Guyana_Chronicle_Epaper_15_09_2019

15th SEPTEMBER, 2019

' No.105761

‘Radical shift in lifestyle’ …Min Lawrence plugs healthy lifestyles must be inculcated at early age 03 …says non-communicable diseases account for over 70 per cent of all deaths in Guyana PAGE

‘Gunned down outside Freedom House’ 12 PAGE

--Donna McKinnon’s daughter recalls her gruesome death 19 years ago

Fire destroys house at Melanie

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Wales Estate was proposed for closure in 1997 14 PAGE

… high production costs, low staff turnout hampered industry

President attends installation service of Anglican officials PAGE

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President David Granger on Saturday attended the Anglican Diocese of Guyana's installation of Reverend Thurston Riehl as Dean of Georgetown and Rector of St. George's Cathedral. Also installed were Reverend Charles Roland, who will now serve as Canon to the Stall of St. Andrew and Reverend Jones Richards who will now serve as Canon to the Stall of St. David.

In photograph President Granger greets a member of the Anglican Diocese of Guyana, as other members look on

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, September 15, 2019

Quarrie on the move

…residents of Central Rupununi village laud gov’ts efforts in developing community

By Vanessa Braithwaite DESPITE being a small satellite village in the Central Rupununi district, with a population of approximately 286 Indigenous People, the residents and Senior Councillor of Quarrie, Phillip Baretto, has expressed high praise to the government, for not overlooking them and ensuring that they too, benefit from the good life promised by President David Granger.

Baretto posited that he is very optimistic about the future of his people and the development of the village, particularly in the areas of agriculture and tourism. “There are a lot of developments taking place; infrastructure, farming and tourism...the central government is very helpful to our community, for me personally, I would

like to thank the government for putting so much into a small community like ours,” he said.

Rather than to let these opportunities pass by, the residents have ingeniously decided upon a way to ensure these provisions are exploited and maximum benefits are derived for each household.

“We have formed a Co-op; Quarrie Eco Tourism and Agriculture Co-operative limited – I am a member of it and we have about 25 registered members,” Baretto related.

The idea of a co-operative was birthed after the Hinterland Employment Youth Services, (HEYS) beneficiaries, pitched eco-tourism as their business venture. The aim is to exploit the tourism gems that are available in the township. One of the main gems is the Quarrie Waterfalls.

Recently the National

Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA), dug a water catchment in the community to aid in its agricultural development, but the ingenuity of the residents have pushed them to derive a two-fold benefit from the catchment: water for agriculture and water for tourism. The reflection of the sky into the water, giving it a blue 'beach-like' colour, will allow visitors to have a feel of the 'Island' in the Rupununi.

"The main objective is that people come and visit the falls, we also have a mini cattle ranch, we can carry our visitors there and right now.....we want to push this because we see that it will create jobs for our people, it will bring in a flow of money, we will find people will stay in the village rather than to go out to the village to look for work, so we are moving

Senior Councillor of Quarrie, Phillip Baretto

The water catchment at Quarrie

Rice production at Quarrie

in that direction," the SC said.

The villagers are presently constructing a multi-purpose building where we can use the room for craft-mak-

ing and catering for our visitors. This has been made possible through a $14M grant from the Ministry of Social Protection that will be used to accommodate tourists.

In addition to tourism, agriculture is also reaping much benefit in Quarrie. Along with the water catchment project, the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) has also embarked on a rice-farming project in the community; the first of its kind to make available an alternative staple for farmers, in addition to cassava, when the dry season does not allow for its high production. “We have an acre plus of rice cultivation there now. At the first try we see this could be done, so it is like an experience for us, and I want to believe this will help in our staple food, it will help the cassava because normally, we does only use the cassava as a staple diet and we see now the rice will come in and we are hoping next year, we will have a bigger production and I am seeing that happening,” the SC posited. The water catchment is also boosting agriculture, since it is making water available for farmers during the dry season. Many times, as long as one year, there is no rainfall in the Rupununi district. “The water catchment is very important because in the dry season, our cows have to go far to look for water, so with this water catchment, our cows will remain close so we can monitor them and the farmers too don't have to go and look for water, so that has been a very great help to our community,” he said.

Construction of Good Hope Secondary moving apace

The construction of the Good Hope Secondary School, with credit from the International Development Association and the Government of Guyana, is moving rapidly apace.

Construction commenced October 2018 and is expected to be completed in January 2020. (Rabindra Rooplall photo)

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, September 15, 2019

Healthy lifestyles must be inculcated at early age -- says health minister in observance of Caribbean Wellness Day

WITH non-communicable diseases (NCDs) accounting for over 70 per cent of all deaths in Guyana, the Ministry of Public Health has noted the need to step up the fight against risk factors associated with these illnesses.

In a message to observe Caribbean Wellness Day 2019 on Saturday, Public Health Minister, Volda Lawrence said Guyana is losing too many of her citizens to diabetes, cancer, heart diseases and chronic respiratory diseases.

And on that note, said a more aggressive campaign is needed to impact the cross-cutting, modifiable risk factors associated with the NCDs. “Interventions relating to the abuse of alcohol, the harmful use of tobacco and its products, unhealthy diet and physical inactivity, have become top priority in order to reduce these risk factors which, cumulatively and separately, are deterrents to healthy lives and general well-being,” the minister said.

She said government has also recognised the importance of getting the nation’s children from an early age to maintain healthy bodies and minds.

As such, the Public Health Ministry, in conjunc-

in this cycle of ageing, so the conversation must focus on developing healthy behaviours which will include regular exercise, healthy eating habits, regular health check-ups, proper use of medication and the overarching issues of tobacco smoking and alcohol consumption.”

Public Health Minister, Volda Lawrence

tion with the Ministry of Education, has initiated health promotion programmes focused on sensitising students about eating healthy.

The focus is to lessen the sugary substances in their meals; increase the intake of water; and encourage their parents and guardians to prepare balanced meals.

This is wedded into the national school feeding programme. The schools’ curriculum also places much emphasis on physical well-being to keep students healthy.

SPREAD THE MESSAGE “We believe that this awareness message of healthy bodies and minds

Dr. Holly Alexander, Chair of the Presidential National Non-Communicable Disease Commission

can be disseminated from within the school environment to the parents and guardians within the various communities. Our youths must help spread the message of adopting healthy lifestyles to their immediate family in order to bring about desirable health outcomes for our population,” Minister Lawrence said.

She added, “At the other end of the spectrum is our elderly, whom we know tend to be affected by non-communicable diseases as they age.

Therefore, it is imperative that we intensify the message, encouraging them to engage in healthy lifestyle practices in order to prevent their chances of developing NCDS. Their wellbeing must be encouraged

CANNOT BE DIVORCED The minister also noted that overall wellness cannot be divorced from mental well-being.

“We must promote the mental well-being of all where we can learn, work, play and listen to each other. In other words, as we speak about well-being, we cannot forget mental health – there is no balanced health without mental health,” the

minister said, while also reminding all must help patients to build coping skills to understand and manage mental health issues.

Dr. Holly Alexander, Chair of the Presidential National Non-Communicable Disease Commission, said as Guyana observes Caribbean Wellness Day 2019 under the theme ‘Healthy Aging Starts Now’, all must ensure they live a healthy life by adopting a healthy lifestyle and healthy habits.

“There is no doubt that the lifestyle we choose has an impact on our health and whether we develop diabetes, high blood pressure, heart issues or other non-communicable diseases.

Children, senior citizens, students, women, men, everyone has to be concerned

about their health. We all should adopt best practices and healthy habits for ourselves and our near and dear ones,” she urged.

She noted that good nutritional habits should be adopted from birth and since the ‘Breast is Best’, greater attention should be paid to breast feeding.

“The fast-food crave is real but we have to teach our children about making healthy choices. Let them see us make that choice, have a fruit or vegetable salad instead. As adults most of us are faced with the consequences, having adopted bad eating habits.

Let us make the switch to healthy eating and exercising today, before it is too late,” she encouraged.

La Parfaite Harmonie officially handed over to local authority THE Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA), on Saturday, formally handed over the La Parfaite Harmonie Housing Scheme which boasts 8842 house lots, along with the Goed Fortuin regularised squatting area, to the Malgre Tout/Meer Zorgen Neighborhood Democratic Council (NDC), West Coast of Demerara (WCD).

During the handing over ceremony, hosted at the La Parfaite Harmonie Nursery School, the CH&PA handed over responsibility for nine of the 10 sections of the scheme namely; Westminster phases one and two, Recht Door zee phases one and two, La Parfaite Harmonie phases one and two, Onderneeming Phase one and phase two, and Schoonard.

The CP&HA held off on handing over Lust-En-Rust, on the basis that the infrastructure is still incomplete.

The ceremony also saw the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between the CH&PA and the NDC, along with the transfer of copies of the cadastral plans of the various housing areas, the list of all the beneficiaries of house lots in the area, the profile of the housing area, a road

(From left) NDC Chairman, Dolis Eadies; CEO, Central Housing and Planning Authority, Lelon Saul; Minister within the Ministry of Communities, Annette Ferguson; Chairman CH&PA Board, Glenyss James; Parfaite Harmonie, Nursery School Headteacher, Vanetta Knights; Constituency Representative, Denzil St. Hill

maintenance manalso agree with me ual, which covers that from the time many of the relof its establishment evant aspects of of the community, maintenance and a number of works also a developers have been done, yes manual which we know that there provides guidis a lot more to be ance in the plandone but your govning permission ernment is working process and a map assiduously to adshowing which dress some of those roads are still to issues, and despite be upgraded and NDC Chairman, Dolis Eadies, receiving the signed the formal handing completed by the copy of the MoU from the CEO, Central Housing over of the commuand Planning Authority, Lelon Saul CH&PA. nities to the NDC, Minister withCH&PA will still sibility for the areas, it still in the Ministry of play its part in ensurCommunities, Annette Fer- remains resolute in its man- ing that the basic infrastructure guson, in her remarks, said date to ensure the community is upgraded and continue to that although the CH&PA benefits from infrastructural give its full support,” Ferguson has handed over the respon- improvements. “…you will pointed out.

The minister further stated that the housing scheme has seen much development as it relates to facilities. “And I want to pick up on a point that His Excellency alluded to when we did a recent walk about in the Prospect and Perseverance areas, and you know what stood out to me, he alluded to four pillars for the housing sector and the four pillars he referred to were, regionalisation, regularisation, reorientation and resources.

So what I see today is that one R is standing out, that of Resources, because in La Parfaite Harmonie, what do we see here today, we see schools, we see health centres, the recent commissioning of a police station just over a week ago, we have playgrounds, we have churches, we have mosques, we have temples, and these are the things that actually make up a community, and as I said before, we as a government, we have a long way to go, but we understand the role of the NDC, and as how our collaboration will benefit this community,” Ferguson noted.

Ferguson related to the residents that they must be aware of the roles of their NDC and that they must hold

them accountable not only for the fixing of lights and commissioning of buildings, and fixing of roads, but that they must also ensure the NDC establishes programmes aimed at providing opportunities for their youths, and their elderly and less fortunate persons of the community.

Constituency Representative, Denzil St. Hill, stated that the community has benefitted largely from the works conducted by the CH&PA and that as a community, they are poised to continue working with the CH&PA and the NDC to ensure that their community continues benefitting from further infrastructural advancement. “Development is on our shores: embrace progress, embrace change, from the start it will be challenging, but in the end we will see victory, let us ensure with this move by the Government of Guyana, as a community of vibrant young men and women, we will continue to look over our infrastructure, as a way of ensuring our community progresses,” St. Hill charged residents.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE September 15, 2019

Saudi Arabia oil production reduced by drone strikes (BBC) Saudi Arabia’s oil production has been severely disrupted by drone attacks on two major oil facilities run by state-owned company Aramco, reports say.

Sources quoted by Reuters and WSJ said the strikes had reduced production by five million barrels a day - nearly half

the kingdom’s output.

A Yemeni Houthi rebel spokesman said it had deployed 10 drones in the attacks.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo blamed the attacks on Iran saying there was no evidence they came from Yemen.

The fires are now under control at both facilities,

Saudi state media say.

The Saudis lead a Western-backed military coalition supporting Yemen’s government, while Iran backs the Houthi rebels.

In a tweet, Mike Pompeo described the attack as “an unprecedented attack on the world’s energy supply”.

“We call on all nations to publicly and unequivocally condemn Iran’s attacks,” Mr Pompeo added.

The US would work with its allies to ensure energy markets remain well supplied and “Iran is held accountable for its aggression”, he added.

Tensions between the

US and Iran have escalated since Mr Trump abandoned a deal limiting Iran’s nuclear activities last year and reinstated sanctions.

The Houthi spokesman, Yahya Sarea, told al-Masirah TV, which is owned by the Houthi movement and is based in Beirut, that further attacks could be expected in the future.

He said Saturday’s attack was one of the biggest operations the Houthi forces had undertaken inside Saudi Arabia and was carried out in “co-operation with the honourable people inside the kingdom”.

TV footage showed a huge blaze at Abqaiq, site

Sunday, September 15, 2019 - 05:30 hrs

of Aramco’s largest oil processing plant, while a second drone attack started fires in the Khurais oilfield.

“At 04:00 (01:00 GMT), the industrial security teams of Aramco started dealing with fires at two of its facilities in Abqaiq and Khurais as a result of... drones,” the official Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.

“The two fires have been controlled.”

There have been no details on the damage but AFP news agency quoted interior ministry spokesman Mansour al-Turki as saying there were no casualties.

Later, the SPA reported that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had told US President Donald Trump in a telephone conversation that

the kingdom was “willing and able to confront and deal with this terrorist aggression”.

The White House said Mr Trump had offered US support to help Saudi Arabia defend itself.

United Nations envoy Martin Griffiths described the attacks as “extremely worrying” in a statement in which he called on all parties in the Yemen conflict to exercise restraint.+ Abqaiq is about 60km (37 miles) south-west of Dhahran in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province, while Khurais, some 200km further south-west, has the country’s second largest oilfield.

Saudi security forces foiled an attempt by al-Qaeda to attack the Abqaiq facility with suicide bombers in 2006.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE September 15, 2019

Mexico Jalisco: Forensics identify 44 bodies in well (BBC) Forensic scientists in Mexico have managed to identify 44 bodies buried in a well in the state of Jalisco.

Discovered just outside the city of Guadalajara, the human remains were hidden in 119 black bags.

The remains were discovered earlier in September when local residents started complaining about the smell.

Jalisco is the heartland of one of Mexico’s most violent drug gangs and this is the second major find of bodies in the state this year.

The vast majority of the bodies were cut up, so authorities had to piece together different parts in order to identify them.

Many body parts still remain unidentified.

A local organisation which searches for missing people has appealed to the government to send more specialists to assist with identification.

They say the local forensic department is overwhelmed and does not have the necessary skills to complete the operation.

Heavy machinery was used to uncover the bodies earlier in September

New storm hits Bahamas two weeks after Hurricane Dorian (BBC) A new storm has brought heavy rain to the Bahamas two weeks after Hurricane Dorian devastated the islands.

Tropical Depression Nine strengthened into Tropical Storm Humberto on Friday night.

The centre of the storm is now passing 30 miles east of Great Abaco Island,

medical care.

“I know this is not something people in Abaco and Grand Bahama would like to hear at this time, but it’s out there and the storm will bring heavy downpours over the Bahama islands,” Shavon Bonimy, senior meteorologist in Grand Bahama, told the Nassau Guardian.

Tropical Storm Humberto has caused heavy rainfall in the Bahamas one of the areas worst hit

by Dorian.

Rescuers fear that strong winds, heavy rain and flooding over the coming days could hinder efforts to find people still missing after the hurricane.

About 1,300 people are missing after Dorian, while at least 15,000 are in need of shelter, food and

“So we have to be prepared.”

Where is Tropical Storm Humberto?

At 09:00GMT, the US National Hurricane Center said the storm was about 70 miles (110km) east of Great Abaco, with maximum sustained winds of 40mph

(65km/h).

It was moving northwest at about 7mph and was expected to pass near or over the north-western Bahamas on Saturday and be off the Florida coast later in the weekend.

On Saturday afternoon the NHC said Humberto was just 30 miles (48km) east of Great Abaco, and that winds had sped up to 50mph (80km/h).

Humberto is expected to bring rainfall of up to 15cm (6in) in some areas of the Bahamas, although no significant storm surge is threatened.

The BBC Weather service has advised that Humberto could strengthen into another hurricane over the coming days, although this is not likely to happen until it has passed over the Bahamas.

What has the Bahamas said?

Carl Smith, from the Bahamas Nation-

al Emergency Management Agency (Nema), told reporters the storm could hinder the ongoing search for missing people, as well as efforts to get essential supplies to Grand Bahama and Great Abaco - the worst hit islands.

“I hope it does not disrupt it,” he said. “We have taken precautionary measures to address the potential impact that we may encounter.”

Hurricane Dorian battered the Bahamas earlier this month, killing at least 50 people. As the cleanup operation continues, the death toll is expected to rise.

Dorian was packing sustained winds of 295km/h (185mph) when it made landfall at Elbow Cay on the Abacos on 1 September.

It equalled the highest winds ever recorded for a hurricane at landfall when it struck the Abaco Islands.

On Thursday the US

The position of Humberto at 09:00GMT on Saturday announced $4m (£3.2m) in new humanitarian assistance for the Bahamas.

The US Agency for International Development said the money would go towards providing shelter, food, medicine and water

to those on the two worst hit islands.

More than 5,000 people have been evacuated from those islands to New Providence, where the country’s capital Nassau is located.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE September 15, 2019

Stop playing games with electoral process THIS past week, GECOM’s secretariat advised the full commission that credible elections could not be held before March 2020.

This assessment was made after taking into consideration the logistical work that needs to be done following the decision to halt house-to-house registration. If that timetable is followed, elections would be held two months before the coalition’s five-year term ends. This publication has already pushed back against the nonsensical contention by the political opposition that the delay in holding elections is due to the coalition’s refusal to adhere to the constitution.

Both the PPP and the coalition have met with GECOM since reports surfaced about the secretariat’s timeline. According to reports, the PPP went into the meeting with the same non-cooperative attitude and offered nothing to advance consensus on an election date. It instead sought to instruct GECOM on what date it wants the elections to be held. The coalition’s delegation on the other hand took an opposite position. It reportedly sought to hear from GECOM rather than forcing a timeline on

the commission. It came out of the meeting pledging to stick by GECOM’s timeline.

At some point the PPP has to take responsibility for the uncertainty that now surrounds the date for elections. That party has steadfastly refused to cooperate with GECOM and with the President and his coalition in the interest of the country, even when this was expressly suggested by the CCJ. Following the CCJ’s ruling in June, some members of the coalition publicly suggested December as a compromise date for holding elections and urged the PPP to agree to an extension of parliament.

But the PPP arrogantly refused to go to the table. It kept insisting that it would never facilitate such an extension. Further, it erroneously contended that the elections date must be set by the court in accordance with the constitution and not by GECOM, the duly constituted body.

In other words, it is ironic that the PPP now champions a November-December date when it was that very party which a few months ago scuttled that suggested date. The PPP is playing political games.

It first sought to get the CCJ to facilitate those games and now it is trying to do the

same with GECOM. These is something cynical about such political behaviour.

Where is the political morality? Where is commitment to country? Where is the respect for the institutions? Where is the concern for political stability?

So, it is the PPP which through its varying tactics but pointed strategy of non-cooperation which has brought the process to this point. After frustrating the process all these months, the PPP seeks to give the impression that the coalition is bent on delaying the elections. Nothing could be further from the truth. The coalition and the President have always said that they would be guided by GECOM, which is the only body that can determine readiness for elections.

This publication has already drawn attention to the PPP’s defining motive which has to do with having an election with an unfit list. We repeat that accusation today.

In the final analysis, it is not the elections date that ultimately matters to the PPP. It wants a date that would facilitate elections without a credible list. That party would not give up on that big agenda. It may have already hoodwinked a few civil society forces and its own supporters. It is for that

reason that the plan must be exposed.

We believe that GECOM should not be overly pressured by political forces, especially those with ulterior motives. The PPP could advance its cause and protect its interests without dragging our institutions into the proverbial mud. Let GECOM be guided by the need for credible elections and not by the whims and fancies of one party. We have come too far as a nation to be shoved around by uncaring politicians and their political machinations.

Elections are vital to democratic outcomes and as such, they should not be fiddled with. Because our elections in the past have been political flashpoints, special care must be taken to ensure all bases are covered. To begin, there must be a credible voters list that enfranchises citizens; then arrangements for the elections must be properly executed to the satisfaction of all participants—they must not be rushed. We cannot sacrifice the integrity of the process and the outcomes at the discredited altar of partisan political expediency.

That’s why we call on the PPP to stop playing games with the electoral process.

Let it be known: Haitians have a right to be here as any other CARICOM citizen Dear Editor, THE xenophobic attacks on citizens of Haiti, a geographic island of the Caribbean and a bona fide member of the Caribbean Community of nations, whose arrival and passage through Guyana to other destinations have seen the worst extremes of racist behaviour.

We are all aware of the questions that had surrounded the serious plight of citizens from neighbouring Venezuela, particularly those that dealt with issues of security, given the many incidents of the sindicato gang activities between the two borders, and the capacity of the state to cater for the socio-economic needs of the many thousands, now living within this nation’s borders.

What had been clearly significant about this situation were the many private organisations, inclusive of a very prominent religious body with traditional historical ties to the entire continent, that was very vocal in its calls for the government to give sanctuary to what were definitely refugees, apart from coordinating assistance from some NGOs. All were dumb, silent, as to the delicate risks involved in having large volumes of Venezuelans seeking haven in our territory.

Contrast this position of ready sympathy and assistance to what was a refugee situation, to one of instant, baseless accusations against the government for allegedly

allowing the territory of Guyana to be used for trafficking of Haitians, the moment increased numbers began arriving.

Editor, your media house would have relayed more than sufficient detail, as explained by the relevant authorities, as to reasons for the increased numbers of Haitians arriving in Guyana, so there will be no repeat of same, except to say the following: That Guyana has always been the most generous of CARICOM member state, of admitting persons into our country, once they satisfy the landing requirements. The last two decades have witnessed steady drifts of persons from Asia, without any hue and cry, or public objections from any section of our population, or political bodies. In fact, both categories of ethnic citizens have been a historical part of our six peoples; hence their welcomed presence. One must also add, the large presence of Brazilians.

It is recalled, too, the manner in which Guyanese citizens were treated in Barbados by the island’s immigration. It was demeaning that reference was made to “strange cultures’’ beginning to appear on the island. As a Guyanese, I was extremely angry, since many Barbadians would have been visiting Guyana; welcomed, and made to feel at home.

But not the Haitians, whose African ethnicity is as much a part of this nation’s historical collectivity of six peoples, as much as the two categories alluded to

above. And listening/reading to the numerous unfounded and vulgar statements surrounding the Haitians in Guyana, again brings home the sad fact and reminder that there is a problem of race, made even sadder by the fact that it is politically led, and used for ends which can only continue to degrade efforts at unity. The mere fact that a certain high-profile, Guyanese media practitioner continued to refer to the Haitians in a manner which suggested that they came from another dimension, says as much for the descent into the man-made iniquity of race, to which sections of this nation have descended. In fact, it was this same Guyanese who vehemently objected to a security check by Louis Farrakhan’s security at the National Park, in the 1990s.

And going back to early 1970, he had then taken issue with some comments made by the late black power activist, Stokely Carmichael, when the latter spoke at the Queens College auditorium on the black civil rights struggle in the United States. It is up to the public to draw their own conclusions at these three instances.

For those who have led the outrageous attacks against the Haitians, with crappy slurs about ‘AIDS and deforestation,’ they ought to be ashamed, especially the political leaders and their cohorts, who seem to have been having imaginary dreams of the Haitians voting at the next national and regional elections.

I share R.Hamid’s views as expressed in his “Xenophobic fearmongering of Haitians,” Guyana Chronicle September 10, 2019. Indeed, they are profound truths, of which those who have emitted the political obscenities about Haitians and their country, are guilty.

It is not my intention to give a history of Haiti here, except to say that it took a very special kind of people, slaves, and led by a very special kind of person, also a slave, to have fought such a defining revolution against Napoleon’s top general Francois Le Clerc and his formidable army of tens of thousands, in addition to reinforcements.

This successful defeat of the French forces resulted in the founding of the first state freed of slavery and ruled by non-whites.

Thus, all of us, the entire South American continent, owe this unfortunate, but great country, a huge debt of moral and spiritual gratitude for the example that it set in becoming the hemisphere’s first independent state. And it cost the Haitians much in blood and lives for their heroic freedom.

Let it be known that Haitians have a right to be here as any other member of the CARICOM sister states; and those who seem offended, ought to be ashamed of their narrow and blinkered view of the world in which they live, and of themselves.

Regards Dillon Goring

SUNDAY CHRONICLE September 15, 2019

OP-ED

By Margaret Burke

INDIGENOUS Heritage Month 2019 is indeed worthy to be celebrated – as was within the passing years. However, this year’s celebration is precious and should be highlighted as a significant one, where undeniably there is much to celebrate. Heritage – the recognition of the inheritance; the true culture and custom; a birth-right that the government of the APNU+AFC coalition places much emphasis on for the Indigenous Peoples of Guyana.

Four ministers of the APNU+AFC coalition government have so far been selected from among our Indigenous community as ministers of the government.

There are two ladies and two gentlemen and these are young men and women who are ‘worth their salt’, like all the other ministers of the government. In fact, a study of their background would indicate that all of them were chosen because of their hard work, dedication and most importantly, their recognition within their own communities and in-groups.

The author is of the view that occasions such as these (Indigenous Heritage Month 2019) are more than appropriate to acknowledge the work of some members of the family of the APNU+AFC coalition. Within the culture of the Indigenous Peoples, these ministers are warriors – resolute in the battle and can only win when they are able to set good examples within their various communities and the members that follow them.

Joseph M Marshall III in his book, ‘The Power of Four’, said that leadership is rather demonstrated than thought; and that it “represented selflessness, morality, experience, honesty and responsibility. His philosoph-

ical approach is that such a leader should know his or her self, know his friends, know his enemy, while being at the forefront.

The message in Marshall III’s book is that ‘leadership by example is more powerful than leadership by power’.

MAJESTIC CULTURAL HERITAGE Each government minister representing Indigenous culture also represents a different tribe, as well as hinterland communities within Guyana.

They range from being artistic – using a wide range of natural materials found right where they are; skilled construction workers and industrious and business-oriented in their own ways, adaptable, very friendly but could have also known to be warlike. Many of them are also professionals.

Minister of State, Hon. Dawn Hastings-Williams, was born and bred in the small Akawaio village of Kako in the Upper-Mazaruni of the Cuyuni-Mazaruni, Region Seven. But right at the top of the regions, Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Hon Valerie Garrido-Lowe, was raised in the village of Moruca in Region One. On the other hand, the two gentlemen as ministers are from Regions One and Nine respectively. Guyana’s Fourth Vice-President and Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs hails from the North Rupununi, Upper-Takutu/Upper-Essequibo in Region Nine. Then in Riversview, a village located in Region 10 (Upper-Demerara/ Upper Berbice) and also the village where this year’s Indigenous Heritage Month 2019 was launched, is where our Minister of Social Cohesion, Dr. George Norton – an Ophthalmologist by profession, was raised.

Indigenous ministers working for the common good of Guyana Each of these hinterland villages possesses a distinctively rich, but diverse cultural heritage, yet the people are similar in so many ways – somewhat cautious but sociable and mostly industrious. Most, if not all of the Indigenous Peoples love the land and or water, which they utilise as means of employment, to find food, as well as for pleasurable activities.

A SUPPORTIVE GOVERNMENT With the government of the APNU+AFC coalition in place from 2015, there have been endless efforts to continually respect and support the culture of our Indigenous families.

At the same time, it is the vision of President Granger to bridge the gap between the hinterland and coastland, simply by way of education.

For the past four years he has been constantly underscoring – like a melody – the fact that education is the enabler, which will position the people of this country to be better qualified in every respect, get good jobs and ultimately a better life. He has made no bones about it, especially for the people living in the hinterland, many of whom form the largest part of our Indigenous population.

In fact, like in many of his addresses, President Granger discussed the importance the coalition government places on education as he spoke on youth development on International Youth Day. “There was a time (he said) when Hinterland education was the stepchild of the education system, but it is part of our policy to take education to the students, to the communities, rather than have the students come to the towns.”

He went further, “I feel that education is going to help to open people’s eyes to the need for equality.

It’s not just about getting a certificate, but having that certificate, having that qualification, you will be able to compete on an equal basis with children from other regions.”

And he added, “My mission is to have a first-class secondary school in every region, in every capital town.”

ACTION PLAN This is the perfect plan of the President and his coalition government – that every Indigenous child; every child in Guyana is given the opportunity to attain the best of an education system that is constantly evolving.

The President’s Five Bs’ initiative is also serving to drive the education plan.

Many more children are in schools today. They are being equipped to attend classes, have some of the necessary resources to inform them, as well as the means of nutrition that is a requirement to keep them going.

This is part of a holistic plan – one that is directly related to ensuring that children attend school and learn. On the other hand it is a plan that was consciously designed to lend support to parents, while putting other systems in place to make them become more economically viable.

APPLAUDING THE FOUR Every brother and sister celebrating this Indigenous Heritage Month (2019) should be applauded, with no exception.

But allow applause to be given to some of the leading figures such as Hon. Dawn Hastings-Williams, Guyana’s first Indigenous Minister of State, as well as Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Hon. Valerie Garrido-Lowe.

GECOM must ignore Jagdeo and stand firmly Dear Editor, ARE there any surprises at Bharat Jagdeo’s latest threat, to call for countrywide protests, once his silver bullet day of September 18 arrives and there is no date announced for regional and national elections? Absolutely not.

This is how cravers for political power behave –- desperate and irrational.

Such threats are expected from a frighteningly, misguided political leader who believes that his political bad man style of politics will cow the GECOM into bowing to his dictates, as he was in the expected habit and practice

of getting what he wants, in the then environment fashioned by threats and coercion even during his party’s regime terms in office. For him, it is the electoral body changing/ bending its procedures to suit the political obsession of his wanton greed for power.

Editor, Jagdeo’s continued actions betray a stark contra-

diction on a political course that ought not to be.

One would have thought that with the settlement of the GECOM chair, consensually arrived at with President Granger, that there was the clear understanding that

See page 8

These ladies continue to have very interesting political lives, both starting from an early age. They have accomplished much and are driving forces, with promise for the achievements of many more successes.

A former Toshao of Annai, Hon. Sydney Allicock, MS, and MP is Guyana’s Fourth Vice-President and Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs. He also has a remarkable political career that the nation recognises.

A pioneer of Indigenous Heritage Day, as well as a pioneer for many developmental projects within the hinterland, Minister Allicock is also concerned about the careful use of the natural resources of Guyana and a visionary for community-based tourism. He is also a prolific writer and poet and tutor.

7

This leaves Minister of Social Cohesion, Dr. George Norton, still holding the mantle of good leadership. He holds the position of a vice-chairperson of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNC/R), a member of the Central Executive Committee and has served as the Party Director of Hinterland Affairs. As a vibrant representative of Indigenous communities throughout Guyana, he takes a special interest in sports, youth and culture, and is strong in advocating for the rights of the Indigenous Peoples. He also served as the Minister of Public Health.

His vision, like that of the government, is to see a unified Guyana with equal opportunities and benefits for all.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE September 15, 2019

Time to introduce our own legal education programme Dear Editor, IN discussions with lawyers, government employees and members of the public, I observed some uninformed objections to the establishment of a legal education certificate (L.E.C.) programme in Guyana.

Most of the negativity seemed to be based on two sets of factors: lack of currency of knowledge, and protectionism.

Some believe that the introduction of such program would be contrary to our commitment to the CARICOM Treaty. Others think Guyana already has too many lawyers. Yet, a sizeable number are in favour of such programme.

As a strong advocate for the L.E.C. programme, which I am confident, would help to keep us along the path of sustainable national development and identity, I offer some light to the opponents of the programme.

Let me begin by stating that I am not totally opposed to protectionism, but those who hold steadfast should be cognizant of its limitations, especially, when the economic health our people, and our national prosperity are at stake.

For those who believe we have too many lawyers, let

them ponder the situation of the United States which has one lawyer for every three hundred people. To come close to the U.S. scenario, Guyana would need to have about 2800 active lawyers. Further, UWI Chancellor in 2011 stated that the region does not have too many lawyers.

In like vein, Professor of Law, Justice Duke Pollard emphasised the strong connection between economic development and law and the legal system. In essence, the protectionist view ignores Guyana’s dynamics as an increasingly international business-economics driven, and more importantly, the bourgeoning oil and gas economy in the current global context. These new developments require a new breed of lawyers equipped with the relevant knowledge and skills to function transnationally.

Turning my attention to those who are concerned about Caribbean integration, I would like to remind them that such integration has been at the crossroads from the inception.

Despite some positive trends in recent years, it remains a dream, depending on how one perceives it. Strong socio-cultural and some economic cooperation will suffice, but to

blend this medley of political economies into a functioning unified whole would be tantamount to mating a sheep and a goat. More importantly, every country has a right to adopt and or introduce policies and programmes that would benefit its populace. Article 5 of the Council of Legal Education supports this position. The national development objective, therefore, must take priority and trump any conflicting regional policy.

Many would agree, too, that development requires among other elements, radical thinking matched by concomitant radical redesigning of the mechanisms necessary to usher and or sustain progress.

To that end, some countries have forged ahead. In Jamaica, for example, the University of Technology has been offering the LLB degree since January 2009, and currently has an enrolment of over 200 students. The leadership of that institution has also begun plans to offer a juris doctor (JD) programme which is common in the US, and has gained momentum in Canada, Australia, New Zealand and continental Europe. The common objective is not only to gain international recognition for their programmes, and by

extension, their law graduates but to prepare them to function effectively in an increasingly globalized world.

Similarly, Trinidad and Tobago has been in the forefront in its concern for the nation’s education. It has more than 3,000 students studying through the University of London International (External) Programme. According to unofficial figures, as many as 40 persons graduate annually with an LLB through this distance programme. In fact, on April 3, 2011, the University of London held a graduation ceremony at the Trinidad Hilton which had more than 100 students in attendance. Further, the government has been facilitating students through the Government’s Assistance for Tuition Expenses Programme.

Not unlike Guyanese, many T&T LLB graduates find it difficult to gain places at the Hugh Wooding Law School.

However, as an alternative, many go to England to complete a 7 to 9-month Legal Practice Course, and upon return, spend six months under supervision at a Law office and thereafter, are admitted to practice in T&T. Clearly, this is a commendable initiative, which came under cloud recently.

Taking cognizance of the initiatives of Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago, it would be wise for Guyana to embark on a similar drive to facilitate and promote our LLB graduates.

Currently, one such opportunity or lacuna exists for Guyanese, but unexplored by lawyers, most of whom have never read the Legal Practitioners Act. Meanwhile, the relevant authority has been dragging its feet in permitting foreign common law trained lawyers, including several with a University of Guyana LLB to be admitted to practice under the reciprocity clause of the Act. It should be noted that we have benefitted from the voluntary exportation of intellect over the last several decades.

Legal training would now extend that realm, as our locally trained attorneys would be able to easily enter foreign markets.

But first, we need to have a program that would adequately prepare them for the market place, both local and foreign.

Put simply, the current system which puts all emphasis on the L.E.C. at Hugh Wooding is discriminatory and does not fit into Guyana’s long term national goals.

Further, the Department of Law at the University of Guyana should initiate negotiations

with U.S., Canadian and Latin American universities to introduce study abroad semesters which would promote emulsification and diversification of our education and training, and culture. Such programs would have the added benefit of serving as long term marketing tools for the University of Guyana, and ultimately the nation. It would bring many foreign students, and with them, foreign currency and cultural diversity.

In essence, we should hasten to establish our own legal education program, or accept some alternative initiative, as part of our push for sustainable development. Myopic naysayers should seek corrective national, racial and political lenses. A failure to see the global picture would continue to leave many of our LLB skills undeveloped, and they will continue to walk around in ‘no-man’s’ land. At the end of the day, politics and the national economy would suffer.

The establishment of our own legal training program therefore, is imperative.

Regards Ronald Singh Barrister & Solicitor; Former Head, Dept. of Law, UG

We perish if we forget those 23 PPP years Dear Editor, IT is said that “the love of money is the root of all evil.”

The problem with loving money is that no matter how much one gets, one still feels compelled to try to get as much more as one

can of land, property, and other things that money can buy, even though we see in sickness and death, that it really was not that important after all. The love of money, greed, acquiring more and more, blinds the greedy individual to the joy and the peace that the use (not the

GECOM must ignore ...

From page 7 the electoral organisation would then be left alone to arrive at its conclusive mandate for national elections, in accordance with the statutes of the Election Laws(Amendment) Act, of course, guided by the constitution.

Instead, almost from the second week of the chairperson’s installation, the PPP/C re-commenced its attacks on the work of the commission in a manner that continues to be contrary to the spirit of the understanding that surrounded the appointment of retired Justice Claudette Singh. It was shameful too, that a source of such attacks came from Sase Gunraj, a PPP/C commissioner of GECOM. This particular instance signalled that the PPP/C is not mindful of GECOM’s statutory functions, apart from disrespecting the role of the chairperson in her deliberative functions. However, GECOM must hold its line, and continue its constitutional work, regardless of the threats from Jagdeo, who is resorting to the latter as a method of pressure.

GECOM must stand firmly, while ignoring Jagdeo and his cohorts.

Regards Earl Hamilton

love) of money can bring; and so mental problems and illnesses increase.

We perish if we forget that for 23 years, we had a greedy administration of people who looked after themselves, not us, as they yielded to greed. They took as much as they could for themselves and those close to them.

Now that, that group is no longer in power, their thirst for power (and ill-gotten gain) is such a strong motivator for them to continue to deprive the citizens of Guyana of a better life. In their blindness to the pitfalls related to the love of money, they tend to miss the bigger picture, i.e. that we all are one, and though they may have acquired the biggest houses, the biggest bank accounts, cars, etc., (whatever their poison is), they are all the poorer for it, and should be pitied. This is not to say that it is bad to have or to own things, but one has to be wise about how they are acquired.

What the greedy ones want to do is to keep the rest of us from creating an environment that enables us to move up; by conning us

once more into believing that they were good to us over the 23 years that they were in power. They appeal to the ignorant and racist among us; those who lack the ability to think for themselves, or hide from truth, thereby making their minds sick.

An enabling environment takes time. Four years is not enough time, although we are seeing the signs of creativity emerging from a people who no longer feel fearful and can now express their views; although sometimes it seems to me that this new-found freedom makes us light-headed, that we have so many opinions now that can cause us to “shoot ourselves in the foot”, while executing our “constitutional right to free speech”, which may be nothing more than falling for the propaganda of the opposition.

It is up to you if you want to be tricked by the opposition, because of their appeal to your own greed, which makes you irrational in your thinking, that a government that has been in power for four short years can undo all the damage of 23 years, that they inherited. There was and still is a lot of mess

to clean.If we are impatient and expect miracles, we will find ourselves back under the people that ripped us off for 23 years.

No one is perfect and neither is the APNU+AFC government, but they have done a lot to reverse the harm that the previous government, the opposition, inflicted on us. Many of our children, who grew up under the previous administration, who are now placed in offices in positions of authority, believe and have learnt from them, that it is okay to have no ethics, to blame others for their own bad actions, to make others feel as unworthy as they themselves do, as a result of their own greed and less than honest behaviours, derived from a love of money acquired from watching the opposition operate while they were the government!

Our children deserve better!!

Allow your minds to recall how insecure this country had become, how lawless people were (and still are in many ways), how you had to keep silent about evil, and how there is

a chance now, although difficult, to pull back from the brink of self-destruction, from the brink of living the lie that the opposition peddles. They do not mind destroying a whole country to fulfil their selfish, personal ambitions.

The APNU+AFC government is not perfect, but it is way better in terms of morals and concern for the majority of citizens, as compared with what we had for 23 years. Do not be fooled by the noise the opposition makes to drown out common sense.

Be aware, that they still have people in the offices stymieing the work of the government, to make the government look bad.

It is repugnant to hear the opposing forces who took as much as they could for themselves, actually speaking about decency and pronouncing on right and wrong, when their own conscience buries all the wrong that they did over the 23 years of their rule!!

Regards Rosemarie Terborg Davis

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, September 15, 2019

THE SKY WILL NOT FALL

THE sky will not fall. No, not at all. Not on September 18, the day after, or at any other time at all.

However, anti-government elements have arbitrarily named September 18 – yes, Wednesday coming – as the drop-dead date for the holding of fresh elections!

It will not happen; it cannot happen!

They had petitioned the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), Guyana’s highest court, to name September 18 as the deadline for elections.

But the CCJ declined jurisdiction to do so, and refused to set any time-frame within which these elections could be held.

CONSULTATIVE PROCESS The CCJ ruled that it was for the constitutional players – the Parliament, Elections Commission, President and Opposition Leader – who could best do this in fulfilment of the requirements of Guyana’s Constitution and through a consultative process.

The CCJ was vindicated after the consultative process resulted in a new Chairman of the Elections Commission, over whose selection there had been political gridlock, being appointed. Both the President and Opposition Leader were engaged in what the CCJ had recommended to be a “hammering out” process.

The anti-government el-

ements had wrongly interpreted a provision of the Constitution that required, after the passage of a confidence motion, new elections to be held within 90 days.

Should the elections not be held within that time-frame, Parliament could extend the period by a motion that is supported by a two-thirds majority of the members of the National Assembly.

On December 21, 2018, the Speaker of the House had ruled that a confidence motion against the popularly elected APNU+AFC Coalition Government was carried.

Both President Granger and I made public statements that we accepted the Speaker’s ruling. But, a few days later, when the Speaker expressed grave doubts as to whether the constitutional threshold for passage of such a motion had been met, he threw wide open the door to judicial challenges –- a process that remains active as I write, though unquestionably abused.

NO SECOND 90 DAYS With the Judiciary seized by the matter, the 90 days within which elections should be held, lapsed on March 21, 2019. At the end of appeals, the CCJ upheld on June 18, 2019, that the confidence motion was validly passed, but it did not order any mandatory period within which elections should be held.

In my view the CCJ did not, and could not write into

the Guyana Constitution a second 90 days within which elections should be held. If it did, then the new election date should be on or before September 18.

There is no second 90 days. September 18 is a fiction, a figment in the infertile imagination of the political opposition.

So, I repeat: nothing will happen, or ought to happen, on this date, except for the possible return on this date of a notorious former colleague, former government leaders have nothing over which they should celebrate!

OLD WOUNDS Within the context of ethno-racial cleavages and their exploitation historically to serve the ends of political tribalism in Guyana, the no-confidence motion has opened old wounds, and it cannot be seen simply as a dramatic parliamentary episode or an uncharted constitutional development. It is to the credit of our government and all Guyanese that the country remains united, calm, stable and peaceful in what would be one of its most difficult periods.

The inter-play of the judiciary therefore was a necessary intervention that lifted the impact of the sordid event of conspiracy, defection and betrayal above the political arena. It also allowed a cooling-off period for the elections commission to embark on preparations for early

and credible elections, which include re-compilation of updated data of persons who are eligible to vote in elections.

The update has a 10year cycle. It was last done in 2008 through a tedious house-to-house registration process, which forms the legitimate basis for the 2018 exercise. Guyanese 14 years and above are registered to create a national register of registrants. A voters list is later extracted from the register.

EARLY AND CREDIBLE All Guyanese want early but credible elections. But at the core of serious concerns on all sides is the need for a clean list of electors.

Guyana has had in its post-independence period bitter experiences with elections, with one of those being described by Lord Chitnis from the British Parliamentary Observer Mission, as “crooked as barbed wire.”

There are credible concerns that the voters list used in the last 2015 elections was bloated with names of unverified persons. This is the list that the PPP/C, now in opposition, wants for upcoming

elections.

It appears now, from disclosures made on Friday last, that the elections commission is working towards year-end elections. Towards this end, it may be useful for the parliamentary political parties themselves to agree on a flexible but suitable time-frame, even if it flows over to early January.

Now is the time to say whether these elections should be held during the Christmas season, and whether it would be convenient for the many observer teams expected from abroad.

But these are practical matters that the elections commission would have to consider, and factor into its preparations for what would surely be crucial elections in Guyana.

PARLIAMENTARY DEMOCRACY This time around, the preparations are being made in the environment of a functioning, open and free parliamentary democracy, under which all constitutional bodies, such as the elections commission, enjoy full independence.

In spite of anxieties over early elections, the rights and freedom of all citizens are fully secured and protected.

The government operates on an interim footing but does all routine functions from which citizens benefit. The Constitution invests in the Executive President and his interim government a life that goes beyond elections, until a new President is sworn in.

The APNU+AFC Government therefore enjoys both de jure and de facto status. Its legitimacy flows from the nation’s Constitution and from the overwhelming majority of our people who support it.

It is in this context that the opposition must temper with responsibility its characterisation of our government as “illegal” from September 18. This is an invitation for anarchy. Worse, it is a treacherous proposition in the face of an enemy that has falsely laid claim to five-eights of our territory and all of our newly discovered oil and gas resources. Our people are placed on guard!

I repeat: The sky will not fall. No, not at all!

Guyanese know exactly what happened in Parliament on December 21, 2018

THE name Charandass has ignominiously made its way into the Guyanese lexicon as being synonymous with treachery and betrayal. This development is directly linked to the fact that Guyanese know exactly what occurred in the Guyana Parliament on December 21, 2018. A large swathe of the populace, regardless of political persuasion, is convinced that what they witnessed was not a genuine case of unprecedented patriotism.

They are not sold on the idea that this Parliamentarian acted based on principle and sought to exhibit Parliamentary heroism to save the Republic. If you argue these assertions are incorrect, the time has revealed some indicators that suggest the Guyanese masses are not asses.

THE NATURAL DEATH OF THE NO CONFIDENCE MOTION There are certain signs that manifest in a society where the people no longer repose confidence in their government. These may include: massive street protests (not organised by political parties), civil disturbances, a general outcry from civil society and palpable

manifestations some loss of hope that the government can manage the affairs of a state. The people of Hong Kong loss confidence in their government and two million people filled the streets. The people of Puerto Rico loss confidence in Governor Ricardo A. Rosello and he was forced to resign after the people filled the streets of San Juan. Such inescapable signs of the disaffection by the people have not been evident in Guyana. One protest movement organised by civil society had four persons. I make a clear distinction here between engineered and organised protests designed by political parties and unsolicited agitation by the citizenry which is the safest barometer to judge the mood of the people. No-confidence motions that are organic and proceed from the groundswell of true sentiments are supposed to be made of much more stern stuff. They ought not to be disconnected from the aspirations of the people. The lone Parliamentarian, Mr. Charandass Persaud, whose ‘yes’ to the no-confidence motion brought against coalition government in the Guyana Parliament on December 21st, represented the people of Berbice. After the

successful passage no-confidence motion, the government conducted several outreaches in this constituency and there was no sign of an authentic expression of the lack of faith in the government. This is a disconnect between the purpose of a no-confidence motion and the will of the people that must not escape observation.

PARLIAMENTARY COUP D’ETAT A motion of no-confidence or a confidence vote or confidence motion is a statement or vote that seeks to establish that the person/ persons holding responsibility are no longer deemed fit to hold that position because they are failing to carry out their responsibilities.

In the context of governance, confidence motions are constitutional or parliamentary mechanisms that serve as safeguards against a government that becomes an ‘out of wild tiger’, scratching and biting the population. The first documented case of no-confidence occurred in March 1782 during the American Revolution when the British Parliament declared that

they no longer repose confidence in the present ministers. Confidence motions have not been documented in history as paths to accessing power and seizing government, this has always been in the remit of coup d’etats and other forms of extra-legal maneuvers. However, it is not unreasonable to suggest that Guyana may have placed interesting content in the academic domain of studies in government on December 21, 2018. The series of events suggest that a new phrase can be accorded to this development. If it pleases the readers, a parliamentary coup d’etat best describes what the government of Guyana faced on December 21.

The evidence suggests that this was a grab for power under the refuge of a constitutional provision fraught with financial subterfuge.

Be that as it may, this has not escaped the attention of the Guyanese people. The fact that civil society organisations have refused to be part of an engineered political charade in the streets, it means Guyanese know exactly what

occurred on December 21, 2018.

WISE POPULATION Men dressed in red have paraded the streets, straining their vocal cords, they have yelled with veins in their neck strained: ‘Dictatorship’, ‘Violation of the constitution’. There has been no response to this. These cries ring hollow to a wise population.

Added to this, two credible polls have been commissioned since December.

Anecdotally speaking, none has revealed any inkling of a disaffected population. For this reason and those mentioned above, Guyana undoubtedly has a wise population.

CONCLUSION It is evident, based on the complete lack of buy-in to the arguments of the political opposition that the constitutional skies are falling, Guyanese know exactly what happened in the Guyana Parliament on December 21, 2018.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE September 15, 2019

Understanding Energy

Natural Resources Fund

THE passage of the Natural Resource Fund (NRF) represents one of the strongest proactive steps taken in Guyana ahead of first oil. Yet many are rightly pointing out that questions remain about parts of this vitally-important sovereign wealth fund that have yet to be fully implemented.

For instance, the fund’s oversight board will serve a critical role in maintaining public confidence and will include representatives of the government, opposition, civil society and business groups. To date, several key groups have not submitted any nominees to fill the seats on this important governing committee.

With first oil expected by early 2020, a full governing committee is necessary to ensure that there are not any delays in the functioning of the fund. That could slow down investment in anything from infrastructure to education and economic diversification.

It’s important to note that the passage of the fund is itself a strong achievement and has been hailed as progress by international groups including the World Bank, Interna-

tional Monetary Fund, and Inter-American Development Bank. Setting up a sovereign wealth fund like this is a crucial task for managing the wealth from natural resource development and avoiding negative consequences like the Dutch Disease that creates an overdependence on one economic sector to the detriment of others. It also ensures that revenues are saved for the future.

The timeline is important because an intense influx of revenue is likely coming to Guyana when oil production begins in earnest. Analysts at Norwegian-based energy consultancy Rystad and others, have forecasted that Guyana will be receiving revenues in the hundreds of millions of US dollars starting as soon as next year. Most of that will come from our 50-50 profit split with the oil companies, as well as an additional royalty.

As more projects come online after the Liza Phase One, revenues are predicted to be well into the billions of US dollars – rising to as much as US$5 billion in pure government

revenue per year during the 2020s. Those predictions were made before the series of recent discoveries in other offshore blocks.

Countries like Norway that have carefully saved and invested oil revenues now have sovereign wealth funds upwards of US$1 trillion. Those reserves help guarantee pensions and benefits for citizens, facilitate investments in regional economies, and put aside funds for the wellbeing of future generations even after the oil is exhausted.

Many of these funds have laws which only allow the accrued interest to be spent, leaving the principal amount untouched year after year. In countries where investment in infrastructure and development is more critical, strategic near-term domestic investments can be a better development strategy.

Much of that investment strategy in Guyana’s case will be determined in the days ahead by the Ministry of Finance, Central Bank, and – when they’re nominated – by the Public Accountability and Oversight Committee.

As currently drafted, the NRF would comply with 21 of the 24 Santiago Principles. These are international best practices for resource management established by the International Forum of Sovereign Wealth Funds, a global coalition of major sovereign wealth funds from countries like Trinidad and Tobago, Botswana and Kuwait.

These principles are voluntary guidelines intended to help promote good governance, transparency, accountability and prudent investing of sovereign wealth funds and resource revenues more generally. The fund will comply with the three remaining principles once it actually goes into effect, according to public statements from the Ministry of Finance.

Now, more than ever, it is important to move towards responsible management of these revenues to ensure that Guyana avoids the well-known pitfalls of economic Dutch Disease and Resource Curse corruption. In doing so, Guyana can truly transform its national well-being.

‘IT SMELLS LIKE MONEY’ –– Lucrative fish cleaning business makes it easy for the preparation of a fish meal without the hassle of cleaning fish

By Jared Liddell FISH cleaning is something that many individuals dislike doing, but luckily for us, there are persons who are there to do the job that we dislike, and it seems to be quite the lucrative business.

Speaking with a number of persons who are a part of the fish-cleaning business, they shed some light into what actually goes on in their daily operations and how they have been able to sustain themselves and create a separate sector for gainful employment just by doing the job many people dislike.

During an interview with fish cleaner, Glenn Eastman, he related to the Guyana Chronicle that he had been in the fish-cleaning business for the past three years and that the monies he has earned has helped him in sustaining himself and family. He explained how their operations work and said that they would charge customers by the pound to clean the fish and that that attributed to them being able to receive some level of substantial compensation for their work. He further stated that somedays were better than others in terms of earning because the business is dependent on the amount of fish the customers would have bought that day.

Eastman related that he makes a substantial amount of money every day, especially during the busy days like weekends and he said that even on the ‘slow’ business days he still manages to take home a decent amount of money.

“On a firing day, I would make like about

Glen Eastman Hard at work cleaning a parcel of fish for his customer a $10,000, sometimes more. During the week I might mek a $4000 to $5000. Monday to Wednesday is not really power day so we might go home with like a $4000, and well I get one child and I does maintain she from wah iz earn out here,” Eastman said.

Eastman further explained that at times, some persons seem to categorise them and forget that they are out there trying, every day, to make an honest dollar to have the opportunity to take care of themselves and their families.

“Some people don’t watch as we as hustlers, they does just watch at we like we’z thief and dem thing, cause when we roll up on certain people them does get scared, all

like if I get me knife on me waist they does get scared and want disrespect you in a way.

But I don’t dig nothing with it, I come out fah mek me honest living so iz try fah don’t leh da bother me.

I does come out at 4 o’clock on a morning and the Father does see I getting up early to make a honest hustle so I know the father does shine he light on me,” expressed Eastman.

Speaking with a second fish cleaner, Mark Gentle, he related that he has been in the business for over five years and that he has been able to see the benefits of it as he has been able to not only sustain himself but also his family of five. He said that from his experience sometimes it is a little difficult when he would go to work and have to return home with close to no money from that day’s work. He is always sure to save money in case of that eventuality.

“You gah cater for the rainy days, put up a lil thing in a lil stash if is a 2000 self so you could maintain if you come out and you aint make nothing you could mek a thousand at least and at least you could brace yaself,” Gentle said.

Gentle further related that he likes the idea of being in control of his own working terms.

He said that it gives him a kind of peace to have to be his own boss and determine how he works, what time and at what pace.

When asked about his daily earnings, Gentle said, “Out here ain’t get limit, one morning sometimes I does work and mek $25,000 and them thing, Sometimes one customer order would pay you for the day.”

He went on to explain that when fish is in

Mark Gentle Hard at work filleting a parcel of fish for his customer abundance, like during the Christmas holiday, he is able to make more than that, depending on the flow of customers.

The fish cleaners that were interviewed by the Guyana Chronicle gave the impression that they love what they do, not because it is a way to be your own boss, not because it is the only thing they can do, but because it is a lucrative business, an avenue that they have used and will continue to use as a way of sustaining themselves and their families.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE September 15, 2019

President Granger has restored democracy in Guyana

LET us face the reality of politics in Guyana, especially under the former PPP administration and its despotic leaders who had hijacked the presidency after the death of President Cheddi Jagan.

It was crystal clear, even to a young child, that the leadership of the party was never concerned about the continuation of democracy after the defeat of President Hoyte in 1992, and, subsequently, the death of President Jagan. It would seem by virtue of the actions and policies of the PPP, its modus operandi was to ensure that Guyana became semi-communist country.

There is sufficient evidence in the public domain to substantiate the argument that the years under Mr. Jagdeo, were mostly undemocratic, brutal and scary in every facet of life. In fact, it could be said with hardly any disagreement from even the most devout PPP supporters that, Mr. Jagdeo’s style of leadership, now that he is in the opposition and has taken total control of the party, closely resembles (of course, in a more washed down and wishy-washy version) that of Stalin. Like Stalin, Jagdeo was born into a very poor family (at Unity Village, ECD) and later joined the Progressive Youth Organisation (PYO), which is the now defunct youth arm of the PPP.

Like Stalin, Jagdeo’s term in office was oppressive and evidently signs of repressions, ethnic cleansing, mass murders, high unemployment rates, judicial killings, tortures, jailing of political opponents, and other forms of brutalities that are too numerous to mention within this column. At least, by now, everyone should get the gist of what this column is really about. Surely, it is not to reflect on those horrible years when Jagdeo and his political gang held Guyana in political, economic, and moral bondage, as they operated as if it were their personal property and bank account. But rather, it is meant to highlight and remind readers about the facts, that under President David Granger, Guyana is not only a safer country to live in, it is now well respected around the world, the crime rate has drastically reduced, freedom of the press is the order of the day, freedom of expression, etc., are all alive and well under this government.

However, as the Russians would say– Khorosheye izbavleniye ot plokhogo musora (Good riddance to bad rubbish), something I am sure that a certain person, who has spent a few years at ‘The Patrice Lumumba University’ in Moscow, would be quite familiar with. Mind you, that said individual, upon his return to Guyana, was

employed for years under the PNC government, without any form of discrimination.

Looking at what President Granger has done to restore democracy in Guyana, citizens can examine what is currently happening at the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), where he has put the country above himself, instead of putting his party or the government first.

Instead, he has opted to rely on what is constitutionally and legally required.

This is one aspect of restoring democracy to the land – by ensuring that apart from GECOM not being controlled by whomever is sitting as President, as was the case prior to 2015, President Granger has given the elections agency the opportunity to breathe again, and function independently, as is constitutionally required.

THAT’S DEMOCRACY! Another aspect of the restoration of democracy has to do with freedom of the press, where broadcasters and journalists are not being chastised, locked up, jailed or killed for their views. Also, opposition media houses are not being starved of or denied government advertisements, as was the norm under Jagdeo and the PPP. In fact, the evidence would prove that for the

Straight Up with

Mark Benschop

most part, the government seems to be giving more ads to media houses that are blatantly anti-government, while reluctant to spend advertising dollars with those that are either balanced, or sympathetic towards the coalition government. In other words, opposition media houses have absolutely nothing to complain about.

That’s DEMOCRACY! On the issue radio and television licences, this government has demonstrated its willingness to operate in a fair and equitable manner as it pertains to the granting of licences to citizens, irrespective of their political views.

Sadly, under Jagdeo and the PPP, only their families, friends, ‘lagoo bagoos’, and ‘conoo monoos’, were given access to own and operate radio and television stations.

An important point to note is that while some folks may think that it was as easy as ABC for me to have been given a radio licence under this government, the road wasn’t easy at all.

And now, citizens are free to talk, shout, yell or slam President Granger (most times without justifiable reasons) and the government, without fear of repercussions, or other forms of political violence being meted out to them by the government.

That’s DEMOCRACY! In conclusion, as this subject could take days to finish,

let’s take a look at how President Granger has restored respect upon this still-young nation. Firstly, members of the diplomatic corps are now comfortable to perform their duties in a professional atmosphere where they are not going to be ‘cussed out’ by His Excellency the President, ministers or any government official, as was the case during Jagdeo and the PPP’s years in office.

That’s DEMOCRACY! Note, Guyanese would never forget the ‘crass-like’ and unnecessary ‘cuss out’ and disrespect meted out to the then US Ambassador Hon. Brent Hardt, at his official residence. Yes, those horrible and fish-market-like days are long gone. Moreover, no drug lord is allowed to threaten diplomats and their wives, or orchestrate kidnappings in order to negotiate their names being taken off of the extradition list. Thankfully, under President Granger, persons wanted for crimes in the US have been extradited, and more will soon follow.

That’s DEMOCRACY! Secondly, Guyana is no longer blacklisted for refusing to be compliant with international Anti-Money-Laundering and Combating the Financing Terrorism (AML-CFT) regime. Under the Jagdeo/ Ramotar-PPP regimes, they refused to comply, for obvious reasons. However, with the removal of the PPP from

office, President Granger and his government, have ensured that Guyana is on the right track, and legitimate investors and businesses can breathe again. That’s DEMOCRACY! Thirdly, the Commissioner of Police and all members of his departments are allowed to function without any publicly-known political interference and promotions are mostly based on merit, qualifications and honesty. Yes, more can be done in this regard, but even with the horrible mess inherited by this government (with some bad apples still lingering in the force) citizens can, for the most part, rely on the police to protect and serve, without being sent to Monkey Mountain, or to bathe dogs, as a form of punishment for doing his/her job. Thus, with the (hopefully permanent) removal of the PPP, the Office of the Commissioner of Police has been restored to respectability, compliments of President Granger and his government.

That’s DEMOCRACY! So, I hope that the naysayers and, especially, those politically-bitter, vindictive and unpatriotic Guyanese (especially the likes of Charrandass, and his newfound few defenders) would recognise that decency has been restored and, to be a bit more precise and to the point: President Granger has restored democracy in Guyana.

GPL working to improve response time IMPROVED emergency response times in critical zones such as the East Coast of Demerara (ECD) and Georgetown are some of the key objectives of the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) as they aim to improve their customer-support mechanisms.

This was explained by GPL’s Divisional Director of Commercial Services, Rhonda La Fargue, during a stakeholders’ meeting at the Herdmanston Lodge on Friday. La Fargue said “as it relates to the responsiveness, we are working on increasing our teams and we have also

reduced our response times.”

Ordinarily, upon calling to make an emergency report, one would be advised that a team will be out within 24 hours to address the emergency. With these new measures being implemented, GPL guarantees that a team will respond to emergencies within 12 hours of an emergency call .

La Fargue further explained, “If it’s a minor emergency they can fix it, if it’s major it may take a little longer, but you should have some action within 12 hours and we’re working as much as possible as soon as we get

reports to see how soon we can actually have the crews at your location to have your problem resolved.”

As regards applications for new meters, persons will now be able to submit the necessary documentation

online so when they visit the office, the process will move a lot faster. GPL also has a goal for the time taken to fulfil these applications. “We are moving for the fulfilment of applications within 12 days, that is for residential

Some of the stakeholders gathered at the meeting

customers where no capital works are required and we are working on seeing how we can best reduce this time because I know this is one of the concerns of customers, after the application is done the time it takes to have the installation of the meter,” La Fargue said.

The major constraint in this regard is the unavailability of the preferred pre-paid meter type. To address this, steps have been taken to streamline the procurement process, so that there is a steady flow of the meters available for installation. (DPI)

GPL’s Divisional Director of Commercial Services, Rhonda La Fargue

12

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, September 15, 2019

‘Gunned down outside Freedom House’ -- Donna McKinnon’s daughter recalls her mother’s gruesome death 19 years ago

LATE on the afternoon of April 9, 2001, eyewitnesses saw a man on the backstairs of Freedom House with a handgun firing into a crowd of protesters on Robb Street, and as night stepped in, the body of Donna McKinnon, a 43-year-old market vendor laid lifeless on the empty lot next to the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) headquarters.

No one was ever held culpable for the woman’s death and almost 19 years later, the woman’s children are still hopeful that one day, the perpetrator will be brought to justice.

McKinnon’s fourth child, Soffina Solomon, told the Guyana Chronicle recently that she remembers the incident daily and will not give up campaigning for the perpetrator to be placed before the court.

The woman’s daughter told the Chronicle that she was in the city when she heard gunshots in the vicinity of Robb Street; she recalled that she did not have any idea that it was her mother who had been shot until later that evening. It was while the family was looking at a 19:00hrs newscast that they learnt of her mother’s death earlier in the afternoon.

Solomon, along with several siblings, migrated after the incident out of frustration that no closure will ever be forthcoming.

HOW IT HAPPENED The incident occurred during heightened political tension which had enveloped the country at the time as the then opposition, the People’s National Congress/ Reform (PNC/R), was protesting the results of the March 2001 elections.

On the day in question, a crowd of protesters marched along Robb Street demanding dialogue between the PPP government and the oppo-

sition. Several fires were lit along Regent and Robb Streets at the time.

As the crowd converged in front of Freedom House late that afternoon, a number of gunshots rang out and video evidence posted on a nightly programme which was hosted at the time by Mark Benschop, showed a man in a long, black coat, manoeuvring in and out of the back door on a verandah at the top floor of Freedom House. Eyewitnesses said he had what appeared to be a gun in his hand.

It is this individual which eyewitnesses would later recall seeing firing into the crowd.

At the end of the shooting, McKinnon was found in the nearby empty lot. Another bystander, Ramnarine Bhood, was also shot and although a bullet was lodged near his spine, he survived the shooting.

McKinnon sustained multiple gunshot wounds to her head, lower abdomen and right leg; she was found by passers-by covered under a galvanised sheet. Sometime around 18:30hrs, she was pronounced dead on arrival at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).

McKinnon's reputed husband Brian Caesar had told Stabroek News at the time that he and his reputed wife had gone to the corner of Wellington and Robb Streets, along with a crowd of other persons to see a fire which had been lit in that vicinity.

They were standing on the pavement at the entrance of the then Metropole Cinema, which stood opposite Freedom House, when police ranks from the feared Target Special Squad, called the ‘Black clothes’, arrived at around 17:00hrs. Gunshots then rang out and as the crowd scattered, McKinnon, he said, ran in one direction while he ran in another. That was the last time he saw her alive.

VISITS TO FAMILY As Georgetown burned, answers were being sought on the death of the market vendor and three days after the woman’s death, then Police Commissioner, the late Laurie Lewis and a team of top police officials visited the home of McKinnon’s family to offer

After her death, there were plans to exhume the woman’s body for another autopsy to be carried out by a foreign, rather than a local pathologist, since several unusual occurrences had occurred leading up to her autopsy.

Mckinnon’s suspicious family noted at the time that their mother’s body was re-

The late Donna McKinnon

words of comfort to the woman’s grieving daughters.

Then on April 18, 2001, several top PPP government functionaries of the Bharrat Jagdeo administration --- including then Prime Minister-designate Samuel Hinds--Gail Teixeira and the late Dr Dale Bisnauth, received a rude welcome when they visited the home of McKinnon. The officials eventually left to shouts of "out de place" and "political gimmick."

COVER-UP AND CORONER’S INQUEST Commissioner Lewis had informed the Stabroek News at the time that the police were not attempting to cover up for anyone. At the time he was responding to comments that he knew that McKinnon had not died as a result of shots fired by the police.

moved without their knowledge from the GPHC mortuary to the area where it was taken and where the autopsy was performed. They were never informed about where the autopsy was done.

Also, at the time too no family member was allowed to witness the post-mortem, even though they had signed a document indicating the family members authorised to do so.

A coroner’s inquest was also held a year later, but that also never brought closure to the matter.

COMPENSATION As regards compensation, Solomon noted that following the incident the family received a sum of $3M which the PPP government said was a contribution to the family’s welfare, given the loss of their mother who was their sole

breadwinner.

Solomon said notwithstanding the money, the family was deeply hurt as they sought answers regarding her mother’s death.

“We were still demanding justice, we were still making inquiries .We never stopped seeking justice for the loss of our mother’s life,” she said.

Solomon said during a visit to Guyana recently, she met the current Attorney General Basil Williams and chatted briefly with him. “He told me they still have it on the agenda,” she said. She expressed hope that a Commission of Inquiry will be held into the matter.

As regards the video evidence of the man with the gun on the back stairs at Freedom House, Solomon said she has hopes that the APNU+AFC government will find out who that person was.

“I have the faith that if the individual that we saw in the video is still alive, that one day soon justice will be served,” she said, adding that she has confidence that the David Granger – led administration will bring the perpetrator to justice.

She recalled that after the incident, social activist Mark Benschop, along with former PNC Leader Robert Corbin and Williams, the current attorney general, kept in contact and supported the family MCKINNON WAS A JOVIAL PERSON Solomon described her mother as a jovial person whose pot always had food. ”She never cooked in small amounts, she celebrated all our achievements, whatever we achieved, she never shy away from ‘bigging we up’,” the woman said of her mother, adding that her mother also had a very strict side.

“I love her and miss her and I only wish she was around to see how productive her children have become; I

only wish that she was here with us. I wish she was here with us,” she in sad tones.

Last week, during an interview with Benschop on his nightly radio show “Straightup,” Solomon said subsequent to her mother’s death, the PPP was trying its best to persuade the family members to vote and support that party, although that government knew that the family never supported it and that the family was seeking an answer to their mother’s brutal demise.

Solomon, who was 20 years old when her mother was killed, said that she attended the East Ruimveldt Secondary School with PPP spokesman Kwame McCoy; she noted that the PPP was using him to talk to the family at the time.

She said that after the $3M payment was made to the family, the PPP seemed to have forgotten about the matter as the authorities at the time refused to answer calls or entertain follow-ups on the matter.

“There wasn’t anything ever forthcoming,” the woman said on the radio programme, adding that she understands the seriousness and importance of the upcoming elections.

Solomon said she is willing and able to return home and support the APNU+AFC administration to ensure that the government remains in office, so that they can re-open the case and fully investigate her mother’s demise. “I trust that they keep their word,” she said.

Benschop said he will ensure that he follows up the matter with the current administration of the Guyana Police Force, adding that the death of McKinnon that afternoon near Freedom House remains fresh in his mind.

Essequibo gas station owner robbed ABHIMANYU Dalchand, 25, son of businessman, Manichand Dalchand, of Region Two, was robbed on Saturday of an undisclosed amount of cash by two armed men at Onderneeming Village, Essequibo Coast.

The incident occurred around midday on Saturday.

According to Dalchand, he was supplying purified water in a street in the village when two men, one masked and the other without, placed a wood in front of his vehicle.

The wood barred him from going forward.

One of men then put a gun to his head and the other demanded money.

The man then put his hand into the Dalchand’s pocket and took his money.

The businessman said the money was the sales for the day.

After robbing the businessman, the men then took the keys belonging to the water truck, broke the businessman’s mobile phone and escaped behind a koker.

The truck of the businessman who was robbed

“When they left me, I immediately watched around, no one was around, I then

pick up the phone and called my father who immediately called the Suddie Police sta-

tion. I am happy to be alive," the younger Dalchand said.

Meanwhile, his father related that the police at Suddie did not have a vehicle at the time but later arrived on the scene in a car. By then, the thieves were nowhere to be found.

The businessman’s truck was then taken to the Suddie Police Station where police took finger prints. It was the second robbery in two weeks for the family. Only last week their store at Anna Regina was robbed. Police

are investigating both robberies. The Dalchands are the only suppliers for the Krisna Balram purified water. The family has a gas station, a boutique and a snackette at Anna Regina.

This newspaper also received reports that two other families were robbed at Cotton Field and Richmond. A electronic store at Colombia was also robbed recently. Residents are calling on the police to be more vigilant in the region.

13

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, September 15, 2019

Symposium puts spotlight on infertility

REGARDED as an innovative and unique venture by the Ministry of Public Health, a recently-held infertility symposium had participants discuss what is considered a taboo subject.

The symposium was facilitated by the Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) Adventures, a Non-Governmental Organisation, at Moray’s House on Saturday. Doctors and other interested stakeholders attending the meeting, listened to presentations on the prevalence of infertility, how it affects couples and alternatives that can be sought after.

Infertility is a condition in women which causes the inability to conceive a child.

This could be as a result of untreated Sexually Transmitted

Diseases (STD) such as Chlamydia. It can also be as a result of delayed pregnancies or failed abortions. Men are also affected by infertility through poor behavioural patterns and health practices which can result in a weak sperm count.

Addressing the gathering on behalf of Minister of Public Health was Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Dr. Shamdeo Persaud, who explained that statistics indicated that about five per cent of persons worldwide are affected by infertility.

This, he said, accounts for a significant figure worldwide.

Further disaggregating the numbers, the statistics show that 30 per cent of infertility cases are as a result of factors relating to men, while 25-40 per cent is as a result of female issues. About 28 per cent of

infertility cases are as a result of factors relating to couples (both men and women) and this includes incompatibility.

In explaining the effects of infertility, Dr. Persaud said, “it [infertility] has a very wide reach, both from an individual point of view with personality issues, and in cases with couples’ - failed marriages, interpersonal relationships and even in some instances violence and distrust develop in families. We need to address some of those issues in a broader context and I am happy that psychologists and family counsellors are involved.”

This issue has escalated socially, resulting in persons seeking desperate solutions to correct infertility. From the perspective of the Ministry

Truck driver to be charged for pensioner’s death THE driver of a truck that struck down and killed a pensioner on the Parika, East Bank Essequibo (EBE) public road, on Thursday, has allegedly admitted to police that he was responsible for the accident. He is expected to be charged this week.

The pensioner, Christiani Bowling, 69, of Boodhoo Scheme, Parika, EBE was heading to the Guyana Elections Commission’s (GECOM) office at Parika to make a correction to his registration form when he was struck down.

His body is currently at the Ezekiel Funeral Parlour.

Dead: Christiani Bowling

Reports indicate that Bowling, who was riding a cycle and the truck GWW 4008 were travelling in the northern direction on the public road when the truck decided to overtake him.

This resulted in the left side of the truck’s tray connecting to Bowling’s bicycle handlebar, causing him to lose

control. He fell between the truck’s left-side wheels and his head was crushed by the rear wheel.

Bowling was picked up and rushed to the Leonora Cottage Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Police said the driver is currently in police custody and is assisting them in their investigations.

He was placed on a $100,000 station bail on Saturday with the understanding that he will report to the station daily until the conclusion of investigations.

A file is expected to be sent for legal advice before charges are instituted.

Coordinator of SRHR Adventures, Dr. Faqueeda Watson-Jones

Chief Medical Officer, MoPH, Dr. Shamdeo Persaud

of Public Health, the CMO noted that though it is a small issue, it has a great impact on sexual and reproductive health, often leading to emotional challenges. “Infertility has been a challenge that is growing worldwide. Here in Guyana, we are no exception and we have noted that more and more, especially through social media and other outlets,

that persons are trying to seek services that could enhance their own capacity,” Dr. Persaud said.

The symposium was themed, “What the fertility!

Navigating the ups and downs of another ‘F’ word.” Coordinator of SRHR Adventures, Dr. Faqueeda Watson-Jones, remarked that after attending a seminar in Canada focusing on

infertility, she realised that this is a sensitive topic that is not discussed enough, as there is little research done in the area.

“We would have noticed on social media that there are a lot of persons who lack the knowledge of infertility or they have issues with it, hence the reason for this symposium targeting males and females to address infertility issues and explore factors which contribute to the knowledge, attitude and cultural conditions surrounding infertility.”

In response, the Health Ministry has opted to first ensure that testing and treatment for STDs are available for both men and women across Guyana whether in private or public facilities. Also, through maternal health and family planning services, women can be advised on fertility treatment options available locally. (DPI)

14

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, September 15, 2019

Wales Estate was proposed for closure in 1997 … high production costs, low staff turnout hampered industry IN 1996, the authorities were told that if by the end of the 1997 cane-harvesting cycle the Wales Sugar Estate was not able to reduce its production costs, the estate should be closed after that crop.

Additionally, the situation at the Uitvlugt and Enmore sugar estates faced an evaluation which also hinged on production costs, with the aim of making them viable by the year 2000, or phasing them out if they proved otherwise.

Such was the concerns over the state of the industry back then that the National Development Strategy (NDS) of 1996 took aim at making substantial moves, including estate closures, to make the sugar industry more viable.

The report, which was crafted by 23 working groups,

placed emphasis on the high rate at which the cost of sugar production was “escalating” at the time.

“There is need for radical review of the industry's cost structure as the industry has emphasised on a number of occasions. This is perhaps the most daunting challenge faced by the sector,” the report said at the time.

In 2017, the APNU+AFC government announced the closure of several sugar estates; initially the Wales sugar estate was named as the first to be closed one year after it was announced for closure. The move by the government triggered protests led by pro-People’s Progressive Party (PPP) leaders on the West Demerara and later in the city.

Later several other estates in the Berbice belt were closed and these were also cited as being too costly to run. The opposition protested the move once more although the government made it clear that annual multi-billion dollar bailouts to the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) were hurting the economy.

FORECASTED IN NDS But the move by the David Granger-government was an undertaking forecasted and made known to the PPP-government way back in 1996 when the gloomy future of the sugar industry was written in black and white.

According to the draft National Development Strategy (NDS) of 1996, steps were urgently needed to be put into action and downsizing of the industry was suggested so that its sales could have been made profitable.

The undertaking, the NDS said, included the elimination of GuySuCo’s “least efficient components and relocate the labour force in more productive lines of work”. This effectively meant the closure of estates which were hampering the industry and the relocation of the labour force.

According to the 1996 report, the strategy proposed was an indirect response to trends in Guyana's economy at the time. According to the report, they were needed in response to signals of reductions in labour turn-out for some of the Demerara estates.

“So it also is an acceleration of a natural process, undertaken for the sake of making the industry more competitive as soon as possible and also to avoid greater pressure on the public sector finances,” the report stated at the time.

Fast forward to the years after 2000, the PPP commenced the bailout process, with hefty

sums to keep the industry afloat, the rising cost of production being the critical factor in the billions of taxpayers’ funds being turned over to GuySuCo. BAILOUTS AND DECLINED PRODUCTION This publication has reported that sugar production fell from an average 320,000 tonnes between 2002 and 2004 to below 250,000 tonnes in

subsequent years.

In 2003, production fell to its lowest since 1940, with only 186,000 tonnes being produced.

At the same time, due to several factors including interference, the industry’s cost of production rose much higher than the market price for sugar, totalling over $50B in losses between 2010 and 2014.Then the bailouts from the Bharrat Jagdeo-government were put into high gear in order to save the industry.

Production costs rose sharply from $14.5B in 2010 to $20.5B in 2014, an increase of $6.3B or 43 per cent. In order to meet these costs, the government at the time was forced to divert sizeable sums of taxpayers’ money to bail out the industry and prevent collapse that would have brought ruin to the 16,000-plus sugar workers.

In the 1996 report, it was noted that Guyana’s sugar is fundamentally an export industry, but after that year, its export earnings were not expected to grow, but rather to shrink gradually, since, according to the report, it could not expand by selling more on the world market without incurring losses.

DECLINING PROFITS The report stated that an industry-planning exercise carried out early in 1995 suggested that profits before levy and taxes were expected to decline by about three-fourths in real terms between 1995 and 1999.This was attributed mainly to not only the “expected downward trend in sugar prices, but also because production costs are increasing”.

Said the report, “It faces an urgent need to make substantial investments in rehabilitation of factories and to otherwise move toward competitiveness in world markets, in order to be prepared for possibly more drastic reductions in real prices

after the year 2000.”

The NDS report stated that observations of the industry back then in 1996 were so fundamental to strategic planning for the sector that they were worth amplifying.

The report stated that in 1996, three sugar estates were going to lose money, and in 1997, a fourth one was forecasted to join them.

“All four of these estates are in the Demerara region, while the ones located in the Berbice region are profitable,” the report stated at the time.

The PPP-government subsequently closed the La Bonne Intention (LBI) and Diamond sugar estates as production costs rose continually over time.

FACTORS BESIDE PRODUCTION COSTS Aside from high production costs, several other factors were hindering the industry and were expected to impact its future, the 1996 report stated.

According to the report, there was a shortage of managerial and technical skills in “every major area of activity” at GuySuCo. At the time, the report said that an aggressive recruitment drive was in place, and there has been some success in attracting young graduates, however, remuneration packages at the time were inadequate to bring aboard the more experienced and qualified to the extent that they were going to be available.

Labour turnout was also seen as a determining factor cited in the industry’s future.

The 1996 report stated that in September 1995, the labour force at GuySuCo was 24,000, but reducing labour turnout was experienced at Enmore, LBI and Wales estates. “This could emerge as one of the more intractable problems facing the business, given the Coldingen industrial development and the emergence of other new businesses as the economy opens up,” the report said.

It was noted at the time that competition for labour were forecasted to drive labour rates up and further undermine the viability of the industry.

At the moment, Guyana’s sugar industry is being restructured so that it can be revived, and as President David Granger assured workers at the Albion Sugar Estate in Berbice during a visit earlier this year, the sector is going to recover from the difficulties it is facing.

The President made a commitment to engage with the unions representing sugar workers in order to chart a course forward for the industry’s development.

15

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, September 15, 2019

Impassable trail being transformed into $172M roadway A SINGLE-lane trail at Port Kaituma, Region One (Barima-Waini), that was in an appalling state with many large potholes, is undergoing a complete transformation into a $172M highway as part of central government’s vision to connect Port Kaituma to Mabaruma via a durable main road.

This massive project is being spearheaded by the

Ministry of Public Infrastructure, with International Import and Supplies as the executing contractor. The project is being executed in phases that will see the full rehabilitation and construction of an M2 road to Yarakita.

According to the regional engineer within the Public Infrastructure Ministry, John Bart, who has responsibilities for Region One, much work

has been invested into the M2 road. “There were several spots they had to scope out and then refill with solid material, then rolled and compacted properly,” Bart explained.

Additionally, the engineer told the Department of Public Information (DPI) that of the 15 kilometres to be done under the project, nine kilometres of the road has already been cleared for the up-

A section of the completed M2 Road

grades to proceed. Within that nine-kilometre zone, five kilometres has been capped with laterite.

Since most of the preparatory work has been done, the project is now 80 per cent complete.

Bart explained that despite the unseasonal rains which had posed a challenge by reducing the pace of construction, the works are expected to be finished by October 2019, well before its projected January 2020 deadline.

Under the Ministry of Public Infrastructure’s work plan, $2Billion has been allotted for hinterland roads as part of Budget 2019.

Within the region, the $155M rehabilitation and construction of 700m of Port Kaituma’s road network will soon be finalised as works under that project are also 80 per cent complete. Meanwhile, the $109M rehabilitation of Wanaina to Yarakita’s road network has been completed. (DPI)

Lethem Police Station gets three horses

The two business persons formally handed over one of the horses to Commander, Senior Superintendent Kevin Adonis, in the company of Superintendent, Keithon King

THREE horses were recently donated to police at the Lethem Police Station to boost their mounted troop patrol.

The donation was made

by Ulanda Vascomsellais, Manager of Santa Fe Inc. and Marlon Degar, a businessman of Lethem.

At a simple but significant handing-over ceremony attended by Commander of ‘F’ Division, Senior Superintendent, Kevin Adonis, the donors said the kind gesture seeks to assist the police with the necessary resources to boost their mounted troop patrol.

In addition, they stated that the residents and business community are pleased with

the service of the police which has motivated them to donate the horses.

The commander, in his response, thanked the donors and reiterated the importance of good police-community relations.

He also asked the donors to have an eye out for the misuse of the horses and urged them to communicate same with the commander and officer in charge of the Lethem Police Station.

Also at the event were officer-in-charge of number two sub-division, Superintendent, Keithon King and other ranks, including Divisional Community Relations Officer, Woman Inspector, Metchelle Padmore.

16

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, September 15, 2019

President attends installation ser

P

Anglican Bishop of Guyana, the Right Reverend Charles A. Davidson and members of the Diocese of Guyana

resident David Granger on Saturday attended the Anglican Diocese of Guyana's installation of Reverend Thurston Riehl as Dean of Georgetown and Rector of St. George's Cathedral.

Also installed were Reverend Charles Roland, who will now serve as Canon to the Stall of St. Andrew and Reverend Jones Richards who will now serve as Canon to the Stall of St. David.

Also present were Speaker of the National Assembly, Dr. Barton Scotland; Minister of Public Health, Ms. Volda Lawrence and Guyana's High Commissioner to Canada, Mrs. Clarissa Riehl. Mrs. Riehl is the wife of Dean Thurston Riehl. The installation ceremony occurred at the St. George's Cathedral and was presided over by the Right Reverend Charles Davidson, Anglican Bishop of Guyana.

Dean of Georgetown and Rector and Reverend Jones Richards ( stalled as Canon to t

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rvice of Anglican officials

r of the St. George's Cathedral Reverend Turston Riehl (left) (centre) and Reverend Charles Roland (right) after being inhe Stall of St. Andrew and St. David respectively

President David Granger and Speaker of the National Assembly, Dr Barton Scotland joined celebrants at the St George’s Cathedral on Saturday for the installation service

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Family of four loses Melanie Damishana home

FOUR persons lost their Melanie Damishana, East Coast Demerara (ECD) home on Saturday morning, after a fire of unknown origin gutted the building.

The owner, Rodrick Nurse, said he was on his way to the market in Georgetown when he received a call from his neighbour at 09:30hrs informing him that his Lot 33, Barrack Lane, Melanie Damishana ECD home was on fire.

After receiving the call, Nurse said he made a U-turn

Firemen inspecting the debris in the aftermath of the fire

A truck that was parked in the yard that was saved

into Montrose, East Coast Demerara and by the time he reached his home, the entire building was destroyed.

The upstairs of the building was wooden with PVC ceilings and firefighters explained that the fire rapidly consumed the building from the wooden section.

Nurse said the firefighters removed important documents and items that were not destroyed and the area would remain as it is until in-

vestigators visit on Monday.

“We have lost every single thing, we began living here in December 1992 and we did renovations and although the place is insured, we have lost far more than the insurance can compensate,” he said.

The retired public servant explained that his brother and daughter also live in the area and his family will be taken care of until rebuilding occurs.

Businessman loses home, workshop in Good Hope fire

The businessman was only able to save a few bedframes from the fire which destroyed his entire property (Rabindra Rooplall photo)

A BUSINESSMAN, who produces furniture, lost almost $20M in supplies, in addition to his house and other values during a fire of unknown origin that occurred in the wee hours of Saturday morning.

Mohan Jangbir, 57, called “Pradeep” of lot 248, Good Hope, East Coast Demerara lived in a one-flat concrete house with his wife, son and grandson when he was alerted about the fire around 03:30hrs.

In an interview with this publication, Jangbir secured his workshop and dwelling house before retiring to bed with his family.

At approximately 03:30hrs on Saturday, he was awaken by his neighbour who told him that the property was on fire.

On looking, he said there was a large fire in his work shop. He quickly exited the house with his family as the fire engulfed both properties.

The fire service was summoned but they were unable to save anything. No one was injured in the blaze.

“I manage to move away my vehicle and go inside back the house and tried to save some things, but within no time, the entire place was in fire, my bond that had all my supplies and the workshop was destroyed. My insurance can’t even do anything much in comparison to what I lost; is about $20M in furniture destroy, this is separate from the property,” the businessman said.

He has been living in the area for 18 years and his business has been in existence for over a decade.

“I had about 13 birds in my house that get burned up, I only manage to save two, my monkey that was at the back also was burned,” he said.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, September 15, 2019

Crawford walks away from FED-UP …endorses APNU+AFC coalition

By Nafeeza Yahya LESS than nine months after the launch of the Federal United Party (FED-UP), Junior Crawford, a senior member of the party on Thursday announced his withdrawal from the party as he endorsed the coalition government in the upcoming elections.

He joined the party a few months after.

Speaking with the Guyana Chronicle, Crawford said one of the main reasons for his departure from the newly formed political party was due to complaints by members of FED-UP about him being overly critical of the main opposition party, the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) and honesty and integrity issues were another driving force for his departure.

Crawford, who has been outspoken on national television and radio of his support for the party, noted that the FED-UP party was formed to be independent and not to be influenced and of recent there have been talks about his honesty and outspokenness towards the opposition; as such, he took a decision to leave rather than stay and create problems; he respectfully left on mutual grounds.

Crawford stated that his aim as a Guyanese is to provide a voice to persons who are left behind and unrepresented. He noted his positivity to spread unity will continue and believes the coalition government through the leadership of President David Granger is the only party that can help him realise this dream. While he believes more can be done, he testified that there have been developments across the region, especially with infrastructure and education. On that note he highlighted that based on the efforts, integrity and positive leadership by President Granger, it is only fair to throw his support behind his administration.

“Because of his honesty, willingness to be inclusive of all Guyanese regardless of race and the fact that country comes before men I choose to rally with the President.” He however noted even though he has expressed his support for the coalition, he will continue to speak out against any negatives and also highlight the positive efforts as he believes in being fair. He further pledged his unwavering support to the coalition and made it known that he is available to

Junior Crawford

serve in any way as needed in the upcoming elections.

PPP CALLS FOR BOYCOTT JR Crawford stated that the opposition PPP has committed numerous atrocities against Guyanese of all walks of life and has not to date offered an apology or showed any remorse; this is why he has been critical of that party.

To this end, he further stated that there have been calls to boycott his race course and stables, as well as threats on his life. "I am not bothered by the opposition nor their boycott calls, unless we as a people unite and stop voting race, then is when we will be able to truly include the diaspora and make Guyana a better place. The opposition is guilty of enticing race-based politics and we will never move forward as a country with them," Crawford said.

Additionally, he also wanted to make it clear that he endorsed the coalition on his “own free will” as he truly believes that the party is the best one for Guyana. "I was not promised anything nor paid to say or do anything, I truly want to see Guyanese unite and with the coalition in office, I know we can achieve this and I will continue to fight for this cause."

Meanwhile, in an invited comment, one of the founders of Fed-Up, former Magistrate and Attorney at Law Chandra Sohan, stated that he has not yet officially received a resignation letter or spoken to Junior Crawford and if indeed he is leaving because he feels he is being targeted due to his outspokenness about the opposition, then that is cause for concern. "That is misleading the public, he is just an ordinary member of the party and I did not see him being reprimanded for being critical of the PPP; we are an independent party that brings something different to the people and we criticise both the government and the PPP."

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RACING TIPS Irish Racing Tips Curragh 08:20 hrs Verhoyen 08:55 hrs Tarnawa 09:25 hrs Mags Cross 10:00 hrs Albigna 10:35 hrs Pinatubo 11:10 hrs Cross Counter 11:50 hrs Kattani 12:25 hrs Hamish Macbeth 13:00 hrs Numerian

South Africa Racing Tips Scottsville 08:45 hrs Winter Wonderer 09:25 hrs Mr Fitz 10:00 hrs Tribal Fusion 10:35 hrs Techno Captain 11:10 hrs Class Of Eight

English Racing Tips Ffos Las 09:05 hrs Carmel 09:35 hrs Hot Summer 10:10 hrs First Link 10:45 hrs Madsleine Bond 11:20 hrs Sincerity 12:00 hrs Tigerskin 12:35 hrs Kasuku

Bath 09:10 hrs Mis Diva 09:45 hrs Arrangement 10:20 hrs Princess Way 10:55 hrs Catheadans Fury 12:10 hrs Duke Of Dunbar 12:45 hrs Artic Sea

John cops top event at Banks DIH’s Rainforest Waters Cycling competition

By Faizool Deo NATIONAL cyclist Briton John registered a comprehensive victory in the feature race of the second annual Banks DIH’s Rainforest Waters Cycling competition, which was staged yesterday at the inner circuit of the National Park.

The 19-year-old, who represented Guyana at the Pan American U-23 Elite Road Cycling Championships, which was held in Mexico late April to early May this year, took control of the 35-lap School Boys and Invitational race from lap two.

The East Coast rider said he looked to test the field early and realised that he could have stayed in control.

“I’ve been putting in a lot of work … it was an easy win for me.”

Eventual second-place finisher Christopher Cornelius and thirdplace Deeraj Gharbaran stayed close, towards the latter stage of the race, but when the time came to break free, John did.

The teenager, who won Bartica’s first-ever cycling road race in March 2019, was high in praise for his We Stand United

teammate Gharbaran for helping him before he made his final push.

The 21-year-old Gharbaran finished with a whopping five sprint prizes, while John copped three.

Alex Mendes finished fourth, while Adelie Hodge rounded off the top five.

A number of races were carded for the day, including the Juveniles’ 10 laps, which was won by Sherwin Sampson. The 14-year-old, who finished ahead of Mark Lewis, copped two sprint prizes.

Junior Niles won the Veterans Under-50 five-lap race. He finished ahead of Lear Nunes and Kwame Ridley respectively, while Eon Jackson won the Veterans Over-50 five-lap event, with Andrew Spencer finishing second and Kennard Lovell third.

In the pre-teen divisions, Jose Rodrigues finished ahead of Lennox Jackman and William Greene in the BMX Boys 6-9 year-old two-lap race, while Jason Ryan Primo copped the top prize in the 9-12 age group category of the same race.

The event was also sponsored under the Triskits Crackers and Midwest Cookies brands.

Guyana set to host CPL playoffs again GEORGETOWN, Guyana (CMC) – Caribbean Premier League (CPL) organisers have struck a deal with the Guyana government which will see the return of the playoffs here for a second straight year.

The playoffs comprise two games – the eliminator between the third-placed and fourth-placed teams, and qualifier one involving the top-of-the-table side after the preliminaries against the second-placed side.

Both matches are scheduled for October 6 at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence.

“We are blessed to get to bring games to Guyana where the fans are out of this world,” said CPL’s chief operating officer, Pete Russell.

“The playoff matches were a huge success last year, and with the games being a double-header there will be even better value for supporters as they will get to see two games between the best four teams on one day.

“We know the support we will get from Guyanese fans at both the group games and the playoffs will be second to none.”

The two games will bring to seven the number of CPL matches staged here during the 2019 campaign after Guyana Amazon Warriors played three of their home games here at the start of the tournament.

They have two remaining games here on October 3 and 4 against Jamaica Tallawahs and two-time reigning champions Trinbago Knight Riders.

“We are very pleased to have the Caribbean

Premier League return to Guyana in 2019.

The tournament has made a huge impact, showcasing our beautiful country to viewers around the world as well as creating jobs locally,” said Joseph Harmon, Director General in the Office of the Presidency.

“We are delighted that the proud and passionate Guyanese cricket fans can look forward to this world-class spectacle this season. With seven matches, including the two crucial playoff games, Guyana will be at the heart of the tournament in 2019.”

The winner of qualifier one will book a direct spot in the final set for October 12 in Trinidad while the winner of the eliminator will face the loser of qualifier one on October 10 in Trinidad, for a place in the final.

GCC in total command after day one GISE/Star Party Rentals/Trophy Stall First-Division cricket HOSTS, Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC), must be a happy lot after they dominated proceedings at the end of the first day’s play of the GISE/ Star Party Rentals/Trophy Stall First-Division two-day match.

At the close yesterday, the hosts were 274-2, replying to GDF’s first-innings 87 all out. They have already amassed a firstinnings lead of 187, heading into today’s final day, which starts at 09:30hrs.

Opting to bowl on a dry GCC wicket, it took only three of the home side bowlers in a combined effort of just 23.3 overs to dismantle their opponents. Seamers Bernard

Bailey (3-7) and Ronaldo AliMohamed (3-15), along with Stephan Wilson (3-9), did the damage.

GCC gained the early momentum after the fall of Leon Andrews, who was bowled by Bailey for just eight. Thereafter, the visitors suffered a collapse to crash to 18-5 with Bailey claimed the wickets of Demion Waldron (0), and Terry Fraser (2), while the former Guyana Under-19 captain, Ali-Mohamed accounted for Kurt Lovell (6) and Randy Lindore without scoring.

At that point, David Rajmangal, who remained unbeaten on 33, came to the rescue and shared

15 and 39 runs respectively with Damion Whitney (14) and Joshua Jones (18), the only other two batsmen to reach double figures.

Wilson did the most damage during the second half of the innings, claiming three of the last five wickets.

GCC’s top four batsmen then built on the early advantage, with each hitting contrasting half-centuries.

Openers Robin Bacchus and Jeetendra Sookdeo put together 124 for the first wicket before Mavindra Dindyal and Guyana Jaguars captain Leon Johnson shared in an unbroken thirdwicket stand of 150 until the close of play.

Bacchus, the 30-year-old, who played his lone List A game for Guyana back in 2014, struck a 69-ball 70 with three fours and three sixes while Sookdeo made a 73-ball 56 (2x4, 3x6).

However, by the time both fell to Andrews, the hosts were in full command of the game. Johnson followed up his 154 last week against the University of Guyana with an unbeaten 70 (4x4, 2x6), while Dindyal, who was one of three Guyanese who toured with the West Indies Under-15 squad recently to the UK, was 60 not out with five fours.

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Ghamsham Goberdan shouldering Essequibo’s weight in bodybuilding

By Elroy Stephney BODYBUILDING remains quite a rare sport in Essequibo, with not many opportunities available.

While there are a few gyms with weight-lifting equipment, there isn’t any association within the county to promote competitions.

Surprisingly though, 24-yearold Ghamsham Goberdan of Golden Fleece on the Essequibo Coast fell in love with the sport about three years ago but he has since been a revelation to the sport.

The supremely fit and evenly balanced ‘strong-man’ is a member of both the ‘LL FITNESS and ROY’S Gym in Region 2 and trains for one and a half hours, Monday to Friday, with emphasis on one body part per session.

In a recent interview with Chronicle Sport, the affable bodybuilder disclosed that while there are multiple challenges, he has gained a

Ghamsham Goberdan (left) with his coach Kennedy Lyndon, sharing a proud moment after a victory great deal of satisfaction and honour in participating in competitive tournaments.

“It’s very hard sharing my time between work and training as

well as sticking to strict eating habits, but this is what I love doing and I’m very proud of my achievements so far” is how he reasoned about staying committed to the art.

Goberdan’s first real test was in 2018 when he competed in the ‘Stage of Champions’ tournament and brought third in the bodyweight class of 143 pounds. He followed up in the 2019 Novices Championship with another third-place finish.

“I was not pleased with my last rating and so I’m training extremely hard for my next assignment in October another annual feature of the Stage of Champions competition.

“My intention for this season is to achieve a first, given that I have gained experience, maturity and I’m steadfastly improving on my technical

capability,” he acknowledged.

“I’m proud as an Essequibian since I have been able to compete in nationally sanctioned competitions and among the best in the country.

‘My foreseeable goal too is to gain selection and represent my country which will be a dream come through,” Already a house hold name in Essequibo due to his exploits and menacingly firm physique, Goberdan who is employed with Banks DIH has already joined another stalwart, Daramdeo Lall of Walton Hall as being Essequibo’s most accomplished bodybuilders.

The journey has now begun for the dashingly confident Goberdan and according to him, “I’m prepared to shoulder the weight of Essequibo into becoming

a champion and I will not relinquish that enormous responsibility until I’m crowned.”

He credited his elevation to the sound advice of coaches Kennedy Lyndon of’ LL Fitness and Parvattan Neel and Kenetth Melville of Roy’s Fitness Gym. He was also loud in praise for his parents for their unwavering support as well as Banks DIH who sponsored him previously.

While he remains studiously focussed, Goberdan is a typically outgoing individual who also loves a game of pools or hitting a few sixes in a T20 match. His never-say-die attitude, strong self-discipline, desire to learn new concepts and being a tough character are indeed compelling attributes that continue to drive Goberdan to the limit in his quest for supremacy.

Zadran fifty sets up record win for Afghanistan

Najibullah Zadran’s rapid half-century gave Afghanistan a record 11 consecutive wins in Twenty20 internationals. (AFP photo/MUNIR UZ ZAMAN) NAJIBULLAH Zadran hit a blistering half-century as Afghanistan beat Zimbabwe by 28 runs in their first match of the tri-nation Twenty20 International tournament in Dhaka yesterday.

Zadran smashed an unbeaten 69 off 30 balls, with five fours and six sixes guiding Afghanistan to 197-5 before their bowlers restricted Zimbabwe to 169-7 to equal their own record of 11 consecutive wins in Twenty20 internationals.

Regis Chakabva hit 42 off 22 balls not out for Zimbabwe but they came late as Afghanistan bowlers made some early breakthroughs to take the target beyond their reach.

Skipper Rashid Khan and left-arm seamer Fareed Malik claimed 2-29 and 2-35 respectively, while Karim Janat and Gulbadin Naib chipped in

with one wicket.

“Being a captain for the first time in T20Is and winning, thanks to Allah. Everyone contributed, in batting, bowling and fielding,” Rashid said after the match.

“I think that’s the beauty of Afghanistan cricketers that they can adjust very quickly as per the format,” said Rashid.

Debutant Rahmanullah Gurbaz made 43 off 24 balls and shared 57 runs in the opening stand with Hazratullah Zazai (13) after Zimbabwe captain Hamilton Masakadza won the toss and elected to bowl first.

But Afghanistan’s innings got real momentum once Mohammad Nabi joined Zadran to share 107 runs in just 40 balls in a fifth-wicket stand.

The duo hit sixes on seven consecutive balls between the 17th and 18th overs to give

Afghanistan an imposing total.

Zimbabwe captain Masakadza lamented the partnership.

“A bit of a disappointing day!

Our spinners bowled really well in the middle, extracted turn from the wicket but Najib and Nabi just took the game away from us,” he said.

“The last two games we didn’t really execute at the back end.

But the guys are working really hard,” Masakadza added.

Nabi was the last man out in the final ball of the innings after making 38 off 18 balls with four sixes.

Tendai Chatara and Sean Williams claimed two wickets each for Zimbabwe.

Zimbabwe lost their first match in the tournament by three wickets to hosts Bangladesh on Friday (AFP).

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Joe Denly’s 94 puts England in control against Aussies

By Ed Osmond LONDON, England (Reuters) - Joe Denly’s fluent 94 put England in control of the final Ashes Test and the hosts moved on to 313 for eight to lead Australia by 382 runs at the close on the third day yesterday.

Denly fell six runs short of his maiden Test century and Ben Stokes made a sparkling 67 in bright sunshine at The Oval to put England in a strong position to level the series at 2-2.

“Against this attack it is always a battle. You have to work hard for every run. I am naturally disappointed not to get to the milestone but we are in a great position going into day four and that is the most important thing,” Denly said.

Australia ensured they will retain the Ashes by winning the fourth Test in Manchester and are bidding to secure their first Test series victory in England since 2001.

Denly and Stokes came together after England lost

Rory Burns for 20 and Joe Root (21) in the morning.

Burns had driven Peter Siddle sweetly through mid-off to bring up the first half-century opening stand of the series but he departed after a wild slash at a wide ball from spinner Nathan Lyon which he edged to wicketkeeper Tim Paine.

Captain Root, bidding to register his first Test century in the series, pushed forward tentatively at Lyon and nicked a simple catch to Steve Smith at slip and the home side took lunch on 88 for two.

Stokes, dropped at slip off Lyon on seven, started slowly before unfurling some trademark attacking shots to entertain a packed crowd.

Denly clipped Josh Hazlewood through mid-wicket for his seventh four to reach fifty for the third time in the series and the 33-year-old right-hander struck a few sweetly-timed strokes in his highest Test score.

Stokes, who made a brilliant century to lead England to a dramatic victory in the third Test at Headingley, moved past fifty with a six off Marnus Labuschagne before he was bowled by Lyon to end a fine third-

wicket partnership of 127.

Denly’s five-hour vigil was halted when he edged Siddle to Smith at slip and Jonny Bairstow fell for 14, nicking another catch to Smith off the bowling of Mitchell Marsh.

Sam Curran was caught down the leg side by Paine off Pat Cummins for a breezy 17, Chris Woakes was brilliantly caught one-handed by Smith off Marsh

LIVERPOOL, England (Reuters) Liverpool maintained their 100% start to the Premier League season after coming from behind to beat Newcastle United 3-1 at Anfield, before Manchester City slipped to a shock first defeat of the campaign by newly-promoted Norwich City yesterday.

Elsewhere on a frantic day of Premier League action Manchester United earned a first victory since the opening weekend by beating Leicester City 3-1, with Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur registering emphatic wins.

Having seen Liverpool come from behind to beat Newcastle the Reds’ 14th consecutive league victory - thanks to goals from Sadio Mane and Mo Salah in the day’s early kick-off, champions City travelled to Norwich five points off the top.

Unbeaten in their last 25 games against newly-promoted sides, City were expected to close the gap back to two points with another victory, but Norwich stunned their illustrious opponents with two goals inside 29 minutes to lead 2-0.

Sergio Aguero edged City back into it just before the break, before a defensive error from Nicolas Otamendi enabled Teemu Pukki to restore Norwich’s two-goal advantage.

Rodri got City back in it late on, but the champions could not find an equaliser as they slipped to a first league defeat since January.

“Congrats to Norwich,” City manager Pep Guardiola said.

“It is what it is. We have to learn from this and carry on.

“We created chances but we could not score them today.

They are a really good team with good players with quality.

“In football you can’t always avoid mistakes.”

RELENTLESS REDS Liverpool looked like they were in for a difficult afternoon after Anfield was stunned into silence early on as Jetro Willems thundered Newcastle into a shock lead.

Going behind does not faze a relentless Liverpool side that had won each of the last four league games in which they had conceded first, and soon enough Mane had brilliantly restored parity in the Merseyside sunshine.

Roberto Firmino came off the bench to replace the injured Divock Origi to set up Mane for the second goal, before the Brazilian delightfully flicked the ball through for Salah to seal a fifth season win from five for the hosts.

“Wonderful goals,” Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp said. “The first goal was sensational, nice pass Robbo (Andy Robertson), sensational finish Sadio.

“Second goal winning the ball back Bobby and passing the ball immediately in behind and super run Sadio.

“Then the third goal wonderful but we had even better moments we didn’t finish off.”

Manchester United have suffered from the penalty spot this season, having missed two spot kicks already with Marcus Rashford the last of those against Southampton.

However, the young striker stepped up from 12 yards against Leicester City after he was felled in the penalty area in the eighth minute at Old Trafford to put United in front.

Unbeaten Leicester had more possession and forced some fine saves from United goalkeeper David de Gea, but they could not find a way through, as the hosts held on for a victory that moves them up to fourth in the table.

We hung in there,” United

manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said. “It was the first time this season where we have had to defend for large periods. We defended as a proper team.”

AWESOME ABRAHAM Chelsea had endured a difficult start to the season ahead of a tough trip to Wolverhampton Wanderers, but three goals in 10 first-half minutes put them in command at Molineux.

Tammy Abraham completed his first Premier League hat-trick in the second half to take his goal tally to seven atop the Premier League scoring charts alongside Aguero, but his eventful afternoon was not over there as he then put through into his own net.

Wolves’ Patrick Cutrone further reduced the deficit late on, only for another Chelsea youngster, Mason Mount, to wrap up the 5-2 win in stoppage time.

“I hope this is my season,” Abraham said. “I have to keep working hard in every training session, every game. Every game I want to prove myself to the gaffer.”

Spurs were another side without a win since the opening weekend ahead of the visit of a Crystal Palace team who had won their last two league games, but a Son Heung-min double helped the hosts to race into a 3-0 lead inside 24 minutes.

Argentine forward Erik Lamela added a fourth before the interval as Tottenham strolled to a 4-0 success.

Moussa Djenepo’a strike gave Southampton a 1-0 win at promoted Sheffield United, while a last-gasp equaliser from Jeff Hendrick earned Burnley a 1-1 draw at Brighton & Hove Albion.

pressure on them but it didn’t come,” Siddle said.

“We know how much it means to win the series, it just comes down to execution and we’ve been behind the eight-ball from the start,” he added.

“We know what happened at Headingley on a nice batting strip so if we make the most of this deck, who knows?”

SCOREBOARD

City suffer shock defeat, Liverpool five points clear

By Peter Hall

and Jos Buttler plundered 47 before skying Siddle to a diving Labuschagne at square leg.

Jofra Archer and Jack Leach steered England through to the close without further loss and Australia will face a daunting run chase over the remaining two days of the match.

“It was a tough day. It would have been nice to get some early breakthroughs and put more

England’s Joe Denly bats during his innings of 94 at the Oval in London yesterday. (Photo: Jordan Mansfield/Getty Images)

ENGLAND 1st innings 294 AUSTRALIA 1st innings 225 ENGLAND 2nd innings R. Burns c Paine b Lyon 20 J. Denly c Smith b Siddle 94 J. Root c Smith b Lyon 21 B. Stokes b Lyon 67 J. Bairstow c Smith b Marsh 14 J. Butler c Labuschagne b Siddle 47 S. Curran c Paine b Cummins 17 C. Woakes c Smith b Marsh 6 J. Archer not out 3 J. Leach not out 5 Extras: (b-7, lb-11, nb-1) 19 Total: (eight wkts, 91 overs) 313 Fall of wickets: 1-54, 2-87, 3-214, 4-222, 5-249, 6-279, 7-305, 8-305.

Bowling: P. Cummins 19-4 55-1, J. Hazlewood 19-5-57-0 (nb-1). N. Lyon 22-4-65-3, P. Siddle 13-4-52-2, M. Marsh 11-1-40- 2, M. Labuschagne 7-1-26-0.

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Dominant Perez hands DCC first-day honours against Police … Malteenoes in total control against Ace Warriors

Raymond Perez belted another huge century for DCC. RAYMOND Perez continued his dominant form for the Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) with another huge century in their latest clash of GCA/Noble House Seafoods Second Division two-day cricket tournament, which started yesterday against Police Sports Club, at the

historic Queenstown ground.

Also on Saturday, Amir Khan spun his way to six wickets, which propelled Everest Cricket Club (ECC) to a slim first-innings lead against the Transport Sports Club (TSC) at their home ground.

Meanwhile, home team Malteenoes Sports Club (MSC) are five wickets away from an overall victory, after they dominated the visiting Ace Warriors on day one of their clash, due to a century from Jeremiah Scott.

Also in control are University of Guyana cricketers against Third Class.

DOMINANT PEREZ Perez, who slammed 192 last Saturday against Diplomats Sports Club, repeated the stroke play yesterday against the lawmen’s bowlers. When the dust had settled, he had belted seven sixes and 18 fours for a top score of 159, which pushed the home team

to 340-9 declared.

For the fifth wicket, Perez and Nkosi Beaton put together 107 runs, with the latter hitting seven fours and a six in a score of 53.

D. George finished not out on 32 (5x4), while opener Sachin Singh (25) and middle order batsman Alphius Bookie (22) also contributed to the total.

Pernell London, who had Perez stumped, led Police’s attack with 3-49 from 10 overs, while opening bowlers Quinten Sampson and Darsan La Rose picked up two wickets each.

Police closed at 98-2 in their first innings after 13 overs.

Andrew Lyght Jr slammed four fours and three sixes in a score of 38. When play continues today, Kemol Savory would look to build on his 33 runs. His partner at the crease is London on four.

At the Transport ground, the home team were restricted

… Khan spins Everest to first-innings lead against TSC

Jerimiah Scott scored 126 for Malteenoes. to 170 after ECC all-rounder Amir Khan spun his way to 6-24 from 8.4 overs.

The leg-spinner walked through the middle order. Support came from David Williams, who picked up 3-28, including the prized wicket of opener Devon Nandan, who had struck four

fours and three sixes in a top score of 61.

In reply, ECC reached 179-8 from 49 overs by the close of play.

Richie Looknauth led the attack with 46 (5x4, 2x6), while Khan added 41 (2x4, 2x6).

At the Malteenoes ground, Ace Warriors were routed for 64, although they had a firstwicket stand of 34 between Raul Enmore (33) and Murtland Ward (14).

Nichosie Barker led the attack for the home team with 3-3 from three overs, while Delon Dalrymple took 2-11.

In reply, Jerimiah Scott slammed 126 (14x4, 5x6) to lead the home side to 246, before they were bowled out in 36.4 overs. Shaquille Moseley added 78 (8x4, 1x6).

Baksh led the attack with four wickets for 55 while R. Aaron

took 3-28.

Ace Warriors in reply were on 48-5 at the close of play. Barker and Dalrymple were again doing damage with the ball.

UG LEADS Meanwhile, University of Guyana (UG) batted their way to a first-innings lead over Third Class at the MYO ground. UG scored 236 (M. Stephenson 69; T. George 6-40) before they bowled out Third Class for 72.

Dwayne Dotson who got three wickets in one over, finished with 5-20 from 5.5 overs, while Devon Paul took 5-40 from nine for the Turkeyen team.

At the close of play, the University cricketers were on 57-0, batting a second time.

(Faizool Deo)

Atletico left shell-shocked by rampant Sociedad SAN SEBASTIAN (Reuters) - Roared on by a record crowd in their revamped and completed stadium, Real Sociedad ended La Liga leaders Atletico Madrid’s 100% start to the season with a deserved 2-0 win yesterday.

Former Real Madrid player Martin Odegaard put the Basque side ahead in the first game at the renovated Reale Arena

with a deflected shot in the 58th minute which completed a sweeping end-to-end attack.

Debutant Nacho Monreal doubled Sociedad’s advantage only three minutes later, pouncing on a fumble by Atletico goalkeeper Jan Oblak who later had to be substituted despite protests from the Slovenian after taking a blow to the head.

Atletico remain top of the standings with nine points from four games, although Sevilla could leapfrog them to the summit if they win at Alaves today. Sociedad have seven points.

Visiting coach Diego Simeone remained upbeat after his side’s perfect start to the season was interrupted.

“It’s our first defeat since the

start of the pre-season and we know we need to improve and grow. We’ve got lots of young players who need to gain experience and you do that through setbacks,” he told a news conference.

“La Liga is very difficult and when you don’t start a game with enough intensity you can lose because there’s a lot of quality in this league.”

Sociedad have spent the last two years renovating their ground to bring fans closer to the action, eliminating a running track that used to surround the pitch at a cost of a reported 47 million euros ($52.04M).

They were forced to play the first three games of the campaign away from home but set a club record attendance of 34 719 fans for

their first game back at the rebooted ground.

“It was the inauguration of the stadium and the truth is it couldn’t have gone any better,” said goalscorer Monreal, who joined the club last month from Arsenal.

“We played a superb game in every aspect, working hard in defence and creating lots of chances in attack.”

Windies legend Haynes meets modern-day Healy ON the outfield of Barbados’ Kensington Oval on Friday, an ageold rivalry was reborn.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Sunday September 15, 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)

Dwayne Bravo-28 wickets (TKR, 2015)

(2)

Kieron Pollard & Jason Holder Today’s Quiz:

(1) Who is the first player to deliver a maiden over in CPL 2019?

(2) How many times the Warriors and Tridents have now played CPL matches against each other?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

But rather than recreate the infamous scene that took place at the same ground in 1991, it was all banter and laughter when West Indies great Desmond Haynes once again came face-to-face with a Healy representing Australia. This time, it was Australian wicketkeeper Alyssa Healy, the niece of men’s team great Ian – and she wasted no time making a beeline for her uncle’s old rival and taking a photo to share on social media. The West Indian opener had a message of his own to pass on to the elder Healy, as he addressed the Australian women’s squad on the eve of their first T20I against their Caribbean rivals.

He took particular delight in gesturing towards the middle as he recalled that 1991 Test where he and the legendary Australian gloveman shared a heated exchange.

On Australia’s 1991 tour of the West Indies, Haynes and Ian Healy had a running battle through the ODI series that spilled over into the Test matches.

Haynes survived a caught-behind appeal in Barbados, gesturing animatedly that the ball had flicked his hip which led to a few choice words from behind the stumps. The

Rachael Haynes with Desmond Haynes.

(Cricket Network) exchange got heated with the West Indian opener ripping off his helmet and storming towards the Australian and pointing his bat at the gloveman’s chest. “It was nice to meet him and have a bit of a laugh about some of the times he had on field with Uncle Ian,” Healy, who was just a one-year-old in 1991, told cricket.com.au.

“He did say he always wanted to meet me and let me

know he thought my uncle was a bit of a soand-so, I can’t say (the actual word) on camera but let’s just say a pain behind the stumps. “It was nice to share a laugh and they had a few beers afterwards to settle it, so they’re all good mates after that.

“It was a bit of fun, he’s a legend and he’s running a really cool museum here for the cricket legends from Barbados.”

These days, there’s a Healy and a Haynes playing alongside each other in the Australian women’s squad.

And it’s only fitting that Australia vice-captain Rachael Haynes’ nickname is ‘Des’.

“That was pretty cute, they had the Desmondsquared photo,” Healy said.

“Rachael Haynes with that last name, we’ve been calling her ‘Dessie’ since I can remember so it was cool for her to stand next to him and have a photo.”

The Australians, who are on their first bilateral tour of the Caribbean since 1976, presented Haynes and fellow former West Indian Vasbert Drakes with a signed bat, to be displayed in Bridgetown’s famous Cricket Legends of Barbados Museum.

(Cricket.com.au)

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, September 15, 2019

Tallawahs crumble in chasing CPL record score of 268 at Sabina Park

KINGSTON, Jamaica (CMC) – Jamaica Tallawahs crumbled in the face of a daunting record run-chase as they crashed to a 41-run loss to reigning champions Trinbago Knight Riders (TKR), to suffer their fourth straight defeat of the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) here Friday night.

Chasing a CPL-record 268 at Sabina Park, Tallawahs were in the hunt when opener Glenn Phillips (62) and Chris Gayle (39) provided a sizzling start of 88 off 44 deliveries.

Once that partnership was broken, however, the innings lost the momentum required and a last ditch effort from Ramaal Lewis (37 not out) and Javelle Glen (34 not out) provided only fireworks but not the miracle needed.

Unbeaten TKR had earlier galloped to a massive 267 for two off their 20 overs – the highest-ever total in T20 franchise cricket and the

Colin Munro pulls out the reverse sweep in his brutal innings of 96 not out off 50 balls.

(CPL T20/Getty) Images) third highest-ever across all T20s.

New Zealander Colin Munro provided the impetus with a superb unbeaten 96 off 50 balls while former West Indies opener Lendl Simmons slammed 86 off 42 balls to notch his second straight half-century.

Captain Kieron Pollard’s

brutal 17-ball 45 not out intensified the assault on the Tallawah’s bowlers, as TKR plundered an amazing 171 runs off the last 10 overs of the innings.

The contest was marred by wretched out-fielding by both sides, with as many as seven catches being spilled overall.

TKR have now won four matches on the trot to sit on top the standings on eight points while Tallawahs have yet to register a single win in their worst-ever start to a CPL campaign, and are rock bottom.

Sent in, TKR were given a handy start by Simmons and Sunil Narine (20), the pair posting 55 off 32 balls for the first wicket.

However, the innings only really kicked into gear after Narine missed a heave at 20-year-old left-arm spinner Zahir Khan and was bowled in the sixth over, bringing Simmons and Munro together in a devastating 124run, second-wicket stand.

Simmons belted eight fours and five sixes, reaching his half-century off 32 balls in the 12th over while Munro counted half-dozen fours and eight sixes as he romped to his maiden fifty of the campaign off just 22 balls.

Simmons lived a charmed life, dropped on 11 at the wicket off

fast bowler Jerome Taylor in the fourth over and then caught at mid-on off a no-ball a couple of balls later when on 17.

He was then twice put down in the 10th over off Lewis’ legspin, first on 40 and then on 41, and appeared to be riding his luck to three figures when he was run-out in the 15th over, chasing a third run off a free hit.

Pollard then arrived to blast four fours and three sixes, posting 88 in a rollicking unbroken thirdwicket stand with Munro.

Faced with a stiff required run rate of nearly 13-½ an over, Tallawahs started positively with Phillips and Gayle launching a fierce assault in the power-play.

While Phillips struck seven fours and four sixes off 32 balls, the left-handed Gayle punched five fours and two sixes in a 24ball knock.

The innings was bouncing along at 12 runs per over when Gayle missed a wild slog at impressive 19-year-old

Pakistan pacer Mohammad Hasnain and had his stumps rattled in the eighth over, and his dismissal put in train Tallawahs’ decline.

In the same over, Chadwick Walton (6) top-edged to the wicketkeeper and in the very next over from left-arm spinner Khary Pierre, new batsman Rovman Powell smashed the second ball he faced for six over long on, before falling to the ground clutching his rib cage and then being stretchered off.

Phillips, dropped twice on 37 in the fifth over from pacer Jimmy Neesham then picked out Munro in the deep off Pollard’s slow medium in the 12th over, one of three wickets to fall as the hosts stalled at 163 for five in the 16th over.

With 105 runs needed off 29 balls and the required run rate having risen to over 22, Tallawahs were all but buried but Lewis and Glenn blasted 63 in an unbroken sixthwicket stand to save face.

Fourth EBFA/Ralph Green EBSC camp a huge success - Yadram Under-11 League launched

By Rajiv Bisnauth

… Be disciplined while you play but have fun too – GFF’s Wayne Forde

The teams that participated in the march past and launch yesterday at the GFF National Training Centre

“THERE are lots of good characteristics that you can build from football but above all you must have fun, enjoy the game. Be creative test out your dribble but of course, have fun.”

Words of encouragement from Guyana Football Federation (GFF) president to the players and officials attending the launch of the fourth East Bank Football Association (EBFA/Ralph Green-sponsored Under-11 League yesterday, at the GFF National Training Centre, Providence, East Bank Demerara.

Ten of the 12 participating teams were on hand for the opening and they were all encouraged to be the best they can be during matches.

“I want to extend best wishes to all the teams, we do not know who will emerge as the champions, but go out there, play hard, play fair but above all, have fun.

Let’s have an excellent competition.”

Forde also extended gratitude to sponsor Ralph Green for his continued investment in the sport, noting that many of the players in the junior national teams, including Shoran James, have been given the opportunity to develop their skills as a result of this tournament which is in its fourth year.

The executive committee of the EBFA was also commended by Forde for its continued commitment

towards the development of the sport by making opportunities available through competitions for the youths.

“I would like to congratulate the executives of the East Bank Football Association for the countless initiatives they have undertaken to keep football alive not only on the east bank but throughout Guyana.

“They’re setting a fine example and I want to also congratulate the coaches who have taken time to bring the teams out here and get them ready for competition.”

Over 120 players will be battling on Saturdays at the same venue in a league and knockout format to decide the winners of this year’s tournament.

GFF executive member Dion Inniss, who has responsibility for the EBFA also made remarks, reminding the players that fair play must be practised at all times as one team will emerge as champions but players and teams must respect one another during matches.

All the teams were presented with match jerseys, knapsacks and a ball while the respective coaches were also recipients of a jersey each. Five matches were played.

A NUMBER of aspiring cricketers from in and around the village of Enterprise on the East Coast of Demerara, yesterday completed the Enterprise Busta Sports Club and Yadram Coaching Programme cricket camp at Enterprise Community Centre. Chief facilitator and coach, Latchman Yadram, spoke of its success.

The coach added, during his presentation at the closing ceremony, that the camp achieved its objectives with 34 aspiring male and female cricketers participating.

They were exposed to an elaborate programme, aimed at developing every participant’s cricketing talent along with fitness.

“The youths were exposed to basics of the game and were also given lectures on the importance of discipline, leadership, injuries and treatment and nutrition, among other topics,” Yadram said.

Meanwhile, secretary of the East Coast Cricket Committee, Jitlal Jowharilall, and vice-president of Enterprise Busta Sports Club, Hansraj Sookdeo, both spoke at length, reminding the youngsters to be

disciplined at all times and to put into practice what they would have learnt.

“This is just the start but if you want to make cricket a career, you must be disciplined and fit at all times,” Jitlall said.

Sookdeo told them, “The sport has evolved over the years, hence you the participants will need to stay on top of your game whenever the opportunity is given,” Prior to the conclusion of the ceremony, each participant received a certificate of participation.

Three special prizes were also handed out to Tilliea Madramootoo (Most Disciplined Student), Indira Madramootoo (Most Supportive Perent), and Nankumar Tularam (Best Attendance).

Further Yadram extended gratitude to Enterprise Busta Sports Club, Enterprise Legends Softball Club, Sheik Mohamed of Star Sports, Prem of Superbet, Yogeeta Balkishun, Guyana and former Windies Under-19 player Bhaskar Yadram, Amenda Persaud, Bishnu Mangru, Shreeanand Mohan and M.A. Ali for their input.

Participants and officials after the closing ceremony

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, September 15, 2019

John cops top event at Banks DIH’s Rainforest Waters Cycling competition

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Briton John (right) stayed with eventual second-place Christopher Cornelius (centre) and third-place Deeraj Gharbaran.(Faizool Deo photos)

Briton John was unstoppable yesterday in the 35-lap School Boys and Invitational race.

Guyana set to host CPL playoffs again 27

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Guyana set to host playoffs of the Caribbean Premier League.

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GCC in total command after day one Ronaldo Ali-Mohamed grabbed 3 for 15.

SUNDAYDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2019