Guyana Chronicle International Edtion E Paper 08-17-2018

WEEK ENDING AUGUST 17, 2018

NO.007

Queen's College student Christian Pile

Christian Pile tops Guyana at CSEC PAGE

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US congressmen to visit Guyana

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Guyana Chronicle New York Edition week ending August 17, 2018

US congressmen to visit Guyana

The seat of the United States government at Capitol Hill in Washington DC

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EVERAL United States congressmen are expected to visit Guyana in the coming weeks, Minister of State Joseph Harmon has confirmed.

On Thursday, Minister Harmon stated at a post-Cab-

inet press briefing at the Ministry of the Presidency that Natural Resources Minister, Raphael Trotman has indicated to Cabinet that during their short familarisation visit, the seven to eight congressmen are expected to be accompanied by senior military

officers.

He said arrangements are being made for the visit which signals the strong bond between Guyana and the US. A growing number of US companies are operating here in Guyana.

ANSA McAl, IAST partnering to market rice cereal

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NSA McAL Trading Limited has teamed up with the Institute of Applied Science and Technology (IAST) to market the popular Morning Glory rice cereal and an official launch was held Wednesday at the company’s head office at Beterverwagting, East Coast Demerara.

The launch was to not only formally introduce Morning Glory to the Guyanese public, but also to highlight the local aspects of production and manufacturing right here in Guyana, while solidifying the partnership between the company and the agency, ANSA McAl said in a release.

Other highlights includ-

ed the use of locally grown rice from the rice fields of Essequibo, the use of organic and nutritionally beneficial products such as molasses and other vitamins and minerals.

Essequibo houses the manufacturing plant, which employs approximately 22 highly trained and knowledgeable staff members of IAST, with another 15 persons seconded to IAST at their ECD office. The plant and the manufacturing process are of the highest quality and standard that are comparable to any operation in the developed world. The plant has the capacity to produce one tonne of Morning Glory cereal within a five- hour period.

ANSA McAL said it prides itself in fostering strong

partnerships with reputable products that allow Guyanese to get a taste of what they need, and through healthy “inyour-face” marketing make those products into what they want; Morning Glory Rice Cereal is no exception.

The company said Morning Glory can be found at leading retailers countrywide. “AMTL guarantees the usual interactive promotions for consumers and that Morning Glory will become a staple in every household.”

Morning Glory is the first of many locally manufactured products to be distributed

by AMTL and there is a high level of gratitude to Dr Narine for entrusting the company with this initiative.

The teams from both

Dr Suresh Narine, Director IAST (right) Miss Anjeta Hinds, Manager AMTL–Food and Consumer Goods and Miss Tiffany Aaron, Brand Representative AMTL – Morning Glory

IAST and AMTL encourage Guyanese to try Morning Glory and compare it to any other cereal brand available. The local, natural ingredients are sure to catapult Morning Glory to the forefront of the cereal

category with its taste profile and texture. Morning Glory is proudly distributed

by ANSA McAL Trading Limited and is available countrywide.

The event was attended

by Dr Suresh Narine, Di-

rector (Institute of Applied Science and Technology; Ms Anjeta Hinds, Manager (AMTL – Food and Consumer Goods and Miss Tiffany Aaron – Brand Representative AMTL – Morning Glory

Guyana Chronicle New York Edition week ending August 17, 2018

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Christian Pile tops Guyana at CSEC

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UEEN’S College student Christian Pile, 16, is Guyana’s top performer at this year’s Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) Examinations, with 19 Grade one passes.

The subjects he secured maximum passes in are English Language and Literature, general and additional mathematics, biology, physics, chemistry, integrated science, agricultural science, social-studies, geography, history, religious education, physical education, human and social biology (HSB), Spanish, electronic document processing and management (EDPM), principles of business (PoB) and information technology.

“I always knew that I

had the ability to do extremely well when it comes to academics,” said Pile, who praised his mother for being his source of encouragement.

“I remember I was doing 16 subjects and she [his mother] was telling me ‘You can do more!’ [and] ‘Why not try to do more… to the best of your ability’?” he told the Guyana Chronicle in an exclusive interview.

Not backing down from the challenge, he added three more subjects to the 16 he originally settled on sitting and his mother gave her full support by staying up with him during his long nights of studies.

From as early as Fourth Form, Pile started laying the foundation to do well.

He related that he had early

morning lessons, which lead into his school day followed by extra after-school lessons and evening studies.

“It’s really challenging when it comes to managing your time, when you’re doing 19 subjects,” he said, adding: “You have to be able to manage your time well and divide your tasks so that you can finish them.”

Pile, who was in the science stream, pursued subjects outside of his stream and worked closely along with his teachers who facilitated him and played an instrumental role in the completion of his School Based Assessments (SBAs).

The hardest part though, was waking up early (because a guy just has to sleep his sleep!) and then staying up late in the nights or even

early into the mornings after a full day of school.

Additional mathematics, a subject that he pursued only in Fifth Form, just a few months before CSEC exams, was perhaps his most challenging subject because it was a big step up from general mathematics.

Nevertheless, it was not all work and no play for Christian Pile. Though he scaled back on his extra-curricular activities leading up to his exams, he took music classes as guitar is his love.

He was also involved in athletics.

“Christian Pile is like any other regular student. I just probably dedicated more time to my studies but I mean it’s not like I’m totally different from everyone else.

I have lots of friends, I go

out, I watch movies, I play video games a lot,” he said.

And the experience and the sacrifices were not without their rewards.

“Definitely, it would have to be seeing that I am resilient and seeing that I can actually persevere, I can actually get through the rough times and actually succeed,” the young man said.

For his parents Fayann Simpson Pile and Nigel Pile, they knew that he was a “gifted” child that was destined for the top position.

Nigel gave his son his full support during his studies, a point his mother said was key to his success.

“You have to recognise that your child is gifted and that is what I recognised very early on… I was just

there dedicating all the time, you know -- the two o’clock, three o’clock morning sessions -- being there to encourage him when he was tired, frustrated and just feeling like he can’t do it,” she related.

Pile’s next move is to pursue the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examinations (CAPE) at Queen’s College in keeping with his dream to becoming an orthodontist.

In 2013, Pile, then a student of Mae’s Under-12, was placed second in the country at the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) with 547 marks.

This year some 12,266 candidates registered to sit the examinations compared to 12,684 candidates in 2017.

Visit by US Congressmen signals growing importance of Guyana on international scene – Min. Harmon

By Stacy Carmichael

M

inister of State, Joseph Harmon today confirmed that a seven or eight-member team comprising United States Congressmen and senior

military officers will be on a familiarisation visit here within the coming weeks.

Minister Harmon said this visit signals a growing confidence in the relationship between the US and Guyana.

He noted that “it signals a very clear indica-

tion of Guyana’s importance on the international scene.”

There are a growing number of US businesses in Guyana, hence, the lawmakers may want to have a first-hand look at what is taking place, the State Minister said.

Arrangements are currently being put in place for the visit. Minister Harmon said further details on the persons comprising the team will be provided shortly.

He also indicated that the visit will be a short but important one.

Minister of State Joseph Harmon

Improved performances at CSEC in Math,English -grades in 16 other subject areas also improve

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HE Ministry of Education believes that the education sector is on a developmental trajectory and the performance in Mathematics and English at this year’s Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations, is evidence of the improvements in the sector.

“We are on a developmental trajectory and the movement is not exactly where we want it to be, but we are moving and that is what is significant in the education sector,” said Chief Education Officer (CEO), Marcel Hutson during his remarks at the announcement of the results for CSEC and the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination

(CAPE) on Friday.

According to statistics from the ministry, English A recorded a pass rate of 67.14 per cent in 2018 as compared to 57.99 per cent in 2017.

The English B pass rate in 2018 was 78.6 per cent as compared to 44.45 per cent in 2017.

Mathematics also improved with a pass rate of 43.39 per cent in 2018, as compared to 39.23 per cent in 2017. Additionally, Mathematics remained constant with a pass rate 68.45 per cent in 2018 to 68.61 per cent in 2017.

Hutson believes that the introduction of School Based Assessments (SBAs) to Mathematics and English could have resulted in the improvements.

“In terms of the details, we are yet to get the disaggregation in terms of scores from the Caribbean Examination Council (CXC), but there were also a number of things outside of the SBAs which could have caused the movement which we would have seen, particularly in Mathematics,” said the CEO, noting that among the projects was the Guyana Secondary Improvement Project, which was designed to improve the performance of students by training teachers.

In addition to those subjects, improved performances were evident in 16 subjects; constant in seven subjects and declined in 12 subjects.

Outstanding performances were also noted in seven subjects, where 90 per cent

and over gained acceptable grades 1-3.

Some subjects with outstanding performances were agricultural science (double award) with 96.14 per cent; Information Technology with 97.5 per cent; religious education with 96.69 per cent; physical education and sports with 99.92 per cent; and industrial technology- mechanical with 98.57 per cent.

A total of 12,269 candidates were registered for 2018 CSEC, compared to 12,684 registered for 2017.

Subject entries for 2018 were 69,194.

IMPROVED OVERALL An analysis of the 2018 results revealed that the overall pass rate at the general and technical profi-

CEO Marcel Hutson

ciencies for Grade one to three was 69.1 per cent.

The overall pass rate has improved from 2017, when a pass rate of 63.68 per cent was attained.

“I would want to attribute this to behaviour patterns in the education sector…we are beginning to recognise how we ought to function and this is taking traction…all our children are gifted and therefore we have a responsibility to tap into that giftedness and

ensure that our children perform with respect to applying the right kind of methodology,” said Hutson.

His view is that persons are becoming more passionate about the examinations and there is more collaboration among parents, teachers and students.

This is evident, because there are improved results despite the challenges which the sector faced and continues to face, he said.

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Guyana Chronicle New York Edition week ending August 17, 2018

New-wave democracy

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UYANA is celebrated today for its “new-wave” democracy, where the framework to protect entitlements of not just the present but future generations under a Natural Resources Fund and a Green-State Development Strategy is being put in place.

For those of us who believe in transforming our freedom in both political and socio-economic forms, this is like a dream becoming true. We are closer today to achieving a democratic system of governance with sustainable economic growth than ever before.

POWERFUL SURGES Powerful surges in our new-wave democracy have been open and credible national and local-gov-

ernment elections, a free media and an independent Parliament.

When the House went into recess on August 10, it had already met for 96 sittings in the first three years of the 11th Parliament (2015-2020); call it the Granger Presidency.

By the end of 2018, sittings are likely to surpass 110, when the National Assembly would debate the 2019 National Budget, including consideration of estimates for constitutional and statutory agencies.

These sittings under the APNU+AFC Coalition Government would be the single highest number in the first three years of any parliament since 1992. Though truncated, there were only 62 sittings during the 7th (19972001) Parliament (Janet Jagan Presidency), and 88 sittings during the 2011-

2014 Parliament (Donald Ramotar Presidency).

DORMANT PARLIAMENT? You could imagine how disappointed I felt when I read a Kaieteur News columnist saying: “There have been very few sittings of the House for 2018”, and that Guyana has a “dormant Parliament”.

SERIOUSLY? Though the bigger picture is up for debate on the

Green Paper that proposes the fiscal rule for accessing, using, investing and saving revenues from our petroleum resources, it is unfortunate that critics are preoccupied with raking up and distorting small issues.

This pastime is not an academic deficit, but is either just pure laziness to research the facts, or idle pursuit of a mistaken belief in the Goebbelsian lie that, if repeated often, could be believed as the truth.

THE RESEARCH ON THOSE SITTINGS SHOW AS FOLLOWS:6th Parliament: 17th Dec., 1992 to 28th Oct., 1997 Year 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 Total

No. Of SITTINGS 1 22 22 22 18 20 105

7th Parliament: 26th Feb., 1998 to 13 Feb., 2001 Year 1998 1999 2000 2001 Total

No. Of SITTINGS 19 20 21 2 62

8th Parliament: 4th May, 2001 to 2nd May, 2006 Year 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 Total

No. Of SITTINGS 19 12 23 20 33 19 126

9th Parliament: 28th Sept., 2006 to 22 Sept., 2011 Year 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 Total

No. Of SITTINGS 6 32 31 38 32 27 166

10th Parliament: 12th Jan., 2012 to 10th July, 2014 Year 2012 2013 2014 Total

No. Of SITTINGS 33 33 22 88 TURN TO PAGE

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Guyana Chronicle New York Edition week ending August 17, 2018

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Understanding Energy...

What is cost-recoverable?

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OST recovery is a straightforward concept, and it’s one that this column has touched on in the past. Given ongoing interest in the issue, we take a deeper dive this week.

Fundamentally, oil-and-gas exploration and production contracts usually allow companies to recoup their costs: the money they spent doing the exploration and development, after oil production begins.

Production Sharing Agreements (PSAs), like Guyana’s, normally include a cost-recovery mechanism to make up for the inherent risk of drilling in new areas, and government preferences to avoid that risk themselves. Companies use revenue from the initial oil production, called “cost-oil”, to recover their expenses and operational expenditures over the first few years of a project.

This process essentially recognises the fact that a government probably has not made any contribution of its own to the huge up-front investments required to tap an oil discovery. They avoid the up-front risk to billions of taxpayers’ dollars, by asking private companies to raise that financing and take on that risk themselves.

The company can recover these sole-

risk expenses before the “profit-oil” is split between the government and the companies.

In most countries, companies are allowed to recover all of their costs. Though cost recovery is often confused with some sort of government payment or tax break, it’s important to note that funds for cost recovery come from the sale of oil, and not from government coffers.

Companies can only recover costs that are equal to the expenditures made to produce oil without any profit margin. It’s dollar for dollar spent. All of these expenditures are declared to the government regulator, and available for audit.

In Guyana’s case, oil companies are entitled to recover 75% of their recoverable costs in a given month, as per the 2016 deal.

That last 25% ensures that, even in year one, the Guyana government will collect hundreds of millions in revenue, even before Exxon has recouped its expenses.

But what counts as a recoverable cost?

That’s a more complicated question, and the absence of a clear answer has led many in Guyana to question what will be recovered and what won’t, and even to question whether charitable donations, such as the ExxonMobil Foundation’s gift to Conservation International, could be recoverable.

The answer to the questions about the Exxon Foundation’s US$10M donation to Conservation International is a plain “no”; the contract covers only Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL), and the ExxonMobil Foundation is a separate non-profit organisation that is not legally connected to EEPGL, and thus has no legal standing under the production contract.

In terms of the broader question about which costs will be recoverable, Annex C of the 2016 Petroleum Agreement provides a thorough guide that specifies each type of recoverable expense, from training costs and salaries to transportation and equipment.

Recoverable costs include the major expenses that come with more than a decade of exploration and development; things such as drilling, geological and seismic studies, building warehouses, crewing ships, and operating rigs. Allowing companies to recover these costs without profit is standard in the oil industry, since it incentivises investment and development.

Overall, the provisions that determine recoverable costs in the 2016 contract are very similar to those in other contracts signed by countries such as Indonesia and Angola, and identical to the contracts that Guyana has signed with other oil companies

to date.

Expenses that are defined specifically as not recoverable include: any marketing or transportation costs outside of Guyana; any costs for legal arbitration of contract disputes; any fines or penalties imposed by Guyana’s courts; and any costs incurred as a result of misconduct or negligence, as well as several other smaller categories.

The misconduct and negligence clauses should put the minds of many Guyanese at ease in case of an accident, since any fines from the Environmental Protection Agency would not be recoverable, and EEPGL would be obligated to pay in full.

It is important to remember that even with these cost-recovery provisions, Guyana will receive hundreds of millions of dollars in the initial years of oil production, and then one billion dollars or more per year after the costs are fully recovered.

When handled correctly under the framework of a clear and enforceable production-sharing agreement, cost recovery provisions such as this balance risk and reward: incentivising investment, while making sure the government gets its fair share.

Getting the balance right is key to Guyana’s energy future.

WUSC donates over $8M in equipment to Hope Estate

-to benefit farmers in the community

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ARMERS who operate within the Hope Estate would be able to access over $8 million in tools which were donated by the World University Service of Canada (WUSC) through its PROPEL initiative.

Over the years, farmers from the community have been using traditional means of cultivating their farms but, the equipment will assist them in shortening the time they take to prepare and cultivate their farms and improve their efficiency.

The Hope Coconut Industries Limited was tasked with storing and managing use of the equipment. In order to access the equipment, farmers would have to pay a small fee, said General Manager of Hope Coconut Industries

Limited, Ricky Roopchand, during the handing-over ceremony on Friday.

“This is a very special day for us… it augurs well for the estate and for the farmers who will have access to the equipment,” he said, adding that it will not be a “free for all,” because they would need finance to sustain the tools.

Some of the items which were donated include four land tillers, four knapsack sprayers, four mist blowers, four direct seed planters, water pumps, grass cutters, boats, outboard engines, storage room and safety gear.

Deputy Project Director of PROPEL, Munish Persaud said the equipment will help to build the capacity of the Hope Coconut Industries Limited, but also provide a

service to the farmers who need them.

The items were specifically donated as requested or needed by farmers, he said, adding that prior to making the donation, a team from the project met with farmers who expressed their concerns and said what was needed.

Persaud said the team observed that women were the poorest farmers in the area, so they would get priority for the equipment.

Although women would be the main beneficiaries, it would not restrict men from utilising the tools as well.

Farmers are also expected to benefit from training on how to use the equipment.

“The tools gon help me weed my farm faster, because I would take like half day to weed part, but with the

A representative of PROPEL (left), hands over the items to General Manager of Hope Coconut Industries Limited, Ricky Roopchand, as farmers from the Hope Estate observe (Samuel Maughn photo)

new equipment, it gon take me less time,” said one of the female farmers from the community.

While the equipment would be beneficial for farmers, it would also help the company to boost its revenue stream.

PROPEL, which was implemented in five Caribbean countries (Barbados, Dominica, Guyana, Jamaica, and St Lucia), works with private-sector buyers, pro-

ducers and governments to support up to 11,500 small to medium-scale producers in the Caribbean.

The organisation also works with processors and related businesses to increase the supply of agricultural products – particularly fresh produce – to high-value markets, like supermarkets, hotels and traders, including exporters and importers, in the Caribbean.

Gender equality is an

important element of the project, so the organisation has started to integrate gender-equality approaches by supporting women and men’s equitable access to high-value markets, supporting women’s leadership and decision-making, and increasing the institutional capacity of partners to equitably respond to the needs of women and men and address gender-inequality issues.

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Guyana Chronicle New York Edition week ending August 17, 2018

Effective anti-recidivism policies

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NE of Guyana’s major, most destabilising problems is crime. And a serious aspect of this problem is that of a person committing a criminal offence, being sentenced to jail, and going back to a life of crime after being released.

The experts call this behaviour recidivism. Recidivism, therefore is a pattern of habitual criminal behaviour resulting in a cycle of repeated arrests, imprisonments, releases, and return to crime. The question arises: how do we, as a relatively small society, prevent recidivism?

In Guyana, the justice and prison systems focus on punishing offenders for their crimes, often by incarceration, thereby removing them from society for a period of time specified by the courts with reference to law. Our system is geared towards general deterrence (preventing crime by instilling the fear of being jailed), and individual deterrence (installing a fear of returning to jail). Very little, if any thought, is given to identifying and addressing the causes of criminal behaviour, and re-integrating convicted persons into society after their release from prison.

The lack of focus on social reintegration is significant because global statistics reveal that 95 per cent of prisoners will eventually be released. Again, how do we prevent them from going back to criminal conduct?

While statistics on local trends are difficult to obtain– perhaps due to poor record-keeping – we may infer certain conclusions based on international data. In the United States,

meta-data compiled by academics have revealed that–on average– 43 per cent-68 per cent of released convicts are rearrested within three years, and 77 per cent become repeat-offenders within five years. A study by the United States Department of Justice found similar rates across numerous states.

Another study by the Urban Institute corroborated those statistics, and identified the primary causes of recidivism to be the individual’s social environment of criminally-inclined peers, difficulty of readjusting to life outside prison, trouble re-establishing family ties, and having a criminal record and poor work-skills.

Substance abuse and mental health were found to be factors: 25 per cent of the incarcerated persons had a history of drug dependence, and many convicted individuals had been previously diagnosed with psychotic or personality disorders.

Clearly, criminal conduct and recidivism take a toll on societies. The costs associated with incarceration are high, and the psychological toll on the families involved have economic, social, and medical implications, to name only a few.

So, how can we reduce the incidence of repeat-offences?

Statistical evidence gathered by the government of the United Kingdom has shown a direct correlation between drug-rehabilitation, psychological intervention, education, and skills-training during incarceration and a return to normalcy of convicted persons after they are released. More-

Stop the scaremongering D Dear Editor,

URING the last sitting of the National Assembly, before the break for the recess until October, the opposition Peoples Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) again sought to raise the issue of what they described as “the social state of the current crime situation”. This has been a constant mantra, but of no particular import since the most current police statis-

tics suggests otherwise.

Editor, of course, there is crime, but certainly not on the frightening scale that had paralysed even the initial responses of the Guyana Police, during the early criminal onslaught which began in 2002.

In seeking to paint the Ministry of Public Security as having no interest in ensuring the safety of every Guyanese citizen, is as egregious, as it is misleading, given the many measures in terms of both budgetary allocations, and material resources that

are a continuous feature of the David Granger administration’s determination to make citizens safer in their homes and communities.

One of the successes of the ministry since 2015 has been an improved and better working relations with communities, which have led to a higher solving rate of serious crimes, more than at any other time in the country’s law enforcement history. This has led to better intelligence-led investigations, with a noticeable faster rate of apprehend-

ing suspects. One should add the many cold cases that have been solved.

The PPP/C should be reminded as to what their desultory state of government caused to be descended on the nation, inclusive of bloody murders that have left so many children without fathers, wives without husbands, and mothers who would have lost their sons and other family members.

To this day, they cannot find closure to their sons who had disappeared during that most

over, the rate of recidivism was most dramatically reduced when post-release follow-up was introduced. Such follow-up efforts included drug-counselling, teaching of vocational and industrial skills, making educational opportunities more accessible, offering all-round support, and most importantly, ensuring that the reforming individual obtained employment.

When such programmes were implemented in a comprehensive manner, the rate of recidivism fell by 43 per cent.

Guyana having a small population is being severely affected by repeat-offenders. Our efforts, therefore, should be directed towards preventing crime through the implementation of appropriate programmes and initiatives, and tackling recidivism through proven methods and comprehensive strategies. Evidently, there is sufficient data upon which we can base locally-appropriate approaches to the problem; there is therefore no need to reinvent the wheel.

The evidence suggests that our system of justice must be reoriented towards providing educational opportunities – of all kinds – to incarcerated persons, addressing drug and mental issues, and giving them the skills to return to a normal life. And it must not end there; society must ensure that such persons have access to employment and support.

The money which can be saved by the operationalising of effective anti-recidivism policies, may be better used in other developmental endeavours. And the social tranquility which would be realised by the successful implementation of such plans would be priceless.

horrific era, never to be seen again, dead or alive. It has to be recorded as the most frightening period in this country’s social life, especially in its modern history.

The psycho social damage has been enormous, in terms of the trauma that is still evident among bereaved families. The Lindo Creek Massacre, and the agonising pain that the surviving family members of those murdered still experience, is a seminal example of a past government which did not even have the basic of human decency to mount an inquiry into the horrific murders. Such an investigation was finally done when the current coalition admin-

istration ordered an inquiry.

Thus, the PPP/C opposition should cease attempting to spread fear among citizens, and pretending that it is concerned about the safety of Guyanese, when it never offered as much a courteous word of sympathy to those murdered miners’ families. This was how much they cared about citizens. No one will delude themselves into believing that there are not incidences of crime in Guyana; but the latter is a much safer society since May 2015.

Regards, Dillon Goring

Guyana Chronicle New York Edition week ending August 17, 2018

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Krauss is back and spins Guyana’s fragile racial dynamic Dear Editor,

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FTER hitting a ton on his first attempt, Krauss is back and spins Guyana’s fragile racial dynamic, “Oil and New Leadership Raised Hope in Guyana.

But Political Rifts Are Resurfacing”, most likely to curry favour, or even stoke the various players into action and interfere in Guyana’s political affairs.

This, is after he was treated to some swift, fast bowling from Guyanese the first time around. Though some of his points were welcomed in some quarters, they did not sit well with a broad cross section of Guyanese, and he “garnered” some classic “bouncers,” which probably pushed him to spin; lest, he is “yorked” the next time he tries to pull one straight down to the boundary, such as when he pointed out that children go to school in canoes.

After all, Guyana is a “vast, watery wilderness.” What did he expect?

But the disparities he alluded to are everywhere, all over the world – even in the USA. Just across the river from the swanky Columbia University where students glide to school in Mercedes Benzes and Jaguars, is the impoverished South Bronx in which children battle abject poverty in run down housing projects riddled with drugs, gangs and violence.

And the US is a developed country, at the top of the First World. After his initial piece which was not well received, he must

have wondered how best to spin a narrative that runs deep to the bone. Thus, he decided to tackle the one hot button issue that has always plagued Guyana right from the beginning. He knows that race is the crux, simmering beneath the political landscape, as it is in many other countries–even the USA - and it is a surefire way to win over a swath of the population.

Clearly Krauss wants to appear reasonable as if he has Guyana’s best interest at heart. I believe the idea is to stay in the conversation, at least, until Exxon is finished with its mapping, and then possibly strike again–cabal in tow. Krauss might be adept at spin but when he tries to understate the role the CIA played in Guyana’s politics, it must be noted: Votes are not based on ideology, with both major parties leaning left. But their competition goes back more than half a century, even before the 1966 independence from Britain. The nation’s two founders—Cheddi Jagan, an Indo-Guyanese, and Forbes Burnham, an Afro-Guyanese—vied for control in a bitter battle that led to election tampering, violence, and labour strikes partly organised by C.I.A. agents.

It is almost impossible for anyone to know for sure the entire playbook of the CIA in Guyana during those frightening times, but here is a dose of reality to add some light and perspective to the issue. If Trump hadn’t won the election in the US, the world would have never known about the underhanded effort by “Peter Strzok” and “Lisa Page”, and their many collaborators to deliberately interfere in the outcome of a Presidential election.

The point is that the CIA was heavily involved in Guyana for a long time, free to do as they please, at their whims and fancy.

Will Guyanese ever know the truth about the extent of their invisible hand at work, and how it pushed Guyana to the brink of chaos and anarchy? This is even more reason for Guyanese to be concerned should Exxon’s discovery in the future turns out to be wildly successful.

Krauss’ allusion to this piece of history breathes oxygen into the subject and Guyanese should insist that Krauss is more forthcoming in the future. I’m sure when all is said and done, it is bound to astound, if not stagger Guyanese, so much so that they would want to remain vigilant when the likes of Krauss try to spin their way into relevance.

I am reminded of a video I recently saw on the internet, in which a Jaguar fought an alligator for a spellbinding 15 minutes mostly under water and eventually brought the crocodile to the surface. https://nypost.com/video/its-the-jaws-of-death-betweena-jaguar-and-a-gator/ It is time Guyanese relentlessly pursue the entire CIA’s overreaching in Guyana, a sovereign nation with an unparalleled strategic location. This could happen again – and Krauss’ work could provide the spark.

million to $2 million annually, to do as they wish. In anticipation of the oil bonanza, my advice is for the government to revive the disbursement of the “Because We Care” school grant for every child attending school.

The People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPPC) government initiated this grant and it was an extraordinary benefit to poor families. When the current government took power they stopped it. I am not saying it was wrong or right to stop it; maybe they needed the resources in other areas. What I am suggesting is that the oil revenue will make it affordable again and the government should restart it as soon as possible.

When oil money starts to flow, I strongly believe that the government should give as much of the money to the people directly, and as soon as possible, so that they can feel a sense of joy and goodwill. Remember, the country does not belong to the politicians or to the government; they were hired by the people to run the country. Sometimes politicians forget that we, the people, own this country.

My advice to the Granger administration, or any government that gains power during our oil boom, is to put things in place and listen to the advice of learned men like Dr. Clive Thomas, and listen to the people who elected you to office by giving something to the people directly.

Guyanese do not want any government in the oil production era to tell them about spending oil money for the people’s benefit, if the people do not see the benefits for themselves. It is not as if other countries are not successfully giving cash directly to their people from their oil or mineral resources.

I know for a fact that Canada gives a baby bonus and it has proved to be a highly successful initiative. I also saw online that around 35 African countries already transfer cash directly to their poor through smart cards, debit cards, mobile phones, or in person.

And this is getting cheaper and safer.

I recommend that interested persons should read the 2016 report of The Overseas Development Institute, the largest analysis of cash transfer programmes ever, spanning 15 years of data and 165 studies. The report shows that cash transfers to the poor tend to produce a consistent reduction in poverty, an increase in work participation. In general, the evidence showed far more positives than negatives.

Furthermore, I believe that if Guyana’s oil revenue goes from the extracting company to government without passing through the hands of citizens, the people will not be able to scrutinise the expenditure out of these revenues as carefully as they should. This will cause misallocation of public spending, slow growth and poor poverty reduction plans.

That is why I support Dr. Thomas’ proposal that a significant

part of the revenues must go directly to citizens, so they can decide how it is spent. The money the government needs for public projects like bridges, roads, medical facilities and schools can come from parts of the oil money. Furthermore, the government needs to reduce the tax burden on the Guyanese people to accelerate commerce and induce local investments, while at the same time creating a forum to teach people how to invest their monies by buying shares in large companies, even GPL when it is privatised.

For these reasons, I respectfully disagree with the published viewpoint of Jinnah Rahaman who argued against the government giving money directly to people to uplift their lives, and advocated giving them high-paying jobs. Mr. Rahaman is the owner of large plots of land and is an affluent individual. I do not wish to critique Mr. Rahaman but he is obviously out of touch with the needs of the ordinary people of this country. I respect his view but I disagree with him. Not all jobs can be high paying; even if cleaners, labourers etc. are well paid, it is good to give them a gift, as the late Libyan leader Colonel Muammar Gaddafi’s Jamahiriya did for his people.

Gaddafi was able to use oil profits given directly to citizens, as part of sweeping economic, political and social reforms in Libya through Jamahiriya. Part of the oil revenue went directly to the people and for significant events in their lives, such as when people got married, gave birth etc. Jamahiriya gave them cash gifts.

I recall Gaddafi telling Libya’s General People’s Congress: “The money that we put in the education budget, I say let the Libyans take it…Put it in your pockets and teach your kids as you wish, you take responsibility…As long as money is administered by a government body, there would be theft and corruption”.

I am not going to pretend that Gaddafi was an angel, but I know that after he launched the Jamahiriya initiative there was amazing progress in Libya. Under the scheme, intensive agriculture developed, a welfare state was established and countless poor Libyans were able to get homes, education and health services for the first time in their lives. If Guyana goes along this road, there will be challenges, but nothing that we can’t handle. We can put our heads together and work out things like defining a household, deciding the most efficient disbursement system and work out accountability mechanisms and checks and balances to prevent fraud and abuse. The bottom line is: Dr. Thomas has proposed something extremely good for Guyana that will definitely work if we handle it properly. I support his suggestion one hundred percent.

Regards, Ram Narine

I support giving oil money directly to Guyanese Dear Editor,

I

COMPLETELY agree with Guyana’s distinguished economist Dr. Clive Thomas, that a significant part of the nation’s oil revenue should be given directly to each household in Guyana at set times.

There is no question in my mind that such a move will have a lasting and positive impact on the people of Guyana. This will be a powerful incentive that will bring our people’s latent aptitude for thrift, creativity, ingenuity and business sense to full bloom, and enable them to expand their contributions to the country’s sustainable development.

The direct disbursement of oil money to the people will benefit every industry and business in the country because it will increase people’s disposable income and money available for investment.

This will cause a tremendous boost in commerce that will stimulate the economy, promote health and wealth, improve the quality of life and generally improve everyone’s state of mind.

As Dr. Thomas indicated, leaving the nation’s oil money solely in the control of politicians will leave the door wide open for human selfishness, greed and lust for power to step in, so only a small set of people will benefit from Guyana’s oil. This must never happen; oil profits must always be shared equitably.

I first had the idea of giving the people direct access to oil revenue a few years ago after Saddam Hussein of Iraq was violently overthrown, and the coalition collapsed along with the entire economic structure of the nation. Every ministry, public utility and state resource was plundered by negative elements.

All historical relics were stolen and taken to certain developed countries. Iraq’s oil resources were raided and mismanaged. Amid the chaos and corruption, a most disgraceful group of killers and fighters, called Daesh (Descendants of Genghis Khan) or ISIS, was put in place by powerful countries.

In my opinion, if they had, from the inception, simply given each Iraqi household US$300 to help calm them and create a sense of joy, goodwill and well-being, Iraq would not have been in the economic distress it is in today.

US President Donald Trump said the USA’s war with Iraq was one of the most ridiculous wars he has seen. Even former Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton were against the Iraq war because of the destruction it would have caused. I believe if the Iraqis had been given small sums of money, mere drops of water from the ocean of oil funds, then it would have been a stability factor in Iraq. In Guyana’s case, whatever government in office gets access to the first oil money will have a tremendous amount of money at their disposal.

There will be enough to give every household in Guyana $1

Regards, Roshan Khan Snr

8

Guyana Chronicle New York Edition week ending August 17, 2018

Lake Mainstay Regatta 2018 a success

The beautiful Lake Mainstay where the regatta was held

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HE annual Lake Mainstay Regatta event kicked off Sunday with a bang, as patrons from all walks of life flocked the resort in Region Two. Director of Lake Mainstay Resort, Wilfred Jagnarine, said the preparations leading up to the 18th regatta were successful, despite earlier challenges of getting sufficient sponsors for the water sports competition.

Jagnarine explained the popular tourism event has attracted a number of foreigners this year. “I think it is a good start, people

This boat being readied for the race (DPI photo)

look forward to this event, especially from Essequibo and all over Guyana.”

The director noted that the government has played an integral role in pushing the event. He explained that prior to the event, roadworks were done to improve to flow of traffic to the resort.

“We are happy to have the government’s support.

For some years they have been collaborating with us for this event and we are grateful. And we look forward to continuing this collaboration.”

President of the Esse-

quibo Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Suean Seewnarayan, also deemed this year’s regatta a success.

“Over the years, I think the crowd has been growing and I think with years to come it will grow. Because this event has become something that everyone looks forward to in August,” Seewnarayan said.

The event saw teams competing in over 18 watersport events. These included the 15, 40, 90 and 200 horsepower (HP) races, swimming and canoeing, to name a few.

(DPI)

A scene from the Lake Mainstay Regatta (DPI photo)

This family had a good time at the regatta

14Guyana Chronicle New York Edition week ending August 17, 2018

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, July 18, 20189

Elections have FOR YOUR M consequences Discrimination against communities kills dreams

EET Felicia.

Felicia is a 19-year-old University of Guyana second-year communication student, who resides ‘C’(not) Field ‘DUH (that) isinnah Sophia.

She isisaadisciplined me business’ famous and decent who phrase used in citizen our everyrespects all societal rules day conversations.

When and norms, though we make this even remark, it she wakes every zero day tointhe means we have smellinofancannabis sativa terest issue. wafting pastwhen her unconIt is sad this cernedisnose, she remains phrase applied while resolute in determidescribing ourher attitude to nation not to succumb public advocacy.

The pos-to the of trappings her comture ‘Duh isof nah me munity. Among business’ is what the led mixto tureisofarguably tenement big what theand worst houses, resides in a time for Felicia governance Guyana’s modern history, experienced between 1999FROM PAGE 4 2015. Governance reached its nadir during period he this fallacy rewhen the holders of power garding fewer declared with unrivalled parliamentary pomposity, sittings ‘we have has the been ethnic numbers’.

On May peddled by the Opposition, 11th, 2015, Guyanese but it did not catch on. So, demonstrated that elections like a relay in a marathon have serious implications. falsehoods, the KN Inrace thisofcase, there was a writer took up the bruised baton, and ran with it.

The absence of the Leader of Government Business in the House did not prevent the National Assembly from meeting on August 8 last for very important national matters. After that sitting, the House went into scheduled recess for two months.

small, partially constructed abode with her single-parent mom, who is a security guard.

On a calm, but hot day, while Felicia was watching television, her mom positive outcome; insolemnother ly laboured their home cases, it couldinto be negative. and informed herassocithat she Numerous issues lostwith her job. made ated theMommy arrogance of it clear that sheincould no longer government Guyana in support Felicia financially the past have disappeared, to attend UG.decision This news because of the of almost closed the masses at thethe lastcurtains elecon a to dream to become their a jourtions demonstrate nalist,atbut determined power the this ballot box. student decided do someFurther, sometoominous thing about it. She devised a things with life-and-death two-fold plan: selllonger ice and implications aretono iciclesdue to to members of of her around the results community a job. the last polls.and Thefind simple pleasure of government critics and again, reporters insisted, thatdrivI had ing with their windows gone away for three months, down or caused citizensParliament subjectingto which their leaders to complete be crippled. ridicule on social media, It is baffling how some no longer come with fatal otherwise intelligent repercussions, becausefolks of would give a crooked spin to our last monumental exertheof truth. understand why cise our Icollective franthe Opposition is doing chise.

It is only those whoit, having refined the Big Lie to were in the trenches during get sympathy, both as victim and a pathetic loser.

That was clear when I moved a Motion for an Opposition MP to be sent to the Privileges Committee for contemptuous conduct. The Opposition quickly bawled that it would file a complaint with the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association and the United Nations HuLEAVING man Rights Committee that JURISDICTION freedom of expression was It had become necessary being suppressed in our Parfor me to leave the juris- liament. diction for a much-delayed medical check-up, since I WHEN I LOSE, I WIN had triple heart by-pass surAgain, when the govgery six months ago. I con- ernment tabled the Cybercede that “private business” crime Bill in Parliament for didn’t quite explain why I passage, Opposition MPs travelled overseas. But I can hollered that the effort to assure you that it was not on combat the misuse of coma folly in order to sabotage puters for criminal purposes, the Parliament. including terrorism, was inOn that occasion, I tended to deny young people spent 65 days (just over two access to the Internet. They months) undergoing medical stitched in an unreal image procedures and rehabilita- of Guyana being overrun by tion. That was the first time all manner of repressive acts in over 25 years, and while in order to whip up external I held public office, that I pity. travelled overseas for medIn regards to our prosical attention. pects for oil, the Opposition But the KN columnist

T

Her mother reminded her that the house has an illegal connection and if the power company comes by, there would be no electricity to sustain the business. Felicia insisted thatofshe would get a this period destructive jobvindictive by this time. and government Felicia proceeded send would appreciate the to danoutofapplications several gers going to thetoCheddi private media companies.

Jagan International Airport applications, there toAfter fulfil 10 an overseas obligawasasno response. tion an positive anti-government One evening, she sat in her activist and having to face chair completely dejected the dreaded possibility fed updrugs and decided ofand having plantedto another strategy.

She intry your luggage.

These dropped her are Sophia simple fears no address more from and due to her theapplications wise choice listedby theGuyanese. address of aThese family made member from an ‘accepted consequences cannot be underestimated, especiallypaints in light of the factpicture that a worrying most of the persons who of the future of Guyana were custodians ofthe thedreadbad being afflicted by state between 1999-2015, ed “Dutch Disease”, and have gone nowhere, they about future elections being are the ones waiting in the rigged. wings to once electoral postures fit on into againThose reign down terror the population.

Added to this, an election, besides its conspicu-

community.’ To her little surprise, five out five applications from the new addresses received favourable responses. She was called to several interviews, but did mechanisms, not receive a isjob.

The ous a forinterviewers expressed tacit mal process by which you concerns about the fact that make a decision.

When shecut was from the thisrazzle comyou through munity. disciplined, and dazzleThis of campaigning church-going studentfanleft and all the shining her last with a fares, it isinterview a wise choice of doom tosense make whichand canwaited affecton a buswhat with her lastchildren GY$100. from your a bus, will While carry waiting in theirfor lunch a black SUV rolled up, the kits to whether your counwindows camereputation down and try gets a bad gentleman ingrey-bearded the international arena. offered her of a ride home.

This practice democraShe stranger cy hastold beenthis in place sinceall the 17th century. It is the results of the May 11th the dismal picture of the 2015 elections have types of human that beings who erased of Guytry to the foolshame others, all the ana having a reputation of time, so as to get pity. They being a drug-filled banana were described by one writer republic with little law and as having permanent sloorder.

It is adue to our last gan, “When I lose, I win”. vote-casting that we have seen an unprecedented crackdown on the drug empire in Guyana and the concomitant positive effects that come along with dealing condignly with this scourge. The average Guyanese party-goer can now remark: ‘Is a long

ATTENTION !

time ain’t see her me problems andpeople he ofshooting up inbut parties’. fered to help, his help This is due the fact that came withtoexcessive haGuyanese decisionIn rassmentmade and amisery. tothe elect anFelicia incorruptible end, became President stands forto pregnant who and was forced law andout order anduniversity cannot drop of the beand enticed by the overtures became a victim of a ofpatriarchal the drug empire.

Again, society.

The your safety whenpressures you go socio-economic out to have a good time can be traced to right back to It brings mind a stateelectoral decision-making. ment disputably attributed Be that as it may, globto Abraham Lincoln: “You al voter apathy is at its can foolpercentage. all the people The some highest of the time, and some of the youth remain the most people all the time, but you passive global voter block; cannot all thetrend. peopleInall this is a fool universal July 2010, 75% of eligible voters between ages 18-30 chose not to participate in the US midterm elections.

The question is: who is to be blamed for low voter turnout by youths globally? Politicians or young people? On one hand, there

By Ronald Austin Jr.

isreduced the argument politiher to that dependence cians are for out survival. of touch In with on men her issues thatage, impact the lives middle Felicia conofstantly youngregaled people.her Onkids theof other hand, there is the valdifferent “child fathers” idabout contestation thattoifbecome polher dream iticians refuse Community to address a journalist. your issues, it is or you who discrimination commumust intois advocacy nity delve profiling real. and address those issues. #endcommunityprofiling It is a crime against your fellow citizens to allow the time.” the rise of the destructive But for Guyanese, we state by not having an I.D can remind those who pedCard or refusing to get up lies and half-truths ondle national elections day to of what the old people vote. Not getting involved say: “Moon ah run is too detrimental. till day ketch It isam!” a good time to remind ourselves of the wise words of William Lyon Mckenzie King, ‘Where [there] is little or no public opinion, there is likely to be bad government, which sooner or later becomes autocratic government.’

10

Guyana Chronicle New York Edition week ending August 17, 2018

CGX names well in honour of Indigenous people

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GX Energy Incorporated announced its next exploration well with an Indigenous naming and blessing ceremony by the historic Aleluya Indigenous Group.

The ceremony, a collaboration between CGX

and the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, was held on Friday at the Umana Yana in the presence of Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carl Greenidge, who is also currently performing the duties of prime minister, and ministers of Government and other guests.

CGX Energy Incorporated latest exploration well, which was named ‘Utakwaaka’, is expected to be drilled in November 2019 in the company’s Corentyne Block offshore Guyana.

CGX Executive Chairman, Professor Suresh Narine noted, giving the well

an Indigenous name is a departure from the norm in the oil industry. “[It is] to pay homage to and take strength sustenance and blessing from the wealth spring of spirituality and philosophy of our indigenous peoples.”

Traditionally, wells are named by the geologists

Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge speaking at the naming and blessing ceremony (DPI photo)

Members of the Aleluya Indigenous Group blessing CGX Inc’s latest exploration well ‘Utakwaaka’ (DPI photo)

Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman and CGX Executive Chairman, Professor Suresh Narine after unveiling the name of the well (DPI photo)

who select the location.

Minister Greenidge noted that many Guyanese are proud of CGX for the work it has done in the country and its determination and resilience in exploration in the oil and gas industry.

“What we have achieved now … is in no small measure to the persistence of CGX itself in working with Guyanese, its technicians, [and] investors to ensure that notwithstanding the disappointments … today we

can celebrate.”

The naming of the well coincided with the company’s 20th anniversary.

Professor Narine said it is important to CGX Energy Incorporated that the resource it is exploiting is used to enhance “that which we hold valuable rather than let it in itself define value to us.”

Utakwaaka, a Phillipai word, means the dawn of a new day, a ray of light a ray of hope, Ovid Williams of the Aleluya Group explained. The Aleluya Indigenous Religion is considered one of the oldest known and only practising Indigenous religion in Guyana.

The group is made up of Indigenous people from the Phillipai and Amokokopai villages located in the Upper Mazaruni, Region Seven.

Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Sydney Allicock noted partnership is important and commended CGX for its collaboration.

“This is a significant step for the oil sector and the indigenous people of Guyana. It is in recognition of this intricate relationship shared with the indigenous people of Guyana and the natural environment and resources,” said Minister Allicock. (DPI)

Guyana Chronicle New York Edition week ending August 17, 2018

11

Bel West Primary wins inaugural spelling bee contest

Children who participated in the spelling bee flanked by members of the WCD/WBD branch of Young Pioneers

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HE Bel West Primary School, West Bank Demerara (WBD), came out on top of the inaugural Young Pioneers Spelling Bee competition on Friday.

Although it was a friendly match, the students who participated in the competition

were competitive and did their best to win.

Kawall Primary and Crane Primary competed against Bel West for the prize.

Each school was represented by four pupils.

The competition, which was organised by the West Coast Demerara (WCD) branch of Young Pioneers,

received support from not just fellow pupils but also teachers and parents who were enthused by the spelling bee.

Head Pioneer for the WCD/WCB branch, Sasha Rawof said the competition was a success, and that they will be looking to make it part of the group’s calendar of activities every year.

Although the Bel West Primary School won, every child who participated in the contest was given a medal and stationery.

Young Pioneers is a charitable organisation that focuses on youth development and community work.

The organisation, which was founded in 2013, aims

to expose youth to capacity building opportunities while reminding them of their duties towards society through engaging in charitable projects.

It has conducted numerous Online awareness campaigns in areas of suicide prevention, body shaming, and the importance of the

Sustainable Development Goals, gender equality.

It has also hosted numerous food, clothing and books distribution exercises as well as training sessions and workshops, visits to elderly homes and orphanages, fundraisers for patients in need of medical care and surgeries.

Youth Minister of Natural Resources, Devi Singh

Youth Minister of State, Trevon Chichester

Trevon Chichester, who said “I believe that young people are very important to the progress of any country; and if more young persons are involved in the National discourse at all levels, our country will move forward; we will be more relevant in the Caribbean and Latin America and we will truly take our rightful place in this world.”

Yonnick David, Youth Minister of Social Protection, said he is thrilled at the opportunity of being part of this year’s youth Parliament

as it provides an opportunity for better understanding of the parliament and its role. For him, his participation in youth parliament, on the official day to observe United Nations’ International Youth Day, is extremely significant.

“Today is International Youth Day and young people are sitting in our parliament going through our laws, working and understanding how this country operates. It’s a good thing!” Youth Minister David said. (DPI)

We want to make a difference -- says PM of Youth Parliament

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RIME Minister for Youth Parliament 2018, Jordan Kellman, said this year’s sitting of the National Assembly is a great opportunity for the youths to make a difference.

Kellman, a student of the Bishop’s High School, is among 72 youths from secondary schools across the 10 administrative regions and the University of Guyana (UG) participating in the event, being held from August 10 to 18.

“As a youth, it is time that adults see us as more than proxies. We are to be recognised as in this critical time of our lives, we need to be heard. My message to youths, no matter where you come from, no matter

your economic and social status, this is an opportunity for us to make a difference and show that teenagers are relevant,” the youth prime minister said.

Youth Prime Minister Jordan Kellman

Representing the Minister of Natural Resources, Devi Singh said she is seeking a new perspective at this year’s sitting. She will decide too, if after her experience, whether she would be

pursuing a career in politics.

Singh, who has her eyes on becoming a commercial pilot and an aeronautical engineer, finds herself being pulled in this direction.

Youth Opposition Leader Aaliyah Sharif

“I was advised that I should do it and so far, I’m loving it. Perhaps, I can find myself here being part of parliament and being part of politics. I think it’s good and I am getting a profound un-

derstanding of what happens here, she said. ” Youth Opposition Leader Aaliyah Sharif said in her role, she intends to empower all youths to effect change in society.

“We are given the opportunity to be a voice for them, so we need to work diligently to get the information out to there,” she told DPI. Sharif said the young people possess a “different mindset” from adults and in so doing, there is a wide scope for inclusion of new ideas.

She said her work will not end in the chambers of the National Assembly, but will be extended to her local community.

Filling the role of the Minister of State is University of Guyana student,

12

Guyana Chronicle New York Edition week ending August 17, 2018

Sari protesters demand apology from PM “Be a man, respect women!”

(Trinidad Guardian) That placard-borne message and others conveyed the feelings of protesters outside of the Prime Minister’s office yesterday, demanding an apology from Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley and National Security Minister Stuart Young for the PNM’s controversial “sari” skit.

The skit at last weekend’s PNM’s Family Day, depicting a woman’s yellow sari being undone by men dressed as gorillas, caused a firestorm of negative sentiment, though Government rejected the criticism. Young said it was a “lil bit of fun.” Rowley claimed people were “hell-bent” on creating racial and religions tensions.

Yesterday protesters reinforced their concerns, calling for an apology, outside of Rowley’s St Clair office.

However, he was at the Diplomatic Centre for the weekly Cabinet meeting. At the height of the protest, members yelled, “Go, Rowley go!”

The group, mainly from UNC constituencies, was dominated by women in yellow saris and other traditional East Indian wear. Also present was Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar, UNC MPs, senators, executive members and Muslims in hijabs.

Protesters’ placards voiced their views: “100 per cent Pissed!” “Say no to Rape!”

“Don’t be an Imps” “Rape isn’t funny,” “Chase dem

like Hinds!” “Imps—Rowley, Faris, Stuart,” “I’m Fed Up— Rowley doesn’t care.”

Persad-Bissessar, speaking outside of the OPM office she once occupied, said, “This (skit) isn’t a racist issue. It’s action promoting violence against women, abuse of black males—stereotyping them as apes—and it has to do with Indians. Why a sari? Why yellow?”

bit of fun’. We wouldn’t stoop to degrade another community like this.”

“We’re not willing to let this pass. Should we allow ourselves to be treated like second class citizens. Should the sacred wear of our mothers, daughters, sisters be debased and degraded like this?

How can you have a ‘lil fun’ at an entire community’s expense? By having ‘fun’ at our

come to their leaders—we must let them know this won’t work.”

The group delivered a letter to the PM’s office seeking an apology. It noted the skit offended many as it was seen as simulation of violence against women, mockery of Hinduism and depiction of political violence—plus, Young’s dismissal compounded Government’s insensitivity

Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar, centre, flanked by UNC senator Khadijah Ameen, right, and deputy political leader of the UNC Jearlean John among protesters who gathered outside the Office of the Prime Minister calling on Rowley to apologise for the controversial sari skit. PICTURE ABRAHAM DIAZ

Pundit Satyanand Maharaj, leading protesters said, “I don’t think they understand how sacred the sari is—it’s symbolic. Denuding a woman is akin to sexual abuse and heinous crime—it’s not a ‘lil

expense, you’re telling us we have no value. We have to value ourselves and let them know we do.”

“When leaders refuse to acknowledge the plight of their people, then people must

on the matter.

The letter warned, “Government’s hostile, belligerent and intractable position in this issue only contributes to stoking fires of division. It does no good to the PNM to attempt to

victimise the victim further by labelling legitimate concerns as ‘foolish’ or ‘racial.’”

Hindu group representative Radica Balkaran added, somewhat emotionally that the sari represents a woman’s material, physical and spiritual profile, “If you disrobe her of this garment, it’s not just about a piece of cloth, you’re stripping the person of all of these aspects of her life and her dignity. This isn’t something to play with—no excuse can apologise for that.

Dr Rowley has to apologise to the womenfolk.”

Kamla slams Stuart’s insensitive remark Persad-Bissessar spoke against the skit’s aspects which stereotyped black males.

“For hundreds of years black males were stereotyped as apes, simians, monkeys, gorillas —aggressors. The PNM’s skit continued this portrayal of years of colonial stereotyping.”

Also offensive to the Indian community, particularly Hindu women, she said, “It’s a blatant portrayal of violent assault against women. But they can unwrap the sari and it’ll never end—women will stand up.”

Asking if Young’s statements meant it was alright to terrorise women or undress and assault them, Persad-Bissessar added, “I was prepared to give the new Police Commissioner and National Security Minister a ‘bligh,’ but after

Caribbean aims to become world’s first climate-smart zone

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AMAICA OBSERVER - THE Caribbean Climate-Smart Accelerator Programme, which has the objective of making the region the world’s first climate-smart zone, was launched at the University of the West Indies (UWI) Mona campus on August 9.

So far, some 26 countries and more than 40 privateand public-sector partners have joined the accelerator, which will transform the region’s economy by fast-tracking sound public and private investment opportunities that support climate solutions for resilience, social development

and broad-based growth for the Caribbean.

The climate-smart zone will not only protect the region but create jobs and a new economy in climate-smart infrastructure.

Core partners include the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), the World Bank, CARICOM, and the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS).

Over the next five years, the accelerator will create the right environment for private and public funds to flow into investments in clean energy, building resilience and climate-smart cities and healthy oceans.

Jamaica’s Prime Minis-

ter Andrew Holness, in his address at the launch, said he is excited by the project’s potential in combatting climate change and accelerating national and regional development.

He noted that the Caribbean is already making progress with the expanding use of renewable energy.

He said that low-carbon technologies are creating good jobs and building profitable businesses across the region, adding that Jamaica is already on a path to 30 per cent of its electricity generation being from renewable energy.

Mr. Holness called on the partners to “make impactful

innovation” a priority, noting that the success of the initiative will be measured by “how it improves people’s lives, makes them feel safer, provides better jobs, improves social services and increases economic growth to build a sustainable and successful future”.

Founder of the Virgin Group, Sir Richard Branson, noted that the Caribbean Climate-Smart Accelerator Programme is based on a vision to make the region “greener, stronger and more resilient than ever before; built on innovation, powered by clean, sustainable energy and accelerated by public and private investment.

“The accelerator was formed to break down barriers [and] to… show the world what climate-smart development can do now and should look like, not just as a defence against hurricanes and other natural disasters but to help make the Caribbean an even better place to live and visit, while combatting poverty, creating great jobs and delivering broadbased economic growth,” he added.

President of the IDB, Luis Alberto Moreno, informed that over the next three years, the IDB will invest US$3 million into the accelerator programme, starting this year with

the Minister’s first statement (on this), I don’t think he can take care of people’s safety and security.”

“It’s frightening when your new Security Minister’s first major statement is to condemn and accept abuse of women as ‘fun’. I wonder if what happened to (PNM’s Fitzgerald) Hinds in Beetham will be seen as ‘fun’ also?” she asked.

While Persad-Bissessar condemned the assault on any MP, she said the PNM was “reaping what it sowed.”

She added Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha general secretary Satnarayn Maharaj was entitled to his position on the issue which she disagreed with, “ The skit is about portrayal of assault and abuse of women- not just about a sari.”

Maharaj had said he did not think the skit was offensive.

Persad-Bissessar said Government —which didn’t hold the usual weekly media briefing yesterday— “ran” from the media.

Yesterday’s protest was monitored by a drone overhead operated by police on the ground.

Uniformed and plainclothes police were also present.

One male protester, challenged Rowley to come outside and face protesters, “You’s a coward!” he yelled at OPM windows where some staffers peered at protesters from upper floors.

US$1.5 million, which will be used as start-up funds.

The IDB will also partner with the accelerator programme to implement the US$1 billion in funds that it pledged for climate-smart investments across the Caribbean region at the Paris One Planet summit on December 12, 2017.

This additional funding will build on an existing portfolio of over US$200 million for work across the Caribbean region, either directly or through the Caribbean Development Bank.

It will support innovative solutions focusing on low-carbon energy, low-carbon public transportation, sustainable infrastructure, coastal management, and energy-efficiency projects.

Guyana Chronicle New York Edition week ending August 17, 2018

33 Peace Corps volunteers deployed

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The newest members of Peace Corps volunteers to Guyana, who total 33. They will provide volunteer services to Guyana in the areas of education, health and the environment for the next two years (Samuel Maughn photo)

-- in areas of education, health and the environment

By Lisa Hamilton

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HIRTY-THREE Peace Corps volunteers have been sworn in to assist Guyana in the areas of education, health and the environment at a ceremony hosted at the U.S. ambassador’s residence on Wednesday.

The occasion had in attendance First Lady Sandra Granger, Public Health Minister Volda Lawrence, Public Affairs Minister Dawn Hastings-Williams, Chief Education Officer (CEO) Marcel Hutson, head teachers from several regions and members of the diplomatic corps.

Eleven of the volunteers will provide educational services, 12 will deal with environmental education and resource protection, while 10 will address adolescent health and well-being and maternal and child health issues.

Minister Lawrence said Guyana has a high level of adolescent pregnancy and suicide and the services of the volunteers are most welcome in the national effort to address these matters.

“My dear volunteers, I am sure that you are apprised of our health challenges, our youths in Guyana, like their counterparts globally, are challenged by a range of ado-

Public Health Minister Volda Lawrence (Samuel Maughn photo)

The Peace Corps volunteers have just successfully completed 10 weeks of pre-service training on the Essequibo Coast and will render their services to Guyana over the next two years.

lescent health issues. Among them are depression, early pregnancy, unsafe sex, Sexually Transmitted Infections and suicide where Guyana ranks highly, globally,” she said.

Lawrence added: “You

will be severely tasked in changing harmful health behaviours at the outset. But I am deeply convinced that over an extended period of time, your intervention with the schools coupled with your interaction with parents and the health care workers will certainly impact significantly and influence positively the choices our youths make, so that the avoidable risk factors linked to non-communicable diseases will be reduced and healthier attitudes and actions will prevail across the length and breadth of our beautiful country.”

She further stated that Peace Corps Guyana’s Health Project will work to support Guyana’s National Adolescent Health Programme, which falls within the recently developed draft National Adolescent Health Strategy.

GIVE YOUR BEST Lawrence also urged the volunteers to render high-quality service by using their skill-building talents to build trust among youths and community members, which will better facilitate the great task ahead.

“I know that I can rely on your goodwill and benevolence to create adolescent-friendly environments in those communities in which you would be stationed. I am very confident that you, like those who have been before, will rise to the challenges and

find innovative ways to ensure acquisition of knowledge and requisite skills to empower our adolescents and youth to become healthy citizens in the future,” she said.

Last last month, the U.S. Embassy signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Ministry of Education to collaborate with primary and secondary schools in the areas of education, health and the environment.

These include helping children learn how to read through the National Centre for Educational Resource Development (NCERD) pilot Literacy Project; strengthening science teachers through NCERD’s Education and Sustainable Development Project and supporting adolescent health and well-being through the Health and Family Life Education (HFLE) curriculum.

Chief Education Officer (CEO) Marcel Hutson, encouraged the volunteers to courageously execute their duties, as government works to do its part.

“As a nation, we recognise the critical nature of education in the process of transfor-

mation,” he said, noting that “The Ministry of Education will continue to work with all our stakeholders to ensure that we maximise the performance of our children in the school systems.”

Peace Corps Guyana… by this batch of volunteers in the areas identified is most welcomed by the Government of Guyana,” Hastings-Williams said.

The 33 volunteers were guided through their swearing

Chief Education Officer (CEO) Marcel Hutson (Samuel Maughn photo)

Public Affairs Minister Dawn Hastings-Williams said the volunteers will now have the chance to serve as “shining examples” for the country’s youths.

“The Peace Corps has continued to assist us in a significant way as we battle against these hindrances to development. The support of

of the Peace Corps oath and pledge by U.S. Ambassador to Guyana, Perry Holloway.

Throughout their years of service, the 33 volunteers will live with host families within four regions, while other volunteers previously stationed will continue to serve in the remaining regions of Guyana.

Peruvian authorities launch probe into death of Guyanese girl

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HILE the parents, relatives and friends await the autopsy result of 22-year-old Yogeeta Persaud of Guyana, the Peruvian authorities are also in a state of shock about the sudden demise of the young lady and have since launched a probe.

According to a release from Peru police, an investigation has been launched into the death of the foreign student. Prosecutor on duty Rafael Vasquez Cuba, who is in charge of the investigation, said that the autopsy is pending. They have disclosed that the Guyanese citizen died suddenly while on a medical outreach at Anta Province of Cusco, Peruvian police confirmed.

Doctors at the Anta-based health centre reported the death of Yogeeta Persaud, 21, at around 1:15 pm on Sunday, after she was evacuated on an emergency basis. The woman was a medical student and member of “Volunteer Doctors around the World.” Early each morning, Persaud volunteered at a medical camp. According to police, she collapsed sud-

denly at just after 12:50 pm on Sunday and showed vital signs when emergency services arrived. Unfortunately, she died on the way to the health centre.

Meanwhile, relatives of Persaud continue to grieve for her. “My daughter was a determined child, she was never rude to anyone and she was very humble, she chased after her dreams,” said Devika Persaud, the mother of Yogeeta Persaud.

The family received the tragic news around 16:00 hrs. on Sunday from a colleague of Yogeeta. She was the only daughter of her parents whom she last saw in May this year, when she graduated from Stony Brook University.

During a visit to the family’s home at Zorg Village on the Essequibo Coast, on Monday, many persons were on hand to offer words of comfort to the parents of the 22 year old.

Her mother related that she last heard from her daughter around midday on Sunday.

She said they did not speak for a while but they would routinely message each other daily via the social media platform WhatsApp. Her last message was around midday

on Sunday when she informed her mother that she was at a clinic. “What we understand is that she collapsed while at work, we don’t know much, however we [are] waiting on the autopsy,” her mother said.

She said that Yogeeta was on a Government of Guyana (GoG) scholarship when she met her demise. She graduated in May 2018 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biochemistry from Stony Brook University. Yogeeta began following her dreams and during the summer break she joined the Stony Brook University team as a volunteer on medical outreaches. Her mother recalled too that in 2016 she went to the Dominican Republic as a volunteer on a medical outreach. Yogeeta accompanied the team on the two-week medical outreach to Peru as a volunteer and was expected to return to the United States on August 16.

Her mother said the young woman was determined to become a doctor and to assist persons. “She died while doing what she loves, maybe that’s the way she had to go back to the Almighty, it’s hard, she was never a rude person, I

always advised her that if she was angry just walk way, she was a very obedient child of mine,” the woman noted.

She said that her daughter always made the family proud.

In 2013, Yogeeta was named the second top performer for Guyana at the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations and the Anna Regina Multilateral student was adjudged the Most Outstanding Overall CSEC candidate that year by the Caribbean Examination Council (CXC), after achieving Grade One passes in 18 CSEC subjects. Persaud was also a top performer while at Stony Brook. Her father, Takoor Persaud, told the Guyana Chronicle that he could not believe the news when he heard of her sudden passing.

He said that he is still trying to cope with the harsh reality.

Former classmates and teachers also expressed shock at her demise. One teacher, Reshma Rai, posted “Yogeeta was 1 of my favourite Grade Two students we share so much fun times like feeding you lunch and cuddling u when were sad . My tears cannot stop flowing for u my

The deceased Yogeeta Persaud

student. She has grown into such a beautiful and intelligent young woman. My sincere condolences to her parents, extended families and friends.

RIP Yogeeta Persaud.”

Apart from her studies, the young woman was a member of the Golden Fleece Vishwa Jhotir

mandir. She would visit whenever she was in Guyana and would seize the opportunity to perform ‘Pooja’ at the altar. Her parents are awaiting the results of an autopsy and arrangements will be put in place to bring her remains back to Guyana for burial.

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Guyana Chronicle New York Edition week ending August 17, 2018

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Guyana Chronicle New York Edition week ending August 17, 2018

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Economy grew by 4.5% at midyear …projected growth revised upwards to 3.7% for 2018

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he economy grew by 4.5% at midyear, the Ministry of Finance said on Wednesday, and has revised its projected growth for this year to 3.7%.

IN the mid-year report which was tabled in Parliament on Wednesday, the ministry also indicated that non-sugar growth rate is estimated to have climbed to 5.1 per cent from a revised 2.8 percent. “Preliminary data indicates that this growth, for the first half of 2018, was more broad-based than the previous year, with robust performances in agriculture, fishing and forestry-- 3.4 per cent; services-- 8.2 per cent; and construction-- 13.4 per cent. The significant increase in the construction sector was evidenced by higher building imports by 24.7 per cent, supported by the increased pace of execution of the Public Sector Investment Programme (PSIP), which rose by 3.9 percentage points above the previous half year.’” The report stated.

Additionally, the report pointed out that exchange rate remains stable at $212.7 to the US dollar; official exchange rate of 208.5 recorded by the Bank of Guyana. Inflation remains subdued at 1.3%; Public debt levels unchanged and sustainable and the rising commodity prices, climate change and turbulent international trade relationships remain threats to Guyana’s

economy.

Noting that the Guyana’s economy is estimated to have grown by 4.5 per cent, comparing favourably with the revised growth rate of 2.5 per cent for the first half of 2017, the report stated that private sector investments also improved, with, for example, real estate mortgages rising by 5.0 per cent at the end of the review period, compared to 4.1 per cent at the previous half year-- 3.2.

In the first half of 2018, the agriculture, fishing and forestry sector grew by an estimated 3.4 per cent, despite the sugar and rice industries contracting by 30.6 percent and 3.8 per cent, respectively.

The other crops, fishing, livestock and forestry industries all experienced growth over the same period, with the latter two growing by a commendable 29.1 per cent and 18.1 per cent, respectively.

The report noted that the expansion in the industry was driven by the production of logs and roundwood, which increased by 24.8 per cent and 46.6 per cent, respectively. “This favourable outturn was largely due to increased demand from China, India and the US, which saw exports in the first quarter of 2018 increasing by 17.1 per cent; by the end of the first half the increase was 7.9 per cent. Producers also expanded their output in response to local demand from both the private and public sectors.

This was partly attributed to Governments “successful effort in lobbying for a hike in the CARICOM common external tariff on imported pine lumber, which has allowed additional market share for local lumber yards.”

The report noted that growth in the forestry industry was also buoyed by higher plywood production, which grew by a significant 73.4 per cent, with the main producer signaling its intention to maintain production above 1,000 cubic metres per month. The forestry industry is expected to continue its expansion into the second half and remains on track to at least meet its growth expectation of 8.0 per cent for 2018. However, a cautionary note: the prolonged rainy season has resulted in a significant deterioration of hinterland roads and poses a risk to production. Recognising this, the Government has intervened to implement emergency maintenance works.

The efforts of the National Agriculture Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) to advance the diversification of crop production continue to be a success, with the other crops sector reporting growth of 0.8 per cent in the first half of 2018. The overall level of production (as reported by NAREI) increased by 5.2 per cent over the same period. This expansion was largely driven by an increase in the production of fruits, vegetables, citrus, spices and

seasoning, all of which recorded notable growth over the review period. The production of fruits, which recorded the strongest growth, was buoyed by remarkable growth in watermelon, passion fruit, pineapple, cashew, and other fruits, which increased by 35.0 per cent, 61.7 per cent, 7.0 per cent, 76.1 per cent and 2.8 per cent, respectively.

Gov’t make gains Finance Minister Winston Jordan highlighted in the report that Government has made gains on putting its macro-economic and development agenda on a strong foundation. He said the initiatives taken during the first half, and which will be accelerated during the second half of 2018, brought greater clarity to the Government’s priorities, with emphasis on spending on growth-enhancing opportunities such as construction. He said notwithstanding the constraints and risks that beset the country, overall performance of the economy improved significantly compared to the same period last year. “Higher positive growth of 4.5 per cent was achieved at the half year, and the prospects for the fiscal year are positive and encouraging. The revised growth target for 2018 is 3.7 per cent, 1.6 percentage points above that achieved in 2017. This is anticipated to be driven by improvements in agriculture (except sugar), construction, wholesale and retail trade, and other service activities,”

Finance Minister, Winston Jordan

Jordan said.

He noted that the non-financial public sector deficit is expected to improve due to higher revenue collections, notwithstanding the significant portion attributed to arrears collections and lower grant receipts. However, according to the minister, expenditure pressures continue to be faced, especially as the restructuring of the sugar industry advances. He said diversification and institutional strengthening continue to be pursued even as the Government ramps up the capacity-building needs, especially in relation to oil

and gas, and complemented by ongoing institutional engagements with the private sector within the manufacturing and services industries. “The key to Guyana’s development must not be seen only in its great natural resources wealth. Rather, it must lie in the ability to harness the strengths of its people who employ technology and innovation to turn the rich natural resources into a bountiful harvest of growth and development. The Good life for all Guyanese continues to be the enduring focus of this administration,” Jordan concluded.

26 more land Perseverance turn-key houses --through new, ‘transparent’ selection process

By Gabriella Chapman

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WENTY-six prequalified applicants were on Thursday selected by way of a lottery draw to be allocated housing units at the Perseverance Housing Scheme on the East Bank of Demerara.

The draw was done at the Head Office of the Central Housing and Planning Authority, where Minister within the Ministry of Communities, Ms. Valarie Adams-Yearwood stated that the process is a new and transparent way of selecting beneficiaries for the housing units.

She explained that in the past, selection was done internally by management, after which those selected would have been notified.

This time around, however, the names of all those who would have been prequalified by the banks and the New Building Society were placed in a bag and persons were invited to pull one, lottery-style. The names that were pulled from the bag represent those who would be given houses in the area.

“I would have done this in Linden two weeks ago, and that was the pilot,” Minister Adams-Yearwood said. “And I think that the public felt very happy that they were involved in the selection process; and it also adds to the transparency.”

The units are two and three-bedroom flat houses, but they have not been completed as yet.

Minister Adams-Yearwood explained that it was the banks which asked that the CPHA go ahead and do their selection

so they can start the mortgage process and be ready to make disbursement when the houses are done. She also added that this is the strategy that will be employed throughout the rest of the housing process, so that no one can accuse the ministry of selecting friends and family.

Minister explained that it is also important to note that they cannot satisfy everyone wanting a house, because the demand far surpasses what they are capable of providing.

She, however, has high hopes that with the oil find, they will be able to do more.

“You are to note that we cannot satisfy everyone who would have applied for these housing units. For instance, we built 60 elevated concrete houses, and we had over 130 persons prequalified. So we cannot satisfy the demand as is,” she said. “However, we are projecting that as the oil money comes and more monies are made available to us, we’ll be able to build more units in a more rapid pace because it seems as though the demand now is for housing units rather than a house lot.”

Minister Adams-Yearwood further noted that the CHPA will be exploring ways in which to build houses that are affordable, since most of the persons wanting house lots are those who would find it difficult to be qualified by banking institutions.

In addition to the 26 units disbursed on Thursday, the Minister said that she is happy to announce that they are constructing two disability units in keeping with her budget 2018

promise to the House, and Guyana’s committment to the UN’s Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

“We are working with the Disabilities Commission firstly to design the buildings to ensure that it is appropriate and suitable,” Minister Minister Adams-Yearwood said.

“We had them visit the project to see how it’s coming, and if it is to their satisfaction. They will also assist us in identifying the two beneficiaries. And that’s just the start.

I’m committing to every housing project that we’re doing in the future, and they cater for persons with disabilities. And I think that’s a very nice note for us.”

The names of the beneficiaries of the two- bedroom houses are: Christopher Hodge and Jasmine Benjamin-Hodge; Dwayne Andrews; Nalissa Mathoo; Trimaine Sampson; Sunnara Osborne; Ayanna Fontanelle and Randolph Reid; Danielle Campbell-Lowe and Paul Lowe; Nekisha Prince; Rochelle Peters; Monifa Carmichael; Erica and Victor Harrinandan; and Carolina Deochand.

Those for the three-bedroom houses are: Marlon Parris; Vernella Rutherford and Clement Bair; Monique Nelson; Sharmaine Yarde; Oneil and Carlotte Atkins; Ijeoma Opara; Rawleston Kennedy; Nalini Locke; Rosalind Perreira-Scott; Leanna Damond; Mel and Dale Williams; Matthew Morian; Pansy and Joseph Armstrong; and Anita Denny.

The two-bedroom houses are worth G$6.5M, and the three-bedroom one G$9M.

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Guyana Chronicle New York Edition week ending August 17, 2018

‘Fojo’s Angels’ The multitalented musical trio. From left to right are 15-yearold Bryana, 9-year-old Aniyah and 15-year-old Kadejah

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A N Y would know the saying, “The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree”. This saying rings true in the particular case of one Guyanese musician and his three

young daughters who, though still quite young, have already decided to follow in their father’s

footsteps.

Overseas-based Guyanese musician, Ian “Fojo’ Corbin

People may remember not so long ago, when the music of Ian Corbin aka Fojo invaded the local music arena, blazing a trail that was very difficult for his competition to follow. Now, taking that same path, are his three darling angels.

Fojo still continues to work with numerous artistes around the globe since he is also a songwriter, producer and performer, but his main focus is on taking ‘Fojo’s Angels’- which comprises his daughters 15-year-old Bryana, 15-year-old Kadejah and 9-year-old Aniyah - to the very top of the musical ladder where they so rightfully deserve to be placed.

The trio is poised to release their first single dubbed, “What’s up with Dad” which tells the story of an overprotective father having to deal with the notions and fantasies of a teenaged girl (Kadejah) who happens to be the lead vocalist of this very promising song group.

Kadejah is also set to record and release a few singles of her own quite very soon.

The voices of these talented upcoming young artistes are rare and quite stimulating. The feisty little ladies are urging the public to whip out protective eyewear because the future is about to explode in a blinding kaleidoscope of shooting stars as they ready themselves to unleash a ‘musical thunderstorm’ like never before

seen o n o u r local shores.

The most amazing thing is that these young songbirds at such a tender age already possess the onstage charisma, captivating allure and showmanship that are mostly associated with internationally acclaimed songstresses. Some persons are already raving that their sound is similar to that of Guyanese singer Lisa Punch, and even Toni Braxton or Whitney Houston in their younger days of stardom.

The ladies have indeed inherited their vocal supremacy from their father since several years ago, Singer/ songwriter Ian ‘Fojo’ Corbin led the way when the nominations for the inaugural Accolade – the Music Awards of Guyana were announced.

The genre-hopping Corbin received nine nominations, including major nods for Best New Artist, Songwriter of the Year and Producer of the Year, in a field dominated by soca and reggae acts.

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‘Anything’s possible with God, hard work’ --CSEC high-flyers urge those hoping to write next year

By Lisa Hamilton

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UYANA has turned out a number of top students at this year’s Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations, with several of the future leaders leaving strong words of advice.

Salma Majeed: 18 Grade Ones

her next move being to sit the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) examinations.

“To all the younger students, I want to advise them to work hard and pray. God will answer your prayers. Hard work and late nights truly pay off in the end, and it will be worth it. I wish them all the best,” the youngster said.

tra effort into it for you to do it. If someone is from another school and you think you can’t do it, I would say, ‘You can,’” Haema said.

The 17-year-old wants to peruse a career within the law system, perhaps as a Prosecution Attorney in the near future and is currently taking SAT classes to work her way into one of the top ivy-league

strangest periods in my life,” she began humorously. “It was really hard, to be honest. There were a lot of sleepless nights, a lot of studying day and night, a lot of clashing exams, so I had to find the strength to push through.”

But, through it all, she said, she had the support of her family, friends and teachers, all of whom helped make the

Haema Dasrath: 17 Grade Ones; one Grade Two and one Grade Three

Reseda Hack:15 Grade Ones; three Grade Twos and one Grade Three

Krystal Cummings: 14 Grade Ones and four Grade Twos

er, but would like to urge other students to put in the work, and they can achieve the same results as she.

“It was confusing, it was hard, it was easy, it was different for each subject area,” Krystal said, adding: “For some I had to go through a lot of reviews with teachers and students to get me back on track. The most challenging subject was Add Math; I had a battlefield with that subject; it was really hard, but the easiest subject was General Math.”

Jaishree Persaud: 12 Grade Ones, four Grades Twos and one Grade Three

Yashoda Samaroo: 15 Grade Ones and two Grade Twos

Sushmita Mangru: 14 Grade Ones and one Grade Two

Navindra Persaud: 13 Grades Ones and two Grade Twos

Kirsten Caesar: 13 Grade Ones and four Grade Twos

Coming after the country’s top student Christian Pile of Queen’s College who gained 19 Grade Ones is Shakira Bholo from Anna Regina Secondary who acquired 18 Grade Ones and 2 Grade Twos.

Inching close behind with 18 Grade Ones is 16-year old Salma Majeed from the Isa Islamic School (ISA), who told the Guyana Chronicle of her experience.

“Making a commitment of such a large amount of subjects is undoubtedly challenging, and it calls for a lot of hard work and persistence.

And, of course, consistently praying, since nothing is possible without the will of God.” Speaking further on the subjects she tackled, Salma added: “The easiest were Information Technology, Languages and Math, while the most challenging were Add Math and Physics.”

She is aspiring to become a lawyer and humanitarian with

Meanwhile, walking away with 17 Grade Ones; 1 Grade Two and 1 Grade Three is Haema Dasrath, who recounted her experience. “It wasn’t easy; I can tell you that, but I think anybody can do it, once you push yourself and put the effort into it.”

Haema said that she preferred to study at nights rather than during early mornings, and had to give up some of her leisure time to focus on what was priority.

Now, she wants other students to know that it doesn’t matter which school they attend, they can excel with the right drive and mentality.

schools.

At the same sitting, Aarti Hooblall of Queen’s College obtained 17 Grade Ones and 3 Grade Twos.

“It’s more than what I expected; I feel very happy.

I’m relieved and I thank all the people that helped me: My teachers and my parents,” she said.

For the future, she plans pursuing CAPE examinations right at Queen’s College, after which she plans to advance towards a career in law.

“My advice, as clichéd as it is, is have confidence in yourself; what you believe in, and just strive for your best.

Do your greatest, and be the greatest you,” Aarti said.

Seventeen-year old Reseda Hack, also of Queen’s College attained 15 Grade Ones, 3 Grade Twos, and 1 Grade Three and also took time out to give a response on these achievements.

“That was one of the

period easier to endure.

She is preparing to go back to Sixth Form to complete an Associate Degree in Natural Sciences, after which she will map out her next course of action in relation to college.

Meanwhile, Yashoda Samaroo from Queen’s College was awarded with 15 Grade Ones and 2 Grade Twos was pleased to tell of her journey.

‘YES YOU CAN!’ “My advice would be that I think anybody could do it from any school, whereever you are. It’s just that some people might be on a different level than you are, but that means that you’re going to have to do the work to put ex-

‘STAY FOCUSSED!’ “After achieving these results, I’m very happy and I must give thanks to those who helped me on the journey. My future plans include going to UG and furthering my studies in Law. If I have to give any advice to the younger ones out there, I would say: Remain focussed; fix a plan and stick to it,” she urged.

Securing 14 Grade Ones and 4 Grade Twos is Krystal Cummings of Queen’s College, who said the preparation period was like a roller coast-

The 16-year old wants to become a paediatrician, but for now will return to Form Six. In leaving a few words to her up-and-coming colleagues, she said: “Life is no joke, and CSEC is a part of life. Don’t take it for granted!

Even though you may come from a top school or a low school, it is still hard. If you don’t put in practice, and if you be over-confident, well, the marks might surprise you.”

Sixteen-year-old Sushmita Mangru, who copped 14 Grade Ones and 1 Grade Two while attending Queen’s College spoke, too, and told the newspaper about her experience.

“I’m feeling very overwhelmed but happy,” she began. “I’m going to go on to write CAPE in the Natural Sciences field, and I hope to become a Paediatrician.”

Her advice to other students is: “Work hard and follow your dreams.”

Seventeen-year-old Kirsten Caesar from Queen’s College was able to achieve 13 Grade Ones and 4 Grade Twos, and was also able to speak on the entire journey.

ON TO UNIVERSITY “My next move is to go to the University of Guyana

and do an Associate Degree in Geology and Expiration Mining. When I discovered my results, I wasn’t satisfied at the moment, but I’m thankful that I was able to be on the list of top performers,” Kirsten said, adding: “My advice to future candidates is to dedicate yourselves and don’t procrastinate and just work hard and you will succeed.”

As Queen’s College continues to steal the show, Navindra Persaud, who went away with 13 Grade Ones and 2 Grade Twos and told the newspaper how he juggled academic work and cricket still making it to the top.

“Right now I’m feeling very proud of myself because I was able to achieve my dream of play for the Guyana Under 17 team representing my country while also balancing it with academics.

From now I’ll be going to CAPE examinations and in the future I hope to represent Guyana at the highest level and possibly the West Indies while still exceling in my academics. For students out there, don’t be afraid to follow your dreams because anything you put your mind to you can achieve it,” he said.

Another Queen’s College top performer is Jaishree Persaud who received 12 Grade Ones, 4 Grade Twos and 1 Grade Three speaking with the Guyana Chronicle, said: “Currently I’ve very, very overwhelmed because honestly, I didn’t think that I would have done this well and I when just checked my results I wasn’t that content but it was okay because compared to all the years, all the preparations, it was worth it.”

Jaishree will be pursuing CAPE studies reaching for an Associate Degree in Natural Sciences while she hopes to become a Neurosurgeon or a Cardiologist.

“For students who will be writing next year I really hope that you take all your lessons seriously, you go and you pay attention in class, it’s very important.

Don’t underestimate anything and do your best,” she left as encouragement.

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Guyana Chronicle New York Edition week ending August 17, 2018

Yupukari helping to save giant otters

The new boat provided to facilitate practical learning for the Yupukari Wildlife Club. (Samuel Maughn)

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HE village of Yupukari in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) is leading the way in the preservation of the world’s endangered giant river otter, thanks to the help of the Save the Giants (Otters) team.

Founder of the Save the Giants (Otters) team, Christina Ward, met up with the Guyana Chronicle to tell of the works being conducted locally to protect one of Guyana’s many giants from becoming extinct.

Christian is an artist and life-long animal conservationist with a background in animal management and wildlife rehabilitation.

In 2016, she took a break from her job at Zoo Atlanta, in the United States, to Guyana to conduct a giant otter population survey near the Karanambu Lodge on the Rupununi River.

When she left for home, Christina was inspired by the hope of raising money to continue the work of otter conservation in Guyana.

As such, she launched her own art business, Colours for Conservation, from which all proceeds from its sale of original artwork and merchandise will go towards supporting conservation-based organisations and projects.

“I decided that I wanted to change the course of my life and I quit the zoo and I started Save the Giants and have been working in Guyana for about three years now,” she said.

With her focus on the country’s giant river otters, Christina said that the animals remain well below the threshold of endangered animals today.

“Unfortunately, giant otters are the most endangered otter species on the planet. Our counts right now working with the

International Union for Conservation of Nature show that there are around 2000-4000 in total left in the world.

Pretty much, at this point, without human intervention to try to help the population increase, there’s a pretty good chance we may lose these guys,” she said.

Guyana, however, is in a better position compared to its neighbours as a result of its connected waterways which prevent “genetic bottlenecking”, which occurs when giant otters live in only one particular area.

“Guyana is unique because our landscapes, unlike Brazil and Venezuela and other at- range countries, is very much connected in terms of gene flow so there is really nothing like gold mining or human development [in these areas], so the threats here are not as major as they are in the other countries,” she said, adding: “It’s not to say that it couldn’t become a major issue for the giants right now… because if all the giant otters in Brazil or Venezuela die off and we only have the animals in Guyana, eventually, that will happen because we need dispersers from family groups to pass on their genes by travelling to different places.”

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Yupukari helping ...

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his possible threat is why Christina and her team have increased their efforts at creating awareness about giant otters in Guyana.

In the hinterland communities such as Yupukari in Region Nine, the Save the Giants (Otters) team has begun to engage with young children and fishermen in the village.

“We’ve really been working with the kids in the village helping them re-establish their Wildlife Club. We just bought a boat so that the kids will always have access to go on the river instead of it just being us on the water by ourselves looking for otters, we want the kids to do so and anybody else from the village,” she explained.

However, when it comes to the fisher folk there is the challenge of helping them to understand the nature of the animals--often attracted to the fishing ac-

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FROM PAGE 20 tivity--which in turn leads to violence meted out by fishermen.

As such, Kenneth Butler, the team’s field manager said that a lot of the work being conducted revolves around assisting the community to develop closeness with the animals.

“It’s not so much of having them domesticated, it’s more of seeing them and not being afraid to approach and allowing them to not be afraid of you as well,” he said, adding: “One of the conflicts that we’re dealing with, and where the education aspect comes in, is fishermen who tend to leave fishes in boats and the otters come across and they tend to go into the boat for the fish and then you have this clash between fishermen and giant otters.”

He explained that these individuals are being taught that when fishing in a giant river and otter area they should refrain from using gill nets and never leave fish

unattended.

In addition, the team also held Domestic Animal Welfare clinics this year in the region where community members were invited to bring their pets for deworming, mange baths, and vaccination as pets, too, can contribute to the well-being of wild animals.

“The health of the domestic animal population can really affect the health of the wild animal population. They bathe in the water, they urinate in the water, they defecate in the water, so ‘anything’ that is in the domestic pets is going to, ultimately, end up in the water,” Christina explained.

In the coming year, she and her team plan to construct a Wildlife Centre for the Yupukari village which will provide a central hub for science experiments; the development of lab skills and awareness about Guyana’s wildlife.

The team also hopes to soon include the village

Children from the village of Yupukari participate in activities during the Wildlife Club sessions.

(Samuel Maughn)

of Mapari, and is working to raise funds so that representatives from villages along the Rupununi River, through workshops, can learn how to conduct their own otter surveys.

“We would provide them with the equipment they would need and we

would give them a stipend to conduct these surveys in their particular region,” Christian said.

Partnerships have also been forged with the University of Guyana (UG), for the possible initiation of an internship programme for biodiversity students to

work along with the team.

In the meantime, the Save the Giants(Otters) team advocates for additional support from persons of other regions of the country, looking to become involved in the protection of Guyana’s wildlife.

Oil money better spent on education, healthcare -- U.S. ambassador

By Navendra Seoraj

A

MID discus sions on cash transfers of US$5,000 per household, U.S. Ambassador to Guyana Perry Holloway believes that oil revenues would be better spent on education, healthcare and creating a secure living and working environment for Guyanese.

While he did not rule out the option of cash transfers, he told members of the media that once proper social services are in place, persons would make money

and prosper.

“I think the focus should be more on the things that the government could do to provide the young people with the skills and knowledge to be successful,” said Holloway.

The ambassador believes that in other countries, the money was best spent when it is focused on the poorest of the poor.

According to reports, Guyana is set to become a significant petroleum producer with proven reserves in excess of 3.2 billion barrels. The first phase of petroleum production is due to begin in 2020 with an esti-

mated 450 million barrels.

Ambassador Holloway said it is up to the government to decide how the revenue will be spent and even if the decision is to do cash transfers, he believes that it should be done in a focused way.

Finance Minister Winston Jordan said that if the cash-transfer approach was to be adopted, then extreme caution must be employed, a view shared by Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman.

He had told reporters in the corridors of Parliament, that conditional cash transfers are not new to Guyana.

He said over the years, there have been such transfers which targeted education.

He pointed to the national school-feeding programme and the uniform vouchers that students in the public school system receive.

“I must admit to you, I would have a difficulty if Cabinet were to agree to it and in the implementation it wasn’t properly structured,” said the finance minister, who noted that rather than giving citizens US$5000 as hypothetically suggested by economist, Professor Clive Thomas last Sunday in Buxton, issues within critical sectors should be examined.

U.S. Ambassador to Guyana, Perry Holloway

“Why not look at issues such as education, health, youth programmes, small businesses… teaching a man to fish and then he could do it for a lifetime, rather

than giving him a fish when he could only feed himself for a short while,” Jordan suggested, while noting that the matter has not yet reached the level of Cabinet.

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Guyana Chronicle New York Edition week ending August 17, 2018

Headteachers welcome volunteers

S

EVERAL Headteachers across Guyana are appreciative of the help 33 newly-deployed Peace Corps volunteers will provide in addressing pressing education, health and environmental needs in their communities.

On Wednesday, at their swearing-in ceremony hosted at the U.S. Ambassador’s residence, the Guyana Chronicle spoke to these teachers and some of the volunteers who were about to begin their two years of service.

Headteacher of Aishalton Primary in Region 9 (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) Jean Ng-A-Fook told the newspaper that the school which houses 206 students as well as the community will benefit greatly from the support.

“The Environmental Science volunteer we’ll be having will be teaching in the school for four days, Mondays to Thursdays from Grades three to six. On Fridays he will be working with village environmental club and he will be there to revive it,” she said.

She went on to explain that although most villagers care for their environment, the negative effects of mining are still a growing concern in the community.

“The people of Aishalton are mostly concerned about their environment but when it

comes to mining they need to preserve their environment.

The concern is that the waterways are being polluted. It is not that damaging right now but the people are looking towards the future, they want to take a more environmental friendly-approach to it,” NgA-Fook stated.

forth but also in helping to alleviate some of the social ills in the school and in the region. [These include] mental health, teenage pregnancy, surges in HIV/AIDS, non-communicable diseases and all of those,” Small said.

The volunteer taking on this task is 23-year old Hana

working in the country, several of the new Peace Corps Volunteers knew little about Guyana but are now excited about their opportunity to emerge themselves in a completely new culture.

“I had heard the name before in an article about Guyanese immigrants coming to the United States but I didn’t know where Guyana was,” Hana said, adding, “I think that it’s a beautiful country.”

She spoke further on her

Beepat who said that 11 volunteers will be stationed in the region with one heading his way.

He told the newspaper that after a 30 years hiatus the school, for the first time, was able to attain a ‘List A’ Secondary School in the region following the success of two students at the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) examination.

Beepat hopes that with the help of the new Peace

Headteacher of Aishalton Primary in Region 9 (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) Jean Ng-A-Fook (Samuel Maughn photo)

Meanwhile, Headteacher of Mackenzie High in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) Haslyn Small said that the Peace Corps volunteer stationed at the school would be co-facilitating the Health and Family Life Education (HFLE) programme.

This, he added, would be paramount in teaching students how to cope with social issues, many of which currently affect young people in the region.

“We will benefit from the expertise of the volunteers not just in teaching and achieving our aims in the scheme of work and so

Gutierruz from Las Vegas, Nevada who told the newspaper why she decided to become a Peace Corps Volunteer.

“I’ve always had an interest in service since I was in high school and so I decided to join the Peace Corps because I had a major interest in community health work.

I’ve done a lot of community health work at home in Las Vegas…and I saw the Peace Corps opportunity here in Guyana to do a simple form of outreach abroad and I jumped at the opportunity,” she said.

Prior to their interest in

Headteacher of Mashabo Primary in Region 2 (Pomeroon-Supenaam) Modi Beepat and Peace Corps Volunteer Grayson Manzi (Samuel Maughn photo)

stay thus far with her host family stating: “They really took me in as one of their own and I feel like that’s kind of a hallmark of Guyana just being so friendly and kind.”

Meanwhile, coming all the way from Mashabo Primary in Region 2 (Pomeroon-Supenaam) was the school’s Headteacher, Modi

Corps Volunteer, 24-year old Grayson Manzi from New York City, the school can continue on this track and to even higher heights.

“With the boost of Mr. Grayson from the Peace Corps we’re hoping to continue the success at Mashabo Primary especially in the area of science because he’ll

be working in science and after his first year of working there he’ll be starting a Wildlife Club,” Beepat said, adding: “We really need to develop in environmental science.

With persons cutting down trees causing deforestation and so on, Mr. Grayson will help a great deal not only at the school but at the community level to educate these persons in the area about the dangers of cutting down trees and about preserving our animals. These guys, [some community members] when they find a jaguar they would tend to kill it whereas we’re supposed to be preserving our flora and fauna so, I’m happy that we have him as a volunteer in our area to help with that.”

Grayson in turn, told the Guyana Chronicle that following his years of study on Environmental Studies, he thought that his next best option and where he could best apply his skills would be to volunteer.

In his aspiration statement in which he envisioned what his period of service would be like, he stated: “I will adapt to and respect their customs, holding onto the idea that I will be there to serve my host country, that it’s about them, and the more I become a part of them the more I’ll be able to contribute.”

American Airways gets the green-light

G

OVERNMENT has green-lighted an application from US carrier American Airlines to operate a scheduled service between Miami and the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) from November 15, 2018.

This was announced by Minister of State, Joseph Harmon at a post-Cabinet press briefing on Thursday at the Ministry of the Presidency.

Minister Harmon stated that the airline proposed a four-day, weekly operation using Airbus A390, which has eight First Class and 120 Economy Class seating capacity.

Public Infrastructure Minister, David Patterson, has informed that the scope of the airline’s application was covered under the air transport agreement between Guyana and the US.

The Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) reviewed the airline’s business proposal in the areas of law, organisation, finance and market analysis and was satisfied with the results.

During an interview with this newspaper in May, GCAA Director General, Lieutenant Colonel (ret’d), Egbert Field said there has been an increase in passenger carriage for several months earlier this year compared to last year.

“Other airlines stated their intent but nothing concrete and we will not disclose any names until an application has been made,” the director general said.

The aviation sector contributes $20.7 billion annually to the economy which is 3.2 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The sector also caters for 12,000 jobs.

Last year, American Air-

lines had announced a new route between the CJIA and Miami International Airport (MIA).

“We are pleased to continue growing our presence in South America,” said Jim Butler, American Airlines’ Senior

Vice President, International and Cargo.

“This new service adds a new international destination to America’s global network, promoting tourism in the country and offering the people of Guyana multiple connecting

options through our hub in Miami.”

Meanwhile, on Thursday Minister Harmon announced the names of the new Board of Directors of the CJIA. They are Chairman Stephen Fraser, Nicola Layne,

Gracelyn George, Trevor Benn, a representative from the Parliamentary Opposition, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Public Infrastructure and CJIA Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Ramesh Ghir.

Guyana Chronicle New York Edition week ending August 17, 2018

O

VER the past weekend Shomari Wiltshire entered the 2018 Newport Steamer Summer Gold tournament held in Providence, Rhode Island at two venues - the St George’s School and the Portsmouth Abbey School, where he promptly came out with top honours.

This was a Gold tournament; in the USA Gold tournaments are ranked second behind the Junior Champion-

Wiltshire cops Newport Steamer Gold title in the USA ships (JCT).

Shomari had already won the Finger Lakes Gold tournament in September of last year and was the top seed in the Boys’ U-15 draw due to the accumulated points gained at the US Junior Squash Open last December.

Wiltshire got off to a flyer in the first round and defeated Omar Cochinwala in straight sets of 11-2, 11-4, and 11-5.

Meanwhile in the second round he defeated Isaac

Mitchell 11-5, 11-1, and 11-4 to book his quarter-final spot.

In the quarter-final he faced Ashton Monteirro (runner-up in the Washington DC Gold held earlier in the summer); Shomari lost the first set 7-11 but rebounded nicely to win the next three sets 11-2, 11-6, and 11-7.

Over in the semi-finals he came up against Hollis Robertson (winner of two Under-15 Summer Gold tour-

naments) and proved to be Shomari’s toughest opponent in the tournament.

Shomari lost the first set 7-11 but rebounded to win the next two games 11-5, 11-6.

However, with scores matched evenly at 9 apiece in the fourth set, Shomari was two points away from reaching his second Gold U-15 final but he made an unforced error and lost the fourth set 9-11.

In the decisive fifth set Shomari trailed 1-5 but showed maturity and determi-

Gonsalves to captain Guyana at the Americas Rugby Challenge in Colombia

By Rawle Toney RYAN Gonsalves was named captain of Guyana’s 15s Rugby team, for the Americas Rugby Challenge, which will be held from August 24 to September 1 at the Estadio Cincuentenario in Medellín, Colombia.

Gonsalves, one of the best scrum-half in the Rugby Americas North (RAN) Region, will lead Jason Tyrell, Allain Crawford, Rondel McArthur, Kevon David, Grantley Williams, Richardson Staglon, Jamal Angust, Cloyd Prowell, Lancelot Adonis, Avery Corbin, Claudius Butts and Godfrey Broomes.

Also making the team, which was announced yesterday by the Guyana Rugby Football Union (GRFU), are David Garnett, Joseph Rahaman, Cyon Kitt, Ahmad Isaacs, Vallon Adams, Walter George, Sean Phillips, James Osborne, Daniel DeAbreu, Toby David, Selwin Henry and O’Neil Charles.

Guyana will open the tournament with a clash

23

against hosts Colombia on August 26, and will also face Paraguay and Mexico, in the cross regional event that encompasses both North and South America.

The Americas Rugby Challenge is following in the footsteps of the successful Americas Rugby Championship, which will have its fourth season of competition next February/March. The competition was created by Rugby Americas for development teams in the Rugby Americas North and Sudamérica Rugby regions.

The introduction of the second-tier Challenge tournament follows on the back of three editions of the Americas Rugby Championship featuring the top six nations across North and South America.

Paraguay and México will open the tournament on Sunday, August 26, while hosts Colombia will tackle Guyana to close the first round of the tournament.

Trans-regional matches will also be played in the second round with Guy-

ana meeting Paraguay and Colombia playing against México on Wednesday, August 29.

The final round, on Sunday, September 1, will see Mexico clash with Guyana, and Colombia versus Paraguay as the closing match.

The winners will be the team accruing the most tournament points.

This Americas Rugby Challenge will provide Guyana, Colombia, Mexico and Paraguay with international competition to aid their development, as well as promote the growth of rugby across the continent.

World Rugby Rankings points will be on offer and the proximity of the four teams in the rankings ensures games will be both relevant and interesting.

Paraguay (ranked 38) and Colombia (43) joined Sudamérica Rugby’s elite in the new 6 Naciones Sudamericano. Guyana (47) and Mexico (53), representing Rugby Americas North, will be able to advance in the rankings on the back of good performances.

Ryan Gonsalves will captain Guyana’s 15s team, for the Americas Rugby Challenge in Colombia.

nation to make a comeback to eventually win the set at 11-8.

In the final Shomari faced the number 2 seed, Robert Avram. Here, Wiltshire played his best match, dominating the hapless Avram to win in straight sets of 11-6, 11-5, and 11-2 to win his second US Gold tournament.

Wiltshire is currently in the USA to attend a Summer Squash Camp which will be held from August 20 to 24, at the Chatham Club in New

Jersey and organised by Sunil Seth, a current Guyana national player.

Shomari expressed gratitude to his sponsors Dunlop and Rainforest Waters as well as coaches Carl Ince, Nyron Joseph and Kezqweyah Yisrael, along with the Top End team.

He also expressed gratitude to Kathleen Paul, his massage therapist and noted that without their contributions his success would not have been possible.

Wiltshire cops Newport

Steamer Gold title in the

USA

e Se ge Pa 3 2

Shomari Wiltshire displays his plaque.