Guyana_Chronicle_Epaper_12_08_2019

8th December, 2019

' No.105845

‘PPP left sugar in ruins’ SEE STORY ON PAGE 03

… PM Nagamootoo, Joey Jagan urge workers not to buy estates reopening promise

‘The wealth will be spent sensibly’

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Seniors given early Christmas treat

…Trotman assures gov't has solid plans for O&G sector

CANU nabs GT man at Springlands with ecstasy pills

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Young agro-processor introduces packaged smoothie to market

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Over 550 senior citizens were on Saturday recognised for their sterling contributions to Guyana at an event hosted by the Guyana Women’s Leadership Institute and the Ministry of Social Protection Chairman of the Guyana Women’s Leadership Institute Dr. Mavis Benn told DPI, “…many of them have made valuable contributions to this society of ours.

After all, we are working on their experience and their labour. So, we feel those who are left … this is one way in which we can give to society by recognising these seniors.”

Last year’s event catered for 400 persons. However, due to the demand and the turn out this year, Dr. Benn said 2020’s target will be 700 persons. The seniors were transported to the auditorium of the National Gymnasium where they were entertained with the beautiful sound of steel pan music, calypsos and a few hits from Michelle “Big Red” King and other performers and listened to stirring words of poetry.

The elders also strutted their stuff in dancing and singing competitions and prizes were also awarded to the best-dressed male and female. They were also presented with food hampers among other tokens of appreciation

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, December 8, 2019

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, December 8, 2019

‘PPP left sugar in ruins’

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… PM Nagamootoo, Joey Jagan urge workers not to buy ‘estates reopening’ promise

THE opposition’s promise to reopen sugar factories closed due to unprofitability continues to be ridiculed as “cheap political talks’ to win votes at the upcoming elections.

Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo, had said if the PPP wins the next elections, it will find a way to reopen those estates, so as to put people back to work. “We will explore all forms of partnerships to get that done, plus innovative financing and investments so people can return to providing for their families,” Jagdeo said. Jagdeo’s comments were repeated by PPP’s Presidential Candidate, Irfaan Ali, who said the party will reopen shuttered estates, even as he continues to dodge specifics on how they plan to go about that without further sinking the industry.

Government, as part of an effort to rekindle the sugar industry and return it to viability, had closed the Wales (West Bank Demerara), Enmore (East Demerara), Rose Hall and Skeldon (East Berbice) Sugar Estates.

Only last Wednesday, hundreds of sugar workers led by their unions, protested in front of the Ministry of the Presidency calling on the government to intervene in the matter of wage increases.

Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo, during a recent radio interview on Benschop Radio, said that the government cannot automatically intervene and treat sugar workers as public servants, as the sugar industry is managed by an independent corporation, the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) which is presently trying to rise to profitability, as production remains very low; hence its inability to raise salaries. Sugar workers, he said, are a category of workers under the corporation and despite this, the government, which he described as caring and compassionate to them, has spent billions of dollars from the treasury, to keep the very same aggrieved workers, in their jobs.

He urged the sugar workers to not be used as a political football by the opposition.

“Don’t listen to them about reopening of the sugar estates.

It was they, through corruption and mismanagement for 23 years caused the sugar industry’s downfall in the first place.” He said sugar workers

“must never ever believe the lies that are being peddled that we (Coalition) shut the sugar industry down, the industry

through written articles.

The Prime Minister stressed that the industry was indebted to the tune of $85B

strides have been made to save $10,000 of them while also giving incremental increases and addressing the needs of all public servants. This year public servants received a nine per cent increase, which reflects an over 70 per cent increase over the last four years.”

PM Nagamootoo said before making the decision to close the estates, the government gave $1B each month to pay sugar workers. “We did that consistently and we did that consecutively for 38 months and we realise now, that you could not bring down the entire economy just subsidising sugar, you needed to

protected the sovereignty of this country...” Prime Minister Nagamootoo said.

NOTHING IN 23 YEARS Meanwhile, weighing in on the issue, Joey Jagan, son of the late PPP founder, Dr. Cheddi Jagan, said the PPP has done nothing during their 23 years in power to diversify Guyana’s sugar industry. He said instead that party left the sector bankrupted and in ruins.

“The leader of the opposition, Bharrat Jagdeo, showed that he does not care about sugar workers,” Joey Jagan said.

Jagan addressed the issue of the sugar industry and the

Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo

was dying, what we did was rescue it, we saved the jobs of 10, 000 sugar workers...this government has been fair and compassionate...this government has given a bail out from the treasury to give the sugar workers, to keep the industry going," Nagamootoo posited.

PPP IGNORED WARNING Reminiscing on how it all started, Nagamootoo said the PPP Government, of which he was a part of, knew that sugar was dying a very fast death, more so when the European Union began to subsidise farmers to commence diversification. At that time sugar prices dropped 36 per cent. “During the Jagdeo period, we were acutely aware that sugar, at least cane sugar, didn’t have a viable future. I recalled very clearly he said he wanted to modernise the sugar industry...in 2010 Jagdeo spent US$200M to modernise the Skeldon Sugar Factory which is now a white elephant,” Nagamootoo affirmed.

During the negotiations for the loans to modernise the industry, the Opposition Leader, the prime minister said, put his friends and cronies to do so and the GuySuCo board became highly politicised, headed by former President, Donald Ramotar. It was this time the PPP threatened to derecognise the union (GAWU), and he (Nagamootoo) became a victim of threats to be expelled from the party, if he went ahead with his plans to expose the PPP,

and was running on handouts.

“The PPP, then, had started the process of factory closure.

They also tried implementing a sugar refinery and the subsidising of the product, all so they can keep their base satisfied. While doing so, public servants and other sectors suffered, with its workers benefitting from nothing more than five per cent increase. .... that was because traditionally, historically, the base of the sugar industry, has voted for the PPP, a majority of the people in the sugar industry were of Indo-Guyanese origin and traditionally I would say from the 1950's, supported Jagan. So they were using that as a voting machine. Jagdeo wanted to suppress criticisms, of the fact that they could not turnaround the sugar industry, so they were the ones who started to look around to see how they could divest the industry,” Nagamootoo related.

DON’T BE USED AS POLITICAL FOOTBALL The Prime Minister said it is with the same aim, that the PPP again is promising to reopen sugar estates, “something they fully well know, will be detrimental to the economy of the country.”

Prime Nagamootoo said it is this government's vision to create a level playing field for all workers and by extension all Guyanese, irrespective of their political affiliation or their ethnicity. “The love of the government goes beyond sugar workers and that is why

Cheddi Joey Jagan

take a drastic division, to save the part of the industry.”

He said too that those workers who were laid off, did not leave empty-handed, but were given redundancy payment to start up small businesses, such as fishing and farming. Some were also given plots of land to farm, while some were employed in other sections and departments in the Ministry of Agriculture. Government, the prime minister said, is also working with plans that are doable and reasonable, since GuySuCo still has a debt of $85B. “We can diversify, but definitely not go into an all-out reopening the sugar estates...You have to plan how to develop the economy, how to grow the economy, how to diversify the economy, how to bring a collaboration and partnership with investors into the economy and you will have to have a lot of confidence in developing the economy. This is what we have been doing in the past four years, we have restored confidence in Guyana, we have restored the image of Guyana, as a stable country, as a peaceful country, we have

many promises that the PPP are currently making to revive the industry, during an interview with political activist, Mark Benschop, last Friday night, on his radio programme – Straight Up. “My father, the great Cheddi Jagan, always told me that you should always be truthful to the people. Always keep close to the people.

Mr. Jagdeo is far away from the truth and far away from the people when he talks about the sugar industry. Jagdeo doesn’t have any concerns for the sugar workers, he just wants them to vote for him,” Jagan asserted.

Jagan reemphasised that Jagdeo and the PPPC’s track record with the industry evinces the lack of concern that the party has had, over the years, for workers in that industry.

“We should have diversified sugar long ago. People should deal with the truth, and Mr. Jagdeo should be the first to face the truth that he was in power for all this time and he, and [former President Donald] Ramotar, they did nothing for the sugar workers,” Jagan noted. “All he has to do is

talk about Skeldon and what happened there. US$250M down the drain, how did it help the sugar workers? I still can’t fathom it.”

When the PPPC was ousted from government in 2015, the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) was operating at a loss, with billions in government subventions being pumped into the industry annually to sustain its operations.

“GuySuCo and the sugar industry didn’t become bankrupt when the coalition came in, GuySuCo had been bankrupt for years now, this didn’t just happen recently. They were bankrupt all the time and what did they [the PPP] do? They brought in a man called Raj Singh from New York. Raj Singh is a fake, he run back to New York,” Jagan said.

EU SUGAR SUPPORT The PPPC is still to account for some Euro166.67M ($34.4B) that was given to Guyana between 2006 and 2015, by the European Union (EU) and was expected to go to programmes that mitigated the effects of the declining sugar industry. “Jagdeo never made any attempt whatsoever to diversify our agriculture economy. Just go and check.

I’m not making anything up,” Jagan noted.

To return the industry to profitability, GuySuCo took the decision to close a number of sugar estates over the years, leaving three in operation: Albion, Blairmont and Uitvlugt.

GuySuCo now intends to construct a white sugar plant with the aim of producing some 55,000 tonnes of white sugar per annum. Jagan believes this is a step in the right direction.

“Sugar from my knowledge, has a future in Guyana but only if we can specialise it into fine white sugar because we have the best molasses in the world, and the molasses is the foundation of the industry. We can produce high-class sugar,” he said. Jagan stressed that he believes the sugar industry is in the right hands under the coalition APNU+AFC government.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, December 8, 2019

US and Iranian men released in prisoner swap (BBC) The US and Iran have conducted a prisoner swap in a rare sign of co-operation between the two countries.

The exchange involved a Chinese-American researcher convicted of spying in Iran and an Iranian scientist held

Xiyue Wang, who was held in Iran for three years, was greeted by US Ambassador to Switzerland Edward McMullen

by the US. Both deny wrongdoing.

Iran’s foreign minister said he was glad as he announced the exchange.

Hours later, US Presi-

dent Donald Trump tweeted: “Thank you to Iran on a very fair negotiation. See, we can make a deal together!”

Who were the prisoners?

Xiyue Wang was arrested in Iran in 2016 for “collaborating with foreign governments”.

Massoud Soleimani, a stem cell expert, was arrested at a Chicago airport last year.

He was accused violating trade sanctions by trying to

export biological material to Iran.

Iran and the US have had an increasingly strained relationship in recent years and share no diplomatic links.

Both have thanked the Swiss government for its assistance as an intermediary facilitator.

WHAT HAPPENED? Mr Wang was flown in a Swiss government plane from Tehran to Zurich, and then to Ramstein Air Base in Germany, where he will undergo medical check-ups before heading home.

Mr Soleimani was also flown to Zurich and then on to Iran. Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif tweeted photos of himself with Mr Soleimani after his release. He was the first to announce the news, via a tweet. “Glad that Professor Massoud Soleimani and Mr Xiyue Wang will be joining their families shortly,” he wrote.

In a formal statement, US President Donald Trump said Mr Wang had been “held under the pretence of espionage”. “Freeing Americans held captive is of vital importance to my Administration, and we will continue to work hard to bring home all our citizens wrongfully held captive overseas,” the statement said.

Hua Qu, Mr Wang’s wife, wrote in statement: “Our family is complete once again.

Our son Shaofan and I have waited three long years for this day and it’s hard to express in words how excited we are to be reunited with Xiyue. “We are thankful to everyone who helped make this happen.”

Princeton University, where Mr Wang was studying as a postgraduate, said in a statement it was “overjoyed” with the news of his release and was looking forward to “welcoming him back to campus”. What were the men accused of?

Mr Wang was arrested in Iran in August 2016 as he was leaving the country.

He had been doing research in Iran for a university

dissertation and was accused of seeking to gather “highly confidential articles” for US and British academic institutions. He was sentenced to 10 years in jail for spying.

Mr Soleimani was detained in October 2018 on accusations of attempting to export biological materials to Iran in violation of trade sanctions on the country over its nuclear program.

What is the background?

US-Iran tensions have risen significantly in the last two years. After President Donald Trump took power, the US pulled out of a 2015 treaty that aimed to limit Tehran’s nuclear programme.

Tehran has always insisted its nuclear programme is peaceful, but the US voiced concerns about potential weapon building.

President Trump also reinstated sanctions on Iran, which have led to its currency plummeting and inflation soaring.

Iran has recently been hit by major protests over rising petrol prices, which are partly linked to the US sanctions.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE December 8, 2019

CANU intercepts suspected CANU nabs GT man at cannabis in car, driver in custody Springlands with ecstasy pills

CUSTOMS Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) officers, on Thursday December 5, 2019, at approximately 23:00 hrs, interdicted a quantity of suspected bulk marijuana in a car at De Willem, West Coast

Azim Ali called Boyo

Demerara.

In a press release, CANU said that Azim Ali, called Boyo, 30, of 27 Zeeburg, West Coast Demarara, has been taken into custody. “Azim Ali (the driver of PPP 7790) along with three other known suspects, were transporting suspected cannabis in PPP 7790 when their vehicle was chased

by CANU Ranks. The car was eventually intercepted in De Willem Village and a quantity of suspected narcotics was discovered in the vehicle,� the CANU release said. The weight of the suspected cannabis was given as 30.902 kilograms.

CANU is still in search of the other three suspects, the release said.

The suspected cannabis

CUSTOMS Anti Narcotic Unit (CANU) officers interdicted a quantity of suspected Crystal Meth and suspected Ecstasy at Golden Gloves Speed Boat Service Springlands Corentyne Berbice Friday morning December 6, 2019 at approximately 8:00 hrs.

Collis Steve Burrowes of Norton Street Georgetown has been taken into custody.

CANU in a release said

that the suspect was an incoming passenger from Suriname when he was searched by a CANU Rank at the Golden Gloves Speed Boat Service and a quantity of suspected Crystal Meth and suspected Ecstasy was uncovered in clothing in a haversack he was carrying.

CANU gave the weight of suspected narcotic as 254 grams of suspected Crystal Meth and 56 grams (100) suspected Ecstasy pills.

Prison raids unearth wide range of prohibited items RANKS of the Guyana Prison Service and Guyana Police Force on Saturday conducted a routine search of the Camp Street ,Lusignan, Timehri, New Amsterdam and Mazaruni prisons and confisacated a range of illegal items at the various locations.

Among the items found were: 48 improvised weapons; 11 cell phones; 9 sim cards; Tripple A batteries; a quantity of suspected cannabis; a small quantity

of suspected ecstasy powder; 19 smoking utensils 14 metal spoons; a memory card; seven cellphone batteries; 12 cellphone chargers; 51 cigarette lighters A quantity of razor blades; five ropes; a quantity of cigarettes; a hacksaw blade; nail kit and nail clips; sandpaper; 13 pieces of wires; four pair scissors; construction nails; eight USB cables; a mirror; steel wool and five bottles and two five gallons of homemade wine.

Some of the prohibited items found during the prisons raids

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE December 8, 2019

Reopening of estates not an option THE PPP recently introduced its election manifesto to the public at a media briefing and the party made some outlandish promises.

The one that immediately jumps out is the promise to reopen the sugar estates that were closed as a result of the reforms implemented by the current government.

This announcement has caused much comment among those with knowledge of the industry. The truth of the matter is that reopening those estates makes absolutely no economic sense —there is a general consensus on that. Yet the PPP insists on making the promise. It is, therefore, clear that that party is still wedded to its traditional view that the sugar industry is a political football to be kicked around to suit its whims and fancies.

Manifestos are meant to give the electorate an idea of what a party or coalition intends to do if and when it assumes power.

Since parties generally find it difficult to meet their promises once in government, the electorate pays little attention to manifestos. Yet, manifestos have remained an integral part of the electoral process. In recent times, parties have even included promises of what they would do in the first 100 days in office.

In the final analysis, even if people pay little attention to the details in the various manifestos, there has been a growing interest in the parties’ positions on selective issues. One recalls for instance that the current coalition rose to power partly on

its promise to tackle corruption, initiate constitutional reform and reform the sugar industry. While there is divided opinion on the outcomes of government efforts in the sugar industry, there can hardly be any doubt that unlike the PPP, the coalition has treated the matter primarily as an economic issue. In other words, it addressed the economic viability of the industry in light of all the prevailing factors.

If truth be told, the coalition’s actions in relation to the sugar industry represent the single boldest policy initiative in recent times. Faced with an industry that was heavily subsidised by the government, the previous administration stubbornly refused to take measures to correct the situation.

Because the PPP has traditionally drawn most of its electoral support from sugar workers, that party in and out of government has been reluctant to confront the question of the industry’s viability in the face of global and local changes.

Every sugar-producing country in the Anglophone Caribbean has had to face that reality. Some, like St Kitts-Nevis have diversified out of sugar while others have made the necessary adjustments to ensure the industry’s viability. This has invariably meant downsizing or “rightsizing.” Guyana is the only country in the Region that did not bite the bullet. In fact, under the PPP, the industry became more dependent on government subsidies than at any time in its modern life. The PPP was less interested in the economics of the industry; for that

party, it was first and foremost a political matter.

The coalition government therefore inherited an industry in disarray. To its credit, it followed through on its manifesto promise and tackled the matter with a sense of urgency. The state of the industry in 2015 is worth reviewing. Production was at its lowest. In 2013, for example, production had fallen to 186, 807 tons—the lowest in 22 years. This was way below Guysuco’s minimum production rate of 232, 000 tons that was needed to meet its local and international commitments. This was part of a trend that had taken root under the PPP government as far back as 2005 and was confirmed by the report of a Commission of Inquiry set up by the coalition government in 2015.

According to the report “From the years 2008 unto 2014, annual sugar production continued to be under 230,000 mt with its revenue base declining from G$32.l bn in 2008 to G$23.2 bn in 2014. Not surprisingly, for the said period there were losses each year and this loss position worsened from G$5.2 bn in 2008 to that of G$17.4 bn in 2014. That unacceptable level of performance required government’s intervention by way of subsidies in the years 2011 to 2014.”

This huge subsidy to Guysuco under the PPP was grounded more in politics than economics—the PPP was more concerned with retaining the political loyalty of the sugar workers than about the economic

health of the industry and well-being of the workers. While the industry was sliding down the road of destruction, GAWU and the PPP kept making unreasonable demands for increased wages. Between 2010 and 2014, for example, employment costs rose by 43% or 6.3 billion dollars, even as the industry was posting huge losses. Since Guysuco could not afford this bill, it had to depend on government subsidisation. In other words, the PPP was undermining the profitability of the industry and ultimately destroying it for political reasons.

It is against this background that Guyanese must reject the latest attempt at deception by the PPP . In the first instance, the promised reopening of the estates makes no economic sense. The country simply cannot revert to subsidising the industry at the rate that such a move would entail. Second, we ought to move on from the overt and covert politicisation of the industry—it is a recipe for underdevelopment. The coalition has pointed the industry away from party politics and has put it on a better economic footing. Finally, the PPP has become an intentional victim of its own dirty propaganda. After spending the better part of three years telling sugar workers that reforming of the industry is part of a grand scheme by the government to victimise them, the PPP has to come up with some solution.

Sadly, reopening the estates is not an option; it is not in the interest of the industry, its workers and the country at large.

No place for violence in Guyana’s schools Dear Editor, AS member organisations of the Guyana Equality Forum (GEF), we are deeply concerned about increasingly visible incidents of school violence and bullying in our country.

Recently, a video was widely circulated across media platforms in which a male student at a city high school was seen viciously beating a female student of the same school, both in uniform and in the school compound with other students witnessing. No one intervened to stop the violence against the girl.

Subsequent to the incident, Minister of Education the Hon Dr Nicolette Henry, M.P., was quoted by iNews Guyana on November 27, 2019, in an invited comment as saying, “students fight, there is nothing unusual as you would know; you have gone to school and we all would have seen those.” It was

later reported in many sections of the media that the Education Minister visited the school, made the two students apologise to each other and spoke at a special assembly where she encouraged all students at the school to find non-violent ways to resolve conflict. The ministry also issued a statement that their investigation into the incident was ongoing.

The GEF finds these responses inappropriate and woefully inadequate. In a society where gender-based violence (GBV) remains rampant, a survivor of violence should never be made to apologise to the person who has perpetrated violence against them. While the minister’s statements and intervention were no doubt made with the best of intentions, they unfortunately feed into pervasive and misleading stereotypes about GBV – that victims bring violence on themselves, act in ways that leave perpetrators unable to control themselves or their tempers, or otherwise

contribute to their own victimisation.

These stereotypes are false, and contribute to wrongful beliefs that fuel all forms of GBV, and violence against women and girls (VAWG), in particular. The only person responsible for violence is the perpetrator; the only person who should be held accountable and sanctioned for violence is the perpetrator.

Survivors of GBV are entitled to support; they should not be made complicit in their own oppression by being required to apologise to the person who violated them.

The minister’s statement also fails to recognise that this is a problem that goes beyond in-school fighting; GBV flourishes in environments of impunity. When education officials fail to intervene or hold students accountable for less severe instances of misogyny or discrimination, it becomes easier for students to feel that escalating behaviour, including violence, is justified or appropriate.

Minister Henry is right to call upon students to find ways other than violence to resolve disputes, but adults in a position of authority need to do more. Students need the adults and leaders around them to demonstrate that being a boy does not mean being violent – it means being respectful, caring for others, and standing up for each other, especially when doing so takes courage.

During these 16 Days of Activism Against GBV, from November 25 to December 10, the Ministry of Education has an opportunity to stand in solidarity with survivors of GBV. Lead by example. Show that violence has no place in Guyana.

The GEF calls upon the Ministry of Education to take meaningful steps to confront all forms of prejudice and violence in Guyana’s schools – between students, See page 7

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE December 8, 2019

No place for violence ...

From page 6

teachers, parents and education officials. Comprehensive sexuality education should be systemically rolled out in all schools across the country.

In 21st century Guyana, teachers should focus on teaching children to communicate, problem-solve and build healthy relations -- practically develop their people skills. Whilst the GEF is not suggesting that the education system abandon its academic goals, we have to deliver the kind of education that supports holistic development.

And while discipline should be paramount in schools, corporal punishment should be eradicated as it perpetuates the notion that violence is an appropriate response or punishment for any transgression. Counsellors should be available in every school to provide therapy for students, parents and teachers who need psycho-social and emotional support. Perpetrators of violence should be appropriately punished. Survivors should be supported and not made to feel that they did anything to cause the violence.

There is no place for violence in Guyana’s schools.

Regards Valini Leitch, SASOD Guyana Colin Marks, Help & Shelter Shontel Moriah, CAFRA Guyana Omattie Madray, ChildLink Inc. Ryan Hoppie, Come Alive Network Inc. (CANI) Kobe Smith, Guyana Responsible Parenthood Association (GRPA) Garfield Grant, Comforting Hearts Sabine McIntosh, Deaf Association of Guyana (DAG) Royston Savory, Family Awareness Consciousness Togetherness (FACT) Dr. Rei-Launyna Amsterdam, Global Shapers Georgetown Hub Colin Klautky, Guyana Organization of Indigenous Peoples (GOIP) Miriam Edwards, Guyana Sex Work Coalition ( GSWC) Q. Gulliver McEwan, Guyana Trans United (GTU) Nazim. S. Husain, SAVE Guyana Juanita Burrowes, United Bricklayers Roslyn Wade, CPIC Monique’s Caring Hands Sherwood Clarke, Clerical and Commercial Workers Union (CCWU) Miriam Williams, Hope for All Foundation Dillon Mohammed, Conversa Global (CG) Amy Young, Women’s Wednesdays Guyana (WWG) Savannah Williams, SASOD Women’s Arm Guyana ( SWAG) Schemel Patrick, Human Rights and Social Justice Commission, Diocese of Guyana Marvin Livan, Hope of Christ Anglican Church – The United Anglo-Catholic Church

RUSAL playing opposition’s card to escalate environment of tension

Dear Editor,

MONDAY, December 9, will mark a decade of the Russian-controlled Bauxite Company of Guyana Inc (BCGI) not wanting to deal with the Guyana Bauxite & General Workers Union (GB&GWU) and we will not relent.

On March 20, after an almost six-week strike, management signed Terms of Resumption with the union. It took the workers approximately nine (9) years, three (3) months, and twenty-eight (28) days for management to recognise their union, but management continues to engage in dilatory tactics not to pay them. They are not negotiating in good faith, so the struggle continues.

The Coalition Government is commended for putting a stop to what RUSAL/BCGI was doing. Minister of Social Protection Amna Ally dealt with the matter decisively, compared to Minister of Labour Manzoor Nadir under the Bharrat Jagdeo government, who joined forces with the foreign ownership against the workers of Guyana, ignoring their pleas and legitimacy of their struggle. This is Jagdeo who shamelessly wants to surface again, even though he remains a polarising figure. We must never forget and never allow it to happen again because the bottom line is, he has demonstrated the mindset, the capacity for vindictiveness, demonisation, marginalisation and destruction of the people of this country. He can do it again.

Hiding behind a surrogate does not make Mr Jagdeo more acceptable or less feared. The people of Guyana, in particular the families in the communities of Region 10/Linden must remember. It is the belief that the worst crime any leader can do is collude with foreign forces and operate against its own national interest and citizens. This was a Jagdeo Government/Russian collusion. Today he talks about inclusionary democracy when he made every effort to undermine the trade union movement and exclude groups from meaningful participation in society, bringing a dark cloud of fear over the land.

When the union sought to include Mr Jagdeo in a national call to protect the sovereignty of this nation and the workers and communities of Region 10, he who has assigned himself ‘the end all and be all of the PPP,’ the most vocal on everything for the PPP remained silent, ignoring the plight of the people. He is still being given the opportunity to redeem himself and let history record him on the right side of justice for the Guyanese worker. And whereas collectively the PPP can be held to account, it was President Donald Ramotar who sought to distinguish himself a bit by trying to bring resolution to the impasse. Through his Minister of Labour Dr Nanda Gopaul, compulsory arbitration was instituted in 2012. But this was stalled and after a while it became evident that there was a hidden hand in the political hierarchy that wanted the Russians to run wild.

Evidently this was no ordinary industrial battle; it was a politically orchestrated one in which the union found itself.

Workers are called on not to forget and not to rest. The struggle we endure might be long and tiresome, but we are encouraged, because joy will certainly come to those who

remain resilient in purpose. Ours is a battle to be won, not lost, because it is just and right.

RUSAL has been playing the opposition card to escalate an environment of tension. When called on by the union, as per the Collective Labour Agreement, to proceed to conciliation, and if possible, arbitration, management has taken the position that it doesn’t want a third party to be involved in the matter. Management insisted the workers cannot be paid an increase because the company is not making money, then proceeded to give the impression that the company is packing up to leave. After months of grandstanding it began stripping operations on Thursday.

If RUSAL claims it is not making a profit, and given it has no commitment to the people of Guyana, why after over 10 years it is still here. Is there another purpose to RUSAL’s presence in Guyana? Should we assume that this company is strictly business, when Russia is trying to create a political role all over the world and is seeking avenues to create divides and within countries divide people. We cannot ignore Russia’s role in the global sphere, economic and otherwise.

Meanwhile, workers claimed that they are hearing the rumour of BOSAI moving in. There is video evidence of this company visiting and examining the operations at the Aroaima location; this heightens suspicion that the Russians might be planning some selling out to BOSAI. Given the backdrop of this struggle, the government is being called on to resolve the grievances before elections by putting systems in place to activate voluntary arbitration consistent with the Grievance Procedure.

Ten years, of which the government has had almost five, is too long.

Regards Lincoln Lewis General-Secretary GB&GWU

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE December 8, 2019

A conversation with the youth: The Vote is a Revolutionary Tool Dear Young People, TODAY the Political Teacher wishes to speak directly to the youth in what is the first part of a conversation I plan to have with you in the coming months. The next three months would be a critical period in Guyana’s political history.

Not since the first election under adult suffrage in 1953 has an election generated so much interest. The very future of the country is at stake. If there ever was a time when every single vote counts, now is that time. As Guyana moves into the era of Oil and Gas, the question of who governs takes on added significance. The relationship between the

vote and whether the country moves in a progressive direction or not cannot be overstated.

It is obvious where the PPP wants to take Guyana — backwards. It has presented a manifesto of stale and outdated ideas or ideas that have already been put in train by the coalition government. The PPP really has nothing positive to run on because it has spent the last five years plotting to overthrow the government.

In the end it failed miserably. Not even the discredited no-confidence vote produced the party’s desired outcome. The youth must decide whether that is what they desire.

While the PPP was busy trying to remove the gov-

ernment by undemocratic means, the Coalition was going about the people’s business. Now, as we get closer to election day and the gains of the government is becoming clearer to the people, the PPP has resorted to what it does best – Race Baiting. But while such tactic may reap short-term benefits for its proponents, in the long run it is most counterproductive. Don’t be fooled by all the talk of reopening the sugar estates and how the coalition has crucified sugar workers — that is all race talk.

There is always a tendency among young people to judge the present as the present. Understandably, we live in an era where history is undervalued. But one

can best judge the present against that which came before. Any judgement of the coalition’s short tenure in office must be done against the tremendous challenges it faced when it took office in 2015. Young people must be aware of those challenges.

The coalition took power after twenty-three years of wanton destruction of the very social, political and economic fabric of the society. With the help of the votes of the majority of citizens, it rescued Guyana from the depth of despair and deprivation. Our very status as a civilised community was in danger. Guyana was governed by marauding gangs called Phantom Squads which enforced the death wishes of the political

directorate.

The teacher is not asking you to cast your vote for one side based solely on its articulation of the sins of the other side. But you must be aware of those sins. That awareness provides context.

You must ultimately judge the coalition based on what it presents to you and what it represents. Young people must first and foremost be aware that the coalition government is itself a radical break with the past. It is a break with one-party government which, in our multi-ethnic society, has meant government by onerace. The coalition government is the first government since 1953 that came to power with the votes of the three major ethnic groups— Indian Guyanese, African Guyanese and Amerindian Guyanese. This is a massive achievement that young people should appreciate.

Our youth have correctly called out the unimaginative politics that prevail. Some have opted out of political participation. Unfortunately, that is not the answer. For every youth who fails to vote, it translates into a vote for those who you protest against. So, whatever your thoughts on politics, young people must vote. The vote

was the outcome of centuries of blood and sacrifice. It is one of the most important tools the citizen possesses.

In a democratic environment, the vote is a revolutionary tool. But when it is not used it becomes counter revolutionary.

I know some young people are threatening to stay home on Election Day. Such an act would be a betrayal of everything youth stands for.

Youth and idealism are often twinned. But remember that idealism is a process, not a single act. Achieving ideals must start somewhere.

Gone are the days when young people made revolution via guerrilla warfare.

Revolution must now be made differently. It must be made within the framework of what is possible.

What is possible in these upcoming elections? It is possible to put in place an administration which will open doors to a better future.

If a better future for the youth means better education, better jobs, better opportunities to accumulate wealth, economic security and equality of opportunity, then you must vote for the slate that best guarantees the possibility of those outcomes. Reflect on this for now.

Decoding that Jagdeo sugar industry re-opening viability code Dear Editor, LET’s venture into something different in this letter column. We will play an interesting game with fascinating results, of medicine and economics. The readers are also invited to indulge.

Shall we begin with the medical aspect?

Just place yourself in the place of a doctor, not a honorary one like Jagdeo, a proper doctor.

Today, on ward rounds, you saw a patient who has poorly controlled diabetes due to a severe infection of his left leg, that is intractable to powerful antibiotics. In a sensitive and empathetic way, you broke the bad news to him that his left leg needs to be urgently amputated. The patient flatly said NO and after a week of having a discussion him, along and providing second and third opinions, he is adamant that he will not have his left leg removed. He then packed his bag and took discharge against medical advice, promising never to return. What do you think is the likely outcome for this patient?

A: He will get better with time.

B: His left leg will get worse and ultimately drop off (auto-amputation) C: The infection will only spread to his right leg and both arms.

D: He will die from a severe blood infection (sepsis) It is obvious what will happen. This unfortunate gentleman would not only lose his left leg; he would lose his right leg, both arms, trunk and head. In effect, he will die, because against med-

ical advice he tried to save his left leg.

Now, let’s examine the economic case. The sugar industry was mismanaged by the PPP for 23 years. This is not the opinion of the APNU+AFC government. This is the expert opinion of professionals who were called in to review the sugar industry. The EU who once gave us preferential treatment, no longer need our sugar. As a result the PPP Government was given a large financial compensation for the lost market. No one knows what they did with the monies. Bharrat Jagdeo, the then President, invested $US 200M in the Skeldon sugar estate. This among other economic misadventures resulted in the severely damaged sugar industry. In essence, the sugar industry was operating at a massive loss, but Jagdeo continued to pump money into a failing industry, which economically, was very irrational. Now my question.

What would have been the likely outcome, if the APNU+AFC Government had not closed the failing sugar estates, compensated the redundant employees and find alternative employment for others?

A: The failing sugar estates would have been financially viable with time.

B: The failing estates would remain unviable, but it would not affect other estates.

C: If not addressed, the estates would have affected other estates financially.

D: If not addressed, the failing estates would have caused other industries to fail and severely affect Guyana’s economy.

The likely outcome is as clear as day. Just

like the severely infected leg, that the patient refused to have amputated resulted in his death, the failing sugar industry, if continued to be subsidised by the government, would ultimately severely destroy Guyana’s economy. The PPP was very much aware of this, aware that the sugar industry is on economic life support, but they continued to subsidise it and ultimately when the APNU+AFC came into power, they made the difficult decision of acting in the interest of the country and a failing industry. Failings estates, unfortunately had to be closed to protect other estates and the country as a whole from the ‘economically contagious and deadly infection’ known as negative profits. This closing of the failing estates to save Guyana’s economy, is not dissimilar to amputating the leg to save a life.

We also know that once this unfortunate patient died, he cannot be resurrected. The same can be said, for all intents and purposes, about the closed estates.As a result, Guyanese would be grateful if both Jagdeo and Ali can elaborate on how they plan on orchestrating the resuscitation, or rather re-opening, of these closed estates without negatively affecting the economy or directing oil royalties down an economic cul-de-sac.

Finally, Mr. Badal Persaud, presidential candidate of Change Guyana last week entered this sugary but politically bitter debate. He rationally argued that the closed sugar estates cannot be reopened because of practical and economic reasons. Jagdeo in response made a statement to the effect that, reopening the sugar

estates is not financially viable, but economically viable. Let me be honest, not too many things discombobulate me but this economic viability googly by Jagdeo, had me mystified for quite a few days. Then, it dawned on me while I was driving. Under the indomitable control of endorphin-driven euphoria, I stopped in the middle of the busy road, exited the car, raised my hands and shouted like Archimedes, “EUREKA EUREKA.” Now with much vigour and elation, I can share with you the readers, the demystified Jagdeo’s literary mystery.

Ready?

What Jagdeo was actually articulating in coded language, is that reopening the sugar estates is not financially viable but it is politically viable. This is the reason the PPP used the sugar workers as political pawns in the past and wish to once again hoodwink the unsuspecting sugar workers, to selfishly increase their slim chances of winning the 2020 elections. Sorry Jagdeo, you cannot reopen the estates you closed. Sorry you cannot reopen the estates the government rightfully closed. Sorry, cryptanalysis and many sleepless nights have deciphered your enigmatic press conference.

Well played Bharrat.

Well played. I guess you thought with a dead Alan Turing, your code would have never been deciphered.

Regards Dr Mark Devonish MBBS

SUNDAY CHRONICLE December 8, 2019

WELFARE, NOT WARFARE

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WHEN I made my first appearance during 2011 on a platform of the Alliance For Change (AFC), the party’s co-leader Raphael Trotman declared at Parade Ground, “the war is over.” With those words, the AFC had committed itself to the politics of national reconciliation.

The first giant step in that direction came just over three years later when the AFC teamed up with the five-party, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) in February, 2015.

The major party in APNU was (and still is) the People’s National Congress (PNC) against which I was engaged, at grave risks, in intermittent war during the earlier years of my political life.

CALCULATED WARFARE I remain proud of the risks that I have taken, and the decisions that I have made, which included my resignation from the PPP, in which I had served for 50 years.

I left after I could no longer prevail against the calculated warfare against the nation’s best interest. I could no longer witness the unconscionable violation of the Rule of Law, the plunder of the nation’s coffers, the unholy alliance with the narco-criminal enterprise, and extra-judicial murders by the dreaded “phantom squad.”

I was sidelined and alienated when I protested. I was mocked for standing up for principle, as evident in the expletive-laced words of a dear comrade, who had become the godfather of the new clique: “Since when (expletive deleted) Moses Nagamootoo has become the conscience of (expletive deleted) Cheddi Jagan and the PPP!” The same brother had earlier sought to portray me as “too aggressive and confrontational.” I had not expected that I could have been anything else, having grown up in the party on a brew of dogmatism and ethno-tribal politics. It was a huge fight inside the party for even a small opening to engage the other side, which was the PNC. POLITICAL SOJOURN When I turned 72 last week, I remarked that I had come a full circle by eschewing the politics of open warfare with those I had once considered to be my enemies.

I had turned my proverbial sword into a plough, and embraced as paramount the welfare of our people, especially our children, from whatever quarters better might come.

I was pleased therefore to hear the remarks of Brian Allicock, Chairman of the Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo (Region Nine), that he had assured President Granger of his support for developments that promote the welfare of the people in his region.

Addressing residents at Sand Creek where a new well has been commissioned, Chairman Allicock said that he is proud of the developments in his region. He declared, “I welcome any development once it is for the people…

and I am happy when I heard that pensioners like myself are now getting showers in their home…I am thankful to GWI and the government…”

Brian (brother of Vice-President Sydney Allicock) is a long-standing PPP supporter whom I have known for many years. He has been, as I always remembered him, a quiet, decent and unassuming person, who embraced Christianity with a passion and saw doing good as a service to his Lord.

Brian is not dogmatic or inflexible. His sincere commitment to the welfare of his people has led him, and leaders from several other indigenous peoples’ communities, to recognise the many good works in their native Rupununi.

It would be difficult for them not to identify with the achievements such as a new township, improved roads, bridges, aerodromes, wells with potable water, reservoirs, sustained electricity, radio stations and internet services, etc..

It would be futile to maintain indifference towards the positive changes in the region, or to maintain a posture of open warfare against the APNU+AFC government.

DIALECTICS OF SITUATION In my lifetime of interaction with him, Cheddi Jagan has taught me how to look at the “dialectics of the situation.”

In cricket parlance, it is how to look at the ball in motion, and play it as it turns and spins. Those dialectics had led Cheddi to abandon his politics of “non-cooperation and civil disobedience” after the 1973 elections, and to embrace “critical support” for Forbes Burnham’s PNC government when there was a perceived threat to our sovereignty from a bordering state.

At that time, “critical support” was also rooted in an ideological conviction that “anti-imperialism was the gateway to socialism,” when it was acknowledged in the PPP that Burnham’s foreign policies were progressive, and ought to be supported.

Adopting as a yardstick a methodology of periodisation to separate the positive from the negative years, by the mid-1970s the PPP deemed Burnham’s PNC

to be qualified for entry into a unified government of national unity and a national front.

PERMANENT INTERESTS The PPP was prepared to abandon confrontational and aggressive warfare politics when the interests of the people had required it to “dialectically” change its position.

There could be no viable platform for perpetual hatred.

In politics, we are told, there are no permanent enemies, only permanent interests.

Mr Allicock was looking out for the interest of his people when he embraced the changing reality, and it may not be too late for others in the PPP’s camp to put the welfare of our people above the politics of warfare and self-interest.

I echo the words of young Trotman: “The war is over!”

We have a nation to build with the dawn of a new, golden decade of development. We have to drop the baggage of divisive politics and warfare with ourselves.

If we have to look back at the lost half-century of our failed, one-party politics, we must do so as the prophet who looks back at what was, only to foretell the future.

Above all, as Eduardo Galeano, the famous Uruguayan author of the epic, Open Veins of Latin America, advised, “at the end of the day, we are what we do to change who we are.”

BETTER MUST COME In my book, “Fragments from Memory,” I wrote: “For me, in this last leg of a long journey, I am still confident that my strivings for national unity through a genuine multi-party democratic and honest Guyanese Government will at long last be achieved.”

While the formation of the APNU+AFC Coalition was a bold step in the right direction, we have to strengthen this unity.

We must also reach out to and touch with our positive work all those who have been fed on the politics of dogma, hate and prejudice. As my friend Nigel Hughes likes to say, “better must come.”

$431M four-door sluice at D’ Edward nears completion THE four-door sluice, which is expected to be a game-changer for drainage of agricultural and residential lands at D’ Edward, West Coast Berbice (WCB), is 80 per cent complete.

The sluice will provide drainage to over 16,000 acres of low-lying agricultural and residential lands between the Berbice and Abary Rivers. This will provide farmers with a sense of security on the outcome of their crop cultivation and livestock rearing in an area historically prone to flooding during inclement weather.

The sluice is located a few hundred feet west of the Berbice River Bridge and is being constructed by Courtney Benn Construction Services Limited. E&A Consultants Incorporated is supervising the works.

Work on the sluice, which will be man-

aged by the Mahaica-Mahaicony-Abary Agricultural Development Authority (MMA/ ADA), commenced in late 2017. This followed the release of the funds by the government through the Ministry of Agriculture to relieve the effects of inundation on the WCB and open up additional lands in the area for agriculture. Site foreman attached to the CBCSL, Rishie Humphrey, told the DPI that the 80 per cent that has been completed comprises the main structure.

He described the remaining 20 per cent as “fineries” such as installation of the four doors, sea defence revetments, inlet and outlet channels and erosion protection features. Humphrey said that the CBCSL is working every day to ensure the sluice is completed and handed over to the MMA/ ADA by year-end. (DPI)

The completed main structure of the 4-door sluice at D’ Edward, West Coast Berbice

10

The little island republic of malta has big political lessons for the world

THE Republic of Malta is a Southern European country located South of Italy.

This island nation has a small population of 475,000 and is documented as the world’s 10th smallest country. This small society has big political lessons for the world. Regrettable, those lessons have been derived from the assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia, 53, once Malta’s leading anti-corruption journalist. She was described as the one woman ‘Wikileaks’ and wrote numerous articles and blog posts in ‘Running Commentary’ which exposed endemic and entrenched corruption in the Maltese society. She boasted an impressive activist resume, jailed at age 18 for her attempts to correct ills of the Maltese society and did not dither in her principles. In 2017, Daphne Caruana Galizia got into her grey rented Peugeot parked outside her home and loud explosive sounds shattered the peace of her neighborhood, taking the life of a human who personified integrity.

She was killed by a remote controlled bomb, possibly assembled and set by the dark forces that

were extremely uncomfortable with her work. Her death has sparked a chain of events that are worthy of note by the pen of any political commentator of consequence.

THE DAPHNE CARUANA GALIZIA LESSON The fearlessness of the likes of Jamaul Khasgoggi and Daphne Caruana Galizia is worthy of the highest recognition.

Wherever politics exists, wherever there is a polity in a geographic space, wherever power converges, there will be the emergence of entrenched power. Entrenched power, maybe magnanimous or it may be premised on dishonorable intentions that rise to a level of evil. When the state, powerful business interests and powerful men pursue their dirty endeavors, the society invariably cowers. What keeps the flames of democracy and decency burning is the heroism of men and women with the ability to utilize the pen and elucidate developments for the citizenry. This is no easy task. It requires personal sacrifice and sadly, the spectre

of death persistently haunts.

Humans who possess the fire to take principled positons and suffer for the cause are exceptional characters whose efforts should be rhapsodized at every opportunity. For years, Daphne refused to give up her reporting despite death threats, 48 lawsuits and two arrests by the Malta police.

The lesson here is clear: one fearless individual with a pen can make a change.

The words of the novelist and playwright, Edward Bulwer-Lytton, made known, in 1839, remain relevant and timeless, ‘The pen is mightier than the sword’.

THE SOCIAL MEDIA LESSON Daphne Caruana Galizia created her blog, ‘Running Commentary’ which attracted a wide viewership.

Despite writing for ‘The Sunday Times of Malta’ and ‘The Malta Independent’, this anti-corruption heroine maintained a pronounced social media presence. She recognized the power of this medium which did not subject her to the whims and fancies of editors. At the

time of her death, her blog attracted a wide and diverse audience and kept viewers aware of some of the most intricate financial and political machinations in the Republic of Malta. This lesson is pellucid: governments ignore the power of social media at their peril. Conversely, the use of social media by those fighting for justice for Daphne, including her children, has enabled the people from Malta to move from discussing political developments in their homes to openly calling for reform in the streets. Protests ensued after the news on the assassination of Daphne broke on October 16th, 2017, and are still continuing in 2019; thanks to the efforts of numerous persons on social media.

This is a medium that continues to be a scared tool for the public to utilize for effective advocacy.

LESSON FOR GOVERNMENTS The biggest data leak in history of human existence occurred when the ‘Panama Papers’ scandal broke in 2016.

The ‘Panama Papers’ are 11.5 million files from the

SUNDAY CHRONICLE December 8, 2019

database of the world fourth biggest law firm, Mossack Fonseca. They were obtained by the German newspaper, ‘Suddeutsche Zeitung’ and were shared with the ‘International Consortium of Journalists (ICIJ). This data revealed intricate financial labyrinthine schemes that ensnared numerous governments. Malta was not excluded and the leak gave Daphne solid materials that bolstered her anti-corruption crusade. She revealed information which linked top government officials to foreign registered trusts which were used as conduit to hide dirty money. This irked the upper echelons of Maltese society and, in smoke filled rooms, a plot was hatched to execute her. There are some key lessons for governments globally. First, there is no hiding place for corruption in the age of information. Second,

ordering the assassination of your harshest critic is the surest way to lose power. Since the death of this courageous journalist, civil society and the people of Malta have united for the common cause of justice for Daphne. Three Cabinet members have resigned and the Prime Minister has announced his imminent resignation. Cabinet members are running scared because the businessman who has been arrested for this dastardly act is threatening to reveal everything.

Third, when the integrity of a government is compromised, it is the beginning of the inevitable descent into hell and there is no turning back. Little Malta indeed has some big governmental lessons that are not novel but are significant in their peculiar regard.

Understanding Energy

Information in the oil and gas industry MINISTER of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman, speaking with the media last week, highlighted one of the most valuable commodities in the oil and gas industry: information.

Given the scope and complexity of the energy industry, expertise is vital. Quality fact-based information that is free from bias is also essential for Guyanese to understand more about our new industry and stay informed on developments.

Solid industry information—from detailed analysis of global trends and geopolitics to financial modelling for individual projects—is important for all stakeholders. Governments, investors, companies and local citizens can’t make wise decisions about the management and production of oil resources without it.

Understanding and using these sources of information is critical for all stakeholders, from the average Guyanese to the private sector and government decision-makers. Having a variety of good sources of information can round out any biases, provide hard facts and offer many different points of view to help understand the complexity of different issues.

As Guyana raises its level of industry knowledge, it’s just as important to know what reputable sources look like as it is to

understand the information itself.

It’s unfortunately common to see speculation passed off as news in certain media outlets or even worse, when some make outright false claims to push their own agenda. There are many unbiased and well-versed sources of information that Guyanese who want to be more informed may tap into.

The primary sources of industry information are large international organisations involved in oil and gas work, consultants and analysts, universities and think tanks, intergovernmental industry organisations and local and international media. Many of these sources will already be familiar to Guyanese.

Large international organisations, like the World Bank, Inter American Development Bank, and International Monetary Fund, maintain large specialised teams of experts and advisors that analyse resource governance and often advise countries on best practices.

Their primary goal is to provide countries with enough guidance and expert advice that they can make informed choices about how they manage their resources.

The International Energy Agency (IEA), a Paris-based organisation made up of 30 member countries from the OECD nations, has a variety of energy experts that provide

regular reports on all forms of energy, including oil and gas. The IEA considers itself at the “heart of global dialogue on energy” and its website (www.iea.org) provides a wealth of information.

Independent consultancies and research analysts like Wood Mackenzie, IHS Markit, Rystad Energy, Rapidan and others, exist mostly to cater to the financial space, providing impartial expertise and analysis on industry trends and activities to help lenders, investors and others make more informed decisions. Consultancies like these analyse resource contracts all over the world and can provide valuable context.

Universities like Texas A&M, University of Texas, Rice University’s Baker Institute, the University of Aberdeen, often have strong research and teaching programmes for specialised skills like petroleum accounting, subsea engineering and more. Resource economics is also a hotly debated topic at top programmes around the world like Oxford University’s Centre for the Analysis of Resource-Rich Economies.

Other respected institutions are established by intergovernmental agreements between resource- producing countries that want to share expertise and experiences with

other nations like the Extractive Industries Transparencies Initiative (EITI) and the Natural Resources Governance Institute (NRGI).

Guyana joined EITI in 2017.

International media from major energy and financial hubs are known throughout the industry as reputable news sources and can also be good options for people looking to learn more about how Guyana fits into the global industry. And there are magazines, news services and websites that specialise in oil and gas like S&P Platts, Argus, Oil Daily, Oil and Gas Journal, Upstream and others.

Making use of sources from around the world can help Guyanese hear global perspectives and expert opinions from analysts, academics and others with the right knowledge and a more objective “outsider’s” view.

As Minister Trotman told reporters last week, “I read the newspapers and I have access to reports from international respectable and respected agencies that are filled with multi-talented persons, many of whom I have met. Some of them have come to Guyana and they tell me a different story. So the question comes down to whose report do I believe.

Do I believe the criticisms of people who have had nothing to do with oil?”

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, December 8, 2019

‘The wealth will be spent sensibly’ …Trotman assures gov't has solid plans for O&G sector …says ordinary Guyanese, future generations will benefit

By Navendra Seoraj GUYANA is set to take off with the advent of the oil and gas sector, which is expected to come on stream this month but Natural Resources Minister, Raphael Trotman believes that there will be some level of “turbulence” in the process.

He explained that turbulence will be in the form of criticisms and negative speculations from naysayers, especially certain political leaders.

“We have waited 50 plus years for this wealth and this is the time to take hold of it… but as usual, there will be extreme turbulence before something great happens,” said Minister Trotman during an interview with social activist, Mark Benschop, on Benschop Radio.

He, however, believes that turbulence is necessary because, without turbulence, when the “greatness” unfolds it would seem mediocre, like there is no struggle surrounding it.

“But trust me, great things are going to happen…

the wealth will be spent sensibly for ordinary Guyanese and we have a duty to preserve a great portion of it for future generations,” said the natural resources minister.

Oil and gas wealth will be used to stimulate growth and enterprise, said the minister, adding that there have already been discussions on the way forward at the level of Cabinet.

While government deliberates on the way forward, Trotman gave the assurance that Guyanese will benefit directly and even see spill-off benefits from the new sector.

“The President believes strongly in education…I know there is a need for fast money but if you were to invest in a strong and educated population, that becomes an unbreakable for future development,” said the minister, adding that there will, however, be temptation to “open the nozzles” and let money flow, but there needs to be fiscal discipline.

He believes that Guyanese will be satisfied with the way the funds are used and will have to look forward

Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman

to, especially when President David Granger unveils his “Decade of Development” plan in the coming weeks.

“My Government is looking to the future. Guyana is entering a new phase of economic development. The advent of petroleum production, next year, will result in sustained expansion of the economy. Petroleum revenues will be prudently managed to ensure sustained benefits to all sectors of the economy.

The ‘rising tide will lift all boats’. We will launch a Decade of Development: 2020-

2029. The ‘Decade’ will witness the emergence of a world-class education system aimed at ensuring that the best skills are available for economic development,” President Granger was reported as saying in September this year.

EDUCATION REFORM The ‘Decade’ will include at least 10 major sectors of development, inter alia, the President said, pointing to education reform. He said education reform will ensure that the education system is

more reflective of the needs of the new economy, access to information technology and of course, the promotion of social cohesion.

President Granger also said the plan will see economic expansion, diversification, restructuring, including value-added manufacturing and food security. There will also be focus on energy security and the transition to renewable and clean sources of energy and environmentally sustainable management of natural resources.

In July 2019, Director of the Department of Energy, Dr. Mark Bynoe, had informed the public that the country will be selling its own share of crude from oil production at Liza Phase 1.

The Liza Destiny, Guyana’s first FPSO set to operate at Liza Phase 1 Development, had arrived in the Stabroek Block some three weeks ahead of schedule.

The vessel is twice the length of the Providence Stadium; half the width of the Georgetown Cricket Ground; has the depth of the Kingston Lighthouse and has the capacity to

DOMINICA ELECTIONS…

Observer teams say election results reflect will of voters ROSEAU, Dominica, Dec 7, CMC – At least three teams observing Friday’s general elections, in which the ruling Dominica Labour Party (DLP) was returned to power with a greater majority, said Saturday that the results reflected the will of voters who cast ballots in the elections.

The observer teams from the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OAS), the Commonwealth and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), in separate news conference, said that while there had been concerns about pre-elections violence, it did not prevent people from peacefully casting their ballots in support of either the DLP or the main opposition United Workers Party (UWP).

Preliminary results released by the Electoral Commission on Saturday gave the DLP victory in 17 of the 21 constituencies while the remainder went to the UWP. Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit was sworn into office for a fourth consecutive term earlier on Saturday.

“The initial assessment of Election Day activities by the CEOM

(CARICOM Election Observation Mission (CEOM) is that the voters were able to cast their ballots without intimidation or fear, and that the results of the 6th December 2019 General Elections reflect the will of the people of the Commonwealth of Dominica,” said Belizean Josephine Tami, who headed the 11-member CARICOM mission.

“It is, however, the pre-election day activities which caused some amount of concern to the election process.? The level of disruption and violence as acknowledged by the general populace, escalated just days prior to the general election.

“Roads were blocked which limited access to movement of persons.?However, by election day, the blockage to areas was discontinued?and persons were able to move freely to conduct business and to access the polling stations to cast their vote,” she added.

For its part, the Commonwealth Observer team that was led by the former Sierra Leone foreign minister, Zainab Hawa Bangura, the results reflected “the collective will of the people who voted and that

the December 6th elections was conducted in accordance with the laws of Dominica. “We commend and congratulate all Dominicans who participated peacefully in an important civic exercise,” she said, adding that the Commonwealth team was “particularly impressed by the large number of women and youth who participated in the electoral process, not only as candidates and voters, but also as polling staff, party agents and witnesses and observers”.

She said it is the hope that the peaceful atmosphere that characterised polling day would “prevail” and was calling on all Dominicans “especially political parties, candidates and their supporters, to continue to show magnanimity and to uphold their commitments to peace with a spirit of national unity, peace and solidarity. “We urge that any disputes be addressed through the available legal mechanisms,” she told reporters.

Former Bahamas prime minister, Hubert Ingraham, who led the 20 member observer team from the OAS, said while they were

concerned by the “strong rhetoric and the deterioration in the tone of the campaign in the weeks prior to the elections, the mission noted that the results reflected “the will of the people”. The team made a number of observations ranging from electoral reform, electoral technologies, electoral registries, electoral justice as well as campaign financing.

It said that in order to strengthen the transparency and accountability of the electoral process, it “strongly” recommends Dominica considers the introduction of legislation to regulate political party and campaign financing “including clear limits on campaign spending, the identification of the source of funding, the prevention of anonymous donations and the limitations of private and in-kind donations to political and electoral campaigns”.

Ingraham said in this regard, the OAS is recommending its model legislation on campaign financing that “may provide a useful point of departure”.

store some 1.6 million barrels of oil.

Apart from HESS, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL) holds 45 per cent interest and CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited, a 25 per cent interest in the Stabroek Block.

It is estimated that there is over six billion barrels of oil equivalent in the Block while the involved partners continue to see “multibillion barrels of additional exploration potential”. HESS noted that Exxon’s and its partners’ 14th discovery was announced on the Stabroek Block at the Tripletail-1 exploration well located approximately 3 miles northeast of the Longtail discovery.

The Tripletail discovery adds to the 6 billion barrels of oil equivalent. The Liza Phase 1 project will produce up to 120,000 barrels of oil per day at peak rates utilizing the Liza Destiny FPSO. It is expected to generate over US$7B in royalty and profit oil revenues for Guyana over the life of the project.

Cannabis farm destroyed at Ituni trail

ANTI-narcotics police, led by a superintendent, on Saturday destroyed a cannabis farm at 18 Miles, Ituni trail, about four miles off the road.

Reports indicate that police discovered a fiveacre farm with about 10,000 suspected marijuana Utensils that were plants ranging found at the camp from six inches to eight feet in height with an estimated weight of 5600 kilograms.

Police also discovered an estimated five kilograms of dried suspected cannabis under a makeshift camp with accommodations for four persons.

The suspected cannabis farm and camp were destroyed by the cops.

Earlier this week, another farm and camp were destroyed. These raids are part of an intensified effort by police to weed out cannabis production in Guyana.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, December 8, 2019

The grand return of Logos Hope

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 a lot of books that you rarely see in Guyana and the prices are amazing and the staff they are very

By Jared Liddell and Alisa Lashley THE MV Logos Hope is a ship operated by the German Christian charitable organisation, GBA Ships (in German, GBA means Gute Bucher fur Alle: the English translation is: Good Books for All).

The Logos Hope features a mobile bookstore, and is a part of the international Christian outreach movement. The Logos Hope returned to Guyana’s shores on December 2, 2019 and as usual opened its doors to the Guyanese public for the duration of its 11-day stay.

Bigger than the previous GBA ship, the Logos Hope provides a varying range of possibilities for visitors and guests, as well as better facilities for crew and staff members.

Media Relations Officer Nicolas Suarez gave the Guyana chronicle a tour of the ship; he explained several details pertaining to the operations of the vessel and what it means to the volunteers on the ship to be on this journey. “……it’s not just about moving from port to port and being able to see multiple countries, it’s about sharing the knowledge these books bring, with people; it is about sharing a one-of-a kind experience with the persons aboard this vessel.

And for us the volunteers, there’s nothing like the feeling we get when we are able to see how many lives we have touched through both our on-board activities and our off-shore humanitarian

Media Relations Officer Nicolas Suarez (Adrian Narine photo)

Persons aboard the Logos Hope browsing through its immense book collection (Adrian Narine photo)

efforts,” Said Suarez.

The newly created Logos Hope Experience, converted from the original ferry’s car area into two separate decks, can hold up to 800 visitors, with capacity to host an additional 700 in the Logos Lounge and Hope Theatre combined. Almost 500 crew and guests can be accommodated in the 200 cabins of the ship. The ship also has enhanced facilities and spaces for catering, health services and schooling.

The vessel usually visits ports for two weeks and is continually sailing from port to port year-round. Since its launch into active service in February of 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.

Several visitors to the vessel told the Guyana Chronicle that they believe as many persons as possible should come out to have the experience, stating that it is an experience that is different from just going to a library.

One of the visitors, Dominic Helwig, spoke on his experience saying, “So far the experience has been good; 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 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 fee 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.

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 hope that schools took the opportunity to get themselves involved and bring out their children to get a tour during the week.”

The volunteers aboard the ship, in an effort to provide entertainment will be hosting an event called “Meet the world,” during which crew members will perform and share their knowledge of cultures of different peoples 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.

Exercise the five Cs, designated drivers needed on roadways – Acting Top Cop

ACTING Commissioner of Police, Nigel Hoppie, has reiterated to drivers to observe the five ‘C’s:- Care, Caution, Consideration, Commonsense and Courtesy.

Hoppie made this disclosure during the Guyana Police Force (GPF) Annual Trainees’ Christmas Luncheon on Friday.

He implored that persons should drink responsibly or have a designated driver.

“In November, as you would have learnt in the media, we had 15 accidents which resulted in 21 deaths,

three of which were children.

So, as we go down for the remainder of the year, we need to ensure that we be our brother’s keeper,” Hoppie said.

The Acting Police Commissioner said that if all drivers exercised diligence, while operating vehicles, and practise upholding the road regulations and laws, then the country’s roadways would not be claiming so many lives.

“While we conduct our business, we conduct a certain amount of responsibility, and in our use of the road,

Acting Commissioner of Police Nigel Hoppie

especially as drivers, we need to be cognizant of the five Cs,” he said.

President David Granger recently insisted that more must be done to prevent

deaths, disabilities, injuries and damage to property on Guyana’s roadways as he finds “deeply distressing” the number persons who have lost their lives in road accidents recently and in the past.

The President’s threepoint approach involved: more stringent enforcement of traffic laws including those proscribing driving under the influence of alcohol, playing distracting music and the use of cellular phones while driving.

The Head of State noted that stricter enforcement will help to promote greater

safety on the roads; regular and rigorous patrols of notorious, high-risk zones must be conducted during daylight and at night; speed limits and limitations on the lawful complement of cargo and passengers by commercial and public transportation vehicles must be established.

He believes too that the drivers’ licencing process must be strengthened to ensure that only competent and responsible persons are certified to drive vehicles, especially passenger vehicles, on roadways.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, December 8, 2019

SN waging political war with false ads cuts claims …PM says gov’t has widened media outlets to include, radio, social media

PRIME MINISTER Moses Nagamootoo, who holds responsibility for Public Information, has called out the Stabroek News for pushing what he called a political agenda, with false claims that the government has indiscriminately withdrawn state advertisements from the media house.

Recently, Stabroek News has complained that it has been a victim of significant state ads cuts, something that has been proven by the Department of Public Information (DPI) to be totally untrue. Recently, on Benschop's Radio’s Straight Up Programme, Prime Minister Nagamootoo described Stabroek News’ complaints as part of a political campaign as Guyana heads into elections.

Not only did Stabroek News benefit from millions of dollars in state advertisement since 2015, but it continues to benefit, even after its complaints of not receiving advertisements. The Prime Minister alluded to a recent advertisement from

the Guyana Elections Commission, of which the names of thousands of persons, who did not collect their Identification Cards, were published.

This advertisement was to the tune of $15M. Despite this, Stabroek News reported that the government did not place any ads for October and that the DPI placed a small number in November. The newspaper maintained that the DPI instituted a radical cut in state ads, in September, October and November. Stabroek News’ contention has been that the DPI slashed ads to punish the newspaper for its forthright reporting on the government and that this was in flagrant violation of the Inter-American press freedom Declaration of Chapultepec.

The DPI, however, proved that for the period January 1 to November 18, 2019, the government remitted, to Stabroek News, the sum of GY$51,975,704 as payment for advertisements placed in that newspaper.

That amount, the DPI said, was in addition to advertise-

that all media houses, despite their political bias, are bene-

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo

ments placed directly with the newspaper by various government ministries, agencies and departments. For the month of October, Stabroek Newspaper received a total of 171 ads from the government.

In this regard, the Prime Minister said that Stabroek News has no righteous cause to publish false information regarding the withdrawal of advertisements, more so that the government has ensured

Editor-in-Chief of Stabroek News, Anand Persaud

fiting from a piece of the pie.

"Nobody is using state ads either to reward or punish the media. I am not doing that, President Granger is not doing that. This government is not doing that, there is no merit in that allegation and Stabroek News has been told this repeatedly," Nagamootoo said.

In fact, he reiterated that it is Stabroek News that decided to stop printing state

advertisements, after citing non-payment. "We gave Stabroek News advertisements until, on its own, it said you owe us money and therefore we won't publish more until you pay us. Everybody has been owed. The Guyana Chronicle was owed $70M. There is a procedure where the monies had to be processed after the publication of the ads and then sent to DPI," the PM explained adding, "You cannot blame the government for an act of your own, you cannot blame the government for an act of commission and you cannot use your own wrong, as a crusade against the government."

After realising there was a back-up of payments, Nagamootoo said that he would make an appeal to ministers at Cabinet meetings to have their Permanent Secretaries pay up the monies for advertisements, since it is the media houses and its staff that would suffer. The PM said that it is not the government’s policy to punish or reward any media house by with-

Gov’t mulls construction of cancer centre through public/private partnership CANCER has been one the leading causes of death in the world, and with Guyana being no exception to the list of countries that record cases of cancer, Government has considered the possibility of building a cancer centre, through a public/private partnership.

The cases of cancer have increased, locally, over the years and, in order to ensure that cancer patients get the requisite attention and treatment, Minister of Public Health, Volda Lawrence, believes the construction of a cancer centre would be timely.

“We would like to build a cancer centre through a public/private partnership, so that men and women who are suffering from cancer can have special attention and they can go and get their tests done and be treated,” said Minister Lawrence during a recent interview with Social Activist, Mark Benschop, on

Minister of Public Health, Volda Lawrence

Benschop Radio.

She said the Ministry of Public Health had acquired a lot of information on cancer, through research, so it is in a better position to pay special attention to the persons suffering from cancer.

The ministry also intends on using the available information to find other solutions and to put measures in place

to improve the response to cancer.

In 2015, Guyana had launched the 10-Year Cancer Profile 2003-2012. At the launch of the profile Resident Representative of PAHO/ WHO, Dr. William AduKrow, had said Cancer was the leading cause of death in the Americas.

He said that in 2012, cancer accounted for 1.3 million deaths, 47 per cent of which occurred in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC).

The number of cancer deaths in the Americas was projected to increase from 1.3 million to 2.1 million between 2012 and 2030.

Dr. Adu-Krow had said: “in Guyana between 2003 – 2012 we have recorded 6,518 cancer cases, for an overall cumulative incidence rate of 867.7 per 100,000 population with an annual incidence rate of 87.3 per 100,000 population.”

At that time, 60.7 per cent

of the patients were females and 39.3 per cent were males, giving a male to female ratio of 1:1.54.

He said too that what was alarming was the fact that ‘staging’ of cancers in Guyana was highly inadequate with almost a third of cancers not being ‘staged’.

“If 40 per cent of cancers can be prevented, then we need to pay more attention to preventative measures,” said Dr. Adu-Krow.

It was reported, then, that while on a global scale lung cancer was deemed the leading cause of cancer deaths, in Guyana breast cancer was responsible for the highest number of cancer-related fatalities. Cervical cancer has since taken the lead.

The Cancer Surveillance Report had revealed that there were 1,090 cases of breast cancer over the period under consideration in the report. Following the prevalence of breast cancer was

cancer of the cervix which accounts for 1,014 cases; prostate (865 cases); colorectal (440 cases); uterus (325 cases); stomach (240 cases); lung (233 cases); liver (219 cases); ovary (212 cases) and lymphoma (136 cases).

Currently in Guyana, the primary cancer treatment institution is the Cancer Institute of Guyana (CIG), which is a Non-Profit Organisation that has been in operation since 2006. It was a project between the Ministry of Health and Global Imaging Services Inc. The mission of the CIG is to provide evaluation, radiation treatment at a subsidised cost and follow-up services for patients with malignant and certain benign diseases which are performed in accordance with standards of the Ministry of Health and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO).

drawing state advertisements or it is not the expectation for media houses to reciprocate to the government, because they are beneficiaries of advertisements.

He said the government has embarked on a rationalisation of advertisements, by ensuring more than just print media benefit from state advertisements and therefore radio, including the new ones, television stations and social media platforms are all benefiting from a piece of the pie.

Nagamootoo opined that because the pie has gotten smaller for Stabroek News, this may also be an underlying reason why this campaign against the government was launched. "The pie is not becoming small, the pie is being shared to a larger group of people in journalism," he said.

President Granger shared this same sentiment during a recent radio interview on Kaieteur Radio.

Pirates attack fishermen in Waini River LAW enforcement officers are searching for alleged pirates who robbed a crew of fishermen, on Friday, in the Waini River.

The Waini River is a river in the Barima-Waini region of northern Guyana Reports indicate that a vessel that goes by the name “Midnight River” was proceeding to Georgetown from Port Kaituma, when the captain encountered the fishing boat and crew drifting in the Waini River.

Upon inquiry from the vessel’s captain, the fishermen related that their crew were held up by armed men who relieved them of their boat engines, cellphones and other articles.

The boat engines were two Yamaha engines, one 60 horsepower and the other 48 horsepower.

The police were eventually contacted and investigations are on-going.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, December 8, 2019

Young agro-processor introduces packaged smoothie to market

By Alva Solomon TWO years ago, Pratima Prashnajeet was preparing cups of smoothies for her friends, one of whom suggested she should sell the beverage on the street side. Then an idea hit her, one that only needed time to materialize.

Today, her neatly-packaged ‘Zappa’ smoothie is a hit, and, in a few months’ time, she plans to add more products to the brand.

Pratima’s products were introduced to the local market several months ago but the concept and research took months before her product hit the shelves of several top supermarkets here, including Survival, Bounty Supermarkets and Massey Stores. At the moment, the smoothie retails between G$795 to G$1200 at the popular supermarkets She said that she comes from a family of farmers, noting that the name ‘Zappa’ is the nickname of her father who has a farm in the Region Three area. While referring to herself as a third-generation farmer, Pratima noted that she decided to venture into the business after realizing that the family owned something which needed marketing, that is, the farm.

She said that she made contact with a company in Connecticut in the U.S regarding packaging of her product. She noted, too, that she made that move after exhausting the options available

says on its Facebook package and Pratima said that she is passionate about farmers’ involvement in the agro-processing drive. She detailed that one of the challenges she faced was the availability of the products for her business. She noted that it was a business opportunity for farmers and potential growers. Pratima is a daughter of Parika, and, as such, much of the produce for her

FEEDBACK AND PACKAGING The young entrepreneur noted that the response to her smoothie has been positive.

“As entrepreneurs in the food business, we are very mindful of what we put into our product, where the food comes from and where it is going”, she said.

In that regard, she said that the labelling of the ingredients has been enlarged at

Young entrepreneur, Pratima Prashnajeet, founder of the ‘Zappa Farms’ brand, samples her super-food smoothie

locally. She said the creation of her logo was also done overseas and that too, she cautioned, was done after exhausting options available in Guyana.

PREPARATION AND HEALTH BENEFITS The former marketing executive and TV show host said that she was passionate about the venture.

She said she had received proposals for exporting but she cautioned that, although such was on the cards, she would like to build on the products locally, before venturing overseas.

Currently, Pratima is offering the superfood smoothie which includes a blend of apple, banana, pineapple, spinach, cucumber and ginger, cherry and orange, which are all locally sourced, some from the family’s farms at

Parika and Hogg Island. Added to the blend are almond and flaxseed. ”They detox, cleanse and brighten your system,” she said.

To prepare, the packaged ingredients are added to water or milk or a liquid of choice of the consumer and blended. The consumer can refrigerate or use immediately.

Pratima noted that the health benefits of the product are valuable to one’s system.

She said one is able to detox from the ginger superfood as she noted that an age-old health system, Ayurveda, was intricately immersed into the products compilation.

SUPPORT LOCAL FARMERS “Support local farmers and locally made products.

Buy foods that are grown and not made,” Zappa Farm

The packaging of the product has caught the attention of many local consumers

product has been sourced from the area. She said she was also undertaking arrangements with a farmer in Region One for ‘acai berry’.

She was also trying to source ‘dragon fruit’ to add some variety to her product.

the front of the package, with the names being bold for the consumer to see. ”People like that, they want to know what benefits they are getting from all of this food,” she said.

AGRO-PROCESSING

The young, upbeat entrepreneur said government has been working tremendously to push agro-processing. She said she has been impressed by all the locally –made products on the market and the list includes cashew-butter and cassava flour. She said a lot of funding, through the Small Business Bureau (SBB), is made available to help agro-processors.

A perfectionist for labelling, Pratima noted that labels and marketing are key factors local agro-processors should pay keen attention to.

She advised persons, who might have an idea, to capitalize on such idea, especially if one had collateral at hand, such as a family farm. She explained that, in her case, she knew the value of the education her parents ensured she received but she noted that it was up to her to translate that into a marketable venture.

FUTURE PLANS Pratima said that, in 2020, more flavors will be added to the smoothie line. In addition, she wants to expand more into frozen foods while adding more products to the ‘Zappa’ brand. ”People don’t have much time, everyone is busy so you want fresh foods which are easy to prepare,” she said.

Energy bars and soups are also among Pratima’s future plans as she conceptualises more products for her ‘Zappa’ brand.

$119M contract signed for construction of Christianburg Primary School THE construction of the Christianburg Primary School in Linden, is expected to commence in a matter of weeks, as the contract for the project was signed on Friday last.

The simple signing was done at the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) in the presence of Regional Executive Officer, Orrin Gordon, and other regional officials.

The contractor is Sand K Construction and Consultancy Firm. The school will be built to the tune of $119M and duration of construction is expected to be 18 months.

REO Gordon said that he is pleased this project is underway as it was a call from residents of the community, particularly parents who had to bear the burden

of sending their children to the St Aiden’s Primary, where they were temporarily accommodated.

This too posed problems Gordon said, since the students were seen as imposers and experienced various forms of challenges. “We are happy that it is now up and running and we are hoping it is built with the same speed as the Bamia School in Amelia’s Ward is being built.” Gordon said.

The new school will accommodate approximately 200 pupils and will be a one-storey building.

It is being constructed at the same location where the former school, which was recently demolished, was located, on Public Road, Christianburg.

The school was closed for some time after its structure was deemed to be sinking. Earlier in

the year, upon visiting the school, Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan, said that the institution needed to be evaluated. He promised to have a structural engineer examine the building, to determine whether it can be repaired, or needs to be completely rebuilt.

An evaluation was done and it was advised that the school be demolished and a new building be rebuilt at the present site.

The Parent Teacher Association has expressed gratitude to the government for answering their call for a new school.

Despite the challenges, the students excelled at the National Grade Six Assessment, with one student, securing a space in the region’s top 10.

The Christianburg Primary School in its demolished state

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, December 8, 2019

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, December 8, 2019

From employees to ent --- ’592 Wines’ brings tasty local beverages to a shelf near you

“TOO many of us are not living our dreams because we are living our fears,” says motivational speaker, Les Browne, who was referring to many persons’ inability to achieve goals because of their fear of failure.

But fear of failure did not deter two young Guyanese entrepreneurs as they moved from being employees, to owners of a flourishing business.

Kelon Lamazaon and Antwaun Austin were construction, mining and fishing workers. Four years ago, they traded in their tools for buckets that they used to develop a growing business – ‘592 Wines, Juices and Shakes,’ fondly called ‘592 Wines’ by their customers.

Kelon said they were divinely inspired to put to good

use the ample supplies of fruit and bark available in Guyana, which are the raw materials for their wines, juices and shakes.

Their earliest preparations were made in buckets, but as the business grew they began to use drums.

“The first year, we started with five-gallon buckets,” Kelon explained. At that time, the manufacturing process was based on trial and error, he said, and they started with just two flavours of wine packaged in recyclable bottles.

By the second year, they had moved up to eight large drums and then 35 drums by year three. Today, they use 80 drums to cure their finely-aged wines to perfection.

At their Fifth Avenue, Diamond, East Bank Demerara location, they mix and blend a variety of wines and juices.

Their red wines are particularly popular and are made in a wide range of flavours that have been enjoyed by Guyanese households for ages.

For the red wine lovers, there are options such as Jamun and Antidesma Fruits and Bark, Straight Wood and the ‘King Combo’ which is a mixture of jamun, Antidesma and ‘Straight Wood’.

Kelon said that their special Straight Wood wine is made from eight different barks—‘Capadulla’, ‘Sarsparilla’, ‘Granny Backbone’, ‘Kufa’, ‘Rose of the Mountain’ and several other barks with exotic names. He said the combination of barks provides several health benefits.

Their wines are aged for three months to increase potency.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, December 8, 2019

trepreneurs Also, the Government Analyst Food and Drug Department has tested their wines, and confirmed that the alcohol content is 11.1 per cent.

Their white wines are also quite unique.

They pride themselves for creating flavours such as peanut, gooseberry, pineapple, sugar cane, and passion-fruit wines.

“We have a different taste and quality,” Kelon said, adding that their blends offer a uniquely delightful experience for drinkers’ taste buds.

They have also taken non-drinkers into consideration with their special ‘592 Super Juice’ which is made from cherries, ginger, turmeric, and a combination of eight specially-chosen barks.

Their products can be found on shelves at various locations across the country such as Cost Cutters Supermarket, the Guyana Shop, Food Max Supermarket and many others.

This Sunday, December 8, they will be unveiling a new flavour at the Marketplace UncappeD exhibition organised by the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA). Marketplace UncappeD is being held at the Guyana National Stadium.

Kelon said he and his business partner hope to interact with customers, potential investors and build their customer base.

592 Wines made by Kelon Lamazaon and Antwaun Austin

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, December 8, 2019

19 Essequibo IDCE graduates receive refund BRIGHT smiles and contentment were seen on the faces of several students who graduated from various courses offered by the Institute of Distance and Continuing Education (IDCE), Anna Regina, on Saturday.

Speaking at the graduation ceremony at Cotton Field Secondary School, IDCE Director, Dr. Jacqueline Murray, disclosed that 19 students will be given a full refund for whichever course they did.

Dr. Murray told the graduates that Deputy Vice-Chancellor for

IDCE Director, Dr. Jacqueline Murray addressing the graduands

A graduating student

Philanthropy, Alumni and Civic Engagement (PACE) Professor, Paloma Mohammed, facilitated a partnership between the University of Guyana (UG) and ExxonMobil Guyana for the students to be given scholarships.

The scholarship came

Indrawattie Natram with Dr. Jacqueline Murray. Natram graduated as a top student in supervisory management

as a full refund on the tuition fee for the courses the students pursued. Dr. Murray said UG was happy to partner with ExxonMobil to make the refund possible and pointed out that Exxon made the selection with exception of the two top students for the courses.

Regional Executive Officer, Denis Jaikarran, said over the year, IDCE has grown, allowing for more young people to qualify themselves.

He urged the graduants of the 32nd Convocation to continue to pursue higher education, strive for excellence and pledged his support for the UG branch at Essequibo as long as he remains REO. Deputy Headmaster of the Anna Regina Multilateral Secondary School (ARMS), Raghunauth Doodnauth, who delivered the keynote address, said he is a product of IDCE and urged the graduating class to never stop studying.

Thirty-eight students graduated from a variety of courses. Among them was Indrawattie Natram, who

Best Graduating Student, Marcel Fazi Ali, delivering the valedictorian speech

emerged as a top student in the supervisory management programme.

Raveena Mabadeo emerged at the top of her class in Information Technology; Marcel Fazia Ali in the area of Care for the Elderly; and Rupdarshanie Subryan, in Child Care.

Marcel Fazia Ali was adjudged the best graduating student followed by Indrawattie Natram.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, December 8, 2019

GPL rolls out project to tackle low voltage –– ‘step in the right direction,’ say New Amsterdam residents

RESIDENTS of New Amsterdam have welcomed a meeting with the Guyana Power and Light Incorporated (GPL) on Saturday where they discussed the power company’s efforts to improve voltage stability in the Demerara-Berbice Integrated System (DBIS).

“It seems to be advanced equipment they [GPL] are installing… I think it is a step in the right direction,” commented Errol Ganpatsingh, an elderly resident of the township who was one of the most vocal participants at the meeting.

Ganpatsingh was referring to the installation of Reactive Power Compensation at the Canefield and New Sophia GPL substations.

This project is funded by the Inter-American Development Bank and the Japan Government through the Japan International Corporation Agency (JICA).

During engagement held at Berbice High School, GPL’s Project Manager, Linden Edwards, said two 5Megavar compensators will be put into operation at the Canefield site.

“These regulators will

GPHC launches probe into alleged abuse of nurse THE Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) says that the recent allegations on social media of mistreatment of a nurse by a superior, are being investigated and the appropriate action will be taken.

In an anonymous post shared by social media personality Melissa Atwell, on Thursday, a nurse claims that her underwear was personally inspected by a female superior to prove that was menstruating, after instructions came from a male superior for such to be done.

According to the post, the nurse said after working a night shift, she was instructed to attend an early morning meeting with the male director. The nurse said she requested to go home and attend to herself first but instead, the director requested sanitary napkins for her, and in a room, in the presence of other superior supervisors, she was instructed to go to the washroom and have the inspection done.

“The Board and Administration of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) note the recent circulation on social media of posts by members of staff relating to allegations of mistreatment by their supervisors,” the hospital’s statement said.

“At approximately 4:30 P.M. on Thursday, December 5, 2019, a matter allegedly involving a nursing assistant and some

senior nursing personnel was brought to the attention of the Administration, and an investigation was instantly initiated.”

Since the nurse’s report, other nurses, all anonymous, have since also shared allegations of issues that they have faced.

“The GPHC has established mechanisms accessible to all staff for making complaints, conducting investigations and providing appropriate redress.

The GPHC wishes to guarantee the public that it condemns all forms of misconduct and misuse of authority, and the corporation remains committed to maintaining a healthy and productive work environment for all staff,” the statement said.

Atwell has become popular for sharing anonymous posts on her page, based on messages she says are sent to her. Earlier this year she became embroiled with the Balwant Singh Hospital for sharing allegations against that hospital and one of their doctors.

Atwell was later suited for $10 million by the hospital and that case is ongoing.

Through the same means, Atwell also earlier this year brought to light several issues that were ongoing at Republic Bank, where customers had money deducted from the their accounts.

control the transmission voltage and also stabilise the voltage,” the Project Manager remarked. Edwards also assured the residents that the project is to ensure there is a “reliable and stable power supply” to their homes.

While acknowledging voltage fluctuation has affected businesses, Edwards said one of the main spinoffs of the project will be its meaningful

impacts on establishments.

Regarding renewable energy, the project will enable the grid for the seamless integration of solar PV and wind farms, as well as hydropower. Additionally, there will be a reduction in line losses and system shutdowns. With a project deadline of June 2020, GPL’s Public Relations Officer, Shevon Sears, told residents the electricity pro-

vider will update them on any planned service disruptions that are integral to bringing the project fully into operation. “Any outages pertaining to the project will be after the Christmas season… we will inform and educate you,” Sears stated.

There are no planned outages for the Christmas period since all equipment under the network have

already been serviced. Residents had their concerns addressed; Senior Transmission and Distribution Engineer (ag) Rovindranaugt Jagnanan; Customer Service personnel, Alicia Williams, and employee within the Projects Department, Frank John, were also in attendance and engaged the New Amsterdam residents. (DPI)

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, December 8, 2019

Guyanese students walk away with top CAPE, CSEC awards GUYANESE scholars, Riana Toney of the Anna Regina Secondary School, and Michael Bhopaul of Queens College, emerged as the Regional top performers at the 2019 Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) and at the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE).

The announcement was made at the annual Caribbean Examination Council’s (CXC) Regional Award Ceremony held in Grenada on Thursday.

According to the Ministry of Education, Toney was awarded the Region’s top CSEC prize – Most Outstanding Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate

CSEC student.

Bhopaul, for his academic consistency, was awarded the Region’s most prestigious CAPE award – Most Outstanding Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination CAPE student and the Dennis Irvine Award which is also given to the Region’s top CAPE student.

In addition, Bhopaul will also receive the RM Results-sponsored award for Most Outstanding Candidate in Mathematics and the top award for Natural Sciences, the ministry said.

Additionally, QC student, Samuel Haynes, with 18 Grade Ones at CSEC, was bestowed with the Region’s top Science award.

Brianna Gopie, anoth-

Brianna Gopie

er top QC performer, was awarded for emerging the Region’s top Business student.

Toney secured 19 Grade Ones at the CSEC examinations this year. She secured passes in Agricultural Science, Biology, Caribbean History, Chemistry, English

Michael Bhopaul

Riana Toney

Samuel Haynes

A, English B, Geography, Information Technology, Integrated Science, Mathematics, Office Administration, Physics, Principles of Business, Religious Education, Social Studies, Spanish, Electronic Document Preparation and Management, Physical Education and Sport, and Human and Social Biology.

Bhopaul is no stranger to copping the top prizes. In 2017 he was named regional CSEC top student.

This year, he continued his sterling performances at the CAPE level, securing Grade Ones in Applied Mathematics Units one and two, Biology Units one and two, Caribbean Studies, Chemistry Units one and two, Com-

munication Studies, French Units one and two, Integrated Mathematics, Physics Units one and two, Pure Mathematics Units one and two and Spanish Unit one.

In what was an excellent night for Guyana at the award ceremony in Grenada, the country’s top secondary school, Queens College (QC), was adjudged by CXC as the best CAPE school in the Region. The institution has been churning out a number of notable Guyanese that have served or continue to serve their country.

Speaking at the ceremony, Toney encouraged her fellow students to reach for the stars. “Continue working hard, set your goals and stop

at no cost to transform them into reality,” the soft spoken young lady quipped.

She also noted that success demands sacrifice which students must be willing to continue to make as they venture into the world of work. The Essequibo Coast resident used the forum to express gratitude to her parents, teachers and colleagues for aiding in her success.

When the 2019 CSEC results were announced several months ago, Guyana recorded a 73 per cent overall pass rate in grades one to three, the highest pass rate in the country’s history when compared to last year’s pass rate which stood at 69.1 per cent.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, December 8, 2019

Mandatory standards for gas cylinders to soon come on stream

STANDARDS governing the use of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders and steel compressed gas cylinders in Guyana are now closer to being a mandatory requirement for users and distributors.

On Thursday the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) through its standardisation department hosted a stakeholders public consultation session as part of the process towards drafting required standards for the industry.

The consultation session which was held in the Training Room of the GNBS at the Exhibition Complex, Sophia, Georgetown, drew a number of stakeholders within the industry and they were offered the opportunity to make interventions.

Technical officer of the standardisation department at GNBS, Hemraj Saanichera, told stakeholders that the standards the GNBS wants to introduce, are two-fold: the first being “specification for the storage, handling and transportation of LPG cylinders;” the second being the “specification for the storage, handling and transport [of] Steel compressed gas cylinders”.

Engendering Director of Massy gas products Augustus Harris, in his presentation to the stakeholders said the primary reason for the consultation is to insure that the

industry operates in a safe manner and that as operators within the industry, moving the standard from a voluntary standard to a mandatory standard will help in ensuring that operators in the industry take the next step to ensure that they are compliant with all the requirements of the standard.

In explaining the process by which GNBS began the process of standardising the industry, Hemraj explained that the Bureau first had a standards-review process which was afterwards sent

Technical officer of the Standardisation Department at the GNBS, Hemraj Saanichera

A section of the audience at the stakeholders public consultation session

to stakeholders who filled out questionnaires. It is from these questionnaires Hemraj said that stakeholders determined that the steel-compressed gas cylinders are safe; they nevertheless rec-

ommended changes to be made to the LPG cylinders.

Because of these recommendations, the GNBS formed a gas committee which then went through the standards for the LPG

Police brief bar/club owners in Region Five TWENTY-SEVEN bar/ club owners and party promoters in Region Five, on Friday, attended a meeting hosted by the regional police to address issues surrounding entertainment and the Guyana Police Force’s policy on noise nuisance.

Some of the topics discussed included bars/clubs having the requisite licences to operate under the law; the procedures for applying for music and dance licence to hold parties; special arrangements in place for the Christmas Season and the lawless occurrences at bars and parties which sometimes lead to serious offences, such as wounding, and even murder, being committed.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has received hundreds of complaints of noise nuisance so far for the year.

Reports suggest that the

Bar/club owners and party promoters paying keen attention to the police perspective on entertainment for the Christmas season

Guyana Police Force (GPF) received some 300 complaints in 2018.

Noise nuisance continues to be a pervasive problem in Guyana.

This year, several police officers underwent training to deal with this issue, which is a crime under the Summary

Jurisdiction (Offences) Act. The act states: “No person shall, in any road, street, public space, or land, or in any building or premises, by operating or causing or suffering to be operated by any stereo set, juke box, radio, wireless loud speaker, gramophone, amplifier, automatic piano or similar instrument of music, or by any means whatsoever, make or cause or suffer to be made any noise which shall be so loud and so continuous or repetitive as to cause a nuisance to occupants of any premises in the neighbourhood.”

While prosecution of this crime has been low, companies are now being warned that their licences can be revoked if they are guilty of noise nuisance.

The warning was sounded by Public Security Minister, Khemraj Ramjattan.

Engendering Director of Massy gas products, Augustus Harris, making his presentation

received before the bureau finalises the standards.

The standards are expected to be published sometime in February 2020, after which it would be implemented by the Guyana Energy Agency (GEA).

With the operationalisation of these standards, Hemraj said consumers and distributers will be able to operate in a safer environment.

The GNBS has advised persons wishing to make their contributions to formulation of the standards,

Technical officer of the Standardisation Department at GNBS, Hemraj Saanichera addressing the audience

cylinders; this resulted in changes being made by that committee which will be made mandatory.

However, to make the changes mandatory, the rules of the GNBS require that the

standards be issued for public comments for a period of 60 days. This 60-day period will end on January 3, 2020, at which time the committee will meet again to dispose of the comments that were

to do so by visiting the bureau’s website at https:// gnbsgy.org/technical-committees/ and click on standards and then the standards for public comment section.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, December 8, 2019

Family depressed after thieves slaughter their pregnant cows

By Telesha Ramnarine LIONEL Campbell and his entire family are mourning the loss of their three cows which thieves carried off and slaughtered. Two of the cows were pregnant and just about to give birth.

It was early in November when Mr. Campbell’s wife returned home from work and noticed that the cows, which they bought and cared for over four years,

The family reared the cows at Seawall Road, Thomas Lands

were missing.

She hurried to ask her

son if he was watching them, but he dozed off, and in the

nick of time, the thieves made good their escape with

Lionel and Carol Campbell

the cows. The family, who resides at Seawall Road, Thomas Lands, believes that the crooks timed their movements.

The bandits had to have been observing the cows over time, Mrs. Campbell told the Guyana Chronicle, and would have had to go there with a vehicle to move the cows. The cows, valued over $1M, were huge; one was expected to give birth at the end of November, while another was to deliver around January.

The family searched relentlessly for the animals until they found the heads of the cows at the seawall in the vicinity of the Sparendaam Police Station, East Coast Demerara. No one was willing to offer any information; even the vendors on the seawall whom the family thinks would have seen something.

Mr. Campbell told this publication on Saturday that he asked police at the Alberttown Police Station to view cameras in the area, but was given vague promises. “It was just a push around,” he expressed. The family also made reports at Eve Leary and the Sparendaam Police Station, but police would offer no help.

“When we saw the three heads and the calves on the ground, we went to Sparendaam Police Station, and all they tell us is that they will inform the others. That’s

all the satisfaction they give.

They didn’t come and say man, let’s go see what took place. We were so frustrated at how the police handled the matter. They could have gone to see the cow heads, look at the cameras, or ask some of the sellers on the seawall,” Mr. Campbell opined.

“We feel terribly hurt because we mined those three cows from small to what they are, even to the big one that they kill had a calf to drop; it was real sad to see the calf on the ground. The big one had over 300 pounds if you kill it, dead weight.

And you giving a butcher to sell back at $200 a pound, that’s $600,000, much more with a calf inside,” he added.

Mr. Campbell said the family cherished the cows, and that they were part of their family. “They became part of us and to see them like that was hurtful. We really had cherished them a lot. And as poor people, we tried to develop our lives by rearing these animals.”

Mrs. Campbell said she still cannot believe how people could have been so cruel to the cows. The manner in which they died is most painful, she said.

Both Mr. and Mrs. Campbell took ill following the incident, and their son didn’t attend school for two days. The family is still trying to come to grips with this reality.

Teen stabbed in confrontation A TEENAGER was hospitalized after he was stabbed, about his body, in the aftermath of a confrontation Friday, at an after-school-lesson session at Enmore, East Coast Demerara (ECD).

Reports indicate that the young man was approached by over a dozen young men, and he was stabbed about the body by one of the boys whom he had “a talking with”, earlier in the week.

Inquiries revealed that the teenager was standing along the Enmore Public Road, awaiting public transportation to head home, when he was attacked. He was stabbed with a broken glass bottle.

The matter was reported to the police and an investigation was launched.

The 15-year-old teen was admitted to the Georgetown Public Hospital in a stable condition.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, December 8, 2019

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, December 8, 2019

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, December 8, 2019

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English Racing Tips Kelso 08:15 HRS Captain Blackpearl 08:45 hrs Aye Right 09:15 hrs Caventara 09:45 hrs Rubytwo 10:15 hrs Bernardelli 10:45 hrs Maid O ‘Malley 11:15 hrs No Trumps Huntingdon 08:30 hrs Dan Gun 09:00 hrs Slate House 09:30 hrs Tea Clipper 10:00 hrs La Bague Au Roi 10:30 hrs Mandalayan 11:00 hrs White Hart Lady 11:30 hrs Brigadier Bob Irish Racing Tips Punchestown 08:20 hrs Tiger Voice 08:50 hrs Minella Melody 09:20 hrs Burlesque Queen 09:50 hrs Min 10:20 hrs Breaken 10:50 hrs Castafiore Park 11:20 hrs Jungle Junction Cork 08:35 hrs Pasley 09:05 hrs Tecumseh Sherman 09:35 hrs Well Set Up 10:05 hrs Powersbomb 11:05 hrs Elimay 11:35 hrs The Chapel Field South Africa Racing Tips Scottsville 08:40 hrs Eternal Words 09:20 hrs Victorious Man 09:55 hrs Arizona Sunset 10:35 hrs Linear 11:10 hrs King Julian

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, December 8, 2019

Liverpool ease to Bournemouth win, Son stars for Spurs

By Neil Robinson

LONDON, England (Reuters) - Liverpool chalked up another routine win, 3-0 at Bournemouth, to open a daunting 11-point lead in the Premier League on a day when Everton finally had something to cheer, as caretaker manager Duncan Ferguson inspired a 3-1 victory over Chelsea.

The individual honours, however, were taken by Tottenham Hotspur’s Son Heung-min who dribbled almost the entire length of the pitch to score in his side’s 5-0 rout of Burnley while bottom side Watford and Crystal Palace shared a goalless draw.

With Manchester City not playing until later yesterday against Manchester United, and second-placed Leicester City in action today, Liverpool, who are now 1-4 to win the title, took their chance to move further clear.

Having won 4-0 on their previous two visits to Bournemouth, manager Juergen Klopp again shuffled his side, making seven changes from the midweek Merseyside derby.

Two of Liverpool’s lesser lights, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Naby Keita, responded with goals before Mohamed Salah completed the formalities.

An injury sustained by defender Dejan Lovren was the only blot on Liverpool’s day, but Klopp said he was hoping it was just a touch of cramp.

... crowned champions of 2019 Smalta Girls Pee Wee football

By Stephan Sookram

Vitality Stadium, Bournemouth, Britain -Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah shoots at goal. (REUTERS/Dylan Martinez)

At Goodison Park, Everton looked nothing like the side who had subsided so abjectly at Liverpool, obviously re-energised by the fiery presence of Duncan Ferguson in place of Marco Silva in the dressing-room.

The Scot’s decision to switch formation was instantly rewarded with a goal for Richarlison before Dominic Calvert-Lewin added a double to send the crowd wild.

Although Ferguson said he thoroughly enjoyed his first game in charge, he will not be asking for the job full-time.

“Honestly, I won’t be going asking for the job. I’m just here for Everton. It was an unbelievable experience one I’ll never forget. We want the very best managers in the world at Everton Football Club. It’s one game. It’s one result.”

The win moved Everton away from the relegation zone with most of their rivals playing today.

At the Tottenham Hotspur stadium, Spurs delivered exactly the sort of response to their defeat at Manchester United

that manager José Mourinho would have been looking for.

Although Harry Kane scored twice to make it eight goals in nine games against Burnley, Son took the headlines with a superb effort that started just outside his own area and saw the South Korean slalom through half the opposition before slotting home from inside the box.

Lucas Moura and Moussa Sissoko completed the scoring against a Burnley side who have conceded nine goals in four days.

“Sonny stole the show today,” said Kane, who is not often overshadowed in front of goal. “An unbelievable goal, a great counter attack! All he wants to do is work hard and play for the team. He has great quality and works hard for the team.”

Struggling Watford ended a string of three straight defeats against Crystal Palace in a scrappy game watched by their incoming manager Nigel Pearson, whose first game in charge could not be harder - a trip to Liverpool next Saturday.

Real Madrid ease past Espanyol to move top of La Liga MADRID, Spain (Reuters) - Real Madrid’s Raphael Varane and Karim Benzema scored in each half to earn a comfortable 2-0 home win over Espanyol that sent their team provisionally top of La Liga yesterday.

Madrid were not at their best but moved three points clear of rivals Barcelona, who host Real Mallorca in the late game. Real have 34 points from 15 games with Barca on 31 from 14.

Varane broke the deadlock in the 37th minute after a quiet opening to the game, with fellow France international Benzema setting up the defender to neatly slot the ball home.

Benzema missed two good chances but got the second goal from close range in the 79th before Madrid defender Ferland Mendy was sent off four minutes later for a second yellow card.

“It was a very demanding game on a physical level, they pressed us high up and we had to be patient in front of goal,” said Varane.

North Georgetown get the ‘Chance’ of a lifetime

“We tried to play our game but we lacked the final ball to hurt the opponents.

We played well and they did too.

“We have a run of complicated games coming, we’re prepared, confident and will give our best to take on this run and finish the year well.”

FINE SAVE Real coach Zinedine Zidane started Brazilian duo Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo Goes either side of Benzema, with Eden Hazard and Gareth Bale out injured.

Madrid had more of the ball in the early stages but needed goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois to make a fine save to keep out Wu Lei’s header.

The Espanyol striker became the first player from China to play at the Santiago Bernabeu, with the lunchtime kick-off in Spain ideal for evening viewing in his homeland.

However, the China international saw little of the ball as Madrid dominated, despite not

creating many clear chances.

Eventually the hosts moved ahead when Benzema teed up Varane, who tucked the ball into the bottom corner with his weaker left foot.

Benzema should have doubled the lead early in the second half but Espanyol’s longtime Madrid goalkeeper Diego Lopez denied the Frenchman as he raced towards goal in a one-on-one.

The forward also fired narrowly wide after being set up

by Vinicius, but eventually netted his 11th league goal of the season from Fede Valverde’s pass to wrap up the victory.

Vinicius’s impressive display could earn him a place in the Clasico against Barca at the Camp Nou on December 18.

“Yes (he played well), but the important thing is not scoring, maybe for him it is, but it’s his work, he did really well,” said Zidane.

“Today the plan was to go with three up, a lot of speed with Vini and Rodrygo and they did really well.”

ON a soggy night in Georgetown, it took one ‘Chance’ for North Georgetown to be crowned champions of the 2019 Smalta Girls Pee Wee football champions.

Martha Chance’s double sealed the deal for the eventual winners over defending champions West Ruimveldt in a 2-1 nail-biter of a contest last evening at the Ministry of Education ground.

Chance’s opening goal in the 11th minute set her aside from the rest of the players on the field. She dribbled two defenders before putting her shot high in the right corner, far out of the reach of the goalkeeper.

The North Georgetown bench roared after the goal, but their lead was short-lived.

Danella Lewis’ 15th minute shot, which flew past the keeper, meant that the scores were back level, as the West supporters streamed onto the field in celebration with their players.

Visibly upset at the equaliser, North Georgetown, led by Chance begun bombarding the opposition with shots from all parts of the field but to no avail.

Eventually, the half ended and even before the commencement of the second half, North Georgetown side were back on the field, sitting

in their playing positions.

And from the whistle, they carried the fire.

Chance was the point of their attack, oftentimes shooting just steps into the opposition half.

On every attempt, she tested the goalkeeper’s skill, inching closer and closer to the goal that seemed inevitable.

When she finally did it, she did it in style; a curling free kick just tall enough to clear the heads of the defenders but producing enough dip into the goal, which sent the crowd into frenzy.

And when the final whistle went, it was a mad scramble by little schoolgirls running to their players and coaches to celebrate their win.

Chance picked up the Most Valuable Player award as well as the Most Goals with 22 while North’s Ayanna Griffith won the Best Goalkeeper.

In handing over the winners’ trophy, Ansa McAl, through their corporate Communications Officer Treiston Joseph, contended, “There were no losers tonight; you all are winners because you are building a tradition that cannot be erased.”

In the third-place playoff, Tucville beat Redeemer 3-2 on penalties Smith Memorial finished fifth, St Stephen’s sixth, Timehri Primary seventh and South Ruimvedlt eighth.

Joshua takes back heavyweight titles on unanimous points-decision DIRIYAH, Saudi Arabia (Reuters) - Britain’s Anthony Joshua beat Andy Ruiz Jr on a unanimous points decision in Saudi Arabia on Sunday to seize back the heavyweight world championship belts he lost to his Mexican-American opponent in a shock upset last June.

The ‘Clash on the Dunes’ in Diriyah was for the IBF, WBA, WBO and IBO titles and Joshua dictated the pace from the start with a measured approach that showed he had learned from the mistakes of the past.

Going into the 12th and final round, Ruiz needed a knockout to pull off another upset but it never came. The judges scored the fight 118-110, 118-110 and 119109 to the 30-year-old Briton.

“It was his night, man,” said Ruiz as his six-month reign came to an end, calling also for a third encounter that Joshua seemed to welcome. “If you heard, we’re going to do it a third,” said the taller and more athletic Briton.

California-based Ruiz had stopped the previously undefeated champion in the seventh round at New York’s Madison Square Garden last June.

Joshua described that shock defeat, to a flabby-looking opponent drafted in as a late replacement, as no more than a ‘minor setback’ and he was

happy to make light of it again in victory.

“Man, the first time was so nice, I had to do it twice,” he told the crowd.

“I’m used to knocking guys out but last time I realised ‘hang on a minute, I hurt the man and I got caught coming in’. I gave the man his credit. I said to myself I’m going to correct myself and come again.” Another loss in the early hours of Sunday would have sent the 2012 Olympic superheavyweight champion’s career into freefall, with some saying already after the last fight that the Briton was finished.

He had shown with his preparations, however, that he meant business - stepping into the ring lighter than ever and giving away more than three stones to Ruiz who had weighed in considerably heavier than in their first showdown. “You know the saying ‘Stay hungry, stay humble’,” said Joshua. “I’m humble in defeat and I’m going to remain humble in victory.”

Ruiz said he would do it differently next time. “I think I didn’t prepare it how I should have.

I gained too much weight but I don’t want to give any excuses.

He won, he boxed me around. If we do the third, I’m going to get in the best shape of my life.”

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, December 8, 2019

27

Australia allay Boxing Day pitch fears at ‘dangerous’ MCG MELBOURNE, Australia (Reuters) - Cricket Australia (CA) sought to allay pitch concerns for the Boxing Day Test against New Zealand after the surface at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) was deemed unsafe to continue a Sheffield Shield match yesterday.

Western Australia batsmen Shaun Marsh and Marcus Stoinis sustained several blows to the body struggling to adjust to the unpredictable bounce of the surface in the contest against Victoria.

Umpires Phillip Gillespie and Geoff Joshua initially asked the ground staff to roll the pitch but eventually abandoned the opening day’s play after con-

Players and officials inspect the MCG pitch. (Getty Images)

sulting with players and head groundsman Matt Page.

CA subsequently issued a statement, saying it would work with ground staff to ensure the best possible wicket at the MCG for their trans-Tasman rivals.

Its Head of Cricket Operations, Peter Roach, said he was disappointed at the suspension of play at a venue where two other Sheffield Shield matches went without any incident.

“Matt Page and the MCG ground staff have more than two weeks to ensure the Test surface, which is a different pitch strip to the one being used in this match,” Roach said.

“We will seek to better understand the issues that

resulted in variable bounce at the MCG yesterday. We will also work closely with MCG ground staff in the lead up to the Test match.”

The MCG pitch, which produced a dull draw in the 2017 Boxing Day Ashes Test against England, received a ‘poor’ rating from the governing International Cricket Council (ICC).

Last year’s pitch against India earned an ‘average’ rating even though the tourists took 20 wickets to comprehensively win the match.

Umpires will inspect the pitch this morning with play scheduled to begin 30 minutes early, CA added.

Bermuda slump to heavy defeat against Uganda MUSCAT, Oman (CMC) – Bermuda slumped to a seven-wicket defeat against Uganda at Al Amerat Cricket ground, Ministry Turf 1 on Friday after a major batting collapse and now face an uphill battle to make inroads into the Cricket World Cup (CWC) Challenge League B. It was Bermuda’s second straight defeat after losing to Hong Kong by three wickets in the final over on Tuesday.

Today, Bermuda will next face Kenya, who have also lost their opening two matches. Uganda top the table with three wins from three.

Well placed at 159 for two

Left-hander Delray Rawlins struck a half-century in Bermuda’s defeat.

with a score in excess of 300 on the cards, and three batsmen – Kamau Leverock, Tre Manders and Delray Rawlins – having made half-centuries, Bermuda lost eight wickets for 49 runs, torn apart by the slow left-arm spin of Henry Ssenyondo, to leave Uganda a straightforward target of 209.

In the end, despite losing two wickets in the space of eight runs early on, the pair of Shahzad Ukani and Ronak Patel helped Uganda canter home in the 41st over.

Man-of-the-Match Ukani made 86 from 116 balls, with 10 fours and a six, and Patel 72 not out from 95 with seven

fours and a six, their 168-run stand for the third-wicket exposing Bermuda’s limitations with the ball.

A lack of penetration, despite the inclusion of fast bowler Zeko Burgess, meant the Ugandans needed to take few chances.

Burgess, who took one of the two early wickets to fall with his very first ball, was the only change to the team that faced Hong Kong on Tuesday.

He replaced all-rounder Dion Stovell, who was believed to be have been omitted because of fitness reasons.

The other wicket-takers were Kyle Hodsoll, who came

back well from his struggles in the opener, and Justin Pitcher at the end when 12 runs were required.

But it was with the bat where the game was lost for Bermuda, after they opted to bat first.

After captain Terryn Fray laboured to seven from 33 balls, Leverock and Manders completed their second half-centuries of the tournament. Leverock’s 50 from 37 balls contained six fours and a six, while Manders made 59 from 99 balls with five fours.

Number four Rawlins, the Sussex all-rounder, made 53 from 38 balls, hitting four

fours and two sixes and adding 95 runs for the third wicket with Manders.

Ssenyondo finished with four for 35 from 8.2 overs while Brian Masaba took two for six in three as Bermuda were ultimately bundled out in the 46th over.

Each team will play 15 matches in total in the next two years, with only the group winner moving on to the next stage of qualification for the 2023 World Cup in India.

Bacchus Bulls, Aurora Knight Riders secure wins in T20 League DEFENDING champions Bacchus Bulls and Aurora Knight Riders secured convincing victories last Sunday in the Central/South Essequibo T20 League.

At the Imam Bacchus ground in Affiance, the hosts blazed their way to an 8th wicket win against Jaguars. After winning the toss and batting, Jaguars found the hunting tough enough and never looked ravenous to mount a serious challenge.

They eventually crawled to

Sheldon Charles

105-8 from their 20 overs with Chandi Jairam 20 (2x4) and

Morris Thomas 16 reaching double figures. Penetrative off-spin from Kulraj Persaud earned him 3-19 from 4 overs while former national Under-15 player Wayne Osbourne had 2-12 from 4 overs to tame Jaguars.

National Under-17 batsman Sheldon Charles stroked 6x4 in his fluent 49 while Wayne Osbourne returned to blast an unbeaten 44 containing 5x4 and 2x6 as the Bulls romped to 107-2 in 14 overs and a place in the semi-final after ending

their preliminary matches at the top of the points standing in zone ‘A’.

At the Pomona ground, Aurora Knight Riders rode their way to a comfortable 42-run victory against the youthful Queenstown SC. After taking first strike, the Riders paced their way to 147-6 from their 20 overs on a wet outfield where scoring on the ground was difficult.

Opener Govind Ramdhani took the aerial route on several occasions to blaze his way to a

superb half-century. He clobbered 4x6 and 3x4 in his 68 and received support from former national Under-19 batsman Norman Fredericks with an attacking 36 (5x4, 2x4).

In reply, Queenstown meekly folded for 105 with Howard Bourne 30 (3x4) and Navin Khatwaroo 15 providing some resistance. Fredericks returned with the ball to claim 4-18 from his 4 overs to demolish the visitors.

Meanwhile the competition will continue today with

Jaguars vs Aurora Knight Riders, Rebels XI vs GT Warriors, Invaders Masters vs Cotton Field Strikers in Zone ‘A’. In zone ‘B’ Affiance SC will compete against Reliance SC, NOC vs Crown XI and Reliance Hustlers vs Rising Star.

The matches will be played at various venues along the Essequibo Coast.

(Elroy Stephney)

Fit-again Anderson back in England squad for S. Africa Tests LONDON, England (Reuters) - England’s fit-again seamer James Anderson has been included in their 17-man Test squad for the four-match tour of South Africa starting on December 26, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) said yesterday.

Anderson, England’s top Test wicket-taker with 575, suffered a right calf tear in the opening Ashes Test against

Australia in August before being ruled out of the series.

The 37-year-old also missed England’s two-Test series in New Zealand, which they lost 1-0, and is building up his fitness in a specialist pace bowling camp in South Africa that began on December 1.

Fellow pace bowler Mark Wood is back in the squad despite nursing a left knee injury while wicketkeeper

Jonny Bairstow also returns.

Lancashire seamer Saqib Mahmood was dropped.

“With James Anderson and Mark Wood returning to the squad, Saqib Mahmood is the unfortunate player to miss out,” national selector Ed Smith said in a statement Wood is looking to play his first Test since the third match of the West Indies series at St Lucia in February, when he took six

wickets in the contest. “It is not predicted that Mark will be available for the earliest matches. However, he will travel with the team and continue rehab work with the medical staff on tour,” Smith said. “There is no exact date given for his return, but the medical team is working towards him becoming fully available for selection during the tour.

“With that in mind, and

given the extended period that James and Mark have had on the sidelines due to injury, it was sensible to have a 17-man squad.”

Moeen Ali was not picked after the all-rounder said in September he would take a break from Test cricket having lost out on a central contract for the longest format for the 2019-20 season.

The four-match series will

mark England’s first away games in the ICC World Test Championship.

Squad: Joe Root (captain), James Anderson, Jofra Archer, Jonny Bairstow, Stuart Broad, Rory Burns, Jos Buttler, Zak Crawley, Sam Curran, Joe Denly, Jack Leach, Matt Parkinson, Ollie Pope, Dom Sibley, Ben Stokes, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, December 8, 2019

A great cricketer but an even better bloke – Hussain leads tributes to Willis

BOB Willis was remembered as “a great cricketer but an even better bloke” by Nasser Hussain as tributes were paid to the Ashes hero who has died at the age of 70.

Willis’ family confirmed on Wednesday he passed away following an illness, having continued working as a broadcaster until earlier this year.

Best known for his role alongside Ian Botham in England’s famous 1981 Ashes series victory over Australia, Willis took 325 Test wickets and also had a spell as captain in an illustrious career.

A successful career in punditry, most prominently with Sky Sports, followed; with his harsh criticisms of England players after the team had suffered defeats often proving popular with viewers.

“There will not be many

who came across Bob Willis without liking him,” fellow former England captain Hussain wrote in the Daily Mail.

“He had the time of day for everyone, whoever they were, and he never took himself too seriously.

“Those who knew him will not have a bad word to say about him and that is the perfect tribute. He was a great cricketer but more importantly he was an even better bloke who will be missed by the whole cricketing world.

“Bob was so pleased when he saw Jimmy Anderson and Stuart Broad go past his Test-wicket tally and the mantle of Botham and Willis being passed on to them. And when he did sit down with them they quickly realised what a fount of knowledge he was.”

Former captains Nasser Hussain, David Gower and Graham Gooch have paid tribute to former England fast bowler Bob Willis who died on Wednesday.

Hussain added of Willis’ tough-talking TV verdicts: “The Bob Willis you saw on TV and the image he created as a somewhat grumpy persona, staring at the camera and coming out with so many great lines, was far from the truth.

“I fell into the trap myself of believing the Willis TV persona when I played. The three fingers

I aimed at the media box when I scored a century against India at Lord’s were for Bob, Ian Botham and Jon Agnew.

“He made you cross because he was so forthright with his opinions and I would go back to my room as a player wondering if he was going to crucify me on TV. Yet when we did all meet him we

quickly realised he was one of the good guys.”

Another ex-England captain, David Gower, played alongside Willis and Botham in the 1981 Ashes and paid tribute to the former fast bowler’s personality.

Gower told Sky Sports: “There is a huge contrast to Bob because a lot of people, especially in recent years, have seen him doing Sky’s ‘The Debate’, ‘Verdict’, those sort of programmes where his opinions have been put across in great style.

“He’s a multi-faceted character. He’s a Bob Dylan fan, the fact he changed his name by deed poll to Robert George Dylan Willis gives you a clue there. He could tell you any Dylan lyric over the last 5 000 years.

“He was a bright man, very opinionated in all sorts of things, not just cricket, and was such very, very good company

and not just a wine connoisseur.”

Former England bowler Darren Gough highlighted Willis’ accomplishments on the pitch.

“As a player he had a big heart, he’d run in, nearly 6ft 6ins, and hit the pitch hard,” Gough said to talkSPORT. “At his peak he was one of the best three bowlers in the world. He was hugely admired all around the world and everybody knew who he was.”

Graham Gooch, who captained England after Gower’s tenure ended in 1989, said: “I think everyone in the cricketing fraternity around the world will be devastated that such an iconic figure in world cricket, certainly in English cricket, has left us.

“Bob was a great inspiration to a lot of players, generation after generation.”

GFSCA sending Under-15 team to Florida to participate in youth tournament TRADITIONALLY known for organising softball cricket in and out of Guyana, the Guyana Floodlight Softball Cricket Association (GFSCA) has put together an Under-15 team for the first time to participate at the annual Cricket Council United States of America Open Youth Tournament to be held from December 20 to 23, 2019 at the ICC-approved Central Broward Regional Park, Lauderhill, Florida.

Since its inception, this tournament has grown from strength to strength and is now in its 11th year for senior teams and the third year for youths.

The management of the GFSCA has started preparation with several practice sessions at New Trafford, Dennis Street, Georgetown. As the weather permits, more sessions will be

A happy bunch of players pose for the camera after an intense practice session New Trafford: From left, standing: Premkumar Permaul, Zachary Jodha, Jonathan Van Lange, Mavendra Dindial, Reyad Hussain, Nityanand Mathura, Gabriel Rookhum, and Alvin Mohabir. Stooping from left: Nicholas Shiopersad, Romeo Deonarain, Dave Mohabir, Arun Gainda, John Persaud, Stephon Sankar and Ravindra Singh.

held at grounds in and around Georgetown. Two T20 prac-

tice matches will be held on December 17 against Berbice

powerhouse youth team Blairmont.

Several more should be played in Georgetown prior to this, weather permitting.

The GFSCA Under-15 youths will be led by Transport Sports Club and national youth player Alvin Mohabir. The team also consists of West Indies Under-15 batting star Mavendra Dindial, National youth all-rounder Zachary Jodha v/ capt, Jonathan Van Lange and Demerara Under-15 opener Romeo Deonarain.

The management of the team is boosted by former West Indies captain, Ramnaresh Sarwan as manager and former national player, youth coach and senior selector Hubern Evans as the coach.

The full team reads: Alvin Mohabir, Nicholas Shiopersad, Gabriel Rookhum, Arun Gainda, Zachary Jodah, Romeo

Deonarain, Nityanand Mathura, John Persaud, Mavendra Dindial, Jonathan Van Lange, Dave Mohabir, Ravindra Singh, Stephon Sankar and Premkumar Permaul. Ramnaresh Sarwan - manager, Hubern Evans - coach, Ricky Deonarain - assistant manager, Davanand Mohabir - physio and Lalta Gainda - technical analyst.

Official sponsors for the Guyana Floodlights Youth team are Survival Group of Companies, Ramchand Auto Spares, RUBiS Guyana, Tropical Spring Waters, Ariel Enterprise, Trophy Stall, 4R, Nauth Motor Spares, Mike’s Pharmacy, Motor Trend, Rohan Auto Spares, Steve’s Jewellery, WJ Enterprise and Clear Waters.

UEFA chief calls reported world league plan ‘far-fetched’ and ‘insane’ ZURICH, Switzerland (Reuters) - A proposal to create a two-division world soccer league for leading clubs is “farfetched” and “insane”, UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin said in a statement on Friday.

The Financial Times and New York Times have reported that discussions led by Real Madrid president Florentino Perez have

UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin taken place over the possibility of setting up the league featuring the

world’s richest clubs split into two divisions.

The FT has reported that CVC Capital Partners and Gianni Infantino, president of soccer’s world governing body FIFA, are among those approached by Perez about a new league.

“I have read about this insane plan. If reports are to be believed, it comes from a single club

president (not the owner) and a lone football administrator,” said Ceferin. “It would be hard to think of a more selfish and egotistical scheme.

“It would clearly ruin football around the world; for the players, for the fans and for everyone connected with the game - all for the benefit of a tiny number of people.

“Luckily, there is still too much common sense in the game for this kind of crazy notion to succeed. In fact, it is so farfetched I cannot actually believe anyone has dreamed it up.”

Last month, Real chief Perez was chosen as the first president of the newly-formed World Football Club Association, following a meeting hosted by FIFA president

Gianni Infantino.

The other founders were AC Milan, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, River Plate, America of Mexico, Guangzhou Evergrande and Congo’s TP Mazembe.

FIFA and Real Madrid could not immediately be reached for comment.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, December 8, 2019

29

Man City title hopes in tatters as United take derby spoils 2-1

By Simon Evans

MANCHESTER, England (Reuters) - Manchester City’s Premier League title hopes were in tatters after suffering a 2-1 derby defeat at home to Manchester United yesterday, leaving Pep Guardiola’s champions 14 points behind leaders Liverpool.

Goals from Marcus Rashford (penalty) and Anthony Martial put Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side 2-0 up at the break and City only pulled one back in the 85th minute through Nicolas Otamendi.

While over half the season remains it is hard to see how Liverpool can throw away this huge advantage, particularly given the way Guardiola’s side are struggling to get anywhere close to the performance levels of their back-to-back title campaigns.

This was City’s fourth defeat of the season and

Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford and David De Gea celebrate after the match yesterday v Manchester City. (Action Images via Reuters/Jason Cairnduff)

32-point tally marks Guardiola’s worst return after the first 16 matches of a top-flight campaign in his managerial career.

“We have to try to continue; there are many things to play for. It’s difficult because the opponents are on an incredible run winning 15 games out of 16,” the Spaniard said.

“It is not time to think

about that. Doesn’t matter if six, eight or 14 points, we have to continue. We are a fantastic team.”

For United, up to fifth and within eight points of City, it was the finest Premier League win for their manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and capped a perfect week after they beat Jose Mourinho’s Tottenham on Wednesday.

“We’ll remember this

one, we look so dangerous when we get the ball and go forward against arguably the best team in the world,” said the Norwegian.

United were a constant threat on the counter-attack with the pace of the front three, but crucially showed organisation and resilience to cope with City’s response after the break.

Remarkably though, United could have had the game wrapped up inside halfan-hour, given the amount of chances they created as they swept aside City in midfield and exposed their shaky defence.

Daniel James and Martial tested City keeper Ederson before Rashford, in a rich vein of form, engineered the opener.

A VAR review ruled that Bernardo Silva had brought down Rashford inside the box and the United striker kept his cool to convert from the spot.

PROMISING POSITION Rashford missed a good chance to double the lead, curling wide from a promising position and with United ripping open the City defence the England forward struck the bar with a lofted shot.

The second goal wasn’t long in coming, however, Martial squeezing home a low, left-foot shot after a swift exchange with James.

City felt they should have had a penalty before the break when Fred slid in to block a low pull-back from Kyle Walker with the home players feeling the ball struck his arm but the VAR review backed referee Anthony Taylor’s judgement.

Guardiola’s side were on top for most of the second half but when they did manage to break down United’s back line, Spanish keeper David De Gea kept them at bay.

Victor Lindelof was

caught dawdling on the ball in the area and robbed by Raheem Sterling inside box but the forward overdid his dribble and the chance evaporated.

Rodri let fly from the edge of the box and his effort took a deflection but somehow De Gea managed to reach back to tip over the bar.

Five minutes from the end, Otamendi headed in a Riyad Mahrez cross after a corner, powering the ball in with real determination and the Etihad came alive.

That prompted a late scramble for an equaliser but once again the inspired De Gea was able to get down to keep out their most dangerous effort, a low shot from substitute Mahrez.

United’s Brazilian midfielder Fred appeared to be struck by an object thrown from the crowd while taking a corner in the second half.

Almost $4M up for grabs in Kennard’s Memorial Boxing Day horse race meet … Entries close on December 15 HORSE owners will compete for almost $4M in cash when the Kennard’s Memorial Turf Club hosts its Boxing Day meet later this month at Bush Lot Farm, in Corentyne, Berbice.

Seven races are carded for the day, including the much-anticipated Metro Million Mile Open.

That race can be contested by any horse and will be the feature event on December 26. Entrance fee is set at $123 000 per horse.

The second place winner will

receive $500 000, third place $250 000 and fourth place $125 000.

According to information from the club, the second most important race of the day is the H & Lower event over seven furlongs. The winner will collect $250 000, while second place will receive $125 000 and third $63 000. Fourth place will collect $32 000. Entrance fee per horse is $30 000.

The other seven-furlong race is the J & Lower race, which runs for a

Horses will compete in seven races on Boxing Day. (Kennard Memorial’s Turf Club Facebook photo)

top prize of $200 000. The second place winner will collect $100 000, third $50 000 and fourth $25 000.

Entrance fee per horse is $23 000.

The Two-Year Maiden race over six furlongs will also have a top prize of $200 000. Second, third and fourth will also run for $100 000, $50 000 and $25 000.

Entrance fee is also $23 000.

The L Open race also runs over six furlongs, but for a top prize of $170 000. The second place winner will receive $85 000, third $43 000 and fourth $22 000. Entrance fee is $20 000.

There is also an L race for non-

winners. That five-furlong race will run for a top prize of $150 000, with second place receiving $75 000 and third $38 000.

Meanwhile the day will gallop off with the L-Non-Earners over five furlongs with a top prize of $130 000. Second place will receive $65 000 and third $33 000.

Entries close on December 15.

For more information, call Ivan Dipnarine (331-0316), Justice Kennard (623-7609 or 235-4818), Fazal Habibulla (657-7010), Dennis DeRoop (640-6396) or Compton Sancho (602-1567).

Embattled Cricket South Africa appoint Jacques Faul as acting CEO JOHANNESBURG, South Africa (Reuters) - Cricket South Africa (CSA) have appointed administrator Jacques Faul as acting chief executive and hope to conclude negotiations with former Test captain Graeme Smith to take over as director of cricket this week, the governing body said yesterday.

The CSA decided to appoint Faul at a special board meeting yesterday after a chaotic week in which they suspended CEO Thabang Moroe over governance concerns, had three board members resign and lost key sponsor Standard Bank, who will not renew their contract when it ends in April

Thabang Moroe (left, with former Test bowler Morne Morkel), was appointed chief executive in July 2018.

2020.

“Jacques Faul did not hesitate for a moment when I asked him to be acting CEO,” CSA president Chris Nenzani told a news confer-

ence.

“He has been acting CEO in the past and said he would come in to lend his support and put his shoulder to the wheel for (the) country.”

Nenzani confirmed that former International Cricket Council (ICC) CEO Dave Richardson had been first choice for the position, but the latter said he would rather play a supporting role given other commitments.

“Richardson’s role will be to offer support and be available when required to put his services at the disposal of CSA. That ticks the box in terms of having stability at management level,” Nenzani added.

Nenzani said Moroe’s disciplinary hearing will be handled by an independent body from outside of CSA and that the process should not exceed six months.

Nenzani added that discussions were continuing with Smith, the most successful Test captain in cricket history with 53 wins, over the key role of director of cricket, with a four-Test series against England due to start on December 26.

He said both parties had committed to a deadline of Wednesday to come to an agreement.

CSA need a long-term replacement for Ottis Gibson, whose deal was not renewed after a dismal World Cup in England.

“We have not yet agreed a contract, but with time of the essence, we need things to move as fast as we can. We

have engaged with Graeme and he has agreed that by next week Wednesday, all the negotiations around the contract will be concluded so that we can enter into an agreement.

“Once you put your director of cricket in place, then processes around coaching and selections kick in.”

Nenzani added CSA would also engage with the South African Cricketers Association over various grievances from the players’ union, including a proposed restructuring of domestic cricket.

30

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, November 24, 2019

Guyana basketballers ‘breeze’ past Grenada to take game one 90-73

GUYANA made ‘light work’ of Grenada in game one of their Goodwill Basketball Series last Friday at Cliff Anderson Sports Hall, winning 90-73.

Led by a game-high 39 points from British Virgin Island-based shooting guard, Ray Victor, the Guyanese men never trailed in their contest, and Grenada only showed some sign of resistance to the home side’s relentless all-round game in the third period.

Guyana led 22-16 at the end of the first stanza, and

Guyana’s Travis Belgrave scores at the rim during his team’s 90-73 points win over Grenada in their Three-game Goodwill Series at Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.

(Adrian Narine photo)

outscored Grenada 31 to 20 to head into the half-time break up by 17 points. (5336) However, it seemed as if the men from the ‘Spice Isle’ had shaken off their jetlag in the third quarter, since they outscored Junior Hercules’ men 15-21 but behind Victor, Guyana were able to regain control of the ball game and led 68-57 entering the final period of play.

It was smooth sailing for the home team as they continued to pile on offensive and defensive pressure on the

Grenadians and were able to come out with a win.

Terron Welch was Guyana’s second-highest scorer with 19 points, while Travis Belgrave netted 18. For Grenada, James Andrew had a team-high 17 points and Jonathan Williams contributed.

The two teams met again last evening and will close their series tonight.

All games are being played at Cliff Anderson Sports Hall. Jump-ball time is 21:00hrs.

Jaguars resume training, ahead of another gruelling four-day title defence WITH Cricket West Indies (CWI) Regional Four-Day tournament set to bowl off on January 9, 2020, defending champions Guyana Jaguars will be keen on shifting into play mode as they recently resumed training for the long season ahead.

Guyana have reigned supreme for the last five seasons, going virtually unmatched in the longest version of the Professional Cricket League (PCL) 4-Day tourney. Chasing the elusive Super50 title went left for the Jaguars, who managed to lose in the semis, thus adding another year into their decade-plus pursuit of the title they held twice back in the days.

Obviously more suited for four-day cricket, Leon Johnson and his men have seemingly shrugged off their woes from their failed attempt at recapturing Super50 title and have now placed all their emphasis back

Reigning 5-time Regional 4-Day champs Guyana Jaguars recently returned to their gritty training sessions ahead of next month’s start to the 2020 tournament.

on training and successfully defending the title for a record 6th straight year.

The team restarted their usual weekly training last week and will continue to put in work heading into the Christmas holiday season, when they will break their camp and spend time with their families for the holiday.

Much different to years when the season had already begun and the break would have been taken a few rounds into the tournament, ahead of Christmas, franchises will now have adequate time to keep fit, enjoy Christmas and immediately get back to training, as the tourney will get underway roughly the first week of Jan-

uary.

Guyana, like other teams will get no rest, following the holidays, as they open their defence campaign on the road in Antigua when they play Leeward Hurricanes on January 9 when Round 1 of the tournament bowls off.

Off-and-on season training leading up to the tournament

has always been crucial for Guyana during their 5-year reign. Their intense training programme has further played a huge role in their approach throughout the competition, as they managed to go unbeaten for all 10 rounds a few seasons back.

Arguably one of the fittest franchises in the PCL, Jaguars will be putting in 4 mandatory days of work each week while players will continue to work independently; whether at their respective clubs or with the academy coaches.

With a team packed with current Windies players; Keemo Paul, Sherfane Rutherford, Romario Shepherd, Shimron Hetmyer and Chandrapaul Hemraj, Guyana will be favourites again this year should their top tier group of stars be available during any period of the 10 rounds.

Barring injuries or international fixtures, Guyana will

likely feature about 75 percent of their usual suspects who have been instrumental in their 4-Day success over the past 5 years.

Newbies, the likes of wicketkeeper/batsman Kemol Savory and fast-bowler Niall Smith, could also break into the side following successful Regional Super50 debuts, as a number of spots in the team could open up following the upcoming West Indies schedule for 2020.

Also, with pacer Ronsford Beaton banned from bowling due to a suspect action, the blow has now left a huge void in the fast-bowling department, which could likely see his Super50 replacement in either all-rounder Ronaldo Alimohamed or young speedster Smith making a possible debut in the team. (Clifton Ross)

Nedd wrecks England with five for 27 to give Windies victory NORTH SOUND, Antigua (CMC) – Left-arm spinner Ashmead Nedd spearheaded a brilliant come-from-behind

effort as West Indies Under-19 defended a small total to beat England Under-19s by 36 runs in the opening match of the Tri-

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Sunday December 08, 2019) COMPLIMENTS OF THE TROPHY STALL- Bourda Market & The City Mall (Tel-225-9230) & CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD- 83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1)

Ricky Ponting-13,378 runs (168 matches)

(2)

Ricky Ponting-13,589 runs (374 matches)

(1) date?

Which Pakistani player has scored most Test runs to

(2) date?

Which Pakistani player has scored most ODI runs to

Today’s Quiz:

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

Left-arm spinner Ashmead Nedd returned excellent figures of five for 27.

Nations Series here Friday.

With the visitors set a paltry 165 for victory, Nedd sliced through the innings to finish with five for 27 and send them tumbling for 128 inside the 31st over at the Vivian

Richards Cricket Ground.

New-ball seamers Matthew Forde (2-25) and Jayden Seales (2-46) set the tone with two wickets apiece as England declined to 28 for three in the seventh over and never really recovered.

Tail-ender Kasey Aldridge, batting at number nine, top-scored with 28 while opener Thomas Clark chipped in with 22 but they were the only two to pass 20.

Seamer Aldridge had earlier snatched four for 38 in a lively 10-over spell as West Indies were bundled out for 164 off 46 overs, after being sent in.

Left-hander Leonardo Julien extended his form from last week’s Super50 final with a top score of 69 while opener Mbeki Joseph chipped in with 38 but West Indies

declined from a strong position of 100 for one in the 29th over, losing their last nine wickets for 64 runs.

Pacers George Balderson (2-17) and Blake Cullen (2-38), who shared the new ball, finished with two wickets apiece.

Kimani Melius fell for six in the fourth over with 10 runs on the board, gloving a pull at Cullen and giving a simple leg-side catch to the keeper.

Julien and Joseph then combined in a 90-run second-wicket stand which consolidated the innings and put the hosts in control.

While Julien counted 10 fours and a six in a 90-ball innings, Joseph faced 84 balls and struck two fours, as England struggled to find a breakthrough.

It came when Joseph perished

in the 29th over, lifting left-arm spinner Lewis Goldsworthy to long off and when Julien followed 18 balls later with 22 runs added.

The innings then came apart at the seams.

West Indies hit back strongly, Seales having Ben Charlesworth brilliantly caught at backward point by Melius in the second over without scoring and then removing Clark, tugging a catch to Nedd at mid-on in the sixth over.

When Jordon Cox perished five balls later in the next over for four, England were in strife and Nedd’s introduction soon afterwards saw the last seven wickets tumble for 82 runs.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, December 8, 2019

31

Jackman dominates Trinidadian in Caribbean Boxing Championships … Defending champions into several finals GUYANA’S female boxing prodigy Alesha Jackman proved her dominance once again with an emphatic win over home boxer Sharika Elias in her opening fight (a semi-final clash) of the 2019 Caribbean Boxing Championships.

Junior boxer Richard Howard and Elite boxer Daren France, however, lost their bouts, which resulted in Team Guyana suffering mixed fortunes in Trinidad on Friday evening.

According to one of the Guyanese coaches, Sebert Blake, both male boxers’ defeats were “controversial, more so with the Howard fight”.

President of the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) Steve Ninvalle added that the Howard decision was very one-sided.

“Richard Howard lost ... we protested that fight as it was the most blatant robbery ever seen.

I had to lodge US$1000 in order for the protest to proceed ... if we lose the protest the money gone.”

The fight was being reviewed up to press time.

Howard lost to Trinidadian Nyrell Hosein in a youth bantamweight clash, while France (who had won the triple championships (Novice, Intermediate and Open) in 2019, was beaten by Grenadian Dariel Sylvester in a heavyweight clash (91kg).

Jackman, on the other hand, who fought in the last clash, was able to stop the home team’s boxer in a Youth Women’s Novices 64kg battle.

Alesha, who had been forced to fight her older sister Abiola in exhibition clashes of recent at home, did not rush into battle. In fact, she displayed a maturity by analysing her opponent and using her feet well to get in and out of Elias’s space.

Even with her unusual tentative approach, the fight lasted only 1:53s into the first round. The Trinidadian

Alesha Jackman dominated her opening bout.

Keevin Allicock looks to defend his Caribbean title this evening in T&T.

GFF president Wayne Forde to attend important meetings at FIFA head office GUYANA Football Federation (GFF) president Wayne Forde is travelling to FIFA headquarters in Zurich for a series of meetings with the Director of Member Association, Mr Veron Mosenga-Omba, the FIFA General Secretary and other top officials.

In a release yesterday, GFF said the meetings which will take place between December 9 and 11, will focus on: FIFA Green Building Initiative – Forward in Sustainability. The FIFA Forward programme will now include in its regulations, sustainable energy engineering concepts and building codes for all infrastructure projects being funded through the FIFA Forward programme.

The GFF president will participate in a series of think-tank sessions

GFF president Wayne Forde aimed at developing these new regulations.

GFF Strategic Priorities: Forde will also be discussing GFF’s strategic priorities for competitions, capacity-building and infrastructure development.

GFF Constitutional matters and Regulation of Sport Locally: The Governance, Control and Regulation of the Game locally will also be discussed during Forde’s visit.

had wrapped the Guyanese up by the head and when the referee separated them, Alesha complained about it.

As soon as they were allowed to fight again, the Guyanese unleashed a staggering left hook that rocked the home team girl - this forced the referee to administer a standing eight count.

Although Elias was allowed to continue, she was hurt - two additional left hooks right after ended the fight.

FINALS Despite the controversial defeats on both nights (Guyana also protested against the Desmond Amsterdam defeat on Thursday evening), the defending champions have made their way into several finals.

Both Alesha and Abiola were scheduled to fight in the final of their respective divisions last night, while Kevin Hunte was scheduled to compete in a semi-final clash in the super

heavyweight contest.

Meanwhile, Caribbean bantamweight champion Keevin ‘Lightning’ Allicock and former middleweight silver medallist Dennis Thomas, along with Mark Crawford (youth lightweight), Jullius Kesney and Emmanuel Pompey are scheduled to fight tonight in the final of their respective events.

Keevin Allicock looks to defend his Caribbean title this evening in T&T.

32

North Georgetown get the ‘Chance’ of a lifetime 26

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, December 8, 2019

PAGE

Petra Girls are the champions of North Georgetown.

Martha Chance scores goal number one in North Georgetown’s 2-1 win over West Ruimvedlt in the final of the Smalta Girls Pee Wee competition.

(Delano Williams photo)

PAGE Joshua takes back heavyweight titles on 26 unanimous points-decision

Anthony Joshua celebrates winning his match against Andy Ruiz Jr. (Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Couldridge)

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SUNDAY, DECEMBER 08, 2019