Guyana_Chronicle_Epaper_12_20_2019

FRIDAY 20th December, 2019

' No.105857

Education, youth empowerment PAGE

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-- top priorities of gov’t, President Granger tells Linden youth summit Bynoe talks up benefits of local content …as GMSA honours 13 outstanding manufacturers PAGE

SOCU must rise to the occasion 14 PAGE

…AG urges more prosecutions, convictions of money launderers

Relatives shell-shocked –– reflect on lives of Mahaicony accident victims

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President David Granger with students of the Cyril Potter College of Education at Thursday’s Youth Empowerment Summit held in Linden

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, December 20, 2019

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, December 20, 2019

Education, youth empowerment -- top priorities of gov’t, President Granger tells Linden youth summit

By Vanessa Braithwaite YOUTHS were reassured that during the decade of development, which is the brainchild of President David Granger, the country will undergo massive transformation in all major sectors.

Significant attention will be given to the National Youth Policy, which focusses on four main pillars – namely

Summit, Region 10 Member of Parliament, Jermaine Figueira, for initiating such a movement, which he described as a very important one that must be replicated in every town.

Youths, he said, are vital to this nation and will become the muscle and brain that will guide Guyana forward and must benefit from every opportunity that will enable them to become phenomenal

“Education is top priority for me. It is essential if you are going to seek employment or be self-employed. It is essential if you are going to be empowered. It is essential if you are going to demand your place as equal citizens in this country,” he posited.

President Granger said his government is creating a level playing field for all Guyanese through the regionalisation movement, which is

bourhoods. We hear what is being said in the National Assembly, we listen to you and we will pay attention to you because we have to pass this country over to you, we are only trustees, we don't own this. We hold this country in trust, to pass it on to you and you have to be prepared to accept this request, this legacy.”

Some of the concerns and issues raised by the youths in their presentations were the

in improvement of sport over the last few years, more particularly with the construction of a state-of-the-art synthetic track.

Other presentations were made on education, societal changes, overcoming challenges, entrepreneurship and arts and culture.

Minister Catherine Hughes gave a detailed presentation on the strides made in the telecommunications

“As such, we have created a platform for our young people to hear directly from the leadership of President David Authur Granger, his ministers of the government; what is it they have in store for Guyana but equally important, that they have provided a space for our young people to also exchange their thoughts and their ideas on the Guyana that

President David Granger addresses the inaugural annual Youth Empowerment Summit organised by the Youth Forward Movement

A section of the gathering at the summit

education, equality, empowerment and employment.

Education, however, will be priority since every other pillar depends on an educated nation. While the government would have plugged more than $170B into education since 2015, President Granger described this investment as just a tip of the iceberg, as to what will be rolled out from 2020 to 2030.

The Head of State was at the time addressing hundreds of youths in Linden who participated in the inaugural annual Youth Empowerment Summit (YES), organised by the Youth Forward Movement (YFM).

These youths, who representing various sectors and organisations in society, were given a chance to voice their issues and concerns, with the President and several members of his Cabinet, including Minister of State, Dawn Hastings-Williams; Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman; Minister with Responsibility for Culture, Youth and Sport, George Norton; Minister of Public Telecommunications, Catherine Hughes; and Ministers within the Ministries of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs and Agriculture, Valarie Garrido-Lowe and Valarie Patterson-Yearwood.

President Granger applauded the brainchild of the

leaders of tomorrow.

“This is why this forum is very important. It is not for entertainment, it is not a cake show; it is helping you to make decisions. Take this model into the other towns, so that other young people could understand what YFM means.

This YFM is not the property of Linden, take it and create a movement that will sweep this whole country. Let young people rise to the fore and take control of their destiny,” the President said.

Encapsulating on the National Youth Policy, President Granger said it will ensure that youths are united, trained, safe, happy, healthy and equally involved in the decision-making process, while enjoying equal access to opportunities.

His government is committed to this, he said, and has already started the trajectory of nationwide improvement in the education sector, by ensuring that many children get to school through the Public Education Transportation System ((PETS) and are fed when they get there, through the Public Education Nutrition Service (PENS).

Performance, particularly in the hinterland regions, has improved because of the provision of Internet services in these schools as well.

TOP PRIORITY

empowering every region to have available, decentralised services.

Many of these youths are benefitting from these services. The Linden Enterprise Network (LEN) has been helping to empower youths through business loans. “Our Government provided a $155M to restart LEN and since then, it has reimbursed 570 loans worth more than $326M over the past four years... this is the way to go, to give young people the tools so that you could employ yourselves and achieve things you want to achieve in life, by going into business and some form of entrepreneurship.”

In addition to LEN, the government has initiated other services to create jobs for youths such as the Sustainable Livelihood and Entrepreneurial Development (SLED), Hinterland Employment Youth Service (HEYS) and Micro and Small Business Development Scheme. The President urged youths to take up these opportunities now since it is to prepare and empower them to become the future leaders of tomorrow.

“My friends, we hear your voices, we here what you are saying. We have paid attention; we have come up here in our numbers. We hear what is being said in the villages and the rural areas. We hear what is being said in the neigh-

need for copyright laws to protect artistes and persons involved in the entertainment industry.

“Mr. President, it is hard to be a patriot when we don't have copyright; it is hard to be a patriot when we are not making money off of our talent and you know that we have talent, so I beg you Mr. President, please give us copyright and we are going to give you royalties,” Singer Alabama petitioned the President.

Dr. Deleana Anderson of the Linden Hospital Complex highlighted the challenges of working under conditions that made it difficult to serve effectively. The positive, however, she stressed outweighs the negatives and related that over recent years, there has been an increase in drugs available and the standard of healthcare offered to residents. Very soon, the hospital will be equipped with a dialysis machine and a CT scan department which she deemed a tremendous boost.

Coach Lindley Langhorne called for the training of teachers and coaches in the areas of physical education and specialised sports, the provision of sports facilities in every community and the lighting of already-established facilities. Langhorne, however, commended the administration for the strides made

sector over the last three years and how scores of Linden youths would have benefitted from training in ICT and several communities were equipped with ICT hubs.

THINK AHEAD She urged the youths to start thinking about how they will maximise on the massive transformation the country will experience in the area of technology, which will create a domino effect in other sectors such as agriculture and education.

Giving an overview of the summit and the Youth Forward Movement, was MP Figueira, who said it was held on the belief that decisions made and those that will be made, will have the greatest impact on our youth.

they would want to inherit,” he posited.

Figueira also called for the realisation of a University of Guyana Campus in Linden, the continuation of the discussion in relation to the legalisation of marijuana and the continuous support for athletes and sports associations.

The programme also included rich cultural performances such as dances and spoken word poetry and was followed by a cocktail reception, where the youths were further given the opportunity to interact and engage with President Granger and his ministers.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday, December 20, 2019

Impeachment driven by partisan rage, says McConnell US President Trump’s impeachment is the “most rushed, least thorough and most unfair” in history, the Senate’s Republican leader Mitch McConnell says.

The Democrat-led House of Representatives had let its “partisan rage” create a “toxic precedent that will echo into the future”, he added.

But Democrat Chuck Schumer said Mr McConnell had offered no defence of the president’s actions.

On Wednesday, the House voted to impeach Mr Trump on two charges.

The charges - that the president abused his power and obstructed Congress centre on whether or not he improperly sought help from Ukraine to boost his chances of re-election in 2020.

Mr Trump now faces a trial in the Senate - but the Senate is controlled by the Republicans, so it is highly unlikely he will be removed

from power.

Nearly all Democrats in the House of Representatives voted for the charges and every Republican against.

On Wednesday, Mr Trump said the votes in the House had been motivated by “envy and hatred and rage”.

In his speech, Mr McConnell warned that the 12-week investigation could damage the institutions of US democracy and said the House had failed to prove that Mr Trump

had broken any law.

Democrats had made up their mind to impeach Mr Trump before he was even inaugurated as president, he said, and theirs was “an impeachment in search of articles”.

The investigation of Mr Trump had taken far less time than the impeachment investigations into President Bill Clinton and President Richard Nixon, he said.

“This is by far the thin-

nest basis for any House passed presidential impeachment in American history.

The thinnest, and the weakest. And nothing else even comes close,” he said.

Chuck Schumer, the Senate’s leading Democrat, said Mr McConnell had conspicuously failed to defend President Trump’s actions.

“The Republican leader could not rebut the accusations against the president.

He did not advance an argu-

ment in defence of the president’s conduct on the merits, that in itself is a damning indictment of the state of the president’s defence,” he said.

He also criticised the idea that the impeachment trial could take place without witnesses being heard.

“If the House case is so weak, why is leader McConnell so afraid of witnesses and documents?” he asked.

(BBC)

US government lists fictional nation Wakanda as trade partner The US Department of Agriculture listed Wakanda as a free-trade partner - despite it being a fictional country.

A USDA spokesperson said the Kingdom of Wakanda was added to the list by accident during a staff test.

The department’s online tariff tracker hosted a detailed list of goods the two nations apparently traded, including ducks, donkeys and dairy cows.

In the Marvel universe, Wakanda is the fictional East

Wakanda is a fictional East African country from Black Panther, which was adapted into a film last year (BBC photo)

African home country of superhero Black Panther.

The fictional country was removed soon from the list after US media first queried it,

prompting jokes that the countries had started a trade war.

Wakanda first appeared in the Fantastic Four comic in 1966, and made a reappear-

ance when Black Panther was adapted into an Oscar-winning film last year.

The unusual listing was spotted by Francis Tseng, a New York-based software engineer who was looking up agricultural tariffs for a fellowship he was applying for.

He told Reuters news agency that, when he first saw Wakanda on the list, he got “very confused”: “[I] thought I misremembered the country from the movie and got it confused with something else.”

After the listing was removed, a USDA spokesman told the Washington Post that Wakanda’s listing was added as a test file for staff, and was never supposed to be public.

“The Wakanda information should have been removed after testing and has now been taken down,” he said.

After its removal, an Orlan-

do-based reporter asked: “So do we, or do we not have free trade with Wakanda? Also where are things at on negotiations with Agrabah?”

This is not the first time a fictional country has slipped into the real world.

In 2017, Poland’s then-foreign minister Witold Waszczykowski told reporters he had met representatives of a number of nations to discuss Poland’s bid to join the UN Security Council - “such as Belize or San Escobar”.

While Belize does exist, San Escobar does not.

At the same time, officials have occasionally erased countries that actually do exist.

In 2004, for example, the cover of an EU guidebook featured a map of EU member states, including the UK. Wales, however, was mysteriously absent. (BBC)

Wednesday December 18, 2019

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December 6 2019

M 19, 26, 18, 20, 10

4 0, 4, 7

8, 9, 5 1, 3, 5, 8, 17

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday, December 20, 2019

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Jamaica: $250M to start tourism workers’ pension fund

Jamaica Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett says $250 million will be used to ensure the start of the highly anticipated tourism workers’ pension scheme next month.

The ministry said this forms part of the government’s effort to seed the fund to meet the deadline of a January 2020 start date for the pension scheme.

Bartlett made the announcement at a pension

Minister of Tourism, Edmund Bartlett

sensitisation session with

hotel workers at Royalton

Negril yesterday.

“We are well on our way to implementing the pension scheme and currently the board of trustees is in the process of procuring a fund manager and fund administrator. As soon as the fund manager has been appointed, 250 million will be disbursed to seed the fund so that if workers have contributed for only five years and reach their retirement age of 65 they will get a guaranteed

minimum pension,” he said.

The ministry said it has been carrying out pension sensitisation sessions across the island to update tourism workers on the next steps of the pension scheme.

According to the ministry, over 400 workers attended the session at the Royalton Hotel and approximately 100 workers attended the session at the RIU Hotel, both in Negril.

The tourism workers’

pension scheme is designed to cover all workers ages 18-59 years in the tourism sector, whether permanent, contract or self-employed, the ministry said.

It further noted that this includes hotel workers as well as persons employed in other tourism subsectors such as craft vendors, tour operators, red cap porters, contract carriage operators and workers at attractions.

(Jamaica Observer)

TT: Four dead in Gasparillo crash Four people reportedly died in an accident at Gasparillo on Thursday morning.

Sketchy reports indicate around 5 am the vehicle in which the four were travelling crashed into a lightpole

and burst into flames. All the occupants were trapped inside.

Crime scene investiga-

tors and the fire services are on the scene on the southbound lane of the Solomon Hochoy Highway

near Petrotrin, where the four bodies are still in the burnt-out shell.

The accident has

caused a major traffic pileup on both sides of the highway. (Trinidad and Tobago Newsday)

Conquistador anchors found off Mexico Gulf Coast Two 500-year-old iron ship anchors have been discovered on Mexico’s Gulf Coast, potentially offering an insight into the Spanish invasion.

Archaeologists say they may have belonged to the fleet led by Spain’s Hernán Cortés, who conquered the Aztec empire in the 16th Century.

coast just north of the port city of Veracruz.

Originally known as Villa Rica, this was where Cortés’ fleet landed in 1519. It became a bustling harbour town in the years following Spain’s conquest over the Aztecs in 1521.

Divers located the anchors 10-15m (33-49ft) below the

artefacts that can illustrate the history of the Spanish invasion.

A further 15 potential sites containing anchors have been identified.

“The Conquest of Mexico was a seminal event in human history, and these shipwrecks, if we can find them, will be symbols of the cultural collision that led to what is now the West,” said marine archaeologist Frederick Hanselmann.

Cortés is thought to have

destroyed the ships - either by burning, deliberate sinking or beaching - in order to prevent his men from abandoning the voyage.

Earlier this year, Mexico’s President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador asked Spain to apologise to indigenous Mexicans for abuses committed during the invasion. (BBC)

20 December, 2019 - 12:30hrs ~ 14:00hrs

Marine archaeologists take measurements of the anchors - the biggest is almost 4m (13 ft) long (BBC photo)

One of the anchors recovered off the Velacruz coast (BBC photo)

Last year another anchor was discovered nearby, containing wood originating from a Spanish tree.

All three were found on the

sea, under a thick layer of sediment.

Archaeologists hope the latest discovery will lead to the unearthing of more marine

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday, December 20, 2019

Delivering for youths President David Granger on Thursday addressed the first ever youth summit in Linden during which according to media reports he reminded the youths that they are vital to the nation's development while acknowledging that they need to be provided with the knowledge and skills to transform this nation.

He said too young people must be prepared to take up the mantle of leadership and since assuming office, the Coalition Government has invested heavily in the education sector, stressing that education is essential they are going to be empowered. We have editorialised before that government’s commitment to youth, and its programmes and initiatives aimed at educating and empowering young people is appropriate and timely, and should be saluted.

After all, a trained, educated, and qualified young person is more likely to obtain a satisfying, stable, se-

cure, and well-paying Job. President Granger recognises the importance of having good jobs and like he said at the summit the future of any society is heavily dependent on the actions of its young people. In the case of Guyana — having geographically, politically, ethnically, and culturally diverse circumstances — government has a duty to ensure that all the country’s youth, across all regions, have equitable opportunities to contribute to the development of their communities, regions, and ultimately, the nation. And the APNU+AFC administration is evidently taking action to ensure that Guyana’s youth are equipped to obtain good jobs so as to provide for themselves and their families, enjoy good lives, contribute positively to their communities, and, ultimately, help develop their country, even as they prepare to take up the mantle of leadership in the future.

One of the significant initiatives launched by the coalition adminis-

tration is the establishment of the National Youth Corps (NYC). The NYC’s core objective is to give Guyanese who may have dropped out of school, a second chance to have a good life. The idea of a National Youth Corps was first made a reality shortly after Guyana gained its independence; the first NYC was launched on January 1, 1968, by the government of that day. That original programme lasted for seven years, during which some 1,200 young Guyanese were trained in various areas. The current initiative, though similar to the original one, has been tailored to the country’s present realities, and reflects the administration’s commitment to equitable, across-the-board, personal, regional, and national development.

The APNU+AFC’s youth programmes and various undertakings are not haphazard, ad hoc, or slapdash, as they were under the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), (if they had

any programmes at all). Instead, the government’s approaches and interventions are guided by its National Youth Policy, which is a comprehensive plan for the development of Guyana’s young people.

Government’s approach to youth education includes an increase in the number of scholarships being made available to youth at all levels; investing in improving the public education system which will make quality education available to all Guyanese, whether rich or not; Expanding the Youth Innovative Project, geared towards creating opportunities for entrepreneurship and business expansion; innovative approaches towards education based on scientific research; the establishment and continued expansion of Night School aimed at giving dropouts a second chance at an education; taking action to reduce crime, to make the streets safer for students; the continued expansion of the president’s 5Bs programme in-

tended to increase school-attendance in hinterland communities; and the list goes on. Clearly, government’s approach, which integrates education with job creation initiatives demonstrates that the ultimate objective of the administration is the provision of fulfilling employment to all. In other words, it is all about jobs, particularly for Guyana’s youth, regardless of where they live.

Guyanese are fortunate to have an honest leader who can be trusted to deliver what he promised. It is fortuitous that Guyana now can depend on the honest leadership of a president who tells the truth, and who can be depended upon to ensure that Guyana’s young people never again have to feel hopeless and weak. Instead, under the current leadership, one expects that Guyana’s youth may look forward to a bright, prosperous, and productive future.

Some thoughts on local-content policy Dear Editor,

IT IS of great interest to read the debate over local-content policy as it relates to the oil and gas sector. At the same time, one hears how the government plans to ensure the economy becomes more diversified, so that after the oil boom, we will have

a country that can stand on its own.

These two objectives would appear to run contrary to each other: It is already apparent that major local companies are committing capital to the energy sector that otherwise might have been spent in other parts of the economy. For example, scarce real estate on the East

Bank is already being used for shore-base and related operations, when there might be more long-term beneficial uses for it. As for human resources, one already sees a wide set of skilled workers being drained away from non-oil sectors. This will only increase in the coming years, threatening to hamper the growth of established

industries such as manufacturing.

So, perhaps we need to step back and look again at the insistence of local content specific to the oil and gas industry, and plan instead to incentivise businesses to invest in specific areas that would be of more benefit to the common good. One thinks of safe public trans-

portation, education, health and infrastructure.

In fact, it might be in the interest of the country to even quarantine the oil and gas sector, and simply leave it to foreign companies, given its size and enormous appetite for capital and labour. This, of course, would not be a popular view among the

local private sector, which is the loudest voice in the local-content crusade. However, this paradox between local content and avoiding the resource curse needs to be reconciled.

Regards, Albert Russell

Time minibus and taxi operators come under strict regulations Dear Editor,

IT IS beyond time that the government brings all public minibus and taxi operators within a strict regulatory and legal framework for standards, public safety and security and price control of customer fares.

The horrific accident at Mahaicony on December 18, 2019 and recent accidents present indication of speeding by minibus drivers that endangered the lives of their passengers. In many cases, lives were lost. Daily, I observe minibus and taxi drivers

speeding and indulging in some of the most dangerous and unlawful acts on the roadways.

In many countries, the travelling public enjoys the pleasure of using public transportation that is convenient, economical, clean, orderly and safe. In Guyana, it is a daily lawless culture by most operators, with annoying touts, disorderly queue system of vehicles, and disrespectful drivers and conductors that are poorly dressed, unhygienic (smelling foul), at times verbally and physically abusive, lack courtesy,

at times not licenced to drive and driving a vehicle without the necessary documentation, and drinking alcohol and ill-treating the elderly and schoolchildren, just a few to mention.

Then there is the retrofitting of minibuses and taxis with boomboxes that play loud and vulgar music to the pleasure of the drivers and conductors, and without any consideration of passengers’ taste, health and feelings.

Part of the lawlessness is how taxi and minibus drivers and conductors offload passengers in traffic, and at

any location on the roadways without consideration of the safety of passengers and other motorists and pedestrians that would be affected. There is NO RESPECT on the use of bus stops and established routes. Minibus drivers do as they please, with limited sanction.

As a driver, at times I have experienced minibus and taxi drivers trying to bully me in a corner so they can speed past me. The sad part is that passengers often sit silently while the lawlessness occurs.

The lawlessness is be-

yond unbearable, and the time for talk is long past. It is time to get totally strict with regulations and a public transportation body to craft policies, monitor and police a respectable and people-friendly public transportation system, especially based on services by private operators.

I daresay it is also time for government to get back into the business of public transportation, to end the lawless monopoly by private operators. Further, it is time to remove the central bus parks from the Stabroek

Market area. It is time for a modern bus terminus, and a well-thought- out system.

What we have today is a system dictated mostly by lawless operators that have played a part in nurturing a lawless road culture, and I daresay a lawless communication and disdainful culture in Guyana.

I wish to use this opportunity to express my sincerest sympathies to the families that have lost loved ones to road accidents.

Regards, Jermaine Grant

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday, December 20, 2019

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PPP and Sasenarine Singh should not be taken seriously about reopening sugar estates

Dear Editor,

ONCE again I write, with the view to place on record a few polite questions and observations on a letter authored by the self-styled Turnaround Specialist, Sasenarine Singh. Last week, the said gentleman penned a missive of which I posited several innocuous questions with the sole intention of gaining a better understanding of his arguments. His response was absolutely shocking, the content of which was overflowing with paranoia and selective amnesia. In an attempt to assuage his distress, I immediately answered his bizarre questions, but unfortunately, the letter was not published.

It is for this reason that I will attempt to crystallise my identity, if it ever needed to be. Mr. Singh would be glad to know that I am actually Dr. Mark Devonish and not a Chinese computer algorithm that he is clearly worried about. I am a Fellow of the Royal College of Physician, FRCP (UK). I am also a Fellow of the Royal College of Physician of Edinburgh, FRCP (Edin). I have a Master’s of Science in medical education from Sheffield University. I earned my MBBS from the University of Guyana, where Dr. Vindha Persaud was my batch mate, and Dr. Mahendra Carpen one of my seniors. Dr. Emmanuel Cummings was the Dean of Health Science. They can all vouch for my identity, and in the process assure him that I am not a Russian bot, as he inexplicably suggested. I am presently a Consultant of Acute Medicine at the Nottingham University Hospital, which is the fourth largest teaching hospital in the UK. Again, this can be confirmed by a simple phone call or email, but you need not, since Dr. Carpen already did. Finally, I do wish to assure Mr. Singh that I have not tried to obtain any private information on him. Any information I have is what is available in the public domain. If Mr. Singh strongly believes that I have accessed personal information on him without his authorization, then he is free to make a report to the relevant body, providing them with the evidence.

I will now respond to Mr. Singh’s letter, which is titled, “Sugar industry contributed US$1.6B in levy over 29 years, and deserves support now”.

From this headline, I do wish to make a few observations and ask a few questions. If Mr. Singh has achieved the tertiary level education that he claimed to have done, then he should be familiar with the concept of academic referencing. In a newspaper letter column, I will not hold him to academic standard Harvard reference, but what I would have anticipated is that if numerical data is being presented to support his argument, at a minimum the readers would have expected to be provided with the source of the data, so that they can independently establish its authenticity. What Mr. Singh has demonstrated by just throwing numbers at the readers with no reference is known in the academic world as academic arrogance, which is understandably frowned upon.

My second observation from Mr. Singh’s headline is the emotive and nostalgic nature of his argument. He failed to articulate, not that the PPP or he can, how the sugar industry will benefit Guyana, and how it can be turned around after being in reverse gear with no financial regulatory handbrakes down a slippery production slope for nearly three decades, if not longer. This degree of economic inertia cannot gain economic momentum, even if it were to be assisted by subsidising tow truck in the form of oil. The fact is, and Mr. Singh and Mr. Jagdeo should be aware of this, that the Banking Industry is only about dollars and cents. It is only about pounds and pence. No reputable bank or company in their end-of-year financial report would report to their expectant shareholders that they have made 2 billion units of emotions in profits. No Government when presenting its economic report and forecast to the electorate and political opposition would place monetary value on nostalgia. In my first letter, I highlighted many companies that failed and were allowed to go under by Governments, despite emotional attachment. Emotional attachment should not be used as the only indicator

for financial bailout. Unfortunately, that is the route being taken by Mr. Singh, who is clearly the mouthpiece for the PPP on the sugar industry. My opinion is that even if the industry was successful 45 years ago, then that cannot be used as the sole indicator for a bailout. No Government will get involved and have the economy go down south because of an emotional attachment to said failing industry. The hard reality of sports, to use an analogy, is that a player is as good as his last game. Ask Chris Gayle, if in doubt.

A company is as good as its present financial standing. The financial report for the sugar industry would indicate an industry that has been in the red for over three decades. That in itself is disconcerting.

My third observation is that Mr. Singh argued that the Sugar Industry contributed US$1.6B in levy from 1974 – 2003, hence it has earned its right to be failing for nearly three decades. We should give more to the giver. First, the obvious question is how many billions in subsidies has it received from 2003-2019? How many more years of subsidies would convince Mr. Singh that this is an economic cul-de-sac? Does he wish us to make the same mistake as Trinidad where they solely depended on oil to correct all the economic ills, and when oil prices dropped, they were in serious financial problems. In my layman opinion, oil will be our last duck to lay us golden eggs. The oil and gas industry should not be used to subsidise industries like the sugar industry, which has minimal economic future. If we were to take the route that Mr. Singh and the PPP are recommending, then we may very well kill our last duck to provide us golden eggs, due to the burdens of the sugar industries and others.

Finally, why the urgency now? Why was there not a similar urgency from Mr. Singh when the PPP Government downsize the sugar industry? Why no similar concerns about financial support for the bauxite industry?

Mr. Singh then went on to state that in in 2015, before the elections, he prepared a 5 year turnaround plan that would have reduced the cash loss to

US$9 million by 2020. He also stated that on top of that turnaround plan would have been a 5-year stabilisation plan that would have achieved cash neutrality by 2025. What Mr. Singh is actually stating is that from his plan the Government would have continued to subsidise the failing sugar industry, for an unknown amount that he intentionally omitted, for a further 10 years at a minimum. I’m in the medical field and I am aware of the fact that the needs of a complex patient are met by a multidisciplinary team. A failing industry, the size of the sugar industry would not have one ‘turnaround specialist’ to offer an ‘expert opinion’ on reversal of its fortune. So therein lies Mr. Singh’s problem. Also on the Benschop radio interview, I got a different view from Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo.

What he articulated is that on taking office in 2015 the same year Mr. Singh allegedly proposed his turnaround plan, the CEO of GUYSUCO wrote to the Government and stated they had no monies. This was also in the print media. As a result the sugar industry was financed to the tune of billions. I don’t know if Mr. Singh factored this into his turnaround calculations. Secondly the Government was subsidising the sugar industry at one billion per month for the first 3 years in office. Thirdly, the Government had financial experts to assess the failing sugar industry with a few to determine its financial sustainability along with recommendations on the way forward. I was not made privy to the skillset of these experts but I would always take the recommendations of a team of independent experts over that of someone who clearly has an emotive and political connection with the sugar industry.

If ever there was doubt in Mr. Singh lack of objectivity and his blind allegiance to PPP, one just needs to peruse the remainder of his letter. At no point has he held PPP responsible for the demise of the sugar industry despite the fact that they mismanaged the sugar industry for 23 years. In his biased opinion, this Granger led Government destroyed the sugar industry in four years. He argued that Mr. Burnham imposed levy on the sugar

industry but never stated the role Dr. Jagan played. He is quoting numeral data without providing the source. His arguments based on emotions and not on facts. Rather than have an intelligent debate he reduces this very serious issue to ridiculous name calling e.g.

Chinese Computing algorithm. He boasts that he is a Turnaround Specialist with vast experience yet such critical information is not stated on his CV on his Linkdedln profile. He and PPP are attempting to hoodwink the sugar workers and Guyanese. He is attempting to take us down that dangerous path of historical negative. He is biased. He is not objective. He cannot be trusted because he makes excuses rather than answer the basic questions in my first letter. Frankly, I do not have much hope for the second letter.

I have my doubts. Serious doubts. He believes because the majority in PPP who surrounds him, believe reopening the estates is in the best interest of the sugar industry and the country, he took it as fact. He attempted to twist history and numbers to support their position.

Argumentum ad populum personified.

Intellectual dishonesty. Intellectual immaturity. Intellectual infantilism. For these reasons this government should keep Sasenarine Singh miles away from the sugar industry.

Finally, Sasenarine Singh stated that he does not know me, yet the very day he wrote that letter claiming not to know me, in a ridiculous attempt to escape my questions, he was making argumentum ad hominem attacks on social media directed at me. The man that state not to know me was referring to me by name, number, rank and disability.

This is from someone who is calling for a serious discussion on how to rebuild the sugar industry. In my opinion, Sasenarine Singh and the PPP should never be taken seriously, and I guess that is the position of the Government. I may very well join them, since I am convinced this gentleman is clearly not my intellectual equal, and lacks the courage for a serious debate.

Regards, Dr. Mark Devonish

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday, December 20, 2019

Latter-day Saints sign pact with GPHC to supply equipment to perform vitreoretinal surgery THE Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has entered into an agreement to supply the equipment needed to perform vitreoretinal surgery at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).

Presently, Guyanese who need retina surgery have to travel to Trinidad. The church will also supply three surgeons, who will visit for one week each and train Dr. Arlene Bobb-Semple, Ophthalmologist and Vitreoretinal Surgeon, and Dr. Shailendra Sugrim, Head of the Department of Ophthalmology.

In a release, the church said the majority of the equipment has arrived at the hospital and the first surgeries should take place in late January or February, contingent on the final shipment of equipment arriving in country.

A team from the GPHC, led by its CEO, Brigadier George Lewis, met with Elder William and Sister Sandra Bohne, Humanitarian Aid Missionaries of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, to finalize the arrangements.

Dr. Bobb-Semple, Sister Bohne, Brigidier Lewis, Elder Bohne and Dr. Sugrim

Ruling on no-case submission in extradition case set for January 13

COME January 13, 2020, Principal Magistrate, Faith McGusty, will rule in a nocase submission made by the attorney of ex-policeman, Shaun Darcy Nebblett.

Nebblett also known as ‘Shaun Wyatt’ or ‘Dapper’ is currently before Magistrate McGusty, at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court, in relation to him being extradited to the United States of America for a series of drug-related charges involving a cocaine smuggling ring abroad.

Shaun Darcy Nebblett called ‘Shaun Wyatt’ or ‘Dapper’

Nebblett is represented by attorney-at-law Darren Wade, while State Counsel, Stacy Goodings, of the Director of

Public Prosecutions (DPP) Chambers, is representing the US Government.

On Wednesday, December 18, 2019, after the state called its final witnesses, defence counsel made a no-case submission. The Magistrate will rule on the submission on January 13, 2020.

Nebblett is to be extradited to the United States to face a federal court for conspiracy to import cocaine, importation of cocaine, conspiracy to possess cocaine with intent to distribute

and possession of cocaine with intent to distribute. In May 2019, the Government of the United States of America had made an application for his extradition, through the DPP. On June 10, 2016, an arrest warrant was issued in the US for Nebblett’s arrest. He had however already fled to Guyana. According to the indictment, between August 2015 and September 2015, in the Eastern District of New York, Nebblett conspired to smuggle cocaine from Guyana

to the US. It is alleged that he arranged for the courier in Guyana to smuggle the cocaine into the US for the payment of $US 8,000.

It is alleged that he met with the courier in Guyana, packed the person’s suitcase with the seven pairs of shoes, which had the cocaine inside.

He had allegedly given the courier $US300 to rent a hotel room, on his arrival in New York. On August 28, 2015, the courier flew to New York and was arrested upon

his arrival at the JFK airport with 1.45 kilogrammes of cocaine in his possession.

The courier, when held by officers in New York, confessed and assisted with the investigation. The courier called Nebblett regarding the pick-up of the cocaine and another individual was sent to pick up the cocaine from the courier. The individual was arrested with US$8,000 in his possession.

Lies! And contempt for Guyanese!

Dear Editor,

I WOULD not duplicate Rovin Singh’s concise response in the Guyana Chronicle of December 18, 2019 to Leslie Ramsammy’s claim about the Coalition’s failure to fulfil 100 per cent of its promises for the first hundred days in office”, for he has, in fine style, outlined what can be described as a sample representation of what good governance is all about in the name of ALL citizens, irrespective of party affiliation and race.

The fact that Ramsammy has

had to refer to the long ago completed 100 days’ plan of action by the David Granger administration, points to an opposition political party representative who continues to scrounge the dark pits for deceptions and lies. As Singh has unambiguously outlined by his many examples, the Government has more than delivered, and continues to do so at a dazzling rate, too quick for the ilk of Ramsammy to comprehend, as to what such newness means for Guyana and its people.

There can be no dispute about its delivery record which, one concludes, poses the greatest headache

to the Ramsammy type, whose former government’s record of ineptitude and incompetence are exposed by citizens’ daily acknowledging the socio-economic improvements to their personal lives, and communities in which they live. This is the scoresheet which gives nightmares to the entire Robb Street cabal.

Editor, I make no apologies when I say that Ramsammy has continued to be one of the chief pinnacles of lies and deceptions, via the mails which he directs at the government. They are intellectually offensive and immoral in every way for the gross dishonesties that are

attempted to white wash the PPP/C responsibilities for their criminal governance. After all, they are fashioned from the political dung heap of a party’s known penchant for deceptions, which current election campaign, if it can be described as such, has been built on the dangerously distorted bed of lies, lies, and yet more lies! Thanks to sections of the media, which are as dishonest as the party in whose deceitful and collaborative embrace they are, giving support to such daily perfidy that comes from the likes of Ramsammy.

It is a tragedy; a dangerous

one, that the Ramsammys can continue to heap such contempt against the Guyanese people; even his party’s own constituents, who they continue to dupe. But, with the passage of time, the latter and his party have been exposed for what was their true intention of being in government for 23 years – reducing Guyana to a pariah state, in which friends and cronies lavishly helped themselves to the hard earned labours of the country. And this includes their supporters.

Regards, Aditya Panday

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, December 20, 2019

Min. Lawrence consoles grieving Mahaicony families

—relatives welcome govts’ support MINISTER of Public Health, Volda Lawrence, on Thursday, visited family members of Alana Vaughan and Keon Sealey – two medical professionals who died following the recent tragic accident in Mahaicony.

Minister Lawrence extended condolences on behalf of her ministry and the government. She related that the individuals were two in-

in filming it. Come on, we are better than that,” she related.

The public health minister also disclosed that the Social Protection Ministry will also provide competent social workers who will render professional assistance and guidance to the bereaved families during this period.

Vaughan’s husband, Thodius Kanhai, told DPI “it is always good when you have people

Thodius Kanhai, husband of deceased Alana Vaughan, interacts with Minister of Public Health, Volda Lawrence

Minister of Public Health, Volda Lawrence, interacts with Alana Vaughan’s children

valuable assets to the Public Health Ministry and their dreadful passing has touched many colleagues in the health sector locally and overseas. “I had to come myself because we are all family at Public Health. I would like the family to know that we stand with them at this moment and I trust that they will appreciate how we value our workers and people. I pray that God gives them the strength to carry on.”

According to the minister, her office, through the Regional Health Officer, will be in constant communication with the families and will work together as a team to offer whatever assistance is needed. She called on those persons who recorded footage of the incident and then posted it on their social media pages to act more responsibly. “When I saw it on Facebook, I was very hurt …. persons were more interested

around from the senior level of the government. It shows that they care about the common man. I am thankful that she (Minister Lawrence) is here to bond with us and to give some form of solidarity because we lost two great medical professionals.”

Vaughan, a mother of two, and 33-year-old Sealey, both of Farm Mahaicony, were employed at the Mahaicony Cottage Hospital.

The duo was amongst five who died instantly after a No. 50 minibus they travelling in reportedly experienced a blowout and crashed into a truck. The Guyana Police Force has launched an investigation into the incident which occurred on Wednesday morning.

Minister Lawrence also engaged several staffers at the Mahaicony Hospital, who were colleagues of the deceased. (DPI)

Minister of Public Health, Volda Lawrence, in the presence of Dr. Desmond Nickholson extends condolences to the Sealey family.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, December 20, 2019

Relatives shell-shocked –– reflect on lives of Mahaicony accident victims Photos and story

by Rabindra Rooplall

EWERT Reynolds, 64, who was killed Wednesday on Fairfield Public Road, Mahaicony East Coast Demerara (ECD) was a father of seven and a passionate gardener who was in the process of relocating when he lost his life.

Reynolds, who was substantively employed as a debt collector by Courts Guyana Limited, died along with four others when the minibus he was travelling in experienced a ‘blow-out’ of the left side rear wheel, causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle and ‘slam’ into the left front portion of an incoming motor lorry.

The minibus BRR 5478 was driven by Seechan Chandilall of Lot 102 Bath Settlement, West Coast Berbice, who died in the crash while the beverage-laden motor lorry GPP 9433 was driven by Sherlon Wills of Lot 30 Helena, Mahaica, ECD. The others who died were Keon Sealey, 33, of Yorkshire Hall, Mahaicony; Alana Vaughn Kanhai, 30 of Lot 43 Farm, Mahaicony and Maxwell Disreali Thom, 76, of West Coast Berbice.

They were all pronounced dead on arrival at the Mahaicony Cottage Hospital. An autopsy done on the bodies on Thursday indicate that they all died of multiple injuries. The bodies have since been handed over to relatives for burial.

Speaking with Guyana Chronicle, Rubina Taylor, the reputed wife of Ewert Reynolds, said she shared a 40-year relationship with the former soldier, whom she described as always neat in appearance and respectful.

She also noted that Reynolds was business-minded and always helpful to others. On the day he met his demise, he had collected a substantial amount of money from customers for Courts in Berbice.

The monies he collected disappeared amid the crowd at the accident scene.

The tearful woman said that her reputed husband

was transferred to the Courts Guyana, Mahaica branch two months ago after deciding to leave his Plaisance, ECD home behind.

She pointed to furniture and other items that were brought from her husband’s previous address as he was preparing for a different life with his family in Mahaicony since Wednesday was his last day at work in Georgetown.

“When he was finished doing the company’s business that day, we were supposed to meet him in Plaisance to bring away more stuff and the time he said he would have called passed. When I checked it was after 12:00hrs and I told my son that unto now his father didn’t call and he said daddy must have been busy,” Taylor recalled.

During the day, she said her neighbour’s grandson called her son and asked that he call his father’s cell phone.

“When he called the phone, the phone was off, the phone was not ringing. The neighbour’s grandson then brought his phone to show my son an accident scene down the road and somebody said it was my son’s father that was in the bus. Right away I started to get nervous,” she recalled.

Taylor related that she immediately took a taxi and headed to the Mahaicony Cottage Hospital where her worst fears were confirmed.

“They didn’t want me to see him because his body was badly damaged, I wondered if he had time to pray before he died,” the tearful woman said.

Meanwhile, Alana

Vaughan Kanhai, a former medic, was eight months pregnant and was studying medicine in her second year at the University of Guyana.

She was also the mother of two daughters, a six-year-old and a two-year-old.

Her Sister-in-law, Thianna Charles told this publication that she spoke to Alana before she left the house and was assisting with dressing her daughters.

“She was leaving to go for a blood test, at the Mahaicony Hospital, then to Highdam Health Centre since she was doing a pregnancy check-up,” Charles said, adding: “We heard about the accident but

didn’t know Alana was involved until my mother came in and told us.”

Describing her sister-inlaw, Charles said “Alana was intelligent, was very driven, she was hardworking, she was a wonderful mother, a very caring and loving person and she loved to cook. She was also kind and helpful since she was like a community doctor.”

Alana previously worked as a medic at Highdam Health Center but quitted to attend UG. Her husband, Thadius Kanhai, a prison officer, was lost for words as he described his wife as intelligent and an exceptional mother. Alana was

Dead: Ewert Reynolds

Dead: Seechand Lall Chandilall

The mangled remains of the minibus was still at the scene of the accident on Thursday

Rubina Taylor points to the upcoming garden area her husband, who loved gardening, was grooming in Mahaicony where he was relocating

Mother of six, Wallie Sealey watched in tears a copy of her son’s death certificate Dead: Keon Sealey

Alana Vaughan Kanhai and her husband in happier times

due to give birth on January 6 to their third daughter.

“I was at Camp Street when I received the first call. By the time I reach to Mon Repos, I got another call. The person didn’t had to say anything. By the screams in the background I know that my wife was gone,” Kanhai related.

This newspaper also spoke with Wallie Sealey, 63. She lost her 33-year-old son, Keon Sealey after travelling in the same minibus that claimed her son’s life.

She had exited the minibus at the junction of Farm, Mahaicony, ECD while her See page 14

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, December 20, 2019

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, December 20, 2019

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, December 20, 2019

Bynoe talks up benefits of local content …as GMSA honours outstanding manufacturers

By Lisa Hamilton ENERGY Director, Dr. Mark Bynoe, said that through local content, Guyana can become non-dependent on foreign companies for the success of its industries and stressed that with the development of a ‘fit-for-purpose’ local content policy, citizens will benefit from the added value that petroleum revenue brings.

He made the comments while addressing the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association Limited (GMSA) 24th Annual Awards Presentation and

Director of the Department of Energy (DoE), Dr. Mark Bynoe (Carl Croker)

President of the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association Limited (GMSA), Clinton Williams addresses the gathering at the Pegasus Hotel (Carl Croker)

Dinner on Wednesday at the Pegasus Hotel. Dr. Bynoe explained that Guyana lacks some, if not all of the instruments needed to conduct deep-water drilling on its own and is therefore forced to rely on outside support from foreign countries. However, he said the provision of local content from these foreign companies is more than the handing over of money but the training, capacity building and the transfer of knowledge.

Dr. Bynoe said that through the development of a ‘fit-for-purpose’ local content policy, Guyanese can benefit from the added value that petroleum revenue brings.

He noted that already more than 70 joint ventures have been established under the Centre for Local Business Development (CLBD) while over 1,700 Guyanese

are employed directly in the industry.

Meanwhile, Esso Exploration & Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL) is working along with the Technical Vocational and Education Training (TVET) and Board of Industrial Training (BIT) to assist with the revision of the curriculum and to conduct third-party assessments of existing TVET laboratories. “It is the expectation that Guyana’s Local Content policy will aid in job creation for Guyanese in the petroleum sector but also through the multipliers created through banking, power generation, manufacturing, construction or telecommunications. As well as to build technological capabilities for Guyanese,” Dr. Bynoe said.

“The draft local content policy seeks to ensure the highest possible rate of domestic employment, strengthen the

local economy and help the Guyanese economy to become less reliant on foreign capital and expertise.”

HEALTHY GROWTH President of the GMSA, Clinton Williams, in his remarks, noted the consistent growth of Guyana’s economy over the last four years and has recommitted that the association will work with the government to address existing challenges.

Williams said that both the government and private sector must be credited for the positive growth.

He said that the improvements were made possible through development in the areas of food security, tourism, Information and Communication Technology (ICT), renewable energy, trade services and the emerging oil and gas sector.

“I want to place on re-

President of the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association Limited (GMSA), Clinton Williams (Carl Croker)

tion sector and Sherl’s Cosmetics and Anne’s Products for significant growth of a small business.

Also awarded were Comfort Sleep for innovation and creativity in manufacturing; National Milling Company of Guyana Inc. for 50 years of service to Guyana; Mr. Raymond Ramsaroop and Robert Ross for the representation on the international level of Plantation White Sugar; GAICO Construction and General Services Inc. for pioneering local content.

Receiving the Lifetime Award was Bert Sukhai in

Several members received awards for their growth and performance over the year (Carl Croker)

cord the GMSA’s recognition of the consistent, positive growth of the country’s economy over the last four years… the past few years have provided irrefutable evidence that our country is on the cusp of a ground-breaking leap forward. Nothing should be allowed to deflect us from this course,” he said to the Pegasus Hotel gathering.

However, Williams said that challenges of the manufacturing sector such as unreliable and high electricity costs, if unaddressed, with continue to contribute to the under performance of the private sector. He reminded the gathering that the association will continue to remind policy makers of these challenges and will seek government’s assistance for alleviating the same. Even so, he welcomed the government’s planned implementa-

tion of a 30 megawatt (mw) solar farm, a 10mw farm and the imminent generation of natural gas.

At the same time, Williams said that the GMSA is cognisant of its role and remains focused on the facilitation of trade and investment, institutional strengthening, governance and occupational skills training.

He also announced that the association will be taking the lead in a new initiative to revive foreign trade to address issues such as the high costs of trade transactions.

AWARDS At the ceremony, several awards were presented. These included: Brass Aluminum and Cast Iron Foundry for the company’s attainment of ISO 90012015 accreditation; KSM Investments Inc. for supplying critical need in the construc-

appreciation of his commitment and support to the GMSA, while the export achievement award went to Sterling Products Limited for its significant increase of export achievement to the CARICOM Region. Also attending the ceremony was Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan, and several representatives of ExxonMobil who assisted with the handing over of awards.

The GMSA is made up of over140 members with an additional 35 coming on board in the last year. It continues to attract members in the areas of agriculture, agro-processing, construction and engineering, chemicals and pharmaceuticals, fast food, textiles and other services.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday December 20, 2019

SOCU must rise to the occasion …AG urges more prosecutions, convictions of money launderers

By Svetlana Marshall BLASTING the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) over its failure to effectively conduct investigations, Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams, on Thursday, said the investigative body must fulfill its mandate as Guyana wages war against money laundering and terrorism financing.

In an address during the opening ceremony of Guyana’s Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing (ML/TF) National Risk Assessment at the Pegasus Hotel, Williams stated that investigations, prosecutions and convictions are critical as the country prepares for the 4th Round of Mutual Evaluation by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).

“While, in the 3rd round, we erected the legal framework, the 4th round is intended to see how effective it is, and one of the things we have to deal with is the question of investigations, prosecutions and convictions for money-laundering offences,” the Attorney General explained.

“Would you believe, from 2015 to now, we haven’t had any, not one,” he further added while noting that though some countries have had prosecutions and convictions, they were still deemed ineffective.

It was while underscoring the importance of having investigations, prosecutions and convictions of money-laundering offences that the Attorney General expressed his disappointment with SOCU. “SOCU is a mess, so we have to reorganise SOCU and we have to make it effective,” Minister Williams told those present, while welcoming the appointment of its new acting Head, Althea Padmore.

Padmore replaced Sydney James, who was sent on administrative leave, in light of allegations of mismanagement of funds at the entity in charge of investigating white-collar crimes such

Commissioner of Police, Leslie James

as corruption and money laundering.

An audit of SOCU had revealed that there were serious irregularities including the falsification of records. The audit was ordered by the Commissioner of Police in February following claims of grave mismanagement which included the misuse of its operational fund.

Steps being taken to fix SOCU Weighing in on the matter, on the margins of the seminar, Commissioner of Police, Leslie James, told Guyana Chronicle that steps are being taken to address the deficiencies within SOCU. Its staff capacity has increased from eight to 13.

“I have met with the Head designate of SOCU. I have also met with all of the staff of SOCU. I have caused some internal things to be done, that

Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs addressing the Guyana Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing National Risk Assessment Forum

is, the staff, they were exposed to integrity testing.

The only thing left now is for me to meet with the other prosecutors of SOCU. I met with one, in the person of Mr. Harris, I’m to meet with the others, and all are efforts to have SOCU reformed,” the Police Commissioner told this newspaper.

Earlier this year, the U.S Department of State reported that though Guyana made significant progress on the Anti-Money Laundering (AML) front, more investigations and successful prosecutions were needed. In its 2019 US International Narcotics Control Strategy Report Volume II: Money Laundering, the U.S Department of State noted that Guyana’s National Risk Assessment 2017 found that it has a medium-to-high money laundering risk.

“Unregulated currency exchange houses and dealers in precious metals and stones pose a risk to Guyana’s AML/CFT system. Other sectoral vulnerabilities include the banking industry and unregulated attorneys, real estate agents, used car dealers, and charities,” the U.S Department of State explained. The Attorney General said as

the country undergoes this second round of Risk Assessment (December, 2019-September, 2020), it will assess its risks, apply a risk-based approach and put measures in place to mitigate identified risks. Government, he said, remains committed.

“Our Government will continue to put resources into the fight against money laundering, terrorist financing and proliferation financing.

We have to be proactive. We had nothing to do with proliferation financing but we still pass the legislation,” Minister Williams told those present at the NRA seminar. He noted that with the Oil and Gas Sector on the horizon, it is important to ensure that the country is not blacklisted by FATF and or CFATF- the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force.

A Working Group of approximately seventy-six (76) persons representing both public and private sector organisations was established to carry out the country’s second ML/TF National Risk Assessment (NRA) exercise. The World Bank is providing technical assistance.

Relatives shell ...

From page 10

son joined the same bus since he lived minutes away from her in Yorkshire Hall, Mahaicony.

He was heading to Georgetown when he boarded the minibus.

Sealey, a father of two, worked as an anesthetist at the Mahaicony Hospital.

Wallie, a mother of six children, said she last spoke to her son five days ago.

“He was a wonderful son and he went the extra mile for others, he was caring and was my second child,” she said.

Seechand Lall Chandilall, 48, another victim in the horrific accident, was the driver of the route 50 minibus. He started driving the bus a month ago.

The father of two died instantly in the accident. He was trapped in the vehicle after he crashed head-on into a beverage-laden truck. Reports indicate that he was speeding at the time his left rear wheel tire blew out.

Samantha Jairam, the niece

Dead: Maxwell Disreali Thom of Chandilall said “this is a very bad time for us and we are so sorry for what happened.”

She said the family learnt about her uncle’s death through media reports.

“We don’t know if he was speeding but if he was then that is bad and we are extremely sorry. We apologise to those injured and those who were killed in the accident,” she said.

At his Bath Settlement, Berbice home, his children and relatives were still in a state of shock.

His sister Nadira Chandilall was crying. She related that Seechand was the third brother she lost.

Others injured in the accident were Angela Jacobs, 15, and David Jacobs, 60, both of Moraikobai, Mahaicony, Region Five; Cecil Gordon, 46, of Farm, Mahaicony, Region Five and Shurland Wills. They were treated at the Mahaicony Hospital before being transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation.

The driver of the lorry was also taken to Mahaicony Cottage Hospital where he was treated and later transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation where he was admitted.

Those admitted to Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation are considered in critical condition.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, December 20, 2019

‘Houston Estates’ tried to trick City Council -- using one account to gain several compliances

By Telesha Ramnarine GEORGETOWN Mayor Ubraj Narine said, on Thursday, that the Vieira-owned Houston Estates Company essentially tried to con the City Council into releasing compliances for various sections of land for which millions of dollars in taxes are still owed.

Consequently, the police may have to be called in if the company officials continue to refuse to meet with the City Council, Narine told reporters at a City Hall press conference.

While millions of dollars are owed on account numbers 041-000001, 042-000001 and 043-000001, Narine explained that the company used account number 044-000001 to apply for all of the compliances.

“We pulled the plan for Houston area.

You have Rome north, Rome south…all these areas have different account numbers, but Houston Estates used one number to have compliance for all,” the mayor explained.

The account put forward by Houston Estates only had $125,136 in taxes owed for 2019, and this sum was cleared by the owners.

The City Council thus began processing the compliances for all of the lands, including for those which fell under different accounts.

Those accounts are heavy with taxes owed, each with over $100M owing on them.

Narine also explained that at a meeting held on October 4, 2017 at City Hall with former Town Clerk Royston King, what the City Council agreed on regarding the amount of taxes that the company should pay, was not accurately reflected in the letter that the Council subsequently sent to Houston Estates.

As such, the mayor said dialogue is needed between the two parties to iron out this and

other issues.

The secretary attached to Houston Estates had met with the City Council, but Narine

was also present at the press conference, explained that based on advice received, the Council had to release the transport. The City

Mayor Ubraj Narine (left) and Deputy Mayor Alfred Mentore, on Thursday, showing a plan of Houston Estates

said he is at a loss as to why the municipality never heard again from him. “Mr. Lopes met with us and we requested the entire plan. He mentioned to us that the transport and plan are very old. We still requested that he comes back with them so we can proceed with the transactions.”

The mayor said the City Council, last November 20, objected to the passing of the transport in favour of Plantation Houston Sugar Estate Company Limited because of the fraud that was found with the numbers.

But Deputy Mayor, Alfred Mentore, who

Council had offered an objection on the land transport which was lodged with the registrar because of the enormous amounts owed in rates and taxes. But Redstart Investments, the company purchasing the lands, had, in return, filed an action on the City Council to have the transport released.

“We didn’t intentionally go about releasing the transport,” Mentore explained, adding, “When they filed for these compliances, they presented to us 044-000001. If they had presented the right accounts, if they had presented the other accounts with the outstanding

indebtedness, we would have seen that they owed and withheld the release.”

Meanwhile, Mayor Narine said all the Council is concerned about is getting its fair share of taxes owed to it. “This money is going for development of the city, not to the mayor or councillors. This is unfair to us.”

Although many other big businesses in the City owe the Council millions of dollars, Narine said Houston Estates was pointed out because of the fraud that it tried to pull off.

He said the Council is still appealing to the owners of the company to come forward and have dialogue. Failing to do so would leave the Council with no alternative but to involve the police, the mayor said.

The deputy mayor said the Council went to the court in the first place because it was not hearing from the Vieiras. “The judge advised that we continue to pursue the action against this indebtedness. We held up the transport but decided to remove it so that Redstart could go on with their business. But the action against the Vieiras will continue.”

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

Mentore said, however, that the ideal way of settling the matter would be out of court.

“We don’t want to have to settle our matter in court; let’s have a frank discussion with them so we can resolve it.”

Mentore said the City Council wants the money owed to it so that it can also honour its indebtedness to various companies, such as GRA, GPL, NIS, and the credit unions and workers.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday December 20, 2019

GET ONBOARD

…AG threatens legislation to bring lawyers, real estate agents in compliance with AML regime

By Svetlana Marshall GUYANA has made significant strides in combating money laundering and terrorism financing but vulnerable groups such as lawyers and real estate agents remain a cause for major concern, as the country prepares for the fourth Round of Mutual Evaluation, Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Minister, Basil Williams, said on Thursday.

In his address during the opening ceremony of Guyana’s Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing (ML/TF) National Risk Assessment Seminar at the Pegasus Hotel, the Attorney General said it was as a result of the strong political will demonstrated by President David Granger, the government, and the Attorney General’s Chamber, that the country was removed from the Financial Action Task Force’s (FATF’s) Blacklist in 2016.

In an effort to strengthen its AML/CFT regime, which was considered weak by FATF and the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF), the David Granger Administration, upon entering office in 2015, put a number of legislative framework in place including an the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Amendment Act, thereby clearing the way for the establishment of an Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism and Proliferation Financing Co-ordination Committee. It also passed the State Assets Recovery Act, Protected Disclosures Act, and the National Payments Systems Act in 2018 to bolster its legislative response.

While the country has the legislative framework in place, the Attorney General said it was important for vulnerable groups to comply with the recommendations established by both FATF and CFATF as Guyana prepares for its 4th Round of Mutual Evaluation in 2023. Singling out the country’s legal professionals, Minister Williams said it has been more than two years that the lawyers have been asked to comply with recommendations established by the regional and international financial watchdogs.

“It is important that you (the lawyers) come within the requirements of the FATF. The recommendations and one of the requirements is that you be supervised either by yourselves or by a supervisory entity.

If we have to go to legislation to create it, we will have to do that because of course, Guyana cannot be blacklisted because the lawyers feel that there are in a special category,” the Attorney General made clear.

Attorneys have been deemed “high risk” with respect to money laundering and financing of terrorism due to the fact that they engage in the purchasing and buying of real estate; the management of client’s finances and assets; and the management of bank and savings accounts among others.

Falling within the Designated Non-Financial Businesses and Professions (DNFBPs) category, attorneys are expected to comply with Recommendation 10 (Customer Due Diligence); Recommendation 11 (Record Keeping); Recommendation 12 (Politically Exposed Persons); Recommendation 15 (New Technologies); Recommendation 17 (Third Parties); Recommendation 18 (Internal Controls); Recommendation 19 (High Risk Countries) and Recommendation 21 (Tipping Off and Confidence) as set out by FATF/CFATF. In complying with those recommendations, they are expected to file suspicious transaction reports.

Minister Williams expressed the hope that

Guyana’s National Risk Assessment (NRA) Coordinator, Alicia Williams

Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams

under the leadership of Attorney-at-Law, Teni Housty, the Guyana Bar Association (GBA) would embrace the FATF recommendations.

Housty, who was among those present during the opening ceremony, on the sidelines told the Guyana Chronicle that the matter is actively engaging the Bar Association. “We and our colleagues throughout the Caribbean recognise the importance and the fact that measures are coming, and we are

risk areas so that when we are budgeting, we would direct our expenditures to these areas,” Minister Williams explained.

Guyana’s National Risk Assessment (NRA) Coordinator, Alicia Williams, explained that the assessment is being conducted by a working group of 75 persons – representing public and private sector organisations in the country. “It will allow us to identify any new emerging money laundering and terrorist financing threats and

Members of the Public and Private Sectors who attended the NRA Seminar along with Members of the Diplomatic Corps.Photos by Elvin Croker

all looking at it holistically,” the President of the Bar Association said.

Meanwhile, while renewing the government’s commitment to the fight against money laundering and terrorism financing, the Attorney General said the National Risk Assessment, the second of its kind for Guyana, is critical. “This assessment is very important to point out to us the high-

vulnerabilities,” the Coordinator explained, while adding that attention is being placed on the Oil and Gas Sector, proliferation financing, virtual assets and illegal wildlife trade. The assessment, she noted, will allow Guyana to address its vulnerabilities ahead of the mutual evaluation.

This second round of National Risk Assessment is being conducted for a period

of 10 months – from December, 2019 to September, 2020, in keeping with the World Bank’s recommended three-phase process.

“It is a capacity building exercise that will enable us to undertake future risk assessment without external support. It is to include all AML/CFT stakeholders from public and private sectors to bring in different perspectives and enhance their cooperation,” the NRA Coordinator stated.

In providing an overview of the first assessment, which was conducted for a period of 12 months (2016-2017), the NRA Coordinator said on the financial side focus was placed on the banking sector, insurance entities, money transfer agencies and cambios. Casino, lotteries, pawn brokers, accountants, attorneys-at-law, real estate agents, credit unions, cooperatives, dealers of precious and semi-precious stones and dealers of precious metals, who fall within the Designated Non-Financial Businesses and Professions (DNFBPs) bracket, also came up for assessment.

“The working group found that the overall money laundering risk for Guyana was high. That was informed by the country’s overall threat, which was also rated as high and the overall vulnerability which was rated medium-high,” the NRA Coordinator explained.

According to her, the country’s threat level of terrorism was rated as medium.

“The most vulnerable sectors were attorneys-at-law, accountants, real estate agents and used-car dealers,” she pointed out, while noting that those categories of professionals and businesses were deemed high risk. “The driving factor for this rating was the fact these sectors at that time, were subject to little or no regulation and supervision for AML/CFT purposes,” she further explained.

Sectors for medium-high money laundering vulnerabilities were the bank, money transfer agencies, cambios, credit unions, dealers in precious metals, dealers in precious and semi –precious stones and cooperatives. The least vulnerable sectors were pawn brokers, betting shops, insurance companies.

It was noted that recommendations made in the National Risk Assessment Report were included in a Risk-Based Action Plan. That action plan outlined the actions to be taken by the various agencies, and the timeframe in which they must be completed.

The NRA Coordinator said, in keeping with the recommendations placed on the table, the AML/CFTPF National Coordinating Committee was established. Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) have also been established between the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) and AML/CFT supervisory authorities. It was noted too that, the FIU staff capacity was increased from eight to 11 and that includes an accountant and the attorney. The Special Organised Crime Unit’s (SOCU) staff capacity was also increased from eight to 13, and further amendments made to the AML/CF Act. Minister of Business, Haimraj Rajkumar; Governor of the Bank of Guyana, Dr. Gobind Ganga; Director of Public Prosecutions, Shalimar Hack; Commissioner of Police, Leslie James; Director of the FIU, Matthew Langevine; Solicitor General, Nigel Hawke; Chief Parliamentary Counsel, Charles Fund-A-Fatt and members of the Diplomatic Corps were among those that attended the opening ceremony of the Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing National Risk Assessment Seminar.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, December 20, 2019

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday, December 20, 2019

American Airlines begins New York/Georgetown flights

AMERICAN Airlines, one of the largest airlines in the world, has debuted its non-stop flight from New York to Georgetown with daily flights between the JFK and the Cheddi Jagan International airports.

The fully-booked inaugural flight landed at Timehri around 15:00hrs on Thursday. Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, who was an outgoing passenger on another flight, said the development allows for more competition and indicates that Guyana is now a preferred destination. The prime minister hopes that this will result in lower fares for travellers.

“This is wonderful news for all the people who commute between the United States and Guyana, particularly Guyanese. Because you already have American Airlines connecting Miami/Georgetown and now Georgetown/New York, so you will have more Guyanese visiting home, there is competition,” PM Nagamootoo said.

The Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) has signed agreements with 18 countries, including several in Africa and Europe, to operate flights.

According to the PM, this means Guyana is also an attraction for tourists and business people. Ryan Stuart, one of the arriving passengers and a Guyanese residing in the US, praised the new service saying it will cut down on travel time.

Passengers arriving

“My father lives in New York, so it’s like super convenient, so that’s fantastic.

It’s less time to travel; so I think it’s really great and I was also on the first flight, so that’s great,” he said.

Omnauth Singh, who is here for the Christmas holiday, noted that despite some delays, he was happy to have landed safely and praised the in-flight service.

American Airlines has been plying the Miami to Georgetown route for just over a year and their service has been deemed exceptional.

Ryan Stuart

The daily flights are scheduled to leave JFK at 18:00 hrs and arrive at Timehri at 12.40 hrs the following day. The return flight leaves CJIA at 01.35 hrs and arrives at JFK at 06.29 hrs. (DPI)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, December 20, 2019

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, December 20, 2019

New requirements for importation of medical devices IMPORTERS of blood pressure, glucose testing machines and other medical devices will now have to ensure all imported devices are up to international standards following the implementation of new requirements for importation by the Government Analyst Food and Drug Department (GA-FDD).

The GA-FDD has revised its importation application forms to now require importers to demonstrate that imported medical devices have International Standards Organisation (ISO) 13485 standard; that the manufacturer of the device has a Medical Devices Single Audit Programme (MDSAP) certificate; and that importers obtain an original Free Sale Certificate from the regulatory authority of the country where the medical device is manufactured.

This will be the first time that certified standards are being required for the importation of medical devices.

“Prior to this, we would’ve asked little or no questions regarding the spec-

ificity of the medical devices.

Where was it manufactured?

Was it approved by the regulatory department [of the country of origin]? Was it manufactured according to a particular standard? Did the manufacturer have a certificate? We never requested such information in the past,” explained GA-FDD Director, Marlon Cole, in an interview with Guyana Chronicle.

Previously, importers simply had to establish an ability to store the items.

“Prior to this, all that would’ve been had is that importer would’ve had to demonstrate to us that he had a storage facility and say he’s importing medical devices, whatever medical devices would’ve been allowed to come into the country without any detailed checks or regulations,” Cole noted.

The new requirements will come into effect when the importers make their next applications to get requisite permission to import in 2020.

Permits to import medical devices require renewal annually. All permits previously issued by the department

will expire on December 31, 2019.

The Food and Drug Act, Cap 34:03 of 1971, and the Food and Drug Regulations, 1977 define a medical device as “any instrument, apparatus or contrivance, including components, parts and accessories thereof, manufactured, sold or represented for use in the diagnosis, treatment, mitigation or prevention of a disease, disorder, abnormal state of health or the symptoms thereof, in man or animals, or used or intended to be used for the prevention of uterine conception.”

The main medical devices imported into Guyana include contraceptive devices, blood pressure testing, and blood glucose testing devices. The new requirements do not affect individuals importing devices for personal use.

“Our legislation does not allow us to regulate for personal use. If you are bringing something of your own personal volition, we don’t have anything to do with that.

However, anything that is being imported for commercial use and the general public,

GA-FDD Director, Marlon Cole, (left) and representatives from PAHO

that’s where we regulate and check,” Cole related.

Notwithstanding the previous lack of requirements, Cole emphasised the need for measures to be in place to verify the credibility of medical devices.

“If you import a medical device that wasn’t approved and you insert it into a patient, we know what could result. If there is a machine being imported that is a diagnostic machine and let’s say there’s a false positive then we can understand the

psychological implications for the patient,” Cole noted.

The GA- FDD addresses safety and quality of items outlined in the Food and Drug Act and the Food and Drug Regulation, particularly food, drugs, cosmetics and medical devices.

The implementation of the new medical devices importation requirements come following the department’s recent participation at a MDSAP forum hosted at the headquarters of the PanAmerican Health Organisa-

tion (PAHO) in Washington DC from December 5 – 6.

“At that forum were medical devices regulators and auditors from the global community. Issues relating to devices regulation and facility auditing were ventilated. In addition, the GA-FDD in now part of the PAHO working group on medical devices,” a GAFDD statement said.

Record high for global output of wood products The global production and trade of major wood products such as industrial roundwood, sawnwood and wood-based panels have surged to their highest level since the Food and Agriculture Organization began recording forest statistics in 1947.

According to the latest data released by FAO, record volumes of wood-based products were produced and traded around the world in 2018.

The value of international trade was 11 percent higher than in 2017.

“The increased production of renewable forest products provides an opportunity to replace fossil-based products that have a higher carbon footprint, thereby contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals,” said Sven Walter, senior forestry officer who heads FAO’s forest products and statistics team.

The fastest growth was seen in North America, Europe and the Asian-Pacific region, largely driven by positive economic growth.

Sawnwood production grew by 2 percent around the

A worker inspects a load of timber at Chetumal in Quintana Roo in Mexico

world in 2018 and the output of both sawnwood and panels reached a record high. Global production and trade in wood pulp also grew by 2 percent to reach new levels in 2018 - 188 million tonnes and 66 million tonnes respectively.

China has grown in importance as both a producer and consumer of forest products and has recently over-

taken the US in sawnwood production. The country is by far the largest producer and consumer of wood-based panels and paper.

In 2018, China’s imports of industrial roundwood increased by 8 percent, while its sawnwood and panel production and consumption continued to grow faster than the rest of the world.

Global production of particleboard and OSB wood panels, commonly used in construction and furniture manufacturing, posted the fastest growth among all wood product categories, recording 25 percent and 13 percent respectively from 2014 to 2018. Most of the growing demand for these products came from Eastern

Europe, including the Russian Federation.

In 2018, industrial roundwood production in the world grew by 5 percent to reach a record output of 2.03 billion cubic metres. Global trade grew 7 percent to a record high 138 million cubic metres, with China accounting for a 25 percent share of imports. New Zealand overtook the Russian Federation to become the top exporter of industrial roundwood in 2018.

In contrast, global production of paper and paperboard contracted by 2 percent in 2018. Paper production stagnated in Europe and North America, while there was a decline in Africa and the Asia-Pacific region.

The production of printing and writing papers fell by 4 percent - the lowest level since 1996 - as it felt the impact of digital technology.

Wood pellet production has increased dramatically in recent years, mainly due to the demand generated from bioenergy targets set by the European Commission. In 2018, global production grew by another 11 percent, reaching 37 million tonnes, provid-

ing opportunities for reduced reliance on fossil fuels.

Europe and North America accounted for the biggest share of global production, however production in the Asia-Pacific region doubled to reach 15 percent from 2014 to 2018.

In addition to providing information about new products, FAO now provides global data describing production and trade in post-consumer recovered wood, for example wood from construction that can be reused. In 2018, the consumption of post-consumer recovered wood exceeded 27 million tonnes.

“These new data are useful for monitoring the sustainable circular bioeconomy and for understanding the life-cycle of harvested forest products,” Walter said.

Availability of information on the re-use of forest products is steadily growing. Earlier this year, FAO’s Forest Products and Statistics Team also released the results of the 2017 statistical survey on recovered paper utilization by country and by paper sector.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday, December 20, 2019

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34 teachers honoured by GTU WITH Guyana soon to draw down on oil wealth, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Karen Cummings said teachers now, more than ever before, have a pivotal role to play in shaping Guyana’s future.

She made the observation at the Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU) Annual Award Ceremony and Cocktail Reception held at the union’s headquarters on Woolford Avenue, Georgetown, on Wednesday.

At the reception, some 34 teachers were honoured for their work in education, dedication and conscientious service to the GTU and the teaching profession.

Though teachers could never truly be repaid for their hard work, honouring and improving their working condition were among ways of recognising them.

“We know that we can never adequately compensate

GTU President, Mark Lyte A section of the audience at the GTU award ceremony

you for the hard work you do; if teachers were to be compensated for all the work that they do they would all be millionaires. Today, we pause to recognise and congratulate all those teachers who toil day in and day out to deliver the best education to our nation’s youths. To the 34 of you being honoured today, congratulations,” Dr Cummings said.

She added: “The occasion

is a fitting one that bestows the much needed affirmation that our teachers deserve for the hard work they do each and every day, moulding minds and making a difference in the world. Your altruistic service is recognised and highly appreciated. I would like to sincerely thank all our public school teachers for delivering the best possible quality public education to our children.”

Cummings highlighted that in most cases the work of teachers goes beyond the classroom and the foundation they lay play a fundamental role in shaping the leaders of the future.

“Some of your greatest impact on students is outside of academics. Now we must appreciate your hard work that you have done. Unlike many professions where the activities start and end in the four walls of offices, the

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Karen Cummings

work of teachers never stops.

Teachers tap the fertile minds of young children, planting the seeds of curiosity in them.

Teachers’ effects are eternal since we can never tell where that influence stops. Teachers spend most time teaching inside and outside the classroom. Even when they go home, teaching is always on their minds,” she said.

Dr Cummings noted that the government will continue

to work with teachers and the GTU to uplift their standards.

The annual ceremony sets aside time to honour one teacher from each of GTU’s 42 branches and one from each of the 11 education districts. The branches are expected to assess and select the teachers; however, some branches did not submit names this year.

Chief Education Officer, Marcel Hutson and President of GTU, Mark Lyte, who also spoke at the forum, highlighted the importance of teachers to the nation’s development.

“Teachers are arguably the most important group of professionals for our nation’s future,” Lyte said.

Lyte said teachers need greater motivation and called for the hosting of a national award ceremony for teachers, beyond the small awards ceremony hosted by the GTU.

CARICOM SG speaks of “incremental but appreciable progress” in 2019 Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretary General, Irwin La Rocque says 2019 has been year in which the 15-member regional integration grouping has made “incremental but appreciable progress” in its efforts at having integration make a positive difference in the lives of the people of the Caribbean.

In an end of year message, La Rocque said that in pursuing that task, he has drawn inspiration from the spirit of the young people in the Caribbean and was also encouraged by his engagement with them last June in a live and on-line session.

“It attracted more than 15,000 participants in a lively discussion on social, economic, health and environmental issues, pertinent to them,” he said, noting that their interest in the major global issues of the day had been highlighted by three youth activists from Belize, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago, who joined other climate youth leaders from around the world at the first-ever Youth Climate Summit at the United Nations

CARICOM Secretary General Irwin La Rocque

in September. He said this interest in the environment was underlined by Johanan Dujon of St. Lucia who in establishing the Caribbean’s first indigenous agriculture biotech firm to fight invasive seaweed threatening the region, was recognised as one of the 30 under 30 entrepreneurs by Forbes Magazine.

“His creative and innovative actions are a fine example of the capabilities of our young people,’ La Rocque said, promising that such actions will be explored when representatives of the private sector, labour and civil society meet with the regional leaders during the

twice-yearly summits to create a pool of ideas to improve the lives of the people of the region. La Rocque said the results will no doubt benefit the implementation of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) that allows for the free movement of goods, capital, skills and labour across the region.

“One of its main measures, the free movement of skilled workers, received a boost when all countries signed a Protocol on Contingent Rights that allows for spouses and dependents of persons who move in accordance with the free movement regime to another country to access services such as primary health care and education up to the secondary school level. Eight of our member states have agreed to apply it provisionally. “ La Rocque said that opportunities have also been widened for the private sector with the agreement on the Protocol for Public Procurement which when fully implemented will open up a lucrative market, as individuals and firms will have

the opportunity to bid for public sector contracts in all CSME-participating member states, adding “this has great potential for boosting growth and employment”.

But in his message, La Rocque acknowledged that the availability of affordable and accessible transportation is a major factor in fulfilling that potential. He said an increase in options in intra-regional air travel for people and cargo has been put in place through a Multilateral Air Services Agreement (MASA), which allows for no restriction on routes, capacity or traffic rights and will soon be fully operational.”

La Rocque said he was pleased with the outcome of the region’s premier cultural festival – the Caribbean festival of Arts (CARIFESTA)- that was held in Trinidad and Tobago, saying “the explosion of music, art, dance, film, literary works, fashion and food highlighted the richness and diversity of our cultural expression and excited the huge crowds that flocked daily to the venues” But he said that the sat-

isfaction that these facets of life bring to all in the region could only be enjoyed within a secure environment.

“We have continued to build the security architecture to safeguard our citizens and deny criminals the benefits of their ill-gotten gains. An example is the adoption of the Agreement on the Return and Sharing of Recovered Assets from criminal activity which provides a framework for our countries to retrieve criminally obtained assets that have been moved to another jurisdiction within the Community.” The region’s top public servant said that one of the pleasures of this holiday period is welcoming family and friends who return home from the region and abroad.

“The remittances from family overseas are also awaited expectantly, particularly at Christmas time.

Strong advocacy on our part on the denial of correspondent banking services and blacklisting of some of our countries for non-cooperation in tax matters will continue. “ He said that there is no

doubt that our strong record of support for multilateralism, and the principles enshrined in the UN Charter, were significant factors in the successful bid of St Vincent and the Grenadines for the prestigious position of a seat on the UN Security Council. “It is a significant accomplishment for the Government and people of St. Vincent and Grenadines and the region, as the country became the smallest ever state to gain a seat on the Security Council.

“As we celebrate in this festive season, we must not forget our brothers and sisters in The Bahamas, who are still struggling to cope with the aftermath of Hurricane Dorian which claimed more than 50 lives and destroyed property and infrastructure, particularly on the islands of Abaco and Grand Bahama. Keep them and others less fortunate in your thoughts as you share the joys of Christmas with your loved ones,” La Rocque added.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, December 20, 2019

Georgia-Guyana tourism body formed THE Department of Tourism (DoT) and the Guyana Association of Georgia, USA, last Friday, established the Georgia-Guyana Tourism and Business Authority.

Seen as critical to advancing the objectives of diaspora tourism in the State of Georgia, the formation comes following a visit to the Greater Atlanta metro area by DoT’s Director-General, Donald Sinclair, where he met with a number of executives from the Guyana Association of Georgia.

Sinclair also visited a number of Guyanese-owned businesses in the area, and

held tourism development discussions with other officials, including Community and Cultural Affairs Director in the office of the Mayor of Stonecrest, Al Franklin and Director of External Affairs and Engagement in the office of Congressman, Xeron Pledger.

At the meeting held at the City Hall of Stonecrest, the Georgia stakeholders demonstrated a high-level of enthusiasm about contributing to the development of tourism and business in Guyana, a statement from the Ministry of Business said.

The meeting was attended

A section of the audience at the meeting

by a large group of members of the Guyanese diaspora and Sinclair fielded questions about the diaspora’s involve-

ment in tourism development in Guyana.

This saw the association resolving to form the

Georgia-Guyana Tourism and Business Authority and create a cooperation agreement with the Department of

Tourism.

For many in attendance, such commitment comes without any expectation of financial reward and is driven entirely by a love of homeland, the statement said.

“Others are excited by the business opportunity inherent in the Guyana-Georgia relationship and have pledged their personal and financial resources to develop that relationship. An agenda of priority actions is being developed over the next two weeks for consideration by the Department of Tourism,” the statement read.

Larceny accused remanded

A MAN, who was accused of ‘break and entering’ and larceny, was, on Thursday morning, remanded to prison, by senior Magistrate Leron Daly, after he made his appearance at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.

Taj Paul Narine appeared in court and denied the charge against him which stated that, on December 10, 2019, at Charlestown, he broke and entered the dwelling house of Norma Pilgrim and stole a television valued at $290,000, two cellular

phones valued at $48,000, a haversack valued at $5000, a belt valued at $3000, a pair of pants valued at $2500, a hat valued at $2800 and a roll of plastic wrap valued at $8000.

According to reports, Narine was be-

fore the court in 2018 for a matter of similar nature.

Magistrate Daly remanded Narine to prison and adjourned the matter until January 13, 2019.

Passenger suffers facial injuries in speed boat accident

DIANA Mendonca, 32, of La Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerara, is nursing injuries to her face following a collision on Wednesday between two speedboats plying the Georgetown to Vreed-enHoop route.

Mendonca was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) before being moved to the Woodlands Hospital where she was treated and sent home late Wednesday night.

On Thursday, she received further treatment at the Prashad Hospital where she was examined and diagnosed following an x-ray.

“I’m feeling much better now, just that it’s paining and I ain’t able fuh do nothing. I can’t even eat, I have to drink share liquid and I here by my sister,” the mother of four told the Guyana Chronicle on Thursday.

She has since been told that it would take about three to four weeks for the jawbone to heal. During this time eating solid food is not advised.

Mendonca was on her way home from work in the city on Wednesday evening, when she boarded a speedboat at the Stabroek Market Stelling, crossing to Vreed-en-Hoop. She recalled hearing the bowman and other passengers of the boat she was in, shouting at the other boat moments before the accident.

“We was almost like half

Vreed-en-Hoop area, apparently the bow of the Roberto collided with the port side forward [of the Jairam] where some of the passengers were seated and one passenger got injured. The port side of the Jairam forward was badly damaged, and the rails of the Roberto were damaged.”

Port side refers to the left side of the boat when facing forward.

The injured Mendonca was accompanied to the hospital by the bowman of the

receive due attention at the GPHC. He has since been assisting Mendonca with her medical expenses.

“I’m made to understand they rushed her across to the [Guyana] Fire Service place [at Stabroek Square] that has an ambulance then they rushed her to the public hospital but because the response was not forthcoming at the [GPHC], he decided to rush her to the Woodlands Hospital which is very commendable and he was there all the

A number of persons have since given statements on the incident even as investigations into the matter continue.

“We have interviewed the person that was injured, the captains of the two vessels and the two bowmen.

We have also interviewed two other persons who wish to remain anonymous. So we’re investigating and at the conclusion of our in-

Diana Mendonca before (left) and after the accident

way going over. Even before the boat [collided], they shouting, the bowman just shouting and then we see the boat. After I get hit, a lady on the boat was assisting me and then I didn’t really realise nothing else. Is when I deh at the fire service is then I really know we turn around and come over back [to Georgetown],” Mendonca told this publication.

Officials from the Maritime Administration Department reported that the accident occurred at approximately 18:30hrs and involved the “Roberto”, which was proceeding East towards the Stabroek Stelling, and the “Jairam”, laden with passengers, which was proceeding West, to the Vreed-en-Hoop

Stelling.

According to reports, the accident occurred as a result of clouded visibility due to a rainstorm.

“Apparently, the rain came down and the visibility became difficult. That’s what our investigations revealed so far, but we’re still investigating,” Harbour Master, Michael Tenant, explained to the Guyana Chronicle.

“The Jairam was loaded with 33 passengers, the captain and the bowman made it 35, each one of the vessels are 35 to carry. The Roberto didn’t have any passengers – just the captain and bowman were on their way from Vreed-en-Hoop – proceeding to Georgetown. The two boats collided closer to the

The damaged port side of the “Jairam” which was involved in the accident on Wednesday

‘Roberto’, who offered to take her to the Woodlands Hospital after she did not

time, he never left until she departed with her family,” Tenant noted.

vestigation we would give a feedback,” Tenant said.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, December 20, 2019

Gaming Authority ordered to consider Sleep-In casino request

AFTER a three-year-long battle before the High Court, Justice Fidela Corbin, has ordered that the Guyana Gaming Authority, (GGA) process and consider the application of Sleep-In International Hotel for a Casino Premises Licence and a Casino Operator’s Licence.

The ruling was handed down on Tuesday, December 17, 2019, at the High Court. Attorneys-at-law appearing for the applicant were Mohabir Anil Nandlall, Manoj Narayan and Rajendra Jaigobin, while the GGA was represented

by Senior Counsel, Neil Boston.

Guyana Gaming Authority, (GGA) casino operator’s licence to the Applicant provided the Applicant constructs a minimum of one hundred and fifty-five (155) rooms at the hotel. Pursuant to, and in accordance with, the said MOU, the Applicant con-

2016.

The documents which accompanied Sleep-In’s applications included, its audited financial statements for the year 2016 and from January 1, 2017 to March 31, 2017; a letter from Trust Company (Guyana) Limited indicating that it loaned Sleep-In $140M to construct the hotel and casino; and a mortgage deed executed between the company and Wide Grace Limited, evidencing that Sleep-In borrowed $735M. Additionally, a loan agreement between the hotel and Global Trading Company Ltd was also made available to the Gaming Authority. Sleep-In also repaid

Sleep-In International Hotel and Casino Justice Corbin ordered that the GGA consider, process and determine the application for a Casino License, on or before February 28, 2020.

Sleep-In is a limited liability company duly incorporated under the Laws of Guyana with its registered office and place of business situated at Lot 288-289 Church Street, Georgetown, Guyana.

It was incorporated under the laws of Guyana, on January 22, 2015 with the intention of establishing a three-star hotel, offering luxury accommodation with associated amenities, including 155 rooms, two conference halls, a business centre, a pool, a gym, restaurants and a casino offering slot machines, live gaming machines and live entertainment.

Nandlall, in his application to the court stated that February 4, 2015, the applicant company and the Government of Guyana, represented by the Guyana Office for Investment, made and entered into a Memorandum of Understanding, whereby the Government of Guyana undertook, subject to the approval of the President, to facilitate, according to the laws of Guyana, a

structed one hundred and fifty-five (155) rooms, two (2) conference halls, a business center, a pool, a gym, restaurants and a casino offering slot machines, live gaming machines and live entertainment at the hotel.

He further pointed out that on August 2, 2016, Sleep-In Hotel applied to the Gaming Authority for the issuance of a Casino Operator’s licence and a Casino Premises licence.

According to Nandlall, the applicant also paid the application fee for the two licences in the sum of $9M. “On the 3rd November, 2016, that is, three (3) months after the applications were made, the Applicant received a letter from the Respondent informing the company that its applications for a casino premises licence and a casino operator’s licence were refused,” Nandlall detailed.

Sleep-In on April 5, 2017 filed another set of applications for the two licences to be issued by the Gaming Authority. Nandlall told the court that SleepIn, in re-applying for the licences, specifically addressed the alleged deficiencies identified by the Gaming Authority in its letter dated November 3,

another set of applications fees in the sum of $9M. On August 3, 2017, the authority informed Sleep-In that its applications were under “active consideration” but later requested additional information. Nandlall stated that despite visits to the hotel, and a series of written exchanges, clarifications and submissions, the licences have not been issued to date.

It was only three months ago that High Court Judge, Justice Jo-Ann Barlow ruled in favour of the Guiana Holding Inc., in the civil challenge filed against the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) and the Guyana Gaming Authority, (GGA.) The company, which operates Sports-betting giant SuperBet had listed GRA and its Commissioner-General, GGA and its Chief Executive Officer Lloyd Moore as its respondents in the matter.

Guiana Holding Inc. had taken the GRA and GGA to court after they refused to grant them a betting licence in Guyana and imposed the requirement of good standing certification as a pre-condition.

Justice Barlow granted three orders in favour of Guiana Holding Inc. The first order issued

and directed to the GRA and its Commissioner-General, that the decision made during the month of January, 2018, requiring Guiana Holding Inc, a Certificate of Good Standing, as a condition precedent to the issuance of a Betting Shop Licence under the provisions of the Tax Act, Chapter 80:01, is ultra vires, capricious, arbitrary, unlawful, illegal, influenced by

irrelevant considerations, null, void and of no effect.

The second order issued and directed to the GRA and its Commissioner-General, compelling them to process, in accordance with law, Guiana Holding Inc.’s application for Betting Shop Licences for the years 2018 and 2019.

The third order issued and directed to the GGA and its Chief Executive Of-

ficer quashed the decision to impose a requirement of a Good Standing Certificate, as a condition precedent to the applicant obtaining a Betting Shop Licence under the provisions of the Tax Act, Chapter 80:01, on the grounds that the said decision was ultra vires, arbitrary, unlawful, illegal, influenced by irrelevant considerations, null, void and of no effect.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday December 20, 2019

Gavin and Chucky living their dreams --Duo to soon record ‘Folk It Up’ Vol. 2

REFLECTING on some of their major accomplishments during 2018, Gavin Mendonca and Marlon ‘Chucky’ Adams are grateful to their supporters whom they said contributed to their being able to live their dreams.

“The year 2019 has been quite a busy and productive one for us,” Gavin told the Buzz yesterday. The duo met and performed for the first time in 2015 at the second Rupununi Music and Arts Festival in Region Nine. Since then, the pair has been quite successful working together and has even joined forces overseas.

The duo has been performing at the Courtyard Mall every Friday from 13:00 to 16:00hrs and will be doing so leading up to Christmas. “We are encouraging young people to come out, bring their instruments and jam as much as they want,” Gavin said.

While the ‘Folk It Up’ Vol I album is currently sold out, it can be purchased or streamed Online at www.creolerock. com/FolkItUp. The album featured 11 (of the 100) Folk Songs, was produced

by Burchmore Simon of Kross Kolor Records, and was supported by a grant received for the development of the Creative Industries through the Department of Culture. Gavin and Chucky will soon be recording ‘Folk It Up’ Vol. 2.

Meanwhile, in April 2020, Gavin and Chucky will perform at New Fire Festival, a three-day, eco-friendly camping festival in Trinidad.

Furthermore, Gavin will be heading to New Orleans in January to participate in an annual summit put together by ‘Folk Alliance International’, which gathers Folklorists from all around the world.

“This will be the first time a Guyanese is participating, and should open many doors for me and the Guyanese music industry as a whole,” Gavin expressed.

He will then head to Full Sail University in Orlando where he’ll be presenting on ‘The Importance of Cultural Preservation through Contemporary Art’.

Gavin said he believes folk music plays a significant role in Guyana’s history books, as it is the natural sound of Guyana passed down from generation to generation. Each song has a unique story of its own, depicting life as it was in Guyana decades ago. “From the use of our Creole Dialect to our daily activities and how our foreparents felt about and dealt with certain situations…”

As youngsters, Gavin said he and Chucky see the dire importance of protect-

SEE PAGE 25

Gavin and others performing at the Rupununi Music and Arts Festival

Gavin at the Great Wall of China recently

Gavin and Marlon ‘Chucky’ Adams

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday December 20, 2019

ECCI to host Annual Dinner December 28 MEMBERS of the business community and residents of the Pomeroon-Supenaam Region will be allowed to socialise as well as interact with each other as the Essequibo Chambers of Commerce and Industry (ECCI) plans to host a Dinner and Dance on December 28, 2019.

According to ECCI Vice-President Sueann Suenaryan, the activity will provide members of the business community with the opportunity to interact and network with the organisation’s newly-elected members.

She is, therefore, urging persons to support the event, which costs $5,000, and will have as its guest speaker Indian High Commissioner to Guyana Dr. K J Srinivasa.

Gavin and Chucky...

FROM PAGE 24 ing and preserving these folk songs, especially in a modern-day society which seems to be more pop-oriented, with media outlets flooded with foreign content.

He said they see this as a threat to the Guyanese identity, and believes young people especially need opportunities to not just hear the folk songs, but to appreciate and respect them for what they mean.

NEW YORK

Last August, the production of the album was finished, and Gavin and Chucky were ready to release it to the world. Gavin made a trip to the US, where he launched the album at the annual Guyana Folk Festival in New York, put on by the Guyana Cultural Association of NY. The album was very well received, and praised by the Diaspora. While in NY, Gavin joined and performed at many free ‘open-mic nights’, playing Guyanese Folk Music for hundreds of young people, who all appreciated and even joined in the singing and dancing.

While in New York, Gavin got a most favourable surprise, when the Guyanese Ambassador in China reached out to him and Jackie Jaxx to be Cultural Ambassadors and perform at the annual Horticultural ‘Expo’ in Beijing.

Gavin made his way to China to perform Guyanese Folk Songs, something he considers to be one of his greatest accomplishments yet. Even the Great Wall of China was added to the list of ‘Folk Up De Place’.

Before returning to Guyana in October, he made a stop in Trinidad, where he performed at UWI St. Augustine Campus. He reached out to the Guyanese Students Association which whole-heartedly committed to helping him organise an impromptu performance on campus. It was attended by over 60 young people, half of whom were non-Guyanese.

“This was a proud moment for me, as I felt as though my mission was being accomplished, and that is to reach out to young people with our folk music, and encourage an appreciation for it. It was here that I realised, even more, the link between Guyana and the Caribbean through our similar folk music,” Gavin expressed.

Flashback from last year’s dinner

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday December 20, 2019

GRW deemed the biggest this year

GIVING a synopsis of the success of Guyana Restaurant Week

(GRW), President of the Tourism and Hospitality Association of

Guyana (THAG) Mitra Ramkumar said it was indeed a culinary ad-

venture for both locals and those visiting from the Diaspora.

THAG President, Mitra Ramkumar He related that GRW can be described as an activity where you can “explore, eat and repeat” at restaurants that participate to make fine dining pocket-friendly.

This year, the sixth annual GRW was launched in November, and 23 restaurants signed onto the agreement, offering standard prices for both lunches and dinners, providing a fine-dining experience for Guyanese and tourists.

Ramkumar said that standards have been placed on restaurants to encourage domestic tourism. This includes that lunch must be a two-course meal, while dinner must be a threecourse one.

GRW is usually held twice per year, since its commencement in November 2014 when lunch at any of the restaurants that participated was a fixed price of $2,500 and dinner either $4,000 or $5,000.

Ramkumar, speaking to the Pepperpot Magazine said that this year’s GRW in November was dubbed the biggest so far, with the number of restaurants that participated and even some newcomers that got registered with THAG. The THAG President added that some newcomers this season were Watooka House Restaurant, and Jaxx and the Colombian Restaurant on

Waterloo Street, Georgetown.

“GRW is growing from strength to strength, and so all of these restaurants we have been promoting affordability as part of getting domestic tourism, and getting Guyanese and others to come out and participate in this one-week event,” Ramkumar said.

He stated that as GRW grows even bigger, he is encouraging more restaurants, be it big or small, to get registered with THAG, such as Watooka House Restaurant, where city folk can go enjoy dinner overlooking the Demerara River in Region 10.

Ramkumar pointed out too that other restaurants across Guyana can also get on board to promote inter-regional travel and dining, so people from the city can go to other outlying areas, as well those folk can come to Georgetown and vice-versa.

“We want to give people the option to go wherever they wish to experience fine dining at an affordable price,” he said.

Ramkumar added that this year, more people from all walks of life supported GRW, because they did their bit in advertising the one-week event, so people knew and went out to the various restaurants.

GUYANA CHRONICLE friday, december 20, 2019

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, December 20, 2019

People’s Republic of China gifts 50 schools table tennis equipment

FIFTY secondary schools across Guyana will soon receive table tennis equipment, compliments of the People’s Republic of China through its embassy here in Guyana.

Each school will receive one tennis table and a variety of equipment and items for children to learn the game and develop their skills. The 50 tables are part of a larger sum of 160 that will be distributed to schools across the

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education districts.

The initial items were handed over today in the compound of the National Centre for Education Resource Development (NCERD), Kingston.

President of Guyana Table Tennis Association (GTTA), Godfrey Munroe, said that the activity is as a result of many hours of negotiations, hard work and formal collaborative effort and engagement between the Government of the People’s Republic of China through its embassy in Guyana and the Government of Guyana, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, GTTA and the Guyana Olympic Association.

He said that the initiative is geared towards developing student-athletes, supporting the development of the sport of table tennis in Guyana as part of the development of friendships, bonds and relationships between the peoples of Guyana and China.

According to Munroe, the donation forms part of a Memorandum of Understanding and ongoing support between the Government of the People’s Republic of China and the GTTA which includes provision of high-lev-

el coaching to national players, provision of equipment support to schools, training of Guyanese coaches and provision of support for building of a home for the sport.

Minister of Education, Dr Hon. Nicolette Henry said that the Ministry of Education stands resolute in conferring with all external partners, agencies and associations that extend benevolence to the up-building and strengthening of the education system.

Minister Henry noted that the donation of the table tennis equipment is timely since the Ministry is currently reviewing and developing a curriculum that is more in keeping with students’ ability, their interest, best practices and global demands.

She said that this initiative is a golden opportunity for GTTA to develop the sport and search out potential talents from within the school, “Who knows, maybe we will be able to find our next Chelsea Edghill.”

Dr. Henry urged head teachers to capitalise on the generous donation, care the items and ensure that they are duly utilised for their intended purpose.

Chinese Ambassador to

Guyana, His Excellency Cui Jianchun, said that table tennis is China’s national sport. According to statistics, more than 100 million people in China play table tennis.

He said that the sport helps persons to keep fit and gives a lot of fun to its players. He is happy to know that many Guyanese love playing the game.

He said that China and the Guyanese people have always enjoyed the extensive exchange efforts surrounding table tennis. He hopes the game can be used as a medium to promote exchanges and mutual learning between the two countries and their people to carry-on Guyana-China/China-Guyana friendship for generations.

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Karen Cummings applauded the efforts of the People’s Republic of China, GTTA and other stakeholders for playing their part in bringing today’s event to fruition.

The handing-over is a concrete expression of the historic, strong and continued friendship and meaningful collaboration between Guyana and China since the establishment of diplomatic relations.

According to Minister Cummings, sport can be a powerful vehicle for promoting foreign policy objectives such as the strengthening of mutually beneficial relations, friendship and understanding.

She commended the comprehensive endeavour to develop table tennis across the length and breadth of Guyana especially in the hinterland regions. She commended the Ambassador for his commitment and the Embassy of China for its willing partnership with GTTA, Ministry of Education and the National Sports Commission.

The 50 tables and equipment will be distributed to schools in the education districts one, two, three, four, five, six, nine, ten and Georgetown.

Also present at the event was the Chief Education Officer, Dr Marcel Hutson, Deputy Chief Education Officer (Administration), Mrs Ingrid Trotman, Regional Education Officers and other senior officers within the Ministry. Following the formal handing-over ceremony GTTA and the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China signed an MOU for continued collaboration.

Shepherd, Nedd and Campbelle top winners at 2019 GCB ...

From back page Hall to win 2019 Club-of-the-Year.

West Indies Women vice-captain Shemaine Campbelle added another Female Cricketer-of-the-Year award to her collection as she got the better of nominees Sheneta Grimmond and Shabika Gajnabi. Gajnabi did not go home empty handed, however as she was named Most Promising Female Cricketer-of-the-Year. (Clifton Ross) GCB Awards 2019 Shabika Gajnabi: Most Promising Female Cricketer-of-the-Year Romario Shepherd: Most Improve Male Cricketer-of-the-Year: Ashmead Nedd: Junior Cricketer-of-the-Year Raymon Reifer: Senior Regional Cricketer-of-the-Year Mavindra Dindyal: Most Run in Regional U-15 Isai Thorne: Most Wickets in Regional U-15 Mavindra Dindyal: Most Valuable Player in Regional U-15 Mathew Nandu: Most Run is Regional U-17 Sheldon Charles: Most Wickets in Regional U-17

Sheldon Charles: Most Valuable Player in Regional U-17 Kevlon Anderson: Most Runs in Regional U-19 Ashmead Nedd: Most Wickets in Regional U-19 Kevlon Anderson: Most Valuable Player in Regional Ur-19 Corporate Awards Hand-in-Hand Dave West Indian Imports SBF Petroleum Special Service Award Ms Elizabeth Sunich Everest Cricket Club Grounds man: Deolall Rajkumar of the Enmore Community Centre ground for his continued contribution to the development of cricket as a groundsman Coach: Rayon Griffith: Print Media: Brandon Corlette: Premium Awards Romario Shepherd: Male Cricketer-of-the-Year Shemaine Campbelle: Female Cricketer-of-the-Year Lower Corentyne: Best Franchise Team-of-the-Year 2019 Georgetown Cricket Club: Club-of-the-Year 2019

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, December 20, 2019

Barty, Nadal claim season-ending ITF awards (REUTERS) - Ashleigh Barty and Rafael Nadal were named International Tennis Federation’s (ITF) World Champions for 2019 yesterday, rewarding them for stellar seasons in which they finished at the top of women’s and men’s rankings respectively.

Barty, who quit tennis to play cricket in 2014 before returning to the game in 2016, became the first Australian to win the French Open since Margaret Court in 1973 when she beat Czech Marketa Vondrousova in June.

The 23-year-old also

became the first Australian woman to reach the WTA world number one ranking since Evonne Goolagong Cawley in 1976.

Barty also lifted the season-ending WTA Finals trophy and led Australia to their first Fed Cup final since 1993.

“I’m honoured to be named this year’s ITF World Champion,” she said in a statement.

“I’m so proud of my team and myself for what we have achieved and can’t wait for the 2020 season to begin.”

Nadal claimed the season-ending ITF world title for the fourth time

after sealing a historic 12th French Open and a fourth U.S. Open, as well as helping Spain to their sixth Davis Cup title.

Yesterday, the Spaniard was also voted by fellow players as the winner of ATP’s Stefan Edberg sportsmanship award for a second straight year and third time overall.

Former world number one Andy Murray, who underwent hip surgery in January, was named ATP’s comeback player - of - the year after successfully returning to win the European Open title in October.

English clubs triumph in Europe’s year of comeback shocks

By Simon Evans

Australia’s Ashleigh Barty celebrates with the trophy after winning the final against Marketa Vondrousova of the Czech Republic. (REUTERS/Vincent Kessler)

Thunder knock off reigning BBL champs SHAUN Marsh topscored for his new team but couldn’t prevent Melbourne Renegades suffering a narrow defeat to Sydney Thunder in the opening match of their Big Bash League (BBL) title defence.

The champions’ boom recruit, who defected from his hometown Perth Scorchers this year, peeled off 42 from 33 balls to steer the Renegades through their middle overs, at Geelong’s GMHBA Stadium.

Marsh and in-form opener Sam Harper (39) helped set the Thunder a target of 170.

But patient half-centuries from openers Usman Khawaja (66) and Alex Hales (68) laid a solid platform for the run chase before Alex Ross got the visitors over the line with the winning boundary in a frenetic final over.

The Thunder reached 171-4 to win by six wickets with just two balls to spare and maintain their unbeaten record, having downed Brisbane Heat in the season-opener 48 hours earlier.

Khawaja slipped at one point while turning for a second run and looked to have hurt the same knee he’d previously had surgery on.

But he batted on and allayed

Action-packed half-centuries from Usman Khawaja and Alex Hales lead Sydney Thunder to victory over Melbourne Renegades. (Getty) injury fears post-match.

“It hurts a little bit now, but it’s just that first five seconds when you think everything is alright,” Khawaja said.

“I knew straightaway it was alright, it was just pain. I’ve done my knee before, so I know the feeling.”

The knock was a timely reminder of Khawaja’s white-ball capabilities after he was this week left out of Australia’s ODI squad for the tour of India in January.

Marsh, too, was left out

of the ODI squad, with Australia T20 and Renegades captain Aaron Finch later declaring the West Australian the world’s most underrated T20 batsman.

Marsh began his new life in red in typically steady fashion before opening the shoulders in the second over after the Renegades called their strategy time-out.

It eventually took a brilliant diving catch from Thunder all-rounder Daniel Sams on the boundary to dismiss

Marsh, who batted at No.3.

“It was nice to spend a bit of time out there,” Marsh said.

“I thought I left a few out there at the end, but it was nice to get my first game with the Renegades.

“We’re obviously disappointed with the loss, but it was good fun out there.”

Diminutive wicketkeeper Harper picked up where he left off with the bat after scoring a blistering century in a warm-up match against Melbourne Stars three days earlier.

He sent left-arm seamer Sams to the fine-leg boundary with a ramp shot off the second ball he faced and put the next one back over the bowler’s head.

Harper (39) managed four fours and a pair of sixes in 19 balls before Sams eventually got his revenge, with a leading edge proving the batsman’s downfall.

Sams had a hand in three key wickets, removing Harper and Dan Christian either side of his excellent catch in the deep to get rid of Marsh.

He finished with 2-26 from three overs, with off-spinner Arjun Nair (232, four overs) also claiming multiple wickets by dismissing Finch and Marsh.

(REUTERS) - This was a year of unprecedented English domination of European club competition, as the Premier League finally turned its financial power into results on the field, but 2019 will be best remembered for a series of stunning comebacks.

For the first time ever, all four finalists in Europe’s two club competitions came from the same country with Liverpool beating Tottenham Hotspur in the Champions League final and Chelsea defeating Arsenal for the Europa League title.

In women’s football, the World Cup, held in France, brought unprecedented interest for the tournament with the United States defending their title by beating the Netherlands 2-0 in the final in Lyon.

Interest in the women’s game has arguably never been higher, with broadcast records broken all over the globe in the June-July showpiece.

Olympique Lyonnais continued their domination of the women’s European club game - a 4-1 win over Barcelona in Budapest ensuring a fourth straight Champions League title.

The men’s Champions League is often criticised for the predictability of the group stage, which usually sees the established wealthy clubs deal with their less well-off challengers.

Yet while that remains a fundamental weakness of the competition, this year the knockout stage certainly delivered plenty of drama.

Manchester United produced one of the great comebacks when, under new manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, they went into their round-of-16, second-leg at Paris St Germain, having suffered a seemingly deadly 2-0 reverse at Old Trafford.

Yet a stoppage-time penalty from Marcus Rashford gave them a 3-1 win at the Parc de Princes and a remarkable aggregate victory on away goals.

Never in 106 attempts in Europe’s top club competition had a team progressed in a knockout tie after a 2-0 home defeat and the game will go down as one of United’s great nights despite being eliminated by Barcelona in the quarter-final.

LATE DRAMA The quarter-finals produced more late drama, this time with the added ingredient of Video Assistant Referee (VAR) controversy, as Manchester City were eliminated by Tottenham, on away goals, after the tie ended 4-4.

A late goal from Raheem Sterling looked to have sealed City’s progress and sent their manager Pep Guardiola racing up and down the touchline, leaping into the air, punching the sky in wild jubilation.

City’s wildly celebrating fans thought their outlandish dream of a quadruple of titles was still very much alive.

Then - as Turkish referee Cuneyt Cakir signalled the goal had been disallowed for an offside following video review - Guardiola fell to his knees, head in hands, in utter despair.

Yet even that night of drama was overshadowed by what followed in the last four.

Liverpool were presumed dead and buried after losing 3-0 to Barcelona but then, at a fervent Anfield, they were simply unstoppable as they swept aside the Spaniards 4-0 with two goals each for Divock Origi and Georginio Wijnaldum.

Then, incredibly, 24 hours later, came another astonishing comeback.

In Amsterdam, Ajax skipper Matthijs de Ligt’s fifth-minute header and a superb 35th-minute effort

by Hakim Ziyech put Ajax 3-0 up on aggregate against Spurs at halftime, seemingly securing their first final for 23 years.

Brazilian Lucas Moura, however, scored a second-half hat-trick, including the aggregate winner, six minutes into stoppage time, as Spurs went through on away goals.

It was perhaps inevitable that the final, won 2-0 by Liverpool in Madrid, felt something of a let-down, but fans of European football could hardly complain after a season which saw such extraordinary thrills.

UEFA’s newest competition, the Nations League, proved to be a bigger success than most imagined and ended with Portugal beating the Netherlands 1-0 in the final in Porto.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, December 20, 2019

Pakistan fold for 191 on opening day in Karachi

LAHORE, Pakistan (Reuters) - Fast bowler Lahiru Kumara and spinner Lasith Embuldeniya picked up four wickets each to help Sri Lanka bundle out hosts Pakistan for 191 in the first innings on the opening day of the second and final Test in Karachi yesterday.

Asad Shafiq and Babar Azam struck fifties with opener Abid Ali, who made 38, the only other batsman for the hosts to reach double digits after captain Azhar Ali won the toss and chose to bat first.

In reply, Sri Lanka reached 64 for three in their first innings at the close of the day’s play with Pakistan’s fast bowlers doing all the damage.

Oshada Fernando was the first to fall to Pakistan’s young fast bowler Shaheen Afridi for four while captain Dimuth Karunaratne was out for 25, dragging

Fast bowler Lahiru Kumara grabbed four 49 from his 18 overs Mohammad Abbas on to his stumps.

Abbas also dismissed Kusal Mendis for 13, leaving former skipper Angelo Mathews, unbeaten on eight,

and nightwatchman Embuldeniya to take Sri Lanka to stumps.

Earlier, left-arm seamer Vishwa Fernando gave Sri Lanka a brilliant start by sending back Pakistan opener Shan Masood and Azhar, who has not scored a fifty since his 134 against New Zealand in December, 2018, in the space of three deliveries.

Azam, who made 60, added 55 with Abid for the third wicket and another 62 for the fourth with Shafiq to steady the innings for Pakistan.

Left-arm spinner Embuldeniya, who came into the side for injured fast bowler Kasun Rajitha, got Babar out stumped and also took the wickets of Harish Sohail and tail-enders Mohammad Abbas and Shaheen Afridi to wrap up the innings.

Kumara bowled at a brisk pace during the entire day

and dismissed Mohammad Rizwan and Yasir Shah in consecutive deliveries to add to the wicket of Abid.

Shafiq fell in a soft fashion when he top-edged Kumara to fine leg to fall for 63, ending Pakistan’s hopes of posting a score in excess of 200.

Both sides were forced into changes in the bowling department due to injury and illness.

Pakistan added experienced leg-spinner Yasir Shah for fast bowler Usman Shinwari, who is down with fever, while Sri Lanka included Embuldeniya in the side.

The two-match series, part of the World Test Championship, marks Pakistan’s first Tests on home soil since the 2009 militant attack on Sri Lanka’s team bus in Lahore.

The weather-hit opening Test at Rawalpindi ended in a draw.

Student Rabada hails impact of ‘greats’ Boucher and Kallis PRETORIA, South Africa (Reuters) - Fast bowler Kagiso Rabada says the new-look South African squad are learning fast from head coach Mark Boucher and batting consultant Jacques Kallis ahead of the first Test against England in Centurion that

Head coach Mark Boucher starts on Boxing Day. Ex-wicketkeeper Boucher and all-rounder Kallis are new to their roles, but have 986 games of international cricket behind them across all three formats, including 313 Tests, and will aim to get the ailing South African red-ball side back on track after a dismal 2019.

“Jacques and Mark are both greats of the game so just to listen

to them share their knowledge – not has been playing together for some necessarily skills based, but how you time,” he said. mentally approach certain situations.

“Our challenge is that we are going They speed up your learning process,” through a transition period and we need Rabada told reporters yesterday. to see if we can step up. We believe “They have a plan; they are really decisive about what they want. There is an expectation on every player to do what is required.”

The fiery Rabada, number two in the Test bowler rankings, says he is also looking forward to working with bowling consultant Charl Langeveldt, who will link up with the squad after being released from his contract with Bangladesh.

“I really enjoy working with him; he is in the same bracket as Jacques and Mark. They all know what they are talking about and played at this level for such a long time,” he said.

“Everyone is on the same page, we are still trying to define roles for each player to execute, but that is a process Batting consultant Jacques Kallis and it will come.”

Rabada knows the challenge that the we can, that is the mood in the changetourists will present, especially as South room.”

Africa have lost their last five Tests and England’s tour match against have not won a home series against En- South Africa A that starts in Benogland since 1999. ni today has been downgraded to a “England are on a high in world three-day friendly encounter due to cricket at the moment, they have a bug that has laid a number of the been playing a lot of Test cricket and tourists low, including fast bowlers have a team that is well-drilled and Stuart Broad and Jofra Archer.

SCOREBOARD PAKISTAN 1st innings Shan Masood b Vishwa Fernando 5 Abid Ali lbw Lahiru Kumara 38 Azhar Ali b Vishwa Fernando 0 Babar Azam stp. Niroshan Dickwella b Lasith Embuldeniya 60 Asad Shafiq c Vishwa Fernando b Lahiru Kumara 63 Haris Sohail lbw Lasith Embuldeniya 9 Mohammad Rizwan b Lahiru Kumara 4 Yasir Shah lbw Lahiru Kumara 0 Mohammad Abbas c Dhananjaya de Silva b Lasith Embuldeniya 0 Shaheen Afridi c Angelo Mathews b Lasith Embuldeniya 5 Naseem Shah not out 1 Extras: (b-4, lb-2) 6 Total: (all out, 59.3 overs) 191 Fall of wickets: 1-10, 2-10, 3-65, 4-127, 5-167, 6-172, 7-172, 8-179, 9-185.

Bowling: Vishwa Fernando 13-3-31-2, Lahiru Kumara 185-49-4, Dimuth Karunaratne 1-0-11-0, Lasith Embuldeniya 20.3-3-71-4, Dilruwan Perera 7- 0 -23-0.

SRI LANKA 1st innings Oshada Fernando c Mohammad Rizwan b Shaheen Afridi 4 Dimuth Karunaratne b Mohammad Abbas 25 Kusal Mendis c Haris Sohail b Mohammad Abbas 13 Angelo Mathews not out 8 Lasith Embuldeniya not out 3 Extras: (lb-6, w-5) 11 Total: (three wkts, 19.0 overs) 64 Fall of wickets: 1-28, 2-39, 3-61.

Bowling: Shaheen Afridi 6-2-18-1, Mohammad Abbas 8-3-212, Naseem Shah 5-0-19-0 (w-1).

England’s touring party affected with flu-like symptoms SEVERAL members of England’s touring party are ill with flu-like symptoms, a week before the start of the Boxing Day first Test in South Africa.

The conditions of Stuart Broad, Jofra Archer and Jack Leach, all absent from this week’s warm-up match, have

England won the four-match Test series 2-1 last time they were in South Africa worsened, while “two to three” other players have also fallen ill.

England said that two members of their backroom staff have similar symptoms.

They added that they hope to see improvements within the next 72 hours.

As a consequence of the sickness in the camp, Today’s warm-up against South Africa A has been downgraded from its first-class status.

England will play four Tests, three one-day internationals and three Twenty20 matches during this tour, before moving on to Sri Lanka in March.

The tourists began with a draw against a Invitation XI in Benoni. (BBC Sport)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, December 20, 2019

Yaya Toure blames increase in stupidity for football racism RACISM in football is getting worse because “fans are more stupid than before”, according to former Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure.

Several incidents throughout Europe have been reported in recent months, with many high-profile cases occurring in Italy’s Serie A. “I’ve had a chat with FIFA because this is something very important,” said the former Ivory Coast international.

“It will be difficult because the way to win this case is going to be long.”

He added: “Fans, people, now are more stupid than before.”

Last month, striker Mario Balotelli, Toure’s former City team-mate, called fans who shouted racist abuse

at him during a match between Brescia and Verona “small-minded” and “imbeciles”.

Cagliari fans made monkey noises towards Inter Milan’s Romelu Lukaku earlier in the season, and recently Italian newspaper Corriere dello Sport was criticised for the headline ‘Black Friday’ alongside images of Roma defender Chris Smalling and Lukaku.

There have also been incidents of racism in British top-flight football, with a man arrested after this month’s Manchester derby for allegedly making a racist gesture.

Toure added: “Of course it is shocking because we are in 2019. In 2020, 2025 we have the kids coming through - what are we going to do? You can’t continue like that.” (BBC Sport)

Ivorian Yaya Toure helped Manchester City to three Premier League titles

Top-ranked Belgium named FIFA Team of the Year, England up to fourth

Baudouin Stadium, Brussels, Belgium-Belgium team group before the match REUTERS/Francois Lenoir

(REUTERS) - Belgium were crowned FIFA’s Team of the Year for the second straight time after retaining top spot ahead of world champions France in the latest world rankings released on Thursday, soccer’s world governing body said.

Belgium, who finished third in the World Cup in Russia last year, won all 10 of their competitive matches in 2019.

England moved up a spot to fourth place below Brazil, while Uruguay are

fifth.

Argentina (ninth) and Colombia (10th) entered the top 10 this year displacing Switzerland (12th) and Denmark (16th).

Qatar, who will host the 2022 World Cup, were the biggest movers in a year in which they won the AFC Asian Cup, moving 38 places to sit 55th after gaining 138 points.

Algeria (35th) were close behind moving up 32 spots while Japan (28th) climbed 22 places this year.

Coomacka through to UDFA championship semi-finals after upset win over Silver Shattas … Botofago lose again

COOMACKA continued their good showing to reach the semi-finals with another upset win, this time over Silver Shattas 4-3, while Amelia’s Ward Panthers dealt Botofago a virtual knockout blow Wednesday night in day four action, when the Upper Demerara Football Association’s (UDFA) yearend football championship continued at Mackenzie Sports Club ground.

On another night of unlikely victories Coomacka

from the Mines in Linden shattered the hopes of number one seed in this tournament, Net Rockers, by scoring a thrilling 4-3 win over Silver Shattas, thus earning a safe passage after topping Group A. Coomacka started out well by getting the lead in the 26th minute through Lionel Peters (Jr) and that lead was doubled when Wheatano Thom found the back of the net in the 34th minute.

Shattas responded and cut that lead when Felix In-

niss nudged home for them.

When the first half ended Coomacka were leading 2-1 and they extended that lead through Keron Charles in the 52nd minute. When Gary Savory made it 4-1 with a 59th minute strike, it seems over bar the shouting for a Coomacka win.

However, Shattas rebounded and reduced that advantage when Jermaine Samuels scored in the 61st minute making it 4-2. Andy Norville got his name on the scorers’ sheet in the 90th minute but it was not enough to force additional time, and Coomacka prevailed 4-3 to

reach the final four.

It left top seed Net Rockers to play one game against Shattas for academic interest because neither can advance ahead of Coomacka.

In the other game of the double-header after losing their opening matches Amelia’s Ward Panthers and Botofago met in a battle to see who would come out on top.

In the end it was Panthers who inflicted another loss on Botofago who now face elimination in Group C. Panthers took the lead through Dellon Luke in the 26th minute and led at half time 1-0.

In the 61st minute Ro-

CWI vice-president calls for Caribbean ...

From back page play an integral part of Windies cricket development, as its stock continues to build every year.

“And delivering his part at the GCB Awards ceremony, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Dr. George Norton said that Guyana has come a long way.

“Guyana has remained at the core of

Regional Cricket, in many instances we have led the way forward,” said Minister Norton.

He further pointed out that it was the support of friends, families, teammates, coaches and Guyana overall, who have enabled the respective awardees to maintain their A-games, thus earning their deserving recognition.

Minister Norton also called on GCB to ensure that they continue to do their mandates with regard to keeping the sport and players on the highest levels.

He stated that Guyana’s continued progression and representation by its players will rely on the fundamentals which have been integral parts of development.

meo Allen sent them up 2-0 then Bevon Hinds closed out Botofago with his 78th minute strike for a 3-0 win.

Tonight, two more

matches are down for the MSC ground. In game one Hi Stars meet Capital FC from 09:00hrs to be followed at 21:00hrs by Topp XX versus Aroiama.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Friday December 20, 2019) COMPLIMENTS OF THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market & The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD-83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158)

Answers to yesterday’s quiz:

(1) Herman Griffith-6/103 (WI vs ENG, The Oval, 1928) (2) Wilfred Ferguson-11/229 (WI vs ENG, QPO, 1948)

Today’s Quiz:

(1) Who is the first WI wicketkeeper to score a Test match hundred?

(2) Who is the first WI wicketkeeper to pouch five catches in a Test innings?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

35

GUYANA CHRONICLE friday, december 20, 2019

Australian Cummins becomes IPL’s most expensive overseas buy MUMBAI, India (Reuters) - Australia’s Pat Cummins became the most expensive overseas buy ever in the Indian Premier League (IPL) when the Kolkata Knight Riders paid a staggering 155 million rupees (£1.67 million) for the fast bowler in yesterday’s auction in Kolkata.

The 26-year-old, ranked number one in Tests, attracted an intense bidding war between the Virat Kohli-led Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and the Delhi Capital before Kolkata joined in to bag his services for the 2020 edition of the tournament.

Cummins was part of the Kolkata squad in 2014 and 2015 and last played in the tournament for Delhi in 2017. The Mumbai Indians picked him up the fol-

lowing season but he was ruled out with a back injury.

England all-rounder Ben Stokes was the most expensive overseas buy before Cummins when Pune paid 145 million rupees in 2017 while Yuvraj Singh, the hero of India’s 2011 World Cup triumph, got the highest bid for a home-based player of 160 million in 2015 from Delhi.

Sixty-two players were sold at the auction for the 13th edition with the eight franchises spending a total of 1.403 billion rupees ($19.73 million).

There was a hefty payday for more Australians, with Glenn Maxwell going to Kings XI Punjab for 107.5 million rupees ($1.51 million) and reigning champions Mumbai paying 80 million rupees for paceman Nathan Coulter-Nile.

Pat Cummins led the way as a host of Australians attracted big money in the IPL auction yesterday Maxwell recently returned to Twenty20 cricket after taking six weeks off from the

Hetmyer, Cottrell, each sold for US$1M in IPL draft WEST INDIES players Sheldon Cottrell and Shimron Hetmeyer were both sold for over US$1 million at the 2020 IPL draft in India yesterday.

Three teams –Delhi Capitals, Rajasthan Royals and Kings XI Punjab - were in the hunt for Cottrell’s services. The Kings XI Punjab eventually won the bidding for 8.5 crores or over US$1 million.

Hetmeyer went to Delhi Capitals for 7.75 crores approximately US$1M. Delhi and Kolkata Knight Riders submitted bids for the explosive Guyanese batsman.

Meanwhile, the big-hitting Evin Lewis, Shai Hope and Carlos Brathwaite were among

… but seven West Indians went unsold

game to deal with mental health issues and was left out of the Australia squad for next month’s limited-overs tour of India.

Australia’s one-day captain Aaron Finch joined Bangalore for 44 million rupees while England World Cup-winning skipper Eoin Morgan returned to his old side Kolkata for 52.5 million.

South African fast bowler Dale Steyn twice went unsold before his former team Bangalore picked him up in the last leg at his listed price of 20 million.

Former India leg-spinner Piyush Chawla was the top buy among homebased players, going to MS Dhoni-led Chennai Super Kings for 67.5 million, while Kolkata signed 48-year-old leggie Pravin Tambe, the oldest player in the auction.

T&T international footballer Shahdon Winchester dies in car crash

Shimron Hetmyer (left) and Sheldon Cottrell seven West Indies players who went unsold during the 2020 IPL Auction in Kolkata, India yesterday.

Also going unsold were bowlers Alzarri Joseph, Jason Holder, Hayden Walsh and Kesrick Williams.

Paeer Oshane Thomas was picked up by the Rajasthan Royals for about US$100 000.

Russia to appeal four-year doping sanctions within 10-15 days - TASS cites RUSADA

By Gabrielle Tétrault-Farber MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russia’s anti-doping agency RUSADA said on Thursday it will appeal sanctions barring the country’s athletes from competing under its flag at top international sporting events within 10 to 15 days, the TASS news agency reported.

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) earlier in December banned the country’s colours and anthem from events, including the Olympics, for four years as punishment for having provided it with doctored laboratory data.

It also barred Russia from hosting or bidding for major sporting events during that period.

The country’s top officials had

branded the sanctions unfair, saying it was part of broader attempts by the West to punish Russia, and had pledged to appeal.

“RUSADA will appeal against the WADA decision within 10 to 15 days,” Alexander Ivlev, chair of RUSADA’s supervisory board, was quoted as saying by TASS. Yuri Ganus, the head of RUSADA who is not a member of the supervisory board, has said he does not see any chance of winning an appeal.

The case will now be referred to the Court or Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Switzerland.

U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) CEO Travis Tygart accused Russia of wasting “precious and limited resources in an effort to weasel out of

the consequences”.

“Let’s hope CAS has the independence and courage to see through these machinations and finally stand firm and take decisive action that puts in place a complete ban,” Tygart said in a statement.

Russia, which has traditionally been a powerhouse in many sports, has been embroiled in doping scandals since a 2015 WADA report found evidence of mass doping in Russian athletics.

Many of Russia’s athletes were sidelined from the past two Olympics and the country stripped of its flag altogether at last year’s Pyeongchang Winter Games as punishment for state-sponsored doping cover-ups at the 2014 Sochi Games.

Trinidad and Tobago international Shahdon Winchester PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC) – Trinidad and Tobago international Shahdon Winchester died here tragically early yesterday when the vehicle he was driving was involved in a collision.

Media reports said the Nissan X-Trail driven by the 27-year-old Winchester crashed into a utility pole and burst into flames, killing all four occupants.

The accident occurred along the Solomon Hochoy Highway in south Trinidad.

His death was announced by the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA), which offered its condolences.

“Tragic and heartbreaking news just coming to hand,” the TTFA statement said.

“Trinidad and Tobago forward Shahdon Winchester has been confirmed as one of the persons who have died in a vehicle accident this morning in Gasparillo.

“This is truly tragic news for us. May his soul rest in eternal peace!”

Winchester earned 23 caps and scored six goals for T&T after making his debut in 2010, and most recently turned out for the national side in an international friendly against Guyana two years ago.

A winger, Winchester spent several seasons at domestic Pro League giants W Connection and also had spells in Finland, Mexico and Azerbaijan.

People’s Republic of China gifts 50 schools table tennis equipment

See story on page 31

Fifty secondary schools across Guyana will soon receive table tennis equipment, compliments of the Chinese Ambassador to Guyana, His Excellency People’s Republic of China Cui Jianchun

GCB Awards ceremony

Shepherd, Nedd and Campbelle top winners at 2019 GCB Awards ceremony

CWI vice-president calls for Caribbean territories to model Guyana … Minister Norton lauds Guyana for being at the pinnacle of regional cricket

Head table, sitting from left: GCB secretary Anand Sanasie, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Dr George Norton and CWI vice-president Kishore Shallow surrounded by the 2019 GCB Cricket Awardees

… Campbelle named Female Cricketer-of-the-Year GUYANA and West Indies newest all-rounder Romario Shepherd beat off a star-studded list of players to bag both the Male Cricketer-ofthe-Year and Most Improved Male Cricketer-of-the-Year Awards, at the 2019 Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Awards Ceremony.

It was a well-attended event held in the Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) pavilion on Wednesday night, where Guyana’s best junior and senior cricketers, executives from the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB), Cricket West Indies (CWI) vice-president Dr Kishore Shallow and Minister of Culture, Youth & Sport Dr. George Norton, were all in attendance.

The 25-year-old Berbician Shepherd shot to international scene following his excellent showing at the 2018 and 2019 Hero CPL. The strapping all-rounder, who has 3 One Day Internationals under his belt to date, edged Windies teammates Shimron

Hetmyer and Keemo Paul, who were the other nominees.

While Shepherd swept the major individual categories, they were also a number of other high-profile winners who were recognised for their amazing 2019.

Guyana Jaguars and Windies all-rounder Raymon Reifer was given the Senior Regional Cricketer-of-theYear award for his excellence in 4-Day, Super50 and T20 cricket, where he was instrumental in his franchise Barbados Tridents’ win of the 2019 Hero CPL. The Junior Cricketer-of-the-Year award was a tight one as a number of young players excelled throughout 2019. The eventual winner, however, went to West Indies Under-19 spinner Ashmead Nedd, who is currently on Under-19 West Indies duties.

Like Shepherd, Nedd was also absent, due to being on tour with the West Indies Senior team in India. His award was accepted by his father, Garvin

Nedd while National youth coach Julian Moore accepted the two awards on behalf of Shepherd.

Nedd also bagged the award for Most Wickets in Regional Under-19 cricket, while his Windies U-19 teammate Kevlon Anderson snatched the awards for Most Valuable Player (MVP) in Regional Under-19 as well as the Most Runs in Regional Under-19.

Clubs, curators and coaches were also recognised for outstanding work in their respective fields, as Guyana Jaguars and West Indies’ Rayon Griffith copped the coveted Coach-of-the-Year award.

Deolall Rajkumar of the Enmore Community Centre ground was given the Groundsman Award for 2019 while the Leon Johnson-led Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) beat off Berbice powerhouses, Albion & Rose See page 31

Hetmyer, Cottrell, each sold for US$1M in IPL draft 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

Dr Kishore Shallow CRICKET West Indies (CWI) vice-president Dr Kishore Shallow has said that territories around the Caribbean should model Guyana as part of their developmental process.

Dr. Shallow was speaking at the 2019 GCB Awards ceremony on Wednesday night in the Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) pavilion.

The CWI vice-president was adamant that Guyana has been at the forefront of cricket development in the region. He noted that Guyana’s cricket has been on an all-time high and he is impressed that they have managed to upgrade venues like the LBI facility which has recently been upgraded.

The Jaguars academy has been a reservoir for upcoming talents and future Windies players and VP Shallow said other Windies territories should take heed of Guyana’s approach to their own development, as they have been able to build and sustain their academy with little or no help from the CWI. Dr Shallow lauded the attendees and hailed the respective awardees for their achievements which earned them their accolades. He noted that Guyana continues to See page 34

… but seven West Indians went unsold

See story on page 35

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2019