TUESDAY 3rd December, 2019
' No.105840
Gov't scraps DirectorGeneral post …appoints Ambassador Charlene Phoenix as PS for Foreign Affairs Ministry
SEE STORY ON PAGE 03
…ends services of several heads of mission
Power relief for Port Kaituma
…as gov't dispatches new engine for generator Residents of Port Kaituma can now breathe a sigh of relief as government dispatched a new engine to power their generator, which has caused intermittent blackouts in the community over the past weeks. In a statement Monday the Ministry of Public Infrastructure said through its agent Power Producers and Distributors Inc the replacement engine was successfully dispatched to Port Kaituma, Region One. The replacement engine arrived a few months after the community has been experiencing fluctuating power outages. Minister of Public Infrastructure David Patterson sought to remedy this by replacing the old engine, so as to have residents resume to their normal course of life as soon as possible. The engine was expected to be installed on Monday.
PM cuts ribbon to declare open Logos Hope 5Bs programme sees 100% attendance at Capoey School PAGE
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, December 3, 2019
PM cuts ribbon to declare open Logos Hope
PRIME Minister, Moses Nagamootoo, on Monday evening, welcomed to Guyana, 400 persons from 60 different nationalities as he officially opened the Logos Hope Book fair. Boasting hundreds of various titles of affordable
books, the vessel is moored at the GNSC Wharf at La Penitence and members of the public will be charged a fee of $200 to board the vessel. Logos Hope is a ship operated by the German Christian charitable organ-
isation which features a mobile bookstore, as a part of international Christian outreach movement. During a briefing, Director of the Logos Hope, Pil-Hun Park, explained that most of the volunteers are between the ages of 23 to 25 years old
and spend up to two years onboard the ship. He also related that their vision is to enhance the wellbeing of the citizens where ever they dock. Prime Minister Nagamootoo, while delivering remarks, shared how thrilled he was researching the history of the Logos Hope. “This is such a magnificent gesture; the bonding through the sharing of knowledge,” he said. The
edge and help depressed communities… Thank you for coming to Guyana, and on behalf of His Excellency, President David Granger and the people of Guyana, we bid you welcome,” he stated. Prime Minister Nagamootoo also encouraged the crew to take advantage of the opportunity to visit the city and view the architecture. Logos Hope ship has over 6,000 books
Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo and wife, Sita Nagamootoo, joined Captain of the Logos Hope, Samuel Hils, and Director of the Logos Hope, Pil-Hun Park, and his wife, to cut the ribbon to open officially, the Logos Hope Book Fair
Director Pil-Hun Park shows Prime Minister Nagamootoo and Mrs. Sita Nagamootoo one of the over 6,000 types of books on board the Logos Hope
and store, the volunteers also contribute by helping to build houses and donating essential provisions to the many underprivileged communities in the countries where the ship makes a port call. The vessel generally visits ports for two weeks and is continually sailing from port to port year-round. Since the launch into active service in February 2009, the Logos Hope has been in several regions: Northern Europe, the Caribbean, West Africa, the Mediterranean, the Arabian Peninsula, South Asia, and most recently Latin America. In its seven years of existence, the ship has visited 158 countries and assisted over 40 million people. The Guyana Chronicle spoke with several of the visitors of the vessel who stated that Guyanese should capitalise on the affordable books available on the vessel. Dominic Helwig spoke on his experience saying, “So far the experience has been good
Korean Fan dance displayed by some of the volunteers on board the Logos Hope
Prime Minister, while commenting on volunteerism, commended the staff of the ship for their work. “So many young people coming together living on a vessel for two years to spread this goodwill, to share knowl-
in its collection including books for recreational reading, professional references, personality and individual development and books talking about different global cultures. Along with being a book library
the staff here are friendly and welcoming, it’s a different atmosphere. I think it’s a very good initiative, spreading knowledge, going around the world trying to impart TURN TO PAGE
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, December 3, 2019
Gov't scraps MoFA’s Director-General post …appoints Ambassador Charlene Phoenix as PS for Foreign Affairs Ministry …ends services of several heads of mission
THE Government of Guyana has scrapped the position of Director General at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA)and instead appointed as Permanent Secretary a long standing staff to head the ministry’s administration. Simultaneously it has indicated that the former director general, Audrey Waddell will be reassigned upon completion of her annual leave which she has proceeded on. Speculations were rife over the weekend regarding the fate of Waddell as well as talks of reshuffling at the ministry. In a statement on Monday the Ministry said it has recently undertaken a number of administrative actions with a view to promoting greater efficiency in the discharge of the core mandate and essential functions of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, at a critical moment in the nation's history.
According to the statement among other things, the designation of Director General will be replaced by that of Permanent Secretary as obtains in other ministries. Accordingly, Ms. Charlene Phoenix, who joined the Ministry in 1996, has been appointed as Permanent Secretary within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with effect from 2nd December 2019. Ambassador Phoenix has served as the Director of the Department of the Americas since 2016 and as Guyana's Ambassador to the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) since November 2017. Ambassador Waddell who previously served as Director General within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs from June 2015, has proceeded on a period of annual leave pending reassignment, the statement noted. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it has recognised and expressed its appreciation to FROM PAGE
PM cuts ribbon ... knowledge, they have a reasonable collection and the items are reasonably cheap, and I think that more parents should be willing to bring out their kids, give them the opportunity.” He further said that the admission to the vessel is affordable and that he hopes persons actually know how affordable it is and take the opportunity to go aboard and have the one-of-a-kind experience. Another visitor, Devina Persaud, related her experience saying, “I never got the chance to come out to the book fair before, so this is my first time. So far it’s really nice, saw allot of books that you rarely see in Guyana and the prices are amazing and the staff they are very informative, they are there willing to assist you with any question and so, basically its really nice and it’s a good initiative for Guyana, I think that schools should get themselves involved and bring out their children to get a tour during the week or so.” In addition to being able
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to browse the ship’s vast collection of books, the members of the ship, in an effort to provide entertainment, will be hosting an event called “Meet the world”, which will be performed by crew members where they share their knowledge of cultures of different people across the globe. The crew will also host a two-hour show – The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe – on the last day of its stay here. While in Guyana, the crew members of the Logos Hope will be visiting communities to partake in humanitarian activities. The Logos Hope replaced the Logos 11 in 2004. The vessel is managed by German charitable organisation, GBA Ships. The ship will be open to the public from 18:00hrs until 21:00 hrs and thereafter, each day from 10:00 hrs until 21:00 hrs. On the last day of its stay, it will be open from 14:00 hrs until 21:00 hrs.
Ambassador Waddell for her service as Director General. End of service
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs also announced that a decision has
been taken to bring to an end the services of a number of Heads of Missions, especially those who might have enjoyed an extended tenure of duty beyond the official lim-
Permanent Secretary within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Charlene Phoenix
Former Director General, Audrey Waddell
it. “As it is well known, the tenure of an ambassador runs to approximately three to five
years. However, for a variety of reasons and factors, some of our ambassadors have been abroad for as long as two decades. This situation has become an impediment to other younger and rising Foreign Service Officers whose performance and professional competence might require that they should be appointed to the summit of the Foreign Service. A subsequent announcement will be made on this particular matter,” the statement added. “It is the wish and expectation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that this statement on the ongoing exercise within the Ministry will help to allay any concerns and put to rest any and all surmising and or misrepresentations that may have arisen in the public domain concerning this normal administrative undertaking,” the statement concluded.
Private Sector/Civil Society partner to launch HIV Prevention Pill
MIDWAY Speciality Care Centre Guyana (MSCCG) has partnered with the Society Against Sexual orientation Discrimination (SASOD Guyana) to make HIV prevention medication more available. According to a press release from SASOD, on Monday, Midway Speciality Care Centre Guyana (MSCCG) and Guyana’s Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD Guyana) signed a Memorandum of Understanding at a media launch of the clinical sevrices “to formalize their partnership in preventing new HIV infections in Guyana.” MSCCG’s Medical Doctor, Dr. Ruth Ramos, and SASOD Guyana’s Managing Director signed the Memornadum of Understanding, in the presence of the media, with MSCCG’s Nurse Lois Barrow witnessing the inking of the private sector – civil society agreement. The release said that MSCCG is a not-for-profit clinic that is established to provide non-communicable and infectious disease care. It said Dr Moti Ramgopal MD, FACP, FIDSA, founded Midway Speciality Care Centre, which treats 6,000 patients in eight clinics in the United States of America. “These clinics have provided a wide range of speciality and primary care services for patients. SASOD Guyana is a well-known human rights organisation that has been at the forefront of the HIV response in Guyana,” said the release. The release said SASOD Guyana has been a longtime advocate for the introduction of Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis Services (PrEP) for all persons who are at risk. “Midway Speciality Care Centres have acquired tremendous expertise in providing Pre-Exposure Pro-
phylaxis (PrEP) in the United States. After a series of intense deliberations, MSCCG and SASOD Guyana, have agreed to introduce PrEP and non-occupational post-exposure prophylaxis (nPEP) services at a weekday, full-service clinic located at 100 Carmichael Street (opposite Woodlands Hospital) and a satellite community clinic every Saturday at the SASOD Guyana office at 203 Duncan Street in Lamaha Gardens. The two agencies are convinced that, with the introduction of these services, it would prevent those that are “substantial risk” from acquiring the HIV infection,” the release said. According to the release, MSCCG and SASOD Guyana are providing PrEP and nPEP as part of combination prevention “which includes condoms and lubes, STI screening and management, HIV testing and counselling, risk reduction management and harm reduction. The partners are also providing comprehensive support, consisting of adherence counselling, mental and emotional support, and sexual and reproductive health services.” These services will be available to the public, from December 9, from 09:00 hrs to 17:00 hrs, Monday to Friday. SASOD Guyana’s Saturday clinic will commence on January 4, 2020. To make an appointment, interested persons can contact MSCCG by phone on 502-1951 or by email at MSCCG@gmail.com. SASOD Guyana can also be contacted by phone on 2257283, 623-5155 or by email at sasod@sasod.org.gy.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, December 3, 2019
You must create the new public service that will take Guyana forward --DG Harmon tells third batch of BCCPS cadets DIRECTOR-General of the Ministry of the Presidency Mr. Joseph Harmon on Monday charged the third batch of cadets of the Bertram Collins College of the Public Service (BCCPS) to lead the change in the Public service sector, and to deliver all of the required public services that are needed by the citizens in an effective manner. The Director-General delivered this charge to the cadets at a lecture organised by the College as it prepares to dispatch those who have successfully completed their 11 months of training into the Public Service. Noting that the Public Service College was established as a result of the recommendations from the Commission
of Inquiry into the Public Service, which pointed to a need for public sector reform, Mr. Harmon said the role of the Public Service has not changed over time, nor is it in need of change. What needs to change, he said, is the attitude and modus operandi of the public servants. “That role has been, as is, to deliver all the required public services that are needed by our citizens, and essential to the proper functioning of the State and of our society,” he said, adding: “What needs to be changed is the way in which those services are being delivered. The highly politicised way in which this was being done pre-2015 needed to be changed. Delivering services to selected communities for
political returns is certainly not the role of the Public service. It is for this reason that a new Public service was envisaged by our administration, one that was accessible, relevant, reliable, resourceful and responsive to the needs
new Public Service has to be able to deliver in an administratively neutral manner, and it has to be established firmly on the basis of merit and political impartiality. It must also possess expert knowledge, and a high stan-
Director-General of the Ministry of the Presidency Joseph Harmon
Graduates of the third batch of cadets of the Bertram Collins College of the Public Service
of the people, that was equally effective in all regions of Guyana, the coastland and hinterland and in all communities, rural and urban.” Mr. Harmon said that the
dard of academic education, he further noted. “In addition, it should consist of men and women of integrity, who are reliable and willing to give advice without fear or favour,
partiality or prejudice,” he said. “The process of modernising and transforming the Public Service must make it more responsive, fair, efficient and effective and for this to be achieved; there has to be a concerted effort to enhance the management capacity, administrative efficiency and skills level of all Public servants from the lowest to the highest tier of the public sector workforce,” he added. ENGINE OF THE EXECUTIVE It is within this context, the Director- General said, that as cadets, as new entrants to the Public Service,
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they must understand their roles and functions as the “engine of the executive.” “This description derives from the fact that there can be no delivery of services to the citizenry by or on behalf of the Government without the Public Service. In all areas such as education, health, security and infrastructure, it is the Public service that must execute programmes of delivery. You, the new type of public servants, are essential parts of the new model engine of the executive. In this capacity, you are required to play a very crucial role in the development of a renewed and relevant public service. You cannot tell people, ‘come back tomorrow’ or they ‘have to wait’. You must not bring your problems to the workplace and let that dictate how you deal with members of the public,” he said. Mr. Harmon also told the outgoing cadets that they must be keenly aware that Guyana is a country that is on the cusp of becoming an oil-producing nation and that it will experience TURN TO PAGE
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, December 3, 2019
Bisram’s lawyers push for ‘paper committal’ --as hearing into murder of Berbice carpenter continues MURDER accused Marcus Bisram on Monday made his second court appearance at the Whim Magistrate Court before Senior Magistrate Alex Moore where the decision was made for the matter to be heard by way of a paper committal. Moore, who took over the case from Magistrate Renita Singh, who is on vacation, made the decision after listening to lengthy submissions from State prosecutor Stacy Goodings, and the defence, led by Attorney Sanjeev Datadin. Goodings told the court that in the interest of justice, she believes a preliminary inquiry (PI) is in order, since such a course of action allows for the presentation of witnesses and evidence, thereby forming a stronger case. This being the case, she asked that the matter be adjourned until December
28, 2019, much to the displeasure of the defense. To further strengthen her call for an adjournment, Goodings stated that several files and documents necessary for a paper committal would need to be photocopied, which task, because it is time-consuming, she would have to do herself despite having other scheduled matters to attend to. However, Dattadin, backed by a group of three other lawyers, dismissed the Prosecutor’s line of argument, and called instead for a Paper Committal, since a magistrate court cannot give a verdict on his client but rather determine whether or not he goes to trial in the High Court. He argued that a delay in trial is a serious violation of a citizen’s constitutional right to a trial within a reasonable time. Datadin further offered to
Body of missing farmer found floating in Pomeroon River POLICE are investigating the death of 53-yearold Winston Alberta called “Jim”, a farmer of Akawini Creek, Pomeroon River. Reports indicate that Alberta allegedly drowned sometime between November 30 and December 2 at Akawini Creek Front. Enquiries disclosed that “Jim” was living with his sister, Renitta English, at Akawini Creek, where he was a farmer. He would normally set a seine in the Pomeroon River and would check the net based on the tide. Enquiries revealed that on Saturday, November 30 at about 18:00hrs, “Jim” left home, while under the influence of alcohol, to check his seine with his paddle boat. He did not return home for the remainder of the night. The next day, his sister got worried and formed a search party. The party found his boat tied to a tree next to the creek. However, on Monday, a villager saw his body floating towards the mouth of the Pomeroon River. Police were summoned and the body was examined and photographed. No marks of violence were seen. The body was taken to the Suddie Hospital Mortuary where it is awaiting post mortem examination.
Murder accused Marcus Bisram
make resources available, if necessary, to assist the Prosecutor in getting together the required files and documents to facilitate a speedy hearing. He also questioned the readiness of the Prosecution, since, in his opinion, three weeks is much too long to make available a full disclosure of statements. On that note, he told the court that the prosecution had had ample time to be prepared and ready to
facilitate the proceedings, since they had been fighting for the extradition of his client for over two years. As Defence and Prosecution argued back and forth, Magistrate Moore agreed to allow the paper committal moving forward, since he’d heard nothing to justify an application for a PI. Moore said he believes in delivering a swift trial, regardless of in whose favour the proceedings may lead,
and as such called for a full disclosure of evidence to the court by Monday. He also agreed to a visit to the crime scene, as requested by the Prosecution, while allowing for the defence to cross-examine a witness on the said date as well. He further advised that the matter will be heard at the Whim Magistrate’s Court until he is directed otherwise, but that given the close proximity to the scene of the crime, the matter will be called at the Springlands Magistrate’s Court before him next Monday instead. SEATING PRIVILEGES Meanwhile relatives of the deceased Faiyaz Narinedatt, who was 25 when he was killed, expressed disappointment in the police for allegedly favouring Bisram’s family over theirs by allowing them to sit in the courtroom during the proceedings while they had to wait outside. Bisram was ex-
You must create the new public service that ...
unprecedented levels of financial resources for the development of the country. This, he said, means that the Public Service will grow exponentially to administer those resources. “It means bigger national budgets, mega projects for infrastructural development and an increase in the number of Public services to be delivered to our people. There can therefore, be no doubt that you have very challenging but exciting times ahead. The importance of your continued and continuous training cannot be overstated and I wish to urge you to make full use of all opportunities that are made available to you, to improve your skills. Remember, you
are the future administrative and budget agency heads of the Public service; you owe it to yourselves, to the Public service and to the nation, to ensure that you are adequately prepared to take on those responsibilities when the time comes,” the Director General said. Mr. Harmon then commended the students for the interest they have expressed in serving the Guyanese people. “Your engagement here, in which you have completed six months of academic studies; two months of study tours around Guyana and three months of work attachment to Government Ministries and State Agencies, were all geared to equip you with basic
skills, knowledge of the structures and the nature of your intended work environment. This session will enable you to fully appreciate your role and functions within a professional public service with the hallmarks of justice, efficiency, integrity, impartiality and accountability,” he said. The students will be benefitting from a number of interactive sessions hosted by speakers such as Minister of Public Service, Mrs. Tabitha
tradited to Guyana days after Narinedatt’s family observed his third death anniversary. Narinedatt’s body was found around 03:30hrs on Tuesday, November 1, 2016 on the Number 70 Public Road, East Corentyne, Berbice. His death was initially reported as a suspected hit-and-run accident. It was later reported that Bisram had made sexual advances on Narinedatt; advances that the latter had not taken too kindly to. Bisram, who holds both American and Guyanese citizenships, became a Person of Interest to the police after they began investigating the death of the carpenter. He is accused of ordering the fatal beating of Narinedatt, a young father of two. Bisram was charged on November 21, 2019 and remanded to prison, while five others: Orlando Dickie, Radesh Motie, Diodath Datt, Harri Paul Parsram, and Niran Yacoob have also been committed to stand trial for the murder. FROM PAGE
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Sarabo-Halley; Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo; Director, Department of Energy, Dr. Mark Bynoe; Guyana Elections Commission Chief Elections Officer, Mr. Keith Lowenfield and Chairman of the Guyana Public Service Commission, Mr. Michael Sommersall, among others. Fifty-six cadets are expected to graduate from the College on December 12, 2019. (Ministry of the Presidency)
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, December 3, 2019
Mutual respect
THERE is no denying that given our diverse experiences, pleasant or unpleasant, and the environment within which groups have had to share the same space, our history has been marked by conflicts, violent and non-violent. At the same time, Guyanese can be held captive to negative experiences of history only at their choosing. Opportunities always present themselves to use historical experiences, lived or told, to learn from mistakes of the past and build on accomplishments. This nation seems caught in a vortex somewhere between these two options. Where there continues to be a decided preference to not learn from our mistakes and move on, but rather engage in the continual game of ‘proving’ who was bad or good, how such an attitude serves this nation’s interest is anyone’s guess. Pursuing conversations, calls and actions to dismantle structures, and conduct universally accepted practices places the nation on a tightrope, and utilises the energies of the people in a non-futuristic direction, which is detrimental to the people and society. A nation cannot be forged with con-
tinued efforts to deny the contributions of persons and organisations to society because they are considered bad; neither is it acceptable that those perceived to be good should be attributed the prominence of sole contributor, end-all and be-all for everything. The marking of time, divisive and distasteful features of our politics, have to end, regardless of who practises them. Forging a nation, whose frame our national anthem acknowledges is that of a “Land of Six Peoples”, to get to the stage where we are truly “united and free” requires integrity, civility and respect for self, others, and the nation’s established mores and institutions. For too long have public discourse and treatment of others been poisoned or praised primarily because of the person’s politics or ethnicity. The only place sanity reigns for those refusing to be caught up in the morass is reliance on history through the perspectives of timeline, context and events. In looking at forging nationhood, there are some home truths that need to be faced and accepted. Guyana is a diverse society. Diversity is not a curse; it is a blessing, in that it offers different cultural experienc-
es, perspectives on life, skills, interests, solutions, and problem-solving techniques that can work for all. What is required, but keeps escaping attention, is that where there is respect for this and everyone is treated equally and with dignity, such can reduce and eliminate the irascible approach to politics and things political. There is no need to feel that a person has to be liked to be treated with respect and civility. Such treatment should flow from recognition and appreciation of sharing the same space, which that person is entitled to share equally as having access to the nation’s resources, opportunities, and the protection of its laws. There is no need to prove any point to anyone outside of being civil and treating that person the way you would want to be treated. It requires character to be civil and understand that such is not displayed when engaging in tit-for-tat. When one knows better, it is expected that one would do better. And when others had engaged in unbecoming conduct when the shoe was on the other foot, civility dictates rising above the boorishness. A person cannot be embarrassed by treating them in
the crude manner they had treated others. Neither can a society grow and unite/cohere when persons are caught in this display of misconduct to the other. The challenges this nation faces at the social and political levels will not be fixed overnight. No one is delusional. However, what is expected is that Guyanese stop and take stock of the manner in which we treat each other, and start now to address the decline in social grace, etiquette, protocol and civility. A heterogeneous society, by its very nature, brings with it conflicts, given competing interests, scarce resources, and diverse cultural outlook and preferences. Conflict, while it creates the space for animosity and intolerance, also allows for opportunities for bringing together diverse forces to find, arrive at, and work through, consensus. This continues to present a challenge to Guyana, but it is not that Guyanese lack the ability to do so. What is evident is the absence of will to make consensus the guiding principle for engagement, which is important for forging nationhood. Guyanese have to learn to respect and treat self and each other with dignity, or we would perish together as fools.
President Granger has never attended Police, GDF, Old Year’s Night Balls Dear Editor, MY attention was drawn to a news item in the Stabroek News of December 2, 2019 under caption ‘No Old Year’s Night Balls for cops, army this year’. Of course, the article was written in its usual sensational style to evoke a particular response, or perhaps to whip up sentiments that somehow some ‘higher hand’ is involved in the cancellation of these parties.
Mr. Editor, for as long as I can remember, the two identified Disciplined Forces would hold separate old year’s night parties at their respective venues. This year, it would seem that a decision was taken by these Forces at the level of the Joint Services Council not to have their balls as they ready their troops for general and regional elections slated for March. The adventurous story by the Stabroek News concluded with the paragraphs: “Sources said they were pleased with the
decision, as payment for tickets, usually over $10,000 per person, was mandatory, and is deducted from their salaries. In addition, all high-ranking officers were required to attend, because of the presence of the President.” Mr. Editor, for the record, our current President has never attended any Old Year’s Night Ball since taking office. In fact, I recalled on the eve of 2016, President Granger telling reporters that he would be ushering in the New Year on his knees, interceding for
the nation. Since then to now, my only recollection of President Granger on Old Year’s Night is at church services. Therefore, the Stabroek News and its sources must be referring to some other president who would have required the presence of high-ranking officers at these parties. Regards, GDF Officer
GCCI development plan ignores prevailing environment Dear Sir, I WAS particularly struck by an impressive statement issued by the City Chamber of Commerce (City Chamber wants single development plan, restoration of PM as head of gov’t: Stabroek News/27/12/2019). Whilst the Chamber must be complimented for articulating its position, the narrative promoted by this statement is troublingly incomplete. It failed to take into account the most basic and fundamental thing necessary
for the existence of everything else: The environment. I am not sure what framework was used by the Chamber to come up with its ten-point plan, but there appears to be a certain pattern of thinking among some corporate and associated organisations and groups where economics, profits and other financial imperatives are awarded the highest points on the priority spectrum. However, the natural environment, in many cases, doesn’t even make it on the planning agenda, and in the decision-making process.
It is reflective of a remote and widening relationship between economics and ecology. It was Milton Friedman who said that the business of business is to make profit and to optimise returns to shareholders. One of the main criticisms of this view is that it does not cater to stakeholders. We all have a stake in a healthy natural environment, therefore, we all must have an abiding interest in how the activities of big businesses are affecting the environment. That, notwithstanding, the rush to make
big profits by corporations and companies facilitated certain innovations and cycles of development, which encouraged reckless exploitation and unsustainable use, rather abuse, of the environment and its resources. This has led to worrying levels of environmental degradation, and global environmental challenges have pushed the issue of sustainable development throughout the world. The Brundtland Report, published in See page 8
Op-Ed
GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, December 3, 2019
By Chelceé Brathwaite
WHILE some still consider AI to be beyond the grasp of developing countries, our South American neighbours have been shattering that stereotype. AI is being deployed in a number of their endeavours: to speed up artefact findings in Peru; to increase crop yields in Colombian rice fields through AI-powered platforms; to boost security and enhance customer service in Brazil’s banking sector; to create vegan alternatives with the same taste and texture as animal-based foods in Chile’s food industry; to predict school dropouts and teenage pregnancy in Argentina; and to forecast crimes in Uruguay. Some of the push in AI adoption in these countries has come from academics and researchers, like the ones at the University of Sao Paulo who are developing AI to determine the susceptibility of patients to disease outbreaks; or Peru’s National Engineering University where robots are being used for mine exploration to detect gases; or Argentina’s National Scientific and Technical Research Council where AI software is predicting early onset pluripotent stem cell differentiation. These and other truths were revealed to me at a Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) Workshop on AI organized by Facebook and the Inter-American Development Bank in Montevideo, Uruguay, in November this year. I was the lone Caribbean participant in attendance, presenting my paper entitled: AI & The Caribbean: A Discussion on Potential Applications & Ethical Considerations, on behalf of the Shridath Ramphal Centre (UWI, Cave Hill). DEFINING AI While AI has no universally accepted definition, it describes machines and systems that can acquire and apply knowledge, and execute intelligent behaviour. Beyond robots and autonomous hardware devices, AI’s application also extends to software-based operations in the virtual world like Siri. At the heart of AI is technology that exhibits cognitive capability. The term AI was first introduced in 1956, in the context of work done by computer scientists like John McCarthy, Alan Turning and Marvin Minsky. AI’s rise to pre-eminence today can be attributed to a number of factors, including unlimited access to computing power and the growth of Big Data. In the last six decades, the world has witnessed a trillion-fold increase in computing power, and worldwide data is expected to grow from 33 zettabytes to 175 zettabytes by 2025. Towards AI’s Ethical & Legal Considerations Despite the hype, adoption of AI provokes a number of ethical and legal questions: like,
Tracing developments on Artificial Intelligence
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–– in Latin America and the Caribbean
where should responsibility lie for deaths caused by an autonomous vehicle that intentionally decides to crash? Who should own the copyright on content created by AI, especially in legal regimes where such protection extends only to human-created content? How would you prevent an AI-powered hiring system from exacerbating gender and racial inequalities in specific job roles? The LAC AI Workshop attempted to examine these and other ethical issues, by providing a forum, not for engineers and software developers, but for academics, philosophers and lawyers who debated topics such as those included below. Data Governance and Privacy AI runs on lots and lots of data. But, in a context of eroded public confidence in data-collecting organizations and data-consuming technologies, it is questionable whether current data governance frameworks are sufficiently flexible, yet still robust to maintain privacy protection. Moreover, not enough of an understanding exists of the impact of data monetization models on privacy. One potential solution mooted are data trusts - legal structures providing independent stewardship of data, where third-party users are responsible for using and sharing data in a fair, safe and equitable way. Notwithstanding the model’s challenges, particularly with compliance considerations, data trusts would go some way in allaying concerns on how sensitive data is held and used by AI technologies. BIAS AND DISCRIMINATION Amazon’s AI recruiting tool showed bias against women, AI facial recognition systems worked better for white men than black women, and an online chat bot became racist. In all three cases, a European study found a common contributor to be the training data used. This finding questions whether the quantity and quality of our data could avoid biased outcomes, and whether algorithms could be prevented from creating profiles that discriminate against certain social groups. If AI technologies follow the “garbage in, garbage out” rule, then tackling biased and discriminatory outcomes must begin at the data input level. Here, research points towards controlled distortion of training data, integrating anti-discrimination criteria into classification algorithms, post-processing the classification model once extracted and correcting decisions to maintain proportionality among protected and unprotected groups. Recognition that preconceived ideas derive in part from an algorithm’s design means that algorithms must be “audited” for their susceptibility to discrimination, and that there must be full transparency, even if that itself
raises issues of intellectual property and national security. ROGUE AI AND UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES The Avengers: Age of Ultron shows a case of AI application gone wrong. While not as dramatic, self-driving cars running red lights and autopilot systems gone wrong portend disastrous consequences. Even more alarming are reports of autonomous weapons systems being developed to aim and fire at “human enemies”. Prospects of errant application force the issue of AI design. Some AI R&D guidelines propose incorporation of controllability, transparency, safety and ethics from inception. But the proliferation of non-mandatory guidelines compared to other normative frameworks casts doubt on enforceability and compliance. In turn, the question of who is responsible for unintended consequences arises: should blame be laid at the feet of developer/user, the machine, or neither? Transposing existing regulatory schemes to advanced technological developments also proves challenging. Although product liability traditionally focuses on negligent design/manufacture or breach of duty, AI’s autonomous and evolving nature makes it difficult to identify the point of defect or predict dangerous outcomes – and thus assign liability. LESSONS FOR THE CARIBBEAN So, what is happening here in the Caribbean? AI remains, at best nascent, with limited R&D. Reports of its limited application in The Bahamas, Belize and Guyana and the absence of policy discussions belies the significant potential for AI here. We could dream of a day when Fedo, a risk stratification AI system for predicting patient susceptibility to non-communicable diseases (NCDs) is used in the Caribbean’s health sector, where NCD-mortality is highest in the Americas. Or, when Dragon Medical Virtual Assistants assist the region’s critical nurse shortage, which in 2010 measured 1.25 nurses for every 1000 people. How about See & Spray, a weed control AI robot that could reduce herbicide expenditure by 90%? Or AI harvest robots replacing 30 workers in the Caribbean’s agricultural sector, where the food import bill is expected to reach USD 8-10 billion by 2020? Could we ever see AI systems developed by Google, Harvard and NASA which predict earthquake aftershocks, flooding and hurricanes as part of the Caribbean’s disaster management and mitigation efforts, to save lives and mitigate potential loss? Instead of dreaming, I propose the following three steps that the Caribbean can take to better position itself to harness AI’s potential. First, we must develop an appetite for such
technologies. South America’s engagement in this field is a testament of the region’s innovative capabilities and appetite for such technologies. This cannot be done without firms and governments that are willing to adopt and utilize these systems in their provision of goods and services. In addition, we need research and studies that demonstrate how can AI be leveraged to solve some of the region’s developmental challenges. It falls to the region’s academia and private sector to find innovative AI solutions and spur demand for their subsequent development and adoption. Second, we must form strategic partnerships Google is developing an AI system to predict and send flood warnings in India; Unilever is testing various AI solutions in South America; MIT and Harvard are hosting AI R&D conferences in Uruguay, but, who are we partnering with in the Caribbean? Recognizing the importance of strategic partnerships and taking steps to reach out to organisations like the IDB to fund such initiatives; or companies like Facebook and Google to develop and test AI solutions in the region; or AI R&D centres and universities to partner with; are all potential avenues for overcoming existing financial and resource constraints which hinder our progress in this field. Third, we must initiate AI-related policy discussions Realising the wider ethical and legal considerations arising from the application of AI, we must ask probing questions like: are the existing frameworks capable of addressing our concerns? And how can we mitigate risks and instil public confidence in such technologies? Beyond technologists like engineers and developers, the discussion must involve policymakers who must be on the front lines in developing adaptive and anticipatory frameworks. Similar to Mexico’s move towards an AI strategy, which aims to transform the country from an observer to a key actor, we must look towards the development of holistic approaches. While not exhaustive, this list of recommendations is a start to riding the AI wave. It is now up to us to either learn how to ride it, like our South American neighbours are doing, or we get washed ashore. (Chelceé Brathwaite recently graduated (with distinction) from the Masters in International Trade Policy Programme of the Shridath Ramphal Centre for International Trade Law, Policy and Services, Cave Hill Campus, UWI. For her postgraduate research paper, she developed a Cross-border E-commerce Trade Policy for Barbados. She is a past intern at the Barbados Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, and a current intern at the CARICOM Secretariat’s Office of Trade Negotiations)
TCV commends IPED for its mental-health initiatives
Dear Editor,
THE Caribbean Voice commends the Institute of Private Enterprise Development (IPED) “for ensuring that all managers and leaders completed sessions on emotional intelligence, as part of an ongoing effort by the company to secure employees’ mental health for their own well-being and then for the people they serve every day” as reported in a section of the media. In effect, IPED has recognized that when
employees start to feel better about their mental health, they also feel better about their jobs and are more engaged at work. In fact, more than 80% of employees who receive treatment report improved job satisfaction Thus TCV urges all businesses to consider this very practical initiative, which is becoming part and parcel of human resources development globally. IEPD’s model included “contracting a psychologist to do an assessment on challenges workers are encountering on and off the job” the results of which “ contributed to changes to some
policies and processes and provided insights into areas of training and development”. The company also “introduced its Wellness Programme whereby each employee is given the opportunity to speak to a therapist for two hours paid for by IPED”. While some businesses may baulk at the cost, the fact is that soon enough the benefits will not only justify the costs but also result in increased profitability far offsetting the mental health investment. As well, absenteeism is tremendously reduced; workers’ resiliency, en-
gagement and job satisfaction are maximized; the work environment becomes healthier and safer; the stigma around mental health issues is reduced thereby building awareness and acceptance outside company walls and sending a positive message to customers; loyalty and retention are tremendously fostered and overall productivity, morale and commitment become significantly boosted. Sincerely The Caribbean Voice
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, December 3, 2019
Ram gets it wrong again Dear Editor, CHRISTOPHER Ram, with his now customary anti-Government obsession, has accused Minister of Finance Winston Jordan of illegality/invalidity in the remission/“waiver” of taxes on retroactive salary increases for public servants/public officers (see “Regulation published by Finance Minister to waive taxes on public servants pay increases is invalid” SN November 25, 2019) Godfrey Statia, Commissioner General, GRA submits that the remission is valid as authorized by statute (vide “Minister Jordan’s decision was guided by Section 105 of the Income Tax Act Chapter 81:01”; “Tax – Free backpay legal” Guyana Chronicle, Thursday, November 28 2019). Godfrey Statia is manifestly right. Christopher Ram is patently wrong. First of all, I would submit to Mr. Ram that the National Assembly under our constitutional architecture has no power “by the passage of primary legislation … to make any payment exempt from tax” (here I am quoting from Ram’s letter). That power is, exclusively, the constitutional province of PARLIAMENT in contradistinction to the National Assembly. The National Assembly is not Parliament; the National assembly is that constituent part that inter alia, passes Bills; the other constituent part of parliament being the President (who assents to Bills when passed) (see article 51). I have seen this confusion as between the two bodies in the writings of another prominent letter writer. It is trite constitutional law, that no Bill passed by the National Assembly can become “primary legislation” (Ram’s terminology; I prefer the simplicity of the word “Act”) until and unless (provisions as to overriding the President’s veto, aside) that Bill is assented to by the President. But, I suspect that Ram’s seeming congenital angst for the David Granger headed Government, blinds him from that constitutional truism and makes him delusional about this President’s indispensability in statute law enactment/making. And, I would observe, en passant, that by his vote buying rhetoric (his words are “violate any law…bribe any group of voters”,) and the imputations/ innuendo of criminality such words are capable of bearing in the law of Libel, Ram dances on thin ice [see Janet Jagan And Another v. Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham (1973) G.L.R 203 a decision of a strong Bench of the Court of Appeal.] Second, (and herein lies the crux of my argument) while I agree with Ram (but I prefer the statutory basis of section 20(1) (b) of Interpretation and General Clauses
Act, Cap 2:01) that it is an “elementary principle … that the delegate … can only exercise any power consistent with the primary legislation”, Ram has not shown, and cannot show, by any reasoned justification, that in pith and substance, Minister Jordan’s made Regulations No. 11 of 2019 is inconsistent with the Income Tax Act, Cap 81:01 wherein section 105 specifically (not generally) confers, by delegation, tax remission power on the Minister which he exercises and exercised, in his discretion in making Reg 11/2019. So, Ram resorts to an abstract disquisition of “elementary principles” without the slightest endeavor to show by condescension to the particulars of the Income Tax (Special Provisions) Regulations (No. 11 of 2019), how by a process of interpretation, any inconsistency (as he pretends to argue) has happened. He cannot. So, he pedantically embellishes his specious, politically motivated arguments, by reference to the “Financial Administration and Audit Act” (sic). You see, having made reference to the FA & AA, he then, in the very next following paragraph, by a somewhat inarticulate and inobvious (a non sequitur) remarkable step in his argument, writes thus – “In other words the Regulations made by Mr. Jordan are invalid … any power …. they seek to impose is illegal”. So, here he is leap frogging from the clearly unnecessary reference to the FA & AA, (the Minister did not act under such legislation) to the unreasoned, specious conclusion of invalidity and illegality. Editor, I agree entirely with the Commissioner General’s submission, and with the reasons he proffers (as he refreshes Ram’s memory about section 105) that “Section 105 did not at any time (in 2003 or 2005) refer to Section 13 of the Income Tax Act but conferred a discretion in the President and then the Minister to remit tax … Ram has completely ignored section 105, and may be essentially ignoring the amendment conveniently”. Editor, that was the state of their respective arguments until Counsel in a subsequent letter (exercising his right of reply) has contrived to disembarrass himself from the contempt to which his omission to even mention much less cogitate about section 105 had exposed him, by first, inexplicably , dis-acknowledging the Commissioner General’s direct adumbration about section 105 (even the caption in the GC letter gives the lie to Ram’s dis-acknowledgment); and he also has introduced a new, fresh argument, which while admittedly true in theory, does nothing to support or validate his invalidity/illegality argument predicated on his main supposition that Reg. 11/2019 is inconsistent within the Income Tax Act.(see “There is an ocean of
difference between exemption from tax and remission” S.N Friday November 29). It is this reply letter that has prompted mine even as I hold no brief for either the Minister, or C.G. Some obvious irrelevancies aside, Ram writes “In the tax world there is an ocean of difference between exemption and remission….To have a remission one must first have a liability which is impossible if as the Regulations state, the income is exempt.” Taken as a general proposition of tax law, it is difficult to disagree with that. But put in context Counsel knows that Reg. 11/2019 is not just para.3 (“There shall be exempt from the tax- …”). Reg. 11/2019 has in all three paragraphs (para 1. Speaks of” …Regulations for the waiver of taxes…”) the word “Waiver” being a misnomer for remission and the recitals speaks of “… powers conferred upon me by section 105 of the Income Tax Act Cap 81:01…”. It is the WHOLE of Reg. 11/2019 which has to be interpreted, not just para 3. in isolation, for any principled determination as to its (in)validity Does Ram not know this! To be clear, I make no excuse for the flippancy with which para 1 and 3 are drafted. vis-avis “waiver” and “exempt” Be that as it may, Reg 11/2019 is plainly not ultra vires the Minister in terms of section 105. Interpreted as it must, as whole, its purpose is plain and unambiguous- the remission of income tax. And in any event, since Reg 11/2019 is not, of course, some charging provision (which requires a strict construction) the legal maxim of interpretation that applies is: ut res magis valeat quam pereat (i.e. it is better that the thing be valid than perish) Third, and finally, I would briefly observe that Ram’s notion of illegality (as distinct from his other argument of invalidity) is an outrage. The delegability, by parliament itself of its relief from tax authority (as happened in this Tax free backpay matter) is well established in tax laws (see the instructive case of Revere Jamaica Alumina Ltd v. AG (1977) 26 WIR 486). I end with this: the esoterics of revenue/tax law, and political diatribe, makes for a toxic mix. Political rhetoric can be trifled and fiddled with; revenue law (learning about which I would yield only to a few in this country) cannot. Christopher Ram, while deserving public servants backpay is pending, has fiddled. Minister Winston Jordan has in this Government’s “tax -free backpay” decision – process, legislated as a member of the Executive, with all due constitutional, and delegated, probity and propriety. Regards, Maxwell E. Edwards
GCCI development plan ignores ... From page 6
1987, contributed significantly to growing awareness that it is no longer possible to take the environment and its resources for granted; that instead they have to be considered in the decision- making at various tiers of society. Reflecting more specifically on the statement by the Chamber, I wish to note a few key phrases in it that point to the urgent need for greater contemplation by this organisation on the importance of the environment in its planning. According to the statement: “The GCCI believes that in order to prepare our country for a new era in its history, we need to have a single all- encompassing, nationally-bought-into development plan, not a plan that will be thrown out at successive elections.” But how could anyone talk about a new era in Guyana’s history without mentioning a word about the environment and environmental integrity. This is a serious point, because many areas of our country remain vulnerable to certain environmental conditions. A prime example is the nation’s capital, Georgetown, where the government, public utilities, our main ports and many corporations are headquartered, is four (4) feet below normal tide, and an additional two (2) feet at spring tide. As a result, there is the ever-present threat of breaches to sea defences, and the consequent fear of those, particularly farmers, living on the low coastal plane. Climate emergency and global heating are causing sea rise. In Georgetown the situation is especially worrying with vanishing drainage facilities, increasing number of residents concreating their yards affecting runoffs of storm water into the lower aquifer, heavy siltation of our outfall channels due to, among other things, sling mud from the amazon river caused by deforestation. This has led to an increase in the rotations of cleaning these waterways. This continues to exacerbate the situation as it relates to overtopping in certain local communities. I rather suspect that, this is the reason why the Director General, Mr. Joseph Harmon rightly said at a press conference, a few days ago, that, the idea of relocating people to higher grounds is being considered by the authorities. The truth is that unless we give the utmost attention to addressing the environment and unprecedented environmental challenges and changes our history would unfold in the most undesirable way. Again, the chamber said that: “This transformative plan must address the structural issues in our economy… be a shining example for our region and for the world in the case of how small states deal with windfall natural resource exploitation. (For context here Rystad Energy expects that the projected Government Revenue from the 14 discoveries in the Stabroek Block will be above US$120B.)” Interestingly, the chamber quoted a figure for projected government revenue but nothing about the real perpetual costs involved in exploitation natural resources to produce oil, gas and other related products, including major disruption, degradation and destruction of marine life and the likely impact upon ecosystems. Indeed, exploiting natural resources usually does incredibly complex damage to the environment one never knows how it will end up. Exactly why we need to include it in our corporate and national plans. Guyanese are yet to hear about a comprehensive study on the likely impact of oil and gas on climate change and the general natural environment in Guyana. The reality is that any plan for Guyana that does not include the environment as a fundamental element cannot be considered truly transformative. Might I suggest to the leadership of the City Chamber of Commerce that going forward it considers thinking of and speaking to an approach that would create a path to integrate the ecology and our local economy in a way that would make Guyana resilient to climate change and global warming. The chamber and in fact all of us should relish the chance to secure the integrity of our environment. Regards, Royston King
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, December 3, 2019
Linden Town Council workers strike for pay hike …Labour Dept. urges them to return to work, union refuses
General Secretary of the Guyana Labour Union, Carvil Duncan
WORKERS attached to the Linden Mayor and Town Council (LMTC) are currently engaged in strike action as they press demands for an increase in wages and salaries. The workers have downed tools a few days and the municipality is already experiencing the ripple effects, particularly in garbage collection services. The departments that are participating in the strike include the Constabulary, Engineering and the Solid Waste Department. With solid waste workers on strike, there has been a garbage pile-up particularly in the market area, which has been
deemed a major concern for vendors. The LMTC has since sent out a notice, that it has garnered the assistance of Cevon’s Waste Management, a private garbage collection company, until things return to normalcy. The workers are calling for their salaries to meet the current minimum wage standard, but the council claims that as a result of their cash-strapped position, they are unable to meet this demand; only if they are given a bail out by the government, something they have been soliciting for some time now. The workers are also demanding that their NIS contributions be paid as well as
retroactive payments owed for 2019. “I am a constable employed at the council since 2015, and when I recently went and check my contribution, they said no contribution for me for four years.... they have retroactive monies for us and nobody come to say anything, even when we keep querying. I am a single mother, it is very hard on me,” one worker told the media. Another said, “we need the big ones to meet with us so we can voice our concerns to them, because they don’t know what is going on. They don’t tell you anything and when you don’t work, they victimise you, so we are waiting to see if we get judgement from the big ones and the union (Guyana Labour Union) here backing us.” Deputy Mayor, Wainwright Bethune, definitively said that the council is not in a position to pay an increase, with its current financial circumstances. “The council is not in a position to pay and sustain that significant increase, given that our revenue has been depleted at certain locations. We would want
to pay the workers up to the current minimum wage, but we cannot sustain that,” he said. Bethune said that the
LMTC Town Clerk Orleena Obermuller
council has engaged Central Government for a bail out, since the council inherited over $200Ms in debt, particularly to NIS. While it may be justifiable that the council increase service rates, as well as rates and taxes, this cannot be unilaterally imposed on the residents and vendors, without the necessary consultation. In addition, 60 per cent of those registered to pay rates
and taxes in the municipality have outstanding balances, bringing the total in excess of $9M, up to August, despite the pay scale has not been upgraded since the 1970s and is as low as $1000 and $1200 per year. On Monday, representatives from the council as well as Town Clerk Orleena Obermuller, met with the Department of Labour (DoL) to determine the way forward. Obermuller related that officials advised that the Guyana Labour Union should have their workers return to work on Tuesday, since the ultimatum that was given by the union was met. The union had written the council seeking an engagement with them. This was done but the meeting was not deemed fruitful. Therefore, it is the onus of the Union to inform the council on a new ultimatum, since not doing so, would be deemed illegal. When the Guyana Chronicle contacted Mr. Carvil Duncan, General Secretary of the Guyana Labour Union (GLU), he deemed the advice as poor, and said that he will be writing the council,
informing them that the ultimatum is in fact activated, noting that the three meetings held, were all a waste of time, since the objective of settling the wage situation, was not met. The first meeting, he said, there was not a quorum, while the other two, ended unfavourably. The GLU, wrote the council on October 14, requesting a meeting with the council, in relation to a circular that was sent out by the Local Government Commission, which stated that all Municipal workers must not work for wages below $64,200 and such payments should be retroactive, from January 2019. Duncan claimed that the council was reluctant to meet with the union and a subsequent letter was sent, threatening strike action. The General Secretary said he will not be following the advice of DoL to have the workers return to work, as it is the union’s prerogative that the workers must not continue to suffer by receiving low wages.
Pastors’ party softens up on anti-gay rhetoric …says if elected will seek ‘healing’ for homosexuals By Lisa Hamilton THE People’s Republic Party (PRP) – already dubbed the ‘pastors party’– is the newest political group to create a stir amongst the public which wants to know whether their religious freedom and Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) rights could be affected if the party is elected into government. The Guyana Chronicle spoke with the party’s Presidential Candidate, Dr. Valerie Leung, who sought to answer the questions pouring in. On Saturday, at the Ocean View Hotel, the party was launched with representatives: General Secretary and Pastor from Linden, Terrence Joseph; Region Four Coordinator, Pastor Patrick Bourne; Region Six coordinator, Premraj Parshotam; Pastor of the God’s Cathedral of Praise, Timothy Norton and Sister, Glennis Smith along with Dr. Leung. The party intends to contest in all 10 administrative regions and is expecting great support from their congregations with the main aim to “eradicate corruption” from Guyana. Although several new parties launched recent-
ly, the PRP has to be the most controversial. While its code of conduct speaks to the management of Guyana’s resources with “impeccable honesty”, non-participation in illegal practices or nepotism; freedom of religion, speech and respect, it also speaks to the support of laws and practices which uphold all human life from conception to natural death as sacrosanct and the upholding of marriage as solely between one biological, non-directly related male and female. The latter two have clashed with the varying views on abortion and the LGBTQ community. Abortion, during the first eight weeks of pregnancy, has been legal in Guyana since 1996 under the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act. Except in cases where it endangers a woman’s health, it is also only legal if done with the consent of the pregnant woman and by a licensed medical practitioner. Meanwhile, consensual same-sex activity between adult men and gay marriage is illegal in Guyana. To be clear, Dr. Leung said that the PRP does not condone either of the two.
BELIEF VS RIGHTS Check under any social media post of the story and one would see the mixture of views which encompass: “Praise the Lord!”, “is this a joke?” or “the church and politics should not mix”. However, its presidential candidate, who is not a pastor but a woman of God, told the newspaper that such political governance may be the only way to save Guyana from self-destruction. “Ask yourself, why is it that this country, so rich in natural resources, a country that doesn’t have to contend with natural disasters time after time, why is it that we have not become rich and why is it that countries like Singapore that have little or no natural resources are so wealthy?” she questioned, adding: “It is corruption that has made the difference.” Meanwhile, on the topic of homosexuality, she said that the PRP would not make it illegal as such is “not possible”. What the party will do is try to show care to the LGBTQ community and to help them “heal”. “I believe that as a government, caring for the LGBT community should be expressed in reaching out to them.
“I feel compassion for these people but I don’t believe that we can make laws based on desire and fantasy.” This conflict with the 2018 ruling of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) that Guyana should work on adjusting its culture to include all sections of society including LGBTQ persons. The CCJ said that Section 153(1) (xlvii) of the Summary Jurisdiction (Offences) Act, which makes cross-dressing criminal, should be “struck from the
People’s Republic Party (PRP) Presidential Candidate, Dr. Valerie Leung (newshub photo)
Dr. Leung is a remigrant from Canada, a former Senior Lecturer at the University of Guyana and works in the law field. Questioned about how the PRP’s view would coincide with the global and regional call for legalisation or acceptance, she wrote it off as the international community often seeking tolerance but being intolerant and “malicious”. “Just as they urge countries to support abortion and such things, I believe that those things are wrong and, somewhere in the world, there must be governments and leaders who have the courage to say ‘this is wrong’,” she said.
The People’s Republic Party (PRP) symbol
laws of Guyana.” Although the pastors represented are from different denominations, they want to protect their children from teachings in schools related to masturbation, sodomy, cross-dressing, sexual fluidity and other acts which some Christians view as immoral. Dr. Leung also noted that, if
elected or awarded seats, the PRP would lobby against the holding of the annual Pride Parade and the “vulgarity” aspect of Mashramani.
NOT UTOPIAN The PRP Presidential Candidate stated that there is no mention of God in the Code of Conduct and persons ought not feel as if the party is on mission to Christianise Guyana. She said that one doesn’t have to be a Christian to be a part of the party but must be a person of morality and able to meet the party’s code of conduct. Should the PRP gain seats in the National Assembly, it hopes to source its representatives from skilled persons in the church in the areas of oil and gas, agriculture, law and more. Asked about funding and the level of support received thus far, the presidential candidate said that it has enough to give the party to courage to contest in all regions. The party’s colours are purple, gold and white and it is represented by the symbol of a lamp emanating light with the map of Guyana in the centre.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, December 3, 2019
GTA invites applications for tourism awards THE Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA), in collaboration with the Tourism & Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG), is inviting the submission of applications for the Guyana Tourism Awards 2019. The awards seek to recognise the stellar performance of leaders in the GTA/ THAG sector, and to encourage, acknowledge and celebrate excellence, quality, professionalism, and innovation across all sectors of Guyana’s travel and tourism industry. Through the award programme, GTA and THAG also aim to provide a benchmark for best practice and encourage continuous improvement, publicly recognise tourism leaders, and provide a networking opportunity with other entrants, sponsors, and the broader tourism industry, a release stated. A total of 15 awards will
be presented under two categories: Industry Awards - 12 categories; and the People's Choice Awards – three categories. For the Industry Category, the awards are based on nominations and the strength and volume of the justifications to support the nomination for the said category. These are all selected by the GTA-THAG judging panel. For more information, review the Online survey which includes the rules and instructions: https//www.surveymonkey.com/r/ZDDHB6G The People’s Choice Awards are for Hotel of the Year; Interior Lodge or Resort of the Year; and Restaurant of the Year, and are given based on the total number of votes. For more information, review the Online survey: https:// www.surveymonkey.com/r/ SL5V9WG According to the gen-
Trial of Blue Martini Nightclub murder accused commences today THE trial into the 2017 murder of Sunil Singh called ‘Grey’, who was killed in the vicinity of the Blue Martini nightclub in Kitty, will commence today (Tuesday, December 3, 2019) before Justice JoAnn Barlow and a 12-member jury at the High Court. Currently on remand for the indictment is 31-yearold Shawn Harris called ‘Shawny’, formerly of Pike Street, Kitty, Georgetown. The charge alleged that Harris, on February 5, 2017, at Owen Street, Kitty, murdered Singh. Harris is represented by attorney-at-law Maxwell McKay while the state is represented by prosecutors Shawnette Austin and Sarah Martin. On Monday, December 02, 2019, the jury was empanelled. According to reports, patrol ranks went to the Blue Martini Nightclub and closed the club about 02:45hrs on February 5, 2017, after which they left. However, shortly after, according to Charles Valenzuela, an employee of the nightspot, three men arrived and wanted to enter the club. At that point in time, the young man informed them that the club was closed and this resulted in an argument, during which one of the men stabbed Valenzuela to his left arm.
Shawn Harris called ‘Shawny’
Singh, who was present at the time, intervened and was trying to make peace when the suspect, dealt Singh a ‘lash’ to his head. Singh then reportedly ran north into Railway Street, Kitty, and was pursued by his attacker, who caught up with him and stabbed him several times. Both Singh and Valenzuela were rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where Singh was pronounced dead on arrival and Valenzuela was treated and sent away. Harris was released from prison in 2016, after serving a sentence on a drug charge. He was also charged in connection with the Bank of Baroda robbery committed at Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara on January 22, 2016.
eral rules in the relevant categories, individuals and companies must be licensed and/or actively involved in licensing to be nominated by the GTA and THAG. Each criterion states what is required for survey participants to nominate additional award candidates. And, in accordance with the laws of Guyana all tour guides, tour operators, tourism accommodation establishments and interior lodges and resorts must be registered and licensed by the GTA in order to operate. Survey participants, however, are not required to answer all questions. Meanwhile, the GTA and THAG reserve the right to cancel any entry without any intimation/information; if a nominee wishes to withdraw their nomination from the awards, the participant should inform the GTA or THAG in writing by the latest
Four rape accused freed through absence of witnesses
FOUR rape accused on Monday, December 02, 2019, walked out of the Demerara High Court free men, after witnesses, in their matters, could not be located. On Monday, four matters were called before Justice Simone Morris-Ramlall, who directed a 12-member mixed jury to return a formal not-guilty verdict for each defendant. The matters were: Ken Bess for rape of a child under 16 years; Kenneth Skeete for carnal knowledge of a girl between 15 and 16 years; Joel Damon who is slapped with three counts of incest by male and Dhanraj Baldeo called ‘Alvin’ who was indicted for buggery and the indecent assault of another male. The prosecutors informed the court that witnesses in the matters could not be located; hence the judge’s directive to the jury to return the formal not-guilty verdict. The judge’s directive resulted in the four men being freed of their respective charges.
Dec 03, 2019; participants and nominees shall abide by these rules and regulations. They should also understand that just by participating in the awards process does not entitle them to win any prize or any other form of recognition. Also, the decision given by the judging panel shall be treated as final and all the participants shall abide by it. The nominations received against each category will be evaluated by the judging panel and the winner(s) in each category will be announced initially at the 2019 awards ceremony and afterward via media. The judging panel reserves the right to audit or ask for any documentary proof or site visits (if required), to validate the information provided. The participants shall provide all necessary support to the panel to validate the information.
Also, the award categories can be changed/modified/ cancelled as per the discretion of the judging panel and the evaluation process will be conducted by the GTA and THAG judging panel only and will be strictly confidential. Additional information regarding the awards can be had by Davina Layne, Manager of Training, Licensing & Operations: Travel Industry Development Division at davina@guyanatourism.com or call +(592) 219-0094. With Guyana’s rise as the number one ecotourism destination in the world, and receipt of five other international accolades throughout 2019, the tourism sector’s hard work is beginning to pay off. With 286,732 total visitors last year, it is estimated that travel and tourism injected approximately GY$62.6B directly into Guyana’s economy, making tourism its
second-largest export sector. The growing benefits generated by Guyana’s tourism sector are becoming more recognisable and are the result of the hard work of partners within the industry. The Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) is a semi-autonomous governmental organisation responsible for developing and promoting sustainable tourism in Guyana through collaboration with sister agencies and the tourism private sector in order to maximise local socio-economic and conservation outcomes and improve the visitors’ experience. The agency is focused on Guyana becoming recognised locally and internationally as a premier destination for protecting its natural and cultural heritage, providing authentic experiences, and maximising local economic benefits.
Local church engages in mental health discussion ––recognises mental illness is a real issue
A Health Education Officer engages a section of the gathering
THE Ministry of Public Health’s Mental Health Unit has taken its sensitisation and awareness efforts to the religious community, this time partnering with the leadership of the First Assembly of God (Wortmanville) Church. A three-day seminar, which opened on Monday, is being hosted under the theme “Let’s Talk Mental Health.” The seminar will focus on the various mental illnesses, and their effects, and participants will be educated on how they can identify those illnesses and refer individuals for professional help. The mental health areas to be tackled include depression, psychosis, grief, self-harm/suicide, epilepsy, dementia, substance abuse,
child and adolescent mental and behavioural disorders, and managing stress and practising self-care for better mental health. Addressing the importance of having his members engaged in such a discussion, Bishop Dr. Murtland Massiah said it was a timely one for the religious community since there was a need for intensified awareness. He recalled the case of someone he knew who suffered from a mental illness and how life-changing it could be. “That isolated case that I saw once in 30 years, I am now seeing 30 times in one year,” Dr. Massiah declared, adding that efforts such as the seminar and other awareness activities could contribute significantly to
removing the stigma attached to mental illnesses locally. “Growing up, I heard about ‘madness’, and in this country, we treat mental health with a kind of detachment, without compassion and it’s only when or if it happens to someone close to you, that is when you begin to investigate,” Dr. Massiah said. The seminar was organised by the church’s Marriage and Family Life Department, with the facilitators being the health ministry’s Health Education Officers Tashia James and Evelyn Ganesh. Licensed independent social worker, Marcia Walker from Ohio, USA is contributing her technical knowledge to the discussions. (DPI)
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, December 3, 2019
Ruling on BCCI’s Challenge set for December 18 COME December 18, 2019, Chief Justice Roxane George is expected to rule in the challenge brought by the Berbice Bridge Company Incorporated (BBCI), requesting that the High Court reverse the decision of Government to take control of the facility. On Monday, December 2, 2019, when the matter was called at the Demerara High Court, the Chief Justice, after reviewing some documents in the case, set December 18, for decision in the challenge. The State was represented by Solicitor General, Nigel Hawke, and Deputy Solicitor General, Deborah Diane Kumar. Senior Counsel Ralph Ramkarran is appearing for the Berbice Bridge Company Inc. (BBCI). BBCI has petitioned the court for several orders, the first being an order of certiorari quashing paragraph 2 of the Berbice River Bridge (Public Safety) Toll Order 2018 dated the 1st of November,2018, No. 42 of 2018, made by the first named defendant under the Berbice River Bridge Act Cap 51:06 ordering that the functions of the concessionaire, namely the claimant, to maintain and operate the bridge shall be exercised by the government, the first named defendant having determined that the exercise of those functions by the government is necessary and expedient in the interest of the public during the period 5th November, 2018, to the date the minister specifies by notice on the cessation of the threat to public safety. (b) An order of certiorari
quashing paragraph 3 of the Berbice River Bridge (Public Safety) Toll Order 2018, dated the 1st November, 2018, No. 42 of 2018, made by the first named defendant under the Berbice River Bridge Act Cap 51:06 ordering that the tolls levied and collected and any exemptions shall be the same as those levied, collected and exempted immediately before the coming into operation of the said order.
Berbice River Bridge (Public Safety) Toll Order, No. 42 of 2018, made by the first named defendant under the Berbice River Bridge Act is unconstitutional, null and
Bridge Act, Cap 51:06. (i) A conservatory order prohibiting the defendants by themselves, their servants and/or agents from ordering
(c) An order of prohibition prohibiting the first named defendant or the Government of Guyana from exercising the functions of maintaining and operating the Berbice River Bridge. (d) An order of prohibition prohibiting the first named defendant from ordering that the tolls levied, collected and exempted immediately before the coming into operation of the Berbice River Bridge (Public Safety) Toll Order No. 42 of 2018, shall be the same as those levied, collected and exempted before the coming into operation of the said order. (e) A declaration that the first named defendant has no power under the Berbice River Bridge Act, or otherwise, to approve or reject an increase in tolls by the claimant. (f) A declaration that the Berbice River Bridge (Public Safety) Toll Order No. 42 of 2018 is ultra vires sections 4 and 12 of the Berbice River Bridge Act. (g) A declaration that the
Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson
void and of no effect in that it is tantamount to the compulsory taking of possession or compulsorily acquiring an interest in or right over property, to wit, the Berbice River Bridge, owned by the claimant without prompt and adequate compensation in violation of article 142(1) of the Constitution of Guyana. (h) A conservatory order prohibiting the defendants, by themselves, their servants and/or agents from assuming the functions of the claimant as the concessionaire to maintain, operate the Berbice River Bridge under the Berbice River Bridge (Public Safety) Toll Order No. 42 of 2018 made under the Berbice River
Solicitor General Nigel Hawke
or continuing to maintain the order that the tolls levied and collected and any exemptions from the payment of tolls shall be the same as those levied, collected and exempted immediately before the coming into operation of the Berbice River Bridge (Public Safety) Toll Order No. 42 of 2018 made under the Berbice River Bridge Act, Cap 51:06. (j) An order directing the first named defendant to supply to the claimant as a body affected by the Berbice River Bridge (Public Safety) Toll Order, No. 42 of 2018, a statement setting out the findings on material questions of fact referring to the evidence or other material on which those findings were based and giving the reasons for the decision.
In October 2018, the Government moved to take over operation and maintenance of the bridge until an amicable resolution can be met.
Senior Counsel Ralph Ramkarran
In a press statement, Minister of Public Infrastructure David Patterson had stated that the decision takes immediate effect and is in accordance with the powers conferred upon the minister by Sections 4 (1) and 11 of the Berbice River Bridge Act. A portion of Section 4 (11) states: “A function exercisable by the concessionaire may be exercised by the government — (a) in the event of a national emergency declared by the President; or (b) if the minister determines that – (i) its exercise is necessary or expedient in the interest of public safety; or the concessionaire has defaulted in the performance of its obligations under the Concession Agreement…” An Order regarding such, cited as the Berbice River Bridge (Public Safety) Toll
Order 2018, was gazetted on November 1, 2018, and signed by the minister. Patterson’s address took into consideration that the Board of Directors of the Berbice Bridge Company Limited (BBCI) had demanded a 360 per cent increase on the toll for all users, set to take effect from November 12, 2018. Patterson referred to the move as “draconian”, “unreasonable” and “unwarranted”, which will only become burdensome to Berbicians and the public at large. He further stated that the demand for an increase in toll is based on a “flawed formula and computation” and, as such, the government will do everything in its powers to alleviate disruption and ensure smooth function. “On the basis of correspondence between both sides as recently as over the past few days, we do not envision a swift resolution to this crisis. Therefore, in accordance with the powers conferred upon the minister by Sections 4 (1) and 11 of the Berbice River Bridge Act, in the interest of public safety, the minister issued (today) an Order declaring that the functions of the concessionaire to maintain and operate the bridge shall be exercised by the Government of Guyana as of 5th November, 2018 until the date the minister specifies by notice on the cessation of the threat to public safety,” Patterson stated.
Nandlall again dodges leading defence --in alleged pilfering of law books
Former Attorney General (AG), Anil Nandlall
ONE year after Senior Magistrate Fabayo Azore called on former Attorney-General (AG) Anil Nandlall to lead his defence in the trial for the alleged larceny of over $2M worth of law books
from the Ministry of Legal Affairs, he is still to do so. The former AG is on trial at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court for the alleged theft of the Lexis Nexis Law Reports of the Common-
wealth that cost some $2M. The law reports are the property of the Ministry of Legal Affairs, the charge contends. When the matter was called on Friday, November 29, 2019, the court was informed that Nandlall was absent from court because he was attending the launch of the People Progressive Party (PPP)’s 2020 manifesto, which was held at Freedom House. Nandlall is being represented by Attorneys-at-Law Neil Boston, S.C, Glen Hanoman and Devindra Kissoon. The matter was adjourned
until January 10, 2020. On November 23, 2018, Magistrate Azore had established a prima facie case against Nandlall, and had called on him to lead his defence. During that hearing, Hanoman had told the court that his client will give a sworn testimony and Former President, Donald Ramator is expected to be called as a defence witness to support his case. Over the past few years, Nandlall has repeatedly confirmed that while he was AG, the law books were purchased
for him by the State with approval by former President Ramotar. Nandlall had explained that the law books were in his possession and he had no intention of returning them to the State. He subsequently secured an order in the High Court, which bars the police from seizing the books. Nandlall had stated that the books were acquired during his term in office as Attorney-General and Minister of Legal Affairs. He previously stated that he commenced subscribing to Lexis Nexis (U.K.), publishers of
the Commonwealth Law Reports sometime in 2003, and the arrangement was that the reports be shipped to him, along with an invoice. He noted that before his appointment as Attorney-General and Minister of Legal Affairs, he requested that as a condition of his service, the State should stand the related expense and that was agreed. The items were taken by him when his party demitted office in May 2015. That, he said, was communicated to the relevant authorities.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, December 3, 2019
5Bs programme sees 100% attendance at Capoey School
“For the first time, our school was able to produce good results at the (NGSA) exams”- Mary Williams
at one time many of our youths would not attend school not because they were not interested in learning,
cycles, along with books and breakfast – all free of cost. “For the first time, our school was able to produce good results at the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) exam. About six or seven of our young people are attending schools on the mainland, and while the teachers played an important role in helping them academ-
members also benefit from the initiative. She pointed out that the dishes are prepared with fresh ingredients grown right in the community. A move, she noted, towards the consumption of healthier meals. Her sentiments were backed by Toshao Ralph Hendricks, who requested a new stove, pots and other
Minister of Social Cohesion, Hon. Dr. George Norton, chatting with some pupils of Capoey Primary School, who greeted him during his visit to the community
CAPOEY Primary School, located in Region Two, has noted a marked difference in student attendance following the implementation of the Hot Meals Programme. The school’s cook, Mary Williams, disclosed this during an interview with the Department of Public Information (DPI). “Since the government introduced the hot meals programme, more and more of our young people are attending school. You know,
but they had nothing to eat and this programme fixed that completely. Now, we have 100 per cent school attendance,” Williams explained. The hot meals programme is one component of the 5Bs initiative implemented by the Coalition Government to ensure students across the country have access to quality education. The programme comprises the provision of transportation via buses, boats and bi-
in the community of Capoey. He promised to forward the request to the Education Minister, Hon. Nicolette Henry, and also committed to having his department assist. “This initiative is part of His Excellency, President David Granger’s 5Bs programme which is very close to his heart… Education is a key focus for this government and to hear that there have significant changes within this school system, I must provide the necessary assistance to ensure that this continues,” he said. Earlier this year, the Food for the Poor Guyana Incorporated established feeding centres in 10 primary schools located in Region
Two. This move is aimed at boosting the government’s school feeding programme. The primary schools that benefitted included Lima Sands, Capoey Lake, Bethany, Better Hope, 8th of May, Hampton Court, Fisher, Queenstown and St John’s in the Pomeroon River. The kitchenettes constructed at the various locations measure 16×14 in length and are furnished with sinks, cupboards and an area for the preparation of meals. Located near the villages of Alliance and Taymouth Manor on the Essequibo Coast in Region Two, Capoey can be accessed through Anna Regina, Suddie, and the community of Charity. (DPI)
Some of the pupils of Capoey Primary School awaiting the arrival of the Minister of Social Cohesion, Hon. Dr. George Norton
ically, the introduction of the hot meal programme made a huge difference,” Williams explained. Teachers and other staff
utensils from the Minister of Social Cohesion, Hon. Dr. George Norton. The minister was at the time conducting a walkabout
Mary Williams [pink shirt], Capoey Primary School’s cook, accompanied by a teacher, shows Minister of Social Cohesion, Hon. Dr. George Norton around the kitchenette
GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, December 3, 2019
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, December 3, 2019
Rights of the Child Commission hosts successful mental health symposium
THE Rights of the Child Commission (RCC), on Monday morning, held its annual Prayer Breakfast and Mental Health Awareness Programme for adolescence, under the theme ‘Healthy minds; Healthy children; strong communities’. The programme was held at Pegasus Hotel where the British High Commissioner to Guyana, Greg Quinn, delivered the feature address. Mr. Quinn underscored the importance of protecting and nurturing a child, as it related to mental health, to build a more prosperous and secure future for the children of Guyana. “The goal is for us all to nurture and support the mental health of young people and to provide them with the protection and support they may need to grow and
British High Commissioner to Guyana, Greg Quinn
Child and Adolescent Psychologist. Dr. Jenese October
Several persons gathering at the Pegasus for the Mental Health Programme on Monday Morning
to develop,” he stated. The commissioner added that children across the world were exposed to difficult life circumstances, such as starvation, denial of education, and sexual and psychical abuse, which, he noted, could lead to the weakening of their mental health; and the RCC was working closely with The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) to tackle the issues children face to ensure that each child had access to education, health care and emotional support. Also speaking at the gathering was Child and
Adolescent Psychologist, Dr. Jenese October, who noted that adolescence was a period when young people were vulnerable, and experience many psychical and social changes which affect their mental health. Hence it was important that parents, teachers, guardians, and young people themselves, adhere to some of the warning signs, such as excessive anger, isolation and drug abuse. Dr. October also encouraged the youths in attendance to be more active and speak to someone about any difficulty they may be facing.
GTA launches ‘Discover Essequibo’ with hope of promoting the Cinderella County
GTA official, Kamrul Baksh
GUYANA is becoming a hub for eco-tourism and has been attracting tourists from every corner of the world, a development which the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) has taken note of and sought to capitalise on by placing attention on the Cinderella County, Essequibo. With growing arrival rates each year, the GTA has taken a step to promote Essequibo as a travel destination for tourists by launching Guyana’s newest Regional Destination Marketing and Management Organisation (RDMMO) called “Discover Essequibo.” “The organisation will have oversight for areas such as the lower Essequibo which includes Bartica and its surroundings, stretching to Supenaam and the Pomeroon… it will also include indigenous villages,” said an official of the GTA, Kamrul Baksh, in an invited comment on Saturday. The organisation will function at a regional level, since it was established to do marketing, product develop-
ment, training and capacity building. The main objectives of the project are to create a replicable and sustainable governance model, strategy, and action plan that can be repurposed and implemented by the GTA in other areas of Guyana; and launch and market a new RDMMO in the Essequibo region. Baksh said the organisation is expected to liaise with tourism stakeholders in the Essequibo region and provide training and guidance where necessary. The Essequibo region is close to Georgetown and is home to amazing wildlife, rich cultural heritage, pristine coastline and friendly locals. This makes it an excellent candidate for tourism development, a feature of the Green State Development Strategy: Vision 2040 for Guyana. According to the GTA, areas of natural beauty and cultural diversity do not simply make a tourism destination. “A key factor in successful destination development is a functioning RDMMO and stakeholder collaboration in order to improve the existing tourism offer and collaboratively develop and achieve goals for sustainable tourism development,” said the GTA. The Essequibo region is open to the development of a RDMMO to organise and promote the tourism offer in this region. The project has been tendered to find the best international experts to assist and guide this process.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, December 3, 2019
Women in Guyana are at risk for Sexual violence - Survey WOMEN in Guyana, as everywhere else, are at risk of experiencing sexual violence from non-partners such as family, friends, community members or strangers. Non-partner sexual violence (NPSV) include (but is not limited to) forced or attempted forced intercourse (rape), unwanted sexual touching and sexual harassment. Similar to Intimate Partner Violence (IPV), half of the women who reported experiencing NPSV had never disclosed the experience to anyone, while among those who did, 50 per cent confided in a female or male family member. Although 36 per cent of the women reported being supported by their confidant, only five per cent were encouraged to report it to the police, according to a recently-released Guyana Women’s Health and Life Experiences Survey Report. The survey was executed as a collaborative project between the government, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and UN Women; the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID); the Global Women’s Institute of George Washington University; the Inter-American Development
Bank (IDB); the University of Guyana (UG) and the Canadian Institute of Health Research. As regards to seeking help, few women in Guyana sought help from formal services after a sexual assault. Among women who reported non-partner sexual assault, only 12 per cent reported the incident to the police and nine per cent sought help from a healthcare provider. The lack of disclosure to institutional actors may be legitimised by the outcomes of their reports: fewer than half of women reporting assault to the police said a case was opened and only 15 per cent of police reports resulted in conviction. Among women who sought help from a healthcare provider, only one third were offered treatment for preventing pregnancy or for preventing HIV. Seven per cent received counselling to work through the emotional consequences of their experience. These and other experiences are congruent with inconsistencies between institutional policy and responses described in the qualitative study. In the qualitative study, victims and community members described responses to reporting violence
as dependent on the person on duty to receive complaints and that person’s beliefs regarding the causes of violence. Meanwhile among a targeted group of women, ages ranging from 15 to 64 years, 16 per cent reported experiencing at least one act of NPSV involving physical contact during their lifetime (including forced and attempted intercourse and unwanted sexual touching), while two per cent said this happened within the 12 months preceding the survey. However, 17 per cent said that they had experienced at least one situation of sexual harassment. FORCED SEXUAL INTERCOURSE Seven per cent of respondents reported experiencing forced sexual intercourse during their lifetime. Additional analysis indicated that age is associated with statistically significant differences in the rate of some types of NPSV. Adolescent and young adult respondents reported the highest rate of lifetime non-partner rape at 10 per cent. It is possible that older women have experienced NPSV but are unable to recall the details of their
experiences in the more distant past. Women also reported experiencing attempted, but not completed, forced sexual intercourse and unwanted sexual touching, eight per cent and 10 per cent respectively. However, unwanted sexual touching, such as being groped in public spaces, is the most common form of NPSV involving physical contact, occurring at higher rates in every age group and with statistically significant variation among them. SEXUAL HARASSMENT AND TRANSACTIONAL SEX Sexual harassment is the most common form of NPSV, reported by 17 per cent of respondents. Young women, 15 to 24 years old, suburban women and women with an education beyond secondary, reported statistically significant higher rates of sexual harassment than the survey group at large: 28 per cent, 27 per cent, and 30 per cent, respectively, reported receiving unwanted electronic sexual content or discourse. Conversely, transactional sex is the least reported form of NPSV. Only two per cent of women reported being asked for sex
in exchange for advantages or avoiding disadvantages at school or work. As with sexual harassment, women between the ages 15 to 24 years old, suburban and more educated, reported experiencing this particular form of violence at a higher rate (three per cent) than the larger group, though the differences are not statistically significant due to overall low number of women reporting transactional sex. SEXUAL ABUSE DURING CHILDHOOD As it relates to sexual abuse during childhood, 13 per cent of respondents indicated that they had experienced child sexual abuse, with 20 per cent claiming they experienced sexual abuse at any age. Child sexual abuse tracks with other forms of abuse when separated by location, from 10 per cent in urban settings to 18 per cent in the hinterland, but the differences are not statistically significant, the survey stated. Sexual abuse at any age, however, is statistically significant. Overall, women in the hinterland communities reported sexual abuse at any age, at twice the rate of wom-
en in urban settings (28 per cent versus 14 per cent). In the qualitative study, there were victim recollections from adolescence, of family support for or facilitation of relationships with older men who could provide needed financial support for the teen and family, which may contribute to higher rates of coerced sexual relationships. FIRST SEXUAL EXPERIENCE The majority of women (70 per cent) reported that their first sexual experience was desired and consensual. For the remainder, however, the experience was either coerced (24 per cent) or forced (six per cent). Women in suburban and hinterland communities reported statistically significant lower rates of consensual sexual debut than the overall proportion (65 and 54 per cent, respectively) as well as the respective higher rates of coercion or force in their first sexual experience. This may also be correlated to economically-motivated sexual relationships in the reported statistics in the preceding paragraph.
Furniture purchasing tips this Christmas Season – GNBS
THE Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) is advocating that consumers, when purchasing furniture, pay careful attention to quality and labelling requirements. Usually, this season presents the opportunity for consumers to purchase new pieces of furniture to add to their décor to enhance their homes. As with all other products, it is important to be knowledgeable about such purchases. According to the GNBS, furniture must be of good quality, otherwise their imperfections and defects will quickly show during usage. Further, these products are very expensive and consumers expect that they will get extensive usage from them; so the structural integrity of furniture must be sound to withstand prolonged use. The National Standard “Code of Practice for the manufacture of furniture” offers a guide to manufacturers who are desirous of producing quality pieces. In addition, manufacturers must comply with the National Labelling Standards “Specification for the labelling of
commodities – Part 5: labelling of furniture”. Conformance to these standards goes a far way in ensuring that consumers get the furniture they deserve. Based on the standard, the GNBS noted that the labels of furniture should have the common name or type of item; mark/code to distinguish the manufacturer; the country of origin (for imported furniture) and the predominant material from which the item is made (wood, metal or plastic). Other information, such as the type of finish (lacquer, varnish, paint) and precau-
tionary note for care must also be included on the label. When buying furniture, the following consumer tips can be helpful: • Conduct a simple but detailed check of the furniture: When buying wooden furniture, consumers should take a closer look to ensure that the lumber and other materials used in manufacturing are free from rot, insect holes, open knots cracks and other common defects. It is often the practice of some unscrupulous manufacturers to use defective materials and use finishing materials to conceal these defects. Whenever this
is done it is the enduser/consumer who loses because he/ she has purchased a rapidly deteriorating or easily weakened piece of furniture. • Measure your furniture: Don’t neglect to measure the room ahead of buying to see if your new furniture will fit. You will be amazed at the number of furniture purchases that never make it into a home because the buyer neglected to measure the furniture or forgot to take into account hallways, doors, elevators and stairs. • Understand scale: A sofa that looks just right in the showroom might look too
big in your room or not big enough. It is hard to judge when you are looking at a picture or seeing it in a showroom. In addition, measure to make sure that your new piece matches the scale of the furniture you already own. • Avoid paying too much attention to fads: It is best to buy a piece of furniture that you will feel comfortable with for years to come. That goes for colour as well as style. Fads can come and go very quickly, so look beyond a few months of excitement. Instead, buy furniture that truly appeal to you and will look good even years later.
• Read the labels: Reading labels that are affixed to furniture available for sale is very important. Labels provide useful information on the product and should include information such as the common name of the item, manufacturer’s distinguishing mark/code, type of materials from which the furniture is made and the type of finish used. • After sale services: It is important that you find out whether after-sale services are available and who will bear the costs. Ask for a written warranty and secure your receipts for at least one year. • Understand how the furniture will be used: Before you buy furniture, make sure that you know how it will be used, and who will be using it. If you forget to factor in small children, pets, and snacking while watching TV, you could be heading for disaster. Your fabulous cream coloured sofa will be no match for grubby hands, or muddy paws. A gorgeous coffee table with a delicate finish will not last too long when you have people putting up their feet on it.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, December 3, 2019
Promoting herself and climbing up the ranks -Dr. Alexander-Rose one step closer to her dream of being a medical doctor
Valedictorian of the GAU, Dr. Simone Alexander-Rose (Carl Croker photo)
By Navendra Seoraj AS a child, Simone Alexander-Rose, who was recently conferred with the title of doctor, would always try to treat persons who were injured or ill, a passion which she took into her adulthood. Today, Dr. Alexan der-Rose is a graduate of the Georgetown American University (GAU), which graduated six female doctors on November 23, 2019. Dr. Alexander-Rose, who graduated as the valedictorian of the institution, told the Guyana Chronicle about her dream of being able to help people and how she managed to make that dream a reality.
“From since a child, I do not know but my mom told me that if anyone would get a cut or bruise, I would run to take care of it…and from a tender age when anyone asked me what I wanted to become I would tell them a nurse,” said the doctor, adding that the passion for taking care of people was there throughout her childhood and continued into her adult life. With her eyes set on helping those in need, Dr. Alexander-Rose, who is now a mother and a widow, joined the nursing assistant batch in 2001 and later did the midwifery programme in 2006, before going on to do general nursing in 2010. She completed the general nursing programme in 2014 and was named valedictorian. During her years as a nurse, she developed a stronger passion and love for humans so she wanted to know more about how she could take better care of people. “That was one of the driving forces to keep learn-
ing…so when I finished the professional programme in 2014, I wanted to push to become a doctor, I wanted to know more and get more knowledge,” said Dr. Alexander-Rose. She said her late grand-
even encouraged her to go on and become a doctor. The doctor believes that her late grandmother basically ‘spoke it into being’. The opportunity to start the new journey and learn more came up in 2015, when
to go and start the MD programme in 2015,” said Dr. Alexander-Rose. According to the GAU’s website, their programmes mirror the curriculum taught in USA Universities. This allows students easy transition into clinical programmes and healthcare workforce. University, no matter the curriculum, would always be challenging to some extent and this was confirmed by Dr.
have to study during the day and go back to work at night… from work I would just head back to university, for days I did not get proper sleep,” said the doctor. She said that period of studying and working lasted for eight months before she was granted a release from work to complete the programme. Despite being released from the hospital, Dr. Alexander-Rose said she
Former Prime Minister, Samuel Hinds and officials of the GAU share a moment with the graduates of the university (Carl Croker photo)
mother basically fuelled that passion to learn more and
Dr. Alexander-Rose was stationed at the Linden Hospital Complex as a nurse. She overheard persons talking about the GAU, which was providing partial scholarships at that time. “After hearing about it, my colleagues and I decided
Alexander-Rose, who recalled that her biggest challenge at the start of the programme was having to study in Georgetown at the university and then having to work at the Linden Hospital Complex as a nurse, during the night. “It was hard, we would
would still work at night due to various circumstances. “I think working helped me to be a better doctor, especially since I was working in the field of taking care of people…I was able to relate TURN TO PAGE
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, December 3, 2019
Former Journalist launches first book
…to encourage persons to express suppressed emotions
A BOOK of poetry and prose, written by former journalist, Whitney Persaud, with the aim of inspiring persons who are battling with the woes of life and struggling to express their feelings, is a must read. In the self-published book, ‘Words of the Soul,’ which was launched in November, Persaud reflects on the harsh reality of depression, anxiety and suppressed emotions. “It’s not necessarily a book about all happy endings but you know that we all deal with things, so we can be
there for each other in some way. Sometimes people feel so alone, and they act rash and we end up with suicide or depression and all these other things that are caused by suppressed emotions,” she stated. While her fan base is small, Persaud has received an unwavering amount of support from her fellow Guyanese and overseas readers. “I’ve had overwhelming support from lots of people in Guyana especially and people in the US and Canada. Basically, people from all over have come out to support
A copy of ‘Words of the soul’
Promoting herself ... and study more,” said Dr. Alexander-Rose.
HARDEST CHALLENGE Other than studying and working, she had to split her time with her late husband and daughter, but her hardest challenge came in her final year of medical school when her husband, who was supportive of her, fell ill. Her husband was diagnosed with stage four Prostate Cancer. “Everything changed, I decided to stop working at night and take care of him because he would normally experience a lot of pain…He died two months ago because of the ailment,” said a teary Dr. Alexander-Rose. The loss had a tremendous impact on her but she believes that it was God’s will and she even advised persons that life has many
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challenges, but they must look to God for strength, especially during the hard times. Dr. Alexander-Rose said there is no going back from here. Despite the setbacks, she intends on going full speed ahead into her new career. Her next step will be to do an internship at the Linden Hospital Complex. “I want to go back to serving my community... I want to first be a medical doctor and then branch off as an OBGYN specialist,” said the doctor. Her aim will be to ensure that her patients trust her so that they could open up about their ailments and allow her to make a proper diagnosis. Dr. Alexander-Rose encouraged other doctors to practise the same method.
my new venture, even those who are unable to get a physical copy of the book, they have been really promoting my book,” she told the Guyana Chronicle. Persaud added that there is more yet to come as ‘Words of The Soul’ is the first half of a two-part series which she is working on.
Whitney Persaud
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Teenager arrested after ‘knifing’ drinking buddy to death
A TEENAGER is in police custody, after he stabbed his friend, while imbibing at a shop in Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni), on Friday. Dead is 24-year-old Romel Williams, of North West District, Region One (Barima-Waini) and Uitvlugt Village, West Coast Demerara (WCD). The altercation occurred about 23:20hrs, on Friday, at a shop in George Creek, Siparuni, Region Eight. Reports indicate that Williams and the 18-year-old suspect were in the company of others at the shop consuming alcohol, when an argument ensued between the two, which resulted in a fight. During the fight, the teenager allegedly stabbed Williams in his abdomen. The injured man was then rushed to the hospital in Mackenzie, Linden. However, he was pronounced dead on arrival. His body was taken to the Funeral Parlour and autopsy is scheduled.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, December 3, 2019
GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, December 3, 2019
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, December 3, 2019
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, December 3, 2019
Cautious Smith confirms on-going discussions over South Africa role CAPE TOWN (Reuters) - Graeme Smith has confirmed he is again in discussions with Cricket South Africa (CSA) to be their new Director of Cricket, but said a Sunday newspaper report that he had already been appointed was premature. Smith, the most successful Test captain in cricket history with 53 wins, had been encouraged to apply by embattled CSA chief executive officer Thabang Moroe as the organisation seeks a long-term replacement for Ottis Gibson, whose contract was not renewed after a dismal World Cup in England. Smith turned down the job in November, but a report in South Graeme Smith is the most sucAfrica’s Sunday Times said that he cessful Test captain in cricket had now been persuaded to accept it. history with 53 wins. However, he said that was not true, Smith called his previous disat least not yet. cussions with CSA a “frustrating “Contrary to media reports I process”, without divulging his have not been appointed Director concerns. of Cricket by CSA. As previously Smith announced in a stateadvised, I withdrew my applicament on Nov. 14 that he was tion for the role. I am, however, in withdrawing his application havongoing discussions with CSA, but ing “not developed the necessary I still have real concerns, which I confidence that I would be given have reiterated to them,” he said the level of freedom and support via Twitter.
to initiate the required changes”. Moroe has come under fire for the length of time it has taken to fill the role vacated by Gibson in August, especially with a looming, high-profile four-test home series against England that starts on Boxing Day. Little-known Enoch Nkwe took up the job on an interim basis for a disastrous test tour of India in October that saw the side slip to three heavy defeats, and will continue for the England series unless a permanent appointment is made. Moroe has also been criticised for an authoritarian style of leadership that saw CSA briefly revoke the media accreditation of five journalists on Sunday, before restoring their access hours later after an outcry over press freedom. “Their access was revoked because we’ve been trying on numerous occasions to sit with them so that we can say guys we are not happy with the way you are representing us in the public. We are not silencing journalists,” Moroe told Eye Witness News on Monday.
Emerging Players never stopped ...
From back page
finish second behind Group B winners Red Force. “We were watching the game on a flatscreen back when the US and Guyana was playing so when US beat Guyana we were overjoyed and overwhelmed,” Sinclair said after Emerging Players pulled off an astonishing record 205-run victory over Leeward Islands Hurricanes in Sunday’s final to win the title. “We knew we would have win this tournament because we come out and play good cricket. We just had to back we ability and keep doing what we [were] doing – nothing different, don’t change anything. “We as a team, we [played better cricket] than the rest of teams. We rotate the strike better, we bowled in partnerships, we take wickets. Different little things that other teams didn’t do we stuck out and do, so I must say it was an all-round effort by the team.” Emerging Players, hastily cobbled together just prior to the start of the tournament, opened their campaign with a defeat when Jaguars beat them off the last ball of the game by two wickets. However, they went on a four-game winning streak to surge up the standings, before going winless in their last three matches, suf-
fering two defeats and a no-result due to rain. In the semi-final, they shed their underdogs tag to upset Barbados Pride and book their spot in the final. Sinclair, who picked up 13 wickets in the tournament including a destructive four-wicket haul in Sunday’s final, said the team had been full of self-belief right throughout. “I really feel overjoyed. I must say thanks to the Almighty for being with us right through the tournament because there were moments when teams looked like they would have beat us and then we just stuck [it] out and something happened and we just pulled it over [the line],” he explained. “I think the guys played good cricket right through – the fielding was on top, the bowling was really tight and the batting just had to keep going.” Head coach Floyd Reifer, who oversaw the senior West Indies side this year, came in for praise from Sinclair. “Floyd Reifer and the management team worked really hard with us in terms of the fielding and the all-round game and even the mental aspect of the game, so I must say it was all-round [good] tournament for me and the guys.”
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Queenstown SC crowned Central Essequibo Under-17 champions
GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, December 3, 2019
QUEENSTOWN S.C played unbeaten in the Central Essequibo Under- 17 round-robin 40-over competition and was crowned champions on Saturday after defeating Bacchus Bulls at the Imam Bacchus ground in Affiance. After being asked to bat first on a sluggish outfield and a slow pitch, Queenstown S.C batted in small but useful partnerships to accumulate 152-8 in 35 overs. Opener Romal Hubbard was solid to top-score with 36 (3x4) and with Rany Ragoobeer 34 (2x4, 1x6) and Mahindra Partab 23 (2x4), they ensured that Queenstown posted a challenging total. National Under -17 all-rounder, Sheldon Charles 2-15 from 7 overs and Rajindra Ramballi 2-28 from his 7 overs were the main wicket-takers. In reply, Bacchus Bulls succumb to the early pressure of spin as the pitch began to wear rapidly. National under-17 selectee, Azizi Christiani, who opened the bowling with his off-spin, was lethal and grabbed 3-21 from 7 overs to wreck the Bulls. He was assisted by Mahindra Partab,
who capped off an excellent all-round performance by claiming 3-24 from 7 overs of off-spin as well. Sheldon Charles returned to top-score with 28 (5x4) and Govinda Tulsie 26 (3x4) but the others were dismissed cheaply as the Bulls capitulated for 99 all out in 33 overs to lose by 53 runs. During the presentation ceremony, Essequibo Cricket Board Secretary, Autto Christiani, expressed gratitude to the Central Essequibo Cricket Committee, Businessman Harrischan Ramballi and Bacchus Group of Companies for their support and sponsorship of the competition. He further stated that similar tournaments will be organized in the future as the Committee seeks to promote and develop young talent and prepare them for the national level. Meanwhile, Sheldon Charles was adjudged the best batsman after amassing the most runs, including a century, while Azizi Christiani was adjudged the Best Bowler for taking the most wickets. Queenstown S.C received a monetary prize and the winning trophy.
Queenstown S.C players celebrate after being crowned chmpions
BCB/RHTYSC/Busta Champion of Champions 40-over tournament
RHT Namilco Thunderbolt Flour, Tucber Park CC advance to semi-finals … Albion draw bye into finals
THE hectic Berbice 2019 cricket season continued, on Saturday last, with the hosting of the second round of the BCB/ RHTYSC Busta Champion of Champions 40-over tournament at three venues. The tournament, which is being sponsored by the Guyana Beverage Company, under its Busta brand, is one of four division tournaments organised by the vibrant BCB and thirty-two overall for 2019 at different levels. Rose Hall Town Namilco Thunderbolt Flour defeated Blairmont by eight wickets while Tucber Park CC demolished a youthful Port Mourant CC by 198 runs at Port Mourant. Albion CC cruised past Young Warriors by 102 runs at Albion to advance to the final after drawing a bye in the semifinals. At the Area ‘H’ Ground, Blairmont won the toss and decided to bat first. An aggressive Naseem Nazeer stuck a massive six off left-arm spinner, Keith Simpson, off the first ball of the match and repeated it two deliveries later. Simpson got his revenge when he bowled Nazeer for 18 (3 sixes) in the third over at 24 for 1, to start a collapse. Blairmont were bowled out for a meagre 77 from 24.2 overs as the home team bowlers held a tight line. Marvon Prashad was the only other batsman to reach double figures with 19. Discarded national off-spinner, Eon Hooper, continued his fine form with the ball with 5 wickets for 13 runs from eight impressive overs. Leg-spinner Shawn Pereira supported with 3 for 33 while national junior player,
Jonathan Rampersaud, took one wicket for no runs. In response, Junior Sinclair scored 35 while veteran Khemraj Mahadeo was unbeaten on 30 as RHTNTF reached 80 for 2 from 14.2overs. At the Port Mourant ground, Tucber Park, led by 61 from Guyana Under-19 player, Garfield, reached an imposing 289 for 4 from 40 overs. He received support from Anthony D’Andrade (46), Maxine De Jonge (40) and Damion Van Tull (35 not out). Port Mourant, in reply, were bundled out for 91 in 20 overs with Madhan Boodram (24) and West Indies Under-15 player, Rampertab Ramnauth (20) being the principal scorers. Off-spinner Martin Singh claimed 7 for 34 from seven destructive overs while E. Tanner took 2 for 6. Tucber Park would face defending Champions, Rose Hall Town Namilco Thunderbolt in the lone semifinals at the Area ‘H’ Ground. The Albion Community Centre Cricket Club amassed 273 for 9 from their allotted 40 overs. Former junior player, Kandasammy Surujnarine, struck a majestic 95, while former Guyana senior player, Rajiv Ivan made 35 and Anthonio February 22. Left-arm medium-pacer Devin Ramoutar and left-arm spinner Kassim Khan were YWCC best bowlers with 3 for 52 and 2 for 51 respectively. The visitors, in reply, were restricted to 171 for 8 despite 40 from Ishwar Singh, Linden Austin (36) and Vishal Mohabir (28). Under-17 off-spinner Sarwan Chaitnarine was Albion’s best bowler with 3 for 33 from eight overs. Albion would now await the winner of the semifinals.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, December 3, 2019
Kiwis dig deep after Joe Root’s 226 gives England an opening WELLINGTON (Reuters) - New Zealand captain Kane Williamson and senior batsman Ross Taylor loom as the key wickets England need to capture to win the second Test as the hosts finished the fourth day on 96-2 at Seddon Park in Hamilton on Monday Williamson was on 37, while Taylor was 31 as New Zealand head into the final day still facing a five-run deficit after England were dismissed in their first innings for 476, with Joe Root breaking out of a prolonged slump with a majestic 226. The England captain had resurrected his side’s innings with a 177-run partnership with Rory Burns (101) on Sunday and 193 with Ollie Pope, who had been in sight of his first test century before he fell for 75 as they chased quick runs before tea. “I have been close for a long time in terms of a real big score,” Root told the BBC. “I have never felt like it has been far away. “Once I got in I had the bit between my teeth and wanted to make a big one. We have got ourselves in a position where we can still win.” New Zealand won the first match of the two-Test series at Bay Oval in Mt Maunganui by an innings and 65-runs. Heavy rain, however, is forecast for Hamilton after lunch on the fifth day and England will need to run through New Zealand’s batting early on to seal
Joe Root (left) is congratulated by Ollie Pope after bringing up his 150. ( AFP / Getty Images) victory. Root’s third test double century had put his side into a strong position, which was only made stronger when Sam Curran trapped Jeet Raval in front for a two-ball duck. Raval did not review the decision, despite being asked by fellow opener Tom Latham if it was worth it, but technology suggested he had got an inside edge on the ball before it cannoned into his pad. Latham followed shortly after for 18 when he nicked a Chris Woakes
delivery to Root at first slip to leave New Zealand struggling at 28-2, before Williamson and Taylor drove their side through to stumps. England’s innings had been dominated by Root, who brought up his 17th test century on Sunday to break out of his prolonged slump. He had not achieved three figures in a test since scoring 122 against West Indies in St Lucia in February - a stretch of 15 innings - and was averaging 27.10 this year prior to the Seddon Park match. Root, who had resumed on Monday on 114, brought up his 200 after lunch with a quick single into the offside that left Pope having to dive to make his ground, although the throw at the stumps was wayward. He eventually was caught in the deep for 226 as he tried to increase the scoring rate before tea, falling four balls after Pope had been caught attempting to do the same thing. Root moved inside the top-10 Test run scorers for England with his innings, advancing to 7282 runs at an average of 48.54, the highest in the list. Neil Wagner finished with 5-124 as he ran through the tail. “We had to graft really hard,” Wagner said. “I was lucky enough to get the rewards. I felt a bit sorry for the other guys because they bowled well without much luck.”
SCOREBOARD NEW ZEALAND 1st innings 375 England 1st innings o/n 269-5 Rory Burns Run Out Jeet Raval 101 Dominic Sibley lbw Tim Southee 4 Joe Denly c BJ Watling b Matt Henry 4 Joe Root c Henry Nicholls b Mitchell Santner 226 Ben Stokes c Ross Taylor b Tim Southee 26 Zak Crawley c BJ Watling b Neil Wagner 1 Ollie Pope c Jeet Raval b Neil Wagner 75 Sam Curran Not Out 11 Chris Woakes c BJ Watling b Neil Wagner 0 Jofra Archer b Neil Wagner 8 Stuart Broad b Neil Wagner 0 Extras 4b 14lb 1nb 0pen 1w 20 Total (162.5 overs) 476 all out Fall of Wickets : 1-11 Sibley, 2-24 Denly, 3-201 Burns, 4-245 Stokes, 5-262 Crawley, 6-455 Pope, 7-458 Root, 8-460 Woakes, 9-476 Archer, 10-476 Broad Bowling: Tim Southee 37 - 4 - 90 - 2, Matt Henry 33 - 6 - 87 - 1, Neil Wagner35.5 - 3 - 124 - 5 (1w), Daryl Mitchell 22 - 5 - 69 - 0 (1nb), Mitchell Santner 35 4 88 1. NEW ZEALAND 2nd innings Tom Latham c Joe Root b Chris Woakes 18 Jeet Raval lbw Sam Curran 0 Kane Williamson Not Out 37 Ross Taylor Not Out 31 Extras 1b 2lb 0nb 5pen 2w 10 Total (34.0 overs) 96-2 Fall of Wickets : 1-2 Raval, 2-28 Latham To Bat : Nicholls, Watling, Mitchell, Santner, Southee, Henry, Wagner Bowling : Stuart Broad 5 - 0 - 18 - 0, Sam Curran 8 - 1 - 26 - 1 (2w), Jofra Archer 7 - 0 - 19 - 0, Chris Woakes 7 - 3 - 8 - 1, Ben Stokes 6 - 1 - 17 - 0.
Lyon takes 5-69 as Aussies thrash Pakistan with day to spare SPIN king Nathan Lyon snared five wickets, including dangerous half-century makers Shan Masood and Asad Shafiq, as Australia wore down a stubborn Pakistan to clinch the second Test and wrap up the series 2-0 Monday. Pakistan resumed day four of the day-night match on a precarious 39 for three with Masood not out 14 and Shafiq on eight after being bowled out for 302 in their first innings and forced to follow on. It followed Australia’s mammoth 589 for three declared, built around David Warner’s exceptional 335 not out -- the 10th highest Test score of all time. Needing another 248 to force Australia to bat again and avoid a second successive innings defeat, they had a decent crack but were eventually all out for 239 with the home team claiming victory by an innings and 48 runs. It was Australia’s sixth consecutive win in a pink ball Test -- four of them at Adelaide -- with every day-night Test played so far since the concept was introduced in 2015 producing a result. “Really happy. Barring few slipups in the field yesterday, we played excellent cricket in the last two matches,” said Australia captain Tim Paine. “David and Marnus (Labuschagne) have been unbelievably good. We all witnessed a special knock from David Warner. It is among the top one or two innings ever by an Australian.” Lyon was Australia’s saviour, fin-
ishing with 5-69 on a lifeless pitch that offered little for the home side’s fast bowlers, who were made to toil. It was his 16th five-wicket haul and his first against Pakistan, who have lost all four Tests they have played this year after two defeats to South Africa in January. Defeat continued Pakistan’s appalling record in Australia, where they have now crashed in 14 consecutive Tests. “I would like to congratulate Australia and especially David Warner,” said Pakistan skipper Azhar Ali. “We have been beaten by a better team. We will take some positives from here. As a bowling unit, we need to control the scoring rate.” At least they offered some resistance on Monday, with Masood, who models himself on England’s Alastair Cook, playing some glorious strokes as he assumed a leadership role after Babar Azam and captain Azhar Ali fell cheaply on Sunday evening. His sixth Test 50, in his 17th Test, arrived with a boundary off Lyon, his sixth four, before he chipped the spinner to mid-off on 68 where Mitchell Starc collected an easy catch. Shafiq, who has 12 Test hundreds to his name, proved to be Masood’s equal and brought up his 25th half-century with a single off Josh Hazlewood. But Lyon struck again, with Shafiq getting a thin edge to a flighted ball that carried to Warner at slip and he was gone for 57. Lyon then removed Iftikhar Ahmed,
caught at short leg by Labuschagne for a battling 27, before trapping surprise first-innings century-maker Yasir Shah lbw for 13. Shaheen Afridi became his fifth victim, caught at mid-off by Hazlewood on the last ball before dinner. - COMMANDING VICTORY The new pink ball was taken when they returned and with the lights on it didn’t take long to finish off the tail, with Hazlewood clean-bowling Mohammad Rizwan for 45 and Mohammad Abbas run out. It capped another commanding victory for Australia who exploited Pakistan’s inexperienced bowling attack, which includes two teenagers. Warner’s triple century was the highlight while Labuschagne shored up his burgeoning reputation by making 162 to go with the 185 he made in the first Test at Brisbane. Mitchell Starc was the destroyer in Pakistan’s first innings, taking 6-66 to reinforce his position as perhaps the best pink-ball bowler in the world. Tougher opposition awaits them with the arrival this month of New Zealand for three Tests -- in Perth, Melbourne and Sydney. (AFP) Domain Test Series: Australia vs New Zealand First Test: December 12-16, Perth Stadium (Seven, Fox & Kayo) Second Test: December 26-30, MCG (Seven, Fox & Kayo) Third Test: January 3-7, SCG (Seven, Fox & Kayo)
SCOREBOARD AUSTRALIA 1st innings 589-3 decl Pakistan 1st innings Shan Masood c Tim Paine b Josh Hazlewood 19 Imam ul-Haq c David Warner b Mitchell Starc 2 Azhar Ali c Steven Smith b Pat Cummins 9 Babar Azam c Tim Paine b Mitchell Starc 97 Asad Shafiq c Tim Paine b Mitchell Starc 9 Iftikhar Ahmed c Tim Paine b Mitchell Starc 10 Mohammad Rizwan c Tim Paine b Mitchell Starc 0 Yasir Shah c Nathan Lyon b Pat Cummins 113 Shaheen Afridi lbw Mitchell Starc 0 Mohammad Abbas c David Warner b Pat Cummins 29 Muhammad Musa Not Out 12 Extras 0b 2lb 0nb 0pen 0w 2 Total (94.4 overs) 302 all out Fall of Wickets : 1-3 ul-Haq, 2-22 Ali, 3-38 Khan, 4-69 Shafiq, 5-89 Ahmed, 6-89 Rizwan, 7-194 Azam, 8-194 Afridi, 9-281 Abbas, 10-302 Shah Bowling: Mitchell Starc 25 - 6 - 66 - 6, Pat Cummins 22.4 - 2 - 83 - 3, Josh Hazlewood 14 - 2- 48 - 1, Nathan Lyon 22 - 3 - 65 - 0, Marnus Labuschagne 10 - 2 - 32 - 0. PAKISTAN 2nd innings Shan Masood c Mitchell Starc b Nathan Lyon 68 Imam ul-Haq lbw Josh Hazlewood 0 Azhar Ali c Steven Smith b Mitchell Starc 9 Babar Azam c Tim Paine b Josh Hazlewood 8 Asad Shafiq c David Warner b Nathan Lyon 57 Iftikhar Ahmed c Marnus Labuschagne b Nathan Lyon 27 Mohammad Rizwan b Josh Hazlewood 45 Yasir Shah lbw Nathan Lyon 13 Shaheen Afridi c Josh Hazlewood b Nathan Lyon 1 Mohammad Abbas Run Out Pat Cummins 1 Muhammad Musa Not Out 4 Extras 0b 6lb 0nb 0pen 0w 6 Total (82.0 overs) 239 all out Fall of Wickets : 1-2 ul-Haq, 2-11 Ali, 3-20 Azam, 4-123 Khan, 5-154 Shafiq, 6-201 Ahmed, 7-221 Shah, 8-229 Afridi, 9-235 Rizwan, 10-239 Mitchell Starc 16 - 3 - 47 - 1, Josh H azlewood 23 - 4 - 63 - 3, Pat Cummins 15 - 4 - 45 - 0, Nathan Lyon 25 - 7 - 69 - 5, Marnus Labuschagne 3 - 0 - 9 - 0.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, December 3, 2019
Mainstay Gold Stars to represent EPFA in GFF Super16 Cup 2019
Christopher Belfield (left) and Xavier Fernandez Mainstay Gold Stars FC
MAINSTAY Gold Stars came up golden when they defeated Charity Extreme 2-1 in the final of the Essequibo/ Pomeroon Football Association (EPFA) knockout tournament and in doing so, have earned the right to represent the EPFA in the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Super16 Cup 2019 which kicks off next weekend. Playing at the New Opportunity Corps ground on the Essequibo Coast, Mainstay drew first blood when Xavier Fernandez blasted the back of the net in the 10th minute. It was a lead that the lads from Mainstay held on to until the second half when Charity Extreme fired back to level things up. Stanley Holder was on target in the 49th minute for Charity. His goal injected new life into the match as both teams were now sensing that they had an equal chance of not only winning the match but going on to represent Essequibo in the GFF year-end tournament which promises lots of excitement. That slot would, however, be filled by the Mainstay Gold Stars side and they owe their victory to a well-crafted goal off the boot of Christopher Belfield who rocked the net in the 69th minute. Mainstay Gold Stars will now be stepping up their preparation game in order to be ready for their first test in the GFF Super16 Cup later this month.
GOA/IOC Sport Administrators’ course concludes THE Guyana Olympic Association (GOA), in collaboration with the International Olympic Committee (IOC), held a four-day sports administrators’ course at their headquarters in Liliendaal that concluded on Sunday afternoon. The programme, which had 21 participants, featured a healthy course outline with many topics inclusive of Challenges facing sports, Budget & Money Management, Drugs & Doping in Sports, Strength & Conditioning in Sports, Sport & the Law, Mental Health in Sports, Women in Sports, Sports Nutrition and Drugs along with Doping among other topics.
The participants and facilitator of the IOC/GOA sport administrators course The course had numerous high-profile speakers throughout the four days
inclusive of Chief Justice (ag) Roxanne George, Attorney-at-Law Emily Dod-
son, Hector Edwards, Garfield Wiltshire and Charles Corbin.
Branford and Spencer finish with most-goal ... From back page third with six goals each. Although the male players were instrumental with the hockey stick, George United’s skipper Brianna Goveia proved the most dominant after she fired in a tour-
nament-high 19 goals to dominate the female division. Her teammate, Brittney Hingh, finished second with 14 goals, while Guyana’s Marzana Fiedtkou (GBTI GCC Tigers) finished third with seven goals. Goveia, who scored twice in the final (5-4 win
against the Tigers), also copped the Most Valuable Player trophy in the ExxonMobil-sponsored female division. Her teammate, Jessica Mittelholzer finished with the best goalkeeper’s award. QPCC’s Darren Cowie was voted as the MVP of the Over-35 division,
while his teammate, Bryan Lee-Chow, was named the best goalkeeper in the division. In the Men’s Open division, QPCC’s Aidan De Gannes was named MVP, while TTDF’s goalie, Karlos Stephens, nabbed the Best Goalkeeper’s award.
Exciting wins for Brush Dam and Buxton in ‘592 Beer Inter-Village Football Festival’ BRUSH Dam and Buxton battled to hard-fought wins when the inaugural ‘592 Beer Inter-Village Football Festival’ continued at the Buxton Community Centre ground on Sunday. Brush Dam needled Ann’s Grove 2-1 in front of a large crowd. The first half failed to produce a goal as both teams struggled to impose their respective attacking prowess. However, Ann’s Grove secured the opening goal in the 55th minute as Kevin Williams scored, crossing the ball into the left corner from a right-sided corner-kick, which evaded everyone. Brush Dam would eventually respond in the 65th minute to level proceedings through Stephen Dolphin. Racing onto a long ball over the back line, Dolphin lashed his effort into the lower left corner from inside the right of the penalty area. Ann’s Grove was then given the perfect opportunity to retake the lead as they were awarded a penalty in the 79th minute. However, the effort was denied by the custodian low to his right. Brush Dam then grabbed the winner in the 90th minute via Allister Thomas, placing his effort down the centre of the net, past the advancing goalkeeper. Similarly, Buxton edged Mahaica 1-0. The game was decided in the 86th minute compliments of a Neil Hudson strike which brought the partisan crowd to its feet. It was a wonder strike from the diminutive midfielder who blasted a right-foot shot from 36 yards out in the centre of the field into the back of the net. The tournament continues on Sunday at the Golden Grove ground. The event features 12 teams battling in an initial group format. Group A comprises Buxton, Plaisance and Mahaica, with group B consisting of Friendship, Paradise and Victoria and group C featuring Brush Dam, Melanie and Ann’s Grove. Group D comprises Annandale, Golden Grove and Beterverwagting [BV]. The winner of each group, alongside the second place finisher, will advance to the quarterfinal round. The grand finale is pegged for January 1st. The eventual champion of the event will pocket $300,000 and the championship trophy. On the other hand, the second, third and fourth place finishers will receive $150,000, $100,000 and $75,000 respectively and the corresponding trophy. Meanwhile, individual prizes will also be awarded for the Most Valuable Player [MVP] and the Best Goalkeeper. Some of the major sponsors of the tournament include Bakewell Guyana Incorporated, ExxonMobil, and the Colin Talbot Construction Services.
CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Tuesday December 03, 2019) COMPLIMENTS OF THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market & the City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) &CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD-83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158)
Today’s Quiz:
(1) What is the highest Test score by an Australian player to date? (2) What is the highest ODI score by an Australian player to date?
Answers in tomorrow’s issue
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, December 3, 2019
Dozens of records broken at 2019 Senior National Powerlifting Championships OVER three dozen records were broken when the Guyana Amateur Powerlifting Federation (GAPLF) held its Senior National Powerlifting Championships on Sunday at the Saint Stanislaus College in the capital city. Although a large number of participants excelled at the championships, Romario Gonsalves and Tineisha Toney were adjudged best lifters. The national competitor, Toney, who competed in the 63kg weight class, was able to accumulate 340.5 total points, which was converted to 592.24 International Powerlifting points. In total, the 19-year-old squatted 125.0kg, bench pressed 65.5kg and deadlifted 150.0kg. Toney’s bench press (144.403 lbs.) was one of the national records broken. The 21-year-old Gonsalves tallied 602.5 points (741.91 IPF points) after he squatted 222.5kg, bench pressed 120.0kg (a new record) and deadlifted
260.0kg to win the Junior Raw and Open Raw categories of his weight division. Although a whopping 37 records were broken, a 700 lbs. (317.5kg) deadlift mark by former Caribbean Championships gold medal winner, Vijai Rahim, was one of the standout performances. The talented 27-year-old finished first in the 74kg Men’s Open EQ after squatting 287kg and bench pressing 182.5 kg for a total points of 787.5kg. Rahim’s bench press and total points were also national records. There were numerous other standouts at the championships, and several of the lifters were able to register a clean sweep of performances. Leading the charge in the female division was 45-year-old Jacquelyn Toney, who won the 84kg Women’s Open Raw division with records in her squat (140.0kg), bench press (62.5kg), deadlift (147.5kg) and her overall total of (350.0kg). Toney also won the Open Raw
A number of the female participants, including best overall lifter, Tineisha Toney (with trophy), came from Buddy’s Gym. division in the same weight class. There were two other women’s divisions. The 72kg Women’s Open Raw, which was won by Chitra John and the 84+kg Women’s Open Raw, which was won by Esther Maycock. The men had the bulk of the record-breaking performances and several of the established names were able to excel.
Jermy Indarjit, who won the 66kg class of the Men’s Sb-Jr Raw division, powered his way to records in the squat (172.5kg), the bench press (85.0), the deadlift 227.5kg and the overall total of 485.0kg. Forty-year-old Nigel Phillips, who claimed two first place trophies (a win in the 93kg Men’s Open EQ and the 93kg Men’s Master 1 EQ) led the record count with six.
He registered a record in the Men’s Master 1 EQ with a squat of 287.5kg, a bench press of 190kg in the same division, a deadlift of 247.5kg and a total of 725.0kg. In the Men’s Open, his 190kg bench press was also a record, so too was his total of 725kg. Martin Webster, 52, also registered multiple records. His five new marks were attained in the 93kg weight
class. In the Men’s Master 2 EQ, he squatted 202.5kg, while he bench pressed 130kg, deadlifted 202.5kg and totalled 535.0kg. The Buddy’s Gym representative also registered a new record in the Men’s Open EQ for his 535.0kg total. Ramzam Mohamed ended the day with four new records with a clean sweep of the 120kg Men’s Junior EQ division. He squatted 295kg, bench pressed 165kg, deadlifted 255kg and finished with a total of 715.0kg. Dominic Tyrrell finished with three records in the 74kg Men’s Junior Raw. The 19-year-old got a record in the squat (207.5kg), the deadlift (272.5kg) and the total in the division (607.5kg). Meanwhile, Franklyn Brisport-Luke (66kg Men’s Open EQ and Men’s Masters 2 EQ) and Farouk Abdool (120kg Men’s Open EQ and Men’s Master 1 EQ) both registered two wins each at the championships.
Sports Gear for Buxton Youths Babar Azam runs give Pakistan huge positive from defeats, says Azhar Ali
Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan and businessman, Godfrey Harry donate sports gear to the Buxton United Sports Club (Carl Croker photo) MINISTER of Finance, Winston Jordan, in collaboration with Businessman, Godfrey Harry donated several sports gear to youths as part of the Buxton United Sports Club (BUSC) to encourage their participation in sports. Athletic shoes for the entire team as well as footballs were donated to the young men at the “Tipperary” Hall in Buxton on Monday. According to Jordan, he had heard that Harry, who lives in Brooklyn, New York, had plans to donate the sports gear but the donation would not have been enough to cater for the entire team. As such, he stepped in to fill the financial gap and also donated two additional footballs on behalf of the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU). “This may look like some simple gesture --indeed it is --- but It has far reaching con-
sequences. It says a lot about how your government cares for the youth… youth playing sports does a lot for the country,” Jordan said. In his remarks, Minister Jordan also encouraged youths of the community to take advantage of technical and vocational training and rise up against any stigma placed on them. He also called on members of the diaspora to do more for their country and community by giving back. Meanwhile, Technical Director for the BUSC, Lindon France said that the club is playing in the National League, has won numerous youth tournaments and won a national title back in 2013. He thanked Jordan for his vision and foresight and Harry for his thoughtful contribution as he expressed: “The youths are the prosperity and future of the country.”
AZHAR Ali insists the Test progress made by Babar Azam means Pakistan have a major positive to take out of their heavy series defeat to Australia. Pakistan lost the second Test by an innings and 48 runs on day four in Adelaide after Nathan Lyon took 5-69 in their second innings of 239 all out. The tourists were following on after Australia declared on 589-3 in a first-innings onslaught inspired by David Warner’s 335 not out. Pakistan also lost the first Test by an innings but Azhar was unwilling to completely write off the tour ahead of two matches against Sri Lanka later this month. Already a star in limited-overs cricket, T20I captain Babar scored 104 in the opening Test in Brisbane and 97 in the first innings of this contest. “He’s been tremendous in whiteball cricket and in the recent past he’s been gradually building up his Test stats as well,” Test skipper Azhar said of Babar. “This series definitely will be the breakthrough he wanted. We were all hopeful that he would do it. “He’s a good enough player. We all know that. But sometimes if you score in tough conditions against tough bowling attacks, it gives you the extra boost and the belief that you can make even better strides in Test cricket. “That’s been a big positive now for us that Babar has stamped himself a Test
player. He’s been fantastic throughout the year, lovely to watch and hopefully he can continue this form in the Tests that are coming. Babar has been exceptional.” Azhar also highlighted the performances of wicket-keeper Mohammad Rizwan and Yasir Shah, who scored 113 in the first innings at number eight, but conceded the series was ultimately a disappointment. He added: “Rizwan waited for his chance and then grabbed it with both hands. The way he batted at Gabba and the way he kept wickets in both games has been fantastic. “We didn’t want to give up at any stage and Yasir put up a lot of fight. “But it has been a disappointing series. We didn’t live up the expectations that were based around this young team. It’s very hard here with a young bowling attack and we came with a lot of expectations but it didn’t go well. “To win Test matches we need to take 20 wickets and we need to work out how to do that. And also to score big in the first innings – getting ahead of the game here is very important. “It’s always hard coming to Australia and we’ve been beaten by a better side. But very positive for the future, we will learn a lot. “I’d like to congratulate Australia, especially David Warner for his triple hundred.”
Pegasus pumps One million into GFF Super16 Cup tournament MANAGING Director of the Pegasus Hotel, one of the flagship names in the industry, Robert Badal, yesterday presented a cheque for One Million Dollars to president of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) for the 2019/2020 edition of the GFF Super16 Cup, year-end tournament. Set to be a very competitive tournament with the top eight GFF Elite League clubs battling the top club in eight of the Regional Members Associations (RMA), Badal, in handing over the cheque to GFF president Wayne Forde, said that the company was more than pleased to be supporting the development of the sport and communities in Guyana. “Pegasus has always been contributing to the community and we are happy that we can make a contribution to football which engages hundreds of our youths, it empowers our youths, it develops communities, it prevents crime and, like cricket and other sports, puts Guyana on the map.” Badal also noted that the game elevates the nation when the team does well while recognising that more can be done for the game and sports, nationally. “It’s a perennial problem that we have never addressed the needs of sports in the sense that we ensure that it is properly financed and therefore we can’t develop
our youths and Guyana to its full potential without funding sports development, coaching and other activities that train our youths and ensure that they achieve their fullest. So this is our way of contributing to youth development and empowerment as well as development of communities. Forde commended Badal and Pegasus for coming on board for the biggest local knockout tournament. “We are delighted to have the support of the Pegasus Hotel which is an official partner of the GFF. This timely contribution by Mr. Badal will certainly go a far way in helping us to put on a fantastic football show for the nation. I would therefore like to say a deep thank you on behalf of the more than 400 young men that will be given an opportunity to showcase their God-given talent by providing entertainment for thousands of fans throughout the festive season. This year’s GFF Super16 Cup will kick off on Sunday, December 15 at the Police Sports Club ground, Eve Leary. The team emerging the winner on January 1st, 2020 will be rewarded with $2M, while the losing finalist will pocket $1M. The third and fourth places attract purses of $500,000 and $250,000, respectively.
Robert Badal, Managing Director of Pegagsus Hotel, holds the ceremonial cheque with GFF president Wayne Forde
Branford and Spencer finish with most-goal trophies in DMW Indoor Hockey Festival –– Goveia unstoppable in female division
George United’s Brianna Goveia (left) scored a whopping 19 goals—the most this year.
LOCAL players Aroydy Branford and Kevin Spencer finished with the most-goal trophies in the Open Men and Over-35 divisions of the Diamond Mineral Water Indoor Hockey Festival, which concluded on Sunday evening at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall. The Pepsi Hikers’ forward Branford, who was kept to a single goal each in the semi-final against Bounty GCC and the final against QPCC, tallied 12 successful strikes over the course of the five-day event. Against another Trinidadian side, TTDF, on Saturday afternoon, he had fired in a hat-trick. Branford’s team-
mate, Robert France, finished with 10 goals, the second most in the division, while Bounty GCC’s Dwayne Scott ended with eight goals. Spencer, who exploded in the final with six successful strikes, was a dominant force for Bounty GCC Vintage, the Runners’ up in the Lucozade Over-35 competition. In total, Spencer scored 14 goals. Jerazeno Bell, who played for T&T’s QPCC, was second with 10 goals, while YMCA Old Fort’s Aderemi Simon and QPCC’s Raphael Goveia were tied for See page 26
Emerging Players never stopped believing, says Sinclair PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, (CMC) – Off-spinner Kevin Sinclair said West Indies Emerging Players(WIEP) had a feeling they would have won the Super50 Cup after a stroke of fortune saw them squeeze into the semi-finals. They suffered a 10-wicket crushing at the hands of Trinidad and Tobago Red Force in their final preliminary game to finish on 18
points which left them second in Group B but were expected to be overhauled by Guyana Jaguars, on 16 points, especially with last year’s losing finalists facing minnows United States in their final game. But Jaguars suffered a stunning eightrun upset, leaving Emerging Players to See page 23
Super50 Cup champions West Indies Emerging Players celebrate with their trophy
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TUESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2019