Guyana_Chronicle_Epaper_12_11_2019

WEDNESDAY 11th December, 2019

’ No.105848

‘NOT OUR POSITION’ … US Government distances self from ‘PPP likely to win’ remarks

… says Prof Ellis made comments before joining State Department 03 PAGE

Lowenfield gets new three-year contract 14 PAGE

… PPP commissioners abstained during vote

Guyana 02 Elected G77 Chair for 2020 PAGE

Guyana moves up human development 10 scale

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

… literacy rate at 85.6%, school dropout down

Approximately 100 children were entertained when the Dharm Shala located on Sussex Street, Albouystown hosted its annual Christmas party on Tuesday. Special Guest at the function was United States Ambassador to Guyana, Sarah- Ann Lynch who is pictured here distributing some of the snacks to the children (Delano Williams photo)

… 70 per cent of teachers within the primary education system are trained

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, December 11, 2019

Guyana to assume chairmanship of G77 bloc in 2020

IN a historic move, Guyana has been elected to chair the Group of 77 next year, a move

deemed “timely and fitting” by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The state will receive

the official handover for the chairmanship in January 2020.

According to a release

from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the decision by the G77 and China to elect Guyana to serve as its chair in 2020 is a demonstration of strong support for and confidence in the Co-operative Republic of Guyana.

The election was made at the 22 November plenary of the 134 Member States of the Group. The election was made by acclamation without preconditions.

The Foreign Affairs ministry said that the Guyana’s election to the post follows a decision of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) earlier in 2019 to ensure that a regional candidate assumes chairmanship in 2020 of this largest negotiating group of developing countries in the United Nations. Consequently, for its accession, Guyana received the unequivocal support of CARICOM and the majority of countries in the Group, including from Africa, Asia Pacific and Latin America.

“For Guyana’s part, during its Chairmanship, which coincides with the United Nations seventy-fifth anniversary and its national Republic Jubilee, the country is committed to endeavour to strengthen multilateralism for the benefit of all developing countries, including by presiding over global sustainable development and climate change ne-

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Karen Cummings gotiations, and efforts to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the organisation,” the ministry said.

According to the ministry, Guyana’s election as G77 Chair has been hailed as a timely and fitting tribute to all Guyanese with recognition of the good standing and capacity of the country to effectively undertake responsibilities at the highest levels of the international community.

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Karen Cummings, emphasised that, “in keeping with its deep commitment to principled conduct and the rule of law, Guyana will discharge the important responsibilities of the Chairmanship of the G77 and China with integrity, faithfulness to the principles and objectives of the Charter of the United Nations.”

Furthermore, Dr. Cummings noted Guyana’s resolve to use the opportunity to further the in-

terests of all developing countries.

The duties of the Chairmanship will be discharged with the support of a range of bilateral partners and international organisations. Team members will be drawn from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, other Government Ministries and agencies and from the Guyanese diaspora.

Main activities of the group takes place at United Nations Headquarters in New York. G77 Chapters are based in Geneva, Nairobi, Paris, Rome and Vienna, and the closely-allied Intergovernmental Group of Twenty-Four on International Monetary Affairs and Development (G24) in Washington DC. The official ceremony for the handover of the G77 Chairmanship from the State of Palestine — which served in the capacity in 2019 — to the Co-operative Republic of Guyana will be held on 15 January at United Nations Headquarters in New York.

The G77 was formed in 1964 and its purpose is to provide a forum for developing nations to promote their economic interests.

While 77 nations were the founding members of the group, it later expanded to include other nations.

China participates in the meetings of the G77 but is not a member, hence the group is referred to as the G77 and China.

‘NOT OUR POSITION’ … US Government distances self from “PPP likely to win” remarks … says Prof Ellis made comments before joining State Department THE Embassy of the United States of America has distanced itself from the remarks recently publicised of US State Department Adviser, Dr. Evan Ellis who spoke to the “likely return of the PPP to power” after the coming elections.

Ellis had provided no statistics or hard data to support his claims and the statement was found to be personal sentiments of the author cited as “Ellis, 2019” at the end of the publication. On Tuesday, the US Embassy stated in a release: “Comments reported

by Guyana’s online and print dailies were written by Professor Ellis last April before his employment with the U.S. State Department and in no way reflect an official position. The outcome of the election is for the people of Guyana to decide. In this regard, the only interest of the United States is in free, fair, and peaceful elections on March 2. The U.S. Embassy in Guyana regrets any misunderstanding caused by Professor Ellis’ dated comments.”

According to his bio, Dr. Ellis’ studies focused on Latin America’s relations with China and other non-Western Hemisphere actors and he has presented an array of his work in a wide range of commercial and government forums in 25 countries. Several of the academic’s references in the journal came from his own interviews, local media outlets, overseas outlets and at times, his own publications and himself, cited as “Ellis, 2019” or “Ellis, 2013”.

His comment on the “likely return of the PPP to power” was cited at the end of the journal as “Ellis, 2019”.

The APNU+AFC Coalition has also slammed what it described as a mischievous Demerara Waves report which broke the news stating that the media agency cherry picked just a few words from a 24-page document. They called out Ellis as a “known asset” of a certain lobbying firm in Washington DC with known connections to the Peoples Progressive Party (PPP) being paid tens of millions of dollars to whitewash the party’s tainted image.

In condemning the Demerarawaves report the coalition, the use of a few selected words taken completely out of context smacks of desperation by the PPP and its agents. “Theirs is an attempt to dupe the Guyanese public into believing that the PPP stands any chance of returning to government. It also illustrates that the PPP is attempting to distract from their beleaguered presidential candidate, dishonest Irfan Ali, and their recent disastrous manifesto launch.”

According to the coalition it is interesting to note as well that the so-called “expert” admitted that the PPP regime has a legacy of corruption, victimisation, nepotism and

US State Department Adviser, Dr. Evan Ellis (CONFIDENCIAL photo)

narcotocracy. “That is the PPP’s real and true image and that is in their DNA. The PPP is not to be trusted, it is not reformed and it is the same old cabal with the same kleptocracy agenda. No high-priced Washington lobbying firm with a bucket of whitewash can mask that from the Guyanese people who are very familiar with the unending list of development work being done by the APNU+AFC Coalition Government which has initiated a nationwide development overdrive,” the coalition statement read.

The coalition said on the other hand, not only is the PPP trapped in its image of being obscenely and grotesquely corrupt but several of its leaders are either facing court trials or being investigated for criminal conduct.

Dr. Ellis stated: “Under the APNU-AFC government of David Granger, the nation was making meaningful, if slow progress in combatting corruption and reforming its institutions. While the PPP governments which preceded it manifested relatively competent administration and a pro-business orientation, the accusations of corruption, and their level of cooperation with leftist populist regimes such as Venezuela, as well as the PRC, arguably caused discomfort in Washington.”

Nonetheless, the Guyana Chronicle fact checked some of additional information within the publication where he touched on longtime challenges of Guyana such as illegal mining, money laundering and drug and human trafficking. Dr. Ellis stated: “Guyana is both an exporter of marijuana to Brazil and a transit country for cocaine. Granger administration Finance Minister Winston Jordan has asserted (with strong objections from the opposition PPP) that a substantial amount of the country’s economy depends on the proceeds from narcotrafficking.”

However, the Guyana Chronicle’s re-

search showed that Minster Jordan has not stated that the economy “depends” on the proceeds from narcotrafficking but rather that this is what kept it afloat under the PPP regime.

Minister of Citizenship and former Commissioner of Police, Winston Felix said in 2019: “It was under their watch that contraband smuggling was prevalent, narco- trafficking and gun-running were common place, gun crimes were at an all-time high, drug death squads roamed the streets causing over 400 unsolved murders, human trafficking was common place, crimes such as bribery, armed robberies, arson, inter personal violence, murder, piracy, rapes all increased under the PPP/C. The GPF was starved of the resources and training they badly needed.”

He noted that the National Anti-Narcotics Agency (NANA) was established by the coalition government to tackle drug trafficking. As a result, there has been an increase in narcotic seizures, with over 800kg of cocaine, 65,000kg of cannabis, 1,900kg of heroin seized in 2017 and 2018 while Guyanese authorities initiated 503 prosecutions and convicted 227 individuals for narcotics trafficking during the same period. He also credited intelligence gathering through CCTV cameras and the establishment and training of special police units.

Also, the government has been working with local and international agencies to ensure Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/ CFT) measures are put in place. “Guyana has shown strong political will to combat money laundering and has made progress on the AML front,” U.S Department of State established in its 2019 U.S International Narcotics Control Strategy Report Volume II: Money Laundering.

In his opening paragraphs, Dr. Ellis also referenced the attempt of a Venezuelan navy helicopter to land on a ship contracted

by ExxonMobil conducting seismic survey in December 2018. He said that Guyana’s current political crisis has the potential to “invite opportunistic challenges to Guyana’s sovereignty by neighbouring Venezuela and Suriname”.

However, thinking ahead to such threats is why President David Granger, Attorney General, Basil Williams and several other political heads of government had stressed the importance of the rightful interpretation of Guyana’s Constitution which, at no time, leaves room for the country to exist without a president or government. “My government has held to this position at all times – the country cannot be left without a government.

The country’s borders, natural resources, sovereignty and territorial integrity must be

protected and its international obligations fulfilled. Citizens must be provided with public services at the central, regional and local levels to ensure their welfare,” President Granger reasoned on September 19, 2019 when the Opposition protested for the opposite.

Article 106 (7), of the Constitution states: “Notwithstanding its defeat, the government shall remain in office, and shall hold an election within three months, or such longer period as the National Assembly shall, by resolution supported by not less than two-thirds of the votes of all the elected members of the National Assembly determine, and shall resign after the President takes the oath of office following the election.”

Dr. Ellis played heavily on the “prospect for violence” in Guyana based on the current “political crisis” and what he relayed

The Embassy of the United States of America as impending dissatisfaction of Guyanese following the outcome of the 2020 elections.

“Whatever the outcome, a significant number of Guyanese will be highly dissatisfied with the outcome and convinced that their interests can no longer be protected through traditional democratic mechanisms, raising the prospect for violence,” the scholar wrote.

However, the current “political crisis” in Guyana coupled with the coming elections have only resulted in several small parties emerging from various demographics to contest --- nothing strange to the elections season in Guyana. The country’s main political parties and its supporters have fixed their attention towards the campaign season while the government has long accepted and acts in interim status awaiting the swearing in a new government come 2020.

At the same time, the Venezuelan territorial claim, through the current government’s efforts, will be legally settled once and for all by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in March 2020.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday December 11, 2019

Trump is fourth U.S. president to face impeachment as Democrats unveil charges

W A S H I N G T O N ( R euters) - Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives announced impeachment charges against President Donald Trump on Tuesday, making him the fourth president in U.S. history to face a formal effort to remove him from office.

The Democratic-controlled House is almost certain to vote to impeach the president as soon as next week, setting up a trial in the Republican-controlled Senate early next year, shortly before the presidential election kicks off with primaries in Iowa and New Hampshire.

The effort to force Trump out of the White House faces long odds of success. At least 20 Senate Republicans would have to vote to remove him from office, and none so far have indicated they are considering such a move.

The two formal charges, abuse of power and obstruction of Congress, accuse Trump of “betraying” the country by abusing power in an effort to pressure Ukraine to probe a political rival and then obstructing Congress’ investigation into

the scandal. House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler told reporters that Democrats had to take action because Trump had endangered the U.S. Constitution, jeopardized national security and undermined the integrity of the 2020 election.

“No one, not even the president, is above the law,” Nadler said at a news conference. His panel is expected to approve the charges as soon as Wednesday ahead of the full House vote. White House spokeswoman Stephanie Grisham accused Democrats of engaging in a “baseless and partisan” attempt to undo his surprise victory in the 2016 election.

‘OBSTRUCTION AND STALEMATE’ He is the fourth U.S. president to face impeachment. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi leads Judiciary Chairman Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), House Financial Services Chairwoman Maxine Waters (D-CA) and House Intelligence Chairman Adam Schiff (D-CA) and other Democratic committee chairs through statuary hall to a news conference

to announce artiicles of impeachment against U.S. President Donald Trump on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., December 10, 2019. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst Democratic President Bill Clinton was impeached in 1998 for lying about a sexual relationship he had with a White House intern, but he was acquitted in the Senate. Republican President Richard Nixon resigned in 1974 before he was impeached over his involvement in the Watergate scandal. Democratic President Andrew Johnson was impeached in 1868 but not convicted in the Senate.

Democrats have moved rapidly since launching their inquiry in late September after a whistleblower complaint about a July 25 telephone call in which Trump sought help from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to investigate former Vice President Joe Biden, a leading contender in the Democratic race to challenge Trump in next November’s election.

The abuse of power charge accuses Trump of using nearly $400 million in U.S. security aid and a possible White House

meeting with his Ukrainian counterpart to solicit Ukraine to publicly announce the investigations of Biden and a debunked theory that Ukraine, not Russia, interfered in the 2016 U.S. election. The obstruction charge accuses the president of defying and impeding the House’s efforts to investigate the scandal, adding that Trump would remain a threat to the U.S. Constitution if he remained in office. Republicans argue Trump did nothing improper in his call with Zelenskiy and say there is no direct evidence he withheld aid or a White House meeting in exchange for a favor.

Top Democrats initially had been reluctant to pursue Trump’s impeachment out of concerns that it could inspire a voter backlash in 2020. According to Reuters/Ipsos polling, 44 percent of Americans support impeachment, with 42 percent opposed. Roughly three out of four Democrats support the effort, while fewer than one in 10 Republicans back it.

Nadler and other Democrats involved in the effort opted to focus solely on Trump’s dealings with

Ukraine, rather than the president’s efforts to impede Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation into Russia’s involvement in the 2016 election, or other controversial aspects of his tenure. They say the two articles reflect Trump’s worst offenses and have the broadest support.

The two impeachment articles are bundled into a single resolution, which minimizes the risk of either of them failing on their own. During the Clinton impeachment, the House voted separately on four articles and two of them failed, including one on abuse of power. Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, a leading figure in Clinton’s impeachment, warned that Democrats were setting a dangerous precedent.

“Future Congresses will inevitably make impeachment a political tool to be used anytime a President of the opposing party occupies the White House,” he said in a statement. Representative Adam Schiff, the Democrat who spearheaded the investigation in the House Intelligence Committee, said Trump had given Democrats no choice.

“The evidence of the president’s misconduct is overwhelming and uncontested,” Schiff said.

The White House has refused to participate in the impeachment inquiry so far, but is expected to mount a vigorous defense in the Senate. It is unclear whether Trump himself will testify, but he refused to sit for an interview during Mueller’s investigation. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said the trial in his chamber would not start until next year. He complained that the process had crowded out work on other matters. Congress is set to consider a rush of bipartisan legislation in the coming weeks, including legislation that upgrades military housing and establishes three months of family leave for federal workers. House lawmakers may approve a new trade deal between the United States, Canada and Mexico, which the Senate will not take up before the holidays.

Congress also must tackle legislation to fund the government through next September, which is due to expire on Dec. 20.

U.S. slaps sanctions on Myanmar military chief over Rohingya atrocities WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States on Tuesday imposed sanctions on four Myanmar military leaders, including the commander-in-chief, in the toughest action taken yet by Washington for alleged human rights abuses against the Rohingya and other minorities.

The sanctions targeted military chief Min Aung Hlaing on the same day that Myanmar’s civilian leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, attended the first day hearings at the U.N.’s highest court in The Hague, where she will lead Myanmar’s defense against the charge of genocide. A 2017 military crackdown in Myanmar drove more than 730,000 Rohingya Muslims to flee to neighboring Bangladesh. United Nations investigators have said Myanmar’s operation included mass killings, gang rapes and widespread arson and was executed with “genocidal intent.”

Myanmar, formerly known as Burma, denied accusations of widespread abuses and said the military’s actions were part of a fight against terrorism. The U.S Treasury Department said in a statement on Tuesday Burmese military forces had committed “serious human rights abuse” under Min Aung Hlaing’s command. “During this time, members of ethnic minority groups were killed or injured by gunshot, often while fleeing, or by soldiers using large-bladed weapons; others were burned to death in their own houses,” the statement said.

MAGNITSKY ACT The sanctions Tuesday were among a round of targets implemented

under the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act, which targets perpetrators of serious human rights abuses and corruption, marking International Human Rights Day. The sanctions freeze any U.S. assets held by those targeted and prohibits Americans from doing business with them.

As well as the army chief, the sanctions targeted Min Aung Hlaing’s deputy, Soe Win, and two subordinates who headed the elite army divisions that spearheaded the crackdown on the Rohingya. A Reuters special report last year detailed for the first time the leading role of the two units, the 33rd Light Infantry Division, led by Than Oo, and the 99th Light Infantry Division, led by Aung Aung, in the 2017 conflict.

The 33rd Light Infantry Division led military operations in the village of Inn Din, where Reuters exposed a massacre of 10 Rohingya men and boys by soldiers and Buddhist villagers. Two Reuters reporters that worked on the story were jailed for more than 500 days. It is not known whether the four generals, who were previously barred from entering the United States in July, have assets in the United States.

Myanmar’s embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The additional sanctions come months after Washington faced criticism by U.N. special rapport Yanghee Lee in July, who said the earlier travel ban was not enough.

John Sifton, Asia advocacy director for Human Rights Watch,

called it a welcome but overdue step, saying “better late than never.”

“It is unfortunate the decision took so long. The crimes in question were incredibly serious,” he said. “If the EU follows suit with similar measures and works with the US to press other jurisdictions to crack down, soon the Myanmar military will find that their world is geographically and financially shrinking.” The Treasury said the fresh sanctions were aimed at supporting a transition toward democracy in Myanmar, where Nobel laureate Suu Kyi came to power after landmark elections in 2015. Suu Kyi is forced to share power with unelected generals over whom she has little control, but has remained popular at home despite international criticism over the Rohingya crisis.

Some analysts and diplomats have tipped Min Aung Hlaing as a potential presidential candidate in the next election in 2020, when Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy is likely to face opposition from nationalists aligned with the military. The U.S. action on Tuesday falls short of reimposing economic sanctions on Myanmar lifted after the military began loosening its grip on power. It does not target military-owned companies that dominate some sectors of Myanmar’s economy. Mark Farmaner, director of Burma Campaign UK, an advocacy group, said these military-owned companies were still doing business with U.S. firms. “Military-owned companies are helping to fund the genocide against the Rohingya.

It is essential they face sanctions,” he told Reuters by email.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday December 11, 2019

Guyana to unveil draft trade strategy by mid next year

BY mid-2020, Guyana is expected to have a draft Trade Strategy in place that reflects its national development vision. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in collaboration with the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAF), aims to develop a strategy that takes into account current developments in the domestic economy, as well as in the multilateral trading system.

Just recently, Professor Craig VanGrasstek of the John F. Kennedy School of Government, at Harvard University, held discussions with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Karen Cummings, and the Foreign Secretary, Carl Greenidge, on the on-going efforts to update Guyana’s National Trade Strategy. The meeting was held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It is expected that by mid-2020, Professor VanGrasstek will provide a broad trade strategy document that reflects Guyana’s national development vision. He assisted in the preparation of the current strategy, which was completed in 2003.

Professor Craig VanGrasstek meets with meets with Foreign Secretary, Carl Greenidge

Professor Craig VanGrasstek meets with Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Karen Cummings

Work to continue in Orinduik Block

FURTHER drilling in the Orinduik block is expected to take place within the next two years as the Joint Venture (JV) partners in the area have agreed to enter into the First Renewal Period of the Orinduik Petroleum Agreement.

On Monday, Eco (Atlantic) Oil & Gas Ltd. Announced that itself, along with its JV partners – Tullow Guyana B.V. and Total E&P Guyana B.V. – have opted to enter into the next exploration phase and this was relayed to the Department of Energy.

The Orinduik Petroleum Agreement, signed with the government on January 14, 2016, in its initial period of four years, required the completion of geological and geophysical evaluation of the contract area based on seis-

mic data gathered and acquisition of a minimum of 1,000 sq.km of 3D seismic. At the end of the period, the option was given for the JV partners to relinquish the entire contract area or renew the Petroleum Prospecting License for a three-year period.

“We are very pleased that the JV Partners have unanimously elected to enter into the next phase of exploration and development at the Orinduik Block.

We have met and exceeded all of the licence commitments to date and stand ready to further appraise and explore the significant hydrocarbon potential of the Orinduik Block licence, both in the proven discoveries of the tertiary layer and in the deeper cretaceous layer, estimated to hold an additional 3.2 billion barrels of

Appeal hearing set for January 2020

…in challenge to non-removal of overseas residents on voters’ list

THE Court of Appeal, on Monday January 13, 2020 will commence hearing into the challenge against the High Court’s decision to block the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) from removing persons from the National Register of Registrant (NRR) Database.

The appeal was brought before the Appellate Court, last August, by Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams, who, in his application, argued that the Chief Justice (ag) Roxane George-Wiltshire erred when she ruled that it would be unconstitutional to remove persons from the National Register of Registrants if they failed to register, during House-to-House Registration. The case came up on Monday, December 9, 2019 and will be heard on January 13, 2020 before the Chancellor of the Judiciary, Yonette Cummings-Edwards, and Justices of Appeal Dawn Gregory and Rishi Persaud. Guyana Chronicle in its report on Tuesday incorrectly stated that the matter will be heard next Monday. We regret the mistake.

oil (gross un-risked prospective (P50) resource) according to the CPR resource report published in March 2019,” President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Eco Atlantic, Gil Holzman said.

According to the release, the First Renewal Period is expected to begin on January 14, 2020 and run up to the second renewal period on January 13, 2023. The work completed thus far by the JV Partners on the Orinduik Block including the completion of a 2,550 km2 3D seismic pro-

gramme in 2017 and the drilling of two exploration wells with discoveries at Jethro-one and Joe-one.

In November, Eco Atlantic stated that initial analysis of the oil discovered in the wells had shown that the finds are heavy crude with high sulphur content unlike the preferred light, low sulfur crude found in the Liza field. While the finds in the Liza field allows for the highest value petroleum products to be derived, Eco Atlantic, which holds a

15 per cent working interest in the 1,800 km2 Orinduik Block, stated that the company “remains optimistic”.

Eco’s Joint Venture (JV) partner Total holds a 25 per cent working interest while its other partner, Tullow holds 60 per cent.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, December 11, 2019

New graduates and our education system

T

HE truism that education makes a nation still holds sway, and has relevance today. Several hundred graduated recently from the University of Guyana, Government Technical Institute and other institutions of learning.

These figures come at a time when the state of our education system is undergoing review, given its importance to empowerment of citizens, nation building, and development.

Congratulations to the graduates and their families, who have made the sacrifice in pursuit of more and/or higher learning. The society must also devise a way to retain these new skills, since the development of every nation is hinged on its human capital.

As the new graduates are welcomed to various vocations the exit--through retirement--of those possessing institutional memory and invaluable skills, should not be lost on the society.

In today’s world, 55 years is considered relatively young, and many are still in the prime of their lives. It is our belief that those who desire to continue in this profession should be accommodated. Some may be fortunate to continue in the public system on a contractual basis; some will go into the private system; and others will be absorbed by other countries.

That is not to say that new entrants to the profession are not welcomed. Of course they are! For, in addition to wanting to contribute to nation-building through this vocation, they also bring new approaches to doing things, and are imbued with zeal, which augurs well for our children’s growth and development.

The nation cannot, in its development pursuit, ignore these juxtaposing realities. And there comes a time when, in a nation’s growth, such can no longer be ignored or swept under the carpet.

Education is community/communal driven, and according to

the African proverb, “It takes a whole village to raise a child.”

The success of education is hinged on the involvement of all.

The government conceptualises, develops, and implements policies, programmes and laws by which the private and public school systems are bound. Teachers/educators play their role in the classroom setting. Parents/relatives partner with the school in ensuring the needs of students are met, and students uphold their obligations. Neighbours look out and over the children’s conduct. Civil society also plays a role through workshops, seminars, donations and other forms of action.

This nation came from a past in which the education policy was driven by a colonial outlook of moulding and nurturing citizens to be in service to the values set by the Crown. With independence came the shift, preparing citizens for an indigenous approach consistent with our needs, growth and development.

Guyana transitioned to a country in which reality was shaped and skills and abilities were developed on a local identity; events and requirements for nation-building, inclusive of awareness/knowledge of external events, likewise informed our education system.

As the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) was established, with Guyana being a member, and later with the institutionalisation of the Caribbean Examination Council, there was standardisation of an education model suited to the developmental foci of the Region. As our students participate in the Caribbean examinations, it is being seen that, in the basic areas of competencies, we are lagging. Mastery of the English language is one area that begs for improvement, although English is Guyana’s official language.

It would not be remiss to say that, in a standardised environ-

ment, where Caribbean English is built off the British system, inclusive of spelling, the jostling of American English and British Caribbean English has been challenging for our children. For example, where other Caribbean countries still retain the “s” in spelling the word organisation, in Guyana, the USA “z” is used instead in public documents and media. As simple as it may seem to some, this undermines standardization, since it poses a challenge for students to identify right spelling from wrong spelling; acceptable usage from unacceptable usage.

As the education system is revisited, the importance of diverse training and education of citizens to play their role in personal development and nation building should be factored in. The education of the academics, professionals, technically-skilled, semi-skilled and unskilled are all important and are deserving of equal attention and respect for their labour and contribution to development. Each has a role to play, and each ought to be given the opportunity to be the best in whatever field is pursued.

Discipline is also an important element in education and development. And while conversations continue on the merits or demerits of corporal punishment in schools, suffice it to say that whatever decision is taken, it cannot be lost sight that discipline plays an important role in human development. A disciplined person is a productive person. Outside of corporal punishment, school sports play a role in instilling discipline, respect for authority, team-spiritedness, determination, and focus to achieve the goals. These influences help students to be responsible and to lead productive lives. Fixing the education system requires a holistic approach, and each must be prepared to play his/ her part.

This report has nothing the PPP should gloat about Dear Editor,

T

HE leadership of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) must be glowing about yesterday’s Demerara Waves story about the alleged, remote possibility of it winning next year’s general elections.

But even as it entertains the feeling that it could form the next government, the very report that the PPP leadership will gloat about contains some very damming analyses about its time in the last government and the level of corruption in the cabinet and society in general.

The report by a Mr Robert Ellis who we are told is a U.S. State Department Adviser takes a comprehensive look at Guyana, but as every right- thinking Guyanese would well know, it makes some very salient points about the PPP’s very close and intimate embrace of corruption and dishonesty.

Ellis argues that decision makers in Washington would have their work cut out in holding back any PPP administration from its usual embrace of corruption; he noted that Washington “must do so with its eyes open, holding the PPP to account with respect to its commitments to transparency, democracy, and commitment to free market[policies] and the rule of law.”

As campaigning heats up ahead of March 2, regional

and general elections, the campaign will once again largely be about well entrenched fears of a PPP administration pillaging the country of its oil and other wealth, should it return to power. No one could for example forget the Skeldon factory fiasco. Experts at agencies such as the State Assets Recovery Agency (SARA) and officials in government are of the strong view that the PPP will find it hard to convince the nation that the Skeldon factory could have cost a penny more than US$50 million dollars.

The final price tag handed to the nation by former PPP Presidents Bharrat Jagdeo and Donald Ramotar tallied the Skeldon bill at close to US$200 million, meaning in effect that the project was overspent by or pillaged by a whopping US$150 million. Into whose pocket that money went remains a mystery, as no sugar facility, minus ancillary buildings and others required for one normal factory/ estate could cost US$200 million.

The author of the report did not go into too much detail about the PPP and the narco trade, its love of the trade and the millions it laundered. In the end, the coalition government had to jettison the project almost in its entirety as the factory and its machines malfunctioned spectacularly, much to the frustration of management and workers. It is not even one of the three estates still in use today.

Guyanese, as well, would also remember the Amaila Falls Hydro project fiasco when the Jagdeo-Ramotar administrations had hired a Florida-based Sari clothing salesman and grocery shop owner to construct the project as a front man handling hundreds of millions of dollars that would have ended up in the pockets of the PPP, had the coalition not abandoned the project.

Meanwhile, Dr Ellis also made a more than veiled reference to the PPP and Guyana’s violent underworld, which the coalition has had to dismantle since 2015 and said Washington would have to keep its foot on the pedal to ensure a PPP administration follows and obeys the rule of law and follows democratic principles. Just over a year and a half ago, Dr Clive Thomas of the State Assets Recovery Agency (SARA) reported that his agency had received reports from international agencies like Interpol, Homeland Security of the U.S., the Caribbean Financial Acton Task Force, the State Department and the UN Drug Control agency, detailing the massive scale of corruption in Guyana. The agency is yet to release any details of those reports for public scrutiny.

Regards Winston Mars

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, December 11, 2019

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Children must be Fast track rape cases allowed to be children A E Dear Editor

Dear Editor,

DITOR, I know the issue has been discussed at length in various fora, but I ask you for some space in your newspaper to offer my views on the matter of the recent spate of fights and cases of bullying in schools.

For decades the public education system has had to deal with fights and bullying in the school system. As a Guyanese in the diaspora, I should say that these issues are not peculiar to Guyana. These are matters that education systems across the globe are forced to deal with on a daily basis. However, this must not be interpreted as me arguing that Guyana’s education system should be relaxed in its efforts to address these issues.

The ministry is working and I am sure we can agree that more needs to be done.

At the end of the day Editor, these are behavioural issues which are linked to the upbringing and socialisation of children within our society. We have children who are teasing and bullying their peers and we have students who don’t know how to deal with situations where they are provoked. The first place where the socialisation process begins is the home, Editor. However, we must be realistic and understand that children still learn some

behavioural traits away from the home.

This is why it is imperative that parents and guardians pay greater attention to their children. Parents might be teaching their children one thing; when these children are around their friends or other relatives however, they are taught something different and may end up embracing the wrong values and principles which are displayed through their deeds. Editor, I say all these things to make the point, that the display of violence in schools can only be stopped or significantly reduced if we change the quality of our upbringing of children, thereby improving the calibre of citizens that are produced.

This would significantly reduce the strain placed on social services in this country and the judiciary, because if children embrace violent behavior, some of them may become menaces to society when they become adults.

Children need to be taught that they must not bully others and why. They must be taught how to deal with instances when they are provoked to anger. They must know that the best thing to do is to walk away from violent situations and report same to the relevant persons-- parents or teachers.

Additionally, a point I wish to note is the quality of content and information to

which we expose our children.

For example, at a young age, some children are allowed to watch content on television that are violent and not rated for their ages. While among their friends at school they tend to want to perform the actions and stunts that they saw, which can cause injury to themselves and peers.

Children must be allowed to be children and as they grow they are introduced to things which they can understand for their ages. This might seem as insignificant to some readers but it is a very important point. There are parents today who are mothering and fathering children and leaving the teaching of proper core principles, values, soft skills and behavioural practices to teachers and the society at large.

Sometimes I sympathise with the work that teachers and education officials have to deal with, but Editor, I must say I am encouraged by recent developments.

For example, the continuous development of the welfare system with the acquisition of psychosocial units. It will be a gargantuan task, but it can be much easier if all stakeholders, particularly parents and guardians, step up in the performance of their duties.

Yours Sincerely, Leon Persaud

RECENT media report which revealed that four men were acquitted of rape after the complainants could not be located, failed to mention the length of time between the alleged acts and the start of the trials. Past experiences indicate that this intervening period is usually years, and the fact that the complainants could not be located would seem to support this inference.

In any case, if rape cases are fast tracked, especially given that Sexual Offences Courts have now established in all three counties, the issue of complainants not being located would not arise. To foster this fast tracking, The Caribbean

Voice suggests that in areas where the Sexual Offences Courts cannot serve, special days be set aside each month in selected courts, to deal with rape and sexual abuse cases only.

The media report also stated that one person was set free after the complainant refused to testify against him. In the context of Guyana, its quite possible that complainants would refuse to testify either because they and their families would have been threatened and/or would have been bought off. The Caribbean Voice has referenced this issue before and is among stakeholders suggesting that cases should still go ahead, since police investigations should acquire evidence besides the testimony of

the complainant. Also, we suggest that when a victim refuses to testify, the police should launch a separate investigation to determine if the complainant was coerced into doing so through fear, money or other factors.

Consideration must also be given as to why a victim may refuse to testify, as it could be because the victim does not want to be in the presence of the perpetrator, or that the victim does not want to graphically and publicly relive that experience.

In such cases the courts should make necessary adjustments to accommodate victims, including the presence of a psychologist.

Regards The Caribbean Voice

CGID condemns absence of prosecutor at Bisram court hearing Dear Editor,

T

HE Caribbean-Guyana Institute for Democracy (CGID) condemns the systemic sabotage of several state prosecutions in Guyana, by state prosecutors who swore an oath to uphold the law.

Several prosecutors have deliberately refused to attend court to do their jobs -- prosecute cases. Consequently, some cases have been stalled, while others have been dismissed. This unlawful and

appalling conduct constitutes obstruction and a perversion of the course of justice.

The shenanigans by prosecutors in the Marcus Bisram murder inquiry which is subjudice in the Magistrate’s Court is the most recent case in which the actions of prosecutors appear to obstruct justice. Other instances include SOCU cases. Although SOCU is outside the administrative remit of the DPP, SOCU prosecutions are within the constitutional mandate of the DPP. The obstruction or forfei-

ture of prosecution, as well as the deliberate concealment or withholding of evidence in court cases are acts of public corruption and obstruction of justice. These are criminal acts.

Therefore, the CGID calls on the attorney general and the Judicial Service Commission to launch an investigation into misconduct by the office of the DPP. Regards Rickford Burke President of CGID

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, December 11, 2019

Region 4 honours top students, schools … chairman sees nexus between improved performance 5Bs initiative

THE Department of Education of the Demerara Mahaica Region, on Tuesday, honoured several students for outstanding achievements and performances for the year.

The ceremony was held at the National Cultural Centre, under the theme ‘The Foundation of Education Goals are Achieved Through Experience, Dedication And Empowerment.’ Several pupils and students from various schools across the region, received awards for their outstanding performances at the National Grade Two, Four and Six Assessments, Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) Examination, Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) and the recently concluded National Schools Championship.

Chief Education Officer, Dr. Marcel Hutson, who delivered the feature address, charged the awardees to cultivate their academic and athletic skills since education is the key to social mobility. “I really want to commend you for what you’ve done …all of you are about to move from one level of education to another and as you move I want you to remember the words ‘passion and the purpose are fuel for energised development’, I say now to you young people

never lose focus of your passion and your purpose,” he stated.

Dr. Hutson further stated that a man’s life was not determined by his beginnings. Because of the importance that is attached to education, people can evolve, and one can determine one’s destiny as one applies to education. He added that education was a way out of the vagaries of life and the way to social mobility and it was critical that the young scholars did not lose focus of their passion. Dr. Hutson also urged the pupils and students to set their standards high and to always demand excellence in whatever it was they intended to pursue in their education and future careers.

Dr. Hutson also commended the Region four Department of Education for its continuous effort to acknowledge its top performing schools. “I’m happy that region number four has continued to show the progress that it has been showing and progress is not something that happens overnight, progress basically proves that people had to be working in front and behind the scenes,” he stated.

He added that he must acknowledge the teachers and educators who contributed to the successes of the young scholars present

The Chief Education Officer, Dr. Marcel Hutson at the ceremony since they played an extensive role educating the pupils and students to ensure their success.

Meanwhile, Regional Chairperson Genevieve Allen said performance and attendance had greatly improved in the Region 4 education district over the last academic year. She said the successes were partly a result of the 5B’s initiative championed by His Excellency President David Granger. The countrywide initiative provided children with access to buses, boats, bicycles, books and breakfast all free of charge and had transformed access to education leading to improved academic performances.

There were also infrastructural improvements with the erection of three new nursery schools this year at Craig, Strathspey and Vryheid’s Lust.

According to Regional Education Officer, Tiffany Harvey, “our schools must be given the attention, not only [through] teacher training, but …we must have the environment ready for our teachers and learners to function effectively.”

St. Cuthbert’s Secondary, located in the only Indigenous settlement in Region 4, now has a recently completed science laboratory Harvey disclosed.

Significant repairs were

also done at the Diamond, Timehri and Providence Primary Schools, Buxton Secondary and Bladen Hall Multilateral Schools.

Covent Garden Primary was adjudged the Most Improved School at the Grade Two assessment while New Diamond/Grove Primary was the best performer at the Grade Four level. Swami Purnananda Primary, Cove and John collected the most awards, winning awards for best performance overall at the NGSA in the Region as well as highest performing Grade Six class in Science, English Language, Mathematics and Social Studies.

Enmore/Hope Primary pro-

duced several top performers while L-Dee Johnson from Clonbrook Primary, who secured a place at the Bishops’ High School, was rewarded for the best composition at the NGSA. Meanwhile, Diamond Secondary was adjudged the best school at CSEC in the region with top regional performer, Renisha Shivbalack, securing 13 Grade Ones and four Grade Twos at this year’s examination.

The school is also the only ‘A’ Grade School on the East Bank of Demerara. President’s College, at Golden Grove, East Coast Demerara, copped all of the CAPE prizes.

Pupils and students from various schools in region four gathered at the National Cultural Centre for the award ceremony

UNICEF to purchase 10,000 HIV testing Kits for Reg. 4 THE United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) will be purchasing some 10,000 HIV testing kits for Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) Regional Health Services, UNICEF Deputy Country Representative for Guyana and Suriname, Irfan Akhtar, has disclosed.

Akhtar made the disclosure during the recent signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Region Four Regional Democratic Council (RDC) and UNICEF at the RDC East Coast Demerara (ECD) office.

Speaking in the presence of the Regional Health Officer (RHO), Dr. Quincy Jones, Akhtar said UNICEF is satisfied with the progress being made in advancing healthcare delivery within the district.

Noting that UNICEF is also pleased with the joint projects executed thus far, the Deputy Country Representative said the donation of the HIV testing kits will help 10,000 persons within the region to know their status. Those found to be positive, would be provided with counselling and treatment.

Describing the relationship between

Region Four Regional Executive Officer (REO), Pauline Lucas and UNICEF Deputy Country Representative for Guyana and Suriname, Irfan Akhtar, holding the signed MoU UNICEF and the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) as a “healthy marriage,” UNICEF Child Protection Officer, Patricia Gittens, said collaboration with the RDC has not only been easy, but fruitful.

“We at UNICEF enjoy a very healthy

marriage with RDC Region Four and we will continue enjoying this marriage as thankfully we have a common understanding. The common understanding has made this marriage work and we intend to keep this marriage working as long as possible,” Gittens said.

In his remarks, the RHO said the RDC is pleased with UNICEF’s commitment.

He said that the donation will save the department a significant amount of money.

He said it is the RDC’s vision to provide quality health services to the people of the region.

In his expressing gratitude to UNICEF and the Regional Executive Officer (REO) Pauline Lucas, the RHO said they have been very receptive and supportive of projects and programmes imitated at the level of his department.

“UNICEF continues to play a pivotal role in the successes of the Regional Health Services Department of Region Four, while I must say that our REO Pauline Lucas has stood tall in ensuring that we remain successful. For this we would like to say thanks to her because she had been very supportive in every way,” Dr.

Jones said.

The REO also expressed thanks to UNICEF for the pledge made. She too noted that the kits will help more persons to be cognisant of their status. “We would hope that once they become aware of their status that they would take appropriate actions in ensuring that they can access medications,” Lucas said.

The REO said the RDC remains committed to working with UNICEF for the development of its people.

“We at RDC Region Four are always open to collaborations and donations that will ultimately benefit the residents in this region and I would like to commend UNICEF for continuing to take the initiate in forging relationships and collaborations. I am very pleased with the fact that some 10,000 persons would now better know their HIV status and this augurs well for our region’s continued development as we move in 2020,” Lucas said.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the RDC and UNICEF is intended to strengthen their collaborative efforts.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, December 11, 2019

Arrindell, Bethune back as mayor, deputy of Linden

IN what was deemed a smooth flow in the mayoral elections at the Linden Mayor and Town Council, Waneka Arrindell and her Deputy, Wainewright Bethune, were re-elected to their respective posts, unopposed, on Tuesday.

The process was described as a democratic one and took no more than 10 minutes, with only one nomination for each post. The atmosphere was cordial as all councillors were seen with smiling faces, congratulating both Arrindell and Bethune

on their re-election. An emotional Arrindell said that she is happy that the council would have expressed confidence in her once again, given this is her third term as Mayor. She hopes to use this opportunity to work together with the council, for the betterment of the township. “It truly is an honour to have the councillors put their trust in me and to be the first among equals and to lead the council in this new year, my desire is that as a council we will work together for the betterment of our township, for

the betterment of our citizens and to truly portray Linden to the rest of the world in this time, so that we will be able to make much-needed investments for residents.”

Arrindell said one of her plans is to be more visible in the communities and to consult and interact with residents. Similar sentiments were expressed by Bethune, who said that his re-election only comes as a motivation to continue being of service to the council and to the Municipality of Linden at large.

“My purpose here is to serve

GPL issues 2020 action plan to address 47MW generation shortfall

... Min. Patterson to submit plan to Cabinet for guidance THE Guyana Power and Light (GPL) Incorporated has submitted an action plan to Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson, that aims to acquire 47megawatts of power to address its present generation shortfall.

This was announced by Minister Patterson on the Department of Public Information’s (DPI) One-on-One programme today. He said the utility company issued the proposal after a six-hour meeting on December 06.

According to the plan, GPL hopes to produce 28 megawatts of electricity by mid-2020 and the remaining 19 megawatts by the end of that year. Minister Patterson explained he had engaged with the Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan, on GPL’s proposal. It was further stated that the

proposal will be presented next week to the Cabinet for guidance.

Currently, the generation power at GPL stands at 142 megawatts while the peak demand pegs at 124.6 megawatts. This allows for a 17.4-megawatt reserve, which falls below the internationally required standard of 20 per cent of power generation.

Because of the low reserve capacity, power disruptions due to maintenance of generators may occur. Hence, the need to increase generational shortfall is critical.

As part of the long-term plans for GPL, Minister Patterson committed to transitioning the company’s grid to be powered by 100 per cent natural gas. In off-grid areas, the government intends to continue powering communities with renewable energy. (DPI)

the council, so regardless of the capacity I am in, I remain a servant to the public...I am thankful, but I remain committed and humble,” he said.

Bethune, who is the Chairman of the Environmental Committee, said that he aims to make the already established plans for the township more efficient, particularly in the area of waste management and revenue collection. “I think once done more efficiently, the general public can see the changes they desire and once the council keeps the public more informed about its activities, that can bring some kind of relief to the general public,” he said.

High on the agenda for both Arrindell and Bethune and by extension the entire council, is the increase in revenue collection. Presently, the council is collaborating with the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CHPA), to hand over the schemes that are not yet regularised; these which consist of about 60 per cent of Linden.

The council will also embark on a tax recovery drive, since millions of

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Re-elected Mayor and Deputy Mayor of Linden Waneka Arrindell and Wainewright Bethune dollars are owed in unpaid for increase in wages and rates and taxes. Another salaries, retroactive payavenue is to restructure the ments and outstanding NIS toll collection system and contributions, the council is at a recent interview, Ar- strongly pursuing the option rindell mulled changing the of a cash bail out from cenlocation of the toll booth. tral government.

With millions of dollars The proposal was exin debt, which caused its pected to be discussed at workers to strike last week cabinet on Tuesday.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, December 11, 2019

Guyana moves up human development scale

… literacy rate at 85.6%; school dropouts down

SEVENTY per cent primary school teachers are trained

By Svetlana Marshall HUMAN development in Guyana has improved with more and more Guyanese having greater access to education and potable water, according to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

In its 2019 Human Development Report, which was launched in Colombia on Monday under the theme, “Beyond income, beyond averages, beyond today: Inequalities in human development in the 21st century,” the UNDP revealed that the value of Guyana’s Human Development Index (HDI) has increased to 0.670.

“Guyana’s HDI value for 2018 is 0.670— which put the country in the medium human development category—positioning it at 123 out of 189 countries and territories,” the 2019

Human Development Report states. As it is, Guyana’s 2018 HDI of 0.670 is above the average of 0.634 for countries in the medium human development group, but below the average of 0.759 for countries in Latin America and the Caribbean. “From Latin America and the Caribbean, countries which are close to Guyana in 2018 HDI rank and to some extent in population size are Belize and Suriname, which have HDIs ranked 103 and 98 respectively,” UNDP pointed out.

In 2017, Guyana’s HDI value stood at 0.654. At that time it was ranked 125 out of 189 countries and territories – a position it shared with Cape Verde. The HDI is a summary measure for assessing long-term progress in three basic dimensions of human development: a long and healthy life, access to knowledge and a decent standard of living.

Between 1990 and 2018, Guyana’s HDI value increased from 0.537 to 0.670, an increase of 24.8 per cent.

In its report, the UNDP also took note of the fact that between 1990 and 2018, Guyana’s life expectancy at birth increased by 6.5 years, while its Gross National Income (GNI) per capita increased by about 263.1 percent between 1990 and 2018.

Meanwhile, the Guyana Gender Development Index (GDI) value is 0.973, due to the fact that the country’s 2018 female HDI value is 0.656, in contrast with 0.674 for males.

“The GDI measures gender inequalities in achievement in three basic dimensions of human development: health (measured by female and male life expectancy at birth); education (measured by female and male expected years of schooling for children and mean years for adults aged 25 years and older); and command over economic resources (measured by female and male estimated GNI per capita),” the UNDP explained.

In the case of the Gender Inequality Index (GII), which reflects gender-based inequalities in three dimensions – reproductive health, empowerment and economic activity-- Guyana, in 2018, recorded a value of 0.492, ranking 118 out of 162 countries. “In Guyana, 31.9 per cent of parliamentary seats are held by women, and 70.9 percent of adult women have reached at least a secondary level of education compared to 55.5 percent of their male counterparts. For every 100,000 live births, 229.0 women die of pregnancy-related causes; and the adolescent birth rate is 74.4 births per 1,000 women of ages 15-19.

Female participation in the labour market is 41.2 per cent compared to 73.6 for men. In comparison, Belize and Suriname are ranked at 91 and 112 respectively on this index,” the UNDP pointed out.

A closer look at the data which resulted in the overall HDI value of 0.670 revealed that 4.2 per cent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is spent on the health

sector. Life expectancy at birth for females is 73 years and 66.8 years in the case of males.

Notably, HIV prevalence among persons between the ages of 15 and 49 is 1.7 per cent, while the infant mortality rate is 26 per 1,000 live births. The report states too that the under-five mortality rate is 31.3 per 1,000 live births.

In the area of education, the report states that government’s expenditure in this sector accounts for 6.3 per cent of the country’s GDP. According to the report, country’s literacy rate among persons 15 years and older is 85.6 per cent. The dropout rate for the primary school cohort is 7.8 per cent. According to statistics, 70 per cent of teachers within the primary education system are trained.

Under the sub-topic Inequality, the UNDP report states that inequality in education accounts for 10.7 per cent, while there is a 25.1 per cent inequality in income. Meanwhile, under the sub-topic – Work, employment and vulnerability, the Human Development Report revealed that the employment to population ration is 50.5 per cent for persons ages 15 years and older. It states too that 10.8 percent of children between the ages of 5 and 17 in Guyana are engaged in child labour.

Additionally, the labour force participation rate is 57.4 per cent for persons 15 years and older in the country. However, 22.6 per cent of the country’s young people between the ages of 15 and 24 are unemployed. Added to that, youth not in school or employment (ages 15-24) account for 35.2 per cent.

According to its Socio-economic sustainability subsection, 96.0 percent of the country’s population of 747,000 people has access to improved drinking-water resources, while 86 per cent of the population is using improved sanitation facilities. Additionally, 88.8 percent of the rural population has access to electricity.

Releasing the report on Monday, the See page 11

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, December 11, 2019

Guyana moves up human ...

From page 10

UNDP said that the demonstrations sweeping across Latin America and the Caribbean signal that, despite decades of economic growth and prosperity, perceptions of unfairness and loss of dignity persist, particularly among the Region’s middle class and historically marginalised.

According to the report, even as the gap in basic living standards is narrowing, with an unprecedented number of people escaping poverty, hunger, and disease, the necessities to thrive have evolved. Inequalities in technology, education, and the climate crisis are among issues that are now taking centre stage.

“Different triggers are bringing people onto the streets -- the cost of a train ticket, the price of petrol, demands for political freedoms, the pursuit of fairness and justice. This is the new face of inequality, and as this Human Development Report sets out, inequality is not beyond solutions,” UNDP Administrator Achim Steiner said.

The report notes that in Latin America and the Caribbean, the perception of unfairness in the distribution of wealth has increased since 2012, returning to levels of the late 1990s. Inequality in self-reported happiness (or subjective well-being as it is also called), which had remained steady in the Region until 2014, has risen since.

The report analyzes inequality in three steps: beyond income, beyond averages, and beyond today, proposing a battery of policy options to tackle it.

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‘No time to regress’ … Sharma Solomon tells Linden youths

IN what seems to be his return to the political arena in Linden, former Regional Chairman Sharma Solomon on Sunday gave youths of Linden a stirring message to not even consider voting for the PPP as Guyana heads into elections next year.

Solomon was addressing scores of youths who turned up in their numbers to have a say and to learn about the role they need to play in the pre and post-elections period.

Solomon, who was of the political radar for some time, said he is ‘now sharpening back in this political thing’, a role he believes is very important in ensuring that after all the sacrifices made

by Lindeners and the progress achieved over the last few years, there is no regression. For this to not occur, Solomon said that the process requires the input of not only the political powerheads, but from each and every citizen. “It requires every single man, woman and child, there is no room for exclusion, there is no room for second guessing and consideration.

There is only room for action right now,” he affirmed.

“It does not matter, what seat you are given at the table, or whether you are enlisted as a candidate or not, but just mere appreciation and endorsement for what has been achieved during recent years you must get involved,” Solomon said.

He told the youths that the process of getting to government does not require minister and the government, “it requires every single individual to appreciate what part they will play and what role they must play…” he added.

One of the most important things Solomon said must be done, is for Lindeners to shun division and to find common ground to fix the challenges still being experienced. He reasoned, “when we take ourselves out the equation, we see no problem, but when we put ourselves back in, it brings us problems.” In this regard, the former chairman said the fight should not be one on personality, but on moving forward. “Our job here and now is to ground with our brothers and sisters, to ground with our comrades, unscripted as we have to be, real and true as we need to be and say to you all, that we are fighting this fight together”... we don’t have the space for division,” he said.

Present at the meeting as well were Member of Parliament, Jermaine Figueira and former Member of Parliament, Vanessa Kissoon. The meeting was hosted by Minister of Public Health, Volda Lawrence, who took the opportunity to outline to the youths what the future means for them and the importance of empowerment.

In an interview with the Guyana

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

Solomon had said too that he intends to play his part in the growth and development of Guyana as he recommitted to the People’s National Congress/Reform (PNC/R) and, by extension, the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) Government.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, December 11, 2019

Dharm Shala Children’s Christmas Party …

U.S. Ambassador helps spread cheer at annual event THE annual Dharm Shala Children’s Christmas party, held to entertain the children of Albouystown and Charlestown, was hosted on December 12, 2019, at its place of operation on Sussex Street, Albouystown.

Specially invited guests to the event included United States Ambassador to Guyana Sarah- Ann Lynch and members of the private sector including Edward Boyer, Chairman of the Private Sector Commission Gerry Gouveia, along with Father Christmas (Santa Claus) and one of his elves.

During today’s celebration the chil-

dren could have been seen swaying to the sweet sounds of steelpan music, singing and laughing, enjoying Christmas carols and a whole host of other festive activities In brief remarks to the children at the party, Ambassador Lynch extended holiday greetings. “I understand this is a very strong tradition that you have this celebration here every year and I can’t think of a better way for me to celebrate my first Christmas in Guyana, and I am thrilled to celebrate Christmas with all of you. It is always a joy to be able to put a smile on the face of children, es-

Chairman of the PSC Gerry Gouveia, along with some of the children at the annual Christmas party (Delano Williams photo)

United States Ambassador to Guyana Sarah- Ann Lynch, distributing snacks to the children (Delano Williams photo) pecially at the holidays, and I commend and was later continued by the late Harry this effort by the Dharm Shala.”

Ramsaroop, “because he felt it was a Almost 100 children were enter- wonderful thing to entertain the deprived tained with food, drinks and treats and children in the neighbourhood.” were presented with wrapped gifts and The Dharm Shala is an institution goodie bags, while they were treated to that assists homeless persons and the Christmas carols being played sweetly less fortunate with food and shelter. It on the steel pan. is managed by the Ramsaroop Family The annual children’s Christmas par- year round and is totally dependent ty at the Dharma Shala was started in the on donations from individuals and late 1940s by Pandit Ramsaroop Maraj firms.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday December 11, 2019

28 more Mahdia youths benefit from STEM, ICT training First Lady, Mrs. Sandra Granger said that the introduction of the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) and Robotics training programmes to the hinterland were not accidental but rather, part of efforts to ensure equal access to these life changing educational opportunities.

The First Lady made these remarks during her address at the closing ceremony of the second ICT training programme, which was held on Monday at the Lynette Stevens Research Centre, Mahdia, Potaro-Siparuni (Region Eight).

“The fact that we came to Mahdia and we focused on interior locations was not a fluke… It was something that we planned what we would be doing in 2019 and we had agreed that we would go to the hinterland locations so that all our young people would have

the access they needed to Information Communication Technology (ICT) and Robotics,” she said.

Twenty- eight youths graduated from the ICT workshop, which was held in collaboration with the Ministry of Social Protection’s Board of Industrial Training (BIT) under its youth development initiative.

Mrs. Granger, encouraged the graduates to continue along the path of personal development through education, to stand steadfast and to keep moving forward. She also urged them to work together to bring innovations through technological developments to address the needs of their township.

“Technology is changing every day because there is nothing to keep young Guyanese people from moving on in the world… you could have the opportunity through your

software programming, through your innovation to develop services catering for a town as unique as Mahdia, because in this new township they will require your skills to input and share information, etcetera. So, think about all these things and what you can do and take your skills and your creativity to bring Mahdia and Region Eight to a higher level... Think

about joining together with a friend who has business skills and also understands computers and technology… get on your phones get on the computers and find your markets and link up with people,” she said.

Additionally, the First Lady held a STEM workshop for Grades Five and Six students of the Mahdia Primary School. Mean-

First Lady, Mrs. Sandra Granger delivering her remarks at the closing ceremony

Some of the graduands of the second Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Robotics training programmes held in Mahdia, Potaro-Siparuni (Region Eight)

First Lady, Mrs. Sandra Granger (seated centre) is flanked, from left to right, by Chief Facilitator, Mr. Fitzroy Young; Mayor of Mahdia, His Worship David Adams; Regional Executive Officer, Ms. Mitzy Campbell; Chairman of Region Potaro-Siparuni (Region Eight), Mr. Bonaventure Fredericks; Chairman, Board of Industrial Training (BIT); Mr. Clinton Williams, Confidential Secretary to the First Lady, Lieutenant Colonel, Ms. Yvonne Smith along with the participants of the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) workshop.

while, Regional Executive Officer, Ms. Mitzy Campbell, in her featured address encouraged the graduands to continue to venture into ICT educational opportunities which will make them marketable in an evolving world, where the use for technology is increasing.

“Training in Information Technology [and] Communication is in demand and to have it delivered to our home town is a great achievement... Today you have moved a notch up the scales of personal achievement... This should not be the end of the road in your educational achievement. The skills you have just acquired must be the accelerator to your upward mobility,” she said.

Additionally, Chairman, BIT, Mr. Clinton Williams said that ICT is crucial to all sectors of the country’s expanding economy. He encouraged the graduands to not only use the skills garnered for personal development, but also for the development of the nation as a whole. Mr. Williams also explained that BIT will soon establish a permanent facility for training in the region.

In an invited comment, valedictorian Ms. Melissa Andrews expressed gratitude to the First Lady for the opportunity to be a part of the workshop. She also said that the skills she obtained during the course of the programme will help her to become independent. “I will use what I have learnt to open my own business and contribute meaningfully to my community,” she said.

Mayor of Mahdia, His Worship David Adams; Chairman of Potaro-Siparuni (Region Eight), Mr. Bonaventure Fredericks and Chief Executive Officer, BIT, Mr. Richard Maughn also attended the closing ceremony. (Ministry of the Presidency)

Exxon Mobil Scores Win in New York Climate Change Lawsuit NEW YORK (Reuters) - Exxon Mobil Corp won a major victory in a closely-watched lawsuit on Tuesday when a judge ruled that the company did not defraud investors out of up to $1.6 billion by hiding the true cost of climate change regulation.

The ruling by Justice Barry Ostrager in Manhattan Supreme Court followed a trial featuring testimony from investors, experts and former Exxon Chief Executive Officer Rex Tillerson.

The judge found that the New York State Attorney General’s case failed to produce evidence that investors were misled.

It was the first of several climate change lawsuits against major oil companies to go to trial.

Attorney General Letitia James said in a statement that her office “will continue to fight to ensure companies are held responsible for actions that undermine and jeopardize

the financial health and safety of Americans.” She did not say whether she would appeal. Exxon said that the ruling affirmed the company’s position that the investigation was “baseless.”

“We provided our investors with accurate information on the risks of climate change,” spokesman Casey Norton said in a statement. The state’s 2018 lawsuit said Exxon Mobil caused investors to lose up to $1.6 billion by falsely telling them it had properly evaluated the impact of future climate regulations on its business. It said Exxon told investors it was projecting the impact of future regulations by using a “proxy cost” of up to $80 per ton of carbon emissions in wealthy countries by 2040, but internally used figures as low as $40 per ton or none at all.

Exxon Mobil countered that the proxy cost and the internal greenhouse gas costs were distinct and used for different purposes. Ostrager’s decision said the evidence supported the

company’s argument that the two types of projected costs were “different metrics.”

“What the evidence at trial revealed is that Exxon Mobil executives and employees were uniformly committed to rigorously discharging their duties in the most comprehensive and meticulous manner possible,” the judge wrote.

In October, as the New York trial was getting underway, Massachusetts announced its own lawsuit against Exxon, including allegations about proxy costs similar to those Ostrager rejected. Unlike New York’s lawsuit, Massachusetts accuses Exxon of misleading consumers, not just investors.

Cities and counties across the United States have also sued Exxon and other oil companies seeking funds to pay for seawalls and other infrastructure to guard against rising sea levels caused by climate change. The companies have denied liability.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday December 11, 2019

Lowenfield gets new three-year contract

…PPP commissioners abstained during vote THE Guyana Elections Commission has taken the decision to renew the contract of Chief Elections Officer (CEO), Keith Lowenfield, for another three years as the CEO’s contract comes to an end in March 2020.

At the Commission’s statutory meeting on Tuesday, the matter came down to a vote but Opposition-nominated Commissioners abstained. “I asked that the matter be deferred until after elections have concluded because I believe that the true test of the performance of the CEO would be these elections.

The Chair disagreed and they

took a decision to renew the contract,” Opposition-nominated Commissioner, Sase Gunraj said.

There was clash of opinions on whether Gunraj’s proposal to wait should be agreed to or whether it was better to renew the CEO’s contract now. Explaining why he opted for the latter, Government-nominated Commissioner, Vincent Alexander said: “His contract is coming to an end and he has given notice of a desire for a new contract as is required by the contract itself and one would ask the question that if he’s given notice and his con-

tract has come to an end, why do we have to delay the reappointment? In fact, to reappoint the CEO would give him the kind of environment for him to proceed without any uncertainty and doubt about his future into the elections.”

A clause within Lowenfield’s contract states that he must give notice some three months prior to the end of his contract on whether he wishes to serve in the position under a next contract. Lowenfield has expressed his interest in serving once again but at least two Opposition-nominated commissioners indicated, since

last week, that they would not support his return.

Added to this, last Wednesday, this newspaper was made aware that the CEO’s contract requires him to take all of his leave before the end of contract and the CEO had accumulated a substantial amount of leave. The decision was therefore taken to pay him in lieu of leave so that he would continue in the position up until elections next year March.

The full membership of GECOM back in March 2014 had decided unanimously to appointment Lowenfield to the position of Chief Elections Officer

Chief Elections Officer (CEO), Keith Lowenfield

and Commissioner of National Registration. The commission’s decision had brought to an end a very lengthy and meticulous procedure associated with the matter including advertising the vacancy locally and overseas.

Some fourteen persons had applied for the post.

Meanwhile, the Commissioners hope to come to a final decision today on how the house-to-house data will be used and how the names of citizens who fail to collect their Identification (ID) cards by the elections will be dealt with. Alexander stated that it is his “sincere hope” that the matters will be finalized today as they were critical to meeting the deadlines for election.

OPM continues countrywide education on Constitution GOVERNMENT continues its nationwide exercise to educate citizens about the Constitution in keeping with the administration’s plans for constitutional reform.

Office of the Prime Minister’s Department of Governance Coordinator, Tamara Khan, is leading the exercise. The team recently spent three days in Region Two speaking with students and educators about the Constitution. On their first day out, they visited the Wakapau Secondary School and then the Abrams Zuil Secondary. “The Honourable Prime Minister and the Government of Guyana felt that the Constitution of Guyana is a document that is relevant to every citizen and so we have to start a process of education on the document,” Khan told students at Wakapau.

Khan explained certain aspects of the constitution to both students and teachers, in separate sessions, focusing on the human rights provisions. She made a point of cautioning citizens to always be responsible in the enjoyment of their rights and freedoms.

“You cannot be reckless with your rights

and endanger the state and fellow citizens.

You have to be responsible. So, there are limitations,” Khan explained. “The Constitution is the highest law in the country; it is the supreme law, no other law can stand against it, other laws must be in conformity with it,” she added.

Afterwards, both students and teachers expressed their gratitude for the session. “I feel very good because I never knew about my rights as an individual. I feel excited to learn about it,” said Anasha Richards, a student at Wakapau Secondary. Headmaster of Wakapau Secondary School, Bulram Mohan also expressed satisfaction saying the next step was to share the knowledge with other Wakapau residents. Over at Abrams Zuil Secondary, Omarion Smart said that he learnt a lot about the rights of citizens and countries. “The session that happened today was quite encouraging. I think persons should really consider what was taught.” The exercise will be taken to other communities in the various regions across the country. (DPI)

Coordinator of the Department of Governance at the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), Tamara Khan, speaking with students of Wakapau Secondary School

Close to $20M in micro grants disbursed to Regions 5, 6 farmers

...to reduce impact of natural hazards such as floods, droughts.

NINE farming groups within Mahaica-Berbice (Region Five) and East Berbice-Corentyne (Region Six) have received almost $20Million in micro-grants to reduce the impact of natural disasters.

The funds were provided under the UNDP’s Strengthening Disaster Management Capacity of Women in the Cooperative Republic of Guyana and Commonwealth of Dominica programme. Julian David of the Belladrum Cooperative Society Limited welcomed the assistance on Tuesday, explaining that his group rears pigs and the donation will help make the project more sustainable.

“We can now afford to purchase 24 nipple drinkers for the pigs,” he said, while adding that he will acquire a pressure washer to clean the pens better. The Women for Change Group was another grant recipient. Shamie McAlmont, who is involved primarily in agro-processing, said the money would be used to construct

Recipients of the UNDP’s micro-grants along with UNDP Resident Representative, Jairo Valverde, Minister within the Ministry of Agriculture with responsibility for Rural Affairs, the Hon Valerie Adams-Yearwood and Jason Chacon, Project Manager

a shade house, establish a hydroponic farm, and purchase farming equipment and tools. Also expressing gratitude was Caroline Rahaman, Chairperson of the Lighttown Agriculture Cooperative Society.

Minister within the Ministry of Agriculture with responsibility for Rural Affairs, the Hon Valerie Adams-Yearwood, said the government was doing its part to cushion the impact of climate change de-

spite the challenges. “With limited financial resources, one can only do so much and no more. That’s the reason why we as a government embrace these and other programmes of the UN and other local and international partners, which seek to build the capacity of our people.”

Meanwhile, UNDP Resident Representative, Jairo Valverde said the money would help the

communities better prepare for natural disasters. He added that the micro-grant scheme was designed using gender mainstreaming techniques to target both male and female farmers. The Japanese government provided the funds for the micro-grants scheme, which forms part of the three-year project which commenced in 2018 and will conclude June 2021. (DPI)

Body of Kwakwani pensioner washes ashore

THE body of Leon Williams, a pensioner who resided in the Upper-Berbice Riverain Community of Kwakwani Water Front, washed up on shore on Monday.

Williams was reportedly under the influence of alcohol and had jumped into the river to evade being arrested by the police.

Around 21:00hrs on Sunday, a resident made a report to the Kwakwani Police Station that Williams was behaving disorderly and was armed with a cutlass.

When the police arrived at the scene, upon seeing them, Williams reportedly jumped into the river. The said night, his body did not resurface, even after a search was done.

About 08:30hrs on Monday, he was seen motionless by a cousin, about 50 feet away from her home, at Kwakwani Water Front. Williams’ body is at the Kwakwani Mortuary awaiting a post mortem examination. Investigations into the incident are ongoing.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, December 11, 2019

Billions spent to upgrade housing schemes – Min. Ferguson says half of the house lots developed by PPP had no infrastructure

By Rabindra Rooplall

GOVERNMENT has spent $6 billion to upgrade 31 housing schemes that were left with little to no infrastructure before 2015 while about $2.9 billion was spent on the construction and upgrade of roads.

This is according to Minister within the Ministry of Communities with responsibility for Housing, Annette Ferguson during a press briefing at the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA), Brickdam, Georgetown, on Tuesday.

She said another $2.7 billion was spent on the provision of electricity and another $16 billion was needed to complete infrastructure in many housing schemes.

Minister Ferguson said, of the total amount of house lots which the previous administration boasts about developing, there was no provision for infrastructure for some 28,000 which amounts to more than half of the total.

“Let me put that in plain words, about half of the house lots developed

by Mr. Jagdeo’s PPP did not have any infrastructure. There are people who paid large sums of monies, in full, for lands they could not even see. From 2015 to now we have people visiting the office daily who paid in full for lands at Stewartville, Cummings Lodge and some sections of Covent Garden,” the minister noted.

She said that for those who indicated that they had already secured loans or in instances ready to start construction, under the current administration, they were re-allocated to other areas.

CARING ADMINISTRATION “As a caring administration, we understand the plight of these people and we are working to make these

Minister within the Ministry of Communities with responsibility for Housing, Annette Ferguson lands accessible.

Very soon we will arrange a media tour to Cummings Lodge to see the ongoing works,” Minister Ferguson said.

When the claim was made that government was allocating house lots in areas that had no infrastructure, Minister Ferguson said what was omitted was that the same could be said about Cummings Lodge where allocation was made before the present Administration took office in 2015.

“It was also said that these allocations are being done now with approaching election. What was also omitted was that Cummings Lodge was also allocated, with no infrastructure, mere months before the 2015 elections,” Ferguson said.

The housing minister explained that it was not unusual or uncommon for allocations to be done using the designs layout.

“This is where our planners and architects complete the drawing of these schemes in the form of a two-dimen-

sional plan. At the Design Layout Stage, infrastructure is never in place. I repeat that, at the Design Layout stage, infrastructure is never in place,” the housing minister told reporters.

She explained that that was a practice that existed pre-2015 and one which government had adopted and sought to build on and improve.

“Instances where we do allocations just using the design lay out plan, we first consult with applicants if they are willing to pay their monies and wait until the land is ready for construction.

The consultation is done in the form of a letter which the applicant is made to read thoroughly and sign before making payments,” Minister Ferguson said.

She said lands that were recently allocated in Regions Two, Five and Six, applicants were made aware that they will have access to their lands in about nine months’ time.

The minister explained that prior to that, a similar system was used in the allocations of lots in the Peter’s Hall, East Bank Demerara Housing Scheme and the applicants, from all indications, were satisfied with the process used.

She said that allocations were done in November-December 2017, with the understanding that the lands will be accessible in August 2018.

DIFFICULT HAND “The question now remains, could we have done more? Did we want to do more? Absolutely yes! But how could we do more, in a short space of time given the mess we inherited? As my colleague minister pointed out ‘the coalition government inherited a difficult hand’ in relation to the provision of housing for Guyanese in need,” the housing minister said.

Minister Ferguson noted that recently 550 house lots were allocated to

applicants in Region Two (about 100) on November 5; Region Six (350) on November 28; and Region Five (approx.

100) on November 29.

“These lots were issued, using a modified policy. We seek to do allocations in a systematic and methodical manner.

That is to say, allocations are done, for the most part, according to the date of the application. This became necessary because when I came to office, I discovered that there are applications dating, as far back as the early 1990s,” the minister disclosed.

She explained that the modified policy will help the ministry to address a number of issues, for example, in the past, people (public servants earning the minimum wage) were called, mere hours before an event, with an offer for an allocation which required them to find 50 per cent of the cost for lands.

“Keep in mind, we have lands which carry a cost ranging from 92,000 to $3M. The new process encourages and allows for persons to stay within their means. We have not imposed on anyone. That is to say, we make the applicant aware of all possible options available – be it a housing unit or land which falls within their affordability,” she said.

The minister noted that due to the severe allocation policy existing pre-2015, many people who had received house lot offers, struggled to pay off for their lands and remained indebted to the agency.

“The Jubilee 50/50 promotion which was introduced in May 2016, enabled those persons to clear their arrears and brought in much needed revenues to the agency.

This much needed revenue aided in commencement of major infrastructure works in schemes which were partially developed and allocated pre2015,” the minister underscored.

Rancher accused of marijuana possession granted bail CHIEF Magistrate Ann McLennan, on Tuesday December 10, 2019, granted $200,000 bail to a 53-year-old rancher accused of having marijuana in his possession, for the purpose of trafficking.

Micheal Melville of Moblissa, Linden Soesdyke Highway, appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court and pleaded

not guilty to the charge, when it was read to him.

Particulars of the charge stated that, on December 7, 2019, at Moblissa, Linden Soesdyke Highway, he had 1113 grams of cannabis for the purpose of trafficking.

“I have no knowledge of it. My friend does look after the house cause I does be on the farm most of the time. I never know

he would do something like that. He does live downstairs and I does live upstairs with my family,” Melville said.

According to information, on the day in question, around 11:30 hours, police, acting on information, went to Moblissa, Linden Soesdyke Highway, where they met Melville and another individual. The individual, after seeing the police,

made good his escape.

A search was conducted in Melville’s house and nothing was found.

However, on searching the back of Melville’s yard, the police observed a zinc sheet with a black plastic bag, along with a green haversack containing a quantity of leaves, seeds, and stems, suspected to be cannabis.

Melville was told of the

offence, arrested and taken to the McKenzie police station where he was later charged.

Magistrate McLennan, after listening to both sides of the story, granted Melville $200,000 bail and ordered that he reported to the Amelia’s Ward Police Station every Friday.

The matter was adjourned until January 16, 2020.

Micheal Melville

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, December 11, 2019

Housing minister deconstructs Jagdeo ‘unfounded claims’ –– says Opposition Leader has no moral authority to talk about corruption

By Rabindra Rooplall

MINISTER within the Ministry of Communities with responsibility for Housing, Annette Ferguson, has accused Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo, of mischievous and very partisan politics.

Minister Ferguson, during a press briefing at the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CHPA), Brickdam, Georgetown, on Tuesday, said Jagdeo claimed she benefitted from three house lots on East Bank Demerara to build her property.

“I have news for Mr. Jagdeo. Anette Ferguson has one house lot allocation, which as a citizen of Guyana

Minister of Housing, Annette Ferguson, holds a copy of the transport of the single plot of land she received after 2015 to build her property

I have a right to. I applied for this house lot during the tenure of Mr. Jagdeo’s PPP and like many other Guy-

anese I was only allocated after 2015,” Minister Ferguson said, while displaying a copy of the title for her

house lot.

The minister noted that her plot of land is 0.25 of an acre which is approximately 10,000 square feet.

“Comparing 10,000 square feet to what Jagdeo has is 216,000 square feet and he, Jagdeo, is calling me corrupt! This is a case where the wicked is cursing the righteous, and the word of God reminds us of the devil accusing the brethren, you cannot blame the devil for accusing, since that is his job,” Minister Ferguson said.

Notwithstanding Jagdeo’s critical spirit, Ferguson said 550 Guyanese are on their way to becoming first-time home owners, under the APNU-AFC gov-

ernment.

Minister Ferguson reflected: “I should point out that the price I paid for my lot was based on a pricing system that Mr. Jagdeo’s PPP developed and used for ordinary citizens. Fortunately, that pricing system did not apply to the Pradoville Privileged whose rate per Sq. ft. was far less that those of the peasantry class.

It is public knowledge that under Mr. Jagdeo’s PPP, he paid what amounts to $114 per square foot for his house lot while the ordinary citizens paid $317 for theirs.

Remigrants were asked to pay $1,111 per square foot for their plot and Mr. Jagdeo has the gall to call me ‘corrupt’ and talk about ‘corrupt practice’.”

The housing minister said those who desire to promote sound principles rather than on partisan politics will soundly reject Jagdeo and all that he symbolises.

“My fellow Guyanese, any leader worth his salt, would not base his leadership on hearsay.

But Mr. Jagdeo is disingenuous in his intentions; delusional in his judgement; deficient in morality; divisive in his politics and disgraceful to the honourable institution of leadership,” Minister Ferguson said.

DISCREPANCIES Under Jagdeo’s PPP, the minister said allocations were done before an area was “declared”.

She explained that persons were issued with parcel numbers not corresponding to the parcel of land they occupied. These titles had to be recalled and amended.

But in order for the titles to be amended, a mutation survey had to be done, which came at a huge cost to the agency.

Minister Fergusons said lands were acquired and distributed for housing development without the proper process involving key stakeholders being observed.

“All of this had to be corrected even as we seek to clear the backlog of more than 25,000 applications. He is hearing a

lot of things. I guess he didn’t hear that. Mr. Jagdeo claimed that “the cronies pull in, rake in a big part of it . . . a big part of it.

The question is: who are these ‘cronies?’ My fellow Guyanese, is Mr. Jagdeo

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo referring to you, the ordinary citizens, who I’ve been making genuine allocations to; those in need of better living conditions and living standards; those who applied in the early 90s and never received an offer, or is his memory failing and he is confusing the ‘Pradoville Privileged’ with the ordinary single mothers, hardworking fathers and farmers of Regions Six and Two, whose interest was neglected for years by Mr. Jagdeo’s PPP, but are now benefitting from a fairer and more just allocation process?” Minister Ferguson noted.

She said if the ordinary citizens are “cronies” who “pull in and rake in” as Jagdeo claims, then “I wear this as a badge of honour as our President, David Granger has made it clear, under his leadership, every citizen should enjoy the right to housing; he would like to [demit office] … when there is not a single homeless Guyanese. Every Guyanese must have a roof over his or her head. His government aims to create in Guyana, a community of free citizens who own land, who own houses.

We are trying to abolish homelessness; we are trying to abolish destitution.”

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, December 11, 2019

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday December 11, 2019

Chinese UN envoy reaffirms green Winter Olympics in 2022

UNITED NATIONS, Dec. 9 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese UN envoy on Monday said Beijing aims to hold a green Winter Olympics in 2022, in which green power will be used in all venues to strive for carbon neutrality.

Zhang Jun, China’s permanent representative to the UN, reaffirmed the promise during a UN General Assembly debate on sports for development and peace.

“We will hold a green Olympic Games and prioritize

Zhang Jun, China’s permanent representative to the UN

ecological consideration, resources conservation and environmental friendliness by developing and implementing a low-carbon management work plan,” Zhang said.

With the work plan, green power will be used in all winter Olympic venues to strive for carbon neutrality, he expounded.

Zhang said China will continue to promote openness in Olympic Games, and through the Beijing games, “we will strengthen sports cooperation and people-to-people and cultural exchanges between China and the rest of the world.”

He pledged China will create a new window for promoting the Olympic spirit and exchanges among civilizations and mutual learnings.

Moreover, China will combat corruption and uphold integrity in hosting the Olympic Games, tighten oversight of the preparations and adopt zero tolerance for doping so that the Beijing Winter Olympic Games will be “as clean and pure as ice and snow,” Zhang said.

Monday’s meeting focused on sports for development and peace and approved a resolution calling for the Olympic Truce to be implemented for the Tokyo Games in 2020.

The resolution, entitled “Building a peaceful and better world through sport and the Olympic ideal,” urged UN member states to observe the Olympic Truce “individually and collectively,” throughout the period from the seventh day before the start of the Olympic Games until the seventh day following the end of the Paralympic Games.

In particular, it called for ensuring the safe passage, access and participation of athletes, officials and all other accredited persons taking part in the Games, and contributing to the safe organization of the Games.

Further, the resolution decided that the 76th session of the General Assembly, set to start in September 2021, should discuss similar matters for the Olympic Winter Games and the Paralympic Winter Games to be held in Beijing in 2022.

Zhang said the resolution represents the call of justice by all UN member states.

Wishing the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympic Games a success, he urged all member states to act in accordance with the requirements of the resolution by striving to bridge differences, resolve disputes, and stop the use of all military force and hostility during the Olympic Games.

He further said the Olympic Games is not only an arena for athletes, but also a bridge of friendship for people of all countries, noting the modern Olympic Games brings together people of different countries, ethnicities and cultural backgrounds, enhances mutual understanding, promotes social cohesion, and greatly contributes to world peace and development.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday December 11, 2019

China posts strong human development performance in 2018

BEIJING, Dec. 9 (Xinhua) -- China posted strong human development performance in 2018, a report from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) showed.

China’s Human Development Index (HDI) value stood at 0.758 for the year 2018, ranking 85 among 189 countries and regions, according to the Human Development Report 2019 released by UNDP on Monday.

The country’s HDI value increased around 51.1 percent from the 0.501-reading of 1990, putting the country in the high human development category, said the report.

“China’s development progress over the last three decades has been remarkable,” said Beate Trankmann, resident representative of the UNDP in China, at a press conference to release the report, citing the country as the only one in the world to have moved from the low development group to the high development category since HDI

was introduced in 1990.

Countries with an HDI value over 0.7 are categorized in the high development group and those with a value over 0.8 are put in the very high development category, noted Trankmann.

China had seen improvements in the main factors indicating human development from 1990 to 2018, with life expectancy up 7 years to 76 years, and expected years of schooling increasing 5.1 years to 13.9 years, said the report.

The report also stated the incomes of the bottom 40 percent grew 263 percent between 2000 and 2018 in China, contributing to the fast reduction of extreme poverty.

C h i n a t a k e s a p e ople-centered development approach, promoting coordination of economic, social and environmental development, Wang Dong, policy advisor and program director for SDG Localization with the UNDP China, told the press conference.

Wang also highlighted China’s local coopera-

tion of poverty reduction authorities with health, education and social insurance departments in poverty alleviation, which enhanced the country’s human development.

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New bridge constructed at Flour Mill Road

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, December 11, 2019 AFTER years of neglect, Government has constructed a new bridge at Flour Mill Road, Agricola, Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Jaipaul Sharma, said.

Sharma, in a Facebook post, said that the pedestrian bridge, which was over a trench, was in a notably deplorable state for years. He said one resident complained to him that a child recently broke her hand after falling from the bridge when a rotted board broke. The resident

added that the condition of the bridge was especially dangerous since the trench was infested with snakes.

Just about a month ago, during a walkabout in the community, Minister Sharma committed to sourcing the materials, as early as possible, to facilitate the bridge’s rehabilitation. He did so, and a new bridge was constructed.

In the photos, Minister Sharma, along with a parent and students, ‘test’ the new bridge.

The old rickety bridge

Houston Estates owners owe City Council more than $400M THE Georgetown City Council heard on Monday how the owners of ‘Houston Estates’ owe the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) in excess of $400M, although they are trying to sell their lands for a whopping $5B. The Guyana Chronicle understands that the City Council offered an objection on the land transport which is currently lodged with the registrar because of the enormous amounts owed in rates and taxes.

But Redstart Investments, the company purchasing the lands, has since filed an action on the City Council to have the transport released.

Speaking with this publication after the statutory meeting at City Hall, Mayor Ubraj Narine offered that the Vieira-owned Houston Estates ought to clear all of their outstanding taxes before it can receive its compliance.

“You have north, south sections of Rome, and all these others sections…you need to clear the rates and taxes to get your compliance. So I am asking humbly for us to have dialogue so that we can get our part of the share in rates and taxes,” Narine expressed.

He explained that Town Clerk, Sherry Jerrick, wrote asking for a meeting with Houston Estates. “Mr. Lopes, the secretary, came for the meeting with us last November 18. We asked for additional documents from them for us to go through the right procedure because I believe that dialogue needs to happen on both sides. To date, no one came to us,” he said.

The town clerk wrote again, and so did the mayor. “I also wrote to them giving them a deadline and to date, nothing at all. The deadline passed of course.”

Meanwhile, Redstart Investments, which owns Unicomer and other businesses in Trinidad, the British Virgin Islands and Belize, is buying over 52 acres of land in the Houston/Rome area.

“Transport of Area ‘SR4’, a portion of Plantation Rome (South Section), in the city of Georgetown, in the country of Demerara… the said Areas SR4 containing an area 52.5774 acres being shown on a plan by E.[Enrique] G Monize, Sworn Land Surveyor dated the 10th day of January, 2019 and recorded at the Department of Lands and Surveys on the 25th day of February, 2019 as plan No.71468 and deposited in the Deeds Registry of Georgetown on the 5th day of April, 2019, no building and erections thereon and subject to the following conditions: The said plot of land is for residential, commercial and industrial purposes to Redstart Investments Guyana Inc., a company duly incorporated in Guyana under the Companies Act of Guyana, 1991, whose registered address is situated at Lots 25-25 Main Street Georgetown, Guyana,” read a notice in the Official Gazette.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday December 11, 2019

It’s time mayors, councillors get a salary …Narine to pursue this if re-elected today

By Telesha Ramnarine

GEORGETOWN Mayor Ubraj Narine, if re-elected to that chair today, wants to pursue the reformation of the by-laws governing the City Council, and begin a process that could see him and all city councillors receiving salaries, as compared to just stipends.

Elections for mayor, deputy mayor, and members of the Finance Committee, will be held today in the Council’s Chambers at City Hall, and Narine told Guyana Chronicle, on Monday, that he was ready to accept anything that was decided by the councillors, even if they saw it fit to place someone else as mayor.

“I do not envy the chair of mayor. Whatever the outcome, I am ready to accept. If the council sees anyone else fit, so be it.

I am a humble man and I will remain humble,” the

mayor expressed during an interview after the statutory meeting at City Hall.

Since taking office in January 2019, Narine said his focus was to “work on the administration” of the Council. After Town Clerk (ag), Sharon Harry-Munroe, was sent on leave by the Local Government Commission, Town Clerk (ag), Sherry Jerrick, has been doing a fine job, the mayor pointed out.

He said: “The town clerk has been working along with Council and I expect that in the future; whether who is mayor, that the town clerk gives her support because the town clerk is a servant of this horse-shoe table.”

If re-elected, the mayor said his focus will be on developing various projects that could see the Council receiving increased revenues.

Furthermore, he said the Municipal Council and District Act needs to be

reviewed and reformed.

“This is something I will be happily pursuing in 2020.

For instance, the building codes are outdated; we need proper solid waste management.”

At the moment, the mayor and councillors do not receive salaries, but stipends. “The mayor’s job is not one that you can have a side job with. It’s a 24/7 job. We should go down the road of paying mayors a salary, a taxable one. Councillors here who create policies and by-laws; it takes a lot out of you and to receive a stipend is not fair,” he expressed.

Narine said he believed that if a mayor serves his full term in office, there should be some benefits for him to receive. “I am not saying I am demanding a salary, but it is something I am looking at; to put things in place for the future.”

Meanwhile, the mayor also wants the rapidly deteriorating City Hall building

to be repaired as soon as possible, and the Council to ‘rake in’ the billions of dollars owing in rates and taxes.

His plan also includes changing the Stabroek Market Square. “I would like to see it transformed to the way Times Square is in Manhattan, New York City, where citizens can go and relax and feel free from fear,” he told this publication in a previous interview.

Narine also wants all of the large trees growing in the Koker out-fall at the side of the John Fernandes Wharf, removed to allow a much greater volume of water to drain from the land and end all the flooding in that commercial downtown area of the city.

Georgetown Mayor, Ubraj Narine at Monday’s statutory meeting

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday December 11, 2019

Private Sector Commission quiet

-- on way forward regarding garbage disposal in City during Christmas season

THE Mayor and City Council (M&CC) has said it has not heard from the Private Sector Commission (PSC) on the way forward regarding the increased amount of garbage that is generated around Christmas time by the business community.

Georgetown Mayor, Ubraj Narine, told Guyana Chronicle on Monday that while he can go ahead and impose a fee on the store owners, he would prefer to first have dialogue with the PSC, and then come up with a decision as a team.

“We have to work together to build the City and come up with strategies together. I can put a fee on them, but I don’t want to do that. I want to work

together and as a team. I don’t believe as a Guyanese, as a leader, I should go and use my authority.

We’re both reachable so we can meet to talk first,” he said in an interview following the council’s fortnightly statutory meeting at City Hall.

According to him, the PSC should have met with the council ever since last May to sort out the garbage issue. “We walked the City, myself and Mr. Gouveia, and I will walk again with him today. I don’t want any friction or conflict with the private sector but I don’t intend to be a nice guy to the private sector all the time. They say they are the bloodstream of this City, well I am the heart and I have a

He said the non-payment of the taxes is hurting the council and affecting its work.

The GCCI had said, though, that businesses are the life blood of the City as they create employment and economic activity and that there was a need for more partnerships.

For several years, the Georgetown Major, Ubraj Narine

role to play.”

The mayor said he is appealing to the PSC to work along with the City Council.

In 2016, President David Granger had recommended the formation of a tripartite committee involving the PSC, the City Council and Central

Government. However, the PSC complained that, at that time, the City Council continued to miss meetings and the initiative never took off.

The mayor had complained that there are over 140 “high-end” businesses in the City that owe billions in taxes to the municipality.

Georgetown City Council and a number of mayors have complained about the business community failing to meet its tax obligations to the City.

Despite efforts to ease the payments through various initiatives, the number of defaulters and the money owed continue to climb.

Motorcyclist succumbs to injuries in Non Pareil accident ON Tuesday, a 20-yearold motorcyclist succumbed to injuries he sustained following an accident at Non Pareil, East Coast Demerara (ECD) the day before.

Dead is Joel Sobers of Morning Glory Avenue, Melanie, ECD. He was riding motorcycle CK 1683.

Reports indicate that motorcar HC 5447 was proceeding east along the northern side of the Non Pareil ECD road followed by motorcar PPP 1210 while motorcycle CK 1683 was proceeding west along the southern side at an alleged fast rate of speed when the accident occurred.

Inquiries disclosed that the driver of motor car HC 5447 turned south across the road to a shop on the said road, when motorcycle CK 1683 collided with the left side rear of the car.

This resulted in the motorcyclist losing control and colliding into the right side front of motorcar PPP 1210. The collision caused the motorcyclist to fall onto the road surface.

Sobers received inju-

Dead: Joel Sobers

ries to the head and other areas of the body. He was picked up by the driver of motor car HC 5447 and public-spirited citizens in an unconscious state and taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he was admitted.

Both drivers were taken into police custody and a breathalyser test showed they were not intoxicated.

Sobers never regained consciousness and died on Tuesday morning at the Intensive Care Unit at the hospital.

The body was taken to the mortuary and is awaiting an autopsy.

The motorcycle Joel Sobers was riding when he got into the accident

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday December 11, 2019

Nelson Mandela award for US-based Guyanese GUYANA-BORN human rights representative to the United Nations and Ambassador-at-Large under the Economic and Social Council NGO (non-governmental organisation), Dr. Jason Renville, 42, based in Charlotte, North Carolina, has been conferred with the Nelson Mandela International Peace Award 2019.

The honour was bestowed on December 7, 2019 by the Council of Justice of the Peace of Sri Lanka, in collaboration with the South African Government

Nelson Mandela Foundation, in recognition of Dr. Renville’s distinguished services in the field of peace.

It coincided with the Nelson Mandela International Peace Summit 2019 of the Council of Justices of Peace of Sri Lanka, under the theme `Legacy of Joy’ and in observance of the 20th Anniversary of the Nelson Mandela Foundation. Venue for the summit was The Mahinda Silva Auditorium, Harti, Colombo Seven, Sri Lanka.

Signatories to the award are

The Nelson Mandela International Award 2019

The Nelson Mandela International Award 2019 certificate

Mechanic sentenced for robbery

A 20-year-old mechanic, who was charged with armed robbery a month ago, was, on Tuesday, December 10, 2019, sentenced to 14 months in prison by Magistrate Annette Singh, after he changed his plea to guilty.

Levar Moore of Leopold Street, Georgetown, on his first appearance at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court pleaded not guilty to the charge, when it was read to him.

Particulars of the charge stated that, on November 9, 2019, at Princess Street, Georgetown, at the Special Constabulary Headquarters, while in the company of others, and armed with a dangerous weapon, he robbed Sherwin Thornhill of a Motorcycle valued at $270,000.

According to information, on the day in question, the virtual complainant was sitting on his bike talking to a female when the defendant and several others approached them.

The defendant then placed a gun to the virtual complainant’s head and de-

Levar Moore

manded the said bike and made good his escape.

Moore, who was unrepresented, told the court that he was unaware of the allegations and had no knowledge of how the court operated.

National Commissioner, Council of Justices of the Peace of Sri Lanka, Dr. Maheswaran and Dr. Fahath A. Majeed, National Director, Council of Justices of the Peace of Sri Lanka.

Prior to leaving Guyana in 2002 for the United States in pursuit of furthering his studies, Dr. Renville used to be a cook and culinary chef at the Pegasus Hotel.

A prolific writer and sought-after empowerment facilitator, he has since authored `Bring out my Soul out of Prison’ – Revive, Renew and Restore the Mind and `Embracing your Mark of Authenticity’.

He also was previously be-

stowed with the iChange Nations’ World Civility award -2019; iChange Nations’ National Statement Degree – 2018, and iChange Nation’s Peace Icon Award – Diplomat of the Year – 2019.

Reflecting on his feelings to the Guyana Chronicle from his North Carolina home, Dr. Renville, who is married and has three children said, “I am grateful, honoured and still startled because it is not a recognition I had expected to receive in this juncture of my life, if ever. The enormity of the award, what it represents and the name Nelson Mandela, just to be in the shadows alone is beyond gratitude.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday December 11, 2019

Forensic audit into City Hall completed THE forensic audit into the operations of the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) being conducted by the Auditor General, has been completed and is merely awaiting the final input of the M&CC before it is handed over to the Local Government Commission (LGC).

“The latest is that the Auditor General would have informed me that for all intents and purposes the audit has been completed and they are awaiting some responses from City Hall as it relates to some of the audit query…any time now we are expecting to receive the final report,” Chairman of the Local Government Commission, Mortimer Mingo, said on Tuesday on the Guyana Chronicle’s online programme, Vantage Point.

The audit was requested by the commission in keeping with a recommendation from the report from the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into City Hall operations conducted last year.

The audit commenced on March 18, 2019 and was to be

conducted into the finances of City Hall for the period April 1, 2015 to October 31, 2018.

MONEY BAG INVESTIGATION Meanwhile, the commission is expected to complete its investigation next week Thursday into a bag of cash belonging to the M&CC, which was found inside the vehicle assigned to Chief Constable, Andrew Foo, earlier in 2019. This newspaper was first made aware of the incident when Georgetown Mayor, Ubraj Narine, said that he was told that the money was being kept in the vehicle, PVV 1405, for quite some time.

Narine could not say how much money was in the bag or who reported the matter but he was disturbed that no one at the City Council told him about the incident. According to him, the bag found is one that contains a ‘lock’ or M&CC seal. It is for this reason that it could be confirmed that the

Chairman of the Local Government Commission, Mortimer Mingo

money belongs to the council. It was after this confirmation that the City Council called on the commission to investigate the incident. On Tuesday, Mingo said that the investigation is near completion. “The investigation is all but concluded.

The investigation was done and a number of officers were interviewed in keeping…with natural justice. Some of those officers were called before the commission to say why disciplinary action should not be taken against them as it relates to that incident,” Mingo said.

“We are hoping that by Thursday of next week we’ll be definitive in our conclusion in that matter to deal with those officers.”

93 homes built; 33 roofs replaced in Region 1 ...under Hinterland Housing project THE Government of Guyana and Inter-American Development Bank’s (IDB) Sustainable Housing project has seen the construction of 93 homes and the replacement of 33 roofs in Region One for this year.

This was disclosed by the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) Deputy Director of Community Development, Donell Bess-Bascom, who provided an update on Tuesday. According to Bess-Bascom, residents in Region One communities such as Sebai, WhiteWater, Haimacabra and Kamwatta have all benefitted. In Region Nine, the agency aimed to construct 224 housing units in “Kwatamang, Masara, Katoka, Karassabi and in the Deep-South and South Central Rupununi in areas like Sand Creek, Karaudarnau and Potarinau.”

The Deputy Director said, “the span of the project included satellite villages because it was realised that the housing needs in these communities are greater due to their extreme geographic isolation.” She also revealed that through good partnership with the communities, an additional $69 million was secured and has been invested in the construction of 10 more houses in Haimacabra Region One and 18 additional units in specific sites in the Region Nine. Another benefit is the fact that labour and materials are being sourced in some of the some of the communities. “Part of agency’s experience working in the Hinterland Housing project is that among the residents there are excellent builders... who have found a way to develop very durable housing material that is indigenous to their communities,” Bess-Bascom explained. Other projects under the Hinterland Housing Development programme were executed in Regions Seven and Eight at a cost of $200M.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday December 11, 2019

Blue Martini murder…

Trial judge to sum up on Monday December 16 ON Monday, December 16, 2019, HIGH Court Judge Jo-Ann Barlow is expected to sum up the evidence in the murder of Sunil Singh called ‘Grey,’ who was killed two years ago in the vicinity of the Blue Martini nightclub in Kitty.

Thereafter, the judge will hand over the case to the jury for consideration and verdict.

Currently on remand for the indictment is 31-yearold Shawn Harris called ‘Shawny,’ formerly of Pike

Street, Kitty, Georgetown.

The charge alleged that Harris, on February 5, 2017, at Owen Street, Kitty, murdered Singh. Harris is represented by attorney-at-law Maxwell McKay, while prosecutors Shawnette Austin and Sarah Martin are representing the state.

According to reports, a party of police officers on patrol went to the Blue Martini nightclub and closed the club Shawn Harris called ‘Shawny’

Buxton businesswoman’s murder…

Judge to rule on admissibility of caution statement today IMRAN Ramsaywack is currently on trial before Justice Sandil Kissoon at the Demerara High Court for the gruesome murder of businesswoman Samantha Benjamin.

Today, Wednesday, Justice Kissoon who was conducting a voir dire (a trial within a trial) to determine the admissibility of a caution statement, will deliver his ruling.

During the main trial, State Prosecutor Abigail Gibbs was about to tender the caution statement said to have been volun-

Kevin Ramsaywack

tarily given by the accused; however, Ramsaywack’s attorney Ravindra Mohabir objected to the tendering of the statement.

Consequently, Justice Kissoon decided to conduct a voir dire in the absence of the jury to determine the admissibility of the statement.

The judge will deliver

Samantha Benjamin

that ruling this morning.

Ramsaywack called Kevin Jones, Coolie Boy or Ramsa of Berbice, had pleaded not guilty to the indictment which alleged that between March 25, 2015, and March 26, 2015 at Buxton, East Coast Demerara, he murdered Benjamin.

According to reports, on March 25, 2015, Benjamin was robbed at her Buxton home, allegedly by Ramsaywack and two other males. The men lashed her to the head then proceeded to ransack the house for valuables, particularly the room Benjamin had occupied.

After hitting the woman to her head, they proceeded to chop off her hands and feet, placed her in a wheelbarrow and wheeled her to the Buxton seawall under cover of darkness.

At the seashore, one of the men reportedly decided to sever the woman’s head and carve out her eyes.

On March 26, 2015, Benjamin’s torso was found but her head and limbs were missing. Shortly after, the police returned to the scene where the woman’s head, hands and feet were discovered nearby.

around 02:45hrs on February 5, 2017, after which they left.

However, shortly after, according to Charles Valenzuela, an employee of the nightspot, three men arrived and wanted to enter the club.

At that point in time the young man informed them that the club was closed and that resulted in an argument, during which one of the men stabbed Valenzuela to his

left arm.

Singh, who was present at the time, intervened and was trying to make peace, when the suspect dealt him a ‘lash’ to his head.

Singh then reportedly ran north into Railway Street, Kitty, and was pursued by his attacker, who caught up with him and stabbed him several times.

Both Singh and Valenzuela were rushed to the

Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation, where Singh was pronounced dead on arrival and Valenzuela was treated and sent away.

Harris was released from prison in 2016 after serving a sentence on a drug charge. He was also charged in connection with the Bank of Baroda robbery committed at Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara, on January 22, 2016.

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Aliann Pompey is new PanAm Sports Athlete Commission president GUYANA’S Commonwealth Games 400m gold and silver medallist, Aliann Pompey, will serve as the next president of the PanAm Sports Athlete Commission.

Pompey, 41, was elected at the first meeting with the new PanAm Sports Athlete Commission members, who were chosen by the more than 6 600 athletes who competed at the Lima 2019 Pan American Games.

The new Athlete Commission members met and held the election on December 6 at the Pan Am Sports headquarters in Mexico City.

Only the three standing members of the Athlete Commission who were elected at Toronto 2015 - Carlos Santiago (PUR - Judo), Adriana Escobar (ESA - Rowing) and Aliann Pompey (GUY - Athletics) - were eligible to be elected as president of the commission.

Both Pompey and Santiago stood for the election, with the six members present, participating in the election.

“Honestly, I was a little bit

surprised,” Pompey said following her election as the new president of the PanAm Sports Athlete Commission.

“I wanted to give it a shot because I think it’s a tremendous honour to lead the Commission and it was obviously something I would love to do.

So I’m very, very happy with the outcome. It is a lot of work and I quickly realised that, once we went through the timeline and what’s expected in the upcoming years; but I think we are a very collaborative group and with everyone working together we will do great things,” Pompey related.

Pompey, Escobar and Santiago are joined on the Athlete Commission by new members Isabel Swan (BRA - Sailing), Melissa Humana-Paredes (CAN - Beach Volleyball), Paola Longoria (MEX - Racquetball), Tony Azevedo (USA - Water Polo) and Amber Joseph (BAR - Cycling).

The new Members will stand on the Athlete Commission until the 2027 Pan American Games, while Pompey will serve as president through the Santiago 2023 Pan Am Games.

“We are all thrilled to be on the PanAm Sports Athlete Commission because it’s a way for us to have meaningful impact in our sport and region outside of actual competition. I have and continue to learn so much. It’s truly an enriching experience. In a few

short years we’ve experienced the commitment of the PanAm Sports Executive staff to the Commission in making sure the athletes’ voice has infiltrated pretty much all of their operations,” Pompey added.

Pan Am Sports congratulated Pompey on her election as the president and look forward to working with her more closely over the next four years to ensure the athlete voice is always considered in all decisions by PanAm Sports. Pompey will sit in on her first Executive Board meeting on December 15 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

ABOUT PANAM SPORTS The Pan American Sports Organisation (PanAm Sports) is the leader of sport and the Olympic Movement in the Americas.

We propel the development of sport and support our 41-member National Olympic Committee to inspire more participation in international competitions as well as participation of the youth to prepare the generation to come in our region.

Pan Am Sports works closely with athletes, National Olympic Committees (NOC), Organising Committees of all regional games, Pan American Sport Confederations, International Federations (IF) and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to secure the success and celebration of our main event, the Pan American Games.

2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup Qualifying Draw

Golden Jaguars to know opponent today THE Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) will host the official draw for the 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup qualifying matches today in Miami, Florida, and the Golden Jaguars – Guyana’s Senior Men’s National Football team – will know whom they will face in their quest to qualify for the confederation’s biggest tournament.

Fans and media will be able to follow all the action beginning at 20:00hrs (Eastern Caribbean time) via CONCACAF social media channels.

As announced in March of 2018, the group stage of the 2019-2020 CONCACAF Nations League kicked off qualifying for the 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup. After round-robin play, the top two finishers in each o f t h e L e a g u e A g ro u p s and the top finisher in each of the League B groups secured their participation in the 16th edition of the Confederation’s premier tournament for men’s national teams.

The 12 teams already qualified for the 2021 Gold Cup are Canada, Costa Rica, Curacao, El Salvador, Grenada, Honduras, Jamaica, Martinique, Mexico, Panama, Suriname and the United States.

The road to the 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup will continue next year with a two-round qualifier, to be played in a direct elimination format.

Beginning in March of 2020, the second-place finishers of League B (French Guiana, Guyana, Montserrat and St Vincent and the Grenadines) will face

the first-place finishers of League C (Bahamas, Barbados, Guadeloupe and Guatemala).

After home-and-away play, the four round-one match-up winners will advance to the second round, where they will face the third-place finishers of League A (Bermuda, Cuba, Haiti and Trinidad and Tobago).

The second round will take place during the FIFA window of June 2020.

DRAW PROCEDURES The draw will be executed using a single blind system, involving three pots. The 12 participating teams will be divided in the pots as follows (in alphabetical order by CONCACAF Nations League): Pot A: Bermuda, Cuba, Haiti and Trinidad and Tobago Pot B: French Guiana, Guyana, Montserrat and St Vincent and the Grenadines Pot C: Bahamas, Barbados, Guadeloupe and Guatemala The draw will begin by randomly selecting a team from Pot C and placing that team in matchup number 1. The process will be replicated with the remaining three teams in Pot C, using matchups 2, 3, and 4, according to the order in which they are drawn. The same procedure will be used for Pot B. For Pot A, the first team drawn will face the winner of matchup number 1, the second team will face the winner of matchup number 2, the third team will face the winner of matchup number 3 and the fourth team will face the winner of matchup number 4.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, December 11, 2019

Liverpool advance to last 16 with 2-0 win in Salzburg

(REUTERS) - Liverpool moved into the last 16 of the Champions League with a 2-0 victory over Salzburg on Tuesday as a potentially tricky encounter turned into a second-half cruise with quickfire goals from Naby Keita and Mohamed Salah.

Juergen Klopp’s side needed a point in Austria to be sure of qualification and after missing several good chances in the first half, they ended up with a comfortable win which should have been by a more convincing margin.

Two goals inside two second-half minutes from Keita and Salah, with the Egyptian finding the net with an exquisite finish from a tight angle, helped Liverpool finish top of Group E with 13 points.

That was one point ahead of Napoli, who beat Genk 4-0, while Salzburg, who finished third with seven points, will continue in the Europa League.

“It was a tough game but we were there - that’s what I love from my team. Salzburg did so many smart things, but we had the big chances. It was a very intense game. In the second half they obviously couldn’t cope with that intensity,” said Klopp.

Although the away defeat and home draw with Carlo Ancelotti’s Napoli had left Liverpool on edge going into the final round of games, their superior quality showed in the end.

With much at stake for two attacking sides, the game began in a frantic and open fashion and Liverpool keeper

Alisson Becker had to be alert in the seventh minute to keep out a close-range effort from South Korean Hwang Heechan after good work from the lively Japanese forward Takumi Minamino.

the Egyptian’s shot was badly off target.

The 19-year-old Haaland missed another opportunity, six minutes after the interval, but Liverpool were beginning to get a grip on

on the right, pushed the ball around him and then impressively slotted home from the tightest possible angle.

Liverpool were in firm control from then on and wasted several chances to add

ARCH rivals Albion and Rose Hall Town (RHT) will battle for high stakes when they meet on Saturday and Sunday in a bid to capture the respective Berbice Cricket Board (BCB)/Ivan Madray Memorial T20 and Busta Champions of Champions 40-Over 1st Division titles.

Rampersaud and Eon Hooper offering spin support.

Leg-spinner Shawn Pereira and left-handed Keith Simpson will also offer variety on a track expected to be two-paced.

Albion will be at full strength with Kandasammy Surujnarine, Adrian Sukhwa, Sharaz Ram-

The late Ivan Madray

Red Bull Arena Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria - Liverpool’s Naby Keita scores their first goal (Action Images via Reuters/John Sibley)

Mane missed a good opportunity, curling wide from the edge of the box and then brought Salzburg keeper Cican Stankovic into action with a diagonal drive.

Highly-rated Norwegian striker Erling Haaland, who has been linked with a move to Manchester United, failed to make the most of space inside the box and his low shot was easily dealt with by the Liverpool keeper.

TIGHT ANGLE The biggest chance of the half came in the 29th minute when Keita put in Salah, but unmarked and inside the box,

midfield and dictate the tempo.

The runaway Premier League leaders settled their nerves when Keita headed them in front, against his former club, in the 57th minute.

Andy Robertson fed Mane who burst down the left past Jerome Onguene and he rounded Salzburg keeper Cican Stankovic, who had rushed out of his area, before lofting a cross into the box which was firmly headed home by Keita.

A minute later, Stankovic’s readiness to leave his area was behind the second goal, as Salah, wide

to their total with Salah and Mane both missing opportunities.

Salzburg will take some comfort from their enterprising first-half performance and their overall displays in the group stage, which earned praise from Klopp.

“I couldn’t have more respect for what Salzburg are doing. When you see how good they were in the first game, against Napoli and against Genk. We could have come here as reigning champions and misunderstood the situation, but I love how smart we were against them,” he said.

WADA president laments ‘almost never-ending’ Russian doping saga LAUSANNE, Switzerland, (Reuters) - The head of the World Anti-Doping Agency lamented an “almost never-ending” saga on Monday after Russia was banned from the world’s top sporting events for four years for tampering with doping tests.

WADA’s executive committee concluded Moscow had planted fake evidence and deleted files linked to positive doping tests in laboratory data that could have helped identify drug cheats.

“We are getting very close to the fifth anniversary of the ARD documentary,” WADA President Craig

Albion, RHT NAMILCO set for intense battle in Madray T20, Busta 40-over finals

Reedie told Reuters television, referring to a German television documentary which in December 2014 alleged doping was rife in Russian athletics and ed to WADA investigations.

“It has become almost never-ending and that is disappointing because they are a sport-minded country, they are hosts of sport, they compete in sport, and it has presented huge problems to sport over the last five years.”

WADA’s executive committee voted to reinstate Russia’s Anti-Doping Agency RUSADA in September 2018, before it had fulfilled

the requirements laid out in a “Roadmap to Compliance”, and was finally given access to the data stored at Moscow’s anti-doping lab-

WADA President Craig Reedie

oratory in January.

“It is particularly irritating after having broken the deadlock and done it in an intelligent way,” said Reedie.

“There are certain parts of the world which would want to sanction Russia for doing anything at any time ... there are other parts of the world which take an entirely different view,” he said.

“We have been dealing with a sporting problem in the middle of one of the biggest political standoffs for years ... diplomats are being expelled, hacking is going on. But you cannot walk away from it, you have to try to resolve it.”

The battleground this coming weekend for both finals will be the No. 69 Vikings cricket ground in Upper Corentyne. Over the last decade, arch rivals Albion and Rose Hall Town have dominated cricket at all levels and have played each other in numerous finals.

Despite RHT NAMILCO Thunderbolt Flour missing the services of an injured Clinton Pestano, and Kevlon Anderson who is with the West Indies, U-19 team. National all-rounder Eon Hooper, Junior Sinclair, Kevin Sinclair, Jason Sinclair, Delbert Hicks, Jonathan Rampersaud and Keith Simpson will shoulder the responsibility.

Pacers Keon Sinclair and Sylus Tyndall would share the new ball, with off-spinners Junior Sinclair, Kevin Sinclair, Jonathan

Devendra Bishoo

charran, Rajiv Ivan, Anthony Bramble, David Latchaya and Jonathan Foo leading the batting.

The national trio of Veerasammy Permaul, Devendra Bishoo and Gudakesh Motie will lead the bowling unit with Ivan, Foo, Ramcharran, Latchaya and Kevin Umroa lending support.

Prior to Sunday’s big throw-down, both teams will meet on Saturday this time in the 16th edition of the Busta Champion of Champions tourney, set for the same venue as Sunday’s encounter; from 10:30hrs.

Both teams have been in dominant form in both respective competitions, doing extremely well to reach the final in both as they will have a weekend filled with intense action for two separate titles.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER

(Wednesday, December 11, 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: Chris Gayle-117 (WI vs SA, Johannesburg, 2007) Umar Gul-5/6 (PAK vs NZ, The Oval, 2009)

TODAY’S QUIZ:

(1) Who is the first player to hit an ODI century?

(2) Who is the first player to bag a five-wicket haul in an ODI game?

ANSWERS IN TOMORROW’S ISSUE

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, December 11, 2019

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European Leagues tired of breakaway threats from big clubs ZURICH (Reuters) - The umbrella organisation representing Europe’s domestic leagues is tired of breakaway threats, it said on Tuesday in response to a proposal to create a two-division world soccer league.

The Financial Times and New York Times have reported that discussions led by Real Madrid president Florentino Perez have taken place over the possibility of setting up the league featuring the world’s richest clubs split into two divisions.

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

FIFA has said that it always talks to stakeholders about finding the best solutions for the game and that it recently met with Real Madrid and other clubs to discuss the revamped Club World Cup. Real Madrid and CVC have

not commented on the reports.

“We are getting very tired of all the threats coming from a few rich clubs in football,” said European Leagues chairman Lars-Christer Olsson in a statement which did not mention Real Madrid by name.

Olsson pointed out that 2019 had been “a year full of discussions around the future of professional club competitions.”

Earlier this year, UEFA and the European Club Association (ECA) put forward a plan to turn the Champions League into

European Leagues chairman Lars-Christer Olsson

“Threats that they are going to break away from the football ecosystem as we know it and create their own private environment.”

a semi-closed competition from 2024 onwards. It was eventually dropped amid strong opposition.

In 2016, there were mul-

tiple media reports that some big clubs had been discussing a breakaway Super League.

Shortly afterwards, the format of the Champions League was changed to give more places to clubs from the biggest five leagues.

Olsson said that the current pyramid system, which gives the smallest of teams a chance to climb their way up through the divisions, should remain intact.

“The dream is alive, for clubs and players, girls and boys, that one day they may reach a professional level and they can even make it all the way to the top,” he said.

“Professional club football is not a private business for a few where only the size of the pockets determines who is welcome.”

“The solution is not a closed league at the top of the pyramid in Europe and certainly not a closed shop on top of the world where only a few of the richest clubs are invited.”

Chelsea advance in Champions League with 2-1 win over Lille

LONDON, England (Reuters) - Chelsea clinched their place in the knockout stage of the Champions League with a 2-1 win over Lille yesterday, secured by first-half goals from Tammy Abraham and captain Cesar Azpilicueta.

Chelsea, who needed a win to make sure of qualification, had gone five Champions League games at Stamford Bridge without a victory, their longest such run at home in the competition.

They were in charge for almost the entire game against Lille who were already condemned to the bottom spot of Group H and fielded an under-strength side.

After dominating the opening proceedings under a downpour, Chelsea took the lead in the 19th minute when U.S. striker Christian Pulisic darted forward to feed Willian and the Brazilian’s cutback cross was turned in

by Abraham.

The Londoners doubled their lead in the 35th minute when Azpilicueta shook off his marker to

score with a close-range header from a corner by Emerson.

Former Chelsea striker Loic Remy pulled a goal back for Lille in the 78th minute when his shot went in off the under-side of the bar, setting up a nervous finish for the hosts. Remy wasted a chance to equalise

when he shot straight at Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga in injury time.

The result meant all four English teams in this season’s Champions League - Liverpool, Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur, as well as Chelsea - have reached the last 16 of the competition.

Chelsea’s Cesar Azpilicueta scores their second goal at Stamford Bridge, London, Britain (REUTERS/Dylan Martinez)

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There was further good news for Chelsea as they welcomed back central defender Antonio Rudiger who had previously played only 45 minutes this season due to injuries.

‘592 Beer Inter-Village Football Festival’ gearing for exciting January 1 climax FOLLOWING the conclusion of a highly competitive group round, the quarterfinal section in the inaugural ‘592 Beer Inter-Village Football Festival’, which is programmed to commence on December 15, was officially released yesterday.

This was revealed following an official press release from the tournament coordinators. In the opening round which commences at the Buxton Community ground, Mahaica will be pitted against Friendship from 20:00hrs. In the second match Paradise will tackle Buxton at 22:00hrs. The action will resume on December 22 at Golden Grove ground with another double-header.

The first fixture will be Brush Dam against Golden Grove at 20:00hrs. In the second match, Beterverwagting (BV) will oppose Ann’s Grove at 22:00hrs.

The respective winners will progress to the semi-final section.

A release from the organisers states that the tournament has attracted large crowds and now enters the business section. It promises to be an exciting affair as the teams aim to secure the coveted title.

The group stage has produced thrilling action and many unlikely results which bode well for the fans who are expected to continue their unwavering support. Currently all systems and protocols are in place for the staging of the matches. The only thing that remains is for teams to prepare and execute, in their effort to secure a berth for the January 1st finale.

Initially, the 12-team event featured four groups of four. Group-A comprised Buxton, Plaisance and Mahaica, while Group-B consisted of Friendship, Paradise and Victoria and Group-C featured Brush Dam, Melanie and Ann’s Grove.

Group-D was made up of Annandale, Golden Grove and Beterverwagting (BV). The winners of each group alongside the second-place finishers advanced to the quarterfinal round.

The grand finale is pegged for January 1.

The eventual champions of the event will pocket $300 000 and the championship trophy. On the other hand, the second-, third- and fourth-place finishers will receive $150 000, $100 000 and $75 000 respectively and the corresponding trophy.

Similarly, individual prizes will be awarded for the Most Valuable Player (MVP) and the Best Goalkeeper.

Some of the major sponsors of the tournament include Bakewell Guyana Incorporated, ExxonMobil, and Colin Talbot Construction Services.

Essequibo Coast/Pomeroon Umpires’ Association to be resuscitated

FORMER senior national Umpire Dasroy Balgobin is spearheading an effort to resuscitate the dormant Essequibo Coast and Pomeroon Umpires Association (ECPUA) with the aim of securing more qualified umpires from the Region to officiate both locally and nationally.

The highly regarded umpire, who also officiated in matches in North America, is of the view that with a vibrant organisation, more persons Kempton 11:40 hrs Ivatheengine 12:10 hrs Ruby Power 12:40 hrs Eastern World 13:10 hrs Sheriffmuir 13:40 hrs Geizy Teizy 14:10 hrs Glendevon 14:40 hrs Astromachia 15:10 hrs Brains South Africa Racing Tips Greyville 08:25 hrs Basetsana 09:00 hrs Walterthepenniless 09:35 hrs Collabro 10:05 hrs Dispicable 10:35 hrs Twice The Flight

will become interested in the profession. Balgobin further contended that “on the Essequibo Coast, most of the organised matches are affected due to the lack of qualified umpires and this is affecting the standard of the sport there”.

umpire Shannon Crawford, who is based in Essequibo and is attached to the Anna Regina Fire Station, has indicated his interest to support the initiative and has pledged to provide his expertise both in theory along with practical training.

Umpire Shannon Crawford

He has since set out to mobilise a pool of interested persons to begin the process of reconstituting the organisation and to commence classes for the preliminary umpires’ examination next year.

Meanwhile, national senior

The ECPUA is currently headed by Deva Dass, but the organisation has not held a statutory AGM for the past three years. Balgobin is appealing to anyone desirous of being an umpire to contact him on 626-1112 for more information. (Elroy Stephney)

34

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, December 11, 2019

Manohar to not seek re-election as ICC chairman

ICC chairman Shashank Manohar has indicated that he will not seek to continue in the seat when his current term ends in May 2020.

Despite having the option of serving for another two years, Manohar was quoted as saying by The Hindu, “I am not interested in continuing for another two-year term.”

ICC’s rules allow a chairman to serve a maximum of three terms if he/she is reelected every two years.

Manohar became the global body’s first independent chairman in 2016, and then was re-elected in 2018. On both occasions he was, as the sole nominee, elected unanimously by ICC directors.

He remains popular with a majority of the ICC board’s 15 directors, which includes an independent woman director, the former Pepsico chairperson, Indra Nooyi. Imran Khawaja, the ICC deputy chairman, is believed to have met Manohar recently, asking him to continue for another term.

“Majority of directors have requested me to continue but I have told them that I do

not wish to,” Manohar said.

“I have been the chairman for nearly five years. I am very clear. I do not want to continue from June 2020. My successor will be known next May. He has to be elected in May to take charge after me at the annual conference.”

nance structure of the ICC Board and brought in an independent woman director for the first time.

In the last two years, he has overseen the ICC management’s plan to introduce the World Test Championship and the ODI League, to

ICC chairman Shashank Manohar (Getty Images)

Manohar’s tenure has been, in some ways, transformative. When he was BCCI president between 2015 and 16, Manohar became the first heavyweight administrator to call out the constitutional revamp of the ICC, devised by the Big Three, for “bullying”.

Once he took charge as the independent chairman, Manohar rolled back the Big Three’s revamp, brought in a new financial distribution model, changed the gover-

be launched from May 2020.

His decision to not seek another term is thought to have caught the ICC management by surprise, and it is not immediately clear why he is choosing not to continue. One reason could be that Manohar is simply not inclined to chair the ICC anymore, that he is less motivated now because the ICC faces lesser challenges compared to when he took charge in 2016.

Another potential reason could be health. The Octo-

ber round of ICC meetings were moved from Sydney to Dubai because Manohar couldn’t get on a long-haul flight to Australia: he had been advised not to do so by doctors.

An ICC director who met Manohar recently told him that they needed his strong leadership now that an elected BCCI administration was back in power. The director feared that the BCCI, using its clout, could possibly once again endanger the various reforms the ICC had adopted, or is in the process of adopting.

Although he enjoys strong support at the ICC, Manohar has polarised opinion within the BCCI where several members - among the state associations - have been critical of him for hurting India’s interests when he rolled back the Big Three revamp.

As per the election rules, only a current or former ICC director can contest for the chairman’s position.

Each director can nominate one candidate. Nominees with the support of at least two directors are eligible to contest the election.

(ESPN Cricinfo)

Bounty Farm outfits Timehri Panthers THE Timehri Panthers yesterday received a boost in their preparations for the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Super 16 tournament, when they were presented with two sets of full kits, 10 balls and five ball bags - bringing the total number of balls donated to the club by Bounty Farm Ltd to 25.

On hand to receive the gifts were president Adrian Gonsalves, vice-president/ PRO Clayton Lambert, captain and National U-17 player Shannon Samnauth and Panthers defence player John Steele, who is an employee of Bounty Farm.

In an invited comment, David Fernandes, Assistant Managing Director of Bounty Farm Limited, said that Bounty Farm was proud to be able to make a contribution to the

development of youths and football in the community.

Gonsalves thanked the company for its timely do-

nation and said he was looking forward to many more in the future. He also stated that the equipment would

be put to good use and will go a far way in fulfilling the Panthers’ motto – “Impacting Lives through Sports”.

Panthers’ vice-president/PRO Clayton Lambert receives one of the balls from Bounty Farm employee Amelia Kellman. He is flanked by defence player and Bounty Farm employee John Steele (left) and Panthers captain and National U-17 player Shannon Samnauth, both dressed in the new Panthers kit

Bermuda batsman Darrell slapped with two-match ban

MUSCAT, Oman, (CMC) – Bermuda batsman Deunte Darrell’s involvement at the Cricket World Cup Challenge League B in Oman was abruptly ended after he was suspended for two matches by the world governing body for swearing.

Bermuda batsman Deunte Darrell

Darrell, 27, who was already sailing close to the wind after receiving a onematch ban last month at the ICC T20 World Cup Qualifier in Dubai, fell foul of the totting-up process when he admitted using an audible obscenity on Sunday after giving his wicket away in the abandoned match against Kenya.

He will now miss the matches against Jersey today and Italy the following day.

The International Cricket Council(ICC) statement read: “During Bermuda’s ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Challenge League B match against Kenya on 8 December, [Deunte] Darrell was found to have violated Article 2.3 of the code, which relates to ‘use of an audible obscenity during an international match’, following his dismissal in the 36th over.

“Darrell admitted the offence and accepted the

sanction of a warning and one demerit point proposed

by ICC Match Referee Manu Nayar.

“Darrell’s accumulated demerit points reached four following this latest breach of the ICC Code of Conduct.

“Darrell already had three demerit points against his name for an incident in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Qualifier 2019. When a player receives four or more demerit points, they shall be converted into suspension points for sanctioning purposes, as outlined in Article 7.9 of the Code of Conduct.”

On-field umpires Vinod Babu and Tabarak Dar, and third umpire Anantha Rajamani levelled the charges after Darrell reacted badly to a run-out that was of his own making when he called Justin Pitcher for a single that was never on.

His dismissal for nine extended a long barren run over two competitions in which a high score of 18 against Singapore in Dubai is his only total in double figures.

He was banned for one match in Dubai for throwing away his gloves in the direction of both the Bermuda and Namibia camps after his dismissal, and tossing his bat against an advertising hoarding.

Sunday’s abandonment because of rain earned Bermuda their first point after defeats against Hong Kong and Uganda.

Bermuda went into the tournament, the first stage towards qualification for the 50 overs World Cup in India 2023, after suffering six T20 defeats in Dubai.

Will Sparta be ...

FROM BACK PAGE

have to play once we make the final.”

According to the release, “The semi-final matches are expected to be humdingers given the quality of the sides that will be competing for a place in the grand finale. The matches will simply build on the quality that was exhibited at the quarterfinal stage so the spectators will certainly be thrilled with the exciting play that will be on show.”

The release from the organisers also pointed out “the four teams that remain are easily the best sides at the moment, with many of them having traditional rivalries which will add to the drama of the tournament.

Sparta Boss, Gold is Money and Bent Street are national heavyweights in this arena while debutants Rio All-Stars have displayed their championship credentials and will be a forced to be reckoned with in the immediate future.”

The second semi-final match will pit Bent Street against newcomers Rio AllStars. The final and 3rd place playoff will also be staged on the same date.

The winning team will pocket $1M and the championship trophy, while the second-, third- and fourthplace finishers will collect $400 000, $200 000 and $100 000 respectively and the corresponding accolade.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, December 11, 2019

35

Torginol lends support ahead of 2019 Kennard’s Memorial Boxing Day horse race

THE 2019 Kennard’s Memorial Turf Club Boxing Day horse race gathered some pace leading up to the annual meet, as long-time sponsors Torginol Paints continued their financial funding of the event.

Yesterday’s brief ceremony held at Torginol’s Industrial Site location, where turf club president, Justice Cecil Kennard, received the sponsorship cheque ahead of the upcoming iconic meet which is held every Boxing Day at the Bush Lot venue.

Justice Kennard thanked the company for its continued support of the horse racing fraternity - a partnership which has spanned decades and continues to blossom annually as the support is given.

Kennard also pointed out that roughly $7M has been injected into the restoration

process of the turf club. He said the financial support the club attracts is usually put into refurbishing the venue while helping to offset expenses in other areas.

Seven different groups will feature a number of talented jockeys and horses who will compete for almost $2M in prize money. However, the real winner will be the one who rides away with the grand prize of $1M, from the ‘METRO MILLION MILE OPEN’ feature race.

Apart from the million-dollar, main event the other classes set for the event include: L NON-EARNER, H & L LOWER, 2-YEAR-OLD MAIDEN, L NON-WINNER, J & K LOWER and L OPEN. Each class fetches lucrative 1st to 4th place prizes which range from $250 000 to $130 000.

Continental Group of Companies Office Manag-

The cricket team captains Sri Lanka's Dimuth Karunaratne and Pakistan's Azhar Ali pose with Test series trophy ahead of the first Test cricket match between Pakistan and Sri Lanka at Pindi Cricket Stadium Rawalpindi, Pakistan on Tuesday (REUTERS/Stringer)

whole Pakistan nation,” Azhar told reporters. “Test cricket’s return to Pakistan after 10 years is an opportunity for us to get back on the winning track.

“We had a tough series in Australia and the way we lost there was disappointing.

Moving forward, we see this home series as an opportunity and advantage to turn things around.

“We will try our best to fix our mistakes and improve wherever we had been lacking.

We have outstanding talent in our squad. They have potential and, if we implement it, results will be good.”

The matches are part of the World Test Championship in which Pakistan are yet to get off the mark

continuing their relationship which he said is important to

Kennard’s Memorial Turf Club president Cecil Kennard (left) receives the sponsorship cheque from Continental Group of Companies Office Manager, Ravi Brijnandan, (right) in the presence of the company’s representatives (Adrian Narine photo)

Pakistan's first home Test in a decade a joyous occasion - Azhar

(REUTERS) - Pakistan’s first Test match on home soil since 2009, which starts against Sri Lanka today, is a moment to rejoice for the whole country, Pakistan captain Azhar Ali said on Tuesday.

Pakistan host Sri Lanka in a two-match series, their first tests on home soil since the 2009 militant attack on Sri Lanka’s team bus in Lahore which left six security personnel and two civilians dead and six players injured.

Other teams refused to travel to Pakistan due to security concerns and the side were forced to play home tests at neutral venues in the United Arab Emirates.

“It’s a moment to rejoice, not only for the players but the

er, Ravi Brijnandan, was also elated at the two entities

after two innings defeats in Australia. Sri Lanka are fourth with 60 points from two matches.

Sri Lanka are coached by Mickey Arthur, who led Pakistan for three years before taking up his role with Sri Lanka last week.

“If someone is with you for so long, he does have a lot of information about you,” Azhar said. “In cricket these days, we all have a lot of knowledge about each other’s strengths and weaknesses, but yet players score runs.

“Mickey does have a lot of insight about us, but we believe that whatever the challenge he will throw at us, we will counter.”

the culture of horse racing.

Brijnandan said the company will not only throw its full support behind the upcoming meet, but will be a part of the club’s future endeavours to ensure that the sport maintains its pedigree.

Rules for the meet will fall under the Guyana Horse Racing Authority (GHRA) mandate while entries are set to close on December 16, with all late entries being denied following the date of closure.

Meanwhile, Kennard tipped this year’s race to exceed those of the previous years, as more participants are expected. The strong, overseas Guyanese contingent, who have been supporting the event yearly, are set to return home for the Christmas holidays, thus making the race a bigger spectacle. (Clifton Ross)

Sri Lanka hold nerve to deal Windies second U-19 Tri-Nations defeat

NORTH SOUND, Antigua (CMC) – Left-hander Sonal Dinusha displayed nerves of steel to deny a strong West Indies comeback, as Sri Lanka dealt the hosts their second straight loss of the Under-19 Tri-Nations Series here yesterday.

In a nerve-jangling end to a dramatic run chase, Dinusha swept a full-length delivery from off-spinner Matthew Patrick to fine leg for a single to lift his side past their target of 138, off the first ball of the 41st over at the Vivian Richards Cricket Stadium.

West Indies had looked a safe bet to pull off victory when they reduced the Sri Lankans to 101 for nine in the 32nd over before Dinusha, batting at number seven, produced a sterling unbeaten 46 off 63 balls with four fours to change the course of the game.

Crucially, he anchored an invaluable unbroken 37-run, last-wicket stand with Amshi De Silva (10 not out) which frustrated the hosts.

He had earlier also featured in a 31-run seventh-wicket partnership with captain Nipun Dananjaya who struck 31 off 45 deliveries with three fours.

Left-arm seamer Ramon Simmons led the West Indies

fightback with three for 31 while pacers Jayden Seales (2-23) and Nyeem Young (237) finished with two wickets apiece.

West Indies had only themselves to blame after they were held to 137 for nine off their 50 overs in an unflattering batting effort.

When Anderson missed a heave at a full-length delivery off Dinusha’s left-arm spin and was bowled in the 44th over, Nedd added a vital 33 for the ninth wicket with Seales who struck 23 off 27 deliveries.

Leg-spinner Kavindu Nadeeshan claimed four for

Kevlon Anderson gathers runs through the on-side during his top score of 43 against Sri Lanka yesterday (Photo courtesy CWI Media)

Sent in, they crumbled to 67 for seven in the 34th over and needed middle order batsman Kevlon Anderson’s top score of 43 to rescue some pride.

He counted a single four in an attritional 70-ball knock, putting on 37 for the eighth wicket with Ashmead Nedd who finished on 21 not out.

20 – including Young (3) and Matthew Forde (0) off successive deliveries in the 34th over – while seamer Amshi de Silva picked up three for 18.

West Indies have now lost two of their three matches in the tournament, following their defeat to England Under-19s on Sunday.

PAGE

31 Guyana’s Aliann Pompey (centre) flanked by other representatives of the Pan Am Sports Athlete Commission

Aliann Pompey is new PanAm Sports Athlete Commission president 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup Qualifying Draw

Golden Jaguars to know opponent today PAGE

31

Trayon Bobb (first from left) celebrates with Emery Welshman, Neil Danns and captain Sam Cox after finding the net for Guyana in his side’s 5-1 win against Antigua and Barbuda at the National Track and Field Centre

Will Sparta be ‘Boss’ on Saturday?

SHELDON Shepherd, captain of Sparta Boss said that his side is focussed and prepared for the semi-final encounter with fierce rival Gold is Money in the inaugural Rio Indoor football Championship, which is scheduled to be held at the National Gymnasium on December 14.

This was disclosed following an official release from the tournament coordinator Three Peat Promotions. According to Shepherd, “This is a good game. Last time we played we won 4-3 so they will be coming hard at us. We are not taking them lightly; we take every game and every team very seriously which is normal for us.”

Sparta sealed their place in the semi-final after defeating BV 4-2 in extra time of their quarter-final encounter.

On the other hand, Gold is Money battled past Leopold Street 3-2 to seal their place

in the final-four section.

Shepherd stated that the tournament is highly coveted, adding, “This is the first time that streetball has prize of one million dollars so everyone wants to win. There are four good teams left and everyone will come out for the win, everyone wants that title.”

He further added that the team is unafraid of opposition once successful in the semi-final round, adding, “We know Bent Street, we are not pointing a finger at anyone. We will handle anyone against whom we will

TURN TO PAGE 34

All eyes will be on Sparta Boss’ Gregory ‘Jackie Chan’ Richardson in the Rio Indoor Championship semi-finals this weekend

Pakistan's first home Test in a decade a joyous occasion - Azhar Printed and Published by Guyana National Newspapers Limi ted, Lama Avenue, Bel Air Park, Georgetown. Telephone 2 2 6- 3243-9 (General); Editorial: 2 2 7- 5204, 2 2 7- 5216. Fax:2 2 7- 5208

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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2019