia.

The security forces say that members of a dissident rebel group are behind the attack in Cauca province.

The number of indigenous Colombians killed has risen steeply amid a resurgence of violence by dissident rebel groups and The Nasa have their own indigenous guard paramilitaries.

(BBC photo) President Iván Duque has sent the interior south-west of Colombia. Many of them live minister to the area. on land which they themselves administer, He also said that he had ordered the mil- patrol and govern. itary to “find the criminal group responsible They have their own indigenous guard for the attack”. which is made up of volunteers. The guard According to the local indigenous coun- describes itself as less than a police force and cil, members of the Nasa indigenous guard more as mediators who do not carry arms but tried to stop a car as part of routine checks on only wooden staffs adorned with the red and Tuesday afternoon. green colours of the Nasa.

Inside the vehicle was reportedly the leadMany of the Nasa live in areas where er of a dissident rebel group along with two of Marxist Farc rebels used to be active. his men, who demanded they be let through.

The Farc rebel group signed a peace A stand-off ensued with the indigenous agreement with the Colombian government guard raising the alarm, prompting more in 2016 and ordered its fighters to lay down locals to gather. arms. But not all the Farc rebels agreed with The rebels opened fire killing four mem- their leadership’s strategy and some broke bers of the guard and Cristina Bautista, the away to continue fighting the state and enindigenous governor of the area. Six others gaging in criminal activities, such as drug were injured. trafficking and extortion.

An ambulance carrying the injured was As the dissident rebels try to expand the shot at and more dissident rebels rushed to the territory they control they increasingly clash scene to try and “spring” those stopped by the with the indigenous guard protecting it. indigenous guard, according to a statement Dozens of Nasa, many of them members by the council. of the guard, have been killed this year. The The Colombian army has confirmed that United Nations has urged the Colombian a breakaway group from the Farc rebel group government to do more to protect its indigwas behind the attack. enous people.

They said all dissident rebels involved had In August, two members of the Nasa managed to escape. indigenous guard were shot dead when The Nasa are an indigenous group which gunmen opened fire on the bus they were lives in Cauca province, in the mountainous travelling in. (BBC)

descent

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday October 31, 2019

Heightened awareness of breast cancer CANCER as a disease has been a perennial challenge for most developing countries, because of the challenges to especially treat this dreaded ailment that in effect becomes terminal, when in an advanced stage.

In Guyana, the battle against this scourge has seen increased efforts from the health authorities within recent years, in the form of public awareness programmes, television discussions, documentaries, and medical outreaches that seek to educate Guyanese about the disease and its possible causes, but with emphasis on its early detection.

This takes the form of being aware of any biological changes within the physical body, which, once observed, should be brought to the attention of a medical doctor.

It explains why women have been taught self-examination of the breast

as a means of detecting any abnormalities. Now a procedure known worldwide by most women, it has been instrumental, along with the mammogram, in the early detection, diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer.

Pinktober, as the local brand by the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company for the observance of World Breast Cancer Month, has come to a close. The activities during the month have served to once again highlight the presence of breast cancer and other cancers in the lives of both men and women.

The many countrywide activities served once again as a reminder, not only to women, but also to men as to the seriousness of this disease, and the need to be more aware of its prevalence as a very serious health factor.

The walk by thousands who

participated in both the 5km and 10km category on Saturday, can only be hailed as very satisfactory; this is because it signalled increased awareness among the general public about the threat of breast cancer and other types of cancers. The presence of large numbers of males will add to the understanding of what this disease can do to the wife/ companion, mother and grandmother in any home. Even children were a part of this city exercise, as well as it should, for an early understanding of how serious a disease is breast, and other forms of cancers, are.

Based on medical research and statistics, it is recorded that the majority of breast cancer diagnoses and deaths do occur in developing countries. That such numbers are higher in the developed countries has to do with the larger population numbers there.

But there has also been an increase in non-developed nations in recent decades. Breast cancer is now the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in women in the world’s developing regions. But the number of cases per 100,000 is still lower in developing countries than in western societies.

In Guyana, based on 2015 Ministry of Public Health data, there have been more than 300 new cases of breast cancer diagnoses since 2010. And this has been because of better awareness among people that has led to access to early screening as a means of detection. With all cancers, Guyana is rated with a very high incidence of cancer-related mortality in comparison to the rest of the Caribbean. At an incidence rate, it is 46.9%, with a mortality rate of 21 per 100,000. For example, cervical cancer accounts for an esti-

mated 100 female deaths every year.

This is alarming by any measure, as it threatens the longevity of the nation’s vital female quantum.

Cancer is indeed a threat to the general health of the nation, as clearly illustrated in Dr Morris Edwards’ study and analysis of cases for the period 2000-2012, as released in 2015. It is a challenge that has to be confronted by more dollar investment in specialised and updated training for all health professionals, who are expected to tend to those persons who may be stricken with the ailment. As a very critical health concern, it ought to be on the academic curriculum of every school, since lifestyles have been identified among its causes. Cancer is a complex group of diseases that must be tackled on multiple fronts, by multiple partners.

City Hall concerned about pollution at Georgetown seawall Dear Editor

THE Mayor and Councillors of the City of Georgetown (M&CC) wish to notify the general public that the Georgetown Seawall, along the Rupert Craig Highway, though a part of the city is controlled by

the Sea and River Defence Department, Ministry of Public Infrastructure.

This includes the allocation of vendors and the collection and disposal of refuse from that area.

The council expresses grave concern and dissatisfaction with how the environment

is polluted. Although the council does not receive any revenue from the vendors who operate on the Georgetown Seawall, or dispose of the waste emanating from activities conducted therein, we implore vendors regardless of where they operate to express care and caution for the environment.

We hope that collectively, this issue can be resolved with alacrity.

Regards Debra Lewis, PRO Mayor and City Council

I cannot sit idly and take these anti-Haitian sentiments with a forced smile Dear Editor IT continues to concern me that the recent Editorial of Kaieteur News has added more to subtle conspiracies regarding the mass migration of Haitians, citing the racist justifications of bigots implementing anti-immigrant laws as a scapegoat for income inequality.

It is understood that many European countries these days are not

welcoming of people who are categorised as Arab or African. This is a reality in many European countries and it’s reminiscent of the days of fascism and subsequent genocide of minority groups. However, I cannot sit idly and take these anti-Haitian sentiments with a forced smile on my face and pretend that it doesn’t affect me.

Even here in Canada, the bigots view deported American-Haitians as “refugees” in the same negative

light as Arabs and North Africans, who are fleeing their countries because of wars waged by the First World.

Furthermore, where is the outrage regarding an influx of foreign investors who have overpriced the cost of housing on the coastline?

I’ve read some discriminatory rental ads recently right in the classifieds ads which remind me of class warfare and gentrification which is currently taking place in Canada

Dr Brian O’Toole still seeks justice Dear Editor

NINE months following the shooting and I am in a hospital bed in New York recovering from another operation to try to restore the paralyzed hand.

The surgeon, however, is pessimistic about whether the function can indeed be restored.

Nine months later and the boy

in Florida that started all the mayhem with his vivid and horrific threats to violent action, given free play on social media, known to hundreds, if not thousands, in Guyana, remains unpunished, because he apparently told his FBI investigators that it was ‘all just a joke.’ Is the FBI so easily satisfied?

My letters to the American Embassy re this matter go un-

heeded only to be ‘assured’ by a five-line response months ago that they are ‘looking into the situation.’ Would the response have been the same if such threats were made at JFK Airport or aimed at purely American interests or institutions in Guyana?

We contacted the Guyana police again a few weeks ago with further information,

and the USA. Where is the outrage and anger?

It is a shame that the xenophobic narrative of Haitians continue to persist. Haitians are like our brothers and sisters, and they are more likely to respect our heritage and contribute to society; this is unlike certain Europeans who tend to form their own ethnic enclaves such as in Brazil, Argentina and Venezuela, while continuing to discriminate against non-whites and hold su-

re the potential shooter. A oneline response was received thanking me for the information but, as before, throughout the nine months, there was no report of any follow-up.

The relevant authorities in Guyana have been provided with reports and allegations of drug dealing in a number of schools, but once again we are given no information on any follow-up. Can the police be surprised by the widespread

premacy over them. Dehumanising the person and dignity of Haitians are akin to the bigots in the First World who continue to promulgate racist hatred and violence against non-whites.

reluctance on the part of thousands in society to share information with them?

How long will we continue to blissfully ignore our young people losing their minds, their youth, their hopes for the future and maybe soon, if not already, their very lives in pursuit of dangerous chemicals that they believe will ease their boredom, isolation and sheer loneliness in pursuit of a fleeting high.

Will this be a topic of debate as we enter the election season? Which, if any, party

Regards R. Hamid 500 Dawes Road, Toronto, ON, Canada will tackle this most urgent curse facing the youth of this country or will their continued inaction simply convince those who profit hugely from this misery that the field is theirs to profit from as they will. Will this win any votes as the range of party hopefuls try to cross the ‘finish line’?

Regards Dr Brian O’Toole Director School of the Nations

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday October 31, 2019

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Persons providing mental health

service must be properly trained

Dear Editor

ONCE again The Caribbean Voice (TCV) is forced to address the issue of untrained personnel presenting themselves to the public as counsellors. While one such person now parades as a social worker, even

though she has no social work credentials, another person with an undergraduate degree that is not in psychology is working full time as a counsellor with one of Guyana’s leading NGOs. The fact is that “quack” counsellors have neither the

knowledge nor the skills to diagnose and treat mental health issues and their actions usually lead to greater harm to those they deem to help.

Occasionally, such harm can be fatal as happened earlier this year when a young lady, counselled by a quack, ended up taking her life.

It is criminal for anyone without a medical degree to practise as a doctor or for anyone with no legal credentials to practise as a lawyer. And since counsellors have the capacity to bring back someone walking the tightrope between sanity and insanity and even save lives,

it should also be criminal for anyone without requisite credentials – a minimum of a degree in psychology (preferably a masters) and supervised clinical internship experience. So TCV appeals to the all political parties to ensure that their mental health plans include putting

protocols in place to license counsellors (TCV can help with this) and legislation in place to criminalise the actions of unqualified individuals who offer counselling services to the public.

est level that no waterway, which means, canal, trench, etal should be filled in. This was after the then Ministry of Local Government and others suggested that the High Street canal be ‘filled in’ to provide for vehicular parking, ostensibly to ease the traffic congestion in the central business district of Georgetown.

I strenuously opposed this proposal. Previous municipal and State officials, regardless of political persuasion, have unwittingly inflicted tremendous damage to our capital city. Monumental mistakes such as filling in Punt Trench Canal, now Independence Boulevard, the Church Street Canal, now Merriman Mall and the canals running north to south that flowed into these main canals. The Dutch understood that the city is below sea-level and therefore the crisscross of canals was absolutely necessary to

maintain the integrity of our drainage system.

For now, I’ll avoid a long argument, except to say that persons who now attempt to fill in any waterway should be sent to jail; they would be interfering with the drainage system and creating inconvenience whenever there is rainfall.

This long discussion I read in the newspaper is stretching democracy and the rights of individuals to the limit. In the context of the fractured moral fibre of our society, it begs the question of whether there are selfish motives.

Next, the Georgetown Seawall.

I compliment the writer who drew to our attention the awful and unacceptable condition of the Georgetown Seawall. I don’t know if things have changed, but the maintenance of the seawall,

in particular north of the wall, used to be the responsibility of the Sea Defence Board and not the Georgetown Mayor & City Council.

I have been advised that Mayor Ubraj Narine has attempted to get the responsible minister and agency to do something about this disgraceful condition that exists in this seawall complex--an area that was once a place where citizens and their families would go to relax, enjoying the serenity and tidiness of the beach to the north and the esplanade.

Benches were placed there and we did not have this noisiness that now exists.

Over the past three days, I had occasion to visit persons (Pilots, Tuskegee University Alumni, Queens College Old Students and Foreign Visitors), who stayed at the Pegasus Hotel.

What should be a de-

lightful, pleasant view from the hotel windows is now a sea,(no pun intended) of garbage; an ugly, and for me, an embarrassment.

Again, this letter will not recite what has been so well presented in the newspapers earlier, except to say this: I am a die-hard supporter of the President and the coalition.

However, the President, notwithstanding any accord or agreement needs to deal condignly with those person/ persons who preside over this of our environment. Who is ignoring the President’s call for a ‘green’ economy?

We cannot afford to be nice guys in the face of notnice happenings. We cannot be like Nero-- fiddling while Rome was burning.

As someone once said, ‘Enough is Enough’ and speaking for myself, I cannot bear the pain of the embar-

rassment when I viewed the ugliness and disgraceful state of our seawall.

What message are we sending to people who come to do business with us or merely to visit? If an investor meets an official-- government or private-- and looks through a hotel room window to see this nastiness in our capital city, what will they think of us?

One result, in negotiations, they will understandably believe that they are dealing with scum and dregs of humanity and deal with us as such -- this is human nature. This is not a simple matter; images are important and I hope action is taken post haste.

Sincerely The Caribbean Voice

Who is ignoring the President’s call for a ‘green’ economy?

Dear Editor,

THERE are two issues I had planned bringing to the attention of our administrators last week. However, the holidays and other events intervened.

Fortunately the two matters, related to our capital city, were ventilated in the media over the weekend.

First, is this folly of filling in drainage canals in Georgetown and contiguous areas.

The media report, in part, noted as follows:“Currently, most of what was once the Houston Estate Canal, where airboats and estate punts once traversed, have been filled up and only a small section of the waterway remains.

It is unclear what drainage systems are in place for the area.”

Some years ago, as mayor, it was agreed at the high-

Regards Hamilton Green

8

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, October 31, 2019

Sharma Solomon recommits to PNCR …says fallout out with party allowed for redefining of self, ‘political maturing’

…sees APNU+AFC as only viable government to take Guyana into next era of economic development

By Svetlana Marshall Maintaining his mantra of ‘service to the people,’ Sharma Solomon, the former chairman of Region 10 said he intends to play his part in the growth and development of Guyana as he recommitted to the People’s National Congress/Reform (PNCR) and by extension the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) Government.

Appearing on Guyana Chronicle’s online programme – Vantage Point – his first on-camera interview in more than four years, the Social Activist said he has redefined himself. “I have had the opportunity to redefine who Sharma Solomon is. Not to take away from the substance of who Sharma Solomon was,” he said in response to a question as what he has been up to.

The husband and father of one, who demitted his regional office in 2015, is now a final year International Relations (IR) student at the University of Guyana as he aims to perfect his craft in the political arena. “[The IR programme] would have given me an opportunity to advance my knowledge on some of the things that I have practically been involved in.

Four years would have also given me an opportunity to develop a more professional approach towards my work experience,” he said.

POLITICAL MATURING

does that. Think about that for a minute,” he told this newspaper.

“It is also fundamental to the PNCR to see the coming together of this country,” the Social Activist said while applauding the move by the PNCR to partner with four other political parties in the

Former Region 10 Regional Chairman Sharma Solomon

Known for vehemently resisting attempts by the former People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration to impose steep electricity tariffs on the people of Linden, Region 10, Solomon, in the run up to the 18th Biennial Congress of the PNCR in 2014, had also threw his hat in the ring for the leadership of the PNCR. He was also nominated for the positions of Chairman, Vice Chairman (VC) and Committee Member. Admitting that his relationship with the PNCR has seen rough days, Solomon said he has nonetheless remained steadfast in his support for the PNCR – one of the largest political parties in the country.

“There were issues, so I am not going to sit here and behave as though we hadn’t issues at the level of the RDC and the party, and even at the party level in the region,” he said while explaining that he took a decision to remove himself from the limelight to allow for diplomacy to take its course. “I think that was important for me because in

Pirates charged...

‘Kevin’, 20 of Lot 76 Miss Phoebe; Marvin Tamessar, 20, called ‘Buddy’ and Lamar Otto Petrie, 20, both of Miss Phoebe, Port Mourant and Kawal Kissoon called ‘Ajay’ of 223 Letter Kenny Village during the course of piracy attack on the Corentyne River.

The men, who were unrepresented, were not required to plead to the indictable charge and were told by the magistrate that due to the nature of the charge, they cannot admit to bail and were remanded until November 7, when they will make an appearance at the Whim Magistrate’s Court.

During the proceedings, court orderly had to caution the relatives of the deceased men to be quiet as they sobbed.

Most of the relatives were in

FROM PAGE

that period it allowed for the type of political maturing that was necessary. I think any young politician should appreciate that sometime in life it is important for you to do some political maturing, whether it is education or to engage in further discussion with people so that you can understand, if what you are doing, is what should be done or it should be done differently,” Solomon explained.

REMAINS TRUE TO PNCR Despite those disagreements in past, the former Regional Chairman said the PNCR will always remain dear to him. “I must express gratitude for the opportunities given to me by the party and I think that is one of the most fundamental things about the PNCR; it is a party that provides that opportunity and even the opportunity for young people to feel the need that they could rise up in the ranks of leadership and even to the point of challenging for the ranks of leadership.

No party does that, no party

“There were issues, so I am not going to sit here and behave as though we hadn’t issues at the level of the RDC and the party, and even at the party level in the region,” he said while explaining that he took a decision to remove himself from the limelight to allow for diplomacy to take its course. “I think that was important for me because in that period it allowed for the type of political maturing that was necessary. I think any young politician should appreciate that sometime in life it is important for you to do some political maturing, whether it is education or to engage in further discussion with people so that you can understand, if what you are doing, is what should be done or it should be done differently,” Solomon explained. country to form the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), and for later coalescing with the Alliance for Change (AFC) to form the APNU+AFC coalition – the now Government.

“I think that in itself is testimony to the party’s intent to ensure that we see that one people, one nation, one destiny approach to Guyana’s development,” he further said while again applauding the PNCR for recognising the need for a collective representation of the people of Guyana, and for advancing growth and development within the country.

to correct the deficiencies within the system. “The government may see challenges, we see issues that even members of the government have accepted that should be different and change, and are considered mistakes, and we hear even recently the President expressing some dissatisfaction with some of the prosecution of issues that should have been prosecuted. Now that we hear those, I think fundamental to that which is an acceptance is what we intend to do about that, what the government, what the state intends to do about that, and I think that,

for me, is where many of the issues would be cleared up,” he said while noting that there is no better alternative to the APNU+AFC Government.

READY FOR THE CHALLENGE But will Solomon return to the campaign trail as was done in 2011 and 2015 when he was named APNU Campaign Manager for Region 10 – that decision is pending but what is certain, however, is that he is prepared for an even greater challenge.

With focus on the young generation, Solomon said he will continue to advocate for persons to be a part of the political process while making representation on behalf of the people. “As one of the persons who would have been given the opportunity at a very youthful age to be part of the decision making process of Guyana, and to also be over the years an ardent advocate for so much change across the Guyana, I see myself as playing a pivotal role in continuing to advocate for those changes…I personally don’t agree growth equates to development all the time but I believe the growth that we are expecting can bring the sort of development that we need and I intend to play a part, to ensure that not only do we see that growth but that we see that Guyana and Guyanese significantly benefit and we are able to lift the masses,” Solomon assured.

Police hunting suspect for stabbing of ‘Melanie’ mechanic

03

tears. Outside the courtroom, as the men were escorted by police, the relatives stood and watched shaking their heads as they were taken to the van to be escorted to the New Amsterdam Prison.

Speaking with the Guyana Chronicle, Jamnawattie Kissoon, mother of Kawal Kisson, said she could not believe the two men were capable of such a gruesome act but is pleased with the efforts of the police in that she can get justice knowing that some of the men responsible are behind bars.

Sureshpaul Tamessar, the father of Marvin Tamessar, whose body is still missing, related that Suresh Sundat is a relative of his son and he wants to know where his son’s body

COALITION BETTER CHOICE It is his belief that though ‘mistakes’ were made, it is the APNU+AFC Government that has the capacity to take Guyana into its next era of economic and social development, noting that the coalition has signalled its wiliness

Suresh Sundat called ‘Chu Chu Bai’ and Narine Dhanrajh called ‘Buckman’ in handcuffs as they leave the court

is located so he can perform final rites. Tamessar, who searched far and wide for 19 days straight hoping to find his son alive or his remains since the incident, said despite now knowing his son is dead, he is still uneasy as he is unable to give his son a proper burial. “Even if we find a piece of him I will be content because I can bury him and have some closure

but even though I know he dead I still want see it for myself.” Sundat and Dhanraj were arrested on Friday last and confessed while in custody that they were part of the five men crew that attacked and killed the four fishermen. The motive according to investigators appears to be robbery.

THE police are investigating the stabbing of a 31-year-old mechanic of Melanie Damishana North, East Coast Demerara (ECD), by a fellow villager with whom he had an ongoing feud.

According to reports, Alex Sylvain was attacked by an individual known as ‘Ray,’ who was armed with a cutlass and knife on October 29, 2019 at Melanie Damishana North, ECD. Enquiries disclosed that Sylvain received information that the suspect ‘Ray’ and others had robbed his brother Nicholas Sylvain on October 28, 2019, on the ‘Melanie’

Public Road.

On October 29, Alex met ‘Ray’ and enquired of him about the robbing of his brother; as a result, an argument erupted between them. It is alleged that ‘Ray’ then armed himself with a cutlass and a knife, stabbed Alex to the right side of his chest and fled.

The victim was picked up by public-spirited persons and taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where he was admitted and underwent surgery.

An investigation is underway and ‘Ray’ is yet to be arrested.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday October 31, 2019

9

GECOM chair justifies action regarding ID cards …says decision lawful, in keeping with due process

By Svetlana Marshall Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Justice (Ret’d) Claudette Singh said her decision to verify the existence of the 25,000 persons who would have registered in 2008 but have failed to collect their Identification (ID) cards is in accordance with the law, and would therefore allow for due process.

In handing down the decision during Tuesday’s Statutory Meeting at the Elections Commission Headquarters, Justice Singh said persons would be given 21 days to uplift their ID cards, adding that failure to do such would result in their names being excluded from the Official List of Electors (OLE).

“Cognizant of the CJ’s ruling that GECOM should consider other methods of verification…I rule that notices by registered post be sent to the last address of

Chairman of GECOM Justice (Ret’d) Claudette Singh

such persons [and] also that their names be published in the daily newspapers. These persons should be given a period of 21 days to report to the Registration Offices in their respective areas,” Justice Singh said as he handed down her ruling.

It was explained that although their names will remain on the National Register of Registrants Database (NRRDB), once GECOM obtains the return slips from the post offices that the notic-

es were delivered, the names of persons who failed to respond would not be included on the Official List of Electors (OLE).

Justice Singh’s decision was in response to two proposals put to the Commission

by Government-nominated Election Commissioner, Charles Corbin, and was also in keeping with the decision of the Chief Justice (ag), Roxane George-Wiltshire in the House-to-House Registration Case.

In her August 14, 2019 decision, the Chief Justice, in legitimatizing the process of House-to-House Registration, said given the urgent need for elections, the Elections Commission may have to consider other forms of verification. “…since GECOM is seeking to register electors, GECOM may have to consider other options including what other methods of verification of the list may have to be utilized wheth-

er in conjunction with or separately from the Houseto-House Exercise,” Justice George-Wiltshire said in her ruling.

Pointing to the High Court ruling, the GECOM Chairman maintained that her decisions thus far are in keeping with the law. Days after the August 14 ruling, Justice Singh took a decision to shorten the period of Houseto-House Registration on the basis that the December 21, 2018 No-Confidence Motion, which was validated by the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), triggered early elections in the country. Further in an effort to validate the existence of the 25,000 Guyanese who would have failed to collect their ID cards, the Commission, she said, in keeping with ruling of the High Court and the Laws of Guyana, took a decision to publish their names and send registered posts to their last address.

However, she made in

clear, in her ruling, that the names of these persons will not be removed from the NRRDB as she again referenced to the decision of the High Could. “GECOM would have no legal authority to remove or deregister such persons who are otherwise qualified unless such registration can be cancelled pursuant to Sections 8 and 15 of the National Act,” the GECOM Chairman said as she quoted excerpts from the CJ’s ruling.

She added: “Accordingly, GECOM would have no authority to remove the names from the NRRDB.” Notably, in making her decision, Justice Singh rejected Corbin’s proposal for the names of persons, who did not participate in the houseto-house registration exercise but are on the Preliminary List of Electors (PLE), be highlighted on the OLE. However, she ruled that all persons who would have previously registered should be urged to visit registration

officers in their respective areas to verify their information and ensure that their names are on the list.

“Persons who have had a change of address should ensure that they visit the Registration Office in the area in which they reside and so inform the staff in order to have the necessary transfers effected,” she further ruled.

She admonished that persons who would have had a change of name due to marriage should also visit the Registration Offices to effect the necessary changes. “All polling day staff are urged to securitize the particulars of all potential voters,” the Chairman ruled.

Over the weekend, the commission had published and attached to the existing PLE at several of its locations, the list of registrants who participated in the house-to-house registration exercise.

City Hall 'ramps up' upgrade of municipal markets …works on Kitty, Bourda, La Penitence to be completed next month

By Tamica Garnett THE $39 million rehabilitation works at the East Ruimveldt Market has been completed, while remedial works on the Kitty, Bourda and La Penitence markets are all scheduled to be completed by the end of November.

The Bourda Market is being given a facelift at an estimated $32 million and $17.7 million is being expended on the Phase Two rehabilitation of the Kitty Market; $8.8 million is being spent on repairing several sections of the administration building at the La Penitence Market.

At the Bourda Market work on the roof is an estimated 50 per cent complete, while at Kitty work on the internal stalls is said to be about 80 per cent complete; at La Penitence only 10 per cent of work remains to be completed. The markets are being rehabilitated as part of the 2019 Georgetown Restoration Programme, which was allocated some $300 million in the 2019 national budget. The works are being managed by the Ministry of Communities (MoC), after they were selected by the Mayor and City Council (MCC) to be a part of the annual programme.

Coordinator of Engineering Services, Naeem Khan, heads the department at the MoC that is overseeing the works, and he said the ministry is highly satis-

for added security, while there is also the rehabilitation of the sanitary block. “We’re concentrating on completing the roof first. Once we complete the roof we won’t have issues with logistics in terms of moving the vendors, and closing off this section and closing off that section,” Khan related.

having to close; they were very understanding knowing it was for the betterment and improvement of the market.”

Vendors at the Bourda Market have been complaining and calling for repairs to the roof for over two decades now.

Works at the Kitty Market is part of the continuation of the

The Kitty Market

fied with how the works went, and the accountability of how money from the programme was spent. “I think the Georgetown Restoration Programme this year, despite the late start, we’ve had great success as it relates to the pace at which these contractors are working.

We are very much satisfied as it relates to the work. Even with the late start we were able to get all the projects done by the end of November, so we are very much happy that we were able to pull the programme off before the end of the year. And we have gotten good support from the council and the vendors that were affected,” Khan noted, in an interview with the Guyana Chronicle last Monday.

The MoC found the need to take over the financial management of the annual programme after the programme had been cited for financial improprieties for three years. Though the money came from central government, prior to 2019 the

money was handed over to the M&CC which handled the awarding of contracts and payments to contractors.

Over the years the MoC has been having difficulties getting the MCC administration to account for funds. The decision was taken in 2019 to have the MCC select the projects, but have the MoC handle the money. “All the accountability and payments and everything was done by the ministry. The ministry would verify the cost and do the valuation and everything, so we basically manage all aspects of the project. The council they were there to give the support, and in the supervision of the project as well, but in terms of accountability as it relates to payment, measurement and every other thing it was done by the ministry,” Khan assured.

Apart from replacement of the roof and gutters, works at the Bourda Market also include fixing of the windows and walls at certain sections of the market

The rehabilitated road within the East Ruimveldt market

“When we’ve finished the roof then we will look at changing the windows, putting in the sanitary facilities, painting and such. Basically 70 per cent of the work is the roof, and that was successful. Some sections were closed while work has been going on, but the vendors were given notices, and they complied, so that has been moving fairly ok based on the report that we have. We worked with the council and the vendors as it relates on which section they need to close off. They had no major concerns as it relates to

rehabilitation of the market which initially began in 2016.

The project was initially started by the MCC, but over the years the project has faced multiple delays as the result of a cashflow issue, which was blamed on poor financial management by past councils at the municipality. The MoC began intervening in 2018 to get the project back on course. With the external stalls already completed, Phase Two of the market project involves the completion of internal stalls.

“We have something like

41 stalls completed. We are in the process of completing it right now. The project is about 80 per cent completed, what’s outstanding is just some of the stalls at the side. So what we completing is all the stalls including shutters. The electrical stuff was done by the council.

Other works like the tiling of the floor and the painting, those are the outstanding components,” Khan shared.

At La Penitence the works focused mostly on some admin infrastructural aspects.

“La Penitence what we did, we rehabilitated the revenue office, also we constructed a new constable office along with a store room and then we construct a new sanitary facility, and that’s around 90% completed. They have some minor painting and such, and minor electrical stuff,” Khan said. At East Ruimvelt works started in August and ended last month.

“At East Ruimveldt the works entailed the rehabilitation of approximately 2000 feet of internal road. This is to upgrade the existing surface to asphalted concrete; also we did the entrances and we did the western access road. We also did the revetment on that road as well,” Khan relayed.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday October 31, 2019

Gov’t to commission $10M lapidary in Monkey Mountain Friday

RESIDENTS of Monkey Mountain in the North Pakaraimas (Region Eight), come November 1, 2019, will be producing their own jewellery, ornaments and exotic furniture pieces from semi-precious stones with expected commissioning of a $10M lapidary.

Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Valerie Garrido-Lowe, will be heading up to the picturesque village of 1,000 residents who will finally be making better use of the semi-precious stones which can be found in abundance on the plains of the Pakaraimas.

On the National Communication’s Network’s programme ‘INSIGHT’ on Wednesday, Minister Garrido-Lowe said that nothing should stop Guyana from wisely utilising its bountiful natural resources for the benefit of its people.

She explained, “Monkey Mountain is blessed with many semi-precious stones and two years ago I said ‘why not’?” In Latin America, Brazil, you go any country abroad and [you see that] they make beautiful jewel-

“I believe that no matter what fancy building we give you [or] fancy schools we give you, if we do not empower you economically; if we cannot give you the opportunity to earn to buy things for your children,

The community of Monkey Mountain, North Pakaraimas (Region Eight)

lery and different crafts with semi-precious stones so why can’t we do it here right in Guyana? Why not in Monkey Mountain?”

She stated that when the idea was placed to the village’s former Toshao, Hampton King, he was very pleased with the initiative and the plans were later equally well-received by the villagers.

The minister told the story of a woman who had come to her during a visit to the village bringing an amethyst as big as tennis ball, which she found in the hills.

“They liked the stones

[but] they didn’t know what to do with the stones,” Garrido-Lowe said. “They were keeping it in their homes – the pieces that they loved.”

In 2018, it was reported that 15 youths and a few adults from the village had been actively involved in gathering semi-precious stones and Minister Garrido-Lowe assured villagers that there will be tremendous benefits awaiting them once the project was on stream.

She had explained that it is government’s intention to empower and enable the Indigenous people despite their geographic location.

Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Valerie Garrido-Lowe

yourself and your home, then we are not doing anything better for you; we are just keeping you the same way you were all the time and it is not right”, she said.

On the programme, she thanked minister of finance and team for giving the project the ‘greenlight’.

Meanwhile, the location for the building was chosen by the people and an engineer from the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs designed the building.

However, prior to the

technical work, the minister reached out to an expert in production from semi-precious stones, Marcel Yhip, who has had over 30 years of experience in the field.

Yhip was asked to impart her knowledge and provide guidance to persons involved in the project to ensure that the semi-precious minerals meet international market standards.

“I remembered her and I approached her and I took her up with me because we had to do a feasibility study to see whether this can work. So, she went into the fields with the people and she discovered semi-precious stones of high standards that we can use,” the minister said.

As a part of the collaboration, youths from Kurukabaru, Tuseneng, Kato, Mikwak and Monkey Mountain benefitted from training where they learned about semi-precious stones and how to mine them.

Ten of the youths who successfully passed through the training in Monkey Mountain were selected to travel to the Serviço Nacional de Aprendizagem Industrial (SENAI) Institute in Brazil where they were further trained in a lapidary laboratory to work on modern equipment.

The students lived in the country and later successfully graduated with credits while,

with the help of SENAI, the government was able to procure the right, state-of-the-art equipment for the job.

“So, they’re back now in Monkey Mountain and right now they’re preparing for the launching of this facility,” Minister Garrido-Lowe said.

As part of the lapidary, there is a laboratory, store-

Some of the jewellery which can be made from semi-precious stones

room, kitchen area, an office and a showcase room.

The ministry intends to collaborate with the Ministry of Public Telecommunications to use the Internet for the marketing and sale of the products when complete.

Garrido-Lowe said, “I am happy with our government. We are closing that gap between hinterland and coastland; that gap that separated the opportunities from reaching the hinterland. It just needed the will of a government to make the call and invest and treat them just as equal as the coastland.”

Pandit questioned over missing Corentyne woman POLICE have questioned a Berbice Pandit as they investigate the disappearance of a 27-year-old mother of one, who was last seen alive on Diwali Day, October 27.

Missing is Hemwattie Singh known as Mona. She is the mother of a five-yearold boy. Mona resided with her parents at Number 36 Village East-Berbice Corentyne and was last seen wearing a red sari. The Guyana Chronicle has confirmed that the Pandit was questioned extensively by the police, after a serious allegation was levelled against him, by the missing woman a few months ago.

Mona is known for her melodious voice and is a very popular singer at religious functions. When she left home on Sunday morning at around 10:00hrs, her mother Babita Ramsew called “Debbie” did not bother to ask where she was heading as it was customary for her to attend Diwali events during this time. The young mother did not return home the said night but the family was not too worried

Hemwattie Singh

as they figured it was late and she might have spent the night by a friend but when she did not show up the following day the family commenced a search.

After 24 hours of no contact with the young lady, the family made a report to the police at the Number 51 Police Station. Guyana Chronicle has confirmed that on October 19, Singh was taken to the No. 51 Police Station for questioning in relation to a social media post. According to her mother, another Pandit reported that Mona had posted nude images of a woman the Pandit was involved with on Facebook. Police sources said that Mona allegedly posted the photos after she

was denied the opportunity to perform at the annual Diwali motorcade following the initial allegations she made against the first pandit. She was charged with exhibiting obscene photographs and placed on $5,000 bail; her cellphone was also seized.

Debbie believes that something has happened to her daughter and is wondering if these events have anything to do with her disappearance. “If anybody sees her on that day or any day after please let us know so we can trace the steps and try to find her and answers to her disappearance. She didn’t have any problems with her family nor her ex-husband.

“Please Mona if you are seeing this let us know you are ok,” the mother pleaded. Anyone with information is asked to contact the nearest police station or the family on telephone numbers ?+592-654-1544? or ?+592-653-6594?.??

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday October 31, 2019

11

CDC working with partner agencies to find solutions to high-tide flooding -Region Five residents receive cleaning hampers

THE Civil Defence Commission (CDC), on Tuesday morning, held discussions with partner agencies as part of their disaster response to recent high tides which have inundated households and farmlands along coastline communities in Regions Two, Three, Four, Five and Six. Following the meeting, representatives from the CDC travelled to communities from Dantzig to Fairfield as well as to Number 28 Village, West Coast Berbice, Mahaica-Berbice (Region Five) to assess the damage caused by the high tides, which occurred from October 27 to 29, and to distribute cleaning supplies to affected residents.

The CDC and its partners have committed to finding both short and long-term solutions to alleviate the effects of flooding, particularly since more high tides are expected over the coming days. CDC Senior Response Officer, Captain Salim October said, “Disaster risk management and emergency response are a highly bipartisan activity, and at the CDC, we are very particular about ensuring that our response is people-based and based on the people on the ground.”

Additionally, Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA) representative, Ms. Colleen Bascom, said the Authority has been working with farmers to find short-term solutions and have

A representative from the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) hands over a quantity of cleaning supplies to this resident to help with his clean-up efforts following flooding caused by an unusually high tide Civil Defence Commission (CDC), Senior Response Officer, Captain Salim October leads this meeting with CDC partners and State agencies on implementing further strategies to reduce the effects of high tides and flooding in communities in Regions Two, Three, four and Five

A flooded yard at Broomfield, Mahaica-Berbice (Region Five). The watermark on the house shows the original height of the flood waters

so far been able to assist livestock farmers to move their animals to higher ground.

“Our main focus now is mainly Mahaicony in Region

Five...We have been doing a lot of work assisting farmers with transporting animals to higher ground, supplemental feeding and veterinary assis-

tance…,” she said.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Public Infrastructure’s Sea and River Defence Department is working on sealing

the breaches along the eastern embankment from Dantzig to Fairfield as a long-term solution in this area. Representatives from other agencies, including the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI); the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB); the Mahaica-Mahaicony-Abary-Agricultural Development Authority (MMA-ADA); the Ministry of Public Health and the Ministry of Communities also participated in the meeting. Mrs. Janet Bhandoo, who lives along the Dantzig foreshore, in an invited comment said although the high tides destroyed both her and her neighbours’ farms,

they remain optimistic since infrastructural works have been ongoing on a twentyfour-hour basis and the flood water is receding quickly.

“Every day you see the trucks, the big load trucks going in and carrying things,” Mrs. Bhandoo said.

Several other residents also said that they were satisfied with the State’s response to lessen the adverse effects of the flooding. At the same time, the CDC continues to advise residents to take all the necessary precautions to reduce health risks and to minimize damage to property as the high tides are expected to continue.

(Ministry of the Presidency)

Timehri man committed to stand trial for drinking buddy’s murder A 42-year-old resident of Ice House Road, Timehri, East Bank Demerara, was, on Wednesday, October 30, 2019, committed to stand trial at the Demerara High Court for the murder of his co-worker.

Phillip Solomon appeared before Senior Magistrate Le-

ron Daly, at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.

Magistrate Daly, having considered the prosecution’s evidence, stated that the court was of the opinion that a sufficient case had been made against Solomon.

Hence, he was committed to stand trial before a Judge

and jury at the next practicable sitting of the Demerara Assizes.

Solomon was not required to plead to the indictable charge which stated that, on October 24, 2018, at Timehri, East Bank Demerara, he murdered 51-year-old Vernon Cummings.

According to reports, Cummings and the defendant were known to each other, and worked as labourers on the Timehri wharf, where they would usually consume alcohol and get into arguments. On the day in question, the men were drinking and had a misunderstanding

which led to an argument and subsequently a scuffle.

It is alleged that Cummings armed himself with a piece of iron and the defendant with a wooden paddle, and they began hitting each other.

The defendant’s brother, on being informed about the fight, rushed to the scene to

make peace. It was after he (the brother) took away the iron from Cummings that the accused dealt Cummings a lash to his head, causing him to fall.

He was rushed to the Diamond Public Hospital where he died, while he was receiving treatment.

Dhanraj Rambarran

Khamwattie Rambarran

Elderly E’bo couple freed of TIPs charges AN elderly couple who were charged with trafficking two women-- one a Venezuelan-for sexual exploitation at La Cabana Bar and Hotel, were on Tuesday freed by Magistrate Esther Sam at the Anna Regina Magistrate’s Court.

Dhanraj Rambarran, 58, and his wife, Khamwattie Rambarran, 53, were freed of the charge

after Magistrate Sam ruled in favour of a no-case submission made by their attorney Bernard DaSilva. The Rambarrans were initially charged with using their property as a brothel.

The director of public prosecutions (DPP) had advised that, based on the evidence, the charges be dropped and the couple be charged with two

counts of trafficking in persons.

The new charges read that, between January 1, 2019, and February 16, 2019, at La Cabana Bar, Henrietta Village, Essequibo Coast, the couple recruited, transported and harboured the women for sexual exploitation. The couple had pleaded not guilty to the two charges and were granted

$200,000 bail.

The Guyana Chronicle had reported that the elderly couple was nabbed at La Cabana Bar and Hotel during a Trafficking in Persons (TIPs) raid conducted by the police and a Ministerial Task Force TIPs team from Georgetown.

12

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, October 31, 2019

NICIL playing major role in land regularisation in Reg. 10 --pushing other projects to stir economic growth

By Vanessa Braithwaite THE National Industrial and Commercial Investments Ltd. (NICIL) is playing a major role in empowering residents of Region Ten(Upper Demerara-Berbice) with legal documentation for their plots of land.

Over the past few months, over 500 persons have been presented with either land leases or titles for their residential lands, thus making them legal owners.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of NICIL Colvin Heath-London related that many of the persons who benefited from the land regularisation process were residing on the lands for decades, without any legal documentation to prove that they are owners. “We have, in some cases, over three generations of people living on the same plot for decades but had no documentation for the land, and this is because a lot of the communities in Linden started as squatting areas and then became established communities after all the relevant public infrastructure was put in,” London explained.

After realising the severity of the problem, NICIL be-

gan an aggressive surveying campaign to tackle the issue, and residents were given an opportunity to purchase the plots of land and were issued with their titles. Falling in this category, he explained, were many old employees of the bauxite company, who, as part of their severance packages, were given land or company houses, but no legal process of ownership was ever completed. “In the early 2000s, permission was given but it was never formalised.

We also have a lot of people that applied to NICIL for house lots in the former years, but the transaction was never completed, and so, many of those now benefiting from the regularisation process are applicants who were backlogged in the system as well,” another NICIL senior manager related.

He said that the regularisation process is only part of NICIL's holistic plan to transform Linden into an economic powerhouse, and, therefore, rather than just being a gateway, it will be a destination town. It is a means of empowerment, because without ownership, you can't get any prosperity. You can take that lease or title to

NICIL CEO Colvin Heath-London

the bank to borrow money to not only construct a home, but to establish a business as well, thus making more services available in Linden.

And, therefore, the town will be more viable to be a destination town.”

London said that ownership is a direct impact on the lives of not only residents of Linden, but all communities in Region Ten, and beneficiaries will be able to advance their lives socially and financially. Some of the communities that have benefited from this regularisation include Coomacka, Old England, Ituni, Speightland, Amelia's Ward and Kwak-

wani. In addition to its own regularisation, NICIL is also playing an integral role in the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CHPA)’s housing drive by transferring hundreds of acres of land to the entity for affordable allocation. Not only is this being done in Region 10, but in other regions such as Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara).

More than just the regularisation of land, CEO London related that land regularisation is only one of the avenues being used to transform Linden into a destination town. The government agency is also pushing development in the agriculture and tourism industry. Tangible support has been given to the Regional Agricultural Committee in its food security drive. It is now the newly- renovated Watooka Guest House's policy to only make purchases for its restaurant from local farmers, thus boosting their markets.

Realising the region's tourism potential, NICIL is working assiduously on ensuring the hospitality industry is rated at international standard. This is not only evident in the works that were com-

pleted at the Watooka Guest House, but in the erecting of sign boards across Linden, the rehabilitation of the centennial park, and the establishment of the first outdoor restaurant and river deck.

“At NICIL,” London said, “we see Region Ten as not a gateway, but as a destination.

And in a destination, people stop there, and therefore we need to develop Linden into a commercial centre by allowing all of the goods and services to be available there, so persons coming from the interior locations can stop there and make purchases and return, and persons going into the interior can make their purchases in Linden as well.”

As a result of all these developmental projects, over 400 residents of Region Ten were already employed, and even though it may be on a temporary basis, London related that it is NICIL's principle to only utilise the service of small contractors within the region. He said that NICIL has an open-door policy, and that while it has been having regular engagement with the Linden Chamber of Commerce, regional officials and other stakeholders, residents are welcome to

come to the office to discuss what better ways the entity can serve the region.

Region Ten Member of Parliament Jermaine Figueira has applauded NICIL for the strides it has made in ensuring Region Ten again becomes the bread basket of Guyana.

“We appreciate all of the help that we are receiving from NICIL; the land regularisation project,” Figueira said, adding: “I personally would have had persons that benefited come up to me and express how grateful they are for being owners of a plot of land.

And we know this is in keeping with the government's mandate to meet the needs of the people.

The issue of land is a very pertinent one, and while CHPA is playing its role to develop these lands with the necessary infrastructure, it is good to know that NICIL is expediting the provision of these lands as well. And so I applaud them, and the residents of Region Ten are very much appreciative of the work it is doing."

More support for hurricane-ravaged Bahamas -as GTT hands over funds to the CDC THE Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GTT) has contributed to the Civil Defence Commission (CDC)’s hurricane relief fund, which is used to support hurricane-ravaged Bahamas.

GTT, over the past few weeks, accumulated close to $130,000 through SMS and Mobile Money Guyana (MMG). All of the funds will go towards assisting the Bahamas in its rebuilding efforts.

GTT’s Public Relations and Corporate Communication Manager, Jasmin Harris, handed over the donation to Project Manager (ag) of the CDC, Anita Layne at the CDC’s Thomas Lands location.

“The company is happy to contribute, through the kind donations of the public, to the relief efforts being championed by the CDC. We are pleased that our products assisted in fundraising for a worthy cause”, Harris remarked.

Layne, in return, expressed gratitude to GTT for its effort to amass the money which will be put to good use.

“I am thankful to GTT and all the other private, public and non-governmental organisations which have partnered with us in supporting the Bahamas after being impacted

by Hurricane Dorian. We trust that our contributions will go a far way in helping the country rebuild and recover

from the devastation caused from that natural disaster.

The CDC is in the process of consolidating all the resources raised and will be coordinating an official handing over to the Government of Bahamas shortly,” said Layne.

On September 1, Dorian, a Category Five hurricane ripped through the small Caribbean archipelago with winds near 240 kilometres per hour (150 miles per hour). Hurricane Dorian claimed the lives of 65 persons on the island and was deemed the strongest hurricane on record to affect the Bahamas.

GTT’s Public Relations and Corporate Communication Manager, Jasmin Harris handing over the cheque to CDC’s Project Manager (ag), Anita Layne

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday October 31, 2019

13

EU offers to support GNBA during elections period THE European Union (EU) has considered lending support to the Guyana National Broadcasting Authority (GNBA) to monitor the airwaves during the upcoming elections season.

Representatives of the EU visited GNBA and met with the authority’s Chairman, Leslie Sobers. The EU’s visit was part of an exploratory and fact finding mission to determine whether they should propose additional monitoring support to Guyana for the upcoming General and Regional Elections.

Sobers told the EU representatives that the GNBA will be collaborating with the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) and the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) as it relates to monitoring broadcast content at the impending elec-

Chairman of the GNBA, Leslie Sobers meeting with representatives of the EU

tions, slated for March 2020.

It was also pointed out that the GNBA will be developing a Citizen Monitoring Programme that will further increase its monitoring capacity overall.

The primary focus of the engagement between the EU representatives and the GNBA was to garner an understanding from the GNBA on the state of affairs of the broadcasting

Another pirate confesses to deadly attack Police on Wednesday arrested a third pirate who was wanted for the brutal murder of the four fishermen between October 5 -13, 2019.

The man identified as Lenox Grimond called “Breeze” was arrested just after noon and taken to the #51 Police Station where he remains in custody after confessing to his role in the deadly piracy attack.

Grimond, whose last address was given as Cromarty Village, East Berbice Corentyne is the third person to confess to the crime. He is expected to be charged soon. On Wednesday, Suresh Sundat called “Chu Chu Bai” and Narine Dhanrajh called “Buckman”, both from Belvedere Village, East Berbice, Corentyne were charged with the capital offence after confessing

participation in the attack Friday last, hours after being arrested.

Sundat, 22, and Dhanrajh, 30, told investigators they were part of the fiveman crew which attacked the SARA 1 in a bid to loot its catch.

The other two members, O’Brian Fraser called “Shines” and Anonth Boodrage called “Andy” are wanted by the police for their role in the attack.

Fraser is from Eversham Village on the Corentyne while Boodrage is from Lot 97 Belvedere Village. Both men, according to police, are 21 years old.

According to sources close to the investigation, Sundat and Dhanrajh are claiming they remained on their vessel while Grimond, Fraser and Boodrage embarked on the SARA 1 and

tried to loot the catch.

The four-man crew of Marvin Tamessar called “Buddy”, 20; Lamar Petrie, 20; Vishnu Seeram called “Kevin” also 20, all of Miss Pheobe, East Berbice, Corentyne and Kawal Kissoon, called “Ajay”, 36, of Letter Kenny Village recognised the men and put up a resistance.

The pirates beat, chopped and bound them men before throwing them overboard and escaping with their catch and boat engine.

Anyone with information that may lead to the arrest of Fraser and Boodrage is asked to contact the police on telephone numbers 333-3876, 333-5564, 333-2151 – 3, 337-2411, 335-3014, 2253650, 226-1928, 911 or the nearest police station.

‘Dangerous driving’ accused released on bail SIX months after an 18-yearold was killed in a hit-andrun accident, a 31-year-old man was arraigned before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan, on Wednesday, October 30, 2019.

Denesh Dhanraj of Grove, East Bank Demerara, appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court and denied the charge which stated that, on May 25, 2019, at Regent Street and Avenue of the Republic, he drove motor car PHH 4183 in a manner dangerous to the

public, causing the death of Barial Hall.

According to statements presented by Police Prosecutor Neville Jeffers, on the day in question, Dhanraj was driving his motor car on Avenue of Republic, proceeding north at a fast rate. As he approached the intersection, he collided with Hall who was crossing the road from east to west.

Hall was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation, where he was admitted. However, he later

succumbed to his injuries.

Prosecutor Jeffers made no objection to bail under the conditions that Dhanraj lodges his passport to the court and reports every Monday to the Brickdam Police Station until the completion of his trial.

Magistrate McLennan released him on $500,000 bail and suspended his driver’s license until the completion of his trial.

Dhanraj is scheduled to make his next court appearance on November 14, 2019.

landscape in Guyana and to establish from the authority, its perspective as to whether citizens have easy access to information.

Sobers, in outlining the present state of the broadcasting sector, informed the EU Representatives of the geographical zones established for television, radio and cable broadcasting.

The chairman also informed the EU representatives of the remit of the authority and more specifically, what, how and why the authority monitors broadcast content; and the fact that monitoring is done within the parameters of the law.

He also gave a brief historical background on broadcasting in Guyana and the possible role of the GNBA in monitoring social media, within the confines of the Cybercrime Act 2016.

The Chairman also indi-

cated to the representatives the level and ease of access to information available to Guyanese in various parts of the country.

It was reported that with the General and Regional Elections just around the corner, GNBA will be seeking international assistance to monitor the local airwaves for infractions.

“Many infractions are expected around elections time… so we will be seeking external assistance to monitor the airwaves…international assistance,” said Sobers in a recent report.

Sobers said the authority has started negotiations with entities from countries such as the United States of America (USA), Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, Barbados and Europe.

“We are looking at all the opportunities available and what we could get from those

companies,” he said. The GNBA is also engaging the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) and will soon be approaching the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM)’s media monitoring unit when it is established.

“Our country will be moving into a period that has its own excitement and during this time we intend that there should be no misuse of the airways… be assured that defiance and violations will be treated appropriately,” said Sobers.

It was also reported that media monitors will be drawn from different age groups, communities and organisations from across the country to aid the GNBA in its efforts to ensure that broadcasters comply with regulations.

14

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday October 31, 2019

Some areas in Region Five remain under water -as Gov’t continues efforts to repair sections of the Mahaicony sea defence

By Navendra Seoraj RESIDENTS, in communities along the coast of Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice), are still affected by flooding which was caused by a breach in the sea defence at Dantzig owing to the high tide.

The spring tides did not make it easy for the persons who are working to address the breach, but work continued on Tuesday. “The damage was done… they have been working to construct a dam and repair the area where the breach is, but water still coming in,” said a distressed newspaper vendor, Kamani Mahadeo in an invited comment, on Tuesday.

Mahadeo, a resident of Glazier’s Lust, said she lost everything within the space of three days because the water rose higher than expected. She totalled her losses at over $500,000. Mahadeo’s entire bottom flat and yard are inundated with water up to her ankle.

“All my sheep, rabbits and everything died out because they came out of the water and went on the road… so they got hit down,” said Mahadeo. Her plight was similar to that of persons who reside in Rebecca’s Lust, Fairfield, Harmony Hall, Broom’s Hall and a few other communities.

Pensioner, Desiree Percival, said for the past three days she has been struggling to get around her yard and get things done. “It is very hard for me to deal with… all my fowl them dead and so… the flood affecting us bad and the water has been going and coming all the time, but we didn’t expect it to come so high this time,” said Percival.

Other elderly persons from Rebecca’s Lust echoed the sentiments of Percival, noting that they are praying for a solution soon because if it continues they will have to consider alternatives.

A rice farmer from Glazier’s Lust, Karsarnauth Doodnauth is also considering alternatives since he said he had to make it through high levels of water just to get his work done. The farmer said he lost 10 cows and 10 acres of rice since the flooding started.

Seventy-six-year-old, Ramcharran (only name given), said he fell ill a few days ago because of the water, but has been recovering well. Despite being ill, he still made his way through the water to get his work done. Considering the existing conditions in the flood-affected com-

Doctor in charge of the Carlton Hall Health Centre, Dr. Tazim Bacchus and his staff (Delano Williams photo)

Seventy-six-year-old Ramcharran entering his heavily-flooded yard (Delano Williams photo)

Workers installing the temporary door at the Stewartville sluice (Elvin Croker photo)

munities, persons need to be mindful of certain illnesses, said the Doctor in charge of the Carlton Hall Health Centre, Dr. Tazim Bacchus in an invited comment.

“There has been nothing significant as yet, but we saw

any symptom of diarrhea.

The health centre will also be on the lookout for certain mosquito-borne illnesses.

In order to ensure that persons stay in good health during the flooding, the Doc-

pipe water is to be used, he advised persons to add bleach to it before consumption.

He also encouraged persons to use protective gears such as long boots and gloves when going into flooded parts of their yard. Persons, who are feeling ill, were encouraged to visit the health centre in order to be treated early.

As work continues on the health and safety aspect, Government is also working to ensure that the flood is mitigated. Guyana Chronicle reported on Saturday that emergency works are being conducted at heavily-eroded and breached sections of the Mahaicony sea defence.

The works were aimed at lessening the impact of the current high tide. Executing

Excavator operators trying to mitigate the flooding in the communities along Region Five (Delano Williams photo)

some people coming in with rashes, however, there has not been anything strange,” said Dr. Bacchus.

He said some of the symptoms and ailments that they are keeping an eye out for are rashes with fever, leptospirosis, cholera and

tor said the region had sent out community health workers to speak with residents about proper hygiene and other healthy practices. Dr. Bacchus advised residents to desist from consuming the normal pipe water and use bottled water instead. If

these emergency flood protection works is the Sea and River Defence Department which has taken note of the sections of sea defences impacted by the cyclic erosion of the foreshore and natural depletion of the mangrove forest. In a release on Thurs-

A girl building a walkway to cope with the inundation (Delano Williams photo)

day, the ministry reported that significant overtopping had been occurring at the sea defence embankment within a 3.0 kilometres stretch of shoreline between Fairfield and Dantzig.

“The Ministry of Finance recently approved a contingency allocation to support the efforts of the Ministry of Public Infrastructure in executing sea defence construction works at Mahaicony.

These resources are being utilised to engage multiple contractors in key construction materials supplies and works execution contracts which will be executed concurrently to achieve faster implementation,” the ministry indicated.

The ministry is working to reinstate sections of the earthen embankment by constructing rock armour facing on the seaward slope as an erosion control measure. The medium-term solution works are being undertaken by A and S General Contractors Inc. which is working at the Fairfield and Broomhall area and BK International Inc. which is working at the Dantzig area.

Four other contractors have been engaged to simultaneously deliver boulders to the worksites along the Mahaicony foreshore by barge, and with trucks via the ECD Highway.

Compromised access dams and the deterioration of

the sea defence embankment have increased the difficulty of transporting construction materials.

The National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) had also installed three mobile pumps at Cottage and Dantzig to discharge excess water from the Bellamy Canal into the Atlantic Ocean, which prevents the intrusion of salt water onto adjacent agriculture lands.

Sluice door damaged Meanwhile, as Government worked to fix one problem, it had to deal with another in Stewartville on the West Coast of Demerara (WCD), where a sluice door was damaged because of the high tides. Water was flowing rapidly through the damaged part of the door, but quick work by the relevant authorities ensured that communities were not flooded.

A reliable source told the Guyana Chronicle that a temporary door is being installed to ensure that water does not rush through during the next high tide. The source said construction of a permanent door will begin shortly.

Residents of the community were pleased with the remedial work that was done and said that a major catastrophe was averted.

15

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, October 31, 2019

Multimillion-dollar rice mill at Wales Estate in pipeline WITH rice-farming at the Wales Estate continuing to grow as the estate expands its acreage and with two private farmers recently reaping their first crop, the need for establishment of a rice mill at the facility is becoming increasingly clear.

Special Purpose Unit (SPU) Officer in Charge of the Wales Estate, Charles Browne, says those plans are still in the works, with the aim being to do value-added rice. However, it is an investment that will be cost-intensive, so it will take time.

Right now the focus is on increasing the profit margin of the current rice cultivation.

“In the end we will be aiming to set up something right here to mill and market it. That will happen sometime in the future. Right now we’re basically working on expanding our acreage [because] to set up a mill is an expensive thing, as expensive as $250 million to set up a milling and drying facility,” Browne related.

The West Bank of Demerara estate recently began selling its paddy to millers in Mahaicony, as opposed to the

ones on the West Bank, so as to get a better profit.

“We used to send to Hack’s on this side of the river, but now we sent some to the other side of the river, at Fairfield in Mahaicony. Right now we just send the paddy and they do the processing and market and ship. We just sell them bags of paddy,” Browne explains “We choose the mill based on the price they offer and some mills give better prices than others. It may be a bit more to transport it, but the overall thing you still benefit.

The mill over here they have a monopoly and they basically price you how they want to price it.”

Yields from the SPU’s rice farms currently range from 23 – 40 bags of paddy per acre, and Browne is optimistic about improvements.

After starting with just over 230 acres, when rice cultivation at the estate first began in 2017, the estate recently expanded its operations to some 510.8 acres as it heads into its fifth crop.

With the expansion Browne said came increased employment, with the estate taking on new tractor operators

MoTP showers praise on Guyana’s Robotics team THE Ministry of Public Telecommunications (MOPT) has congratulated the local team which participated in the 2019 Global Robotics Tournament in Dubai for coming out strongly at 39th place in a field of 190 competitors.

The team of eight, young participants who are budding Guyanese Technology Engineers ended the tournament in the top 25 percent in the world rankings.

In a release, the Ministry stated that STEM Guyana assessed the team as successful in overcoming strong logistical odds thus showing remarkable resilience.

Team Guyana comprised youths from Hague, West Coast Demerara (WCD), Timehri, the Soesdyke- Linden Highway, Enmore on the East Coast of Demerara (ECD) and communities in Georgetown. The MOPT has been partnering with STEM Guyana since 2016 when Guyana’s evolution towards a digitized nation gained serious momentum.

STEM Guyana has since attracted partners in other

governmental agencies as well as non-governmental organizations.

Meanwhile, Minister of Telecommunications, Cathy Hughes has been presenting Robotic Kits with workbooks, stationery and other materials to STEM Guyana, to Robotic Clubs in Primary and Secondary schools, community groups and Libraries. The Ministry said that she has been working to ensure that Guyana’s children have access to every available facility to become tech-savvy.

“STEM Guyana’s partnership with MOPT also allowed the team of Robotics tutors to utilize Community ICT hubs, which the Ministry has equipped with Wi-Fi connections and computers, for training,” the Ministry stated.

STEM Guyana stated that Team Guyana and their “community of mentors and supporters contributed to the design of a superior machine, proving to the world that a tiny country ... could compete favourably against youths from wealthy nations with access to more resources”.

A combine harvester in the process of reaping the fourth rice crop at the Wales Estate (Delano Williams photo)

and field hands.

Browne said there are challenges with transporting and selling the paddy, but the rice cultivation is making much progress. Aside from expanding acreage, the estate recently bought its first rice combine after the last crop was affected by the renting of a combine.

“We purchased a combine because we were getting a difficulty getting the farmers’ combine; they tell you they’re going to come, but by the time they come the crop would’ve gotten over ripe. They don’t always keep their word. We would hire

a combine from one of them and it comes late. It happened last crop. So we decided to buy one,” Browne shared.

The next move in asset acquisition, Browne says, is for the estate to get its own lorries to transport the rice paddy to the mills, since some contractors are reluctant with the renting of their lorries.

“At the end of the day you have to own your own stuff; you get difficulties at times when you don’t own your own. The guys that own the combines don’t want to rent you their lorries, they want to

rent you their combines and lorry, so eventually we have to get our own lorries. Lorry would be probably be as much as $13 million depending on the type of lorry you want; all like if we want to send stuff across the bridge we can’t use the big lorry, we have to use a smaller lorry about $6 - $7 million,” Browne explained.

Rice cultivation is one of many activities of the diversification programme currently being developed on the over 8,000 acres of lands that supplied cane to the country’s once thriving sugar industry.

Sugar production at the estate ceased in December 2016, and the management of the facility was handed over from the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuco) to the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) Special Purpose Unit (SPU).

NICIL is aiming to cultivate and own an ultimate 1000 acres of rice, while of the private investors who leased lands at the estate, two are also going to be involved in rice-farming.

Browne confirmed that the farmers have begun reaping “One investor already has 116.7 acres of rice to harvest now. He already planted half of his section, and he’s converting the rest. There’s another [rice farmer] closer to Number 2 Canal, he also harvested some already. He has 438 acres and I think about half of that went under rice and he harvest it out already,” Browne said.

The estate has been assisting private rice farmers and other private investors in converting the lands from the former sugar cane lands.

16

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday October 31, 2019

China’s human rights development path, achievements applauded at UN side event UNITED NATIONS, Oct. 27 (Xinhua) -- China’s human rights development path and achievements were applauded at a United Nations (UN) side event on right to development hosted by China’s permanent mission to the UN on Friday.

“China is an extempore reference for any developing nation around the world about how a nation ... can move forward in the implementation of its development plans,” said Lenni Montiel, deputy regional director of United Nations Development Programme’s Region-

al Bureau for Latin America and the Caribbean.

For other developing nations, the example of China is “a key element” in the efforts to improve development for everybody, he said.

Present at the event were ambassadors from Belarus, Cuba and Nigeria, senior officials of the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, and delegates from some 40 missions, including Russia, Italy, Singapore, India and Algeria.

Speakers agreed that the right

to development is crucial to the implementation of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. They highly appreciated China’s human rights development path and achievements, commended China’s achievements in economic development and poverty alleviation as “world miracles,” which provided rich experience for other developing countries to realize their development rights.

“The international community must attach great importance to the right to development, put development at the core of the global macro

policy framework and accelerate the implementation of the sustainable development goals,” Zhang Jun, China’s permanent representative to the UN, told the event.

“We must respect the social systems, development paths and the human rights protection models chosen by the countries themselves, and adopt a people-centered development paradigm,” he said.

Zhang noted that the Chinese government takes development as its top priority and the rights to survival and development as the primary basic human rights.

“Facing the complex and changing international economic situation, the Chinese economy has maintained overall stability, with the quality of development steadily improving, new potential and space unleashed and business environment getting better, making people confident in the future,” he said. The envoy said that China gives sincere assistance to other developing countries in exercising their right to development, and never attaches any political condition.

Xinhua Headlines: China’s reform, opening-up contribute to economic globalization GUANGZHOU, Oct. 28 (Xinhua) -- Messages from the Understanding China Conference that closed Sunday show that China’s reform and opening-up have delivered tangible benefits to the world and contributed to a new round of economic globalization.

The event, held in Guangzhou, capital of south China’s economic powerhouse of Guangdong Province, brought in-depth discussions on “New Globalization and China’s New Round of Reform and Opening Up.” About 600 officials, strategists, scholars and entrepreneurs from 17 countries and regions, as well as representatives of international organizations, participated in the three-day event.

ECONOMIC GLOBALIZATION The international trading system that has made possible the extension and expansion of the opportunities of globalization is “under severe stress,” said Ernesto Zedillo, former president of Mexico, at the opening ceremony.

“We are moving rapidly from a rules-based system into a system based on the force of power. And that, in other words, means the law of the jungle, which is detrimental for globalization,” he said.

Against the backdrop of the twists and turns of economic globalization, China’s economy has shown sufficient resilience and great potential.

China’s GDP expanded 6.2 percent year on year in the first three quarters of 2019 to about 69.78 trillion yuan (about 9.88 trillion U.S. dollars), according

Aerial photo taken on June 25, 2019 shows the terminal building of the newly-built Daxing International Airport in Beijing, capital of China

to data from the National Bureau of Statistics.

During the conference, participants were optimistic about China’s development prospects.

China to better integrate into the world economy.

“From China-Africa cooperation to the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), we can see China’s active integration into the world economy,” he said.

REFORM AND OPENING-UP With nearly 1.4 billion people, China has always been a good example of an open economy, as well as a defender and a promoter of globalization.

“China’s development

China has signed documents with more than 160 countries and international organisations on B&R cooperation, which is a good example of China’s opening-up determination. “The initiative has linked China extensively with its neighbors,” said Kishore Mahbubani, a distinguished fellow at the Asia Research Institute of the National University of Singapore (NUS).

With strengthened cooperation, more economic dividends will be seen in B&R

of Economic Reform.

“The cooperation among B&R countries has opened up new space for world economic growth, built a new platform for international trade and investment and contributed to the improvement of the global governance system,” he said.

China has lifted 800 million people out of poverty, which is a remarkable miracle and has made great contributions to the world, said Professor Zheng Yongnian with

of the reform and opening up today,” said Li Yong, director-general of the UN Industrial Development Organization.

China has contributed a lot to globalization, said Martin

Ernesto Zedillo, former president of Mexico, delivers a keynote speech during the Understanding China Conference in Guangzhou, capital of south China’s Guangdong Province, Oct. 26, 2019

Participants attend the forum “’Belt and Road Initiative’ and Industrial Cooperation” during the Understanding China Conference in Guangzhou, capital of south China’s Guangdong Province, Oct. 26, 2019

“Globalization and China’s own policies have been highly complementary and mutually beneficial. We need to recognize this to fully understand China’s commitment to globalization and the new round

Jacques, a senior fellow of the Department of Politics and International Studies at the University of Cambridge, adding that one of China’s basic views on globalization is inclusiveness, which allows

made by its reform and opening-up policy is inseparable from and mutually reinforcing with the process of globalization,” said Zheng Bijian, chairman of the China Institute for Innovation and Development Strategy.

“The current era calls for a new framework of economic globalization and China will contribute to the world economy through opening-up,” he said.

countries, he added.

From 2013 to 2018, the trade volume between China and other countries along the B&R surpassed 6 trillion U.S. dollars and China’s investment in those countries exceeded 90 billion dollars.

“Though proposed by China, the opportunities and achievements brought by the BRI are shared by the world,” said Zhao Ai, executive vice president of the China Society

the East Asian Institute of the NUS. China has begun to move from quantitative economic growth to qualitative economic development, taking opportunities in the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area while actively promoting the new round of economic globalization, Zheng added. Enditem

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, October 31, 2019

PNCR makes donation to help rebuild Guinness Bar CHAIRMAN of the People's National Congress Reform (PNCR), Volda Lawrence, made a tangible donation to the owner of the D’Urban Street Guinness Bar and Restaurant, Troy Mendonca, following the fire which gutted the establishment on Monday.

She noted that over the years and through his business, Mendonca has contributed to the Lodge community. In handing over the donation, she encouraged him to remain steadfast and

to utilise the contribution to rebuild his business.

Fire destroyed the popular establishment at 67, Joseph Pollydore Street, Lodge, just after 19:00 hours on Monday evening, causing Mendonca some $10M in losses. The fire also put several persons out of a job. In accepting the donation, Mendonca thanked the PNCR and the Georgetown District for its benevolence, stating that these are acts of love he will cherish forever.

Region 2 coconut industry could get $500M boost -- as overseas-based Guyanese plans massive investment on Essequibo Coast

By Indrawattie Natram OVERSEAS-BASED Guyanese Dudley Stephens, 38, formerly of Maria’s Lodge, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) and currently resident in Long Island, USA, plans to invest some $500M to develop the coconut industry on the Essequibo Coast.

Speaking with the Guyana Chronicle, Stephens said he currently works for a wealth management firm in Manhattan. Most of his clients, he said, are looking for investment opportunities and he has therefore encouraged them to do so in Guyana.

Stephens said he has visited Guyana with the hope of creating a business network, whereby he can positively contribute to the Region Two economy. His business, “Legacy Agro,” is seeking to start investment at Capoey.

Asked why Capoey, Stephens said his mother grew up in that community.

His aim is to establish a huge coconut estate in Capoey, thereby providing job opportunities for persons in the community as well as on the coastland. He said his coconut estates will be intercropped with pepper and citrus and later an agro- processing facility will be built as the business expands.

“I believe in diversifying,

if you can diversify then the agriculture industry will attract investment and job opportunities will be created; we all know the issue of rice-farming as such lands should be converted to coconut plantations,” Stephens said.

For the few weeks Stephens has been in Guyana, he met with regional officials and shared his ideas; among those was Region Two Chairman Devanand Ramdatt, who is was happy that Stephens wants to invest in the Region Two economy.

During the regional agriculture fair, the businessman also used the opportunity to create contacts and build a network for his business.

On Monday he also met with Agriculture Minister Noel Holder, with whom he shared some of his ideas.

He will be meeting again with the minister to formally discuss how he can positively contribute to the agriculture sector. Stephens also intends opening a mall at Suddie, as well as a high-end resort at Capoey. He is trying to get several businesspersons to come and invest in Guyana, especially in the oil and gas sector; he sees great opportunities for Guyana once the resources are properly managed.

Chairman of the People's National Congress Reform (PNCR), Volda Lawrence makes a donation to the Guinness Bar and Restaurant owner, Troy Mendonca

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, October 31, 2019

Leguan residents urge speedy repairs to stelling

…$420M Contract being reviewed

By Telesha Ramnarine RESIDENTS of Leguan Island in the Essequibo River are concerned that the stelling, which many of them use on a daily basis, could collapse at any moment given the urgent repairs that have been lacking for more than a year now.

Two rice farmers, Mahandra Tullaram and Ganesh Nandram, told Guyana Chronicle on Monday while crossing on a boat from Leguan to Parika, that they use the stelling on a daily basis only because of the kind of business that they do. Otherwise, the men said they are fearful for their lives as the stelling can collapse at any moment.

A contract, valued at $420M, was awarded almost a year ago to Kalan Maraj, but the works remain at a standstill. Vice Chairman of Region Three (Essequibo Islands/West Demerara), Sheik Ayube, told this publication on Tuesday that Minister

within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Jaipaul Sharma visited the island about two months ago, and informed that there were some problems with the contract and that it needed to be revised.

According to Ayube, the engineer who prepared the contract did not include costs for piles, and hence the project is at a standstill. Meanwhile, the piles underneath the stelling have decayed and hence there is no support there.

Meanwhile, Tullaram, a rice farmer of Belfield, Leguan, who transports paddy off of the idea almost daily, said he takes a chance every day to travel on the stelling only because he has to get his produce sold. “Presently, we working at a loss because we can’t bring the amount of load. Normally we take like 170 to 200 bags of paddy and now we can only take 150 bags. When we’re coming back, we also have to come with less load. Only a chance abi ah tek to come on it,” he

said.

Tullaram is of the view that the amount of money spent on the stelling so far for persons to conduct surveys and checks could have been used to fix the stelling.

In the past, Tullaram’s vehicle fell into the river when the stelling was being repaired. “They didn’t nail down the boards back and one of the beams gave away.

Plenty times my vehicles get damaged and I get no compensation.”

“The contractor doing cheap work and everybody passing money. The spent millions of dollars to repair the stelling not so long ago and it came back to square one. The money that they spending to repair this stelling, they can open the back stelling and do the road,” the rice farmer offered.

Nandram, of Endeavor Village, pointed out that simply walking on the stelling can cause you to feel the shaking, especially if a vehicle is passing. “We don’t

know what the contractor is doing but the stelling never come to this state before.

The waiting room…if you go to buy ticket and that thing fall in with you in there, you can’t come out; you have to drown right in there.”

Nandram said life would be at a standstill if the stelling comes down.

“What’s the use they gave us roads, lights; everything we get and the stelling can’t fix?

That’s the main thing. If we don’t have the stelling, we

Rice farmers Mahandra Tullaram (left) and Ganesh Nandram

The stelling at Leguan Island

The works on the stelling remain at a standstill

can’t get goods in Leguan.”

Residents had earlier told this publication that the Leguan Stelling is standing on God’s mercy. A section of it had to be cordoned off earlier this year, and the contractor has since refused to disclose any information regarding the works there.

Maraj, who received the contract for works on the stelling since last year walked away from Guyana

Chronicle’s team when asked for the date that the contract was signed. “I can’t remember that,” he said as he was leaving.

Almost every day, huge trucks and other vehicles carrying animals traverse the stelling. The boards are all loose and the sound coming from them as the vehicles pass over is horrifying.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, October 31, 2019

Linden nurses abandon go-slow after talks with ministry NURSES attached to the Linden Hospital Complex (LHC), did not follow through with plans to participate in a strike, following a meeting that was held between management and the Ministry of Public Health Officials, on Tuesday.

This newspaper was told that the nurses participated in about three hours of sit-in earlier in the week. While Administrative Manager, Michelle Bollers, refused to divulge details of the meeting, the Guyana Chronicle was reliably informed that amicable solutions were brought to the fore in relation to nurses’ requests. These include a comprehensive package that will cover all the loose ends relative to their general duty, but more particularly to them having to travel with patients to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), or in cases from the Kwakwani Hospital to Linden. These requests were heightened following the death of their colleague, Eon Reddock, last Saturday, following a fatal accident, after he transferred a patient to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation.

The nurses are calling for risk allowance to be incorporated in the package as well as the insurance of the ambulances. These calls were supported by the Industrial Relations Officer of the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU), Maurice Butters. “There is no insurance to cover them. If anything happens to them, they are on their own. We have been calling for this a long time and it is sad that we have to wait until somebody dies to run around the place and start making promises,” Butters stressed.

The nurses are also calling for the transfer of patients to be better evaluated, since in many cases, when they reach to GPHC, doctors would say that there was no need to transfer the patient. In the case of the patient that Reddock was transferring, the nurses related that there was not an urgent need to

transfer the patient and the transfer could have been done since earlier in the day, thus avoiding the accident. “Since early in the morning before my shift end, they talking about transferring the patient and they dilly-dally and wait until night to do the transfer. We are saying there was no need to transfer in the first place and even if, it could have been done in the day, when it was safer.

If that was done, Reddock could have been alive today,” the nurse said under anonymity.

Butters, who is also a Director on the LHC Board, is calling for a better policy or system for transfer. Nurses are calling for transfers to be done during the day except in cases of emergency at nights. They are also calling for critical units with specialists to be established at the Regional Hospitals.

At LHC systems are being implemented to establish critical units such as a CT scanning unit and a dialysis unit. The rooms have already been set up and very soon these services are expected to be rolled out. When there is a genuine case of emergency and patients have to be transferred, nurses are calling for a more spacious ambulance to be made available for the transferal. The present ones, they claim, are uncomfortable and unsafe.

Chairman of the Regional Health Committee, Gordon Calendar, said he will be engaging the nurses on Thursday on the issue, in an effort to see how best the RDC can render assistance.

The ambulance attendant Shoma Douglas who was involved in the accident, underwent a successful surgery on Wednesday, at GPHC. Ambulance driver Ranetse Paul has been discharged from the hospital and is recovering at home. Nurse Eon Reddock will be buried on Sunday, November, 10th.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, October 31, 2019

Concerns over 25 city constables going on leave at the same time

By Telesha Ramnarine THE City Constabulary Department, with a strength of just 173 staff members, will shortly be

sending 25 officers on leave.

This did not go down well with Councillor Denroy Tudor, who raised the issue when councillors met on Tuesday for their fortnightly

statutory meeting at City Hall.

Officer Peter Livingstone, who filled in for Chief Constable Andrew Foo, who was again absent on Tuesday, told

councillors that while the officers’ absence will affect the job negatively, they are entitled to their leave. He said they would have indicated since in January in which month they preferred to go on leave.

Councillor Patricia Chase-Green observed that while all staff members fill out the roster, it is dependent on the department head to say if he can allow 25 persons to go all at once. If the council is not willing to pay the officers in lieu of the leave, then there is nothing anyone can do about them going on leave, Chase-Green expressed.

She also called attention to the fact that the Christmas period is coming up and that the administration ought to look into this matter and not the council.

Some of the officers will proceed on 21 days leave, while some will go for 14 days, and other amounts of

Alfred Mentore, David Allicock, Heston Bostwick, and Trichria Richards.

In a previous interview, Foo had told the Guyana Chronicle that the department was short of 138 staff members, and that it was difficult to recruit new employees because of several factors, including low salaries.

The Constabulary has responsibility for the prevention and detection of crime in Georgetown and has similar

The statutory meeting in full swing on Tuesday

The Constabulary Department of the Mayor and City Council

time.

Apart from Mayor Ubraj Narine, other councillors who spoke on the issue included

Councillor Denroy Tudor

powers and privileges of the Guyana Police Force (GPF).

It also has the authority to prosecute persons for of-

fences such as assault, disorderly behaviour, urinating in public places, using indecent language, encumbering the pavements and so forth.

The department also provides security for municipal markets, day-care centres, koker pumps and City Hall buildings, among others. Providing security alone takes up much of the department’s resources, Foo had once told the Guyana Chronicle.

The Enforcement Unit, which deals with itinerant vending and other breaches of the laws, is also very small and short of its full complement of staff.

White Water man killed in Venezuela -Toshao blocks migrants from crossing into border village A FAMILY at the border village of White Water in the North West district is mourning the loss of a 28-year-old man, who was murdered across the border in Venezuela last weekend.

Reports are that Randolph Moore called ‘Tadpole’, a member of the Community Policing Group (CPG) at White Water, crossed into Venezuela in September this year along with his brother to trade items, mainly food and oil.

The men were expected to return to White Water last weekend.

However, Moore’s wife, Salome Henry, told the Guyana chronicle that the family learnt that her husband was

Randolph Moore called ‘Tadpole’

robbed and killed at a mining area called ‘Curiapo’ on Sunday last. Reports are that the man was burnt and buried by his attackers who are said to be sindicatos.

Sources in the area noted that Moore became a target since the gangs found out

that he was attached to the community policing group at the village.

After learning about the man’s death, the village leader at White Water has asked the law enforcement authorities to block migrants from accessing the village.

Villagers have expressed fear about the situation as many noted the hospitality they have given to the migrants who entered their community seeking a better life.

Police and army ranks stationed at White Water, have since set-up roadblocks at areas closer to the border following the incident.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, October 31, 2019

The STEM Guyana team with several Ministers and government officials at State House

First Lady honours STEM Guyana robotics team

First Lady, Sandra Granger

First Lady, Sandra Granger held a congratulatory lunch at State House for the STEM Guyana Team which brought back the Albert Einstein Gold Medal for excellence from a robotics Olympics competition held in Dubai.

At the small ceremony under the Baridi Benab, the First Lady explained that Guyana placed 39th overall in the competition amongst 195 participating countries, which she said is equivalent to placing in the top 25 per cent.

However, Guyana was awarded the gold medal after being selected by the judges as the most deserving team. The First Lady said that the award is not just given to the team with the best performing robot, but it is also given to the team which demonstrated exemplary team work and resilience.

“What was shown was the resilience and the flexibility and the stamina of our young people who went to those Olympics,” Mrs. Granger said. Founder of STEM Guyana, Karen Abrams said that the children overcame many stressful roadblocks, and displayed remarkable resilience.

Abrams noted too that it was the overall conduct and professionalism displayed by the team that made them cop the award, and being the selected role models for the games. She extended much gratitude to the First Lady. “None of this would have been possible had the first lady not shown tremendous vision back in 2016, when she reminded me of the plans we made for bringing robotics in Guyana. And since then she has been a fearless advocate, a partner, and a strong pillar of support for Stem Guyana,” Abrams said.

Mentor and coach of the team, Arrianna Mahase said that she has been a part of the team since 2017, and from her experience, robotics can be used as a deterrent to crime for the youths of Guyana.

“I’ve seen how robotics impacted the lives of students. Every year that they travel and come back, I’ve seen changes in them, like personal growth in those students. In youths in Guyana, we have issues where they are going off to crime and so on.

Robotics is one of those fields we can implement because you

don’t necessarily need a high level of education and all those things. When I started in 2017, I had no idea about robotics; I didn’t know to put a screw together with a nut. Today, I’m the mentor of the team. So it really shows that you need a high level of education, we can pull students from everywhere in Guyana regardless of their backgrounds,” the young woman said.

Mahase said that technology is a growing field and there are scope, potential and opportunity. “There is still a limited number in tech and so many fields, persons can get into other than robotics. The opportunities are there, they will get jobs, they just have to start,” she advised.

The programme was attended by several other ministers and government officials, including Minister of State, Dawn Hastings; Minister of Telecommunications, Catherine Hughes; Minister of Education, Nicolette Henry; Director of Sports, Christopher Jones, and others. Minister Hughes gave each member a plaque and an electronic tablet as a token of motivation to continue doing amazing things for Guyana.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, October 31, 2019

Indian freedom fighter Sandar Patel celebrated THE Indian High Commission in Georgetown remembered the late freedom fighter of India’s Independence, Sandar Patel, also known as the “Iron Man of India”, at a commemorative service held at the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre on Monday.

The day coincides with the 144th birth anniversary of Patel. The birthday of Sandar Vallabhibai Patel is celebrated on October 31 as “Rashtriya Ekta Diwas” or National Unity Day every year in India to honor and celebrate his efforts in uniting the country.

The occasion, on Monday, was attended by former President Donald Ramotar; former Prime Minister, Samuel Hinds; Mayor of Georgetown, Pandit Ubraj Narine; Executive Member of Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh Guyana (HSS), Vikas Ramkisson and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Demerara Bank, Pravinchandra Dave.

According to Dave, Patel was a father figure of India’s political integration. He was one of the leaders who persuaded and cajoled a large number of princely states to join the Indian Union after Independence from British rule.

“Sandar Patel played a very vital role in Indian freedom, he must be commended

Former President, Donald Ramotar lights the ceremonial lamp in observance of Diwali as Indian High Commissioner, Dr. K J Srinivasa, his wife Ashwini Srinivasa; Mayor of Georgetown, Pandit Ubraj Narine; former Prime Minister, Samuel Hinds, and others, look on

An image of Sandar Vallabhibai Patel

‘Wedding House’ beating murder…

Judge to rule on no-case submission today STATE prosecutor Sarah Martin on Wednesday closed the State’s case in the trial of Rajen Dindial, 36, for the murder of Aliston Henry, who was beaten to death at a ‘wedding house’ in 2017, at Grove, East Bank Demerara (EBD).

Dindial, 36, a former resident of Section C Block Y, Golden Grove, EBD, is on remand; Justice Jo-Ann Barlow is presiding over the case at the Demerara High Court.

Dindial had denied that, on September 3, 2017, at Sarran Street, Grove, East Bank Demerara, he murdered Aliston Henry. He is being represented by attorneys-at-law Nigel Hughes, Jed Vasconcellos and Sophia Findlay.

After prosecutor Martin closed her case, Dindial’s attorney Hughes made a no-case submission; the court is expected to rule on the submission today According to reports, on the day

Rajen Dindial

in question, while at the wedding house celebration Henry had a misunderstanding with Dindial and pushed down a portable toilet which was nearby. The accused became annoyed and dealt Henry several lashes about his body with a food paddle.

The injured man was then taken home by public-spirited persons; he was subsequently taken to the hospital, where he succumbed days later.

A section of the gathering at the function at the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre on Sunday

for his efforts for integrating more than 560 princely states into Indian Republic after India got Independence from British and for establishing the Indian Civil Services,” Dave said.

The High Commission also used the occasion to celebrate the festival of lights, Diwali, which is a celebration of the triumph of good over evil.

A lamp was lit by Indian High Commission to Guyana, Dr. K J Srinivasam in the company of several distinguished guests. The lively programme featured performances by members and former students of the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre, the High Commission and Jeevan Ka Nritya Group.

India’s Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, introduced National Unity Day in 2014.

On this day, people across India organised floral tribute and offer to the statue of Sandar Vallabhibai Patel at Patel Chowk near Parliament Street in New Delhi.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had inaugurated last year, the tallest statue (182 meters) in the world, the Statue of Unity built on the “Sadhu Bet” near Sandar Sarovar Dam at Kevadiya in Gujarat’s Narmada Districts.

Rice farmer arraigned for murder of 14-yr-old A 42-year-old rice farmer on Wednesday appeared before Magistrate Zamilla Ally-Seepaul at the Wales Magistrate’s Court for the murder of 14-year-old Christopher Basdeo.

Basdeo’s lifeless body was found in a shallow grave at Lusten-Rust, West Bank Demerara (WBD).

Jairam Seiupersaud, of Parfaite Harmonie, WBD, appeared before Magistrate Zamilla Ally-Seepaul at the Wales Magistrate’s Court and was not required to plead to the capital charge.

The charge alleged that Seiupersaud between Wednesday, October 16, 2019 and Friday, October 25,2019, at Parfaite Harmonie, WBD, murdered Basdeo.

Seiupersaud was remanded to prison until December 12, 2019.

The Guyana Chronicle had earlier reported that Divisional Commander Senior Superintendent Linden Lord, explained that

Jairam Seiupersaud

the suspect told police that he and the teenager were drinking Banko wine on October 17 at La Parfaite Harmonie when they got into an argument over money.

The argument escalated into a fight and the accused said he lashed Basdeo to the head with a piece of wood, left him on the ground bleeding and went home.

Further, according tothe commander, the accused told the police that he returned to the

Christopher Basdeo

location later that night, buried Basdeo’s body in a 7X2 grave and covered it with sand.

According to the police, Basdeo’s skull appeared to have been fractured. The body was later positively identified by the teen’s father.

Basdeo, who also resided at La Parfaite Harmonie, had been reported missing by his family for over a week.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, October 31, 2019

CARICOM, Mexico strengthen diplomatic relations The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and the United Mexican States on Wednesday reaffirmed their commitment to strengthen decades-old ties.

Relations between the two parties, which was formalised in 1974 with the Agreement establishing the CARICOM-Mexico Joint Commission, was reinforced on 30 October 2019 with the accreditation of His Excellency Jose Omar Hurtado Contreras, new Ambassador of Mexico to CARICOM. In his remarks during a brief ceremony at the Headquarters of the CARICOM Secretariat, Secretary-General Ambassador Irwin LaRocque said that the Agreement has been the framework through which Mexico has supported regional development in a number of areas.

In a release the Caricom Secretariat said Mexico has strengthened capacity by offering training courses to CARICOM nationals in agriculture, transportation,

disaster management, education, climate change, trade and investment, and tourism.

CARICOM Member States have benefitted from Mexico’s Infrastructure Fund for MesoAmerican and Caribbean Countries which has financed the building and restoring of roads, bridges and health facilities, as well as building capacity in utilities.

Noting that this support has been highly appreciated, he lauded Mexico’s generous assistance to the countries that were devastated by hurricanes in recent times.

“Your ready response was another indication of the solidarity we share,” Secretary-General LaRocque said.

He told the new Ambassador that CARICOM is looking forward to Mexico’s continuing advocacy of the concerns of Small Island and Low-Lying Coastal Developing States (SIDs) in the international area on issues including access to concessional financing for development needs.

“CARICOM greatly ap-

Mexico's new Ambassador to CARICOM H.E Jose Omar Hurtado Contreras presents his Letter of Credence to CARICOM Secretary-General Ambassador Irwin LaRocque on Wednesday.

preciates Mexico’s understanding of the challenges facing our Member States.

We welcome Mexico’s willingness to advocate on issues of utmost importance to us and other SIDS, and to reflect CARICOM’s concerns

at the level of the G20, the OECD, the World Bank and the IMF,” Secretary-General LaRocque said.

The newly accredited envoy said international cooperation, particularly towards Latin America and

the Caribbean, occupies “an important place” in his country’s foreign policy. “…there is much interest in developing the links between Mexico and CARICOM, in areas such as institutional strengthening, public health, climate change, security and organized crime,” Ambassador Contreras stated.

Reaffirming that his country is “open to exploring issues in which our experience can help the welfare of CARICOM member countries,” he said Mexico’s objective is to “contribute to the development of sister countries, enhance regional integration, competitiveness and even development.”

The CARICOM Secretary-General noted that common interest between the two parties have been reflected both at the regional and hemispheric levels in the Association of Caribbean States (ACS), the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), and the Organisation of American States (OAS).

“Ambassador, the value that your country places on multilateralism, respect for international law and international cooperation is well known. The Caribbean Community shares the importance your country places on the fundamental international principles of non-interference in the internal affairs of states, non-intervention and prohibition of the threat or use of force,” Ambassador LaRocque told the new Mexican envoy.

In that regard, he referenced the establishment of the Montevideo Mechanism in which Mexico played a key role in collaboration with Uruguay and the CARICOM good offices group.

“Promoting and facilitating a peaceful internal resolution to the crisis in Venezuela in accordance with the constitution of the country, the rule of law and democracy remains the desired objective of the Mechanism,” the CARICOM Secretary-General stated.

Eight elevated to rank of air traffic control assistants

EIGHT persons have been elevated to the rank of Air Traffic Controller Assistants (ATCAs) after successfully completing their training in Approach Control (non-radar) App0119 programme.

A release said the certification ceremony was held on October 23 at the Air Navigation Services Control Tower at Timehri, East Bank Demerara.

Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) Director-General, Lt. Col. (Ret’d) Egbert Field, who delivered the feature address, congratulated the new ranks.

“I am extremely happy and pleased to be here celebrating with you today. This is a day that you will always remember,” Col Field said.

He encouraged the trainee ATCAs to maintain high standards, as such standards speak volumes about the individual and their attitude

towards their work.

“Individuals must inculcate high standards, especially when it comes to your profession. The way you approach your job tells how you will perform the job. This is a very serious job; you are the future of this industry, and we will ensure that you are equipped for the challenges ahead,” the release quoted Lt. Col. Field as saying.

Meanwhile, Director for the Air Navigation Services Rickford Samaroo noted that the participants’ performance was exceptional, obtaining 100 per cent passes with an attendance rate of 80 per cent. He also disclosed that the programme is one of the hardest training courses the participants have attended thus far. Samaroo also encouraged the ATCAs to be diligent, disciplined and hardworking.

Director-General, Lt. Col. (Ret’d) Egbert Field flanked by ANS Director, Rickford Samaroo, and Human Resources Manager, Carol Primus, along with the instructors and graduates of the Approach Control (non-radar) App0119 programme

The App0119 Training Course started on June 10, 2019, and consisted of 15 weeks of training, with five

theoretical sessions and 32 practical simulator sessions per person. The programme ended on October 7, 2019. The

ATCAs are now equipped to provide air navigation services to aircraft moving from the descent to the landing phase,

and vice versa.

The new batch of ATCAs has commenced the required on-the-job-training.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, October 31, 2019

‘We cannot move forward with an ignorant community’

---CIOG official stresses at general council THE Central Islamic Organisation of Guyana (CIOG), on Monday (September 28, 2019), held its Annual General Council Meeting at its headquarters, Muslim Youth Organisation (MYO) Woolford Avenue, Georgetown, in which representatives from more than 150 masjids

across Guyana attended.

Director of Education and Chairman, Shaykh Moeenul Hack, said more than 120 masjids in Guyana were represented. He added that at the Annual General Council Meeting, all the leaders of the 150 masjids were present to discuss their future plans for

the coming year and to basically strategize and to provide direction for their people.

“It is the highest forum for decision-making for the entire Muslim community in the country and so all the issues pertaining to Islam and the Muslims in Guyana are discussed here and we provide

answers and the way forward for our community,” Hack said.

He related that the highlight of the Annual General Council Meeting is to strive for peace, unity and brotherhood within and outside the community, amongst ourselves and amongst other brothers and sisters of other denominations in the country.

“Our religion encourages us to be peaceful and to have co-existence and religious tolerance,” he said.

Hack reported that since education is vital in the religious and secular aspects of the Muslim community, they have educational programmes to enlighten their members.

“We cannot move forward with an ignorant community,

Director of Education and Chairman of CIOG, Shaykh Moeenul Hack welcomes the gathering on Monday

involved in charitable work – which is their main focus – and they have had several medical outreaches countrywide, distribution of food stuff, used-clothing drive, religious charity which has to be distributed and stands at $8M on a monthly basis, orphans and vulnerable children, which includes both Muslims and

Members of the Central Executive Committee at the Annual General Council Meeting

Attendees drawn from the masjids across Guyana at CIOG headquarters at Woolford Avenue, Georgetown

in society and having said that, we feel that secular knowledge alone is not sufficient and it has to be balanced with knowledge of morality, good conduct and behaviour. So the person will not divorce mortality from their profession when they go out there, for example, a doctor, a lawyer and engineer will know that they still have to render kindness and respect the humanity of other persons,” Hack said.

He said CIOG has been

non-Muslims.

President of the Central Islamic Organisation of Guyana, Al- Hajj Shahabudeen Ahmad, said they are there to reaffirm their commitment to improving themselves, their communities, and country.

He added that they will continue in their work to help the poor and needy among other things.

In the General Secretary’s report, Shameena Haniff- Najab said about $30M is dis-

tributed on an annual basis to 416 orphans and vulnerable children across Guyana.

She stated that the sponsorship programme caters for orphans and vulnerable children of the three major religious denominations in Guyana that is, Hindus, Christians and Muslims.

Haniff-Najab added that back-to-school packages were distributed to children across the country including footwear, clothing, and medical supplies and back-to-school vouchers.

She related that the Office of the First Lady, Sandra Granger, assisted with the training of teachers in First Aid, Care for the Elderly and Early Childhood Education.

Also educators and other professionals avail themselves to conduct workshops, training, and seminars with teachers.

CIOG of Guyana was formed on July 1, 1979 with its primary focus on helping Muslims (spiritually, socially and economically) locally, through an organised body.

Over the years of its existence, the CIOG has grown and expanded that it now assists non-Muslims. The CIOG is governed by a Central Executive Committee which is headed by its President, Al Hajj Shahabuddeen Ahmad, a businessman by profession.

Teen accused of ‘snatching’ phone released on bail AN 18-year-old bus conductor who was seen in a viral Facebook video snatching a man's cellphone, weeks ago, made his first appearance at the Georgetown Magistrates' Court, on Wednesday, October 30, 2019.

Andre Price appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan and denied the charge which stated that, on October 17, 2019,

at Croal Street, Georgetown, he stole one Samsung Galaxy Cellular Phone valued at $40,000, property of Kevin Lowe.

According to statements presented by Police Prosecutor Brummel, on the day in question, at 18:50 hours, the virtual complainant was standing on Croal Street texting on the said cellular phone.

The defendant, who was

in the company of others, stood in front of the virtual complainant, observing him, and then snatched the said cellular phone and made good his escape.

A report was made to the police and the defendant and several others were arrested and charged.

Price was released on $10,000 bail and is scheduled to return to court on November 6, 2019.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, October 31, 2019

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, October 31, 2019

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, October 31, 2019

Namibia, Netherlands book T20 World Cup spot NAMIBIA will appear at the T20 World Cup for the first time after beating Oman in Dubai, joining the Netherlands on Tuesday by qualifying for next year’s tournament.

Allrounder JJ Smit blasted 59 off 25 balls as Namibia beat Oman by 54 runs to progress to the eight-team ‘First Round’ of the World Cup in Australia in October 2020.

Namibia posted 7-161 after choosing to bat, with Smit smacking five sixes in a match-winning innings following a steady 45 from Craig Williams.

Bernard Scholtz

Oman, who took part in the 2016 T20 World Cup, began well in reply as Khawar Ali and Aqib Ilyas put on 57 for the second wicket after Jatinder Singh was removed for a first-ball duck.

Left-arm spinner Bernard Scholtz trapped Ilyas (18) in front and then had Ali (41) stumped as Oman staggered to 4-64 before folding meekly.

Scholtz finished with 3-14 while Namibia captain Gerhard Erasmus took three wickets of his own, including that of opposing skipper Zeeshan Maqsood (2), as Oman slumped to 107 all out.

“We got so many messages from people back home believing in us, and we did it finally,” said Smit.

“I’m relieved. We’ve been on the wrong side of many of these tournaments.”

Namibia, who lost all six of their games at the 50over World Cup in 2003, meet Papua New Guinea in the competition semi-finals, while Oman can still qualify if they beat Hong Kong in a playoff.

Earlier, the Netherlands punched their ticket to Aus-

tralia after thrashing the United Arab Emirates by eight wickets.

UAE, who started the tournament with victory over Ireland, could only muster 9-80 in their 20 overs which the Dutch knocked off with 29 balls remaining.

The Netherlands face already qualified Ireland in the semi-finals, while UAE have a final chance to reach the tournament in Australia when they face Scotland in a playoff on Wednesday.

UAE won the toss and chose to bat but were quickly in trouble as Rohan Mustafa fell to Fred Klaasen in the first over.

Things turned from bad to worse as UAE lost their first five wickets for just nine runs.

Waheed Ahmed and Mohammad Boota went some way toward repairing the damage with a sixth-wicket partnership of 45 before both fell in the same over to Johannesburg-born Brandon Glover, whose 4-12 earned him the player of the match award.

Ahmed Raza top-scored with 22 from 24 balls, but a target of 81 was never likely to stretch the Dutch.

Max O’Dowd fell early but Ben Cooper, with 41 not out, guided the Dutch to victory.

Fourteen associate nations are competing at the World T20 Qualifier for the final six spots in the ‘First Round’ of next year’s T20 World Cup in Australia. The first round will also feature Sri Lanka and Bangladesh and will be played in Geelong and Hobart.

Hosts Australia and other top nations such as India and England are already assured a spot in the ‘Super 12’ stage that will feature two groups of six before the knockout stages.

Australia have been placed in the Super 12’s Group 1 along with Pakistan, New Zealand and the West Indies. India, England, South Africa and Afghanistan are in Group 2.

Both groups will be joined by two teams out of the tournament’s first round.

‘Nationals’ set for November 17 – 22 at three venues ONE week, three venues, one big championship! …That’s the theme of the 59th annual National Schools’ Cycling, Swimming and Track and Field Championship, set for November 17-22.

The event, which was launched yesterday in the Bertram Hamilton Auditorium of the Guyana Teachers’ Union, will be held at the National Park, the National Aquatic Centre and the National Track and Field Centre in Leonora with student/athletes from 15 districts competing.

The general consensus by stakeholders is that the 2019 edition of the event would be “bigger and better.”

It was also announced that President David Granger is the Patron of this year’s event.

Marcel Hutson, Chief Education Officer said “These championships, at the Ministry of Education, we do not take them lightly, for several reasons. There are some who would like to believe that these championships are planned as just a season for some people to maybe enjoy some time and there are different views about what happens during this period.

But I want to say, from the inception, that these championships are well-organised and orchestrated because of the benefits that they bring to our students.”

Mark Lyte, president of the Guyana Teachers’ Union said, “The Guyana Teachers’ Union plays a very important role in ensuring that we arrive at this stage, the National Championships.

As you would know, we just do not wake up one morning and say we’re going to have a National Championships.

We would have started in September observing the various schools with their Inter-House Athletics Championships, which then moved into the Inter-School and Inter-Zone Championships.

I’m proud to inform that in all our districts-- the 15 districts

that would be participating in these championships--we have concluded the Inter-Zone Championships and we are ready to commence the National Championships.

Our Secretariat is in place and presently doing registration from the different Districts. We believe that we are ready to observe a championship with a difference.”

Coretta McDonald, General Secretary-- Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU) stated, “I need to emphasise that we’re going to be starting on time, so if you’re not there, we will start without you. If a District is not there, we will start without that District because we need to manage our time properly.

I know you would have gotten accustomed to us running very late into Friday evening (the final day of the championships) and then into the night, but let me assure you that this year we’re not going to be going into Friday night for the closing of the championships, which means that our events are going to be on time.”

Aaliyah Rodrigues of Hits and Jams Entertainment said, “On behalf of Hits and Jams, Guyana Carnival and HJ Radio, it’s a pleasure to be here. It’s amazing to see the Ministry of Education collaborating with the Guyana Teachers’ Union (and) helping students to realise their full potential as an athlete. Not only can sports be seen as entertainment, but it also promotes physical and psychological advantages.”

Troy Peters, Communications Manager-- Banks DIH Limited stated, “I bring greetings from the management and staff of Banks DIH Limited to you-- the organisers-- and the competitors of the 59th National Schools’ Championships. Banks DIH is happy to fulfil its corporate social responsibility by partnering with other key stakeholders, but our relationship with the Ministry of Education and the Guyana Teachers’ Union goes from the inception of this event.” (Newsroom)

Last batch of Windies players leave for tough Afghanistan series BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, (CMC) – The last batch of West Indies players left the Caribbean on Tuesday to join their teammates in India, ahead of the limited overs series against Afghanistan set to bowl off next week.

Players and management began leaving last Sunday for the tour that includes three Twenty20 Internationals, three One-Day Internationals and a one-off Test, and the entire squad is expected to be assembled in the northern India city of Lucknow by today.Test players, like off-spinning all-rounder Rahkeem Cornwall, will join the side later next month after representing his native Leeward Islands Hurricanes in the Regional Super50, with the Test set to begin bowl off November 27.

The Super50 runs from November 6 to December 1 in Trinidad and St Kitts.

West Indies will face a tough challenge against the Afghans, especially with the series being played on subcontinent “home turf”.` The Caribbean side beat their hosts in their last meeting during the ICC World Cup in England earlier this year but it was only the second time in six ODIs they had registered a win over their opponents.

Afghanistan drew a three-match series in the Caribbean two years ago but then twice trounced the Windies during the ICC World Cup qualifiers in Zimbabwe last year.

West Indies have been more dominant in the T20 format,

however, beating Afghanistan in three of four matches.

The two sides have never met in a Test.

Afghanistan, meanwhile, have quietly assembled for the tour, with captain Rashid Khan the last player to arrive from United Arab Emirates on Tuesday.

And team manager Mohammad Nazeem Jaar said the hosts were well prepared for the challenge presented by West Indies.

“There has been a lot of change in the mentality of the team since the World Cup in July and we are hoping for a good series here,” he said.

“West Indies have been a good side, but we are ready to challenge them on home turf. We had our cricket at Noida and then Dehradun, but Lucknow is altogether a different place.”

Afghanistan were only awarded Test status two years ago and bagged their first win last month when they stunned Bangladesh in Chittagong.

Like West Indies, they have undergone a change of coach with former South Africa all-rounder Lance Klusener taking over after Phil Simmons stepped down following the World Cup. Ironically Simmons, a former Test batsman, has now taken up the head coach role with West Indies.

The tourists will play a warm-up match next Tuesday before facing Afghanistan in the opening ODI two days later.

Conway joins elite group with triple century for Wellington DEVON Conway earned himself a place in New Zealand cricket history with an unbeaten 327 against Canterbury in the Plunket Shield.

Conway, the South African-born batsman who qualifies for New Zealand next September, already had 261 to his name after a commanding display on the opening day in Wellington and reached his triple century from 334 balls with a punch down the ground.

It was just the eighth triple century scored in New Zealand, the sixth in the Plunket Shield and also the highest score at the Basin Reserve overtaking Michael Papps’ 316 not out in 2017-18. Bert Sutcliffe’s 385 for Otago against Canterbury in 1952-53 is the highest first-class score in New Zealand.

He finished sat between Papps and Dean Brownlie’s 334 in 2014-15 and could have pushed further up the list had Michael Bracewell not called a halt shortly before lunch on the second day.

It is worth noting as well that Wellington were 20 for 3 and 54 for 4 on the opening day before Conway took his formidable hold on the innings. He dominated stands of 129 with Malcolm Nofal (129), 173 with Peter Younghusband (36) and 159 with Jamie Gibson (65).

It seems a matter of when, not if, Conway will play for the New Zealand when his qualification period is completed. He has spent time around training squads in the last few months and had his credentials talked up by New Zealand coach Gary Stead. (ESPN Cricinfo)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, October 31, 2019

Zimbabwe’s Munsey sweeps UAE away as Scotland Masakadza handed new clinch trip to T20 World Cup

AFTER a lacklustre group stage, defending co-champions Scotland showed they still had enough left in the tank after two off days to see off the tournament hosts as George Munsey’s second half-century of the event laid the platform for a lopsided 90-run win over UAE. The result clinched Scotland’s second straight trip to the T20 World Cup and fourth appearance overall.

Netherlands had executed a brilliant plan to negate Munsey’s bread-and-butter scoring option, the reverse sweep, in Scotland’s last group match on Sunday.

But UAE had no answers to the shot on Wednesday as Munsey cracked a pair of sixes with the shot off Sultan Ahmed to get his innings going in the third over and he never looked back.

Along with captain Kyle Coetzer, Munsey added 87 for the opening stand in 11.2 overs, scoring just as efficiently against pace and spin. Munsey flicked Waheed Ahmed’s medium-pace over square leg and midwicket for two more sixes in the 10th over to go to 49 before a single in the next over raised a 33-ball half-century.

The stand ended when Coetzer swatted Junaid Siddique’s medium pace to Muhammad Usman at long-off for 34. Munsey fell in the 14th over off a candidate for catch of the tournament as Rameez Shahzad plucked a lofted drive leaping one-handed

at long-off.

But the faintest glimmer of hope UAE had of clawing back into the match was quickly washed away with the arrival of Richie Berrington at No. 4. The Scotland vice-captain only failed to score off the first and last balls he faced.

to Rohan Mustafa either as Calum MacLeod finished the innings with three fours in the final over before being run out off the last ball as Scotland finished two shy of reaching 200 for the second time in the tournament.

Considering how UAE’s line-up fared against the

George Munsey raises his bat to the Scotland dugout after reaching a half-century (Photo by Peter Della Penna)

In between were 16 balls of fury as he commenced a merciless assault at the death. Waheed’s medium pace was slog-swept for six before a slower ball was hammered back over his head for another six in the 16th over.

There was no respite when he fell in the 18th over

Netherlands pace attack a day earlier, their chances of chasing Scotland’s total were remote and so it proved in the Powerplay.

Chirag Suri skied the third ball off Safyaan Sharif taken at short fine leg with the gloves by Matthew Cross.

Mustafa’s wild charge to Josh Davey two overs later

resulted in a toe edge behind to make it 12 for 2.

Darius D’Silva retired hurt at the end of the Powerplay to leave UAE further in a hole, at 35 for 2, and the chasm only grew wider when their best batsman Rameez drove a catch to Munsey on the off-side boundary off Mark Watt’s left-arm spin in the ninth over to make it 55 for 3.

The slide accelerated a few overs later when UAE’s middle order lost four wickets in eight balls to effectively end the match.

Waheed was bounced out

by Berrington with a slower ball flicked to short fine leg.

Muhammad Usman skied a drive to long-on where Michael Leask charged in for a fantastic sliding catch.

Two balls later Sultan Ahmed played inside the line of a stock delivery from Watt to be bowled for a golden duck before MacLeod’s part-time offspin resulted in a pull to deep square leg by Mohammad Boota to make it 84 for 7.

D’Silva eventually returned to the crease but Sharif wound up cleaning up the tail. A miscued slog was skied back to Sharif for the final wicket and UAE were bowled out with nine balls unused.

Scotland now move into the fifth place playoff for T20 World Cup seeding purposes against the winner of the remaining elimination playoff match between Oman and Hong Kong. (ESPN Cricinfo)

Director of Cricket role

Hamilton Masakadsa plyed 313 matches for Zimbabwe across all three formats.

HARARE (Reuters) - Zimbabwe have appointed recently retired former national team captain Hamilton Masakadza as their new Director of Cricket, a new all-powerful role aimed at improving the way the organisation develops the game on and off the pitch.

Masakadza will take up the position on Nov. 1 and will be “accountable for the recruitment, management and interaction of senior cricket technical staff within the cricket affairs department”, said a Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) statement on Wednesday.

The decision to appoint a Director of Cricket was made at a ZC board meeting in August as the country battled with financial challenges, a brief international suspension for government interference and poor performances on the pitch.

“This is a key appointment that clearly indicates our desire to strengthen our cricket across all levels while also improving the game administratively,” ZC Chairman Tavengwa Mukuhlani said.

Former batting all-rounder Masakadza played 313 matches across all three formats for Zimbabwe and retired last month after 18 years on the international circuit.

Manchester City stroll to 3-1 League Cup win over Southampton LONDON (Reuters) - Sergio Aguero scored twice as Manchester City’s muchchanged side strolled to a 3-1 League Cup fourth round win on Tuesday over Southampton who seemed relieved to avoid a repeat of their nine-goal thrashing by Leicester City four days earlier.

Holders City made nine changes and gave a debut to 18-year-old Tommy Boyle, grandson of their late former captain Mike Doyle, and dominated the first half against the visitors who still appeared shell-shocked by Friday’s Premier League mauling.

Nicolas Otamendi nodded in Bernardo Silva’s dinked cross after 20 minutes and fellow Argentine Aguero added the second in the 38th, turning home Kyle Walker’s cross with a

cushioned volley for City, who won the trophy in 2018 and 2019.

Holders City made nine changes and gave a debut to 18-year-old Tommy Boyle,

mauling.

Nicolas Otamendi nodded in Bernardo Silva’s

Manchester City’s Sergio Aguero celebrates scoring their second goal with team mates (REUTERS/Andrew Yates)

Aguero struck again in the 56th with the softest of touches after Riyad Mahrez’s 30-metre shot hit a defender and looped into his path.

grandson of their late former captain Mike Doyle, and dominated the first half against the visitors who still appeared shell-shocked by Friday’s Premier League

dinked cross after 20 minutes and fellow Argentine Aguero added the second in the 38th, turning home Kyle Walker’s cross with a cushioned volley for City,

who won the trophy in 2018 and 2019.

Aguero struck again in the 56th with the softest of touches after Riyad Mahrez’s 30-metre shot hit a defender and looped into his path.

City goalkeeper Claudio Bravo made his first save in the 65th minute, tipping away Sofiane Boufal’s curling effort, and the Saints even managed a goal from a Jack Stevens header with 15 minutes left.

The visitors’ display was enough to earn them applause from their fans at the end.

Everton slightly relieved the pressure on manager Marco Silva with a 2-0 home win over Watford in the night’s other all-Premier League clash.

The hosts hit the wood-

work twice before Mason Holgate headed in a Theo Walcott cross in the 72nd minute and Richarlison broke clear to scored the second in the last minute.

Leicester also made nine changes and raced to a 2-0 lead in 20 minutes at third-tier Burton Albion with goals from Kelechi Iheanacho and Youri Tielemans.

Liam Boyce pulled one back early in the second half but James Maddison restored Leicester’s two goal-lead in the 89th.

Colchester United came from behind to win 3-1 at Crawley Town in an all-fourth-tier match while Oxford United beat Sunderland on penalties after a 1-1 draw between the third-tier sides to reach the last eight for the first time since 1987.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, October 31, 2019

England appoint Gough as fast bowling consultant ahead of NZ Tests

(REUTERS) - Former seamer Darren Gough has been appointed as England’s fast bowling consultant for the warm-up period leading into November’s two-test tour of New Zealand, the country’s cricket board (ECB) said on Wednesday.

Gough claimed 229 wickets in 58 Tests for England between 1994 and 2003.

“I’m delighted to have Darren on board,” England head coach Chris Silverwood said in a statement.

“I have known him a long time and his vast knowledge and experience at international level will drive our bowling unit forward leading into the two-match test series. He will be excellent around the group and will settle in quickly.”

Darren Gough claimed 229 wickets in 58 Tests for England

Charles and Mohamed exploits steer Bacchus Bulls to victory NATIONAL Under-17 captain, Sheldon Charles, continued his good form with both bat and ball as he displayed yet another stellar performance. The return fixture between Bacchus Bulls and Wakenaam Under -17 was played last Saturday in Wakenaam with the visitors winning the first encounter that was played at the Imam

Bacchus ground in Affiance.

This time around, it was sweet revenge as the Bulls stormed back for a comprehensive 85 run triumph.

Batting first at the Sansouci ground, the Bulls blazed their way to an imposing 200-5 from 30 overs.

Charles, who opened the batting, led from the front. He spanked (7x4s,

National Under-17 captain Sheldon Charles had a fine all-round display

3x6s) in his impressive 63 as he chalked up yet another half-century this season.

When he departed, the elegant left-handed Nazeer Mohamed kept up the momentum, hitting an explosive 62 inclusive of 5x6s and 4x4s.

Also making an impression on the scoresheet was Govinda Tulsie with a fluent 39 (4x4s, 2x6s). Leg-spinner Deon Singh took 2-38 from his 6 overs to be the host’s best bowler. In reply, Wakenaam’s only bright spot was an aggressive 43 (5x6s, 2x4s) from Devon Hansraj in an otherwise subdued batting display. Charles returned with the ball in a hostile spell to grab 2 for 14 from his 6 overs.

Also in the wicket column with 2 wickets apiece were Raphael David, Nazeer Mohamed and Keeshav Dasrat, as they combined to rout Wakenaam for 115 in 24 overs.

After the game, the organisers of both teams expressed satisfaction as they recognised the need for providing an avenue to develop youth cricket within the two sub-committees.

They also implored the ECB to organise similar tournaments in the other regions including in the Pomeroon, Bartica, Leguan, East Bank, South and North Essequibo areas.

(Elroy Stephney)

England are without a bowling coach after Silverwood was promoted to head coach’s role earlier this month.

Gough, a former Yorkshire team mate of Silverwood, will join the test squad in Auckland on Nov. 5 and will work with the pace attack for two weeks before the first test in Mount Maunganui which begins on Nov. 21.

“It is a tremendous honour to be asked by Chris Silverwood and Ashley Giles to be involved in this elite environment,” Gough said.

“I will gain a lot from the experience and to work at this level will benefit me as a coach for the longterm.”

DCC, Blairmont to clash in feature T20 match on Saturday THE Demerara Cricket Club’s ( DCC) first division team will tackle their Blairmont counterparts on Saturday starting 18.00hrs under lights at the DCC ground in Queenstown in a feature T20 clash.

The match is being sponsored by Ariel Enterprise of Regent Street, Tropical Spring Water of Industry ECD; Trophy Stall, Port Mourant Branch , 4R Bearings of Duncan Street and Ramchand Auto Spares of Sheriff Street.

The DCC squad will come from: Christopher Barnwell (capt), Trevon Griffith (vice-capt), T Imlach, A Nedd, R Perez, S Sankar, D George, J Persaud, D Christian, C Jaques, J Bryon, X Smith, D Mootoo, D Bamfield, P Wintz, O Giddings.

Blairmont squad : Shabeer Baksh (capt), Kevin Jawahir, Seon Glasgow, Marvan Prashad, Nigel Deodat, Javed Karim, Zameer Nazir, Waqar Hassan, Derrick McCalman, Suresh Dhani, Dedinauth Persaud, Farouk Subhan, Altav Balman, Akash Ragbir, Wasim Inshan, Govindaraj Khan.

Meanwhile, on Friday evening, Tropical Spring Transport will play DCC in the Under -15 category-- that is for players born 1st September, 2005, or after.

This will be the first in a three-match series between the two teams and it will be a 30-over affair. Next Saturday, November 16, Blairmont and DCC Under-15s will clash in a 40-over day/night game. This will also be a three-match series.

England name Australian Keightley as women’s team head coach

LONDON (Reuters) England named Australian Lisa Keightley, the first woman to score a century at Lord’s, as the first full-time female head coach of their women’s cricket team on Wednesday.

The 48-year-old Western Australia and Perth Scorchers coach will take over in January from interim coach Alistair Maiden, who was put in charge after Mark Robinson left in August.

“I’m massively excited,” said former international Keightley who was appointed head coach of London Spirit in The Hundred but will now vacate that role.

“It’s a huge opportunity. It’s a team full of world-class players and to be given the chance to work with some of the players who I worked with a few years ago is really exciting.

“I can’t wait to get started and see where we

can get to.”

Keightley, who was a top-order batsman and occasional bowler, played nine tests and 82 one-day internationals for Australia from 1995 to 2005. She ended her ODI career with an average of 39.84 runs and a top score of 156 not out.

in next year’s Twenty20 World Cup in Australia.

“Lisa was the stand-out candidate from a varied and highly talented group of applicants,” ECB Managing Director of Women’s Cricket Clare Connor said.

“I am excited about the progress our sport

Current Perth Scorchers coach Lisa Keightley to take over as England head coach at the conclusion of Rebel WBBL|05

England’s women’s team are the reigning 50-overs world champions and Keightley would be expected to mastermind a triumphant campaign

continues to make and I’m sure that Lisa’s appointment will rightly be seen as another huge step for women’s cricket.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, October 31, 2019

GCB 2019 U-17 Female Secondary School Cricket League

Wins for Georgetown, Essequibo, West Berbice and Lower Corentyne THE Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) U-17 Female Secondary School Cricket league bowled off yesterday with some exciting matches.

Teams were placed into one of two groups; A or B, in which the teams who captured the most points in their respective groups will battle head on for the title.

AT EVEREST West Demerara won the toss and inserted the Georgetown females to take first strike in which they managed 84-2 after the game was reduced to 15 overs due to late start at Everest.

Openers, Althea Barnwell and Neha Singh starred with a 74-run partnership.

For the chase, Kezie Methland, undefeated, top scored with 21, supported

by Keshna Boodenlall for 10 with double figures, leading to 55-5 in their allotted 15 overs to hand Georgetown their first win by 29 runs.

Georgetown won by 29 runs, Arehanna Persaud adjudged player of the match.

Playing in group B at Everest, Essesquibo having won the toss inserted the East Bank to bat where they scored a total of 59, all out, in the allotted 20 overs.

Alexis Noel, hit four

boundaries in her top score of 22, the only score to be within the double figures.

Essequibo bowlers made no hesitation to knock out their opponents on the pitch.

At Young Warriors, Berbice In Group ‘A’ Upper West Berbice capped the win over their opponent lower Corentyne by 9 runs. West Berbice

Arheanna Persaud accepts her MVP trophy from Assistant Territorial Development Officer Kavita Yadram

Annalisa D’Augiar, Lisa Charles, Lavina Ragubir and Divine Rods each picked up 2 wickets in their attempt to restrict their opponents.

For the reply, Essequibo easily captured the win by 10 wickets with openers Analisa D’Augiar making 26 runs and Nakika Narine with 24 to reach their target in just 8.3 overs.

scored 138-1 in their innings, with Tiea Isaacs, undefeated, cultivated 31 runs, complemented by Tamara George (16), not out, and Tienacua Sollomon (5) who was bowled out by Shaniah Fraser for 1.

Upper Corentyne in reply made 129-6 in their allotted 20 overs. Alelia DeMendonca, posted 13, and Shaniea King (11) are those batters reaching

Barnwell, Savory, Reifer warm up with fifties GUYANA Jaguars got their Regional Super50 practice game off to a strong start as their bowlers and batsmen steered them to a 37-run win over a Rest XI by the Duckworth/Lewis method.

Despite a late start due to the weather, the Jaguars piled on 280 for 4 in 45 overs, batting first, thanks to a string of half-centuries from top-scorer Chris Barnwell who lit up Bourda with a blistering knock of 74 off 51 balls.

The chase was tough but a good learning experience for the Rest XI who managed to end on 200 for 7 in the 38th over when bad light stopped play.

Kevlon Anderson was the shining light for the Rest XI, resisting with a top knock of 68 not out. Anderson struck three fours and two sixes but found little support as Vishaul Singh was the next best scorer with 28.

The Jaguars new ball pair of Clinton Pestano and Ronsford Beaton were quick as usual and returned 2-38 and 2-39 respectively. Veteran left-arm spinner Veerasammy Permaul also returned 2 for 38 as the national side prevailed.

The innings was a good

outing for the Jaguars who will look to assess their batting order, bowling pairs and areas needed for fine-tuning ahead of the Cup.

Christopher Barnwell

Earlier in the day, Barnwell mauled the Rest XI with seven towering sixes and three fours, with support coming from the Jags newest selectee, Kemol Savory, who warmed up with a classy 65, featuring seven fours and two sixes.

A lower-order assault from West Indies all-rounder Raymon Reifer, who clobbered 62 off 33 balls with six fours and two fours, further increased the agony for the

Rest XI. Earlier, Tagenarine Chanderpaul missed a half-century as he was removed by an expensive Nial Smith who grabbed 1 for 71. His partners-- Savory and Barnwell-then thumped the bowlers during their stay in the middle.

Savory continued from where he left off in the Jaguars league by picking off loose bowling on his way to a confidence-boosting fifty ahead of the Regional Super50.

His innings came to an end after he was outfoxed and bowled by spinner Gudakesh Motie who was the best bowler with 1 for 26. Pacer Keon Joseph then removed skipper Leon Johnson for 7 as Barnwell continued his innings unbothered.

Fresh off a tournament-winning 2019 Hero CPL, Reifer came to the middle and immediately cut loose. The left-hander and Barnwell helped the Jags push their total past 250, but when seamer Ronaldo Alimohamed had Reifer caught

by Kelvin Sinclair, Barnwell remained unbeaten on 74.

The second and final match is set for Friday at the Enmore ground.

the double figures as the extras accounted for a significant portion of their total score.

Alicia Fordyce collected 3 wickets, and racked up player of the match award.

West Berbice won by 9 runs.

Group B matches at Young Warriors featured Lower Corentyne tackling East Coast.

Lower Corentyne won the toss and inserted East Coast to bat in which they were able to make 78 runs, having exhausted their batters. Undefeated top scoring batter, Sarah Amin asserted 17 runs to her teams aggregate, which proved to be the most significant contribution from her team.

Jamie Campbell sent two batters on their way in her reign off 12 runs.

Lower Corentyne then won by 2 wickets, bearing a score of 79-8. Navini Ramnauth in her reign made 16 runs, aided by opener Shenia Simon with 12 before falling to Amin by a catch. Realeanna Grimmond added a further 11 to bring lower Corentyne closer to their victory. Shemika Edwards and Tilleya Madramotoo were the bowlers whose efforts were directed on restricting the opponents but with no success.

Lower Corentyne won by 2 wickets.

Smith, Warner guide Aussies to T20 series win over Sri Lanka MELBOURNE (Reuters) - Steve Smith and David Warner’s first batting partnership on home soil since their ball-tampering suspensions helped Australia to a series-sealing nine-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in Brisbane on Wednesday.

Former captain Smith joined Warner at the crease after the third ball of the innings and the pair’s unbeaten 117-run stand mowed down Sri Lanka’s total of 117 in 13 overs under the lights at the Gabba.

The win gave Aaron Finch’s team an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series, having thrashed the south Asians by 134 runs in Sunday’s opener at Adelaide Oval.

Warner, who scored an unbeaten 100 to be man-of-thematch in Adelaide on his 33rd birthday, was 60 not out from 41 balls, with Smith finishing unbeaten on 53.

Dominant performances back-to-back from Australia’s bowlers ensured the series win, with the pacemen snaring four wickets to match the spinners as Sri Lanka’s batsmen struggled with the pace and bounce of the Gabba pitch.

Smith was denied a bat in Adelaide due to Warner and Finch’s dominant opening stand but there was no rust at the Gabba as he savoured his first T20 knock in three-

and-a-half years.

“Yeah, we played well tonight, I thought the bowlers did a terrific job early on,” said Smith.

“It’s good to be back now, obviously (there is) a T20 World Cup next year that I’d love to be a part of. It was nice to contribute with a few runs tonight.”

Australia rested regular left-arm paceman Mitchell Starc and his towering replacement Billy Stanlake grabbed two wickets, including bowling Danushka Gunathilaka for 21 after the opener threatened to get Sri Lanka off to a solid start.

Fellow quick Pat Cummins, and spinners Ashton Agar and Adam Zampa grabbed two wickets apiece.

Sri Lanka got lucky to dismiss Finch for a duck with a leg-side catch but their bowlers had no answers for Smith and Warner.

Lasith Malinga’s team now have little time to work things out before they head to Melbourne for the final dead rubber on Friday.

“We didn’t expect that score, we were expecting 150,” said Malinga, who pinned the loss squarely on his batsmen.

“I think for this game, the positives were only the preparation for the T20 World Cup in these conditions.”

Five teams register wins in Ivan Madray Memorial T20 tourmment THE Berbice 2019 cricket season continued last weekend with the hosting of the BCB Ivan Madray first division T20 Memorial cricket tournament. The tournament which is sponsored by Madray’s nephew, Chandradat Chintamani, is being contested by eleven teams on a knockout basis.

Defending Champions Young Warriors, drew the bye in the first round while last year’s runner up, Rose Hall Town Thunderbolt Flour along with Albion, Blairmont and Rose Hall Canje won their first-round matches.

At the Area ‘H’ Ground, Rose Hall Town Namilco Thunderbolt Flour defeated Upper Corentyne by 8 wickets.

Upper Corentyne won the toss and elected to bat first.

They were bowled out for 78 in 13 overs, as Tameshwar Ramoutar top scored with 22.

Junior Sinclair continued his outstanding form with the ball to claim 3 for 7 from 4 overs while his elder cousin, Kevin Sinclair, took 3 for 27. In reply, RHT Thunderbolt Flour raced to 80 for 2 from 8.4 overs with Junior Sinclair hitting 36 and Kevlon Anderson 22 not out.

Viendra Gooniah took 1 for 16 from 2 overs.

Albion overcame an early scare by defeating Police by 101 runs at the historic Albion Community Centre ground. Police had reduced the strong Albion team to 80 for 8 but good contributions from the talented Sarwan Chaitnarine (37) and Gudakesh Motie (35) assisted the home team to reach 174 all out in 20 overs. Extras contributed a healthy 21.

C. Drakes (4 for 26), A. Mentore (3 for 17) and C. Phillips (2 for 24) were the successful bowlers for the lawmen, who, in reply, were skittled out for 73 with Grisean Grant top scoring with 23 including three boundaries and one maximum.

West Indies leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo (4 for 11), Kevin Umroa (3 for 38) and Veersammy Permaul (2 for 18) were Albion’s best bowlers.

West Indies all-rounder Romario Sheperd hit a polished 65 as Tucber Park eased past Skeldon by 50 runs at the No. 69 ground. Tucber Park amassed 162 for 7 from their allotted 20 overs with Garfield

Benjamin (31) and Keon De Jesus (21) supporting Sheperd.

Skeldon were bowled out for 115 as Kwesi Mickle (2 for 15) and Leon Swammy (2 for 20) being the visitor’s best bowlers.

At the Bush Lot ground, underdogs Rose Hall Canje defeated a strong West Berbice team by six runs. Rose Hall Canje amassed 133 for 8 from their 20 overs with Lloyd David (31), Jerome Andrews (28), Joel Seetaram (21) and Sasenarine Sukhu being the principal scorers.

Andrew Dutchin took 3 for 4 for West Berbice. Needing to score 134 runs from 20 overs to advance to the second round, West Berbice was restricted to 127 for 7. Shamar Angel (28) and Steffan Adams (20) were the best batters for a disappointed West Berbice team.

Rose Hall Canje skipper Ameer Rahaman led his team’s bowling with 2 wickets for 21 runs from four overs. In the fifth match played, Blairmont defeated Port Mourant at the Port Mourant ground. Scores for the match was unavailable up to press time.

31

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, October 31, 2019

GFF/CONCACAF host inaugural Next Play Coaches Workshop -Ten schools involved in pilot project

THE Guyana Football Federation (GFF) continues to break new ground as it seeks, with the assistance of Concacaf, to set a solid foundation for the sport from the grassroot level upwards.

To this end, the GFF and CONCACAF have collaborated to host a two-day coaches workshop which commenced yesterday at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence, and is being held under the Concacaf Next Pay Coaches initiative.

This pilot project involves ten primary schools drawn from across Guyana, specifically Regions 3, 4, 5, 6, 10 and the Capital city. Each school will have ten (10) students participating.

At a simple opening ceremony yesterday morning, the facilitators of the Workshop-Concacaf Coach Educators, Andre Virtue and Nigel Linton-- along with GFF president, Wayne Forde and Technical Director Ian Greenwood, complimented the teachers participating for being a part of a historical journey which can redound to greatness.

Forde, in feature remarks before declaring the workshop open, welcomed the participants and facilitators while expressing gratitude to CONCACAF President, Victor Montagliani, whose vision saw the birthing of the Next Play initiative as well as many other development programmes that

have been rolled out across the region and confederation.

“In everything we do, there is usually a beginning, a middle and an end. I think this is the beginning of what I believe and trust will be an exciting football development and human development initiative over the next couple of years in Guyana.”

weeks, months and years, we will not be able to overcome the inevitable challenges that comes with implementing anything.”

Forde, who has been charting a new and solid way forward for the sport in every sphere for the past four years, alluded to the fact that football development is by no

into developing football; as a matter of fact, it’s a rarity, particularly in our country. But when you believe that you are putting your heart, your effort and your time into something that can impact, even in the smallest possible way, the life of a boy or girl, then that should be a just reward.”

The teachers were encour-

first time, said he is looking forward to the programme reminding that the beautiful game provides an opportunity and can be used to address social issues.

He further stated that it is not about winning games, but it’s about creating winners on and off the field. “I think it’s our perspective that might need

Some of the participants at the Concacaf Next Play Coaches Workshop take a photo with head table officials from right: Andre Virtue, Wayne Forde, Ian Greenwood and Nigel Linton

Forde noted that the interesting part is when “We get to that middle where the implementation has to take root and unless we bring a level of belief, commitment and dedication, not only to football, but to the young boys and girls that we would come into contact with over the next couple of

means, straightforward.

“It is very difficult, it’s not for the faint of heart, it is best suited for those who are willing to get into the trenches and do the difficult work when no one is looking. Not quite often we get the kind of positive encouragement and recognition for the difficult work that goes

aged not to do the Workshop in return for moments of glory which will be few and far in between, but rather do it for the real reason, which is to impact the lives of our young boys and girls.

CONCACAF Coach Educator, Andre Virtue, who is visiting Guyana for the

to change as it relates to the impact that football can have in the life of the boys and girls that we will engage and hopefully it will be something that both the GFF and Concacaf and other stakeholders would see the need to invest a little bit more in youth development.

Virtue cited the fact that

such investment would have a profound impact on society, schools, communities and ultimately, our young people.

Greenwood, in his remarks, said that the federation is very excited about the Concacaf Next Play Programme which is a fantastic vehicle for the teachers to work with in their schools and communities to develop football, but most importantly, to develop and impact social change.

“Where we can look at developing young boys and girls and improving their team work skills, their ability to interact with adults and their ability to interact with people around them; developing a healthy lifestyle.”

Greenwood encouraged the participants to approach everything with an open mind.

The primary schools participating are Blankenburg, Friendship, Victoria, Lichfield, New Amsterdam, Aidan’s, Coomacka, Sophia, Agricola and Tucville.

Sessions will also include practical at the GFF National Training Centre while classroom work will include topics on leadership, coaching and community, age appropriate and small sided games, equality and diversity, approach to winning and competition, next play festival, overview, planning and preparation and will end on Wednesday with a next play skills group activity.

FireSide Grill sponsors ‘Fire Shot’ for 3×3 Basketball Classic ...Andrew Ifill MVP trophy up for grabs

ONE thousand dollars ($1,000), compliments of FireSide Grill, will be awarded to each player who successfully completes a four-point shot at the upcoming Mackeson/Rawle Toney 3×3 Basketball Classic, which will be held at the Burnham Basketball Court in Georgetown from November 9-10.

On Wednesday, Rawle Toney, principal of the entity, which is located on Garnett Street (between Republic and DeAbreu Streets), stated that ‘FireSide Grill N Chill’ felt it was imperative to align themselves with the tournament since they see it as a way of supporting grassroot development of sport in Guyana, with a novelty they have themed ‘Fire Shot’.

According to Toney, proprietor Simeon Francis is a life-long fan of the sport of basketball, but since his

establishment of ‘FireSide’ he has yet to find a tournament that fits his passion for the sport, until now.

Toney said the ‘Fire Shot’ will change the dynamics of the tournament, since it changes the way players will want to think, given the fact that they will immediately be rewarded for their heroics.

The organiser, Toney, relayed that Francis was never known for taking centre-stage of anything, but he’s more known for setting himself apart.

It was known that FireSide will be paying homage to the late Andrew ‘Mr Dunk’ Ifill, a former national player who passed away in Trinidad and Tobago recently.

Toney said that he’s overwhelmed at the fact that FireSide wanted to name the Most Valuable Player (MVP) trophy in Ifill’s honour, and that

“shows the company is more than just giving to players, but also showing respect to someone who devoted his life to the sport

of basketball.”

The other big announcement was; the tournament is recognised by the International Basketball Federation

(FIBA) for which Toney thanked the support of the Guyana Amateur Basketball Association (GABF).

Within Toney’s classic,

Joanna Collins of FireSide Grill hands over the Most Valuable Player trophy to organiser, Rawle Toney

the GABF will host a National three-point shootout for which the winner pockets $25,000.

The winning team of the 3x3 classic will pocket $300,000, while second will take home $100,000 and third $50,000.

T h e M o s t Va l u a b l e Player in the final will receive one pair basketball sneakers of his choice and a trophy, compliments of ‘FireSide Grill N Chill’.

The tournament will employ a round-robin/knockout format, and close to 50 teams have registered, which has left the organiser having to turn away some teams.

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

‘Nationals’ set for November 27 17 – 22 at three venues Page

Key stakeholders at the media launch yesterday at GTU building, Woolford Avenue

Last batch of Windies players leave for tough Afghanistan series Page

Conway joins elite group with triple century for 27 Wellington Page

27

Afghanistan and West Indies players

Devon Conway celebrates his triple century (Getty Images)

GFF/CONCACAF host inaugural Next Play Coaches Workshop 31 Page

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2019