Issuu

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 29, 2019

TUESDAY

29th JANUARY, 2019

No.105532

Nations to remain closed

…parents dissatisfied with assurances by school’s administration

‘All-round’ probe into death of children

SEE STORY ON PAGE 16

PAGE

CARICOM optimistic of peaceful solution to Venezuelan crisis 10

…information from hospital probe expected this week …autopsy on six-year-old Mendonca undetermined

PAGE

Mae’s student autopsy inconclusive PAGE

CRIC confab puts spotlight on land preservation 03 PAGE

Standing from left are: Minister of Agriculture of Grenada, Yolande Bain-Horsford; Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission (GLSC) Commissioner, Trevor Benn; UNCCD Executive Secretary, Monique Barbut and Guyana’s Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, following a media press conference (Adrian Narine photo)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 29, 2019

CRIC confab puts spotlight on land preservation …Min. Harmon says Guyana playing leading role in desertification

By Lisa Hamilton THE importance of land preservation and what it means to each country, their people and the course of their future took the forefront of the opening ceremony of the Committee for the Review of the Implementation of the Convention (CRIC17) of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) in Guyana on Monday. The hosting of the conference took place at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC) and is the first of its kind in the Caribbean. It saw participation of delegates from some 125 countries who will meet

itated the drilling of eight wells which work to combat drought in the Rupununi. Guyana now strives towards becoming a ‘green’ economy through its Vision 2040, which the minister highlighted is highly dependent and connected to the mitigation and prevention of land degradation.

The country representatives at the Committee for the Review of the Implementation of the Convention (CRIC17) of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) hosted at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC) in Guyana on Monday (Adrian Narine photo)

Members of the head table which comprises of Guyana’s Minister of State Joseph Harmon (fifth left) and other Executives of the UNCCD and the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission (GLSC) (Adrian Narine photo)

during the next three days to examine the UN’s desertification issues such as land degradation and drought. Also attending the event was UNCCD Executive Secretary Monique Barbut and other executive heads; Minster of State Joseph Harmon and other Ministers of Government; UN head of agencies; members of the diplomatic corps and other observers. In his remarks to the gathering, Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, first established Guyana as a country in a strategic position to advance the climatic well-being of the planet. Guyana, he noted, is home to a portion of a 270-million-hectare

eco-region known as the Guyana Shield, and what has been described as the “the lungs of the earth”, as it remains crucial to the “carbon clean-up”. With the country’s land preservation goals in mind, he noted that it continues to partner with countries such as Norway and Germany, The Netherlands and Japan as well as other international organisations to advance the protection of its large forested lands. “We therefore, have a deep appreciation for our unique position and the crucial nature of our responsibility in relation to the preservation of our land cover and the protection of our environment. We

are, as well, fully aware of the importance of the implementation of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification to the environmental health and well-being of our planet; a process to which we are fully committed and to which we have continued to meet all of our technical and financial obligations,” Harmon said. Just recently, the English-speaking South American and Caribbean country saw its representative ascending to the position of Vice-President of the Conference of the Parties (COP) bureau. Guyana will now represent the 33 countries of the Group of Latin American and Caribbean countries (GRULAC) at the upcoming

VISION TO COMBAT DESERTIFICATION Harmon explained that this is one of the many reasons why Guyana endorses and fully supports the UNCCD’s vision to combat desertification. “Respected delegates and participants, I have every confidence that in the discussion sessions, the various

Ministers of the Government of Guyana seated on the right (FL) are: Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Sydney Allicock; Minister of Public Telecommunications, Catherine Hughes and Minister of Agriculture, Noel Holder (Adrian Narine photo)

COP14, which meets to review the implementation of the convention. Harmon noted that Guyana is proud of its achievements and will continue to be cognisant of its role in the fight against desertification and the journey towards sustainable land development. He stated: “We are deeply conscious that our land represents a link between our people and our environment and that it connects economic, social, cultural and geographical spheres. In fact, our national anthem begins in letter-like manner: ‘Dear land of Guyana’, and pays homage to land seven times throughout its four stanzas. Guyana is therefore, fully committed to the protection

and conservation of its natural patrimony, including its land resources.” The country’s record of environmental protection and conservation shows the 1M- acre Iwokrama Rainforest being “gifted to the world” in 1989; the inclusion of 3,000 square miles as protected area in the Konashen Amerindian District, and a further 2M hectares of its territory now under conservation. Meanwhile, the minister added that Guyana has completed its Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) Target Setting Programme (LDNTSP); its Aligned National Action Plan to combat land degradation and, in collaboration with Brazil, facil-

plenaries and deliberations of CRIC 17, you will be able to move the process of combating desertification and land degradation forward and set the tone for our involvement in the Conference of the Parties 14, which will be held in India later this year,” he said. During the opening ceremony, UNCCD Executive Secretary, Monique Barbut, also expressed her confidence that the Convention remains ahead of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) endeavors. “The reports you are about to review tell us that success is firmly TURN TO PAGE

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 29, 2019

Shutdown costs pegged at US$3 billion as government reopens WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. economy was expected to lose $3 billion from the partial federal government shutdown over President Donald Trump’s demand for border wall funding, congressional researchers said on Monday as 800,000 federal employees

returned to work after a 35day unpaid furlough. The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) said the cost of the shutdown will make the U.S. economy 0.02 percent smaller than expected in 2019. More significant effects will be felt by individual business-

es and workers, particularly those who went without pay. Overall, the U.S. economy lost about $11 billion during the five-week period, CBO said. However, CBO expects $8 billion to be recovered as the government reopens and employees receive back pay. The longest shutdown in U.S. history ended on Friday when Trump and Congress agreed to temporary government funding - without money for his wall - as the effects of the shutdown intensified across the country. Republican Trump had demanded that legislation to fund the government contain $5.7 billion for his

long-promised wall along the U.S.-Mexico border. He says it is necessary to stop illegal immigration, human trafficking and drug smuggling, while Democrats call it costly and inefficient. A committee of Republican and Democratic lawmakers have scheduled an initial meeting on Wednesday, which will be open to the public, as they try to negotiate a compromise on border security before the Feb. 15 deadline. That session is likely to see little more than opening statements by lawmakers. Subsequent meetings could be conducted in private, where the hard bargaining would take place, several

Tuesday, January 29, 2019 12:30hrs. - 14:00hrs.

Saturday 26, January, 2019

06 10 13 22 24 28 23

14, 12, 18, 24, 20

7, 1, 6

1, 5, 3

congressional aides said. Also, because of rules governing legislation in the House of Representatives requiring a 72-hour period for lawmakers to review legislation before having to vote on it, this “conference committee” might have to wrap up its work by around Feb. 10 in order to meet a Feb. 15 deadline for congressional approval. Trump said he would be willing to shut down the government again if lawmakers do not reach a deal he finds acceptable on border security. On Sunday, he expressed skepticism such an deal could be made, putting the odds at 50-50. Trump has also said he might declare a national emergency to get money for the border wall. Democrats would likely challenge that in court. The CBO report serves as a stark warning to Trump against another shutdown, Democratic lawmakers said. “Families across the nation are still trying to recover from a month of missing pay-

checks and overdue bills, but the president is already threatening a second shutdown if he doesn’t get his way,” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said. Most employees should be paid by Thursday for back pay, which one study estimated at $6 billion for all those furloughed. Contractors and businesses that relied on federal workers’ business, however, face huge losses, although some lawmakers are pushing legislation to pay contractors back as well. Federal workers poured off of Washington’s public transportation on Monday. Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai greeted employees in the lobby, while the Securities and Exchange Commission offered doughnuts, fruit and coffee. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration was reviewing five weeks of auto safety recalls that had been submitted by automakers, but has not yet begun posting them publicly.

06, 07, 10, 14, 17 25, January, 2019

03 04 07 12 21

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 29, 2019

Concern over 200,000 Trinis holding US visas T h e re a re m o re t h a n 200,000 Trinidad and Tobago citizens who hold United States visas and can be impacted by Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley’s “not-soveiled attack” on the United States over its stance on Venezuela. So said Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar, at the United National Congress (UNC) national assembly meeting at Couva South Hall yesterday. United States Ambassador Joseph Mondello had slammed the Trinidad and Tobago Government for continuing to recognise Nicolas Maduro as president of the troubled country. Rowley, in response, said he took umbrage to this. “In the Parliament on Friday, while the Prime Minister waged his own war on the US ambassador and President Trump on the Venezuela matter, both the AG Faris and the Planning Minister Robinson-Regis could be heard and seen supporting the Prime Minister by saying ‘what could Trump do we?’” she said. “I take umbrage at the Prime Minister’s lack of decorum and his non-diplomatic tone in dealing with this matter in Parliament. In particular, I take issue with his not-so-veiled attack on one of our most important trading partners, the United States of America.”

Persad-Bissessar said these hasty, bad decisions of the Government on the diplomatic front have far-reaching consequences in the area of national security and trade. “Today I tell Rowley, Faris and Camille that while you and your family hold diplomatic passports and you are provided with immunity, over 200,000 of our citizens hold ordinary passports with US tourist visas. So, you want to know what Trump could do to them?” she said. “I tell this Government while you wine and dine off taxpayers’ dollars in fancy restaurants, 70 per cent of all our food is imported from the US at an annual cost of over US$1 billion (TT$7 billion). So, you want to know what Trump could do?” she continued. She said T&T exports more than US$2.7 billion (TT$18.9 billion) annually to the US in the energy sector. Persad-Bissessar said Trinidad and Tobago is the biggest beneficiary of the Caribbean Basin Initiative (CBI) and receives trade preferences which grant duty and quota free access to the US to the tune of US$400 million (TT$2.8 billion) annually. She said participation in CBI requires among other things a waiver of certain WTO (World Trade Organisation) conditions. Persad-Bissessar said T&T’s

Supporters wave flags during the United National Congress (UNC) National assembly in Couva yesterday. -Photo: DEXTER PHILIP

current waiver will expire in 2021. She added that the US president and congress have to approve renewing the agreement. “And you want to know what Trump could do?” she asked repeatedly. She further noted Trinidad and Tobago benefits from the CBI with more than US$400 million (TT$32 billion) annually, together with technical advice and cooperation on border control, Customs and Excise and mutual assistance which are heavy features of T&T’s national

security apparatus. PAVEMENT POLITICS “Rowley, Camille, Faris and others still want to know what Trump could do? Before standing in the wrong side of history and diplomacy and creating bacchanal and scandal with the US and our allies, they should have thought about all of these things before handling the affairs of our nation like pavement politics,” she said. Persad-Bissessar said a leader doesn’t attack and

Antigua PM warns Caribbean could also be destabilised as a result of situation in Venezuela ST. JOHN’S, Antigua, Jan 28, CMC – Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne says the Caribbean should be careful not to be drawn into the ideological war unfolding in Venezuela where attempts are being made to remove the socialist Nicolas Maduro from office. “These people are fighting an ideological war. They believe that socialism in Venezuela would plunge the people into poverty and so on. They want to get rid of these socialist regimes. Okay fine, they can fight their ideological wars but we have to deal with the practicality and the effects (on the region),” Browne said. The United States, backed by several countries including Canada and Brazil have said they support the Opposition Leader, Juan Guaido, who last Wednesday proclaimed himself as interim president. But China, Russia and Cuba have said

they will continue to support Maduro, who was sworn into office earlier this month for a second consecutive term. Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries though divided on the issue, have nonetheless said that were against any interference in the internal affairs of the South American country and has sent a delegation to the United Nations seeking the intervention of Secretary General Antonio Guterres on the matter. Browne, who said his administration will not support Guaido, warned that the unfolding situation in Caracas could cause serious problems for the Caribbean. “Further, the destabilisation of Venezuela, you will have more refugees starting to come north. They coming to the Caribbean, they coming to us. “So you will have a refugee problem. Now if there is say, any form of military action, especially if you have the intervention of other

states outside of this region, then you could imagine that we could turn a region right now that is a hemisphere of peace and tranquillity into a war zone”. Browne said there were other implications for the region, many of whom are dependent on tourism and have open economies. “I am saying here the implications are very serious for us because we have an open economy. So if there’s any instability in this region and all of those containers and ships that normally come to the Caribbean they get diverted or they can’t move or can’t come, what you think is going to happen to us? “What if the tourists decide based on the instability in the region they do not wish to come here. What is going to happen to our tourism receipts? “I am saying here the consequences for us in the region, they are grave,” he said.

alienate its largest ally— whom T&T depend on for regional security and economic stability. “A leader doesn’t tell the entire free world--they wrong, but he is right!” she continued as a section of Venezuelans in the audience cheered in support. Persad-Bissessar noted the Prime Minister said he is standing on principle on the Venezuelan matter. “I want to say to him one must first have principles in order to stand on them. You cannot be

bouffing, humiliating and ostracising our world trade partners and then run off to the US to appear as though you are trying to make peace. “But that is how they do things...they are an upside-down, back-to-front Government,” she said. She noted that while the superpowers, the largest democracies in the world and the economic giants have taken a firm stand on the Venezuela matter, the Government is playing “dolly house” with foreign policy. “I am in no way influenced by the US or other free world nations on the position that I have taken; I believe in doing the right thing because it is the right thing to do and we cannot all be wrong. “Our world has changed; we are no longer isolated from each other by water; we are connected in real time by technology and globalization. “It is either we move with the times and realise our geopolitical environment has changed from the 70s, 80s and 90s. We cannot be like dinosaurs extinct but still hoping to be relevant.” Persad-Bissessar said today’s diplomacy, as Ambassador Mondello has stated, requires tough choices “and if anything, as your prime minister, I was known for taking those tough choices”. (Trinidad Express)

Anger grows towards Brazil mine firm

SENIOR Brazilian politicians have called for Vale SA to be held to account for last week’s dam disaster, as anger grows towards the mining firm. Brazil’s Vice-President Hamilton Mourão said those to blame should be punished, and a top prosecutor said executives could be held personally responsible. Vale, which owns the complex, says safety procedures were followed. Firefighters say 60 people are now confirmed dead after a sea of mud engulfed a canteen and nearby houses. Some 192 people have been rescued near the south-eastern town of Brumadinho but nearly 300 are still missing. Rescuers say they are very unlikely to find more survivors. The cause of the dam burst remains unclear. Shares in Vale, the world’s largest iron ore producer, fell by more than 20 per cent on the Sao Paulo stock exchange on Monday. Search operations were suspended for hours on Sunday amid fears that a separate

dam, also owned by Vale, was at risk of giving way in the area. Vice-President Hamilton Mourão, who is standing in for President Jair Bolsonaro as he undergoes surgery, said the government would need to investigate and punish those found responsible for the disaster. He added that the government would set up a working group to look at the company’s management. Meanwhile top prosecutor Raquel Dodge said it was important to hold the company “strongly responsible”. The mayor of the state capital Belo Horizonte, Alexandre Kalil, said “Vale’s board of directors should be in jail”. Vale president Fabio Schvartsman said the company had followed safety recommendations by international experts. Mr Schvartsman promised “to go above and beyond any national or international standards. The company also says it has suspended payouts to shareholders and executive bonuses. (BBC)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 29, 2019

Mash moves on to its climax MASHRAMANI, as Republic Day is now commonly called, is just three weeks away and its programmes have already started in the run-up to its climax on 23rd February. The holidays of Guyana could naturally fall into four categories - the purely religious holidays as Good Friday or Eid-ul-Adha; the political as Independence Day on 26th May or CARICOM Day on 1st July; the purely celebratory as Emancipation Day on 1st August or Labour Day on 1st May; and those which are partly religious and partly celebratory like Christmas, but where the religious has been overtaken by the celebratory and Mashramani where the celebratory has become more important than the political. Since the celebratory aspect has all but submerged the Republic Day aspect of the holiday, we think it is appropriate that we should remind our readers of its genesis. When the Government of President LFS Burnham had

decided to declare Guyana a Republic, they chose 23rd February as the date for this event, and the reason they did so, is because it was the anniversary of an important historical event which occurred in Guyana some 250 years ago. That event was the Berbice Slave Rebellion which broke out on 23rd February, 1763. From about 1760, that colony was gravely affected by food shortages, the spread of epidemic diseases and economic decline, and this led to the African slaves, who manned the plantations, to be greatly overworked and to be even more brutally treated than before. By 1763, conditions had become unbearable and this led the slaves at Magdalenenburg plantation to rise up in revolt under Cuffy, a cooper. A cooper made the barrels which were used to store rum and sugar and was an important post in the plantation hierarchy. In a very short time, almost all the plantations joined the rebellion. It should

be remembered that the Berbice colony was along the rivers and not on the coast, as later came to be the case in the 19th century. The rebellion threw up several able leaders who worked with Cuffy, and in the first months of the revolt, Cuffy and his rebels had the upper hand and were confidently working towards the establishment of an independent state. The Dutch Governor Van Hoogenheim realised that the Europeans were on the verge of being expelled from the colony, and frantically sought help and reinforcements from the neighbouring colonies of Essequibo/Demerara and Suriname and from St Eustatius and Holland. Help and reinforcements arrived in the nick of time and consisted of several hundred well-armed soldiers and six ships. The slave army found itself out numbered and out gunned and the revolt was put down. But the colony never recovered viability until it was ceded to Britain in 1815. Historians, including

President David Granger have analysed the Berbice Slave Rebellion and have pointed out its importance on the world stage. For example, the Berbice Rebellion predated the more famous Haitian Revolt by half a century. In Guyana itself, it was the forerunner of the Independence Movement and was an inspiration to those who were in the forefront of the Independence struggle. President LFS Burnham’s Government’s choice of 23rd February as date for Guyana declaring itself a Republic, therefore, has impeccable historical provenance. In the first few years of the celebration of Republic Day its political aspect was more prominent than its celebratory aspect. At that time, the celebration of Independence Day was aggressively promoted at Linden and this was transferred to Republic Day. The Lindeners baptised the celebration “Mashramani” and it was easily fused with the political aspect and soon became its more im-

portant component. Indeed, the 23rd February is now generally known as ‘Mashramani’. “Mashramani” is an Amerindian term indicating a time of merriment following hard and productive work. The Mashramani celebrations usually begin about a month before, moving up to a climax on the 23rd February. During the run-up, competitions for the various events are held in the various regions and most important are the children’s competitions in the schools. A glance at the calendar of events of Mashramani reflects how much of a cultural festival it has become. Of the 30 programmes over the 30 days covered by the Calendar of Events, the only distinctly political one is the Flag Raising ceremony at D’Urban Park on 22nd February. The Calendar is arranged so that some of the same programmes are shared between regions. Examples of such are ‘Mashramani All Stars concert which would be held in Region 1 on the

12th February, will be shared with Lethem on 26th January or the Chutney Extravaganza Song competition, and the Duck Curry competition which would take place at Bath Settlement on 10th, will be held at Anna Regina on 17th February. Other notable programmes are the Costume and Float Parade on 23rd February which is the centerpiece of the celebrations; the National Art Exhibition on February 14; Literary and Visual Arts Street Fair in the Main Street Avenue on February 21; the Children’s Competition at National Cultural Centre, February 14-15 and the Children’s Costume and Float Parade at National Park, February 16. Mashramani is still evolving and moving towards a neat synthesis between the political and celebratory as Christmas, and has become a synthesis between the religious and celebratory. Participation in this year’s celebrations promises to be one of the best.

Jailall Kissoon and Vibert Parvatan are misguided on provisions of the Guyana constitution Dear Editor, ON January 26, 2019, Stabroek Newspaper published a letter captioned “The No-Confidence Motion: Democracy is alive! Long live respect and loyalty to the Constitution.” The authors were Mr. Jailall Kissoon and Mr. Vibert Parvatan, former government ministers in the Hoyte administration. At age 18, I

served as special assistant to President Hoyte. I, therefore, know these men very well. Attorney Jailall Kissoon was one of my mentors. As a young member of the PNCR youth arm, he counselled me on Guyana’s history, politics, laws and the democratic ethos Mr. Hoyte cultivated. I’ll be forever grateful. Unfortunately, the conclusions in the letter regard-

ing the December 21 no-confidence vote in Parliament represent an uninformed departure from the democratic ethos and the rule of law. This must not be allowed to contend unchallenged. I therefore correct the record as follows. 1. The erstwhile ministers claimed that the motion was duly carried, and is lawful because the vote was confirmed by the Clerk, pronounced on

by the Speaker and, the Prime Minister conceded that the No-confidence Motion was legally passed.” Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo is not the Head of State of Guyana. Moreover, Mr. Nagamooto’s comments in parliament were contemporaneous and premised on the presumption that the vote was legitimate. Thereafter, the government concluded that the vote was unconstitutional and decided

to challenge its legality in court. This is consistent with the rule of law. To dispute or impugn the government’s right to seek judicial review is undemocratic. President David Granger, the Head of State, has unequivocally articulated the government’s view and right to seek judicial intervention. This is an inalienable right that must be respected. 2. These elder statesmen

claimed that “There is no ambiguity in stating that 33 is greater than 32,” and that the known 33/32 figures have guided the business and decisions in the Assembly over many years.” This is false. As former parliamentarians, they ought to know that the constitution requires the following majorities in the legislative process. TURN TO PAGE 8

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 29, 2019

My painful story of discrimination under the PPP

Dear Editor,

I HAVE been reading in the print media of Mr. Jagdeo newly-found-love for Afro-Guyanese. I wrote a letter last week, providing the census statistics and outlining the reasons for Mr. Jagdeo’s new obsession. The fact is that the PPP base has significantly dwindled either due to migration out of the country or migration away from the party as a result of the PPP policies and rampant corruption. Mr. Jagdeo is now requesting to have a debate on his-story with Afro-Guyanese with Dr. David Hinds and Mr. Eric Phillips. I cannot tell these two intelligent brothers what to do. If it were me I would have ignored his desperate attempts for attention and recognition. If they do decide to debate him, I would humbly suggest two simple conditions. Let him answer these two questions. Why this obsession with Afro-Guyanese in 2019? Why not 1992? Why not 1997? Why not 2002? Why not 2007? Why not 2011? Why not 2015? Why not when the Indo-Guyanese population was peaking at 52 per cent? Why not when they were in power with elective dictatorship and could have bribed the voters. The second condition I would humbly suggest is that he attends the debate alone. The fact is, if he is allowed to be accompanied, he would have a few historically blind window-dressers Afro-Guyanese with him to “defend his record”, giving

the misimpression that the PPP has always been inclusive of blacks. This is his main aim. Having a genuine debate is just a side show. I have always been fearless and outspoken. That’s in my DNA. Any of my university lecturers can allude to this. I recognised injustice under PPP and I spoke about it. The fact is that I was not associated with any party. I was just the kind of person, if I see wrong I would not remain silent. Anyway, while I was in medical school I was doing well up until my fifth year. The reason is that our exams were mainly written during the first four years and it was difficult to discriminate against any candidate since the evidence was in writing. In my final year it was different. It was mainly clinical which, is essentially your word against the examiners’ word. Also, compared to the first four years where the credits per course were four, in the final year it was 25. A candidate who performs poorly in the final year would find their GPA plummet. In our final exams, what the PPP agents did was to severely under-mark certain students including myself, while those with political connections were boosted by positive marking. It was so obvious since those who were previously doing well for the first four years did very badly in their final exams, while those who were below average became scholars overnight. When I got my grades I was shocked. I went to the Dean’s office, Dr. Emmanuel Cum-

mings in tears. In his office was Mr. Blackman, one of the administrative staff who was very much involved in sports in Guyana. They both tried to console me. I was inconsolable. A few of my colleagues appealed. The PPP agents were omnipresent. Appeals were lost. The court was the only option. One of my colleagues employed Joe Harmon as his attorney. Mr. Harmon found the story unbelievable so he spoke with Dr. Robert George, one of the few independent lecturers. He confirmed my classmate story and our horror story. The court case was fought and won. The university appealed and here is the shocker. The case file disappeared. What about me? After medical school I went to live in Victoria, East Coast Demerara. I spent close to two years there. Dr. Emanuel Cummings also lived in Victoria and he and I developed a close friendship since I lived a few houses from him. On many occasions we talked about the experiences of black students, including myself in the medical school final exams. The PPP’s motive was to inhibit the career of black doctors. Let them remain in Guyana with no career progression. Anyway, I did my internship and remained outspoken. I could not help it. I continued to be victimised. After my internship I applied to work in the Internal Medicine Department as a GMO. I was denied that despite being one of the best candidates, if not the best candidate. I was told that I will work in

orthopaedics, despite I hated it. That was another punishment for being outspoken. I requested a meeting with the Director of Medical Services, Dr. Madan Rambaran, who bluntly told me that working at GPHC is a privilege and not a right, and I will work in orthopaedics or resign if I’m not happy. I then applied to the medical council to get full registration. Unknown to me, attempts were made to deny me that. Dr. Fawcett Jeffrey objected on the grounds that no concerns were ever made about my clinical work. As a matter of fact I was an excellent doctor. The only concern was that I am outspoken. The PPP-aligned medical council was forced to register me. Dr. Jeffrey then shared that experience with me and advised me that I needed to be careful. Soon after, I left Guyana. I migrated to the UK. In about 2010 I saw an article with Dr. Emanuel Cummings glorifying the PPP as the best party on the planet. I felt betrayed. I wrote about and it was published in the printed papers. Anyway, in the UK I set out on one mission, to be the best. I completed my MRCP postgraduate examination in record time, one and a half years. The British medical graduates on average take three years. International graduates take an average of five years. My batchmates took much longer to pass their exams while I breeze through mine. I then became the first from my batch to become a specialist, the first to work as a substantive consultant, the first to earn my

Cruelty to animals in the Abary Creek Dear Editor, MY name is Kayum Sheriff from Bush Lot Village, West Coast Berbice. I am a cattle rancher at the left bank of the Abary Creek. A few rice farmers from the left bank of the Abary Creek and from the Bush Lot area, are mutilating my cows unjustly. They are doing so by using. In addition to using firearms, they are using electric generators to

electrocute the cows. Cutlasses are also being used to maim the cows. I have incurred financial losses and want to bring attention to this problem. I have also informed the police of this matter. These left bank Abary rice farmers were advised to “plant rice at your own risk” by the MMA/ADA. The MMA/ADA told the farmers that if they choose to plant rice there, they must fence their rice fields. However, they continue to fail to listen to warn-

ings and have taken the law into their own hands. The left bank of the Abary is solely for cattle grazing as per MMA/ADA. Mr. Editor I am kindly asking you to publish my story in the Guyana Chronicle, in order to bring awareness and a solution to this issue Regards, Kayum Sheriff

fellowship (FRCP) and the first to be made an MRCP PACES examiner. I am probably, the only, ever, Guyanese to be made an examiner. All of this I achieved despite ill health, and having to be off sick on many occasions. I was driven by my experiences of discrimination under PPP. It still hurts even to a day like today. Many of my batch-mates still struggle to deal with their own experiences. Because of those experiences I never set foot on UG again, despite 18 years have passed, and despite I have received multiple invitations to give talks to doctors and medical students. Going back to UG will just bring back those mental pains. After 15 years I visited GPHC in 2017 and it was only because my brother was an inpatient. So when Mr. Jagdeo says that the PPP is pro-black I feel deeply insulted. Can Jagdeo provide the racial breakdown of senior staff at GPHC during the PPP 23-years reign? Can he provide a racial breakdown of those receiving fellowships and scholarships under the PPP 23-years reign? Can he provide a breakdown in terms

of race for career progression of doctors under PPP during the 23 -years reign? Can he provide the racial breakdown of the medical council during the 23 years of the PPP? Mr. Editor, those are some of the issues I raised while I worked in Guyana and as a result I was hated and victimised by the PPP. I would leave it up to my brothers Dr. David Hinds and Mr. Eric Phillips to highlight other cases of discrimination against Afro-Guyanese by the PPP. I just thought I should write for the millionth-time about my experiences and hence once again putting a face to them. As I said before, I was hated by the PPP. In all likelihood I would have been dead if I had remained in Guyana. To my QC buddy and good mate, Courtney Crum-Ewing. RIP. They shot the sheriff, but they didn’t shoot the deputy. Regards, Dr. Mark Devonish MBBS MSc MRCP (UK) FRCP (Edin) Consultant Acute Medicine Nottingham University Hospital UK

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 29, 2019

Butters-Grant’s funeral set for today …Night of reflection held last Sunday A NUMBER of heartfelt and emotional tributes poured in for the late Alison Butters-Grant last Sunday evening, at Malteenoes Sports Club, when a ‘Night of Reflection to celebrate the ‘Life’ of the late Alison Butters-Grant’ was held. A wake was scheduled to be held at the same location on Monday evening, while her funeral is scheduled to take place on Tuesday, 29 January, at the St. Philip’s Anglican Church, St Philip’s Green, Smyth Street, Werken-Rust beginning from 12:00hrs (midday). Viewing of the body will take place from 12:00 to 13:00hrs, while from 13:00hrs to 14:00hrs will be provided to facilitate further tributes, for those wishing to do so. The funeral service is expected to begin at 14:00hrs. Popularly-known for being the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Managing Director of Global Seafoods Distributors, Butters-Grant died on January 13 in the

United States of America, after losing a battle against cancer. Butter-Grant had migrated to the U.S. but returned to Guyana to establish Global Seafood Distributors, a processing and packaging facility which supplies seafood products locally, to the Caribbean and the US. Speaking at the tribute on behalf of the family, Butters-Grant’s daughters, Tiffany and Tricina, noted how important the family felt it was to their mother’s legacy to have her body brought back to Guyana for burial. Delivering the feature address at Sunday’s event was Chairman of the National Congress of Women (NCW), and Minister of Public Health Volda Lawrence, who described Butters-Grant as a God-fearing, phenomenal and patriotic daughter of Guyana. “We have lost a friend, a sister, a woman of great stature and calibre, an icon and a daughter of the soil, whose invaluable contribution to

country will remain forever etched in our minds,” Lawrence conveyed. Lawrence remembered Butters-Grant, in particular, for the role model she was to women everywhere as a trailblazing entrepreneur. “Alison was cognisant from a tender age of the capacity of women to make a difference. Alison demonstrated the heights to which women could climb, and by indefatigable efforts, showed us that nothing is impossible with God. To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the Heaven; Alison fulfilled that purpose unequivocally. She had a strong sense of family, she loved her country and she dedicated her energies towards its development,” Lawrence commented. Also present at the memorial were several public officials including: Deputy Mayor Alfred Mentore; former Mayor Patricia ChaseGreen; GECOM Commissioner Vincent Alexander; Ambassador Rawle Lucas

Minister of Public Health Volda Lawrence (centre) delivered the feature address at a “Night of Reflection”, held in honour of the late Alison Butters-Grant (Adrian Narine photo)

and Region Three REO, Jennifer Ferreira-Dougall. A song advocating against the ills of domestic violence, was performed by reigning Junior Calypso Monarch Jovinski Thorne, with much commendation from the large audience. The song was noted for being in keeping with Butters-Grant’s work as an advocate for the rights of women and youths, both in Guyana and abroad. Alexander in his remarks recalled his association with Butters-Grant in various ca-

pacities, within various organisations. He highlighted the time the two spent as members of the University of Guyana (UG) Council, during which they struck up a friendship. “I have known Alison in various spheres. She was a unifier, always bringing the different sides together. She was about the community,” Alexander noted. Programme Manager at National Communications Network (NCN), Wendy Hermonstine, also delivered remarks. She recalled her days

Jailall Kissoon and Vibert Parvatan...

(1) Simple majority. This is a majority of members present. This is required for passage of ordinary legislation. (2) Absolute majority: This means a majority of all 65 members of Parliament, i.e., half plus one. Half of 65 is 32.5. Since there is no .5 of a person, an absolute majority therefore constitutes 33+ 1 = 34. Legislation like the no-confidence vote or amendments to certain parts of the constitution require such a majority, and (3) Two-thirds majority: This is 2/3 of 65, which is 44, applying the latter principle. This is required to alter major provisions in the constitution. 3. Guyana’s highest court, the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) has already upheld these majorities. In his judgment in no other case but the Jagdeo “third term” case,: Cedric Richardson vs The Attorney General ([2018] CCJ-17-AJ), then Chief Justice of the Court, Sir Dennis Byron, defined the various entrenchment majorities in paragraphs 6-8. In paragraph

6, he held that “Articles enjoying the shallowest level of entrenchment require the votes of an absolute majority of the National Assembly for their alteration. This is described in Article 164 (1) which prescribes that “… a Bill for an Act of Parliament to alter this Constitution shall not be passed by the National Assembly, unless it is supported at the final voting in the Assembly by the votes of a majority of all the elected members of the Assembly.” This is more difficult than the passage of ordinary legislation which only requires a simple majority, being a majority of those who voted.” The gentlemen must therefore be counselled accordingly, lest they continue to be uninformed. In this ruling, the court held that absolute majorities required more votes than a simple majority. 4. Ministers Kissoon and Parvatan posited that the “consequence of the no-confidence vote is captured by Article 106 (6) of the Constitution, which states: “(6) The Cabinet including the President shall

resign if the Government is defeated by the vote of a majority of all the elected members of the National Assembly on a vote of confidence.” I reject this selective, absurd, misleading representation of our constitution. Article 106 (7) of the exact provision, which they deliberately omitted, states that, “the Government shall remain in office and shall hold an election within three months, or such longer period as the National Assembly shall by resolution supported by not less than two-thirds of the votes of all the elected members of the National Assembly determine and shall resign after the President takes the oath of office following the election.” This omission was a dishonorable obfuscation of the provision that was intended to misguide. 5. The former ministers capriciously and insidiously disregarded Charrandass Persaud’s fraudulent declaration of oath and flagrant violation of Article 155.1 (a) of the constitution which prohibits persons who swore allegiance

to a foreign power or who hold dual citizenship, from sitting in parliament. They whimsically and falsely claimed this fundamental breach is negated by Article 165(2) of the Constitution which states inter alia: “the presence or participation of any person not entitled to be present at or to participate in the proceedings of the Assembly shall not invalidate those proceedings.” 6. The referenced section in Article 165(2) has no relevance to or bearing on an illegal act by a member. The provision in fact mandates that notwithstanding any act or participation by or presence of any person who is not entitled to be present at, or participate in, the proceedings of the Assembly, such act, presence or participation shall not invalidate the “proceedings” or business of the Assembly. It has nothing to do with the validity of an action by someone who is not entitled to be in the Assembly. To contend otherwise is to be misinformed. Effectively, these two elder statesmen are

arguing that if a four-year-old child runs into Parliament, sits in an MP’s seat and yells says `YES’ during a vote on a question, that child’s vote must be deemed valid. This is vacuous nonsense! 7. Ministers Kissoon and Parvatan also observed that several government ministers hold dual citizenship like Charrandass Persaud, hence if the government’s case is successful and the court nullifies Persaud’s vote “what is the legal consequence” of the volume of laws previously passed, for which Persaud voted? The answer is simple. The matter before the court expressly, and specifically, challenges Charrandass Persaud’s legitimacy and eligibility for election to Parliament. Consequently, nullification of his election pursuant to said challenge only invalidates his election and vote. 8. Moreover, in instances where courts nullify extra-constitutional or illegal acts by state actors, the “doctrine of necessity” is invoked to restore public order and/or

of growing up in the same street with Butters-Grant and forming a bond with her years ago. Earlier this month, President David Granger had noted how saddened he was by Butters-Grant’s passing. He remembered her as “greatly admired and respected as a female entrepreneur and trailblazer.” Granger had last year toured Global Seafoods Distributors and noted how upstanding the business was and “entirely in keeping with Government’s food security policy.”

FROM PAGE 6

to preserve continuity or necessity of governance. Precedence for this abounds. The “doctrine of necessity” was invoked by the Supreme Court of Grenada in 1985, to validate the trial of coup leaders who murdered then Prime Minister Maurice Bishop. The doctrine was also invoked by the Guyana Supreme Court in the 1997 Ester Perreira v Attorney General of Guyana matter. In the instant matter, Justice Claudette Singh nullified the 1997 election of the PPP government, but granted constitutionality to the actions thereof out of necessity of governance. Suffice to say that the erstwhile ministers should endeavor to be accurate, thoughtful and informed in their next interjection into the public discourse, lest they are perceived to be out of touch. Regards, Rickford Burke President Caribbean Guyana Institute for Democracy (CGID)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 29, 2019

Technicians to benefit from subsidised refrigeration, air conditioning courses

OVER 26 technicians are expected to graduate with advanced skills, after they would have completed a 10 to 12-month refrigeration and air conditioning technicians training program, at the Government Technical Institute (GTI). The certificate programme is being offered by the Ministry of Agriculture’s National Ozone Action Unit, through collaborations with the Technical, Vocational and Education Training Council (TVET) and the GTI. The course is intended to minimise safety and environmental concerns associated with emission of refrigerants. While delivering remarks at the recent launch of the programme, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, Delma Nedd, said that it was important for persons to be certified in order to ensure accountability and competence. “As measures are undertaken to standardise practic-

es within the refrigeration and air conditioning sector nationally, certification of refrigeration and air conditioning personnel has become an urgent need. In keeping with global concerted efforts to reduce emissions of ozone depleting substances, the United Nations Environment Programme has stressed that, ‘certification is important in order to verify the competence of [the] personnel handling equipment and refrigerants to ensure best practice and prevent leakage of the refrigerants’. This will in turn minimise safety and environmental concerns associated with emission of refrigerants,” Ms. Nedd said. The competency-based programme was designed to specifically target practicing technicians and, upon completion, all the graduates will be able to practise anywhere in the Caribbean. Participants are required to complete levels one and two of the Caribbean Vocational Qualification Refrigeration and Air Conditioning

A technician while signing up for the program

course, as part of the programme requirements. Also delivering remarks was Principal of GTI, Renita Crandon-Duncan, who said that the course was fashioned to accommodate technicians who may not have extensive academic qualifications and were already employed as technicians. “The course not only caters to a wide range of technicians; it was designed to accommodate those of you who are practicing

technicians. You will be allowed some amount of flexibility and [be] given the opportunity to complete the programme based on your pace to accommodate your work schedules,” Ms. Crandon-Duncan said. The course will ensure a larger number of practicing technicians are provided with access to key training and professional advancement in key areas, which are often seen as challenging. Through the Hy-

dro-chloro-fluoro-carbons (HCFC) phase-out management plan project, Guyana has taken steps to specifically target the phasing out of HCFCs. With this, Guyana intends to strengthen its legal and policy frameworks in order to better manage ozone depleting substances nationally, as well as, build capacity of key stakeholders through training and exposure to new alternative technologies that are not dependent on ozone depleting substances. The permanent secretary further conveyed that this programme will further intensify Guyana’s efforts toward maintaining its commitment to the Montreal Protocol, which seeks to cut down on the emission of substances that deplete the Ozone layer. “Guyana, through the ‘Trade Restriction on Import of Ozone Depleting Substances’ Order under the Trade Act, implemented a licensing system to control the

CRIC confab puts spotlight.. within our grasp but the steps you take and recommendations you make this week will make or break this momentum,” she advised. Barbut told the gathering that while the challenge of desertification, land degradation and drought remain universal, countries today have never before had a clearer or more accurate assessment of the scope in which these challenges exist. “We know how much land we have degraded globally in the first 15 years of this millennium; we know how life has changed for the communities living on degraded lands; we know how droughts are evolving globally; the changing status of endangered biological species, and the financial resources available to address desertification,” she said. These realities considered, she added that evidence also shows that drought is on the rise; critically endangered species are suffering and some countries, in certain areas, are still not well equipped to respond effectively. However, she encouraged the delegates: “If we are afraid, things seem worse than they are. So, let’s be

quantity of ozone depleting substances imported annually, with the aim of reducing and subsequently completely phasing-out these substances in the near future. In addition to these controls, Guyana has restricted the importation of equipment that contains or may be dependent on ozone depleting technologies,” Ms. Nedd said. The programme is being offered at a 75 per cent subsidised cost through collaborative efforts of the Ministry of Agriculture and the GTI. Persons interested in the programme are asked to visit the National Ozone Action Unit Office at the Hydrometeorological Service at 18 Brickdam, Stabroek, Georgetown. Guyana, since 1993, has been a party to the Montreal Protocol on substances that deplete the Ozone Layer. As a party to the Montreal Protocol, Guyana committed to phaseout the ‘consumption’ of ozone depleting substances by 2030.

FROM PAGE

cluded African; Asia-Pacific; Eastern European; Latin American and Caribbean; Western European and others. They all spoke to the land desertification challenges in their Regions but also expressed their eagerness to ensure a successful CRIC17 engagement towards improvement.

Representatives of various UN agencies

brave and let’s not underestimate our ability to trigger change in these most pressing areas.” Some areas she encouraged greater focus on were promoting gender equality, which allows women in more restricted countries to participate in the Convention’s objectives; working with authorities to build partnerships to mitigate land degradation; and seeking out proactive, practical solutions. “CRIC17 is our opportunity for candid dialogue. The chance to re-examine our assumptions about what is possible and to chart an even bolder course,” Barbut began. “I hope this short but

GREENHOUSE Representing the Caribbean Youth Environment Network (CYEN) was Guyana’s Coordinator, Kiefer

Caribbean Youth Environment Network (CYEN) – Guyana Coordinator, Kiefer Jackson (Adrian Narine photo)

significant CRIC meeting does just that.” Remarks also came from representatives of Regional country groups which in-

Jackson, who called on UNCCD stakeholders to accelerate their actions to sustain the land and its people. “As the world heats up

Delegates representing some 125 countries examine the UN’s desertification issues (Adrian Narine photo)

under its ever-thickening blanket of greenhouse gasses, the impacts of land degradation are felt ever-more intensely. Droughts are becoming more extreme, and 12 million hectares of productive land is lost to desertification each year. Climate-related natural disasters such as hurricanes, reap an ever-growing toll, in particular on the poor and vulnerable. In our Region, people in Puerto Rico, Anguilla, Cuba, Dominica, Barbuda and the Virgin Islands are still recovering from 2017 hurricane damage. The eco-systems on which they depend are recovering even more slowly,”

Jackson said. “We therefore call on the parties, inter-governmental organisations and donors, to join hands with civil society to increase our ambition and accelerate our actions to sustain the land and its people.” During the next two days, the representatives will provide recommendations which identify solutions to issues hindering transformative projects; pinpoint the most effective ways of promoting gender equality; show the best ways to acquire and track finance and ensure robust data gathering.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 29, 2019

CARICOM optimistic of peaceful solution to Venezuelan crisis

NEW YORK, Jan 28, CMC – Caribbean Community (CARICOM) leaders have ended a meeting here with United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres, expressing optimism that the UN will assist in establishing the roadmap towards peace and security for Venezuela. CARICOM chairman and St. Kitts-Nevis Prime Minister Dr. Timothy Harris led a delegation that included his Trinidad and Tobago counterpart, Dr. Keith Rowley and Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley to the talks on the possibility of the UN intervening in the ongoing political situation in the South American country. According to a statement issued by the Office of the Prime Minister in Trinidad and Tobago, Prime Minister Rowley expressed hope that in the not too distant future there will be significant improvement and a diminishing of tensions in Venezuela. “We believe in the coming days there will be work towards dialogue so that the internal difficulties in Venezuela can be approached without intervention and interference from those who may have a different approach,” Rowley said in the statement. The statement noted that “coming out of the meeting the CARICOM delegation is satisfied that if the conditions for such can be met the UN will assist in establishing

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres (third from left) and his delegation meeting with CARICOM delegation headed by St. Kitts-Nevis Prime Minister Dr. Timothy Harris

the roadmap towards peace and security for Venezuela and the region”. The meeting with the UN Secretary General followed an emergency meeting of CARICOM leaders last Thursday where it was decided that the regional body should engage the global organisation. Following the discussions here, the CARICOM delegation held a meeting with the Canadian Ambassador to the United Nations, Marc-Andre Blanchard, and is also expected to meet with officials from Russia, China and Venezuela. Last Wednesday, Venezuela’s Opposi-

tion Leader, Juan Guaidó, declared himself the interim leader of the South American country and was promptly recognised by several countries including the United States, Canada and some Latin American states. But Russia, China and Cuba are among countries that are supporting President Nicolas Maduro, who was sworn into office earlier this month for a second consecutive term as President. Washington and its allies have accused Maduro of suppressing democratic rights in the country and have called for his removal. The 15-member

Counterfeit currency, pistol seized in separate arrests LAW enforcement, during intelligence-led operations, on Saturday, January 26, 2019, arrested two persons, in separate incidents, where counterfeit $5000 bills were seized and an unlicensed pistol was found. Police said that they apprehended Alston Pires, 23, of lot 16 Diamond Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara, at the Stabroek Market, with a quantity of counterfeit Guyana $5000 currency. He has since been charged and will be arraigned before a magistrate at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court today (January, 29).

The counterfeit and pistol that were seized

Meanwhile, on Saturday, police ranks conducting a mobile patrol in Charlestown, Georgetown, arrested Akelo Nurse, 18, of Lot 273 Independence

Boulevard with an unlicensed pistol with no rounds. He too has been charged and will appear before a magistrate today.

CARICOM grouping has remained divided on the issue and earlier this month, Jamaica, Haiti, the Bahamas, Guyana and St. Lucia supported a resolution at the Organisation of American States (OAS) in not recognising the second five-year term of Maduro, while Dominica, St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Suriname voted against the measure. St. Kitts-Nevis, Trinidad and Tobago, Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, and Belize abstained during the vote while Grenada was not present. In the statement that followed Thursday’s con-

ference, the regional leaders nonetheless “reaffirmed their guiding principles of non-interference and non-intervention in the affairs of states, respect for sovereignty, adherence to the rule of law, and respect for human rights and democracy. “Heads of Government reiterated that the long-standing political crisis, which has been exacerbated by recent events, can only be resolved peacefully through meaningful dialogue and diplomacy,” the statement said, noting that they have “offered their good offices to facilitate dialogue among all parties to resolve

the deepening crisis”. They said that in reaffirming their commitment to the tenets of Article 2 (4) of the United Nations Charter which calls for member states “to refrain from the threat or the use of force” and Article 21 of the Charter of the Organization of American States which refers to territorial inviolability, the regional leaders emphasized the importance of the Caribbean remaining a zone of peace”. Last weekend, a senior UN official told the UN Security Council that all actors must exercise maximum restraint and avoid any further escalation. “The protracted conflict in [Venezuela] has had a grave impact on the population, with high levels of political polarization, growing humanitarian needs and serious human rights concerns,” said Rosemary DiCarlo, Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs. She urged all parties to respect human rights and the rule of law, warning that the situation could spiral out of control. Diplomats from St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Dominica and Antigua and Barbuda also addressed the UN Security Council meeting.

Mae’s student autopsy inconclusive AN autopsy done on the body of 15-year-old Vanica Schultz was inconclusive after she fell ill at the Mae's Secondary School recently and was pronounced dead at a private city hospital. The autopsy was done on Monday, January 28, 2019, by government pathologist, Dr. Nehaul Singh and, although the cause of death was inconclusive, body contents, blood and urine samples were extracted to be tested and analysed. The body was handed over to relatives for burial. Schultz, on Thursday last (January 24) allegedly distributed suicide notes to her classmates and teachers, after she ingested a poisonous substance. Reports are that the

Vanica Schultz

teachers were hesitant after the student started vomiting profusely and it took some time before she was rushed to the hospital. What caused the young student to take her own life is the question left unanswered, although many speculate the motive.

Minister of Education Nicolette Henry, on Friday, January 25, visited Mae’s School to speak with and offer counselling services to students and teachers affected by the incident. The minister was accompanied by representatives from the Ministry’s Schools’ Welfare Psycho-social Unit. “What we saw here is a symptom of a larger problem and at the level of the Ministry of Education, we have undertaken several initiatives under a broad umbrella of the school health programme. Now I would want to see a stronger collaboration with the public education system and the private education system,” Henry noted.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 29, 2019

Development of ICT sector must be broad-based – Lance Hinds DEVELOPMENT of the Information Communication Technology (ICT) sector should take a bilateral approach involving the inputs of the public and private sector here. This is according to Lance Hinds, Ministerial Adviser at the Ministry of Public Telecommunications. Hinds was at the time addressing delegates at the Annual General Meeting of the trade association of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in the Caribbean, CANTO, which is ongoing at the Marriot Hotel at Kingston, Georgetown. During the morning session on Monday, Hinds, who is the Director of Industry and Innovation at the Ministry of Public Telecommunication, spoke of the need for a collaborative approach towards the development of the local ICT sector. He said that in Guyana, there is need for education in the sector to “filter down” to all parts of the community. “Collaboration is key,” he said in this regard. “By only working together things will happen,” Hinds told the audience. Hinds said that while internet service providers may face challenges, there should be adjustments to fit today’s

on the agenda of the ministry include the creation of an enabling environment which will support increased connectivity and infrastructure, modernisation of existing legislation as well as introduction of new legislation.

meeting is aimed at deliberating along the chosen theme: ‘transitioning to a Digital Region: Opportunities and Challenges’ to contribute towards improving the state of the Region. On Sunday , while de-

Region to work together. She noted that the chosen theme is both critical and timely, as it will enable stakeholders to take a closer look at the current state of development and growth of the ICT sector. She told

Ministerial Adviser at the Ministry of Public Telecommunications, Lance Hinds, as he addressed the gathering.

demands of the sector. He said the service providers would experience challenges in their mandates, as he noted that in the society there is a “speed hungry” generation who awaits the development of the sector. Hinds told the audience that there must be commitment from everyone involved, that they should understand the value of ICT and its needs going forward. Nationally , Hinds said the ministry has been able to promulgate internet access in many areas across Guyana .He said there exists a draft framework for a national strategy, as he informed that there is an increase in private

sector firms locally , including an increase in software development firms. As he spoke of Guyana’s commitment to the development of the sector, Hinds noted that the fact that a ministry was formed and a minister named to lead the development of the sector, speaks of the regime’s commitment. He said the minister’s job is to convince her colleagues that despite all the challenges the country face, the investments by government in ICT over the medium to long term will provide the returns. “And that is the commitment that the minister has to make going forward,” he said. Hinds said areas of focus

A section of the gathering at the event.

In addition the enabling factor should also focus on nationwide training as well as curriculum review of the ICT sector. He said it should also focus on entrepreneurships as well as start-ups and include a policy for business facilitation. The three-day

livering the feature address at the opening of the AGM, Minister of Public Telecommunication Cathy Hughes who, while highlighting the strides of Guyana in the telecommunications sector in the last few years, pointed out the need for the

the delegates that in 2019, Guyana will continue work on its draft National ICT plan; advance its National Broadband Project and will be working towards having 200 government services online by 2020.

Canada donates 10 digital recorders to Supreme Court THE Canadian High Commission on Monday donated some 10 digital court recording units to the Supreme Court of Guyana as part of the Judicial Reform and Institution Strengthening (JURIST) Project. Justice Cummings-Edwards, Chancellor of the Judiciary of Guyana (ag), explained that “we have started the transitioning to the digital recording of proceedings in our court. The JURIST Project has donated time and resources to that process and to this end they have donated 10 recording units to the Supreme Court and we expect some 35 more to come.” She added that training began in November 2018, and during that period “we encountered minor teething issues which were rectified.” During her remarks at the Pegasus Hotel Guyana, Justice Cummings-Edwards

Canada’s High Commissioner to Guyana, Lilian Chatterjee, handing over a plaque to Chancellor of the Judiciary (ag), Yonette Cummings – Edwards. Also in photo are CEO of Collins Ijoma and Associates, Collins Ijoma and Project Director of the JURIST Project Gloria Richards-Johnson.

thanked the stakeholders for the recording equipment, while highlighting that this will make the work of the courts more efficient and less time-consuming. The chancellor said that “we have to advance and embrace change. This equipment will transform the judicial system in Guyana.” She said it is her hope that all courts will be soon outfitted with such equipment. High Commissioner of Canada to Guyana, H.E. Lilian Chatterjee, related that Canada is proud to partner with the JURIST Project to aid Guyana’s Judicial System. She echoed the chancellor’s words, noting that the support system in place now, will lead to more efficiency in the courts. Chatterjee also pointed out that the units will assist in cases being resolved in a timely manner which will, in turn, improve public con-

fidence in the justice system. Project Director of JURIST Project, Gloria Richard-Johnson, explained that the JURIST Project is a regional judicial reform initiative funded by the Government of Canada. She noted that the ultimate goal of the project is to establish a judicial system that is more responsive to the needs of women, men, youth and the poor. The JURIST Project commenced activities on April 1, 2014, and is working with judiciaries in the Caribbean Region to support their own efforts to improve court administration and strengthen the ability of the courts and the judiciary to resolve cases efficiently and fairly. (DPI)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 29, 2019

First lady launches ICT training programme in Linden FIRST Lady, Sandra Granger, reminded the 40 participants who make up the second batch of Information Communication Technology (ICT) trainees in Linden, that the entire world revolves around ICT and it is imperative that they garner these skills that will make them employable and take the country forward. She was at the time speaking at the launch of the four-week training that was made possible through her office, in collaboration with the Ministry of Social Protection and the Board of Industrial Training (BIT). Mrs Granger said cognisant of the role ICT is playing in our world, she became fired-up to get involved and has since been pushing for similar training to be held across Guyana. She believes

that Guyanese are very talented when it comes to ICT and therefore youths should take all opportunities afforded to them now to become ICT- smart. “The young people of Guyana are a major part of our population and so it is a fact that you are the ones that have to take us forward and so, ensure that you are equipped,” she urged. She urged the graduates not to look at the training as just a means of becoming certified, but to become rounded, marketable individuals, more so, that all eyes are on Guyana and its blooming oil industry. Mrs Granger is confident that the participants will enjoy the training since it is not only ICT-based but includes courses that would widen their knowledge on reproductive health as well as courses to develop their The 40 participants enrolled in the ICT training pose with the officials sitting in front from left: Coordinator Deron Adams, MP Jermaine Figueira, Minister Valarie Yearwood, First Lady Sandra Granger, Mayor of Linden Waneka Arrindell, Chief Facilitator Fitzroy Younge, Luitenant Colonel Yvonne Smith and Region 10 Deputy REO Maylene Stephens

self-esteem etc. Giving an overview of the programme was Chief Facilitator, Mr. Fitzroy Younge, who said that the training is a youth-empowered initiative that seeks to not only empower young adults, but also the unskilled and vulnerable youths. The skills garnered, he said, will enable them to perform more effectively and allow them to improve in their employability status. The programme will conclude on February 22nd and a total of 13 courses will be offered over the four weeks. Some of these include communication skills, telephone ethics, interviewing tips and time management, mouse basics and keyboard references, introduction to computers, Microsoft Office, literacy and numeracy and sexual and reproductive health. A total of eight facilitators will conduct the courses and after the completion of each, there will be assessments. At the end, the graduates will receive a certificate that will be BIT accredited and signed by the first lady. Younge commended the participants for making a wise decision to be a part of the programme.

Coordinator of the workshop, Municipal Councillor Deron Adams, expressed gratitude to the first lady and by extension the Government of Guyana for continuing to provide support to the empowerment of the youths of Linden, even after the first programme was completed. That programme, he revealed, brought about tangible successes. The most noticeable of these is that five of the 79 participants, became peer educators and successfully organised their own ICT workshop to train other Linden youths. That workshop saw an additional 42 youths completing the programme. Out of these, eight have since garnered employment, five are pursuing tertiary education and two have used their training to establish their own businesses. Out of the first batch, 37 youths also came together and formed a NGO, Linden Youth Network, which has a vision statement to encourage youths to overcome challenges such as poverty and situations of abuse, through ICT. As a result of the overwhelming interest displayed within the communities, two smart initiative centres will be established in two commu-

nities. “This ICT programme is the foundation for positive change for youths…….to bridge the digital divide through training and open doors where innovative ideas will be supported,” Adams said. Valedictorian of the first programme Johanna Allicock, posited that the skills garnered at the training has helped her tremendously at the Cyril Potter College of Education. Another graduate Selina Joseph, said that she is most grateful for the certificate, which will be an asset in her attempt to gain employment. She was appreciative of the knowledge gained in computer programming but more so, the knowledge to adapt to the world of work. On Monday, the participants expressed the same level of confidence, which they too will benefit from tremendously in the next four weeks of training.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 29, 2019

School of the Nations to remain closed

…parents dissatisfied with assurances by school’s administration FOLLOWING unrelenting pressure from parents during a conference on Monday, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of School of the Nations, Dr. Dexter Phillips, took the decision to continue to suspend classes at the private school until after extensive consultations with a qualified security team. This comes even as a source has disclosed that one of the names identified in a Facebook post threatening the security of students and administrators at the school, allegedly speaks of a teacher at the school. Security concerns at the school intensified after Director of the school, Dr. Brian O’Toole was shot at his home on Sunday night. The school subsequently cancelled all classes on Monday. The school has since engaged the services of Delta Security Services Inc., while the expertise of another security firm – Sheriff Security Service – is also being utilised after they offered their services pro-bono. Though it is not yet known if there was any connection between O’Toole’s shooting and the social media threats, after the shooting a post surfaced stating: “his life is not and won’t only be the first”. O’Toole’s condition has since been listed as stable and he is said to be recovering. He issued a statement yesterday. “There were three bullets fired at me. I was struck by two of them. One did minor damage on the right arm and the other was more serious on the left where the bone was badly damaged. I am getting better and will likely be in hospital for a few days,” the statement said. The situation at the school has quickly escalated since last Thursday when the security of the school first came into question after a student threatened to ‘shoot up’ the New Market Street School in a Whatsapp post. The student was immediately expelled. In a subsequent video posted on Youtube, someone alleging to be the expelled student says that the Whatsapp post was part of a joke. However, two Facebook posts have since surfaced with threats to the lives of those at the school.

Nations CEO, Dr. Dexter Phillips

The first Facebook post threatening lives at the school mentions the names “Corina” and “Taz”. Representatives at Nations are said to have since noted that one of the name identifies a teacher. When Dr. Phillips met with parents on Monday evening, he initially told parents that the school was planning to reopen on Tuesday and tried to reassure that the school was doing everything to put security measures in place. “I believe that this challenge we face as a School of Nations family has threatened our resolve to do better as a school community. Meaning we work closer together, we parents, teachers, [and] administrators have to recognise our children are growing up in a world different from which we grow up in, and we have to find the best way to protect our children,” Phillips noted as he addressed the audience of parents. However Phillips could not answer several questions posed by parents for information on the investigation into the shooting and the threats. Phillips said he was not at liberty to disclose certain information as the case is currently being handled by the police. He nonetheless sought to assure that he was giving as much information to the parents as was possible given the circumstances. “I honestly believe I’m standing here before you and what we’re doing is being very honest. We have not been dishonest in any way with our parent community. With regard to finding the others, we have given this case over to the relevant authorities, and I assure you we have followed all of the relevant protocols in this issue. We have been very open

and upfront about this,” he maintained. “This is an ongoing investigation. I do not have the authority to divulge what has been found and what hasn’t been found in the investigation. But it would be really wrong of me to preempt the outcome of the investigation. All I’m asked in the process is to provide information.” Parents however did not feel reassured enough by the security plan that school was proposing. Phillips told parents that the school was going to bar vehicles from entering the compound, have security personnel placed at each of the two entrances to the compound, and carry out random searches of students’ bags. The school was also adding extra CCTV cameras to eliminate several “blind spots” not catered for, with already existing cameras at the school. Phillips noted, and the many parents agreed, that mandatory searches of the bag of all students at the gate of the school would create a backed up situation that would not be in the best interest of the students. Phillips also noted that all the students will be spoken to, while further voluntary counselling would be provided to any student or teacher who needs it. This was not enough for parents however, many are calling for a precise contingency plan in the case someone slips under the radar and worst case scenario occurs at the school. Some parents noted that even if the school reopens today they would not be sending their children to school. Dr. Phillips confirmed that the expelled student was being questioned by the police over the shooting of Dr. O’Toole. Dr.

Phillips also sought to clear the air on allegations that the school questioned the student without parental present. Dr. Phillips said the student was summoned to the office and ordered to sit but nothing else was said to him until his father arrived. A heated discussion, which at times bordered on the edge of escalating into an argument, ensued between parents as regards the extent of the responsibility of the

parents and the responsibility of the school in speaking with students. The situation was eventually pacified by a school representative who told the parents that the school representatives were not only educators, but also parents and further added that several administrative staff have children attending the school. There were a number of calls for the school to address a culture of bullying at the

school, which threatens the mental health of the students. The school noted that the next meeting held with the parents will see a presentation being made by an appropriate security professional, who could better address the multiple concerns of the parents. No date was given for the next meeting, or for when the school would reopen.

Parents attending a meeting at Nations encountered beefed up security measures after threats had been made to the lives of those at the school (Delano Williams photos)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 29, 2019

HIV prevalence still high among sex workers, clients - report

RECENT data from the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) shows that the HIV epidemic in the Caribbean remains largely prevalent among key populations, such as sex workers; gay men and other men who have sex with men and clients of sex workers and other sexual partners. This is according to the UNAIDS special analysis, 2018, which also records data from 2017 and reports that stigma remains a major challenge to these groups accessing HIV services. According to the report, the second highest group of individuals contributing to new HIV infections in the Caribbean for 2017, is clients of sex workers and other sexual partners of key populations. This group recorded 30 per cent prevalence, followed by gay men and other men who have sex with men, which saw 23 per cent prevalence. Also in the category

were sex workers at 13 per cent; transgender women and people who inject drugs, both at 1 per cent and the general population which attained the highest at 32 per cent. These categories, along with prisons, have been marked as key populations, meaning that due to specific higher-risk behaviours, they are at increased risk of HIV. Although progress has been made over the years, with the Caribbean recording an 18 per cent decline in the number of new HIV infections, the UNAIDS reports that the challenge of reaching key populations still remains. Regarding the Caribbean, the report stated: “Gay men and other men who have sex with men, accounted for nearly a quarter of new infections in 2017. Efforts to reach men and boys, and particularly gay men and other men who have sex with men, are constrained by health services insufficiently tailored to their needs and limited community-based

services. In total, key populations and their sexual partners represented two thirds of new infections in the region.” Data separated by Caribbean country shows, that HIV prevalence among gay men and other men who have sex with men, is particularly high in Trinidad and Tobago standing at 32 per cent. This is followed by the Bahamas with 25 per cent and Haiti with 13 per cent while, Guyana was recorded 4.9 per cent prevalence. Among the transgender people, it is highest in Cuba with 20 per cent, and among prisoners it is highest in Dominica with 29 per cent. Guyana, for these two categories records 8.4 per cent and 1.72 per cent respectively. When it comes to protection, the report highlights condom use amongst key populations in Guyana shows a 75.7 per cent prevalence for sex workers, and 64.4 per cent for gay men and other men who have sex with men. While the report notes these challenges, it also plac-

es focus on the existing law and policies, awareness and social stigma that affect the availability and willingness of key populations to acquire treatment. “Key populations make up a small proportion of the general population. They also are reluctant to identify themselves, especially in environments where their actions or identities are considered socially or religiously unacceptable, or they are punishable under local law. This makes it difficult to collect quality data on the location and size of these populations, their attitudes and practices, their access to HIV services, and the incidence and prevalence of HIV among them,” the document explained. In an aim to reducing the barriers of stigma and discrimination in the Guyana, the Pan Caribbean Partnership Against HIV/AIDS (PANCAP) had hosted a National Faith Leaders Consultation. It engaged religious lead-

ers from various faith-based denominations, stating that the country will not achieve its 2030 health targets unless there is respectful doctrine among key populations. This includes, respecting religious doctrine while abstaining from discrimination against the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) community, which can hinder them from seeking treatment for HIV. Religious leaders are not the only groups engaged by PANCAP, which has the eventual aim of ensuring that all groups within key populations are emboldened to get themselves tested for HIV/ AIDS, or make themselves available to receive treatment for the disease. When it comes to Guyana’s laws and policies, the report shows that Guyana was recorded as the only Caribbean country whereby parental consent is not needed for adolescents to access HIV testing. The document was unable to provide data, on whether

there are laws in Guyana criminalising the transmission of, nondisclosure of, or exposure to HIV transmission. Altogether, although the Ministry of Public Health’s National AIDS Programme Secretariat (NAPS) has reported Guyana as closer to meeting its UNAIDS 90–90– 90 target, this is not the same when viewed collectively as the Caribbean. While the region made progress over the years, a recent evaluation shows that the region is not progressing fast enough to meet its 2020 targets. However, regarding its individual 90–90–90 target, as of 2018, 86 per cent of all people living with HIV in Guyana now know their status; 74 per cent of those diagnosed are receiving sustained antiretroviral therapy (ART) while 65 per cent of those on ART have achieved viral suppression.

Importance of GSDS underscored at ‘Green Conversations’

Panellists as they entertained questions from the audience on Friday Night at the 5th Green Conversations- Georgetown.

THROUGH multi-agency partnerships on Friday night the 5th Green Conversations–Georgetown was held at Duke Lodge’s Symposium Hall, where several speakers engaged the invitees in talks of securing a sustainable future for Guyana through the ‘Green’ State Development Strategy (GSDS). The ‘Green Conversations’ series is meant to create open, non-partisan spaces for persons to engage in conversations on their needs and priorities in ways that will help them participate in the national conversations about the country’s future. The ‘Green Conversations’ theme is “Human Capital: good health, education and wellbeing for wholesome families and communities.” Making remarks was

Mayor of Georgetown, Pandit Ubraj Narine, who said going green means “we have to pursue knowledge to become eco-friendly to protect and sustain our environment and human capital.” The next speaker was Professor Paloma Mohamed-Martin, who said that the ‘Green’ State Development Strategy (GSDS) is meant to reorient and diversify Guyana’s economy, reducing reliance on resource-intensive sectors and opening up new sustainable income and investment opportunities in ‘green’ sectors with higher added value. She noted that the GSDS will provide a platform from which Guyana can start the transition to a diversified green and inclusive economy, become a leading example of a ‘Green State’ and serve as an

inspiration to other countries in the Region and worldwide. There were presentations by Dr. Quincy Jones, Region Four Health Officer, who spoke about the health aspect of the ‘Green State’. Mr. Richard Rambarran, Executive Director of Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), who spoke in a private capacity on Friday night, spoke at length about the human capital development, outlining Guyana’s migration at the same time. At the end of these presentations there was a panel discussion in which invitees had the opportunity to pose questions which were answered by panellists, Professor Mohamed Martin, Mr. Richard Rambarran and Dr. Quincy Jones.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 29, 2019

‘All-round’ probe into death of children …information from hospital probe expected this week …autopsy on six-year-old Mendonca inconclusive

By Vishani Ragobeer MINISTER of Public Health, Volda Lawrence, has highlighted that an “all-round” investigation is being conducted into the recent deaths of three children, who were being treated for leukemia, at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC). Seven-year-old Curwayne Edwards succumbed on January 14; Roshani Seegobin, three, died on January 18 and Sharezer Mendonca, six, passed away on January 24. The trio succumbed after an alleged adverse reaction to medication, which was administered to them as part of the treatment for leukemia. “The matter which we address today of little Curwayne, Sharezer and Roshani is not an easy one. It’s not an easy one for the families, especially the parents; the doctors and staff of the GPHC and also the management,” Minister Lawrence said on Monday. Though it is not an easy matter to deal with, the minister assured that her ministry, alongside the GPHC, was working assiduously to ensure that the matter was dealt with, in an “open and transparent way,” and a conclusion arrived at soonest. “What I do ask is to allow due process to take its course,” she said. She added that the investigation into the deaths of the children was being approached from many angles. After the first two deaths, the GPHC confirmed that an investigation had been launched. Following those two unfortunate deaths, Lawrence was informed that there

the paediatrics department. Aso, the GPHC’s Deputy CEO, Elizabeth Gonsalves, who was also a qualified nursing professional, was

forward. As soon as we get that information the families will be the first to know.” Minister Lawrence also related that, within the Public

Minister of Public Health, Volda Lawrence

Six-year-old Sharezer Mendonca

was another patient, who was administered the same medication, and the medical staff of the GPHC was monitoring that patient. This patient was Sharezer Mendonca, who later succumbed. As a result of the unfortunate occurrences, the minister further related that she wrote to the Pan-American Health Organisation (PAHO) representative in Guyana, to ask for technical assistance with the investigation. This, according to her, was an effort, not only to provide technical assistance to the hospital but also to enhance the transparency of the investigation by ensuring that personnel “outside of the system” are involved. Chairperson of the GPHC board, Kesaundra Alves, also shared, yesterday (Monday,January 28), that the investigation was being spearheaded by the hospital’s Director of Medical and Professional Services, Dr. Fawcett Jeffrey. Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Brigadier (ret'd) George Lewis, indicated that the team involved in the investigation also comprises the support personnel from PAHO, and members from

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Brigadier (ret'd) George Lewis and Chairperson of the GPHC board, Kesaundra Alves on Monday

“looking into the nursing aspect” of the investigation, according to the CEO. “When this information came to the board, we were terribly moved by it; this is a major tragedy,” Alves said and later added: “The first thing we did was ensure that the administration had launched an investigation which is ongoing at the moment.” According to Alves, the board is expecting feedback from the Director by Tuesday, January 29. Such will determine the way forward. “We too want the truth at the highest level and if something goes wrong we will let the public know because it is also important that we protect our future patients,” she said. Further she affirmed: “We commit to full transparency and this week we should get some word on the way

Health Ministry, the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Dr. Shamdeo Persaud, had put together a team that would be looking at the drugs administered during the period the patients were in the care of the GPHC. “This is to ensure that we have an all-round approach to what transpired with these patients. We believe that having a report from the drugs administered will be able to give clarity in that aspect of the services provided – while we look at the human aspect from the hospital perspective,” the minister noted. INCONCLUSIVE AUTOPSY On Monday, also, a second autopsy was performed on six-year-old Sharezer Mendonca, as requested by her family. The results of this autop-

sy, which was observed by an independent pathologist Mendonca’s family sourced from Trinidad and Tobago, proved inconclusive, according to aunt of Mendonca, Azeena Bakraj. Organ samples have however been taken for further testing. “The fact that the post-mortem was inconclusive means that there is need for further examination and I think that is why the Trinidadian pathologist would’ve [taken the samples for testing],” Lewis said. However, he posited that the tests would definitively determine the cause of death which was information that the hospital, the relatives and the nation would like to know. Lewis highlighted that it was the right of relatives to demand a post-mortem examination and to ensure that anyone who they feel comfortable with – as in this case, the independent pathologist – would be present. “It lends to the whole process of transparency and it shows that the hospital’s administration has nothing to hide,” he said. However, on Friday,

January 25, 2019, the first autopsy was performed on Mendonca, though her family, through their attorneys, requested that it be postponed until an independent pathologist could be brought in from Trinidad and Tobago to observe the process. Another young child, Delicia Wailoo, from Bartica, was scheduled for an autopsy that day. However, an autopsy was instead performed on Mendonca’s body, as the bodies of the young children were ‘mixed up’. Lewis pointed out that it was the family of Wailoo that identified Mendonca’s body as the body of Wailoo. “The GPHC has a procedure which indicates that a post-mortem should only be done once there is positive identification of the bodies,” the CEO said and added: “The body was positively identified and when questioned, Dr. Nehaul Singh (the hospital’s pathologist) would have performed the autopsy.” On Monday, Delicia’s mother, Donna Atkinson, spoke to the News Room and disputed the hospital’s claims. The woman told the news outlet that she had identified young Wailoo by a mark on the side of her mouth, and was also confused that the post mortem was done on Sharezer instead. Minister Lawrence and members of the board of the hospital have met with two of the three families of the deceased so far, and are expecting to meet with the third family soon. The personnel have all sought TURN TO PAGE

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 29, 2019

Funding for land preservation projects available

UNITED Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) Executive Secretary, Monique Barbut, has come against the notion that funding for developing countries to address degradation is out of reach. In fact, during a press conference on Monday, January 28, she explained that funding has always been available to countries which can present transformative projects with long-lasting impacts on communities. At the hosting of the Committee for the Review of the Implementation of the Convention (CRIC17) of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) in Guyana yesterday, Barbut spoke to media on the topic. She was part of the panel which included Minister of Agriculture of Grenada, Yolande Bain-Horsford, and Minister of State of Guyana, Joseph Harmon. Discrediting the thinking that funding to UNCCD member countries is inaccessible, she stated: “We are saying to the countries. If you want to go into a major exercise, we will finance for you the pre-feasibilities of those proj-

ects. For that, also, there is no discussion; we have the funding for the countries which are serious about going for those types of projects.” Those types of projects were what she referred to as “transformative projects” and had been taken on by countries such as China and India to the tune of $500M and more. “Nobody can say that the funding is not available. None of those transformative projects are yet to a stage that we are going for the funding outside,” Barbut said. “I have been, prior to [my present occupation] the Chief Executive Officer of the Global Environmental Facility, which is the largest funding mechanism of the world, and I’m going to tell you something which might be surprising to you. But, the lack of funding is never a problem; the problem is to get the right projects. If you have a good project, I can tell you that the funding is always available.” Barbut explained that what was important was for countries to be assisted with identifying and building projects which would help them acquire funding at a later stage.

United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) Executive Secretary Monique Barbut (Adrian Narine photo)

Providing an example, she noted that Burkina Faso in Africa had accessed funding for the transformation of 3,000 out of its 5,000 villages towards Eco-Villages. That would, in turn, restore two million hectares of degraded land and provide jobs to almost one million persons in the Region. “This project is going to be between $150M to $300M and I have no doubt that we will fundraise the project because it’s going to be done in a way that donors can expect to see a project,” the UNCCD Executive Secretary said, adding: “This is where we have

the biggest problem today. Many developing countries say there is no funding and I’m saying ‘no’. It’s that the projects that you’re presenting are not rightly presented to attract a donor. Our job is to help you to make that attractive enough.” One of the first criteria countries need to know is to be sure that there is “political willingness” in their country to complete the project. Another criterion includes the need for the projects to “go beyond survival”; meaning that they should not simply be for the survival of persons living in poor areas but should also create development and value to same in the Region. “And so, it is also very important to know what are the products that this community or country wants to produce and what type of market,” she stated. “[If you follow this] I can tell you that all the technical aspects can be dealt with.” Data from various UN agencies show that some two billion hectares of land is degraded globally, which amounts to some 30 per cent of the earth. Meanwhile, 169 of the world’s countries have declared that they are affected

by desertification, land degradation and/or drought. These statistics considered and through invited comments from the media, the panelists also spoke on the issues relating to land sustainability measures in Guyana, Grenada and on the global scale. Minister Bain-Horsford noted that Grenada recently undertook the setting up of the voluntary Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) targets, which it hopes to achieve by 2030. Those targets included increased productivity and fertility of 500 hectares of crop land; the transformation of 800 hectares of abandoned crop land into agro-forestry and the implementation of soil conservation measures on 120 hectares of land, among others. Meanwhile, Minister Harmon noted that Guyana was in the process of implementing a Sustainable Land Management Project which aimed to allocate land for specific use and reclaim land which was degraded. Such would address mining issues Harmon explained, adding: “For permissions to be granted for large-scale mining there has to be a plan

with that mining company – even before the licenses are granted – for how you will re-forest and deal with the degradation which takes place.” He also noted the hosting of the Partnership Initiative for Sustainable Land Management (PISLM) in Guyana, which dealt with the management of land and takes on a CARICOM approach. Those add to the recent eight wells drilled in the Rupununi region in collaboration with Brazil; the push for the ‘Green’ State Development Strategy (GSDS) and the maintenance of sea defenses to prevent the loss of land. Assessing those along with the progress of countries over the years, Barbut said: “When you have lost a specie, you have lost a specie. Land does not work like that. Land can be restored, everywhere, in every single country. And so, it is a subject of hope, it’s not just a subject of depression like many other subjects on the environment and, clearly, the more you restore land the better a number of things become.”

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 29, 2019

Cuban Embassy commemorates Jose Marti THE Cuban Embassy in Kingston, Georgetown, on Saturday, January 26, 2019, commemorated the father of Cuban independence, Jose Marti, who

is hailed as one of Latin America's most famous journalists. José Julián Martí Pérez (January 28, 1853 – May 19, 1895) was a Cuban poet,

essayist, journalist, translator, professor, and publisher, who is considered a national hero and an important figure in Latin American literature. At the event were Cuban

Cuba's Ambassador to Guyana, Narciso Reinaldo Armador Soeorro, lays a floral tribute at the José Martí Memorial inside the Cuban Embassy, while being flanked by GCSM President, Halim Khan, and special invitees

Ambassador of Cuba to Guyana making a presentation at the Embassy to a section of the gathering in honour of Jose Marti

residents, collaborators, embassy staff and President of the Guyana-Cuba Solidarity Movement (GCSM), Halim Khan. There was a video presentation on the life of José Martí, along with tributes. Cuba's Ambassador to Guyana, Narciso Reinaldo Armador Soeorro, in his presentation, noted that Jose Marti was known for his writings and political activity; he became a symbol of Cuba’s bid for independence against Spain in the 19th century, and is referred to as the Apostle of Cuban Independence. The envoy explained to the gathering that Jose Marti is a national hero and he was a man who died wanting the best for Cuba. GCSM President, Halim Khan, said Jose Marti was a very prominent journalist and probably one of the most famous and noticeable thinkers of Latin America. He added that Marti was also the father and the intellectual architect of the Cuban Independence

Movement. “Not only was he an intellectual, but he helped to raise a lot of money to put forward that cause, and through his journalism he presented a lot of his views….But in 1895, he went back to Cuba and led an insurrection against the Spanish government. He died on the battlefield and never got to see the fruits of his struggle,” Khan noted. Only three years later, Khan said the war of independence was won and Spain had lost its last colony. “He is the greatest Cuban hero of all time, and somebody who has influenced the thoughts of many on all sides of this issue. Marti is recognised and revered by all in Cuba,” the GCSM President said. Cubans around the world would have, yesterday (January 28, 2019), celebrated the 166th birth anniversary of José Martí.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 29, 2019

Fuel smuggling, violence among challenges facing Region 1 …as Venezuelans continue to cross over THE shortage of drugs and medical supplies, fuel smuggling, and violent threats are among the challenges facing Region One (Barima-Waini), as Venezuelans continue to cross over into Guyana. This was expressed by Brethnol Ashley, Regional Chairman of Region One, during a recent meeting with his Region Four (Demer-

because of Venezuela’s grave economic and political crisis, desperation was evident. “We have heard that there is a plan to hijack the ferry and this resulted in the ferry having to be escorted into here a few weeks ago, because there were reports that the Sindicatos were planning an attack,” the regional chairman contended. “For White Water there

Nicolas Maduro, broke off diplomatic ties with the United States, while several countries are now divided on their support of the socialist leader. Guyana, although concerned with Venezuela’s persistent territorial claim, continues to assist the Spanish-speaking migrants who have been fleeing the economic hardship in their country.

Regional Chairman of the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) Region One, Brethnol Ashley, addressing a number of stakeholders from both Regions One and Four, in relation to the Venezuelan migrant situation.

ara-Mahaica) counterparts. Pauline Lucas, Region Four Regional Executive Officer, led a team to the Barima-Waini Region to discuss avenues for collaboration, amid the influx of Venezuelan migrants. It was during that meeting that Ashley reportedly complained about the region’s lack of human resources and the continuous shortage of drugs and medical supplies, as a result of the increased number of Venezuelans seeking medical attention there. According to a press statement issued by the Region Four Regional Democratic Council (RDC) on Monday, January 28, 2019, Ashley expressed gratitude to the Region Four RDC for establishing the partnership, which would see the Region Four administration channelling some of its resources to help the people of Barima-Waini. He said that taking into account the increased challenges and difficulties that officials within his region were forced to confront, the support being offered by the RDC Region Four’s health sector was greatly appreciated. SECURITY PATROLS The Region One RDC chairman also used the platform to appeal to the government to step up security patrol at the borders, explaining that of recent there have been increasing threats. These threats, he warned, should be taken seriously by the country’ security forces. He said that the government and residents must recognise that

are 640 [residents], in the community of Imberto there are 74; there is also a new community on the radar called Black Water Barima with 40, Khan Hill has 101, Kamwatta has 65 while Yarakita has 64, so the numbers tell their own story that indeed there is an increase,” Ashley pointed out. FUEL SALE He contended that several of the Venezuelans were involved in the sale of illegal fuel – an act which was of major concern to the business community within the Coomaka area. He disclosed that the Coomacka community being a primary business hub will certainly will pose a number of problems. The RDC chairman stated that the RDC had constructed a living quarters for several of the migrants, and, with several activities taking pace there, both legal and illegal, he foresees various challenges there, adding that it would pose danger for not only the migrants but residents as well. Just last week President David Granger called on the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) to remain vigilant to protect the country from present and future dangers. He made the call at the GDF Annual Officers’ Conference on January 24, 2019, at the Baridi Benab at State House, where he reminded those present that Guyana subscribes to peaceful settlement of disputes and will never do anything to endanger international peace. In the last few days, Venezuela was plunged further into political crisis as its President

ILLEGAL ARMS “Incursions have occurred not only in our maritime space but also on land. Illegal mining, illegal logging, illegal arms, narcotics, people and wildlife trafficking and the smuggling of precious minerals have continued. They have to stop,” the President insisted. “Citizens have been killed. Communities, particularly those in our frontier villages, must be made safe from transnational crime… the force therefore is obligated to secure the state and safeguard the entire territory from invasion, incursion and insurrection. Incursions must be deterred. Insurrections must be suppressed. The State must remain secure,” Granger, who is also the Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces, said. JUNGLE PATROLS To the attending officers, the President urged that ground forces to continue to conduct “long-range jungle patrols” to the farthest corners of the country. “The GDF was never intended to be a ‘coastal’ force; it is, and will remain, a comprehensive national force. It must reach every corner of the country and must be competent in conducting long-range patrols, in any weather or terrain, by day and night and for long periods. Officers and soldiers who cannot go on long-range patrols, in any weather or terrain by day or by night, for long periods, have no place in the defence force,” he said firmly. As the GDF faces chal-

Regional Chairman of the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) Region One, Brethnol Ashley poses with REOs Randy Storm and Pauline Lucas, along with other senior officials of Regions One and Four, representing various agencies and departments.

lenges such as a small-sized economy; porous borders and limited physical infrastructure, the President said that the government will continue to lend its assistance. Budgetary allocations to the GDF have increased by over 75 per cent from $8.0B in 2014 to G$14.02B in 2019. These funds will result in improve-

ments to the force’s physical infrastructure; the acquisition of drones for border surveillance and additional in-shore patrol vessels, engineering and transport equipment. Meanwhile, the President highlighted that in 2018, the Air Corps’ fleet was improved with the acquisition of light reconnais-

sance aircraft, while light transport aircraft are to be procured this year. In addition, the force’s technical corps is being improved; the Intelligence Corps and the Signal Corps have been reformed and the Engineer Corps has received equipment to enhance the force’s agility.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 29, 2019

Aishalton women producing homemade soaps THE Women’s Association of Aishalton Village, Deep South Rupununi, is now producing their own homemade soaps, using organic materials presently available in their village. According to a release from the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Owen DeSouza of DeSouza Estate Establishment in Linden, imparted his knowledge to the women folk at the village recently.

They were taught the process of producing a variety of Soaps using their homegrown fruits, vegetables, legumes, lemons, coconuts among other materials. Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Valerie Garrido-Lowe, was present during the recent ministerial outreach when DeSouza taught the women. Immacaulata Casimero, the Chairperson of the Aishalton Women’s Associ-

ation, said the women were elated following the learning process and she noted that they were empowered to becoming independent and potentially outstanding soap producers. “Having so much raw materials in my village, there’s so much that can be done with it because we have never learnt, but because minister is here and she brought Mr. DeSouza, it’s something that is good and a great initiative that we

A group of women who participated in the event

Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Valerie Garrido-Lowe stands alongside villagers who participated in the project

can start in our community, where we can have women having an income for their own selves. I look forward to trying it on my own with my women’s group and we can start and see how we can make soap,” Casimero assured. DeSouza said he was pleased with the overwhelming response from the women and the general village population, who turned out in their numbers to take on this challenge and share in the experience. “Aishalton has so much raw materials, it’s amazing that the people are so rich in raw materials and the soil is so fertile, they have so much fruits and food on the whole. I would like to give back to the community by teaching them to make soaps and other products. They have lemon and that is a big product, and I already taught them to make lemon oil and lemon soap,” DeSouza said. Speaking of opportunities available, DeSouza noted that “Aishalton is a promising place with potential and it only needs the people to exploit their resources to ensure a sustainable livelihood”. He was also surprised by

the women who experimented with their own creations and who were able to present mango soaps to him after the training session. DeSouza thanked Minister Garrido-Lowe for making his visit possible, and for her unwavering commitment to indigenous peoples’ development, especially women, children and youth. DeSouza’s Establishment produces several “Sensational Skin Care Oils” and Creams using organic materials such as fruits, vegetables, coconut among others. Meanwhile, Minister Garrido-Lowe said she was pleased to be able to create avenues for economic empowerment of the women, who will in turn be able to provide for their families and bring the good life promised by the caring David Granger-led coalition government. “This is what this government is doing for you, sharing knowledge with you so that you in turn can use your knowledge to uplift your standard of living, which means you can make money out of the knowledge that you have gained,” she said. Similar exercises are planned for

other villages in the respective regions. Since taking up her ministerial portfolio, Minister Garrido-Lowe has embarked on a journey towards bringing about positive changes in the lives of the nation’s indigenous youth and women, making them independent, which is proving to be life-changing, the ministry said. One week prior to the Aishalton event, several youths from Mora, a satellite village of Santa Rosa, in the Moruca sub-region, benefitted from training in leather work through the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs HEYS Department, where they learned to make shoulder bags, purses, wallets and male pouches. They plan to have their first sale on Republic Day at the Kumaka Waterfront where Market Day is held every Saturday, the ministry said. This commitment by the minister will ensure more youths become independent and move towards leading productive and rewarding lives, the government agency noted.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 29, 2019

Potable water for Durban Backlands squatters

THE inconvenience of joining a line to access water and fetching it for long distances will soon be a thing of the past for over 2500 residents of Durban Backlands squatting area, with the help of the Guyana Water Inc. (GWI) This was realised on Friday during a walk-through in the community by GWI’s Managing Director, Dr. Richard Van-West Charles on the request of village representative, Kyle Solomon. In a release to the media, it was noted that the squatting area, located behind the Chinese Embassy on Mandela Avenue, sees residents currently accessing water from limited makeshift standpipes and the East Demerara Water Conservancy. While regularisation is yet to be done, Dr. Van-West Charles, accompanied by Mr.

to assist with the construction of sanitary blocks and septic tanks, in order to employ the correct method of human waste disposal. Later that day, a GWI technical team returned to map out the area and determine where lines are to be laid and standpipes are to be erected. The following day a community meeting was hosted with residents to inform them of the list of works to be undertaken, which is set to commence on Thursday this week with the clearing of lands. The release stated that following this, the team will move to strategically erect a total of 24 stand pipes along the village tracks while some adjustments will be made to a few property boundaries to facilitate the project. During the initiative, Solomon thanked

The makeshift pipes in the area

Solomon, Dr. Astell Collins of the Ministry of the Presidency and other GWI officials, assessed the water concerns of the area. Dr. VanWest Charles advised the residents against tampering with GWI’s infrastructure, noting that such actions are illegal and can cause contamination in the pipeline. However, he encouraged: “Once we proceed and we begin to layout, then we can move to the stage where you become customers because you’ll have addresses and we can arrange for you to have access into where you live. However, when that occurs you have to commence paying.” The managing director also advised residents to desist from constructing their sanitary facilities on the boundary of the conservancy. He said that GWI’s sanitation department will be contacted

the GWI Managing Director; Dr. Collins and the GWI technical team for promptly fulfilling their request and working to relieve their prolonged burden of having to fetch water from far distances. Many of the other residents also expressed their gratitude to have access to potable, running water for the first time. “I feel happy because I have five children and I does use the water from the ‘blacka’ so they get ringworm. So I’m carrying them to get treatment and sometimes I throw bleach but when I ain’t get money to buy bleach, it raise up back again. So I grateful and happy,” one resident, Tamika Stephen said. Another resident living in the area for over seven years, Ziggy London, said: “I live here a long time, I fetch so much water till my hand corn up so I really glad for

the water and I like wear white clothes. I like at the back here and I glad they start put interest in the community.” GWI noted that it stands committed to ensuring all residents gain equal access to potable water throughout Guyana.

GWI’s Managing Director, Dr. Richard Van-West Charles (first right) and Dr. Astell Collins (second right) meet with residents of the Durban Backlands squatting area

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 29, 2019

CARIFORUM to host Regional workshop on revised effective platforms for dialogue

THE Caribbean Forum of the Group of African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) States (CARIFORUM) is hosting a consultation to continue the development of a framework for

an effective platform for structured and continuous dialogue between CARIFORUM and French Caribbean Outermost Regions (FCORs) and British and Dutch Overseas Countries

and Territories (OCTs). The consultation will be at the Radisson Barbados from today, the CARICOM Secretariat said in a release. Representatives of CARIFORUM States, Regional

Institutions, FCORs, as well as representatives of OCTs, the CARICOM Secretariat and CARIFORUM, will attend the forum. Director General of CARIFORUM, Mr. Percival Marie, a rep-

resentative of the European Union Delegation in Barbados and a representative of the Government of Barbados, are expected to speak at the opening of the forum on Tuesday morning. Recommendations for a dialogue framework at the political and technical levels were developed through a consultancy and first presented at a Regional Consultation in Barbados, 11 -12 April, 2018. However, officials did not agree to the recommended platform, but rather recommended its revision with focus on specific elements for deepening cooperation and collaboration. The areas included Human and Social Development; Trade and Investment; Disaster Risk Management; and Crime and Security. Participants of the upcoming forum will review the new report and discuss its recommendations. At the end, it is hoped that there will be an agreed mechanism for deeper and more effective cooperation and collaboration among CARIFORUM, OCTs and FCORs. This feedback will enable the consultant to revise and finalise the report. A twoday Regional Workshop on the Monitoring Framework

for the Implementation of the Caribbean Regional Indicative Programme (CRIP) will follow the consultation. The workshop will be held at the same venue. There will be approximately 30 participants from Regional Implementing Agencies of EDF Caribbean Regional Indicative Programme. The training targets personnel with responsibility for reporting to the CARIFORUM Directorate and the CARICOM Secretariat on the EDF programmes. Its purpose is to introduce stakeholders to the EDF Monitoring Framework for the CRIP. The aim is also to build the capacity of stakeholders to use the EDF CRIP Monitoring, Evaluation, Reporting (M,E&R) tools; and finalise EDF CRIP Monitoring Framework and associated tools for use by stakeholders. The consultation and EDF monitoring workshop are being funded under the 10th EDF Regional Indicative Programme through a dedicated Technical Cooperation Facility (TCF) which, in part, aims to strengthen cooperation among CARIFORUM States, the FCORs and Caribbean OCTs.

Conductor in court for allegedly assaulting policeman

A 27-year-old minibus conductor, on Monday, January 28, 2019, found himself before the magistrate at the Georgetown Magistratesâ€™ Court, for assaulting a traffic officer. Damion Thornhill, of South Vryheid Lust, East Coast Demerara, made his appearance before Acting Chief Magistrate, Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus, and pleaded not guilty to the charge. Particulars of the charge alleged that, on January 28, 2019, at the Route 42 Minibus Park, Georgetown, Thornhill assaulted Police

Constable Krishanand, who was executing his duties. With no objection raised by Police Prosecutor Quinn Harris, Thornhill was released on $10,000 bail. The matter was adjourned until February11, 2019. In 2017, Thornhill, while operating a Route 44 minibus, was charged for assaulting a traffic officer. He was taken before Magistrate Zamilla Ally-Seepaul, at the Sparendaam Magistrateâ€™s Court. He was found guilty and fined. His licence was also suspended.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 29, 2019

Special prosecutor named for murder trial of elderly man

Dead: Deonarine aka ‘Russian’

THE Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has granted Attorney-at-Law, Bernard DaSliva, a fiat to prosecute the case of Radha Sukwah, who was charged for unlawfully killing her elderly lover. Forty-six-year-old Sukwah made another appearance before Magistrate Ester Sam at the Charity Magistrate’s Court on Monday, January 28, 2019. While in court, DaSliva told the magistrate that he was granted a fiat and would be prosecuting the matter on the State’s behalf during the preliminary inquiry. The magistrate adjourned the matter until March 5, 2019. Sukwah was charged for unlawfully killing 73-yearold Deonarine, aka ‘Russian’, on August 3, 2018, at Grant Lower Pomeroon River. She is currently out on $400,000 bail for the manslaughter charge. According to reports, on August 3, 2018, at around 20:00hours, Sukwah and Deonarine had a heated argument after he accused her of FROM PAGE

Radha Sukwah

being unfaithful to him. Sukwah had told the police that the deceased pulled a knife on her as they scuffled. She claimed that the deceased had a gun and during the scuffle, she pulled the trigger and shot the elderly man to the left of his abdomen. The elderly man died on his way to the Oscar Joseph Hospital at Charity. However, when Sukwah was initially questioned by investigators, the woman told the police that she and Deonarine were attacked by a masked man who was armed with a gun and a knife. She stated, at the time, that she held on to both weapons during the ordeal and later she heard a gunshot. The investigators did not believe her story, since she kept giving different versions of the incident while being questioned. A post-mortem examination confirmed that Deonarine died as a result of shock and hemorrhage due to the gunshot injury he sustained.

‘All-round’ ... to express their sincerest condolences. “As part of the administration of the GPHC, I’d like to say that this is an incident which should never have happened,” Lewis underscored. While he acknowledged that it was a grave issue, he also shared that consideration must be given to the healthcare professionals who were involved in treating the children and the trauma they too were experiencing. “They are traumatised and we must always remember that healthcare profes-

sionals are there to help people; to try to make them better, and they never set out to, in any way, harm the patients. The fact that this has happened while they were attempting to help the patients’ to make them better, they are deeply traumatised,” he said. Further, he stressed: “We continue to examine our systems, our protocols, our standing operation procedures to determine exactly why this occurred and to ensure that we do whatsoever is necessary to prevent a recurrence in the future.”

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 29, 2019

26 26

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 29, 2019

Advertise in Guyana Chronicle Classified Ads. For All Your Classified and Space Ads. Call 225-4475.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 29, 2019

FROM BACK PAGE

Windies must be ready for Kohli farewells New England fightback - Richard Pybus Zealand as India take unbeatable 3-0 lead By George Dobell in Barbados

(REUTERS) Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma forged a century-plus partnership as India beat New Zealand by seven wickets in the third onedayer on Monday to take an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match series and signal their preparedness for this year’s World Cup. Sharma (62) combined with captain Kohli (60) in a 113-run partnership to set up their successful chase before Ambati Rayudu (40) completed the formalities with Dinesh Karthik, who was 38 not out, as India romped home with seven overs to spare. New Zealand were earlier dismissed for 243 from 49 overs, their third successive failure to last full 50 movers. India have effortless outplayed New Zealand in every match so far and are unlikely to miss Kohli, who is now being rested for the last two ODIs and all three Twenty20 matches. While New Zealand managed to negate the leftarm wrist spin of Kuldeep Yadav for the first time and keep him wicketless, the pace trio of Mohammed Shami, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and the recalled Hardik Pandya shared seven wickets among them to deny them a big total. New Zealand’s innings was well below par on a pitch that had slowed since the second game on Saturday with Ross Taylor (93) and Tom Latham (51) combining for 119 runs in the hosts’ only substantial partnership in the series so far. The failure of openers Martin Guptill (13) and Colin Munro (7) to again give New Zealand a decent start will no doubt be the biggest concern for coach Gary Stead with the World Cup in England just four months away. Guptill has scored just 299 runs in 11 games since last January, but 235 of those runs have come from three innings. Munro has accumulated 265 runs from 14 innings and been dismissed in single figures seven times.

Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma both registered half-centuries in a 113-run stand.

Batting together, they have averaged just 23.44 for the first wicket in the same period and on Monday combined for just 10 runs before Munro was caught at slip by Sharma off Shami. Guptill followed him 16 runs later when wicketkeeper Karthik snaffled a lazy attempt at a drive from a Kumar delivery to leave New Zealand 26-2 in the seventh over and under early pressure they never really recovered from.

An airborne Pandya took a spectacular catch at midwicket to dismiss Kane Williamson for 28 and finished with figures of 2-45 on his return to the side. Pandya and team mate KL Rahul, who were suspended by the Indian board earlier this month for making controversial comments about women, had their bans lifted last week. The fourth match is at Seddon Park in Hamilton on Thursday.

SCOREBOARD NEW ZEALAND Innings Martin Guptill c Dinesh Karthik b Bhuvneshwar Kumar 13 Colin Munro c Rohit Sharma b Mohammed Shami 7 Kane Williamson c Hardik Pandya b Yuzvendra Chahal 28 Ross Taylor c Dinesh Karthik b Mohammed Shami 93 Tom Latham c Ambati Rayudu b Yuzvendra Chahal 51 Henry Nicholls c Dinesh Karthik b Hardik Pandya 6 Mitchell Santner c Dinesh Karthik b Hardik Pandya 3 Doug Bracewell Run Out Virat Kohli 15 Ish Sodhi c Virat Kohli b Mohammed Shami 12 Trent Boult c Mohammed Shami b Bhuvneshwar Kumar 2 Lockie Ferguson Not Out 2 Extras: 0b 4lb 0nb 0pen 7w 11 Total: (49.0 overs) 243 all out Fall of Wickets: 1-10 Munro, 2-26 Guptill, 3-59 Williamson, 4-178 Latham, 5-191 Nicholls, 6-198 Santner, 7-222 Taylor, 8-239 Sodhi, 9-239 Bracewell, 10-243 Boult Bowling: Bhuvneshwar Kumar 10-1-46- 2 ( 1w), Mohammed Shami 9-0-41-3 (1w), Yuzvendra Chahal 9- 0- 51-2, Hardik Pandya 10-0-45-2 (4w), Kuldeep Yadav 8- 0- 39-0, Kedar Jadhav 3-0-17-0 (1w). ....................................................... INDIA Innings Rohit Sharma st Tom Latham b Mitchell Santner 62 Shikhar Dhawan c Ross Taylor b Trent Boult 28 Virat Kohli c Henry Nicholls b Trent Boult 60 Ambati Rayudu Not Out 40 Dinesh Karthik Not Out 38 Extras: 1b 0lb 0nb 0pen 16w 17 Total: (43.0 overs) 245-3 Fall of Wickets : 1-39 Dhawan, 2-152 Sharma, 3-168 Kohli Did Not Bat : Jadhav, Pandya, Kumar, Yadav, Shami, Chahal Bowling:Trent Boult 10-1-40-2, Doug Bracewell 6-0-49-0 (2w), Lockie Ferguson 10-1-57-0 (4w), Mitchell Santner 10-0-45-1, Ish Sodhi 7-0-53-0 ( 2w).

RICHARD PYBUS has urged his West Indies team to “keep their feet on the floor” after a thumping victory over England in Barbados. West Indies defied the Test rankings to inflict a 381-run win over England. But while Pybus, the interim head coach, was full of praise for the performance, he has warned his team that England will attempt to hit back in Antigua, location of the second Test starting on Thursday. “One swallow does not make a summer,” Pybus said. “Is it my job to keep their feet on the floor? Absolutely. We have our goals for the series and we have ticked off the first Test. But England will be hurting. They are a quality side

and I have huge respect for them. They will come back at us in Antigua. Our game has to be at the highest level for them.” Pybus was particularly full of praise for Roston Chase, who claimed eight wickets in England’s second-innings, and Jason Holder, the captain, but pointed out that the overall bowling performance built pressure upon the England side. “Chase was wonderful,” he said. “Roston bowled exceptionally well. His control was good, he set good fields and exerted a huge amount of pressure throughout the game with his consistency. “But I think the pressure created by the bowing unit was great, which is what happens when you have four good quick bowlers. As a unit they complemented each other. Roston bowled well but

when you have pressure at both ends it is pretty tough for the batters. Pybus added that West Indies’ complete performance was down to the leadership of Holder, whom he described as “incredible”. Holder produced with bat, ball and in the field, lifting him to No. 1 in the ICC’s allrounder rankings. “We delivered on a gameplan with precision,” Pybus said. “The team kept their cool and did what we have looked to do strategically. That is all credit to Jason. He is a calm and composed guy. It is one thing to lead strategically, it is another to lead with performance. There were many special performances but his was exceptional. It was just an incredible performance.”(ESPN Cricinfo)

GRFU name ‘Green Machine’ squad for RAN 15’s Southern Championships Qualifiers THE Green Machine, Guyana’s National Rugby team and the Cayman Islands will play each other for the Rugby Americas North (RAN) 15’s title in Georgetown on February 9, and as such, after weeks of training, the selectors have named 23 players with the aim of bringing the trophy to the Land of Many Waters. Jamal Angus was named as captain of the Kenneth American Racing Tips Mahoning Valley Race 1 Cowtown Home Race 2 Still Thirsty Race 3 Lunar Heat Race 4 Meadowlee’s Afleet Race 5 John Paul Please Race 6 Catchumdenae Race 7 Alycar Flash Race 8 Bronk Race 9 Mt Haynesfield South Africa Racing Tips Vaal 08:35 hrs Scoop 09:10 hrs Nautic Spirit 09:45 hrs Defy Gravity 10:20 hrs Flying Fable 10:55 hrs Jubilee Line 11:30 hrs Over Sharing

Grant-Stuart-coached unit which will also include two new players in David Garnett and Glenroy Poole. Selwyn Henry, James Osborne and Jamal Darrell, who made their 15’s debut in Colombia last year, all retained their places in the team. Selected players are: Jason Tyrell, Rondel Mc Arthur, Walter George, Richard Staglon, James Osborne, Joseph Rahaman, Vallon Adams, Selwyn Henry, Jamal

Lingfield 09:30 hrs Burren Walk 10:05 hrs Destinee Royale 10:40 hrs Top And Drop 11:15 hrs Hollywood Ken 11;45 hrs Le Capricieux 12:15 hrs Newlands Cross English Racing Tips Newcastle 09:20 hrs Iconic Belle 09:55 hrs Nestor Park 10:30 hrs Rock On Fruity 11:05 hrs Petite Ganache 11:35 hrs Mumgos Debut 12:05 hrs Rouge Vif

FROM BACK PAGE

Augus (Captain), Godrey Broomes, Cloyd Prowell, Osei McKenzie, David Garnett, Glenroy Poole, Lancelot Adonis, Jamal Darrell, Kevin David, Sean Phillips, Ryan Dey, Phibain Joseph, Ryan Gonsalves, Ronald Mayers and Grantly Adams. Coaching staff are: Kenneth Grant-Stuart (Head Coach), Solomon Austin (Manager) and Barrington Brown (Physiotherapist).

Irish Racing Tips Down Royal 09:10 hrs Peacocks Secret 09:40 hrs Allduckornodinner 10:15 hrs Freeway Space 10:50 hrs Black Tears 11:25 hrs Presented Well 11:55 hrs Latoyah Of North 12:25 hrs Golden Spread Wolverhampton 12:35 hrs Amor Fati 13:10 hrs Dark Alliance 13:45 hrs Foreign Legion 14:15 hrs Santafiora 14:45 hrs Isle Of Avalon 15:15 hrs James Street 15:45 hrs Acclaim The Nation 16:15 hrs American Graffiti

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 29, 2019

Chelsea to face Manchester United in FA Cup fifth round (REUTERS) - Holders Chelsea have been drawn to face Manchester United in the FA Cup fifth round, a repeat of last year’s final. With Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool already out of the competition, Monday’s draw means that, at most, only two of the top six will progress to the quarter-finals. Chelsea won last year’s final at Wembley 1-0 thanks to an Eden Hazard penalty. Giant-killers Newport County, who play in League Two (fourth tier), could face Premier League champions Manchester City if they

can win their replay against Middlesbrough. Newport, who have already knocked out top-flight Leicester City, drew 1-1 at Middlesbrough on Saturday and host the replay on Feb. 5. Doncaster Rovers, who play in League One (third tier) and are in the fifth round for the first time in 63 years, will host Premier League Crystal Palace. League One AFC Wimbledon, who knocked out top-flight West Ham United, take on Championship (second-tier) Millwall, who eliminated Everton in the fourth round.

Soccer Football - FA Cup Final - Chelsea vs Manchester United - Wembley Stadium, London, Britain - May 19, 2018 Chelsea celebrate winning the final with the trophy REUTERS/David Klein/File Photo

Sala’s former Nantes PCB ‘disappointed’ teammates will by ICC decision to struggle to keep focus, suspend Sarfraz admits coach

Former Nantes player Emiliano Sala

(REUTERS) - Emotions will run high when Nantes take on Saint-Etienne in Ligue 1 on Wednesday in what will be their first game since former team mate Emiliano Sala went missing, but the Canaries will focus on the job, coach Vahid Halilhodzic said on Monday. Argentine striker Sala, who had just joined Cardiff City from Nantes, has been missing since the plane he was travelling in disappeared over the English Channel last Monday. A three-day search for the forward and pilot David Ibbotson ended last Thursday after rescuers said there was little chance anyone aboard the single-engine aircraft had survived.

“You need some character to go through this month of January. That is why I have asked for a sacred union, so that the club emerges stronger,” Halilhodzic told a news conference. The club’s official Twitter account is now carrying the #PlayForSala hashtag, replacing the #PrayForSala hashtag that was posted last week. “The fans are expecting us to fight and win. Of course it will be emotional. We will have to channel our emotions and focus solely on the sporting aspect,” Halilhodzic added. Nantes are 15th in the standings on 23 points, five points above the relegation zone.

(REUTERS) - The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has said it views the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) decision to suspend its captain Sarfraz Ahmed for breaching its anti-racism code with the “utmost disappointment”. Sarfraz was banned for four matches for comments he made in the second one-day international against South Africa in Durban. His on-field taunt in Urdu was caught by stump microphones but he denied it was aimed at all-rounder Andile Phehlukwayo or anyone else

in an apology he issued last week. “The PCB notes the ICC decision on Sarfraz Ahmed with its utmost disappointment,” the national governing body said in a statement on its website here “PCB had anticipated that the matter had been resolved amicably between the two players and the two Boards following Sarfraz Ahmed’s public apologies which were accepted by the player, the Board and South Africa cricket team.” The PCB reiterated its zero-tolerance approach to racism but said it would

Pakistan captain and wicketkeeper Sarfraz Ahmed.

pursue the matter to reform the code and promote “amicable resolutions to issues” instead of penalising players. Wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan replaced Sarfraz for the rest of the tour while Shoaib Malik

was appointed captain for the remainder of the oneday international series and three T20 internationals. The final ODI will be played on Wednesday in Cape Town with the series tied at 2-2.

‘Age is no obstacle’: Egyptian swimmer still a champion at 76 CAIRO (Reuters) - If dedication alone was a passport to glory, 76-year-old Egyptian swimmer Nagwa Yousef Ghorab would have won capfuls of medals by now. She first took to the pool at age four and became her country’s under-16 backstroke and freestyle champion at 14. She had to stop competing domestically at 18 because Egypt at that time ran no championships for adult swimmers - but she kept on

training through the decades. “I am proving to you and to everyone that age is no obstacle if you have the will, and if you have positivity in life,” Ghorab told Reuters. Adult competition finally resumed in Egypt in 2005, and she reached the international podium for the first time ten years later, winning two bronze medals at an event in Russia. “It had been inside me for 60 years, waiting to be released,” she said. “...I wanted to excel at an

international level. I did not want anyone to beat me. After all, I was competing in the name of my country.” Now in training for a championship in South Korea, her coach, Haytham Sabry, says she has the heart of a 20-year-old. “She is determined when it’s cold and when it’s hot. She still shows up every day to train. There is no championship that she does not wish to participate in,” he said.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 29, 2019

Lewis slams hundred but Gayle‘s struggles continue CHATTOGRAM, Bangladesh, (CMC) – Left-hander Evin Lewis lashed a spectacular unbeaten hundred to end his barren run as his Comilla Victorians thrashed West Indies teammate Carlos Brathwaite’s Khulna Titans by 80 runs in the Bangladesh Premier League here Monday. Sent in at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, Victorians piled up an imposing 237 for five off their 20 overs, with Lewis finishing on 109 not out off 49 balls, to mark his fourth T20 century. Imrul Kayes chipped in with 39 while Shamsur Rahman got 28 and opener Tamim Iqbal, 25, but it was Lewis who took centre stage in an innings laced with five fours and 10 sixes. In reply, Brathwaite struck 22 off 13 deliveries and opener Brendan Taylor

top-scored with 50 off 33 balls but Titans limped to 157 all out with seven balls left in the innings. Pakistani seamer Wahab Riaz, who plies his trade in the Caribbean Premier League for Barbados Tridents, bowled brilliantly to take three for 14 while fellow countryman and veteran leg-spinner, Shahid Afridi, ended with three for 27. Lewis, who had managed only 79 runs from his four previous innings, returned to form in style, adding 58 for the first wicket with Tamim and a further 97 for the third with Imrul. When three wickets tumbled for 23 runs in the space of 10 balls, Lewis put on a vital 59 in an unbroken sixth wicket stand with Shamsur. Lewis spent 31 deliveries over his first fifty before

Deonarine star in DCC five-wicket win

Romeo Deonarine

A fine all-round display from 12-year-old Romeo Deonarain helped the Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) to crush Transport Sports Club (TSC) by five wickets in a feature Under-15, 30-over game played under lights last Friday at the home of legends-- DCC, Queenstown. TSC won the toss and

chose to bat first in lovely condition for cricket. R Latif and A Mohabir opened the batting for the visitors and put on a partnership of 26 before Mohabir went for seven. Deonarain was then introduced into the attack and spun webs around the TSC batsmen with only Latif offering any resistance with a fighting 29. TSC eventually made 82 all out in the final over. Deonarain finished with 4-10 off five overs. He got support from K. Caesar and S. Walters with two wickets apiece. In reply, DCC lost three quick wickets before Deonarine and national junior table tennis star, Jonathan Van Lange, took their team close to victory with good batting and sensible running between the wickets. Van Lange eventually went for 21. In came the aggressive J. Camphell who scored a rapid 18. Deonarain retired for a solid 17. Representatives from both teams thanked the organisers, DCC and GFSCA, for the opportunity for the players as they prepare for the Inter County Under-15 tournament which is to be contested shortly.

Evin Lewis hit five fours and ten sixes in his innings Raton Gomes/BCB

racing to three figures off just another 16 balls, reach-

ing his landmark in the final over with a six over long on

off new-ball seamer Mohammad Saddam. In reply, Taylor struck five fours and a six to get Titans off to a grand start, in a 55-run opening stand off 33 balls with Junaid Siddique (27). But Afridi sliced through the top order to reduce the innings to 116 for four in the 13th over before Brathwaite resisted with a four and a couple of sixes in a cameo knock. Once Brathwaite holed out in the off-side off seamer Thisara Perera, however, Titans lost their last six wickets for 14 runs in a rapid collapse. In the other game, Chris Gayle continued to struggle but South African AB de Villiers produced a stunning 50-ball unbeaten 100 to fire Rangpur Riders to a thrilling eight wicket over the star-studded Dhaka Dy-

namites. Chasing a challenging 187, Riders were slumping at five for two in the second over, with Gayle removed by a combination of his West Indies teammates – caught at mid-on by Sunil Narine off seamer Andre Russell. But de Villiers – who smacked eight fours and six sixes – and England’s Alex Hales, who blasted 85 not out from 53 balls, put on an astonishing 184 for the second wicket to put Riders over the line. Russell finished with two for 30 while off-spinner Narine went wicket-less from his four overs which cost 45 runs. West Indies limited overs star Kieron Pollard had earlier struck 37 from 23 balls while Narine added 28 as Dynamites, opting to bat first, reached 186 for six off their 20 overs.

Anna Regina ‘A’ through to Ramballi /Mahadeo final A solid opening stand between national Under -15 batsman Sheldon Charles and Kamesh Lall rallied Anna Regina Secondary ‘A’ to a convincing 66 run victory against Aurora Secondary last Saturday at the Imam Bacchus ground in Affiance on the Essequibo Coast. After being inserted by the opposition, Anna Regina Secondary ‘A’ was indebted to the openers. They played superbly punishing the loose deliveries as well as rotating the strike nicely. Charles in particular was fluent while Lall was more adventurous

in his stroke play. The pair put together 91 runs from 18 overs before lall went for 46 including 8x4. Charles was then able to reach his third half century of the competition striking 55 before he was dismissed. Anna Regina Secondary eventually was all-out for 158 in 27 overs. Off-spinner Orin Gibson bowled accurately and bagged 3-15 from 6 overs. There were also 2 wickets each for Sachin Dadolall, Rodney Sampson and Rafeek Mohamed. In response, Aurora Secondary was led by a fighting 28 from Orin

Gibson who showed some promise. However he didn’t receive the support from the other batsmen as only Christopher Rapheal with 12 being the only other batsman to reach double figures. Aurora Secondary wilted under pressure and was allout for 92 in 23 overs. Penetrative off-spin from Avinash Persaud who claimed 3-12 along with Gomesh Paul 2-2 and Dreshawn Phillips 2-18 ensure that Anna Regina ‘A’ are through to the final after playing unbeaten in the competition. They will now battle their fellow class mates

Anna Regina ‘B’ in the final to be contested on Saturday at the Imam Bacchus ground from 11:00 am. Among the guests expected to grace the event includes the Regional Chairman Devanand Ramdatt, Co-Sponsors Mr. Yog Mahadeo and Mr. Harrischan Ramballi, ECB Secretary Autto Christiani and Managing Director of Imam Bacchus Group of Companies Mr. Sam Bacchus. Trophies and other prizes will be presented as well the selection of a team that will compete against their counterparts from Berbice. (Elroy Stephney).

KMTC Phagwah race meet now tentatively set for March 17 THE Kennard Memorial Turf Club (KMTC) has decided against hosting its annual Phagwah horse race meet on March 24, and have tentatively set March 17 as the new date. This new development follows the confusion surrounding the March 24 horse race meeting, which will clash with the Jumbo Jet Thoroughbred Racing Committee’s (JJTRC) second leg

of the Triple Crown meet. However, president of the KMTC, Justice Cecil Kennard, told Chronicle Sport yesterday that, while the club and JJTRC boss, Nasrudeen Mohamed Jr., have agreed on a way forward following the discussion on Sunday evening, his club decided to make the shift in the best interest of horse racing locally. “Our race meet is over 40

years now but, as I said, we decided the meet will “more than likely” be staged a week prior to March 24. We at the club always and will continue to have the interest of sport first,” Kennard said. Kennard further said that he has made a proposal to the JJTRC for the second leg of the JJTRC Triple Crown event to be staged at the Bush Lotbased Club on the Coren-

Justice Cecil Kennard

tyne rather than the original venue-- the Rising Sun Turf Club. A decision is expected to be made shortly by the Committee.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 29, 2019

Ashes squad likely to be named quite late, says Langer AUSTRALIA are set to leave it late before naming their Ashes squad with the A-team tour of England shaping as a trial for those vying for places. The latter half of the Sheffield Shield season, which will be played using Dukes balls, also shapes a vital part of Australia’s planning as they aim for a first away Ashes victory since 2001. Though the series is still six months away, Australia have just one more Test – on Friday in Canberra - before facing England from the start of August. Following the Sri Lanka series, attention will be firmly on the white-ball with the World Cup on the horizon, but such has been Austra-

lia’s problems in England over the last 18 years that they want to give players as much chance as possible to be ready. The squads for 2013 and 2015 Ashes series were named well in advance - four years ago there were joint squads announced at the end of March for the West Indies and England tours - but, despite the comprehensive victory in Brisbane against Sri Lanka, there remains uncertainty around the Test side while there is also the challenge of reintegrating Steven Smith and David Warner. If all goes to plan, the banned pair will have made their comebacks for the World Cup despite their recent injuries but the Ashes

will be the first Test series they would be involved in since the ball-tampering scandal in South Africa. Smith and Warner would move into red-ball mode when Australia’s World Cup campaign ends, but for a significant collection of fringe players the A-tour, which will run concurrently with the tournament, will be a chance to earn selection. “We probably won’t pick the final Ashes squad until quite late,” coach Justin Langer said. “I hope I’m not talking out of school with the other selectors, but I can’t see us picking it before the Australian A tour for example. Maybe halfway through or three quarters of the way through. It will be a real-

Justin Langer hands Jhye Richardson his baggy green (Getty Images)

ly good opportunity for the guys who are picked for Australia A while the World Cup is on, to put their hand up.” Kurtis Patterson, who made his debut in Brisbane, and Will Pucovski, who narrowly missed out, could well feature on the A tour to gain experience in English conditions as could the likes of Marcus Harris and Marnus Labuschagne, who won’t be part of the World Cup squad. There will also be players featuring in county cricket; Cameron Bancroft

(Durham), Glenn Maxwell and Joe Burns (both Lancashire) already have deals with the potential for more to look for pre-Ashes stint However, away from the batting, which remains Australia’s obvious weakness, there are also questions to be answered over the make-up of the bowling attack with previous Ashes tours showing that it isn’t always the tallest, fastest bowlers which are best suited in England. Outside of the main three who are certain to tour, Jhye Richardson has booked his

ticket while Peter Siddle has been around the Test squad all season. Other names in the frame are Chris Tremain, Dan Worrall and James Pattinson with that trio fitness permitting - having the end-of-season Sheffield Shield season matches to impress with the Dukes ball that will be used in England, which also shapes as a chance for batsmen to shine against the brand of ball that has caused Australians so many problems. (ESPN Cricinfo)

Adams century leads Everest to victory against Diplomats in 40-over cricket

A DOMINANT opening partnership of 172 runs between left-handers, Dwayne Adams and Manjrekar Bhola, propelled Everest Cricket Club to an emphatic victory against the Diplomats Sports Club in the GCA New Building Society (NBS) 40-over second-division competition on Sunday

last at the Everest ground. Adams was extremely aggressive, as he belted 10 fours and eight huge sixes, one of which almost cleared Carifesta Avenue, for a top score of 128. The hard-hitting by the 31-year-old pushed the home team to 263-2 in 33 overs in a rain-reduced fixture. Diplo-

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Tuesday January 29, 2019) COMPLIMENTS OF THE TROPHY STALL Bourda Market & The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & Cummings Electrical Company Ltd. 83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) Answers to Tuesday’s quiz: (1) 27 players (2) 291 (vs England, The Oval, 1976) Today’s Quiz: (1) In the recent WI/ENG Test, which WI player had contested most Tests to date? (2) What was Shiv Chanderpaul's score in his first Test innings? Answer in tomorrow's issue

mats were set a revised target of 168 in 33 overs but fell for 120 with 11 balls to spare. Adams’s highest score in this format of the game proved an inspiration for his teammates since Bhola finished with 61 after reaching the boundary eight times and crossing it once. When the pair lost their

wickets, Adams via stump out, attempting another big shot, and his partner went caught behind, Kamesh Yadram and Richie Looknauth continued the hitting. Yadram struck four fours in his 30, while Looknauth hit two sixes in his 25. Diplomats were bundled out due to the left-arm spin

of Javed Rasheed. The former national U-17 cricketer picked up 3-24 from seven overs, while R. Sookdeo, R. Payne and T. Mohamed supported with two wickets each. The visitors were led by S. Hughes with 25 (2x6s) and A. Foster 23 (3x4s).

Dwayne Adams blasted 128 runs for the Everest Cricket Club.

Beaton XI and Cotton Field earn T20 victories at Reliance ground

TWO specially-organised T20 matches were played last Sunday at the Reliance ground with Beaton’s XI and Cotton Field gaining big wins. The first match was reduced to an 18-over affair after a late start with Reliance Masters winning the toss and batting. They were led by a fine innings of 42 (6x4s and 2x6s) from Sunil Persaud while former Essequibo senior inter-county batsman, Elroy Stephney, supported

with 35 (4x4s and 1x6) in the eventual total of 138-8 from the allotted overs. Off-spinner Rajendra Benni, in his debut match, bowled impressively to claim 4-22 from 4 overs and Kevin Persaud had 2-15 from 3 overs. In reply, a commanding unbeaten century stand between former national under-19 batsman Nathan Persaud 66 (4x4s and 6x6s) and Kevin Persaud 54 (4x4s and 5x6s) paced Cotton Field to a 9-wicket victory, reaching

144-1 in 14 overs. The second game saw Reliance Hustlers being spectacularly routed by a hostile spell of fast bowling from Jamal Wilson. They were hustled out for a meagre 49 in 12 overs after batting first. Only Suresh Persaud with 15 reached double figures as Wilson’s pace and swing earned him 6-12 from 4 overs. Beaton’s XI then reached 51-2 with Kumar Dass remaining unbeaten on 28 (4x4s). The matches were

sponsored by overseas-based Guyanese, Cedric Beaton, who represented North Essequibo and Pomeroon as an all-rounder. He also donated a quantity of gear to the Reliance Hustlers and Bush Lot Trend Setters Sports Clubs. Meanwhile, the Reliance Hustlers Sports Club will host its first annual Dinner and Awards ceremony on Saturday, February 2nd to honour its members and sponsors.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 29, 2019

Bayliss demands England show ‘guts’, hints at changes By George Dobell in Barbados TREVOR Bayliss has questioned the “guts and determination” of his England side after their chastening defeat in the first Test in Barbados. Bayliss, the England coach, described himself as “speechless” after the team’s second batting collapse of the game and suggested some frank words would be exchanged within the squad after a performance that lacked “mental discipline”. While he defended England’s preparations and selection, arguing that several players had simply not performed and that the batting errors gave the spinners little chance to bowl on a worn surface, he did acknowledge that Sam Curran had endured the “first bad game” of his career and that Keaton Jennings’ struggles had him worried. “I think it gets down to a bit of guts and determination to get through those tough periods,” Bayliss said. “It’s not the first time that

we’ve succumbed in a short space of time. The boys are in the dressing room hurting and I’d be worried if they weren’t. “Do they lack mental discipline? Personally I think so. You don’t have to have perfect technique to be able to score runs or take wickets: it’s how you go about using it. On this occasion we’ve certainly been lacking in that department. I’m not sure I can repeat what has been said [in the dressing room].” Bayliss did acknowledge West Indies’ fine bowling especially in the first innings when Kemar Roach claimed a five-wicket haul - but felt England should have coped better throughout, especially when Roston Chase was on his way to an eight-wicket haul in the second innings. “They did bowl well, but every time a team does that we shouldn’t be expecting to get knocked over for 77,” he said. “In the second innings, the guys looked like they were trying, we made good starts but at this level you have to be able to bat longer than that.

“Chase bowled a good line and a good length. He didn’t give us any easy runs to get off strike. He built that pressure up, broke down our techniques on a couple of occasions and there were some poor shots on some occasions. That adds up to eight wickets. “It’s not the first time this has happened. Every time we lose a wicket it’s the beginning of a collapse. And to be honest, I don’t know how to explain it. There’s nothing that stands out in your preparation or the lead up to the game that is any different to when we win. We have to work out what’s the difference between when we put on a partnership after losing a wicket and losing eight or nine quick ones.” The decision to omit Stuart Broad and play two spinners has been widely criticised in recent days, but Bayliss believes it was not so much the decisions that were wrong as the performances. He did suggest, however, that Broad had been missed and that his inclusion would be considered ahead of the

second Test. “We made a decision in the belief that the five guys we picked would go out and bowl as well as they can do,” he said. “Unfortunately, on this occasion, they didn’t. “When we saw the wicket we were going to go with two spinners. Unfortunately, we didn’t bat well enough in the first innings to get through to the fourth or fifth day, where the two spinners could take advantage. And I think they would be disappointed [with their performance]. Chase bowled very few short balls, but we let them off with easy singles so you can’t put pressure on the batsmen. “It was down to Curran and Broad [for the final seamer]. Our gut feel was Curran as he has done well for us over the last six or seven games. It didn’t work out like that, the young bloke has had his first bad Test in his career. It won’t be his last but he’s a good young player who will learn from it. “One of his advantages of playing someone like Stuart is that he doesn’t go for too many runs, hopefully picks

England head coach Trevorr Bayliss

up some wickets, but gives us control. That stood out in this match, with only [James] Anderson and [Ben] Stokes being able to provide that line-and-length bowling and a bit of pressure on the opposition. We’ll have to revisit that in the next match.” While Bayliss celebrated the performance of Rory Burns, who made a career-best 84 in the second innings, he accepted Jennings’ struggles against seam bowling were a worry and also suggested that, in a perfect world, he would prefer to see at least one four-day, firstclass games ahead of a Test series. “Burns has shown enough,” he said. “He looks like he’s been here for 20 or 30 Tests, not four. He’s still learning and will still get better. “Keaton is struggling a

little bit. I’d be lying if I said we’re not worried about it and I’d be lying if I said he hadn’t been thinking about it. He’s one of the hardest workers we’ve got and he’s going to leave no stone unturned in making it better. “We prepared the same way as we did in Sri Lanka. Two two-day games. But we knew what we were going to get in Sri Lanka. Here we were a bit unsure. We were expecting it to be not as dry and go in with four seamers and one spinner. “Personally I would like to play some first-class games before the series, but you’ve only got four days scheduled, and if you want to give everyone a go, it is difficult. It’s the way of the world these days.” England flew to Antigua yesterdayy with the second Test starting there on Thursday.(ESPN Cricinfo)

Uncapped Thomas added to Windies squad for second Test ST JOHN’S, Antigua, (CMC) – West Indies have named an unchanged squad for the second Test starting here Thursday, following their shock demolition of England in the opening in Bridgetown last Saturday. Selectors have, however, confirmed Jamaican fast bowler Oshane Thomas as an official member of the squad. The 21-year-old travelled with the squad for the first Test, acting as cover for seamer Alzarri Joseph. “Oshane Thomas was with us in Barbados as cover and he

has been added to the squad as the 14th player and will remain with the team as an additional fast bowler,” chief selector Courtney Browne said Monday. West Indies, written off by most prior to the series, produced an astonishing display in the opening Test at Kensington Oval to embarrass favourites England by 381 runs inside four days. The match will be remembered for England’s capitulation for 77, conceding a first innings lead of 212, and for captain Jason Holder’s monumental unbeaten 202 which

enabled the Windies to set the visitors a target of 628. Part-time off-spinner Roston Chase then conjured up a record-breaking spell of eight for 60 to send the shell-shocked English tumbling to a heavy defeat, three-quarters of an hour after tea on the fourth day. “We were all extremely happy with the great result in the first Test,” Browne said. “We want to see them put in another solid performance in the second match in Antigua, where we won last year.” West Indies have drawn both their Tests against En-

gland at the Vivian Richards Cricket Stadium, the last coming in a tense affair four years ago when Holder hit an unbeaten maiden hundred. The third Test is set for the Darren Sammy Cricket Ground from February 9-13. SQUAD – Jason Holder (captain), Kraigg Brathwaite, Darren Bravo, Shamarh Brooks, John Campbell, Roston Chase, Shane Dowrich, Shannon Gabriel, Shimron Hetmyer, Shai Hope, Alzarri Joseph, Kemar Roach, Oshane Thomas, Jomel Warrican.

Fast bowler Oshane Thomas.

Windies must be ready for England fightback - Richard Pybus See Page 27

Windies celebrate their 381-run win over England in the first Test at Kensington Oval.

GRFU name ‘Green Machine’ squad for RAN 15’s Southern Championships Qualifiers See Page 27

Guyana’s 15’s Rugby team at their last outing in Colombia

Zeeburg defeat Rising Star in T20 final

Zeeburg registered a 152-run win in the final.

LED by all-round performances from Yutesh Dhanpaul, Mark Jeffers and Malcom Hubbard, the Zeeburg Sports Club proved their dominance by whipping Rising Star Sports Club by 152 runs in the final of the Rising Stars T20 competition on Sunday last at the Zeeburg Cricket ground. Rising Star won the toss under overcast conditions and asked the home team to take first strike. Coach/player of the side, Dhanpaul, smacked an aggressive 84 to lead the attack. The 31-year-old Dhanpaul who has been in good form, struck eight sixes and five fours batting at number five. Dhanpaul and Andre Seepersaud shared 84 for the fourth wicket, while earlier Jeffers and Malcom Hubbard had added 60 for the second wicket. Jeffers, who opened the batting with Ronaldo Renee, finished with 35 (2x4s, 1x6), while Seepersaud also scored 35 (2x4s, 3x6s) and Hubbard 28 (2x4s, 1x6) as the home team raced to 229-5. Rising Star were led by T. Chung who picked up 2-42. In the middle, the visitors were routed for 77 in 11.4 overs after Jeffers took 4-26 with his medium pace. Hubbard supported with 3-2 and Dhanpaul with 2-1. T. Katoo led the Rising Star with 36 (3x4s and 2x6s).

Printed and Published by Guyana National Newspapers Limi ted, Lama Avenue, Bel Air Park, Georgetown. Telephone 2 2 6- 3243-9 (General); Editorial: 2 2 7- 5204, 2 2 7- 5216. Fax:2 2 7- 5208

TUESDAY, JANUARY 29, 2019