Issuu

5th August, 2018

No.105357

Help for fleeing Venezuelans

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â€“â€“ several civic, faithbased organisations to provide humanitarian assistance

Man shot dead PAGE

at city hotel

The late Jason DeFlorimonte

Anti-racism

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initiative launched This Skyrim cosplayer poses for a photo with an adorable little minion at the launch of the Guyana Animation Network (GAN) comic-con party at the Education Lecture Theatre (ELT), University of Guyana (UG) on Friday (Vishani Ragobeer photo)

Life in

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Tapakuma

: an undiscovered gem

SUNDAY CHRONICLE August 5, 2018

After 38 years, Harricharran calls it a day By Alva Solomon HE spent his last days sitting in the library, flicking the pages of old copies of the newspapers. After 38 years at the Guyana Chronicle, Aubrey Harricharran aka “Son Son,” believes that his discipline on the job would be his most memorable trait as he reminisced on his time at the newspaper. Harricharran entered the world of work not at this newspaper. At 16, as a young man aiming for the stars, he went to the Uitvlugt Sugar Estate, West Coast Demerara, where he we was offered employment as a cane-harvester. “I use to cut cane at the estate before coming to the Chronicle. I use to cut cane six days each week and I use to have to go to work for four ‘o’ clock in the morning,” he recalled. He said he would wake up early and head to the estate to catch the punts which would take him and his workmates some 25 miles down into the “back dam.”

Some days the gang would walk and according to him, meeting to work on time was important. He said he worked each day from 04:00hrs until 11:00hrs for three years at the sugar estate. When he was 19-years-old, Harricharran moved to the city to live with his grandmother, a few corners away from the offices of the newspaper. He said he started out as a circulation assistant and his job was mainly packing the newspapers for resale during the night. “I use to pack the papers and distribute to various regions. I use to work only night time,” he said. Harricharran spent the next 37 years of his life in the Circulation Department. He said he would rest during the day on most days. Around 1983, he started a family and the union saw his wife giving birth to three children. Unfortunately, Harricharran’s wife died several years ago, but that did not deter him from fulfilling his tasks as a father. At work, he said he never “give anybody

Aubrey Harricharran aka “Son Son” during his last days in the library of the Guyana Chronicle any problem.” Harricharran got along well “This is an office you know,” he exclaimed. with everyone in each department. “I never Last week, during an interview at his get into any problem, here,” he reiterated, desk in the library, he said that in the years noting that if he needed to be corrected, he ahead, he will be taking care of his famwould listen and heed the advice given. ily’s properties across the West Coast of Harricharran is known for wearing Demerara. slippers to and from work. He said it was a In addition, he plans to take restful custom he brought along with him from his days at home and with a smile, he said he days at the sugar estate. But he cautioned may look for another wife, to the amusethat he never came to work barefooted. ment of others around him.

Over 600 fire hydrants in city repaired OVER 600 archaic, non-functional fire hydrants have been recently refurbished by the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI). For years the fire hydrants, particularly those in the city, have been practi-

cally useless because of the condition they were in. Although it is not a responsibility of GWI, the company took on the task of repairing the hydrants around Georgetown, said Managing-Director of GWI, Dr. Richard Van-West

Charles during a press conference on Friday. Most of the hydrants were vandalised and needed new stand posts and valves. The some 600 hydrants were repaired to the tune of $25 million. “In some cases, they

were vandalised and were not connected, so we had to replace them… we put devices to secure them… not to say they would be able to remove, it would be difficult,” said a representative of GWI. The company intends to

work closely with the Guyana Fire Service to ensure that the hydrants are maintained. About 500 more are expected to be refurbished. Dr. Van-West Charles said the city needs more because when the initial set of hydrants was installed, the

population was not as large. “We have to look at this… it is not a mandate of GWI, just that we have stepped up,” he said, adding that the water-distribution network is aged and will be repaired incrementally.

Help for fleeing Venezuelans

SUNDAY CHRONICLE August 5, 2018

–– several civic, faithbased organisations to provide humanitarian assistance

EIGHT civic and faithbased organisations have launched the Venezuela Support Group (VSG) to provide advice and assistance to Venezuelans seeking refuge from the deprivations and insecurity currently gripping their homeland. In a joint statement, the group which consists of the Amerindian Peoples Association (APA), the Guyana Human Rights Association (GHRA), Guyana Institute for Transparency Inc. (GITI), Moray House Trust, Policy Forum Guyana, Red Thread, Roman Catholic Diocese of Guyana and Ursuline Sisters in Guyana said it has since requested meetings with Minister of Citizenship, Winston Felix to brief him on VSG’s aims and to establish liaison arrangements with his ministry. VSG’s initial focus is to ensure that persons arriving here from Venezuela receive information and assistance to secure valid visas to remain in Guyana and are

not exploited financially or abused in other ways. “We have recently learnt that some consideration has been given to permit Venezuelans in Guyana to regularise their situation on the basis of possession of an ID card rather than a passport. Although, to date, there has been no formal announcement by the Government of Guyana on the matter, we welcome this development in general as protecting Venezuelans against exposure to detention, fines and deportation,” the statement added. The group believes that by doing the aforementioned, Guyana would be in alignment with the recent appeal by the UN High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) for neighbouring countries to adopt flexible arrangements of this nature. Meanwhile, the VSG is in the process of establishing offices made available by the Brickdam Cathedral in the compound opposite the church on Brickdam. “The work of the VSG

is being supported in the initial phase by the UNHCR which is in the process of establishing a permanent presence in Guyana,” the statement said. The VSG group said it will support the smooth implementation of any new regulations and related policy guidelines geared at ensuring the regulations and the accompanying procedures are known to arriving Venezuelans, providing advice and, where necessary, accompaniment, in the process of regularising their (Venezuelans) presence in Guyana, supporting Venezuelans in need of assistance to contact family or other persons as well as making known social and welfare services which may be accessible to Venezuelans with special needs. Additionally, the group welcomes any effort that will contribute to information-gathering initiatives, especially in interior communities as well as provide opportunities for Venezuelans to communicate with

other Venezuelans. “Safeguarding the specifically humanitarian character of this response is a high priority for the SVG, in particular, insulating it from attempts to politicise it or from any association with the border issue. The SVG will also serve as a focal point through which displaced persons or families can communicate with each other,” the statement said. The economic turmoil facing Venezuela has resulted, in the past few months, in many Venezuelans seeking refuge in neighbouring countries. Many are in search of food and housing. On Friday, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) is collaborating with the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) announced that it will provide US$30,000 in much needed relief supplies to Regions One, Seven and Nine to help Venezuelans who have crossed the borders in search of food and shelter.

In a joint statement to the media, the partners said the CDC with support from UNICEF will preposition relief supplies to enhance the capacity of the said regions to provide basic assistance to those in need as the influx of Venezuelans here increases. Relief supplies for shelter, water, sanitation and hygiene are being procured within Guyana to the value of US $30,000 (GY $ 6,226,562). “The CDC will deploy the relief supplies within the coming weeks to the Regional Administrations for storage and distribution. The relief supplies would benefit an estimated sixty families per region with a total number of persons benefitting estimated at 900,” the statement said. In partnership with UNICEF, the CDC remains committed to building Guyana’s disaster risk management capabilities through stakeholder engagement. Meanwhile, earlier this week government disclosed that it is in the process of

establishing a homestead settlement area for the 260 confirmed Venezuelans, who are occupying areas in Barima-Waini (Region One. According to the Ministry of the Presidency’s Public Information and Press Services Unit, Minister of Citizenship Winston Felix at the conclusion of the third multi-agency coordinating committee meeting said the resettlement area will allow the Venezuelans to be self-reliant. “It is intended that we [will] develop something like a homestead where families are accumulated and eventually we can move them into cash crop farming. We can encourage that so that in the first instance they can feed themselves and if they have surpluses they can sell. We are looking at crops for their sustenance and their immediate needs. Once you get that…going then the next thing is to guide them into areas in which they can sustain themselves. The immediate outcome is that we want to see them properly settled and they must be able to sustain themselves…,” he said.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE August 5, 2018

North Korea calls US actions on nuclear programme ‘alarming’

(BBC) North Korea’s foreign minister has called US actions “alarming” as tensions over the North’s nuclear programme again flared. Ri Yong-ho was responding to comments by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who urged other countries to keep up sanctions pressure on Pyongyang. A landmark summit between the two sides in Singapore in June saw the North agree to work towards

denuclearisation. But details remain vague and the UN says its nuclear programme continues. At a regional forum, also in Singapore, Mr Pompeo said it was important to maintain “diplomatic and economic pressure” on North Korea to achieve “the final, fully verified denuclearisation”. Pyongyang is currently under a range of international and US sanc-

tions over its nuclear programme and missile tests. WHAT WAS SAID AT THE LATEST MEETING? Singaporean Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan said discussions about the North Korean nuclear programme at the Asean regional forum had been “brutally frank” but there was some good news. “People acknowledge that there

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has been some progress and that the summit in Singapore did change the tone of the conversation and hopefully will help set the stage for a peaceful resolution of the outstanding issues,” he told AFP news agency. Mr Pompeo said he expected all nations to abide by sanctions, singling out Russia amid reports that it had potentially violated them by allowing thousands of North Korean labourers into the country. Russia has denied this. In response, Mr Ri said that North Korea “stands firm” in its commitment made at the June summit between US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. He added: “What is alarming, however, is the insistent moves manifested within the US to go back to the old, far from its leader’s intention.” Mr Ri and Mr Pompeo only met face-to-face briefly, exchanging smiles, handshakes and a few brief words.

Also at Saturday’s meeting, the US delegation delivered a letter from Mr Trump for Mr Kim. It is unclear what it contained.

WHAT DID THE TWO LEADERS AGREE IN JUNE? Mr Trump and Mr Kim made a commitment to work towards denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula, but it is still unclear how this could be achieved. The commitment was included in a one-page agreement at the end of the summit aimed at reducing regional tensions. Aside from the written agreement, the US president also announced that joint military exercises with South Korea, which he described as “provocative”, would end. WHAT HAS HAPPENED SINCE THE SUMMIT? Amid a tentative warming of relations since June, North Korea appears to have begun dismantling part of a key rocket launch site in the north-west, in compliance with

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a promise by Mr Kim to destroy an engine test site. And at the end of July, the North returned to the US remains believed to be of 55 US troops killed during the Korean War, as agreed at the summit. But reports last month based on US intelligence leaks suggest Pyongyang is still upgrading its uranium enrichment sites. The reports are seen as undermining the spirit of the summit and casting doubt on the North’s sincerity. Then last week, unnamed US officials said that Pyongyang appeared to be building new ballistic missiles after spy satellites spotted continuing activity at one site. A UN Security Council-commissioned report on Friday said North Korea was continuing its nuclear and missile programmes, violating UN sanctions. It was increasing illegal shipto-ship transfers of oil products and trying to sell weapons abroad, it said.

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GLCL is not directly responsible for incorrect results appearing in the Press. Please double check your numbers with any authorized Agent or visit GLCL’s website: www.guyana-lottery.com

SUNDAY CHRONICLE August 5, 2018

Barbados to be home to Lula: Brazil ex-president centre for biosecurity studies nominated for poll despite jail term (BBC) Former Brazilian President Luis Inacio Lula da Silva has been nominated to run for office again in October’s elections despite currently being in jail on a 12-year sentence for corruption. Some 2,000 members of his Workers Party declared him their candidate by a show of hands in Sao Paulo. Lula leads most opinion polls but may not be allowed to stand. He has denied taking bribes and says his conviction is part of a plot to prevent him returning to power. A message from the former leader was read to party members, many wearing Lula masks, who had gathered for a convention in Brazil’s main city. “They want to scrap the people’s right to choose

the president,” the message said, quoted by AFP. “They want to create a democracy without the people. We have an enormous responsibility ahead.”

Lula is still waiting for a judgement on whether he can stand in the election

The party is not expected to name Lula’s running mate until Monday. The appointment is important as the vice-presidential choice could potentially be elected president if Lula is not allowed to stand. Polls suggest Lula has almost double the support

of his nearest rivals. Two other candidates were also nominated on Saturday - Marina Silva by the centre-left Rede party and Geraldo Alckmin by the centre-right Social Democracy Party. Lula was convicted of receiving a renovated beachfront apartment worth some 3.7m reais ($1.1m; £790,000) as a bribe by engineering firm OAS. The defence says his ownership of the apartment has never been proven and that his conviction rests largely on the word of the former chairman of OAS, himself convicted of corruption. Lula lost his first appeal in January, when the appeals court not only upheld his conviction but increased the sentence from nine-anda-half years to 12. He is still waiting for a final court judgement on whether he can run, but under current law someone who loses an appeal against a criminal conviction cannot stand for the presidency.

(Nationnews) Barbados will be home to the Caribbean’s Centre for Biosecurity Studies, which will be housed at the University of the West Indies’ (UWI) Cave Hill Campus.

interdisciplinary Centre will integrate the fields of law, medical research, international relations and public health to build regional capacity to deal with threats arising from biosecurity issues.”

Attorney General Dale Marshall (FILE)

This was revealed during Thursday’s opening ceremony of the Caribbean’s inaugural Biosecurity Symposium held under the theme: Building Resilience To Biosecurity Threats In The Caribbean at the Errol Barrow Centre for Creative Imagination. Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Dale Marshall, congratulated the University for its proactive approach stating: “This

He explained that while the concept of biosecurity was relatively new to the Caribbean, “regional coordination and mutual support are critical elements in addressing biosecurity, and a failure to do so could result in severe economic consequences . . .” He noted that Barbados did not have legislation which specifically addressed biosecurity concerns. “Therefore the laws currently in place will have to be assessed with a view to strengthening existing provisions or even drafting new laws,” he pointed out. He told those present that existing legislation in Barbados which might impact on the issue of biosecurity included the Animal (Diseases and Importation) Act, Cap. 253; the Health Services Act; the Quarantine Act; the Customs Act; and the Miscellaneous Controls (General Open Import License) Regulations. However, Marshall said that Government was seeking to establish a Law Reform Commission, and one of the benefits of such a body would be the identification of legislation that needed to be introduced. “That Commission will benefit greatly from the inputs of your deliberations here today,” he said. Pro Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the UWI Cave Hill Campus, Professor Eudine Barriteau, explained that: “The Centre will provide greater access to training and research in bio-risk management; facilitate the greater alignment with the Caribbean community by bringing together stakeholders of biosecurity governance while raising awareness of risk and mitigation plans; demonstrate agility by providing consulting research and policy advice to governments and agencies in responding to the new challenges presented by biological threats.” She added that the Campus was confident in its ability to develop accredited programmes of study within the Faculty of Social Sciences, where the Centre will be located. (BGIS)

SUNDAY CHRONICLE August 5, 2018

Respect for the National Assembly

mong the first lessons that any young person is taught is to respect the laws of the country in which he/she lives. And this is also applicable to all other countries where law and order exist. Underlining this fact is the truism that laws are essential for the regulation of every society, since they are a guide to one’s conduct, and relation to his/her fellow citizens. But this respect is also extended to certain categories of citizens, chiefly those who have been tasked with the responsibility of governing the country: the magistrates and judges, whose chief function is to determine the guilt or not of those accused of certain offences, which means that they have been accused of infringing the laws of the land; the commissioner of police, or police chief, who is responsible for law and order, and other important holders of state office. Even the buildings in which the above categories

of high state officials carry out their daily functions, do elicit an immediate feeling of respect, at times bordering on reverence, whenever one enters. And so it is also with the Parliament or National Assembly, the legislative repository of any democratic state, where proposals are tabled for eventual legislation, debated, and eventually agreed on, before becoming law. But even this law-making assembly, that meets to discuss, and determine the business of the people, itself functions in accordance with precise procedures that informs every official action of its members. And this extends to the decorum and behaviour of this collective, given the many times contentious nature of the particular matter that may be engaging the attention of the Assembly. But since this august assembly is governed in its daily business by procedures, then there is the person of the Speaker, who is the embodiment of these regulatory guides, and who

is therefore tasked with the uncompromising function of ensuring that all of its procedures are properly and impartially applied to every member’s action as pertaining to whatever specific matter that engages the Assembly. This makes him/her the judge and referee, since he/ she has to be impartial. In fact, so revered is this parliamentary chair, that his/her intervention, for whatever reason whilst any member of the Assembly is addressing the Assembly, signals an instant cessation of the latter action, immediate taking of the seat, until the Speaker completes his reason for interruption. There are even strict procedures to be followed, for objection(s) to his rulings etc. The Chair of the Speaker has the equal force of a judge, and can order punitive measures to be taken against any member, found to have infract the laws of the house, while it is in official session. For all of the challenges that this country would have experienced in its modern

political history, there have always been due respect for this very important person, whose function in a nutshell can be summed up as overseeing and guiding the business of the National Assembly. One may recall, the instance in the 1970s when the then Leader of the Opposition in a manner of protest, removed the Mace, the symbol of the Speaker’s authority, from its cradle. The opposition leader was debarred from speaking on any matter in the House, until he apologized. This 11th Parliament has been witness to a defined pattern of behaviour by a specific section of its members that are definitely a marked departure from its traditional decorum: non-adherence to its protocol and procedures, and a natural behavior that can be described as grossly disrespectful to the person of the Speaker, and his chair. It is recalled, the infamy of the conduct of an opposition MP, who although ordered to sit by the Speaker, defied the latter order; even

refusing to leave the National Assembly’s Chamber, when ordered to do so. What followed was so scandalous and shameful, that it can be aptly described as Guyana’s parliamentary day of shame. The errant MP, received a suspension, which was rather charitable, given the seriousness of his offence. The more than shocking, shameful, and equally abysmal behaviour of the entire parliamentary opposition, when they heckled the person of the President during his address to Parliament, took the National Assembly to an all-time low in its respect for the nation’s highest dignatory. The latest act of parliamentary desecration, by another PPP/C MP displays a total disregard for Assembly’s procedures. These acts are no doubt linked to the parliamentary opposition’s refusal to accept the 2015 national election that brought about their defeat. Better yet, they are a pattern of an orchestration of measures, designed to continuously disrespect the nation’s highest officials of

state. But in doing so, this parliamentary opposition and its MPs, are emitting a most serious type of conduct that is totally disagreeable, degrading in every sense, that reflects a gutter level of indiscipline as MPs, ever recorded in the National Assembly. They must be reminded that they are Members of Parliament, elected to represent their constituents; and, are law- makers, a very seminal undertaking which places them in the category of leadership par excellence. How do they expect their followers particularly, to follow them, heeding their every advice and guidance when their examples leave much to be desired? It is time that these opposition MPs understand, that to continue in such a distasteful manner, poses a threat to the sanctity of the State, and to law and order in general.The National Assembly, as the nation’s law making body, must be respected; and this is inclusive of the important person of the Speaker.

Is Guyana politically prepared --for the coming of oil and gas Dear Editor,

UYANA is being bombarded with all manner of advice by experts of all stripes on how to manage discovery of oil and gas. The unanimous thread amid this welter of opinion is that life in Guyana is about to be transformed. To date, it is unclear whether the transformation will create a secure, fulfilling life for all Guyanese, or will plunge our chronic failure to create such a society into something significantly worse. The fact that Guyana has languished at the bottom of

most economic and social indicators for the past five decades has never been due to an absence of natural resources. It is squarely and uncontrovertibly the result of our failure to generate an inclusive political system of government. For the oiland-gas transformation to be positive, therefore, the first transformation required is at the political level. And the prospects are not encouraging. Aspirations for electoral victory in 2020 are hardening ethnic polarisation, continuing discriminatory practices which have dogged Guyanese politics for half-a-century. The price of polarised politics is to be counted,

in part, in our inability to develop a truly national position on oil and gas. This implies, for example, that Exxon Mobil, with its decades of experience as a global economic power, will be confronted across the table with inexperience, pettiness and mediocrity, and, most significantly, the lack of commitment from either side of the political spectrum to resolving these obstacles. In summary, the future of the society is being determined decisively by the profitability interests of one large company which has unquestioned control over the pace, volume and life of Guyana’s oil-and- gas regime.

establishing a much-needed bi-partisan process for appointment of all senior T h e u n w i l l i n g n e s s , oil-and-gas personnel. If we cannot bring ouracross the party political spectrum, to discuss that selves to such a workable a problem exists renders compromise domestically, reaching a solution remote. are we prepared to conDetermining and defending sider, for example, that the national interest would all appointments above a include, for example, tak- certain level should be of ing steps to insulate oil- non-nationals? Galling as such a prosand-gas development from the vagaries of Guyanese pect may be, intransigent partisanship and willingelections. Moreover, creation of ness to sacrifice Guyana’s State agencies and mech- future by appointment of anisms related to oil and questionably suitable rather gas should be genuinely than eminently qualified ring-fenced from partisan persons are forcing such influence. The farce to considerations upon us. A decade ago, Guyanese which both parties recently reduced selection of the suffered the consequences Chairperson of the Elec- of substantial quantities of tions Commission is an drug money overwhelming indicator of the difficulty of our ramshackle political

and regulatory structures in an orgy of death and violence. Without any meaningful change to our crude electoral politics and weak accountability, why would oil-and-gas revenues not plunge us into similar levels of criminality? Guyanese have had enough of the posturing, the contempt for ethics, and the blatant preferment of political allies which passes for politics. If the transformational public policies required of us are not to be found in the political parties, where will such an initiative come from? Regards Executive Committee Guyana Human Rights Association

SUNDAY CHRONICLE August 5, 2018

Gross disrespect, and political immaturity Dear Editor,

HE recent incident in the Nation al Assembly, in which Peoples Progressive Party/Civic’s Member of Parliament Harry Gill sought to attack the Speaker on his professional duties of Speaker of the National Assembly, and even on a personal basis, is another incident in the line of its disrespect for the rules and procedures that guide the functions of this most important institution. It reflects and undermines the immoral mindset of a party that, for its over two decades in office, became an exponent in the practice of the arrogance of power. But even when in office, with all the power that such an advent holds for the executive holders of such, it is still incumbent that the Speaker’s conduct of any Assembly, inclusive of Guyana’s, be respected. And this is where one must give kudos to the current David Granger-led administration. Of course, there have been times during the intensity of House debates when the Speaker had had cause to caution government speakers. Such chiding has always been accepted in the best tradition of the House’s protocols. But not the PPP/C. I am sure that the disgraceful conduct of one of their leading MPs are still fresh in the nation’s memory. This particular act, disrespectful to the core, as well as being an affront to the exalted person of the Speaker, brought to the nation the gravity of the depths to which this

Opposition party would go to fabricate dangerous lies. Who could forget the shouts of “Rape! Rape!” that resonated in the chambers of the National Assembly, or the ridiculous and atrocious claim from a leading female MP of suffering a blow to her body. The latter was the subject of satire on last year-end’s Stretch Out Magazine. Such acts are an extension of the resistance of the PPP/C to the advent of the Coalition government, and a continuous exercise of defiance to rules and convention. It is a political immaturity that does no good to the image of a party which has been in existence for over 60 years. It is time that the Speaker uses his considerable powers in ensuring that the Rules of the Na-

tional Assembly are not compromised, and his person, by extension, is not disrespected. Thus, the decision by Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo to refer the

matter to the Privileges Committee is seen as the first step in curbing such desecrations. Yours Dillon Goring

CONTEMPT AND COMMOTION

AS a journalist, I had covered proceedings in the National Assembly for over 20 years (1971-1992), and, except for very rare occasions, I never witnessed what today passes off as “Opposition”: Constant cuss-down, commotion and crude contempt. Under the leadership of Cheddi Jagan, opposition politics was responsible, constructive and, yes, educational. The public gallery could expect an intellectual treat. Heckling was refined to a calm and fine art that was deployed with surgical effect, especially during the years when Prime Minister Forbes Burnham and opposition front-bencher “Boysie” Ramkarran, traded wits. Then, even the usually sharp, affable but incisive “Odo” could be floored by an unrelenting “Boysie,” while the latter was on his feet. Once, Ramkarran and Speaker Sase Narain were exchanging banter over an inscription on the gate of a building on Camp Street that had housed the Ministry of National Mobilisation. They were disputing whether, in Hindi, “chodi” or “chudai ghar” (one of which seemed obscene) fitted the description. Burnham sauntered into the House and heckled: “Boysie, I know more jokes than you!” Ramkarran calmly responded: “Yes, I agree.” And he slowly pointed in the direction of the ministers on the government front benches, and added: “Because it is you who appointed all of them!” BEST REPARTEE It was the best repartee that I have ever heard when there was an exchange of sensible teasing as part of the political culture, even at a tense time. On another occasion, after someone from the government side had stated loosely that we should have laws like those in a named Middle East state, where the hands of thieves were chopped off, Ramkarran quickly quipped: “Yes, I agree; but Guyana could have the only parliament in the world where the entire front benches would have ministers without hands!” Forbes would look straight across the aisle at Cheddi and smilingly tease, “Hello Snow Top”, a reference to Cheddi’s crop of gray hair. Or he would, on occasion, hold out his hand and, slowly swirling an imaginary glass of cognac, say, “Cheddi, you have to learn how to live the good life!” Guyana lost that witty Burnham when he exited the National Assembly to become Executive Presi-

dent. And Parliament was never the same without Cheddi Jagan, who, according to one writer, unenviably commanded facts and figures that he would impart to the House on a wide array of political and ideological topics. PALE SHADE The current opposition is a pale shade of that period. Debates now quickly descend into hate speeches; the finesse and the humour have evaporated. Heckling is a babble of boisterous noises. This brings me to the more recent incident where an opposition MP was named to appear before the Privileges Committee for publicly attacking the office of the Speaker. I moved the motion to send the matter to the investigating committee after House Speaker Dr. Barton Scotland, mentioned that the MP had imputed bias and partisanship. On July 30, 2018, opposition MP Harry Gill, in a letter published in the Stabroek News, wrote inter alia: “We’re all getting a bit tired of the double standards” of the Speaker, whom he impertinently invited to look at videos on social media “to see how biased he appears.” He went on to accuse the Speaker of being “unjust”, and showing partisanship and discrimination to “prevent bad news from reaching the media” in order to protect the government from losing office. FREE EXPRESSION The opposition claimed that the MP was merely indulging in freedom of expression. My response is that he could claim that right if he had spoken in the National Assembly, where he could be protected by unqualified privilege. But he went outside the protective walls of parliament into an arena where free speech is not absolute, but is subject to exceptions such as defamation for libel and slander. Had the attacks per se been against the person of the Speaker, I would expect litigation for causing the learned and honourable gentleman loss of reputation. But the attacks were against the Office of the Speaker, the integrity of Parliament, and the sanctity of the constitution, under whose authority the Office of Speaker is established. Under the Standing Orders, the decisions of the Speaker, like those of a judge, once made, cannot be questioned or disobeyed except by a motion to this effect. The courts are guided by case laws that say that the orders of a court cannot be disobeyed unless they are withdrawn or discharged; disobedience attracts sanction for contempt. A litigant (or lawyer) who has disobeyed an order would normally not be heard until and unless he/she purged his/her contempt. Instead of helping to purge the contempt, I read that another opposition MP has publicly pleaded justification for the allegations made by his embattled colleague, saying that what Gill said was the truth. The opposition newspaper, Guyana Times, compounded the contempt by publishing an undisguised calumny against the Speaker: “The man certainly holds himself above the law!” And in between unpatriotically describing Guyana as a “shithole

SUNDAY CHRONICLE August 5, 2018

country,” known for what it vulgarly describe as “shitholeness”, it falsely and wickedly asserted that a new principle is being pushed about the “Sovereignty of the Speaker!!” BREACH OF PRIVILEGE Those contemptuous opposition outbursts do not help, but could put Harry into what was described in a Caribbean calypso as “de piggery”, or parliamentary purgatory. It shows not only senseless arrogance, but crass contempt for our country and our democratic symbols and institutions. Some years ago, Canadian House of Commons Speaker Andrew Scheer, had sent a memo to MPs, warning that if they publicly question his impartiality, “you could find yourself on the wrong side of a breach of privilege complaint.” Specific reference was made to allegations of bias against the Speaker, which is punishable for breach of privilege. Last year, as we were ringing in the season of Christmas, opposition MP Juan Edghill was suspended from the National Assembly after he was named for gross disorderly behaviour. On that occasion, after he had indulged in irrelevant and tedious repetition, he was ordered to take his seat. He blatantly disobeyed the order of the Speaker. What ensued afterwards was the most shameful episode, where opposition MPs who staged a sit-in, shouted “Rape! Rape!” and alleged that the police had assaulted a female colleague. The previous month, there was another disorderly display when the PPP tried to shut down an address to Parliament by President David Granger. Many said it was a “day of infamy” as opposition members unfurled placards in the House, clearly to “devide” the nation. POLITE ENGAGEMENT Speaker Scotland may appear to be gentle, which is why there have been such sporadic disorderly conduct in the National Assembly. But he would act whenever attempts are made to impugn and undermine the Office of the Speaker. I was told that the Speaker in Trinidad “don’t mek fun.” Three opposition leaders -- Patrick Manning, Keith Rowley and Basdeo Panday -- were suspended in 2011, 2015 and 2008, respectively. Panday was sent home for using a laptop in the House without the permission of the Speaker! In Jamaica, there was a petition for the suspension of an MP who had referred to his colleagues as “garbage.” In Guyana, when opposition MP Edghill last year referred to members of the staff of the Office of the Prime Minister as “parasites”, he walked away in elation that no sanctions would visit him. It is time that we condemn this type of cavalier opposition behaviour and instead engage politely in our National Assembly as elected representatives of our people. When Parliament resumes in October, I expect, as Leader of Government in the House, to see full respect for the Office of the Speaker and Parliament.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE August 5, 2018

‘We must complete the task’

...Williams confirms seeking re-election as PNCR chair ... heartened by support from membership

INCUMBENT chairman of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) Basil Williams, SC., has confirmed that he is seeking re-election for the post, noting that the team that took the party after 23 years into office needs to complete its work. He said the country is at an important historical juncture which requires tested, tried and proven hands to finish the work of delivering to the Guyanese people. “As the incumbent chairman, I am heartened by the solid support that has been given for my re-election as chairman of the PNCR by receiving the majority of the nominations by party groups throughout Guyana,” said the PNCR chairman. He explained that based on the nominations received, he is leading in Regions Two, Five, Six, Nine, 10 and Georgetown. He has also received considerable nominations on the East Coast of Demerara, Region Four and in other regions. Williams is challenging his party colleagues Joseph Harmon and Volda Lawrence in the bid to hold on to the party’s chairmanship. Harmon in May had signalled his interest to be the chairman of the party when he announced his candidacy for the position. “I bring years of experience as a member of the party and I am also someone with experience of managing large organisations,” Harmon had said. If elected at the PNCR Biennial Delegates’ Congress, he intends to work closely with and support the vision of the leader of the party. Subsequently, Minister of Public Health Lawrence announced her candidacy for the party’s chairmanship at the end of June. In the party, she is a member of the Central Executive Committee (CEC) and heads the Human Services and Welfare Department of the PNCR. Meanwhile, when asked about his support in the diaspora, Williams said in North America, which includes the Atlanta Group, Washington DC PNCR group and the Miami PNCR, he is receiving significant support. He is also upbeat about picking up some nominations in Canada and from other groups in the US. “This shows widespread support and is testimony to the work that I have been doing throughout the years and

more recently as chairman,” said Williams, who is also the country’s attorney general. Williams, who was twice elected chairman and vice-chairman of his party, said he has made steady progress through the ranks of the PNCR, starting out as a member of the central executive. He joined the party as a youngster and has had the privilege of working with all the leaders of the PNC from Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham, Hugh Desmond Hoyte, Robert Corbin and now President David Granger. Additionally, Williams said he worked closely with former Prime Minister Hamilton Green and served as legal assistant to two presidents while in his early 30s. DEBATE Williams just over a month ago had challenged his colleagues, Ministers of State and Public Health, Joseph Harmon and Volda Lawrence respectively, to an internal debate, but with the congress one week away he does not foresee the debate materialising. Asked why he has called for a debate, Williams told the Guyana Chronicle that it is important that the membership has some insight into whether those nominated for posts are fit and proper. He strongly believes that members need to have “an appreciation for the quality, attributes and capacity for the post of chairman.” Meanwhile, Williams said as chairman of the party, it is his role to chair important forums of the party including the Central Executive and the General Council. He stated that many persons might not be au fait with the rules of the party as based on the constitution, all the powers are vested in the leader, but Williams made it clear that decisions are largely made by consensus, noting all projects have to come to the party Central Executive for ratification. GENUINE LEADER The incumbent party chairman described himself as “a chairman with a difference,” as he has represented many persons in his career as an attorney. “The Rodney inquiry, Linden killing inquiry… I represented scores of young persons who were thrown into jail by the People’s Pro-

gressive Party (PPP) on several trumped-up charges. Numerous inquests into extra-judicial killings including the Mandela Avenue Trio, Donna Mckinnon, who was killed outside of Freedom House, Shaka Blair, Donna Herod and treason accused Mark Benschop,” Williams said, while noting that he was in the struggle during his “party’s long night in opposition” and represented the party in all election petition cases. His noted that stellar representation continued even after taking office as Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs back in 2015, while pointing to “when the opposition sought to block ministers Keith Scott and Winston Felix from sitting in the National Assembly.” Williams cited too, recently, the case where attempts were made by the

PPP to have private charges laid against ministers Volda Lawrence, Dr. George Norton, David Patterson, Rupert Roopnaraine and Winston Jordan. He said it was representation through his office that prevented the private charges from continuing against them. Additionally, the PNCR chairman believes that his work “in preventing former president Bharrat Jagdeo from seeking a third term through the landmark CCJ ruling” is also noteworthy. “As a party in government we have to play a critical role in providing the philosophy for governmental action,” Williams told the Guyana Chronicle. He said in the cut and thrust of politics in Guyana, he sees himself as the most experienced and has had overwhelming successes against any manoeuvring by the opposition.

Meanwhile, on the cusp of the party observing the 33rd death anniversary of its founder-leader, Williams is recommitting to work for his party. He said: “The coalition promised Guyanese the good life and it would be remiss of me to abandon that responsibility. I want to be there to ensure we deliver on our promise.” Williams observed that President Granger was “the right man” to lead the coalition into government and should be allowed to continue for his full two terms. He noted that President Granger himself has had a long period of service in defence and representation of the PNCR, a standard to which he subscribed. As the time draws near for the much anticipated 20th Biennial Delegates Congress of the PNCR, slated for August 17 to 19, Wil-

Incumbent PNCR Chairman Basil Williams liams said he will continue speaking to party members across the country so as to maintain a viable and strong PNCR.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE August 5, 2018

Understanding Energy...

Guarding against the ‘Dutch Disease’ MUCH has been made of the “Dutch Disease” in discussions of Guyanese oil developments lately. It’s become a warning siren about the dangers of creating an economy that relies too heavily on oil. There is certainly some truth to that, but Dutch Disease is a complex economic concept that needs to be explained and examined rather than just tossed around casually, since economists themselves are far from united on just what it means for countries. The term “Dutch Disease” was coined in the 1970s to describe a falloff in the Dutch manufacturing industry that coincided with a rise in Dutch natural gas production after major discoveries in the 1950s. The idea was that huge influxes of cash from fossil fuels had increased the value of the Dutch Guilder (the country’s pre-Euro currency), to the extent that companies in other sectors like agriculture and manufacturing were having trouble exporting their products, because a high- value currency made them too expensive for consumers in other countries. Economists and the media were also troubled to see that unemployment had increased, and that investment in non-gas sectors had declined.

But it’s easy to see why economists are hesitant to describe this series of issues as an inevitable impact of oil-and-gas production. For one thing, the 1970s was a time of global economic instability, and many industrialised countries, including the U.S., Britain, and France, saw their manufacturing sectors decline as well during this time. The shock to the Dutch economy also didn’t last long. Today, the Netherlands is the second largest agricultural exporter in the world despite its tiny size, and is a global hub for trade, shipping, and finance, while its gas industry remains strong. Overall, exports have rebounded to become more than 80 per cent of the Dutch gross domestic product (GDP), and gas plays a relatively minor role in that. In many ways, an examination of the “Dutch Disease” reflects how important good governance and smart economic policy is when it comes to oil and gas. To mitigate the “Dutch Disease”, economists have found that the key is to use resource revenue in a responsible way, by saving it in an internationally invested fund with a diverse mix of currencies that will keep wealth safe for future generations; finance

efforts to “even out” the impacts of major drops in oil prices; and give a country’s Central Bank the necessary financial leverage to manage their currency’s value. Slow and steady is the key. Revenues from resource extraction can be invested, but they shouldn’t be scattered wildly. They need to be invested in projects that increase the economic well-being of the country, and the economy as a whole. Yes, other industries will be navigating a new environment after oil, but oil revenues can and should be invested to help those industries adapt and compete more effectively. Part of what went wrong in the Netherlands was that investment was happening, but successive governments chose to make those investments mostly in oil and gas, while other industries were neglected. Paradoxically, the oil revenues themselves are the ticket to avoiding that trap and diversifying the economy. The more oil revenues are invested in sustainable long-term public goals like infrastructure (ports and roads), healthcare (hospitals), and education (schools), the more opportunity all industries will have to thrive. That’s what countries like Malaysia have

successfully done; they took oil money and invested in other sectors like technology and manufacturing to grow their whole economy. Meanwhile, they set themselves up for the future, setting aside a sovereign wealth fund and a development fund and putting money into research and education to build a strong foundation for future industries and businesses. In the end, the Dutch took a similar route: They invested in high-tech manufacturing and agriculture, cutting-edge research universities and the financial sector, becoming a global centre for all three. As the country that gave the “Dutch Disease” its name demonstrates, economic dangers are not economic destiny. With proper financial management, conservative spending and smart investments in human capital and diverse industries, Guyana can learn from the mistakes of countries which came before it. Oil alone is not a goal; the goal is a wealthy and diversified economy that serves all Guyanese, and a government able to provide them with a better education, better healthcare, and better opportunities, for today’s generation and future ones. Managed carefully, oil will help us get there.

THE national conversation about oil has continued to boil, reignited, unfortunately, by the new Al Jazeera interview that once more honed in on the Exxon oil contract. There is something so strange about this process, though, which I fear will cause a true headache, in that no one seems to be talking, specifically, about what we’ll spend Guyana’s fast accumulating riches on. We are just under two years out from first production, and there is little concrete in the public discourse. Are we going to figure it all out in the first six months of 2020? I do feel some of this paralytic confusion is due to the sheer pace of developments; moving from one discovery and 120,000 barrels of oil a day (a little more than Trinidad and Tobago produces now) to eight and 750,000 barrels a day, or six times that number, in only a few years. This is exacerbated by the rate at which oil will be extracted: First 120,000, then in two years 340,000, then in another year 520,000 and finally 750,000. It’s like getting ready to dive into a pool, but even as you cut that arc through the air, the water suddenly changes, and the pool doubles in size. All

of a sudden you’re yards away from the friendly edge, yet down and down you go. This shifting situation set me to thinking how we can really rationalise such jarring changes, made even more likely now that Exxon has contracted a further drill ship, bringing their total to three. I am reminded of accounts of Caesar facing Pompey after crossing the Rubicon and uttering, “The die is cast.” And as Pompey retreats off the Italian peninsula to gather his much larger forces, Caesar knows that even though he has already made the dive, forcing a civil war, the pool into which he is falling is quickly growing. Caesar’s approach seems to have been a combination of speed and anticipation, looking to fight as soon as possible (before Pompey gains further strength) while also anticipating the nature of the opposing forces. I see this locally as us borrowing as soon as possible, within a reasonable threshold, in order to smooth the transition process out from a shock of revenue to a stream. Perhaps the easiest way to do this would be through an expansion of existing programmes while we design new ones for the years of oil production themselves.

The second element of this, however, is the one I see us needing to put the most work into; and that is getting a handle on the nature of the upcoming economy. What does it mean to be not just a major producer like Trinidad and Tobago but a majority producer; one whose economy is dominated by oil? And this is the reality of it; that there is so much oil being extracted so quickly that our economy will be totally dominated by oil, by itself accounting for five times the current government budget by 2023 and ten times by 2025. This equates to a tripling of the local economy, leaving our other industries far, far behind. So, let me ask it this way of the oil-dominated economies: What else do they typically produce, and what businesses thrive in their domestic spheres? I believe that our entire understanding of Guyana; the picture

we have in our mind, must be remade. While gold will surely remain robust, as will domestically consumed timber, what of fisheries and rice. Will our food industries be decimated as Venezuela’s were, with a heavy reliance on importation? Is that even an acceptable position, given the implications for self-reliance and national security? In the end, Caesar won the final confrontation with Pompey because he took the time to ask himself what the true nature of his growing challenge was. Who were these new soldiers, and how loyal and skilled could they be expected to be? This is the investigation critical to successfully managing the oil economy; to avoiding becoming Venezuela. We must ask ourselves what, specifically, might our economy resemble, and begin to strategise accordingly.

Caesar, Pompey and Oil

SUNDAY CHRONICLE August 5, 2018

Anti-racism initiative launched

A PROJECT intended to “significantly” reduce and eventually eradicate all manifestations of racism and ethnic tensions in Guyana has been launched by Heal Guyana, a civil society organisation working to address certain social and other issues. A photoshoot session intended to serve as campaign material for the initiative kicked off the project at the Moray House Trust in Georgetown on Thursday. The project seeks to deepen public understanding of the various forms of

the messages, but for them to practise it, Lalljee-Richard pointed out. After Heal Guyana Director Egbert Carter opened the event last Thursday, Lalljee-Richard gave an overview on the nature of racism – its foundation in history, culture and identity; the various internal and external manifestations of racism; the role politics and economics play as driving factors; and the need for citizens to intercept at all levels, if this/the next generation is to inherit an anti-racist Guyana. “We cannot beat such a

Heal Guyana Director Egbert Carter discrimination and suggests peaceful, actionable ways of combating the issue. It further seeks to cultivate a greater sense of tolerance and respect for diversity among Guyanese across all socio-economic lines. Founder and Director of Heal Guyana Sharon Lalljee-Richard, told this publication that the organisation has decided against placing a timeline to the project and that it will come to an end only when the desired results are obtained. “It’s too deep a problem for the project to last just a couple of months. Because we’re generations into racism, it is something that will take longer to address,” she posited. She spoke of the need for persons to commit to effecting changes so far as the issue is concerned, and called on interested persons to become involved by connecting with the organisation. Citizens are encouraged to ‘Like’ the Heal Guyana Facebook Page, ‘Follow’ Heal Guyana on Instagram or visit www.healguyana.org to get involved. With a more communal approach in mind, Lalljee-Richard said citizens will be able to share their stories on such sites. Otherwise, they can simply connect to receive the anti-racism messages that will be posted. The goal is not only for citizens to be able to access

complex challenge unless we fully understand how to outmatch it, strategically. And to do so will call for lots of patience, tons of determination, endless dedication,” she said. History, culture and identity, she observed, are the foundations of racial challenges. “They are inescapable unless we begin to see each other beyond the confines of our differences toward our similarities. What are the common things that make us Guyanese?” She added that it is necessary for Guyanese to embrace all cultures and not that of their own only. “What tends to happen at an individual level is that we embrace only one culture and we compare that one against others; then we begin to judge.” Lalljee-Richard said there should be less policing of others and their racist behaviour; and that persons should equally check themselves and hold their innermost thoughts to a higher standard, every day. From within, she pointed out that racism manifests itself in the forms of bias, privilege, and submission to the oppression created by a racist environment or culture. As for external manifestations, she said interpersonal racism is very easy to detect. “We are all very

familiar with this, as we read the callous and cowardly statements coming from online political trolls and others, who may, from time to time, be outwardly abusive or condescending toward those of a particular ethnic group.” Institutional racism, on the other hand, is the policies and practices within and across institutions that, intentionally or not, produce outcomes that chronically favour one racial group over another. “There are many instances of this quietly happening [for years] within our ministries, employment sectors and schools,” she said. “As a strong civil society organisation determined to make an impact, we must be prepared to intercept at all of these levels if we are to be effective. In fact, all citizens must be prepared to intercept if we are to succeed for Guyana. I know it could appear overwhelming, but we must garner enthusiasm from each other and from

deep within ourselves to move forward with confidence,” Lalljee-Richard urged. Lalljee-Richard, also a businesswoman and social activist, thought of forming Heal Guyana along with co-founder Arun Sudesh Richard, due to deep concern over the state of Guyana’s “ethno-political vulnerabilities” and the apparent loss of will to have certain social problems addressed.

Founder and Director of Heal Guyana, Sharon Lalljee-Richard

A section of the gathering at the photoshoot session to launch the initiative

SUNDAY CHRONICLE August 5, 2018

Man shot dead at city hotel By Leroy Smith

THIRTY-year-old Jason DeFlorimonte, a father of three young boys, was killed in the wee hours of Saturday morning allegedly by his neighbour, businessman Orin Bacchus. Bacchus was reportedly entertaining guests at his Visitor’s Inn guest house on Fifth Avenue, in suburban Subryanville when the incident occurred. According to what was told to the Guyana Chronicle by an aunt of the deceased, her nephew and his girlfriend were having an argument at the front of their yard, which is located just opposite the business place. During that misunderstanding, she said, a handyman who works for the businessman and is also known to the deceased, intervened and an argument ensued between them instead. Reports are that the two pugilists ended up taking their argument into the lobby of the business place, causing the proprietor, Bacchus, to intervene and ask Jason to leave. His doing so caused an argument to ensue between himself and Jason, and somewhere during the course of the exchange, the businessman reportedly whipped out his firearm and shot his opponent about his body, causing him to collapse and die as he attempted to run over to his home. The dead man’s aunt said that she was awakened from her sleep by her son,

who told her that someone had gotten shot and killed next door at the bar, but little did he know that it was his cousin. The woman said it wasn’t until she ventured outside and saw the place in confusion that she realised that it was her nephew lying on the roadway, eyes rolling in his head and gasping for breath. According to her, she immediately asked persons to call the police and the ambulance, which they did. She also recalled the businessman going on the defensive when she confronted him about what he’d done. “When I approached Mr. Bacchus,” she said, “he was like, ‘I had to shoot he! I had to shoot he! He was violating me!’” And while at the hospital, she said, she noticed that her nephew seemed to have taken some four gunshots, most of which were to the region of the chest. One, however, appeared to have hit him in the back. She further stated that while at the police station, she overheard the businessman and his handyman giving the police their versions of the story. Further, she also stated that the businessman’s blood alcohol level was way above 200, while that of his handyman was above 170. The dead man’s aunt said that she has known the businessman since 1997, and that he has always been very arrogant and aggressive. He also been known to boast about his connec-

The late Jason DeFlorimonte tions, and that he comes from a privileged family. Word in the Subryanville community is that the man has on several occasions even threatened to shoot residents for the least little thing, including the now deceased Jason, with whom he had had several misunderstandings. This being the case, Jason’s family is now calling for justice to be served, as they are concerned about the businessman and his family’s rumoured connections and their ability to use their wealth to ensure the freedom of the man who took Jason’s life. “We don’t want revenge,” one relative said. “We just want justice to be served. We don’t want it to only be seen as being served, but we want it to actually be served in this matter,” he told the Guyana Chronicle on Saturday afternoon. DeFlorimonte is survived by his wife, girlfriend, three children, his mother and three siblings, along with other relatives and friends.

The place of business where the shooting occurred

SUNDAY CHRONICLE August 5, 2018

Girlfriend, others held for elderly man’s murder

FOUR persons are in police custody, including the girlfriend of Deonarine, 73, called “Russian” who died from a gunshot wound on Friday, police in ‘G’ Division said. Deonarine was shot to

the left side of his abdomen around 20:00hrs at Maria’s Delight, Lower Pomeroon River. The elderly man at the time was living alone in a one-storey wooden house and would usually receive weekend visits from his

girlfriend. ‘G’ Division Commander Khalid Pareshram said investigators will continue to follow all possible leads to solve the murder. The body of the re-migrant is presently at the Suddie Mortuary

awaiting a post-mortem examination. His community on Saturday was plunged into deep mourning after news spread that the 73-year-old farmer was shot in the left side of his abdomen by an unidentified, masked gunman. Up to press time, the girlfriend of the deceased was in police custody. She told police that around 18:00 hrs, she and the elderly man secured the premises and began to fry fish. “Around18:30 hrs while [we] were sitting at the table in the kitchen eating fish and Deonarine drinking Ivanoff Vodka, we heard a knock on the northern [back] door,” the woman said. When the door was opened, she was in the face of a male armed with a long gun. The woman related that she held onto the suspect’s gun but the man took out a knife from his pants pocket.

Deonarine called “Russia” and his daughter, Padmini Coonjah, in happier times She claimed she also held onto the knife and during this time Deonarine ran down the step. The suspect then reportedly pushed her down, pursued Deonarine and shot him in the abdomen and

escaped, but not before the girlfriend raised an alarm. Deonarine was taken to the Charity Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival by a doctor there. Police are continuing their investigations.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE August 5, 2018

Young Jones readies for next step -- throws hat in the ring for PNCR vice-chairman post By Ariana Gordon

HERE is a great need for m o re y o u n g people to be at the helm of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) and this is something party member Christopher Jones believes is critical to the advancement of the party founded by Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham. Jones, 38, in an interview with the Guyana Chronicle Saturday, noted that since joining the party some 19 years ago, it has been his desire to see more youth actively involved in the leadership of the party.

He believes, and strongly so, that his youth and youth advocacy puts him at an advantage as he competes for the post of vice-chairman of the PNCR. In the past, Jones has served as chairman of the party’s youth arm, and it was through that arm that much-needed support, he said was rallied around President David Granger becoming presidential candidate in the lead-up to the 2011 national elections. “He had a disadvantage in that the other candidates that were vying at that time viewed his age as an issue. But as chairman of the youth movement, I had to essentially rally my case and the youths’ case

He explained that with over 240,000 youths across the country between the ages of 18 and 43, there is a need for them to be adequately represented in the Central Executive Committee of the party. “More young people are needed at the leadership level of the party and I think that is what is going to attract more young people to the party, because they see a reflection of themselves there,” Jones shared with the Guyana Chronicle.

outside of the party, so that they could rally behind David Granger.” Jones noted too that when President David Granger was appointed the presidential candidate, the same trend continued as he became leader of the PNCR. “…and then into the 2015 election, we rallied the youth around David Granger and he was successful in becoming the President of the country.” As such, Jones, a father of three, believes that with

the youth base established during that period and beyond, he holds their “confidence and support.” “That is what gives me that advantage,” he said proudly, while noting that he would really like to see more young people “in key positions in the PNC.”

“Outside of me vying for VC, there are 15 persons who are to be elected on the Central Executive Committee… I am advocating for five young people to be part,” he told the Guyana Chronicle. Among the five are James Bond, Malika Ramsay, Akeem

Peter and Dennon Lewis. “I am pushing for at least five young people to be elected. As one youth at the level of the vice-chairmanship, I don’t know it all in terms of being a young person, so I need a team of young persons with me. I think essentially

that change in the face of the PNC to equally reflect gender balance and demographic needs,” Jones continued. The director of sports noted too that his platform is strong, as his quest is not Turn to page 18

SUNDAY CHRONICLE August 5, 2018

Young Jones readies for ... to be seen as Christopher Jones, vice-chairman of the PNC, but as Christopher Jones, a face of change. “All of the posts within the PNC should not be viewed as an opportunity to go higher up in the party. There is a much greater and bigger picture and this speaks to the populace of the country… I see myself

as having the opportunity in a senior position within the PNC to be able to advocate on their [youth] behalf.”

VOICE OF YOUTH Jones explained that after listening to the hue and cry of the youth and their belief that their concerns are not reaching the ears of the hierarchy, he sees

himself as “their voice.” “I see myself as that voice to speak on behalf of that particular demographic, because many of their views and expressions are similar to mine as well. I see this as a greater opportunity not only for me as an individual, but an opportunity for the PNC as a political movement that is responsible for the masses

of the country,” Jones told the Guyana Chronicle. He stressed that he is not self-centred and is not a self-serving person, but has the best interest of the youth of Guyana at heart. “I am very humble, disciplined, and loyal and that is how I have always been throughout the years,” he declared. Meanwhile, when

asked what prompted him to join the PNCR some 19 years ago, Jones said he believed that the only way to try fixing some of the country’s social ills would be to be party of a bigger platform. He pointed to

Continued from page 15

but over the years, the experiences I gained is what aided me in the decisions being made currently in vying for an office, as well too as to how I operate or function in government,” Jones noted.

Christopher Jones (left) along with President David Granger (centre) and party member Ryan Belgrave (right) circa 2009. (Photo compliments of Christopher Jones) extra-judicial killings and unjust dismissals of working-class people, which he believed hinged on political vindictiveness and racism. “I noted that if that continued, it would hinder my future in the country of my birth. That is why I recognised that the only way one could actually try to fix the problem was by being in a political setting.” Jones told this publication that his journey thus far has been fulfilling, but not without challenges. He explained that there is no template on how a political journey will unfold, but said living it for 19 years has proven that “every day is a different experience.” GOOD JOURNEY “It has been good so far, a wonderful journey,

Jones is ready for his next challenge, that of being vice-chairman of the PNCR, a position which is currently held by Dr. George Norton. “I have always been nominated and that says to me that people have confidence in me to take this road. I never turned them down, I allowed the process to go forward and take up the challenge. Throughout the 19 years every so often a new challenge is given to me and I just do it to the best of my ability. “Clearly, I have been doing it well, as many of those challenges would have been thrown to me, I would have been able to overcome them,” he asserted. Ultimately, it is his desire to be the leader of the party.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE August 5, 2018

Land degradation almost non-existent

THE Guyana Lands and Survey Commission (GLSC) on Saturday said that land degradation here is very low. In a statement to the media, the commission estimates a total of 0.003 per cent of land in Guyana is degraded. “Land degradation has been occurring because of, among other things, resource utilisation and natural disasters dated as far back as 1916, which led to degradation in some areas,” the statement said. The statement from the GLSC came days after the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) issued a statement on the subject. According to the statement, team leader Sally Bunning, who recently visited Guyana expressed amazement at the extent of land degradation here, particularly in Region 10, due to sand-mining and the loss of agricultural land. A team of representatives of the FAO visited Guyana recently for consultations with the GLSC with respect to the US$14.8M Mainstreaming Sustainable Land Development and Management (SLDM) project here. That project is geared at incrementally improving land administration, policy and planning, to promote sustainable land-use as well as reclamation of degraded lands. But, on Saturday, the GLSC made it clear that Guyana’s coastline is prone to erosion and saltwater intrusion, as flooding continues to be a challenge with lands used for farming and other activities losing viability. “Mining, agriculture and forestry are historically key to the Guyanese economy; however, they also contribute to the overall land-degradation processes in Guyana, in particular, in Regions One, Four, Seven,

Eight, Nine and 10,” the commission stated. The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) has defined land degradation as, “The process whereby the value and productivity of land is reduced as a result of a combination of human- induced and natural processes acting upon the land. In other words, land degradation is the reduction and loss of the biological and economic productive capacity of the land. “Although the level of land degradation in Guyana is extremely low, Guyana continues to implement measures, the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission as the National Focal Point, continues to take actions to curb land degradation.” The commission noted that in April 1996, Guyana voluntarily opted to undertake the Land Degradation Neutrality Target Setting Programme (LDN TSP) aimed at strengthening the implementation of the UNCCD and improve land management as the world strives to achieve a land-degradation neutral world by 2030. Preceding the finalisation of the LDN-TSP Report was the completion of Guyana’s Aligned National Action Plan to Combat Land Degradation. Moreover, the GLSC made it clear that the development of Guyana’s first ever, National Land Policy will also address this issue. “This project will provide considerable benefits to Guyanese and to the country’s green state national development trajectory by strengthening capacity-building in the GLSC and other key stakeholder agencies. As a nation, Guyana remains committed to achieving land-degradation neutrality,” the statement added.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE August 5, 2018

GAN breathing life into comic art

Members and supporters of GAN pop confetti to kickoff this yearâ€™s summer camp

Cosplayers: Hinata from the anime Naruto and Mario from the Nintendo videogame of the same name

Story and photos by Vishani Ragobeer

HE Guyana Animation Network (GAN) has

development of comic art in Guyana as part of their wider mandate to promote digital media and technology. For one week, from August 6 to 11, at the

A group of friend costumed as the Justice League

launched their comic art summer camp geared at fostering the

University of Guyana, Turn to page 21

SUNDAY CHRONICLE August 5, 2018

GAN breathing ...

Continued from page 20

Turkeyen Campus, in the Centre for Information Technology (CIT), Guyanese will be engaged in comic art and comic book character designs through training on comic book drawing and literacy. The camp is also a fundraising activity for GAN. Speaking at the launch on Friday at the Education Lecture Theatre (ELT) of the University of Guyana (UG), President of GAN, Francine Leitch, said the fundraiser is just one of the many initiatives

book drawing and literacy, Shawn Alleyne, who is the guest trainer. The organisation started planning its Comic Art collaboration with Alleyne last year after meeting with him at CARIFESTA XIII (Barbados) 2017. Speaking at the launch, Alleyne shared his challenges but said he never lost hope of his dream. “The untapped market is there for anything you want to create,” he said, adding: “I’m looking forward to see-

Patrons who flocked GAN’s comic con show off their costumes and pose for a group photo

to lead, activate and inspire, especially young Guyanese to tap into the lucrative industries of animation, digital media and Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs). This is just one of many events the network has organised since its formation in 2016. “Having participated in several activities in the past year, GAN has also aimed to improve digital advocacy, digital training, empowerment through education and employment activities through global networking opportunities,” she said, noting that opportunities can be improved when “education meets digital empowerment halfway”. Headlining at this year ’s summer camp is Barbados-born artist with over 15 years experience in comic

ing what you guys came up with next week [at the summer camp].” But even as he urged persons to follow their dreams and not to be deterred by those who trivialise the industry, especially in the Caribbean, he cautioned the young people to earn their living by being unique and harnessing the culture they know. The launch was structured as a comic convention (comic-con) where young people came dressed as their favourite comic book characters. Wi t h a s h o w o f tremendous support from young people dressed in their cosplay (costume play), Leitch was happy to highlight just how GAN’s support has b e e n g ro w i n g a n d shared her hopes that the network continues to grow.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE August 5, 2018

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, August 5, 2018

IPF/NAPF Regional Championships

Petterson-Griffith cops a second gold medal, Singh, Tucker also win gold By Michelangelo Jacobus TEAM Guyana continued their gold medal exploits at the IPF/NAPF Regional Powerlifting Championships in Mexico City, Mexico, as Carlos Petterson-Griffith claimed a second gold medal in the Men’s Equipped 93kg Open category. Nairanjan Singh and Frank Tucker also won gold medals in their respective categories (Men’s Equipped Master IV 85kg and Men’s Equipped Master III 105kg categories). Carlos Petterson-Griffith once again was head and shoulders above his competition lifting a total weight of

800kg while silver medallist Nelson Viera’s (Puerto Rico) total was 745kg. Carlos had a best Squat of 315kg, Bench Press 155kg and Dead Lift 330kg to obliterate his competitors and cop gold. Viera managed a best Squat of 290kg, Bench Press 197.5kg and Dead Lift 257.5kg while bronze medallist Eric Estrada (Mexico) had a total weight of 725kg (Squat 287.5kg, Bench Press 190kg and Dead Lift 247.5kg). Meanwhile, Frank Tucker copped gold in his Men’s Equipped Master III category by lifting a total of 510kg with a best Squat of 210kg, Bench Press 100kg and Dead

Lift 152.5kg. Nairanjan Singh, Guyana’s oldest competing powerlifter, won his Men’s Equipped Master IV gold, by lifting a total of 395kg with a best Squat 125kg, Bench Press 110kg and Dead Lift 160kg. The Regional Championships, being hosted in Mexico City, Mexico, began on August 1 and concluded yesterday. The Guyanese are expected back on home soil tomorrow night and they will be welcomed by the Guyana Amateur Powerlifting Federation (GAPLF) family.

CPL title depends on playing smart cricket, says Botha By Rajiv Bisnauth THE Amazon Warriors have stormed into the final of the Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) like true warriors thrice, but have never been able to win the title. No doubt the team will be looking for a fresh start this season and will definitely want to settle for nothing less than the trophy this year. However, while they would be looking to tick all the boxes in the field so as to provide their fans with some joy after five years of unfavourable results, head coach Johan Botha feels ‘smart cricket’, is needed if the local franchise are to cross that final hurdle. “It calls for smart cricket.

It is easy to say let’s play the conditions well and have fun, but there is a lot more to it these days. We know we will come up against quality opposition and we need to be better on the night. We need to think on our feet and probably be the team that react the best to pressure situations,” the 36-year-old said. Botha, the former South Africa player, feels, while the aim is to reach the top four, the team must take it ‘match by match’. “You need to get into the play-offs first of all. We want to be in the top four and that is our first and main goal for now and then from there you are two to three wins away from winning the tournament and in those high

pressure games you have to hope a couple of things go your way and a couple of your senior players perform on the night,” he pointed out. He added, “We have to look at conditions; the guys have said they really like a couple of the wickets at Providence, so that is probably the first thing we need to look at; if it is going to spin as much as it has in the past. It has not looked like it has, based on the recent One Day International. Every player is different and we will have to look and try to pick our best XI for the night”. The Amazon Warriors will start their CPL campaign with a match against St Kitts and Nevis Patriots on August 9.

South Africa Racing Tips Scottsville 08:25 hrs Raes Dyna Jet 09:05 hrs Ronnie Rocket 09:45 hrs Light On Her Toes 10:25 hrs Lilibet English Racing Tips Market Rasen 09:00 hrs Ezanak 09:35 hrs Café Au Lait 10:10 hrs Mrsrobin 10:40 hrs Ange Des Mal Beraux 11:15 hrs Lucky Robin 11:50 hrs Premier Rose 12:20 hrs Longhouse Sale Chester 08:50 hrs Hafeet Alain 09:25 hrs The Trader 10:00 hrs Major Jumbo 10:30 hrs Berkshire Royal 11:05 hrs Rockin Roy 11:40 hrs Dragons Tail 12:10 hrs Red Force One Irish Racing Tips Galway 09:15 hrs Kellyiscool 09:45 hrs Smitty Bacall 10:20 hrs Queen Mia 10:55 hrs Shared Equity 11:30 hrs Alelchi Inois 12:00 hrs Woodland Opera 12:30 hrs Archive 13:00 hrs Dorrells Pierji

Platinum Auto Show to excite today SOME of Guyana’s best cars, bikes and other fashionable vehicles are expected to be on show today at the Platinum Auto Expo, as organisers are anticipating a huge turnout at the Guyana Motor Racing & Sports Club (GMR&SC), Thomas Lands. The Expo, which has been absent from the list of entertainments for some time, is anticipated to see intense rivalry among competitors in all 27 categories. Organiser Mahendra Boodhoo, speaking recently, said the event is expected to attract some of the best

vehicles in terms of glitz and glamour, while those with the fancy lights, shining rims and cleanest sound system will all have the opportunity to win prizes. Boodhoo, a former racer and president of the GMR&SC noted that the occasion is one where families can come out and enjoy a day of fun. The occasion also presents an opportunity for those with a deep appreciation for excellent-looking vehicles and those who just love to compete in such competitions. He added that the Expo is open to all and over $1M in

cash prizes and trophies will be up for grabs for winners in the respective categories. Boodhoo said competitors are currently working feverishly to excite the fans with their thorough preparations. Among the categories to be contested are: Best Antique bike, Mini Extreme Face Out Cars, Best Rims, Best Graphic Bus and Car, Cleanest SUV, Best Technician, Biggest Bike. Additionally, Boodhoo disclosed that fans will be entertained throughout the day with displays set to commence at 14:00hrs, while

gates will be open from 12:00hrs. Patrons wishing to buy tickets in advance will pay $1500. A star-studded line-up of local entertainment talent will grace the stage including Granny Ivelaw, Chiney Man and Chow Pow. Interested persons can contact the organisers on 617-2651 or 627-2369. Some of the sponsors on board are: A. Ali & Sons, GT Motorsports, STAG Beer, Caribbean Motor Spares and Ramchand Auto Spares.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, August 5, 2018

Sports yearning for a sense of direction in Region 2, says football coach By Elroy Stephney “NOTHING is actually happening in terms of sports development in Region 2,” says football coach

Andrew Blackman. He is of the view that the Government should seriously charter a definitive course to harness and promote the Region’s talent. Blackman,

who previously coached the Essequibo Technical Institute and Mainstay Gold Star football clubs continue to vocally express his disappointment. In an interview with

Football coach Andrew Blackman

Chronicle Sport, he reminisced on the days when sports flourished on the Essequibo Coast and had the support of various stakeholders including the sporting public. Blackman was quick to point out that cricket was well served under the leadership of Kayman and Beni Sankar during the 19701990s and he was one of the beneficiaries as well as the late Courtney Gonsalves, Alfred Maycock, Trenton Peters, Jaimini Singh, Bentley Bishop and Mark Stephney among others. The diminutive multi-faceted sportsman featured prominently for North Essequibo as an opening batsman, ran and won many 100 metres races at school and district level then became a prolific goalscorer for Quibo Football Club of Cotton

Field. He has since taken up coaching and benefitted from training programmes conducted by the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) as well as being a former member of the Essequibo Coast and Pomeroon Football Association. ‘ I am indeed saddened by the current state of affairs’ he posited whilst lamenting the absence of competitive cricket on the Essequibo Coast, the general disintegration of sports clubs as well as the lack of coordination among administrative bodies to promote sports. Blackman added that there are a number of young and hugely talented athletes in various disciplines including cricket, football, athletics, basketball, table tennis, swimming and boxing but he asks, ‘Where are the resources and technical expertise to realise the dreams of these jewels? The outspoken coach disclosed that many of the grounds are found to be abandoned with dilapidated facilities; persons are basically disinterested given that there are no opportunities for upward mobility, absence of relevant programmes including training, coaching or even camps that can aid in developing the skills of athletes, sparse support from corporate society as well as the Government’s inability to lead from a direction of

organisational strength. He referred to the Region having a Sports Organisor, yet sports is disorganised in the Region. “There are no clubs anymore but teams made up persons wanting to have a good time on a given Sunday.” he remarked. He followed up by suggesting that the Department of Sport in the Region must play a pivotal role in setting standards and seek to once again establish clubs who should then be registered with the body. “For too long Essequibians have been neglected by the Authorities and have been denied modern facilities to train and play. It is the opportune time therefore for us to unite and demand our fair share of opportunities and rightful places in the national set-up.” Blackman is therefore appealing to all stakeholders to galvanise the will to transform the landscape, create the vision and produce a blue print to drive sports to another level within Region 2. “Essequibo is yearning for a sense of direction,” according to the dapper coach. In this regard, the industrious and dedicated sports official remains steadfast in continuing to expose the lingering inefficiencies and bottlenecks until there is a genuine commitment from the hierarchy of elected officials to deliver with sustained interest.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, August 5, 2018

Stokes stars as England seal thrilling win over India

Ben Stokes roared after dismissing Virat Kohli. The England all-rounder finished with four for 40. (Getty Images)

By Saikat Chatterjee BIRMINGHAM, England (Reuters) - England’s Ben Stokes grabbed three wickets yesterday including the prized scalp of India captain Virat Kohli, to give the hosts a stunning victory by 31 runs on the fourth day of the first Test match at Edgbaston. Chasing 194 runs, India resumed their second innings at 110 for the loss of five wickets with Kohli and wicketkeeper Dinesh Karthik needing 84 for victory. But the hosts, playing their 1 000th Test match, made an early breakthrough with strike bowler James Anderson removing Karthik with the final delivery of the first over. That brought all-rounder Hardik Pandya to the crease and at one stage the visitors seemed to have found their way back into a gripping contest that has swung with every session over the last three days. The duo put on 29 runs for the seventh wicket with Pandya looking the more aggressive, hitting Stuart Broad for two consecutive boundaries in one over. STOKES STRIKES But the introduction of Stokes in the eleventh over of the day dragged the mo-

mentum back in England’s favour. First he trapped Kohli, who was looking dangerous after scoring a fluent half-century, with a beautiful delivery that rapped him on the pads and followed that up by dismissing bowler Mohammed Shami for a duck. Pandya offered some resistance to the English bowlers but the task turned out to be too big for him at the end. For the visitors, this would have been the biggest run chase against the hosts in England if successful. He was the last man out for the visitors and gave Stokes his fourth wicket of the innings. England captain Joe Root said the determination his team mates showed will prove vital going forward. “Whenever you play games like this you want to end up on the right side for different reasons,” he said. “It gives us a great deal of confidence going into the rest of the series.” The win gave England a 1-0 lead in the five-match series. The second Test begins at Lord’s on August 9 Root’s side won the oneday international series between the teams 2-1 and lost the Twenty20 competition by the same margin last month.

SCOREBOARD ENGLAND 1st innings 287 INDIA 1st innings 274 ENGLAND 2nd innings 180 INDIA.2nd innings o/n 110 for

Murali Vijay lbw Stuart Broad

Shikhar Dhawan c Jonny Bairstow b Stuart Broad

Lokesh Rahul c Jonny Bairstow b Ben Stokes

Virat Kohli lbw Ben Stokes

Ajinkya Rahane c Jonny Bairstow b Sam Curran

Ravichandran Ashwin c Jonny Bairstow b James Anderson

Dinesh Karthik c Dawid Malan b James Anderson

Hardik Pandya c Alastair Cook b Ben Stokes

Mohammed Shami c Jonny Bairstow b Ben Stokes

shant Sharma lbw Adil Rashid

Umesh Yadav not out

Extras: (b-1, lb-2)

Total: (54.2 overs) 162 all out Fall of wickets: 1-19, 2-22, 3-46, 4-63, 5-78, 6-112, 7-141, 8-141, 9-154. Bowling: James Anderson 16-250-2, Stuart Broad 14-2-43-2, Ben Stokes 14.2-2-40-4, Sam Curran 6-0-18-1, Adil Rashid 4-1-9-1.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, August 5, 2018

Wakapoa gets new boxing gym

Hinterland boxing coach Orlon Rogers (third left standing) posed with members of the newly formed Wakapoa boxing gym in Region Two.

THE Hinterland community of Wakapoa located in Region 2, has a newly formed boxing gym which aims at keeping the youths meaningfully occupied through sport. The gym was established by hinterland boxing coach, who was appointed by Minister George Norton and consists of 30 members from the four neighbouring islands; Curemeru, Mora, Myrie and Massarie. Rogers who resides in Linden, formed an executive body to oversee its daily management in his absence. Wakapoa gym, in addition

to the many hinterland gyms formed by Rogers over the last year, is preparing for the hinterland boxing championships set for mid-August. The hinterland gyms formed thus far are Region One’s Moruca Power Right Boxing Gym, Region Seven’s Bartica Blazing Gym, Region Eight’s Hands in Glove Gym, Region Nine’s Savannah Boxing Gym at Lethem and now the Region Two’s Wakapoa Rocket Warriors Boxing Gym. Rogers observed that the hinterland boxing championship is a first for Guyana. Champions will then rep-

resent Guyana at the Caribbean Schoolboys Boxing Championship and Rogers expressed his appreciation to Minister Dr George Norton, Director of Sport Christopher Jones and Steve Ninvalle, president of the Guyana Boxing Association, for fully supporting the Hinterland Boxing venture. His next tour will be to Kwakwani Region 10 and other remote areas that were too long neglected in sports such as Port Kaituma, Mabaruma, Leguan, Wakenaam, Charity and Annai. “As long as we have young boys and girls who

are willing to learn the fistic sport of boxing I'll give my all to produce. I am seeing the talent in those areas and by 2020, 2024 and 2028, Guyana will have lots of medals from boxing and we will maintain our status as the powerhouse in the Caribbean. Boxing will remain the sport that brings the most glory to Guyana,” Rogers posited. He is calling for sponsorship for provision of gear, gym equipment, small bleachers etc.

New series of Lotto’s Cricket Info and Quiz starts on NCN-TV Wednesday A BRAND new series of LOTTO’S CRICKET INFO AND QUIZ programmes is scheduled to be aired on the National Communications Network Inc. (NCN-TV) during the course of the sixth edition of the Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) starting on Wednesday, August 8. The popular interactive 30-minute programme will be aired on each of the 31 match days when viewers will be given the opportunity to answer questions based on CPL cricket and earn prizes inclusive of hampers, shirts, household items, beverages, delicious dishes, tickets to CPL matches, monetary incentives and numerous

miscellaneous items. Each programme will also feature a two-minute profile on a former CPL player. According to long-standing host, Edwin Seeraj, the main sponsor of the show is the Guyana Lottery Company. Others are the Guyana Beverages Inc. through the VIVA water brand, Survival Supermarket, BM Soat Auto Spares, The Trophy Stall, The Tasty Dish Catering Service, Oriental General Store, Star Sports and Odessa’s Beauty Salon. The first programme will be aired on the opening day of Hero CPL 2018, Wednesday, August 8 at 17:00hrs (17:00hrs).

Taylor finds form to help Western Storm win MANCHESTER, England, (CMC) – West Indies Women’s captain Stafanie Taylor broke out of a rut to help Western Storm defeat Lancashire Thunder by seven wickets in the Kia Super League. Asked to chase 154 at Old Trafford on Friday, Storm reached their target with 10 balls to spare, to post their fourth win of the tournament and stay second on 19 points. Indian opener Smriti Mandhana proved the hero, stroking a superb 102 from

61 deliveries, with 12 fours and four sixes. She put on 105 for the third wicket with Taylor who was content to play the supporting role and finish on 33 not out from 34 balls with four boundaries. The 27-year-old’s previous scores in the tournament were 12, six and seven not out. New Zealander Amy Satterthwaite had earlier topscored with 85 not out from 57 balls to help Lancashire to 153 for seven off their 20 overs.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, August 5, 2018

Virat Kohli let down by his own men

By Nagraj Gollapudi in Birmingham

VIRAT Kohli scored exactly 200 runs in the first Test. The other 10 batsmen scored 214. Since December 2013, when India toured South Africa, Kohli has eight Test centuries in Australia, England, South Africa and New Zealand. The rest of the Indian batsmen during that period have scored just as many between themselves in those four countries. In the 17 Tests Kohli has played in this period, he averages 54.48; all the others in the top-seven collectively average 28.13. Since the start of the 2017-18 season, in seven Tests, Kohli has scored 31.9% of India’s total runs. YOU GET THE DRIFT The first Test was a contest between England and Kohli, and he lost not because he failed, but because all his specialist batsmen failed. Test-match batting in England is never easy. Even Kohli, as CricViz revealed,

edged and missed more deliveries in this game than any other. But the reason he did not fail was because he applied himself, and the rest of the line-up didn’t. Kohli figured out a way to feel comfortable even as Edgbaston was clamouring for his head. As India batting coach Sanjay Bangar pointed out on the second day: Kohli found a way to stay a step ahead. So why couldn’t the other Indian batsman do the same? Shikhar Dhawan was not a certainty to open with M. Vijay not just because of his bad numbers overseas, but also because he made a pair in the warm-up match against a second-string Essex side. In both innings, Dhawan reached out with hard hands at a ball that was moving away outside off stump and was caught in the slips. On Saturday morning, Ravi Shastri was seen talking to Dhawan about his technique. Even without being privy to the talk, it is fair to assume that the head coach was asking the left-hander to wait for the ball to come to him rather than reach.

India captain Virat Kohli who scored exactly 200 runs in ther match.

Dhawan was one of the two batsmen that Bangar, without naming, said had “thrown” their wickets away. KL Rahul was the other one. Rahul had been included ahead of the more experienced Cheteshwar Pujara at No. 3. The selection was made an hour before start of play, during the team huddle. On Friday, Rahul was defeated by a mind-bender of a delivery from Ben Stokes. But in the first innings, facing only his second delivery, he went chasing wide outside his off stump and played on.

M. Vijay, the other pillar in the top order, was ineffective as well. In the first innings, He came out looking indecisive and suddenly found himself stagnant and exposed. In the second innings, he left an inswinger to be trapped lbw. And in the first, even though he had put on 50 runs with Dhawan, both he and his partner departed even before Anderson and Broad had finished half their first spells. What must have pained Kohli most was Ajinkya Rahane, his deputy, wafting at an innocuous delivery from Sam

Andy Persaud celebrates with teammate

ANDY Persaud (right), the bowling hero in Berbice’s comprehensive 30-run victory over Demerara in last weekend’s white ball Inter-county tournament, celebrates his side’s win with teammate Fizul Haniff. Persaud, who also bowled brilliantly

in the semi-final against Essequibo, with figures of three for 15 in three overs, returned to grab four for 14 in the final, claiming the Tropical Nights Restaurant trophy in the process. The tournament, which was held at Keele Top, North York, Toronto, Can-

ada is the brainchild of former Guyana and Canadian national player Damodar Daesrath and was being played for the second consecutive year. It involved Berbice, Demerara, Essequibo and an All Stars selection.

Curran late on Friday. The thin edge was picked up by Johnny Bairstow behind the wickets. As Rahane walked out, Kohli put the towel stuck to his hip up on his head. This was the second time in eight months that India found themselves in a winning position while chasing a small target. In the Cape Town Test early this year, they failed to make the required 208. As Sanjay Manjrekar had written then, the Indian batsmen could not develop the instinct to bat in South Africa, having arrived in the country a week before the Test. That is not the case on this tour. Vijay and Rahane played for India-A against England Lions before the three-day warm-up against Essex. All the other batsmen have been in the UK since late June. As Kohli said after the match, his batsmen needed to look in the mirror. R. Ashwin said that it would not be prudent to be harsh on the batsmen on a pitch that did not allow them to play with freedom. He added that this team still has the potential to do something

“special”. “I have been on tour since 2011. And that way this team has got really a positive vibe in terms of at least believing that we can pull it off from any stage because we have in the past, and probably on the last three or four away tours we have been on, we have managed to pull off some incredible victories. And probably if we have to win a Test series in England, and that too a five-match series, we will have to pull off something special at some stage.” There is no doubt about the belief. But right now India are hurting. On Wednesday morning, Kohli had walked into the Test match with the whites tucked in, chest out, full of intent. At noon yesterday, Kohli walked down the stairs for the post-match presentation, shirt tucked out, hands behind his back, all his pride swallowed. He accepted defeat and patted his counterpart on the shoulder to congratulate him on the win. Let down by his own men, Kohli could do nothing else. (ESPN Cricinfo)

Guyana to host 18th World Dominoes Championships in October THE World Council of Dominoes Federation (WCDF) has chosen Guyana to host their 18th Biennial World Dominoes Championship from October 4 to 10 later this year. As such the Georgetown Dominoes Federation (GDF) has issued a Notice to all clubs and associations in Guyana calling for the names of two players each to participate at a ‘Three-hand trial’ which will be held at the GDF president’s residence from August 12 to 25. At the end of the trial, a male and female team will be selected to represent Guyana at the World Dominoes Championships. Countries such as Antigua and Barbuda, Anguilla, Barbados, the United States of America (USA), Canada, St Lucia, St Maarten, England, Jamaica, Suriname and Montserrat will be participating. Interested persons can contact the vice-president of the Federation, Mr George on 678-8447.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, August 5, 2018

Over 90 youngsters complete Malteenoes SC Cricket Academy OVER 90 youngsters completed the Malteenoes Sports Club (MSC) Cricket Academy on Friday after two weeks of learning the fundamentals of cricket, both on and off the field. The Academy, which began on July 23, aimed at nurturing and fostering the development of aspiring cricketers. It also focused on realising the numerous opportunities the sport can offer professionally. The sessions were conducted at the club’s Thomas Lands facility. The participants were coached by Orin Bailey, assisted by Darien Best and Shaquille Williams. They also had visits from a few

‘Best Player’ Brandon Corlette collects his prize from Director of Sport Christopher Jones at the closing ceremony of the Malteenoes Cricket Academy. (Adrian Narine photo)

other coaches such as Reon King, Garvin Nedd and Esaun Crandon. At the closing ceremony, Director of Sport Christopher Jones urged the youngsters to take the knowledge gained and run with it as well as to continue training. He also noted that it is important for them to strike a balance between books and the field. However, he also pointed out that most importantly they should enjoy the sport they play, as they represent the future of Guyana. Brandon Corlette was adjudged the Best Player-of-the-Academy. The sessions included classroom and field work which provided training

to become cricketers, umpires, scorers, journalists and broadcasters. The Academy has produced Test players such as Ramnaresh Sarwan, Ryan Ramdass and Narsingh Deonarine, along with former USA captain Steve Massiah, who played two ODIs for the USA while Azeemul Haniff and Ricardo Mohamed played First-Class cricket. After a break, the Academy was reintroduced in 2016 on a much smaller scale but was again interrupted last year due to the unavailability of coaches who were occupied with CPL duties.

Exceptional performances from students at GKC grading examination THE Guyana Karate College (GKC) held its second grading examinations for the year on Friday at the Transport and General Sports Club Dojo in Thomas Lands. Master Frank Woon-ATai examined approximately sixty students with all being successful. A number of karatekas performed exceptionally including Rachel and

Rebecca Ramlall who led the grading examinations gaining Sandan or third degree black belt rankings along with Genoveva Buelna and Sarah Persaud who obtained shodan or first degree black belt rankings. Advancing from 10th kyu to 8th kyu or white belt to yellow belt were Ryan Ramjohn, Britney Balkaram, Chad Joel Cambell, Bran-

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Sunday August 05, 2018)

don Balkaran, Javi Christof Pierre, Aliya Thomas, Tieran Sooknandan, Nicasey Abrams, Jamiyla Morian, Tamika Henry and Tyrese Hoppie whilst skipping from 10th kyu to 7th kyu or white belt to orange belt were Zi Yan Zhang, Alanzo Chastin Pierre, Romel Alanzo, and Carlyn Grahame. Progressing from 9th kyu or white belt with yellow stripe to 8th kyu or yellow belts were Kathelya A. Bacchus, and Reneeka Laikhraj whilst Leanna Rodney

skipped to 7th kyu or orange belt. Being elevated from 7th kyu or orange belt to 6th kyu or green belt were Ethan Muneshwar, Omari Emanuel John, Sarah Maraj, Aiden Gomes, Derick Easton Jared Rahman, Saffiya Singh, Julian Yang, Kevin Seokumar, Nicholas Welcome, Farha McWilfred, Raul Zamal Khan, Makayla Sparman, Neal Rafferty. Moving from 6th kyu or green belt to 5th kyu or blue belt were Ameer Shar-

iff and Darnell Klass whilst skipping to 4th kyu or purple belt were Jonathan Yong and Zhouhong Yang. Progressing from 5th kyu or blue belt to 4th kyu or purple belt were Jared Hurry, Jian Zhang, Navindra Singh and Malcolm Sparman. Being elevated from 4th kyu or purple belt to 3rd kyu brown belt were Prosper Jacobus, Yijun Huang and Nathanael Singh whilst Omar Shariff and Mia Ritchie moved from 2nd kyu brown belts or 1st kyu brown belts.

COMPLIMENTS OF THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market & The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD-83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1)

Mashrafe Mortaza-7 wickets

(2) Devendra Bishoo & Jason Holder-4 wickets each Today’s Quiz: (1) Which Bangladeshi made the highest individual score in the recent ODI series against the WI? (2) Which WI player made the highest individual score? Answers in tomorrow’s issue

Students of the Guyana Karate College. (Adrian Narine photo)

Provisionally graded for their 1st degree black belts or Shodan were Laurence Baptiste and Laurie Baptiste who are expected to complete their examinations next Wednesday. Alyssa Ramotar put in a scintillating performance when she and Jonathan Ramlal were promoted from 1st degree black belts or Shodan to 2nd degree black belts or Nidan ranking.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, August 5, 2018

Anthony cops 15th Annual Seven Seas cycling title on return MICHAEL Anthony marked his return to local cycling action in fine style by capturing the feature event of the 15th annual Seven Seas 11-race cycling meet at the inner circuit of the National Park yesterday. Racing in the feature Schoolboys and Invitational 35-Lap event, Anthony along with Jamual John, Paul DeNobrega, Christopher ‘Chicken Legs’ Griffith and Alonzo Ambrose led for the majority of the race after an early crash had caused some cyclists to drop out of the race. Anthony crossed the finish line unchallenged after playing a ‘cat-and-mouse’ game with the peloton and making good his escape to end with a time of one hour 20 minutes 40.27 seconds (1:20:40.27) while young Deeraj Garbarran claimed second after a strong comeback. The race for third place was intense as longtime rivals and friends, Jamual John and Paul DeNobrega

Michael Anthony crosses the finish line without a challenger in sight to cop the 15th annual Seven Seas cycling title. (Adrian Narine photos) Overall winners of the 15th annual Seven Seas 11-race cycling meet.

sprinted across the finish line. However, it was John who claimed the third spot, just pipping DeNobrega with a well-executed bike throw. Fifth and sixth places went to Griffith and Alonzo Ambrose in that order. Of the eight sprint prizes up for grabs, John claimed four, Griffith two, while Anthony and Garbarran took one apiece. Richard Van Veen won

the 12-14 Boys and Girls race while Ralph Williams claimed top honours in the Veterans U-50 event with Leer Nunes and Oliver Younge second and third respectively. Ian Jackson was the winner of the Over-50 race with Linden Blackman and Kennard Lovell taking second and third places in that order. Adealie Hodge beat out

Richard Van Veen for the Juveniles 10-lap race while Shamaul Younge settled for third. The meet was sponsored by Massy Group of Companies through their Seven Seas brand. Products Specialist Nirvana Thakur was on hand to present the winners with their trophies and hampers at the presentation ceremony. The cyclists will now

head over to West Demerara today where they will do battle for top honours at the 14th Annual Reagan Rodrigues Memorial 46-miler road race. The race will begin at the Demerara Harbour Bridge before heading to Bushy Park, East Bank Essequibo and back for the finish at the point of origin. Jamual John was the winner in the Seniors category last year with a time

Sinclair’s half-century puts Guyana in strong position KINGSTOWN, St Vincent (CMC) – Kevin Sinclair’s half-century put Guyana in a strong position to force victory on today’s final day as wet conditions ravaged the two other fixtures on the second day of the opening round of matches in the Regional Under-19 Championship here yesterday. Resuming on 58 for two against Leeward Islands, Guyana were lifted to 229 all out in their first innings at Arnos Vale Stadium, with Sinclair top-scoring with 51. Left-hander Sachin Singh chipped in with 49 while Young Windies star Bhaskar Yadram struck 35 and Javid Karim, 30. Behind by 113 runs, the Leewards reached close of play on 22 without loss – still requiring a further 91 runs to make Guyana bat again. Guyana were propelled by two major partnerships as they easily overhauled the Leewards’ paltry first innings of 116. Firstly, Singh and Yadram extended their overnight third-wicket stand to 51 before being separated, to give Guyana a solid start to the day. Opener Singh faced 97 deliveries and struck three fours and two sixes while Yadram belted five fours and a six in a breezy 45-ball innings. Once the partnership was broken,

Sinclair arrived to control the innings for Guyana, putting on 32 for the fourth wicket with Singh before adding a further 48 for the fifth with Kevelon Anderson (17). All told, Sinclair faced 68 balls in nearly 1-1/2 hours at the crease and struck five fours and a six. New-ball bowler Javin Spencer finished with five for 70 while Zawandi White took three for 16. At Sion Hill, Kadeem Alleyne made a half-century as Barbados had the better of the exchanges on a rain-shortened day. Alleyne, unbeaten on 35 overnight, made 54 to get his side from 175 for five at the start to 223 all out in their first innings. He faced 74 deliveries and counted three fours and six but Barbados lost their last five wickets for 20 runs as left-arm spinner Raewin Senior picked up seven for 58. In reply, leg-spinner Camarie Boyce claimed three for 15 to limit Jamaica to 61 for four – still 162 runs adrift of first-innings lead. There was no play at Park Hill in the contest between Trinidad & Tobago and Windward Islands due to a water-logged outfield. Other summarised scores: At Sion Hill: Jamaica trail Barbados

of one hour 56 minutes 48.59 seconds, while Briton John (Juniors), Ian Jackson (Veterans) and Talim Shaw (Mountain Bikes) were the other category winners. The Rodrigues family will be there to distribute prizes and trophies. The late Reagan Rodrigues was a former champion motor racer and cyclist, as well as a former president of the Guyana Cycling Federation (GCF).

Patriots call up Walsh, van der Dussen as replacements

Bhaskar Yadram

by 162 runs on first innings with six wickets remaining. BARBADOS 223 (Shian Brathwaite 87, Kadeem Alleyne 54, Nico Reifer 39; Raewin Senior 7-58, Sanjay Brown 3-32) JAMAICA 61 for four (Carlos Brown 25; Camarie Boyce 3-15) At Park Hill: No play possible. WINDWARD ISLANDS 238 (Teddy Bishop 79, Kimani Melius 53, Johnel Eugene 37; Navin Bidaisee 3-29, Justyn Gangoo 3-34, Jayden Seales 2-36) TRINIDAD & TOBAGO, one without loss. At Arnos Vale Stadium: Leewards trail by 91 runs overall. LEEWARD ISLANDS 116 (Kevin Sinclair 4-19, Kelvin Umroa 3-28, Joshua Jones 2-27) and 22 without loss. GUYANA 229 (Kevin Sinclair 51, Sachin Singh 49, Bhaskar Yadram 35, Javid Karim 30; Javin Spencer 5-70, Zawandi White 3-16)

BASSETERRE, St Kitts, (CMC) – Last year’s losing finalists St Kitts and Nevis Patriots have been hit with two player withdrawals ahead of next Wednesday’s start of the Caribbean Premier League. Eighteen-year-old leg-spinning sensation, Sandeep Lamichhane has been ruled out of the latter half of the tournament as he is now set to link up with his national side Nepal on August 26. Meanwhile, experienced Zimbabwe all-rounder, Graeme Cremer, will take no part in the tournament because of injury. Lamichhane will be replaced in the squad by South Africa’s Rassie van der Dussen while Antiguan leg-spinner Hayden Walsh Jr comes in for Cremer. “It is always sad to lose players that we drafted but in Hayden Walsh Jr and Rassie van der Dussen we have two players that we are very confident will succeed at this year’s Hero CPL as we look to go one game better than last year and win the tournament in 2018,” said Patriots head coach Donovan Miller. Patriots, who feature superstar opener Chris Gayle, open their campaign against Guyana Amazon Warriors in Georgetown next Thursday.

IPF/NAPF Regional Championships

Petterson-Griffith cops a second gold medal, Singh, Tucker also win gold PAGE

Carlos Petterson-Griffith snared a second gold medal at the IPF/NAPF Regional Championships in Mexico.

Platinum Auto Show CPL title depends on playing smart cricket, says Botha to excite today PAGE

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One of the cars expected to be on show at todayâ€™s Platinum Auto Expo at the GMR&SC 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

Johan Botha SUNDAY, AUGUST 5, 2018