Guyana_Chronicle_Epaper_12_17_2020

THURSDAY 17th December, 2020

' No.106216

Dubai sees ‘sweetness’ in Guyana’s sugar SEE PAGE 03

Housing programme for ‘cops’ PAGE

05

–– sends technical team to analyse estates, signals strong interest to invest

US$28M

SEE PAGE 02

Marriott for Ogle

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the construction of the proposed 150-suite “Residence Inn by Marriott” was signed by the investors and the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Guyana Office for Investment (Go-Invest), Dr. Peter Ramsaroop, on Wednesday (Photo courtesy of Marriott website)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, December 17, 2020

Surinamese investor brings US$28M Marriott to Guyana

–– 150-room facility to be constructed next to Ogle Airport, to employ close to 100

By Navendra Seoraj GUYANA’S partnership with Suriname continues

to extend further, this time in the private sector, with the country’s Blue Investment Group Incorporated

proposing to build a US$28 million luxury hotel next to the Eugene .F. Correia International Airport at

Ogle, on the East Coast of Demerara (ECD).

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the construction of the proposed 150-suite “Residence Inn by Marriott” was signed by the investors and the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the

Guyana Office for Investment (Go-Invest), Dr. Peter Ramsaroop, on Wednesday.

This proposed venture is indicative of the growing cooperation between Guyana and Suriname, which have both committed to not just bridging both nations physically with a bridge over the Corentyne River, but has signed an open skies agreement to allow for smooth air travel and has created a joint business facilitation unit to increase private sector cooperation, collaboration and investments.

Guyana and Suriname are both on the cusp of economic transformation and advancement, because of their new-found oil wealth.

But those countries, instead of being competitors, have chosen to work collaboratively to achieve common goals.

The latest announcement

by Suriname’s Blue Investment Group Incorporated, a subsidiary of Cirkel Group N.V, is seen as another step towards economic advancement, as the facility will not only create close to 100 jobs, but will also catalyse growth in cottage industries and micro/small enterprises.

The 150-suite Residence Inn hotel will represent Marriott’s “extended stay brand” in Guyana, meeting worldclass standards.

According to information shared with the Guyana Chronicle, the hotel will not be the average “short-term” accommodation facility, but will instead cater for persons staying for long periods of time and for those who want to be self-sufficient.

“Residence Inn provides a home plus experience with the added amenities of an upscale hotel. The hotel will offer spacious suites with living, working, cooking and dining areas, complimentary grocery delivery and a daily hot breakfast. Guests can enjoy outdoor living space featuring a swimming pool and grill,” said the investors,

adding that the construction of this facility will commence in March 2021.

The investors are confident that they will deliver quality service to every guest, as they intend on replicating the level of quality and efficiency offered by its Courtyard by Marriott in Suriname.

It was reported that close to US$1 billion (G$215B) will soon be injected into Guyana’s economy in the form of world-class hotels which will be constructed across the country to cater for the anticipated increase in visitors, who are being attracted by the nation’s burgeoning oil and gas sector and its spill-off benefits.

A business-friendly climate supplemented by the anticipated economic ascension is being credited for the attraction of major players in the hotel industry such as, Sheraton, The Element, Delta Marriott, Best Western Hotels and Resorts, the H-Tower Luxury Hotel, the Marriott Courtyard, the Hyatt Hotels Corporation, the Radisson Hotels, and the Hilton Hotels and Resorts, among others.

According to a study by Oxford Economics, hotel operations and guest spending, support eight million jobs across the US alone. The same study found that a typical hotel with 100 occupied rooms per night supports 230 local jobs every year.

And the nation’s hotel and lodging industry brings other important benefits to local communities.

These businesses are a cornerstone for local economic activity, providing increased tax revenue, capital investment, tourism-related development and promotion, civic leadership, charitable contributions and sponsorship. These benefits are also expected to accrue to Guyana, as the country continues to function as an investment magnet.

guyana CHRONICLE thursday, December 17, 2020

Dubai sees ‘sweetness’ in Guyana’s sugar

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–– sends technical team to analyse estates, signals strong interest to invest

By Navendra Seoraj SUGAR had lost its ‘taste’ over the years, becoming an industry that depended on Government bailouts to stay afloat, but a new impetus and strategic plan derived by the new Government have not only ‘breathed’ life into local ‘sugar-dependent’ communities, but has attracted one of the world’s wealthiest states, Dubai, which has signalled a strong interest to invest here.

This willingness to invest in sugar was initially expressed by members of the eight-member delegation from the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which visited Guyana in November, this year.

The team led by his Highness, Sheikh Ahmed Dalmook Al Maktoum of Dubai, met with President, Dr. Irfaan Ali and senior Government officials, and held discussions on oil and gas; infrastructure and agriculture.

It was reported that individual members of the team were interested in specific sectors, but this newspaper understands that the “key sectors” took “centre stage”.

Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha, who was present at the meeting, told the Guyana Chronicle that he highlighted the opportunities in agriculture to the investors, placing specific emphasis on sugar, poultry, goat and rice.

“They indicated their willingness to invest, so another team came back recently to look at sugar… a team from GuySuCo [The Guyana Sugar Corporation] accompanied the visiting team on

as we can within the constraints of finances, and, in addition to that, we are opening three estates. So it’s going up, and it’s going broader,” said the CEO in a previous report.

GuySuCo has since restarted the production of packaged sugar, and will be focusing heavily on this aspect of production, instead of the traditional bulk production.

Flashback- President Dr. Irfaan Ali (third right) and his team of ministers meeting “GuySuCo started prowith His Highness Sheikh Ahmed Dalmook Al Maktoum (fourth left) and his dele- duction of packaged sugar; gation from the UAE at the Office of the President (Office of the President photo) we are moving away from the dump market to go into a tour of all the estates… the most-awaited event in from both private and public packaged sugar, and this is the reality. We get double so they went and examined the world of sugar. This stakeholders.

Chief Executive Officer the value per tonne when all the estates already,” said forum provides a platform Minister Mustapha during for leading sugar produc- (CEO) of GuySuCo, Sase- we sell packet sugar, versus an exclusive interview with ers, refiners, importers, narine Singh, was reported what we dump on the world the Guyana Chronicle on traders, industrial users, as saying that the Govern- market,” Singh said.

Considering the substanfinancial institutions, and ment has received 10 ExWednesday.

The visiting team com- analysts, shipping compa- pressions of Interest (EoIs) tial benefits of value-added prised mainly experts, who nies and service providers from foreign companies, and production, the CEO behad a specific task of ana- from all over the world to one proposal from a local lieves it is a “no-brainer” situation when assessing which lysing the operations and come together to ponder investor. viability of Guyana’s sugar and chart the future course Information on the in- segments of the market to of action. vestors’ identities remain supply with Guyana’s sugar. estates.

The vision of GuySuCo, The institutional knowl- confidential at this time, but “I had a chat with them after their visit to the es- edge garnered by Dubai over Singh, during a press brief- as outlined by the company’s tates and they seemed very the years will possibly reach ing at GuySuCo on Monday, management, is to focus on interested… remember they the shores of Guyana soon, said the proposals will soon expanding the sale of packaged sugar in CARICOM, are technical people and not as this country is particularly be reviewed. policy makers, so whatev- interested in rebuilding its Singh, while not divulg- North America and the local er they observe they have ailing sugar industry through ing details of the actual markets. GuySuCo’s overarto take back to the policy Public-Private Partnerships. proposals, said interests ching plan for 2021 is to proIn 2017, the former A have been expressed in duce 97,000 tonnes of sugar, makers… but they were impressed with the sugar Partnership for National sugar refinery, ethanol a high percentage of which industry in Guyana, in terms Unity + Alliance For Change production, agro-energy, is expected to be packaged.

Minister Mustapha reof investing and so on,” said (APNU+AFC) Coalition a distillery and packaged Government had announced sugar, among other things. iterated the Government’s the agriculture minister. position, noting, however, Dubai is no stranger to the closure of several sugar that it can only be realised sugar, as this State is home estates across the country.

REFASHIONING through Public-Private Partto the world’s largest port- The move saw four sugar THINGS based sugar refinery, Al estates being closed, and “ G u y S u C o i s o n a nerships.

“We have to diversify, 7,000 sugar workers losing change plan; we have reKhaleej Sugar Co. their jobs. fashioned the way we are we cannot produce raw, Plans are afoot to not doing things. We have brown sugar and survive…

MOST-AWAITED just rehire persons, but to re-engineered the way we we have to produce valEVENT The state is also known return this industry to via- are thinking at GuySuCo; ue-added products like refor the Dubai Sugar Con- bility through coordinated the whole vision at Guy- fined sugar, ethanol, improve ference, which, since 2016, and prudent management, SuCo right now is to move on molasses, improve on the has gone on to become which is expected to come up the value chain as fast co-gen facility at Skeldon…

Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha those are the things we have to do and we have to bring down the cost of production,” said the Agriculture Minister.

His aim is to bring the industry to a break-even point, and, further, to a level of profitability through prudent investments and management.

“If all things go equal, in the next five years I am hoping we can break-even with the kind of management system I want to see.

“I put out a warning to managers that they must go into the field. You have to improve on crop husbandry to ensure that from the beginning of planting to the time of reaping there is proper cane so that tonnes cane to tonnes sugar ratio (tc/ts) would be high,” said Minister Mustapha.

This is the route the industry will take and it will be executed collectively through Public-Private Partnerships, which Minister Mustapha hopes can be present at all estates across the country, someday.

Second accused gets 24 years for Bush Lot double murder HOURS after Rooplall Abrahim was sentenced to life imprisonment for the gruesome murder of Arthur Doodnauth Rajkumar and his common-law wife Devi Dianne Chamanalall, Justice Brassington Reynolds imposed a 24-year sentence on his co-accused Madanpaul Gocool.

The murder accused had opted to plead guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter.

Justice Reynolds during a Zoom hearing on Monday described Abrahim and Gocool as “Beastly Berbice Butchers,”

who have brought much disgust to his ears.

“This is a tale of disrespect. The post- mortem report is as though they were from the butchery.... a devil inspired Rooplall Abrahim ... have been consumed by whatever drug… you and your cohort have robbed the community of a skill set. .You got rid of Mr Rajkumar. You have robbed the community of a valuable human resource... he taught your men the skill of welding... Together you have killed, not just one, nor two, but three lives ... I have

considered your age and I have spared you a life sentence.

However, using 35 years as a benchmark, I deduct five years for the guilty plea, five years for time spent and another year for remorse shown and mitigation. The sentence of this court is 24 years imprisonment,” he said.

Further, Justice Reynolds ordered that the accused be exposed to remedial and rehabilitation programmes in prison.

Earlier, prosecutrix Abigail Gibbs had described in detail the wounds on the bodies of the deceased couple. Their

bodies each bore over 20 deep incised injuries, severed body parts and fractures.

The couple died as a result of shock and haemorrhage due to multiple incised wounds.

Prior to the brutal killings, the couple were at home when Abrahim and another entered .

According to a caution statement attributed to the now convicted man, he, along with others had broken into the house through a grill door on January 9, 2016. They searched the house and packed foodstuff and cigarettes whilst searching for money.

After contact was made with the victims, they did not exercise mercy; the couple were severely chopped.

According to the state attorney, the extent of the couple’s blood loss was evident when the police went to Gocool’s home, where blood stains were seen in his bathroom. “He confessed that he took a bath as his shirt was filled with blood” the prosecutrix noted.

“During the post- mortem examination, the pathologist observed that Rajkumar’s vest was heavily bloodstained,

so too was the nylon nightdress worn by Devi Chamanalall,” she added.

Chamanalall’s father Jodhan, said his daughter was his caregiver, primarily after he suffered an almost similar fate which resulted in a bullet being lodged in his spine.

Defence counsel Ravindra Mohabir in his plea of mitigation argued that it was Abrahim who started to chop the couple moments after they had exited their bedroom, and not his client, whose only intention was to rob his victims.

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Son gets 12 years for father’s fiery death

By Jeune Bailey Van Keric

FIFTY-SEVEN-YEAROLD Colin Ross who confessed to setting his father’s house afire, resulting in the elderly man’s death, was sentenced to 12 years imprisonment by Justice Brassington Reynolds.

The murder accused entered a guilty plea to the lesser count of manslaughter, which was accepted by the state.

The incident occurred during the early hours of April 10, 2017 at Lot 14 Kildonan Village, Corentyne, Berbice, where the now convicted man lived with his father, 82-year-old Rudolph Ross. The elder Ross was a former overseer in the Bush Lot/Kildonan area.

During a Zoom hearing of the Berbice High Court, Probation Officer Dione Douglas made ref-

Sentenced: Colin Ross erence to the statement of Roger Kurt, aged 34 years, an academic adviser at the University of Guyana Tain Campus.

Kurt said although he and Colin did not share the same mother, they shared a wonderful relationship and had never had any conflict, even after their father had discussed his intention to transfer his property to him.

thursday, december 17, 04:30hrs - 06:00hrs

According to Kurt, there was talk in the community that his father had decided to give him the property, and that this had resulted in the accused committing the act against their father.

However, Kurt had expressed the opinion that his brother did not possess the traits to do such an act.

Douglas described Colin as intelligent and skilled, having been exposed to all levels of education.

He was once employed with the Guyana Forestry Commission as a Monitoring Manager within the Kwakwani community in the Berbice River. He was previously convicted of simple larceny and had served a two- year sentence (19992001) for that crime.

State prosecutrix Abigail Gibbs had narrated that the charred remains of the octogenarian were discovered after the fire was extinguished.

Reports had revealed that

Deceased: Rudolph Ross there was an argument between Colin and his father, after which he (Colin) sourced important documents before setting the house on fire, and fleeing the scene.

In handing down the sentence, Justice Reynolds started at 22 years, but deducted five years for time spent, and another five for good behaviour.

Defence counsel was Sasha Roberts.

guyana CHRONICLE thursday, December 17, 2020

Mother who beat, dumped child in swamp to undergo psychiatric evaluation THE Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has recommended that a psychiatric evaluation be conducted on the 25-year-old Berbice mother who allegedly beat and dumped her

asks when she needs to use the washroom and stuff and can walk so the doctor said that they are all good signs and she can hopefully recover fully but we don’t want to pressure she cause she

The muddy area where the six-year-old was found six-year-old daughter in a swamp.

The mother who resides at Goed Bananen Land, East Canje Berbice, reportedly confessed to the police that she used a two-foot long scantling and struck her six-yearold daughter about the body before dumping her in a swamp, some 500 feet behind their home on Sunday last.

She was kept in police custody since Sunday and is expected to be placed on station bail after the 72-hour period elapses.

District Six Commander, Jairam Ramlakhan, told the Guyana Chronicle that the evaluation is scheduled for Friday, and, based on the findings, the file will be returned to the DPP for legal advice.

Meanwhile, the father of the child stated that the little girl had, miraculously, regained consciousness and had been moved from the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) to the children ward of the Georgetown Public Hospital.

“Is a miracle she is alive, thanks to the many prayers. She knows her name and her age. She remembers me and know that I am her father. She

still weak and in pain,” the father said.

He related that he will seek to have full custody of the child as he believed that if she is left in her mother’s care, her life would be in danger.

“She got three bus on she head back at least four inches each; she right eye top cut; she eyes swell up and can barely open; she face all swell up plus she get a gash on she elbow…

I don’t want her around that environment cause I don’t want to wait for a next time. This whole thing open up me eye and I have to use this opportunity to protect my first born,” the father said.

Since the incident, he has not spoken to the mother as he has been by his daughter’s side and is thankful for the many prayers and well wishes he has received.

The hire car driver said he and the mother of his child separated some three years ago and he has visitation rights on Sundays.

He would pick up his daughter and take her to meet her five-year-old sister on the Corentyne, where they would spend the day together.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, December 17, 2020

Housing programme for 'cops'

President, Dr. Irfaan Ali in deep conversation with Crime Chief, Senior Superintendent, Wendell Blanhum at the Annual Commissioner’s Breakfast

THE welfare of ranks of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and that of their families are paramount to the government and they are expected to see noticeable improvement in their livelihoods over the next five years as an enhanced form of professionalism will be undertaken within the force.

This was disclosed by President, Dr. Irfaan Ali, on Wednesday, when he delivered remarks at the Annual Commissioner’s Breakfast, which was held at the Officers Mess, Eve Leary while also announcing that the lawmen will benefit from a twoweek tax free bonus.

Home Affairs Minister, Robeson Benn, was also a part of the annual Commissioner’s Breakfast.

“We expect to see marked improvement in performance.

A lot of professionals believe that we should go on a case outcome basis for incentives in the police force, similar to a production incentive in all the industries. I don’t believe this to be the only way forward. Because we must never give the impression that our only driving force to resolve a case is incentives and rewards,” the President said.

The President then reminded the officers that their primary driving force should be their oath, commitment

to office and their love for country.

“For you who serve in the police force, professionalism is the embodiment of everything you do. And I’m not asking for anything beyond that, beyond that professionalism that would see a remarkable improvement in the way the population views you, views your uniform, and the government.”

He said this is critical as the force’s performance and the government’s performance go hand-in-hand and are inseparable in the eyes of the population.

He urged the senior officers to build a legacy of success, which is marked by teamwork, trust and commitment.

Meanwhile, the President announced that good things are in store for cops.

“Part of our programme to ensure we enhance the welfare of not only the senior officers but all ranks is to ensure that we work on a special housing programme that will not only see ranks having access to house lots but to ensure that we help them to qualify so that they can get loans and grants to build their homes. These are important things that add to performance, that adds to job satisfaction,” he said.

CAPACITY-BUILDING The Head of State noted that capacity-building in the force is integral to ensuring that members are equipped to benefit from all of the opportunities to come.

More importantly, the Head of State said that the institutional mechanism will be strengthened to ensure that given the high-risk nature

President, Dr. Irfaan Ali greets Traffic Chief, Senior Superintendent Ramesh Ashram as he interacts with other senior officers at the Annual Commissioner’s Breakfast

of their jobs, ranks will have the confidence in executing their duties knowing that their families will be taken care of and looked after.

“This is critical to job satisfaction… you will have confidence in yourself in going out there, knowing that there is a system that backs you up,” he said, as he announced that all men and women in uniform will also benefit from two weeks of tax-free bonus before the end of the year.

“We have announced this, and of course, you will benefit

from this before the end of the year. We have also announced many initiatives that you are benefitting from in the COVID-19 relief aspect of things. But we’re also looking at additional support that can enhance your welfare and improve your living conditions.

As I said when I started, I assure you, your life will be better off, year after year over the next five years,” he said.

The President thanked the members of the GPF for their service and urged them to be proud of their call to duty.

Commissioner of Police (ag), Nigel Hoppie, provided an overview of the GPF’s performance over the last year and assured President Ali of the force’s commitment in fulfilling its mandate. He said too that the force remains committed to learning from their challenges, improving professionalism and enhancing public trust and confidence.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, December 17, 2020

Tajeram Mohabir

Child Abuse

HORRIFIC stories often dominate headlines worldwide, of inhumane acts committed against children, oftentimes by their own parents, grandparents or close relatives and primary caregivers, including teachers. Of recent times Guyana’s media headlines made the nation reel in shock, as tales of bestiality against children took centre stage.

Last Saturday’s fire at Bartica, which claimed the lives of a woman and her two children, was reportedly the culmination of years of domestic abuse. It was another of thousands of incidents where women, and oftentimes their children, paid the ultimate price for a spousal partner choosing to remain in a relationship/marriage with an abusive partner, despite warnings and pleadings from relatives and friends.

Then, the next day, a mother confessed to beating her six-year-old child with a large, heavy piece of wood then dumping the unconscious child in a nearby swamp because she claimed that the child had disobeyed her instruction not to “run around and get dirty.”

The news report related that a neighbour, Sabita Ramcharitar, told reporters that “the mother constantly beats and ill-treats the child” and that “neighbours recall hearing the child cry almost daily, but would be fearful

to speak to the mother since she would verbally abuse them.”

She added: “The lil child have [sic] to do everything for herself, and if she can’t do it properly, the mother would haice (lift) her and lick her down; sometimes take wood and lash the child, sometimes even cuff the child in her head and back and face and when the child cry, she would tell the child to shut yo mouth before I give you more.” The sixyear-old suffered a fractured skull and had two cuts on her forehead from the beating.

The grandparents, the neighbours, the father were all aware of the brutalisation of this baby and did not intervene in any way to protect her.

One can recall the abuse and murder of 16-yr-old Neesa Gopaul at the hands of her own mother and stepfather.

Once again, when neighbours and teachers could have made a difference and thus avert an ultimate catastrophe, they did not act upon signals of danger and distress On October 12, John Blanchard reportedly hacked his three children with two knives while they were asleep at their house at Soesdyke, East Bank Demerara. Two of the children died that night while the third succumbed a few days later.

Neighbours heard one of the girls crying

out “daddy, how you could do this to we?”

This plea was ignored by the neighbour who thought that the child was merely receiving a thrashing from her father – merely, as if that was justification for ignoring a potentially harmful situation for a child.

Balica Romana George, aged 10; Joy Millicent Blanchard, aged six; and Daniel John Blanchard, aged four, died at the hands of their own fathers.

Their aunt, Dev Ann Simon said that they did not know of her older sister’s ordeal with an abusive husband, until she broke down after the funeral and told them of her years of misery with a man whose jealousy often led him to stuff cloth in her mouth, lock the bedroom door, and beat her badly. According to Onika’s relatives, one of John’s close relatives was always creating strife between the couple by telling John untruthful stories about his wife, which led to him abusing her.

One father in the USA inserted a micro listening device in his child’s plaited hair after his normally sunny-natured little daughter showed distress and refused to go to school.

He was shocked when he heard the abusive language and the accompanying sounds of slaps and screams of the little children.

According to Wikipedia, child abuse is

Dharm Shala appeals for assistance

THIS iconic charitable institution known as the Dharm Shala will be 100 years old in April 2021. Like a sinuous waterway, it has experienced many twists and turns, nevertheless, this sustained charity, which was founded on ‘divine inspiration’ so many decades ago, continue with the help of a few individuals, firms, friends and steadfastness of management to fulfil its aims and objec-

tives free of charge.

The management thanks sincerely those who have contributed by way of raw foodstuff during a very difficult period. Nevertheless, financial assistance is needed not only for attending to the welfare of the residents but the day to day management such as payment of stipends to staff, payment of bills, too numerous to mention.

May God bless those who believe “We are our brother’s

keepers.”

Donations can be sent to the following address: Treasurer, Dharm Shala; 140 King Edward Street, Albouystown, Georgetown.

Donors will be issued with an official receipt with the Dharm Shala stamp.

Yours sincerely, Kella Ramsaroop Managing Head Dharm/ Shala

when a parent or caregiver, whether through action or failing to act, causes injury, death, emotional harm or risk of serious harm to a child. There are many forms of child maltreatment, including neglect, physical abuse, sexual abuse, exploitation and emotional abuse.

The World Health Organisation reports that international studies reveal that nearly three in four children aged two to four years regularly suffer physical punishment and/ or psychological violence at the hands of parents and caregivers, and one in five women and one in 13 men report having been sexually abused as a child; and that every year, there are an estimated 40 150 homicide deaths in children under 18 years of age.

Center for Disease Control and Prevention defines child abuse thus: “Child abuse and neglect are serious public health problems and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) that can have long-term impact on health and wellbeing.”

The appalling fact is that persons who witness instances of child abuse rarely intervene to save the innocent victim because it seems that inhumane acts against children have become the norm.

A suggestion to the Government I visited the Netherlands (Holland), earlier this year, and was informed that Guyana has no representative there. A few thousand Guyanese live there and they encounter problems when they need to notarise documents. They have to go to Brussels, which [is] about a four-hour drive from Amsterdam [capital of Netherlands].

I am suggesting that the government consider opening a consulate there. Guyana has a long history with Holland and I understand there are many NGOs that would be willing to help in various ways. Holland

is noted for construction and these companies can be better served if they can have easier access in getting information and documents from a Consulate in Amsterdam. Also, a Consulate in Amsterdam can serve the adjacent countries such as Germany, France, Switzerland, etc.

I suggest that the Guyana Government gives serious consideration to establishing a consulate there.

Yours sincerely, Robert Narine

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, December 17, 2020

UNDP: Broken societies put people and planet on collision course THE COVID-19 pandemic is the latest crisis facing the world, but unless humans release their grip on nature, it won’t be the last, according to a new report by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), which includes a new experimental index on human progress that takes into account countries’ carbon dioxide emissions and material footprint.

The report lays out a stark choice for world leaders: take bold steps to reduce the immense pressure that is being exerted on the environment and the natural world, or humanity’s progress will stall.

“Humans wield more power over the planet than ever before. In the wake of COVID-19, record-breaking temperatures and spiraling inequality, it is time to use that power to redefine what we mean by progress, where

our carbon and consumption footprints are no longer hidden,” said Achim Steiner, UNDP Administrator.

“As this report shows, no country in the world has yet achieved very high human development without putting immense strain on the planet. But we could be the first generation to right this wrong. That is the next frontier for human development,” he said.

The report argues that as people and planet enter an entirely new geological epoch, the Anthropocene or the Age of Humans, it is time for all countries to redesign their paths to progress by fully accounting for the dangerous pressures humans put on the planet, and dismantle the gross imbalances of power and opportunity that prevent change.

To illustrate the point, the 30th anniversary edition of the Human Development

Report, The Next Frontier: Human Development and the Anthropocene, introduces an experimental new lens to its annual Human Development Index (HDI).

By adjusting the HDI, which measures a nation’s health, education, and standards of living, to include two more elements: a country’s carbon dioxide emissions and its material footprint, the index shows how the global development landscape would change if both the wellbeing of people and also the planet were cen-

tral to defining humanity’s progress.

With the resulting Planetary-Pressures Adjusted HDI – or PHDI - a new global picture emerges, painting a less rosy but clearer assessment of human progress. For example, more than 50 countries dropped out of the very high human development group, reflecting their dependence on fossil fuels and material footprint. Despite these adjustments, countries like Costa Rica, Moldova, and Panama move upwards by at least 30 places, recognising

that lighter pressure on the planet is possible.

“The Human Development Report is an important product by the United Nations. In a time where action is needed, the new generation of Human Development Reports, with greater emphasis on the defining issues of our time, such as climate change and inequalities, helps us to steer our efforts towards the future we want,” said Stefan Löfven, Prime Minister of Sweden, host country of the launch of the report.

TRANSFORMING SOCIAL NORMS The next frontier for human development will require working with and not against nature, while transforming social norms, values, and government and financial incentives, the report argues. For example, new estimates project that by

2100, the poorest countries in the world could experience up to 100 more days of extreme weather due to climate change each year- a number that could be cut in half if the Paris Agreement on climate change is fully implemented. And yet fossil fuels are still being subsidized: the full cost to societies of publicly financed subsidies for fossil fuels including indirect costs - is estimated at over US$5 trillion a year, or 6.5 per cent of global GDP, according to International Monetary Fund figures cited in the report.

Reforestation and taking better care of forests could alone account for roughly a quarter of the pre-2030 actions we must take to stop global warming from reaching two degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.

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09

Granger missed a golden opportunity to promote healing Dear Editor, EX-President Mr. David Granger missed a golden opportunity to bring national healing, transform his image, and boost his favourability ratings after the failed attempt to rig the March elections. As a political scientist, I learnt that the office of presidency, whether in America or Guyana or any country, transcends any one individual, and one must respect the office and be willing to go to extraordinary measures to make the office and country better. One must not show partisanship, and be willing to embrace all, regardless of party. President Ali has done exactly that; took the initiative to bring all ex-Presidents together for support and advice on building a better nation. Regardless of party affiliation, all political leaders (Presidents) must at times be willing to work or come together for the well-being of the nation. It is an act of pa-

triotism, showing that one cares about country more than party and politics. But there is hardly any reciprocity from the opposing side to Ali’s invitation, and that does not augur well for the future.

Relations between Government and Opposition have been strained as a result of the publicly-attempted rigging of the last election. This consultation would have narrowed resentment and bridged the gap between the two opposing sides. A lot of goodwill would have flowed from this extraordinary summit. A fantastic photo opportunity was missed; one that brings former and current political leaders together. A rare occurrence! A showcase for the nation on working together for national reconciliation and development.

Mr. Granger could have helped to end the political acrimony and bitterness that followed the APNU+AFC defeat, and unite the nation as it goes into the holiday season; would have been a great holiday gift to the entire

population. The excuse of a lack of an agenda for declining an invitation to meet with President Ali and other ex-Presidents is described as ‘lame’, and not accepted by a large majority of the population. The population feels Mr. Granger could have showed up and dictated terms; his agenda for the gathering of ex-Presidents and current President. He could even have come with a few assistants (including Opposition Leader), and insist that they be present for and partake in the proceedings. It is doubtful President Ali and or any ex-President would have objected. It was a historic opportunity for constructive conversation and fellowship; it would have been an opportunity to transform the badblood politics of the country, and contribute to the institutionalisation of democracy.

Generally, ex-Presidents meet at funerals, gala events, Republic or Independence days, Indian High Commission Phagwah celebrations, special functions, banquets, swearing in ceremonies,

among others. This was a unique invitation by President Ali to meet to discuss any issue; to offer advice to the President, to discuss policies. He values their experience, advice and recommendations. President Ali did not invite the ex-Presidents for a partisan political discussion; he did not set an agenda. The ex-Presidents could have asked for or set one, or suggest what they would like to discuss. Ali would have found himself in a bind to discuss it. The President left the agenda open, for ‘an open discussion’; known as ‘no holds barred’ say in political science. An incomplete discussion would have led to follow-up meetings.

If President Ali had failed to meet expectation, then President Granger and other ex-Presidents would have had justification to assail him for breach.

The language of the ex-President and Opposition Leader in their responses to the invitation was not warm; it’s not good for the future.

Granger finds himself the

odd man out, at least in terms of popularity. Supporters of both political sides interviewed by poll workers, as well as my own personal conversations with people, suggest that more than three-quarters of the public thinks Granger should have accepted the invitation; few opposed the meeting, while some supporters of APNU prefer not to give an opinion.

Had Granger consulted with his supporters rather than party clique, he would have gotten their perspective on why he should have attended the parley. A majority of APNU supporters are in favour of the meeting.

Almost everyone praised President Ali for his initiative of parleying with ex-Presidents, saying he demonstrates class and willingness to work with opponents. Ali feels confident in meeting and working with ex-Presidents, regardless of party affiliation.

The public’s rating of President Ali’s leadership skills has been soaring ever since he was sworn in on March 2, and this initiative

of a meeting makes him look even better. He inspires confidence among the population, demonstrating he has been able to get things done, and is willing to work with the opposition for the betterment of country. The President should not give up on reaching out to ex-President Granger and Opposition Leader Joe Harmon for a national dialogue.

The ex-Presidents who accepted the invitation for the confab have won the support and admiration of the population; people see them differently now than when they were Presidents.

Donald Ramotar and Sam Hinds are being praised like never before. Bharrat Jagdeo, as usual, continues to tower above the others in popularity ratings, because of his charismatic leadership qualities, and his vast knowledge of issues and policies.

Yours truly, Dr. Vishnu Bisram

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guyana CHRONICLE thursday, December 17, 2020

Detention, deportation of Haitians in accordance with laws –– do not breach fundamental rights, says Attorney-General in court submissions

By Richard Bhainie THE detention of the 26 Haitians in protective custody and the subsequent orders obtained from the Magistrate’s Court for their deportation were done strictly in accordance with the Laws of Guyana and did not breach any fundamental rights.

This was according to Attorney-General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, who, in his submissions to the High Court, outlined that the Haitians were, by law, held in protective custody pursuant to the Combating of Trafficking in Persons Act, when investigations aroused the reasonable suspicion that the Haitians were victims of trafficking.

He further explained

In his submissions, he explained that the persons were deemed prohibited immigrants upon having failed to answer truthfully the place of their residence during their stay in Guyana.

Nandlall also outlined that, for the matter to be classified as an action for breach of fundamental rights, not only must there be reference to the particular article in the Constitution contravened, but the facts of the case must show a breach of those rights, which the applicaAttorney-General and tion failed to set out.

Minister of Legal Affairs, Not conceding that Anil Nandlall there was a contravention that, pursuant to Sections 9 or infringement of any (2), 15, 25, 26 and 28 Im- Constitutional Article, the migrant Act, the Haitians Attorney-General elucidatwere deemed to be pro- ed that every fundamental hibited immigrants, which right was also governed by prompted their deportation exceptions. orders.

He submitted, for ex-

ample, both Articles 139 and 148 of the Constitution of Guyana Chapter 1:01 provide for exceptions to the right to personal liberty and freedom of movement, respectively.

The exceptions relevant to those circumstances were Articles 139 (1) which stated that no person shall be deprived of his or her personal liberty, save as may be authorised by law, in any of the following cases, that is to say for the purpose of preventing the unlawful entry of that person into Guyana, or for the purpose of effecting the expulsion.

And Article 148 which deals with freedom of movement, sub-section (3) of which states nothing contained in or done under the authority of any law shall be held to be incon-

Orgista replaces Nelson as acting Town Clerk

By Richard Bhainie THE Mayor and City Council (M&CC) Human Resource Management (HRM) Committee, on Tuesday, met and decided that the role of acting Town Clerk will be filled by Assistant Town Clerk, Julian Orgista, who will replace Candace Nelson.

The committee also decided that Nelson, who was appointed to the post while acting Town Clerk, Sherry Jerrick, proceeded on vacation leave, will return to her substantive position as training officer.

At a press conference on Wednesday at the M&CC, Mayor Ubraj Narine disclosed that the decision was made after a disagreement between the Council and Nelson, consequent to her failing to understand her duties.

Narine explained that the issue originated from a letter that was sent by Nelson to the Local Government Commission on December 8, which was not approved by the M&CC.

The Local Government Commission Secretariat responded to Nelson’s letter instructing that City Treasurer, John Douglas, proceed on leave; contrary to the Councils desire to have his leave deferred.

“Committees make recommendations and then it comes to Council and when she called me as Mayor on Friday about this said letter, I said to her ‘take this letter to Council, because Council has to give a direction to the Town Clerk how to address such a letter’,” Narine explained.

He added: “She failed to do so, she had done the opposite, and she had instructed the HRM to carry out the duty of the Local Government Commission”.

At a statutory meeting on Monday, Nelson purported that her supervisory body is the Local Government Commission, and further, she does not take instructions from the Council.

The response by Nelson was not well accepted by the Council and a motion was immediately

Mayor Ubraj Narine tabled and moved to remove and replace Nelson, which was legitimatise through the HRM Committee on Tuesday.

Narine explained that the duties of statutory officers of the M&CC are outlined in the Municipal and District Councils Act Chapter 28:01, which explicitly states the Town Clerk is a servant of the Council.

sistent with or in contravention of this article to the extent that the law in question makes provision (d) for the imposition of restrictions, by order of a court.

Therefore, both circumstances in which the Haitians were kept in cus-

tody were in conformity with a law that is as an exception to Article 139 and Article 148 of the Constitution.

Arguments in the case will be heard on Friday before Chief Justice (ag), Roxane George at the Demerara High Court.

Elderly man sentenced to 11 ½ years for killing teenaged stepdaughter HIGH COURT Judge, Navindra Singh, on Wednesday, sentenced a 70-year-old man to serve 11 and a half years’ imprisonment for killing his 14-year-old stepdaughter, Fenella Samuels, in 2013.

Fitz Josiah was arraigned in court for the offence of murder, but opted to plead guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter.

The elderly man adJailed Fitz Josiah mitted that on April 24, 2013, at Plastic City at Vreed-en-Hoop, West Coast Demerara, he unlawfully killed Samuels called ‘Nella.’

He was represented by Attorney-at-law, Mark Conway, while the State was represented by prosecutors Tyra Bakker and Teriq Mohammed.

According to reports, on the day in question at the family’s Plastic City home, Josiah and Samuels had a misunderstanding during which he threw a kerosene stove at her. He then armed himself with a knife and Dead: Fenella Samuels dealt the teen several stabs about her body. called ‘Nella’ In an attempt to get away from her attacker, the teen tried jumping through a window but Josiah held onto her hair and continued stabbing her.

The teen’s death was due to 21 stab wounds to her face, arms and back.

Prosecutor Bakker, during her address to the court, described Josiah actions as a senseless and cowardly.

She urged the court to consider the nature and gravity of the crime Josiah committed.

In sentencing Josiah, Justice Singh considered his age and his plea. He then imposed the 11 and half years sentence on him.

The judge ordered the prison authorities to deduct from the sentence the time Josiah spent in pre-trial custody.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, December 17, 2020

Woman killed in Mc Doom accident

Dead: Ameena Sooklall

A TIRED Guyana Defence Force (GDF) rank, who dozed off while driving on Tuesday night in the vicinity of the New Gafoors Access Road, Mc Doom Public Road, Georgetown, crashed his vehicle killing one of two passengers.

Dead is Ameena Sooklall, 33, of Providence, East Bank Demerara. The other passenger was identified as Alston Edwards, 26, of Shopping Plaza, South Ruimveldt Gardens, Georgetown.

Reports indicate that the 23-year-old driver of the motor car was proceeding north along the eastern drive lane of the western carriageway at a moderate speed when he suddenly felt drowsy, closed his eyes and lost control of the vehicle. The vehicle then collided with the concrete median at the centre of the road.

As a result of the collision, the vehicle received extensive damage, leaving the driver and the other two occupants injured.

Ameena Sooklall was later pronounced dead at the scene by a doctor.

The driver and the other occupant of the vehicle were taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation where they were both seen and examined by doctors on duty.

Alston Edwards was treated and sent away while the driver was treated and is currently a patient in the Accident and Emergency Unit under observation.

The body of the deceased is currently at the Lyken Funeral home awaiting autopsy. The vehicle was lodged at the police station to be examined by a licensing and certifying officer, as investigations continue.

Appeal Court affirms 20-year sentence for murder convict THE Guyana Court of Appeal, on Wednesday, affirmed the 20-year sentence which was imposed on Clevon Romeo, for the murder of 56-year-old Lima, Essequibo Coast businessman, Herman Ramnarine.

In 2014, at the Suddie High Court, Romeo was found guilty of the offence by a 12-person jury. He was sentenced to serve 20 years in prison by Justice Franklin Holder.

Dissatisfied, Romeo moved to the Appeal Court seeking to have his conviction and sentencing overturned. The appeal was filed by his attorney, Dexter Todd.

The appeal came up before Chancellor (ag), Yonette Cummings-Edwards and Justices of Appeal, Rishi Persaud and Dawn Gregory on Wednesday.

However, the court was informed by State prosecutor, Natasha Bakker, that there was a notice of abandonment and withdrawal of the appeal.

The notice claimed that Todd neglected to represent his client, Romeo.

Todd explained to the court that he had made several attempts to contact Romeo’s relatives about fees, but it proved futile.

Nevertheless, Todd told the court that he will remain to offer Romeo guidance.

While addressing the court, Todd asked the court to consider that this was Romeo’s first brush with the law and that he was charged for the offence since 2012.

Subsequently, the Chancellor dismissed the appeal and ordered that the conviction and sentence stand.

However, the Chancellor took into account the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) ruling in the matter of Romeo Da Costa Hall, in which it was cited that full credit should be granted for the time an accused person spent in pre-trial custody.

In the end, the court ordered that the convict’s sentence reflect the time already spent in pre-trial custody, and further ordered that the sentence take effect from the date of his conviction.

Joshua Meredith gets 15 years for Mandela Avenue fatal shooting

Dead: Gregory Garraway

Jailed: Joshua Meredith

SELF-CONFESSED killer Joshua Meredith, was, on Wednesday, sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment for fatally shooting Gregory Garraway during a robbery in 2016.

The sentence was handed down by Justice Priya Sewnarine-Beharry at the Georgetown High Court.

On December 4, Meredith was arraigned on the indictment of murder but opted to plead guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter, which alleged that at the Wings and Things Bar on Mandela Avenue, Georgetown, he unlawfully killed Garraway.

When the case was called on Wednesday, a probation report was read in court before the judge handed down the sentence.

According to the report, Meredith is the product of a single parent home and was also a school dropout.

At the tender age of 15, Meredith dropped out of school and became involved in criminal activities, which led him to his first court appearance for robbery under arms. He was placed on a two-year bond for that offence since he was a juvenile at the time.

The report further detailed that persons from his community described him as a “notorious criminal.”

Additionally, prison officials described Meredith as disrespectful and disorderly, which caused him to be placed in solitary confinement and eventually causing his

transfer to the Mazaruni Prison.

In his plea of mitigation, attorney Adrian Thompson had asked the court to consider that Meredith did not have a good childhood, and was influenced by the neighbourhood in which he lived.

State prosecutor, Nafeeza Baig, asked the court to consider that at a tender age Garraway’s life was snuffed out by Meredith.

In the end, the judge sentenced Meredith to serve 15 years in prison. She urged him to use the time behind bars to learn a trade or further his studies so that upon his release he can be a productive member of society.

According to the case facts, on the night of October 2, 2016, at about 01:45hrs, Garraway was at ‘Wings and Things’, and was at the time wearing two gold chains which Meredith sought to relieve him of.

During the scuffle that ensued, Meredith reportedly pulled out a firearm and shot Garraway, who fell to the ground.

Meredith made good his escape with the jewellery.

Garraway was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital and later admitted.

However, he died nine days later.

According to the post mortem, he died of “septic shock as a result of gunshot injuries to the abdomen”.

Meredith was later arrested after being pointed out during an identification parade by Garraway’s brother who had witnessed the robbery.

UNDP: Broken societies put people ...

FROM PAGE

“While humanity has achieved incredible things, it is clear that we have taken our planet for granted,” said Jayathma Wickramanayake, the UN Secretary-General’s Envoy Youth.

“Across the world, young people have spoken up, recognizing that these actions put our collective future at risk. As the 2020 Human Development Report makes clear, we need to transform our relationship with the planet — to make energy and material consumption sustainable, and to ensure every

young person is educated and empowered to appreciate the wonders that a healthy world can provide.”

How people experience planetary pressures is tied to how societies work, says Pedro Conceição, Director of UNDP’s Human Development Report Office and lead author of the report, and today, broken societies are putting people and planet on a collision course. Inequalities within and between countries, with deep roots in colonialism and racism, mean that people who have

more capture the benefits of nature and export the costs, the report shows.

This chokes opportunities for people who have less and minimises their ability to do anything about it. For example, land stewarded by indigenous peoples in the Amazon absorbs, on a per person basis, the equivalent carbon dioxide of that emitted by the richest one per cent of people in the world.

HARDSHIP However, indigenous peoples continue to face

hardship, persecution and discrimination, and have little voice in decision-making, according to the report.

And discrimination based on ethnicity frequently leaves communities severely affected and exposed to high environmental risks such as toxic waste or excessive pollution, a trend that is reproduced in urban areas across continents, argue the authors.

According to the report, easing planetary pressures in a way that enables all people to flourish in this new age requires dismantling the

gross imbalances of power and opportunity that stand in the way of transformation. Public action, the report argues, can address these inequalities, with examples ranging from increasingly progressive taxation to protecting coastal communities through preventive investment and insurance, a move that could safeguard the lives of 840 million people who live along the world’s low elevation coastlines.

But there must be a concerted effort to ensure that actions do not further pit

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people against planet. “The next frontier for human development is not about choosing between people or trees; it’s about recognising, today, that human progress driven by unequal, carbon-intensive growth has run its course,” said Pedro Conceição. “By tackling inequality, capitalising on innovation and working with nature, human development could take a transformational step forward to support societies and the planet together,” he said.

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Small in height but big in stature

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, December 17, 2020

–– Ashme Singh is youngest director at Nations Inc. (Nations School of Law)

By Rehana Ahamad ASHME Singh may be just five feet tall, but as all her students would tell you, her intellect as well as her personality is magnanimous. At just 36-years-old, Singh is the Director of Nations School of Law, Nations Inc. As a matter of fact, she is the youngest Director at Nations Incorporated, altogether.

When she graduated as the Valedictorian of Zeeburg Secondary School in 2000, Singh, like so many young Guyanese, had no idea what she wanted to become. With a love for accounting, the Meten-Meer-Zorg, West Coast Demerara resident attempted to pursue a career as an accountant. However, an aunt, who plays a very integral role in her life, encouraged her to pursue law, an area of study that she once considered, but hadn’t given priority.

“Accounting is a field that a lot of people were getting into, so by the time I submitted my application to do the Accounting at UG, it was filled, so I ended up enrolling for law…by default,” Singh said.

Although by default, Singh eventually developed a love for legal studies, graduating as one of the top 25 students in the Bachelors of Law (LLB) programme at the University of Guyana in 2004.

“I was 20, and that was the year the subsidies were revoked for students to attend law school (the Hugh Wooding Law School in Trinidad and Tobago),” Singh reflected.

Hailing from a humble middle-class family, finances prevented Singh from furthering her law studies. Her desire for employment materialised soon after graduation when Singh applied and eventually became an employee of the Teaching Service Commission (TSC).

After two years of service there, Singh began working at the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, where she received much guidance from the Director herself, Mrs. Shalimar Ali-Hack.

“That was a very, very rewarding experience; she is very knowledgeable, beyond her years…imagine me reading books, doing research to apply cases and preparing affidavits and she would be dictating off the top of her head what was in there.” Singh recalled.

This was an ability she truly admired and genuinely wanted to emulate. Fast forward a few years, Singh has developed the same ability she once considered to be “miraculous.”

“I could teach off the top of my head undergraduate and post-graduate law. I realised when you really practise your craft, inevitably, it becomes automatic to you,” Singh recognised.

After a year of wholesome, invaluable experiences, Singh said her contract ended and she parted ways with the DPP Chambers.

However, during her stint there, the young woman was able to complete her ACCA studies. Singh is no stranger to excellence, so it came as no surprise to her loved ones and peers when she was presented with the Special Award for achieving the highest average in the Professional level for ACCA Examinations in the Caribbean for 2013. As Singh was pursuing her accounting certification, she had also dabbled in teaching as a part- time lecturer.

INTIMIDATION AND LECTURING After her departure from the DPP, Singh applied to teach Corporate and Business Law at the Cacique Accounting College; it seemed like the perfect fit, and paved the way for Singh to fall completely in love with the art

LITTLE LADY, BIG INTELLECT Singh said she was fully cognisant of the fact that being a very young and very petite woman did not garner respect at first sight.

her Masters of Law (LLM) via the University of London. She now has over a decade of experience, lecturing the ACCA F4 (Corporate & Business Law), ICM - Business law and Project Management (specifically the Financial and commercial framework), lecturing the LLB (London External Programme) at Nations School of Law and lecturing Principles of Business Law, The Business Environment, Corporate Finance, Managing in Organisations and Corporate Strategy & Planning with the Association of Business Executives.

ONE THING AT A TIME Asked about her approach to life, Singh insists that focusing her attention on one thing at a time is most effective for her. She believes that multitasking throughout one’s life may not always be effective.

“For instance, if I open several tabs on my computer, trying to research multiple things at one time, it may slow the system down. I believe that a person can excel and function better if they focus on one thing at a time,” Singh posited. This, she noted, has always been her approach to life, with her studies and self-development being a constant focus. Her theory seems even more convincing, considering the fact that she has always excelled in her field.

“I always tell my students that motivation is not always enough. We need to be disciplined. When motivation fails us, discipline keeps us going.”

ASSET Director of School of the Nations Incorporated, Brian O’Toole, considers Singh to be a great asset to his institution.

“She is remarkable at what she does,” O’Toole posited. He said that Singh has worked diligently for his institution for many years, and that she remains a great asset to the school and its students.

Singh, he said, has become known as a lecturer who goes above and beyond for her students.

Director of Nations School of Law Ms. Ashme Singh during her graduation at the University of London

of teaching.

During a candid interview with the Guyana Chronicle, Singh recalled how intimidating it was when she attended her interview and had to deliver a presentation.

“It was an all-male panel and I was just a young girl; making a presentation to teach a second- level ACCA course. I remembered feeling as though I was about to have a panic attack…probably if they had asked me my full name, I might not have been able to remember at that time,” Singh reflected.

Once she got started, Singh said her confidence emerged and she continued as eloquently as she possibly could. However, midway through her presentation, she recalled being asked to stop. “I started to panic a little, thinking that I must have really created a big blunder here for them to stop me.”

It was actually the opposite. Without even completing her presentation, Singh was hired on the spot.

She recalled her very first day as a lecturer at the college; a young girl clad in a pair of jeans and a t-shirt.

“They were big, mature, working people with other tertiary qualifications, and there I was, looking like a little girl,” she recalled.

For obvious reasons, Singh could not command respect at first sight. “At 21, I was about to start lecturing to persons who were older than my parents,” she recalled.

Even though the learners might have brushed Singh off as being a young, frivolous little girl, their impression of her changed as soon as she began to speak.

“Not only was I eloquent and good at impromptu, but I was also quite loud; people say my voice makes up for what I lacked in height,” Singh giggled. She believes herself to be an introvert with an extrovert personality that shines through only in the classroom.

Added to her LLB, Singh also completed

MARRIAGE AND NONCONFORMITY One of the few things that came naturally to Singh is her husband, Mark Amin. He entered her life and stayed, without her having to abandon all else to focus solely on their relationship.

“It happened naturally. We met while I was working at the Teaching Service Commission. He came in as an IT (information technology) person to do some work for us, and I was the only one there to assist, so we started talking and he told me he remembered me from UG, that he would sometimes say ‘hi’ to me and I wouldn’t respond,” Singh recalled. “ I Thought for a second that couldn’t possibly be good because i could have never made a good first impression with my rugged attire and unfavourable disposition altogether I laughed, because I didn’t really believe that he would’ve even looked at me, because I was a real nerd; my hair was never combed, I wore really long skirts and I was always in the library and buried in my books,” she added.

TURN TO PAGE

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, December 17, 2020

Alleged motorcycle thief on $10, 000 bail A MAN who allegedly broke and entered a dwelling house and stole a motorcycle on Tuesday, appeared in the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court and was placed on $10,000 bail by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan.

Ronaldo Parris of 'D' Field Sophia pleaded not guilty to the allegation when it was read to him.

It is alleged that between November 11 and 12, he and another broke and entered the William Street, Campbellville home of Jason Goodhart and stole one XR 150 motorcycle, CJ8247, valued at $450,000.

According to the facts provided in court, Goodhart on November 11 secured the lower flat of his home where the motorcycle was parked and retired to bed.

The following morning he discovered his back door open and the motorcycle missing. He immediately reported the incident to the Prashad Nagar Police Outpost and an investigation was launched.

On the same day, the police received information concerning the missing motorcycle which led them to Princess Street. Parris was seen as the pillion rider of the said motorcycle; the police gave chase and eventually managed to apprehend Parris.

The matter was adjourned to January 11.

PSC Chairman: workplace inclusion vital for ethnic harmony

By Vishani Ragobeer CHAIRMAN of the Private Sector Commission (PSC), Nicholas Boyer, is of the view that workplace inclusion is a crucial component of racial and ethnic harmony in Guyana, particularly as the country seeks to develop its socio-economic potential.

The PSC chairman made these remarks on Tuesday during a public forum aimed at initiating some dialogue on how ethnic relations in Guyana can be improved.

“At a national level, every individual company should recognise the importance of developing sound policies and programmes that address structural barriers to inclusion,” Boyer posited.

He explained that the country is entering the global village and is facilitating the flow of capital and goods from regional and international destinations.

As such, he reasoned, improving ethnic relations becomes a necessary component of building capacity.

He also acknowledged that there have been challenges with both ethnic relations and racial discrimination that have constrained the national, social, economic and political landscape.

“If Guyana is to fulfil its true socio-economic potential, members of the public and private sector should be committed to upholding values that eliminate barriers to interracial harmony, which include providing a workplace that is free from discrimination and delivering services fairly and impartially.” he highlighted.

Boyer said further, “This effort should be viewed as an essential prerequisite in nation-building and should

Small in height ...

FROM PAGE

Soon enough, Amin was able to charm his way into her life, and after a few years, the two tied the knot.

“He understands me, and he appreciates me for who I am. He knows what my goals are and he supports my need to pursue excellence and be a perfectionist,” a smiling Singh said. Like Singh, her marriage too does not conform to societal norms.

“Our complementary factor is what binds us together, and our differences, I guess, keeps things interesting.”

“He cooks, and I don’t like cooking. I clean. We’re kind of like a team. My friends would ask me if I had put out an ad for this guy,” Singh laughed.

She said that the support of her husband has enabled her to become a better

teacher to her students.

BE FLEXIBLE WITH YOUR CHOICES In highlighting some gaps within the education system, Singh advised that school leavers remain flexible in their pursuit of careers.

“Sometimes it is a blessing in disguise not to be too decisive about a particular career path, because an early or premature decision may narrow your opportunities for growth and diversification. It is ok not to be sure about precisely what you want to do or who you want to be. It gives you an open mind to explore a plethora of opportunities which may come your way inevitably,” Singh said.

She believes that after dabbling in a variety of things, young people will

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be able to recognise their professional calling when it comes.

“And by then you would have gathered a myriad of invaluable experience to add to your resume.

In today’s world, versatility may be more valuable than expertise, because it means you are dynamic, agile and adaptable just like the volatile, fast-paced environment we are experiencing,” Singh added.

Her advice to young people is, “Put in the work. Don’t expect short cuts and favours and connections to get you places, because success, really and truly, is the product of hard work.”

PSC Chairman, Nicholas Boyer

be considered a critical responsibility to foster a sense of security among all ethnic groups to encourage and promote the understanding, acceptance and tolerance of diversity in all aspects of life.”

Importantly, though, Boyer emphasised that fostering and promoting understanding tolerance, co-existence and harmony among ethnic groups has always been a part of Guyanese culture. And he posited that all Guyanese should be reminded of the cultural and ethnic diversities embraced as a nation, as all persons continue to strive for a more cohesive society.

The International Labour Organization (ILO), in its 2014 publication titled: “Pro-

moting equity - Ethnic diversity in the workplace” posited that conscious or unconscious prejudice and stereotyping of individuals from diverse groups can condition people’s behaviour and may lead to discriminatory practices in the workplace.

The ILO posited that addressing direct and indirect racial discrimination, through an organisation’s rules, policies, practices and procedures, is essential if diversity is to be promoted and ensured.

And, the organisation emphasised that there are benefits that can be garnered from an ethnically diverse workplace including, but not limited to, satisfying legal and ethical obligations, improved social

cohesion, greater flexibility and adaptability in a globalised world, and increased innovation.

Boyer also advocated for greater focus on a facilitating structure for entrepreneurship as he addressed questions on the historic unequal distribution of wealth. He explained that entrepreneurship can help to create more equitable wealth across the population and across the country.

“What we have to do is set up the structures that facilitate entrepreneurship across the population, (including) access to capital, access to resources and education,” he related.

And he suggested that the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) lobby for policies which would ensure that the requisite structures are put in place to allow for this equitable access to these resources.

He also said the ERC could monitor how these policies are able to help the various ethnic groups.

Once entrepreneurs in different locations and across ethnicities have equal access to opportunities to create wealth, Boyer posited that they will create businesses that provide solutions to various problems and needs in society.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, December 17, 2020

U.S. Special Forces facilitates six-week GDF training

A member of the seventh battalion of the U.S. Army Special Forces instructor explains one of the many concepts at the shooting range to a GDF rank during training

GDF ranks in a jungle operation SEVENTEEN ranks of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) 31 Special Forces Squadron have benefitted from a six- week stint of combined small unit tactics training, which was conducted by a nine-member team from the Seventh Battalion of the U.S. Army

Special Forces.

The training aimed to provide the ranks with knowledge and practical skills to operate as a small operational team.

The six-week stint included one week of jungle training. The ranks engaged in a field exercise designed

to have them demonstrate what they had learnt.

The instructors noted that the GDF troops were eager to learn and displayed a high degree of discipline, maturity and enthusiasm throughout the training. For their part, the GDF ranks indicated that the training was

very informative with the practical exercises enhancing the learning process.

The graduates of the course who demonstrated high assimilation of

what was taught, as well as showcased great leadership were identified as Second Lieutenant Shevin Sparman; Corporals Wayne Campbell and Orlando Norton; Lance Corporal Royden Hendricks and Private Mikhail Wills.

Private Wills, the youngest to receive such recognition, said he found the training refreshing and very beneficial.

“It has taught me a

lot about the U.S. Special Forces and their small units tactics. This experience has certainly increased my experience in using different types of weapons and knowledge of ambush, raids and house-clearing drills. Now those of us who have received the training will go back and teach the other members of the squadron and certainly improve our operational methods," he said.

Naked body of abused woman found in Cummings Lodge home

By Rehana Ahamad THE nude remains of a 53-year-old abuse victim were discovered in her bed last Friday, just days after she was reportedly brutally beaten by a close female relative. Dead is Marilyn Singh, well-known in her community as Jean.

The woman lived with her brother, along with his stepdaughter and his son in South Cummings Lodge.

“She was a very nice, very helpful lady. She used to do a lot for people, but she used to also suffer a lot at home, and brother them never used to do anything about it,” neighbour Madonna Ghanie related.

The young woman explained that up until her demise, Singh had been the victim of perpetual violence meted out to her by her “stepniece.”

According to Ghanie, Singh was brutally beaten by the relative just days before she was found dead. “The last time it happened, it was so bad that her teeth came through her chin,” Ghanie told this publication. A photograph showing the woman’s wounds was also submitted to this newspaper.

“With the permission of her sisters from Trinidad, I helped her with her court process and I took her to

Now dead: Marilyn “Jean” Singh

the hospital and so,” Ghanie explained.

The alleged abuser, the niece, had also moved out of the home she shared with her step-father and the now dead woman. As the matter engaged the courts, Ghanie said she too was subjected to threats from Singh’s niece.

“The girl threatened to jook me and jook my sister. She said that she was going to send man to deal with my mother and so,” Ghanie recalled.

Two days after the threats, Singh’s lifeless body was discovered and neighbours were sure it was foul play. “We knew it had to be something, especially because she was found naked, but the police who came didn’t do any proper investigation. They didn’t check for prints or anything, they just called the hearse and that

was it. The officer said there was no sign of violence or anything,” Ghanie lamented.

She noted that a post-mortem was initially scheduled for Monday, but after bruises were found by the mortician, arrangements were made for a thorough investigation to be done.

“I overheard the police telling the mortician on Monday that the woman does drink and smoke and so, but that is not true,” Ghanie related.

The young woman said that as she continued to look on, she observed as the mortician noticed something and sent to call for his supervisor.

“After the supervisor looked, he call in a corner, away from the policeman and asked me wha I think happened, so I told him, and he said that the CID will have to take over the matter; that was when they start taking fingerprints and so,” Ghanie explained.

“Right now, the girl [niece’s] husband in the lockup,” Ghanie said.

Meanwhile, a high-ranking member of the Guyana Police Force has confirmed that the incident is being treated as a homicide, and that a suspect is currently in custody assisting with the investigation.

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Essequibians receive land titles after six-year wait By: Indrawattie Natram

PROMPT intervention by His Excellency, President Irfaan Ali, during his recent ministerial outreach in Region Two, has resulted in 80 persons finally receiving titles to their land located in the Onderneeming area.

On Wednesday, those residents expressed their profound gratitude to the relevant authorities, including the Government of Guyana and the Ministry of Housing and Water.

The proud recipients, who were waiting for six years to get their titles, did not hesitate to express their feelings.

Rabindra Bacchus, who received his lot in the Onderneeming Sandpit area, said he was very pleased.

He explained that for years he has been waiting for that call from the ministry and despite visiting the Regional Office on numerous occasions, his efforts were always futile.

He related that every time he had inquired about his title, he was told that it was “fraud” and as a consequence, he lost confidence.

Bacchus said that having received his title, he can now live a more comfortable life. He is renting and is currently earning a meagre salary. His wife was also overjoyed.

Another recipient, Raveena Seecharran, said that she too was happy and would now begin the construction of her home. With the receipt of the title, she will be able to provide a more comfortable housing arrangement for herself and family. Seecharran said it is difficult to save because she is currently paying rent.

Meanwhile, Rashanna Ally, who had applied since 2013, said she was elated when she received the call from the ministry. Despite now having ownership of the land, she and her husband are currently facing financial difficulties which will make it hard to construct their home.

Her husband, she explained, is working for a small salary and, as such, cannot meet the loan requirement. Ally desires to live in a comfortable home for the new year.

All the recipients left the Regional State House boardroom overjoyed.

Rashanna Ally hopes to move into her own home sometime next year. She was one of 80 Essequibo residents who received their land titles

Rabindra Bacchus proudly displaying his land title

Raveena Seecharran shortly after she received her land title

Minibus driver charged with murder of female passenger A minibus driver, on Tuesday, appeared in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court accused of murdering a female passenger and was remanded to prison by Chief Magistrate, Ann McLennan.

Travis Gordon Benjamin of Central Amelia's Ward, Linden, was not required to plead to the indictable charge when he made his court appearance.

The charge alleged that the

accused, between September 25 and 27, murdered Vanessa Bishop.

According to the facts provided in court, Benjamin and Bishop were not known to each other. On September 25, about 22:00 hours, Benjamin was stopped by Bishop, who had just left her Peter's Hall, East Bank Demerara workplace. She boarded the bus, and investigations would later reveal, that the woman did not

exit the minibus on that night as Benjamin had claimed.

During the wee hours of September 27, Bishop appeared at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation in a delirious state and with serious injuries about her body. She was admitted and later died.

Benjamin was arrested and charged.

The matter was adjourned to January 5.

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Omai pushing for 2021 production –– as company strikes large deposit of high-quality gold

By Navendra Seoraj

WORK has increased at the Wenot Pit in Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni), where Omai Gold Mines Limited (OGML) is aiming to start the production of gold next year following the discovery of large deposits of high-grade minerals during an ongoing geological surveys.

After ceasing operations here years ago, Omai Gold Mines Limited (OGML) has made a return to Guyana, specifically to its worksite in the Cuyuni-Mazaruni region, where it intends to make an initial investment of US$12 million.

It was reported that the company had wrapped up operations in 2015 after 24 years of service in Guyana.

Omai, during its “glory days,” was listed as one of the largest gold mines in Guyana and the world, with estimated reserves of 3.7 million ounces of gold.

The company, on Tuesday, announced the first results of its ongoing programme of logging and sampling of 6,000 meters of unassayed core from a 2012 drilling programme that had been preserved by the Guyana Geology & Mines Commission (GGMC).

The assay results from the first two holes, 12WED11 and 12WED13, which were never logged or sampled, indicate that high-grade mineralisation extends below the Wenot Pit and there is expansion potential of gold mineralisation to new sedimentary targets.

Natural Resources Minister, Vickram Bharrat The company’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Mario Stifano, in a statement on Tuesday, said: “We are very pleased that the results from these two holes confirm that high-grade gold continues beyond the limits of the Wenot shear and the Wenot Pit to the south within the sedimentary package, and that mineralisation from the Wenot Pit continues at least 150 meters below the depth of the historical pit that was mined. These results support our planned initial 5,000-meter drill programme beginning in the New Year.”

Minister of Natural Resources,

Vickram Bharrat, in describing this discovery in simpler terms, said that Omai will basically be able to extract more gold from the ore than some other operations.

“They are still doing exploratory work, but I have been in constant contact with them,” said Minister Bharrat in an invited comment, on Wednesday.

The company has relayed to the minister its intention to start production next year instead of 2022, which was initially identified as the year for the commencement of production.

Minister Bharrat was reported in November as saying: “Even though Guyanese might think all the gold went away with Omai, they (the company) are willing to go back into it, at the same location, and they are actually giving a facelift to the facility by doing maintenance and repairs and so on.”

Although there is known potential at the site, the company will have to “dig deeper” because the “top layer” of land is already mined out.

In outlining what is expected to take place, Minister Bharrat said: “They have to go deeper… even though they are going deeper, it is not as deep as how they are mining in Suriname… but it is not a case of minerals not being there (in Guyana), it is there.”

The company’s prospecting will even expand because it is trying to acquire more land through small miners.

“They are working out their own arrangements…we do not have a prob-

lem with that, once both parties are satisfied,” said Minister Bharrat.

Not only will the company be engaging and potentially supporting small miners, it is expected to hire hundreds of people, as over 1,000 persons were employed during the company’s early days of operations in Guyana.

The company on its website said Guyana has a long history of resource investment, but recently there has been a resurgence of interest in the country from large international firms.

Currently, there are over 25 mining companies active in Guyana as well as large-scale oil producers like ExxonMobil, which are investing heavily in Guyana’s infrastructure and workforce.

This “economic renaissance,” as described by Omai, has led the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to rate Guyana as the fastest growing economy in the world, and determine that the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of US$3.5 billion is expected to triple within the next five years.

The country’s potential is undoubtedly one of the reasons for the company’s return, and just October 1, 2020, Omai announced that it has completed its previously announced reverse takeover transaction in which Omai acquired all of the issued and outstanding common shares of Avalon Investment Holdings Inc. (“AIHL”), a private Barbados corporation.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, December 17, 2020

Police commander with alcohol, cologne under investigation

THE Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) is investigating the actions of Region Nine Police Commander, Superintendent Keithon King, in facilitating the movement of uncustomed alcohol.

King was escorting 30 cases of Black Stone Whiskey and eight cases of cologne in a Police Force pickup. It was stacked neatly and covered under a tarpaulin inside the pickup’s tray.

“The Guyana Police Force is aware of an incident which occurred on Tuesday, December 15, 2020, whereby officials of the Guyana Revenue Authority intercepted force motor vehicle PYY 2671 and found a quantity of suspected uncustomed alcohol. At the time of the interception, Police Regional Division Commander Nine and two other ranks were in the vehicle. Investigations into the incident are being conducted by the GRA,” Public Relations Officer, Assistant Commissioner Royston An-

Region Nine Commander, Superintendent Keithon King

dries-Junor said.

Reports indicate that the commander told investigators that the items in the pickup were not being smuggled.

He claimed that the liquor and the cologne are being sold right in Lethem, an area that borders with Brazil.

He explained that some of the supplies were also purchased for his staffers and family members, noting that some of the boxes even had

name tags.

Assistant Commissioner, Andries-Junor, said the Divisional Commander was authorised to be out of his division since he was expected to attend the Annual Commissioner’s Breakfast on Wednesday.

In 2017, GRA launched a major project to stamp imported alcohol. The high-security bar-coded stamps are designed to reduce the leakage of an estimated $2B in taxes that Guyana loses annually from smuggled hard liquor and cigarettes.

Using a mobile scanner, enforcement officers could determine right away whether the taxes have been paid or attempts were made to forge the stamps.

With alcohol products attracting high duties, smugglers have been coming up with new strategies to continue their illegal trade.

GRA is estimating that smuggled alcohol is about 60-70 per cent of what is imported annually.

'Jack Ripper' Abrahim gets 17 years for killing fellow prisoner

By Jeune Bailey Van Keric ROOPLALL Abrahim, who received two life sentences earlier this week, was, on Tuesday, sentenced to an additional 17 years behind bars for killing a fellow prisoner.

“You are Jack Ripper, a serial killer... Within the last few days you were sentenced for snuffing [out] four lives in three terrible incidents.... Whatever God you serve, talk to him... let him get into your head,” Justice Brassington Reynolds told Abrahim during a Zoom hearing. The murder accused showed no emotion.

Abrahim had pleaded guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter for the unlawful killing of fellow prisoner, Neshan Jagmohan.

During the hearing, Justice Reynolds told the prisoner that he could not find any redeeming feature in the probation report, except for the fact that others joined in the dastardly act.

“I am considering 15 to 25 years... nothing mitigates your circumstances from me not taking the higher end. I deduct five years for your guilty plea, and three years for time spent. You are sentenced to 17 years. .. If there is any programme in the prison system to rehabilitate you, I so order that you

Dead: Neshan Jagmohan

participate... Go with God. My prayers are with you," he said.

Earlier, State Counsel, Abigail Gibbs, in highlighting the facts said, Abrahim showed further disregard for the prison system as he did when he invaded the sacred homes of his previous victims.

"The prison is an institution where such conduct is usually punished but, yet again he choose there to commit another capital offence. According to the Probation Officer, he claimed to have no knowledge, even though the offense was committed in [the] prison system. However, in his caution statement he admitted handing over the murder weapon to the authorities," Gibbs said.

According to the post mortem report, Jagmohan, aged 26 years of Lot 592

Albion Topu, Corentyne, died from a perforated heart, lung and liver due to stab wounds.

That aside, the deceased, who was on remand for murder, sustained deep incised, and slashing wounds about his shoulder, chest and arm.

On the day of the incident, he had just returned from the Magistrate’s Court, and was in the “strong cell area" together with other inmates, when he was attacked and killed.

Jugmohan was the father of four children between ages seven and 12 years.

He was described as aggressive, and would always be involved in confrontations.

Abrahim appeared before the Berbice High Court on Monday and earlier Tuesday. On both occasions he was sentenced to life imprisonment, with the possibility of parole after serving twenty five (25) years. The first case involved Bush Lot couple, Doodnauth Rajkumar and his wife Devi Dianne Chamanalall, who were hacked to death, while the second concerned Anita Baichan, who was duct taped and gagged, before her Bath Settlement, West Coast Berbice house was set ablaze with her inside.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, December 17, 2020

Ragoonath not expecting drastic changes to West Indies Test squad (CMC) – Former West Indies batsman Suruj Ragoonath expects selectors to keep faith with the core of the current West Indies squad for the tour of Bangladesh, despite their recent

struggles on the tour of New Zealand.

Even though acknowledging West Indies were likely to alter the composition of their bowling attack because of the pitches in

Bangladesh, Ragoonath said widespread changes were unexpected because alternatives were limited.

“You’re looking at players’ records on different surfaces and the composition

of the team because of the conditions you’re going to play (in). I don’t think you’re going to go to Bangladesh and play four fast bowlers,” the former chief executive of the Trinidad and Tobago

Cricket Board told the Trinidad Newsday.

“In terms of our batting, as much as we want West Indies cricket to do well, we got to allow players the luxury to learn on the job, given the fact that the standards in our regional tournaments aren’t that high. As a result, we’ll have to be more patient.”

He added: “Between now and January, we don’t have any cricket coming up to prepare us so those guys who have been playing are the ones that most likely, the selectors will have to stick with.”

Cricket West Indies (CWI) confirmed Tuesday that West Indies will tour Bangladesh starting next month for two Tests and three One-Day Internationals.

The tour comes on the heels of a disappointing series in New Zealand where West Indies lost both Tests by an innings inside four days.

Of the specialist batsmen, only Jermaine Blackwood with 216 runs managed more than 200 runs from four innings, with the next best being left-handed opener John Campbell with 110 runs.

The series defeat was the second this year for West Indies following a 2-1 loss in a three-Test series in England.

Ragoonath, who played

two Tests when Australia toured West Indies in 1999, said any high expectations of the Caribbean side were unrealistic since the quality of the first class tournaments which produced international players was “not of the highest standard”.

“I’m disappointed because it’s a West Indies team and I always want West Indies cricket to do well,” Ragoonath continued.

“But I’m also very measured in my expectations knowing that most of our players – the batters in particular – average very poorly in our regional first class tournaments, which are not of the highest standard.

“So I don’t expect when they come up against quality opposition, in foreign conditions, that they would do well.”

He added: “It has been a tough (New Zealand) series for our bowlers and tougher for our batsmen.

The positives were very few and far in-between.”

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Thursday December 17, 2020) COMPLIMENTS OF THE XTRA ENERGY DRINK, STABROEK BAZAAR (Tel: 6839500) & CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD-83 Garnett Street, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158)

Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) NZ won by an innings & 12 runs (2) Henry Nicholls (NZ)

Today’s Quiz: (1) Who was voted Man of the Series in the recent WI/NZ Test encounter?

(2) When last did the WI defeat NZ in a Test match?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, December 17, 2020

Charles cameo helps Stallions lift LPL trophy (CMC) – West Indies opener Johnson Charles played only a cameo role but it helped lay the foundation for Jaffna Stallions to trounce Galle Gladiators by 53 runs and lift the Sri Lanka Premier League (LPL) title yesterday.

Playing in the final at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium, Stallions piled up a challenging 188 for six with Pakistan batting star Shoaib Malik top-scoring with 46 from 35 balls and Thisara Perera stroking an unbeaten 39 off 14 balls late on.

Dhananjaya de Silva chipped in with a busy 33 off 20 deliveries while opener Avishka Fernando struck 27 from 23 deliveries.

Charles blasted six fours in a 15ball 26 at the top of the order, putting on a breezy 44 off 28 balls for the first wicket with Fernando, to provide the early momentum for Stallions after they opted to bat first.

The right-handed Charles showed intent from the opening over, gathering a couple of back-to-back boundaries off seamer Mohammad

Johnson Charles goes on the attack during yesterday’s final Amir before smashing pacer Nuwan over to a stunning running catch at Thushara for three straight fours off long-on by Danushka Gunathilaka off the last three legitimate deliveries of seamer Dhananjaya Lakshan (3-36), the second over. after failing to middle a slower ball.

He eventually perished in the fifth Charith Asalanka perished for 10

and Fernando clobbered a couple of sixes and a four before departing in the ninth over at 70 for three but a 69-run, fourth-wicket stand between Shoaib and Dhananjaya put Stallions back on course for a strong total.

Shoaib struck three fours and a six while Dhananjaya belted a couple of fours and sixes before falling in the 16th over, leaving Perera to provide the late fireworks with five fours and two sixes.

In reply, Gladiators could muster only 135 for nine with Player-of-theMatch Shoaib snatching two for 13 off three miserly overs and Pakistan leftarm seamer Usman Shinwari claiming two for 20.

Captain Bhanuka Rajapaksa counter-attacked with a 17-ball 40, crunching three fours and four sixes after Gladiators slumped to seven for three in the second over.

He put on 56 for the fourth wicket with Shehan Jayasuriya (15) but once he fell to a catch at short third man off Shoaib in the ninth over, the run chase fizzled out.

Mohabir bowls Georgetown to easy 9-wicket win over ECD

By Rajiv Bisnauth EAST Coast Demerara (ECD) failed to use the comfort of their home territory, as they suffered a nine-wicket defeat at the hands of their opponents, Georgetown, yesterday at Enmore.

The game was the second-round encounter in the Demerara Cricket Board (DCB) Inter-Association Under-19

limited overs cricket tournament.

In a shortened game, reduced to 36 overs-a-side, due to early morning rain, the home team won the toss and took first strike, a decision which did not go in their favour.

The visiting team, led by off-spinner Alvin Mohabir (5-7), off three overs, helped to restrict the home team to just 65 all out in 26 overs.

However, apart from Mohabir, the

other bowlers played their part, and were also economical, resulting in Bryon Bowen (2-16) and Dwain Dick (1-8) being the other successful bowlers.

Among the scorers for East Coast Demerara were Romel Datterdeen with a top score of 15 and opener Lakeram Ramkissoon who contributed ten on a depressing scorecard, where four batsmen failed to score.

The eventual winners then lost open-

er Brandon Jaikaran (3) lbw to Chetram Balgobin, but fellow opener Jaden Campbell and Shamar Yearwood then powered the run chase down with ridiculous ease, reaching 67-1 in 17.1 overs.

Campbell, who represented Guyana at the Youth level, ended unbeaten on 35 (5x4), while Yearwood struck four boundaries in his unbeaten 26.

The tournament concludes tomorrow with the final matches.

GVF given green light to restart following talks with Minister Ramson AFTER months of waiting, Guyana Volleyball Federation (GVF) finally received the green light to resume action following a successful meeting with Minister of Sport Charles Ramson Jr. It was a lengthy time-off for the fraternity since their return from French Guiana prior to the COVID-19 outbreak back in late February. Recently, president GVF Levi Nedd along with vice-president Rodney

Fredericks and other executives met with Minister Ramson.

Until recently, after the pandemic wreaked havoc when a number of strategic planning were conducted globally to ensure live sports can indeed be hosted within a safe environment, volleyball had been quiet. Nedd was vocal about the inactivity with hopes of a swift change before the end of 2020.

Now with the recent engagement between GVF and the Minister of Sport, a number of the federation’s planned initiatives - such as making the sport more widespread among schools, countrywide coaching programmes for beginners and experienced coaches as well as more emphasis on structuring the national men’s senior team as well as the ladies’, were endorsed

by Minister Ramson.

Both parties also focussed on future plans to ensure that more prospects have facilities accessible to them for training and games purposes.

Nedd had indicated to this newspaper a few months back that 2021 will be a huge year for the sport; barring COVID-19 with major plans set for all three counties to further improve the level of play and production.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, December 17, 2020

Bakewell supports RHTYSC football tourney … Ministry of Natural Resources, Metro, among those on board

THE ten cricket teams of Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club (RHTYSC) continue to attract support for their ongoing Christmas Outreach programme which started on Sunday, December 6.

The teams - Poonai Pharmacy Under-12 and Under-13, Farfan and Mendes Under-15, Bakewell Under-17 and Second Division, Pepsi Under-19 and Intermediate, Metro Female, NAMILCO Thunderbolt Flour Under-21 and First Division intend to share out 1 000 food hampers worth about $4 000 each, 500 toys, 500 special Christmas packages and present a Christmas breakfast to hundreds of senior citizens.

Additionally, the teams distributed footwear, clothing, educational materials and school supplies as part of their largest-ever Christmas Outreach Programme since the club was founded in 1990.

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Minister Vickram Bharrat, Fitzroy McLeod, Jennifer Cipriani, Donna Todd, Leon Johnson, Bakewell, Metro, Christopher Barnwell, and Farfan and Mendes Ltd made financial contributions.

The club also received toys, stationery and food products from Ansa McAl, Bakewell, DeSinco Trading, National Milling Company (NAMILCO), Bounty Farm Ltd, Edward B Beharry, Toucan Industries, China Trading, Factory Price, Regal Stationery, WR Enterprise, Survival Supermarket (Duncan Street), Demerara Distillers Ltd, Guyana Lottery,

Mattai Supermarket, T&R Construction among others.

Club Secretary/CEO and Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) president Hilbert Foster stated that to date over 700 food hampers have been distributed during the first week of the programme.

According to the long-serving Club executive, RHTYSC has touched the entire Berbice coastline by using the church system to reach those most in need.

Over 40 churches, NGOs and orphanages have so far benefitted from the programme including Deeper Life Assembly, St Agnes Anglican Church, St Francis Xavier Roman Catholic, Rose Hall Wesleyan, Elohim Adventist and No.71 Living Water Assembly.

On Sunday December 13, the club hosted hundreds of children at its annual Christmas Party hosted at the Area H Ground. Each child received a bag of confectionery and biscuits, educational materials, a box of food and a Christmas toy.

The programme will conclude with the hosting of the annual Christmas Village in the compound of Rose Hall Town Primary School from December 22 to 24.

Meanwhile, the 10 teams have offered support to the East Bank Football Association (EBFA) whose president is Franklyn Wilson.

The teams handed over three trophies, eight medals and funds for two bicycles towards its hosting of a female football tournament.

Foster stated that RHTYSC was proud

RHTYSC Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster hands over sponsorship to EBFA president Franklyn Wilson. to assist in the development of football as it plays a part in keeping youths away from crime and drugs. Wilson expressed gratitude for the support and promised that the tournament would be as well organised as in the past.

The club has been supporting the tour-

nament for a while now and has pledged to continue doing so in the future.

Foster disclosed that every year the RHTYSC co-sponsors over 50 sport events across the county in several disciplines football, cricket, basketball, volleyball and cycling among others.

GGA, Guyana HVN to host Xmas drive this weekend THE Humanitarian Volunteer Network (HVN) in partnership with Guyana Golf Association (GGA)/Nexgen Golf Academy will host another Christmas drive under the theme ‘Portions to Orphans’.

This is part of a global outreach programme to make the holidays brighter for thousands of orphans who otherwise would experience a bleak Christmas.

Dr Dolapo Ipinniwa, a medical doctor and head of Guyana HVN Chapter and whose brainchild it is, said, “This allows us all to make a difference to those who are desperately in need of our help. We look forward to seeing all those who care about orphans

out at the Academy this weekend.”

The event tees off on December 18 at 15:00hrs and ends at 18:00hrs then on Saturday December 19 from 10:00hrs to 16:00hrs.

As part of the drive, organisers are also asking for contributions of unopened cans or packages of foodstuff that will make the face of dozens of orphans light up this Christmas, especially after a tough year filled with stress, anxiety and uncertainty!

And to top it all off, there will be an hour of free golf, including a lesson for beginners when you drop off your donation at the Golf Academy, Scouts Association ground on Woolford Avenue, or you can call 617-2722,

681-5890 to find out how you can help or become a volunteer.

This event was put together by Kimberly Jaikarran and other members of the Guyana Chapter of HVA which is part of a global network of Christian social and development experts, practitioners, and students committed to delivering psychosocial solutions to indigent children and families in Guyana.

“This year we wanted to do something on a larger scale and found a willing partner with Mr Hussain, president of the Guyana Golf Association and Nexgen Golf Academy.

He donated the use of

their facility for the collection of the foodstuff along with giving every donor a chance to play golf for free!” according to Kimberly Jaikarran, who complements her medical studies with Volunteering.

Members of HVN Guyana Chapter visited the Amerindians Hostel in Georgetown, Guyana and distributed clothes, plates, cups, other utensils, beverages, toiletries, snacks and drinks as part of their first year of operations in Guyana.

The GGA, under Hussain’s leadership, has been active in creating events to promote the sport and assist worthy causes. Hussain said, “Our central location in the heart of Georgetown, due to the

Dr Dolapo Ipinniwa is a medical doctor and head of the Guyana HVN Chapter partnerships with Scouts Association of Guyana and Guyana Teachers Union, allows us to pull off such activities. Our facility is perfect for all ages and events ranging from charitable to weddings on the green, in open air!”

He added that now they are able to provide food and beverage along with golf in an open-air, COVID-compliant manner and the Academy has a great opportunity to promote the game to new players.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, December 17, 2020

Hemraj elated with win in US Open T20 cricket NATIONAL cricketer Chandrapaul Hemraj said that he is happy with his first knock of the US Open T20 tournament, which bowled off on Tuesday at the Central Broward Regional Park in Fort Lauderdale.

Playing for Somerset Cavaliers, the 27-year-old dominated with the bat after producing a stingy spell with the ball.

Samp Army batted first and made 133-4 of their allotted 20 overs on a slow track.

Kunal Seegal (61) and Sanjay Stanley (59) led the attack, but Hemraj was able to stem the runs

flow as he spun his way to 2-10 from three overs.

Needing to score at 6.7 runs per over, Somerset Cavaliers cruised to victory.

Hemraj and Kennar Lewis were able to post 94 in 5.5 over before Lewis lost his wicket for an aggressive 61 from 23 balls. The opener struck seven fours and five sixes. With Hemraj steering the ship, Somerset Cavaliers were able to register a win in 9.5 overs. The Guyana Amazon Warriors cricketer was left not out on 50 from 25 balls. During his innings he struck five sixes and three fours.

Chandrapaul Hemraj starred with bat and ball in his opening clash

He later told Chronicle Sport that he felt good in the middle.

“It was my first game, it feels good to be back on the field playing some competitive cricket and contributing to the team’s first win.”

According to the opener he intends to deliver for his side.

“I think the pitch plays much better in the night, I’m hoping to continue in the same form and defend our title.”

Somerset Cavaliers are

expected to be in action again today.

A number of wellknown cricketers in the region are competing in the competition, including Jamaicans Chris Gayle and Andre Russell (who Hemraj said will

join Somerset) and fellow Guyanese, Sherfane Rutherford and Ronsford Beaton.

Rutherford had 33 runs in his opening clash in a losing cause, while Beaton took two wickets in his team’s defeat.

Ragoonath not expecting drastic changes to West Indies onSeepagestory24 Test squad

Joshua da Silva and Jason Holder leave the field. (Getty Images)

GVF given green light to restart following talks with Minister Ramson See story on page 25

Alvin Mohabir

Mohabir bowls Georgetown to easy 9-wicket win over ECD From left: VP Rodney Fredericks, GVF president Levi Nedd, Minister of Sport Charles Ramson Jr, Secretary Kim Chan-Bagot and Technical Director Yannick Chase 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

See story on page 25

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2020