Guyana_Chronicle_Epaper_12_09_2019

MONDAY 9th December, 2019

’ No.105846

‘Blossoming of democracy’ … President says new parties symbolise confidence in Guyana’s democracy

… coalition remains open to engage, broaden partnership

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Joey Jagan backs ‘Coalition’ for 2nd term

… says President Granger best man to manage oil wealth 03 PAGE

Missing crab 09 catchers rescued PAGE

… boat, catch found abandoned in Suriname

UncappeD shines spotlight on 12 small businesses

Partners and media operatives signing the banner to indicate their commitment to joining the campaign to bring awareness to road safety (Adrian Narine photo)

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Kelshine Griffith and her Kelshine Sweet Potato Cake Mix (Samuel Maughn photo)

Ex-St. Kitts PM arrested in UK 10 PAGE

… after trying to leave Britain with £70,000 in cash

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, December 9, 2019

‘Blossoming of democracy’ … President says new parties symbolise confidence in Guyana’s democracy … coalition remains open to engage, broaden partnership THE formation of several new parties to contest in the coming elections is proof of “blossoming democracy” in Guyana, a freedom which was stifled under the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Administration.

As a guest on Hits and Jams 94.1 BOOM FM programme Hot Seat a few days ago, President David Granger said that his government is pleased to know that citizens feel comfortable to exercise their constitutional right to form parties as representation of various groups of society. He reminded the public that it was the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) which made history in Guyana in 2015 as the first six-member coalition to form part of the government was elected. “We in APNU refer to our worldview as the ‘big benab’ and we welcome different shades of opinions.

What the Guyanese did in May 2015 was express confidence in a coalition form of government, they expressed no-confidence in the winner-takes-all approach. That is what happened in May 2015. They don’t want any more winner takes all and that is what the PPP has been threatening and promising,” the President said.

“We now have six parties in the coalition, the first time in the political history

said that “real democracy” has been restored to Guyana as the PPP/C had not allowed the freedom to protest during their years of reign.

Figueira wrote in letter to the editor “The Guyanese people are happy that ‘real democracy’ is back in Guyana, that protesters are no longer killed, shot at or placed in jail on trumpedup charges. Guyanese are happy that little boys are not jailed because of the showing of a preferred finger to a President, or is threatened by another to be slapped or their genitals burnt by lawPresident David Granger (right) and Prime Minister enforcement officers sworn to protect them.” On the Moses Nagamootoo of Guyana that we’ve had forward because they reflect programme, the President six parties which did not various shades of opinion in confirmed that he has had necessarily have very cordial a very complex society,” the discussions with LJP Leader, Lennox Shuman and while relations. They’re now sitting President said. around the table, they’re now “We’re not narrow mind- the government does not members of the National ed, we look for inclusionary intend to give away seats Assembly.” democracy and I think it’s or cabinet portfolios for the Since December 2019 to a good thing that people coming elections, all parties now, some of the new parties who have different shades of are welcomed to make their formed include: A New and opinion should be allowed to views heard to the coalition.

The Head of State said: United Guyana (ANUG), exercise their constitutional the Liberty and Justice Party right to form parties and if “We want the Guyanese peo(LJP), Federal United Party they want to cooperate with ple to feel confident that the (Fed-Up), the Citizenship us, well, they’ll cooperate form of government that will Initiative (CI), Change Guy- with us. We know that we continue after March 2, 2020 ana and, more recently, the are a truly representative will be one that represents New Movement (TNM), coalition and we welcome their interest. We want to the People’s Republic Party discussions with all of them.” make sure that the Guyanese (PRP) and the Kingdom LibIn September 2019, fol- feel confident in the governeral Movement (KLM). “It’s lowing a one-day protest of ment and not oppressed by a form of democracy; it’s a the PPP/C at the Pegasus one political party.

We’re against ‘winform of confidence in our Hotel against the President, democratic system that many APNU Member of Parlia- ner-takes all politics. It’s of these parties have come ment (MP) Jermaine Figueira dead; close chapter.”

‘Texila’ hosts sixth convocation ceremony

NOTWITHSTANDING dealing with the pain of losing her mother while pursuing her medical degree, Indian national, Priya Jaganathan, was able to overcome her challenges and celebrate being valedictorian when Texila American University (TAU) held its sixth Graduation Ceremony at the Mariott Hotel on Sunday.

Jaganathan was the Best Graduating student of the university’s December 2019 graduating batch, while Reashmi Devi Nauth was the Best Graduate of the institution’s July 2019 graduating batch. Jaganathan and Nauth

Texila American University Best Graduating Student of the December 2019 batch, Priya Jaganathan is presented with her trophies by Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Karen Boyle (Elvin Croker photo)

were among 34 students who graduated with a Doctor of Medicine Degree (MD). Two other students were also conferred with their Bachelors of Science Degree in Nursing, while another 35 students were awarded their degrees in absentia; 34 with their Doctor of Medicine Degrees and one with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.

Jaganathan was also declared the Best Clinical Graduate, and also received the Best Basic Science Award. Clayton Naicker was second Best Clinical Graduate. For the See page 9

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, December 9, 2019

Joey Jagan backs ‘Coalition’ for second term … says President Granger best man to manage oil wealth

By Tamica Garnett

AS the time draws closer to the March 2, 2020 general and regional elections, Joey Jagan, son of People’s Progressive Party (PPP) founder Dr Cheddi Jagan has called on voters to be prudent in their decision, as he endorses President David Granger and the APNU+AFC government for a second term.

With Guyana set for first oil later this month, next year’s polls have been dubbed the “mother of all elections.” Given the PPP/C’s track record of corruption under former President Bharrat Jagdeo, Jagan believes the industry would be best guarded with President Granger at the helm; and he will be out during the campaign trail to encourage others to make the right choice.

“I would go out and talk on Mr Granger’s behalf, I have no problem with that, because as I said before a lot of things need to be done in Guyana [and] overall, Mr Granger presents the better alternative. Whatever is needed of me I will be there, the campaign trail needs campaigners. Elections campaigning takes a special type to campaign, and I feel I have it in me to campaign,” Jagan said, addressing political activist and host Mark Benschop, as he made an

appearance on 107.1 radio show Straight Up. “My message to people is that Mr Granger is not perfect. Mr Granger didn’t have the experience my father had, and my father had problems -- serious problems -- because the people he put in were disappointing him. Mr Granger is facing the same problem, but he has to work that out.”

Jagan called for voters to vote on the basis of principles and not race. He also gave his opinion on what he thought of many of the new political parties that are conveniently being formed to contest the upcoming elections. “Take the racism and put it under your bed and try to think carefully with what you’re being presented with. The third parties are a waste of time, vote for any of those parties you are throwing away your vote,” Jagan said.

Jagan highlighted that a coalition government is something that his father Cheddi Jagan strove for, so he believes that the governing party is on the right track. “Anybody who strives for coalition in Guyana is a guy who you need to look at and support,” Jagan related.

“I’m just trying to talk the truth and that’s what my father did, all the time, and he strived for coalition; that’s one of the reasons why I support Mr Granger. Cheddi

Jagan believed in coalition, in working with other parties.”

Jagan asserted that the current PPP, headed by Jagdeo as opposition leader, has torn down a lot of what Cheddi Jagan originally stood for. Jagan says there is no democracy in the PPP. “Jagdeo can talk all he wants about me, but Cheddi Jagan believed in coalition. That’s why he formed the Civic, and the Civic was supposed to spread out into civil society, but instead [former Prime Minister] Sam Hinds did nothing about it,” Jagan said.

“You have to understand these things philosophically to understand where they are going and what they are doing. Mr Jagdeo leads the PPP. He never had a coalition and never intends to have a coalition. He wants one man, one-party rule in Guyana.

We have passed that stage, we don’t want to go back to that; we don’t want that ever again, we don’t need that.”

The PPP/C is currently headed into next year’s elections with former Minister of Housing Irfaan Ali as the presidential candidate, notwithstanding the fact that he is currently before the courts on 19 charges for defrauding the State of some $174M. Many believe that he was handpicked by Jagdeo.

Jagan said Ali’s selection as presidential candidate is indicative of the PPPs lack

Cheddi Joey Jagan (centre) with President David Granger and Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo of democracy. that’s all he is, a lot of people er defeat for the PPP would in the PPP don’t want him be a good chance for the ALI IS A FRONT MAN there. But that’s the way par- younger generation in the Jagan contrasted the ties like that are run, where party to take over the reins PPP’s selection process the General Secretary like from Jagdeo. with that of the People’s Jagdeo can call the shots.

“Once he loses the next National Congress Reform There’s no democracy in the election he’s done and all (PNCR) process, whereby party. Democratic principles the old people in there, Minister of Health Volda are not being adhered to,” their fossilised version …

Lawrence was selected as Jagan said. will give the younger genthe chairperson.

Jagan says come the eration a chance to come up “Ali is just a front man, March, 2020 elections, anoth- in the PPP.

East Coast road-widening project nears completion –– minibus operators, commuters satisfied with work completed so far

WITH work on the multibillion-dollar East Coast road expansion and improvements project almost complete, many route 44 minibus operators ,taxi drivers and commuters have expressed satisfaction with the work done so far.

The Guyana Chronicle was able to speak to several persons who deemed the expansion and improvement project a success thus far.

One taxi driver who requested anonymity, stated that with the completion of the project many taxi drivers like himself will be making less visits to the mechanic; he noted that with the smoother roads he will be changing his vehicle tyres less frequently.

However, the taxi driver underscored the issue of many route 44 minibus operators speeding down the road: “They’re expanding the road to give us more space to

A section of the East Coast highway avoid accidents, but it’s like that without pain there is no we giving them more space to gain, “The only issue right kill people,” he stated. now is the traffic congestion, The man, who operates a but no pain no gain besides taxi on the East Coast high- that the work completed so way, further stated that com- far is good.” Glasgow addpletion of the road should ed that with the road work result in heightened police almost complete, it’s now presence to make drivers up to drivers to eliminate the comply with the traffic laws culture of speeding. and speed less.

Ricardo Martin, a resiDavid Glasgow, a route dent of the East Coast, told 44 minibus operator, stated the Guyana Chronicle that

during the construction period he has faced some difficulty with damage to his vehicle; but the contractors have been working hard and the work completed so far is outstanding.

“The constructers are doing a good job with rebuilding the road, but yet still while the road is under construction it costly to drivers like me, or put me in expense to buy parts for my vehicle on a regular basis due to the bricks and potholes the road has,” he said.

In 2016, the Government of Guyana and the People’s Republic of China signed a G$9.6 billion (US$45.5 million) concessional loan for completion of the widening of the road between Better Hope and Belfield and Guyana contributed some $2.7 billion to the project.

When completed, the four-lane section will have

a median in the centre, equipped with streetlights.

Sidewalks will be built along populated villages, seven bridges and 12 culverts will be widened, and 11 traffic signals will be installed at busy intersections along the roadway.

The approximately eightinch finished surface will comprise asphaltic concrete and road-safety features, including warning signs, road markings and pedestrian

crossings.

Pedestrians and drivers told this publication that they are pleased with the work which is being done and anticipate the full completion of the work.

The contract for the East Coast Demerara road-widening project was awarded to China Railway First Group Limited in 2014; however, the physical work commenced in August, 2017.

Works being carried out on the Golden Grove bridge on the East Coast of Demerara

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday December 9, 2019

Pensacola attack is presumed terrorism – FBI (BBC) The FBI says it is treating Friday’s deadly attack on a Florida navy

base as a presumed terrorist attack.

The Saudi gunman who was training at the Pensacola site - killed three sailors before he was shot dead.

Special agent Rachel Rojas said the FBI was trying to determine if he had acted alone or had connections to a group.

She said other Saudi students had had been questioned but not arrested.

They were reportedly confined to the base, co-operat-

Mohammad Sameh Haitham and Joshua Kaleb Watson

were two of three young sailors killed

ing with investigators.

The victims of the attack have been named as Joshua Kaleb Watson, 23, Mohammed Sameh Haitham, 19, and Cameron Scott Walters, 21.

The US Navy said the sailors “showed exceptional heroism and bravery in the face of evil”.

In Sunday’s press conference, Ms Rojas gave al-

most no details of the investigation’s findings so far.

However, she did say that the gunman, 21-yearold Mohammed Alshamrani, bought his weapon legally in the US. It was a 9mm handgun.

A Twitter user appearing to match Alshamrani’s identity made a series of anti-US posts before the shooting, an online monitoring group

Monday, December 09, 03:00hrs - 04:30 hrs

says.

It has also been reported in US media that Alshamrani played mass-shooting videos to others at a dinner earlier in the week, according to an anonymous official briefed on the investigation.

Why were Saudis at the US base?

The Pensacola base has long offered aviation training to foreign military forces.

Saudi pilots started training there in 1995, alongside other personnel from Italy, Singapore and Germany.

Cpt Kinsella Jnr said that about 200 international students were enrolled in programmes there. According to its website, the base employs more than 16,000 military and 7,400 civilian personnel.

Alshamrani was a second lieutenant in the Saudi Air Force.

Earlier US Defence Secretary Mark Esper ordered a review of the screening process for foreign military in the US. Mr Esper told Fox News Sunday he had instructed top defence officials to look into security measures at bases.

President Donald Trump has also pledged to review foreign military programmes.

What happened on Fri-

day?

Authorities were alerted to the shooting at the Pensacola base at 06:51 (11:51 GMT).

It took place across two floors of a classroom building and ended when a sheriff’s deputy killed Alshamrani.

Eight people were also injured in the shooting, including two officers, who are expected to recover.

Family members of Joshua Kaleb Watson said he was shot several times but made it out of the building to alert first responders.

On Facebook, his brother Adam Watson wrote: “He died a hero and we are beyond proud but there is a hole in our hearts that can never be filled.”

Capt Tim Kinsella, the base’s commanding officer, said of the three sailors killed: “When confronted, they didn’t run from danger; they ran towards it and saved lives.”

Saudi Arabia is a key US ally in the Middle East and President Trump said the Saudi king called him after the attack to “express his sincere condolences and give his sympathies to the families and friends of the warriors who were killed”.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday December 9, 2019

TT Senator: Central Bank independence at risk (TRINIDAD NEWSDAY) Opposition Senator Saddam Hosein is asking government to explain the urgency placed on amending the Central Bank and Proceeds of Crime Acts.

The amendments came after National Security Minister Stuart Young announced on Thursday that the country will be using a new polymer $100 bill from Monday. On Friday the House of Representatives unanimously passed a bill, Miscellaneous Provisions (Proceeds of Crime and Central Bank) Bill 2019, to replace the existing $100 bank note with the new polymer bill.

During a sitting of the Senate on Saturday, Hosein said the Opposition supported the Government in its aim but requested clarification on some issues, and raised others for its consideration.

He requested evidence, statistics on the levels of money laundering, counterfeiting and other underground activities, as to why Government wanted to make this switch so quickly and during such a busy economic time, Christmas.

He expressed disappointment that the date of cancellation of the present banknote was not announced, especially since Government did not wait until the usual sitting on Tuesday but rushed to have a special sitting on Saturday.

Hosein also expressed concerns about Section 27 (i) and the Central Bank’s independence. Currently it stated, “The bank, with the approval of the minister, may on giving three months’ notice published in the Gazette call in any of its notes and coins on payment of the face value thereof and any such notes or coins with respect to which a notice has been given under this section shall, on the expiration of the notice, cease to be legal tender, but shall be redeemed at face value by the bank upon such conditions as may be prescribed.”

In the new clause, the finance minister could direct the bank to demonetise a note or coin with a shorter notice period. “If the minister now directs Central Bank to do something it means you are chipping away or you are eroding at the independence of Central Bank... We will all appreciate in this House that the Central Bank is really the institution that is responsible for fiscal policy and fiscal management and monitory policy,” said Hosein.

He also questioned if it would truly stop money laundering, if it would prompt another trade, or encourage the use of other currency. He gave the example of Ghana where, after demonetisation, on the black market criminal elements simply used another currency that was traded in the jurisdiction. He also pointed out other territories where demonetisation led to the

Opposition Senator Saddam Hosein raises concerns about the independence of the Central Bank during debate on the Miscellaneous Provisions (Proceeds of Crime and Central Bank) Bill 2019 on Saturday. - ROGER JACOB

fall of governments, civil unrest, job losses, slower GDP growth, and other negative aspects.

Hosein also raised the concerns of Muslims who do not indulge in interest-bearing accounts. He said some Muslims keep their money at home, others may have been saving for years to make the holy pilgrimage which cost an average of $50,000 to $70,000, and they may not have proper records of their legitimate earnings to show “source of funds.”

Other business people such as taxi drivers, farmers, and people with parlours, as well as older people who keep their

money at home could fall into that category. “It’s going to be difficult for these persons who have legitimate incomes and savings to now go to the bank and have their moneys exchanged because the bank’s policies are rigid.”

In addition he pointed out that in other territories, there had to be an upgrade of hardware and software of automatic teller machines and questioned if the commercial banks were thoroughly consulted.

Independent Senator Deoroop Teemal said the amendments assumed that owners of “dirty money” keep their

earnings in cash but many of the bigger criminals convert their money to tangible and intangible assets. He also said they usually conducted business in US dollars so the move may only mean a temporary loss for the “small fry.”

He said it could also create a new money laundering scheme of sub-contracting and sub-letting of cash where large amounts of money could be broken up and given to numerous people to be deposited and later returned in new banknotes to the original person for a small fee.

He said on an average month-end lines extend outside banks and people could be in line for over an hour. He therefore asked how the banks would engage with the public, if they would extend their hours or increase the number of staff.

He said the long lines would also be an opportunity for criminals to observe people and possibly follow them to their destinations to rob them of their new bank notes. He said a police presence at the banks, as well as additional patrols may be necessary.

Teemal also asked what mitigation efforts were in place to deal with any negative impacts of demonetisation. He suggested a public awareness and education campaign with clear, definitive guidance and instructions to lessen the anxiety of the public.

AG: Opposition praises Gov’t for ‘guts’ to close Petrotrin (TRINIDAD NEWSDAY) ATTORNEY General Faris Al-Rawi has claimed Opposition members have praised the Government for showing “guts” in closing Petrotrin.

“They tell us in corridors is a good thing we deal with Petrotrin. (They said) we didn’t have the guts to deal with that. Pointe-a-Pierre (MP David Lee) repeatedly said that.”

He said that the Opposition on the outside put up a “charade of scorn” about the Petrotrin closure.

“Not everybody in this country stupid.”

He said the Prime Minister had taken a tough decision and there were consequences.

“Who better than me (would know that) as MP of an area close by.”

He was contributing to debate on The Finance Bill in the House on Friday.

Caroni East MP Dr Tim Gopeesingh said Government claimed it took courage to shut down Petrotrin but about 10,000 people lost jobs and they showed displeasure in recent voting (in Monday’s local government election) that took place around those areas.

“They have no moral authority to talk anything about Petrotrin.”

He stressed that $40 billion had been lost in the “fiasco” with former Petrotrin chairman Malcolm Jones and $10 billion in interest had been paid on loans of US $750 million and US $850 million. He said there were also the investments made into Petrotrin such as the failed World GTL plant and the ultra low sulphur diesel project.

“The country is suffering today from the mismanagement of the PNM and Government (on Petrotrin).”

He added: “They should be ashamed of their performance in the energy sector from 2008-2010 and 2015-2019. Without (former prime minister) Kamla Persad-Bissessar we would have been in a worse position now.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday December 9, 2019

Perpetrators of crimes against state must face justice

GIVEN what had been the nature of a government that governed this nation for in excess of two decades, which governance with its defined criminal nature had evidenced a deliberate pillage of state resources, which can only fit the just and specific label of high-voltage corruption; and which became institutionalised, because of the new understanding of morality which, among its many meanings and interpretations, held no one accountable for grand theft and self-enrichment.

This was no overnight arrived-at scenario that had been trumped up merely for the sake of political mileage, or baseless accusations intended to besmirch persons/ characters. In fact, red flags were ever since raised in prior state audits, which pointed to deliberate departures from procedures of accountability, which were questioned in observation reports. Moreover, many sections of the then media had already begun to expose flagrant acts of corrupt practices, much to the anger of the then regime that did absolutely nothing to investigate such reports, much less with a view of prosecuting those guilty.

It must be re-emphasised that if there is any act of bad governance that angers citizens, it is that which involves theft of state resources by officials, irrespective of their status. Stated simply, this is a crime committed against the people, and, therefore, there is every reason for such an intolerance for this very serious violation, the cancer of corruption. Corruption is about crimes in all forms against the state, since it is taxpayer’ hard-earned dollars and other related assets that are being siphoned off for self- enrichment.

Confirmed by extensive auditing of state enterprises, it was evident that this was no minor act of fiddling with the books or basic theft; its immoral practices which had virtually strangled the state, thus threatening its moral existence, had already become known; it was a major feature of the then political opposition, A Partnership for National Unity+ Alliance For Change, during its 2015 national elections campaign.

Therefore, it was only reasonable that there would have been legitimate expectations that those responsible for the plunder of the state’s resources, be made to answer for their venality; except that the prosecutorial results have not yielded the convictions expected -- giving rise to less than honest criticisms from the PPP/C whose many former regime officials have been charged-- that the charges were of a political nature, vindictive, spurious and therefore without substance.

It is against this background that the recent announcement by Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan, about “a shake-up of the prosecutorial service…’’ has been made, describing it as very “embarrassing’’ and “stressful’’ that the state has lost “high-profile’’ prosecutions which it should have won. Of course, Minister Ramjattan speaks for and on behalf of the coalition administration; his sentiments, apart from resonating with the law-abiding citizenry, express the great concern of the Executive.

It was astonishing to say the least, but more so shocking, for comments declaring that charges “were bad in law,” in the first such case that came to court in this category so described by the minister. If this had been amazing,

then it became incredulous when prosecutors in matters of a similar nature failed to be present in court for such cases.

No responsible government, especially one that has done so much in combatting the cancer that is corruption that became institutionalised in Guyana and which was inherited; and for which it has received many noted commendations, must countenance such an untenable state of affairs with regard to persons who should have been convicted for very grave offences committed against the state and people, being made to escape the iron anvil of deserved justice, because of questionable prosecutorial behaviour. For such can only result in the wrong message being received by society that accused persons can commit crimes and not be sanctioned, because of their status.

Or, that raping the state of its resources in whatever form, carries no penalty, since it is a means to an end.

Certainly, we hasten to add that this is not the understanding/moral stance of the President David Granger administration, that has been insisting on clean and accountable government.

We fully support the minister’s call for prosecutors to be more responsible; and even if, as strongly indicated, that he has to “shake up the prosecutorial system’’ to find those who are “more responsible,’’ so it must be.

They must all be reminded that it is incumbent upon them to represent the best interests of the State; no nation that has suffered the venal experience of the degutting of its State, and the pillaging of its material resources for self -enrichment, as Guyana has, must allow those guilty to go free.

Voters need to be aware of the three-card tricksters

Dear Editor

BY now, everyone should be cognisant of the fact that it has become what can be interpreted as a historical ritual whereby, during elections season, most politicians would jump on the highest mountain-top and pledge to take you to the moon and back. While some promise milk and honey, others ARE out kissing babies, playing dominoes and drinking a cold beer with the folks in some economically depressed communities to curry favour within their voters’ lists.

Surely, nothing is wrong with politicians doing whatever it legally takes to win enough votes to either be elected President, or to gain a seat in the corridors of power. Hence, they can kiss all the babies, drink all the beer; shed obvious crocodile tears; present fake academic credentials; walk around with 19 serious criminal charges

in their back pockets; participate in fake marriages; chat about issues they’ve never showed any prior interest in; or visit areas they’ve never visited in DONKEY years, and display their sudden hypocritical passion for the people.

Indeed, all of those attributes and more will be scrutinised and eventually decided on by the voters, who I am certain are smart enough to differentiate the three-card tricksters, palm readers, pimps, hypocrites, chic-chic board operators, spiritual imposters, and flat-footed hustlers from the very few genuine ones (and I honestly do mean the very few) among the extremely large field of candidates set to contest the upcoming General and Regional Elections in Guyana.

As for me, I have already identified a strong and proven thoroughbred in the race (yes, one with credibility, integrity, respect for democracy, and a strong advocate for human rights. This individual is not known to be corrupt

and is in possession of authentic academic credentials), while noticing the several kangalangs and the rest who are basically wasting their own precious time walking around and dancing to the tune of ‘cent, five cents, ten cents, dollah...gimme dollah wine’ or cherry-picking their favourite verses in the Bible, while back-pedalling on some misinterpretion of their past opinions on the judgement of mankind on who should lay wid who, and who shouldn’t lay wid who.

No, I am definitely not saying that some of the these political neophytes aren’t sincere about wishing to see Guyana continue to develop into an economically prosperous nation in South America, and by extension the rest of the world; after all, apart from the numerous positive developments across the entire country, Guyana is now a See page 7

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday December 9, 2019

Stop hiding behind false names to give us false narratives

Dear Editor

PEEPING Tom, someone who does not have the courage to use his/her own names, tried to misrepresent the truth of the British Guiana Colonisation Scheme.

This is understandable, because Peeping Tom and others do not want Guyana to move forward. They want to keep our history in the “dark” and like true racial entrepreneurs, want to hide the historical source of the racial problems facing Guyana.

I wonder why this is the reason that Kaieteur News did not publish the letter, but he wants to comment on the letter in the Kaieteur News. Well Peeping Tom, I did not create anything in that article; the documents of the Combined Courts speak for themselves. Luckhoo and others speak for themselves. Peeping Tom cannot.

Their words are captured in the official documents of the Combined Courts that can be found in the British and Guyanese Archives.

The words are verbatim from this document. Trying to reposition it is as expected. Hiding the truth has always been a political strategy in Guyana and this is why history is not taught in schools. It is noteworthy that the debate on the British Guiana Colonisation Scheme went on for 10 years, from 1919 to 1929. It was the overwhelming

issue of the decade.

In my letter, the quotes are from the official documents.

Quote #1 “We would then have hundreds of prosperous villages and thousands of square miles of flourishing crops springing up from the fertile soil of the colony, and by the exploitation of the Gold, Diamond, Aluminum (bauxite ore) and other mineral and forest wealth of British Guiana, the three- century-old dream of Sir Walter Raleigh regarding our Magnificent Province, the fabled land of El Dorado, would be realised.

Quote # 2……From the same document. “We are in a position definitely to state that the Indians now resident in British Guiana comprise about 45 per cent of the entire population of the colony, and they are better, safer, happier and more prosperous there than those residing in any other parts of the world; and even we venture to say India itself. It may be well to mention that in the social and religious aspects, Indians enjoy perfect freedom.

Their general ideas in these respects are somewhat more westernised that in India. All children in the colony are entitled to receive free and compulsory education.

Quote # 3……From the same document. “We, the Indian representatives of the imperial Colonisation Deputation of British Guiana, now formally state that it is

One year since shooting, Brian O’Toole still seeking justice Dear Editor WE are now approaching one year since the shooting in my home. I have undergone five operations on the hand that remains paralysed. But perhaps the series of scars that run from my elbow to the thumb may heal more quickly than the scars on others. The police are surely scared. They seemingly have apprehended no one and have shared nothing with us. Similarly, the politicians, of all ilks, share the scars.

As they prepare for elections and give gallous speeches, they appear not to appreciate the damage done on the international scene to the investment climate in this country, as the concluding ques-

tion to the 30 media interviews I have had in the UK, USA and the Caribbean has invariably been, ’is Guyana a safe country?’ The American Embassy, the international guardians of freedom and justice, who have been given clear information of the boy in Florida who fuelled the whole process and who apparently remains unconcerned. The ‘defence’ of the Florida boy concerning the detailed and graphic threats on social media to blow up schools ‘that led to the temporary closure of several city schools was ‘just a joke.’ It beggars belief that the FBI could possibly be so easily satisfied when the boy’s pernicious actions led to such chaos in this city.

As we approach Christmas there may well be parents, shielding the evil

murderous deeds of their sons as they go to midnight mass, and may even ‘lead’ the congregation as they ‘pray for peace.’ Allegations from a number of sources, have been shared with the police and CANU concerning at least one boy of dangerous drug dealings centred on the lucrative and deadly trade of selling ecstasy in several schools. These have apparently gone unheeded. Are we waiting on the loss of life before we take action? In the meantime, lives are being crippled and the drug barons look on and feel they have won the day.

Regards Dr Brian O’Toole, MBE, AA Director of ‘Nations

Voters need to be aware ...

place where people are free to express themselves without being killed, jailed or other forms of victimisation.

At least, there’s absolutely no evidence of such, and anyone who claims otherwise, is basically out to pimp the electorate for a few votes that wouldn’t be enough to wake them out of that state of denial.

In conclusion, most Guyanese are aware of what Guyana was like prior to 2015, and what it is today.

Yes, fortunately, we have moved away from being a narco-state, kleptocracy, battered educational system, with depressed public servants and members of the joint services, no hope for our young people, where pensioners were treated with utter disrespect, and all of the three branches of government were merged into one corrupt and undemocratic arm controlled by the Russian-trained ruthless dictator during those years.

From page 6

So, it is my sincere hope (as I speak to you from my heart) that in the upcoming General and Regional Elections, Guyanese will vote on real issues and sound policies in order to ensure that the many positive developments continue in the building of a strong, respectable and prosperous Guyana. In fact, just as the ONLY thoroughbred in the race has quite aptly stated: ‘You Can’t Fake Experience.’

Therefore, it is right here where the sheep in wolves’ clothing, kangalangs, those with no known track record of anything, and the three-card tricksters are exposed. Go get them, thoroughbred, and let them know that indeed, they can’t ‘fake experience.’

Regards Mark Benschop

our desire , aim, and our object, if possible, to induce more Indians from the Motherland to join our ranks, increase our numbers and so help us to make British Guiana an Indian colony. This is really, the Empire’s clarion call to India.”

W Hewley Wharton, Chairman Parbhu Sawh, Member and businessman Joseph A Luckhoo, Secretary Indian Section Imperial Colonisation Deputation of British Guiana.

In 2013, Professor Emeritus Clem Seecharan highlighted the friction the British Guiana Colonisation Scheme created between Africans and Indians during the decade-long debate and trips to India by prominent Indo-Guyanese of the day.

He wrote about African concerns of Indian domination were exacerbated “ by fears that prominent Indians, such as J.A. Luckhoo and Dr William Hewley Wharton, were committed to creating an ‘Indian Colony,’ with the possible renewal of immigration from India, after the end of indentureship in 1920.

African apprehensions were sustained in the 1930s, when prominent Indians such as Peter Rohoman and C.R. Jacobs, advocated building of a ‘greater India’ in Guyana. This imbedded a resilient fear among African Guyanese that they would lose everything to the Indian juggernaut. Moreover, the notion that British Guiana is an El Dorado, with stupendous resources, has fed continual apprehension between Africans and Indians that whoever inherits the kingdom is on the royal road to a Golden Age.” So Peeping Tom, tell us who you are. Stop hiding behind false names to give us false narratives.

Sincerely Eric Phillips Chairman Guyana Reparations Committee

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, December 9, 2019

Oil money will not be used willy-nilly tors 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 worldclass education system aimed at ensuring that the best skills are available for economic development.”

– prime minister

PRIME Minister Moses Nagamootoo has posited that government will utilise the resources of oil revenues to build a new society first.

The focus, he said, will be on raising the standard of living of all Guyanese through social and infrastructural development, which are part of the Decade of Development plan.

“The money will not be utilised by government willy-nilly. There are what you call fiscal rules of how much of that money will be set aside for the future use, that is for our children; how much of that will be spent of infrastructural development and how much of that will be spent on social development,” Nagamootoo said recently on the programme Straight Up, on Benschop Radio.

There will be massive improvement in the education, health and social standards; and even as government debates

whether direct cash grants will be disbursed to citizens, it is already guaranteed that revenues will be directed towards free tertiary education.

Development of the education sector will be the hallmark of the Decade of Development. The latter aims at transforming Guyana into a knowledge-driven society, where academics and technocrats can be sourced locally for not only the oil, but for all extractive industries as well.

Infrastructural development will spiral like never before, with the construction of new roads and bridges that will link every part of the country as lands will be opened up and cities will be established.

The hinterland and the coastland will become accessible like never before, Nagamootoo posited. Also on the front burner for the government is the 20/40 development plan, which includes the Green State

Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo Development Strategy.

At the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA) luncheon, President Granger had outlined his Decade of Development plan.

He said: “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 sec-

CLEAN ENERGY This sustainable development will see the protection of Guyana’s flora and fauna and pristine forest with the implementation of alternative energy use.

Nagamootoo said the mission is to transform Guyana into the green lungs of the world, which will be upheld for future generations.

“And so we have a future and a vision that takes us beyond even our lifetime and this is what we think we have for the use of our petroleum resources, that it has to be carefully managed,” he said.

To ensure it is carefully

managed and the money is not squandered, the government through the Prime Minister’s Office, has established an integrity registration, through the Integrity Commission.

This seeks to monitor the assets of particularly politicians and if their wealth is found to be disproportionate, it will result in legal prosecution. This is coupled with the Guyana Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (GEITI), which will specifically monitor the transparency of the extractive industry, as well as its regard for the environment and the laws of Guyana.

The government, he said, has gone the extra mile to prove its accountability by introducing a National Resources Fund into Parliament, as well as to make the oil contract public for all to see. The Natural Resources Fund will protect the wealth derived from Guyana’s natural resources.

The Natural Resource Fund Bill 2018 was passed

on January 3, 2019, in the National Assembly without objections. The law includes provisions for public oversight; withdrawals, including parliamentary approval and amounts to be withdrawn; eligible investments for its resources; accounting, reporting and auditing of records; and codes of conduct for members of the Oversight and Investment Committee. Included in the Act is the first schedule, which outlines procedures and considerations which shall obtain in calculating the fiscally sustainable amount of the fund.

The Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) has lauded the government’s Natural Resource Fund as a positive step in the right direction towards protecting Guyana from the ‘resource curse.’

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo posited that he is confident in the plans of President David Granger and it is no greater privilege working alongside him.

55 youths graduate from Youth Leadership Training Programme –– urged to be leaders, ambassadors in their communities to develop Guyana

FIFTY-FIVE youths from across Guyana on Sunday morning graduated from the Youth Leadership Programme which was sponsored by the Ministry of the Presidency, Department of Social Cohesion, Culture, Youth and Sport.

The seventh module II graduation ceremony was held at the Madewini Training Centre, where Director of Youth Ms Leslyn Boyce in her address to the graduating class urged the young leaders to become ambassadors of the programme and use the knowledge they have gained during the training to make a difference in their respective communities.

“Guyana is depending on you young people and I’m glad today to have been given the opportunity to give brief remarks at this closing ceremony… hundreds of youths have benefitted from

Director of Youth Ms Leslyn Boyce and Ms Susan Farnum, Personal Assistant to Minister of Public Health, take a photo opportunity with the graduating class of the seventh module II Youth Leadership Training Programme the training programme and take up leadership positions with the necessary skills that exceptional leaders in their are contributing meaningful- at the local, regional and will help them play a major communities. ly in society. You are now international levels. role in the development of “Whatever you decide social [sic] empowered to Ms Susan Farnum, Per- Guyana. to do, I want you to commit make a difference in your sonal Assistant to Minister Ms Farnum also urged to it…develop the habit of lives and your communities,” of Public Health, who also the graduates to develop the not up giving when things she stated. gave brief remarks at the attribute of perseverance get tough, be someone who Ms Boyce further stated ceremony, charged the young since in their journey to be- keeps going, who tries hardthat the young leaders are leaders to make good use of come great leaders they may er, who loves their country now equipped with knowl- educational opportunities that face some difficulties and it is too much to do anything edge of leadership skills that may come their way, so that commitment and hard work less than his or her best,” will better prepare them to they can become equipped that will one day make them she stated.

The training programme was organised and conducted by the Department of Youth, Youth Empowerment Unit at the Madewini Training Centre, on the Soesdyke-Linden Highway. It targeted youth leaders and those with leadership potential across the 10 administrative regions of Guyana.

The unit executed a number of programmes during a two-weekend period, when the trainees were taught the necessary skills needed to ensure that they would become better leaders and change agents.

As part of the programme, a ‘Mock Youth Parliament’ session was conducted. Such provided the participants with an opportunity to express their views on several topics in relation to the youths of Guyana.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, December 9, 2019

Missing crab catchers rescued … boat, catch found abandoned in Suriname

By Nafeeza Yahya FOUR Guyanese men, who were missing following a crab catching expedition in Suriname were late Sunday night rescued.

Earlier in the day news broke that the men’s boat and catch were found abandoned in neighbouring Suriname by relatives who went in search of them.

The men, identified as 22-year-old Nelson De Jonge of 511 Forth Ordinance Housing Scheme; Yageshwar Mangal called ‘Boiyo’, 23, of Number 2 Village, East Canje, Anand Deoharry, 42, of Health Centre Street, Cumberland, East Canje; and Ramdat Goonrarj called ‘Azad’, 27, of Rose Hall Town, left on Sunday,1st December, to catch crab in Suriname and were due to return late Tuesday night into Wednesday morning.

Anand Deoharry However, after failing to show up and after several calls went unanswered, the men’s relatives became worried that something may be amiss and sent out a search party on Sunday morning at 03:00hrs, following reports that a boat, matching the description of the one belonging to the missing men,

Nelson Dejonge was seen at an area named Buckberry in Nickerie. The search party eventually found the boat on the bank of the ocean and, from what they saw, the men were stuck as they missed the high tide to get them back into the sea.

Speaking with the Guyana Chronicle, Milton Persaud, who went with the

The boat found at the shore

Ramdat Goonraj search party, related that the boat, a large catch of crabs, gasoline, clothing and the engine were still on the boat as well as evidence that the men were able to separate the dead crabs from the live ones. He is of the view that the men were forced to abandon their catch and boat after their ration ran out. “They

Yageshwar Mangal were there for over seven days; a boat man told us they were waving to them to pull them out on Friday morning, but them boat had a hole and could not help them, so them food and water must be run out and them try to find land but the area where they are, it should only take a few hours unless them went in

the wrong direction,” Persaud related.

A veteran in the fishing industry, Persaud explained that the men would have to travel some three days if they took the wrong path in order to reach civilization.

They would have to trek through sling mud, swamps and dense vegetation before reaching a housing area near Caroni. He is very worried though that unless the men find fresh water, they may be dehydrated and starving as they usually do not take much ration as other fishing vessels since their trips are much shorter.

Meanwhile, the mother of Goonraj had been praying for his safe return. She related that this would have been his third trip and is very worried since he cannot stay hungry for long because he has a stomach issue.

Bags of crabs left abandoned

‘Texila’ hosts sixth convocation ...

From page 2

December 2019 MD batch, Gariel Yan was second best graduate, while Naicker was the third best graduate.

For the July graduating batch, Nauth was also declared the Best Clinical Graduate, and Best Basic Science graduate.

During her touching speech, Jaganathan shared how it was her mother’s encouragement to always be independent, and put her education first that lead her to pursue her MD. “My mom used to tell me that women are always being dependent on men. When she is young she is dependent on her father and brother, when she is married, dependent on her husband. And she didn’t want me to be like that, and the only way that I could do that was through education. That made me passionate towards studies,” Jaganathan conveyed.

Delivering the feature address at the ceremony was the Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Karen Boyle, who reminded the graduates that even as they celebrate their achievement they should not lose sight of the fact that the

hard work is only now about to begin.

“Being a doctor isn’t a bed of roses or a walk in the park, it requires hard work and tenacity. Remember that you will be in a different setting and the collaborative, communicative approach with your colleagues can create the environment in which great things can happen. The health sector is fraught with challenges, but you can make a difference with your devotion, care and versatility,” Boyle advised Boyle charged the students to remain humble and to be doctors with a difference, paying keen attention to their patients. “Unless we understand the social determinants of health and how they affect risk for diseases, we cannot adequately treat the entire person and not just the disease. We have to learn how to address these determinants and to mitigate their potential adverse effect on health. Great things can happen in the health sector with your fresh ideas if you can remain humble,” she said.

The doctors were administered their Hip-

The Texila American University class of 2019 celebrate their graduation (Elvin Croker) pocratic Oath by the University’s Dean of the 2011.

College of Medicine, Dr. Dheeraj Bansal, Classes were initially held at Critchlow while the nurses took the Nightingale Oath. Labour College (CLC), in Woolford AveHeadquartered in the USA, TAU first opened nue, Georgetown before the school opened a branch of its medical school in Guyana in its Providence campus in 2017.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, December 9, 2019

Increasing protective factors

IMAGINE this scenario: A single father of three inhabits a small shed at the bottom of a yard that belongs to his ex-in-laws.

Each day he cooks for his children on a kerosene stove, and every six weeks he digs a new latrine for them to use behind a bushy area nearby.

Despite this hardship, the family manages to stay clean and healthy. They bathe at the pipe, and devised a system for washing their clothes and wares outside with relative ease. The children attend school, while their father works as a Delivery Driver for a restaurant.

Life hasn’t always been this hard. The family used to live in a two-bedroom apartment, but they were evicted when the landlord raised the rent. The father could not afford to feed his children and send them to school, plus pay bills and the rent increase.

Recently, his in-laws have been throwing remarks, which has led to some heated arguments. They want him to ‘pick up his traps and go along his way’. They are suggesting that he leaves his 14-year-old son (their grandson) for them to take care of,

but he must take his 12 and seven-year-old daughters and ‘get off their property, instead of giving them mouth’.

This father is clearly in need of help. This stressful situation will no doubt impact on his children’s psychological and emotional development. Technically, he has nowhere to go, so he cannot make any plans for the future. He wants to keep his family together, but he needs time and space to sort out his present dilemma. Thankfully, there is a form of support for families who need this special type of assistance.

The Ministry of Social Protection has a Children and Family Centre based at the top of Plum Park, Section C, in Sophia. It is a place where families who fit certain criteria (such as the scenario above) can be placed for a three to six–month period.

During this time, it is hoped that the support offered to the family by the Ministry will help them make the necessary transition to a better set of circumstances.

As part of the Childcare and Protection Agency (CPA)’s policy to prevent child abuse, it was rec-

ognised that a Family Centre in Guyana could prevent unnecessary separation of children from their biological parents. Keeping families together when they need support is the main purpose of the Centre. **Helping families in this way could also reduce the factors that lead to child abuse as many children become victims of abuse because their parents cannot handle their everyday problems. Children need to be with their families and where possible the CPA work with parents to make sure they stay together. The Family Centre is yet another initiative to this end.

The most prevalent form of child abuse is neglect.

When CPA Officers respond to this type of abuse, they have to establish whether the parents are wilfully neglecting their children, or whether it is a simple case of deprivation.

Sometimes what appears to be child neglect could just be parents going through a rough patch. If a few mattresses for their beds or some free groceries for a couple of months can help sustain

a family (and keep them together), the assistance they need should be available through the Family Centre.

The Family Centre hopes to provide help for families on several levels. There will be a storeroom with provisions and furniture to help families in need, and specially trained Transitional Coaches for each family.

Motivational and Therapy Sessions will be held, and stimulating Recreational Activities will be provided for the residents.

The Centre comprises of eight fully furnished family units, and four dormitory-type quarters for children, which are separated in terms of age and gender. ‘Chil-

dren at risk’ are accepted at the Centre on a 24-hour basis. So, if a child is found wandering by a concerned citizen, or a few children are rescued by the police, they will be admitted (for up to three months) and assessed, and long-term provision will be made for their care.

There are stipulations and guidelines for each family who resides at the Centre, and these must be adhered to rigorously. During the first three months, the family will be assessed, and a support plan will be put in place and reviewed accordingly. The aim is for parents to be meaningfully employed, or searching for employment while learning parenting skills and

strategies that will enable them to supply consistent support for their families.

Every child deserves a chance to reach their full potential, and if child abuse can be averted by easing some of the pressures that parents face before they reach breaking point, then the Family Centre is a much-needed valuable intervention.

If you are concerned about the welfare of a child call the CPA hotline on 227 0979 or write to us at childcaregy@gmail.com A MESSAGE FROM THE CHILDCARE AND PROTECTION AGENCY, MINISTRY OF SOCIAL PROTECTION

Ex-St. Kitts Prime Minister arrested in UK … while trying to leave Britain with £70,000 in cash THE DAILY MAIL, December 8, 2019- A CARIBBEAN politician made a Privy Counsellor by David Cameron for his ‘loyal service’ to Queen and country is being investigated after he tried to leave Britain with £70,000 in cash, The Mail on Sunday can reveal.

Dr Denzil Douglas – who was Prime Minister of Saint Kitts and Nevis for 20 years – was detained at Gatwick Airport by the UK Border Force three weeks ago. Officers seized the equivalent of more than £70,000 – in sterling, US dollars and Eastern Caribbean dollars – from him on November 16 when he could not explain why he was attempting to leave the country with the cash.

Mystery surrounds the bizarre incident on which neither the Home Office nor police will comment. However, the MoS understands Dr Douglas is the subject of a probe by the National Crime Agency (NCA).

Officers were granted the right to hold the cash for a further six months

by Crawley Magistrates’ Court on November 19. Dr Douglas boarded a flight to Dubai empty- handed.

A law-enforcement source said: ‘He told them it was for political campaigning but

Former PM Dr Denzil Douglas could not explain where it came from and where it was really going.’ They added: ‘He was pulled up by Border Force and he declared he had a little bit of cash on him, but something didn’t smell right and the search found the stash.’

Anti-money laundering rules state anyone leaving the UK to travel to a nonEU country must declare any sum above €10,000 (£8,400). Agents are now attempting to trace the origin of the cash. Last night the Cabinet Office, which oversees the Queen’s advisory Privy Council, confirmed that Dr Douglas remained on the committee, but would not comment on what he had been doing in

the UK. During his 20 years in office, Dr Douglas’s administration was criticised in a long-running passport scandal around his island’s ‘Citizenship-by-Investment’ programme.

He lost power in 2015, but is seeking a comeback as leader of the island’s opposition Labour party. It is understood he arrived in Britain on November 13 and was detained leaving three days later. Yesterday the Cabinet Office would not say if he had met with any UK Ministers or officials during his visit. However, the incident is embarrassing to Britain given the praise heaped upon Dr Douglas in 2011.

Offering his ‘warmest congratulations’ at his promotion to the Privy Council, the then Prime Minister Mr Cameron said: ‘I believe that this appointment is fitting for a Prime Minister with many years of loyal service to Her Majesty and I look forward to working with Dr Douglas in years to come.’ Dr Douglas’s office did not respond to requests for comment last night.

The NCA declined to comment, but a source said: ‘We do not routinely comment on individual cases.’

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, December 9, 2019

90 successfully complete surgery –– as ‘Operation Hernia’ concludes at three regional medical facilities

NINETY patients successfully underwent surgery for hernia over the weekend Dr. Navindranauth Rambaran, Head of the

Dr. Navindranauth Rambaran, GPHC Head of General Surgery General Surgery Department at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) disclosed on Sunday.

Dr. Rambaran explained that the initiative, ‘Operation Hernia’, saw 64 surgeries being done at the GPHC, while the New Amsterdam Public Hospital and the Linden Hospital Complex facilitated 20 and six surgeries respectively.

The senior physician disclosed that the two-day proj-

ect involved eight general surgeons, several consultants and registrars, a few nurses and an anaesthetist. He remarked that the exercise was held last June for the first time, and this year has also seen satisfying results.

According to Dr. Rambaran, the project represents a significant move for the Public Health Ministry, and that while hernia operations are conducted throughout the year, the demand for other larger and critical surgical procedures often see these operations being relegated to a lower priority. The project is a move to concentrate resources on these cases.

“We know that these hernias impair the quality of life of these patients, so we do try to get them done.

And this is one such push to accomplishing this mission,” Dr. Rambaran stated.

An hernia is the abnormal exit of tissue or an organ, such as the bowel, through the wall of the cavity in which it normally resides.

Hernias come in several types. Most commonly, they involve the abdomen, specifically the groin. According to Dr. Rambaran, the usual symptom is that of discomfort or pain, especially when participating in strenuous activity.

It impairs the ability to work productively.

Biker killed in crash on Ituni trail THE police are investigating a fatal incident which occurred on Saturday around 19:00hrs on the Ituni trail involving motorcar PPP 651, owned and driven by a 47-year-old mechanic of Kwakwani Park, Berbice River and motor cycle CG 8386, owned and driven

by Godfrey Willis of Goat Farm, Ituni.

Enquiries disclosed that the motorcar PPP 651 was proceeding east on the northern side of the trail, while the motor cycle was proceeding in the opposite direction on the eastern side with no head lamp on and collided with the front left side of the car. As a result of the impact, the cyclist fell onto the road and suffered injuries about his body, the police said in a release. He was taken to the Ituni Health Centre where he was seen and examined by a Medex on duty, who pronounced him dead on arrival.

The driver of the car is in police custody assisting with an investigation.

The medical team in action during ‘Operation Hernia’ at the GPHC

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday December 9, 2019

UncappeD shines spotlight on small businesses

By Lisa Hamilton

Despite inclement weather, scores of citizens turned out to Marketplace UncappeD 2019 on Sunday where small businesses dominated the exhibitions with their showcase of local items transformed into innovative products.

While UncappeD 2018 featured 65 businesses, this year over 80 local agro-processors participated with 20 new businesses.

The event was organised by the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA), and was hosted at the external tarmac of the Guyana National Stadium.

One of the youngest business owners the Guyana Chronicle came into contact with was 21-year-old

plans to expand to shelves in Berbice and Linden.

She would like to encourage Guyanese who believe that it’s impossible to start up a business to think again, set a goal and work towards it.

“It’s not hard; you just have to know what you want and keep working towards it.

Even when people down your spirit, you just keep pushing. When you getting into business, try to do something different; something we don’t have, and you get people’s attention quite easy,” Kelshine said, adding that she also plans to expand her line of cake mix beyond the sweet potato.

Also sending the message that getting into business is possible for anyone was Nardine Parris-Simon of Nardine’s Natural Body Care, a

“I’m blown away by the things that you find every day that are so tremendous and beneficial for the skin,” Nardine said.

“I think you have to have a determination, and you have to understand that there are needs to be filled,” she added.

Also speaking to the Guyana Chronicle was Humberto Hamilton of the South American Coco Company, which sells oils for the skin and consumption, soaps, powders, flours and more.

He said that he is thankful for the opportunity presented

by UncappeD to showcase his products, but looks forward to seeing greater financing opportunities being made available to small businesses.

“It’s improving. More and more people are getting to

Nardine Parris-Simon of Nardine’s Natural Body Care

Meanwhile, making beautiful items such as jewellery, refrigerator magnets, keyrings and ornaments out of glued-together shells was Frankie Limerick of Frankie’s Shell Craft.

While he noted that he was experiencing a challenge with getting his products to stay on the shelves of some local stores, he was thankful for the opportunity presented

by UncappeD to promote his handcrafted work.

“I put out my best, and you can see the type of work that I do. Day and night! Sometimes I get headache for two or three days, because of the amount of pressure. Because these are many shells I put together,” Frankie said.

“It’s a good opportunity; you get to be able to reach a lot of different people with different backgrounds. They

give you a bright smile; they even purchase your stuff. It really uplifts your business,” he added.

Over at ‘Leisa’s Salon N’ Beauty Supplies’, Leisa Gibson told the newspaper that she has moved beyond just the salon chair to producing various soaps, conditioners and hair growth oils, thanks to the government.

“There was an opportunity that I got, thanks to the Government of Guyana through one of the Ministry’s to do a soap course. So I did that and branched off into soap making,” she said.

At another booth, Shermaine Headley, representing the local company ‘TidyUp Detergents’, was busy refilling bottles with locally-manufactured detergents for the steady customers.

See page 13

Leisa Gibson of Leisa’s Salon N’ Beauty Supplies (Samuel Maughn photos)

Kelshine Griffith, a former Guyana School of Agriculture (GSA) student who turned her unique idea into the business, ‘Kelshine Sweet Potato Cake Mix’.

This is the first sweet potato cake mix to be produced in Guyana, and the budding entrepreneur is receiving the support of her former school to make the product.

“The experience so far in business is good, but it’s also challenging when you’re young, and you don’t have that financial backing to get a lump sum of money easy. But GSA is allowing me to use their facilities to get stuff done until I can support myself,” Kelshine said.

Her products can be found at Bounty Supermarkets in Georgetown, even as she has

business which sells primarily skin products from all-natural sources.

Parris-Simon said she got into business after realizing that she had terrible acne and wanted a natural way to clear her skin.

Luckily, the Seventh-Day-Adventist Church was facilitating training in the areas of soap making, nutrition for health, nutrition for menopause and natural remedies, all of which she now has certification for.

Through her research, she has been able to alleviate her friend’s challenge with Psoriasis, a disease that causes raised, red, scaly patches to appear on the skin, by combining herbs which target the skin condition, and making them into creams and soaps.

know about our product, and this is an opportunity to promote your business,” Hamilton said, adding: “Small businesses need a lot of help. They need some concessions with the purchasing of equipment and materials; probably some people need some grants and loans set at low prices and easy access to this.”

Anticipating that some businesses would be faced with challenges led the GMSA to also invite companies such as the Small Business Bureau (SBB) and Institute of Private Enterprise Development (IPED) to be on site.

They provided information to the exhibitors and members of the public on how businesses can get better access to loans or grants.

Frankie Limerick showing off some of his masterpieces

13

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday December 9, 2019

Regional School Gardening Competition launched IN what was described as a minor part of a much larger project that will pave the way for sustainability and food security, the St. Francis Community Developers (SFCD) in collaboration with Food for the Poor Guyana Inc. (FFTPGI) and the National Agriculture Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) launched a Regional Secondary School Kitchen Garden competition on Friday.

Being held under the theme ‘“Beauty and Productivity-REUSE, RECYCLE AND REPLANT”, the project is open to all the secondary schools in Region 6 and will officially begin in January.

The collaborating partners are hoping the competition can use students as agents of change to improve efficiency in production as they interact with parents and members of the community.

Speaking before a full audience including the students and teachers from the 17 secondary schools across Region 6, Minister within the Ministry of Agriculture, Valerie Adams-Yearwood heaped praise on the initiative by the partners. She expressed optimism that the competition will achieve its objectives as it helps to promote food security and sustainability while making use of available resources through organic methods.

The Junior Agriculture Minister continued by highlighting the many benefits that can be derived, not only by students but teachers and the wider community, from what may seem like a simple exercise. She encouraged parents and others to help establish their own kitchen gardens as well.

She noted that several qualities that seem to be absent from some youths such as patience, lack of focus, social skills, the ability to work as a team and self-confidence as well as having a comprehensive understanding of seasonality and life cycles are

Minister within the ministry…

A section of the gathering…

just a few of the things that can be learnt and acquired by simple gardening.

Meanwhile, president of SFCD, Alex Foster, in his remarks, reflected on a visit last year to neighbouring Brazil where he saw what the schools were able to do and was inspired to replicate the same here in

Guyana.

“Students will have a stateof-the-art home economics department in the Region. Schools can have the ability to have a balanced diet to their students, income can be generated for self-sustainability, families can be able to supply organic supplies, agri-department in schools and

NGO’s will have gardens that create an enabling environment to allow Guyana and Region 6 to ensure we can have 100% passes in Agri and Home Economics.”

He continued that the programme is holistic, comprehensive, responsive, sustainable and replicable, and once perfected in Region 6, will fan out to the other

Students of the New Amsterdam…

9 administrative regions and then everyone will be visiting Guyana to try and adopt the same project to replicate worldwide.

As part of the competition, NAREI will be visiting the schools to provide technical assistance and guidance while FFTPGI will be supplying the tools and equipment needed.

Speaking on Behalf of FFTPGI, Project Manager, Andrea

Benjamin said the organisation is pleased to be a part of this historical competition since it involves two critical sectors that the organisation is very passionate about: education and agriculture.

The competition is being run with guidance from the CSEC syllabus for agriculture science and encourages best practices for organic farming and non-conventional farming methods. Each school garden must contain a minimum of any two cash crops, any two fruit crops and two CSEC ornamental plants. Of that, at least one crop must be cultivated using a non-conventional farming system, while schools are required to have a plant/herb that acts as a natural repellant to garden insects, pests and diseases. All beds must be constructed using the CSEC syllabus or the CSEC dimensions and properly labelled.

Judging will be done based on creativity or aesthetics appreciation, use of recyclable and non-recyclable materials, use of available space, cultural practices, use of technology, design and layout as well as use of correct tools and correct technique for transplanting and non-conventional and conventional farming systems.

UncappeD shines spotlight from page 12

The company had on display laundry detergents, dish washing liquids, fabric softeners, car wash liquid, multipurpose cleaners, disinfectants and more.

“It makes sense to use ‘TidyUp’,” Shermaine said, “because you’re actually refilling your bottles or your containers. So you’re saving, and you’re saving the environment by recycling.”

“Because of the weather, I thought there would have been less persons, but it’s nice to see so many persons coming out today,” she added.

Later in the day, GMSA Vice-President, Ramsay Ali said that while the weather indeed had impacted the size of the crowd, UncappeD remains a free event which creates a space for local businesses to gain exposure to new markets and customers.

“Looking back at the booths that have been here from the start, some three years ago, there are significant improvements in the

quality of the products [such as] packaging, new products that are coming on board. And at least we know that UncappeD is creating some kind of a space for these people to come and sell their products to the Guyanese public,” he said.

The GMSA hopes to take the event to Berbice within the first quarter of 2020. Ali stressed that small businesses will require the encouragement and support of all stakeholders to remain relevant in the local market.

“Small businesses need support, and they need support from the government.

They need support from the people of Guyana; they need support from the private sector. Small businesses cannot borrow money from the current rates that are available at the banks; it doesn’t work for them. So, government needs to find a way to support small businesses with more agreeable terms for borrowing money,” he advised.

Humberto Hamilton of the South American Coco Company entertains a customer

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GTA, PAC sign MoU

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, December 9, 2019

– to advance conservation tourism

PAC Commissioner Denise Fraser and Brian Mullis, GTA Director affixing their signatures to the MoU. With them are PAC Chairman, Dr. Raquel Thomas-Caesar; PAC Administrative Director, Denise Bentinck; THAG President Mitra Ramkumar; and Senior Protected Areas Officer Sara Henry A MEMORANDUM of Understanding (MoU) to ensure that tourism continues to meaningfully contribute to promoting values of Guyana’s protected areas, supporting biodiversity conservation and improving the well-being of local people was recently signed between the Protected Areas Commission (PAC) and the Guyana Tourism Association (GTA).

By way of the blueprint, the two agencies will work together to secure the needed funds to realise developing and implementing tourism business plans that support the core conservation goals for the Kaieteur National Park (KNP) and other protected areas.

This is in order to maximise revenue opportunities related to conservation tourism development within the National Protected Areas System (NPAS). Conservation

tourism is an evolution of the concept of ecotourism, and is defined as a form of tourism that makes positive contributions to the conservation of biodiversity and ecosystem services.

Additionally, PAC and GTA will work with communities within and adjacent to protected areas to support community-led tourism enterprise development and improve livelihoods, along with providing licensing and training services to tourism guides and businesses operating within and adjacent to the targeted areas to help raise quality and sustainability.

Both PAC and GTA have committed to securing the necessary financing to realise the purpose of the signed document, with GTA’s Director, Brian Mullis underscoring the need for inter-ministerial collaboration across key agencies. He said that in addition to being focused on biodiversity, conservation and maximising the related benefits to the local communities, both agencies have also been supportive of each other’s goals.

PAC Commissioner Ms. Denise Fraser, in echoing similar sentiments as Mullis, remarked that a well-managed tourism can contribute to the management of our national protected area.

In noting that her agency is a component in the management plan of each of the protected areas, she reiterated the importance of collaboration between her agency and the tourism managers, if the objectives of conservation and sustainable development are to be realised.

15

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, December 9, 2019

126 Linden youths graduate with technical skills ONE hundred and twenty-six young people from the bauxite community of Linden graduated on Friday from the Board of Industrial Training (BIT) in four technical courses - electrical installation, welding and fabrication, heavy-duty equipment operation and motor vehicle repairs.

This training is part of the National Training Project for Youth Empowerment (NTPYE) programme. Chief Labour, Occupational Safety and Health Officer at the Ministry of Social Protection,

Charles Ogle said that the government through BIT continues to embark on these training programmes to empower youths.

“It is the belief of the Ministry, that youths are the future and that each generation should do its utmost to see that the next generation is better off than the one before. It is important to note that when we invest in youths, we make an investment in Guyana and are brightening the future for our children ....”

BIT offers a variety of training programmes to meet the demands of the

A section of the graduates

particular skill set of the region. In Linden, youths gravitate toward skill sets required in the mining sector. The government, Ogle said, will continue to aid in propelling the young people and urged the graduates to use their knowledge to become positive contributors to society. This knowledge, however, he posited must be coupled with soft skills and mannerisms.

“You must incorporate your basic moral compass and mannerism. Be honest, be kind, be respectful, be punctual etc. These are all attributes that will help

to move you forward in all aspects of your life.”

Additional practical encouragement was given

by Member of Parliament Jermaine Figueira who told the graduates “Do not see yourself as [just being] employable, see yourself as an employer.

A lot of opportunities do exist, but it is for you to look where there is a lack in the community and provide that service, thereby becoming an employer, rather than an employee,” he said.

Of the graduates, 13.5 percent were females. The National Training Project for Youth Empowerment was established in 2005 and has since trained over 24,000 youths in Guyana.

It is carried out in all ten regions and has enabled many of its graduates to gain meaningful employment.

CEO of BIT, Richard Maughn, related that at a previous BIT gradu-

A graduate receiving his certificate from Charles Ogle, Chief Labour, Occupational Safety and Health Officer at the Ministry of Social Protection ation in Linden, all 30 graduates are currently employed and following the completion of the latest programme for agro-processers, most of those graduates are now producers. Graduate Orlon Rogers, said that the

journey throughout the months was hectic and there were many obstacles to overcome but he, along with his colleagues, weathered the storm.

Rogers hopes to use the skills garnered in the oil and gas industry. (DPI)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, December 9, 2019

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, December 8, 2019

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, December 9, 2019

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, December 9, 2019

Simmons, batsmen inflict West Indies vs India 2nd T20…

8-wicket thrashing upon India ―Windies level series 1-1

Opener Lendl Simmons cracked a half-century as West Indies trounced India by 8 wickets to level the T20 series 1-1, following their defeat in game one.

India racked up an imposing 170 for 7 in their 20 overs, thanks mainly to middle-order batsman, Shivam Dube, who led the way with 54 off 30 balls.

Dube hit three fours

and 4 maximums while wicket-keeper Rishbah Pant scored an unbeaten 33 in support of his partner.

Windies seamer Kesrick Williams and leg-spinner, Hayden Walsh Jr, starred with two wickets apiece.

Simmons then made light work of a seemingly stiff target by smashing four fours and as many sixes in his unbeaten 67 from 45 balls; leading the chase as they ended on 173 for 2.

His countryman and fellow opening partner, Evin Lewis, was also aggressive, adding 73 with Simmons while hitting three fours and three big sixes in his 40.

The pair of Guyanese Shimron Hetymer, who smoked 23 off 14, and the returning Nicholas Pooran who blasted an 18-ball 38 not out, saw the Windies to safety in 18.3 overs.

The 3rd T20 bowls off in Mumbai on Wednesday. (Clifton Ross)

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Monday, December 09, 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) (1) (2)

ANSWERS TO YESTERDAY’S QUIZ: Younis Khan-10,099 runs (118 matches) Imzamam-ul-Haq-11,701 runs (375 matches)

TODAY’S QUIZ:

(1) Who is the first Australian player to register a Test century against Pakistan?

(2) Who is the first Pakistani player to hit a Test century against Australia?

ANSWERS IN TOMORROW’S ISSUE

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20

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, December 9, 2019

Leicester City set club record after thumping Aston Villa (REUTERS) - LEICESTER City set a club record of eight successive top flight wins after two goals from Jamie Vardy helped them to an impressive 4-1 Premier League victory at Aston Villa on Sunday.

Kelechi Iheanacho and Jonny Evans were also on target for Leicester, who served up a performance akin to those which produced a memorable title run in 2015-16 as they missed several chances to win by a bigger margin.

The result left the Foxes second in the standings on 38 points from 16 games, eight adrift of runaway leaders Liverpool and six ahead of third-placed champions Manchester City, while Villa slipped to 17th on 15 points.

Leicester manager Brendan Rodgers heaped praise on his players.

“I thought they were amazing, it is a historical day for the club and the performance warranted that,” he was quoted as saying by the BBC. “We scored all types of goals today and kept going to the end and tried to keep scoring goals.”

The league’s top scorer Vardy fired Leicester ahead with his 15th goal of the season in the 20th minute when he shook off Ezri Konsa and slotted the ball in after rounding goalkeeper Tom Heaton with a sublime first touch.

Iheanacho made it 2-0 with a deft finish from a fizzing low cross by James Maddison before Jack Grealish pulled one back for Villa on the stroke of halftime, burying a powerful shot from 12 metres past goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel.

Centre back Evans restored Leicester’s two-goal advantage with a looping header from 10 metres shortly after the break, rising above his marker to meet a Maddison corner.

The effervescent Maddison, who tormented the home team’s defence all afternoon, shaved the post with a fine shot from the edge of the penalty area in the 67th minute as Leicester continued to dominate.

Vardy put the icing on the cake for the rampant visitors in the 76th minute after he raced clear of Matt Targett from the halfway line and drove the ball past Heaton into the bottom right corner.

Evans, who won three Premier League titles with Manchester United, was upbeat about Leicester’s chances of finishing in the top four.

“We are up there and it shows we are playing well,” the 31-year-old Northern Ireland defender told Sky Sports.

“Our performance was good. It is nice people are talking about us, we’re enjoying it and there’s great spirit in the club.”

Kelechi Iheanacho of Leicester City (R) celebrates scoring his sides second goal with tm James Maddison during the Premier League match between Aston Villa and Leicester City at Villa Park on December 08, 2019 in Birmingham, United Kingdom (Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images)

Tiger returns to President’s cup (REUTERS) - A BIENNIAL tournament that has struggled for relevance under a heavy weight of American supremacy will roar back into life when Tiger Woods returns to the Presidents Cup as a playing captain at Royal Melbourne this week.

himself and will be front and centre at the famed sandbelt course, calling the shots in the locker room and out on the fairways as the visitors bid for an eighth straight title.

Now 43, Woods may not take a big playing load while

Tiger Woods (Photo by David Cannon/Getty Images)

The 15-times major champion missed the 2015 tournament and was a non-playing assistant two years ago when Steve Stricker’s United States steamrolled the Internationals 19-11 at Liberty National.

Woods, though, used one of his four captain’s picks on

juggling management duties but his presence is a bonanza for organisers and certain to bring huge crowds flooding to the usually sleepy bayside suburb of Black Rock.

It also spells trouble for an Internationals team short on quality and experience

that appears ill-equipped to end the U.S. tyranny.

With 10 Americans in the world’s top 20 compared to just Adam Scott for the Internationals, the U.S. might have little need of a seasoned Presidents Cup campaigner to get the job done.

They have exactly that in Woods, however.

He played the course in 1998 when the U.S. suffered their lone Presidents Cup defeat and returned 13 years later to roll in the winning putt at the 2011 tournament.

“On paper, we certainly have the advantage in the world rankings,” Woods said last month. “(But) when you start out on Thursday, it’s 0-0. We have to go out and win this Cup.” Webb Simpson was also part of the 19-15 win in 2011 and can offer tips to his younger team mates.

The youthful Internationals have seven debutants compared to five for the visitors and will be looking to fully exploit every advantage they can muster.

They will lean heavily on captain Ernie Els, who set the course record at Royal Melbourne’s composite layout when he shot a 12-under 60 in 2004 and counts the 1998 and 2011 tournaments among his eight Presidents Cups as a player.

The team’s three Australians — Scott, Marc Leishman and Cameron Smith — also know their way around the sandbelt but they are well aware that local knowledge counted for little in 2011.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, December 9, 2019

World champion ‘had health issue’ before first Andy Ruiz fight

(BBC) - UNIFIED world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua said a health issue left him “tired” and “drained” in the build-up to his June defeat by Andy Ruiz Jr. Joshua, 30, reclaimed his world titles in Saudi Arabia on Saturday, dominating the Mexican over 12 rounds.

Conspiracy theories had circulated after his initial defeat, one of the biggest shocks in heavyweight history.

“I had some issue with my health which I was going through for a long time,” Joshua told the 5 Live Boxing podcast.

The Briton added: “I didn’t know what was wrong with me. I felt so tired and drained and thought it must be down to training.

“In the changing room before the fight I got a bucket of ice and was putting my head in it thinking ‘why do I feel so tired?’

“The responsibilities of being world champion are difficult. All that stuff, feeling so tired, dealing with obligations.

“Now I have energy, I haven’t missed a session.”

He added: “After my check-ups it showed what the problem was and this is what you have to get sorted.

“Even in this camp I had an operation done but as I’d started training in June I had no issues.”

Joshua had hinted previously that he had something to reveal about what went on before his first career defeat and, after initial hesitation, provided at least some insight to the 5 Live Boxing podcast.

Theories aired in the in-

Two time Heavyweight Champion of the World, Anthony Joshua poses for pictures overlooking Riyadh after the IBF, WBA, WBO & IBO World Heavyweight Title Fight between Andy Ruiz Jr and Anthony Joshua at the the Al Faisaliah Hotel on December 08, 2019 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)

Joshua refused to say what the operation was but it is understood the procedure he had was linked to the issue diagnosed after his defeat by Ruiz.

terim had ranged form him having shown the effects of being concussed in sparring to having a seizure before the bout at Madison Square Garden.

Fans riot after Brazil’s Cruzeiro relegated (REUTERS) - CRUZEIRO’S final match of the season was abandoned before the end on Sunday when fans ripped up seats and threw them at players after the team were relegated from Brazil’s first division for the first time in their history.

The referee abandoned the game with some five minutes remaining shortly after Palmeiras’ second goal condemned the home side to a 2-0 defeat.

Police fired percussion grenades as angry fans threw objects and fought on the terraces and officials decided it was not safe for the players to continue.

Many people had already left the Mineirao stadium before the end as scuffles broke out among fans furious at the club’s plight.

The Belo Horizonte club had needed to win their last game of the season and hope that Ceara, the team that started the day two points above them in the table, lost away at Botafogo.

But a goal from Ze Rafael 13 minutes into the second half and a second from Dudu

He now says he feels “back” and “focused”.

The two-time world heavyweight champion also said he learned a valuable lesson not to accept opponents at short notice - Ruiz was drafted in six weeks be-

with six minutes remaining sealed Cruzeiro’s fate.

Ceara drew 1-1 with Botafogo and ended the season on 39 points, three above Cruzeiro.

Sunday along with CSA, Chapecoense and Avai.

Flamengo won the league by 16 points, although they lost 4-0 on Sunday to Santos, a surprise

Fans of Cruzeiro react after losing a match against Palmeiras as part of Brasileirao Series A 2019 at Mineirao Stadium on December 8, 2019 in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. Cruzeiro have been relegated from the Brasileiro Serie A for the first time in the club’s history. (Photo by Pedro Vilela/Getty Images)

Although Cruzeiro started the season well, winning the Mineiro state championship, their results worsened after the directors were caught up in a corruption scandal that shook the club in May. The upheaval affected the team and directors ended up hiring and firing four different coaches over the 38 games of the league season, with the final change coming last week.

They were relegated on

result that was their first defeat in 30 games stretching back to early August.

The Rio side now go to Qatar to take part in the Club World Cup as winners of the Copa Libertadores, South America’s version of the Champions League.

Santos, Palmeiras, Gremio, Athletico Paranaense and Sao Paulo made up the rest of this year’s top six and all qualified for next year’s Libertadores.

fore their fight after American Jarrell Miller failed three drug tests.

Joshua, who will return to the UK in the early hours of Monday morning with the

IBF, WBA and WBO belts, was on the front of Sunday’s Saudi newspapers, alongside Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman, who attended his fight.

Despite widespread criticism of staging the bout in a country criticised for its human rights record, Joshua said he would “100%” be happy to return to the kingdom on holiday or to perform.

Joshua is now expected to face either the WBO’s mandatory challenger - currently Ukraine’s Oleksandr Usyk - or the man in the same position with the IBF, Bulgarian Kubrat Pulev.

He said he was no longer interested in calling out WBC champion Deontay Wilder for a historic bout with all four world heavyweight titles on the line.

Chasing a contest with compatriot Tyson Fury was also dismissed as Joshua said he hoped to focus on one “hurdle” at a time.

“Looking so far ahead it can be a blurry vision looking that far out,” Joshua told BBC Sport.

“Sooner or later I will be looking directly at the

undisputed championship of the world.

“If the opportunity presents itself I will fight Wilder and Fury. Wilder has a fight with Fury in February. Once that is out of the way they can start mentioning my name.

“I can’t keep on fighting all the champions, the best in the division and then other people who say they want to step up don’t step up.

“All challengers are welcome to take on this current unified champion.”

Joshua said to defend his belts “on home soil would be big news” after promoter Eddie Hearn revealed he had been in discussions over a fight at Tottenham’s new 60,000-capacity stadium, most likely against Pulev.

“It would be mega,” Joshua added. “Looking at how many people came out here shows there is still a big interest in the heavyweight division, especially now we are taking the belts back.

“Sometimes it would be better against a Brit, but if not I follow the mandatories and defend them that way.”

Fernandez scores late as New Castle beat Southhampton

Newcastle’s Federico Fernandez celebrates scoring his side’s winning goal against Southampton. (AP pic)

Newcastle defender Federico Fernandez scored a late winner as his side came from behind to beat Southampton at St James' Park.

Fernandez fired in a rebound from close range after Sean Longstaff's shot was parried by keeper Alex McCarthy.

His 87th-minute winner came after Jonjo Shelvey had cancelled out Danny Ings' opener with a second-half header.

Newcastle have not lost at home in the Premier League since the opening weekend Ings, scoring in his fifth suc-

cessive match for Southampton, latched on to a long ball which Newcastle had failed to clear and slotted it past Martin Dubravka.

That came after a bright spell for Newcastle at the start of the second half but the hosts were dragged back into the match by Shelvey now the team's top scorer in the Premier League with five goals - who was set up by a curling cross from substitute Andy Carroll.

Southampton responded and should have regained the lead through Ryan Ber-

trand, who missed a header from a few yards out at the back post before Ings came close to connecting with Shane Long's low cross.

Nathan Redmond also missed chances for Southampton in the first half - he fired straight at Dubravka after picking up a loose pass and was denied again by the keeper when he struck powerfully inside the box.

Defeat leaves Southampton in the relegation zone - level on points with Aston Villa - while Newcastle break into the top.

22

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, December 9, 2019

Welch, Victor lead Guyana to impressive 97 – 75 win over Grenada A GAME-high 28 points from Terron Welch and a 16-point all-round performance from Ray Victor pushed Guyana to a 22-point win (97 – 75) over Grenada on Saturday evening at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall, in game two of their Goodwill Basketball Series.

While Victor torched the visitors with a 39-point display in Game One, it was Welch who ‘blew fire’ whenever he was on the floor, with the Lindener lighting up the men from the Spice Isle with his marksman-like shooting from ‘down town’.

After the first game, Head Coach Naka Joseph pointed out his men were not use to playing on a wooden floor, since, in Grenada, their ‘semi’ indoor facility is actually a surface that was built for Volleyball and as such, they had difficulties adjusting to using the Molten-brand ball and the

surface.

However, it seemed as though they had adjusted pretty well, since they were the aggressors in the opening stanza, but still trailed 24 – 25 at the end of the period.

Guyana, behind Welch and Victor and some good

display of basketball from Victory Valley Royals point guard, Yonnick Tappin, led 43 – 38 at the end of the first half.

The third quarter was where Guyana exploded, outscoring the visitors 30 – 17 (43 – 38) to set the home side on an easy path

to victory.

Joshua Williams scored a team-high 26 points and Andrew James was Grenada’s second highest scorer with 17 points.

The two countries played their final game of the series last evening.

(Rawle Toney)

Sparta, Gold is Money, Rio All-Stars and Bent Street through to Rio Semi-finals BOTH Sparta Boss and Gold is Money, two of the heavyweights in the shorter format of football, survived bruising encounters to advance to the semi-finals of the inaugural Rio Indoor Tournament which continued on Saturday night, at the National Gymnasium.

Playing in front of what was undoubtedly the biggest turnout to date, Sparta Boss had to come from behind in their clash against a determined BV unit to make the last four.

It took a brace from talisman Deon Alfred to secure victory, while the experienced Eusi Phillips supported with a double in the win. On target for BV were Omari Glasgow and Jamar Harrigon.

In the game that followed, Gold is Money edged Leopold Street 3-2 to set up a mouth-watering clash against nemesis, Sparta Boss, for a final berth on Saturday. The lanky striker, Solomon Austin, fired in a brace while another impressive young player, Keifer Brandt, added the other.

Terron Welch (L) and Ray Victor

Jackman strikes gold for Guyana at Caribbean Boxing Championships FIFTEEN-year-old Alesha Jackman handed defending champions, Guyana, its first gold medal at the 2019 Caribbean Boxing Championships with a win in the Young Women Novice 64kg category, on Saturday evening in Trinidad.

The Forgotten Youth Foundation boxer, who is arguably our most promising female boxer, was again a dominant force inside the ring.

After stopping Trinidadian Sharika Elias in her opening bout, the East Ruimveldt youngster was able to deliver a unanimous decision against Jamaican, Britney McFarlane.

Alesha displayed superior boxing skills in the fight and although she was not as dominant as in her previous encounters, she did deliver some decisive blows throughout the three rounds.

Even though she was aggressive in the opening round, it was not until round two that the southpaw stuck to her game plan and executed her one-twos (jab and left hand punches), which kept McFarlane, who had won gold last year in Guyana at the Caribbean Schoolboys and Juniors boxing tournament, at bay.

The Central High School student then kept her composure to secure the third round and the contest.

One of the outstanding things about the boxing prodigy was her weight class rise. She entered the competition as a junior lightweight but because she did not have an opponent in her category, her coaches

had to step her up to the Youth 64kg.

According to her coach, Sebert Blake, Alesha followed the game plan. “We told her to stick to the basic to get a clean jab and right hand off…she stuck to the game plan very well.

A t times she mixed it up with the uppercuts and hooks.”

Blake noted that the teen stayed away from the reach of her heavier opponent and he was impressed with her delivery.

Alesha’s older sister, Abiola, was also scheduled to fight on Saturday evening against Trinidadian Kinesha Clarke in the Women’s Novice 69kg final, but that bout was postponed to last night.

The other Guyanese in action on Saturday night was superheavyweight boxer Kevin Hunte, who lost his semi-final bout to Trinidadian Nigel Paul.

Team Guyana was set to battle in several finals last evening.

Alesha Jackman won gold outside of her weight class

Tyrese Ford and Omallo Williams were the players on target for Leopold Street. The most impressive performance of the night came from Rio All Stars that inflicted a 6-1 crushing on Future Stars to install themselves as legitimate contenders for the title.

Former national player, Job Caesar, was in irresistible form, hammering in a treble to lead the charge for his team. Jermin Junor, Kelsey Benjamin and Andrew Murray Jnr added solitary strikes to complete their tally. Daniel Ross was the lone marksman for Future Stars.

In the final quarter-final matchup, Bent Street, a team loaded with national players, silenced the highly touted Back Circle with a comfortable 3-1 triumph.

Captain Daniel Wilson, Pernell Schultz and Clive Nobrega each netted one apiece, while Stephon McLean made the lone response for Back Circle.

The semi-final matchups will see Sparta Boss and Gold is Money square off in the feature semi-final, while Rio All Stars go head to head with Bent Street in what are blockbuster affairs.

Up for grabs is $1million for the winning team, while second, third and fourth place finishers will receive $400,000, $200,000 and $100,000 respectively along with trophies. The semi-finals and final will be played on the same night.

23

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, December 9, 2019

Briton John wins top prize at Cycling Award ceremony ―Niles continues dominance of Under-45 division BRITON John accumulated the most points for 2019 in cycling and, on Saturday evening, he was duly rewarded with a plaque and cash prize.

The national rider, who was not at the presentation, also won the Most Improved Cyclist plaque at the seventh annual award ceremony of the Guyana Cycling News, which was held at the Saint Stanislaus College in the capital city.

The event was attended by most of the top cyclists in the country, and drew praises from current president of the Guyana Cycling Federation (GCF), Linden Dowridge.

In a brief speech, Dowridge noted that the event has grown into something “grand”.

The GCF president was also hopeful that 2020 would be more productive for the sport.

“Sponsors, well-wishers, thank you very much for supporting us and we are looking forward to your continued support for next year.

Hopefully, that would be a better year, a bigger year, for cycling. We have a number of things planned and once we are able to put them together successfully, next year should be better.”

Balram Singh, head of the independent body-- the Guyana Cycling News--was elated that his input has helped to further develop the sport.

“Guyana Cycling News started in 2011 because I found that there was no avenue to get cycling informaA second-wicket partnership of 106 between Hakim Majeed and Seekumar Budhram propelled Success Masters to a 31-run win against Ogle Masters in a 15over battle for the Regal Stationary and Computer Centre trophy yesterday at the Ogle Community Centre ground.

Led by 54 (1x4, 5x6s) from Majeed and supported with 46 (5x6s) from Budhram, the visitors posted a challenging 137-4 from their 15 overs after they had lost the toss and were

tion out, especially to overseas Guyanese, so I started to post the result of races, pictures…there was no forum to discuss any aspect of the sport….”

Singh noted that after a

year-and-a-half, he brought in Malcolm Sonaram and then, later, overseas-based Guyanese Elvis Budhram, who helped with US-based cycling news and stats from time-to-time.

He noted that recently, Enzo

Junior Niles has dominated the Under-45 division over the years

Ajay Gopilall was rewarded for his dominance in the Junior division

Matthews also assisted with photos and video footage.

Singh added that although donations were received from a number of persons, he normally has to add over $100,000 out of

his own pocket, annually, to support the venture.

Along with the plaques, over $300,000 in cash was also awarded to the winners.

Although John won the top award, Junior Niles

Ian Jackson was the top rider in the Over-45 division

Denise Jeffrey collects the female prize from Malcolm Sonaram

Success Masters registered a 31-run victory

again dominated the Under-45 division. The ace cyclist collected award number seven for his consistency and quality performances in his category. In total, he tallied 117 points.

Second position in the Masters U-45 division went to Paul Cho-wee-nam (67 points), while third place went to Alex Mendes (46 points).

In the Masters Over-45 category, Ian Jackson won ahead of Kennard Lovell and Andy Spencer.

Denise Jeffrey from Team Evolution was the lone recipient in the female category.

Meanwhile, in the Juvenile division, Sherwin Sampson won ahead of Jonathan Ramsuchit and Mario Washington.

Berbice cyclists Ajay Gopilall (133 points) and Ralph Seenarine (105) were first and second in the Junior Points Classification.

United cyclist Briton John tallied a whopping 192 points, followed by Michael Anthony (168 points), Jamual John (156), Curtis Dey (121), Paul Denobrega (118) and Andre Greene (114).

John, who was riding overseas earlier this year, was also rewarded for copping nine local wins, the most this season.

Walter Grant Stuart, Andrew Hicks, Marcus Kilier, Deeraj Garbarran and Christopher Griffith also received bonus cash prizes. asked to take first strike.

In reply, Khemchand Dindyal, who had taken a wicket for Ogle, then put on 80 runs with Azeemul Haniff for the opening stand. Although Dindyal remained unbeaten on a top score of 60 (4x6s), the home team could not get on top of the visitors’ bowlers, and when the overs expired, they were left on 106-3.

Haniff supported with 29 and David Harper 12.

Majeed was later voted as the Man-of-theMatch.

Success Masters beat Ogle Masters to win Regal Stationery and Computer Centre trophy

Guyana’s Ray Victor beats his Grenadian defender on his way to scoring during his side’s 97 – 75 points win at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall (Delano Williams Photos)

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Welch, Victor lead Guyana to impressive 97 – 75 win over Grenada West Indies vs India 2nd T20…

Simmons,

batsmen 19 inflict 8-wicket thrashing upon India PAGE

Lendl Simmons and Nicholas Pooran celebrate victory, India v West Indies, 2nd T20I © BCCI

Hayden Walsh Jr celebrates a dismissal © BCCI

―Windies level series 1-1 Printed and Published by Guyana National Newspapers Limi ted, Lama Avenue, Bel Air Park, Georgetown. Telephone 2 2 6- 3243-9 (General); Editorial: 2 2 7- 5204, 2 2 7- 5216. Fax:2 2 7- 5208

MONDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2019